I have to say the past week has been one of my better weeks. Have been quite cheerie for the most part, and asides from a minor case of pigging out Saturday (due to not eating a thing until late afternoon / early evening), my diet has been not too bad. A moderate amount of 'naughty but nice' mixed in with a whole lot of 'nice but good'!
Also pleased to report that for the third week in a row have managed to keep up with exercising regularly, either by doing 1 / 2 30 minute sessions on the treadmill mixed in with a couple of nice long dog walks. Technically I should be on target for a bronze body magic award, but seeing as I keep forgetting to ask about who do I log the exercise with when I actually get to group I'm not sure I'll be allowed to back date (so to speak). Ah well, must remember to raise this question next week.
So results then, well coming away from last week, I really wanted to get slimmer of the week, but alas, stepping on the scales I had 'only' lost 2lbs. Don't get me wrong 2lbs is really good, and maybe last year in my old group that would have been more than enough to sail me through. Thing is we have a really good group at Tadley, a lot of women who really do want to lose weight, and it shows, the results from each person is truely amazing. This week lots of people had 2lb losses, a couple 3lbs, we even had 2 5lb losses!! One lady had been there about 16 weeks and STILL managed to lose 5lbs! Totally awe inspiring. Just goes to show that dedication and focus really can pay off - this particalar lady has been slimmer of the week about 6 times since she started and slimmer of the month twice. Wow!! This group certainly isn't short of role models that's for sure!!
So getting back to my own success! 2lbs this week I am really happy with, particularly as it was pointed out that in just 3 weeks I have lost 9lbs!! crikey!! I thought I was feeling a little 'lighter'! I don't mind it being slow and steady, I'm finding that the pleasure in actually eating is slowly coming back and I'm losing weight to boot! whoop whoop!
Not only that, but this morning I decided to be a little brave and try on an old pair of jeans. When I lost the weight last year, these jeans were getting stupidly baggy on my. I then ate for the United Kingdom, gained all that weight back on, and low and behold those jeans went from being really baggy, to not even being able to get them over my rear end!
So this morning then! I tried these jeans on and am really pleased (or relieved!) to report that not only can I get them on I can do them up too! Ok so they are a tad on the tight side, so will need to wait until I have lost a couple more lbs before I wear them properly, but it's a really good start! I am so pleased at the progress I am making! more whoop whoop!!
As you can tell, everything so far is going swimmingly and I really do feel on cloud nine at the moment!
xx
Tuesday, 7 December 2010
Tuesday, 30 November 2010
Slimming World Catch Up
1st week on the Slimming World 'plan' went relatively well! Got on the scales Monday night and low and behold I'd lost 4 1/2 lbs! That my friends is what I would call a result!!
However. Yes unfortunately there is a however. My joy at such an accomplishment wasn't evidently shared by others. In group I received a round of applause and thankfully managed to escape too much of an autopsy on the week - I find my confidence in these situations lacking and I go into 'shy mode'. Hey ho. I came out of group simply buzzing and to be perfectly honest, expecting some form of enthusiasm / encouragement from the collective. I got the usual response from significant other - i.e. not too sure how he should respond but making very best efforts (well done by the way). Other responses did unfortunately include just 'oh'.
It was this latter that got under my skin for most of the past week. In fact, it was this latter that smashed my self importance into a million pieces. As a result I spent the rest of the week 'moping' and doubting myself and my ability to achieve this weight loss. I mean hello where is my so called support people!!?
As far as the 'diet' was concerned, last week was a little up and and down to say the least. I have days of eating fruit and salads and drinking lots of water. Then there would be the days where I'd over dose on Crunchy Nut Cornflakes, Magnums, Ryvita Minis and Lemon Sorbet! Not in the same session I very hastily add!!
I went to yesterday's meeting really unsure of what results I'd have achieved. Honestly with what I had been eating, I could have lost weight, but then again, I could have very easily maintained or gained! I really had no clue!
Stepping on those scales turned out not to be so bad after all 2 1/2 lbs lost which makes half a stone lost in 2 weeks - very happy chappy! In addition to this, group went really well - had lots of fun. It was great catching up with the neighbours, asking about others progress etc.
During group our consultant, Elaine, gave us each a party bag. In it she had given us:
A balloon - to remind us of Slimming World
An elastic band - to remind us to be flexible with our diet and ourselves
A single Malteser - to allow us to have something sweet for emergencies (I gave mine to R as I'm not really into sweet things!)
A small golden miniature clothes peg - to remind us to 'hang on in there'
and finally, which has actually turned out to be my most favourite item in the bag
A Stone - to remind us that Elaine / Slimming World are always there for support when we need it. In fact Elaine said that anytime we needed support just rub the stone and think of her!
What I have learned over the past two weeks is above all else, I personally just need support and positive encouragement without strings. What do I mean by that? well I'll give you an example. I can't remember which one of the collective said this to me, but when I told of my results for this week, the response I got was:
'Oh that's good! Just think what you would have lost if you hadn't of eaten the other stuff'.
It's like giving a compliment in one hand, but then snatching it straight back again with the other. It's like teasing the dog with his favourite toy, letting him to snap at it, but never actually giving it to him 100% to play with.
What would have been better was if the person in question just simply said 'oh well done!'. That's it. End of story. Say no more!!
Hey ho, on with the next week. I'm looking forward already to next weeks weigh in. I'm fired up now. We've already had the Slimmer of the Week and Slimmer of the Month awards.
Next week my goal is to be Slimmer of the Week. And oh yes, I will also be getting that Slimmer of the Month award by the end of December too - just you watch, and wait and see!
xxx
However. Yes unfortunately there is a however. My joy at such an accomplishment wasn't evidently shared by others. In group I received a round of applause and thankfully managed to escape too much of an autopsy on the week - I find my confidence in these situations lacking and I go into 'shy mode'. Hey ho. I came out of group simply buzzing and to be perfectly honest, expecting some form of enthusiasm / encouragement from the collective. I got the usual response from significant other - i.e. not too sure how he should respond but making very best efforts (well done by the way). Other responses did unfortunately include just 'oh'.
It was this latter that got under my skin for most of the past week. In fact, it was this latter that smashed my self importance into a million pieces. As a result I spent the rest of the week 'moping' and doubting myself and my ability to achieve this weight loss. I mean hello where is my so called support people!!?
As far as the 'diet' was concerned, last week was a little up and and down to say the least. I have days of eating fruit and salads and drinking lots of water. Then there would be the days where I'd over dose on Crunchy Nut Cornflakes, Magnums, Ryvita Minis and Lemon Sorbet! Not in the same session I very hastily add!!
I went to yesterday's meeting really unsure of what results I'd have achieved. Honestly with what I had been eating, I could have lost weight, but then again, I could have very easily maintained or gained! I really had no clue!
Stepping on those scales turned out not to be so bad after all 2 1/2 lbs lost which makes half a stone lost in 2 weeks - very happy chappy! In addition to this, group went really well - had lots of fun. It was great catching up with the neighbours, asking about others progress etc.
During group our consultant, Elaine, gave us each a party bag. In it she had given us:
A balloon - to remind us of Slimming World
An elastic band - to remind us to be flexible with our diet and ourselves
A single Malteser - to allow us to have something sweet for emergencies (I gave mine to R as I'm not really into sweet things!)
A small golden miniature clothes peg - to remind us to 'hang on in there'
and finally, which has actually turned out to be my most favourite item in the bag
A Stone - to remind us that Elaine / Slimming World are always there for support when we need it. In fact Elaine said that anytime we needed support just rub the stone and think of her!
What I have learned over the past two weeks is above all else, I personally just need support and positive encouragement without strings. What do I mean by that? well I'll give you an example. I can't remember which one of the collective said this to me, but when I told of my results for this week, the response I got was:
'Oh that's good! Just think what you would have lost if you hadn't of eaten the other stuff'.
It's like giving a compliment in one hand, but then snatching it straight back again with the other. It's like teasing the dog with his favourite toy, letting him to snap at it, but never actually giving it to him 100% to play with.
What would have been better was if the person in question just simply said 'oh well done!'. That's it. End of story. Say no more!!
Hey ho, on with the next week. I'm looking forward already to next weeks weigh in. I'm fired up now. We've already had the Slimmer of the Week and Slimmer of the Month awards.
Next week my goal is to be Slimmer of the Week. And oh yes, I will also be getting that Slimmer of the Month award by the end of December too - just you watch, and wait and see!
xxx
Tuesday, 16 November 2010
Slimming World
Do you ever have one of those moments where everything just seems so simple, and so crystal clear?
I must to confess to such a moment whilst on my recent holiday. One day I woke up, and came to the conclusion that as soon as I returned, I would join slimming world, start exercising again, stick with it, and once and for all get rid of all this excess baggage I've been carrying around with me.
One thing to make the decision, a totally different one to act upon it. I'm at sea in the middle of the med, so what possibly can I do to take those 'first steps'.
Firstly I worked out on pen and paper what it is I actually wanted to achieve - trying to take on a one step at a time strategy. I worked out my targets (weight & dates when to achieve them) by using the 2lbs off per week idea. Yes this takes a long time to get me to my ultimate goal, but hey lets face it, the 'I want to lose 1lb per day every day for the next four months didn't come to anything so it really is time for a different tact).
I also wrote down an 8 week exercise plan for myself - again starting small and manageable, for week one I'll only be walking 15 minutes on the treadmill, but ensuring I do it every single day. The idea at this stage is to create that habit of getting up in the morning, and cracking on with exercise - which I do enjoy doing when I get into the habit! But it's making it into an 'automatic' habit - that's what I am trying to achieve, and then building upon that.
Ok so exercise sorted! Now the diet!!
Well thankfully we are living in the age of super duper technology - so second port of call (so to speak) was the on board Internet cafe to look up what my options were with regards to days, times and location of nearest meeting.
The Slimming World Website made this stupidly easy for me to do - type in post code: check. Oh, and up pops half a dozen possibles. Hey presto I find the one ideal for me, on the day I want and at a time that suited most (must be fate or something!).
I returned from holiday yesterday - and to be frank, was most keen to get going! I rang the consultant up to ensure that the meeting still actually took place, and confirmed times and payment etc.
That very same evening, off I popped to meeting. I was buzzing. The atmosphere was buzzing. So far, all seems so good. I got weighed at the end (turns out I lost 2 / 3lbs whilst on holiday! but that's unofficial) and now I am literally up, ready and raring to go!
This morning I have achieved my first set of toning exercises along with 15 minutes walking on the treadmill - and am feeling fab on that account.
I was worrying slightly about food, as in, what should I have as my 'first meal'. However good old ma purchased a lovely bowl of fruit whilst we were away so its fruit for breakfast me thinks, followed by cheese and ham pasta for lunch (an old SW fave of mine, got me through many a lunch time that did last year!) and then just need to figure out what I'll do for tea.
Really excited, need to keep this momentum up now. Fingers crossed for a good week, and hoping for a good weigh in next Monday. In my mind if I lose 5lbs I'll be happy, if I lose 7lbs I'll be walking on sunshine :D
I must to confess to such a moment whilst on my recent holiday. One day I woke up, and came to the conclusion that as soon as I returned, I would join slimming world, start exercising again, stick with it, and once and for all get rid of all this excess baggage I've been carrying around with me.
One thing to make the decision, a totally different one to act upon it. I'm at sea in the middle of the med, so what possibly can I do to take those 'first steps'.
Firstly I worked out on pen and paper what it is I actually wanted to achieve - trying to take on a one step at a time strategy. I worked out my targets (weight & dates when to achieve them) by using the 2lbs off per week idea. Yes this takes a long time to get me to my ultimate goal, but hey lets face it, the 'I want to lose 1lb per day every day for the next four months didn't come to anything so it really is time for a different tact).
I also wrote down an 8 week exercise plan for myself - again starting small and manageable, for week one I'll only be walking 15 minutes on the treadmill, but ensuring I do it every single day. The idea at this stage is to create that habit of getting up in the morning, and cracking on with exercise - which I do enjoy doing when I get into the habit! But it's making it into an 'automatic' habit - that's what I am trying to achieve, and then building upon that.
Ok so exercise sorted! Now the diet!!
Well thankfully we are living in the age of super duper technology - so second port of call (so to speak) was the on board Internet cafe to look up what my options were with regards to days, times and location of nearest meeting.
The Slimming World Website made this stupidly easy for me to do - type in post code: check. Oh, and up pops half a dozen possibles. Hey presto I find the one ideal for me, on the day I want and at a time that suited most (must be fate or something!).
I returned from holiday yesterday - and to be frank, was most keen to get going! I rang the consultant up to ensure that the meeting still actually took place, and confirmed times and payment etc.
That very same evening, off I popped to meeting. I was buzzing. The atmosphere was buzzing. So far, all seems so good. I got weighed at the end (turns out I lost 2 / 3lbs whilst on holiday! but that's unofficial) and now I am literally up, ready and raring to go!
This morning I have achieved my first set of toning exercises along with 15 minutes walking on the treadmill - and am feeling fab on that account.
I was worrying slightly about food, as in, what should I have as my 'first meal'. However good old ma purchased a lovely bowl of fruit whilst we were away so its fruit for breakfast me thinks, followed by cheese and ham pasta for lunch (an old SW fave of mine, got me through many a lunch time that did last year!) and then just need to figure out what I'll do for tea.
Really excited, need to keep this momentum up now. Fingers crossed for a good week, and hoping for a good weigh in next Monday. In my mind if I lose 5lbs I'll be happy, if I lose 7lbs I'll be walking on sunshine :D
Monday, 20 September 2010
30 Day Lifestyle Challenge - Day One
Morning peeps! Well it's Monday, and we have yet another gorgeous morning this morning!!
After having a couple of weeks 'off' from all things routine, I've been simply itching to set myself a 30 day challenge! In keeping with my down with diets attitude, this challenge isn't about 'keeping to a restricted diet and exercise routine', yes exercise is involved, and yes I have written out my 'menu' for the week, but NO I'm not on a diet - still with me here??!
I'll let you in on a little secret, I have a passion for rural Victorian life, more specifically from the middle class farmers wife / female perspective. I don't know where it has come from, but I am simply fascinated by it, and have been inspired myself to adopt a more back to basics lifestyle.
I am at present researching for a book I am intending to write: 'Modern Day Victorian Living' (or something like that!). Using the rural Victorian as a template, I shall not only attempt to bring back past values / crafts / routines etc but more importantly make those values & routines etc relevant for today. Big example of this would be washing day - back then it took them four days to wash / dry & iron clothes by hand. Today we put it in the washing machine which is much easier! (so naturally I wont be dismissing modern technology just for the sake of it, just using it when and where it has it's place).
After a small amount of research, I have an idea on the farmers wife very basic weekly Mon - Sat routine, with Sunday of course being God's day and naturally a day of rest (sounds good to me!!), which mainly dealt with the household chores, baking days (I really looking forward to those already!!) and market day (for me, that involves sitting at the computer and ordering from Tesco's tee hee). In addition to the standard household chores, I have also given myself set exercises to do every day, and have set out what I'll be eating for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
With the latter, again please don't confuse this as a diet, just because I have set out a meal plan. The plan is based around what I currently have in the cupboards, and enjoy eating! I'm using current stocks up before buying more in - saves on the waste that way!
And yes, as far as the food is concerned, with the exception of Breakfast, I will still be following Paul Mckenna's Principles of only eating when I'm hungry.
Breakfast is the exception because I have never really eaten breakfast - if I do eat, it's more of a Brunch thing. So this time at the very least I will eat Breakfast every day without waiting to gauge whether I'm hungry or not - and yes, I will stop once I am full.
So yesterday, I sat down and wrote out my jobs to complete list for each day, every day encompassing toning and treadmill exercise, 3 meals, and my chores list for today. Sounds tiresome? Well today is washing day, and what that mean? well, putting all the laundry in the washing machine and switching it on - oh yes I can see how that could be irksome!!?
So, getting to the actual 'challenge'.
This morning, I weighed out 1oz of porridge, made with milk and sugar sprinkled on top, accompanied by a glass of water, which although was very tasty, unbelievably (or not) I've had about 3 teaspoonfuls and am feeling quite stuffed! I'm not even sure I've eaten half of it! Like I said, my body isn't used to eating breakfast, next time I do porridge I'll put a little less in and see what happens.
I've also sorted out the chickens, taken meat out to defrost for tonight's dinner, completed my toning exercises and made the fella his morning cup of tea in bed whilst sorting out my own breakfast, and no, I didn't get up at 6am either!
As is normally the case, day one is so far going swimmingly, but then again let's be realistic - I've only just begun, let's see where I am in 30 days time :D
After having a couple of weeks 'off' from all things routine, I've been simply itching to set myself a 30 day challenge! In keeping with my down with diets attitude, this challenge isn't about 'keeping to a restricted diet and exercise routine', yes exercise is involved, and yes I have written out my 'menu' for the week, but NO I'm not on a diet - still with me here??!
I'll let you in on a little secret, I have a passion for rural Victorian life, more specifically from the middle class farmers wife / female perspective. I don't know where it has come from, but I am simply fascinated by it, and have been inspired myself to adopt a more back to basics lifestyle.
I am at present researching for a book I am intending to write: 'Modern Day Victorian Living' (or something like that!). Using the rural Victorian as a template, I shall not only attempt to bring back past values / crafts / routines etc but more importantly make those values & routines etc relevant for today. Big example of this would be washing day - back then it took them four days to wash / dry & iron clothes by hand. Today we put it in the washing machine which is much easier! (so naturally I wont be dismissing modern technology just for the sake of it, just using it when and where it has it's place).
After a small amount of research, I have an idea on the farmers wife very basic weekly Mon - Sat routine, with Sunday of course being God's day and naturally a day of rest (sounds good to me!!), which mainly dealt with the household chores, baking days (I really looking forward to those already!!) and market day (for me, that involves sitting at the computer and ordering from Tesco's tee hee). In addition to the standard household chores, I have also given myself set exercises to do every day, and have set out what I'll be eating for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
With the latter, again please don't confuse this as a diet, just because I have set out a meal plan. The plan is based around what I currently have in the cupboards, and enjoy eating! I'm using current stocks up before buying more in - saves on the waste that way!
And yes, as far as the food is concerned, with the exception of Breakfast, I will still be following Paul Mckenna's Principles of only eating when I'm hungry.
Breakfast is the exception because I have never really eaten breakfast - if I do eat, it's more of a Brunch thing. So this time at the very least I will eat Breakfast every day without waiting to gauge whether I'm hungry or not - and yes, I will stop once I am full.
So yesterday, I sat down and wrote out my jobs to complete list for each day, every day encompassing toning and treadmill exercise, 3 meals, and my chores list for today. Sounds tiresome? Well today is washing day, and what that mean? well, putting all the laundry in the washing machine and switching it on - oh yes I can see how that could be irksome!!?
So, getting to the actual 'challenge'.
This morning, I weighed out 1oz of porridge, made with milk and sugar sprinkled on top, accompanied by a glass of water, which although was very tasty, unbelievably (or not) I've had about 3 teaspoonfuls and am feeling quite stuffed! I'm not even sure I've eaten half of it! Like I said, my body isn't used to eating breakfast, next time I do porridge I'll put a little less in and see what happens.
I've also sorted out the chickens, taken meat out to defrost for tonight's dinner, completed my toning exercises and made the fella his morning cup of tea in bed whilst sorting out my own breakfast, and no, I didn't get up at 6am either!
As is normally the case, day one is so far going swimmingly, but then again let's be realistic - I've only just begun, let's see where I am in 30 days time :D
Wednesday, 15 September 2010
There is no wagon
You hear people falling off of, and then getting back on 'the wagon' a lot in weight loss. When a person has a good day, they see themselves as 'on the wagon' - and this is a good thing. When they have a bad day, they think of themselves as falling 'off' the wagon - a bad thing - and strive to get back 'on' as soon as possible.
But let's just stop and think about this for a moment.
Did you know that originally, the phrase 'to fall off the wagon' actually was in connection to people struggling to combat a drug or alcohol addiction? And that to fall off said wagon meant that they had failed to keep their resolution to remain sober / drug free.
If this is the case, why on earth have we, the over weight, adopted this phrase as our own, and used it to monitor our own supposed failings?!!?
Let's picture a moment your own weight loss journey adopting this approach. Every time you make a slip up, no matter how small, you fall off the wagon, climb back on and roll down the same path.
You eventually reach your goal weight - but you've fallen off the damn wagon so many times you're black and blue! Your bum hurts, you've got broken bones, a bump on your head, and all you can remember about the journey is the pain you have suffered to get here - which makes you what? a martyr? Oh poor you, it's been a real 'struggle' a real 'hardship' but like a real trouper you got there 'in the end'.
Where did your life go whilst you were losing that weight? Oh, no, sorry, forgot, your fat, and you have to punish yourself day in day out until you reach your 'magical goal weight' then all of a sudden life will be brilliant!
Have you ever thought what if there was no wagon to fall off of in the first place? Have you ever thought about what if you took that wagon and set fire to it? Then what? well instead of using the wagon, you'll have to begin your journey by actually walking.
Let's take a moment to imagine the journey to your goal weight, minus the aforementioned wagon - just for a moment.
So here you are walking along, you slip up on a large pebble. Well you haven't fallen over or broken anything, and you can either choose to carry on as you were, or make a slight adjustment to watch out for and avoid those large pebbles! By walking to your destination you can take in and experience so much more of what is going on around. You can take your time, go at your own pace, and focus on enjoying the journey.
As opposed to what? sitting on the back of a cart, and only focusing on not falling off?
By taking the wagon, you are giving somebody else the responsibility of your weight loss. Yes you'll probably get there in the end, but not only do you miss out on life, but you fail to learn along the way - well, apart from the fact that the journey is quite painful so therefore may not actually stick with the wagon for any great deal of time anyway.
Taking responsibility for your own weight loss, and ultimately your own journey to get there is initially more difficult as you really do have to keep your focus on the goal.
You will have to keep your wits about you, and now allow yourself to become distracted by dark looking 'diversions' that will purposefully lead you away from your goal.
By walking your own path, you become an adventurer in your own adventure story! You meet many along the way, some who assist, some who do not. But the further along the path you go, the more you learn, the stronger you become, and you are able to easily recognise friend from foe and deal with each one appropriately.
Ultimately your fate is in your own hands. It's up to you when you want to start living and loving life.
Of course you can wait indefinitely until such a time when you do reach your magic number - that's your choice. Some say life begins at 40, others say life begins when you reach your goal weight.
Personally I say life begins right NOW.
x-x-x
But let's just stop and think about this for a moment.
Did you know that originally, the phrase 'to fall off the wagon' actually was in connection to people struggling to combat a drug or alcohol addiction? And that to fall off said wagon meant that they had failed to keep their resolution to remain sober / drug free.
If this is the case, why on earth have we, the over weight, adopted this phrase as our own, and used it to monitor our own supposed failings?!!?
Let's picture a moment your own weight loss journey adopting this approach. Every time you make a slip up, no matter how small, you fall off the wagon, climb back on and roll down the same path.
You eventually reach your goal weight - but you've fallen off the damn wagon so many times you're black and blue! Your bum hurts, you've got broken bones, a bump on your head, and all you can remember about the journey is the pain you have suffered to get here - which makes you what? a martyr? Oh poor you, it's been a real 'struggle' a real 'hardship' but like a real trouper you got there 'in the end'.
Where did your life go whilst you were losing that weight? Oh, no, sorry, forgot, your fat, and you have to punish yourself day in day out until you reach your 'magical goal weight' then all of a sudden life will be brilliant!
Have you ever thought what if there was no wagon to fall off of in the first place? Have you ever thought about what if you took that wagon and set fire to it? Then what? well instead of using the wagon, you'll have to begin your journey by actually walking.
Let's take a moment to imagine the journey to your goal weight, minus the aforementioned wagon - just for a moment.
So here you are walking along, you slip up on a large pebble. Well you haven't fallen over or broken anything, and you can either choose to carry on as you were, or make a slight adjustment to watch out for and avoid those large pebbles! By walking to your destination you can take in and experience so much more of what is going on around. You can take your time, go at your own pace, and focus on enjoying the journey.
As opposed to what? sitting on the back of a cart, and only focusing on not falling off?
By taking the wagon, you are giving somebody else the responsibility of your weight loss. Yes you'll probably get there in the end, but not only do you miss out on life, but you fail to learn along the way - well, apart from the fact that the journey is quite painful so therefore may not actually stick with the wagon for any great deal of time anyway.
Taking responsibility for your own weight loss, and ultimately your own journey to get there is initially more difficult as you really do have to keep your focus on the goal.
You will have to keep your wits about you, and now allow yourself to become distracted by dark looking 'diversions' that will purposefully lead you away from your goal.
By walking your own path, you become an adventurer in your own adventure story! You meet many along the way, some who assist, some who do not. But the further along the path you go, the more you learn, the stronger you become, and you are able to easily recognise friend from foe and deal with each one appropriately.
Ultimately your fate is in your own hands. It's up to you when you want to start living and loving life.
Of course you can wait indefinitely until such a time when you do reach your magic number - that's your choice. Some say life begins at 40, others say life begins when you reach your goal weight.
Personally I say life begins right NOW.
x-x-x
Thursday, 9 September 2010
Have a Little Patience
It's amazing what a short walk at 7:30am can do for clearing out the cobwebs and giving much needed perspective.
As mentioned in my last blog post, yesterday was spent mainly on my own as fella was away working and didn't get in until just gone 1:30am. As with most things in life, there were good bits, and not so good bits, but the day as a whole, yes I'll chalk up to a success.
Sometimes life throws you a bone and in a very random way, tries to teach you valuable 'life lessons' - you just have to be open enough to received I suppose.
This morning, whilst clearing the cobwebs, I realised that I had been given one of these life lessons.
Yesterday was a day off from work, and as there was nothing that needed doing that couldn't wait, the day was mine to do as I pleased with.
It all started in the morning. It was noted that our grey chicken has 'disappeared', and as the run was secure, meant one of two things - she was sick of the rain and decided to go 'indoor', or she went in to lay her first egg. I say to fella that I would keep an eye out whilst he took pooch for a walk.
Immediately I started to feel as if I was on a stake out, so set up camp in the conservatory with some binoculars, sat and waited. It was amusing watching the other three chickens like this, they weren't doing anything particularly interested, but it was still fun to just watch.
Then out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a small bird land on the bird table, so zoomed in on it to see is I could tell what it was. I couldn't. I can spot robins, magpies and pigeons - that's about it!
One of my bug bears is not knowing. I want to know that those constellations are so when I look up I can go ah yes, that's such and such. I want to know what the different types of clouds are (don't ask I have no idea why I just do!) and as with many other things, I want to be able to recognise the different species of birds. It's really frustrating looking at a bird and thinking, so what are you then (apart from just a small bird that is!).
This was my window of opportunity, I grabbed a pen and pad, and about 4 different bird identification books. For the first bird I wrote down all the colourings first and then tried to look it up. It took me a while, but in the end I discovered it was in fact a Blue Tit.
Please welcome bird watcher extraordinaire! Honestly I spent about 4 hours consumed in watching the comings and goings of that bird table. We get a lot of Blue Tits, and after a while the novelty of seeing one wears off.
But nature has a funny way of rewarding the patient.
So I am sitting there, Blue Tit, Blue Tit, Blue Tit, another Blue Tit, oh hang on that's got different colourings on! Again I turn to the books, variation on a theme, but this time it was a Coal Tit! Doesn't sound exciting? Well they say variety is the spice of life, and yes, this not only spiced things up, it motivated me to continue to sit, and be patient, to see what else would drop by.
I never had myself down as a 'bird watcher', but I have to say I really did thoroughly enjoy the experience. It was quite a buzz watching, waiting, and then all of a sudden your patience is rewarded by something that isn't a Blue Tit or a Pigeon, or the reoccurring Robin! With every 'new' species that visited, I was able to search through the books, identify the bird, and read a little background on that species. When that species came back I could then go 'Ah, you're a Nuthatch, or whatever', and that is a very satisfying experience, be able to see something and know 'what' it is!
Whilst walking pooch at silly o'clock, my thoughts turned to yesterday morning, and that is when I realised that I had experience one of those 'life lessons'.
What would have happened if after the tenth Blue Tit landing on the table, I got bored or frustrated (is that all there is out there!), or perhaps lost sight of the real reason why I was sat there in the first place (staking out our grey chicken!). I would have been annoyed at myself because I'd just wasted half an hour of my life? I would have refocused my attentions onto something else, perhaps something less rewarding?
If I had of walked away the minute things got 'boring' or indeed at the times when all signs of life disappeared, I would have missed out, and wouldn't be where I am now - feeling quite humbled at the community that appears to have invaded our garden!!
When there was nothing to see, I'd divert my attention back to the chickens, or try and search the trees or the sky to see if i could see anything. Keeping an eye always on the bird table so that I could quickly go back to it when the birds decided to show.
It's the same for anyone who wants to get healthy and shift their excess baggage. You go on a diet, start off with great intentions, and then you get to the stage 'same thing, different day', you get bored, frustrated 'why aren't I seeing results yet!! It's been four days!', you get disheartened, and give up, walk away, do something else.
Well stop a minute will you? So you've decided to go on a diet, or just change your eating habits with the intention of becoming healthier. Remember how long it took for you to get like this in the first place? Well that's not going to be fixed over night - the magic lose weight over night weight loss fairy doesn't exist. I'm sorry to have to be the one to break it to you. It's like Santa or the tooth fairy, nice idea, but in reality, nothing in life is that free!
So what do you do? You practice being patient. You have faith that what you are doing will work - and you remind yourself of this every single day, every single night, and whenever your own El Saboteur pops up to say hello.
I learnt yesterday that nature has a way of rewarding the patient. How do predators get their dinner? patience! fishermen catch their fish? patience! NASA get man to the moon? Patience!! (oh and lots of money).
So you don't see results in the first three or four days - so what!? Have patience!! Keep your eye on the prize, have patience and before you know it, you'll be unexpectedly rewarded with a compliment 'my you're looking good, have you lost weight?', 'there's something different about you, have you lost weight?', 'wow you're one foxy lady, would you like to come out for a drink sometime' (sorry getting carried away with myself there!! But you see my point).
When you receive that compliment, store it away so that you can bash El Saboteur over the head with it later!! And if you're having a little trouble staying patience, change your focus. Continue your diet, but just focus your mind on something a little more fun / a new hobby, believe me, not only will you love the fact that you are living life, but you'll find the results will come much quicker!!
As mentioned in my last blog post, yesterday was spent mainly on my own as fella was away working and didn't get in until just gone 1:30am. As with most things in life, there were good bits, and not so good bits, but the day as a whole, yes I'll chalk up to a success.
Sometimes life throws you a bone and in a very random way, tries to teach you valuable 'life lessons' - you just have to be open enough to received I suppose.
This morning, whilst clearing the cobwebs, I realised that I had been given one of these life lessons.
Yesterday was a day off from work, and as there was nothing that needed doing that couldn't wait, the day was mine to do as I pleased with.
It all started in the morning. It was noted that our grey chicken has 'disappeared', and as the run was secure, meant one of two things - she was sick of the rain and decided to go 'indoor', or she went in to lay her first egg. I say to fella that I would keep an eye out whilst he took pooch for a walk.
Immediately I started to feel as if I was on a stake out, so set up camp in the conservatory with some binoculars, sat and waited. It was amusing watching the other three chickens like this, they weren't doing anything particularly interested, but it was still fun to just watch.
Then out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a small bird land on the bird table, so zoomed in on it to see is I could tell what it was. I couldn't. I can spot robins, magpies and pigeons - that's about it!
One of my bug bears is not knowing. I want to know that those constellations are so when I look up I can go ah yes, that's such and such. I want to know what the different types of clouds are (don't ask I have no idea why I just do!) and as with many other things, I want to be able to recognise the different species of birds. It's really frustrating looking at a bird and thinking, so what are you then (apart from just a small bird that is!).
This was my window of opportunity, I grabbed a pen and pad, and about 4 different bird identification books. For the first bird I wrote down all the colourings first and then tried to look it up. It took me a while, but in the end I discovered it was in fact a Blue Tit.
Please welcome bird watcher extraordinaire! Honestly I spent about 4 hours consumed in watching the comings and goings of that bird table. We get a lot of Blue Tits, and after a while the novelty of seeing one wears off.
But nature has a funny way of rewarding the patient.
So I am sitting there, Blue Tit, Blue Tit, Blue Tit, another Blue Tit, oh hang on that's got different colourings on! Again I turn to the books, variation on a theme, but this time it was a Coal Tit! Doesn't sound exciting? Well they say variety is the spice of life, and yes, this not only spiced things up, it motivated me to continue to sit, and be patient, to see what else would drop by.
I never had myself down as a 'bird watcher', but I have to say I really did thoroughly enjoy the experience. It was quite a buzz watching, waiting, and then all of a sudden your patience is rewarded by something that isn't a Blue Tit or a Pigeon, or the reoccurring Robin! With every 'new' species that visited, I was able to search through the books, identify the bird, and read a little background on that species. When that species came back I could then go 'Ah, you're a Nuthatch, or whatever', and that is a very satisfying experience, be able to see something and know 'what' it is!
Whilst walking pooch at silly o'clock, my thoughts turned to yesterday morning, and that is when I realised that I had experience one of those 'life lessons'.
What would have happened if after the tenth Blue Tit landing on the table, I got bored or frustrated (is that all there is out there!), or perhaps lost sight of the real reason why I was sat there in the first place (staking out our grey chicken!). I would have been annoyed at myself because I'd just wasted half an hour of my life? I would have refocused my attentions onto something else, perhaps something less rewarding?
If I had of walked away the minute things got 'boring' or indeed at the times when all signs of life disappeared, I would have missed out, and wouldn't be where I am now - feeling quite humbled at the community that appears to have invaded our garden!!
When there was nothing to see, I'd divert my attention back to the chickens, or try and search the trees or the sky to see if i could see anything. Keeping an eye always on the bird table so that I could quickly go back to it when the birds decided to show.
It's the same for anyone who wants to get healthy and shift their excess baggage. You go on a diet, start off with great intentions, and then you get to the stage 'same thing, different day', you get bored, frustrated 'why aren't I seeing results yet!! It's been four days!', you get disheartened, and give up, walk away, do something else.
Well stop a minute will you? So you've decided to go on a diet, or just change your eating habits with the intention of becoming healthier. Remember how long it took for you to get like this in the first place? Well that's not going to be fixed over night - the magic lose weight over night weight loss fairy doesn't exist. I'm sorry to have to be the one to break it to you. It's like Santa or the tooth fairy, nice idea, but in reality, nothing in life is that free!
So what do you do? You practice being patient. You have faith that what you are doing will work - and you remind yourself of this every single day, every single night, and whenever your own El Saboteur pops up to say hello.
I learnt yesterday that nature has a way of rewarding the patient. How do predators get their dinner? patience! fishermen catch their fish? patience! NASA get man to the moon? Patience!! (oh and lots of money).
So you don't see results in the first three or four days - so what!? Have patience!! Keep your eye on the prize, have patience and before you know it, you'll be unexpectedly rewarded with a compliment 'my you're looking good, have you lost weight?', 'there's something different about you, have you lost weight?', 'wow you're one foxy lady, would you like to come out for a drink sometime' (sorry getting carried away with myself there!! But you see my point).
When you receive that compliment, store it away so that you can bash El Saboteur over the head with it later!! And if you're having a little trouble staying patience, change your focus. Continue your diet, but just focus your mind on something a little more fun / a new hobby, believe me, not only will you love the fact that you are living life, but you'll find the results will come much quicker!!
Wednesday, 8 September 2010
Weight Loss Dairy - 8th Sept 2010
She shoots - she scores!! Yes ladies and gentlemen, yesterday we were right back on track (and felt all the happier for it). I am loving how easily I got over my little blip, and got straight back down to business again - you know, life really is so much easier (and more fun) when you don't give yourself a hard time about silly little things.
Yesterday, I received my first compliment regarding my weight, from my mother of all people! As far as I am aware, she doesn't know that I've sent every single 'diet' to Hades. In fact I am sure she thinks I am actually 'on one' (which I'm not, I really can't stress that enough).
But yesterday after our singing group was over and I was packing everything away, she turned around and said to me 'so how much weight have you lost then'. Ahhhh my ma, we do tend to spit things out in an unfortunate tone - that's where I get that habit from you know. I replied about half a stone (well it was the last time I checked), and what was the response? 'Is that all?' (said sort of in disgust) 'you look like you've lost lots more than that, well, keep it up'. Way to go with the positive reinforcement! words were there, tone certainly wasn't tee hee.
Well you could have knocked me down with a kipper skipper! It was nice to hear, no matter in what form it took, that what I have been doing is certainly noticeable - go me!!
But I wonder, is it physical weight loss she is seeing, or is it because I am much more happier in myself, and that is shining through to the world? Either way, it's just one more piece of evidence proving that what I am doing right now for myself, is right for me right now.
My other cause of celebration yesterday was that for dinner, I had my very last weight watchers microwave meal - hurrah! Now despite what Paul McKenna suggests in his I can make you thin programme, no I am not going to go to the fridge / freezer and throw out all those untasteful low calorie diet foods. I have spent good money on them, and as much as I'm starting not to mind wasting food at meal times, I can't bring myself to waste full meals before I've even eaten them!
Now, don't get me wrong, weight watcher meals are 'ok'. Actually some do taste quite nice, but I'd rather have the real thing - home made, fresh, and baked in the oven, not nuked in the microwave! I did enjoy eaten them at the time, but now even more, I am enjoying the thought of only having fresh home cooked meals that make my mouth water - real unadulterated food!
I still have three tubs of slimfast milk shake to use up, and a few boxes of slim fast meal bars and no, I refuse to throw these out either. I wont have these every day, but sometimes, believe it or not, I do really fancy having a slimfast shake or a meal bar for one of my meals. So when I fancy, they are in the cupboard waiting for me. That's not to say I wont really enjoy seeing the back of them when they are all used up - and no, frankly when they are used up they wont be replaced. I'm just saying that at the moment, I can fit them easily and happily into my diet - I've already wasted the money by buying the stuff, I can't waste that money further by not using it.
So today then - big challenge is ahead of me! Other half has a gig up in Manchester of all places! So will be on my own for about twelve hours today (boo hoo).
My challenge today is to not allow El Saboteur (that's my new name for that little inner voice) to rear its ugly head. Honestly, there are lots of things I could be doing today and tonight, so need to focus on being productive, and not dwelling on the sofa again simply because I am on my own.
I think I'll take a leaf out of other halfs book and draw up a 'to do list' to keep me focused throughout the day, as it would be really good to be able to come back tomorrow and say that today was a complete success start to finish! :)
Yesterday, I received my first compliment regarding my weight, from my mother of all people! As far as I am aware, she doesn't know that I've sent every single 'diet' to Hades. In fact I am sure she thinks I am actually 'on one' (which I'm not, I really can't stress that enough).
But yesterday after our singing group was over and I was packing everything away, she turned around and said to me 'so how much weight have you lost then'. Ahhhh my ma, we do tend to spit things out in an unfortunate tone - that's where I get that habit from you know. I replied about half a stone (well it was the last time I checked), and what was the response? 'Is that all?' (said sort of in disgust) 'you look like you've lost lots more than that, well, keep it up'. Way to go with the positive reinforcement! words were there, tone certainly wasn't tee hee.
Well you could have knocked me down with a kipper skipper! It was nice to hear, no matter in what form it took, that what I have been doing is certainly noticeable - go me!!
But I wonder, is it physical weight loss she is seeing, or is it because I am much more happier in myself, and that is shining through to the world? Either way, it's just one more piece of evidence proving that what I am doing right now for myself, is right for me right now.
My other cause of celebration yesterday was that for dinner, I had my very last weight watchers microwave meal - hurrah! Now despite what Paul McKenna suggests in his I can make you thin programme, no I am not going to go to the fridge / freezer and throw out all those untasteful low calorie diet foods. I have spent good money on them, and as much as I'm starting not to mind wasting food at meal times, I can't bring myself to waste full meals before I've even eaten them!
Now, don't get me wrong, weight watcher meals are 'ok'. Actually some do taste quite nice, but I'd rather have the real thing - home made, fresh, and baked in the oven, not nuked in the microwave! I did enjoy eaten them at the time, but now even more, I am enjoying the thought of only having fresh home cooked meals that make my mouth water - real unadulterated food!
I still have three tubs of slimfast milk shake to use up, and a few boxes of slim fast meal bars and no, I refuse to throw these out either. I wont have these every day, but sometimes, believe it or not, I do really fancy having a slimfast shake or a meal bar for one of my meals. So when I fancy, they are in the cupboard waiting for me. That's not to say I wont really enjoy seeing the back of them when they are all used up - and no, frankly when they are used up they wont be replaced. I'm just saying that at the moment, I can fit them easily and happily into my diet - I've already wasted the money by buying the stuff, I can't waste that money further by not using it.
So today then - big challenge is ahead of me! Other half has a gig up in Manchester of all places! So will be on my own for about twelve hours today (boo hoo).
My challenge today is to not allow El Saboteur (that's my new name for that little inner voice) to rear its ugly head. Honestly, there are lots of things I could be doing today and tonight, so need to focus on being productive, and not dwelling on the sofa again simply because I am on my own.
I think I'll take a leaf out of other halfs book and draw up a 'to do list' to keep me focused throughout the day, as it would be really good to be able to come back tomorrow and say that today was a complete success start to finish! :)
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