The Rest of My Fabulous Life Challenge

[Russiandoll]

There's something very comforting about taking control isn't there. You are still having the treats you like but totally guilt free.
Many times in the past have I eaten something, 'assumed' I've just eaten a shed-load of cals, thought "oh **** I've blown it" so thrown in the towel vowing to start again tomorrow. If I'd actually counted the cals then I MAY have found it wasn't that bad after all. It's the not knowing (or not WANTING to know, fearing the worst) that has continually tripped me up in the past.

You are doing FAB Barb. Good luck with the weigh-in tomorrow.

 

[Barb]

Thanks RD, I do seem to have found my mojo again! In fact it has been lurking about for quite a while now and i was thinking today that there is just no way I could ever give up. I couldn't resign myself to this weight forever. Quite an amazing thought to acknowledge that, actually.

Also I have these very effective visions in my mind. There's me going into monsoon just before the cruise, buying a load of gorgeous cocktail/evening dresses. There's me on the cruise, fitting in with everyone else, wearing comfy jeans and stuff for the trips a shore. There's me and OH having our photo taken on board, me loooking confident and happy in a lovely frock. There's me getting weighed for the helicopter trip and not going crimson with embarrassment at being the fattest there.

It's really helping. I have enough time, I can make all these dreams come true. It is entirely up to me. I must not let myself down. I deserve this fantastic holiday and I know that I will not enjoy it anything like as much fat. I know I'd still have a good time, we always do on hoilday and I'm not the sort to sulk, but I want it to be the best. A fabulous celebration for 30 great years together and the beginning of much more freedom and fun together. i can do this. I just have to stick to my plan and it will work. 8 months, even at 7lbs a month would be 4 stone. That would make me the slimmest I've been in 25years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Flip!

 

[Dom1979]

Thanks RD, I do seem to have found my mojo again! In fact it has been lurking about for quite a while now and i was thinking today that there is just no way I could ever give up. I couldn't resign myself to this weight forever. Quite an amazing thought to acknowledge that, actually.

That is an amazing acknowledgement to make. Because then you just have to do it, and keep plugging at it til you reach that goal!

Also I have these very effective visions in my mind. There's me going into monsoon just before the cruise, buying a load of gorgeous cocktail/evening dresses. There's me on the cruise, fitting in with everyone else, wearing comfy jeans and stuff for the trips a shore. There's me and OH having our photo taken on board, me loooking confident and happy in a lovely frock. There's me getting weighed for the helicopter trip and not going crimson with embarrassment at being the fattest there.

Those are all fantastic things to visualise.

It's really helping. I have enough time, I can make all these dreams come true. It is entirely up to me. I must not let myself down. I deserve this fantastic holiday and I know that I will not enjoy it anything like as much fat. I know I'd still have a good time, we always do on hoilday and I'm not the sort to sulk, but I want it to be the best. A fabulous celebration for 30 great years together and the beginning of much more freedom and fun together. i can do this. I just have to stick to my plan and it will work. 8 months, even at 7lbs a month would be 4 stone. That would make me the slimmest I've been in 25years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Flip!

And you can definitely do it!!!!

 

[Russiandoll]

It's having similar visions that keep me going too Barb. For me, it's my graduation day mid 2009, being measured up for my gown and not having to opt for the XXL size (which would probably drape all over the floor and make me look like Mickey Mouse in 'The Sorcerer's Apprentice').
Being able to step up onto the stage to receive my degree without feeling self-conscious of my weight - without my weight taking centre stage for once - would be a dream come true for me.

Depending on whether I'm happy at 11st or take it all the way to 10st means I have between 6 and 7st to lose and over a year to do it. That's plenty of time.

We will BOTH realise our dreams Barb. This time is OUR time

 

[Barb]

Thanks Dom, I've missed you, how are you getting on? Yes Debbie, you do have amazing motivation and this is OUR TIME!!!!!!!!
Very pleased to report 2.2lbs off this week, giving me a 6lb loss over 3 weeks. Very, very chuffed with that. I expect to see that speeding up occasionally too as I am now cal counting with a vengeance.

Excellent day yesterday. It was an 1100 day and I snuck over by just 21. So I still have 462 clas in my float. Loving this whole plan.

Am having a 1500 cal day today as OH wants to go out for dinner tonight. I will make sensible choices that I can easily calculate and know that my plan will be firmly in place!

 

[Dom1979]

I'm getting on fine. Found that monitoring the numbers as far as weight is concerned was too much pressure, so have been focussing on getting the exercise in, which is going really really well. Going to 2 2 hour long yoga classes a week (Which i love, but are really really hard and make me sweat buckets!), and doing an exercise dvd 2-3 times a week (ditto on the sweat!) , cycling to and from work 3 times a week at the least (there's that sweat again!). Stayed the same this week, but seeing as i weighed on Saturday and it's only Wednesday and that it's all coming off very sloooooooowly, I shouldn't be too surprised! Also, as karen pointed out, i'm not exactly depriving myself, it's more of a life plan, so the numbers will eventually take care of themselves, just need to be patient. I'm SO RUBBISH at being patient!!!

You're doing so well!!!

 

[Barb]

I think we are all rubbish at being patient really. I've been trying to convince myself that I have all the time in the world but the truth is I do NEED consistent losses to get me where i WANT to be for September. I know myself, I know what happens if I take my eye off the prize, I drift!

I feel like I am doing well now - I had actually put ON 2lbs when i checked on saturday and that was really what made my decision about the cal counting. I can't afford to lose and re-gain the same half stone for ever, I need to lose consistently to get to the point where I am happy with myself.

So, I feel like I am being realistic, 8 months at 7lb a month ish will see me right. I just have to make sure that i keep it going, that I don't drift off plan, that one days slip up doesn't become a week then a month. I have enough time to achieve exactly what I want, all I need is the will power. i reckon i've got it!

 

[Dom1979]

I just have to make sure that i keep it going, that I don't drift off plan, that one days slip up doesn't become a week then a month. I have enough time to achieve exactly what I want, all I need is the will power. i reckon i've got it!

I can't remember who said this to me, it may have been my LLC, but anyway.

When your car gets a flat tyre, what do you do? You fix it, and keep on driving. You don't chuck out your car do you?

I don't know why this helps me, but when i'm in 'sod it' territory, it really does!!!

 

[Barb]

Yep, thats a good one Dom!

Had a horrific day with both parents today. Haven't leapt in the biscuit tin but am struggling to stay out of the wine bottle. OH and I going out for dinner; I will definately have some wine, I have enough cals in my 'float' so thats ok and I can't honestly say my appetite for food is huge so I will deffo stick within my days allowance.

It's weird that with all thats going on I feel MORE involved with my 'diet' than I have for ages. I suppose it is working almost as an escape mechanism.

 

[Barb]

Had a nice night out with OH, did us both good.
Finished the day on 1752 so my 'float' now stands at 209+.

Very pleased, I could so easily have just had whatever and let things slip. But NO, that is not what I want.

So, an 1100 day today. No problem there, really enjoying this plan and I can already feel it working. Can't wait to see that first 7lbs off, as I know I will really start to feel the benefit from then on.

 

[KD]

Very pleased, I could so easily have just had whatever and let things slip. But NO, that is not what I want.

Keeping things in control when you go out is great

I was always hopeless when I went out for a meal, but then it was such a rare occassion (still is) it didn't do too much damage. If it's part of your life, as it is yours, then you have learn how to enjoy without indulging too much.

Well done Barb :clap: You're on a roll.

 

[Barb]

Thanks KD - knew you'd be pleased with me!

I am going to do it; I am on a roll but it's not one roll that will crash land, it's a long roll which will carry me all the way to where I want to be.

 

[KD]

Going to 2 2 hour long yoga classes a week (Which i love, but are really really hard and make me sweat buckets!), and doing an exercise dvd 2-3 times a week (ditto on the sweat!) , cycling to and from work 3 times a week at the least (there's that sweat again!).

Wow Dom. I'm exhausted reading that I'm hopeless at getting the exercise in during the winter months.

it's more of a life plan, so the numbers will eventually take care of themselves,just need to be patient. I'm SO RUBBISH at being patient!!!

Know what you mean. Life plans are the ultimate goal, but sometimes little challenges can be useful along the way if you don't pressurize yourself. Doesn't have to be numbers or counting though. Whatever works for you

 

[KD]

Thanks KD - knew you'd be pleased with me!

I am going to do it; I am on a roll but it's not one roll that will crash land, it's a long roll which will carry me all the way to where I want to be.

That's the ticket Barb

 

[Barb]

Great day cal wise yesterday - finished on 991, so 109 into the 'float'! Had a long walk with OH and Ozzie as well, so very pleased with myself!

On a 1300 day today as it's Friday. Will see if I need them all! Out for dinner to friends tomorrow night , have allowed 1800 for Saturdays so even if I use all of todays I will still be fine. I have over 300 in my float as well so I can add those in if I need to.

I feel good; totally focused and lighter and healthier already. I think adding in some pre-counted stuff has made a big difference and using this 'float' idea has relieved any possibility of pressure. I am well on my way. Can't quite believe it but KNOW that I am.

 

[Russiandoll]

This is all good stuff Barb. You're not using all your daily cal allowance 'just because it's there' which is the foundation of how we should be naturally ... some days up, some down.

You've put me to shame with the walking ... I've been woefully lazy lately but now that spring is on the way I MUST get my A into G and follow your example.

 

[Barb]

Don't give me too much credit Debbie - thats the first decent walk for weeks!!! I blame the weather!

Thanks for all your support and encouragement, it really does help a lot!

Love

 

[Barb]

Pretty good day yesterday, managed a walk despite the cold! Had allowed1300 cals and finsihed the day on 1198! Very pleased with that.

This is my treat day; I have allowed 1800 cals and have over 400 in my float, so if i want to relax a bit I can. Not sure if I do though! Out for dinner tonight and have no idea what we are having, which makes planning tricky. I will just try to keep the cals fairly low today and then if the meal is not too calorific that's a bonus!

 

[Barb]

Kept a fairly good cal total for the day - finished on 2026, which has to be a guesstimate as I didn't do the cooking. However, I have lots of knowledge of cal values and I reckon my figures are pretty accurate, if anything I may have had a few less than that butI want to err on the safe side!

Today is a 1200 day; I've woken up hungry (blame that on the vino) but I still have 194 cals in my float, so I can up the 1200 if I need to.

I like this plan. I feel in control; if I wasn't cal counting I would be in the biccy tin this morning. I feel tired and a bit hungover and in Barb land that would mean lots of carby sugary stuff. Not today though; I know how many cals I can have and I'm sticking to it.

Looking forward to wednesday's weigh in. Confident that 2lbs will have gone. A steady 2lbs a week is what I'm aiming for, anything above that will just be a bonus!

 

[Russiandoll]

It's all so sane Barb. And 2lb a week is over 100lb in a year (and we all know how quickly a year whizzes by!). That's over 7st!!

Keep on doing what you're doing - it's working, you're in control and you sound happy with the plan.