A couple of weeks ago I wrote a post about my intention to lose a part of me that had outstayed it’s welcome. It had crept up on me, as this thing tends to do, and had assimilated into my body like an unwelcome house guest. You can view that post here. To summarise: I decided that it was time to budge 7 kilograms of weight that had crept on over a couple of years making my pants just that little bit too tight and my killer looks...Well, not so “killer.” It also affects me because I am diabetic.
I began on the 1st December and from that date have not eaten carbohydrates. Hmm, ok there was that one time I had a little bit of rice and naan bread with my chicken tikka, oh and that other time when I also had some rice with my Vietnamese beef stir fry...But other than those two occasions, no carbohydrates. (Honest)... Ok ok. I had a chocolate bar also. I have also been adding coconut oil to my morning espresso which is supposed to have some benefit, or so someone wiser than myself has indicated. I trust this person a lot so I ran with it. (Thanks T-dog). I haven’t felt hungry, in fact, it’s been the opposite. I eat breakfast at around 8am, at 1:30pm I have lunch and sometime between 6:30-9pm I have dinner. In between I’m not hungry nor tempted to get a snack, except for that chocolate bar...It looked so lonely on that shelf in the shop!
And so my weight status? I’ve lost two genuine kilograms (4.4lbs for you Americans who don’t understand the metric system.) A modest start but considering I have another 4 weeks to my self-imposed goal-deadline I think I’m well on track. I want to hit 87kg but 88kg would be sufficient by the 15th of January as I know it’d only be a 1 week process to shed that last kilogram. I’m pretty pleased so far, feel pretty good and those pesky slightly tight pants are not tight anymore.
It’s interesting to note what 2 kilograms equates to in everyday items so I added a few images to put it in perspective. 2 kilograms is like 4 tubs of butter strapped to my body, or a bag of oranges or potato’s. When put in perspective it makes me wonder how I accepted carrying that extra weight for so long. My goal is to lose 7kg so the equivalent of 14 tubs of butter! I guess it creeps on slowly and over a period of time meal by meal. It’s easy to put on and harder to remove: Putting it on means the enjoyment of eating whatever I like and taking it off means a sustained period of strict self-control and the denial of the things I love to eat. Still, the health benefits are tangible and for a diabetic like me quantifiable through the reduction of my HbA1C levels (sugar levels in my blood).
I’ll do another check in on the 30th of December and hopefully am under 90kg on that day. Sure, the Christmas period is in between, that time of year I like to indulge, but I’ll have to have some self control and keep my focus on the task.
Design and create your ideal life, don’t live it by default
@galenkp
Ps. Main image was my breakfast this morning: Mediterranean scrambled eggs!
The team at Community News agree that you chose an awful time of year to start a diet Galen - but wish you the best of luck nevertheless.
Galen's stomach and taste buds agree... :)
Great stuff :) I like Kate Moss's quote, "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels." It might sound like an odd mantra, but it's true - when you're eyeing off that extra rich cheesecake, if you say it to yourself, you'll likely pass - and feel extra good about yourself. It's a mantra for a lifetime. "Nothing tastes as good as longevity feels," I want to be here for my kids and grandkids.
Well said Katy, if one thinks hard enough there’s a lot of reasons to make sure you’re as healthy as possible. I actually wouldn’t say I’m that overweight to be honest, but as a diabetic even a little weight affects my blood sugar levels. Thanks for your comment.
Thank you :) I wasn't implying you were overweight :) You didn't sound like you were, and I was a bit hesitant about including a comment that could be misinterpreted as promoting anorexia. Thank you for replying to me, too. That is very thoughtful. I'm into healthy mind, and body. I've just done some research online into memory. Seems aerobic exercise promotes the stimulation of stem cells in the hippocampus, which aid in memory retention :) With weight, I think it's easier to maintain fitness when one is not carrying excess weight, and it puts less stress on the body to be able to maintain one's ideal body weight. These things need to be stressed more than anything to do with appearance :) I like your post, which is why I commented.
Thanks a lot. I always try to respond to those who comment. Quite probably excess weight can be attributed to many ailments both physical and psychological. I’ve lost a bit and it has made me feel emotionally better which focuses me to achieve more weight loss and so on. Interesting concept. The mind is a powerful and mysterious thing I guess.
Agreed. Also, I think as one grows older, one is more aware of the power of the mind. One can change one's life simply by changing one's attitude :) I decide to be happy, and hey presto, it happens :) That whole, be what you want to attract :) works a charm :)
You really need to have a lot of self control and discipline in what you are going to eat if you want to achieve your goal of losing weight especially this tempting Christmas season. Goodluck to your endeavor! ;)
Yep, sure do.
Congrats on losing those 2 kilos. I've been put off the no carb diet before, but your breakfast looks tasty. I like oats in the morning...don't think I could give them up!
Oats are good for sure, but as a diabetic oats (and any carbohydrates) are like eating sugar. I guess it’s what we get used to. Not eating carbohydrates has worked well for me in the past and will this time also. I saw my doctor on Friday and he was very pleased with the weight loss and my HbA1C levels. All good!
Thanks for commenting.
Have you considered intermittent fasting?
A friend does that. Swears by it. I like eating too much to do that :)
I couldn't fast either. Sounds disturbing.
I fasted once. Started right after breakfast and fasted until 10:30am and my morning snack. It was a hellish 3.5 hours :) Never again!
My sympathies :) If I fasted past lunch-time, I'd be scared I'd have to have a beer to help me recover :)))
:)
Being hungry is a natural state. Its mostly fear of the unknown but you get comfortable with it
Fantastic
Thanks for your well thought out comment. Much appreciated.
Thanks, you're correct.
Keep on