I've had a couple of weeks now since the holiday and I am pleased to say that I lost 7lbs during the holiday! This is purely from the walking we did, some of it on quite steep inclines, because we certainly didn't eat very healthily! It just goes to show what I can do if I try!
For the last week or so, I have been using the myfitnesspal app on my phone to count calories, as recommended by lovely friend L. It has been working well from the point of view that I have logged everything every day since I started. I've only been within my limit (given by the app) on one day though. Despite that, I am sure I have been eating less and thinking about what I eat more than previously, so for me, it has worked.
However, today I realised that it is not a sustainable method of weight loss for me. Anyone who knows me, knows I love food. Eating has its comforting qualities, but I actually also enjoy the tastes and textures of different foods. Counting calories pushes me towards eating quantifiable amounts of certain foods so that they are easy to log. So, instead of having one or two sweets, I might decide to have a cereal bar because it is easier to log, but this might lead to me eating more calories than I really needed to.
The other problem is, I just feel miserable when I can't eat what I want! Me being miserable is not going to have global consequences, granted, but it is going to affect my life and in turn those around me's lives. So it is best if I can avoid it as much as possible.
The other thing that makes me miserable is the bathroom scales! Ok, so lately they have been kind, but I know perfectly well that if I don't actually do some exercise, the needle is not going to keep moving down! A good friend today hit the nail on the head when he said,
" I suspect in your case, you weigh yourself, think "shit, don't like that, feel stressed, eat more" #viciouscircle"
So, with some much needed support from my lovely Twitter pals and a bit of thinking time, I have come to the conclusion that I do not need to use my bathroom scales. I am going to put them away (throwing them out seems wasteful, but my hoarding is a whole other issue!!) and go back to the measuring tape. I have to put the emphasis on doing this for health reasons - it doesn't much matter how I look because my husband loves me as I am now - so I am going back to something I came across some time ago. The below video explains it well, courtesy of safefood.eu :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqAsD7SqmbQ&feature=player_embedded
I need to lose about 13 inches from my waist to be classed as a healthy weight, so that is what I intend to do! What's more, I am going to do it through a common sense approach to food - don't eat unless hungry, eat fruit & veg every day, drink lots of water - and a gradual introduction of exercise into my life.
Most importantly, I am going to enjoy life - give to it what I need to get from it what I desire! I do not want to just be a statistic. I want to wake up every morning excited by what life has to offer!
Anyway, enough rambling. Thanks for reading and thanks to those who support me when I need it most. I'd be nothing without those people.
Michelle x
22 Feb 2014
9 Feb 2014
Do you see where I'm coming from?
This blog is not easy for me to write. I am never keen to highlight my failings. I think it is important to give a full picture when talking about a situation though, so that is why I feel the need to post this blog. So, to the point!
In my late teens / early twenties, whilst attending university, I reached my lowest weight ever and was a dress size 12 / 14. From then onwards, my weight has been my worst enemy and has steadily increased. There have been brief moments where it has gone down a little or levelled out for a while, but as of my last weigh in on 14th January 2014, I need to lose 101 pounds to get back to my weight at 22.
Don't get me wrong, I know I will never look the same as I did back then, even if I am the same weight. I'll have a lot more wrinkles for one thing! I still want to achieve that weight though. I also want to reach the best fitness level that I can and basically just feel happy in my own skin!
I do think I am putting more pressure on myself than someone who has never been slim, but I can't help myself. I never meant to gain weight and I hate myself for losing control like I have. Now I want to regain that control and achieve happiness in myself once again.
I know how a picture can say a thousand words, so here's a comparison picture of me at ages 22 and 35. I look forward to adding a third picture to this when I reach my goals!
Hopefully now, when I write my future posts, you will see where I am coming from.
Michelle x
In my late teens / early twenties, whilst attending university, I reached my lowest weight ever and was a dress size 12 / 14. From then onwards, my weight has been my worst enemy and has steadily increased. There have been brief moments where it has gone down a little or levelled out for a while, but as of my last weigh in on 14th January 2014, I need to lose 101 pounds to get back to my weight at 22.
Don't get me wrong, I know I will never look the same as I did back then, even if I am the same weight. I'll have a lot more wrinkles for one thing! I still want to achieve that weight though. I also want to reach the best fitness level that I can and basically just feel happy in my own skin!
I do think I am putting more pressure on myself than someone who has never been slim, but I can't help myself. I never meant to gain weight and I hate myself for losing control like I have. Now I want to regain that control and achieve happiness in myself once again.
I know how a picture can say a thousand words, so here's a comparison picture of me at ages 22 and 35. I look forward to adding a third picture to this when I reach my goals!
Hopefully now, when I write my future posts, you will see where I am coming from.
Michelle x
4 Jan 2014
Holidays are coming!
I realised on the 1st January that the length of time until our holiday to Benidorm was the same as the length of the holiday. As I said to hubby, I wonder which will pass the quickest!
January for us is always a strange month, in that everyone around us has the post-festivities blues and we are excited and looking forward to getting away. There is always a hint of panic involved – getting work done in time and getting everything we need to go away – but it is mostly an exciting month for us.
So, for the next couple of weeks I will be trying really hard to eat healthily and do a bit of exercise, to put me in the best form possible for our holiday. We walk A LOT when we are away, you see. I hate being the one with no stamina, slowing everything down!
[If you are wondering why we walk so much on holiday but not at home, it is simply down to two things: no time pressures and a much nicer climate! In recent years, we have considered the possibility of moving to Benidorm for the mental and physical health benefits it would bring us. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t be a cheap decision, so for now we are just carrying on as we are and when we can, we will start to save up. Saving up doesn’t automatically mean the move will happen, but it will give us the opportunity should we wish to take it.]
One of the main changes I need to make, which is not that difficult, is increasing my water consumption. I can honestly say that it is down to laziness that I don’t drink enough. I drink no added sugar squash more than just water these days, but it still counts in my mind. The benefits of drinking more water can be plentiful, such as clearer skin and everything just functioning better. The problems caused by dehydration can be pretty serious in some cases, but it is often overlooked. Here is a link to some symptoms of dehydration - from mild to severe (which can in extreme cases lead to death!). I think it is pretty common knowledge that the recommended amount of water to drink is 2 litres a day. If I am honest, I probably average about 1 litre a day! On Thursday, I tried to hit the 2 litres target and all I can say is, it gave me added exercise too, because I had to keep going to the loo! The beaker I use in work is 0.33l, so I think on an average day I will try to drink 4 beakers during the work day plus whatever I can outside of work. It won’t amount to 2 litres, but it will be more than I have been drinking. Small changes are always key! :)
The other thing I need to do, which will be more of a challenge, is exercise. I don’t mind walking, but as I’ve said, the climate at home is not really right for it. I really just need to find some good exercises I can do at home to loosen the muscles and strengthen the joints. Hubby got me some Fitflop sandals for Christmas, which I will wear on holiday. Hopefully they will go a long way towards toning my legs if we do the amount of walking that we usually do whilst away.
I always had nice legs when I was a teenager – I remember friend V telling me as much on a night out when I was wearing my mini A-line skirt (with tights), bless her! I would have to attribute that to the walking I did. Recently, I have found that they are finding their shape again around the calves, which is great! The thighs are another matter, but they just need extra work and I am planning to do that in the course of the year.
Yes, walking has definitely played an important part in my life in the past and I would love to get back into it now. I just need to deal with the weather! As an asthmatic, I have a weaker immune system than average, so a bit of rain can cause me a lot of trouble. I think it is fair to say that the Emerald Isle is not green because it has sunshine everyday! I think I will devise an indoor exercise routine and then just walk when the weather suits me, as an extra activity. That might just work! :)
Of course, food is another major area where I need to improve, but I am not going to get too bogged down in that until after the holiday. As long as I have the energy to do my exercises and can stick to reasonable portions, I will be fine for now. I love the fresh produce available in Spain, especially the tomatoes as big as our oranges! Since we are staying in a self-catering apartment, we have every excuse for trying things too, which will be great fun!
So yes, I will cover food in more detail at a later date. For now, I am focused on water consumption and exercise. Roll on the 18th! :)
Michelle x
January for us is always a strange month, in that everyone around us has the post-festivities blues and we are excited and looking forward to getting away. There is always a hint of panic involved – getting work done in time and getting everything we need to go away – but it is mostly an exciting month for us.
So, for the next couple of weeks I will be trying really hard to eat healthily and do a bit of exercise, to put me in the best form possible for our holiday. We walk A LOT when we are away, you see. I hate being the one with no stamina, slowing everything down!
[If you are wondering why we walk so much on holiday but not at home, it is simply down to two things: no time pressures and a much nicer climate! In recent years, we have considered the possibility of moving to Benidorm for the mental and physical health benefits it would bring us. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t be a cheap decision, so for now we are just carrying on as we are and when we can, we will start to save up. Saving up doesn’t automatically mean the move will happen, but it will give us the opportunity should we wish to take it.]
One of the main changes I need to make, which is not that difficult, is increasing my water consumption. I can honestly say that it is down to laziness that I don’t drink enough. I drink no added sugar squash more than just water these days, but it still counts in my mind. The benefits of drinking more water can be plentiful, such as clearer skin and everything just functioning better. The problems caused by dehydration can be pretty serious in some cases, but it is often overlooked. Here is a link to some symptoms of dehydration - from mild to severe (which can in extreme cases lead to death!). I think it is pretty common knowledge that the recommended amount of water to drink is 2 litres a day. If I am honest, I probably average about 1 litre a day! On Thursday, I tried to hit the 2 litres target and all I can say is, it gave me added exercise too, because I had to keep going to the loo! The beaker I use in work is 0.33l, so I think on an average day I will try to drink 4 beakers during the work day plus whatever I can outside of work. It won’t amount to 2 litres, but it will be more than I have been drinking. Small changes are always key! :)
The other thing I need to do, which will be more of a challenge, is exercise. I don’t mind walking, but as I’ve said, the climate at home is not really right for it. I really just need to find some good exercises I can do at home to loosen the muscles and strengthen the joints. Hubby got me some Fitflop sandals for Christmas, which I will wear on holiday. Hopefully they will go a long way towards toning my legs if we do the amount of walking that we usually do whilst away.
I always had nice legs when I was a teenager – I remember friend V telling me as much on a night out when I was wearing my mini A-line skirt (with tights), bless her! I would have to attribute that to the walking I did. Recently, I have found that they are finding their shape again around the calves, which is great! The thighs are another matter, but they just need extra work and I am planning to do that in the course of the year.
Yes, walking has definitely played an important part in my life in the past and I would love to get back into it now. I just need to deal with the weather! As an asthmatic, I have a weaker immune system than average, so a bit of rain can cause me a lot of trouble. I think it is fair to say that the Emerald Isle is not green because it has sunshine everyday! I think I will devise an indoor exercise routine and then just walk when the weather suits me, as an extra activity. That might just work! :)
Of course, food is another major area where I need to improve, but I am not going to get too bogged down in that until after the holiday. As long as I have the energy to do my exercises and can stick to reasonable portions, I will be fine for now. I love the fresh produce available in Spain, especially the tomatoes as big as our oranges! Since we are staying in a self-catering apartment, we have every excuse for trying things too, which will be great fun!
So yes, I will cover food in more detail at a later date. For now, I am focused on water consumption and exercise. Roll on the 18th! :)
Michelle x
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