Savage Struggle
Weigh Day #17
Weight – 124.4 Kilograms, 19.58 Stone, 274.25 Pounds
Weekly Weight Loss – 0.3 Kilograms, 0.66 Pounds
Total Weight Loss – 13.3 Kilograms, 2.09 Stone, 29.32 Pounds
BMI – 38.2 (Obese), Total BMI Loss – 4.1, Check Your BMI
A Tricky Week
Sugar Hiccup And More….
It’s been nothing short of a savage struggle this week. Once more, sugar reared its ugly head. I fell for its charms hook, line, and sinker. Will I ever learn? Luckily for me, I don’t beat myself up on the issue but get quite annoyed I cannot be a little more restrained at times.
Not Only Sugar…
As I reported in Old Ways earlier in the week, I’ve found old habits creeping back into life. The week didn’t improve too much. I was eating in front of the telly after dinner. Mostly to my guilty viewing pleasure, Vera, a far-fetched but addictive crime drama series. Lead actress Brenda Blethyn turned 78 on Tuesday and still solving murders in that UK murder hotspot of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne and surrounding areas. You can’t put a good detective down!
I still find it nigh on impossible to watch TV without some form of food with me. Another thing I need to get over!
And eating later at night after dinner led me to skip my usual bacon, eggs and black pudding breakfast and have a lower-calorie instant noodle ‘meal’ the next day. This happened on Wednesday and Thursday. I’ve been there before so many times. This does not work! I just ended up hungrier and the week kind of descended into madness. On Thursday, my eating went out of control a bit. I counted what I’d consumed as best I could and was roughly 500 calories over.
Weight Loss Slowing
Committance Waning?
The weight loss has slowed down a little because I’ve not been as committed at weekends. Not counting and overeating just like I used to. At least I’m addressing and dealing with such problems. I used to sweep such a crisis under the carpet, and I’d start gaining weight. The “Domino Effect”.
Yesterday, I was determined to have a normal day. And I did. This morning, I felt much better. Had a lovely wander around with Bowie in the muddy grass of Smedley Playing Fields and around Cheetham Hill roads to get my 5000 daily steps.
No, in a nutshell, I don’t think I’m waning or losing any commitment to the job in hand. Sometimes, it does feel it would be the easy option to stop the battle and give in. But, I’ve gained so many positives over the past four months, that long-term, I don’t ever want to go back. I said from the start that no-one ever said it was going to be easy! You simply got to keep breaking down them walls!!!!
Last time I ‘only’ lost 300 grams (just over half a pound), I was really hacked off. This time, I’m embracing it as I didn’t expect to lose anything at all. My sweet tooth has returned which is a right pest but not the end of the world. Been here before! Especially, given I’m on leave from work this week and we’re going away…
Holiday Mode
Get The Right Mindset!
One of my biggest failings so far is letting myself go when there is an event of any description. When you’re trying to lose weight, you realise more events are going on in life than you realise. To clarify, an event can be just about anything different to your normal routine. Christmas, Easter, Birthday, Holiday etc.
Yeah, I’m still getting results (just!) but don’t feel nearly as good as when I was eating better. Sure, the ankles have hampered the number of steps I can do but as I always maintain, exercise is only a small amount of the whole lose weight package. In case you’re interested, the ankles remain a little painful but have pretty much healed.
The little positives such as a loosening belt have evaporated this week despite not gaining weight. More proof that to coin a cliché you are what you eat. I’ve not eaten too well and feel quite frankly a little run-down. So, I must get into the right frame of mind before my trip away.
Going Abroad
Me and er indoors are off to Italy on Tuesday. A jaunt around Lake Garda then an overnight stay in Venice before returning to the UK late Saturday. I’m going to weigh myself on Sunday and blog then. I need to stay focused. One positive is we tend to walk a lot on such trips. And as we’re not all-inclusive by a beach, this will help too. I’ll limit my alcohol intake too. I may not even bother.
Given what’s gone on the last couple of weekends, the timing for this trip is pretty good as I’m finding new determination within to not completely let myself go. To be honest, holidays are not usually too much of an issue with weight gain, but we’ll see next week! At least I’m going into this break with the right mindset.
Possible Setbacks?
Now that me and Larice are firmly encased in our weight loss journey, we don’t view setbacks as a reason to give up. It’s always going to be a savage struggle. You must stay on top all the time yes but don’t stop enjoying life as a result! We’re looking forward to the break. Getting away, visiting places, spending time together and sharing the experience.
Weight loss goals should never get in the way of life. On the other hand, if you find yourself in a savage struggle then take a step back and assess yourself. Kill any negativity around in whatever form. You’re never going to lose that weight in a week or a month. It could take years. There will be hurdles in your way all the time.
I got a stark reminder this week of how I used to feel all the time. Uncomfortable, my trousers feeling tight and my belly hanging over. I’m glad I got this timely reminder because we need these little injections to remind us of what we were and where we want to go.
I was amazed at how quickly you can descend when you eat the wrong things. Our food is so full of poison that so many foodstuffs can drag you down. It was the sugar, again, that did me though. I remember reporting just after Christmas how I could feel the taste of sugar in my mouth. This has happened again. On the plus side, eradicate from life and it soon goes away.
A Little What You Fancy?
Some people will argue that it’s ok to have “a little what you fancy”. I’d agree with this to a certain extent, but I’d also argue that “a little what you fancy” is so damn addictive for some people (me included) that as soon as I consume, I just want more and more and more…. And more! That’s the nature of addictive food! Depends on yourself.
My Holiday Mission
No Sugar!
My mission this week is to completely avoid sugar. No deserts, pastries, ice cream, biscuits etc. In a country that’s famous for such things, this might prove tricky! Given what’s happened this week, I’m hopeful but not convinced I can go down this road. Whatever happens, I’m going to enjoy my break and return with renewed energy and optimism.
All too often we go into holidays with the wrong attitude. Pretty much the same as Christmas. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying some of the good stuff… just not too much eh?
Should I return having gouged on sugar all week, then the savage struggle is merely beginning and that will stay in my mind.
Five Goals For The Week Ahead
- No sugar
- Enjoy my break
- Get the office revamped
- Take a load of unwanted rubbish to recycle
- Walk 10000 steps a day
