It’s been quite some time since I’ve posted anything here and I feel I should explain a little bit about why that is.
Over the last year or so I’ve been focussing on my feature writing, mental health and raising two small humans. With all of that combined, my dear blog has taken a back seat. Plus, I must admit that I started to find it harder and harder to write about the intricacies of my weight loss journey – which was the original purpose of this blog.
Overtime I discovered that my own mental health battles and past traumas played a huge part in my relationship with food and it no longer felt appropriate to share my weigh-day results; knowing that bigger issues were at play. I also started to wonder whether my weight-loss writing was fuelling diet culture and having a negative impact on those who visited my blog for ‘weight-loss inspiration’.
While eating well and keeping fit are still priorities for me, I wish to keep those details more private for the time being.
It’s for all these reasons that I’ve created a new home for my feature writing which may in the future play host to a new blog, discussing mental health, trauma, current affairs, parenting and my experiences as a mixed-race woman in Britain.
My new website is chloelovell.co.uk, where you can also find some photos of me trying to look professional!
Thank you all so much for reading Treats and Treadmills over the years and for your support. It means so much to me.
I grew up with a very negative voice telling me I couldn’t achieve anything, and everything was too scary to even attempt. That voice has haunted me for a long time. I fight it best I can, but sometimes (and less frequently nowadays) I succumb to it. The voice tells me I’m stupid for chasing my dreams and I should be embarrassed by every part of my being. On other days I tap into the positive voice that lives there somewhere and a voice I’m trying to nurture and listen to more. Her voice tells me I’m invincible and I’ve overcome so much, so why not keep going and seeing what I can achieve next.
Those voices play a huge part in every area of my life, from writing a WhatsApp message, to dressing, to applying for a job. The devil and angel sitting closely together performing a risk analysis of what lies ahead, what will people think, what have I not considered that I will need to watch out for.
During the first lockdown of 2020 those two voices had a lot to say. One left me locked away in my room crying for hours, the other encouraged me to apply for a mentorship with Cosmo. To my complete shock, surprise and absolute delight I won a place to be mentored by the Cosmo UK features team. Since then I’ve had features published by Cosmo, Black Ballad, Women’s Health and Grazia/The Juggle. In this moment, I am living my wildest dreams and I did not think it could get any better, until it did.
I was nominated for The Freelance Writing Awards. I have my suspicions regarding the person who nominated me, and all I can say is that they are an absolute writing legend! They are incredible and I have been a fan of their work for so long. This nomination was the pat on the back, the well done, the hug, the congratulations and the validation I didn’t realise I longed for, after nervously chasing a dream I was afraid would turn into nightmare.
I didn’t make the shortlist for the awards, but I was told I made the longlist! I had fun hoping and the nomination itself still has me on a high. The feedback I received during the process was equally as beautiful and touching as the nomination itself. Here I was reading the most flattering words about my writing from the best in the business, from phenomenal writers and editors who saw something in my work and (most reassuring to me) didn’t laugh at was in front of them; didn’t think it was bizarre to see my entry amongst the hundreds of other talented writers.
In this moment I feel so proud, happy and content; and I wanted to put that into writing.
If my daughters ever spot these pages, I want you to know that I will always be most proud of you and I will always support your dreams – whatever they may be. I hope I fill you so much confidence and support that you will never question your abilities to be amazing, because you are already amazing and you can achieve whatever you set your mind to.
Shout out to my husband and besties (you know who you are) for always being the external positive voice I need to hear when I start doubting myself. Thank you for all your patience and thank you for believing in me. I love you all.
I’m delighted to share that I have recently written features for two publications I absolutely adore – Women’s Health and Grazia. Thank you to the editors and team for giving me the opportunity to write about topics close to my heart. See below for the links and be sure to keep an eye on my new linkt.ree/ChloeLovell for all my latest freelance work.
To all of my new blog readers and social media followers, I wanted to (re-)introduce myself to you and share 10 things you may not know about me!
1. My blog used to be called Diet Mum Feed and focussed primarily on my weekly weight loss results and losing post-baby weight gain. As my ‘weight loss journey’ and freelance work has evolved, I tend to post less about my day-to-day food intake and weekly scale number.
2. Linking to the above, I’ve come to realise just how important and integral mental health is to wellbeing, which is why in recent years you can find more posts on my blog and social media pages relating to mental health matters.
3. I’m a freelance writer and I’ve recently had several features published for Cosmo and Black Ballad.
4. I have flat feet. No arches. I’m quite envious of those with a good foot sole!
5. I asked my husband to describe me in three words for this post, after a joke set of words (one day I’ll share what those were) and then a lot of awkwardness (he’s not one to put on the spot when it comes to feelings) he said… kind, upfront and vivacious (I had to look up what this last word meant).
6. I lost 6 stone with the 1:1 Diet by the Cambridge Weight Plan and I will be forever thankful to my wonderful consultant Vicki who has and continues to help me put healthy eating habits into practice.
7. This is a weird one but I’m going to put it out there. I’m very self-conscious about my voice and how I sound (for many different reasons), which is very annoying when you actually like talking a lot!
8. Putting clean clothes away after they’ve been washed is a chore I just can’t stand. I of course love clean, fresh clothes, but the folding and putting them away is just so boring!
9. I’m most proud of my beautiful children and amazing husband.
10. Saving the best bit till last… I’ve recently joined the team at Orbit as Content and Press Advisor! I’m honoured to be working with such an amazing group of women, who have created an incredible support platform for mums to connect with one another. I will continue in my freelance work alongside this role and you can expect to see some more updates and posts on all things Orbit very soon.
[Image description: One of my flat feet can be seen clearly next to my youngest daughter who is wearing bright pink leggings. Bonus fact – today was the first time I ‘successfully’ wore ‘mom’ jeans after buying many pairs previously which were just too mumsy!
The year of 2020 marks the start of a global pandemic and the year which saw more black lives innocently taken through police brutality and racism. For me personally, it will also be the year that I finally confronted my painful past with racism and how that has shaped and affected me today.
It is no coincidence that 2020 also saw, thankfully, the rise of more mental health charities for black and mixed-race people. It was a result of this that gave me the chance to learn more about racial trauma, which inspired me to then speak to others in more detail about their experiences. Along the way I had the opportunity to speak to experts in racial trauma and all of this can be read in my latest feature for Black Ballad.
Content warning: this article includes experiences of racist harassment, mention of suicide and self-harm.
I hope readers who have experienced racial trauma can find comfort in the stories shared and are able to take on the practical advice given from the incredible therapists who feature in this piece. I also hope that those who call themselves an ally, can gain an insight into how racism can affect ones mental and physical wellbeing.
For years I struggled with binge eating and for years I thought it was a strange character flaw of mine that I would keep secret for a long time, until I decided enough was enough.
In researching my own eating behaviours and emotional tie to food, I was surprised to discover that Binge Eating Disorder (BED) affects more people than anorexia and bulimia; and it is black women who are more likely to experience BED.
I’ve had the honour to highlight BED and it’s affect on black women for the brilliant publication Black Ballad. Please visit www.blackballad.co.uk to read my full feature.
In between freelance writing, raising little people and now home schooling, I’ve been busy studying for a diploma in Nutrition and Weight Management. I started the Association for Nutrition (AfN) certified course 3 years ago and I’m over the moon to share that I passed!
Expect to see new content soon on the topics I covered and on the areas I found the most enlightening! Until then, here are a few posts I wrote while studying on what makes a healthy diet, and pregnancy superfoods.
It’s almost been 5 years since I started this little blog! I really can’t believe it’s been that long already and I’m so thankful to all the people who read my posts regularly and now follow me on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
In celebration of all the content I’ve created since launching Treats and Treadmills (originally called Diet Mum Feed), I’d like to share with you some of my favourite and most memorable blog posts.
I hope you enjoy browsing through the posts I’ve written over the years, and as 2020 comes to a close I would like to say thank you for visiting my blog and for your continued support.
Most of us have an idea about the types of healthy foods we should be eating during pregnancy, but when those pesky cravings hit, they can be quite the force to reckon with. Instead of avocado on toast, we crave anything salty and stodgy. However, there is a way to turn pregnancy superfoods into real treats that are craving-worthy.
After years of yo-yo dieting I decided to learn the truth about nutrition and what it is we should really be consuming for good health; and so I embarked on a diploma course accredited by the Association for Nutrition. I’ve completed 70% of my diploma so far and I have recently passed my pre- and post-natal course. With that in mind, along with the vast number of healthy recipes I’ve tried and enjoyed over the years, I’d like to share what I’ve learnt to be ‘pregnancy’ superfoods and how to create delicious dishes from them. I hope you enjoy reading this post.
Scrumptious one-pan salmon roast
Pregnancy superfoods: Salmon, broccoli and sweet potato Do not underestimate a delicious one-pan roast. Not only will this hit the spot and satisfy your salt craving, it is also really easy to cook. Place salmon, broccoli and sweet potato into a pan with some oil and your seasonings of choice. Roast for 30 minutes and you’re done. Here’s why salmon, broccoli and sweet potato are great to eat when pregnant.
Salmon: It’s recommended to eat two portions of oily fish a week during pregnancy, because it is a great source of omega-3 which helps your baby’s brain develop.
Broccoli: This green veggie is a great source of folate which is vital for your baby’s spinal cord development and, like salmon, helps brain development.
Sweet potato: This spud provides beta-carotene, a form of vitamin A. While it is recommended to limit how much vitamin A you consume during pregnancy, this form is safe to eat and there is no limit how much sweet potato you eat. Vitamin A plays an important role in the growth of your baby’s eyes, heart and brain.
Pregnancy superfoods: Oats, berries and yogurt This recipe is so simple, healthy and filling. Mix jumbo oats, berries, greek style yogurt and a splash of milk. Pop in the fridge covered and the next morning you’ll have a really yummy breakfast (or healthy snack). You can also add sliced banana, a drop of vanilla essence or some honey if you prefer it slightly sweeter.
Oats: All oats are low in fat, high in fibre and release energy slowly. This will help combat tiredness as your body works hard to grow and care for your little one, while the fibre will help prevent a very common symptom of pregnancy – constipation!
Berries: These fruity delights are nutrient rich and will help with constipation too, thanks to their high levels of fibre. All berries are rich in antioxidants (great for your immunity) and vitamin C, which will help your body absorb iron through the foods you eat.
Pregnancy superfoods: Red lentils, dried apricots, rapeseed oil In a little rapeseed oil fry onions, garlic, turmeric, paprika and any other spices you like. Add chicken, lamb or chickpeas, along with chopped dried apricots, red lentils and your choice of stock. Bring to boil and then simmer. This makes a moreish stew that can be eaten alone, with brown rice or a brown pitta bread.
Red lentils: Red lentils are a pulse and all pulses are packed with protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals. They also count towards one of your 5-a-day.
Dried apricots: These provide your body with folic acid, iron and fibre. While they are delicious to cook with, they can also be eaten as a healthy and convenient snack on the go.
Rapeseed oil: This versatile oil can be cooked at relatively high temperatures and gives you and you baby a dose of healthy fats (including monounsaturated fats which are good for your heart) and the antioxidant, vitamin E.
It may not sound exciting, but water is so important to drink during pregnancy and there are ways to spice it up. Plus, sipping water regularly can help ease nausea from pregnancy sickness, maintain your energy levels and (it’s that word again) help relieve constipation. Here are some ideas to give your water a makeover.
Fruit infused cold water Herbal teas Water on the rocks a.k.a lots of ice Hot lemon and ginger Soup style, such as cuppa soup
Top tip: Invest in a water bottle with a straw and take it everywhere with you. You may be surprised by how much more you drink.
