Well, I'm resigning myself to a 'stay the same' result for my next WI. I had a large loss on Monday and I've been struggling to manage on my reduced points - 23. I very nearly went over points yesterday thanks to a 'hawaiian jacket potato', but made up for it with LOADs of exercise.
Yes, I was thinking ham and pineapple when my ex-mother-in-law suggested it to me as 'fabulous'.... She didn't mention the cheese in it and the mayo as well. The restaurant we went to, the Lowenac (Cornish for Happiness) is an unusual place. Think garnish for a minute - I used to think a small side salad or perhaps a sprig of parsley...they do crisps - yes, crunchy potato crisps!
Pointing my lunch when I returned, I worked out my lunch was a full 12 points....argh - more than half my allowance! Along with breakfast and a mid-morning snack, I was at 20 points by 2pm! With 8 bonus points of exercise, I managed to squeeze in a supper of cheese, onion and tomato on toast....but only just!
I spent last night revising goals....not sure whether they'll change for better or worse - but here ya go:
30/4/7 13 s 13 (195)
19/6/7 13 s 2 (184)
30/6/7 12 s 13 (181)
31/8/7 11 s 13 (167)
31/10/7 10 s 13 (153)
31/12/7 9s 13 (139)
28/02/8 9s 7 (133) GOAL!
Goal is still feeling a touch flexible as I know the healthy BMI range goes from about 8s 7 to 10s 7 or 121lbs to 147lbs...It's quite a big range really. I'm hoping to set something concrete when I get into the 10 stone range (140's).
Thursday, 29 March 2007
Sunday, 25 March 2007
Week 11 Weigh-In
Pleased to announce a loss of 7.5lbs this week. Not sure if it was increasing my exercise with my PS2 dancemat or not having a single frozen meal this week (plenty of jacket potatoes)....but it's a a full half-stone gone forever!
My BMI has dropped a total of 7 points from just over 42 when I started to 35 now. Dress size has decreased from 22/24 to a safe 20 now...sometimes 18. Within myself I feel fitter, healthier and stronger.
I haven't been in the 14 stone range since 2005, so I'm definitely feeling proud of myself!
Bring on the 13's!!!!
My BMI has dropped a total of 7 points from just over 42 when I started to 35 now. Dress size has decreased from 22/24 to a safe 20 now...sometimes 18. Within myself I feel fitter, healthier and stronger.
I haven't been in the 14 stone range since 2005, so I'm definitely feeling proud of myself!
Bring on the 13's!!!!
Warning: Never give in to the chocolate cravings!
While buying some chocolate treats for my dog, the shopkeeper told me a funny story heard in a Weight Watchers meeting. One night, a lady was so desperate for a chocolate fix that she resorted to eating her dog's supply (one whole bag!). Apparently, the results of this binge lasted for a few days. My bum twinges at the thought of it. Makes sense to just say no - if only for the benefit of a happy digestive system!
Tuesday, 20 March 2007
What's your motivation?
Reading an article by Joan Morris of the Contra Costa Times, I wondered whether my motivations were purely noble. While I want to live a healthier lifestyle and be fitter, I think I'd be a liar to say that my motivations weren't mainly superficial.
Morris writes: "Weight loss goes hand in hand with vanity. After a lifetime of being told that we are ugly and disgusting, it's no wonder we lose our heads a bit when we receive praise and attention for our new look, and that we lose sight of what's important."
She continues: "It is just part of the package, but it's just the wrapping, not the contents inside. I've come to realize that the reasons I decided to lose weight in the first place remain firmly entrenched in my psyche. My goals of three years ago are my goals of today. I just needed to dust them off and put them on display again."
Yes, I must confess that I am craving and loving the praise showered by peers, loved ones and society at large. To some extent, I'm craving it from those who were unable to praise me in my previous form.
I remember reading Fat is A Feminist Issue some years ago and I agreed with it to some extent. After finishing the book, I considered my excess weight almost like a buffer against anyone only caring for me superficially. I guess I longed for a love that enveloped me - warts and all. And do you know what? When I found it, that weight just slipped right off me.
However, the flaw in that thinking is that you can buffer yourself so much in the hopes of Mr Right coming along that it puts your own future in peril. And what if, as in my case, Mr Right was merely Mr Right Now? Well, several Mr Right Nows later, I think I've built up the strength to deal with men and life - buffer or no buffer.
While I am only in the third month of my journey, I will do my best to appreciate the aesthetic benefits of weight loss while embracing the healthy lifestyle. I do worry sometimes though about whether I will manage that. I mean - while I am concerned with the medical implications of carrying excess weight and the impact it will have on my family - why can't I worry about that instead of why a pair of size 16 jeans doesn't fit me yet?
I suppose they go hand in hand and I best make the most of the complete package!
Morris writes: "Weight loss goes hand in hand with vanity. After a lifetime of being told that we are ugly and disgusting, it's no wonder we lose our heads a bit when we receive praise and attention for our new look, and that we lose sight of what's important."
She continues: "It is just part of the package, but it's just the wrapping, not the contents inside. I've come to realize that the reasons I decided to lose weight in the first place remain firmly entrenched in my psyche. My goals of three years ago are my goals of today. I just needed to dust them off and put them on display again."
Yes, I must confess that I am craving and loving the praise showered by peers, loved ones and society at large. To some extent, I'm craving it from those who were unable to praise me in my previous form.
I remember reading Fat is A Feminist Issue some years ago and I agreed with it to some extent. After finishing the book, I considered my excess weight almost like a buffer against anyone only caring for me superficially. I guess I longed for a love that enveloped me - warts and all. And do you know what? When I found it, that weight just slipped right off me.
However, the flaw in that thinking is that you can buffer yourself so much in the hopes of Mr Right coming along that it puts your own future in peril. And what if, as in my case, Mr Right was merely Mr Right Now? Well, several Mr Right Nows later, I think I've built up the strength to deal with men and life - buffer or no buffer.
While I am only in the third month of my journey, I will do my best to appreciate the aesthetic benefits of weight loss while embracing the healthy lifestyle. I do worry sometimes though about whether I will manage that. I mean - while I am concerned with the medical implications of carrying excess weight and the impact it will have on my family - why can't I worry about that instead of why a pair of size 16 jeans doesn't fit me yet?
I suppose they go hand in hand and I best make the most of the complete package!
Monday, 19 March 2007
Week 10 Weigh-in
Hopped on the scales this morning and saw a loss of a half-pound. While I hoped for a bigger loss, I wasn't shocked in any way, shape or form. With a mega-loss of 5lbs last Monday, I knew that to expect any loss at all was wrong.
I can remember in a nutrition class in school being taught that you should lose no more than 1% of your body weight each week, so anything beyond 2.1lbs is considered unhealthy at the moment. Whoops. Weight Watchers take it one step further - anything beyond 2lbs full stop, regardless of your body weight, is naughty. So, I best keep my average weight loss of 3.65lbs on the QT.
So I've lost 36.5lbs over the last ten weeks. I'm left wondering what that's equivalent to in food...
36.5 tubs of butter
18.25 bags of oranges
28 cans of diet coke
36 pints of milk
6.5 bags of potatoes
While I struggle to view my changing form properly, seeing figures like that - particularly the sacks of potatoes - makes it all slightly clearer for me.
So, I'm aiming to make it a full 7 bags of potatoes for the next weigh-in!
I can remember in a nutrition class in school being taught that you should lose no more than 1% of your body weight each week, so anything beyond 2.1lbs is considered unhealthy at the moment. Whoops. Weight Watchers take it one step further - anything beyond 2lbs full stop, regardless of your body weight, is naughty. So, I best keep my average weight loss of 3.65lbs on the QT.
So I've lost 36.5lbs over the last ten weeks. I'm left wondering what that's equivalent to in food...
36.5 tubs of butter
18.25 bags of oranges
28 cans of diet coke
36 pints of milk
6.5 bags of potatoes
While I struggle to view my changing form properly, seeing figures like that - particularly the sacks of potatoes - makes it all slightly clearer for me.
So, I'm aiming to make it a full 7 bags of potatoes for the next weigh-in!
Sunday, 18 March 2007
The Eating Machine
Yes, today I am the non-stop eating machine. Fortunately after a shop (with list I might add) yesterday, my house is stocked with low point goodies like Go Ahead Bars, Ainsley Harriot Cup-A-Soup, salads, and Skinny Cow ice cream lollies.
I haven't slept well over the last few nights as cough and my son have interfered with my 8-hour-a-night habit. I wondered whether this might play a role in my increased appetite as I suspected as much when my son was newborn seven years ago.
On the Women's Health site, Tracee Cornforth writes: "According to recent studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and the Lancet, sleep loss tends to increase hunger and affects the body's metabolism making it difficult to maintain weight loss or lose weight."
Oh dear....
The hormone cortisol, which reins in your appetite is affected by sleep depravation, causing a feeling of hunger even if you've had adequate food intake.
Oh and there's more....
Sleep loss interferes with carbohydrate metabolism causing excess amounts of glucose in the blood stream. This allows for insulin overproduction - leading to the storage of excess body fat and insulin resistance.
Michael Thorpy, MD, director of the Sleep-Wake Disorders Center at Montefiore Medical Center in New York says: "Sleep loss is associated with striking alterations in hormone levels that regulate the appetite and may be a contributing factor to obesity. Any American making a resolution to lose weight in the New Year should probably consider a parallel commitment for getting more sleep."
"Sleep loss disrupts a complex and interwoven series of metabolic and hormonal processes and may be a contributing factor to obesity," said Dr. John Winkelman, medical director of the Sleep Health Center at Brigham and Women's Hospital. "What most people do not realize is that better sleep habits may be instrumental to the success of any weight management plan."
On that note, I am setting myself a sleep target of 8 uninterrupted hours sleep a night this week!
I haven't slept well over the last few nights as cough and my son have interfered with my 8-hour-a-night habit. I wondered whether this might play a role in my increased appetite as I suspected as much when my son was newborn seven years ago.
On the Women's Health site, Tracee Cornforth writes: "According to recent studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and the Lancet, sleep loss tends to increase hunger and affects the body's metabolism making it difficult to maintain weight loss or lose weight."
Oh dear....
The hormone cortisol, which reins in your appetite is affected by sleep depravation, causing a feeling of hunger even if you've had adequate food intake.
Oh and there's more....
Sleep loss interferes with carbohydrate metabolism causing excess amounts of glucose in the blood stream. This allows for insulin overproduction - leading to the storage of excess body fat and insulin resistance.
Michael Thorpy, MD, director of the Sleep-Wake Disorders Center at Montefiore Medical Center in New York says: "Sleep loss is associated with striking alterations in hormone levels that regulate the appetite and may be a contributing factor to obesity. Any American making a resolution to lose weight in the New Year should probably consider a parallel commitment for getting more sleep."
"Sleep loss disrupts a complex and interwoven series of metabolic and hormonal processes and may be a contributing factor to obesity," said Dr. John Winkelman, medical director of the Sleep Health Center at Brigham and Women's Hospital. "What most people do not realize is that better sleep habits may be instrumental to the success of any weight management plan."
On that note, I am setting myself a sleep target of 8 uninterrupted hours sleep a night this week!
Friday, 16 March 2007
Changing Stats
It's been just over two months since I made the change over to Weight Watchers. I've been doing some thinking about stats vs actual weight loss and while I do sense a change in the shape of my body, I think by putting stats down in print, it will help me acknowledge personal success better.
Well, I haven't managed much in the way of grocery shopping today. Instead, I went through my wardrobe and removed all items of clothing too big from it as I don't want any chance of needing them in future.
Tomorrow we'll hit the shops and give the shopping list idea a whirl!
Current Goals:
15 s 1lb (211lbs) by 05/04/07
14 s 2lb (198lbs) by 31/05/07
13 s 2lb (184lbs) by 17/06/07
- Weight - a loss of 33lbs!
- BMI - dropped nearly 6 points from 42.1 in January to 36.4 in March
- Chest - decrease in 4" from 48" to 44"
- Waist - reduced by 3" from 43" to 40"
- Size: - while a size 22 was too tight to be comfortable in January, I'm slowly slipping into size 20 and the occasional 18!
Well, I haven't managed much in the way of grocery shopping today. Instead, I went through my wardrobe and removed all items of clothing too big from it as I don't want any chance of needing them in future.
Tomorrow we'll hit the shops and give the shopping list idea a whirl!
Current Goals:
15 s 1lb (211lbs) by 05/04/07
14 s 2lb (198lbs) by 31/05/07
13 s 2lb (184lbs) by 17/06/07
Ah, how little things please my little mind
I've been wandering the internet aimlessly today...ok, so I should have been working or cleaning, but sometimes you have to have a lazy day...or week in my case.
I came across My Virtual Model - a site which allows you to create a 3d-generated model of your body shape.
It is well worth a try if you're bored or wanting to get an idea of what your body will look like when you reach goal.
I came across My Virtual Model - a site which allows you to create a 3d-generated model of your body shape.
It is well worth a try if you're bored or wanting to get an idea of what your body will look like when you reach goal.
Thursday, 15 March 2007
Calling All Hedonistic Shoppers!
While I can endure shopping, I must confess there isn't the slightest bit of hedonistic pleasure in it for me. Somewhere between children screaming and ladies blocking the aisles with their trolleys, any zeal I had for shopping dissipates...usually around the veg aisle!
I have a tendency to go crazy in my local Tesco's and empty the crisp aisle into my trolley, even though I have only come in for a 'few bits' to buy like milk or bread. By the time I'm unloading the shopping, I realise that I have ended up with lots of junk food...again!
However, according to new US research reported by Medical News Today, it seems that not only am I not alone in this problem, but there is a way to avoid impulse purchases and stick to a healthy diet: Use a shopping list!
I have a tendency to go crazy in my local Tesco's and empty the crisp aisle into my trolley, even though I have only come in for a 'few bits' to buy like milk or bread. By the time I'm unloading the shopping, I realise that I have ended up with lots of junk food...again!
However, according to new US research reported by Medical News Today, it seems that not only am I not alone in this problem, but there is a way to avoid impulse purchases and stick to a healthy diet: Use a shopping list!
According to the study, the decision on what a shopper will purchase is stimulus-based, meaning what is placed in front of us. However, writing a shopping list prior to your weekly shop creates "memory-based" decisions. This causes you to recall store items (as well as your diet plan) before you plan out your meals for the week.
The researchers write in their findings: "We find that consumers who must generate options from memory are more likely to select fun, hedonistic, and sinful options over sensible options or 'appropriate" options.'"
Well, tomorrow is shopping day, so I'll break out the pen and paper and give it a whirl. Let's hope that it works!!
Today I have had:
Breakfast TOTAL: 2
Erm...Quavers (2)
Lunch TOTAL: 12
Chili Jacket Potato with butter (7.5), coleslaw (1), salad (0), maltesers (3.5)
Dinner TOTAL: 8.5
Ham sandwich with salad and coleslaw (5), Walkers baked crisps (1.5), banana (1.5), granola bar (1.5)
Comment
Didn't really get my day off to a brilliant start! Yes, Quavers hit the spot in between classes, however a banana would have been much better! I still didn't get any calcium in....thank god for vitamins, but I'll try harder tomorrow!
Wednesday, 14 March 2007
Swap Shop
While my ultimate goal is the elusive size 10 jeans, a large part of my motivation is health-related. I not only want to be healthy in size, but in body and spirit as well. Sacrifices must be made in any pursuit, however, it makes life more enjoyable when compromises can be found. I've an unlucky combination of sweet and savoury tooth which means my diet has become one big swap shop! While I am aware that more changes need to be made to further my cause, so far, my swaps include:
Semi-skimmed milk (1.5 pt) for skimmed milk (1 pt)
Butter - 2 tsp (2 pt) for Flora Diet - 2 tsp (.5 pt)
Full-fat chocolate mousse (6 pt) for Low fat/sugar chocolate mousse (3 pt)
Chinese takeaway (endless points) for Iceland sweet & sour chicken balls (5pt)
While portion sizes are being reined in, there's only one food which really bugs me as I can not honestly think of a swap - garlic bread. I've sold myself on the idea that I am best off without this more-ish delight as it causes stinky breath - and I'll stick with that. Oh and I am far too aware that one baguette is worth more than a day's allowance.
As the weeks rack up, I'm transforming into a points bore. The mere sight of a decadant treat sends the abacus in my head racing to calculate. Today, for example, I found myself drawn to the savoury aromas of pasties on the high street. Months ago, I wouldn't have paused for thought - however, when my inner accountant rattled off a score of 15 points, I quickly moved on past the many bakery windows. While I was momentarily fixated on them, I managed to quell the urge and soon realised it was hunger but greed rumbling my belly!
Today, I've had:
Breakfast - TOTAL: 3 points
2 Warburtons Crumpets (2.5), Flora Light - 2 tsp (.5)
Lunch - TOTAL: 6 points
WW Turkey & Salad sandwich (4 ), banana (1.5), Golden Lights crisps (1.5)
Dinner - TOTAL: 10.5 points
Ham & salad sandwich with coleslaw (5), Walkers Baked Crisps (1.5), 2 chocolate mousses (4),
Snacks - TOTAL: 4 points
pink & whites x 6 (4)
TOTAL: 23.5 points
Comments: Lots of fruit and veg although I'm lacking on calcium. Need to point in some milk tomorrow - although it will be skimmed. Oh, and still having far too many treats! But, I haven't felt 'hunger' once which is definitely a good thing.
Semi-skimmed milk (1.5 pt) for skimmed milk (1 pt)
Butter - 2 tsp (2 pt) for Flora Diet - 2 tsp (.5 pt)
Full-fat chocolate mousse (6 pt) for Low fat/sugar chocolate mousse (3 pt)
Chinese takeaway (endless points) for Iceland sweet & sour chicken balls (5pt)
While portion sizes are being reined in, there's only one food which really bugs me as I can not honestly think of a swap - garlic bread. I've sold myself on the idea that I am best off without this more-ish delight as it causes stinky breath - and I'll stick with that. Oh and I am far too aware that one baguette is worth more than a day's allowance.
As the weeks rack up, I'm transforming into a points bore. The mere sight of a decadant treat sends the abacus in my head racing to calculate. Today, for example, I found myself drawn to the savoury aromas of pasties on the high street. Months ago, I wouldn't have paused for thought - however, when my inner accountant rattled off a score of 15 points, I quickly moved on past the many bakery windows. While I was momentarily fixated on them, I managed to quell the urge and soon realised it was hunger but greed rumbling my belly!
Today, I've had:
Breakfast - TOTAL: 3 points
2 Warburtons Crumpets (2.5), Flora Light - 2 tsp (.5)
Lunch - TOTAL: 6 points
WW Turkey & Salad sandwich (4 ), banana (1.5), Golden Lights crisps (1.5)
Dinner - TOTAL: 10.5 points
Ham & salad sandwich with coleslaw (5), Walkers Baked Crisps (1.5), 2 chocolate mousses (4),
Snacks - TOTAL: 4 points
pink & whites x 6 (4)
TOTAL: 23.5 points
Comments: Lots of fruit and veg although I'm lacking on calcium. Need to point in some milk tomorrow - although it will be skimmed. Oh, and still having far too many treats! But, I haven't felt 'hunger' once which is definitely a good thing.
Tuesday, 13 March 2007
Is starvation causing delirium?
Well, I'm not sure if it's the evacuation of the remainder of the flu virus in my system or still being ecstatic over my loss, but I've been bouncing off the walls for nearly 48 hours now!
Several WW-ers have mentioned that the first 6 weeks of the plan leaves you feeling exhausted and to be honest, by week 5 of it, I was close to ending my pursuit of the size 10 completely! But, I stuck it through and am pleased to say that there isn't just a light at the end of the tunnel - it's quite damn beautiful basking in it. God, I'm making myself sick...for an eternal pessimist to feel so optimistic is quite off-putting.
I've spent the last few days concentrating on more fresh foods and here's what I've done:
Monday Total points used: 22.5 points
AM: Nachos from uni bar (7.5) Maltesers - Small bag (3.5) TOTAL: 11 points
PM: Stirfry with 90g organic steak (2points), 3 tsp olive oil (2.5 points), zero point veg including: cabbage, leek, red onion, red pepper, mushrooms (0 points), 2 healthy living chocolate sponge (7 points) = 11.5 points
Tuesday Total points used: 24 points
AM: Beef hotpot from uni (7 points), 3 potato wedges (4.5 points), carrots (0 points), maltesers - small bag (3.5) TOTAL: 15 points
PM: Stirfry with chicken breast (2.5 points), 2 tsp oil (2.5 points), zero point veg including: mangetout, broccoli, yellow pepper, mushrooms, garlic, red onion (0 points), soy sauce (0 points), 2 ww belgian chocolate mousses (4 points) TOTAL: 9 points
Comments - Quite good dinners however I need to choose slightly better during the daytime. Oh - and I think I need to curb my reliance on chocolate too :( Within the next two weeks, I will be reducing my points allowance further, to 23 points per day - and if I want to have a feeling of fullness, I need to try harder than this. Saying that, those stirfries are both tasty and filling! A bargain at twice the points! I highly recommend them!
Several WW-ers have mentioned that the first 6 weeks of the plan leaves you feeling exhausted and to be honest, by week 5 of it, I was close to ending my pursuit of the size 10 completely! But, I stuck it through and am pleased to say that there isn't just a light at the end of the tunnel - it's quite damn beautiful basking in it. God, I'm making myself sick...for an eternal pessimist to feel so optimistic is quite off-putting.
I've spent the last few days concentrating on more fresh foods and here's what I've done:
Monday Total points used: 22.5 points
AM: Nachos from uni bar (7.5) Maltesers - Small bag (3.5) TOTAL: 11 points
PM: Stirfry with 90g organic steak (2points), 3 tsp olive oil (2.5 points), zero point veg including: cabbage, leek, red onion, red pepper, mushrooms (0 points), 2 healthy living chocolate sponge (7 points) = 11.5 points
Tuesday Total points used: 24 points
AM: Beef hotpot from uni (7 points), 3 potato wedges (4.5 points), carrots (0 points), maltesers - small bag (3.5) TOTAL: 15 points
PM: Stirfry with chicken breast (2.5 points), 2 tsp oil (2.5 points), zero point veg including: mangetout, broccoli, yellow pepper, mushrooms, garlic, red onion (0 points), soy sauce (0 points), 2 ww belgian chocolate mousses (4 points) TOTAL: 9 points
Comments - Quite good dinners however I need to choose slightly better during the daytime. Oh - and I think I need to curb my reliance on chocolate too :( Within the next two weeks, I will be reducing my points allowance further, to 23 points per day - and if I want to have a feeling of fullness, I need to try harder than this. Saying that, those stirfries are both tasty and filling! A bargain at twice the points! I highly recommend them!
Monday, 12 March 2007
Week 9 Weigh-in
Well, I've just had my ninth weight watchers weigh-in and was a bit surprised with a loss of 5 pounds! It could be down to flu or sticking to the plan, but it could be down to relaxing my obsession with food.
This week, I'm trying to wrap my head round healthy eating as a lifestyle choice rather than a short-term solution to a long-term problem.
In the news, we read stories about the 14-stone eight- year- old and it reminds me that I too was once in his shoes. Ok, so I wasn't that weight at 8, but I most certainly was by 10. In fact, I was 20-stone (280) by the age of 16.
My parents provided me with a healthy diet - albeit the portion sizes were a touch on the large size. My problem was the snacking which occurred on top of the healthy eating. I could, until recently devour a tube of Pringles at a sitting or a pack of biscuits.
At 18, I left home and the weight - quite literally - dropped off. Within a year, my weight had dropped to 12 stone (168lbs) - without really trying. Simply by replacing coke with diet coke, reducing my snacking and moving my body more, the flab dissipated.
Remembering this has helped me over the last few days. I know I can reach goal simply by not forgetting just how 'easy' it is. Perhaps a big part of the problem is the weight loss industry - particularly the cowboys - who set us up to fail with unrealistic goals and plans.
Yes, it would be lovely to lose 60 lbs in a month, but we just know it's damn near impossible - so why believe it just because you see it in print? Oh, I've done my fair share of diets and weight loss pills over the years including:
Worryingly, the numbers of patients seeking bariatric surgery as a last resort is on the rise. It has been reported by the media that in the US more teens are putting their faith in the knife when it comes to shedding the flab.
While Weight Watchers is a plan, it is one of the oldest and most successful out there. There is a great deal of support both at meetings and online. Ready meals are available in the shops and stores like Tesco convert their healthy living products to points which helps a lot. And the cookbooks are out of this world!
This week, I'm trying to wrap my head round healthy eating as a lifestyle choice rather than a short-term solution to a long-term problem.
In the news, we read stories about the 14-stone eight- year- old and it reminds me that I too was once in his shoes. Ok, so I wasn't that weight at 8, but I most certainly was by 10. In fact, I was 20-stone (280) by the age of 16.
My parents provided me with a healthy diet - albeit the portion sizes were a touch on the large size. My problem was the snacking which occurred on top of the healthy eating. I could, until recently devour a tube of Pringles at a sitting or a pack of biscuits.
At 18, I left home and the weight - quite literally - dropped off. Within a year, my weight had dropped to 12 stone (168lbs) - without really trying. Simply by replacing coke with diet coke, reducing my snacking and moving my body more, the flab dissipated.
Remembering this has helped me over the last few days. I know I can reach goal simply by not forgetting just how 'easy' it is. Perhaps a big part of the problem is the weight loss industry - particularly the cowboys - who set us up to fail with unrealistic goals and plans.
Yes, it would be lovely to lose 60 lbs in a month, but we just know it's damn near impossible - so why believe it just because you see it in print? Oh, I've done my fair share of diets and weight loss pills over the years including:
- Nutrisystem
- Jenny Craig
- Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution: The No-hunger, Luxurious Weight Loss Plan That Really Works!
-
- The Fat Flush Plan
- The Zone: Revolutionary Life Plan to Put Your Body in Total Balance for Permanent Weight Loss
- The Carbohydrate Addict's Diet
- PowerNutra Hoodia Diet-Max Maximum Hoodia Gordonii Appetite Support Complex, 60 Capsules
Worryingly, the numbers of patients seeking bariatric surgery as a last resort is on the rise. It has been reported by the media that in the US more teens are putting their faith in the knife when it comes to shedding the flab.
While Weight Watchers is a plan, it is one of the oldest and most successful out there. There is a great deal of support both at meetings and online. Ready meals are available in the shops and stores like Tesco convert their healthy living products to points which helps a lot. And the cookbooks are out of this world!
Sunday, 11 March 2007
My Vices
I've got a problem with the bottle...but before you start directing me to my nearest AA meeting, let me clarify - I'm addicted to Pepsi Max. I can easily pack away a 2 litre bottle of this fizzy aspartame-sweetened elixir in a day.
Dare I work out how much it costs me a year? £529 a year of phenylalanine - a bargain or what?
Seriously though, I need to nip this habit in the bud. Not only is it costing a fortune, but I find that I really cannot function without knowing that I have at least a bottle spare in the kitchen!
Aussie blogger Pepsi Max Kid set himself the challenge of weaning himself off the stuff yet he found that his focus on giving it up caused his consumption to increase.
What is it about diet colas in general which causes so many to be addicted? Dr Roberts of St Mary's hospital in Florida studied the effects of aspartame addiction. He concluding that: "Persons consuming large amounts not only may suffer aspartame disease, but also have difficulty stopping them because of violent and prolonged withdrawal reactions... the hallmark of addiction. Recovered alcoholic patients repeatedly stated that they felt worse after avoiding aspartame than alcohol, and asserted that they had traded one addiction for another."
Dr Roberts, citing recent studies asserts his conviction that aspartame: "can cause, aggravate or accelerate migraine , seizures, multiple sclerosis, diabetes and its complications, Alzheimer's disease, and even brain tumors."
Worryingly, soft drink makers Pepsi and Coke have retaliated. The New York Times reported the launch of their latest products: Diet Coke Plus and Tava. Both diet soft drinks are being produced with vitamin supplements included.
So, I have the choice ahead of me - a 'violent and prolonged withdrawl' or lupus, MS and migraine. Talk about a rock and a hard place. Me thinks I'll opt for withdrawl, but perhaps a long and drawn out one to save myself from a painful cold turkey!
Dare I work out how much it costs me a year? £529 a year of phenylalanine - a bargain or what?
Seriously though, I need to nip this habit in the bud. Not only is it costing a fortune, but I find that I really cannot function without knowing that I have at least a bottle spare in the kitchen!
Aussie blogger Pepsi Max Kid set himself the challenge of weaning himself off the stuff yet he found that his focus on giving it up caused his consumption to increase.
What is it about diet colas in general which causes so many to be addicted? Dr Roberts of St Mary's hospital in Florida studied the effects of aspartame addiction. He concluding that: "Persons consuming large amounts not only may suffer aspartame disease, but also have difficulty stopping them because of violent and prolonged withdrawal reactions... the hallmark of addiction. Recovered alcoholic patients repeatedly stated that they felt worse after avoiding aspartame than alcohol, and asserted that they had traded one addiction for another."
Dr Roberts, citing recent studies asserts his conviction that aspartame: "can cause, aggravate or accelerate migraine , seizures, multiple sclerosis, diabetes and its complications, Alzheimer's disease, and even brain tumors."
Worryingly, soft drink makers Pepsi and Coke have retaliated. The New York Times reported the launch of their latest products: Diet Coke Plus and Tava. Both diet soft drinks are being produced with vitamin supplements included.
So, I have the choice ahead of me - a 'violent and prolonged withdrawl' or lupus, MS and migraine. Talk about a rock and a hard place. Me thinks I'll opt for withdrawl, but perhaps a long and drawn out one to save myself from a painful cold turkey!
The Joy of Veg
Well, I've just been through the contents of my refrigerator and its full and I've decided it's just not of the right foods! While there's low-fat everything in there - there just aren't many vegetables!
I've spent some time thinking about this issue to try and work out the hurdles to fresh fruit and veg and I think the main hurdles are my lazy cookery which leads to wastage. I have a tendency to go for the easiest and fastest meal solution for hunger. Nine times out of ten, it's a ready-meal.
I wonder whether our blustering waistlines could be down to us living in these fast food days. A 2003 study by the Food Standards Agency highlighted the extremely high levels of sodium in ready meals - so surely this should tell me that even healthy living meal may not be the best idea for eating heathily.
So, what's a girl to do? I've had a glance at the NHS 5-a-day site which gives some guidance into veg portion sizes...and I'm going to attempt to have 2 portions of fresh veg with every meal.
So - the plan for today is:
Morning: 2 medium tomatoes roasted in balsamic vinegar with oregano (0 points), 2 slices medium white bread (2.5 points), healthy living trifle (3 points), banana (1.5), walkers baked (1.5). TOTAL: 7 points
Afternoon: Omlette with peppers, mushrooms and onions (6 points) banana (1.5) TOTAL: 8.5 points
Evening: Stirfry with carrots, broccoli, peppers, onion, mushrooms, garlic (1 point) Weight watchers belgian chocolate mousse x 2 (4 points) TOTAL: 5
Tomorrow is weigh-in - 6am! Oh joy! I've had a sneaky peak and the scales are showing me as 15 s 4 which would be a loss of 3lbs this week. Fingers crossed!
Saturday, 10 March 2007
What is it all about?
I'm in the 9th week of my Weight Watchers' journey now. While my losses have been great - with 31lbs lost, I'm aware that over the next few weeks, my losses will decrease and the hard work has to begin. I have been lucky so far - but I think that by keeping this blog, I will keep focussed on the goal at hand.
Which is a current issue....My goal is a bit, erm, fluid. To put myself in a healthy BMI range, I need to weigh 147lbs or less. However, I am tempted to push my goal lower on the BMI scale - by setting my target at 133lbs. I need to do some research and put some thought into this as I have not weighed less than 150lbs for more than 20 years.
But until I come to a final decision, I will continue concentrating on the 5 stone (70lbs) which remain between my current weight and 147lbs!
Today has been a fairly good day. I've been keeping busy with far too much housework which meant little time to devote to my favourite pasttime - eating! At the moment, I am allowed 24 points a day on WW and I spent them like so:
- Brunch: Large Jacket Potato with cheese (9) packet Walkers Baked (1.5), Tesco Healthy Living Trifle (3) - TOTAL: 13.5
- Dinner: Tesco Healthy Living Spaghetti & Meatballs (5.5), Tesco Healthy Living Trifle (3), Walkers Baked (1.5) TOTAL: 10
Comments:
- Lack of variety
- Too many ready-meals
- No fresh vegetables
I think I need to combat these problems by trying to get back into regular stirfries and home-made soups. Stirfries are not only filling, they are fantastic for getting veg portions in as well being low in points! I smell one coming on for tomorrow!
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