The football is over and done with for another season and usually I am sat this time of year thinking what do I do now? However, this time around is different as I am going to really make the most of my free time and be super productive to work towards things I have been putting off and delaying due to my time being filled with football. The plan is to really lock in on my websites, granted a lot of time is going to be spent build up my social media presence and finding a way to be consistent and grow however, the websites have fallen behind in recent years so I want to change that and use the next few months to really improve the content and get into a good habit of posting again so here is my plan for each of the websites...

Edge of the Area

Now this is the big one as this is going to be a website I go all in on especially when the new women's season starts back up. I have plenty of ideas for content to tide me over until the new season starts so I am going to be posting on here weekly no matter what. I do plan on redesigning the whole website in the off season though as I am not a fan of how it currently looks. I am going to be going through and add different pages for different leagues and make sure all the headers match up for easier navigation for readers, which to be honest is way overdue and will just make the site flow so much better. I am also planning on spending a lot of time learning how to create better graphics to go alongside my content all round as this will just look so much better and the graphic design skill is a good one to have. Once I have got better with designing the plan is to create some templates for each league I plan to cover just so things are in place for me to quickly update when it comes to it and so that it is easy for people to work out what team or league we are on about with that post, I have so many ideas for this so I am hoping I can get them just how I want. The plan is also to create a media kit which I can adapt over the course of the season with stats, collaborations done etc as I have learnt that this is going to be a good way to reach out to people when things have started to head in the right direction. Finally I am going to be updating the bios and about sections on all social media accounts and the website just so everything is still relevant. I have high hopes for Edge of the Area next season and the off season is going to be where the rebuild begins.

This website 

I have neglected this website a bit recently and I think one of the big things I am going to be doing for here in the off season is sitting down and planning the direction I want to take the website in, not just for the rest of the year but for the future all together as I have felt stuck in recent months. Once I have sat and planned the direction I am going to redo the pages on the site to match the content I will be creating again, just to make it easier for people to navigate and for it to flow much better overall. Just like with Edge of the Area I will be creating a media kit for here too as this site will certainly benefit one and I will be updating social media bios and about pages to ensure they are accurate to the direction we are heading in. I will be working on improving my social media to tie it into the website too whilst bringing in more fashion content which I really can't wait for. Images to go with posts on here will be improved too and quality will massively improve in images taken something I can't wait to get working on. Finally I am going to use what I do on the website to help me to create that personal branding I am trying to work on, something that again is long overdue.

TNG Games

Now this website really has been neglected over the past 4 years or so and I am giving myself one last chance to really get things moving with it. I am going to sit and plan out the direction I want to take things in for this site and some content I can create over the next few months. I am going to redo all the pages on here too, clear up what is no longer needed and add pages that will make new content much easier to navigate. I will be sorting out the bios and about pages on social media too so it matches the new direction and I will be creating graphics to easily use on new content series too. Again a media kit will be being made for this as it will come in handy as the site starts to grow and I will be aiming to post at least 3 times a week to build the habit of posting once again.

So that is what I am doing on the websites over the next few months however, I am hoping to also be upgrading my equipment over the course of the off season so hopefully I will be looking at picking up a new camera or two, a decent camera bag, a Dji and enough memory cards to keep me stocked up and so I can keep content for the different sites in its own place to stop any confusion.

I am really looking forward to the next few month to see just what I can do on the websites whilst I don't have the football as a distraction I feel like I am really going to be able to make some progress with this free time I have and who knows where it will end up taking the sites in the long run.

See you soon

Lucy

The time has finally come to rebuild my wardrobe and the decision has been made to make this new wardrobe a bit of a hybrid one to flow with the direction life is heading in. To make sure I have all basis covered the plan is to build a smarter looking wardrobe that leans towards the more luxurious side of things that I want for my job whilst I will also have a bit more of a street wear style of the wardrobe so I have items to wear for my football trips or days out where I want to look put together but more casual. This rebuild is going to be all about finding a balance and in all honesty some items may actually be suitable for both side of the wardrobe but we will see how that goes. The focus at the moment is going to be on clothing with footwear to follow in the future as I do have a lot of nice & versatile footwear already. So here are the sort of items I am planning to add to my wardrobe as I make a start on the rebuild.

Work & Elevated days out 

This is where I am going to be levelling up the most. The plan is to head to work looking much more put together that the jeans and t-shirt I currently wear. I want to add items of great quality into this section and head out in a more luxurious looking outfit daily. The saying dress for the job you want not the job you have comes into mind a lot with this and honestly I can't wait to get to creating outfits around this saying. I also want some items that will serve me well for events or elevated days out, smart but not too much. So here are some bits that will be being added into my work wardrobe...

Tailored trousers

I am wanting to scrap the jeans for work unless I do a bit of a dress down Friday (you will see why later in this post) so the plan is to get stocked up on some nice tailored trousers, in the correct length for my work wardrobe. The current trousers I own are all patterned, I want to have some patterned ones in the wardrobe rebuild however, I need to get some plain ones in neutral colours for more versatility. I need to move away from the elasticated waist too as these do nothing for the overall look of an outfit. I feel like M&S, H&M or Mango may be best for these but I will certainly be shopping around.

Chinos

I love a good pair of chinos however, I haven't had a pair that have fit me correctly for a while now. These will be much better for a bit more of a relaxed look whilst looking put together still. Again the plan is to get a few pairs that fit perfectly in some nice neutral colours which will see me through the warmer days in the office. These would be great for shopping trips too where I want to dress up but not too much.

Linen trousers

These maybe wouldn't be the best for work due to the office I am in not being the warmest at anytime of the year however, if I wanted to I could definitely have these as part of the work outfits with a nice shirt and some nice shoes. I would definitely opt for these for those elevated days out though especially in late spring & summer as they just make a brilliant outfit when done right. These with some nice loafers or driving shoes, I already have the outfits in mind.

Straight leg jeans

Now these could be worn for a bit of a dress down Friday at work however, I would much prefer these for those days where I want to look put together for a day out but don't want something too structured. A good fitting pair of straight leg jeans can really help even the simplest of outfits look fantastic so maybe a few different colours of these will be purchased to see me through all the seasons. I even think some cropped ones could be added as time goes on. I swear by M&S jeans so no doubt this is where they will all come from. 

Plain t-shirts

Every wardrobe needs the basics and I am going to ensure that the ones I am purchasing are ones that are going to fit me properly as an ill fitting t-shirt can certainly ruin the whole look. I am definitely shopping around to find the best ones however, when I do eventually find them I want to pick them up in simple colours that are going to go with a whole host of items in my wardrobe. These definitely need to last though as I will be wearing them for work, day to day and the football wardrobe.

Shirts

These are going to be budget purchases until my weight goal is hit but I am going to be adding some nice shirts into my wardrobe for work and day to day I just need to make sure they aren't going to be see-through which is a trap I have fallen into far too often. Once that goal is hit for the weight though I am going to build a whole shirt section in my wardrobe filled with the likes of Ralph Lauren and more importantly Hawes & Curtis shirts which I absolutely love browsing through online. A trip to Leeds to their store for a try on is definitely on the cards when that weight loss goal is met at long last.

Jumpers

The office I work in is cold all year round so jumpers are going to be an essential and these can also be used for the day to day elevated outfits as I absolutely love layering. I am thinking some good quality knitwear from the likes of M&S will help cover this and then once my weight has settled down a trip to Ralph Lauren for some elevated pieces can take place. A good few thinner jumpers then some chunkier knit ones will certainly do the trick.

Quarter zips

Now quarter zips aren't just for the males and you can get some great quality women's ones (I will probably buy some men's ones too) and they can really help keep you warm whilst also keeping the outfit looking smart. A fair few quarter zips are on my to buy list from a variety of brands however, the plan is to go for no logos or small logos just to keep a bit of a quiet luxury vibe going with the style. These are definitely one of the items I am really looking forward to heading out to purchase so I am hoping I can find some perfect ones.

Blazers

Dressed up or dressed down a blazer is a great addition to any wardrobe and I am on the hunt for a few in different styles to suit different occassions. I need smart ones for work & some more casual ones for day to day or if I want to dress down a work outfit for a change. I also want some that match any patterned trousers I pick up to create more of a full suit look for when I want to look extra smart as women can wear nice suits too.

Coats

It is in the coat department where I really struggle as I don't have anything smart for the warmer weather as I only really own sportswear jackets at the moment. I don't tend to have anything weather appropriate for the cold and wet either so I am really looking forward to shopping around and building the perfect coat rotation for all weathers rather than just throwing on any old coat and ruining the outfit like I currently do. This is going to be a journey but hopefully a fun one.

Football days & casual day to day

Now this is the side of the wardrobe where I will be spending my weekends if things go to plan so I really want to make it right. If I am heading out representing my football site or any other site I do work for I want to make sure I don't look scruffy when attending games. Gone are the ill fitting tracksuit bottoms and in is making intentional choices when it comes to getting ready to head to games. This also comes into play for days where I may be heading to the shops, I want to dress intentionally and not look like a slob. So here are the items I want to add into this side of the wardrobe...

Cargo's

I love a good pair of cargo's however, gone are the days of the cuffed ones which I currently wear. My plan is to get a good rotation of the Nike woven cargo's which I love as these are perfect for dressing up or down and are super comfortable so would be perfect for travelling to games and sitting in stadiums. I have these in a few colours now and my plan is to make sure I always have these in rotation.

Straight leg joggers

I have realised lately I am totally over cuffed pants and the hunt is on for the perfect pair of straight leg joggers that can be dressed up in a street wear style. What I have noticed though is these aren't going to be cheap as the pairs standing out to me currently are all over £50. I guess the splurge won't be too bad though if they help provide a comfortable outfit.

Baggier jeans

A pair of baggy jeans, some nice trainers and a hoodie would be a great match day fit and also a great shopping fit so I am on the hunt for the perfect pair in a few different colourways. I don't want them to be too baggy though and too long in length as it is no secret I am not one of the tallest people around. I have seen some nice ones in Hollister & from Unlike Humans so I need to get trying these on.

Plain t-shirts

As I said earlier every wardrobe needs the basics and these plain t-shirts will serve both sides of my wardrobe well. A plain t-shirt will be perfect for layering under hoodies and jackets just to give me an extra layer of warmth for those cold football matches. Again though it will be nice simple colourways rather than anything too in your face.

Graphic t-shirts

I actually went off graphic t-shirts for a while but the love is back as some stores are doing great ones at the moment. These might be sports related or something totally different but it is definitely going to be interesting to see what I do end up getting as these are likely to be for the casual shopping days rather than the football days but we shall see.

Hoodies

It is always cold at the football thanks to the time of year games are played therefore I am going to need to add a few hoodies into my wardrobe to make sure I am layered up and kept warm when attending games. I would love to add some nice simple colours into my rotation that are over the head or zip up. This just gives me a few different options when getting ready & I think I may try get a few different shapes too.

Retro looking jackets

I am absolutely loving these retro looking jackets from Nike and even though they are on the expensive side of things I think a few might be added into the wardrobe just to give the outfits a different look. I am thinking of picking a couple of these up in different colours just so that I have options for any outfits I am planning on wearing.

Puffer jacket

For the colder nights I need a really thick jacket to keep me warm and the plan is to get a North Face puffer jacket once my weight has settled down a bit. This will just mean I am that little bit warmer on those evening games and hopefully much dryer than I have been in the past. This is certainly on the more expensive side of things for me so I want to make sure I am at a weight where it is going to last.

So there you go those are the clothing changes I want to make for the rebuild. Keep any eye on here as this is only the beginning, the outfits need footwear and accessories so those posts about the rebuild there will be taking place soon. I am really looking forward to getting on with these rebuilds and hopefully seeing the confidence grow within myself. 

A lot of these changes will be taking place whilst I am losing weight so I won't be going all in at once on the expensive items as it just seems too wasteful if I am only going to be in them for a few months as the weight drops but I need to stop delaying these changes. Things may be on a budget for now however, you just wait until I hit that goal weight the wardrobe rebuild will be on another level! 

Let's make a start on this for now though and see where it takes us...

See you soon

Lucy

The time has come to really work on changing my life and work towards what I want to achieve from it not just coasting along like I have been doing. I am at the point now where I am sick of feeling stuck & directionless, it is getting draining and I am getting increasingly fed up. Going forward things are really going to change and I am looking forward to seeing where those changes take me.

A big change is that my 9 to 5 are adding a new branch to the business and that is mine and Liam's little project to grow. With this being a family business it is going to be important to give it our all as it is going to be a big part of our future so I guess you could say we are going to get back what we put into it. I am really excited to see where this takes us however, for me this will not be my 100% focus as I am determined to going forward put extra focus on those things that make me happy and help me live my dream life.

That is why a big focus for me is going to be locking in on building a personal brand on social media, locking in on my football site & this site whilst hopefully making moves into the sports industry, an industry I have always wanted to be a part of. I have wanted to do this for a long time now however, haven't felt in the right head space until now. 

A big thing I have let stop me in the past is my confidence as the thought of going to games alone has absolutely frightened me, I am working on doing more things solo to help me get over this and I am hoping next season I will be happy attending games alone and meeting new people. I have also struggled with my image which has delayed me getting on camera, I have felt too big, out of shape and this really knocks me back so I am locking in on my weight loss journey and getting a better relationship with my body, which hopefully gets me back in the front of the camera and creating more frequently which is definitely needed. I also need to teach myself how to stop procrastinating, as this is a major hurdle I face. I sit and think about the post more than actually creating it whether it is for a blog post or social media post, if I want to achieve the dream I just need to get on with creating and stop procrastinating, the content can't grow if it isn't even started.

I really need to start holding myself accountable to make sure I am making sure I am moving towards my dream life daily and so that I am much happier with where I am at compared to now. I just want to live that life I have always wanted and that is only going to happen if I really knuckle down and ignore those who think this is just a joke as I just can't be letting others hold me back, I need to cut those people off to progress.

The being lost feeling has been going on for far too long now and I just need to get doing what makes me happy to make life so much better than it has been. A few goals I am setting myself are:

> Hit certain numbers on social media by creating consistently (might share the goal numbers one day)

> Help the business really take off 

> Get in the press box for some football games

> Work with some football clubs closely to promote them & give them some coverage

> Collaborate with brands 

> Bring in an income through the websites & social media

> Level up my life to create that luxury lifestyle I have only ever dreamt of

I want to be able to achieve a lot more than I currently am doing and improve my income massively so I can do things like head to games all over the country without having to worry about my bank account. I am hoping that I can start to see a big difference before my birthday in September when I will be doing a check in post which gives me a good few months to get into a good routine and give me a bit of a marker for how things are going.

It is time now to lock in and take that action, I will be checking in on here every few months with how things are going however, most of it is going to be documented over on my socials. I am really excited to see how things changed over the course of the next few years... let's do this.

See you soon, 

Lucy

Well week 1 is over and done with and whilst the scales may not have moved in my favour a lot seems to have fallen into place over the first week of this challenge even with a lot going on. I am really pleased with how my mindset seems to have changed this week and I am hopeful of seeing progress very soon. For now though here is a look at how week 1 went...

Workouts

I set myself a target of completing 2 strength sessions during the week and I actually managed to tick them off for a change. Even when I didn't want to do them I got them done which I guess goes to show how my mindset is changing towards this journey. Now I just need to keep consistency before upping the amount of sessions weekly.

Nutrition

My nutrition has been hit and miss with a few takeaways and meals out however, I have made better choices when it has come to ordering. My diet really needs sorting out going forward as this is certainly letting me down currently. I think I may make this a priority for the next few weeks.

Favourite meals for the week

I have to say one of my favourite meals has been the Nando's I had for my mum's birthday. Chicken and rice made it feel like I was still being good whilst having a treat. Another favourite has to be Liam's homemade chilli, I could honestly eat this everyday it is a bit of a weekly staple in our house.

Steps

I can't comment too much on this as I am now relying on my phone for tracking my steps but I keep forgetting this and leaving my phone laying around when I set off walking around. I need to get into the routine of having my phone in my pocket so I track this better. I feel my steps have been close to where they should be however, my phone counted isn't reflecting this.

What went right

The biggest thing that went right was my mindset when it came to making sure these workouts got completed no matter what. I didn't let a lack of motivation sway me and I stuck to the plan. I also didn't get swayed to the biggest burger on the menu whilst out which is a bit of a surprise as I never usually have the willpower to stick to a more sensible choice.

What didn't go to plan

There were a few changes during the week which threw me a little off course however, I didn't let those little things derail me half as much as I would have done previously. I am quite proud to say more went right than wrong for a change.

Things to improve on

The big thing for me to improve on over the next few weeks is the food I am eating... I need to add more nutritious food and focus on volume eating going forward to make sure I am using my daily calories wisely. Once the food is better things should really fall into place.

How I am feeling

I am feeling good about the week overall there is definitely things I have learned to work on going forward to get the scales moving in the right direction. I am proud of staying on track through a chaotic week though.

How my goals went

> 2 Workout sessions completed - I managed to smash this even though I really didn't want to, one session was even after a meal out which I would have usually skipped.

> 1 Additional cardio session completed - I didn't manage to do this due to things cropping up in the week. I am determined to add more cardio going forward though.

> Track my calories daily - I had one day off tracking due to it being a meal out at a local pub however, I managed to track every other day throughout the week.

> Increase my daily steps - As I said in the step section here I am not 100% on the official end of day steps due to me leaving my phone behind so many times. I feel like a lot of days I did more than usual though.

> No eating out apart from the 2 scheduled meals out for family birthday's - We have had a couple of takeaways due to changes in plans however, I have opted for better choices when it has come to these. I do need to stop them now though.

So here is how my weight is looking

Start weight : 105 Kg

This Week : 106 Kg

Goal by 31st December : 70 Kg

Left to lose : 36 Kg

I am a bit disappointed with this however, I know exactly why the scales have gone up and unfortunately with it being due to health issues it is out of my hands. I know that within a few days this weight is going to drop I just need to keep on making those small changes to my routine.

Here are my goals for the week ahead...

> 2 Strength sessions 

> No takeaway on playoff day

> 2 Cardio sessions

> Add more fruit and veg into my diet

> Work on improving my steps

I am hopeful that this week is going to be when things really set in motion and the number on the scales starts to drop. My attitude to all this is definitely changing for the better and I am really looking forward to doing this post again next week and hopefully wrapping up a super positive week I have had. Let's do this.

See you soon

Lucy