Week Fourteen

Another learning curve week. I just love the fact that I can still sit back at the end of the week and look back on what I have done and highlight the good points and the bad points. This week I have both to highlight so I will start with the bad.

Food again is the problem, scratch that let's be honest here I am the problem with food, more importantly I have got lazy with meals and eating them and tended to have salad sandwich's clearly the s on the end is the major problem. I do eat brown bread but I have a couple of times eating white bread I know its wrong but I have still eaten it. This must stop and stop now, I need to go back to the start of my journey and remember my bad relationship with bread in the old days, and stay away from it again.

Meals are the next problem and the type and quality of them I have clearly got lazy, and my thought process has gone a little haywire, where I am thinking that the exercise is working well (which it is) so maybe I can get away with letting my new found high standards drop. Well this week is the realization that I cannot, I must go back to previous weeks and make sure that I have proper meals. The one think I am still not getting right is vegetables and I am going to make sure that I get this right and have enough fresh vegetables in the house and make sure I have fish and meat (separately) as well, I must get back to a well balanced level of food to give my body the correct amount of energy it needs for me to lose weight and fuel me for the exercise that I do.

The good point this week is exercise, I have for the first time broken the 1000 calories in a 2 hour session which is a great milestone achieved I have also done 2 seafront jog/walk this week which is a first. On the first   jog I was able to jog a lot more which is a great boost because after the first time I thought I would never be able to jog. Also I was able to be 10 minutes quicker which is also a great boost. On Saturday for the first time I did an X-box session in the morning and went for a jog it was very windy and not nice but I still matched my best time so again another boost, also I have had no problem with my calf on Saturday so again that is good and gives me confidence now that my body is capable to train and get fit and complete the Great South Run. 

The weigh in for this week is clearly nothing special but the positive is no weight gain and having the information needed to progress next week. Last week was 108.5kg this week is 108.4kg so I will call this even weight for the week. Diabetes has also been great again even with the exercise program,This is truly amazing after all the years I struggled due to my bad lifestyle decisions.   
 

Week Thirteen

This may be a short blog this week, for the first time since the process started I have had a almost normal week without to much happening this week so hooray for a the first of many normal weeks in the the rest of my journey.

I have had one setback this week but on the positive side it has happened at the best time in my three week rota as I am on the eight days out of nine days so exercise is pretty light during this period. On Saturday morning I went out before work to do my second jog/walk along the seafront, I actually felt that I needed to get out and train so was pumped up to get out and improve my time. I started off jogging at a slower pace than on the first occasion which seemed ok and I managed 2 minutes and 15 seconds before walking I was on such a high and full of confidence for the session ahead after a few minutes I set off on another jog, 30 seconds in my right calf went and I had to stop despair set in for a few short minutes I did a few stretches walk around in a circle checking the leg out, I decided that I wanted to continue and finish the 5 mile's as defeat is not am option. I carried on and my calf felt it could cope I finished the session only 2 minutes slower than the first one. This has given me so much confidence that I can complete the race under any circumstances.

I am now looking after my calf and will make sure it is healed properly before I exercise again at least that is only Monday's session on the X-Box fitness that I will lose and I will be able to make that up later so that overall I should be on track to complete all the session's that I need to to give me the best possible chance to complete my journey and the Great South Run.

On the weigh in for this week after last week's super weight loss, there is no pressure for big numbers although last week was such a big boost to my confidence, and remember that I work on a three week shift pattern that is uneven so no one week is the same, so to replicate is unrealistic. Last week I was 110kg or 17st 4.5lbs this week is 108.5kg or 17st 2.1lbs that's a weight loss of 1.5kg or 3.3lbs. On the insulin front I am now down to 25 units for day time and night time life is so much better now I have control of my diabetes and I am not getting any hypos. 

I am well pleased with how the week has gone and can now say that the journey is easier than it was before, I am not being complacent and know that I have to set goals and work at what I do but I think it is now a more natural process an I am not thinking about what I am doing it just happens.    
      

Week Twelve

Week Twelve what a milestone week this has been for me. Made the local paper again about the Great South Run and my entry, picture editor needs a kick up the behind that was never the best photo out of all those taken.

I believe that a couple of people have signed up to run/jog/walk with me in the race well done to you and if you fancy a free slimpod come and join us in the race see website for full details,it will be a great journey.

I am getting excited about the race and the high from the achievement of taking part and finishing the race. Yesterday I did my first jog/walk with my partner Hazel in preparation for the big day and I have to say I was amazed at what I achieved and whilst the time was nothing to write home about it gives me something to work with and the knowledge that I can complete the race this is the first time since entering that I have thought this. For the people that do not know Portsmouth the seafront road from Eastney to Clarence Pier is approx 2.5 miles which is one quarter distance of the Great South Run yesterday for the first time ever I completed the trip there and back which is half race distance in 1hr 27 min 18 seconds it was a power walk with 5 one minute jogs that was hard how do you guys that run do it? I know I will improve in the next five months or so . I cannot tell you how much of a buzz I got off that last night it was truly a moment in ones life that dawns on you what you have achieved was special in the journey that I have taken and barriers have been smashed down and I can see ahead to how I will achieve goals. 

I am loving being on such a natural high after a fantastic week on my journey and it just goes to show that if you put in the work and noticed the problems as they arrive and work on them in time everything will fall into place this is where I truly believe I am at after last week and this. Enough talking now I am so bursting to get this information out. My weight loss is ................ last week was 114.5kg this week ............ 110.0kg that is an amazing 4.5kg or 9.9lbs not only did I break the 18 stone barrier I smashed it to piece's by going straight down to 17st 4.5lbs.

I am truly proud of myself for the first time since I started my journey as this is a combination of everything coming together and the realization that with the correct information and help you can make a difference to your life and regain the control needed for a healthier better lifestyle. My blood sugar's are so much more under control and I have not had a hypo for nearly two weeks I eat fruit in a more measured way than previously and I love only eating to give my body the energy that it needs, one word CONTROL I love that word and what it means to me now. As this is three months since I started Thinking Slimmer I will recap my weight loss.

At my heaviest I was  133.6kg or 21st 0.5lb when I joined up with Thinking Slimmer I was 126.0kg or 19st 11.8lb and today 110.0kg or 17st 4.5lb that a total weight loss of 23.6kg or 3st 10lb under Thinking Slimmer thats  a weight loss of 16kg or 2st 7.3lb. www.thinkingslimmer .co.uk  Please stand up and take a bow without your great product and help I would not be here. also Dr Lorraine Albon and Penny Mordaunt MP for their help and support as well, to you all my heart felt thanks.

Week Eleven

Having got over the various problems I have encountered over the last 3 months and learnt from them so I can move forward with my journey. I feel that this week I will do a an update of my journey so far,hopefully I won't repeat myself to much.

The hardest part of my journey is my diabetes and controlling my blood sugar levels this I knew from day one would be the biggest hurdle to get over in my quest to get control back of my whole life whilst I feel that I have broken the back of it I know I must keep on top of it as I hate having the hypo's,the fact that my insulin is still coming down is great and long term I am hoping to not need insulin any more. I am also really happy with the steady weight loss I have achieved although deep down I would have liked a massive drop for one week but that's not to be.The benefit of the steady weight loss will prove to be the right way when I reach my goal.

I have been amazed at how my journey has gone and after 3 months I can now see all the benefits that I have achieved and the confidence that gives me for the rest of my journey. I am now comfortable and happy around food knowing that I have the self control that I have always wanted and needed. I still cannot believe that I have starting exercising as I was adamant that I was not going to do any but the slimpod reprogrammed my brain and it made me make the right choices for my life style journey and now that I started exercising I want to make the most of it to aid my weight loss and now the fact that I have entered the Great South Run gives me a real goal to aim for in six months time. I am aware that I am still learning and will always be learning and putting into place the the right things that I need to move forward with my journey.

The X-Box training that I am doing is going great and I can now see the benefits and how much I have improved since I have started which gives me great pleasure to know that I am getting better both mentally and physically. My balance and co-ordination is a little better but I still look like a dying swan as I wonder all over the place trying to keep upright and not lose my balance or fall over. I have also noticed that my back aches quite a bit at the moment,I'm sure that is down to my body shape and the fact that no matter how many times the voice says keep a straight back I look at myself and wish the day would come when I can exercise with a straight back. I have also realized the importance of rest in between sessions and not trying to do to much which means that I have better quality sessions when I do train again learning these new things as I go along is really great.

Halfords have said no to the bike the nice PR people offered me a free bike but the Halfords lawyer's decided that it was not a good move because I might claim against them if I fell off or if the bike collapsed!!!  Its laughable!! . Any way went out Saturday and brought myself a bike so I can start riding to work and use as a fitness aid towards the Great South Run. The bike is now set up and ready to go so now the real training towards the Great South Run can start by putting the miles into my legs so I can complete the race.

 
On the Great South Run front www.thinkingslimmer.co.uk have announced that they will give away 20 slimpods to anyone that wishes to take part in the Great South Run with me on 30th October 2011 in Portsmouth we will be raising funds for Diabetes UK you don't have to be diabetic nor do you need any experience as I have none my aim is to finish the race for my own self confidence belief and pride. You can contact me or Thinking Slimmer. Come along and enjoy the experience and a new way of life where you are in control of your life.

The weigh in this week then, last week was 116.5kg this week is 114.5kg that's a loss of 2.0kg or 4.4lbs next week I will say good bye to being 18st and hello to being 17st and hopefully it won't be for long as I pass through to my target weight of 13 st or 83kg. 

Week Ten

Lets start with Diabetes again this week, this is my biggest and most important challenge in my journey and after the last couple of weeks struggling to keep it in check, I believe that as expected with the help of the hospital we have sorted out the problems of the last couple of weeks. I have been taking to much insulin for what I am now eating and exercising which is a shock as I have already reduced my night time insulin by 50% and my day time by 40%. This just goes to show how badly I have looked after myself these past few years. I am more comfortable reducing my insulin now as my life style improves my health and weight. Since Wednesday I have kept my blood sugar under control and feel so much better for doing so, and I feel great again for being in control of the diabetes and it not being in control of me.

Exercise, I am still loving the X-Box Fitness and the whole lifestyle changes that it brings I have kept a record of my exercise after my first month and will send it to the wonderful people who help and support me so they can see how I am doing. I am also looking forward to training for the Great South Run which is six months away, my aim is to just completed the race for my own personal wellbeing and having a goal to push me along  on my journey.

Food, again after last weeks set back with the diabetes I can see now that I was still on track and only ate what I needed to to look after my body and see it through the difficult period of adjusting to my health conditions. This is such a relief as deep down there is always the worry of losing control of food. This is absolutely crazy because the cycle has been broken by the slimpod, and backed up by the fact I have not eaten any bad foods in ten weeks nor do I wish to eat any bad foods.

My weight for this week is 116.5kg last weeks was 117.8kg that is a weight loss of 1.3kg or 2.9lbs which means that after taking into account last weeks weight gain of 1kg or 2.2lbs due to my diabetes I have lost more this week than I gained last week,that is just a fantastic feeling knowing that when problems come along I have the knowledge and support to solve them learn from them and use the information to move on and enjoy the journey that I am taking.