A Change of Direction

Well its April.... and I decided to have a bit of a change around with this blog and how it might be perceived.

I used to call this blog "Forty Plus, Fat and Fabulous" because I thought it described me quite well. However since embarking on the weight loss journey I have decided to change it to "Forty Plus, Foxy and Fabulous", my reasons for doing so are thus.

1) The word "Fat" has so many negative connotations in society and do I really want to have a negative perception levelled at me?

2) I began losing weight and my weight loss journey being noted on here, which has left me thinking that "fat" is no longer a descriptive term I wish to be associated with.

That doesn't mean I'm becoming a "fat fascist".. someone who is anti-fat.. I'm not. I'm more interested in being healthy. Now there are plenty of people who say for them being fat is healthy and good on them. I thought I was healthy when I was fat, but ultimately I was in denial about how fat I was getting again.. I say again because I had been morbidly obese throughout my pregnancies and was in complete denial of it. I had been in denial of my fat for many years. I just accepted that I was bigger and didn't really give it much thought. I didn't like photos of me, but just thought "well, its the way I am"... I tried dieting before and lost some weight, but struggled to keep it off, and regained most of it.

It was only one day when I was stood in my GP surgery that things changed and I asked the receptionist "So what about this Lifestyle Programme".. and I joined it and started seeing benefits straight away.. So much so, when I was asked if I'd like to try Weight Watchers, I thought.. "why not, I've never tried it before, be good to give something with some structure a try".

The thing with trying to lose weight is that unless you're fairly disciplined, its really difficult. We are surrounded by so many tasty things to eat, so many lovely delightful temptations, people that sabotage us and to be honest, even sabotaging ourselves. The trick is to keep on going. As many of you know I put on 10 and half pounds over Christmas and it took me 11 weeks to lose it!! Now I'm back there, I really don't want to ever do that again.. While I may fall off the wagon sometimes, I know I can get back on it straight away and get over it.

I know a lot of people don't like "diet plans".. well, Weight Watchers isn't so much a diet plan as a lifestyle change "Changing People's Relationship with Food for Good" is the tagline.. and it does. I am now much more adventurous in my cooking, I'm cooking at home more and making stuff from scratch. I eat so much fruit and veg I'm practically bursting, but I'm still on a downward trend weight wise, which is the way to go. I'm not someone who goes for quick fixes, with me 'slow and steady wins the race' and I believe that lifelong changes to our lifestyle are what's needed.

Going to the gym has sadly been put to one side for me at present. I've been having some joint problems, lots of unexplained aches and pains and a tiredness which is wiping me out. Despite getting early nights and plenty of rest, so am off to see someone at the hospital about that as a recent couple of blood tests are suggesting inflammation. I'm hoping its nothing serious, but if it is, then I'll just deal with it.

I get my final meeting with my Lifestyle coach next week... Fingers crossed he'll be pleased with my progress so far.

I have other news to share.. I've decided to train as a Weight Watchers Leader, I'm smack bang in the middle of my training now, and I'm loving it. R, my current leader, suggested I go for it and I have. I have my final assessment next week and fingers crossed I have a new career ahead of me as well!

So, yes, I don't see myself as 'fat' any more and have labelled the blog 'Forty Plus, Foxy and Fabulous' which  think is much more appropriate.. :-)