My last weight loss ever

Phew I'm blogging again!

2011-03-22T21:21:00.004Z

I'm back. I've still been practising eating only when hungry and it certainly works
when I manage to control that bastard little self sabotaging voice inside me. I'm
sure you know the guy. Practising surely is the word - because perfecting it seems
to be taking a lifetime.

Like everything, it works when I do it - familiar?! LOL So on that note I thought I'd
post some of Marna's words of wisdom on conquering that little voice within and just
loves to see you reaching for those sweet/salty things when you are not even hungry.
You can find Marna at www.thinwithin.com

I'm keeping on keeping on. Catch you again soon xxx

Here she is:

A 4-Step Process When You Hunger For Something That Isn’t Related to Food


Do you ever sit there craving something salty or sweet, but you know that
hunger has absolutely nothing to do with your craving? Instead, this
craving for that sweet brownie or bag of salty chips has everything to do
with an emotional hunger within you.

When this happens to you, it is helpful to pause, ask yourself, “What am I
really hungry for?”

Now, when you ask this, you must think BEYOND food. When you do this, you
can begin to open up your emotional world that wants and needs you to listen.
If you throw food at these emotions, the emotions will still be there and so
will added pounds.

The work of Marshall Rosenberg, Ph.D., talks about acknowledging your basic needs.
These include:• Meaning and Purpose • Autonomy (independence) • Safety • Empathy
• Sustenance (food, nourishment for body, mind and spirit) • Creativity • Love
• Community • Rest/Relax/Play

When you begin to untether your emotional need from food, your
authentic self comes shining through, weight is lost and a new
body can be reclaimed.

This week practice this 4-step process when you hunger for something
emotional that isn’t related to food:

1. Close your eyes and ask yourself “What am I really hungry for?”
2. Identify what you are emotionally hungry for – whether it be
meaning and purpose, autonomy, safety, etc.

3. Congratulate yourself for identifying this emotion.

4. Take action –address your emotional need by finding purpose,
feeling safe inside your body, doing something creative,
connecting with others, or whatever addresses what you need most.

It hunger's not the problem then food is not the solution

2010-10-08T13:57:00.002+01:00

How many times have I heard that in my life? And did I even know what true hunger was?

I think I did - or least I thought I did. I was an emotional eater, or I should say I'm a recovering emotional eater. I wasn't a binger at least not in that cartoon, stereotypical way. But I always ate until I couldn't eat anymore. I didn't think I was satisfied until I felt sick.

I remember as a little girl going to my grandma's house for sunday lunch. Now, even by adult standards she served massive plates full of food and I used to eat it all and then she'd offer more. I knew I was full, I remember even then at aged 8 I knew I was full. Me and my sister had the answer though. We would burp until there was more room for food. We would always have seconds - why not? It tasted sooooo good. Needless to say we were fat kids.

So what I'm trying to say I suppose is that I didn't know what it was like to be hungry. I knew what it felt like to feel like I COULD eat but that is not hunger, is it? That feeling of nothing is what you should feel and when you get that pain under your rib cage that means hunger. This is big news for me. No one explained to me what it would feel like and because I had always been overfeeding my body, all my life, I thought that my portion sizes were not normal.

Even being on diets my whole life have not cured this. Instead of waiting until I got those pangs, diets told me to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner and 2 snacks. Always healthy food (well except when I did Atkins!) but still loads of food. I wasn't listening to my body in fact often I was told to eat plenty of 'free' veg to keep those hunger pangs at bay. Not one of those diets showed me that I need not be scared of those pains. They are normal. They are your body's way of preparing you to enjoy your next meal.

So when I say I was an emotional eater, I mean that. I ate for a million different reasons and none of them was hunger. I never kept away from food for long enough to feel that hunger.

Well, my thinking is changing. And it is monumental for me. I now eat 2 meals a day and maybe a snack if I'm hungry if I'm not then I skip the snack. And that's okay, that is so okay! I can't believe that Food is no longer an obsession -I get on with my life and when I'm hungry I eat.

How crazy is that!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Too easy?

2010-09-23T09:49:00.003+01:00

Another pound has gone. Okay this is slow - no doubt, but SHIT it's so easy. I'm not having to count, or point, or worry if I eat a bit too much, or eat certain foods. I'm eating WHATEVER I want. WHENEVER I want. And if the losses are slow - who cares? This is permanent weight loss and a TOTAL lifestyle change. New habits created, old ones in the bin for good.

It's exciting but not in a flash in the pan way. the losses on the scales are always surprising because I feel like I'm doing nothing.

This is a total mindf***. I'm telling you!

Where does the time go?

2010-09-20T10:42:00.002+01:00

Wow it's been a month since my last post. It has flown by with getting the children back into school mode - or more accurately, getting me back into school mode. I find the changeover generally takes a few weeks to get used to for me.

And we're moving house again. This is very exciting because we are moving from a 3 bedroom house to a 5 bedroom house with some land which includes a lake and an orchard complete with apple laden trees ready for me to harvest and make lots of yummy chutneys and jams. It feels like with this move we will at last be able to settle down. The house is more than big enough for our needs (the boys will have their own rooms for the first time ever!) and the much dreamed for (on my part) room for them to roam. They are needless to say, very excited too.

On the weight front I have maintained - I think that this is because I haven't yet implemented an exercise regime. In the past however this lack of attention would have elicited a weight GAIN so I'm more than happy.

But I am eating thin all the time and as I have said before this is a miracle of the mind. I never eat when I'm not hungry and I only eat enough to be satisfied. It really is that simple. It's sane. It's what naturally thin people do and in keeping with my belief in the law of attraction (I attribute this new house to the power of that) I am being what I want to become. Right now, as far as my mind is concerned I am already thin...make sense?

Onwards and upwards. I'll post some pics of our new house as soon as we have moved in. I am just soooo excited!

Have a great week x

Yay go me!

2010-08-20T08:58:00.003+01:00

Another pound has melted away this week. Flown off on the wings of hypotherapy - seriously, if you're struggling as I have done for 2 years now...you must google Paul McKenna or check him out on Youtube. It truly works.

I'll be back later, just wanted to pass that on xxx

New blog

2010-08-13T15:25:00.002+01:00

Hello,
Just wanted to let you lovely peeps know that I have started a totally nonweight-related blog over at www.katesermon.blogspot.com . The link is on my profile. Where I am challenging myself to write a poem-a-day for a year. It is titled, rather originally I thought, The Poem-a-Day Project.

And so far I am failing miserably having missed 3 days in the past week but you could turn that around and say I am succeeding because I have only missed 3 days in the past week.

Anyone interested in bad poetry (!) so pop along. Hope to see you there xxx

Another 2 lbs bites the dust.

2010-08-13T15:16:00.002+01:00

The last 5 days I've lost another 2 lbs and feeling great. That's 9lbs altogether since the middle of July. Feeling great right now and I feel like a fraud because this is the easiest programme I've ever followed. Onwards and downwards.

Been thinking...

2010-08-04T11:18:00.002+01:00

...a lot lately. This eating when you are hungry thing is mega for me. Total breakthrough. I was the queen of self-sabotage. Believe me.

I would start the day full of guilt and good intentions get to dinner time without effort, then because I had been 'good' all day (and where do I get off telling myself that I have been 'good' just for not eating..!!) I would reward myself with food - the so-called BAD food. I'm sure this is very common but it made me feel so crap and then the next day I would start the whole cycle all over again. Week after week, month after month - until eventually a year has passed and I have not lost anything, apart from faith in the process.

I truly feel that now I have been handed the key to it all. What??? I can eat what I want..?? What??? I can eat til I'm full?? This all would be great but what makes it super special is the hypnosis part. I now know when I'm hungry (and it's not as often as I had believed before.)

My one problem (if it is a problem) is that I never get truly hungry until about noon. And this flies in the face of all accepted wisdom regarding metabolism. Still I've lost another pound these last 3 days so I'll use that as my barometer.

What a revelation! Use my own body to guide me...not some programme or diet sheet...surely not...;-)

On my surfing I came across a great website that gives all the information you need to get started. www.thinwithin.com

Have a great week all xxx

This very useful and very interesting! Marna Comments on Paul McKenna's "I Can Make You Thin"

2010-08-02T12:00:00.001+01:00

I'm back and I maintained!

2010-08-01T12:30:00.003+01:00

How is that even possible? Well it wouldn't have been before that's bloody for sure! It was impossible for me to even think about food as anything other than nourishment for when I was hungry...well, ok I did sample the gelati because they taste good. But bloody hell, I maintained in Venice. Major NSV. No extra weight to get off. Yippee. Beautiful Venice photos and more about the most magical city on earth to follow.

I've started a new blog too for all those interested in poetry. I'm challenging myself to write a poem a day for a year. Watched Julie and Julia last night and was inspired. Hope to see you over there at www.katesermon.blogspot.com

Laters amigos!

Packing and a pleasing result on the scale

2010-07-19T21:09:00.002+01:00

I've got 15kg of luggage to take to Venice - or should I say, 15kg for us all! It's a good job that it is hot there because we can't take many clothes.

As I wrote in my last post - I can't believe how much that DVD is helping me. I truly believe now that losing this weight is going to happen and that it doesn't need to be hard. The last 4 days have been so easy it is unreal.

I've lost the dialogue. You know - that little voice that argues that 'Of course, you should have that ice cream -every one else is..' and 'Come on , you deserve that chocolate bar, you've had a bad day'. He's gone. Off. Run for the hills. Ciao.

And believe me I'm as skeptical as the next person. I lost 3lbs this week. But that now feels like a by-product, not the be all and end all. The main thing is the freedom from the anxiety. It's such a relief! I'll keep you posted.

Lightly said

2010-07-14T18:47:00.002+01:00

I almost don't want to say in case I jinx but these last 3 days have been the easiest food days I have ever had.

I have listened to Paul Mc Kenna's DVD every morning:
And I have eaten very small meals and been full up.
Have found it ludicriously easy to eat just when hungry. (aka I feel hungry so seldom!)
I have had no anxiety around food at all. (I went to my best buds house last night and she had crisps on the table and they stayed there - crisps have been in the past my number 1 big fall guy)
In fact not only was it easy - it required no will power at all - I just didn't want them...?? What the frick??
She sliced up cake and I had a couple of bites and didn't want anymore.

As I said, I really don't want to jinx it so I'll whisper: Could this really be working??

Paul Mac Kenna - this is a bit kooky but interesting...

2010-07-12T19:20:00.001+01:00

Back to basics

2010-07-12T18:59:00.003+01:00

Anyone know Paul McKenna? Doesn't have to be personally...

I've been struggling with my mental problems (I don't mean in all aspects of my life!) but when it comes to weightloss I have severe ones, believe me. My mind has sought to sabatage me at every opprtunity it can get, the B*****d. So working on that. Paul Mc Kenna is a very famous hypnotherapist in the UK and he has this weighloss DVD called Easy Weightloss (original huh?)

Well, I sat down this morning with my coffee and bacon bagette...yep you heard right and watched the beginning of it, where he explains the 7 principles of the programme.

Here's a review I found on Amazon...

"absolutely brilliant. I bought the cd in january and now nine month later I have lost 6 stone and two pound. I have got one more stone to go to take me to ten stone this cd gave me lots of motivation. I could not have done it without it. I also go on lots of holidays through year , I used to always eat and drink lots of alcohol when i was away. what a turnaround it has gave me this year and i feel great. I played it daily for 2 week and when i was on my own with peace and quiet . It really does work believe me and looking back at my old photos now when i was big thank goodness i bought the cd. Dread to think what my weight would have been now. "

Well so today I played it for the first time and I have to say, today is the first day in the last year that I have NOT obsessed about food. Usually I eat something and if it was healthy I felt deprived and it it wasn't I'd feel guilty. I couldn't win.

BUT today I've had three small meals I have stopped eaten when I 'suspected I was full' (1 of the steps) and have not minded. I'm going to play it every day this week and see what happens. I don't yet feel the relief that this might work - too long in the tooth for that. But if it means freedom from counting points or calories or fat grams or whatever...it will means freedom from obsession for me. Even if the weightloss is slow, it wouldn't matter, I already feel like I've changed my thinking.

I'll keep you posted. And in the mean time check out the link I posted last.
Have a great week xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Bella Venezia!

2010-07-04T19:50:00.006+01:00

I am just so excited, I have booked a family holiday in Venice leaving in just over 2 weeks! And I got really cheap flights from Ryan Air for only £10 each way per person. The boys are very excited about going to Italy "Where the Romans come from!" and the chance for them to go to such an amazing historic city is something that I am so glad I can give them. So cool. Super cool.

I have just realised that I have not written a post for over a month. Eeek. Well I'm still here, but have had very little to say about weight loss in all that time cos I have lost nothing! I'm okay with that (strangely!) and I'm enjoying still counting points and exercising but not obsessing - so I suppose you could say I have maintained or cruising if you like. Either way I'm making a concerted effort to lose a few pounds before our trip on the 21st July if only to have a bit of gaining room...am I wrong??!! It is Italy after all...home of the best food in the world.

What should I do? Not experience that??!!

It ain't gonna happen!

Have a great week xx

Writing

2010-05-27T12:02:00.003+01:00

After having my first fiction piece published last week in the magazine My Weekly I am on a high that is for sure.

Can I call myself a writer yet that is the question? I've now had about 10 features published and 1 short story and I have been emailled by My Weekly asking for more...Am I a writer?? Somehow that word means so much more to me than a job - it is an identity that I have longed for so long (all my life really) and I have started albeit shyly to tell people when I ask what I do, that I write. That and a mum of course! I think that tentitively I am - but until I get my novel published I won't being able to shout it loud and proud. Silly? Maybe.

Anyhoo, on the weightloss front WW is serving me well and I've lost 2lbs in my first week.

Now I've handed in my dissertation - yes the main bulk of my degree is over (just got a small course to do next year to make up points) but I'm about to have the first summer off from study since Feb 2007 - am I resting on my laurels?? NO! I'm going to finish the novel and write a couple of short stories for a competition and publication.

I'm a writer - doncha know!

Have a great week xx

It fit!!

2010-05-19T17:12:00.003+01:00

Oh yes it did. Not quite as svelte as I would have liked, but it didn't stop me getting up and having a good time - for 'good time' read showing off! The party was great - it was my best friend's 10th wedding aniversary and it was full of joy and love.

I'm back following the weightwatchers plan, which seems to be working - apart from the fact that I seem to feel hungry all the time.

I'm writing my dissertation (for my Literature degree) this week and next so I'm spending all the time I can doing that.

* me singing Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend.
Luckily no one taped it so you won't be subjected to a video of it!

Have a great week xxxx

Shrinking

2010-05-06T13:47:00.002+01:00

Only half an inch to go on my dress. I am shrinking! What fun.

free food

lean pork steak
bacon
egg
carrots and broc
baked squash
Lean lamb steak
fat free fruit yoghurt
banana
apple

healthy extras (4)

bread (2)
milk (1)

syns (5-15)

low fat mayo (2)
sugar in coffee (2)
mint sauce (2)

exercise
25 mins interval training (weights, aerobic, yoga and pilates mixed up)
30 mins aerobic (exercise bike)

Have a great day xx

New dress to get into...

2010-04-30T13:52:00.002+01:00

I've never been an advocate of hanging up a too small dress on a hanger as an incentive but I've changed! I bought a size 18 (UK) Monsoon dress for my friend's party in 2 weeks time. I didn't think it would be too small because I am an 18, but something about the cut means that I can't quite get it done up. There's about an inch or so to spare.This was a week ago and I'm still to get there but wow what an incentive it has been. Knowing that the dress is there, I don't want to wear anything else. I'm not going to try it on again until a day before. And with all the pilates I've been doing I am sure that I WILL get there.

I'll post a pic of me in the dress when I fit in it!

free food

lean beef steak
bacon
egg
carrots and broc
salad
baked squash
Tuna steak

healthy extras (4)

bread (1)
milk (1)
Cheese (1)

syns (5-15)

A couple squares chocolate (5)
sugar in coffee (2)
Dressing (3)

exercise
30 mins interval training (weights, aerobic, yoga and pilates mixed up)
happy day xx

It's a funny thing....

2010-04-26T15:58:00.002+01:00

...but when a whole year goes by and you have achieved much it gives you such a feeling of self worth and yet if there is even one aspect that you haven't reached yet it can infect all that you have achieved.

Losing weight has been a goal of mine for so long (ie all my life!) that the endless run of renewed hopes, goal sheets with (supposed) achievable weight losses each week and food diaries and exercise sheets that it does wear you down in the end.

Except this is, I keep reminding myself, not the end. One of these times I will achieve because I have persistance. I am not afraid to try new things. In fact I love doing new things. And if I don't give up I will get there, and at the very least, when I am trying I am eating very healthy and getting in a good amount of exercise. Maybe not enough to show significant weight loss YET.

So I look back on the past year and see that I have nearly finished my degree; I am a published writer; my children are gaining confidence, strength and knowledge daily; and I am on the road to permanent weight loss. Even if I have been sitting on the wayside for a little while!

I got up and starting running along that road this week and can report a 3lb loss.

IT HAS BEGUN (again!)

free food

lean lamb steak
bacon
egg
carrots and brocalli
mushrooms and onions
baked squash
lean chicken breast.

healthy extras (4)

bread (2)
milk (1)

syns (5-15)

lurpak (3)
sugar in coffee (2)
mint sauce (2)

exercise
30 mins interval training (weights, aerobic, yoga and pilates mixed up)

Follow that road and enjoy the view! I am xx

food blog

2010-04-21T17:56:00.002+01:00

Free food
lean homemade burgers
Massive salad
bacon
egg
baked cod steak
Roasted veg
peas

Healthy extra (4)
Milk (1)
Cheese (1)
bread (2)

Syns (10-15)

sugar (2)
low fat salad dressing (3)
lurpak (1.5)

Exercise
30 minutes of interval training (weights and cardio combined)

Pilates

Have a great day !

Quick food blog

2010-04-16T18:27:00.002+01:00

Not very hungry today ;-

I've decided rather radically that I will go with my hunger (I know, obvious to most people!). If I'm not hungry I will not eat. So far it feels really good and kind of liberating. It seems my whole adult life I've been eating in case I get hungry later...madness. Time to get in tune with my body.

Free food
lean Pork steak
CHicken breast
Massive salad

Healthy extra (4)
Milk (1)
Cheese (1)

Syns (10-15)

sugar (2)
low fat salad dressing (3)

Exercise
30 minutes on bike

Freewheeling days over - time for a bit of uphill action

2010-04-15T13:36:00.002+01:00

Gosh 3 weeks since last I posted, time for some decisive action I think.

I've been delving recently into the past. And wondering what is it that has caused this constant yo-yo of self sabotage and weight loss that seems to hard to escape from. And emotional eating certainly does come into it - but then when is eating not emotional? Unless you have the dubious luck of not being interested in food, and you really can just 'eat to live'. Well that isn't me, I'm a foodie, no doubt.

I think my mum putting me on a diet when I was 5 might have something to do with own brand of emotional eating. I find it very hard while in a group to not join in with the food is available. I feel like I'm missing out. I feel like I am, again, that small (ok chubby!) child that opened up her lunch box to see a piece of fruit and a dry bread sandwich, while all around were eating white bread sandwiches, crisps, choc biscuits etc and staying thin (!!). None of those children have grown up with this 'eating disorder'. It is the ones who were singled out at a young age that are the fat adults now...food for thought. Oh and BTW just to clarify my mum used to have a Mars bar for dinner sometimes because it was the same calories as a meal - conflicting messages?...you bet. It was interesting to realise that thsi could well be the root of my food feelings (afterall I don't secret eat, if left on my own I eat very healthily and sensibly). I hope this helps me. I feel more positive, now I know that I can deal with it at last!

'Never, never, never give up' Winston Churchill (ok so he was a Tory (republican) war monger - but some times even these people can come up with a wise saying or two!)

And I'm not gonna. This is the beginning (Oh how many times have I said that!) of a new stage. I weighed in after a tummy upset at 16-9 (eek) and will now continue to weigh myself weekly on Tuesday morning and record a daily blog of food and exercise. I NEED to be accountable, and I NEED to get to the end of this, this time.

So here goes...I'm doing the Slimming world plan, so for those not familar with syns. They are a way to limit treats and choose good healthy food instead. The actual diet resembles the Weightwatchers Core plan, so all is good.

Free food
egg (2)
lean mince burgers
Massive salad

Healthy extra (4)
Milk (1)
Wholemeal Bread 3 slices (2)

Syns (10-15)

butter (4)
fish fishfingers (3)
sugar (2)
low fat salad dressing (3)

Exercise
30 minutes on bike

Have a great foodie day!

Little Darling, it's been a long cold, lonely winter

2010-03-25T13:53:00.002Z

Anyone else infused with the seepings of spring? I feel like, all of a sudden again, that anything is possible. I've decided to factor in a regimented approach to exercise and it begins today.

I have just worked my way through 25 minute session of inteval training mixed with pilates. And blimey do I feel Gooood. Why when I feel this good do I resist exercise so much?? What is that about?? Who knows, I'm just going to ride this good feeling for a while and factor in a session every day if I can. I'll post it here so I can keep track of things.

I took my little girl to visit a sheep farm the other day and we saw twin lambs being born - what a thrill! And then and there I decided that I will be reborn and start my journey again. I have not gained weight just been treading water for a few months. Now spring is here, my mojo is too.

Love kate xx

Boosts

2010-02-16T10:05:00.002Z

Finding the money situation better recently. I'm getting about 3 articles a month - which I have to say it about all I can handle with the children and studying for a degree. But that extra money has really given our finances a boost, even to the extent that we are thinking about a holiday this year! Woooah slow down I hear myself say from my shoulder!
Just finished what was a draining TOM, where food restrictions went out of the window. It is the first really bad one I've had for 6 months so not too bad really, but I am left feeling shell shocked and worn out - but at least my food cravings have stopped so back on the horse I get again.
I know what you're all going to say BUT I'm skipping weigh in tonight.....pause for the gasp of disbelief! But I know myself, if I go tonight I'll feel crap and I have just weighed at home so I'll use that as my weigh in this week. And I am well and truly back on the horse again. No birthdays, no periods, no distractions. Just lots of food optimising and exercise. My wii fit is about to get a dusting, I got a new toy for my birthday called 'MY Shape' Anyone got it??? I'm worried as hell about using it because it apparently gives an accurate image of your body (!!!!) I'm screaming inside...eek. But I'm going to bite the bullet and go for it. Hell, if might be just what I need.

It's my birthday!

2010-02-06T14:20:00.002Z

Well, at least my birthday night out and me and hubby are off to our local Michelin Star restaurant to see some of John Burton-Race's yummy cuisine. It's fine dining so I figure - small portions! Which will help my efforts I hope!

I have stuck to plan all day eaten loads of free food and none of my extras that I'm allowed to make up for the unknown calorific values of the food. I'll stick with lean meat or fish (I hope they have scallops!) And then I should be safe to have a very small pudding. Yay, so excited, it's only the second time in the past year that we have had a child free evening, we're not big on dumping our kids!

It's 2.30pm and I already feel I need to get ready - how sad!

I love birthdays - especially mine!

My eldest son is doing a presentation this week at school and I'm so proud and amazed that he can use powerpoint and is currently making a lego animation so that he can show the kids and teachers how to do it. He is dyslexic, just to qualify incase you are reading this saying: 'So?!'. I spent a good portion of this past week fighting his school. They wanted him to do a broad range of subjects next year (he's 14 - so next year is the beginning of his GCSEs) and yet he is gifted at drama, music and creative media subjects and finds everything else (more or less) incomprehensible. In the end, I won (yay for me!) and he is taking subjects that he has the most likelihood of passing. I just didn't see the point of him spending the next 2 years, unhappy, bewildered and still coming out with a fail at the end. Better surely for him, to try and get as many qualifications as possible and enjoy the process. Especially as he is going to go on to do Performing Arts at drama school. Well, they saw my way of thinking in the end. And have made an exception. So there you go, as my mother-in-law always says: 'It's the squeaky wheel that gets the oil'. And for once she is right ;-) He's taking Drama, Music and a Creative Media diploma. I'm jealous of him!

Have a great week. xx

Tuesday highlights and lowlights

2010-02-03T20:50:00.003Z

Helloooo.
I am in a great mood considering that I had a stayed same last night. One meal at a friend's house and I sabotaged my whole week and despite my good mood I can't help feeling a tad bit annoyed.

And that got me thinking why do I put my needs, my goals and my health (ultimately) behind that of being polite to my friend. She had cooked roast chicken which would have been fine, except she let it stand (sliced up) in the fatty juices and then there was no vegetables aside from cauliflower cheese! And roasted potatoes...oh and did I mention the creamy, garlic mushrooms side dish! And she knows that I'm not eating stuff like that! So effectively there was no healthy food at all! And I was starving - what could I do??? So I ate (and I ate hardly anything,) and I was miserable eating it knowing that I was very likely going to ruin my whole week.

Would be great to know how other people deal with situations like this. I am committed to the journey - am I being ungrateful? I can't tell, I just want to take control of my diet. Maybe I should just not go round there again! Or suggest an after dinner date??!!

Anyhoo, I'm in control this week Had a great eating day today and have been given 2 writing commissions, one of which means I'll get a feature in a daily national newspaper (Daily Express [bit of a crappy paper but it has 3 million readers!]) which is very exciting so you see all is good!

Have a great week and I'll see you at the weekend xx

This doesn't count as a post!

2010-02-01T19:13:00.003Z

And if you read and comment on my blog at all...consider yourself tagged with that award! I'm cheating like Amy!

Thank you Amy!

2010-02-01T16:41:00.003Z

I have an award!! I am so proud, thank you Amy, it is especially special because I love you so much!
So by the rules of the award I will list 10 things that make me happy:

1. The smell of woodsmoke on a Sunday afternoon in Autumn.

2. The sound of my children laughing together in a different room.

3. A long walk through a wood when the air is crisp and full of Autumnal sights and smells. (Can you tell that my favourite season is autumn??!)

4. Camping by the sea with my family on a beautiful Summer's weekend. (An elusive joy, is this, in England!)

5. Christmas. Love making, baking and anticipating it.

6. Christmas Eve dusk. There is magic in the air. Don't care what anyone says, I believe in Father Christmas.

7. A really good holiday. (Even rarer than sun in England!)

8. The smell of the sea.

9. A good loss at slimming club - but more importantly a week spent eating well and exercising.

10. Writing. Time alone with my laptop.

Thank you Amy for the opportunity to mull over and write these down.

I am committing to writing my blog, twice a week from now on. Tuesdays after 'slimming' club
and a weekend post. I need it!

Have a great week xxxx

This is the year

2010-01-08T15:27:00.002Z

Had a small weight gain over Christmas, which is okay because I know that I'm totally on it. In fact I weighed myself this morning and it is nearly all dropped again so all is good.

It's taken me days to get on this site, for some unknown reason I was not being allowed entry. Now I know how my husband feels - sorry about that very bad gag in poor taste.

I realised that this Christmas food just didn't play such a big part, it was far more the events of seeing friends and family and enjoying their company, which was really cool and still going on. We've got some good friends coming to dinner tomorrow for a very healthy line-caught sea bass with saffron sauce, purple sprouting brocalli and dry roasted garlic and rosemary potatoes.

Who am I kidding eh?! Food will always be a HUGE part of my life. But eating lower in fat and with smaller portions. That's what 2010 is about for me. Consolidating all I have learned up til this point and getting to my target weight.

It'll happen. I can taste it.
Have a great weekend xxx

21 pounds gone.

2009-12-24T23:08:00.002Z

Really great. It's christmas eve, the fire is burning warm and cosy and the children have giggled their way to bed. Me, my husband, Matt and my sister Bev are enjoying the peace and quiet while spreading our pressies under the tree.

All is beautiful.

Wishing you all out there in blogland the most marvellous of new years. And may you receive everything that you wish for yourselves. xxx

A Merry Christmas one and all xxx

There she goes...

2009-12-16T21:44:00.002Z

Can fat have a gender?? Well another lb is gone for good. I've kicked that pound's ass!

That's 20lbs altogether now and I'm very pleased with progress.

I eventually did my first interview today. The millionaire lady (is that sexist?) cancelled on me last week so I had a few extra days to prepare and even with all that time I managed to bugger up my dictation software so it didn't work while I was on the phone to her. So there I was asking my questions and realising that it was not recording and trying to write as fast as she was speaking. Blimey it was hard, but I did enjoy it and I've written it up now so all is good. I got quite a buzz from the experience and am looking forward to my next one tomorrow. Really great to be working again.

Have a great day xx

Another pound bites the dust!

2009-12-09T13:54:00.002Z

Slowly, slowly catchy monkey springs to mind. But down it goes none the less. My fault really I'm sure it would have been more had I not gone to my son's school christmas dinner and eaten a big roast turkey dinner with all the trimmings and cheesecake after. I can't imagine what went wrong...

Ha! Will see better result next week for sure. Want to get my stone (14lb) (since joining Slimming World in September) award. I have lost more than that since my journey began. But the Slimming world one is the one that counts now!

Have a great week you all xx

PS Think of me at 10am GMT tomorrow cos I'll be doing my first interview...eek.

I'm a journalist!

2009-12-08T11:31:00.002Z

I'm being paid to write and I'm so excited. My brother-in-law runs an agency for freelance writers and was looking for new writers and gave me a go. He was under scrict orders not to hire me unless I was good enough...and he wouldn't anyhow cos he's got a reputation to protect.

A bit of back story - I trained as a journalist at the presigious London College of Printing back in 1992 an age ago. And as you know I've been writing continuously since. After doing the course I realised that the high pressured life of a 'hack' was not for me and so became a waitress (!). Was the still the best job I ever had because I met my husband (he was a chef) there. About a month after we got together I got the sack, I was an awful waitress! I broke a glass in a customers lap and dropped a whole apple crumble on the floor once. I can see why they sacked me. So how weird is that that journalism has come around again.

My heart is still with my novel, but making some money now is a definite bonus.

I've got my first phone interview with a rich entrepreneur on Thursday and then commissioned to write a 1000 word feature . Look out for Kate Lockyer in the press (my maiden name)!

Weigh in tonight after 2 weeks of none. I'll check back and give you the news.
Have a great day xx

The anti-weigh in gods

2009-12-02T16:16:00.002Z

Behold the day of judgment did not arrive. I hit a rock on the way to my weigh in last night and blew my tyre out. I was soooo frustrated because I KNOW that I lost this week. And what is more I have a big bill at the garage to pay. All not good at this time of year, where every penny is accounted for.

Still at least I know that next week will pay (hopefully) dividends. Woohoo come on a BIG loss!

Just feeling pretty damn good at the moment and feel like life is cruising along. Trying to ignore the fact that I'm supposed to be writing my essay on Little Women right now.

Sorry about the lack of insight! Hope you're all having a good week,
Love Kate xx

Many apologies

2009-11-26T14:16:00.003Z

Sorry for the silence of late. I'm still losing, 2.5 lbs since last log in. But generally focussing on my book at the moment. Writing like a demon possessed when ever I have a spare moment. It seems that losing weight is what happens anyway when you are doing what you love. Maybe.

Hope you're all having the same! I'll catch up on your blogs right now!

Love Kate x

Come on you literary agents!

2009-11-15T21:28:00.002Z

Just enjoyed a lovely week long visit from my sister - I'm the one on your right. Here we are under a tree at Lanhydrock House in Cornwall. I love her so much and I think the fact that we don't have any living parents means that we are close. She's just started her own weightloss journey again. And I'm hoping that next year will see us both much, much slimmer.

Eating's has been okay this week, so I'm hoping for a loss on Tuesday. I've also swam, walked and cycled. We will see.

But more significantly though, I have started sending my teen novel off to agents. (Hence the title) Well, first three chapters and a synopsis anyhow - Shhhh....don't tell them but book is not even finished yet. From what I can tell it can take up to 3 months to hear from them so....I've put enough pressure on myself to actually get the book finished! Either that or I'm f***ed! I'm getting excited by the direction it is going and it never ceases to amaze me the magic that takes place when you sit down to write. I can have absolutely no idea what I am going to write and then that word document just opens up and away I go.

Have to say I'm scared, but it's way more scary not going for it. Is this weight loss or writing I'm talking about? Wow everything worth doing takes guts doesn't it!

Have a great couple of days and I'll report back on Wednesday,
happy happy xxxx

I'm still here!

2009-11-10T22:46:00.002Z

Hi lovely bloggers, just wanted to apologise for my silence and absence these last couple of weeks. I've been tremendously busy first on holiday to the beautiful city of Bath. And then snowed under by essays and my novel that I'm writing. I'm writing a synopsis to get it sent out to agents this week, so all very exciting and time consuming...and my blogging has suffered.

However I'm still losing weight! Weighed in tonight at 16-9 having lost 1.5 lbs in 2 weeks. Not great, but not bad either, considering the last couple of weeks I've had.

Hope you are all happy and positive and dancing xx

2009-10-21T22:50:00.002+01:00

That pound that I gained last week only decided that it wanted a friend over so it went ahead and invited one. Naughty imp! I know what happened this week, I took my eye off the ball. I hold my hands up...my fault entirely. I didn't track my food on paper just in my head...duh.

Everyone knows that your head plays tricks on you. Allows you to forget that half bag of crisps that you snaffled off your daughter when she wasn't looking...and those yummy leftovers from your children's plates that are just too good to throw in the bin. Exercise it not the problem I workout 4-5 times a week it's just all those liddle calories that sneak in through the back door.

How many times do I need to learn this lesson? It seems like I just have to keep learning and growing (metaphorically speaking you understand). This week however I'm kicking those 2 out on their bums (fannys for americans - fanny has a whole different meaning over here!) It's the highway for them. There that's better. I had an excellent plan day today, full of healthy choices, and the children's leftover chicken pie went into the husband phew!
Have a great week,
Love Kate xx

weight loss hockey

2009-10-15T15:32:00.003+01:00

I believe there is a saying that goes: 'There is no loss without some small gain!' I think it featured a lot in the Little House on the Prairie books that I read as a girl. Well, why does it have to be the case with me and my weight loss journey?
I have a really good week lose a couple of pounds or more and then the week after I gain a little bit back. Is it because I get a little bit complacent the second week and allow a few extra little treats into my daily diet that all add up? I honestly don't think so. It seems that my body just loses a bit goes into a little shock situation and closes down the fat burning branch of the factory for a few days. Then the next week I just seem to lose again. Strange. Maybe I just need to accept that this is the way that I lose weight, and in the big scheme of things I am still losing- 9lbs in 7 weeks ain't bad. Just need to accept it so that when I have that small gain I don't get all mardy about it. Although interestingly enough it does make me try all the harder the week after.
"So hello pound gain, just wanted to let you know that I'm okay with you as long as you don't hang around and take a couple or 3 of your buddie's with you next week"

Hope you all that a great week xx

2.5 lbs down yay yay yay!!!

2009-10-06T23:28:00.002+01:00

Just a quickie cos I'm very tired. Ooer, that sounds a bit rude. Hubby is usually pleased when I issue those immortal words...poor soul.

I was thinking today about what sex will be like when I am a sexy, sassy, slim chick and will it be any different. Will I want to strutt round the bedroom in a thong ( instead of the BIG pants I wear now)? Will I allow my handsome hubby to lift me up and have me up against the wall? I have to say I'm kinda looking forward to that one!

And if that part of my life will be so different, what else will be. It's like having a baby. Months of dieting is like the months of gestation and then at the end you get to meet it. That beautiful bundle of life that you have been growing inside you. Weight loss is my baby. What will she be like? Will I love her? And will she keep me up all night?? Here's hoping!

Poo and bollocks!

2009-09-29T22:30:00.004+01:00

Wanted to start off with some beauty and introduce you all to my kids, aren't they gorgeous. No don't answer, everyone's kids are! Except I wasn't. Or at least I thought I wasn't and my parents never went out of their way to make me feel that I was. So of course I never felt that I was. I was always the chubby kid. Too slow for sport. Except the sort that meant taking the mickey out of me, and to cap it all I was a 'cry baby' too. Wasn't a great start in life! I remember that every day I was called names because of it, fatty, fatso, tubs, 'hey you, when did you last see your feet?' you know the sort of thing. It's a familiar story. Consequently I think and here's the positive...I am a very kind person. I can't bear to hear anyone being put down, called names, picked on. And I am thankful for that. Things do still hit me hard. I am sensitive always trying to please others, keep them liking me...I guess that's why I've built this layer of fat around me. It has served to protect me and also to deflect hurtful comments to others...maybe.

Anyway the upshot is I tell my children that they are beautiful everyday, inside and out. And surprise, surprise they are kind as well. They didn't need that abuse to make them so and maybe I didn't either. You know I have no idea where this is going it just kind of came out looking at that carefree picture of my kids and remembering that I never felt like that.

And believe it or not I'm feeling very good at the moment!

Well, just weighed in and had a gain of 0.5lbs. At first I couldn't really understand why and then I remembered (interesting how it all comes flooding back). I ate at my friend Vanessa's house on Thursday and I felt that it was too rude to ask for a small portion, and then I felt that if I did not eat it all then she would think I didn't like it. I do that alot. Too kind? Well, not to myself. So that was Thursday ruled out and then on Saturday I decided to write down and count everything I ate but AFTER I ate it and surprise, surprise, I had eaten more than I should.

My leader, bless her, did point out that I have lost 8lbs in 4 weeks. She's great at seeing the positive and that is a good average weightloss. I can't argue with that. So I'm turning it around.

I am still on track to reach my mini goal by Christmas of being 14 stone something (in the region of 200lbs) so that's great!

And far from being a poo and bollocks weigh in it is a great one. I'm succeeding and I'm going to lose another 2lbs this week.

And your challenge this week to tell yourselves that you are beautiful as you are, because we all are xxxxx
Have a great week, Kate xxx

Blipping hell

2009-09-22T18:22:00.002+01:00

I have just decided not to go to weigh in. Why? Well I do feel a bit poorly and maybe I'm exagerating it a bit...cos I know I've gained a bit. I experimented this week to see whether I could lose weight by doing the slimming world programme and not exercising! Duh, of course not...but the website said I could so I just wanted to try. So feeling a bit down sat here on the sofa...feeling nauseous, but is that because I am ill or because I'm sick of these patterns. Feeling very sorry for myself. But i'll get back on the horse, so to speak, tomorrow. At least these moments of madness tend to go as quickly as they come.

Weigh in Tuesday

2009-09-15T22:50:00.002+01:00

Yay, glad to report that I have lost another 2.5lbs which now puts me at 16lbs loss. Hurrah. I'm really enjoying my eating plan which consists of eating low fat and controlling calories, but not having to count at all. It's easy and I seem to be eating rather a lot of food, which is nice. My best friend has lost 18lb in 4 weeks and I'm so proud of her.

It really has made all the difference to me to have a friend to go and weigh in with. My mother-in-law, Jamie, has been impressed by our success as well and has also joined, she has only 28lbs to lose...what a lightweight! But it is great that there is a gang of us for support.

Couldn't swim tonight though cos the pool was shut after a child vomited in it, so that was disappointing but I shall resume my exercise biking from tomorrow.

Beginning this week really very positive, even though I've got an exam to revise for. I've not had to do an exam since 1991 so it's a challenge to say the least. Got to read Othello tomorrow, which I will enjoy. I've decided that I want to get a distinction (A) for this course that gives me some failing leeway next year!

I'm also still writing my novel, have managed to write 20,000 words now so only another 40,000 ish to go. I'm aiming for the length of the first Harry Potter as it is a teen novel and may turn out to be a trilogy. It's irritating that I keep getting ideas for the next books as I'm writing this one. Hoping to have a first draft by December. Also got a goal to lose another 17lbs by then too...best get cracking.

Have planned all our family meals and shopped for them, so no excuse but to stick to plan!

Have a great week you'all xx

Weigh in

2009-09-11T11:07:00.002+01:00

Image via Wikipedia

Well, after last week and the fact the TOM is in residence, I was not suprprised on Tuesday to have got a stayed same. Not in the slightest bit worried so that proves how far I've come. Wednesday just came and I am focused totally on the goal in hand. To lose a chunk this week would be most excellent, and I'm going for it 100%.

Off the track completely, but has anyone seen The Time Traveler's Wife. I thoroughly enjoyed it, despite having loved the book. Those two, don't usually go hand in hand! Maybe the presence of the sublime Eric Bana had something to do with my enjoyment...I'm a sucker for a tall, dark, 'slightly rough around the edges' man. Sigh.

I'm supposed to be writing an essay at the moment on Shakespeare's Henry V. So should really get on with it. My mother in law has my little girl for a couple more hours, so I must get on...no more searching for pics of Eric...no more searching for pics of Eric...eventually it will go in.
Have a great day xx

To fail to prepare, is to prepare to fail.

2009-09-03T09:04:00.004+01:00

Image by oneblackbird via Flickr

I wish this were my kitchen!

I love swimming. I remember when I started and I had to rest after every 25 metre length, now I can swim for 40 minutes nonstop, about 30 lengths. I'm not the fastest swimmer in the world, but I am persistant and determined and programmed not to give up. As I was enjoying my swim the other day I was thinking how it's the sam with losing this weight. I'm not a sprinter by nature (barring that sprint last week!), I do things in my own time. But I'm committed to this journey and I will get there whatever it takes.

So it was with new found enthusiam that I started painting the kitchen yesterday, a beautiful blue colour. Using my brush to cover up dirt and grease from years past, from before even we moved in. And I felt how nice it is to start afresh with a new tin of paint and just cover over the cracks, but actually what we really must do is prepare the walls and surfaces for the paint so the results last longer...can you see where I'm going with this one?? So I got out the cleaning stuff and washed down the walls and skirtings, something I'd never done in the past. Previously I would have just jumped right in, not able to wait to see that change of colour happening.

This past year, this 15 lbs weightloss, has been the preparation for the big push. The recolouring of my life. The slow, but strong building of good habits, in preparation for this year, the year I change my body and my life for good. I am ready. And the result will be flawless and beautiful.

Woohoo. Slimming world is my new best friend!

2009-09-02T10:05:00.003+01:00

Image by hugovk via Flickr

I have just had the biggest loss I've ever had in one week. What a boost, after a year of practically nothing. I stuck to plan all week and it was so easy, no hunger, no massive amounts of counting, eat til I was full. What a blast! Wait for it....drum roll...I lost....7 and a half lbs!!! I lost all I had gained in the last few weeks so I am so thrilled and totally set up for the week ahead. So I am back to being 16-11 as is recorded in my stats.

My best friend who I blogged about a couple of weeks ago, has also lost 10lbs in 2 weeks so is thrilled too. All is good in the world. I am going for a 2lb loss next week and 1-2 lbs thereafter. Sensible, sustainable weightloss.

My plan for the week ahead is to stick to plan, at least 4 sessions of exercise and drink more water.
Catch you laters xx

On craving fruit

2009-08-28T11:15:00.004+01:00

Image by mikebaird via Flickr

I never thought it would happen. I am 3 days into the slimming world programme and I am craving fruit big time. How marvellous to be craving something that I can eat with wild abandon. The slimming world programme for those that don't know is just a poshed up way of controlling calories, the same in alot of ways as weightwatchers, but with less counting. Visit www.slimmingworld.com if interested.
I weighed in on Tuesday in the evening at 17stone-4.5 lbs. Only a mere 7lbs less than I weighed almost a year ago. It confirmed for me that I needed a change, the discipline of a weekly weigh in, the support of other weight lossers in person. I say in person because you guys are fabulous and I have been kept on the straight and narrow by your support. And I hope will continue to be so. No, I think the main reason is that my body and mind NEED the change of rhythm. I have been doing weightwatchers on and off for 6 years!
I feel it is as important to realise when a system is not working and act upon as it is is to keep going, keep on trying. So my new clean slate begins here. My husband and I also intend on starting the www.c25k.com programme in the next week or so. Running is an exercise that I have wanted to try for a long while so why not...? I can't think of any reason.

So fired up, ready to start again and looking forward to my first weigh in on Tuesday. My mini goal is to reach my 10% goal of being 15-7 by Christmas.
Now let me at that bowl of necturines!

Much love Kate xx

Final countdown

2009-08-21T21:08:00.002+01:00

Well the car is packed...good job it's not illegal to drive with no view out of the back window. Might just be able to squeeze in the kids...but then maybe it'll be more peaceful without - no doubt! As always they'll be sardined in amongst our duvets and pillows and sheepskin rugs. Yes I am the sort of camper who likes their home comforts, no sleeping mats and bivvy bags for me. I like, scratch that, NEED full size airbed and feather pillows. High maintenance camper? Moi?

In between packing I managed a 30 min session on the Wii, loving the boxing. And a couple of pages of my novel which I may start to blog about more often. It's going rather well, I spent an afternoon recently planning it out chapter by chapter, bit like weight loss right? Plan it and half the work is done...right? Well not quite but you get my meaning.

Thank you so much Amy for my award, I feel very humbled cos I get bored by my own posts and love all those other blogs on your list which are so much better than mine. Shucks!

Had no loss this week which comsidering I did EVERYTHING right, I am a bit peeved by. Well I suppose I could have drunk more water, exercised harder, eaten less salt (a bit problem for me) and TOM is in residence. I'm weighing in at Slimming world on Tuesday so I'll take that as my first day of my new journey to lose the next 15lbs...by Christmas. I am inspired and will be keeping to plan as best I can.

I'm thinking of starting a running plan, anyone know any good ones for beginners?

Have a great weekend, may the sun shine and the lettuce crunchy.

Food for the day

2009-08-20T14:33:00.002+01:00

Image by Chris Gin via Flickr

Off to the beach later but until then here's my already consumed and planned grub for the day xxx
This is a low point day of 20 (argh) so far doing fine.
Breakfast: 2 toast, spread and marmite (2)
2 coffee and milk for day (3)
Lunch: 300 g lamb chops (6.5)
Huge salad (0)
lf mayo (.5)
Dinner : 300g lamb chops (6.5)
Roasted veg (1)

Off camping in Dorset this weekend with some lovely friends from Brighton so won't be tracking online. My survival guide will be to eat simply. Meat and salad, fish and veg etc. And track on paper, although it'll have to be a guessimate of course.

Hope you're having a great day x

on track

2009-08-19T15:10:00.002+01:00

Still on track for a good weight loss this week. Walked for an hour last night and then swam for the same amount of time. I was with my best friend and it seems that she may be starting her own weightloss journey, for which I am thrilled.

Although (I have a confession!) totally spontaneously we walked into a Slimming world' meeting in between walk and swim. Now I am a weightwatchers gal through and through...no doubt. BUt I have been having problems recently sticking to plan and wondering if my body or mind may need a change. Anyhoo I've decided to start going to meetings with her. I feel I need that weigh in each week in front of other people to keep me on track...how childish does that make me sound! But it's true...when I've been successful before it was the official weigh in at a place that kept me on track most weeks. It's too easy to cheat myself weighing at home.

Anyhoo, I will go to weigh in with her every Tuesday(it's great to be on this journey with a friend again!) and will keep doing weightwatchers with maybe the odd week of (shush don't tell anyone!) slimming world plan to shake my body up.

It's a journey and I like variety! xx

Breakfast: 2 toast, lf spread (2.5 points)
LUnch: homemade veg soup (2 points)
bread (5 points)
ham (.5 points)
spread (1.5 points)
Dinner: Out for tandoori chicken (6 points)
sag aloo half side dish (3 points)
snacks: 2 rice cakes (1 point)
coffees: 2 (1 point)

Have a great day!

Wendi

2009-08-16T12:09:00.002+01:00

Had my huge point day yesterday so won't track all those yummy points but 34 points was much fun to consume. So today is 20 points to 'fool' my metaboilsm into thinking that it is getting another high point day and will go on firing away on all cyllinders. That's the idea and anyhow. Weigh in on Friday will tell all although it has worked for me before.
So today
Breakfast: 1 toast and marmite (1 point)
Coffee and milk allowance (2.5 points)
necturine (.5 points)
Lunch: (someone else's BBQ eeek) I'm planning to eat....
Chicken (5 points)
salad (0 points)
dips (2 points)
raw veg (0 points)

Dinner: 9 points not yet planned. But I think I may make a low point soup as a filler.

Have a great Sunday xx

Foodie Thursday

2009-08-13T19:31:00.002+01:00

Breakfast: toast, spread and marmite (4 points)
Milk and coffee (3 points)
Lunch: Tuna, lf mayo and pasta (7 points)
Huge salad
snack: necturine (.5 point)
Dinner: Baked potato with lf spread (7 points)
tuna and cottage cheese (2 points)
Huge salad
spoon of mayo (.5 point)

And 30 mins of sweaty, energetic staionary cycling.

Have a great evening xx

List

2009-08-12T15:53:00.002+01:00

Breakfast: 2 toast and lf spread and marmite (4 points)
Coffee (.5 points)
Milk for day (2 points)
Lunch: Egg mayo and salad bap (8 points- guess)
Dinner: Chicken breast (2.5 points)
Bap (2.5 points)
oven chips (3 points)
ww Yoghurt (1 point)
Huge salad
Spoon of low fat mayo (.5 point)
30mins of bike riding again.

Have a great day xx

Food lists

2009-08-11T18:20:00.002+01:00

Back to pointing (TM) everything again! The Core plan resulted in a stayed the same and I've been looking back at when I was most successful and what I did and it appears that my 'best' weeks were when I was following the wendi plan. Talk about a learning curve...so I'm back on that. For the remainder of the week I'm on 24 points a day and then from Friday I'll follow the points plan below (and to the right a bit). Phew. When will I just settle down and lose the weight already!

So I'm doing Wendi, posting what I eat on here each day (for a week see if being accountable will help keep me on track) and putting what my exercise is each day.

Breakfast: Coffee with skimmed milk (times 2) (3 points)
3 ryvita with lf spread and marmite (3 points)
Lunch: Homemade spicy lentil soup (2.5 points)
Home made garlic bread (4 points)
Rice cake with a tiny amount of brie (2 points)
Snack: Juciy necturine (.5 points)
Dinner: Chicken breast steamed in foil with Butter nut squash and a huge greensalad. (4 points)
Pudding: Baked (homegrown!!) rhubarb with some sugar and low fat custard (5 points)

Exercise: 30mins going for it on my exercise bike. Sweaty Betty!

Keep smiling xx

Naughty voices

2009-07-17T19:12:00.004+01:00

Image via Wikipedia

Just eaten dinner and the naughty voices are already thinking what can I eat next. Bloody hell. I Will ignore them of course.
On a positive note I declined an invitation to go out to the pub tonight because I knew that that would not be good for me. So there voices! Take that! And now I'm going to defy your 'sit on the sofa...go on you've had a tiring day...' with a session on my exercise bike...

...Not my bike >>>>>>>>>>>>> and definitely not my carpet! I got parquet.

Have a great weekend!

Massive kick up the ass

2009-07-17T13:30:00.003+01:00

Well I was waiting for it and I certainly got it. I got on the scales today and I am 4 lbs heavier. Not good, not good at all. So Filling foods plan here I come. It seems to make sense to me, force me to make better choices with my food and not have to point everything. that's it, enough procrastinating, enough, enough ENOUGH. That's me shouting at myself. I've made a delicious carrot and coriander soup for lunch and plan a spag bol for dinner all filling and all scrummy.

Balloons

2009-07-15T21:30:00.002+01:00

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Today I sat on a stone floor under a tented pod with three skinny strangers waiting for my son to do an impression of a hot-air balloon. While I sweated away in my jacket that hides my arms, and my thick jeans which hold in my tummy a bit, but still lets that said tummy bulge over the top. I couldn't help but make a comparison between what I felt like and what my son was pretending to be! I was sitting opposite a mum who was crosslegged and cool in linen shorts and a very pretty white top. She looked really good and was older than me. And what's more she looked really comfortable. And I couldn't remember the last time that I felt comfortable. And I felt how sad it is that I have lived so many years in this wonderful body, but have never looked after it enough.

Before I got there I had decided to have a go at changing my eating plan next week. The new filling foods WW plan, used to be the Core plan. I feel I need a change if only for a couple of weeks. I did do 30 mins on the Wii fit today, loving the boxing!

Here's to having the grace of a balloon which the shape! On a positive note I have lost and maintained 20lbs so far...I just need to kick my ass to get the next 20 off.

Naughty, naughty blogger

2009-07-08T17:15:00.000+01:00

I've been way off track...luckily no weight going on just stay the sames. But what's wrong with me? I can't seem to get in the exercise I want to do...just can't get the motivation somehow. And that always leads to not caring what I eat and vice versa. Catch 22 and vicious circle. Still I am sure that I can get back on it, surely I can. I'll have a read through all your blogs now and remotivate myself...I will...I will...I will and then let that circle start instead and get on my exercise bike tonight. YES, YES, YES. I knew writing a post would do me some good! I already feel more positive.

2009-06-19T21:43:00.001+01:00

Image by ::: Billie / PartsnPieces ::: via Flickr

Yay! 2lbs gone! That's all I'm saying...

playing with zemanta

2009-06-18T20:50:00.003+01:00

Can't wait to weigh myself tomorrow. Isn't it wonderful in the weeks when scales are your best friend. Deciding to recommit myself to this journey again this week, after what has been a yoyo few months I am determined that by christmas I will be 2 stone lighter.

Image by Nemo's great uncle via Flickr

I want to be, I must be. It's ironic that these few months with all my training (all those miles walked) I basically lost just 5 lbs. Not really sure what went on there. Maybe I ate more without realising. I was hungry all the time! Still back to sensible exercise plan and sensible eating and goodbye 28lbs in 6 months!

Just downloaded Zemanta, it's cool. Comes up with picture ideas as you type and then you can click on them.

Surprising myself

2009-06-17T22:00:00.002+01:00

I have been 'well on it' this week. Isn't it weird that some weeks can be like that. I've hardly been hungry, in fact have been struggling to eat all my points. Haven't needed masses amount of persuasion to exercise. Weird, but I'm going to ride it as long as it lasts!

I need to make some more weight loss goals so I'll do that in a minute. Important to keep on top of that, so I have a realistic target to aim for. I think I'll aim for a pound a week, which seems right for me. To lose at least 2 stone by christmas would be awesome and with some work, doable.

Oh and I've discovered skinny cow ice creams! Where have they been all year?? Hope you're all having a great week too xx

Sheeeeee's back!!

2009-06-12T22:13:00.002+01:00

Thank goodness, I was wondering where she went. I'm back on it BIG TIME! I kept to my 24 points today and cycled for 30 mins...it feels so good to be in control again. I missed you Ms Motivation...kiss, kiss xx

Where you gone, Ms Motivation?

2009-06-02T23:05:00.002+01:00

I don't know what's happened. I just can't seem to get back on it. Since the moonwalk I haven't tracked at all...well I did make a half hearted attempt one day but aside from that I've lost you Ms M and I want you back!

I have still weighed and luckily have stayed the same but probably won't have got away with it this week. I need a kick up the arse. Right I'm gonna do it right NOW.

I am going to track religiously this week and get in at least 5 days exercise sessions. Bike and swim. My wi is Friday so I'll see what I can do before then. My pledge for the next 2 days are...track and exercise bike both days.

I began to seriously lose it on Monday when I saw a teaching assistant at school making a 'lighter life' soup for lunch. On talking to her she informed me that she had lost 2 stone (28lbs) in 6 weeks. What the frick is that about??? How can that be healthy? How is that sustainable for the rest of her life? And worst of all I considered looking into it....argh. All you weight watchers out there tell me to get a grip I NEED you now. I know it's crazy but so far it's taken me a year to lose what she has lost in 6 weeks. Luckily I can't afford it!

We've got kittens!

2009-05-22T13:28:00.001+01:00

They are sooooo cute. I wish we could keep them all :-(

We DID it!!!!

2009-05-21T13:05:00.002+01:00

And I think the smile says it all! Well, not quite. I have to say the 26,2 miles was the hardest thing I have ever done and I have given birth to three 10lb babies.

It was hard for a number of reasons it was at night...not to be underestimated by 3am your body really wants to sleep and I mean REALLY and you have only 8 miles under your belt. This was the other problem. None of the roads were closed so just as we were getting into our walking stride we would have to stop at a kerb and wait until several thousand people caught up before being herded across. Not good. This meant typically a 10-15 minute wait at every road crossing which meant that progress was very slow. As you probably remember we recently did a 12 mile night walk in 2.5 hours, that's our speed. But because of all the stops and starts we still hadn't walked 12 miles by 4am (4 hours). At this point we hit the wall BIG TIME. It was all we could do just to put one foot in front of the other at this point. But we kept going...pure determination, will power, bloodly mindedness, whatever you want to call it kept us walking. At this point we were able to get up a bit more speed so the next 8 miles were not so bad. Then at around the 19 mile mark I started to get a severe pain shooting up the front of my shin every time I laid my foot on the ground. And again NO GIVING UP. I literally limped the rest of the way with the pain and 2 massive blisters on the bottom of my feet reaching Hyde Park was a relief only to find that we had to walk another 2 miles around the edge of the park. Aaargh! But we crossed the line and managed to smile regardless of the pain, stiffness and have to say, a smidgen of anger towards the organisers. Not only did we have the waits at the roads, but there were no where near enough toilets. There was at least a half hour wait at every toilet stop. Just enough time to stiffen up and get cold. Oh and I haven't mentioned the 4 hour wait before the walk with no chairs to sit on. So all in all we were on our feet from 8pm until we crossed the line at 8.10am not good for larger ladies that we are.

So I'm sorry to say that I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. I hope spyfox has a better experience when she walks the edinburgh one next month...I'll be thinking of her. On the positive side though, we raised over £1000 between us towards the charity and we are fitter due to the training even though I just weighed myself and I have gained 5lbs (!!!). I put that down to the substantial amount of food I ate when I got home on Sunday...I was so hungry.

Back to counting points and swimming and exercise biking next week. The losses will begin again!

just so you know!

2009-05-15T17:53:00.002+01:00

I forgot to say, for those that don't know, the moonwalk is 15,000 people walking at night in their bras. Fancier the better. I'm not just posting randoms pics of me in my underwear lol!

My bra!!

2009-05-15T17:49:00.002+01:00

The Moonwalk is tomorrow! I'm so excited and oh so nervous. 26.2 miles is a long way to powerwalk. Just thought you might like to see some photos of my rather stunning bra! I love it I feel so burlesque in it.

Sliding, walking, rehydrating

2009-05-07T12:18:00.002+01:00

Eating is sliding a bit, mainly because I am sooo hungry with all my training walks. I worked out that during our 20 mile walk last week I burned over 3000 calories, and that's on top of the 2000 I burn just doing nothing! No wonder I want to eat. So in the run up to the Walk (week Saturday) I'm being easy on myself as far as 'dieting' is concerned. I need to make sure I have enough energy to make it through! Still healthy but not restricting portion sizes too much. We did a fast 10 mile walk last night and will do another at the weekend and then take it easy until The 16th. I am excited and nervous all at once. But I KNOW we can do it!

And as to rehydrating I'm trying to drink 2 litres a day so my body isn't craving too much water on the night. Apparently this helps cut down toilet stops. London here we come!

Yes, we did the big one!

2009-04-26T21:25:00.002+01:00

Molly and I have just completed the last big walk that we have to do before the actual walk on the 16th May. Drum roll........WE walked 20 miles in 5 hours. We are so proud of ourselves and you know what We felt ok as well, like we could have kept going. It is amazing and now I feel very confident that we will finish our marathon.

Downside is I had a stayed the same. oh well, matters not really. The weight will come off eventually. Just on such a high xx

12 miles in 2.5 hours Woohoo!

2009-04-19T18:25:00.002+01:00

Massive amounts of smiles today because me and Molly did our first night walk last night for charity. We walked at a rate of 4.5 miles an hour which is a whole mile an hour more than we were doing previously. You have no idea how wonderful it is to powerwalk with 1000 other women, that really helped our pace I'm sure. We just HAD to keep up! We both thought before we started that we would be at the back of our gang (fatties at the back!) instead we were very much in front in fact we even overtook some of the group that started an hour before us. So we were the fitties at the front instead...what a feeling!

And I also got a letter in the post from My Weekly magazine who have asked to buy my short story that I sent them over a year ago. So I am now a published writer as well. What a weekend!!! I'm going to send them loads more now and get that novel finished.

And I had a stayed the same this week, which after 5lbs off last week I was VERY pleased with. What's next??? The Moonwalk.....BRING IT ON!!!!

14 miles...big round of applause!

2009-04-13T23:12:00.003+01:00

Well, I just got back from walking 14 miles with my chum Molly. That's the furthest we've gone so I was very pleased. Shame Molly jarred her knee at one point cos that made the last 2 miles very slow but who cares. No blisters, no aching, I just feel great. We estimated that if we hadn't had to slow down for her knee we would have walked it in 4 hours, as it was it was 4 hours 20 minutes so nay bad. Packed week full of my lovely children who are home for easter hols. And then we are doing a 12 mile night walk for cancer charities in Exeter on Saturday...will be a breeze for us hardened walkers ;-) It'll be a good practice walk for the big one in 5 weeks times eeeek.

BTW if anyone would like to sponser me for the Moonwalk on 16th May 2009 go to www.justgiving.com/katesermon . I would sooooo much appreciate it. All monies got to Breast cancer charities. My mum died aged just 50 from that dreadful disease so it is a charity very close to my heart. I'm doing it for my mum.

Well I'll be jiggered!

2009-04-10T20:03:00.003+01:00

I got on the scales this morning and, blow me, if I hadn't lost 5lbs. I have absolutely no explanation for this, although I have done LESS exercise this week. I think it may a fluke so i'll wait to see what happens next week. Anyone got any explanations for this I would greatly appreciate any comments!!??

reduced damage.

2009-04-06T18:13:00.002+01:00

Well, I managed to reduce the damage from 4lbs gain to 3lbs! So that's better and I'm back on the Wendi plan with a vengeance. I walked 12 miles on Sunday in 3.5 hours which seems quite a good pace so Molly and I were pleased with that. We're going to walk a 4 mile tomorrow and try and squeeze in an 8mile sometime...the kids are home for Easter hols so I don't know how realistic that really is. Probably not at all! Less than 6 weeks now til the big walk. And we're on track at least. On Monday which is a bank holiday we'll crank it up to 13-14 miles> Phew! I would never have thought, a year ago, that I could have been fir enough to walk 12 miles, let alone that fast. It's amazing how fast you can improve your fitness when focussed. having a good period when I'm not worrying about what I weigh, it's time to give myself a pat on the back for getting fitter despite being so big. Slap on the back for me! Have a great week xx

Hen Weekend

2009-03-31T21:47:00.002+01:00

Had a great weekend but 'Oh my God' I ate too much. We (18 of us) were in a lovely house in Dorset but I feel sickened with myself now. It was just so hard to count the points in things and as a result I used that as an excuse to go a bit mad. And what's more I had no exercise. It has left me feeling really crappy and what is more I saw the pictures and in most of them I look really awful. There were a few where I looked pretty but of course in my eyes they were fluke ones and of course the ones where I looked fat and bloated were the ones that were the 'real' ones.
So when I say I had a great weekend, I'm lying because when something makes you feel this bad how can that be great?
Still back on it today, but of course I'm dreading Friday (WI) because it would be impossible to not get a gain. Going to bed all depressed now.

hair do dude

2009-03-21T23:26:00.002Z

Had my first hair cut in 6 years yesterday. I have been so phobic of the hair dressers and then my son aged 9 said that my hair looked like seaweed! And I knew I had to get myself down there! So here I am, minus about 6 inches of hair and I LOVE IT! It was a big deal for me and I had highlights as well so I'm now really blonde...so exciting!

Oh and I lost 1 lb. Happy days!

Oh beautiful day!

2009-03-16T13:45:00.003Z

Wow, don't want to jinx it...but we've now had 3 days of T-shirt weather and it's glorious. Certainly puts me in mind of salads and drinking more water.
The latter, I've decided could be the reason for my plateau of late. I find it really hard to remember to drink the stuff. No change that thought...I always find it easy to drink water! There. I'm aiming for 2 litres a day this week, that's 2 water jugs full and see if that means I get a result at the scales.
I did my 10 mile walk on Sunday along Exeter canal and that was beautiful.

My chum Molly and I were so pleased with ourselves that we stopped at the pub afterwards and ate a delicious caesar salad with minimal dressing (so, okay I thought...). Due to do 4 mile tomorrow and 6 on Thursday and then 11 on Saturday. We also swim for an hour on a Tuesday night which I just LOVE! If only I had a pool at home I would swim an hour a day no problem.

I racked up over 33 bonus points last week! Could this be the reason for the slowing weight loss as well? Building muscle and burning fat. I certainly feel more toned and my clothes fit more comfortably, and I'm fitter than many of my skinny friends I'm sure that moan and puff when walking to the shops BUT I can't help but want to see those numbers on the scale going down.

Let's see if the water helps...

day 2 juicing

2009-03-11T18:16:00.002Z

He he! Guess what I gave up! Boy was it hard to stick too, I was sooooooo hungry. Haven't felt that hungry in a long time. I made my juice this morning...lovely... fine. By lunch time I was getting gripey tummy and really couldn't face something sweet ie juice again. I was craving a fried egg sandwich (I never eat such things!) so I had a salad sandwich.
It made me realise more than ever what a great programme WW is. It means you can eat enough so you are not hungry and what you want so you don't get bizarre cravings.
I'll still juice occassionally (I paid £59 for the thing, I have to use it!!) it does feel a good way to have breakfast. But it must be sensible eating as well.
What a lesson to learn. Keep those hunger pangs at bay or all hell breaks loose.

Juicy day 1

2009-03-10T18:33:00.002Z

Been feeling really good today but hungry between juices. In some ways it's nice to feel hungry it sure does make you appreciate your food; my chicken salad tonight tasted sooooo good.
I had 2 big juices today that consisted of apples, pineapple, cucumber, carrot and lime and then all blended up with avocado. They were delish. I also drank herb tea and lemon n hot water. I usually drink a couple of cups of coffee a day and copious amounts of tea, but so far (touch wood) no caffeine withdrawal.
So will keep going, one day at a time...early bed tonight I think.

Detox day 1

2009-03-09T22:56:00.002Z

Well as it turned out it wasn't day 1 afterall. I've ordered a whole fruit juicer which should arrive tomorrow and I want to use it! So this is pre-day 1. Did eat very light today though in anticipation. Have a massive plate of fruit and veg all set out on my counter and looking like a still life painting. Seems a shame to juice it! Only kidding, can't wait. I'll check in tomorrow and let you know how the real day 1 went.

A little break

2009-03-09T10:16:00.002Z

I've decided after several weeks of very, very slow weightloss that I'm having a break from WW. NO...not to stuff my face and gain all the weight back. I've decided to do a cleanse using fresh juices. Anyone heard of the Juice master, Jason vale? Well he's designed different programmes and I'm going to do a week long. I'll be juicing for breakfast and lunch and then having a meal of chicken/fish with steamed veg in the evening. I'm sipping a cup of hot water and lemon right now! I need a little boost now spring is here and if I can shift a few pounds all the better. Back to good old WW next week though.

I walked 9 miles yesterday. All set to do 10 next week. Feeling good and sprightly!

Update photos

2009-03-05T10:52:00.004Z

Me today. What will another -19lbs do?

Well this is me last August 2008. I thought I was looking okay then...I had lost 2 lbs! So I suppose this is my before pic.

Can't believe...

2009-03-01T21:47:00.001Z

That it's March already and I did a 7 mile non-stop walk today in 2 hours 10 minutes! My feet are really feeling it now! 26.2 miles in May??? Worried moi? Oui!

Weigh in

2009-02-27T14:25:00.002Z

Lost 1lb! yay! I've really changed my attitude recently and who realised that a pound loss is good. Every pound is good. I'm not the sort of person who can lose big chunks of weight (obviously!) and I need to revoice over every little loss, because each loss is a step in the right direction.
Feeling really positive, this weightwatchers plan is so easy to stick to and I know that I'm a member for life now. Whereas last year I would have found that very hard to say the thought of having to 'diet' for life...it's not a diet!!! I'm making sensible food choices and if I want chocolate, then I have it and factor it in. Oh the joy of being free of that fear that any moment I'm going to fall off the wagon and eat something 'bad'. Because 'bad' doesn't exist. So because I can have have the chocolate...I don't want it. Well sometimes (!) but not like I used to have it. Ain't life grand.

Stayed same and I'm ok about it!

2009-02-22T17:30:00.002Z

Major achievement because I've accepted that this weight loss journey is a long term thang! Hurray! it's ok to go slow and even though my weight is going slowly, my body shape is changing dramatically. I can feel my ribs! Okay so they are still under a couple of inches of fat...but I can feel them. I'm wearing size 18 (UK) 14 (US) now and I'm seeing that they are beginning to get lose.
I guess that because I'm doing so much exercise. 4x 30 mins of exercise bike, 1x 3 mile walk and 1x 6 mile walk and a 40 min swim each week. Is this a lot? Is this enough? I am about to up my walking to train for the Moonwalk more seriously. Me and Molly have decided that this week we are going to walk 4 miles, 6 miles plus 8 miles this week. On Tuesday, Friday and Sunday respectively.

Weigh in.

2009-02-14T12:25:00.000Z

Yay! I've broken my mini-plateau by losing a lb this week...phew. Maybe the hours swimming and 6 mile walk helped!

Compliments!

2009-02-13T17:58:00.002Z

How do you handle them? I had an interesting one today...My friend's mum was shocked and said that she thought I'd lost loads of weight and when I said that actually I hadn't just 17lbs she said that I looked like I'd lost more. And actually other peolple have been saying the same thing. Is this doing lots of exercise? Am I losing more fat than I have previously while 'dieting' and gaining a bit of muscle too hence the results seem greater than they are? I found this very interesting. I was this exact weight when I got married and everyone is saying that I look smaller. I just wondered if you've all had similar experiences?

Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

2009-02-12T09:11:00.003Z

Wow did I have a great birthday yesterday! I got a Wii fit and I'm so excited to get that baby hooked up...got to catch up on some college work first tho as this is my study day. I love my husband. We are totally broke but he scraped together enough money to buy me one, did lots of shopping around by all accounts and got a bargain from HMV. What a man! Ate loads :-( but I did save up points for it so it should be ok :-P. Tomorrow will tell! Just very happy and positive right now and going to make some low point soup and go for a 4 mile walk later. Oh and the sun is out...ahhhhh.

2009-02-07T20:35:00.002Z

Got on the scales again last night because I am a masochist! And I weighed in 2lbs heavier. At least that meant that when I got my STS again this morning it felt better. Have been realising more and more that this is going to be a long term project and that I will probably not get to goal in record breaking speed! And that's ok, you know. It's taken me many years to get this unfit and fat (reality is I've been big all my life!) and even if it takes a couple of years to shed it, that's ok...I must stop comparing myself with such wonders that lose weight faster. That's not me and this is a life style change. I compare it in a way with when I decided to start studying as an undergraduate 3 years ago and thought at the time what a long time 4 years was until i finished it. Well I'm a year away from the end and the last three years have, in retrospect, flown by. And the same will be said of my weight loss journey when I get to goal I'm sure.
So that has been my ponderings for the day and I feel positve again because no matter how long this takes (And I doubt it'll be as long as a degree!) I am not giving up. I deserve this and so do you!

Bad day

2009-02-06T20:48:00.002Z

Got on the scales a day earlier today and had another STS. What's going on??? I've worked so hard this week and that's 2 weeks running now. Well maybe I should just wait until my official day tomorrow. Been depressed all day...that'll teach me for sneaking on a day early. In fact it upset me so much that I ate 2 homemade sausage rolls at 14 points altogether and a big dinner and some crisps. Why did I do it? I guess it's my first bad day in five months so I shouldn't beat myself about it. That'll teach me...I won't do it again. I'll feel better tomorrow, whatever!

Update

2009-02-05T13:12:00.004Z

Well the snow lastest all of a few hours here. Although the rest fo the UK is 'enjoying' blizzard conditions. Weird really as the last time I saw snow was 1994. Still we have been rewarded by 2 days of rain here and are back to living in a tupperware box. My walking chum is very ill with flu so our walk has been postponed but I shall do a long one tomorrow...promise, when Ruby is at her Granny's.
Quite chuffed with myself today as I got my essay back and I got 85% (I'm doing a creative writing course for my degree) with aquates to a 1st. It's a bench mark for the rest of the course!
I've just eaten a huge bowl (and I mean huge!) of 1 point curry veg soup which was lovely. Weigh in tomorrow so I'm eating 'light' today. And I will cycle on my exercise blike tonight, already done 3 sessions this week and a 3 mile walk. Must go and get some water...I have such a problem remembering to drink that stuff and it's my goal for next week to drink at least a litre a day. I'll start now. Catch ya later!

well it happened...

2009-02-03T10:51:00.001Z

I know, I know it's not much but it's ours! And a very rare occurance. the kids were so happy!

Now I know this shouldn't bother me....

2009-02-01T23:07:00.003Z

My mother-in-law who I love dearly by the way cxan be a tad insensitive at times. She went on and on this afternoon about my brother in law who has apparently lost over a stone in 3 weeks.(with the god awful Atkins diet!) And not a word about my achievement. Now I don't crave her attention at all, just to make myself clear it's just that occassionally it would be nice if she said that I looked well or even ok!! She never does. Fine and I suppose I should be used to her body dysmorphia by now...she is the lady that commented on how great Jade Goody looks now she is so much thinner. Ms Goody has cancer and is in the middle of chemo for goodness sake! How weird is that. Or is it just me? Thank God this woman was not my mother. No doubt I would have even more weight issues than I have now (her daughter is virtually anorexic).
I wanted to say that quick weight loss as a result of an extreme (not to mention unhealthy) diet regime is not sustainable and not to be praised...but that would make me seem petty! So i took the 'moral high ground' and said how great it was for him. I'm so proud of myself! This time next year I will be at goal, fit and healthy. And I'm proud of myself now for doing this even though my progess is slow I know that this is for life and...and... well there it is. I will get there slow but sure. the fable of the tortoise and the hare springs to mind! Hope you all had a great weekend!

SS blues

2009-01-30T09:17:00.002Z

Well had a stayed same result today so not very happy. Because i did masses of exercise again this week. It's the most bizarre thing my body does to me and I don't like it! Anyhoo I've decided to do a fast start week this week so that's only 22 points a day to see whether I can see a good loss next week. I feel so committed to this weightloss now, more so in away than when I started 5 months ago so I KNOW that I'll get there it just doesn't seem to be fair when others can do WW and do little or no exercise and get good losses every week and I'm slogging and getting trifling results. I know...I know we can't compare ourselves to others. We're all different blah, blah, blah. So new week, new start. Positivity, focus and concentration are my mottos for this week. Off to make some low point soup...

Goals for 2009

2009-01-28T14:58:00.002Z

Just been inspired by a posting by a fellow blogger 'Bitch cakes' to have a good think and write down 10 things that I want to achieve in 2009. There are so many aspects of my life that I feel so blessed with and I find that I really need to remind myself of this daily and as I don't (most of the time I wander through life in a tired haze) i thought that here now is a great opportunity to be grateful for those things too...

Here is my lists of goals that I will achieve by the end of 2009:

1. Weight loss: I will burn off another 50 lbs at least meaning that by Christmas 2009 I will be 183 lbs (or 13 stone 1 lb). that will be the least i have been since I was 21...my husband has never known me this slim!
2. Study: To achieve at least a 2.1 in both Uni courses that I am taking this year. And achieve satisfaction from my teacher training course.
3. Finance: To have paid off at least £5,000 of my debt.
4. Travel: Will make it to Dublin this year to see Hubby's cousins.
5. Career: To have a good draft of my novel ready and sent out to agents...heck, to have an agent sign me up! Why not...mustn't limit your dreams!
6. Health: For me, my friends and family to remain healthy and happy.

All this I welcome into my life with gratitude and an open heart.

Well that's it for now...might come back and amend if I can think of any more!

Want inspiration?

2009-01-23T18:24:00.002Z

Check out this link of a truely inspirational ordinary guy who has done what we are all achieving. He made me cry he was so touching. It's eight minutes long but eight minutes of pure strength and wisdom. He has lost 236lbs in 2 years. It hasn't been easy but he tells how he did it and what he has gained. It's amazing.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=_9XJMUrRFPA

2lbs gone yey!

2009-01-23T09:42:00.001Z

Well all that exercise sure paid off this week and I got a wonderful 2 lb loss which is sooooo good for me (it's the most I've ever lost in a week...) So I am very chuffed indeed.

Bonus points

2009-01-22T18:48:00.002Z

Anyone use them? I have earned 28 this week and have not used one of them. It will be interesting what the scales say tomorrow. I know that in the past I have used some of them and not lost weight at all. BTW Congrats to Bryher! She is an inspiration. I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow!

swimming

2009-01-20T22:15:00.004Z

God I forgot how much I love you swimming. Just did 45 mins non-stop and it felt so good. It's a good half hour drive there and same back but I dragged myself out when Matt came home and left him to bath the kids and get them to bed. Bliss.

This is a little pic of me taken last June in France. Happy top be in a pool?... hell yeah! Happy to be that blobby? ...Hell NO!! My pic this summer will be sooooo different!

School reunion has been announced...

2009-01-19T17:40:00.003Z

And how scared am I!! I really want to go it's being hosted in the town where we all went to school and luckily I still live nearby so not too big a stretch to go. Apart from the obvious that is! But you know what? It's on the 28th Feb so that gives me 6 weeks to burn a good chunk of weight before I go. I have my best friend Molly (she also went to the same school and is big too) so at least we are not going into the room alone. I know that if I can swallow all thoughts of how they may see me and just get to a place where I can be happy and feeling great, then I will have a great time. Can I lose 12 lbs by then and be 15 something? Well I'm sure going to try. Here goes.....