Piglet to Gazelle - My weight loss journey

First_Trouble

purpleshoes wrote: »

I know you've said that you've put weight on and its come back off again but from your start point in July you've only lost just over a pound.

Either you need to be working out a bit harder or something about your food intake needs tweaking. I know its not easy, I've hit more than one plateau over the months when losing weight but you need to get past those somehow if you want to keep losing.

Thanks purpleshoes, one change I have made this week was to switch my meals onto a smaller plate which is actually a normal sized plate (20cm est as opposed to 30+cm).
I have found eating no less than 1600 cals a struggle but I have achieved it so this week I am going to focus on eating a varied array of vegetables and adding more exercise into each day.

First_Trouble

Sunday food & exercise

Met a friend for lunch that I haven't seen in a few months was lovely to have a catch up and a lovely meal to boot.

B: 50g smoked salmon
L: Rib eye steak, watercress & mixed veg, sour cream and 3 salted caramel profitaroles plus coffee
roasted parsnips, 25g cashews, 25g raisins, 10 pecans - wasn't hungry enough for a full meal
E: walked 6504 (3 miles), 3 mins weights
Cals: 1633
Carbs: 100g

purpleshoes_2

First_Trouble wrote: »

Thanks purpleshoes, one change I have made this week was to switch my meals onto a smaller plate which is actually a normal sized plate (20cm est as opposed to 30+cm).
I have found eating no less than 1600 cals a struggle but I have achieved it so this week I am going to focus on eating a varied array of vegetables and adding more exercise into each day.

Are you trying to low carb? I ask because sometimes when people are they end up eating fruit which brings their carbs up so they get into this state where they arent eating very much carbs, but too much to help with fat burning.

Ive said this on the thread before, try and avoid processed foods, if you need a treat, have it but make it occasional

You should be able to eat more and still lose weight if you make wise food choices.

But inches matter as well. Also, I know you have just started using weights and people may disagree with me on this but 2kg weights really wont do very much for you at all. Youd be better doing more bodyweight exercises.

Id suggest getting an 8kg kettlebell, theres loads you can do with a kettle. A year ago I did a kettlebell class and there were no 4s and I thought it was the end of the world. I used to use a 4 as I had an old injury.

I can now do kettlebell swings with an 18. Sometimes you need to challenge yourself to be able to do more.

bluelass

Congratulations:T Its good to hear someone taking responsibility for their health and not blaming others for their predicament or fleecing the NHS because they wont try a bit of willpower.:)

First_Trouble

Weigh in this morning

lost 0.8lbs and half an inch off my waist, thighs and arms. Weight now stands at 11st 4lbs. Still a long way to go but at least it is on the downward trend.

This week I aim to:-
- Have more vegetables
- Walk no less than 8000 steps each weekday
- Do skipping, body weight exercises & weights three times a week
- Running once a week

First_Trouble

purpleshoes wrote: »

Are you trying to low carb? I ask because sometimes when people are they end up eating fruit which brings their carbs up so they get into this state where they arent eating very much carbs, but too much to help with fat burning.

Yes I am trying to low carb. For this week will be keeping it under 100g of carbs, I used to eat a lot of fruit and hardly any veg but I am trying to shift the balance to mostly veg and I eat one - two pieces of fruit a day depending on hunger at the moment.


Ive said this on the thread before, try and avoid processed foods, if you need a treat, have it but make it occasional

You should be able to eat more and still lose weight if you make wise food choices.

I am trying to make better food choices and most of it is changing the thought processes behind food. I am slowly making these changes and I am quite proud of myself on how far I have come. I have my Work Christmas Party this Thursday and also Christmas itself where I plan on just enjoying myself but in-between those days it will be business as usual. I do find myself each week looking back and thinking how I can improve on the week before.

But inches matter as well.

Starting inches

Bust - 43
Chest - 37
Waist - 43
Hips - 43
Thighs - L26/R25.5
Arms - L13/R12.5

Now

Bust - 40
Chest - 34.5
Waist - 37
Hips - 40
Thighs - L23.5/R24
Arms - L12/R12

Does this help? Would it be useful for me to post my measurements alongside my weigh ins? These measurements were taken this morning as I measure at the same time I way in.
I know I still have a long way to go especially with getting my waist measurement down.


Also, I know you have just started using weights and people may disagree with me on this but 2kg weights really wont do very much for you at all. Youd be better doing more bodyweight exercises.

I will be upping my weights in January to 4kg I am scared at the thought of this as sometimes I do struggle with the smaller ones but as you say if I don't push myself I won't succeed and I do so want to succeed.

Id suggest getting an 8kg kettlebell, theres loads you can do with a kettle. A year ago I did a kettlebell class and there were no 4s and I thought it was the end of the world. I used to use a 4 as I had an old injury.

I can now do kettlebell swings with an 18. Sometimes you need to challenge yourself to be able to do more.

Thanks for the suggestion. I will have to look into exercises/ workouts that can be done with it before considering purchase as I have never used or seen one used before.

I have put some comments above in red thought this would be easier to read. Thanks Purpleshoes I can always count on you to help keep me in check. I will definitely be focusing more on my diet this week than previous weeks.

First_Trouble

bluelass wrote: »

Congratulations:T Its good to hear someone taking responsibility for their health and not blaming others for their predicament or fleecing the NHS because they wont try a bit of willpower.:)

Thanks Blue Lass.
No one else got me into this mess so I am the only one that can pull myself out of it. I am trying but it can be difficult at times when others are eating and drinking whatever and however they like. It can be disheartening but I just think to myself that they may look healthy but if they eat and drink poorly then they won't be healthy on the inside and that is what counts.

purpleshoes_2

I think that if you are going to low carb, you might as well give Paleo a go, there are plenty of Paleo recipe sites. Ive lost 4 stones over the last 18 months and Ive been doing Paleo for about 7 months now

Yes it can be tough watching people eat and drink what they like. Im the only chunky person in a slim family, but my brother is a PT and he doesn't eat junk food even though he could and wouldn't get as fat as I would. My mum also makes a lot of good food choices, much better than she used to. Shes tiny and has always had problems putting and keeping weight on.

I have my low days as well, but I feel better now than I did last June, that is for sure.

First_Trouble

I am working towards this
http://authoritynutrition.com/low-carb-diet-meal-plan-and-menu/
which I believe is similar to Paleo but with high fat dairy allowed.
I have been on this for about 3 months now I think and am still trying to work out some of the "DO NOTS" out of my diet but I am getting there and I feel so much healthier already. I really wish I had heard of this a few years ago I only stumbled across it as I was researching my thyroid condition and this style of eating kept popping up.

purpleshoes_2

High fat dairy is allowed on Paleo as well, its certainly allowed on the bootcamp I do and the instructor advises people to eat along Paleo principles.