WARNING. (2nd time lucky). LONG RAMBLING POST.
Had a great week. Had loads of lovely comments including one person who came back 3 times to say how good I looked and how he couldn't believe it. I felt fabulous. Foodwise, week almost went to plan. I had pudding every night (the plan - I'm not good at refusing pudding !) and was sensible with everything else until Thursday. Then went downhill from there involving lots of chocolate, a few biscuits (which I had hoped to avoid) amongst other things. Week finished with a 2 lb gain, most of which will hopefully be off by tomorrow so I think that's not too bad. Only downside was coming home to find that the power had gone on Tuesday so the freezer had defrosted and fridge been off. Grrrrr. So trying to have a cooking 'fest' this week to restock.
So, my SW anniversary post. How do I feel ? I feel fantastic. I have finished my first year on SW with a total loss of 5 stone 2.5lb. Start size 24-26, currently 14-16. I have had several holidays in that time and eaten a total of 16 michelin stars !!!! I can't believe that I have actually managed this. Despite a (net) maintain for the last 2 months I am ready to start losing again and feeling more positive about SW than I have for a long time. I have decided that by the time of the next holiday in November I want to have lost the rest of the holiday gain (from June) plus at least another half a stone. I may revise my target downwards nearer the time but that's my start point. I would like to lose 3 lb this week (ie the gain of 2 lb plus at least another 1).
What has changed:
I don't worry about sitting next to others on trains/planes/theatre seats and having to be uncomfortable holding my arms in
I don't take my own towel to hotels etc because theirs will fit round me
I can shop in 'normal' shops for clothes/shoes
I have so much more confidence in so many ways that you just can't always put into words
I am so proud of myself.
And probably so many more things that will come to me after I press send.
Minimins has helped me INCREDIBLY so - people here have kept me going when things were difficult, looked out for me and the people that have inspired me have moved me from just thinking that I'd lose a bit to be a bit happier and healthier to thinking that one day I might not be overweight. BMI is definitely NOT everything but I would love to be considered not overweight for the first time in my life. My year has taught me that I will never be 'normal' - I will always have some hang ups about my body and probably will always feel overweight (not all the time but some of the time at least) and I will always want to overeat (my time so far on SW has taught me this), however SW has given me the tools to control this. I don't intend to ever come off SW but as it doesn't feel like a diet to me, that's ok with me.
So, I am looking forward to this weeks loss and the start of year 2 on SW. Hopefully the last 'losing year' and after that maintaining but I actually don't care whether it isn't. I was lucky that my weight came off pretty quickly early on but if I become a tortoise from now on, I'm in good company (Bess, Bev amongst others).
With grateful thanks to all my friends here on Minimins,
Gail xxxxx
