Less is me

2009-02-23T23:08:00.000Z

Waaaah!

Week ending 2nd February 2009

2009-02-02T08:34:00.002Z

Weight lost: 5½ lbs

Hooray! Great week of dieting! I was a bit nervous as I've designated Sunday 'no-diet-day' and was contemplating the wisdom of that - the day before weigh-in-day. However, despite my big roast lunch and mountain of meringue, a very good weight loss for my first week.

The time has come...

2009-01-27T22:17:00.002Z

...to climb back on the diet wagon.

The weight's been creeping on, and I'm finally motivated enough (I hope!) to get back on track with the diet before I undo all my good work.

I'm sticking with the Slimming World plan (because it works!), but I can't afford to go to the weekly group, so I'm going it alone. You, my blogging buddies, will be my virtual slimming club!

So, I've made a small financial investment, having bought a set of bathroom scales. No going back now! Yesterday was day one, so I weighed myself in the morning. Monday will be official weigh-in day.

I don't like targets and goals and other things that set me up to fail, but my 40th birthday is just under 6 months away... Fat and forty? That's what I'm hoping to avoid...

Week ending 30th September 2008

2008-09-30T22:21:00.002+01:00

Weight lost/gained this week: 0 lb
Weight lost so far: 8 lbs

So much for sensible, but at least I didn't gain any. I'm struggling with getting motivated and avoiding comfort eating. I need to find a way to get daily inspiration and remind myself why I'm doing this, and how easy I found it a year ago. I'm going to spend some time every morning focussing on what it is I'm trying to achieve and why.

Week ending 23rd September 2008

2008-09-26T00:40:00.002+01:00

Weight gained this week: ½ lb
Weight lost so far: 8 lbs

Phew! I got away with only putting on half a pound after a week full of stinky cold and comfort eating. No problem - I'm practically better and back to being sensible.

Week ending 16th September 2008

2008-09-17T22:52:00.002+01:00

Weight lost this week: ½ lb
Weight lost so far: 8½ lbs

I was surprised to have only lost that half pound - the weight feels like it's dropping off at the moment - Thomas even noticed! Not to worry, it's going in the right direction and I'm happily following the plan (most of the time) so all's good.

Week ending 9th September 2008

2008-09-10T22:16:00.001+01:00

Weight lost this week: 2 lbs
Weight lost so far: 8 lbs

Yay! Past the half stone mark!

Week ending 2nd September 2008

2008-09-03T19:13:00.002+01:00

Weight lost this week: ½ lb
Weight lost so far: 6 lbs

I'm grateful for that half pound this week, because I've had a few days of 'cheating'. Especially Monday, which was one of those days when Ben & Jerry came to visit...

Week ending 26th August 2008

2008-08-27T11:56:00.000+01:00

Weight lost this week: 1 lb
Weight lost so far: 5½ lbs

Week ending 19th August 2008

2008-08-20T22:44:00.003+01:00

Weight lost this week: 4½ lbs
Weight lost so far: 4½ lbs

I'm so glad I joined the Slimming World group again. I'm motivated all over again, just like when I started about a year ago. I'm currently feeling totally full from a delicious spaghetti bolognese I made this evening, followed by a big dish of fresh pineapple, all totally allowed on the eating plan (and not a weight or measure in sight).

It shouldn't be long before I'm back to where I was when I stopped going...

In the meantime, I'm getting a big tall mirror like this in my house...

Back to it

2008-08-12T21:26:00.002+01:00

This evening I finally got my act together and took myself back to Slimming World. It wasn't as bad as I'd feared - I haven't even come close to putting all the weight back on, but I've put on some, so I've decided to start again and have joined as a new member. I don't want weeks of not being back where I was...

Wish me luck!

OK... I admit it...

2008-07-08T23:34:00.003+01:00

I'm going to stop pretending that I'm anywhere close to getting back on the weight loss wagon and I won't post here again until I really get that commitment back. Any secret magic wisdom will be gratefully received.

Week one

2008-05-21T10:43:00.000+01:00

Weight lost this week: 2lbs
Weight lost so far: 2lbs

Start again

2008-05-21T10:32:00.002+01:00

OK - ignore my last post. I wasn't back on track and I've really been struggling. The good news is that I think I've figured out why...

Since I started I've had in mind that I want to get down to a size 18, that will enable me to (more or less) shop in any shop I want. Well, I reached that goal some time ago, but I haven't really 'reset' and put a different goal in my mind.

I don't like having specific weight/time targets because that always feels like I'm setting myself up to fail if I don't achieve it. However, I do need something... So, my next 'not-really-a-target' is to get to a size 14.

The other thing is that I've really got to start again and move on from what I've lost so far. What I mean is, whenever I'm feeling that I'm not doing so well, I keep telling myself, "Well, I've lost 3 stone - that's pretty good!". It is good, but I reached that point about 2 months ago and I need to move on and lose more. So I'm starting again on the 'count', from last night's weigh-in. I'll still record the milestones (that 20% is tantalisingly close), but I want to focus on the next 3 stone!

Thanks for all your support so far - it means so much to me.

So, that's the plan. Wish me luck.

Week thirty two

2008-05-02T08:29:00.002+01:00

Weight lost: 2lbs
Total so far: 3 stone 2½lbs

I'm right back on track now, and can't seen any reason why I shouldn't lose the same again!

I'm not really one for target-setting, but I would like to have lost 4 stone by my birthday, mid-June. That would mean I'd have lost over 20% of my original weight. A fifth of me. That's probably a leg!

April Update

2008-04-26T10:23:00.005+01:00

Sorry I haven't been keeping this up-to-date: it's been a frustrating couple of months, weight loss-wise, as I've been losing a load, gaining half of it back, gaining a bit more, losing a bit more. So I get dramatic differences but not too much progress (just 2lbs less than when I last posted). Anyway, here's an update...

Week twenty eight
Weight gained: 1½ lbs

Week twenty nine
Weight lost: 6lbs (wow!)

Week thirty
Weight gained: 3lbs (sigh)

Week thirty one
Weight lost: ½ lb

Total weight lost so far: 3 stone ½ lb

So, now I'm concentrating on trying to get back to some stable, consistent weight loss - back to the basics of the eating plan and writing everything down so I don't lose track of those little 'extras'.

Catch up

2008-03-27T18:56:00.003Z

Back on track now, but it hasn't been pretty...

Week twenty four

Weight gained: 3lbs

Week twenty five

Weight gained: 2½lbs

Week twenty six

Weight lost: 4lbs (PHEW!!)

Week twenty seven

Weight lost: 3 lbs

Total lost so far: 2 stone 12½lbs

Bah!

2008-03-15T19:46:00.002Z

You know what? I'm having a 'mare at the moment. Succumbing to culinary temptations left, right and centre.

So give me a week or so, and I'll get back on track. Just as soon as I've mastered all this freedom from work and the change of routine.

Normal service will be resumed...

Week twenty three

2008-02-28T18:05:00.001Z

Weight lost this week: 2 lbs
Total lost so far: 2 stone 11 lbs
Equivalent to: 15% of me when I started

Catch up

2008-02-20T14:13:00.005Z

Week twenty one
Weight gained: half a pound

Week twenty two
Weight lost: 2½ lbs
Total lost so far: 2 stone 9 lbs

(I'm running out of inspiration on the whole 'equivalent to' thing, so I'm going to start illustrating my progress with everyone's favourite graph - the pie chart.)

What a difference

2008-02-06T23:17:00.000Z

Two and a half stone! It feels great! It's a subtle thing, losing weight and noticing the changes, but now and again it hits you - look how things have changed!

I don't have a single item of clothing that says 'guilt' to me. I used to have a few, some even with their tags still on. I bought them because I just had to lose a couple of pounds and they'd look great. Well, mostly they wouldn't look great because they wouldn't suit me. Now that they fit, they don't do a thing for me, so they're in the charity shop bag. And there are other things that will suit me but don't quite fit, but I know that soon they will. No guilt - I just have to be patient.

The other day I had a running race with Thomas. An actual running race. Not far (this wasn't Chariots of Fire!), but I was running for the first time in I don't know how many years. And I wasn't even out of breath. Which made me think that I might try doing some running. Me! (He won, by the way, but only just!)

I can now get a towel round me after I've had a shower. I'm sorry - perhaps that's too intimate a detail for some of you more delicate folk, but it's the trivial things that give me a thrill.

Now, don't get me wrong - I've got a long way to go. Two and a half stone is nowhere near half of my original self, but it still feels like the beginning. I'm still motivated and I know I can get to where I want to be. By Christmas. Just you see if I don't.

Week twenty

2008-02-06T22:49:00.000Z

Weight lost this week: 4lbs

Weight lost so far: 2 stone 7 lbs

Equivalent to: 80 bottles of ready made pancake mix

Weeks eighteen & nineteen

2008-01-30T02:56:00.000Z

A bit of a 'wobble' over the last weeks, so here's a quick update:-

Week eighteen
Weight gained: 4lbs :(

Week nineteen
Weight lost: 2lbs
Total lost so far: 2 stone 3lbs

After my huge weight loss 2 weeks ago, it's not surprising that I'd put some back on. And I've been struggling lately... My skin's bad again and I'm not sleeping (hence why I'm typing this at 3am!). So, comfort eating has been the order of the day.

Still, I'm not eating between meals (except fruit) and I've managed to avoid any chocolate binges, so all's not lost.

And the most exciting development is that I've hit my first target dress size (on my bottom half, anyway)! I was actually able to fit into something from M&S's Per Una range, which gave me a huge amount of satisfaction, and has spurred me on to get back on track and hit my next target (as soon as I decide what that is).

Week seventeen

2008-01-17T17:30:00.000Z

Weight lost last week: 5½ lbs
Weight lost so far: 2 stone 5lbs
Equivalent to: 10 large bags of flour

Week sixteen

2008-01-09T12:28:00.000Z

No weight loss this week, but no gain either. That's fine, because I didn't deserve to lose any weight over Christmas/New Year, so it all evens out somehow.

I'm well and truly back in the groove now, though, so expect great things!

Week fifteen

2008-01-03T22:37:00.000Z

Weight gained: 1½ lbs
Weight lost so far: 1 stone 13½ lbs

Ah well - I'm not surprised. All that Christmas grub was bound to catch up with me, and I have got a net loss of a pound and a half over the festive period, which isn't bad at all. Phew!

Jammy

2007-12-30T23:52:00.000Z

Don't ask me how I managed to lose any weight at all over Christmas, let alone 3lbs! I went diet-free since finishing work on 21st December, and just ate whatever I liked over the whole festive season. And that included nuts and chocolates and chocolates and chocolates and all sorts of other things that should not contribute to a weight loss. However, I did continue going to the Slimming World meetings, because enjoying Christmas had nothing to do with falling off the dieting wagon.

I fully expect it all to catch up with me next week, and I was genuinely embarassed to win 'Slimmer of the Week' last week. They'll be asking for the inspirational fridge magnet back ("Nothing is impossible to a willing heart")!

I was back to the gym yesterday in the hope that I can head off those extra pounds before they have a chance to settle.

Putting all that aside, I did have a couple of hours to pass in Staines last week (while Thomas was at the cinema watching 'Alvin and the Chipmunks' - I wasn't going to pay good money to watch that!) so I thought I'd buy myself some better-fitting clothes in the sales. It feels a bit futile to buy a whole new wardrobe for each stage of weight loss, as my intention is to only be at this weight for a short time, but I thought that if I could pick up some bargains, it would be nice to have something new to show off my progress so far. As it's the first time I've properly shopped since starting this, it was very nice to be buying clothes 2 sizes smaller than before.

Week fourteen

2007-12-30T22:15:00.000Z

Weight lost: 3lbs
Weight lost so far: 2 stone 1lb
Equivalent to: loads and loads of brussel sprouts (yuck!)

Pre-Christmas Update

2007-12-21T09:31:00.000Z

Week Twelve
Weight lost: 2lbs

Week Thirteen
Weight lost: 1½lbs

Weight lost so far: 1 stone 12lbs

Equivalent to: 10% of my original weight

So, this was my first target. I've got too much to lose to set my final target (and each half stone is a good milestone to aim for). It was good to get to this before Christmas, but I'm going to relax and enjoy the festive season, so I might need to work a little bit to get back here in the new year. But hopefully just a little - I'm not planning on going too mad and undoing all my good work!

It's fair to say that I'm very proud of myself, and so happy that I've turned a corner and am totally committed to getting all the weight off once and for all. Although I've got a way to go, I'm still feeling like this is just the beginning - the initial enthusiasm hasn't worn off. Mostly this is down to how easy the Slimming World plan is. It's no hardship, so there's no reason not to follow it for as long as I need to. Plus, I'm feeling healthier and my clothes are looser - why wouldn't I want that to get better and better?

Thanks so much for all your messages of support. I'm really glad I started this blog - though I've missed a few weeks, it really has been a part of keeping me motivated (and 'accountable').

Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to all of you.

Week eleven

2007-12-05T00:53:00.000Z

Weight lost last week: 3½lbs
Weight lost so far: 1 stone 8½lbs
Equivalent to: 75 Christmas chocolate selection boxes

Catch up

2007-12-05T00:49:00.000Z

OK - pretend you'd Sky +ed this blog and you're fast-forwarding through the boring bits...

Week Eight
Stayed the same

Week Nine
Lost 1lb

Week Ten
Gained 1lb

And... 'play'...

Week seven

2007-11-06T22:07:00.000Z

Weight lost last week: 5 lbs
Weight lost so far: 1 stone 5lbs
Equivalent to: 21½ large pork pies

Progress

2007-10-30T23:43:00.001Z

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

2007-10-30T23:28:00.000Z

Weight lost last week: 2 lb

Weight lost so far: 1 stone (yay!)

Equivalent to: 2 large hollowed-out pumpkins

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Week five

2007-10-23T23:25:00.000+01:00

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

Week four

2007-10-16T20:45:00.000+01:00

Weight lost last week: ½ lb

Weight lost so far: 9½ lbs

Equivalent to: 12½ packets of crisps.

Culinary adventures

2007-10-12T20:44:00.000+01:00

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

2007-10-09T22:29:00.000+01:00

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

2007-10-09T21:23:00.000+01:00

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

Week Two

2007-10-02T21:06:00.000+01:00

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

2007-10-02T18:09:00.000+01:00

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.

Sweet enough

2007-09-27T23:26:00.000+01:00

I've given up sugar in my tea. That's a big deal to me. I've always been able to drink tea without sugar - I didn't even pull a face - but I've never really enjoyed it. And what's the point in a cup of tea if it's not a luverly cup of tea?

Week One

2007-09-26T14:54:00.000+01:00

My first weigh-in last night, and a good first week (despite a work event last Thursday that involved a huge Chinese meal and some wine).

Weight lost last week: 3½ lbs
Weight lost so far: 3½ lbs
Equivalent to: Over 1½ bags of sugar

Less is me

2007-09-26T14:11:00.000+01:00

So, I'm starting this new blog because I want to lose weight. The blog diet... :/ It's a no-brainer that I need to lose weight. I'm not happy with myself (I'm no jolly size 16 - HA! - Fern Britton!), I'm horribly unfit and I'm incredibly self-conscious. So I have to do something about it.

I joined Slimming World last week, having had success with them some years ago. The 'diet' is straightforward, minimal weighing and measuring and no calorie counting. All important to keep me interested. And it means there's always food to eat. No going hungry.

So here I go. I'll post my weekly progress here, and any other thoughts that enter my head while I'm trying to lose about half (yes, half!) of my current self over the next however long it takes.

Going public will hopefully motivate me to stick at it to the bitter (slim) end.