Staying motivated (Part One!)

Whether it's the three week slump, or the six month stagnation...we can all hit a bit of a lull in our weight loss where we can feel a bit disheartened or we can loose our motivation. Your weight loss can slow down to a pace you are not happy with, or in some cases it stops dead in its tracks with no real reason for it. It can be one of the most frustrating times in your weight loss journey. The novelty has worn off a little, and things are slowing down. How do you move past a lull without allowing it to sabotage all you hard work?

I for one had a few weeks towards the end of the summer where I was playing around with the same stubborn lbs that just would not get off my thighs (and bum, tum, etc!) At that stage I had lost around 3 and a half stone and things just seemed to slow down...almost to a total halt. It was one lb off and then half a lb back on again. I grew very frustrated and I lost a bit of my motivation. I decided what I needed was a plan. A motivation plan. A go to list of tips to help me keep my focus, even if things slowed down a little. Tips that would help remind me of how far I'd come to date, and how to keep me motivated to continue on my journey. 

These tips are useful and fun. Something a little different than the normal "track, exercise and drink water" which we all try to do on a daily basis. I hope they are as helpful to you as they have been to me!

Number One: 

Don't JUST Measure your success by pounds lost on the scales.

You might ask, how is that possible when once a week we all go along to a class where we are weighed? Isn't that the main focus? Of course it plays a major role in our weight loss journey, but there are other ways to measure your success.

• Measure how many sizes in jeans you have lost.
• Measure how many inches you have lost.
• Measure how your confidence is growing.
• Measure how much fitter you are becoming.

Number Two: Don't Expect Miracles in a few days.

I think when I first joined Weight Watchers, and when I hit my lull over the summer I wanted to see instant results. I wanted to see my waist shrink over night and even though it took years for me to gain my weight, I wanted to loose it fast. I have learnt, slowly, that this is a change of life. I have to remind myself every now and again that this is not a fad, fast weight loss diet. It is a long term, healthy lifestyle change that will take time so I may as well enjoy the journey!

Number Three: Do this for you and ONLY you.

I firmly believe that you have to be 100% committed to this life change for you to see the results you want. In the past I have lost weight to fit in, to be more like the other girls in school, college, work etc. I think you have to make the decision to become healthier purely for you. Not to make anyone else happy, but to make YOU happy. To help with your confidence, to help you live a happy long life where weight is not an issue. Remind yourself of the personal reasons you started out on this journey, and when you are having a hard time you can focus on those reasons to help motivate you to carry on.

Number Four: Go through your wardrobe and 

give away clothing that is too big.

This for me is a MAJOR boost. It doesn't matter is it is one size or 100 sizes you have lost, when you try on a pair of jeans that used to cling to you and they are now loose...you feel wonderful. I made a decision to hold on to ONE pair of big jeans, and ONE top. These help me on days when I struggle to see how far I've come, because when I put them on I can see it straight away. I have however, donated all my other larger clothes as I have no intent in fitting back into them. All my bigger items were bagged & donated. It is a great feeling as you can physically see that part of your life being bagged & leaving forever. 

Number Five: Take Photos!

This may sound like a big headed suggestion, but I find taking progress pictures is a huge motivation. I used to hide away from the camera, but I do have one or two "before" photos. One thing that can really spur me on when I'm having a bad day is taking a new progress picture and comparing it with the old photos. It can be subtle changes over time like seeing more of your eyes (which have a real sparkle now), your smile widening, (because it's a real smile now) or seeing more of your waist appearing in each picture that will spur you on. Photos are not just from the shoulders up now! 

So this week, if you are struggling to find your motivation, go and try on an old pair of jeans...remind yourself this process will take time, remember why you started in the first place, clear out some clothing that is too big and compare some old photos! I guarantee you will feel fantastic afterwards, and you'll muster up some new found motivation! :) 

Loving the change

Have you ever had that moment yet when it hits you? 

A bittersweet mixture of pride and embarrassment...

You are completely over whelmed and taken aback...

It dawns on you the amount of weight you have lost.

It might be half a stone, three stone or more...

However much, when you have that moment and it hits you, it can be quite something. 

A mental battle can ensue..you look back at photos and they make your skin crawl...

How did I ever let myself get like that? 

How did I not notice? 

Why did no body tell me?

I had that moment this week. I stepped on the scales at weigh in and to my delight my leader told me I was down 3lbs following the Simple Start Plan. I nearly hugged her! I received my 7th silver 7 with Weight Watchers bringing my weight loss total to date to 75lbs...5 st 4.5 lbs...34kg. I sat in my class thinking about where I was at the beginning of my journey, and I couldn't help feeling shame that I had allowed myself to gain the amount of weight I did in the first place. As some of you know, I piled on the pounds when my husband was battling cancer and I comfort ate my way through the stress. I had a completely unhealthy relationship with food, and as a result I ended up at Weight Watchers. I can honestly say I haven't looked back.

For that split second in my class this week I felt ashamed, and then it dawned on me. I am worth far more than that. I have spent over a year working to regain control of my weight, and now I am almost there. I am healthy. I am making positive changes in my life and as a result, I feel fantastic. I have energy, I have motivation and I shouldn't be ashamed of my past. It, after all, shapes who we are as people. 

I have discovered in the past week, I have a renewed passion for cooking. I have always adored cooking...part of the problem in the first place I guess! But this time it's different. I am loving experimenting with food. I am passionate about cooking food that is good for me and my husband. That feeds us with healthy, nutritious goodness that gives us energy. I have also discovered I am really enjoying sharing my passion with others. I love giving tips and sharing recipes with others so that they may too enjoy really tasty, wholesome meals. 

I have decided that there is NO shame in loosing weight. If anything, it proves how strong I am. I am overcoming my demons, and I am determined to be a healthy 20-something year old woman who is positive about all aspects of her life and isn't willing to settle for less. If my story can help inspire someone to take the step towards a healthier, longer life then I am happy to share it with anyone who will listen.

I am grabbing the Simple Start plan with both hands as I thrive on a challenge. I am embracing week two and I am learning so much about my eating patterns. I am feeling full, content and free on the Simple Start plan. My husband is also benefiting from it as he is fuller between meals and not snacking either. I have found myself reaching for the fruit bowl instead on the curly wurlies this week which is an incredible change for me. I know everyone is different and SS may not be for all, but I am feeling fantastic on it. 

I have added a lot of recipes to my "Cooking myself Skinny" recipe page. If you click on the Recipe tab at the top of the page, you'll find some inspiration there. They are suitable for people following both the SS and PP plan.

So all, embrace your weight loss to date with pride. I am not there yet, but I am feeling closer than ever. We all have our own individual stories, and a weight loss that is huge to us all in it's own right. Be proud of how far you've come, and when you look back at old pictures, old clothes etc be kind to yourself. 

You are making the change and there is no shame it that. 

A new year . . . a new plan.

Butterflies in my tummy

Nervous chatter in the line

Taking off every excess piece of clothing I could think of

Sound familiar? 

Yes, this was me last night at my first weigh in after Christmas. I was absolutely convinced the scales were going to have a big + sign on it. I gingerly stepped on the scales, held my breath and relief . . . 

I had stayed the same. 

I was so good over the Christmas period, I even pointed my Christmas dinner. I was hoping for a loss, but after an unfortunate car accident last week . . . one dislocated collar bone later and not to mention a lot of swelling, I was praying to not have a huge gain. To say I was relieved with a STS is an understatement. 

My beautiful sling!

I sat as proud as punch throughout the meeting, and eagerly awaited the news about the new programme that has been circulating facebook for weeks now. As our leader explained the plan, I began to weigh up if I'd like to do a plan with no pointing or not. 

The concept of the new Simple Start is well . . . simple! It brings eating back to basics . . . eating filling, healthy meals until you are full and limiting the rubbish. It's good old "mammy meals" that leave you feeling comfortably full, and reduce your want to tuck into the biscuit time. It's balanced, well rounded meals that tick all the boxes in terms of proteins, carbs, dairy etc. There is also room for 2 treats a day from the selected list which will be my saving grace (I love my treats!). From what I understand, in week two, you can choose to either start pointing again, or you can do Simple Start meals but use 49 weeklies for extra treats outside of the the listed Simple Start foods. So i'm willing to go "cold turkey" and give the Simple Start my all this week, and then add in my 49 weeklies next week. If it's not for me, then I can always change back to my pointing . . .  but it's worth a go. 

I am a keen pointer. I love knowing I have a certain amount of points for treats. But I also have a lot of self discipline and know when I'm full, I'm full and I need to stop eating. I did the "Core" plan when I first joined ww in 2008 and I loved it. I am hoping that once I get my head around this plan, it will be a welcome change from the Pro Points! The only worry I had about the programme is how I could make it work around my gluten & wheat intolerance. My gluten free pasta and bread isn't included on the list of SS food, so I decided I needed to write out a food plan to properly plan my meals. 

Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance! I got very excited last night and planned out my weeks meals . . from the moment I get up until I go to bed! I was excited to see what meals I could plan out, and reisited the urge to point my meals. I'm going to share my weekly plan with you all, excuse the length of it! I have included EVERYTHING that I might eat over the day. The snacks are of course optional. It might help some of you who are unsure what to make for dinner this week, or you might be able to help me out if I've gone wrong somewhere! 

Here's to a great week, a new challenge and hopefully and kick start on the scales next week!

Simple Start Week One Plan:

Day One:

********

Breakfast:

Hot water and lemon

*******

Gluten Free Porridge with Cinnamon & Banana

********

0% Fat Greek Yogurt

Chopped Fruit

Optional Snack:

Stewed Fruit eg Stewed Apple, Pear and Raspberry

Lunch:

Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Soup

Optional Snack:

Sugar Free Jelly

Fruit

Dinner:

Chicken Curry with Chickpeas and Sweet Potato & whole grain rice

Optional Snacks:

Sugar Free Jelly

Air popped popcorn

Fruit

*****

Choc x 2 squares & Meringue Nest x 1

Drinks:

Water (with our without lemon & lime), Tea, Diet Coke.

Day Two:

*******

Breakfast:

Hot water and lemon

*******

Gluten Free Porridge with Cinnamon & Banana

********

0% Fat Greek Yogurt

Chopped Fruit

Lunch:

Bacon, Poached Egg, Baked Beans, Mushrooms & Gf Bread

Optional Snack:

Carrots and home made humus

Dinner:

Stew (Stewing Steak, Potatoes, Butternut Squash, Carrots, Onion)

Wholegrain Rice.

Optional Snacks:

Sugar Free Jelly and low fat custard

Air popped popcorn

Fruit

*****

Choc x 2 squares

Drinks:

Water (with our without lemon & lime), Tea, Diet Coke.

Day 3:

*******

Breakfast:

Hot water and lemon

********

Gluten Free Porridge with Stewed Apple & Cinnamon

********

0% Fat Greek Yogurt

Chopped Fruit

Lunch:

Vegetable Soup with Chickpeas

Optional Snack:

0% Greek yogurt with chopped fruit

Sugar Free Jelly

Dinner:

Shepherds Pie

(Extra Lean Mince, Potatoes, Carrots, Onion)

Optional Snacks:

Sugar Free Jelly

Air popped popcorn

Fruit

*****

Choc x 2 squares

Meringue Nest x 1

Drinks:

Water (with our without lemon & lime), Tea, Diet Coke.

Day Four

*******

Breakfast:

Hot water and lemon

********

Gluten Free Porridge with Stewed Fruit

********

0% Fat Greek Yogurt

Chopped Fruit

Lunch:

Tuna and Sweetcorn with wholegrain Rice

Optional Snacks

Sugar Free Jelly

Fruit Salad

Dinner:

Pork Chops

Roast Vegetables 

Roast Potatoes

Sweet Corn

Optional Snack:

Sugar free Jelly & Custard

Stewed Fruit

Choc x 2 squares

Drinks:

Water (with our without lemon&lime), Tea, Diet Coke.

Day Five:

*******

Breakfast:

Banana Pancakes

0% Greek Yogurt

Red Berry Comport

Lunch

Potato and Sweet corn Soup

Optional Snacks

Sugar Free Jelly

Fruit Salad

Dinner

Chili

Extra Lean Mince

Chick Peas

Kidney Beans

Tin of Tomato

Coriander, Cumin and Chili

Whole Grain Rice

Optional Snacks

Eton Mess-Meringue x 1

0% fat Greek Yogurt

Red Berries

Fruit Salad

Choc x 2 squares

Drinks:

Water (with our without lemon  &lime), Tea, Diet Coke.

*********

Repeat for day 6 & 7

ENJOY