100 days of LighterLife soups and shakes. (OK, I know, I had the *ahem* occasional blip, but I at least got to Day 86 without eating once).
Annoyingly, I have no idea what I weigh now, having missed class on Monday. Would have been good to have exact before and after weights. Not that now is 'after' as such, I still have more to lose. But you know what I mean.
Am going to get Andrew to to take my measurements tonight so I do at least have an accurate record of how much I've shrunk in 100 days. Will also take an 'after' photo so I can see what I've achieved.
I think I feel a little deflated. When I started this, I told myself I'd give it 4 weeks and would see how I got on. Never really expected to get this far. But, having read about other people's huge losses, I rather hoped that *if* I got to the 100 days I'd have lost almost all my flab. Instead, realistically, I have another couple of months worth to go.
Except I don't.
I need to be getting back onto proper food in good time for the wedding & honeymoon, so I only have 4 weeks before moving onto gradually bringing food back.
Having *cheated* in the last couple of weeks, and eaten food (a wedding reception and *medicinal* post-op recovery) I'm realising more and more, that I've only scratched the surface when it comes to resolving my skewed way of using food.
On Thursday I went into hospital for a minor operation. Was only a day patient but didn't react well to the general anasthetic and they had to keep me there all day.
Took a few days off work to recover. Still very sore, and am scared stiff on the tube that people might bang into me (had a lump removed from my shoulder).
Anyway, I'd been told that operations mean you can't do LL, so I've not mentioned it to them!
However, I've not stuck to the regime at all. I've continued to have my soups and shakes with fortified soya milk. Figured the extra calories, vits, minerals and protein can't do any harm. Oh, and I've been on 5 packs a day, too.
Have also snuck in some cheese. Quite a lot of it, actually. Oh well. My health and a quick recovery from the op is more important than losing weight at the moment.
Talking of losing weight, my class has moved to Monday. I was still a bit fragile yesterday so skipped it. Bit of a relief, really, because I rather think the weight's gone up. Will find out next week how things are looking.
Day 100 tomorrow. Bit of a milestone, but am a little disappointed that I haven't got to goal in that time. Will carry on for a few more weeks ...
Yesterday morning, I was out of ketosis, which was a shame, but at least I know if I cheat again, it'll come back to haunt me a few days later.
But, judging by the revolting taste in my mouth when I woke up today, I'm back in it. Weed on another stick, and yep, it's all good.
Had weigh-in last night. Confessed to the food. Didn't get too stern a talking-to, but warned that I'll be lucky to see any loss for the next couple of weeks. Especially so as I didn't tell him I'm having an operation tomorrow! Bit worried about that, actually. Am going to carry on having soya milk in my drinks, hopefully the extra calories and vits it's fortified with will help the recovery.
Anyway, weigh-in. Considering I'm still on anti-biotics, which slow you down, and I ate, was quite pleased. Lost 1½lbs.
Quite pleased, but still disappointed. Overall, I've lost the least of my class - and a lot of them joined a week after me. My competitive streak hates not being the 'best' at something, even if it's losing weight.
My initial 100 days is up next week. I had hoped to have lost 4st by then, but there's no way that's happening - unless the surgeon removes a couple of organs! Am currently at 3st 4lbs.
We were given our 'before' photos. Oh dear me. Now, I know I'd got big. But, really? Why did none of my friends say anything? My face is huge and moon-like, my clothes hang straight down from my shelf-life boobs and my hips & arse are huge!!!
Can really see the difference the 3st has made. Once the 100 days is done, going to get Andrew to take an 'after' pic so I can properly compare the two.
Well, hopefully getting it off my chest will be cathartic.
Wednesday was ok, had soya milk in my soups and shakes. Was surprised actually, that I really liked them, especially the chocolate! Going back to water might be a problem!
The trouble started on Thursday. We had a meeting with a potential cheese supplier for our wedding. Of course, the meeting involved lots of tasting. Ooh, it was so good. I counted it as my day's milk allowance but still felt a bit guilty.
On Friday, we flew to Ireland for a friend's wedding. Managed to avoid the lovely breakfast things in the BA lounge at the airport. Ignoring the plane food was easy!
We found a fabulous market, selling amazing breads and brownies. Leaving them alone was such a struggle. It tormented me and put me in a filthy mood. Made me realise that my problems with food are still alive and kicking. Worries me that I'll revert straight back into old habits when LL finishes.
Saturday morning, I had to resist the breakfast at the B&B, just had a milky shake. Then came the wedding breakfast ....
Veg soup to start. I ate most of it, thinking it would fill me up and I wouldn't be able to manage the main course. The restaurant had said it was risotto, but when it arrived, it was pasta. I was a bit dismayed as wheat disagrees with me and the thought of all the carbs knocking me out of ketosis was worrying.
To be honest, it wasn't even especially nice, but I ate half anyway. Mostly because it was in front of me. Old habits, again!
Then the puddings came. Plural because there were lots of small ones, vanilla ice-cream on meringue, two profiteroles, and a raspberry cheesecake. My plan had been to have one mouthful of each.
Of course, that fell by the wayside and I ate the blinking lot.
But, I didn't drink anything other than water. Kept a little champagne in a glass to use for toasts, but only put it to my lips, didn't have any of it.
For the rest of the day, I felt bloated and uncomfortable. And racked with guilt!
Back on the wagon on Sunday, but now fretting that I won't have lost any weight this week. Stayed in ketosis the whole time, which is good, but will have to wait til tomorrow for the results ...
Today is the end of week 12. Only a fortnight to go until I've completed the 100 days. Unfortunately, I won't be done then as I still have about 1½ stone to shift.
I've not posted on here for a while. To be frank, I was really miserable. The house renovations, wedding planning and LL was all beginning to get on top of me. Compounded by a pathetic 1lb loss last week, which really didn't help!
Anyway, I've spent the weekend digging up the garden. The previous occupants must have had a spring onion addiction - they were absolutely everywhere! As we have no idea what's what, we've cleared the whole lot - including two trees and are starting from scratch. Having new soil and turf delivered soon.
After working muscles which have lain dormant for so long, my back (and everywhere else) is now killing me. But it's all for the good.
Fingers cross it helps towards a good result at weigh-in tonight ....
.....
Well, 2½lbs off which takes me (by the skin of my teeth) into the 11s. Am a bit frustrated that it's slowed down, but I guess that's only to be expected at this stage.
We were told at class last night that in order to comply with a NICE report which states that VLCDs should not be undertaken for more than 12 weeks without a break, that we are to have milk every day for a week. I don't do dairy if I can help it (despite the foodpacks being full of milk powder!) so will have unsweetened soya milk. Unfortunately, it has less calories than semi-skimmed so I have to have 2 litres a day. On top of the 4 litres of water. We can add it to the foodpacks instead of using water. Maybe the choc and vanilla shakes will be quite nice and now I'll have 'cream of mushroom' soup!
But that won't use up the 2 litres. Don't know what I'll do with the rest as can't bear drinking it neat. Lots of milky coffee, I suppose ....
I'm impressed that I've stuck at it without cheating once. Some times it's been very hard - the last two weeks have been especially tricky. I've been very stressed and normally I'd 'help' myself by eating junk food (and a lot of it!).
Having to cope with situations without resorting to food is hard, and I'm by no means 'cured'. I do worry that once I'm eating again, old habits will rear their ugly heads.
Oh, just remembered, last night's score: 5½lbs off. Which I'm thrilled with, but as the previous 2 weeks had been lame, I'm very glad. There would have been a major tantrum thrown if I'd not had a decent loss. My total in 10 weeks is 2st 13lbs. Wish I'd made it to the round 3 stone, but that'll happen next week.
The builders have finally finished the bathroom (has taken a fortnight). But, we forgot to order taps for the basin, which is a pain in the arse. So, it's not quite finished just yet! I had my first shower this morning - after I'd spent 10 minutes trying to work the complicated controls
Well, not been here for a while. Busy, busy - having lots of refurbishment work done at the house. Laptop has gone to LA with fiance, so I'm without internet access. Driving me mad!
Anyway. Only lost 1½lbs this week. Having said that, it's still a loss, and an ok one. I'm dehydrated, according to the wee-stick. Not having bathroom facilities at home meant I couldn't drink as much as usual.
Total loss so far is 2st, 7½lbs. In 9 weeks.
I wrote a little while ago that I was miffed that no-one had noticed my loss. Well, they must be reading this, because I've had three people at work tell me I've lost lots and am looking good. Plus a couple of friends have made reassuring noises.
Andrew took my 4-weekly measurements again last week. Oddly, I'd not lost terribly much in the second 4 weeks, but it must be starting to show.
In total, in 8 weeks, I've lost 10cm from my waist, 4cm from my upper arm (yay, I hate them), 6cm from my bust, 11½cm from my hips, 4½cm from each thigh, 3cm from the calves and even 2cm from my neck!!
I've also managed to get into my uniform skirt, which I've not done in ages. Oh, and I got into an M&S wedding dress - in a size 14
To be honest, I'm struggling a bit with LL this week. The extent of the building work at home is more than I thought. They've made one hell of a mess and it doesn't feel like home at the moment. I got so down about it last night that it took all my willpower not to stop at the takeaway.
Am wedding dress shopping with mum tomorrow. It will either be lots of fun, or hellish!! Wish me luck ....
8 weeks down, over 2 stone lighter - and no-one is noticing!
Or at least, they're not saying anything.
Hurrumph. Only lost 2lbs at weigh-in last night. All things considered that's good, and I guess the loss will slow from here on in. Still a little disappointing, I want to see those scales move quicker!
But, just losing 2lbs has seen my BMI drop by 0.4 of a point, which is good, am now under 29.
However, am already more than halfway through - completed eight weeks already. Interestingly enough, today is 100 days until the wedding. Exactly the same amount of time as I have to do LL (or the initial phase, at least). Am sure the time will fly even faster now. Eek!!
Well, the weeks are going quite quickly. Today's the end of week 7 and tomorrow I'll be halfway through my first 100 days.
To be honest, the last few days have been a bit of a struggle. I'm really not doing the amount of water I'm supposed to, and I'm a little concerned it might slow down the weight loss. Only 3 hours to go and I'll find out .....
I'd like 4lbs off. Would take me into the 12s. Even 3lbs would mean I've lost a round 30lbs in total. Watch this space ....
Have tried posting for a couple of days, but something's going wrong. Been eventful since my last post ...
Saturday, Day 39
My biggest test. A family formal restaurant lunch. I 'came out' to mum on the way there. She was aghast at first, but came round once she realised I wasn't going to jump into this without researching it first. She made a classic comment though, 'thought you looked like you'd lost weight since Christmas (the last time I saw her) but you're still the fattest you've ever been'. Which is true, prior to meeting my OH, the heaviest I'd been was 12.5. Then I went up to 15.2.
Anyhoo, at the restaurant I just had a coffee (which came with chocolates!) and tried to ignore all the yummies everyone else was scoffing. No-one said anything until later whenI heard one relative ask mum if I was ok as she noticed I didn't eat. Mum just told her I'm dieting before the wedding - which is true.
The worst thing was afterwards. My sis-in-law had made a fab-loooking cake. I cut slices for other people and ended up with crumbs and buttercream all over my fingers. Managed not to lick it off and headed straight for the sink to wash them instead.
Sunday, Day 40
Wedding dress shopping. Was absolutely dreading it as previous experiences not been good. But the shop had some in my size, and the staff were lovely. I even found a half-price dress I really like. It's a bit snug, but won't be soon! Only thing is it did highlight how awful my arms are - need to do some work there.
Monday, Day 41
So thrilled. Found out that one of my bestest friends, who's doing LL, has lost 13lbs, taking her to more than 6 stone in total. She looks fab, as I mentioned last week, and has worked so hard. Am bursting with pride at her achievement.
Tuesday, Day 42
Weigh-in. Lost 4lbs. Am pleased but secretly hoping for 5 which would take me to the round 2 stone. Still, next week I'll get there. Everyone in my class is looking noticeably slimmer, but I can't see it in myself yet, despite my clothes being looser.
Wednesday, Day 43
Absolute shocker of a day at work. Was very tempted by the creamy pasta and profiteroles which were left over after a function, but stuck to a toffee bar instead! My colleague's gone on holiday today and I won't see her for 16 days. Hopefully by then, there'll be a noticeable difference.
