So, I told you last time how I'd been referred to a Lifestyle Coach, this time I want to talk about my first month, how I managed and what I did to make things happen.
FOOD
With regard what I was putting in my face, I have been really quite good, I've started to enjoy things like salads again, and really mixing things up.. for example yesterday, for lunch, I had some mixed leaf salad with balsamic dressing, mixed beans in a mint dressing, olives and sunblush tomatoes, cherry tomatoes and beetroot and I can honestly say I enjoyed it so much I'm having it for lunch again today. I've increased, or tried to where I can, the amount of fruit and vegetables I'm eating, instead of relying on the easy option of 'toast'. I'm still eating things like toast, but only when I feel like it.. I'm enjoying experimenting to be honest. I've swapped out the snacks.. so if I feel peckish, or haven't prepared and need a light snack, I'm eating things like the llittle mixed bags of dried fruit and nuts.. I'm not eating them all the time, just if I feel hungry and can't get a meal straight away. I've found that this has balanced out my blood sugar better than having chocolate.. so I'm finding I'm snacking less than I was.. which has to be a good thing. I'm also drinking more water... and I'm finding this is leaving me feeling quite energised.. if I forget to drink at least a litre of water I start to feel sluggish.. We need extra water to help our blood to flow around our bodies... and I can tell you it works!!
EXERCISE
Exercise is an anathema to me.. I really struggle to exercise, as I'm always finding more and more things that are infinately more enjoyable.. but I'm making time to exercise.. my goal is at least 2 walking sessions of 30-60 minutes a week and 1 exercise session.. Rather than start the gym straight away and throw myself in the deep end, which is what I usually do, I'm trying to make small changes and adding them in. I've joined a WEA group that do free exercise classes. I went to my first one last week, which was quite an achievement.. they're such a lovely group. We meet in a Gurdwara temple, and there are a high number of Asian ladies in attendance, who chatter away and giggle like children through the class when we're exercising.. its enormously entertaining.. the rest of the class is made up of a few pensioners, who are also very lovely and accomodating. The class is supposed to be easy.. but for a self confessed non-exerciser, its quite tough, plus I'm still feeling the effects of my chest infection.. But I managed to get through the class. 'S' runs our class and she's lovely, really encouraging and also on the curvy side, which is great and I find it less intimidating than being faced with a lycra clad thin person. So, I'm well pleased with my progress of including more exercise..
The Media and 'Text 4 Change'
Well., its gone potty.. I've done an interview and had my picture taken for the local newspaper, interviewed by Signal Radio and also BBC Radio Stoke. I've become a kind of 'poster girl' for the 'Text 4 Change' thing.. so there's no backing out now! It would seem that the council are very keen to push 'Text 4 Change' as they've spent quite a bit of money on it.. well, if it helps people and it assists them in their goal setting, then I guess its a good thing..I've found it useful so far.. Little texts of encouragement like 'Park further from the shops when you go shopping, to get that little extra exercise' and 'Find some stairs to climb up and down a few times today'.. Not too bad, not intrusive and quite friendly.. the texts are from 'Flo'.. which is nice, almost adding a friendly face to them. Well, I shall keep reading the texts and applying small changes..
Meeting with my Lifestyle Coach
I met up again with 'P' on 9th May to find out how I've got on.. I have to say I was really surprised.. I've lost weight!!! I have lost the grand total of 2.5 kilos... which might not sound a lot, but is 5 and a half pounds.. again, it doesn't sound like a lot.. But its a nice steady weight loss, which is what I'm looking at. I don't want a massive weight loss, just nice and steady, its more likely to stay off that way. So we chatted about what I've been doing, I achieved all my goals for last month and have been given some new goals to do (I'll tell you later).. I've also lost 1.5cm off my waist.. which is why I can now get into a couple of skirts I've been struggling to get into for ages. I'm really pleased with my progress and so is 'P'.. I'm just waiting for my paperwork to come through so I can start Weight Watchers.. I've never been to them before, but I'm willing to try it out for the free period to see if it helps. I get 12 free weeks as part of the Programme, so will try my best with it and see if I can lose weight with it!
So, my new goals are:
Go once per week to Weight Watchers - Obviously I'm not going to be sitting in the back of the group and not take part and adjust the food accordingly.. I believe its worth giving it a shot..
Carry on with the WEA class once per week - I could have opted to join a gym at this stage, but I decided to leave that until the WEA class finishes... also the WEA class is a reintroduction to exercise for me.. so its manageable for me. I would rather do that than not bother and just get more and more unfit..I don't ache like crazy after too, which is a good thing..
Increase water intake to at least 1 litre per day - I explained earlier about the drinking water thing. Admittedly I may have to use the loo more frequently at first, but its a small price to pay, if it increases my weight loss... Apparently so many of us spend our time de-hydrated that we don't know what it feels like to be fully hydrated! Safe to say it helps to curb the 'hungry' feelings..
Maintain 2-3 walks per week for 30-60 minutes - I've been for a 40 minute walk this morning.. not a slow pace, but I picked up the pace, so that I was getting out of breath doing it.. Its not easy.. but its worth it.. to get the heart pounding a bit!
So... reveal pics... Here's the lastest pics.. OK, I'm not sure if you can see any difference yet.. I'll let you decide...
 |
| Taken today |
 |
| Last month |
 |
| Last Month |
 |
| Taken Today |
 |
| Last month |
 |
| Taken Today |
