The word 'free' and I sit very well together. I love a bargain, so when someone suggests 'free'.. I think, 'yeah, go on then, why not? What have I got to lose?' So I made an appointment with the practice nurse and went for it!
"Yes, Sheena, you are coming up with a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 37.1, so technically you are coming in under the 'obese' branch of the charts, so yes, we can refer you"...
A week later and I met my coach. 'P' is a lovely young chap, very helpful, very enthusiastic and certainly seems to know his stuff... One suspects there's a trained nurse under the 'friendly lifestyle coach' exterior... I was able to chat about what I'd like, what my problem areas are and generally feel that I'm not alone. I was able to set some easily achieveable goals, had my weight, height and measurements taken, so they can be compared next time I go.
I have signed up and am in the process of waiting for a few things to come through.. which is great, however, I've had an avalanche of another kind.
'P' called me, "Would you be interested in something called 'Text 4 Change', its being run by the council and its to help people like you, can I get them to give you a call?"
"OK"..said I, uncertain of what I was letting myself in for...
"Great, you'll hear from 'L' soon then, speak soon and keep up the good work"
Within a minute the phone rang "Hi, its 'L' from the city council, with regard to the 'Text 4 Change', would you be interested in taking part, if so you can sign up through the council website, another thing, would it be OK if we use you as part of our campaign for it?"
"Er... go on then, in for a penny, in for a pound" says I, not even considering what I'm letting myself in for...
"That's great, I'll get the Sentinel to call you to do a brief interview and they might want to take a few pictures, also I'll need some for the council website, is that OK?"
"Um... suppose so, I guess if it helps others to get on board with it and it really helps people join in, then its got to be a good thing"
"Brilliant, I'll be in touch"
Yesterday (Tuesday) I was called by The Sentinel and Staffs Live (the University radio station) to do two interviews and the photographer from The Sentinel paid a visit. Today 'L' came over and took some pics too... "You don't mind, when it goes live next week, that I put this forward to the other radio stations and the main press pool, do you?"..
OMG.. Pandoras Box is being opened... I can envision my life not being my own any more as I dodge the paparazzi camped outside my door. "How much weight have you lost this week??" "Do you think Kate Middleton will join you in this?" "Angelina Jolie expressed an interest in playing you in your life story, how do you feel about that?"....
While I have a disdain for the media and all it stands for, I still somehow feel that it is a useful tool, like other useful tools and when used in the right way and for the right reasons can genuinely help to raise awareness, assist in helping people to help themselves. I know that I need to lose some weight and do more exercise, I am certainly not in denial about that. So I have set a few achieveable goals and am working things in to bring about sustained lifelong changes. I am someone who does tend to jump into things with both feet and get bored quickly, but I'm actually looking at doing something over a longer period, not just going for a quick fix. There are no quick fixes to weight loss and healthy living (despite what the advertisements say).. Its a long hard road. It took a long time to put the weight on, it'll take a long time to get it off.
"So you're saying that you don't want to be fat anymore, Sheena?"...
Its not that.. I want to be healthy, to feel like I can run a hundred yards and not be out of breath. I have been given an amazing body and I have abused it for years. It might not be skinny, it might not be pert, but its all mine and most of the time it works fine. So, why shouldn't I give it something back, take some care of it?? I had some wild times drinking to excess, given it things I shouldn't have, eaten my body weight in chocolate and what's it given back to me?? Its supported me throughout my 43 years. I was born with a complete body, OK, I've had a couple of hiccups and operations down the years, but its still with me, still here for me and hasn't given up yet, so I shouldn't give up on it either. It deserves better.
So, I've signed up.. I've made some changes and already, in 2 weeks I've noticed some subtle changes (I can get into a skirt that I struggled to get into 2 weeks ago), the scales are suggesting I've lost a few pounds. I decorated my lounge and feel great about achieving that, doing the majority of it myself.. We did that, me and my body as a partnership.. We achieved a goal together.. Go me! Go body!! I, however, now sit here with a chest infection. My body saying to me 'time for a rest Sheena.. take it easy for a couple of days, you deserve it' So I shall put the kettle on, stick on a dvd and put my feet up, safe in the knowledge that I am making a difference in my life... and if I can do it.. so can you. I am really the world's most unmotivated person.. Time to change, time to put it into first gear and start moving.
I've just heard that my article has appeared in the local newspaper.. eeek... Oh well.. nothing ventured, nothing gained (or lost, as the case may be).
Thank you for reading... Obligatory poor selfie pic coming as well as details of the goals I set...
Its the first time I've done an obligatory 'before and after'.. well OK a 'before'... and, OK, I'm not impressed by what I see, yes the camera adds around 10 pounds in weight (or more or less, depending on who you read)... but its a good indicator of how we look in the clothes we wear. This is my everyday, usual, mummy look.. Nothing special, just what I wear day to day.
Anyway, less about the 'Oh I feel bad about myself cos I've seen some unflattering pics'.. Onto the positive stuff and the goals I've set for the first month...
GOALS:
1) Reduce Snacking - Only buy 1 bag of chocolate and have 1 bag of nuts or dried fruit.
Basically I was eating 1-2 bags of things like mini-eggs at the weekend, sometimes more, if I counted in stuff like cake, puddings and nice treats.. or just grabbing a chocolate bar because I was peckish. So instead I carry around a bag of dried fruit/nuts.. just a small snack size portion and have that if I'm out and about and need to eat, but have forgotten to prepare. While many will say 'its full of sugar and fat'.. I will say, but its still got less sugar than chocolate and it is actually healthier.. plus its not as processed.. which has to be a good thing. I'm finding it stabilising my 'hunger pangs' too.
2) Have a healthier option when ordering a takeaway. Only have one takeaway per week.
I'm not a big fan of takeaway, but I do like a Subway now and again and I have been known to have a McDonalds from time to time (with the kids).. I do enjoy a veggie kebab and also I adore curries. So, yes, its being sensible with regard to takeaways really. Not relying on them too much and just having one, is achieveable for me.
3) Do at least 2 x 30-60 minutes of exercise per week.
Speaks for itself really. So I've included any walking that I do, and this past fortnight has been about decorating.. So decorating the lounge has been a biggie for me. Lots of stripping, sanding and the like as well as rollering... I've done it fast and furious and feel loads better for it. Makes me want to tackle the rest of the flat now! Its true that our outside environment affects our inner self.
4) Go to 1 WEA exercise class.
Hmm, sticking point for me, it was Easter hols, I was decorating and now I have a chest infection.. plan to catch up next week with this one...
5) Look at 'Think Well'.
I was given some paperwork with regard to 'Think Well' courses, which are useful if you have issues around weight, or maybe underlying issues such as depression or anxiety about weight issues. I've had a look and I think I'd like to sign up.. Just to do the course and see if it helps.
6) Look at Weight Watchers class.
While I've tried Slimming World before, I'm going to take a look at Weight Watchers to see if its any different. I can try it for 12 weeks free.. so its worth looking at to see if it'll work for me.
So there you go..
