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
