Getting it off and keeping it off!

The funny thing about losing weight is that losing weight is the easy part compared with keeping the weight off and maintaining your healthy weight.  Trust me, I'm an experienced yo-yo dieter.

Once you start dieting and exercising and really getting into the groove of it, the weight will come off.  You have to be diligent and patient; it took a long time to gain the weight so it stands to reason that it will take a long time to come off.

It will come off, though.  Before you know it, you're a few clothing sizes smaller and it's time to go shopping.  Does this mean you can abandon your diet?  Stop exercising?  I'm afraid not. This may seem like common sense, but trust me, there are people out there who think that once they reach their goal weight, they can go back to their old habits. 

Maintaining a healthy weight means you have to change your lifestyle.  You may have to give up things you like but you can in turn develop new, healthier habits and start being more active which can be very rewarding.  I took up running which I now love.  I also hauled out my bicycle last spring which hadn't seen daylight in a shameful amount of time and instead of taking taxis to the next town over when I needed to go there, I cycled

You don't have to do those things; simply going for a walk a few times a week will be enough to get you started.  Once you get outside, it's hard to go back in.  Give it a try.  If you're interested in running, check your area for local runs, like charity runs or fun runs and sign up.  It will give you something to train for.

With regard to food, you can have a treat every once in a while; it won't do you any good to deny yourself something you really want if you're just going to be miserable.  If you want something, have it.  Just watch your portions.  After I had been dieting for about 5 or 6 months, I really wanted fish and chips one night, so I ordered it at a restaurant.  I LOVE fish and chips; it was always one of my favourite things to eat.  That night, however, I couldn't finish it.  It was suddenly too greasy for me and I instantly regretted ordering it.  You'll find that this might happen with you as well; something you loved may not taste as nice when you get used to eating healthy food.

I hope this has been helpful.  Feel free to email me if you have specific questions.

That Time

I've neglected my blog lately; this is because it was "that time". Ladies, you know what I'm talking about. Downing aspirin like candy, complaining, water weight gain, all that good stuff. I came through with only minor breaks in my diet. Today I'm back down to the weight I was before "that time" so I consider that a small victory.

"That time" is always a nuisance for me. I'll be doing fantastic and feeling very motivated for 3 solid weeks. And then the monthly visitor shows up and I don't feel like doing anything except drink wine, eat salty snacks and talk on the phone. Crying at cheesy TV shows is also an occasional symptom. I managed to still force myself to go to the gym but I did eat more salty snacks than I should have. I believe I also had Chinese food (take out) as well but it wasn't curry and I didn't have chips (fries) with it so I feel like that's something, anyway.

The bottom line is, I have absolutely no tips on how to handle "that time". If anyone does, I welcome them! I get cravings for bad things to eat and drink and can barely control myself. Please let me know if there's a wonder drug out there that will make it all go away! I do have two judgemental cats who look at me in disgust when I reach for the popcorn which helps lay on the guilt a little.

Anyway, that's all I have for you today. Perhaps I'll be more helpful next week.

Weigh-in Day!

Well today is the day I've been waiting for all week; weigh-in day. I do actually weigh myself every day during the week at the gym, but that's with clothes and shoes on. On my official weigh-in day at home, I wear considerably less clothing and just use the digital bathroom scale. I'll also go on the Wii Fit in about an hour.

I'm happy to report that this week I've lost 4lbs! Since I am living in Ireland, I'll convert that. 4lbs = about 3lbs shy of half a stone = about 2 kg.

I also lost a couple of inches around my waist which I'm very pleased about. I am pretty well motivated to keep going. I don't have too much longer to go now to get to my goal weight. It will still take a few months, but at this stage, I feel like I am willing to put in the effort.

My mom, aunt and brother are coming to visit at the end of September and we'll be taking a trip to Italy so I am hoping to be near my goal weight then so I'll have an excuse to get some new clothes for the trip!

I think I'll post up some before/after pictures soon. I definitely have a lot of "befores" but will need to take some "after" photos.

On another note, my husband did promise to take me shopping today. I've already chosen my present; wrist weights for the treadmill so I can add a little more to my workout.