It's been very hard getting motivated again, especially when Mick brings treats home like this chocolate that I found in the fridge this morning. I really do need an extra push now before Christmas though, so I'm trying to stay focused.
The thing I really need to work on is snacking between meals. I need to make sure that the fruit bowl is well stocked so that I can snack on something healthy rather than a biscuit or a packet of crisps. I do love to chomp on a home grown tomato, but sadly, these are all I've got left of this year's harvest. Don't worry, the dark ones aren't bad, they're a variety called Black Cherry and are supposed to be that colour.
As well as cutting out snacks, I need to refocus on exercise. Before Archie was ill, he had been suffering with a limp, so the vet advised complete rest. That certainly didn't help, as my main exercise is walking him. His limp is still there, though it's much better now, so we went for a lovely long walk this morning down The Lines. I feel much better for exercise and fresh air already, and Archie is conked out.
Start every day afresh :) Even a lb a week is 1/2 stone by Christmas - just wish I could feel inspired myself! x
ReplyDeleteI think steady and slow is the way to go, that way it helps to keep it off too. You really do have to be in the zone to start.
DeleteI think the challenge is to replacing one treat with another that is equally appealing. I'm cutting down on red wine by drinking a cranberry and pomegranate juice drink. The juice is as strong in flavour as the red wine so it seems to be working.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind comments on my last post. It really helped to read when I was floundering. Jx
That's a good way of tricking yourself in to thinking you're getting something as good as you're giving up. You're welcome, that's the great thing about blogging, there's always someone here to listen as I've found out myself recently.
DeleteJo, I completely feel your pain. I am an emotional eater, so if I'm stressed I eat. And this year has been very stressful. I've never been so heavy in my life, it's bad... but I'm at my wits ends on this all so I decided that the very best I can do at the moment is just exercise and hopefully the rest will fall into place, there was a time that I worked out nearly daily and when you work out you really do tend to stay away from junk, I think because it becomes very clear how hard it is to keep it off...and also, your mood is good so you don't feel the need to snack as much. Do you have a treadmill? I know you can buy them used for a pretty good price, but then, I say that for around here, we have www.craigslist.com and people always have a good deal going... I wish you luck in all of this and I'm here for yoU!
ReplyDeleteI don't have a treadmill, but we have an exercise bike. I found it pretty boring pedalling and getting nowhere though, and the walking did help when I lost weight at the beginning of the year. One thing I have learnt this year is that exercise really is important to keep your body healthy, I've never gone in for it much before, but having a dog helps too.
DeleteWe all find it hard to stay on a strict diet. Replacing chocolate snacks with fruit sometimes helps but I don't know about you, I crave something crunchy. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteI'm not treating it as a strict diet, more like trying to change my ways and eating healthier. I'm really bad for snacking between meals, so this is the area I need to address most.
DeleteGood luck Jo. In my experience, slow and steady definitely wins the race.
ReplyDeleteI know you've successfully changed your ways, so your encouragement is appreciated. Hope you're still feeling better for your new diet.
DeleteIt's harder at this time of year as you want to eat comfort food and snuggle on the sofa with tea and biscuits or cakes or crisps! Dog waljing is certainly good exercise but not if it involves our George, as he tends to think that a human is there to be dragged to wherever he wants to go - great if its uphill not so, on the way down!
ReplyDeleteJune
I think it is hard in winter, but then it was summer when I came unstuck. I can just imagine George dragging you downhill. I don't think I would get much exercise at all if it wasn't for walking Archie.
DeleteI hope that you don't mind that I mentioned you on my blog xx
ReplyDeleteNot at all, thank you for the link. It's interesting that you mention vitamin b12 as I have injections of it since my bowel can't absorb it since having surgery for Cancer.
DeleteDo you like porridge?
ReplyDeleteA friend at work got me into eating this at work when I get bored and want to eat. I mix a sachet of the instant golden syrup porridge with a good dollop of natural yogurt the night before. Leave in the fridge and by the time it's mid morning and I get the munchies through being bored it's all ready to dip into. I then because it fills me up I end up eating my sandwiches at 2.3O or 3pm.
Lisa x
What a shame, I don't like porridge. It's good to have something which will satisfy the urge, though. I try to eat my lunch late so that I'm not waiting so long for my tea.
DeleteI too really need to cut back but I'm really lacking in willpower. I would like to lose half a stone ideally so with this in mind I am starting to walk to work. I did it this morning but it took me best part of an hour, still it is almost 3 1/2 miles so I figure if I can do this a couple of times a week it might help. I think you have done so well Jo, keep at it X
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that walking to work will really help. It's a good distance so it will do you good if you can keep it up.
DeleteIt's a bad time of year though isn't it, especially with Christmas not far off. I'm sure that come the new year you'll be far more motivated, Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteI think I will be more motivated in the new year, though if I can just cut down the snacking between meals now, it will be a start.
DeleteI can never get my head around dieting when Christmas is coming - everything at this time of year seems to be geared around eating and drinking! Small changes work for me - less wine, chocolate, cheese, cake and more fruit. Bananas are a great snack as they actually fill you up for longer than ten minutes! x
ReplyDeleteThat's the approach I'm trying to take, less unhealthy foods in favour of a more healthy diet. I'm a fan of bananas too, as you say, they fill you up.
DeleteWinter is hard for dieting Jo so I admire your persistance. I don't have a dog any more so I don't have as much motivation to get out and about, especially if its raining then it's definitely a no -no.
ReplyDeleteI think it's easier in summer too, all I want to do in winter is eat comfort food. I don't think I'd walk half as far if I didn't have Archie, he keeps me going when I'm not in the mood to go walking.
DeleteI too need to pay more attention to what I'm eating and lose a fair bit of weight ... good luck with your diet :D
ReplyDeleteThanks. I think the main areas I can deal with are snacking and portion size, it's amazing what a difference these two things make.
DeleteKeep focused! I'm married to a chocoholic who keeps his stash in the fridge. To stop temptation I kept lots of healthy snacks in the fridge so I'm not tempted to start into the chocolate! It will be worth it! Cx
ReplyDeleteI think I need to do the same. I do enjoy healthy snacks, it's just that unhealthy things seem to be more convenient, so I think I need to prepare things in advance in case I fancy a nibble.
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