Slowly but surely

It's taking time but it's getting there.

Over the last three months I have reduced my daily calorie intake and upped my exercise levels. I wouldn't say I've been on a strict diet but I have made sensible choices.

I've learnt to say no to the constant stream of cakes and biscuits in the staff room.

I've learnt about portion control because if it's on my plate I will eat it.

I've learnt not to eat when I'm bored.

I haven't denied myself the things I enjoy though.

I still have full fat mayonnaise - I'm with big Monica from Friends on that one.

I still have fish and chips - occasionally - but I watch the portion size.

I know I could cut out every 'bad' food and eat a lot less and lose more weight a lot quicker. But, I also know I would be miserable.

Anyway, slowly but surely is working for me and over the last three months.....

.....a stone of weight has gone!


To be honest I have been beating myself up a bit over the time it has taken so I thought I would look back to see what that stone actually meant.

Here are some images from a previous update post lined up with today's post workout pics...

 

Now onto shifting the next stone.

x x x

Happiness, weight loss and cookies?!?

It has always been an issue with me - being happy with myself.

Being a SAHM had its issues - I felt I needed to do more.

Being a working mum has its issues - the guilt at not being there for anything and everything.

Lately it has been the realisation that I am not happy with my body and my weight - but then who is?

It has taken me a while to accept that change won't happen without any input on my part. In the past I have thrown myself into a diet plan only to fail within weeks. I just don't think I was ready. Something didn't switch in my brain.

But now that 'something' has switched.

Being back at work doing a job I love and working with a great bunch of people, with whom I am looking forward to getting to know better and hopefully establish a social life with, has helped loads.

That crucial decision at the end of the summer to get off my arse and assess what I eat and drink has made a HUGE difference. My mind is working differently too. I now stop and think about food presented to me. I have to - the school staff room is never ideal for people watching their calorie intake.

Now I ask myself 'Do I really need that slab of cake that holds over 300 calories and is packed full of butter and sugar?' That doesn't mean I deny myself treats. Calorie counting works really well for me as it allows me to balance what I eat and drink then I can see where I can have a treat. If you look at my Fitness Pal entries you will find jam tarts, Nutella cookies and mugs of Chai tea lattes. But, these are now my treats NOT my daily elevenses and mid afternoon snacks.

http://www.gourmetmum.tv/easy-recipes/nutella-cookies.html

Anyhow. I am still a way off my ideal weight goal and body size but for the first time I feel I am able to stay on the road to it. A little of the above balanced with a lot of sensible choices and working up a sweat is starting to give me more of the results I am HAPPY to see!

Don't forget to find #theshreddies on Twitter for some more motivation!

If you are on My Fitness Pal and want to find me I am vivmelkshammum

x x x

 

#theshreddies

Firstly, to make it clear, I haven't joined the grannies knitting that cereal made by that company!

I have joined a group though. A support group. A motivational group. A 'get off your arse and shift your butt' kind of group. A 'I've had a really bad day and want to eat chocolate, somebody stop me' group.

A group of like-minded individuals currently torturing ourselves following the 30 Day Shred and who are all trying to shift some weight, tone up, lose some inches, eat a better diet and generally feel better about themselves.

Let me introduce you to #theshreddies. Here are the love handles twitter handles of the lovely ladies involved, in no particular order of favouritism.

@fivegoblogging
@LakesSingleMum
@WritingForFun
@StressyMummy
@AResidence
@From_Fun_To_Mum
@WordsWithWine
and me obviously - @MelkshamMum, which you should know!

I'm logging my weight loss at the bottom of this blog and will be posting updates - like this one here, my frustrations and going BAM!

So, if you too are partaking in the shred, or just want to join us for motivational chit chat, find us on Twitter.

x x x

Weight loss and workout frustrations

You may be aware by now that I have been on a bit of a kick to work out, cut the calories and lose some weight. Well I have been working out, I have been cutting the calories and I have lost some weight. Now BAM! I have hit THE WALL.

I dropped 6lbs over the first three weeks by dropping to 1200 calories a day - tough at first but now it's my norm - and by doing a daily session of the 30 Day Shred. I saw results as blogged about here.

Now? I AM FED UP.

I am fed up with working my arse off every evening and looking a right state like this...

(clearly another great mug shot worthy of a place in Spike and Heels' #OperationHideous gallery)

...only to stand on the scales in the morning and constantly see 11st 1lb staring back at me. I also beat myself up further by standing on the scales at the end of the day when I am heavier. Why??!!!!

Some lovely Twitter folk gave me a lesson in basic fat to muscle weight changes, inch loss and metabolism but still I AM FED UP!

How does Weight Watchers work?! Do the participants not exercise? If I was part of such a weight loss programme surely I would be laughed out of every weekly weigh in and deemed a failure?

Someone said just IGNORE THE SCALES. But, I admit it, I am obsessed with them. I want to see results. In numbers in front of my eyes, not just on a tape measure.

I know I need to celebrate the successes of losing 6lbs and inches from the waist and hips but what if that suddenly stops? THEN WHAT?!!?

Somebody tell me it will be worth it. Somebody tell me I WILL see a 10st something appear on my scales.

Please.

x x x

Shred fat girl, shred - update

For the majority of the last four weeks - apart from a big blip when I was in Norwich - I've been watching my calorie intake and following the 30 day shred workout DVD. I was spurred on by lots of 'before and after' images that I had seen floating around on the interweb where the changes were clearly massive. So, how has my body shape changed in the last four weeks?

Well, I have lost 6lbs in weight and shifted two inches from my waist and hips. Visually there doesn't seem to be a major difference but I am feeling better in myself and am noticing clothes fitting more comfortably. The scales currently seem to be refusing to pass through the sub 11 stone marker which is really frustrating but I know I can get there. Or I'll just fiddle the scales.

Anyway, here are the visuals. There is still the 'tummy' to work on and I am still far from being happy with my body. But I am happier.

I hope to be posting some more pics in four weeks and telling you that the scales have shifted below the number 11!

x x x