Progress....or lack of!

Well it's just been one slippery slope, probably since about January.  I lost my mojo a bit,  stopped going to class as the New Year resolution gang joined enmasse and class took forever...I mean forever!! Things cropped up socially and with the kids that stopped me going every other week. I started having a bit of this and a bit of that. I then started having more of this and lots more of that. I gained a little. I went on holiday to Tenerife a wee bit heavier than I was but still felt acceptable.  Which brings me to round about April time. I work in a school and April to July is the busiest term ever. It was s#?t! I was stressed. Mega stressed. I'm not sure if I was consciously over eating on junk but I know that stress causes weight gain due to a hormone it triggers. The rest is just a downward spiral from that moment on.

I have tried several times to get myself back into slimming world. I know how it works. I know the plan. I have the books...I start off my day well but by evening it's all been sabotaged by eating crisps, a biscuit, sometimes chocolate, maybe a sandwich thrown in there and possibly more crisps!!!

Why oh why?! I hate the weight I am. I hate how I look and yet it doesn't seem to be enough. It's got to come from within and I just don't know or understand why I am doing it to myself because I end up every night feeling grumpy and frustrated with myself for not sticking to it, vowing that tomorrow I'll be better...and the wheel just seems to go round and round!!

I buy jeans that fit...and then another size smaller for when I can fit into them. I have heaps of smaller clothes with labels still on them! Even that doesn't seem to be incentive enough. It's the wrong kind of pounds I'm losing!

So browsing through my kindle and I find this book. A comedy about a couple trying to lose a bumper amount of weight in a competition to try and win the big cash prize of £50,000 and all the ups and downs of trying to lose weight.

I'm hoping that I can relate to the problems they encounter...and hopefully get some motivation back!!

Failing that....I think it's wired jaws and a zip!!

Gain

Oh dear!  I've been slipping for quite a while now and it's been a bit like one step forward and 10 steps back.  My heart hasn't really been in it.  I had missed class for various reasons, mainly due to being away for a few weekends and as my class is on a saturday, with working fulltime, sometimes a saturday can be busy with appts etc.  So today I stood on my own scales and saw that I was probably going to be about 3 or 4lbs heavier than the last time I went.  I know the diet, I know what to do, what to eat etc so thought to myself that as my heart wasn't in it, I would probably be better giving the class up and just plodding along doing it myself and saving myself the £5 each week.  Although I did feel quite guilty about giving up.  However, a quick chat with my pal Karen who also goes to Slimming World, changed my mind and I was back to class before I knew it and feeling motivated again to carry on.  Sometimes when you slip it's quite hard to get back into it, and I find that when hubby is home it just all goes right out the window!  However - I'M BACK and am raring to give it another go!!  I only have 4.5lbs to take me into the next stone bracket - so if I could manage that before I go on holiday I'll be quite happy!  As I've said before, I'm def taking the scenic route and my journey is such a slow one - but I'll just keep chipping away at it and hopefully one day will be a size and shape that I'm much happier with and a lot more confident about.  Onwards and upwards!!

Yay!

Loving my fitbit :)

Flexi Time

In an attempt to move myself I've treated myself to a Fitbit Flex. I've seen lots of posts about it on instagram from sw people I follow, so thought I would give it a go. So far so good and it has certainly made me go out and take the dogs a longer walk than I could really be bothered doing!  Hope I can keep motivated with it. It's amazing how many steps you do doing just normal day to day things! Maybe get my stone off in time for Tenerife after all!

Club 10 Award

Finally! Got this last week.  Oh it's been a long time coming.  My journey is def a slow one!  I seem to be one step forward, 5 steps back! However, I am still 20lbs lighter that I was when I started and as the award says - I've lost 10% of my starting weight.  Yay :)

Starting the Year....

Update - Ending 2014 Happy!

Week 16

Well I ticked off another lb this week - so all is good.  I'd be quite happy to carry on losing 1 lb a week.  There was a lady in class who was so gutted as she thought she would get another stone award and was only lb away last week, but she maintained this week so was a bit peeved off.  People say 'oh I've only lost a pound' but sometimes losing a pound is so hard so I take nothing for granted now.  I was 1 lb away from my stone award a few weeks back and was sure I was going to get it the following week, well the following week I only lost 1/2 lb.  I was sure I was guaranteed it the next week - well I maintained!!  Then I wasn't at class the next week and finally the week after I got it - 4 weeks after assuming it was in the bag!  So it just goes to show that 'just a pound' isn't always that easy, so if I lost 'just a pound' every week I'll be more than happy! :)

It's getting colder now and the hall was quite chilly, I've been wearing the same clothes more or less each week so my weight doesn't fluctuate because of what I'm wearing.  I need to start wearing warmer clothes but they are too heavy! I think I'm just going to have to bite the bullet and just take the hit because it's getting too cold now lol

Week 15

Yay!  Happy, happy, happy!  FINALLY!!!  Oh my - how difficult it has been to get this, every week just a fraction closer, was beginning to think I was never going to reach it cause something always seemed to scupper my good intentions!  September was a particularly bad month for me as I had a lot on and beginning of October as I had a birthday and you've just got to enjoy haven't you!  Plus hubby was home - which I think hampered things for me. Don't get me wrong, he is very supportive and is behind me all the way, but he goes away for 5 weeks at a time so when he comes home, it's nice to do nice things and that normally means eating and drinking nice things!!  So he has gone back to work and I am off for 2 weeks holidays and I just seem to get on so much better, I can cook meals more suited to me and I am off out most days taking the dogs for nice big long walks in the woods so getting plenty body magic in, which definitely helps.  

The weight has came off quite slowly really as that's me been doing Slimming World for 15 weeks now and it's taken that long to get to this point, so on average you could say that I have only lost 1lb a week.  But to put a positive spin on it, I'd rather be the weight I am now 15 weeks on than be the weight I was 15 weeks ago.  So I now only have another 6 lbs to reach my 1.5 stone award - bring it on I say and let the battle commence!! lol

week 1  4 lb off
week 2  on holiday
week 3  on holiday
week 4  2.5 lb on
week 5  3.5lb off
week 6  3lb off (got my 1/2 stone award)
week 7  1.5lb off

week 8  2lb off

week 9  maintained

week 10 1.2lb off

week 11 ?

week 12 1lb off
week 13  maintained

week 14 ?

week 15 2lb off (1 stone award)

Week 13

Well, well, well - my stone award appears to be so hard to achieve at the moment!  I maintained this week!  Which is a positive thing I suppose as it means I didn't put on!  I was actually quite good for most of this week but I did go out for a meal for my birthday and had tapas, which although was small, a lot was cooked heavily in oil etc which wouldn't have been good.  Also dessert!!!  I'm not mad on desserts, I much prefer savoury food - but I couldn't resist when I saw it on the menu - Turkish Delight Cheesecake - oh it was yummy and the topping was so thick and chewy just like a bar of turkish delight.  So I did over indulge - but it was my birthday I suppose!! Surely I will get this stone award next week!!!

So - my progress so far....

week 1  4 lb off
week 2  on holiday
week 3  on holiday
week 4  2.5 lb on
week 5  3.5lb off
week 6  3lb off (got my 1/2 stone award)
week 7  1.5lb off

week 8  2lb off

week 9  maintained

week 10 1.2lb off

week 11 ?

week 12 1lb off
week 13  maintained

Week 12

Well......after having 2 busy weekends lately I was not looking forward to stepping on those scales, but miraculously I lost 1 lb!!  I didn't have almighty blowouts but I was most certainly over my syns allowance and eating and drinking things that I really shouldn't have - so to actually lose something and not gain anything has made me very happy.  I did try hard since Monday to get back on plan and rein it in a bit which obviously helped.  So I am now just a pound away from reaching my first stone. This stone award seems to be taking forever to achieve!  I've been doing this for 12 weeks now and I suppose almost reaching a stone isn't very much to show for it - but I would rather be the weight I am now than still be at the weight I was 12 weeks ago...and I'm just going to keep going however long it takes.  Hubby goes away again this week for 4 weeks so I think I will probably do better whilst he is gone because although he fully supports me in my diet....it's hard not to over indulge and do nice things when he is home - which normally involve food and alcohol!

So - my progress so far....

week 1  4 lb off
week 2  on holiday
week 3  on holiday
week 4  2.5 lb on
week 5  3.5lb off
week 6  3lb off (got my 1/2 stone award)
week 7  1.5lb off

week 8  2lb off

week 9  maintained

week 10 1.2lb off

week 11 ?

week 12 1lb off

Week 11

Oh, oh, oh, I've been a naughty girl and have had major blowouts and 2 weekends away - one being a hen weekend!! (say no more!!).  So I couldn't make class on Saturday but oh lordy I am dreading the next weigh in!  I know I'm going to be so disappointed when I stand on those scales!!  I did enjoy myself though and I can't let myself be guilty as this journey is a 'life long' one and not just a quick fix - there are going to be times when you just have to go with the flow and not get too hung up about it. I will try hard this week to getting back to focusing on the plan again...

So - my progress so far....

week 1  4 lb off
week 2  on holiday
week 3  on holiday
week 4  2.5 lb on
week 5  3.5lb off
week 6  3lb off (got my 1/2 stone award)
week 7  1.5lb off

week 8  2lb off

week 9  maintained

week 10 1.2lb off

week 11 ?

Week 10

Arrrrgh I seem to have hit a bit of a blip at the moment - this week I only lost 1/2lb.  I had been good all week then on the Friday night (night before weigh in I might add) I had one almighty blow out!! Why???  However, I'm not going to beat myself up about it - this month has been really busy with things on and next weekend is going to be even worse - I have a hen weekend!!  Life goes on and sometimes you just have to go with the flow and just try and cope the best you can!  So still 2lb to go until I reach my first stone - I'm not sure about hitting it next week but hopefully I'll get something towards it though.  I'll just keep chipping away - I'll get there when I get there! :)

So - my progress so far....

week 1  4 lb off
week 2  on holiday
week 3  on holiday
week 4  2.5 lb on
week 5  3.5lb off
week 6  3lb off (got my 1/2 stone award)
week 7  1.5lb off

week 8  2lb off

week 9  maintained

week 10 1.2lb off

Week 9

Not much to report this week - I had a pretty bad week!!  It was 'that time' and I felt I was cramming junk down my throat like nobody's business - especially chocolate!!  I'm not a big chocaholic - except for when it's 'that time'.  What is it that makes us crave it so badly at certain times - I'm blaming hormones!!  So I am actually quite pleased to report that I maintained from last week which I am very happy with as I really was expecting a gain and would have had nobody to blame but myself!

Unfortunately I couldn't stay to class as my hubby came home after 5 weeks away and I had heaps to do before I went to pick him up.  Even better though - as soon as he gave me a big hug he noticed right away that there was less of me - so I'm very happy with that :)   He can't believe how well I've done so that's given me a right wee boost, not that I was struggling with the plan or anything, but it's just given me the determination for the week ahead.

So - my progress so far....

week 1  4 lb off
week 2  on holiday
week 3  on holiday
week 4  2.5 lb on
week 5  3.5lb off
week 6  3lb off (got my 1/2 stone award)
week 7  1.5lb off

week 8  2lb off

week 9  maintained

Week 8

Happy - 2lb off!!!  Which means I am only 2.5 lbs from reaching my first stone!  I really, really, REALLY want to try and get the 2.5 lb next week as my hubby comes home next weekend after being away for 5 weeks and has no idea of the weight I've lost.  He occasionally asks how it's going but I just play it down and thought I would leave it and see if he notices when he comes home - hope he does!!! lol.  Would love to have my 1 stone award to show him!!  So I'll be pulling out all the stops for next week.  Don't know if I can do it - but I'll certainly be trying hard!!

Today's class was fab!  It was 'taster day' and there were lots of yummy things on the table for us to all try.  I took along my syn free onion bhajis - I kind of hate taking things myself because 'what if nobody likes what you've made?' That would just be the worst!!  Luckily though they seemed to go down well!  Phew! I took a few recipes home with me and have a few ideas too to try out.  When I was in class I bought the new mag and also the Asian recipe book and the Curry recipe book - so I've got lots of goodies to try out but have no clue what to make first!!!

So - my progress so far....

week 1  4 lb off
week 2  on holiday
week 3  on holiday
week 4  2.5 lb on
week 5  3.5lb off
week 6  3lb off (got my 1/2 stone award)
week 7  1.5lb off

week 8  2lb off

I love this sign - I've actually never noticed it before, but I took the time to read things around me today while I was waiting and this is so true!! It's the sign at the 'weigh in' desk.  "Remove excess baggage" - that's totally me....off comes the ring, the shoes, the cardi - I even saw one woman a few weeks ago taking off her socks!! lol - it might come to that next week! haha

Week 7

Lost another 1.5 lbs this week - delighted as this now takes me down to a new 'stone' number!!  My weight loss so far is 9.5lb and I only have to lose another 4.5 lbs to reach my first stone.  I say 'only' but as we all know sometimes even losing a lb is so hard to do.  I'm not in any real rush though, I'm happy with whatever I lose each week as it's still a step in the right direction and I'll get there when I get there....

I'm really enjoying Slimming World and really enjoying the food and finding it such an easy plan to follow.  I'm keen to try and find new recipes so I don't get in a rut and become bored as a lot of the foods I have are quite 'samey' so I've been browsing online and on youtube and have a few that I'm going to try out.  It's taster week next week in class so hopefully I'll have discovered something nice this week that I can make and take along and hopefully I'll see something nice next week at class which will be nice and tasty to make.

So - my progress so far....

week 1  4 lb off
week 2  on holiday
week 3  on holiday
week 4  2.5 lb on
week 5  3.5lb off
week 6  3lb off (got my 1/2 stone award)
week 7  1.5lb off

Week 6

Yay I got my 1/2 stone award!! I am so chuffed!! I needed to lose 2lb to reach my 1/2 stone but I actually lost 3!! I'm amazed...this week saw me return to work which I was worrying a bit about as I didn't feel I was as organised food wise as I should have been.  Bread is my downfall and really trying to cut it out and I didn't want to have to grab a sandwich at lunchtime because I had nothing prepared - so last minute I made some chicken noodle soup (although I had to use rice as I had no noodles).  That managed to keep me going most lunchtimes and the odd day I had a baked potato or some pasta - so all worked out in the end.  I've been using up all my 15 syns every day as well so I am just amazed at a 3lb weight loss.  I have been really sticking to the plan though and haven't felt hungry and have been feeling really satisfied and I've still been having my packet of crisps at night and the odd nibble - so all is good!!  I've been drinking lots of sugar free squash which has maybe helped as well.

So I've lost 8lb in total - and to keep myself positive I've been saying to myself that I only need to lose another 6lb and I've lost my first stone! Although I'm a bit worried for next week as I have a night out on Friday and Saturday is my weigh in day - eeek!! I shall just have to do extra dancing!!

So - my progress so far....

week 1  4 lb off
week 2  on holiday
week 3  on holiday
week 4  2.5 lb on
week 5  3.5lb off
week 6  3lb off (got my 1/2 stone award)

Week 5

3 1/2 lbs off - whoop whoop - over the moon!!  That brings me to 5 lb loss so far.

If I hadn't had that 2 week blip when I over indulged on holiday I would be well on my way!!  Never mind though - I am totally focused and on the right path now and feeling very positive for the week ahead.  My only worry is going back to work on Monday after having 5 weeks off as I've done so much walking in the last few weeks which I think has really helped the weight loss.  Luckily it's still light enough at night so I should be able to keep a lot of it up.  I am definitely a comfort eater as well as a boredom eater and unfortunately my job can be really stressful at times - and when the stress hits, healthy eating can just go right out the window and I just grab the first piece of junk I can get my hands on - normally CHOCOLATE !! I will just have to make sure my willpower stays strong over the next few weeks.

I transferred to a different group today and the group was lovely.  Everyone was really friendly and there were lots of laughs and the class had a really nice atmosphere. I'm going to stick with this one as I think I will get on much better and get more out it.  I know Kim the leader also which I think helped too.  She has just recently taken over the group and is doing a great job - and is living proof that the diet works as she herself has lost a lot of weight and looks terrific.

Here's to next week and hopefully another good one!  I am hoping for a 2 lb loss next week as that will take me to my 1/2 stone mark - so fingers crossed!

So - my progress so far....

week 1  4 lb off
week 2  on holiday
week 3  on holiday
week 4  2.5 lb on
week 5  3.5lb off