Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Not really back with the plot

Somehow, I seem to have kept the scales moving downwards this weekend, weighing in at 17st 12½lbs this morning. But the good habits of most of this year seem to have fallen by the wayside. I updated my tracking notebook this morning for the first time in over two weeks - and still almost forgot to add lunch.

I've noticed this kind of thing before when I've tried to change or establish a habit. To start with, it's fairly easy to keep the new thing in your mind. But, over time, it's very easy to forget to keep with it - even after several months it's very easy to revert to type and go back to doing things the old way. It often takes a couple of iterations of this to really establish the behaviour - at least for me.

Rather than focusing on any specific weight loss amount this week, the target is just to get back on track. Track what I eat, stick to the rules, and shed some more pounds. After 5 months it should be easier, not harder, to stick to the habits.

Can you tell I'm trying to convince myself here?

Sunday, May 27, 2007

Survived Saturday

Well, I might not have made it onto the scales this morning, but I don't think I did too badly yesterday, given the circumstances.

Today is off to a good start so far:

4 Cups of Coffee (2 points for the sugar)
Brunch: healthy eating bacon, scrambled eggs, toast, mushrooms, beans. Not sure of the total points, but about 12 or so. So 16 points ant it's half past three in the afternoon, giving me plenty for dinner and possibly a drink or two as it's the weekend.

SWMBO observed that I seem to have been relaxing the rules a bit of late, and she's probably right. This week hasn't been too bad, but I have been rather bad about tracking, and I've not been keeping away from the alcohol as much as I should. But

Friday, May 25, 2007

Friday Weigh In: I'm bored with this weight loss lark

Well, the good news is that I managed to lose 2lbs in the last week, with the scales showing exactly 18st this morning.

I'm not exactly sure how: I've not tracked points all week, I've eaten out at least three times in the evenings, the exercise bike is turning into a valet stand, and I've been about a hair's breadth from grabbing about a pound of Cadbury's Dairy Milk and scoffing the lot without stoppping for breath on several occasions.

I've been surprised that I've found it relatively easy to not eat chocolate - to the point that I've not actually bought a bar of chocolate all year. To put that into perspective, I used to have at least one bar of chocolate most days, sometimes two or three. But just occasionally (perhaps I'm getting in touch with my feminine side!) I have a real craving for a large quantity of good milk chocolate.

Let me change the subject. I've been sticking at around 18st. for a while now. I need to get moving, get my chart up to date on my progress, and get back on track. I'm at an awkward size at the moment: a lot of my trousers are too big, but the next size smaller is still too tight.

It's something of a turning point for me this week. Up until now I've found the weight loss fairly easy. I've been able to stick to the plan - more or less - and the pounds have been ticking slowly away. But the last two weeks have been a real challenge to keep even remotely motivated about this.

We're out with some friends on Saturday, but the coming week should be a chance for some virtue. Let's see if I can summon up the enthusiasm again!

Monday, May 21, 2007

Well that was a bad week

3 days away on business. Weight gain, 4lbs.

Official Weigh-In result was 18st 2lbs, though back to 18st 0lbs already, so not too bad. Mental note not to eat in a churrascaria restaurant again until I reach my goal weight. For those of you not in the know, this is a Brazilian style restaurant where they keep bringing you grilled meat until you beg them to stop. Mmmmmm......

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Friday Weigh In

Well, last Friday's result was 17st 12¼lbs, 1¾lbs below the week before, and officially below the 18 stone level. Whoo hoo.

Challenges this week include a weekend away, and a business trip for 4 days.

Will be tough to show a loss; the food here is excellent.

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

Next Mini Goal

One of the things I've found helpful is trying to have a series of mini-goals; a visible and easily attainable next step in the weight loss process.

So my next one, is 17st 9. That's "17 stone and single figures". It's a stone to go to my original goal of 16st 9, a BMI of under 32. That's another 4lbs to go, so it would be nice if I can do it this month. It might take a week or two longer; I can live with that.

Friday, May 04, 2007

Friday Weigh In - 2 weeks on

Depsite briefly dropping below the 17.99999 st level yesterday, todays result was 18st exactly, so that's 2½ below the result from two weeks ago (missed last week).

It's all in the right direction, though I think I need to make some effort to stick to the exact points level (which is now 31, if I'm "17st -something") instead of "low thirties" if I'm going to continue to lose weight.

Thursday, May 03, 2007

Yeee hah!

Well, I stumbled blearily-eyed onto the scales this morning after a late (but alcohol-free) night and saw some fuzzy numbers. I bent down to take a closer look: 17st, 13¼lbs.

Yes. Let's keep it down there!