Weak week. I lost 1lb, but have been wobbling a bit. However, circumstances have not helped. Still not reaching for unnecessary food at home, and even busier than before. Days are getting to 14-15 hours or more out of the house. It's all a bit sad!
Hopefully it will be worth it though. Looking to maintain this week, that's about all I can hope for. Fresh motivation next week.....
Thursday, 31 January 2013
Wednesday, 23 January 2013
Wed 23rd
Decent going in the week after a heavy weekend. Not sure how I will fare this week on the scales but we will see.
Certainly starting to crave a bit more - very much enjoyed my late healthy dinner last night after a blank Monday. Networking and a buffet tonight - will have to be good!
Certainly starting to crave a bit more - very much enjoyed my late healthy dinner last night after a blank Monday. Networking and a buffet tonight - will have to be good!
Saturday, 19 January 2013
Sat 19th
Heavy weekend - so I weighed in this morning, to keep momentum going. Bit of a cheat....
4lbs off this week. Body fat down another 3 per cent, although another pinch of salt required.
Things seem to be working, no second week sticking point, hope to consolidate and lose 2 - 3 lbs a week from hereon until first target. At 2 lbs a week it will take 17 weeks.
4lbs off this week. Body fat down another 3 per cent, although another pinch of salt required.
Things seem to be working, no second week sticking point, hope to consolidate and lose 2 - 3 lbs a week from hereon until first target. At 2 lbs a week it will take 17 weeks.
Friday, 18 January 2013
Friday 18th
Just noticed my post the other day didn't go through, but it has now.
A fairly easy and successful week for the diet, overate Monday night as reported, and also on Wednesday night, but kept the calories completely down on Tuesday and in the day on all days. Last night treated myself to a Costco Hot Dog, not the most wholesome diet food but we all need a little of what we love......
Still the lack of hunger I am feeling is quite bizarre. Beginning to think that some wires have come loose somewhere, I don't feel hungry and I don't feel full, I just crave or indulge. Strange.
International food night tonight at Business School - looking forward to tasting some of many new foods, then a difficult and no doubt indulgent weekend, keeping to even 2500 cals on Saturday will be impossible. We will see what the scales say on Sunday afternoon........
A fairly easy and successful week for the diet, overate Monday night as reported, and also on Wednesday night, but kept the calories completely down on Tuesday and in the day on all days. Last night treated myself to a Costco Hot Dog, not the most wholesome diet food but we all need a little of what we love......
Still the lack of hunger I am feeling is quite bizarre. Beginning to think that some wires have come loose somewhere, I don't feel hungry and I don't feel full, I just crave or indulge. Strange.
International food night tonight at Business School - looking forward to tasting some of many new foods, then a difficult and no doubt indulgent weekend, keeping to even 2500 cals on Saturday will be impossible. We will see what the scales say on Sunday afternoon........
A different post
I don't want to just journalise progress etc - it holds little interest for others I think.
So, a few words about attitudes, and maybe why I got so overweight in the first place.
From a young age, eating was a big part of what we did as a family to socialise - nothing particularly strange about that, I don't think.
I started getting into sport quite heavily when I was 12. This led to me using the gym and getting into bodybuilding quite a bit. From 14 - 17 I could eat anything I wanted and not go above a certain weight, and remained very very lean. I couldn't put weight on for love or money and didn't want to consider the more dramatic solutions. The result of this was that I really started to love food and the fact I could eat anything.
I had an operation at 17, was treated fairly badly by the NHS, and lost around 35 lbs which was almost all lean muscle mass. My progress from the last few years was gone, and I fell out of love with the gym, although kept up sport, and worst of all, kept up eating whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted.
Fast forward to university, and the lifestyle of late nights, unhealthy non-home cooked food, and too much beer, led to serious weight gain, probably 50 lbs in 3 years. This trend continued and although I aimed to lose it before my 30s, years later it still wasn't happening.
Unfortunately the only trend ever is upwards, and this is my first real sincere effort to do something about it. I'm not struggling with the fasting (the food at business school overall is poor, and choices are very limited, so maybe that's one reason why I don't miss it). Hopefully I will put in a score on the scales this week (I have a heavy weekend coming up, so it will be a challenge but am staying very focused until Friday night), and kick on next week.
If you are finding anything interesting, or have any comments, please do so!
So, a few words about attitudes, and maybe why I got so overweight in the first place.
From a young age, eating was a big part of what we did as a family to socialise - nothing particularly strange about that, I don't think.
I started getting into sport quite heavily when I was 12. This led to me using the gym and getting into bodybuilding quite a bit. From 14 - 17 I could eat anything I wanted and not go above a certain weight, and remained very very lean. I couldn't put weight on for love or money and didn't want to consider the more dramatic solutions. The result of this was that I really started to love food and the fact I could eat anything.
I had an operation at 17, was treated fairly badly by the NHS, and lost around 35 lbs which was almost all lean muscle mass. My progress from the last few years was gone, and I fell out of love with the gym, although kept up sport, and worst of all, kept up eating whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted.
Fast forward to university, and the lifestyle of late nights, unhealthy non-home cooked food, and too much beer, led to serious weight gain, probably 50 lbs in 3 years. This trend continued and although I aimed to lose it before my 30s, years later it still wasn't happening.
Unfortunately the only trend ever is upwards, and this is my first real sincere effort to do something about it. I'm not struggling with the fasting (the food at business school overall is poor, and choices are very limited, so maybe that's one reason why I don't miss it). Hopefully I will put in a score on the scales this week (I have a heavy weekend coming up, so it will be a challenge but am staying very focused until Friday night), and kick on next week.
If you are finding anything interesting, or have any comments, please do so!
Monday, 14 January 2013
Monday 14th
Left early this morning, was aware that weather might affect things badly. Roads were ok and on the bright side it meant I could go to the gym!
Sports centre is under redevelopment, so the gym here at Warwick is currently the sports hall balcony! Pretty tight, but it does have benefits. The ladies netball team was practising, and of course I was only watching from a strategic point of view - I learned lots about netball :)
Sports centre is under redevelopment, so the gym here at Warwick is currently the sports hall balcony! Pretty tight, but it does have benefits. The ladies netball team was practising, and of course I was only watching from a strategic point of view - I learned lots about netball :)
Sunday, 13 January 2013
Sunday 13th
Weighed in - lost 12lbs in the first week, most dramatic effect I have ever had on a diet!
Ate well and healthily on Friday night. Ate very well on Saturday night although on both days had very little in the day so stayed within 2000 calls for the day.
Results speak for themselves and already I feel much healthier. A lot will be water, I know, the body fat indicators on my scales also show a dramatic decrease in body fat, but so much in one week as to mean they don't work correctly (I have suspected that for a while anyway).
Looking for fast mon and tue, normal wed, fast thu, normal Friday and weekend. Life is getting in the way of the alternate days!
Ate well and healthily on Friday night. Ate very well on Saturday night although on both days had very little in the day so stayed within 2000 calls for the day.
Results speak for themselves and already I feel much healthier. A lot will be water, I know, the body fat indicators on my scales also show a dramatic decrease in body fat, but so much in one week as to mean they don't work correctly (I have suspected that for a while anyway).
Looking for fast mon and tue, normal wed, fast thu, normal Friday and weekend. Life is getting in the way of the alternate days!
Friday, 11 January 2013
Fri 11
Interesting yesterday. Appetite was definitely diminished. Had to really force dinner down, which was probably stupid, but I will learn!
Again, lack of time made it easy, simple carb and energy based breakfast and lunch to fuel the brain a little. Got some carbs, mostly protein and fats at dinner.
Still not feeling hungry this morning, had a very late night at business school so that might be why. Or maybe I've forgotten what hunger actually feels like?
Will not be fasting tonight as I am going with wife round to my mate's for dinner - very much looking forward to it (he's doing something healthy for us!)
Really looking forward to this weekend!!!!! Tough week.
Again, lack of time made it easy, simple carb and energy based breakfast and lunch to fuel the brain a little. Got some carbs, mostly protein and fats at dinner.
Still not feeling hungry this morning, had a very late night at business school so that might be why. Or maybe I've forgotten what hunger actually feels like?
Will not be fasting tonight as I am going with wife round to my mate's for dinner - very much looking forward to it (he's doing something healthy for us!)
Really looking forward to this weekend!!!!! Tough week.
Thursday, 10 January 2013
Thu 10th
First three day fast over. Managed 3l of water yesterday, one cup a soup, and still didn't feel hungry! Bizarre.
Not suggesting it was that easy though. I did have some strange feelings, and definitely some cravings. And it REALLY helped to be so busy back at business school because there just wasn't time to think about food! I did have one very small Arabic pastry snack that I was offered yesterday, because I didn't want to miss the opportunity to try something new (it was sweet, but very nice), but again knocked back lots of other foods.
Broke the fast with some belvita breakfast biscuits this morning, I did mean to have a nice cooked healthy breakfast to celebrate but no time! Also no time for gym sessions, no surprise, it isn't going to happen during these elective modules I don't think! Next week hopefully.
Some food today (still not hungry!), proper dinner tonight, then fast again tomorrow.
Not suggesting it was that easy though. I did have some strange feelings, and definitely some cravings. And it REALLY helped to be so busy back at business school because there just wasn't time to think about food! I did have one very small Arabic pastry snack that I was offered yesterday, because I didn't want to miss the opportunity to try something new (it was sweet, but very nice), but again knocked back lots of other foods.
Broke the fast with some belvita breakfast biscuits this morning, I did mean to have a nice cooked healthy breakfast to celebrate but no time! Also no time for gym sessions, no surprise, it isn't going to happen during these elective modules I don't think! Next week hopefully.
Some food today (still not hungry!), proper dinner tonight, then fast again tomorrow.
Tuesday, 8 January 2013
Tue 8th Jan
Tough day. MBA class 9 - 5.30 then German class 6.30 - 8.30.
Tired on the drive home.
Slight headache this morning. Felt slightly light headed standing up at 8.30 pm but probably down to tiredness. Still not recovered from holiday.
Only had time for one soup, still not even feeling hungry (bizarre), but did crave some nice food today.
Knocked back 3 biscuits and 3 chocolate fingers too, very proud!
65 calories, managed over 2 litres of water today (interestingly I was very thirsty today, had drunk the 2l bottle just after lunch), should not be a problem to have another 2 litres tomorrow.
Looking forward to the weekend!
Tired on the drive home.
Slight headache this morning. Felt slightly light headed standing up at 8.30 pm but probably down to tiredness. Still not recovered from holiday.
Only had time for one soup, still not even feeling hungry (bizarre), but did crave some nice food today.
Knocked back 3 biscuits and 3 chocolate fingers too, very proud!
65 calories, managed over 2 litres of water today (interestingly I was very thirsty today, had drunk the 2l bottle just after lunch), should not be a problem to have another 2 litres tomorrow.
Looking forward to the weekend!
Monday, 7 January 2013
Monday evening
Late update.
Today's efforts. 1 x cup a soup for lunch, same for dinner (different flavour!), 2 litres of water, that's all.
Circa 125 calories total.
Don't even feel hungry, but don't expect that to continue over the next 48 hours.
Hopefully enough sleep to get a gym session in tomorrow morning!
Today's efforts. 1 x cup a soup for lunch, same for dinner (different flavour!), 2 litres of water, that's all.
Circa 125 calories total.
Don't even feel hungry, but don't expect that to continue over the next 48 hours.
Hopefully enough sleep to get a gym session in tomorrow morning!
Mon 7th Jan
Right, day one of taking it seriously. I am going for the 3-day kickstart fast. Just 2 Instant Powder soups (one at lunch, one in the evening) from Mon - Wed and then break the fast with a healthy breakfast on Thursday.
I dislike New Years' resolutions etc, I see no reason why it should be now rather than any other time. However it is a handy time and stage in my life.
Hoping to get a gym session in tomorrow but back at Warwick Business School today studying for my MBA on the full-time programme, so we will have to see if its a late night! It is our first 5-day elective module in the "executive" format, and apparently they are very demanding (but no news there, so is the rest of the programme!).
First goal - get the BMI sub 30, and that means getting to 185 lbs. Scales last night indicated 236 lbs (the new record, sad face), so that means 51 lbs to go. I am sure there will be a lot of water loss and a dramatic first effect from this fast, so looking forward to seeing what the results will be, and attempting not to plateau afterwards.
I will be looking to fast for 3 days, (sub 150 cals each day), then go on to Alternate Day Fasting until the end of next week (Fri 18th Jan), then reassess (I have a big social event on Sat 19th and also Sun 20th so some leeway will be needed, might do 2 days before and 2 days after, or similar!). We will cross that bridge when we come to it.
I dislike New Years' resolutions etc, I see no reason why it should be now rather than any other time. However it is a handy time and stage in my life.
Hoping to get a gym session in tomorrow but back at Warwick Business School today studying for my MBA on the full-time programme, so we will have to see if its a late night! It is our first 5-day elective module in the "executive" format, and apparently they are very demanding (but no news there, so is the rest of the programme!).
First goal - get the BMI sub 30, and that means getting to 185 lbs. Scales last night indicated 236 lbs (the new record, sad face), so that means 51 lbs to go. I am sure there will be a lot of water loss and a dramatic first effect from this fast, so looking forward to seeing what the results will be, and attempting not to plateau afterwards.
I will be looking to fast for 3 days, (sub 150 cals each day), then go on to Alternate Day Fasting until the end of next week (Fri 18th Jan), then reassess (I have a big social event on Sat 19th and also Sun 20th so some leeway will be needed, might do 2 days before and 2 days after, or similar!). We will cross that bridge when we come to it.
Saturday, 5 January 2013
First post
A few thoughts whilst waiting for the plane home after the holidays.
Firstly the blog is here for accountability for myself, and also in the hope of generating some intelligent discussion, and maybe even to inspire others in a similar position.
My vitals - I'm a 34yo male, 5 ft 6 ins, 235 lbs at last count.
That gives me a BMI of 37.9 which is obviously dangerous. I've got a young son and enough is enough, I don't want to be one of those dads who can't participate in games because of obesity.
My initial feelings are: I know it's a numbers game. I'm a systematic person, and I have 750,000+ excess calories in the bank. There's only two ways to attack it - diet and exercise. I am going after both, but mostly diet.
On the plane on the way here I watched the horizon documentary which has caused a lot of fuss - eat, fast and live longer. The fasting aspect appeals to me - I might just be stubborn enough to make it work. The other benefits aside from weight loss were in fact much more appealing, and I love the ideas in the program.
I don't think I could fast every other day forever. It's not realistic and I don't want to lose only to gain back more, we've all done that before, right? But settling down to 5:2 (2 days fasting per week basically) and in the fullness of time, one fast day, five healthy days and one 'free' (I.e. what you want) day per week IS doable, and a realistic goal.
Look out for the next post in a few days, and please comment with any thoughts.
Firstly the blog is here for accountability for myself, and also in the hope of generating some intelligent discussion, and maybe even to inspire others in a similar position.
My vitals - I'm a 34yo male, 5 ft 6 ins, 235 lbs at last count.
That gives me a BMI of 37.9 which is obviously dangerous. I've got a young son and enough is enough, I don't want to be one of those dads who can't participate in games because of obesity.
My initial feelings are: I know it's a numbers game. I'm a systematic person, and I have 750,000+ excess calories in the bank. There's only two ways to attack it - diet and exercise. I am going after both, but mostly diet.
On the plane on the way here I watched the horizon documentary which has caused a lot of fuss - eat, fast and live longer. The fasting aspect appeals to me - I might just be stubborn enough to make it work. The other benefits aside from weight loss were in fact much more appealing, and I love the ideas in the program.
I don't think I could fast every other day forever. It's not realistic and I don't want to lose only to gain back more, we've all done that before, right? But settling down to 5:2 (2 days fasting per week basically) and in the fullness of time, one fast day, five healthy days and one 'free' (I.e. what you want) day per week IS doable, and a realistic goal.
Look out for the next post in a few days, and please comment with any thoughts.
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