Monday 2 March 2015

Back On The Health Kick

My weight has steadily crept up over winter. I finished the last of my Christmas chocolates last night, three tiny bars of Green & Blacks, so it's back to healthy eating for me as from today.


I set myself the challenge of losing some weight back in 2012 and did quite well losing two stone six pounds in total. I have to say that a lot of that weight has gone back on now so I really need to get back on track.

I don't like to diet as such, I prefer to eat more healthily and this seems to do the trick. Portion control is key, as is cutting out snacking between meals which is my major downfall. I shall continue to eat the same meals as the rest of the family but I shall just eat smaller portions. I do enjoy a glass of wine but alcohol is a complete no no if I want to lose weight so that shall be cut out all together.

I usually manage my five a day as I love vegetables, but I'm not such a big eater of fruit so that's something I shall definitely eat more of, the fruit bowl is stocked up in readiness.

I have to admit that I'm not a lover of exercising, I walk Archie at least once every day and that's about as much as I do, but I shall start using the exercise bike again as I know that exercising really does help to shift the weight.

Of the two stone six pounds which I lost in 2012, one stone ten pounds has gone back on so ideally, I'd like to lose two stones. We'll see how it goes.

42 comments:

  1. I'm the same, got to my target weight in 2009, put some back on, lost over a stone last year, now it's back on. Diet started today as well, like you it's snacking and lack of excise.

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    1. I know exactly what I should be doing to keep the weight off but it's difficult, it's all a matter of healthy eating and not slipping back in to the bad habits. Hopefully we can both shift some weight before summer is upon us again.

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  2. I don't believe in diets, I have to have a meal plan I can live with always. I love veggies too. I lost 25 lbs last year and only a couple of them have crept back on. We walk every day and I do aerobics every day or I did till I got sick, just now getting back into it.
    Good luck and by the way, really good chocolate is good for you!!!

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    1. Well done on your weight loss, it's much easier when healthy eating becomes a way of life rather than counting calories only for the weight to pile back on as soon as you stop. I think the key really is moderation, you don't have to cut anything out so long as you don't overdo it. It isn't the chocolate I'll be craving, it's the crisps.

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  3. I think that all gardeners put on weight over the winter but hopefully once we get gardening again the exercise helps us to lose it. Flighty xx

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    1. That's true. Most of us become much less active over the winter months and it's easy to snack on the odd extra biscuit too. I know I walk more during the warmer months as well as putting exercise in on the plot.

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  4. It's soul destroying if the weight goes back on isn't it? So bloomin hard to get it off and so easy to put it on. I'm trying to lose 1lb a week. Lost last week being good so far.

    Jean
    x

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    1. The weight has crept on gradually, which can be worse as you don't really notice it until a lot has gone back on. A slow and steady loss is good, it usually stays off longer doing it that way, well done on last week's loss.

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  5. Good luck to you, Jo. It sounds like you have a good plan for yourself. I'm the same; I don't do well with strict programs like Weight Watchers. It drives me crazy and I end up being very upset about the whole thing. I find that cutting out sugar and junk food helps a lot, and getting in a short walk when I can.

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    1. Thank you. I know that doing it this way worked last time so I hope I can manage it again. I've never been to a class like Weight Watchers so I don't know if it would be better for me or not but I begrudge paying money to someone to weight me. Small changes such as cutting out snacking or dishing up smaller portions can work wonders.

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  6. Winter I always gain a little. Come spring and summer exercising is easier! Your plan sounds good...wish you success!

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    1. I find I eat lighter food during the summer months, winter food is naturally more stodgy so I'm sure it must be easier to lose weight at this time of year now that we're coming out of winter.

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  7. It's funny how the weight just creeps stealthily back on, isn't it? You might have just spurred me on to lose a few pounds (quite a few pounds) myself.
    xx

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    1. It's easy to think that only a couple of pounds have crept on, but before you know it, those couple of pounds have added up to a stone, and beyond. It's all about changing your eating habits and sticking to it, easier said than done.

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  8. I agree with the healthy eating Vs Diet. I lost 2 stone 2 years ago and lost a couple of dress sizes. Although I have put on about 7lbs in the 2 years since, I am still the lower dress size and pretty good that I have managed to keep most of it off (for the first time ever). Am planning on trying to lose more weight this year and next and then try and maintain again. Good Luck and have fun!

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    1. You've done well keeping your weight down over two years. I think it's the keeping it off which is the hard thing, it's a case of changing your eating habits for life.

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    1. Thank you. It's all a matter of willpower.

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  10. I have come to realise that loosing weight is not longer optional but necessary for my health. I am going slowly, as slowly as the weight crept on. A kilo here and there every now and then. So far so good. I have two fast days a week but I am not so good at counting calories for the fast day allowance so I don't. Just a small portion of normal food. x

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    1. I think we all realise nowadays that it's not healthy to be overweight. Taking weight off slowly is supposed to be the best way to do it, easier to keep it off that way. I'm cutting down portion size, I know myself that I can be greedy at times.

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  11. We all know the reasons why but we all seem to manage to forget them, me too. I have put weight on since retiring, but there is no way that I would go back to work. I will have to keep my hands busy sewing and hooking till it is garden time.

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    1. I put a stack of weight on when I stopped working, I actually stopped smoking at the same time so that didn't help either. I'm definitely less active since I stopped working and I think that's half the problem.

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  12. Good luck, Jo. We're trying to cut our portion sizes down too. I think it would be much easier if food didn't taste so good! :oD

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    1. I sometimes which I were a fussy eater but truth be told, there isn't much I don't like. I think portion control can definitely help when trying to lose weight.

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  13. I am just like you, love veggies but fruit I can take or leave.

    Victoria x
    FlorenceandMary.com

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    1. I'm definitely going to start and eat more fruit when I'm peckish instead of reaching for a packet of crisps, definitely more healthier.

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  14. Good luck with your target, I know you'll do it because you are a very committed person.
    Lisa x

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    1. Thank you. I do find eating healthily and losing weight a hard slog, but it's worth it in the end as I do feel much better when I'm not carrying excess weight around.

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  15. Best of luck with keeping on track Jo. It sounds sensible to cut down on portion sizes and do more exercise. I always weigh out pasta and rice when cooking and I certainly feel so much better now I exercise regularly.

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    1. That's something I would hate about diet classes, the weighing out. I never weigh anything out, that's my problem, rice and pasta is gauged by sight, probably why our portions end up being bigger than they should be. I really think I should take a leaf out of your book. I really do need to get in to some sort of regular exercise, I quite fancy swimming but I wouldn't like to go in the cold weather.

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  16. I hate the thought of dieting too. I just try to eat sensibly and do a bit of exercise. It will be good to hear how you get on with your weight loss.

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    1. Cutting down and exercising is definitely the sensible way to do it. I don't really cut anything out totally when I'm trying to lose weight otherwise I start craving it, a little of what you fancy does you good.

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  17. How's the back and your eyes? Hope they are better. Yes we are on all trying to be a bit healthier too. I think healthier eating is a much better way of looking at it, then you can not be so restrictive, just make good choices and have a treat sometimes. Good luck! :)

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  18. I'm very much better today, thank you. Only a few twinges now. I think healthy eating will lead to a healthy weight, it's a matter of changing lifestyle rather than dieting where the weight usually goes back on as soon as you start eating as you did before again. It's just a case of conditioning my mind to go along with it and make it a life choice.

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  19. Good Luck Jo ..... and enjoy your walks or exercise bike, do you listen to music when you are on your bike ?

    It is a change of lifestyle to healthier living. I live the LCHF lifestyle ..... which is reduced carb intake, more fats(yes really) and moderate protein. I also take exercise and try to get a good nights sleep .....it has suited me well for seven years now I just wouldn't go back to how I ate before and neither would my husband who is a Type 2 diabetic and as found that the LCHF lifestyle suits him. His blood sugars are that of a non diabetic but it comes down to lifestyle choice......

    Take Care

    All the best Jan

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    1. I usually read when I'm on the exercise bike, or play Candy Crush on Mick's tablet, it helps to pass the time while I'm pedalling away. Healthy eating is definitely a lifestyle choice, but I don't deny myself anything, I think everything in moderation. As the saying goes, a little of what you fancy does you good. I find that if I cut something out of my diet I crave it even more and then I end up binging on it, so it's much healthier to have just a little.

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  20. Good luck! Mark and I have just started a 'healthy eating March'. It seems easier to eat well when the worst of the winter fug has past. My downfalls are crisps and wine. Jx

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    1. You're right, it's much easier to eat healthily when winter has passed, I just want stodgy comfort food when the dark nights are here. I'm with you on the crisps and wine, Walker's cheese and onion and a bottle of Hock.

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  21. Winter is a season when it's naturally easier to put on the weight. I haven't been brave enough to see what the Christmas damage is yet.... eh well, it's only March. Good luck and I know you'll achieve your target!

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    1. It's all the stodgy comfort food which puts the weight on over winter, that and not moving as much. I've been good so far this week so I'm hoping to see a bit of movement in the right direction when I next get on the scales.

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  22. Best of luck. I totally need to join you - snacking between meals is my downfall as well. Maybe I should just give up the meals and eat the snacks?!

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    1. That sounds good, though I do enjoy my meals too. If only we could have it all.

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