Miss Scarlett Blue
Silver Member
Hi Bert. These are tough times. You are doing really well.
Thanks for sharing your story thus far. I took my eye off the ball saying just one wont matter, before I knew it I had spiralled out of control. All the 8 stone I lost I put back on then some. But this time round I am determined not to fall into the same pitfalls. I use online SW as I couldnt book up the courage to go to group. For me I would be too nervous even now to do my weekly weigh in. Doing it at home suits me and less pressure but I admire your courage to take the first steps into the group often the hardest.As you may have noticed, I am back!
So Summer 2020 to Oct 2021 saw me lose myself quite badly. The big cycling efforts I previously mentioned carried on for another 6 weeks and I did 2 more 100 mile rides in my Charity challenge. What happened after that was I lost my love for cycling as I pushed myself too hard over a week. Not only that but the increased effort saw me relax my eating and drinking and I started feeling like I could eat anything because I was burning off so many calories cycling. When the cycling stopped, the eating habits didn't. I also returned to drinking alcohol on a weekly basis and this continued into 2021 and then escalated in the summer this year when I returned to playing cricket full time which would result in 4-6 bottles of beer after a game, cycle home, walk to the local shop and pick up a bottle of rum or gin and finish that.
So... October, my mates wedding, my line is drawn, this will be my final night out and then I need to sort myself out. I got smashed, I had a good time, I stuck to my plans.
Previously I joined Slimming World online. It worked for me. I hit target and it no longer worked for me and I felt a bit like I never really did SW and it don't count in their program because I didn't join a group. I lost touch with the ways and got a bit annoyed with them. This time, I decided to join my local group. Just like before, I didn't feel at ease doing this. Will I be the only man. Will people judge me. Will I know people and feel ashamed etc. I told my wife I'm going to the group and couldn't really get out of it after that, she was as surprised as I was when I told her.
Group week 1, small chat, me and 4 other people joining, weigh in, sit down, lady I sit next to "I recognise you", turns out she saw my pics on social media 2 years ago and is a friend of a friend. End of session it's weigh first weigh in time, lady on the scales is also a friend of my family. This isn't going how I had hoped... First weigh in, 21st 4.5lbs. Much worse than I had hoped, I had run scared of the scales at home for months.
9 weeks in now and I've shifted 3st 8.5lbs of that thankfully. It's been a mixed ride. The first few weeks I really felt unwelcome in the group. The reality though, it was just me thinking the worst and thinking I wasn't welcome. Week 4 was a real icebreaker when I won Slimmer of the Week (again) and a few of the ladies started shouting how men always lose more and it's unfair etc. I needed that!
I'm still not overly keen on the group setting. I do like getting the ideas, I really dislike the going around and saying how much people have lost and asking how they are feeling and how do they want to do next week. I don't like talking in front of people, I'm happy to sit there and just listen to how others are getting on and take back a bit of inspiration.
I'll probably be posting here a bit more to keep my head in the game! I'm officially 4st off target currently but similar to when I started SW a few years ago, the goal weight I'm not sure on still and more so now than I was then, how I feel about my health is more important. The numbers on the scales are not important to me, getting back to a healthier lifestyle and into my old clothes is where I want to be.
Thanks for sharing your story thus far. I took my eye off the ball saying just one wont matter, before I knew it I had spiralled out of control. All the 8 stone I lost I put back on then some. But this time round I am determined not to fall into the same pitfalls. I use online SW as I couldnt book up the courage to go to group. For me I would be too nervous even now to do my weekly weigh in. Doing it at home suits me and less pressure but I admire your courage to take the first steps into the group often the hardest.
How was your weekend Bert? Have you managed to rekindle your love for the bike?
Great work a stone lost in a month shows the work / eating plan is paying dividend. I do sw online and I too have noticed a big increase in new users and returners during January. I have many health issues and exercise is a big downfall of mine as I can't do it most of the time my body will not let me. But do it when and if my body is willing. But I can do more that I could 14 months ago so I am pleased overall. Keep up your good work, slimmer of the week here we come