Hey, it's not quite been four weeks since last blog post........I'm improving!
Firstly bit of a catch up - weight, weight glorious weight! To date I have lost a total of 28lbs (can I get a whoop whoop!!) April has been a 'slow' weight loss month, but never-the-less is HAS been a weight loss not a weight gain month, so very happy chappy.
My position at Slimming Worlds weighing station is helping me tremendously! Lots of 'how has your week been', 'pop on when you're ready' 'yay that's fantastic well done!' (for the losses) and 'do you know what happened this week' and 'did you have fun though?' etc etc etc. I'm hoping I'm doing a good job for the members, haven't had any complaints so far ;) Really enjoying the small talk with the slimmers so (fingers crossed) it's all good.
Going back to weight loss April - have to say I have been 'coasting' quite a bit, head not really 'in the game', which is why I think it has been a slow month. At least head is 'in' the game though, but for next month, I'm sure I can do better!!!
On a work to be related topic, am in the throws of setting up the consulting room in the conservatory. The aim is to base myself completely in the conservatory, so desk has now been moved and set up to provide me with my own office space. Next to desk I have set up my gym equipment: treadmill, stepper, rower, strider, trampoline, skipping rope, big purple ball thing, ab cruncher (I think that's about it). Naturally I haven't used any of this equipment in months........many months......but like I said, May is going to be a more heads down month, so that could very soon change!!
Other than that, conservatory has a mega tidy & sort out, have only a couple of bits to remove / sort, then I'll be almost there ready to receive :)
Again, on a related topic, am also in the throws of getting a professional website built. Have spoken to two people so far, and hopefully seeing a third this coming week. I'm seeing intro videos, lots of free downloadable hints & tips, interactive quiz to name but a few shiny things I have in mind!! Really excited, but it's going to have to be a 'watch this space' for the moment.
LCD is now officially on maintenance mode. Am booking her once a month now, with next session due in a couple of weeks. When I look back at how far I've come with myself since November (such as tremendous weight loss, improved habits and personal 'barriers' being smashed to smithereens!), I can totally see the benefits of coaching!!
With that thought in mind, as I am making my own way to success, I am really looking forward to helping others to get on the path of their own personal excellence!!
Yeah baby!! let the good times roll (cue for a song me thinks!) :D
Showing posts with label weigh in. Show all posts
Showing posts with label weigh in. Show all posts
Sunday, 29 April 2012
Monday, 9 April 2012
This is the week that was, or rather is....
Yes, you're quite right, it has been 2 months since my last confession, so thought it was time for a wee catch up.
Weight wise - oh yes, let's start with that. To date have lost about 23lbs, and have already started to have people look at me funny saying 'have you lost weight?' etc. Literally any day now I will be back into my jeans, which I haven't been able to fit into for about 3 years now, very happy bunny :)
On a related note, I can't remember if I mentioned in the last post, but I've moved Slimming World groups to one closer to ma as she is also wanting to join / support / lose a bit before for 'big day'. She's 7 weeks into her 'journey' and received her first stone award last week (happy claps!). As for myself, I have volunteered as a SW helper. At my request, I have been put on the weighing in station, I thought this would be a good idea as not only will I get used to dealing with people with their weight, but also I can practice quick NLP on them as they weight in......cunning ;)
Next favourite topic - LCD! Still going, and still going well I think, although I am starting to feel I need to phase this out slightly as am generally achieving everything I am setting out to achieve (which is nice!). It's getting back to the stage where I can't think of what else to bring up, as it stands (almost) everything I want to have in motion, is. Perhaps I should discuss this at next session ;)
Next favourite topic - wedding!!! I'll fill more blanks in on the wedding blog, but suffice to say that things are moving along much swifter than anticipated. We have most things sorted in principle, of course we still have deposits to pay and contracts to sign etc, but all in all we both are quite clear as to what we want, and who will provide.
Bit of a short post today, as chickens are about to cause a riot as I've not got them up yet!!
Final topic - LCH (Life Coach Hells for those not already in the know). Since last we spoke, I have almost completed my NLP course (sort of), and that's about it. I know I was doing back flips last time, but I'm afraid to report that I was so busy doing back flips, I didn't actually take any further action to move me forward.....DOH!!!
Never mind, today marks the start of a new week - 5am start (oh yes, that was a 5), and brain is now raring to go. I have decided to make this my very last week of (excuse the French) arsing about. My intention is no matter what, finish NLP course, write up business & marketing plan, and basically as from next Monday, literally be calling myself a life coach and hopefully start getting some clients on board would be nice too. What's stopping me? well frankly not much, asides from my own laziness that it. I have all the skills, tools, time and money I need in order to make this happen. The only thing I need to do is turn off the TV (check) get off my behind (um, in a minute that will be a check), and get moving!!!
Tell you what, I promise to come back next Monday and update on how I done :D
Weight wise - oh yes, let's start with that. To date have lost about 23lbs, and have already started to have people look at me funny saying 'have you lost weight?' etc. Literally any day now I will be back into my jeans, which I haven't been able to fit into for about 3 years now, very happy bunny :)
On a related note, I can't remember if I mentioned in the last post, but I've moved Slimming World groups to one closer to ma as she is also wanting to join / support / lose a bit before for 'big day'. She's 7 weeks into her 'journey' and received her first stone award last week (happy claps!). As for myself, I have volunteered as a SW helper. At my request, I have been put on the weighing in station, I thought this would be a good idea as not only will I get used to dealing with people with their weight, but also I can practice quick NLP on them as they weight in......cunning ;)
Next favourite topic - LCD! Still going, and still going well I think, although I am starting to feel I need to phase this out slightly as am generally achieving everything I am setting out to achieve (which is nice!). It's getting back to the stage where I can't think of what else to bring up, as it stands (almost) everything I want to have in motion, is. Perhaps I should discuss this at next session ;)
Next favourite topic - wedding!!! I'll fill more blanks in on the wedding blog, but suffice to say that things are moving along much swifter than anticipated. We have most things sorted in principle, of course we still have deposits to pay and contracts to sign etc, but all in all we both are quite clear as to what we want, and who will provide.
Bit of a short post today, as chickens are about to cause a riot as I've not got them up yet!!
Final topic - LCH (Life Coach Hells for those not already in the know). Since last we spoke, I have almost completed my NLP course (sort of), and that's about it. I know I was doing back flips last time, but I'm afraid to report that I was so busy doing back flips, I didn't actually take any further action to move me forward.....DOH!!!
Never mind, today marks the start of a new week - 5am start (oh yes, that was a 5), and brain is now raring to go. I have decided to make this my very last week of (excuse the French) arsing about. My intention is no matter what, finish NLP course, write up business & marketing plan, and basically as from next Monday, literally be calling myself a life coach and hopefully start getting some clients on board would be nice too. What's stopping me? well frankly not much, asides from my own laziness that it. I have all the skills, tools, time and money I need in order to make this happen. The only thing I need to do is turn off the TV (check) get off my behind (um, in a minute that will be a check), and get moving!!!
Tell you what, I promise to come back next Monday and update on how I done :D
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
Still here then!
Oh lordy lordy, it's been just about 4 weeks since my last 'confession'. Well, what can I tell you, still under the eyes of LCD (Life Coach Dawn), and things are progressing quite nicely!
First off, had blood test to check Thyroid levels, T4 is 10 (which is very low) and TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) is 36 (verrrrrrrrrrrry high! it should be around the 0 mark apparently!). In a nutshell TSH is working serious overtime, thyroxine has been upped so now on 125mgs (still no where near enough but hey, these things take time). This is an ongoing thing, and when all levels are where they should be, energy levels should be soaring whilst weight should be plummeting! Going back to quacks for another blood test beginning of February so no doubt I will be on 150mgs in about 5 weeks time.
The Christmas and New Year season passed me by with relative ease, with food and alcohol consumption being at an all time low for no other reason than I just didn't fancy drinking too much, and I felt like snacking even less. I gained about 2-3lbs over the festive period, which according to the Wii fit this morning, I have already lost!! So wondering if I am technically now the only person in the country who isn't stressing because they have eaten too much, drank too much and put on soooooo much weight that immediate detoxing is required!
Speaking of weight, I do have yet another confession to tell - I have decided to rejoin Slimming World, my first session is tonight........gosh that really felt like I was telling a dirty secret then! Seriously though I know that this has worked for me in the past, and with LCD by my side, really this year there is no reason why I shouldn't see massive weight loss success. I believe the group tonight is a brand new group, so at least we will all be starting off on the same foot together. First night SW nerves have well and truly kicked in for me, I don't know why, all I have to do is pay, get weighed and get started - it's nothing I haven't done numerous times before. Really, it's this time next week when I'll really be wetting myself and wondering 'how much weight have I lost this week!'. I can tell you right from the start if I can lose between 5-7lbs in the first week I'll consider that a good week! If however I lose 2-3lbs, then ok I wont be 'as' happy, but I'll still be thrilled because at least things will have started to go in the right direction!
Eyes on the prize helly, eyes on the prize!!!! (by prize naturally I'm talking about slimmer of the week, slimmer of the month, club 10 target, 1/2 stone interval stickers and body magic awards!!!......oh, and yes of course, there's the losing over 8 stone in weight and becoming a slimmer happier more energetic me, darn it! I always forget that bit! Now, was that a flash of a glittery sticker I see over there.........)
In other news, Life Coach Helly is almost in full swing. Have consulted with LCD who confirms that I am doing everything I need to do in order to start coaching for myself, so wind being in the right direction, I am looking at early March / April as to when I will officially be calling myself LCH!!! Can't wait!!
First off, had blood test to check Thyroid levels, T4 is 10 (which is very low) and TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) is 36 (verrrrrrrrrrrry high! it should be around the 0 mark apparently!). In a nutshell TSH is working serious overtime, thyroxine has been upped so now on 125mgs (still no where near enough but hey, these things take time). This is an ongoing thing, and when all levels are where they should be, energy levels should be soaring whilst weight should be plummeting! Going back to quacks for another blood test beginning of February so no doubt I will be on 150mgs in about 5 weeks time.
The Christmas and New Year season passed me by with relative ease, with food and alcohol consumption being at an all time low for no other reason than I just didn't fancy drinking too much, and I felt like snacking even less. I gained about 2-3lbs over the festive period, which according to the Wii fit this morning, I have already lost!! So wondering if I am technically now the only person in the country who isn't stressing because they have eaten too much, drank too much and put on soooooo much weight that immediate detoxing is required!
Speaking of weight, I do have yet another confession to tell - I have decided to rejoin Slimming World, my first session is tonight........gosh that really felt like I was telling a dirty secret then! Seriously though I know that this has worked for me in the past, and with LCD by my side, really this year there is no reason why I shouldn't see massive weight loss success. I believe the group tonight is a brand new group, so at least we will all be starting off on the same foot together. First night SW nerves have well and truly kicked in for me, I don't know why, all I have to do is pay, get weighed and get started - it's nothing I haven't done numerous times before. Really, it's this time next week when I'll really be wetting myself and wondering 'how much weight have I lost this week!'. I can tell you right from the start if I can lose between 5-7lbs in the first week I'll consider that a good week! If however I lose 2-3lbs, then ok I wont be 'as' happy, but I'll still be thrilled because at least things will have started to go in the right direction!
Eyes on the prize helly, eyes on the prize!!!! (by prize naturally I'm talking about slimmer of the week, slimmer of the month, club 10 target, 1/2 stone interval stickers and body magic awards!!!......oh, and yes of course, there's the losing over 8 stone in weight and becoming a slimmer happier more energetic me, darn it! I always forget that bit! Now, was that a flash of a glittery sticker I see over there.........)
In other news, Life Coach Helly is almost in full swing. Have consulted with LCD who confirms that I am doing everything I need to do in order to start coaching for myself, so wind being in the right direction, I am looking at early March / April as to when I will officially be calling myself LCH!!! Can't wait!!
Wednesday, 9 November 2011
Weigbht Loss Count Down - Day Two
Well, here we are, I have made it to day two! Yesterday was a bit crappy if I am totally honesty, although I think you could see that from yesterdays blog.
It didn't start well, and for various reasons didn't end well either. Bad mood for most of the day, managed to let off steam slightly at a practically all day marketing meeting, and then singing practice in the evening helped to ease things slightly too.
Food wise, haven't been too impressed with myself, I could have done better for a first day at least, however, I have logged all my food and drink intake on the video blog so at least I am actually be honest with myself (for once).
No change in weight this morning, although after yesterday I am not surprised, but at least it didn't go up. Again, I will weigh myself everyday and log the weight. If it goes up or down, I'll log it so I can get more aware of the consequences of my actions.
Woke up this morning with what only can be described as excruciating heartburn (at least that's what I think it was, I've never had it before, either that or it was the on comings of gallstones again, but I'm going to think of it as the former). Consequently this morning I am having some Andrews (an anti acid) to try and calm my insides down, and may have a few green alkalising drinks just to neutralise my body a bit.
Still on the look out for a coach, am starting to think that my heart really isn't in it, or maybe I am just being too picky. Am worried about the cost naturally, as this is an expensive time of year, need to at least email to make first contact with a few, check out prices at least.
Would be good to get a personal trainer again, but again alas, money will have to dictate otherwise. Until I can get my weight sorted and the coaching business off the ground riches are on hold, whilst rags seem to be the current trend in fashion.
Sorry, still not feeling 100% bright and bubbly this morning, but at least I'm not as doom and gloom as I was yesterday - which is what they call progress! So I'll just hang onto that thought :)
It didn't start well, and for various reasons didn't end well either. Bad mood for most of the day, managed to let off steam slightly at a practically all day marketing meeting, and then singing practice in the evening helped to ease things slightly too.
Food wise, haven't been too impressed with myself, I could have done better for a first day at least, however, I have logged all my food and drink intake on the video blog so at least I am actually be honest with myself (for once).
No change in weight this morning, although after yesterday I am not surprised, but at least it didn't go up. Again, I will weigh myself everyday and log the weight. If it goes up or down, I'll log it so I can get more aware of the consequences of my actions.
Woke up this morning with what only can be described as excruciating heartburn (at least that's what I think it was, I've never had it before, either that or it was the on comings of gallstones again, but I'm going to think of it as the former). Consequently this morning I am having some Andrews (an anti acid) to try and calm my insides down, and may have a few green alkalising drinks just to neutralise my body a bit.
Still on the look out for a coach, am starting to think that my heart really isn't in it, or maybe I am just being too picky. Am worried about the cost naturally, as this is an expensive time of year, need to at least email to make first contact with a few, check out prices at least.
Would be good to get a personal trainer again, but again alas, money will have to dictate otherwise. Until I can get my weight sorted and the coaching business off the ground riches are on hold, whilst rags seem to be the current trend in fashion.
Sorry, still not feeling 100% bright and bubbly this morning, but at least I'm not as doom and gloom as I was yesterday - which is what they call progress! So I'll just hang onto that thought :)
Wednesday, 19 October 2011
Ramblings Update
Have been having a little surf on laptop – total work avoidance you understand – and it occurred to me that I haven’t actually blogged for a while! (tut tut).
As you can see I am obviously still having issues with being consistent, one might say that I am consistently inconsistent?
Diet, well let’s start with that I could do with a giggle. Well, diet isn’t too bad, it has been a lot worse in the past. I couldn’t honestly tell you what I weigh as haven’t weighed myself for about two or three weeks. I’m guessing I’m about the same as I was. I have had about half a stone loss since the last post, but what I am now I really couldn’t say.
Having a bout of cold / flu type thing at the moment, chest feeling tight, sore throat, headache, short breath (hang on is that violins I can hear? oh no, my mistake, next door is practicing for choir ‘again’). Naturally aforesaid symptoms are causing me to feel not very motivated at all, which in a strange way in itself is making me more motivated and more determined – strange how my mind works sometimes. I tried to explain it to the other other this morning – it’s like, the best thing for me is likely to just go to bed, but then that would feel like giving up, and I really don’t want to do that, so I’m going to fight harder and push through this.
Why oh why do I not do this is my ‘normal’ life I’ll never know!!
Anyway, I decided this morning that maybe what I could do with was my own weight loss coach. No irony there intended, I just thought that if I were to become one, and in need of losing a heck of a lot of weight myself, a weight loss coach would be just the ticket. But can I find one!! Ok, there are plenty of people out there, but no-one yet I am interested in getting in contact with to make an initial enquiry let alone signing on the dotted line.
You see most of the websites I have been on so far, the coaches don’t ‘just’ do weight loss AND from the seems of it, if you sign up with them, it seems that you would be following ‘their’ programme. But I don’t want to do that, I want to follow a diet or a programme of my own choice and just be coached / motivated through that. I want the flexibility of doing slim fast one week, weight watchers the next and the cabbage soup diet the next if I really felt the need!!
Seriously though, for me coaching is all about the client – what do THEY want, how do THEY want to progress, what do THEY want to do (am I making my point?). So far all I have seen is ‘sign up with me and follow xyz technique’ or ‘weight loss is all about abc’ or ‘motivate yourself into fitness’ etc. What if I didn’t actually want to exercise? or couldn’t?
I don’t mean to have a moan, really I don’t, I guess what I am looking is the sort of coach that I want to become - one that is ‘just’ a weight loss coach without the I also do exercise coaching, business coaching, personal coaching etc, one that wont dictate what I do in order to lose weight, instead will just help me find the way myself.
A few years ago when I first was thinking about becoming a coach, I decided to get ‘coached’ to speed things up a bit. The coach I had the initial consultation with wasn’t actually interested in moving me and my goals forward – no, they were interested in making sure I was ‘content’ first, and basically said that before they could coach me and my issues, they would ‘recommend’ that I do that contentment coaching first (for a rather large fortune, well if people are committed they will find the money, er actually no depends on how much disposable income you actually think I have luv). If I wanted to be content, I would have hired a contentment coach, or gone off travelling to ‘find myself’. No, I wanted a proactive and motivating strategy – not a £1200 bill in being coached in an area I didn’t want to be coached again.
Urgh! I’m moaning again I am so so sorry! It’s the dizzy head I’m sure of it! Up shot is though, I am now in the same position as I was all those years ago. I want a specific coach, for a specific purpose. I guess I will have to look harder.
On the bright side, when I’m up and running I guess that will be one of my USP’s – I am what I say on the tin, I am specifically a weight loss coach, who will coach you through your weight loss using whatever method of weight loss you choose (must remember to rephrase and use that when the time comes!!).
For now though, the search continues, I really do hope I find a suitable coach, it’d be such fun being coached and motivated by someone, might be the key thing I need in order to push me from point A all the way to Z!!!
See, no matter what happens, all leave them with a positive note ;)
As you can see I am obviously still having issues with being consistent, one might say that I am consistently inconsistent?
Diet, well let’s start with that I could do with a giggle. Well, diet isn’t too bad, it has been a lot worse in the past. I couldn’t honestly tell you what I weigh as haven’t weighed myself for about two or three weeks. I’m guessing I’m about the same as I was. I have had about half a stone loss since the last post, but what I am now I really couldn’t say.
Having a bout of cold / flu type thing at the moment, chest feeling tight, sore throat, headache, short breath (hang on is that violins I can hear? oh no, my mistake, next door is practicing for choir ‘again’). Naturally aforesaid symptoms are causing me to feel not very motivated at all, which in a strange way in itself is making me more motivated and more determined – strange how my mind works sometimes. I tried to explain it to the other other this morning – it’s like, the best thing for me is likely to just go to bed, but then that would feel like giving up, and I really don’t want to do that, so I’m going to fight harder and push through this.
Why oh why do I not do this is my ‘normal’ life I’ll never know!!
Anyway, I decided this morning that maybe what I could do with was my own weight loss coach. No irony there intended, I just thought that if I were to become one, and in need of losing a heck of a lot of weight myself, a weight loss coach would be just the ticket. But can I find one!! Ok, there are plenty of people out there, but no-one yet I am interested in getting in contact with to make an initial enquiry let alone signing on the dotted line.
You see most of the websites I have been on so far, the coaches don’t ‘just’ do weight loss AND from the seems of it, if you sign up with them, it seems that you would be following ‘their’ programme. But I don’t want to do that, I want to follow a diet or a programme of my own choice and just be coached / motivated through that. I want the flexibility of doing slim fast one week, weight watchers the next and the cabbage soup diet the next if I really felt the need!!
Seriously though, for me coaching is all about the client – what do THEY want, how do THEY want to progress, what do THEY want to do (am I making my point?). So far all I have seen is ‘sign up with me and follow xyz technique’ or ‘weight loss is all about abc’ or ‘motivate yourself into fitness’ etc. What if I didn’t actually want to exercise? or couldn’t?
I don’t mean to have a moan, really I don’t, I guess what I am looking is the sort of coach that I want to become - one that is ‘just’ a weight loss coach without the I also do exercise coaching, business coaching, personal coaching etc, one that wont dictate what I do in order to lose weight, instead will just help me find the way myself.
A few years ago when I first was thinking about becoming a coach, I decided to get ‘coached’ to speed things up a bit. The coach I had the initial consultation with wasn’t actually interested in moving me and my goals forward – no, they were interested in making sure I was ‘content’ first, and basically said that before they could coach me and my issues, they would ‘recommend’ that I do that contentment coaching first (for a rather large fortune, well if people are committed they will find the money, er actually no depends on how much disposable income you actually think I have luv). If I wanted to be content, I would have hired a contentment coach, or gone off travelling to ‘find myself’. No, I wanted a proactive and motivating strategy – not a £1200 bill in being coached in an area I didn’t want to be coached again.
Urgh! I’m moaning again I am so so sorry! It’s the dizzy head I’m sure of it! Up shot is though, I am now in the same position as I was all those years ago. I want a specific coach, for a specific purpose. I guess I will have to look harder.
On the bright side, when I’m up and running I guess that will be one of my USP’s – I am what I say on the tin, I am specifically a weight loss coach, who will coach you through your weight loss using whatever method of weight loss you choose (must remember to rephrase and use that when the time comes!!).
For now though, the search continues, I really do hope I find a suitable coach, it’d be such fun being coached and motivated by someone, might be the key thing I need in order to push me from point A all the way to Z!!!
See, no matter what happens, all leave them with a positive note ;)
Monday, 30 May 2011
Weight Loss Result - Week 1
Last week I made a promise to myself - that for seven days I would get my head down and actually start losing weight and really see what I was capable of.
So every day I got my behind on the wii fit, and did between 20 - 30 minutes (almost) every day, a combination of yoga and just simply stepping up and down on the balance board for 10 minutes. The one day I didn't go on the wii, I was actually away at the in-laws, so instead took the dogs for a very nice long walk.
My diet has been a combination of food replacement bars & milkshakes, and small portioned dinners (by small I mean half the size I 'usually' have).
I haven't touched a packet of crisps, or drunk a single drop of alcohol (despite an over night stay at the in-laws which would normally mean plenty of both), and monitored quite closely what 'additional extras' I have with my food (i.e. table sauces, butter on bread etc).
So the result then - well, I am very pleased to report that this week I have lost a total of 7lbs!!!!!!! A definite whoop whoop me thinks!
Very pleased, and quite amazed that it didn't take as much effort on my part to achieve than previously perceived.
This week I will of course be following the same routine as I haven't felt deprived, or hungry at all. So fingers are well and truly crossed for another weight loss for next week! :D
So every day I got my behind on the wii fit, and did between 20 - 30 minutes (almost) every day, a combination of yoga and just simply stepping up and down on the balance board for 10 minutes. The one day I didn't go on the wii, I was actually away at the in-laws, so instead took the dogs for a very nice long walk.
My diet has been a combination of food replacement bars & milkshakes, and small portioned dinners (by small I mean half the size I 'usually' have).
I haven't touched a packet of crisps, or drunk a single drop of alcohol (despite an over night stay at the in-laws which would normally mean plenty of both), and monitored quite closely what 'additional extras' I have with my food (i.e. table sauces, butter on bread etc).
So the result then - well, I am very pleased to report that this week I have lost a total of 7lbs!!!!!!! A definite whoop whoop me thinks!
Very pleased, and quite amazed that it didn't take as much effort on my part to achieve than previously perceived.
This week I will of course be following the same routine as I haven't felt deprived, or hungry at all. So fingers are well and truly crossed for another weight loss for next week! :D
Tuesday, 7 December 2010
Slimming World - Week Three
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
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, 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, 31 August 2010
Weight Loss Challenge - Day Thirty Five
Another August Bank Holiday has come and gone, and yet another excuse to pig out and drink to high heaven all for the sake of a good time...... Or so you would have thought.
'Routine' was totally thrown out of the window with gay abandon, no CD, no (not so yet) friendly mirror, no consciously eating, no exercise and yes alcohol was involved every single day.
Sounds like I completely lost control of my senses doesn't it? And yet upon creeping onto those nasty scales hidden behind the TV just to 'check' the damage. Nothing. No change. They neither went up or down from the last time I hopped on. I'm still 6lbs down from starting weight!
How in the heck did I get away with it then!!? In order to see where it could have gone wrong, and didn't - Let's look at the evidence:
Saturday: Spent 4 hours doing garden things - mainly laying turf and digging flowers in my freshly dug boarder (looking fab!!). Had a chip butty for lunch (I don't think I have ever had a chip butty in my life, but just fancied one!). No butter on the bread, and the chips were dried cooked in the oven. After a nice relaxing soak in the bath, had a late dinner which consisted of a small minted lamb steak and roast potatoes (obviously craved the carbs that day), and a couple of glasses of whiskey and ginger ale
Sunday: Day at my mothers, who did the usual large array of food items for lunch - choice on the menu, marinated chicken, 2 lots of pork (medallions, and some flavoured variety), sausages (yes I know that's pork too!) potatoes, veg, etc etc. Before commencing the 'help yourself' buffet, I changed the size of my plate from the large dinner plate, to a large tea plate. I had 1 sausage, 1 pork thing and a spoonful of potatoes. My thinking was I'll have a small amount first, and if I was still hungry afterwards I'd go back for seconds. Had 1 glass of red wine with dinner, followed by about three glasses of water (not intentional, just after the wine and the pork just 'felt' like I needed water.
In the end, no I didn't have seconds. I didn't even feel like pudding either as I was full enough! For supper, again the usual buffet spread of cheese, ham, chicken, crisps, bread etc was offered. I chose a small bun first, cut a slice of cheese, then spilt that in half and put it on the bread (no butter). Also had a packet of crisps and a glass of red wine. When I finished the supper, I fancied some more, so had another small roll, but this time had a slice of ham cut into 2 and half the ham on each half of bread. Was quite full after that!!
Monday: second day of visiting, but this time other halfs side. Picked up his nan first, where we stopped for a cup of tea (1 sugar only, usually have 2), and a slice of batten burg. Made our way over to his mothers, dinner consisted of steamed carrots, green beans, potatoes, and 2 grilled pork. Ok, so I could have done without the 2nd piece of pork, but this is mother-in-laws for goodness sake! haven't quite worked out how to reduce portion sizes over there yet. Oh, and we had a small Gin & Tonic with dinner. For pudding, we had an oyster shell!! (oyster shell shaped wafer, end dipped in chocolate and coconut, inside was a little marsh mellow, you basically open it up, add a little ice cream, close it back up again and eat - a weekend full of firsts for me!).
For supper, mother-in-law also did a buffet 'help yourself' spread. Was a bit sneaky here, took 1 slice of bread, cut it into 4 slices so make essentially what was half a sandwich. Gave into temptation and had a another slice of bread and did the same thing. So what was that, basically a sandwich then! (again no butter). For pudding we had a Victoria sponge. Now I was again a little sneaky here, the way his dad managed to cut it meant there was one piece far smaller than the other three, so I grabbed that one up quick!
This may not make too much sense, but even though I had a devil may care attitude over my eating habits the pass few days, I was still unconsciously very much in control (so it would seem!!). I have navigated my way around this bank holiday and come out the other end victorious!!
Now I can get back on track (so to speak). Focus today is to get back on the treadmill, back in front of the mirror and back listening to the CD. According to the success journal I have a weigh in at the end of the week, and you know what, I know for a fact I'll be over that half a stone mark, that's just a foregone conclusion. What I'm interested in now is just how close to the stone mark I can make it? ooooooo exciting stuff!! :D
'Routine' was totally thrown out of the window with gay abandon, no CD, no (not so yet) friendly mirror, no consciously eating, no exercise and yes alcohol was involved every single day.
Sounds like I completely lost control of my senses doesn't it? And yet upon creeping onto those nasty scales hidden behind the TV just to 'check' the damage. Nothing. No change. They neither went up or down from the last time I hopped on. I'm still 6lbs down from starting weight!
How in the heck did I get away with it then!!? In order to see where it could have gone wrong, and didn't - Let's look at the evidence:
Saturday: Spent 4 hours doing garden things - mainly laying turf and digging flowers in my freshly dug boarder (looking fab!!). Had a chip butty for lunch (I don't think I have ever had a chip butty in my life, but just fancied one!). No butter on the bread, and the chips were dried cooked in the oven. After a nice relaxing soak in the bath, had a late dinner which consisted of a small minted lamb steak and roast potatoes (obviously craved the carbs that day), and a couple of glasses of whiskey and ginger ale
Sunday: Day at my mothers, who did the usual large array of food items for lunch - choice on the menu, marinated chicken, 2 lots of pork (medallions, and some flavoured variety), sausages (yes I know that's pork too!) potatoes, veg, etc etc. Before commencing the 'help yourself' buffet, I changed the size of my plate from the large dinner plate, to a large tea plate. I had 1 sausage, 1 pork thing and a spoonful of potatoes. My thinking was I'll have a small amount first, and if I was still hungry afterwards I'd go back for seconds. Had 1 glass of red wine with dinner, followed by about three glasses of water (not intentional, just after the wine and the pork just 'felt' like I needed water.
In the end, no I didn't have seconds. I didn't even feel like pudding either as I was full enough! For supper, again the usual buffet spread of cheese, ham, chicken, crisps, bread etc was offered. I chose a small bun first, cut a slice of cheese, then spilt that in half and put it on the bread (no butter). Also had a packet of crisps and a glass of red wine. When I finished the supper, I fancied some more, so had another small roll, but this time had a slice of ham cut into 2 and half the ham on each half of bread. Was quite full after that!!
Monday: second day of visiting, but this time other halfs side. Picked up his nan first, where we stopped for a cup of tea (1 sugar only, usually have 2), and a slice of batten burg. Made our way over to his mothers, dinner consisted of steamed carrots, green beans, potatoes, and 2 grilled pork. Ok, so I could have done without the 2nd piece of pork, but this is mother-in-laws for goodness sake! haven't quite worked out how to reduce portion sizes over there yet. Oh, and we had a small Gin & Tonic with dinner. For pudding, we had an oyster shell!! (oyster shell shaped wafer, end dipped in chocolate and coconut, inside was a little marsh mellow, you basically open it up, add a little ice cream, close it back up again and eat - a weekend full of firsts for me!).
For supper, mother-in-law also did a buffet 'help yourself' spread. Was a bit sneaky here, took 1 slice of bread, cut it into 4 slices so make essentially what was half a sandwich. Gave into temptation and had a another slice of bread and did the same thing. So what was that, basically a sandwich then! (again no butter). For pudding we had a Victoria sponge. Now I was again a little sneaky here, the way his dad managed to cut it meant there was one piece far smaller than the other three, so I grabbed that one up quick!
This may not make too much sense, but even though I had a devil may care attitude over my eating habits the pass few days, I was still unconsciously very much in control (so it would seem!!). I have navigated my way around this bank holiday and come out the other end victorious!!
Now I can get back on track (so to speak). Focus today is to get back on the treadmill, back in front of the mirror and back listening to the CD. According to the success journal I have a weigh in at the end of the week, and you know what, I know for a fact I'll be over that half a stone mark, that's just a foregone conclusion. What I'm interested in now is just how close to the stone mark I can make it? ooooooo exciting stuff!! :D
Tuesday, 24 August 2010
Weight Loss Challenge - Day Twenty Eight
When they were up they were up, and when they were down they were down. Oi vey! Right now I guess you can really say that all positivity has gone right out of the window.
Yesterday was a slip up, I'll admit that right now. Had 2 slices of toast for lunch, and didn't eat them consciously. If I had of done I would have stopped half way through the first slice and chucked the rest in the bin. Consequently I felt bloated and quite sluggish afterwards. Dinner was exactly the same as I didn't chew the food slowly enough, and then I had the cheek to have a couple of slices of toast for supper. Ok, so my daily food intake is in reality less than what was the norm, but still, it doesn't take away the fact that I over filled my body unnecessarily.
The key to my self presumed failure yesterday I believe was actually not drinking enough water. Usually I'm sipping all day, but yesterday I only had one 750ml bottle. No where near enough! I'm used to having two or three of these! And on that note, I've just gone and grabbed my bottle and had a couple of sips.
On top of all this, I didn't fill in my success journey either - arrrgggghhhhhh what is going on with me!! I refuse to let myself self sabotage as I am doing so well!! I've lost almost half a stone already and it's only the 1st week! Breathing deeply, and getting a grip now.
When you're down, your brain really does start to come up with some crazy stuff. For example, I told myself that I had lost control over the house and haven't 'settled into country living as well as I hoped to'. More precisely, I'm not spending nearly enough time in the 'farmers wife' roll. You know, wearing my apron, baking, pottering in the garden, chasing the dog up the garden waving my rolling pin because he's stolen something freshly baked off the window sill whilst cooling. I have quite a romantic ideal of country life, and now I'm here, I don't find myself living it! It's not life how I imagined it to be, but that being said, It's up to me to live and take those actions which is in keeping with the life I want, and at the moment, simply I am not.
When a negative thought or emotion comes your way, you must grab your rolling pin and bash back a positive one. Sort of like the saying, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade!
As I am here, I may as well deal with my own demons!
1. Yesterdays slip up. Ok, so bread intake was a little higher than normal, but that's ok. PM did say we were bound to have slip ups. The thing to do is to forgive ourselves, and move on. Well, ok. I have forgiven myself for yesterday, and am now more determined to keep on the right track. Just keep in mind that my first YouTube weigh in is in three weeks and I want it to be phenomenal! Besides which, I am feeling a huge difference in my eating habits, and portion sizes now. I don't need or want to eat so much, and I feel fuller and more satisfied a lot quicker. I have begun to actually enjoy food and think of it in a positive light. It has begun not to be in control of me, which frees my mind up to concentrate on other things - the void is a wonderful thing! We know what we did incorrectly yesterday, which is great because at least we really do know! Today, we just get back on the horse, and ride of into the sunset once more :D
2. Didn't drink enough yesterday? This is an easy peasy one! Yes ok so you didn't, just make sure you always have a bottle of water to hand again today and hey presto! problem solved :D
3. Didn't fill in the success journal - do it now then!...... Done!! Well that was easy. Oh and just remember you DID listen to the CD, so you haven't fallen off the wagon by any means!
4. The country life. So what do I really want from it? This isn't one for the blog, this is something I need to do on pen and paper, which I will do after I've finished blogging.
As you can see, the process is actually quite a simple one. Identify the negative, turn it into a positive and take the necessary action. Ok, so I didn't fill the journal in, BUT I listened to the CD, AND I can fill the journal in now (and I really honestly did! I put the laptop down, went upstairs and grabbed the journal, came back downstairs, filled it in, then carried on blogging). It really is that simple!!
Hey I'm feeling a lot better already :)
Yesterday was a slip up, I'll admit that right now. Had 2 slices of toast for lunch, and didn't eat them consciously. If I had of done I would have stopped half way through the first slice and chucked the rest in the bin. Consequently I felt bloated and quite sluggish afterwards. Dinner was exactly the same as I didn't chew the food slowly enough, and then I had the cheek to have a couple of slices of toast for supper. Ok, so my daily food intake is in reality less than what was the norm, but still, it doesn't take away the fact that I over filled my body unnecessarily.
The key to my self presumed failure yesterday I believe was actually not drinking enough water. Usually I'm sipping all day, but yesterday I only had one 750ml bottle. No where near enough! I'm used to having two or three of these! And on that note, I've just gone and grabbed my bottle and had a couple of sips.
On top of all this, I didn't fill in my success journey either - arrrgggghhhhhh what is going on with me!! I refuse to let myself self sabotage as I am doing so well!! I've lost almost half a stone already and it's only the 1st week! Breathing deeply, and getting a grip now.
When you're down, your brain really does start to come up with some crazy stuff. For example, I told myself that I had lost control over the house and haven't 'settled into country living as well as I hoped to'. More precisely, I'm not spending nearly enough time in the 'farmers wife' roll. You know, wearing my apron, baking, pottering in the garden, chasing the dog up the garden waving my rolling pin because he's stolen something freshly baked off the window sill whilst cooling. I have quite a romantic ideal of country life, and now I'm here, I don't find myself living it! It's not life how I imagined it to be, but that being said, It's up to me to live and take those actions which is in keeping with the life I want, and at the moment, simply I am not.
When a negative thought or emotion comes your way, you must grab your rolling pin and bash back a positive one. Sort of like the saying, when life gives you lemons, make lemonade!
As I am here, I may as well deal with my own demons!
1. Yesterdays slip up. Ok, so bread intake was a little higher than normal, but that's ok. PM did say we were bound to have slip ups. The thing to do is to forgive ourselves, and move on. Well, ok. I have forgiven myself for yesterday, and am now more determined to keep on the right track. Just keep in mind that my first YouTube weigh in is in three weeks and I want it to be phenomenal! Besides which, I am feeling a huge difference in my eating habits, and portion sizes now. I don't need or want to eat so much, and I feel fuller and more satisfied a lot quicker. I have begun to actually enjoy food and think of it in a positive light. It has begun not to be in control of me, which frees my mind up to concentrate on other things - the void is a wonderful thing! We know what we did incorrectly yesterday, which is great because at least we really do know! Today, we just get back on the horse, and ride of into the sunset once more :D
2. Didn't drink enough yesterday? This is an easy peasy one! Yes ok so you didn't, just make sure you always have a bottle of water to hand again today and hey presto! problem solved :D
3. Didn't fill in the success journal - do it now then!...... Done!! Well that was easy. Oh and just remember you DID listen to the CD, so you haven't fallen off the wagon by any means!
4. The country life. So what do I really want from it? This isn't one for the blog, this is something I need to do on pen and paper, which I will do after I've finished blogging.
As you can see, the process is actually quite a simple one. Identify the negative, turn it into a positive and take the necessary action. Ok, so I didn't fill the journal in, BUT I listened to the CD, AND I can fill the journal in now (and I really honestly did! I put the laptop down, went upstairs and grabbed the journal, came back downstairs, filled it in, then carried on blogging). It really is that simple!!
Hey I'm feeling a lot better already :)
Sunday, 22 August 2010
Weight Loss Challenge - Day Twenty Six
Well blow me, another successful day! (this is starting to become a habit!).
Actually managed a video dairy yesterday morning, which is trying to upload onto YouTube as we speak. I have managed to upload a couple I have done previously (before I decided to do PM's programme) just as a bit of a taster of how I was coping with life before (or not as was the case). Did attempt the new one last night, but it came up with an error message and failed to upload (boo hoo), so fingers crossed this will work now (have just checked the progress, at least I'm seeing the 'preview' as it downloads, so signs (touch wood) are good!).
Also finally started exercising again, did usual toning stuff (arms / legs / abs), and then did a 10 minute walk / jog on the treadmill. Somewhere along the lines I managed to pull something in my upper thigh as it twinged on and off for most of the day. Well, you know what they say no pain......actually I'd rather leave it there, I'm not very good with pain!
Food wise, I tried to gauge where I was on the hunger scale. When I thought I was hungry I decided to have tuna & crackers, but only managed 1 cracker and a few teaspoonful of tuna before I started to feel quite full and bloated, so put the rest of it back in the fridge. I did go back to the tuna later on when I thought I was feeling hungry, and automatically stopped when I had had enough. Usually I can polish of a can in one sitting (including a number of crackers), so this does signal progress to me!
Evening meal wasn't eaten so consciously. Firstly I didn't gauge whether or not I was actually hungry, and secondly, I was feeling quite annoyed at something or other, so on reflection I ate more emotionally. Still, it was only spicy chicken & homemade chips done in the oven so really I'd hardly call it a 'slip up'. I didn't feel hungry, or eat anything throughout the rest of the evening (despite settling down to watch a film, and other half munching on Bombay mix (which he offered to me) and butter popcorn (which he also try to offer me!!). But suffice to say, I actually wasn't interested at all, I was more concerned about keep hydrated so sipped a couple of 750ml bottles of water.
Finally got around to doing the 'mirror exercise' yesterday. Oh dear, I knew I didn't like myself much, but it really brought home how much self loathing I actually do have for myself :(
There are three stages you have to go through. The first is shutting your eyes, imagining that you are someone who loves themselves, and then when you can hold onto and feel comfortable with that feeling, you open yours eyes and stare into them for two minutes. I thought my imagination was better than that, but could I think of a single person? It took me ages, and even then the person I chose I wasn't convinced, so ended up pretending the person was me. Needless to say, I'm not sure the exercise worked in the way it was supposed to.
Step two was closing your eyes, and remembering a compliment someone had paid you, and then you try to imagine seeing yourself through their eyes. I believe I skipped this step as i don't remember doing it!
Finally Step Three, in a nutshell you look at yourself in the mirror (without clothes, or in my case just my underwear), and basically have a good long look at yourself for about a minute or two. I did this last step, and got quite annoyed. Bottom line, I really did despise what I saw (strong word I know, but it was truly how I felt at the time). On the bright side I could start to see how I would look if some bits were 'shaved' off (I just need one of those sanders they use to shave down doors!). In the end I put my clothes back on a walked off in disgust.
And the moral of the story? Well, at least I have started to face up to my body which I have never done. With the hunger scale thing seemingly to be working so far, my next project is getting the Helly Love back (or just the Helly Like would be a great start!). So I guess this means more time in front of the mirror just 'looking' at myself. I'm sure with practice I'll get better, just need to give this whole 'friendly mirror exercise' thingy a chance.
So with the mirror exercise done, I am pleased to report that was able to finally tick everything off in the 90 day journal hurray!
Actually managed a video dairy yesterday morning, which is trying to upload onto YouTube as we speak. I have managed to upload a couple I have done previously (before I decided to do PM's programme) just as a bit of a taster of how I was coping with life before (or not as was the case). Did attempt the new one last night, but it came up with an error message and failed to upload (boo hoo), so fingers crossed this will work now (have just checked the progress, at least I'm seeing the 'preview' as it downloads, so signs (touch wood) are good!).
Also finally started exercising again, did usual toning stuff (arms / legs / abs), and then did a 10 minute walk / jog on the treadmill. Somewhere along the lines I managed to pull something in my upper thigh as it twinged on and off for most of the day. Well, you know what they say no pain......actually I'd rather leave it there, I'm not very good with pain!
Food wise, I tried to gauge where I was on the hunger scale. When I thought I was hungry I decided to have tuna & crackers, but only managed 1 cracker and a few teaspoonful of tuna before I started to feel quite full and bloated, so put the rest of it back in the fridge. I did go back to the tuna later on when I thought I was feeling hungry, and automatically stopped when I had had enough. Usually I can polish of a can in one sitting (including a number of crackers), so this does signal progress to me!
Evening meal wasn't eaten so consciously. Firstly I didn't gauge whether or not I was actually hungry, and secondly, I was feeling quite annoyed at something or other, so on reflection I ate more emotionally. Still, it was only spicy chicken & homemade chips done in the oven so really I'd hardly call it a 'slip up'. I didn't feel hungry, or eat anything throughout the rest of the evening (despite settling down to watch a film, and other half munching on Bombay mix (which he offered to me) and butter popcorn (which he also try to offer me!!). But suffice to say, I actually wasn't interested at all, I was more concerned about keep hydrated so sipped a couple of 750ml bottles of water.
Finally got around to doing the 'mirror exercise' yesterday. Oh dear, I knew I didn't like myself much, but it really brought home how much self loathing I actually do have for myself :(
There are three stages you have to go through. The first is shutting your eyes, imagining that you are someone who loves themselves, and then when you can hold onto and feel comfortable with that feeling, you open yours eyes and stare into them for two minutes. I thought my imagination was better than that, but could I think of a single person? It took me ages, and even then the person I chose I wasn't convinced, so ended up pretending the person was me. Needless to say, I'm not sure the exercise worked in the way it was supposed to.
Step two was closing your eyes, and remembering a compliment someone had paid you, and then you try to imagine seeing yourself through their eyes. I believe I skipped this step as i don't remember doing it!
Finally Step Three, in a nutshell you look at yourself in the mirror (without clothes, or in my case just my underwear), and basically have a good long look at yourself for about a minute or two. I did this last step, and got quite annoyed. Bottom line, I really did despise what I saw (strong word I know, but it was truly how I felt at the time). On the bright side I could start to see how I would look if some bits were 'shaved' off (I just need one of those sanders they use to shave down doors!). In the end I put my clothes back on a walked off in disgust.
And the moral of the story? Well, at least I have started to face up to my body which I have never done. With the hunger scale thing seemingly to be working so far, my next project is getting the Helly Love back (or just the Helly Like would be a great start!). So I guess this means more time in front of the mirror just 'looking' at myself. I'm sure with practice I'll get better, just need to give this whole 'friendly mirror exercise' thingy a chance.
So with the mirror exercise done, I am pleased to report that was able to finally tick everything off in the 90 day journal hurray!
Saturday, 21 August 2010
Weight Loss Challenge - Day Twenty Five
I think I'll begin this morning by saying that the scales have now been put behind the TV! Obsession wise, I was fine until I woke up this morning, then I had an argument in my head about should I shouldn't I, and eventually the 'ah go on just a peak' won. Not a happy bunny in that respect so have put the blasted thing out of sight and hopefully out of mind.
I should point out though that today is day four of PM's programme, and the scales this morning show that I have lost a total of 5lbs. Bugga me! What gets me is that I haven't been starving myself, when I've felt (or thought I felt) hungry I ate what I fancied and to top it all off, I haven't actually managed to get back to my exercise routine yet (which I will kick start again this morning).
The problem I am having at the moment is that I can't quite get my head around the fact that my current eating habits are showing so far the easiest weight loss results in my life! I'm not 'on a diet', and yet it appears I've lost 5lbs in 4 days. Very weird.
So what did I do yesterday? Well for starters, I kept a bottle of water with me at all times which I drank from regularly throughout the day. I made a conscious effort to ask myself 'where am I on the hunger scale', and when I thought I was in the 'hungry zone' I ate. I chewed each mouthful slowly, put knife and fork down in between bites, and stopped when I felt comfortably full - throwing out what I couldn't eat, and only feeling a tiny bit guilty about it!
I also listened to PM's CD (twice!) to try and reinforce these habits and keep on the wagon so to speak. Both times I will fully admit to actually drifting off, so I still have no idea what he's saying!
All in all, I am really pleased at how yesterday went, despite not getting around to doing the mirror thing which I will have a go at after I've done my exercises. At least way i can say I've started doing it and can tick it off the list!!
I should point out though that today is day four of PM's programme, and the scales this morning show that I have lost a total of 5lbs. Bugga me! What gets me is that I haven't been starving myself, when I've felt (or thought I felt) hungry I ate what I fancied and to top it all off, I haven't actually managed to get back to my exercise routine yet (which I will kick start again this morning).
The problem I am having at the moment is that I can't quite get my head around the fact that my current eating habits are showing so far the easiest weight loss results in my life! I'm not 'on a diet', and yet it appears I've lost 5lbs in 4 days. Very weird.
So what did I do yesterday? Well for starters, I kept a bottle of water with me at all times which I drank from regularly throughout the day. I made a conscious effort to ask myself 'where am I on the hunger scale', and when I thought I was in the 'hungry zone' I ate. I chewed each mouthful slowly, put knife and fork down in between bites, and stopped when I felt comfortably full - throwing out what I couldn't eat, and only feeling a tiny bit guilty about it!
I also listened to PM's CD (twice!) to try and reinforce these habits and keep on the wagon so to speak. Both times I will fully admit to actually drifting off, so I still have no idea what he's saying!
All in all, I am really pleased at how yesterday went, despite not getting around to doing the mirror thing which I will have a go at after I've done my exercises. At least way i can say I've started doing it and can tick it off the list!!
Friday, 20 August 2010
Weight Loss Challenge - Day Twenty Four
When I said I wasn't a slave to the scales any more, I lied! Oops! Maybe it was because I didn't listen to PM's CD yesterday, maybe my 'craving' to hop onto the scales is too great. Whatever you call it, this morning I could resist them no longer I had to just very quickly have a preview as to how I'm doing. After all, this morning I don't feel any different, and couldn't believe that what I had been doing over the past couple of days had made any difference what so ever.
So the results? Well I had to do a double take as the scales have shown me to be 3lbs lighter than when I started PM's programme! Great result, so maybe this thing does work after all!?
One thing is for sure, I know I have an unhealthy obsession with the scales, which must STOP. After all, I really enjoyed the mental freedom from thinking scales? PAH! don't need them every day, I'm fine as I am thank you very much!
I don't know what changed in my psychology this morning. But, what I do know is that PM has provided a couple of techniques in his book regarding cravings, and despite this being more directed at certain foods, I think it's about time I gave it a bash for the scales, hey it's a craving right!?
The other thing I am determined to crack today is no longer being part of the 'clean plate club'. Whether I can detect whether I am full whilst eating or not, I am determined to leave something at every meal, even if it's only a mouthful. Why? apparently it helps you to keep in control of your food, and not the other way around. I can see the theory behind this, but unfortunately I am still well and truly part of 'the club', and very aware that leaving things on the plate will be frowned upon.
Hey ho, for these occasions I must keep telling myself 'I'd rather be slim and in control, than a fat person with a clear plate'.
Priorities for tonight really have to be to listen to the CD, and try out the mirror test (which I haven't even looked at yet and basically involves lots of looking at yourself in the mirror (funny that!)trying to connect with the slimmer you, and produce feelings of love and well being (or something)).
Any how, it's on my list of things to tick off in the 90 day journal, so I really should give it a go.
Right, it's almost time I should be making a move, busy day at work calls so let's just get it over and done with and so I can get onto the fun stuff! (you know, ironing, housework, cooking the fellas tea, you know, the really fun stuff! tee hee).
So the results? Well I had to do a double take as the scales have shown me to be 3lbs lighter than when I started PM's programme! Great result, so maybe this thing does work after all!?
One thing is for sure, I know I have an unhealthy obsession with the scales, which must STOP. After all, I really enjoyed the mental freedom from thinking scales? PAH! don't need them every day, I'm fine as I am thank you very much!
I don't know what changed in my psychology this morning. But, what I do know is that PM has provided a couple of techniques in his book regarding cravings, and despite this being more directed at certain foods, I think it's about time I gave it a bash for the scales, hey it's a craving right!?
The other thing I am determined to crack today is no longer being part of the 'clean plate club'. Whether I can detect whether I am full whilst eating or not, I am determined to leave something at every meal, even if it's only a mouthful. Why? apparently it helps you to keep in control of your food, and not the other way around. I can see the theory behind this, but unfortunately I am still well and truly part of 'the club', and very aware that leaving things on the plate will be frowned upon.
Hey ho, for these occasions I must keep telling myself 'I'd rather be slim and in control, than a fat person with a clear plate'.
Priorities for tonight really have to be to listen to the CD, and try out the mirror test (which I haven't even looked at yet and basically involves lots of looking at yourself in the mirror (funny that!)trying to connect with the slimmer you, and produce feelings of love and well being (or something)).
Any how, it's on my list of things to tick off in the 90 day journal, so I really should give it a go.
Right, it's almost time I should be making a move, busy day at work calls so let's just get it over and done with and so I can get onto the fun stuff! (you know, ironing, housework, cooking the fellas tea, you know, the really fun stuff! tee hee).
Thursday, 19 August 2010
Weight Loss Challenge - Day Twenty Three
Yesterday I completed my first successful day of Paul McKenna's I can make you thin programme.
I was a little apprehensive as we had my other halfs family over for a BBQ, and I was adamant that this would not cause me to fall 'off the wagon'. Before deciding to commit to this programme, I had originally planned to not eat anything at all, as I have in the past over indulged when presented with lovely BBQ food!
However, according to the golden rules of this plan: 'when you're hungry EAT'. 'Eat what you like so long as you are hungry', 'when you're full, STOP eating' (I'm paraphrasing slightly here, but you get the gist). So with this at the forefront of my mind, I decided that I wanted to have some BBQ food, but I would chew slowly, and stop eating when satisfied.
Amazingly it more or less worked! Essentially I had a burger in a bun and a sausage in a roll. That's it. On the negative side, I could have easily stopped at just the burger, but felt as though I 'should' have the sausage as well so I ate it, it was nice, but I didn't get real enjoyment from doing so.
On the positive side, after eating the sausage in a roll, I didn't feel horrible & bloated, I just felt 'full', and when the chicken came out I didn't think twice about refusing. After the BBQ everyone had chocolate ice cream, everyone apart from me! I didn't fancy it, I was full enough! Instead I busied myself tidying the kitchen (ok not very social, but at least I didn't have to look at everyone eating icecream).
The other great thing is that I didn't feel for a single second that I was 'missing out' on anything, I ate what I felt I wanted and needed, and then simply stopped. That was quite a liberating experience!
What I found slightly difficult yesterday, and what I am trying to practice today, is actually gauging my hunger levels. This may sound odd, but I have spent my whole life either in starvation of completely bloated / over filled with food, so the real hunger signals my body tries to send me are a little feint right now! But that's ok, with practice I am sure I'll get better at this! But like PM has suggested, in these early stages if you don't know you are hungry, guess! If you have two mouthfuls and then find you are full, just stop.
So for now, I am going to follow this philosophy :)
Another thing worthy of note yesterday was that my other half asked whether I was 'on target' for the holiday. My response? I have no idea! This caused him a little concern as it gave him the impression that I had fallen off the wagon and had my head in the sand. But really nothing was further from the truth! Following PMs plan means I have to give the scales a wide berth for a while. By doing this I really have no idea how my actual weight loss is going (but please, it's only been 1 day give me a break!!).
Usually I measure my weight loss success by the scales alone. But with them out the picture how else do I do it? Simple answer is, I don't. I just crack on with life and in 30 days, then we'll see how successful I am.
For the first time in my life, I feel like these chains have been cut. I don't feel right now that I am a slave to the scales, and I feel so much happier and 'lighter' for it!
I was a little apprehensive as we had my other halfs family over for a BBQ, and I was adamant that this would not cause me to fall 'off the wagon'. Before deciding to commit to this programme, I had originally planned to not eat anything at all, as I have in the past over indulged when presented with lovely BBQ food!
However, according to the golden rules of this plan: 'when you're hungry EAT'. 'Eat what you like so long as you are hungry', 'when you're full, STOP eating' (I'm paraphrasing slightly here, but you get the gist). So with this at the forefront of my mind, I decided that I wanted to have some BBQ food, but I would chew slowly, and stop eating when satisfied.
Amazingly it more or less worked! Essentially I had a burger in a bun and a sausage in a roll. That's it. On the negative side, I could have easily stopped at just the burger, but felt as though I 'should' have the sausage as well so I ate it, it was nice, but I didn't get real enjoyment from doing so.
On the positive side, after eating the sausage in a roll, I didn't feel horrible & bloated, I just felt 'full', and when the chicken came out I didn't think twice about refusing. After the BBQ everyone had chocolate ice cream, everyone apart from me! I didn't fancy it, I was full enough! Instead I busied myself tidying the kitchen (ok not very social, but at least I didn't have to look at everyone eating icecream).
The other great thing is that I didn't feel for a single second that I was 'missing out' on anything, I ate what I felt I wanted and needed, and then simply stopped. That was quite a liberating experience!
What I found slightly difficult yesterday, and what I am trying to practice today, is actually gauging my hunger levels. This may sound odd, but I have spent my whole life either in starvation of completely bloated / over filled with food, so the real hunger signals my body tries to send me are a little feint right now! But that's ok, with practice I am sure I'll get better at this! But like PM has suggested, in these early stages if you don't know you are hungry, guess! If you have two mouthfuls and then find you are full, just stop.
So for now, I am going to follow this philosophy :)
Another thing worthy of note yesterday was that my other half asked whether I was 'on target' for the holiday. My response? I have no idea! This caused him a little concern as it gave him the impression that I had fallen off the wagon and had my head in the sand. But really nothing was further from the truth! Following PMs plan means I have to give the scales a wide berth for a while. By doing this I really have no idea how my actual weight loss is going (but please, it's only been 1 day give me a break!!).
Usually I measure my weight loss success by the scales alone. But with them out the picture how else do I do it? Simple answer is, I don't. I just crack on with life and in 30 days, then we'll see how successful I am.
For the first time in my life, I feel like these chains have been cut. I don't feel right now that I am a slave to the scales, and I feel so much happier and 'lighter' for it!
Monday, 9 August 2010
Weight Loss Challenge - Day Fourteen
Official weigh in this morning - this week I have lost the grand total of 1lb. Naturally I don't actually mean the word grand, pathetic might be more appropriate. And the reason? well I suspect it may have something to do with three days of stupid indulgence. Never mind, onwards and upwards!
After I had gotten over the shock of this mornings failings, I sat down and had a little think about things.
I am very proud of myself for managing to get up at 6am almost every morning and exercise. As I have said before, emotionally, I really do feel the benefits of a regular workout, so this is something I will take forward with me into this new up and coming week.
Diet / food wise - not so proud. Hand on heart, my eating habits have a changed very slightly, but no where near to the level as I want it to be. This has got to be one of my main focuses this week.
To help myself out in this area, I have decided to do a combination of slimfast (shakes & bars) for breakfast & lunch, and a weight watchers meal (soup or microwave meal) for dinner. I need to learn portion sizes, and I believe that sticking to this plan will help re-educate my brain as to what portion sizes are acceptable to a person of a size I am striving to be.
In my last post, I talked about behaving like the person you want to be now, and not wait until you have experiences your desired weight loss. Thinking this through, the logical next step in my progression is to do precisely that. To stop acting and thinking as a fat person, and more like a slim and healthy one.
This is where my weight management coaching skills really do come in handy! This week, as well as keeping up with exercising, and altering my eating habits, I am also going to work on looking, feeling, and behaving like the desired image I have of myself in my head.
Today I made a good first couple of steps. Carefully chose an outfit for work, instead of picking up the first things that came to hand, and even took the time to put a small amount of make up on, and tidied my hair (instead of just tying it up in a bun just to get it out of the way).
Now this all may seem like very basic stuff, but but taking a little extra time on myself like this is very symbolic for me. It sends the signals not only to myself, but to others, that I am worth it. I take care of myself, I respect myself, and I care about my health and appearance.
I discovered that by taking that extra time on myself this morning, meant I was indeed more confident throughout the day. I walked tall with my head held high! It's amazing what a little bit of foundation, eye liner and some lip gloss can do for a girls ego! :)
After I had gotten over the shock of this mornings failings, I sat down and had a little think about things.
I am very proud of myself for managing to get up at 6am almost every morning and exercise. As I have said before, emotionally, I really do feel the benefits of a regular workout, so this is something I will take forward with me into this new up and coming week.
Diet / food wise - not so proud. Hand on heart, my eating habits have a changed very slightly, but no where near to the level as I want it to be. This has got to be one of my main focuses this week.
To help myself out in this area, I have decided to do a combination of slimfast (shakes & bars) for breakfast & lunch, and a weight watchers meal (soup or microwave meal) for dinner. I need to learn portion sizes, and I believe that sticking to this plan will help re-educate my brain as to what portion sizes are acceptable to a person of a size I am striving to be.
In my last post, I talked about behaving like the person you want to be now, and not wait until you have experiences your desired weight loss. Thinking this through, the logical next step in my progression is to do precisely that. To stop acting and thinking as a fat person, and more like a slim and healthy one.
This is where my weight management coaching skills really do come in handy! This week, as well as keeping up with exercising, and altering my eating habits, I am also going to work on looking, feeling, and behaving like the desired image I have of myself in my head.
Today I made a good first couple of steps. Carefully chose an outfit for work, instead of picking up the first things that came to hand, and even took the time to put a small amount of make up on, and tidied my hair (instead of just tying it up in a bun just to get it out of the way).
Now this all may seem like very basic stuff, but but taking a little extra time on myself like this is very symbolic for me. It sends the signals not only to myself, but to others, that I am worth it. I take care of myself, I respect myself, and I care about my health and appearance.
I discovered that by taking that extra time on myself this morning, meant I was indeed more confident throughout the day. I walked tall with my head held high! It's amazing what a little bit of foundation, eye liner and some lip gloss can do for a girls ego! :)
Saturday, 7 August 2010
Weight Loss Challenge - Day Thirteen
Two days to go until weigh in, and have to say I am a little nervous. From this mornings results I doubt whether I will reach the 7lb goal, however, if I am sensible, there is no reason why I couldn't reach 6lbs - to be frank it fantastic anyway!
This week overall I have been quite proud of myself. I have continued to wake up at 6am, and all but 1 morning I have completed both a toning and an aerobic workout - although saying that, I've done toning exercises only so far this morning so after I have finished this I really have to get on that treadmill.
Despite changing my morning routine to include exercise, it is difficult to see at the moment what physical effect it has on my weight loss. I have begun to change my eating habits, and I know that this alone would have caused me to lose the amount of weight I have already done. Although I do realise that this is extremely early days, and with persistence, the results will become apparent.
That being said, I have noticed a rather obvious change in me emotionally. There are moments where I 'feel' less like a bowl of wobbly jelly, and more like a stick of celery (did you like the food reference there!). My moods have lightened and I'm generally feeling a slightly more happier and confident person.
If this is how I feel after almost a weeks worth of exercise and a little weight loss, imagine how I would feel when I do eventually reach my goal weight - imagine if I really did reach it by the cruise.....my goodness there really would be no stopping me!
So let's for a brief moment put my weight management coach head back on. Why wait to feel like that?
Being slim has more to do with state of mind than body fat. If you think and behave like a healthy person, your thoughts and actions will naturally follow suit, because this is what your mind is focusing on. If you think like a fat person, then a fat person you will be.
I've seen and experienced many times diet clubs / weight loss 'gurus' harping on about how it's important to visualise being at your goal weight.
Great! Well, I've seen myself at my goal weight for the past fifteen years or so, my image of what I'll look like, how I feel etc it's so crystal clear! And yet, here I am, still tackling this problem. Why?
Having a visual image, for me at least, is not enough. Mainly because deep down, perhaps I don't really believe I will ever attain that picture in my minds eye. Perhaps really I believe I am a resounding failure, doomed to spend my life 'trying' but not really trying to lose weight. Maybe I'm not meant to be happy and at my ideal weight......and that is a good demonstration of what I call my 'victim' voice. We all have one - it's that voice inside that says 'there is nothing we can do about it' (oh woe is me, why does this always happen to me, why can't I ever be happy / find the perfect partner / earn enough money etc etc). Pah!
Despite what miss victim voice thinks, in every situation you have the freedom of choice. Whether you believe it or not the only person in control of you is YOU. If you let your boss walk all over you - at the end of the day, you have chosen to put up with it - you don't like it, do something about it! Harsh? ah, but it's so true!!
So what choices does a girl like me have then?
I could have the state of mind that i am 'on a diet', put my life of hold until I've lost the weight, then magically everything is going to be alright. I will be slim, vibrant, and the happiest girl in the world. I will have an abundance of confidence and self belief, doors will be opened, and suddenly, the world has been filled with endless possibilities.
OR
I could believe, right now, that everything is going to be alright, of course I will be slim, but already I am vibrant and the happiest girl in the world. I already have an abundance of confidence and self belief. All doors are open and the world is just bursting with endless possibilities and opportunities.
And if you don't truly belive it yet? easy - blag it! It wont take long at all before you find yourself really believing, living and shaping your life the way that YOU want it to be.
Given the choice - which perspective would you rather take?
This week overall I have been quite proud of myself. I have continued to wake up at 6am, and all but 1 morning I have completed both a toning and an aerobic workout - although saying that, I've done toning exercises only so far this morning so after I have finished this I really have to get on that treadmill.
Despite changing my morning routine to include exercise, it is difficult to see at the moment what physical effect it has on my weight loss. I have begun to change my eating habits, and I know that this alone would have caused me to lose the amount of weight I have already done. Although I do realise that this is extremely early days, and with persistence, the results will become apparent.
That being said, I have noticed a rather obvious change in me emotionally. There are moments where I 'feel' less like a bowl of wobbly jelly, and more like a stick of celery (did you like the food reference there!). My moods have lightened and I'm generally feeling a slightly more happier and confident person.
If this is how I feel after almost a weeks worth of exercise and a little weight loss, imagine how I would feel when I do eventually reach my goal weight - imagine if I really did reach it by the cruise.....my goodness there really would be no stopping me!
So let's for a brief moment put my weight management coach head back on. Why wait to feel like that?
Being slim has more to do with state of mind than body fat. If you think and behave like a healthy person, your thoughts and actions will naturally follow suit, because this is what your mind is focusing on. If you think like a fat person, then a fat person you will be.
I've seen and experienced many times diet clubs / weight loss 'gurus' harping on about how it's important to visualise being at your goal weight.
Great! Well, I've seen myself at my goal weight for the past fifteen years or so, my image of what I'll look like, how I feel etc it's so crystal clear! And yet, here I am, still tackling this problem. Why?
Having a visual image, for me at least, is not enough. Mainly because deep down, perhaps I don't really believe I will ever attain that picture in my minds eye. Perhaps really I believe I am a resounding failure, doomed to spend my life 'trying' but not really trying to lose weight. Maybe I'm not meant to be happy and at my ideal weight......and that is a good demonstration of what I call my 'victim' voice. We all have one - it's that voice inside that says 'there is nothing we can do about it' (oh woe is me, why does this always happen to me, why can't I ever be happy / find the perfect partner / earn enough money etc etc). Pah!
Despite what miss victim voice thinks, in every situation you have the freedom of choice. Whether you believe it or not the only person in control of you is YOU. If you let your boss walk all over you - at the end of the day, you have chosen to put up with it - you don't like it, do something about it! Harsh? ah, but it's so true!!
So what choices does a girl like me have then?
I could have the state of mind that i am 'on a diet', put my life of hold until I've lost the weight, then magically everything is going to be alright. I will be slim, vibrant, and the happiest girl in the world. I will have an abundance of confidence and self belief, doors will be opened, and suddenly, the world has been filled with endless possibilities.
OR
I could believe, right now, that everything is going to be alright, of course I will be slim, but already I am vibrant and the happiest girl in the world. I already have an abundance of confidence and self belief. All doors are open and the world is just bursting with endless possibilities and opportunities.
And if you don't truly belive it yet? easy - blag it! It wont take long at all before you find yourself really believing, living and shaping your life the way that YOU want it to be.
Given the choice - which perspective would you rather take?
Friday, 6 August 2010
Weight Loss Challenge - Day Twelve
Wow! what a difference a day makes! As mentioned yesterday, I completed my 'mood form' (not it's official name, it's a work in progress!), and I have to say, I did find that the dark cloud lifted slightly.
As the day progressed, I ate sensibly, eating treated myself to a couple of cups of coffee (this happens once maybe twice a year), and went to bed in a timely fashion.
Consequently I woke up this morning feeling refreshed, motivated and as determined as ever! Hurrah!!
You see, this is the effect that a weight management coach can have!
As seems to be the habit I had another 'unofficial' weigh in this morning, (I really must put those scales away until Monday), it would appear that another lb of flesh has somehow disintegrated from my body somewhere. Which makes so far this week a weight loss of 3lbs, and 5lbs since I first started twelve days ago. I think that is what you call slow but steady progress :)
Not only that, but I managed to wake up before the alarm, get my toning workout done with a couple of extra moves and incorporate a small amount of jogging into my treadmill exercise.
Very happy bunny - it just goes to show that life is really all about perspective. Yesterday glass was half glass; what do you mean I've 'only' lost 2lbs so far! Today my glass is positively over flowing!
Word of caution. I do realise that today is Friday, and that ahead of me are now three days where I could potentially undo all this hard work. Main aim of the game now is to keep this momentum and focus up until Monday.
One thing that is in the forefront of my mind, is that my other half has a busy weekend ahead of him, which consequently means I'll be spending quite a bit of the next two days on my own. As an emotional eater, it is usually at this time I take the opportunity to indulge in a little comfort eating, call it loneliness, boredum, or simply because I can be 'naughty' and nobody will know (except for the scales!).
So how do I get around this little obstacal? Well the logical thing would be to plan ahead what I will be doing over the next couple of days as a good distraction. As I do literally have about a millions things I could be doing, ranging from working on my own business, the garden, housework, baking, or enjoying other hobbies I enjoy such as singing, tapestry, watercolour, reading, taking the dog out for an explore etc - I really need to sit down and have a serious think about what I fancy doing this weekend.
As the day progressed, I ate sensibly, eating treated myself to a couple of cups of coffee (this happens once maybe twice a year), and went to bed in a timely fashion.
Consequently I woke up this morning feeling refreshed, motivated and as determined as ever! Hurrah!!
You see, this is the effect that a weight management coach can have!
As seems to be the habit I had another 'unofficial' weigh in this morning, (I really must put those scales away until Monday), it would appear that another lb of flesh has somehow disintegrated from my body somewhere. Which makes so far this week a weight loss of 3lbs, and 5lbs since I first started twelve days ago. I think that is what you call slow but steady progress :)
Not only that, but I managed to wake up before the alarm, get my toning workout done with a couple of extra moves and incorporate a small amount of jogging into my treadmill exercise.
Very happy bunny - it just goes to show that life is really all about perspective. Yesterday glass was half glass; what do you mean I've 'only' lost 2lbs so far! Today my glass is positively over flowing!
Word of caution. I do realise that today is Friday, and that ahead of me are now three days where I could potentially undo all this hard work. Main aim of the game now is to keep this momentum and focus up until Monday.
One thing that is in the forefront of my mind, is that my other half has a busy weekend ahead of him, which consequently means I'll be spending quite a bit of the next two days on my own. As an emotional eater, it is usually at this time I take the opportunity to indulge in a little comfort eating, call it loneliness, boredum, or simply because I can be 'naughty' and nobody will know (except for the scales!).
So how do I get around this little obstacal? Well the logical thing would be to plan ahead what I will be doing over the next couple of days as a good distraction. As I do literally have about a millions things I could be doing, ranging from working on my own business, the garden, housework, baking, or enjoying other hobbies I enjoy such as singing, tapestry, watercolour, reading, taking the dog out for an explore etc - I really need to sit down and have a serious think about what I fancy doing this weekend.
Friday, 30 July 2010
Weight Loss Challenge - Day Five
I realised yesterday that in my blogs I have been saying weigh in for Saturday, when in fact, that wont give me the full seven days! What a doughnut. So, official weigh in and subsequent YouTube upload will be Sunday morning, not Saturday morning.
Emotions today are generally quite sleepy. I shouldn't be as I went to bed early and woke up at 6:30am this morning. I'm wondering if this is part tiredness, and partly because I am getting quite cross with myself.
I didn't do the treadmill yesterday morning as I told myself I'd do it in the evening. I didn't. Ok, so I didn't sit in front of the TV all evening, but let's just say my calorie in take was higher than calories burned off yesterday.
Also, and this may sound silly, but for the fist time in ages I had a can of Sprite with almost the consequence of Monday night - a massive headache. Thankfully I managed to avoid it (only suffering with a minor one this morning) as I drank plenty of water to try and flush the sugar out.
It's a really weird thing, but it appears my body is seriously rejecting the sugar / additives in Lemonade these days.
Another reason why I am quite disappointed in myself is that I haven't yet stopped eating bread & dairy products. I need to because these also cause my body to become slow, sluggish, bloated, and generally quite yukky. So why do I keep eating & drinking them then? Honestly I have no idea!! When I don't consume bread & dairy my body feels fabulous. I need to hold onto that thought!
Ok, so I have to start coming up with a 'restricted' list for myself and perhaps post it up in the kitchen as a constant reminder. Oh, I don't know, frustration is a good word for how I am feeling I think!
At this point I would be saying, well half an hour on the treadmill would cure that surely, however, as I got up late, I now wont have time to as I now need to get ready for work! Arrrrggggghhhhhhhhhh
My last hope of emotional lifting is now the singing I'll be doing on my journey to work - I have every faith that this will lighten the mood - it usually always does!
Emotions today are generally quite sleepy. I shouldn't be as I went to bed early and woke up at 6:30am this morning. I'm wondering if this is part tiredness, and partly because I am getting quite cross with myself.
I didn't do the treadmill yesterday morning as I told myself I'd do it in the evening. I didn't. Ok, so I didn't sit in front of the TV all evening, but let's just say my calorie in take was higher than calories burned off yesterday.
Also, and this may sound silly, but for the fist time in ages I had a can of Sprite with almost the consequence of Monday night - a massive headache. Thankfully I managed to avoid it (only suffering with a minor one this morning) as I drank plenty of water to try and flush the sugar out.
It's a really weird thing, but it appears my body is seriously rejecting the sugar / additives in Lemonade these days.
Another reason why I am quite disappointed in myself is that I haven't yet stopped eating bread & dairy products. I need to because these also cause my body to become slow, sluggish, bloated, and generally quite yukky. So why do I keep eating & drinking them then? Honestly I have no idea!! When I don't consume bread & dairy my body feels fabulous. I need to hold onto that thought!
Ok, so I have to start coming up with a 'restricted' list for myself and perhaps post it up in the kitchen as a constant reminder. Oh, I don't know, frustration is a good word for how I am feeling I think!
At this point I would be saying, well half an hour on the treadmill would cure that surely, however, as I got up late, I now wont have time to as I now need to get ready for work! Arrrrggggghhhhhhhhhh
My last hope of emotional lifting is now the singing I'll be doing on my journey to work - I have every faith that this will lighten the mood - it usually always does!
Monday, 26 July 2010
The Biggest Loser USA - Nintendo DS Game Review Part One
I've completed my first circuit using the DS, so I thought naturally I'd do a review on my first impressions of the game so far.
Please bare in mind that this is the first time I have used this game, and so haven't explored all the different features just yet - this is just my thoughts on the initial start up, and overall first impressions!!
Ok, starting from the top, annoyance number one, too many adverts before you get to the main menu! I know I know, I am impatient. But personally, when I turn on a game like this, I want to get straight down to it, and not see adverts for NBC (which I don't get anyway!)
So finally we get to the title screen where we are greeted with both Bob & Jillian. First job is to start a new profile.
On the next screen we are greeted by Alison Sweeny (presenter of the USA show), introducing you to the game. The next two screens are Bob & Jillian doing their 'motivational' bits.
We then get down to the nitty gritty, entering your name. First gripe is that it's all in capitals. Minor issue I know, but I like to enter my name like Hells, not HELLS. Ah well, as I said minor issue.
The next two screens are your standard male or female questions, and date of birth. The we get onto the next little gripe - height. Now, for the time being, it will only allow me to work in meters & cm, which isn't a problem if you do, but unfortunately I still work in feet and inches so I have had to google the conversion! I will point out that you can actually change this to 'English' (i.e feet and inches), but only after you have completed your profile. It would save a lot of time if a) I could personally change to metric measurements, or b) they allowed the option which unit of measurement you work in from the start (as they do on the Wii version, which again I'll probably do a review on at some point).
After getting over the height issue, we then come to entering your current and goal weights. This is my next problem, as at the moment, it will only allow me to work in Kilograms. Again, when you change the unit of measurements to 'English' later on, this will change to pounds, but until then, it's google time!
You then get to choose your lifestyle, Sedentary / Light Activity / Medium Activity / Heavy Activity, each option has a different calorie intake count next to it.
We then get to review the profile created, play about with the look of your Avatar, brief background on BMI, BMR & suggested calorie intake before finally getting to the main menu and the fun can begin!
But first, if like me you want to work in feet, inches and pounds, on this screen, click the options button at the bottom and change unit to 'English'. You may need to then edit your profile to ensure you have entered the correct information.
After all this is done, we still can't quite get down a jiggy with the exercises yet (which for me, is the whole point of the game). We are then greeted by Alison Sweeny again, with her second introduction. You then tell Bob what level exerciser you are (beginner!) and Jillian how long a programme you will be doing (12 weeks for me).
Next, we have our first official weigh in. Um, hang on, isn't that the same as our starting weight? Bit frustrating personally, not only have I had to enter my weight in twice already (first in Kgs, then in Lbs), but now I have to do it a third time! I know patience is a virtue, but really people, all I want to do is start the game, not enter in information I have already entered. Ok, with this done, Alison pops her head up for one last time, and now finally we can get onto the actual game!!
As you can tell, I am a little frustrated at this point, but only because for me, the log in is a little long winded. I understand and applaud the thoroughness of it, I really do, but I do object having to repeat myself when actually, I shouldn't have to.
Onto the main screen, you get a choice of going into 'calendar', 'exercise', healthy eating handbook' and 'progress'. I haven't explored all these yet, as I only started the game this morning, so all I will comment on for now is the exercise routine I did, which was Circuit One.
As exercising using a DS is not something I had ever done, I did find it rather odd to begin with. You get taken through the usual warm up, and then crack on with the routine which includes cardio and toning exercises.
At first, I will admit, I was sceptical. The first few exercises I did, but wasn't really that convinced. Here is how it works. You get your first exercise. when this is done, you have to stop to take a break which you can skip if you like and onto the next one. This repeats throughout the whole routine. Lots of stopping to click / move forward and the restarting, so you don't really getting into the swing of things. Also, you can skip exercises you don't want to do very easily during the workout, which can be a good or bad thing depending on your point of view. The other thing was before each exercise I was suppose to have read the instructions. But these were all moves I had done a million times before, so didn't actually bother reading as this would have taken up more of my valuable time! Um, bit of a mistake that because of some of the stretching exercises, and I didn't find this out until the end of the routine, you have to split the time yourself for each side. As is usually the case you get told 'hold for 30 seconds', then you are told to change to the other side. Not here you don't. Bit of a cheeky short cut from the games point of view. maybe the instructor did say 'now change to the other side' during the allocated time, if he did, I didn't hear him! I'll have to make a point of listening a little more carefully next time!
All in all, not really a raving review is it? Well actually here is the interesting thing. Whilst doing these exercises, I started to think about how you would use this game in real life. The best thing about using the DS to exercise with is that it's portable! Think about it. If like me, you have workouts on both DVD or Wii format, you are limited as to when and where you can workout. Not a problem if you establish a set routine for yourself, but what about when you are away from home and still want to work out? We all know that once we stop exercises for a short period of time, it can be difficult to get back into the swing of things again.
This is where I think the DS will come into it's own. You can essentially go anywhere, and still have access to the same exercises. For me, it means I could stay over night at the inlaws, and not miss a single mornings workout! What you have to remember is that it isn't like a normal DVD or Wii workout, as you have to be more interactive with it, as opposed to standing there and doing what you are told.
Once you can get over that obstacle, I think, this could potentially be quite a good platform to exercise with.
Please bare in mind that this is the first time I have used this game, and so haven't explored all the different features just yet - this is just my thoughts on the initial start up, and overall first impressions!!
Ok, starting from the top, annoyance number one, too many adverts before you get to the main menu! I know I know, I am impatient. But personally, when I turn on a game like this, I want to get straight down to it, and not see adverts for NBC (which I don't get anyway!)
So finally we get to the title screen where we are greeted with both Bob & Jillian. First job is to start a new profile.
On the next screen we are greeted by Alison Sweeny (presenter of the USA show), introducing you to the game. The next two screens are Bob & Jillian doing their 'motivational' bits.
We then get down to the nitty gritty, entering your name. First gripe is that it's all in capitals. Minor issue I know, but I like to enter my name like Hells, not HELLS. Ah well, as I said minor issue.
The next two screens are your standard male or female questions, and date of birth. The we get onto the next little gripe - height. Now, for the time being, it will only allow me to work in meters & cm, which isn't a problem if you do, but unfortunately I still work in feet and inches so I have had to google the conversion! I will point out that you can actually change this to 'English' (i.e feet and inches), but only after you have completed your profile. It would save a lot of time if a) I could personally change to metric measurements, or b) they allowed the option which unit of measurement you work in from the start (as they do on the Wii version, which again I'll probably do a review on at some point).
After getting over the height issue, we then come to entering your current and goal weights. This is my next problem, as at the moment, it will only allow me to work in Kilograms. Again, when you change the unit of measurements to 'English' later on, this will change to pounds, but until then, it's google time!
You then get to choose your lifestyle, Sedentary / Light Activity / Medium Activity / Heavy Activity, each option has a different calorie intake count next to it.
We then get to review the profile created, play about with the look of your Avatar, brief background on BMI, BMR & suggested calorie intake before finally getting to the main menu and the fun can begin!
But first, if like me you want to work in feet, inches and pounds, on this screen, click the options button at the bottom and change unit to 'English'. You may need to then edit your profile to ensure you have entered the correct information.
After all this is done, we still can't quite get down a jiggy with the exercises yet (which for me, is the whole point of the game). We are then greeted by Alison Sweeny again, with her second introduction. You then tell Bob what level exerciser you are (beginner!) and Jillian how long a programme you will be doing (12 weeks for me).
Next, we have our first official weigh in. Um, hang on, isn't that the same as our starting weight? Bit frustrating personally, not only have I had to enter my weight in twice already (first in Kgs, then in Lbs), but now I have to do it a third time! I know patience is a virtue, but really people, all I want to do is start the game, not enter in information I have already entered. Ok, with this done, Alison pops her head up for one last time, and now finally we can get onto the actual game!!
As you can tell, I am a little frustrated at this point, but only because for me, the log in is a little long winded. I understand and applaud the thoroughness of it, I really do, but I do object having to repeat myself when actually, I shouldn't have to.
Onto the main screen, you get a choice of going into 'calendar', 'exercise', healthy eating handbook' and 'progress'. I haven't explored all these yet, as I only started the game this morning, so all I will comment on for now is the exercise routine I did, which was Circuit One.
As exercising using a DS is not something I had ever done, I did find it rather odd to begin with. You get taken through the usual warm up, and then crack on with the routine which includes cardio and toning exercises.
At first, I will admit, I was sceptical. The first few exercises I did, but wasn't really that convinced. Here is how it works. You get your first exercise. when this is done, you have to stop to take a break which you can skip if you like and onto the next one. This repeats throughout the whole routine. Lots of stopping to click / move forward and the restarting, so you don't really getting into the swing of things. Also, you can skip exercises you don't want to do very easily during the workout, which can be a good or bad thing depending on your point of view. The other thing was before each exercise I was suppose to have read the instructions. But these were all moves I had done a million times before, so didn't actually bother reading as this would have taken up more of my valuable time! Um, bit of a mistake that because of some of the stretching exercises, and I didn't find this out until the end of the routine, you have to split the time yourself for each side. As is usually the case you get told 'hold for 30 seconds', then you are told to change to the other side. Not here you don't. Bit of a cheeky short cut from the games point of view. maybe the instructor did say 'now change to the other side' during the allocated time, if he did, I didn't hear him! I'll have to make a point of listening a little more carefully next time!
All in all, not really a raving review is it? Well actually here is the interesting thing. Whilst doing these exercises, I started to think about how you would use this game in real life. The best thing about using the DS to exercise with is that it's portable! Think about it. If like me, you have workouts on both DVD or Wii format, you are limited as to when and where you can workout. Not a problem if you establish a set routine for yourself, but what about when you are away from home and still want to work out? We all know that once we stop exercises for a short period of time, it can be difficult to get back into the swing of things again.
This is where I think the DS will come into it's own. You can essentially go anywhere, and still have access to the same exercises. For me, it means I could stay over night at the inlaws, and not miss a single mornings workout! What you have to remember is that it isn't like a normal DVD or Wii workout, as you have to be more interactive with it, as opposed to standing there and doing what you are told.
Once you can get over that obstacle, I think, this could potentially be quite a good platform to exercise with.
Monday, 19 July 2010
When the going gets tough - the tough gets coaching
This morning I woke up with brimming over with enthusiasm. This was the start of a new week, and a golden opportunity to resume my weight loss success.
I have put on a couple of lbs since last I blogged, but really, I'm ok with that. I had the courage to face up and take responsibilty for my actions over the last week or so. The damage is easily rectified, so no real tragedy, but I feel slightly different approach is needed.
Enter Helen Barber - Weight Management Coach (gosh that feels so good to think, even better when it's said out loud!). This is my dream, this is the 'pigeon hole' I would most willing and whole heartidily put myself in. So now I think it's time for this persona to really take hold and grab much of the lime light.
This may sound really bizarre, but losing weight, and also seeing others doing so, is a real passion of mine. The high you get off your own, and other peoples successes, well there really isn't anything like it!
Putting my 'coaching head' back on I approached the one closest person in my life who would we both knew would benefit from a little 'helping hand' in the weight loss department. Thankfully, ma has agreed that 'it's time we both did something'. I didn't do a 'first session' with her, as she doesn't need it, she just needs someone in the background watching her back so to speak, and given her a boost when needed.
We both weighed ourselves, and recorded our starting weights. I promptly drew up a thermometer to track our progress, and both confirmed our ultimate weight loss goals, and this weeks weight loss goals, which every day we will work towards.
Ma has already taken her first steps towards that goal by deciding to follow a diet we have both previously tried and succeded in. As for myself, I've decided to cut out bread & dairy, as these seem to cause the most disruption to my insides, and follow a more 'natural' eating plan, which I'll go through in more detail in another post.
Other actions I'll be taking - again, i'll go through the reasons in another post are:
Blogging, facebook & twitter updates every day including any relevant words of wisdom
You tube video diary once per week, also you tube information topics every so often
Once a month progress photo's to visually see progress
Oh yes, and let's not forget eating a healthy diet & exercising on a regular basis!
I have put on a couple of lbs since last I blogged, but really, I'm ok with that. I had the courage to face up and take responsibilty for my actions over the last week or so. The damage is easily rectified, so no real tragedy, but I feel slightly different approach is needed.
Enter Helen Barber - Weight Management Coach (gosh that feels so good to think, even better when it's said out loud!). This is my dream, this is the 'pigeon hole' I would most willing and whole heartidily put myself in. So now I think it's time for this persona to really take hold and grab much of the lime light.
This may sound really bizarre, but losing weight, and also seeing others doing so, is a real passion of mine. The high you get off your own, and other peoples successes, well there really isn't anything like it!
Putting my 'coaching head' back on I approached the one closest person in my life who would we both knew would benefit from a little 'helping hand' in the weight loss department. Thankfully, ma has agreed that 'it's time we both did something'. I didn't do a 'first session' with her, as she doesn't need it, she just needs someone in the background watching her back so to speak, and given her a boost when needed.
We both weighed ourselves, and recorded our starting weights. I promptly drew up a thermometer to track our progress, and both confirmed our ultimate weight loss goals, and this weeks weight loss goals, which every day we will work towards.
Ma has already taken her first steps towards that goal by deciding to follow a diet we have both previously tried and succeded in. As for myself, I've decided to cut out bread & dairy, as these seem to cause the most disruption to my insides, and follow a more 'natural' eating plan, which I'll go through in more detail in another post.
Other actions I'll be taking - again, i'll go through the reasons in another post are:
Blogging, facebook & twitter updates every day including any relevant words of wisdom
You tube video diary once per week, also you tube information topics every so often
Once a month progress photo's to visually see progress
Oh yes, and let's not forget eating a healthy diet & exercising on a regular basis!
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