I'm at it again. After falling off the wagon again, and having a lovely holiday where I didn't give two hoots about what I ate, I'm back here trying to shed the kilos.
I've started this diet http://impromy.com/ and so far, it's working well.
1.8kgs down in the first week.
Tuesday, 27 October 2015
Tuesday, 15 September 2015
Adding exercise to the mix
I haven't weighed in for a while, mainly because I'm scared. I've been eating waaaaayyyyyy too much chocolate and general crap. I have been on a crap bonanza, a crabonanza, if you will.
But I have done something momentous. I have joined the gym. I have also been to said gym twice in 2 days. AND I've re-jigged my work schedule to ensure that I can hit the gym in my lunch breaks each and every work day. That is 5 workouts a week (minimum). This HAS to equal results.
Feeling proud.
Also gassy. Shakes are like a quick-bloat stinkathon. I am thinking of returning to:
Chai in the morning
Soup and roll for lunch
Light dinner.
This gave me huge results last time. I can do this!
But I have done something momentous. I have joined the gym. I have also been to said gym twice in 2 days. AND I've re-jigged my work schedule to ensure that I can hit the gym in my lunch breaks each and every work day. That is 5 workouts a week (minimum). This HAS to equal results.
Feeling proud.
Also gassy. Shakes are like a quick-bloat stinkathon. I am thinking of returning to:
Chai in the morning
Soup and roll for lunch
Light dinner.
This gave me huge results last time. I can do this!
Sunday, 6 September 2015
Hey ya!
So, the diet went out the window for my Festival of Birthday. I had a lovely time, but with some added unexpected stressors, I ate emotionally like I haven't for a while. Gah.
The scales are again telling tales.
It's my weigh day and today I was 75.4kg. Another rise. Damn.
So back in the groove today, and I feel a bit better for it. I just need to remember how much better when I feel in control.
The scales are again telling tales.
It's my weigh day and today I was 75.4kg. Another rise. Damn.
So back in the groove today, and I feel a bit better for it. I just need to remember how much better when I feel in control.
Tuesday, 25 August 2015
Back again
You'll notice that once again there's been a lapse. I had a weekend in Melbourne where I drank, ate cheeses for dinner, Acland St pastries for breakfast, and generally didn't watch anything. That saw me bouncing back up to 75.9ish and I've struggled with motivation ever since. I weighed in a week ago at 75.7kg and today after a bit more concerted effort I'm back to:
This weekend is my birthday and I'm headed back to Melbourne for my 35th birthday. I'm excited to be there but nervous about this cycle just repeating. So I need to find some resolve and strategies to manage it.
Currently strawberries are my favourite bit of sweetness. And with a teensy bit of cream for dessert they feel pretty decadent but actually are not too bad!
Also worth a mention here is that I bought my first car this week. It's very exciting but I haven't got it yet. Dad will bring it from the city in a few days and it's all very exciting!
This weekend is my birthday and I'm headed back to Melbourne for my 35th birthday. I'm excited to be there but nervous about this cycle just repeating. So I need to find some resolve and strategies to manage it.
Currently strawberries are my favourite bit of sweetness. And with a teensy bit of cream for dessert they feel pretty decadent but actually are not too bad!
Also worth a mention here is that I bought my first car this week. It's very exciting but I haven't got it yet. Dad will bring it from the city in a few days and it's all very exciting!
Tuesday, 11 August 2015
Static numbers
I managed the weekend well and kept to my shakes + dinner combo mainly. Yesterday included a blip of 4 ferrero rocher's, but thankfully I had increased my exercise to compensate. I'm still feeling heaps better than I was, but the numbers are staying static this week on 74.5kg. I might need an extra push to get me over the line this week.
Friday, 7 August 2015
Results are in #Week1
Drum roll please...
74.3kgs
Down from 77kgs last Saturday.
Loss of 2.7kgs
Hurrah! I'm pretty happy with this result so far.
74.3kgs
Down from 77kgs last Saturday.
Loss of 2.7kgs
Hurrah! I'm pretty happy with this result so far.
Thursday, 6 August 2015
One Chin or Two?
One of the things that keeps me really motivated to lose weight is the fact that I very easily get a double chin. I know, I know. This blog is such a f*&^%$ First World Problem.
"oooo I live in such a rich country that I have the opportunity to eat too much and still have a roof over my head"...Get a grip, woman!
And yes, the feminist I have been actively been for the past 20 years absolutely hates the fact that I give a fuck about my weight. It's what's on the inside that counts, blah blah blah. It's all true. My vision of beauty is entirely patriarchal. I have been shaped by the dominant and narrow views of beauty as a number. But then again, what's my alternative?
Avoid mirrors, bathers, beaches, sex with lights on, dancing, performing, fitted clothes, shopping all together? I am familiar with avoiding all of these things, and feel like I need to at certain points. And it just doesn't work for me.
I feel horrible in myself when I am not actively controlling what I put into my mouth. I can feel so relaxed when eating pizza on the couch, that for the first couple of months of allowing myself not to track calories vs exercise, that I can fool myself into thinking that I am happy. But the symptoms of my 'relaxed' approach always seem to seep through. I always begin to bulge, not fit into clothes, resist buying larger ones that actually fit (cause I feel like I have to admit that I 'failed') and then have nothing to wear, feeling even more frumpy than I otherwise might.
So here I am. Able to admit that there are flaws in my feminist logic. That I too, am perpetuating a narrow vision of beauty. But I am reframing it to both myself and others as being about 'health', and for me, that first step is about increasing exercise, and decreasing overall crap food intake. It has worked before, it will work again, but in the meantime I just have to accept that there are other emotional benefits for me in controlling my body - some of which are rational, and some of which are not.
This morning, with 24 hours left until weigh in, the scales sang me a 74.7kgs result. Let's see what tomorrow brings.
Cheers,
A
xx
"oooo I live in such a rich country that I have the opportunity to eat too much and still have a roof over my head"...Get a grip, woman!
And yes, the feminist I have been actively been for the past 20 years absolutely hates the fact that I give a fuck about my weight. It's what's on the inside that counts, blah blah blah. It's all true. My vision of beauty is entirely patriarchal. I have been shaped by the dominant and narrow views of beauty as a number. But then again, what's my alternative?
Avoid mirrors, bathers, beaches, sex with lights on, dancing, performing, fitted clothes, shopping all together? I am familiar with avoiding all of these things, and feel like I need to at certain points. And it just doesn't work for me.
I feel horrible in myself when I am not actively controlling what I put into my mouth. I can feel so relaxed when eating pizza on the couch, that for the first couple of months of allowing myself not to track calories vs exercise, that I can fool myself into thinking that I am happy. But the symptoms of my 'relaxed' approach always seem to seep through. I always begin to bulge, not fit into clothes, resist buying larger ones that actually fit (cause I feel like I have to admit that I 'failed') and then have nothing to wear, feeling even more frumpy than I otherwise might.
So here I am. Able to admit that there are flaws in my feminist logic. That I too, am perpetuating a narrow vision of beauty. But I am reframing it to both myself and others as being about 'health', and for me, that first step is about increasing exercise, and decreasing overall crap food intake. It has worked before, it will work again, but in the meantime I just have to accept that there are other emotional benefits for me in controlling my body - some of which are rational, and some of which are not.
This morning, with 24 hours left until weigh in, the scales sang me a 74.7kgs result. Let's see what tomorrow brings.
Cheers,
A
xx
Wednesday, 5 August 2015
'No-Power' is a muscle, if you don't use it, you lose it
So far, so good.
I have continued to have my 3 shakes a day + dinner, and add more exercise to my life each day. I'm feeling great, motivated, and the preliminary weigh-in's are telling me there's movement at the weight loss station.
I had forgotten how good it feels to say 'no'. No to extra food that doesn't ever fill a gap. No to the feeling of guilt. No to feeling thick and gluggy. No, I won't let myself down today.
It was a real test of will (or won't) power yesterday as I went to the movies with Mum & A. There were plenty of treats waiting for me as usual, and this time I prepared. I took with me a punnet of strawberries and some specially chosen chocolate in portion control sizes. Besides a single handful of popcorn and slurp of Coke Zero, I had my strawberries and didn't feel like I was missing out much. Then on my return home I had my allocated chocolate treats.
I feel good for being strong in myself. For controlling my appetite and remembering this skill that I had learned so well over the last few years, but then over the past 12 months have gradually 'forgotten'.
Everything in moderation is okay.
For me, it's about tracking intake vs output and being mindful and in charge of my body. I think I have to accept that being mindful of my body will be a life long reality, and that rather than resisting it, I need to just accept that I can't eat mindlessly and still feel good about myself. It's a slippery slope.
Today the scales said I was under 75kgs for the first time in a while - 74.8kgs, but then I won't really take that as a proper figure until my allocated Weigh Day (Saturday) which will mark exactly 1 week of trying hard. At that point I will look at the starting weight of 77kgs and celebrate any loss from that point. 2 more sleeps until Weigh Day. I want to make sure that's a happy result, so I will keep on trying.
Things to work on?
- Drinking more water.
- Complaining about the world less.
- Including some gentle jogging in my morning and evening puppy walks
Til then,
Anita x
I have continued to have my 3 shakes a day + dinner, and add more exercise to my life each day. I'm feeling great, motivated, and the preliminary weigh-in's are telling me there's movement at the weight loss station.
I had forgotten how good it feels to say 'no'. No to extra food that doesn't ever fill a gap. No to the feeling of guilt. No to feeling thick and gluggy. No, I won't let myself down today.
It was a real test of will (or won't) power yesterday as I went to the movies with Mum & A. There were plenty of treats waiting for me as usual, and this time I prepared. I took with me a punnet of strawberries and some specially chosen chocolate in portion control sizes. Besides a single handful of popcorn and slurp of Coke Zero, I had my strawberries and didn't feel like I was missing out much. Then on my return home I had my allocated chocolate treats.
I feel good for being strong in myself. For controlling my appetite and remembering this skill that I had learned so well over the last few years, but then over the past 12 months have gradually 'forgotten'.
Everything in moderation is okay.
For me, it's about tracking intake vs output and being mindful and in charge of my body. I think I have to accept that being mindful of my body will be a life long reality, and that rather than resisting it, I need to just accept that I can't eat mindlessly and still feel good about myself. It's a slippery slope.
Today the scales said I was under 75kgs for the first time in a while - 74.8kgs, but then I won't really take that as a proper figure until my allocated Weigh Day (Saturday) which will mark exactly 1 week of trying hard. At that point I will look at the starting weight of 77kgs and celebrate any loss from that point. 2 more sleeps until Weigh Day. I want to make sure that's a happy result, so I will keep on trying.
Things to work on?
- Drinking more water.
- Complaining about the world less.
- Including some gentle jogging in my morning and evening puppy walks
Til then,
Anita x
Monday, 3 August 2015
Keeping on, keeping on.
It was a pretty good weekend for me. A good mixture of rest, romance, family time, puppy time and good eating/exercise. I got to meet some new friends and after a meltdown on my Mum's shoulder about some longstanding 'stuff', the world seemed bright again.
I've managed to keep the eating under control with the shakes and I've not been too hungry at any point.
I got excited about the scales saying 75 again this morning but I know I won't be able to tell until Saturday, which will be exactly a week in. This is the hardest phase. I've learned that before and I think it will be a good test of my will power. I find it easier at work than at home to resist temptation so long as I don't have to go looking for lunch.
I measured again this morning for a good reference point. The photos were also taken this morning too. I regretted not having them last time I tried to get to a healthy weight.
This blog is mainly for maintaining my own motivation, but if it helps you at all, do let me know!
Cheers,
Anita
I've managed to keep the eating under control with the shakes and I've not been too hungry at any point.
I got excited about the scales saying 75 again this morning but I know I won't be able to tell until Saturday, which will be exactly a week in. This is the hardest phase. I've learned that before and I think it will be a good test of my will power. I find it easier at work than at home to resist temptation so long as I don't have to go looking for lunch.
I measured again this morning for a good reference point. The photos were also taken this morning too. I regretted not having them last time I tried to get to a healthy weight.
This blog is mainly for maintaining my own motivation, but if it helps you at all, do let me know!
Cheers,
Anita
Saturday, 1 August 2015
Keeping on
Feeling pretty happy with myself this morning. Managed to finally have a day where I didn't blow my calories out by a million. I had a quiet night and began to learn to knit, which I actually am enjoying.
Trying not to get too excited about the scales this morning, which told me that first thing in the morning with no clothes on, I weigh 75.4kgs
We'll see how this all continues.
It's hard, the shake diets have such bad reps (for many good reasons) that I don't want to be too open about it with loved ones because I know they'll be concerned. So I'm laying low about it right now, and seeing how I go with it. It's just a way to fuel the motivation right now.
Trying not to get too excited about the scales this morning, which told me that first thing in the morning with no clothes on, I weigh 75.4kgs
We'll see how this all continues.
It's hard, the shake diets have such bad reps (for many good reasons) that I don't want to be too open about it with loved ones because I know they'll be concerned. So I'm laying low about it right now, and seeing how I go with it. It's just a way to fuel the motivation right now.
Back to the grind
So clearly that last bout of 'motivation' couldn't last the 30 mins a day. Le Sigh.
So here I am again.
What's changed? Since then I got a new puppy and dealt with sleepless nights and a whole change in routine. Despite walking an hour and a half a day with him, I'm still going up on the scales and increasing the sizes I need at Target. I dislike this immensely. I feel unsexy, lethargic, thick, depressed and disappointed in myself.
So time to regroup. No more excuses. I've done it before, I can do it again.
Also, a picture of Theo for general 'nawws'
Starting stats
Weight 77kgs
BMI 28/ Overweight
Calculate yours here: Australian Heart Foundation BMI Calculator
Measurements
I need to measure again soon but I'm size 16 Target pants and a 12-14 top. A very squeezy size 12 dress but really a 14.
Apps & Aides
Lifesum App on iphone (great for calorie counting)
Goals
1kg per week loss of weight. Gradual reduction in measurements. Gradual increase in fitness.
Milestone 1
8kgs which would see me back under 70kgs at 69.5kgs
Deadline: September 26th
Milestone 2
Another 5 kgs by October 31st (weight 64.5kgs)
Milestone 3
Another 5 kgs by December 5th (59.5kgs)
Week 1:
As much as I am normally really anti the whole shake-based diet thing, I really need a kickstart to see some results. So I am doing a week of the Celebrity Slim Rapid phase. I began today and am adding 'Nature's Way: Super Greens + Carob' supplements for extra nutrients. I intend to post here regularly for my own motivation if nothing else.
Watch this space for progress.
Yours in hopeful motivation,
A x
So here I am again.
What's changed? Since then I got a new puppy and dealt with sleepless nights and a whole change in routine. Despite walking an hour and a half a day with him, I'm still going up on the scales and increasing the sizes I need at Target. I dislike this immensely. I feel unsexy, lethargic, thick, depressed and disappointed in myself.
So time to regroup. No more excuses. I've done it before, I can do it again.
Also, a picture of Theo for general 'nawws'
Starting stats
Weight 77kgs
BMI 28/ Overweight
Calculate yours here: Australian Heart Foundation BMI Calculator
Measurements
I need to measure again soon but I'm size 16 Target pants and a 12-14 top. A very squeezy size 12 dress but really a 14.
Apps & Aides
Lifesum App on iphone (great for calorie counting)
Goals
1kg per week loss of weight. Gradual reduction in measurements. Gradual increase in fitness.
Milestone 1
8kgs which would see me back under 70kgs at 69.5kgs
Deadline: September 26th
Milestone 2
Another 5 kgs by October 31st (weight 64.5kgs)
Milestone 3
Another 5 kgs by December 5th (59.5kgs)
Week 1:
As much as I am normally really anti the whole shake-based diet thing, I really need a kickstart to see some results. So I am doing a week of the Celebrity Slim Rapid phase. I began today and am adding 'Nature's Way: Super Greens + Carob' supplements for extra nutrients. I intend to post here regularly for my own motivation if nothing else.
Watch this space for progress.
Yours in hopeful motivation,
A x
Tuesday, 3 March 2015
I want to eat... all of the things!
Yesterday was hard work. Today even harder, but I persist. This pretty much characterises how I'm feeling today:
I've already had a scone with some cream and an ice cream. I'm sitting at my work desk absolutely hankering for chocolate and I know, intellectually that it isn't actually a stomach gap. I know I'm trying to fill something else, but right now, I'm not quite sure. Work is quiet and perhaps it's just a wee bit of the boredom setting in? Anywho, I will overcome. Sound too churchy? Perhaps but I need to be the star player in my own cheersquad right now. It's the first stage of any habit setting that is the hardest part. That time is now.
Being goal focused is hard work. Right now I am thinking about feeling good in my graduation photos. One chin, not two please.
Monday, 2 March 2015
Little wins
Yesterday I felt alive with energy and motivation. Yes. It's all possible right now.
Today life feels a little more uphill. My partner has the flu and I'm nurse and full time worker. I'm walking off to work now and am feeling happy with yesterday's results. I had lots of sweet treats on the couch watching Veronica Mars but still managed to stay under my calorie count. The pic included is my LifeSum screenshot and yesterday I managed to skip for 20 mins and I used the boxing bag at work for another 5-10 mins. I even have bruised knuckles to prove it! So today I might check out some gloves.
I got to 10,000 steps according to my fitbit and had over 8 hours sleep.
Sunday, 1 March 2015
Former home of the Yo-Yo Diet
During the last 5 years I had lost 30 kgs and I have recently gained back nearly 15 of those hard-won kilograms. It has come back quickly and stealthily. On my face, my arms, hips, bum, thighs, calves, boobs and waist. I have not welcomed the return of my double chin. In fact, I have loathed it.
I know I am a pretty average sized Australian woman. I'm not here to whinge 'ewww I'm so fat!' or shame those of you who may be larger. I am just a 34 year old woman from Victoria, Australia who is not toned or lean in any way, and who is not in the healthiest of shapes. I am not where I want to be. I have gone from a size 8-10 to a pretty solid size 14 and I'm not happy with myself. I've fluctuated between a size 8 and size 18 in my life having tipped the scales at 90kgs at my heaviest. I'm still a fair way from that, but I know better than most the seduction of that sedentary lifestyle. This page is not an ode to excuses, but it has been a stressful 6 months: my mother was hospitalised multiple times, I was completing a solid bracket of full-time study, I am just beginning a new career, I've moved to a regional Victorian town, and moved in with my partner. There has been change aplenty, and my hips certainly don't lie. Sadly, my wardrobe knows the truth.
My body tells the world about my love of biscuits - all kinds (although Oreo's are lowest on my priortiy listing), my love of chocolate, and my late night take-away's on the couch. I have been all about the easy food. There's no surprise when I realise I have barely devoted any specialist time to exercise and that as a result my soft buxom frame has become even more so. My partner doesn't seem to mind, but I sure do. It affects my every day- every time I get dressed, undressed, think about undressing in any context, and also I can tell it has played havoc with my energy levels.I'm just so tired all the time.
So why this blog?
Like every mid-30's female flabby cliche (and in the words of Streisand and Summers) 'enough is enough!' Here I am, unapologetically owning the space my body inhabits. With every feminist fibre of my being I impore you all to remember that my body is not my worth, but that I am undertaking this journey for wellbeing. Not for aesthetic purposes, to satisfy some imagined public gaze, but because I know (from the experience of being a size 10, 5"3 curvy girl) that I feel better when my body is healthy. My mental health is better when I am doing regular targeted cardio. I feel more able in all the aspects of my life.
Wellbeing is what it's all about and this is a good way to keep myself inspired, and just maybe, inspire one or two others while I'm at it.
Half-an-hour is all it takes.
Week 1: Half an hour skipping is being added to my day this week. Instead of going for a walk at lunch time I have brought in my skipping rope and am intending to skip each day.
Starting stats
Weight 74.2kgs
BMI 28/ Overweight
Calculate yours here: Australian Heart Foundation BMI Calculator
Measurements
Waist 80cm, Chest 102 cm, Arm 33cm, Tummy 102cm, Upper thigh 66cm, Hips 108cm, Calf 38cm
Apps & Aides
Lifesum App on iphone (great for calorie counting)
Fitbit Flex for step tracking
Fitbit Aria scales for accurate weighing and motivating etc.
Good cookbooks
Goals
1kg per week loss of weight. Gradual reduction in measurements. Gradual increase in fitness.
Milestone 1
8kgs by 27 April which is also when I am hosting a party in celebration of my new home, career and life. I would like to celebrate this while feeling better in my skin. This would see me at 66.2kgs
Milestone 2
8kgs (16kgs in total) by 22 June which would see me at my goal weight of 58.2kgs.
Watch this space for progress.
Yours in hopeful motivation,
A x
I know I am a pretty average sized Australian woman. I'm not here to whinge 'ewww I'm so fat!' or shame those of you who may be larger. I am just a 34 year old woman from Victoria, Australia who is not toned or lean in any way, and who is not in the healthiest of shapes. I am not where I want to be. I have gone from a size 8-10 to a pretty solid size 14 and I'm not happy with myself. I've fluctuated between a size 8 and size 18 in my life having tipped the scales at 90kgs at my heaviest. I'm still a fair way from that, but I know better than most the seduction of that sedentary lifestyle. This page is not an ode to excuses, but it has been a stressful 6 months: my mother was hospitalised multiple times, I was completing a solid bracket of full-time study, I am just beginning a new career, I've moved to a regional Victorian town, and moved in with my partner. There has been change aplenty, and my hips certainly don't lie. Sadly, my wardrobe knows the truth.
My body tells the world about my love of biscuits - all kinds (although Oreo's are lowest on my priortiy listing), my love of chocolate, and my late night take-away's on the couch. I have been all about the easy food. There's no surprise when I realise I have barely devoted any specialist time to exercise and that as a result my soft buxom frame has become even more so. My partner doesn't seem to mind, but I sure do. It affects my every day- every time I get dressed, undressed, think about undressing in any context, and also I can tell it has played havoc with my energy levels.I'm just so tired all the time.
So why this blog?
Like every mid-30's female flabby cliche (and in the words of Streisand and Summers) 'enough is enough!' Here I am, unapologetically owning the space my body inhabits. With every feminist fibre of my being I impore you all to remember that my body is not my worth, but that I am undertaking this journey for wellbeing. Not for aesthetic purposes, to satisfy some imagined public gaze, but because I know (from the experience of being a size 10, 5"3 curvy girl) that I feel better when my body is healthy. My mental health is better when I am doing regular targeted cardio. I feel more able in all the aspects of my life.
Wellbeing is what it's all about and this is a good way to keep myself inspired, and just maybe, inspire one or two others while I'm at it.
Half-an-hour is all it takes.
Week 1: Half an hour skipping is being added to my day this week. Instead of going for a walk at lunch time I have brought in my skipping rope and am intending to skip each day.
Starting stats
Weight 74.2kgs
BMI 28/ Overweight
Calculate yours here: Australian Heart Foundation BMI Calculator
Measurements
Waist 80cm, Chest 102 cm, Arm 33cm, Tummy 102cm, Upper thigh 66cm, Hips 108cm, Calf 38cm
Apps & Aides
Lifesum App on iphone (great for calorie counting)
Fitbit Flex for step tracking
Fitbit Aria scales for accurate weighing and motivating etc.
Good cookbooks
Goals
1kg per week loss of weight. Gradual reduction in measurements. Gradual increase in fitness.
Milestone 1
8kgs by 27 April which is also when I am hosting a party in celebration of my new home, career and life. I would like to celebrate this while feeling better in my skin. This would see me at 66.2kgs
Milestone 2
8kgs (16kgs in total) by 22 June which would see me at my goal weight of 58.2kgs.
Watch this space for progress.
Yours in hopeful motivation,
A x
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