The BIG Step and a small challenge

Okay if you look at my ticker you might notice 2 things:
1) I have lost another 3.5 lbs this week (yippee), so I am not going to be seeing dwindling returns on this diet which was my greatest fear.
2) I ahve changed my target from an overweight BMI (169 lbs) to a healthy BMI (141 lbs).

So I have done it, I have made the decision to go all the way- I am scared but also elated as I have decided that making this big a sacrifice deserves a truly amazing reward. What this means is that I will probably have to spend 100 days in development after 100 days in Foundation, which sounds forever- until you consider that the end point is sometime in the early autumn- so I could go from morbidly obese to a healthy BMI in just over half a year! I have been getting some lovely compliments already, so imagine what it will be like in a few motnhs. Imagine what it will be like to wear a slinky cocktail dress during the Christmas party season for the FIRST TIME EVER!

As for the small challenge- well another 3.5 lbs and I will have lost 2 stone so that is my target for this week- to have lost two stone by the time 6 weeks are complete. The only problem is how to get there? This diet is what it is- yopu can't be more strct with yourself, and I have lost more this week (no swimming, but good steps) than last week with tons of swimming- so exercise (though good) may not accelerate my weight loss. Perhaps the only way is to drink more (!) water- after not drinking enough at the beginning of last week I upped to at least 5 litres per day for the rest of the week- it was like being back to week one of the diet in the peeing stakes, but it seems to have done the trick. So perhaps I will try for 6 litres a day this week and see what happens. If you hear a sloshing sound it will be me!

I know, I know

Yep I am too lazy and haven't posted for ages! Lots of things going on this week, very busy at work and I am away for 3 days next week- also have been conked out and in bed by 10 every night for some reason. Perhaps because I am generally getting a bit more exercise?

Not sure I am losing much weight this week, though back in (admittedly generous) size 18 jeans. Very snug, but no harm in that and I do have a decent bottom for a big girl (I have been told).

People are beginning to notice my weight loss- though from my face rather than anywhere else yet, but all compliments welcome. Seeing my family this week for my grandad's funeral (any tips on what to do at a catholic funeral?), so they might see a difference, though of course most thoughts will be on grandad. Lots of people saying how good my skin is looking- this diet has worked wonders for the spots I usually get around my neck- reduced almost to nothing, and I got really annoyed when one appeared the other day!

I have to admit that I cheated this week- my department ran two events and canapes and lunch were available- it was too tempting, and I wish I hadn't but I ate some chicken bites one day and some salmon the next day- small amounts and I am sure that, as it was protein, it didn't knock me out of ketosis, but very naughty and feel suitably gulty. Just had 3 packs yesterday to make up for it and back on track today. Looking forward not back!

Bought myself some handweights so I can do toning while I watch the TV and keep the bingo wings at bay. I have to say that the swimming I do seems to keep my skin reasonably tomed and elastic, so I hope I won't be left with anything too bad in the skin department. Have decided on a course of wraps and cellulite treatment towards the end of the diet to make sure I give myself every chance of toned bod.

I have also decided that, as long as this diet keeps working I will stay on it until I get to a lower weight than planned- I had set the target of 12 stone, but now an thinking 1ostone 7 would be achievable. When I started 14 weeks felt like forever and an impossible task but with only 10 weeks left, it all seems manageable, in fact 10 weeks seems like a very short time and I will regret the diet being finished. Could I become an addict?

Its been a cold day here, desperate to get into the garden and start planting (hope I will reach target before harvesting!) but no go today- just a short trip to feed carrots to the horses and that is it. Hope tomorrow is better! Will do more toning to make up for lack of activity.

Won't be able to post until late next week, hopefully I will have completed the challenge of travelling and being away while on the diet- have decided to take a bar for every day I am away and attempt to have a hot soup on the evenings. Making up a colde shake while out and about is quite easy, so its all doable- will let you know!

Week 3 weigh in, all sorts of milestones

Well, I have got through the 'dreaded' week 3!! I say this as, looking at the message boards this seems to be the week when determination wavers a little and also for some peole a week of ver small weight loss. But happily I have lost 3.5 lbs- total is now 18.5 lbs gone in 3 weeks- happy, happy, especially as TOTM came and went this week! I am now in the 15 stones for the first time in about 18 months, and well under the awful morbidly obese BMI. Also a shake's width away from fitting into size 18s, so a lot of very underused clothes are coming out of the wardrobe. Bought size 20 jeans last Monday to celebrate last week's loss, wore them on saturday to find that they are too big- never mind they are from M&S, so should be able to exchange for size 18 (they were £15 so I don't think I was too indulgent to buy them). In fact have been looking at outlet shops for clothes, and have picked up a cheap shirt too- which will fit me by the time I want to wear it next week.

So some nice milestones out of the way- including more than 20% through the diet now (and 6.5% of my body weight lost!). I would like to have lost more than 10% (24 lbs) of my original weight by the end of week 5, I think that is quite an easy challenge as less than 6 lbs to go- in fact I hope I can get there by next weigh in.

Saturday night was a bit of torture- I ran the quiz night for our big wifie's night in at a local pub- there were nibbles afterwards, trays and trays of sausage rolls, garlic humous on pitta, sandwiches, crisps...aaaaaagh! I had saved a shake for going home though, so focussed on that and not a crumb passed my lips. Left early though and felt like a party-pooper, but hey, losing weight is more important than being the entertainment for a little while, and friends will understand- although I have not told any of my friends about being on the diet- I don't see them very often with the commuting I do, so I am hoping to emerge, swanlike, from the layers of fat and have them all be amazed. Next time we meet will be early April, so another momth to really make an impression.

Anyway, work is now piling onto my desk again so had better get back to what I am paid for!

Day 12- feeling good/bad!

Feeling great about the diet today and what a good decision it has been to undertake it. Also helped by Lesley who sensibly commented on the urge to weigh- come one all of us overweight chicks do it all the time don't we! I have sometimes weighed after every pee- and always pee before a weigh even if I don't really need to. Breaking the realtionship with my scales could be just as important as breaking my relationship with food!

I had a go at putting a ticker into my blog- I will update it after weigh-in every week and no more than that I promise.

That's the feeling good bit- now the feeling bad. Far from having loads of increased energy, I often feel totally pooped. My habit is to get up at 6.15 and be in the pool by 6.45, do 30-40 lengths and then be in work by 8am. This week I have only managed to do that every other day. This morning (like some other mornings) I woke up with a pounding heart and felt totally ill and exhausted. Mind you I ahve been to two gigs this week, and have upped my steps, so I've not been slumped on the sofa every night like the old me. I have decided to listen to my body though (not me head), and if I wake up too tired to relax and not swim. And if I feel okay- I am there at the pool- will up my lengths a bit on those days to help out.

I will go to get my blood pressure checked- it was perfectly fine before the diet, on the elevated side of normal but nothing to worry about. Will be interesting to see if it has gone up! Anyway couple of firsts coming up this weekend- first bar (I have resisted until now) and found a great recipe for a 'milkshake'- without the milk of course. Loads of ice cubes and a raspberry shake in the blender- yum!

I must be a really lucky girl, because I like the taste of all the soups and shakes- some people will only eat chocolate, but to be honest I could take or leave that one. Love the caramel- especially as that is the sweet craving that I have- I am not a sweet-toothed person at all, but fudge and caramel do it for me I'm afraid.

Anyway it is shake time now!