A Quick Update

It's been a few weeks since I last posted, but I promise I've been working hard! I've just been weighed tonight and am now down to 12st9.75, which means I've lost 1st7.75 altogether. That's 21.75lb or an average of just shy of 3lb per week. I'm quite pleased with myself! I also had my measurements taken last week and it's encouraging to see the change in my shape - I now have a waist!

My slimming class finishes in 3 weeks, and I'm toying with the idea of signing up for the next course. I'm scared that if I'm left to my own devices I'll revert to my old KFC-eating ways. As I've said before, a captive audience gives me someone to prove myself to!

Other than a little walking I haven't been exercising much at all, so this is going to be my focus for the next few weeks. In a months time there is going to be a 1-mile charity fun-run here in Belfast and I'm going to look into that. On that topic, I've never liked the term "fun-run"; seriously, what's fun about running? But I figure that if I've made the progress I have by diet alone, I can do far better if I get more active. I just need to find some motivating music - suggestions very welcome.

If I can lose 3.25lb per week I'll be down to 12st by the time I finish my slimming class and I'll have just one more stone to lose, so the goal for this week is to get active every day and see if I can make that happen. The weather is getting better and the nights are brighter, so there's no reason not to get out there walking or jogging, plus I have a few gym day passes to use. Wish me luck! xx

Winner, winner, chicken dinner

First things first. This weeks weigh in; not as a big success as previous weeks. I lost half a pound. It's no big deal though, I was expecting my weight-loss to level out a bit, and I know I wasn't as strict with myself this week as I had been previously. And a loss is a loss, right? The main problem I've had this week is that I'm getting bored of the same meals day after day. I've been eating chicken one way or another (fajitas or soup, usually both) on a daily basis and I need to change things up a bit.

That was the not-so-great news. You may or may not remember that one of the incentives for me joining my slimming class was the cash prize for the person who had the greatest percentage weight-loss. Well, the good news is... I'm winning! For the time-being anyway. It's a really great (and motivating) feeling to know that the hard work is paying off, now I just want to stay at the top, and take that cash home! Of course it isn't all about the money, but £150 could go towards some nice new clothes in a nice new size. I have size 14 jeans on today and they're really loose.

All-in-all I'm feeling great. My shape is definitely changing and I'm feeling much more confident. I bothered to straighten my hair, but on some makeup and a nice outfit today, and for once I was strutting down the street thinking, I look pretty good! That's such a nice (and unfamiliar) feeling.

Last week I set myself three goals, and I'm sorry to say I only achieved one; taking my supplements every day. I'm currently taking a green tea capsule (for metabolism), a multivitamin (because my diet can be a bit limited), acidophilus (for digestion) and a silica complex capsule (in an attempt to thicken my hair).

So, this week, I'm resetting last week's fitness goal, and setting two more;
1. To reach 15 minutes of walking/jogging interval training
2. To walk 10 miles a week (outside of the gym). I've found this to be a really handy tool when planning walks; http://www.daftlogic.com/projects-google-maps-distance-calculator.htm
3. To try soya mince to make a healthier cottage pie

The next time I blog, I'll officially be "overweight" as opposed to " obese". Here's hoping anyway! xx

1 down, 2 to go!

Yesterday was my third weigh-in. And... I lost 6lbs! So, in the space of 3 weeks I've lost a stone! I'm terrified I'll have some kind of weight rebound next week as it all just seemed too easy. Also, we all know the mantra about healthy weight-loss being 1-2lbs per week. But don't get me wrong, I really am delighted. So, I'm now 13st3 and I'm aiming for 11st. So, in 2st3lb I'll review and decide if I need/want to lose any more.

Another.. interesting side effect of my new regime is that I've suddenly become a lightweight when it comes to alcohol. I had my fortnightly drink on Saturday (as planned in my last blog) and it all got a bit messy. I didn't drink any more than I normally would, and was drunk before we even left the house. Even worse, I was throwing up by 10pm. I rested up for a bit and did end up making it out, but did no more drinking that night! I just wasn't prepared for the changes in my body, and I'll know to take things a bit slower next fortnight.

I've managed to secure a couple of good gym deals on groupon, so I'm all gymmed up until the end of March. I'm hoping to go at least twice a week, and at the minute my best friends are the cross-trainer, bike and treadmill. I intend to run/jog the 5k Race For Life this summer and I'm starting by doing a little basic "interval training". I'm not a natural born runner, so I was really pleased with myself when I managed to do 11 minutes of brisk walking for one minute, then jogging for one minute. I am aware of the benefits of weight/resistance training, and will probably introduce this at some stage, but truth be told I don't really know where to start, and the weight room at the gym can be at bit intimidating for a beginner.

I'm going to start setting myself weekly goals, so here are 3 for this week;
1. To try a new fruit/vegetable. This is something set by my weight-loss group, and I'm dreading it. I'm really not good at trying new things..
2. To manage 15mins of interval training, as described above
3. To start taking some supplements religiously, namely, a multivit, a green tea capsule, a probiotic and a silica supplement (to improve my hair)
I'll check in with these goals next week, and then set some more - any suggestions gratefully received!

Til next time! x

Well, I had my second weigh-in on Wednesday this week. And, in 2 weeks... I've lost 8lbs! I'm really pleased, as no matter how hard you've worked there's always that sneaking suspicion that you might not have lost anything! Having said that, I really have worked hard to shift that weight, so I'm relieved I've seen some results. I've made big (but sustainable) changes to my diet and I've started to exercise too; here's what I'm doing;

* Counting Calories, not obsessively, but I've been limiting myself to around 1300kcal per day
* Upping my Protein Intake with shakes, bars, and loads of chicken
* Limiting Carbs, at least later in the day
* Eating More Often, typically 6 small meal/snacks each day
* Drinking More Water and no Coke!
* Finding Healthier Alternatives, so that I don't feel at all deprived
* Cutting Out the Takeaways, although I am allowing myself a Chinese every other Friday
* Keeping my Alcohol Intake Down, but on the weekends I don't have my takeaway, I do have a boozy Saturday night out, so once a fortnight
* I've Got 10 Day Passes for LA Fitness, I went twice this week and am attempting a bit of basic interval training

So all in all I'm pretty pleased my new "regime" is yielding results, but at the same time I don't feel like I'm on a "diet" as such, so I'm pretty sure I can sustain it! We'll see...

Time for an update!

So, I haven't blogged since New Year, but I promise you I have been making (some) progress!

First of all, I ended up not starting my new regime on New Years Day like I planned, the reason being I signed up to a local slimming class beginning on Wed 4th, so I decided to start afresh then. My reasons for joining the class were much the same as my reasons for writing this blog; I want an audience to prove myself to. Going to the class and knowing I am going to be weighed and measured each week will definitely give me the drive to succeed. At least thats the plan. The other reason I signed up was that they offer a cash prize to the three people who have the highest percentage weight-loss over 12 weeks. Now, call me greedy, but that definitely appealed to me. And I believe I can win.

I had a fair idea of what weight I was, so I didn't get too much of a shock when I was weighed, but of course it's never a nice feeling to be weighed by someone else. So, (drumroll please!) my starting weight on 4th Jan was 14st 3.5lb, about 4st heavier than I'd like to be. That means I have a BMI of 32, placing me in the obese weight range. The good news is that when I was measured, I discovered I have an exact hourglass figure, my bust measurement being the same as my hips. Given all of this, my first goal has to be to get my BMI under 30, and into the "overweight" range.

I also had a one-to-one with the lady who runs the class, which was great. We spoke about my diet and lifestyle, and she measured my body-fat (which was horrendous). Then she tried to sell me some stuff, namely protein bars and powder, herbal tea, and a multi-vitamin. Actually, she did a great job of selling it to me, but as my job is in a health food shop I made my excuses to her and used my staff discount to buy it at work instead. Cheeky I know. My shopping bag contained soya protein powder, green tea capsules and a few other healthy treats.

So, my weight-loss journey has begun. I have my starting measurements and I've set my first goal. My diet has improved dramatically, so I'm looking forward to my second weigh-in tomorrow. 

Wish me luck!

Eating to live, not living to eat

Right, time to start planning how I'm going to begin to overhaul my diet. I think these methods I've used before will still benefit me, my main downfall last year was allowing bad habits to creep back in. This time around I want to make sure that doesn't happen.

No more Coke!
Apparently most people forget to add the calories from drinks onto their daily totals, but I am very aware that I drink too much of the fizzy stuff. From now on it's water all the way, and low-calorie sparkling peach water as a treat (the aspartame-free stuff thanks). So not only will I automatically be dropping 1000kcal+ per week, but I'll have a dazzling smile and glowing skin. Here's hoping!

No more takeaways
On the way to my local Tesco I have to pass a KFC, 3 chip shops, 2 pizza places, 2 Indians and numerous Chinese takeaways, so is it any surprise that I hardly ever cook? This has to change! As of January 1st I will be getting reacquainted with my kitchen.

Eat more!
As in, more often. I currently commit the cardinal sin of skipping breakfast, which leads to eating a big lunch and an even bigger dinner. I'm planning on eating 5-6 "mini-meals" each day, such a cliche, but it really does work. Those meals might be anything from a cereal bar, a piece of fruit, or a rice cake with peanut butter (mmm.. peanut butter..) to a chicken fajita or a small bowl of vegetable stew. Hello turbo-charged metabolism.

Find healthy alternatives
I never want to feel deprived, even when I'm cutting certain things out of my diet, so I've already stocked up on a few "cheat" items to have as treats. Instead of crisps I'll be having Nairns Oat Bakes, in sweet chilli (low in calories, fat and salt). I'll be making some ice lollies out of fruit juice or squash, and I hear grapes are really good frozen. Cereal or fruit bars make a nice alternative to chocolate, although they can be just as high in sugar. Finding healthier cooking methods can also make a difference; I tend to make fajitas quite often, so will be experimenting with cooking the chicken in water rather than oil, and adding chilli flakes, in the hopes they will help to boost my metabolism.

Not allowing one "bad" meal to turn into a whole weekend of indulgence
This is where I went wrong the first time. Each Friday I go to my parent's house and we have a Chinese takeaway, which would be fine, except I have a tendency to then go off the rails for the rest of the weekend. I see no reason why I can't carry on with the Chinese meal, as long as I can leave it at that; a meal. And of course there will be other occasions that call for high-calorie meals and a drink or ten, but not being much of a socialite, these won't be a regular occurrence and won't be the end of the world.

So there we have it. Putting all of that down in print has helped me gather my thoughts a little, and rather than petrified, I feel confident and raring to go. Now I just have to scoff the rest of my Christmas chocolate before tomorrow night, you know, to get rid of the temptation...

The Stakes

I want to put down in print my reasons for losing weight, so I can refer back to them in any moments of weakness (and I'm anticipating a few!) Maybe some of you might be able to relate to them too.

I want to look good in photos
I'm tired of avoiding cameras, or worrying about how fat I look when I do get snapped. Unfortunately I haven't yet perfected the art of posing in a flattering way. I want to be able to look back at photos of the good times and enjoy the memories rather than cringing at how I look.

I want to look good in clothes
It seems like slim people can wear any clothes they like, in whatever fabrics they like. When you're overweight, you put a lot of extra thought into the clothes you buy, and your choices aren't so much about accentuating your good bits as hiding your fat bits. Last year I won I gorgeous dress (thanks more! magazine!) and asked for a size 12, with the intention of losing just a few more pounds to fit into it, but I never quite got there. When (not if) I reach a size 12 this time around, I'll post a picture and have a night on the town.

I want to look good out of clothes
As much as all the women's magazines might say "he loves your wobbly bits", I'm not so sure. More to the point, I don't love my wobbly bits, and it's very hard to feel or act comfortable naked when you, er, aren't comfortable naked. My partner has never once made me feel self-conscious about my body, but I know I could have a much better body with a little work. Hell, I'll be downright sexy when I reach a healthy weight; I have big boobs, curvy hips, and I have no intention of getting skinny, just slim.

I don't want to feel like "the fat one"
My friends are really slim and gorgeous, and I'm terrified that I stick out like a sore thumb. I'm even more worried that I might be one of those people than strangers describe as, "you know, brown hair, medium height, fat."


I want to jog the race for life this year
I entered this last year, then hardly did any training and chickened out. It would mean a lot to me to complete it and raise some money for cancer research as my mum is a breast cancer survivor. 5km is nothing to some people, but having never been a runner, completing this would give me a huge amount of confidence in my own abilities.


I want to save money
Currently, I consume an obscene amount of takeaways and convenience foods, and it's costing me a fortune. Ironically, I work in a health food shop, so I will soon be making use of my staff discount, as well as paying a visit to my friendly local greengrocer.


I want to feel better about myself
It doesn't feel great to know that I'm overweight and I got myself this way. I over-eat and under-exercise, and it really shouldn't be so difficult to turn that around; for good this time.


I want to have a healthy BMI
Yes, I know BMI isn't everything, but I also know that having one that's edging into the "obese" range is not a good sign, nor is it healthy.

I want to be complemented
When I first lost weight last year, I had people telling me how well I was doing and how good I looked. A lot of them were people I barely knew, such as customers at work. For some reason, a lot of those compliments began with, "I hope you don't mind me saying, but..." Take it from me, no-one will ever mind you telling them they look good, we should all do it much more often.

I'm sure I'll think of a few more as I go along, but for now I'm feeling pretty motivated and looking forward to getting started. I just hope it lasts.

Lara x