The past few weeks have been a bit, mostly, shit. As I’ve said before, there is a lot of my life that I don’t blog about, and I’m not about to change that so you’ll just have to trust me.
However, all of that is now in the past, and whilst some of it is still very raw it is beginning to heal so I can now start to look ahead. As someone once said “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”. I am Hercules.
One thing that I let slip quite badly is my weight. I was doing pretty well, had lost almost a stone, but it was (and usually is) the first thing that I take my eye off and so I find myself back up around 17st again.
I had gotten into the habit of weighing myself every day, with the full understanding that your weight fluctuates a great deal each day, to make sure I was aware of my weight as much as possible, trying to trick my brain into remember that I’m fat as, despite the fact my clothes are tight and when I look down I can SEE that I’m fat, my brain doesn’t really seem to register the fact.
So that’ll need to get kick started. The Wii Fit will be dragged out from under the TV stand again, and hopefully the physio exercises for my knee will start to have some effect and I might be able to start walking (not running) as a form of exercise.
I think I’m going to post my weekly weight on here, in the vague hope that it will publically shame me and keep me focussed. This morning I was 16st 13lbs, but will probably post my weekly updates on a Monday which is, again, a subtle form of engineering that should stop me pulling out my usual “ach it’s the weekend…” excuse.
At least, that’s my plan. As ever I reserve the right to change my mind as and when my life takes another turn.
I am very much like you in this respect Gordon: whenever something in my life is not quite right, the attention I normally dedicate to working out and eating well simply dissipates, and every time I find it harder to get back on the wagon.
You are on the right track with the exercise, the daily weighing (as you are aware it can fluctuate a lot from day to day), the Monday posting of your weight.
What works for me foodwise is planning and preparing several meals in advance (ideally, if you have storage, a whole week’s worth), and trying never to be in a situation where I need to get something to eat asap and I’m out and about, because that leads to disaster.
Also, Gyminee.com is a good online tool to track weight, exercise and nutrition with a social aspect to it (but just if you want). And it’s about to launch an iPhone app.
Get an allotment. I’ve lost five pounds in three weeks by means of digging and no change in the gluttonous lifestyle.
I find that short-term shit makes me lose my appetite but long-term shit made me gain weight. Sadly. Don’t feel ashamed, feel motivated.
If you know a few people who also want to lose weight, you could organize a fitness challenge. We’re doing this at work right now, and it’s actually quite fun.
Our goal was for everyone who entered to lose 10 lbs in eight weeks. If everyone’s heights and starting weights are different, you should probably do a percentage of body weight instead of a set weight. Everyone puts in $20 at the beginning, and the money is split between all who succeed. The person to lose the most receives a free meal at the end on everyone else.
Nothing like the idea of crushing one’s opponents for adding a little motivation. It’s also fun to plant candy on other people’s desks as sabotage.
Publicly declaring your weight each week is a good idea too. I guess it’s all about keeping the weight loss goal in mind.
To link this post with the last one – If you had been on your Wii on April 1st it would have ‘gotcha’ Mine said ‘Your board has suffered a major fault which may involve some expensive repairs’ – press A to continue. Next screen up says ‘April Fool’!
Gordon, as an inveterate fat bastard myself, can I recommend a diet to you?
I’ve been eating Scotts Porage So Easy as a meal substitute. One sachet is only 135 calories. Heck two is only 270 (when made with water). The syrup swirl version is quite tasty and very filling as well as being good for you. I have lost 17 lbs in less than five weeks. Have one or two sachets each for breakfast and lunch and have a normal meal at night.
Also buy a dog.
8)