Friday, January 7, 2011

Back on the Diet

This week, I imagine 90% of us are now on diets, are giving up smoking, getting more exercise, and generally doing the resolution thing. I’m on a diet, have been since the day after Christmas Day 2009, but it isn’t really a diet as such but a lifestyle change. I eat more healthily, take more exercise, although…yes, I slipped along the way a few times and didn’t meet last year’s target of being a UK size 12 by the summer 2010. I got into the size 12 but couldn’t do the jeans up. Bummer! So, my target is back in place, and on 1st January I needed to lose 26 pounds to reach my target by the summer of 2011. This isn’t such a bad amount, because I thought that losing a pound per week was acceptable and easily done. So far, since 1st January, I’ve lost 5 pounds. I realise that by getting back on the right track and cutting out all the naughty things I ate over Christmas, plus going back to drinking loads of water, those 5 pounds are probably just water loss. And I also know my body well enough after keeping a close eye on it this past year, that it has a habit of losing a chunk of weight then staying the same for weeks after.
Last year I did the Atkins diet, eating a portion of meat and low carb vegetables for every meal. I needed to get a massive chunk of weight off before I could change my eating habits and go on a “normal” diet. I lost 56 pounds then my body wouldn’t play the game anymore. It got used to the exercise, used to the food, and nothing worked in getting the last 26 pounds off.
This year I’ve gone down a different route. I’m eating lots of fruit, a “normal” meal at dinner time, and cutting out the naughty foods like cakes and whatever. I want to see if this diet change will fool my body and I can finally get those last stubborn pounds off. Then I have the task of keeping them off.
Why did I want to lose weight? Well, I’d gone into “comfortable” mode, where Hubby didn’t—and still doesn’t—mind what size I am. He married me for me, not what I look like. But, the day after Christmas Day in 2009, I stood scoffing something or other, and happened to glance down at myself. I looked awful. I put the food in the bin right away and said: No more! Also, I’d noticed I was going to need to go up a clothing size if I kept on, and already I was in a size I wouldn’t like to admit, plus I’d been getting out of breath. Quite simply, it frightened me. The weight was making my heart struggle to cope.
I feel healthier now. I feel more positive that I have a lot more years ahead of me. And I finally feel I’m getting back the body I was meant to have before I had 5 kids and let myself pile on the weight. I control food now, it doesn’t control me. And it feels bloody good!
Are you on a diet? If so, please share what works for you. I’m interested to know for when I hit that dreaded plateau again and need to trick my body into shedding more!

The winner of my book bundle from last week is LORETTA CANTON! Please could you email me with your 5-book selection at nataliedae@googlemail.com You can choose your books HERE and HERE. Congrats!

18 comments:

C. Zampa said...

You did really good with the 26 pounds last year, and you can do it again!

Keep us informed, because it will be good inspiration for all of us!

You go, girl! Good luck!

Anny Cook said...

I'm on the "can't eat that" diet... One list for diabetes, one list for diverticulitis, and one list for thyroid.

After I subtract all those forbidden things, I measure what's left, eat small meals every three hours, and drink a lot of water and herbal tea.

So far it hasn't done much for the weight, but the sugar numbers are good and the diverticulitis is behaving. And that's not bad.

Madison Scott said...

You and me both! I started again too, but I started on the 3rd. I want to be healthy. I am getting older and want to take care of myself as best I can. Also, I'm just tired of looking at myself and getting depressed. It's time for me to do it and stick with it...

Nichelle Gregory said...

Congrats on your commitment to be healthy in 2011, Natalie! Weight loss is such a journey/struggle/marathon and the only way to see any measure of success is to keep at it no matter how many steps back you take.

I've made a resolution not to get all caught up in the lbs shed, but to just make a conscious effort to exercise and stay away from foods with ingredients I can't pronounce.

Here's to a healthy, happy, 2011 for us all!! ;-)

Natalie Dae said...

56 last year, CZ. Mustn't forget that other 30 LOL. I went without one hell of a lot of nice food to lose that much but also gained much in other ways. Healthier body, a bit more confidence, stuff like that. The last 26 this year, I think, will be slower and harder to get rid of. POO!

:o)

Natalie Dae said...

Good luck, Anny. Doesn't matter about the weight so long as everything else is working right!

:o)

Natalie Dae said...

Madison, something clicked with me last year and I stuck at it, slipped on a couple of days here and there, but I was very good.

I went and got some new clothes today and bought smaller sizes--after picking up the bigger ones by habit. I still can't wrap my head around being smaller. I was big for so long.

:o)

Natalie Dae said...

I agree, Nichelle. We learn from those steps back. Makes me more determined to push forward.

:O)

Regina Carlysle said...

The minute I say DIET, everything goes down the tubes. I sabatoge myself. It's terrible. So I've vowed to eat healthier, drink more water, and eat several little bites of things throughout the day rather than skipping eating all day and then gorging at night. siiiigh. I start writing or doing other things and FORGET. Terrible.

Unknown said...

I'd say you did damn good the first time around. I'm sure you'll do it again!

Natalie Dae said...

I slip back into that occasionally, Reg. Starve all day then scoff my dinner and then some. I had to train myself otherwise. I forgot to eat today and had to quickly scoff a banana.

:o)

Natalie Dae said...

Thank you, Amber. I hope I manage it again.

:o)

Jude Mason said...

Hi Natalie,

I'm right with you. Last year I lost just over 40 lbs last year and feel so much better. I've got a few more to go, but that damn plateau has struck and I'm battling it tooth and nail. So far, I'm still stuck. I actually thought I was doing extremely well not to gain it all back over the holidays. Talk about temptation!

My plans are a lot like yours, try to fool my body into losing again. I've taken to eating mostly salads and 'greens' with a little fish or meat at dinner. For me, it's the exercise that will do it, I'm sure. That's also the hardest thing for me to do regularly.

I'm also not going to stress about this last bit. I really would like it to be gone, but I'm not the fat lady I was a year ago, so I feel good about that.

Good luck and I'd love to know if whatever you do works.

Hugs

Natalie Dae said...

Hiya Jude!

This year I started differently. A banana and apple for breakfast, crackers and fruit for lunch, and a normal dinner. I'm just not eating sweet stuff, chips/crisps etc, and I've been drinking about 5 pints of water/fluid per day. I'll prolly lose another 3 or 4 pounds next week, then it will just stop for months, and that drives me insane!

Good luck, Jude. This time next year, we'll have hopefully met our goals. I'll be thinking of you now, knowing you're doing this too!

And exercise. Yes. I walked 8 miles every week day night last summer, and although I didn't lose much, it looked like I had because of the toning. I must get back to doing that once the weather picks up and the lighter nights come in, because the old thighs and arse have gone wobbly again. ARGH.

:o)

Wendy A said...

I'm sorry i haven't been around but just got my computer back from being fix i wish you all the luck on your diet just don't starve yourself it makes you hungrier eat small portion of stuff i have tried that and it worked for me i have low sugar in a bad way so i have to eat heathy can't have any sweet or soda nothing good i just have to watch how much i eat.

Jen B. said...

Congrats on the weight loss and on the having a solid plan and positive outlook. I am also aiming for losing around 1 lb per week. I have been slowly changing to a more healthy and well balanced diet. I still have my soda each day and I allow a cup or two of fancy coffee a week (hey, a girl has to have some fun). The one thing I will not give up completely is chocolate so I am finding ways of eating less while enjoying it more. I am also in drink a lot of water mode. I have even started adding fiber powder to my water so I know I am getting enough fiber.
Good luck! Oh, and if last week's winner doesn't get back to you, I would be willing to take the prize and unburden you!! HA HA!

Natalie Dae said...

Same here, Wendy.

Good to see you back, love!

:o)

Natalie Dae said...

LOL Jen. I'm sure you won Scared by Sarah Masters last week.

Yep, you're doing the diet the right way. Losing small amounts per week is the best way to keep the bloody weight off!

:o)