Progress

So, I've reached my first major milestone - 1 stone. And it feels like it's been pretty easy to get here, so there's nothing to stop me going all the way.

I took the plunge and joined a gym last week. I've been twice already and will be going again tomorrow after work. At the moment I'm sure that going at least three times a week is completely doable. I'm really enjoying getting a bit active.

I also got on (and rode!) my bike last week, for the first time in about 13 years!

Week six

Weight lost last week: 2 lb

Weight lost so far: 1 stone (yay!)

Equivalent to: 2 large hollowed-out pumpkins

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Week five

Weight lost last week: 2½ lb
Weight lost so far: 12 lbs
Equivalent to: 84 individual apple pies

Week four

Weight lost last week: ½ lb

Weight lost so far: 9½ lbs

Equivalent to: 12½ packets of crisps.

Culinary adventures

One of the things I enjoy about all this healthy eating malarkey is that I actually cook properly and make proper meals from fresh ingredients.

When I'm not taking care of myself, I convince myself that I don't have time to cook, or that I'm too tired. But of course that's rot. I'm not doing anything complicated or time-consuming - in fact, it probably takes just as long as figuring out the instructions on a ready meal or standing in the queue at the chippy.

Today I made lamb burgers with new potato 'chips', yesterday it was Quorn sausages with homemade tomato sauce and pasta, and on Wednesday I had breaded tuna steaks (breaded by me, I hasten to add) with mushrooms (also breaded - I was on a breading roll!), asparagus and spinach.

Yummy!

Incidentally, the asparagus didn't make my wee smell. There are people who say that everybody gets smelly wee after eating asparagus. Well, I don't. And I ate a lot. So there.

Getting physical

With some good success under my belt so far, the next thing I need to do is to get some kind of exercise routine going. First instinct is always to join a gym, but then something will get in the way and I'll end up not going regularly, and it all becomes a big waste of money.

Last week I went for a walk around the park at lunchtime - it took half an hour and it was really nice to get out of the office for a short time and feel like I'd done something healthy. I'm going to plan to do this at least three times a week, and try to get some exercise in at the weekend.

Week Three

Weight lost last week: 2 lbs
Weight lost so far: 9 lbs
Equivalent to: 5 large loaves of bread.

Week Two

So, I needn't have worried... :o)

Weight lost last week: 3½ lbs
Weight lost so far: 7 lbs (half a stone!)
Equivalent to: A 5-pack of full size Mars Bars.

Countdown

It's an hour until the weigh-in, and this is always a nervous time.

It shouldn't be - I've followed the plan to the letter, and have had far less than my 'allowed' treats, so I should be super confident. But the scary scales are waiting to pass judgement, and there's no telling what they'll say.

I don't weigh myself mid-week. I think it's best to not think about it. But right now I'd like just a little clue of how I've done.

Silly really, because my 'target' has nothing to do with a weight, but is everything to do with how I feel and look and what clothes I can wear. My first goal is to get down to a size that's available in almost every shop. No more having to buy badly cut, oddly designed clothes from the 'specialist' shops and departments. When I've got there, I'll re-assess.