GreyPilgrims LardLoss Chronicles

GreyPilgrim

Need support. I teetering on the edge of 21 stone now. I think it's time to address the issue. I do the gym fairly regularly but I pretty much negate any benefits by drinking copious amounts of lager. Foodwise I'm just as bad as there is no real middle ground...I'll be very good for a few days and then I'll eat a stupid amount of food. Maybe a 14 inch pizza with a side-kebab.

I tried to give up the beer for a while, but failed dismally. I'm going to try again. I have to lose a lot of flab or else I'm going to shorten my life by a hell of a lot and I don't really want to do that (obviously). I started smoking again last month so that made exercising really hard, which has put a few pounds back on. Luckily I've kicked the habit again so I'm finding the gym easier.

So I'd like to do my own little LardLoss diary. I'm going to weigh myself in a little while, grapherise it and post it on my site. I'll post a link to it once it's up there, and I'll start putting my progress in my autosignature.

We're saving like hell for a friends wedding in Hong Kong in August and for once we're going to splash out and get a decent hotel rather than slumming it which we normally do. It's got a rooftop swimming pool and I desperately want to be able to lose enough weight to be able to use it without being scared that the locals mistake me for marine wildlife and start throwing harpoons at me.

Please. Help me. Encourage me. Sorry for the long post but seeing that number on the scales this morning has put me on a serious downer.

MinnieSpender

Hi GreyPilgrim

First of all, don't panic! Weight loss is a bit like debt. You often need a shock before you get your LBM.

Think about how you tackled your debt. What techniques did you use? A bit off every week? Keep a spending diary? Used the support of others to get you through the nasty bits? Changed the things you did to get you there quicker?

These are all techniques you can use to help you know. Start with ONE thing.

For the next week, get yourself a book and write down everything you eat. Don't worry about "going on a diet" just yet. Just write down every single thing you eat or drink and the time you do. After a week, you should be able to see a pattern emerging. You might find that you snack at a particular time - either through habit or boredom. Note the time you have your last meal of the day. Also look at the quality of the foods you are eating. Are you getting your five a day? Drinking enough water? Do you have any comfort foods?

Don't be hard on yourself this week - just start to become aware.

Have a look at LA's DFW FFW thread too. There's a few of us on there and we try to make it fun while giving each other support.

I've subscribed to this thread. And I'll be checking on your progress.

GOOD LUCK!! :T

sophiesmum_2

Hi Greypilgrim
Lots of sound advice there from minnie.
Take it a day at a time. Try and cut out the processed crap and eat good healthy food with lots of fruit and veg to fill you up.
Will be reading your thread and watching your progress.
Good Luck

sophiesmum

HairyHandofDartmoor

Yes, keep a food diary and become obsessed like you were with money (I got down to 7 1/4 stone once by doing that!). When you write down everything you eat it has a way of focusing your mind!

Also do more exercise. The gym is good but go for walks as well. This does many things: 1. takes your mind off food 2. reduces your appetite 3.raises your metabolism so you will burn off food faster 4.tones your muscles so you look slimmer even if you are not because it holds your tummy in.

But remember that muscle weighs more than fat so it is useful to measure yourself as well as weighing yourself. Don't go hungry but only allow yourself to eat fruit between meals. And you are right, you will have to restrict the lager. Good luck.

dave318

Grey Pilgrim, some good advice here. But I'll join you in trying to lose weight.
I weighed myself last week when I went swimming.
21 Stone 12 lbs. My heaviest ever!!!

I go on holiday next Sunday so I had decided to give it a bit of effort before I went, hence the swimming. I have lost a little this last week and a half, but it won't be enough to get into most of my holiday gear.

Anyway If I can get into swimming shorts at almost a stone heavier than you, then I am sure you will manage it.

As for the beer, I am a red wine man myself, but I have cut back quite a bit this week. I have had 2 half bottles of wine this week, as opposed to nearly one a night. It does make a difference.
Do avoid the processed stuff, and the 14 inch Pizzas (I love a 14" Stonebake from ASDA). Try to cook from scratch, mainly white meat, (chicken, turkey) or fish. I made Turkey and Leek Burgers a la Gillian McKeith last night and they are really nice. Served with two packets of steamfresh veg, and you have a filling meal.

I have tried them all, by the way. Weightwatcher, Scottish Slimmers (Weight Management), Atkins, Gillian McKeith, the Gym. But I am still at this weight.

Let me know what you are trying to do and I will try to give you as much encouragement as I endeavour to do the same.

Good Luck

Dave :j

GreyPilgrim

Well I feel a bit more positive. Thanks for the replies!.

We joined the ramblers association a little while ago and we;re going to start some serious walking soon so that should help. Burn some fat and see some beautiful countryside too which is a bonus!

I'll have the stats up soon everyone.

:beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer:
There are four beers left in the fridge. I wonder if I should

A - pour them out
B - drink them and ask myself 'do you actually enjoy these?'
C - leave them there as a test of my determination
:beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer:

MinnieSpender

We have a team!

Good luck you guys!

GreyPilgrim

dave318 wrote:

As for the beer, I am a red wine man myself, but I have cut back quite a bit this week. I have had 2 half bottles of wine this week, as opposed to nearly one a night. It does make a difference.

I like a bit of red wine too...always figured that since it came from grapes I could drink a bottle and put it down towards my 'five portions a day'. Funny how we delude ourselves innit?

GreyPilgrim

dave318 wrote:

As for the beer, I am a red wine man myself, but I have cut back quite a bit this week. I have had 2 half bottles of wine this week, as opposed to nearly one a night. It does make a difference.

I like a bit of red wine too...always figured that since it came from grapes I could drink a bottle and put it down towards my 'five portions a day'. Funny how we delude ourselves innit?

MinnieSpender

GreyPilgrim wrote:

:beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer:
There are four beers left in the fridge. I wonder if I should

A - pour them out
B - drink them and ask myself 'do you actually enjoy these?'
C - leave them there as a test of my determination
:beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer: :beer:

There is nothing wrong with a treat - DFWers know that!

Do you have to drink them in one sitting?

How about one a night? You're more likely to fail if you deprive yourself. Don't cut out, cut down.

HairyHandofDartmoor

Pour the beers out, noone's determination is that strong! The ramblers association is a brilliant idea. I never lose weight unless I exercise no matter how little I eat. It needs to be every day though ideally. Just a 20 minute walk a day can make a real difference. I know you can do it!