Okay, I've been thinking about it long and hard.. Even went as far as phoning up and leaving a message for local Lighter Life counseller. I've sat down and written out the pros and cons. What I have so far is:
Pros of LL - Fast weight loss. Cons of LL - Cost, it's very strict (no eating), and I have to learn to eat again once I've lost the weight.
Pros of WW - I know how to do it, I can still eat, and I learn to eat whilst doing it. Cons of WW - Slow weight loss.
I'm planning on staying on WW and seeing how I've done overall at my last weigh in of the month. (Monday 29th January). I'm still going to get weighed weekly - but weight does flutuate! Even when I started CD last year, the counsellor said that some people stay the same for a couple of weeks and then lose a months worth over one or two! So weight does flutuate, I just need to stick at it and look at my overall goal after four weeks on it!
I just need to keep upbeat and motivated, that's the most difficult bit.
I've been 110% on the WW plan so far... Today is my 16th day on it.. In the first week I lost 5lbs, this week I've stayed the same. I'm working so hard at it, I nearly slipped off the wagon yesterday because I was so disheartened, and I'm struggling to stay on it today.
I just don't know what to do. I'm putting off going out with friends, and I went out for lunch the other day with my mum, but didn't have anything because anything that was 'point friendly' wasn't appetising (very dry scones etc).
To keep me motivated, I need a guaranteed amount that I will lose each month - 1 or 2 lb a month is not enough.
I'm considering trying Lighter Life again - especially as I've been able to stick to something 100% without cheating for over a fortnight - If I can do that, I can be motivated enough to do LL.
Well I got weighed on Monday - and I had lost 5lbs!! I'm so happy, I'm now under the 200lb mark.
Day 10 - of sticking to it 100%, I'm really proud of myself for sticking to it for so long. Especially as things have been quite difficult at the minute, with work etc... But I haven't turned to food for comfort, so 'YAY ME'!!
Well I'm on day 6 now! I don't remember the last time I stuck to a diet for 3 days, let alone nearly a week! Just the rest of today, and tomorrow and it will have been a week! And I get weighed on Monday and will be a lb or so lighter!
I went to the driving range today and hit about 60 golf balls. I'm shattered, and my arms and legs (?) really ache and hurt! But I'm so happy, and proud, and excited!!!
Well, it's my third day on WW FC, so far I've stuck to it 100%, even saving a couple of points on the last two days.
I feel really good, mainly because I'm doing something. It's amazing how eating healthly can make you feel better... I know it's an obvious combination, but it's only just clicked.
I was on and off the plan last year, don't think I stuck to it for a full week at a time, lucky if I stuck to it 4 days out of 7. Considering I lost nearly 60lbs, it shows you how bad my eating was before!
I haven't been watching my weight, and have been eating what I want since mid November. And it's obvious. I've put on 8lbs since then (that's more then 1lb a week!), and my skin is awful. Sure it's my totm, but seriously, the spots I have coming out at the moment are ugly and SO painful! I'm hoping a couple of weeks of eating healthily (and pampering my skin) will sort it all out - I'm trying to drink more water, but really struggling because our water cooler supply has been empty for the last few weeks, and I'm not a fan of the tap water at work at all!
I'm actually taking the Zotrim tablets three times a day. Apparently they take a week to really make a difference, and the first week you only take two before a meal (three times a day), and then after that three before a meal (three times a day). They're herbal, and cause your stomach to 'empty' slower then usual, so you feel full for longer. It's only the third day that I've been on them, and already I feel better for it... Unless it's all in my mind.
Anyway, just wanted to share how positive and happy I'm feeling. I just hope I can keep this up, I'm taking it one day at a time!
Well that's day one over... and I stuck to it completely. Didn't feel hungry at all, actually ate a lot more then I thought I would. I only had 20.5 points of my total 22 allowance, and I've drunk a lot of water today as well!
I also went to the Driving Range with my dad, and hit some balls for about 20 minutes. My arms were killing me at the end, golf really works them! I really enjoyed it though, so am planning on going twice a week, building it up slowly as I improve. Next trip is at the weekend.
Thank you so much for the lovely comments on my last post. It really helps to know that I'm not the only one 'going through' or feeling like this. You're all so lovely and kind.
Well today is New Years Eve... In fact, only 2 hours to go until 2007! The diet starts then! I've been thinking about it for a few weeks now (felt silly starting a diet during Christmas, so put it off). Sounds like typical procrastinating when it comes to starting a diet... But I really feel in the right frame of mind, which is so important.
I've got some Zotrim (http://www.zotrim.co.uk/index.php?id=2). The basic information about it is, it's herbal and: "A study using ultrasound showed that the Zotrim formulation slowed the rate of stomach emptying. It is thought that, as the food stays in the stomach longer, you feel full faster and remain feeling full for longer. In this way, Zotrim can help reduce overall food intake from meals and snacks." (Taken from the above site).
I'm hoping that these will help stop me bingeing, and snacking between meals - the only trouble I can forsee is remembering to take them before each meal.
I'm also going to be following Weight Watchers (it works well for me when I stick to it), and increasing my exercise. When I say increasing, I mean actually doing some!
I'm going to try some Callenetics (look it up on Amazon) to help me tone up, and I'm going to start playing golf again. Yes... a 22 year old playing golf!
Also if... scratch that... WHEN I've lost two or three stone (hopefully by July) I'm going to invest in a bike and start cycling.
The only other issues I have are to do with life, not weight (makes a change). I'm not enjoying the job I'm in at the moment (working as an Administrator for a Recruitment Company). Although I'm being promoted to 'Temp Controller' and people are talking about me being Consultant by the end of the year, I'm not happy. It's not what I want to do.
I'm good with office work and organisation, and I've always been interested in how films and television programs are 'put together', so I'm looking at trying to be a Production Assistant. The two biggest issues are:
1. Money, it will mean a pay cut, so I'm probably going to stay in my current job (and take the promotion) until July, by then I will have paid for a trip to Switzerland that I have booked with my parents for September, and a trip to New York that I have booked with a friend for January 2008.
2. Actually getting my first job. It's such a difficult industry to get into, especially when you have no experience working in media. Also it's going to be difficult with the area of the country I live in. Not many production companies/tv channels in Hampshire - and no point me moving to London until I've actually got some experience - Catch 22 really.
So that's something that I'm going to be focusing on, and will (hopefully) be a big change in 2007. Wish me luck - I'm going to need it!
Anyway, I'm off now. Only 1 hour and 45 minutes of 2006 left. I'm going downstairs to spend it with my parents.
Happy New Year to you all, and I hope 2007 brings you happiness and health (and weight loss)! Thank you for all your support.
Has anyone had one? The photograph of you that is so awful, it actually gives you a kick up the arse to do something?
I've actually lost 60lbs in just over a year, doing nothing more then moving in with my parents (this meant proper home cooked meals every night, rather then take away). I know I keep harping on about this, but I'm very proud. However, I still have another 40, if not 50lbs to lose!
The last few months I've been doing 'Sweet FA' about it all. I keep meaning to, and 'trying', but giving up... and worst of all I've started bingeing again! I don't know why! I don't enjoy eating the food, because I'm just stuffing it down before someone sees me, and not actually enjoying each mouthful. I feel sick after, and I hate myself after as well!
I did start going out clubbing again, but I've got back into the frame of mind that I don't deserve to go out beause I'm fat! I honestly believe that people think less of people who are overweight! Even I judge people! I look at them and ask myself, why do they let themselves get like that!?
So yesterday, prompted by the weight loss tablets thread on OT, I decided to start on the Xenicol my doctor gave me a prescription for. I took one yesterday evening. My reasoning wasn't so I could lose weight, I know the only sensible way to do that is eat healthily (WW works for me) and exercise. It was, if I binge, I'm going to be getting stomach cramps and having a horrible time on the loo. It was all to stop me bingeing.
I haven't taken one today, as I've felt pretty focused, and actually stopped myself from considering eating/bingeing on anything.
However I've got extra motivation now.
We had our work xmas party on Saturday. Fancy dress. I went as a cow girl - as did the two other girls in my branch. They both got their costumes from the fancy dress shop, I had to 'make' mine as none of the costumes in the shop fit. Still, I thought I looked pretty good. I've just found a picture of me on the night, with the two other girls. I look disgusting. I look awful. I nearly cried.
I'm now emailing this picture to my home email, and I'm going to have it printed off onto proper photo paper, and I'm going to stick it up in the house. Every time I feel like bingeing, or not sticking to the diet (just having a day off - which always turns into a week, which magically turns into a month) I'm going to look at this picture.
I'm now asking myself "Why did I let myself get like this!?".
I have to admit... I haven't been 100% on the plan this past week (managed the first couple of days and then 'fell off the wagen), and was actually putting off doing it properly until January. I was planning on focusing on having just three meals a day, and no snacks.
However today I got an invitation to a big awards ceremony that the company I work for does every year... and I mean big, it's for both divisions of the firm (they usually do two seperate ones). It's also where I used to live so I can meet up with a couple of friends... which obviously means I want to look my best!
And it's on Saturday 13th January, so I have just over 10 weeks - oh, and I have to get myself a nice evening dress. So I'm aiming to have lost another stone by then - and I should hopefully be down to size 14 then!! (I'm a 16/18 at the moment - mainly 16s).
Many thanks for the comments on my bingeing post. As of Monday I've been back on the plan - ready and raring to go (see my below post on exercise!). I've got myself into the right mindset (again) with a little help from Paul McKenna.
Each time I've fancied food, I've asked myself if I'm actually hungry or not - If not, I just have a drink or make myself busy (thank you Cat for your suggestions - they really help!), and if I am - I have something to eat, and whatever it is that I fancy... It's strange, everything I've fancied I've actually been able to fit quite easily into my daily points! It's bizarre how easy and simple it is!!
I've been writing everything down - even the 'bad things' Leanne (it's amazing that the bad things aren't always as 'bad' as I think).
I feel quite positive... I hope that I can stay in this mood for a decent amount of time!
