Back at it again!
Well, it has been some time and that time has been full of many ups and downs! Although these were not the GOOD KIND! Mostly it was my weight going up and my motivation going down!
Bullet points of what has happened since I last posted here:
- I not only went back to my starting weight of 184kg (405lbs/29st) but surpassed it to nearly 200kg (440lbs/31.5st)!
- In January 2021, I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes!
- I became as sedentary as I ever was and started getting issues with my knees, ankles, and tendons in my feet.
- I have also in that time tried various different types of diets "on my own". Sometimes with good 20kg losses, and other times with little to no losses or other negative physical effects!
Some examples are Banting or Keto Diets and I even spent a couple months on a CRAZY Carnivore diet with a great 20kg loss, but a few negative Mental/Emotional results, as well as some unexplainable issues with my feet...It literally felt like I was constantly walking on nails!? - In 2018 we bought a van and converted it to a campervan, and it started getting me out of the house and a little less sedentary!
However, I'm back at it again! At the beginning of August with my doctor's approval, I went back to Slimming World to do their Extra Easy "Diet", despite my heavy reliance on a lot of their "Healthy Carb" Free Foods.
It's taken me a month to find the confidence to share this journey again. Partly, because I wanted to make sure I found my determination to see this through again. It's embarrassing planning to start this journey, sharing it with friends and the rest of the world...and then Failing spectacularly...
But, I found a lot of determination and motivation in sharing my weight loss journey in the past, and now confident enough to share and look for the support I enjoyed the last time! So thank you in advance to anyone reading and willing to support me on this journey again! I almost feel like I can't do this without you!
It's taken me a month to find the confidence to share this journey again. Partly, because I wanted to make sure I found my determination to see this through again. It's embarrassing planning to start this journey, sharing it with friends and the rest of the world...and then Failing spectacularly...
But, I found a lot of determination and motivation in sharing my weight loss journey in the past, and now confident enough to share and look for the support I enjoyed the last time! So thank you in advance to anyone reading and willing to support me on this journey again! I almost feel like I can't do this without you!
Results so far
Starting Weight (04/08/2021): 28st 4.5lbs (179.8kg/396.5lbs)
Week1: 28st (177.8kg/392lbs) = 4.5lbs loss
Week2: 27st 10lbs (176kg/388lbs) = 4lbs loss
Week3: 28st 0.5lbs (178kg/392.5lbs) = 4.5lbs gain
Week4: 27st 8.5lbs (175.3kg/386.5lbs) = 6lbs loss
I'm listing my results in Stones and Pounds because this is the measurement Slimming World uses by default.
Slimming World
A very brief and simplified description of what I understand about Slimming Worlds Extra Easy "diet" is there are essentially 4 types of food:
Free Food
- Everything sugar free with less than 2% Fat. That is a dangerous over simplification, but some examples of Free Food are Potatoes, Lean Meats, Rice, Pasta, Veg, Eggs, Fruit, etc
- This needs to make up at least 2/3 of your plate for Breakfast, Lunch & Supper
Speed Free Food
- These are Lower Calorie foods like Veg and Fruits, although not ALL are Speed. Example Bananas, Corn, Potatoes, etc
- This needs to make up at least 1/3 of your plate for Breakfast, Lunch & Supper
Healthy Extras
- These are Calcium and Fibre option foods. Mostly I get my Calcium from Dairy products and my fibre from grains.
- These foods are weighed/measured to both ensure that you are getting enough Calcium and fibre, and also that you are not getting TOO MUCH!
- You need to have 2 A serves (Calcium) and 1 B serve (Fibre) EVERY DAY! And any more than that you have to count as SYNs!
SYNs
SYNs
- These are anything that doesn't fall into Free Food/Speed Free Food and Healthy Extras, counts as SYNs!
- A "normal" sized person on the diet should aim to not have more than 15 SYNs a day. But as a male and at my size, the website calculates I could have up to 37 SYNs a day...Although 95% of the days I never have more than 15 SYNs anyway!
- A "normal" sized person on the diet should aim to not have more than 15 SYNs a day. But as a male and at my size, the website calculates I could have up to 37 SYNs a day...Although 95% of the days I never have more than 15 SYNs anyway!
- Slimming Worlds app and reference material has SYN values for almost every product from most Brands or even Take Aways listed for you to help calculate and track your SYN count every day!
Due to the reference material, it is important to actually be a registered member of a Slimming World Group. However, I find it VITAL to be a member purely for the weekly weighing and accountability at the group for what your weekly result is. Yes, there is a little pressure and stress when you have not lost, but there is also great support and encouragement to fuel your motivation and determination to stay strict to the plan!
Please note my description of Slimming World's diet is extremely simplified and personal to me and is in no way meant to serve as a guide or template to anyone to try to do this diet without access to Slimming Worlds' amazing and detailed reference material or the vital support of attending weekly group meetings!
Exercise
Aside from Slimming World, I am also stepping up my Physical activity to get myself fit. My intention was to start slow like I did in 2011! But what started as short gentle 10 minute walks, have quickly become intense 30 to 50-minute walks. I'm a sweaty, panting mess when I'm done, but I'm really enjoying it and although have achy muscles most of the rest of every day, I actually feel energized by the exercise and will continue to push these to longer and longer walks till I can start running and have lost enough weight that I feel confident enough to get on a bicycle again.
Exercise
Aside from Slimming World, I am also stepping up my Physical activity to get myself fit. My intention was to start slow like I did in 2011! But what started as short gentle 10 minute walks, have quickly become intense 30 to 50-minute walks. I'm a sweaty, panting mess when I'm done, but I'm really enjoying it and although have achy muscles most of the rest of every day, I actually feel energized by the exercise and will continue to push these to longer and longer walks till I can start running and have lost enough weight that I feel confident enough to get on a bicycle again.
Part of the problem at my size being on a bike is that I feel way too top-heavy and the simplest of corners make me feel like I will topple over, So I have set a goal to start cycling when I reach 162kg (157lbs/25.5st), which is a 10% weight loss and is also the weight I was when I started cycling in 2011!
My Goals this time round
Weight
I have set my target at 120kg (264lbs/18.9st). A 60kg (132lbs/9.4st) total Loss!
I feel like this is when I was happiest and fittest and was the most sustainable weight I was at last time. Although I did drop down to 109kg (240lbs/17.1st) as my lowest weight in 2011. I didn't feel comfortable then! I struggled with energy and fitness, and struggled to maintain that weight! At 120kg I ran a half Marathon and did a LOT of cycling which was definitely sustainable!
Fitness
I want to be able to do long hikes around the world. Up and down Mountains! The First 1 I have set as a Celebratory hike/van trip: Walking the West Highland Way in Scotland!
I feel like this is when I was happiest and fittest and was the most sustainable weight I was at last time. Although I did drop down to 109kg (240lbs/17.1st) as my lowest weight in 2011. I didn't feel comfortable then! I struggled with energy and fitness, and struggled to maintain that weight! At 120kg I ran a half Marathon and did a LOT of cycling which was definitely sustainable!
Fitness
I want to be able to do long hikes around the world. Up and down Mountains! The First 1 I have set as a Celebratory hike/van trip: Walking the West Highland Way in Scotland!
I want to be able to get on my bike and cycle for 40 odd miles as a daily exercise routine.
I want to be able to run 5km a couple times a week....especially when it rains! I recall the amazing "highs" I had running in the rain. I literally had a "mantra" and emotional reaction to seeing it raining outside: "It's raining! Time for a run!" ...ok...weak as far as a mantra is concerned...but it had an amazing power to get me out of the house with my running shoes on! :P
I want to be able to run 5km a couple times a week....especially when it rains! I recall the amazing "highs" I had running in the rain. I literally had a "mantra" and emotional reaction to seeing it raining outside: "It's raining! Time for a run!" ...ok...weak as far as a mantra is concerned...but it had an amazing power to get me out of the house with my running shoes on! :P
How long will it take?
Honestly, I have no idea!
Last time I lost on average 6.35kg (14lbs/1st) per month.
But, I'm 10 years older and have diabetes...I'm not sure which one of those is responsible...But I am losing weight slower this time around!
Also, I know it is almost cliche to say this, but this time around, I honestly want this to be a lifelong change and not just a time-based target!
Also, I know it is almost cliche to say this, but this time around, I honestly want this to be a lifelong change and not just a time-based target!
How you can help me
If you had read this far, I thank you and ask you as a show of support and encouragement to me, that you:
- Like my blog posts and/or Facebook posts every time I share them. I will try to post updates at least every week and share my activities via Strava on Facebook.
- Follow my Blog.
- Share it if you like, or if you think it may help someone else
- Comment some encouragement or share your own success stories
- Fellow Strava users can follow me on Strava via this link: https://www.strava.com/athletes/198477
