July is over

In the month I returned from holiday a lot has happened regarding my weightloss.

I was so pleased to stay the same weight on my holiday. This was what I set out to do but before I started "getting into this weightloss lark" I would have been happy to "only" gain half a stone. To stay the same was no mean feat believe me and I worked hard at the gym before and after I went to stay the same.

Since I have been back from holiday I have lost 11lbs and everyone is commenting that it is really showing now. I know every few pounds will make a difference from now. One of my biggest NSV's so far is buying clothes in size 18s and 20s on Saturday last weekend. Before I joined Weightwatchers I was struggling to fit into size 32 trousers and size 32 tops barely fitted. You can imagine how I am feeling now can't you?

I am enjoying exercise a lot more now. I did start a running programme at the gym but I have decided that I do not enjoy running all that much at the moment so I am working on other things such as hill walking. I can burn 150 calories very quickly if I set the treadmill to a steep hill and walk at 6kms an hour. I also started rowing last month and am currently doing 2000k a time, not a great deal but again something I will build up. My work on the cross trainer is 10 times better than it was and I love this bit the most. I can tell how much my fitness has improved on the cross trainer. As for aqua aerobics, last week Wendy, the instructor asked if we had any special requests and I asked for arms. She worked us really hard but it was fantastic and I really enjoyed it. I hope I'll still be able to get to aerobics on time when I change Weightwatcher classes.

I have not had a cigarette for 7 months now and I think this smoking ban is great. It is wonderful to go to the pub or to talk to friends on the concourse at football and not come out smelling of stale cigarette smoke. It does annoy me at work that everyone gets 5 minutes every two hours for a cigarette break and yet if I said I was going for a walk around the car park I would get frowned at. Of course the bosses say I would not but we all know that is not true. I worked it out that over the course of a year a smoker gets 58 hours more off of work than I get. I'm being vicitimised for not smoking but at the end of the day I'll be the healthy one.

In August I will do the following:

1. Get to 10 stone lost (11lbs to go)
2. Pluck up the courage to go to a pilates class
3. Attend one of my closest friends funeral

My friend Jo passed away last night from cervical cancer. It is very sad as she was not even 31 yet and has three children. She was in my crowd at school and we stayed in touch afterwards, having some fantastic times. I shall miss her so much.

I hope everyone reading is well and happy Weightwatching.

Vicky xxx

NSV's all around

Yesterday (Saturday) was the most brilliant day. In the morning I went into town as I needed to buy something to wear out in a couple of weeks to a party. Ann Harveys it was then. I cannot believe it. I brought two tops in a size 18 (they must be big sizes but even so), one in a size 20 and a pair of trousers in a size 20!!! The last time I brought anything in a size 18 was 1912!!! Seriously though it was about 11 years ago and so that was a big NSV for me.

In the afternoon we all went to football (a friendly against Lazio - we lost 5-2). I've lost 2 stone 3lbs since the last time I went to football and there was a picture taken of me that day. I got someone to take another picture of me yesterday and I've included them here. I can really see a difference now. By the end of the season that is about to begin I hope to be at my goal weight. I noticed how much more room I had sitting in my seat at football which again are all NSV's for me. We also walked home from football. It's about 3 miles and includes two or three very steep hills. It took us a little longer than I would walk it on my own but that is mainly because Mum struggles with the hills but with a little bit of perseverance I am hoping we can cut the time down.

Today it is mainly housework and a trip to the gym planned. I am really loving the gym at the moment and trust me, I never thought I'd ever enjoy the gym.

Vicky xxx

P.s The picture with Mum was taken at the beginning of May. I now weigh 16lbs less than her.

My WI Result

I managed 3.5lbs at a very hectic meeting tonight. I am now 16 4lbs and have lost (get this) 9 stone 3lbs in total. I got another silver 7 this evening and now I feel the race is well and truly on for 10 stone lost.

There was only Marie, myself and her 13 year old daughter at meeting tonight. Marie's daughter did food sales, Marie did the cards and the money and I did the WI's which was very interesting and certainly an experience to see peoples reactions. In the first meeting we lost 55lbs and gained 22lbs. In the second meeting we lost 14.5lbs but gained 17.5lbs. It was weird because all the "stayers" in the second meeting had gained.

Marie is only doing our meeting for another week (she is on holiday for 2 weeks now) and then someone else is taking over. However, I am moving meetings with her to a Wednesday half way across town. Part of the reason for this is I get on well with her, don't like the person who is taking over, want to get to goal with Marie and she asked me to move across as it is good to have someone who knows what they are doing with her. Also she did admit that part of it was selfishness because she wants me to get to goal with her. I'm looking forward to the change and also to meeting new people so it will be interesting.

Hope everyone is well.

Vicky xxx

The Week ahead

I have decided that for the following week I am going to have a "perfect" week. Although I've lost weight, I've eaten too much of the wrong thing over the past week or so and am feeling tired so this week I am going to eat healthily. I was thinking of doing core this week but I do not have time to cook every day and I don't trust myself with portions so I'll stick to points but eat well.

I also intend to do some exercise everyday. Today, I am going swimming this evening and then tomorrow I am going to the gym. I may walk there and back. I'll do the same on Sunday but I may go swimming as well. Monday and Tuesday will see me walking home from work and on Wednesday it's a quick 25 minutes in the gym and then aqua aerobics. Before we know it it'll be Thursday and WI day again.

One final thing I'll be drinking lots of water. I am lucky that I like water and I do find that drinking 2+ litres a day really does help me weightloss.

Vicky xx

Back to where I originally started

I have mentioned it a few times recently but when I started Weightwatchers originally in August 1991 I weighed 16 stone 8lbs. It was during the summer holidays and when I went back to school, people had noticed I had lost weight already.

I now weigh 16 stone 7.5lbs, 0.5 of a lb less than the original starting weight. I know this is still huge but it certainly a lot better than the 25 and a half stone I started at.

I'm very happy to get past 16 stone 8lbs as I know every few lbs will make a difference now. Don't get me wrong, I know I can see a massive difference already but it took a long time for that to show. From now on, every half a stone or so should see results.

Vicky xxx

p.s. The picture is of me and my dad when I was 16 stone and weighed 10 stone 8lbs.

My WI Result (19th July 2007)

I am very happy that the scales showed a 2.5lb loss this week. This takes me to 125.5lbs (8 stone 13.5lbs) overall. I haven't had the best week food wise but again I have done lots of exercise.

This week I am going to try and eat better and also keep up the exercise. I'm also going to try and write an honest tracker as I am not very good at writing them and I think this would benefit me.

I hope to update my blog again soon.

Vicky xxx

My main motivation

Some-one asked me what my end motivation for losing weight is. I'd be lying if I said the reasons for doing this were simple. They are not. There are lots of reasons for wanting to losing weight. They include:

1/ For my health.
2/ To improve my fitness.
3/ Because of society reasons, i.e. the way you are frowned upon for being obese and the way you are treated differently.
4/ To stop people staring at me.
5/ To stop people feeling sorry for me.
6/ To get a life/make friends.
7/ To look good.
8/ To be able to buy clothes in any shop and not just outsized ones.
9/ To get my confidence back.
10/ Fir a sense of achievement.

I joined Weightwatchers this time almost as a spur of the moment thing as my hairdresser/friend Sally and two of her friends had joined and I had some-one to go with. I can honestly say it is the best thing I have ever done.

Last July my auntie and uncle came over from Sydney for a few weeks. I was at my heaviest and looking at the pictures (included here) makes me almost want to cry that I got to that size.

I really enjoyed meeting my auntie for the first time since I was 4 and my uncle for the first time ever and I decided that one day I want to visit them in Australia. I've sworn my family to secrecy and my plan is to turn up and for them not to recognise me. Can you imagine how great that will be? I just hope that in the meantime no-one tells them about my weightloss journey.

Vicky xxx

P.s. Also included in the pictures are my dad, Uncle and Granddad.

I'm in training!!!

In training for what I hear you ask? The answer to that is simple. I am training for the London Moonwalk next Spring.

For those of you that have not heard of the moonwalk before, all is revealed on the official website but basically the idea is to walk the London Marathon route at night in your bra, the reason for this being that the walk is in aid of breast cancer.

When I first started Weightwatchers last October I was unable to walk more than 200 yards without it hurting my back because of the pressure the weight was putting it under. These days of course it is a different story and I walk a lot further than that.

However, apart from walking home football or into town a few times (about 3 miles) I have never walked that far in one one go so it is going to be a big challenge for me.

There are approximately 9 months to go to the moonwalk (the actual date has not been set yet) so that gives me plenty of time to build up to it. I have decided that there is no time like the present to start training though that is what I am doing.

On a Monday evening I have been going to the gym and Tuesday has been a "rest" day for me as far as exercise is concerned. Not anymore. I'm going to replace this with a walk home from work. The walk is just over 4 miles (I did this Monday and Tuesday this week. However, because my walk involves a walk through two parks, when the evenings draw in, I'll have to change my plans.

I'm also going to walk everywhere and as much as possible. Of course this will not always be pratical but I'll certainly give it a try.

I'm doing the moonwalk with Tash, one of the other helpers from my Weightwatchers class, a friend from the 5+ forum and maybe Marie.

My own personal reasons for doing this are very different. Of course it will be wonderful to raise money for charity, especially as I have known people who have been treated for or unfortunately lost their lives to breast and other types of cancer. It will also give me a very strong sense of achievement as there is no way I would have even thought about doing this in the past. Finally, I am hoping to reach my goal weight around this time so it will be a celebration, albeit a strange one of this event.

If anyone reading this wants to join us, you are of course very welcome. To do so visit the official website and follow the instructions to register your interest to do so.

Vicky xxx

I so want this!!!

I've been following WeightWatchers for almost 9 months now. I have of course followed the plan lots of times in the past but I have never stayed so focused before. Normally I am fine for a few weeks/months and then I find an excuse to fall off the wagon. I have never lasted this long before and I have lost the most weight this time that I have ever lost in one go.

I think there are several reasons why I am staying on track this time. I could list them all but it would take me hours so I will select a few.

1) I am fed up at the way society frowns upon "fat" people - I am sure that most, if not all of you know what I mean by this. It is getting less and less acceptable in the UK to be fat and I am fed up at being treated differently because of my size.

2) When I first signed up for the Weightwatcher forum it was probably the single best thing I have ever done. For a start, when I am feeling bored, hungry or know there is a danger of eating simply for the sake of it I go to the forum as, if nothing else it keeps my mind off of food for a while until "the moment passes!". I have made so many friends and picked up so many hints and tips of the 5+ forum especially and I know when I get to goal I shall carry on posting there, probably forever.

3) I have discovered exercise. When I first lost weight in 1991 I discovered I was good at sports such as Basketball, Netball and Hockey. However I was in my final year of school then and apart from attending a few step aerobic classes in the next two years, that was as much exercise as I did really until this year. I've pushed the boat out and joined the gym. For £35 a month and a one of joining fee of £35 I get the use of 2 pools, 3 gyms and any exercise class that I decide I want to go to. I really enjoy the gym and it has had a great impact on my weightloss and shape.

4) I'm not letting anything or anyone stand in my way. So many times in the past I've used a holiday or a person giving me chocolate etc as an excuse for "starting to eat again". However, this time I am not doing that. I've realised that Weightwatchers is for life and as such I have to learn to live with things getting in the way. If things go wrong, I simply draw a line and move onwards and downwards. Infact on holiday this year I managed to stay the same, although this did take a few extra sessions at the gym.

5) I've become a clerk at my meetings. The reason for doing so is that one day I really want to become a leader and I think this will be good experience towards this. Also, I have to go to meetings now so if I have a "bad" week, then I have to deal with it.

So those are my main reasons. As Marie, my leader said in meeting a few weeks ago we (including myself) just know I am going to do this this time and there will be one hell of a party when I do.

Vicky xxx

My WI result (12th July 2007)

I am very happy this week again. I managed to lose a whooping 5lbs. This means I have lost 123lbs (8 stone 11lbs) in total and now weigh 16 stone 8lbs.

I think the big loss comes as a result of my holiday and the stay the same I had after that. As I have said lots in my previous posts, I was not awful on holiday but I did not eat all that brilliantly so I am thinking that my metabolism had a bit of a "kick start" and has responded brilliantly.

Not much else to say the moment. Hopefully I will have some good news soon.

Vicky xxx

New week, new beginning

As I already mentioned it is back to work tomorrow. Although I am not looking forward to it I am going to use the oportunity to have a back to basics week.

I've been goodish recently but as I have previously said, I've not felt in control really for the past two weeks. I've also eaten a lot of "treats" so for a week from tomorrow I am banning crisps, ice cream (that will be hard as I love ice cream) and chocolate. I will snack on fruit instead.

I am intending to go to the gym Monday and maybe Tuesday this week. I have been really enjoying the gym recently and I want to keep the momentum going. It is good to have some company there and David is feeling the benefits of the gym too. On Wednesday I am going to Aqua aerobics and I might find time for 20-30 minutes in the gym first. On Thursday it is WI so no exercise but on Friday evening I shall be going swimming with my stepfather and anyone else who tags along. That is our Friday evening thing now.

Vicky xxx

Back to work tomorrow

It seems just a few hours ago that I finished work for my two week annual leave. Where does time go? My nan told me years ago that it goes faster as you get older and she was not wrong.

I'm not looking forward to going back to work. I already know from Sam (a friend / colleague) that the "boys" have been playing up and one of them, who likes to thinks he is in charge even though thats my job and he is not at all has made her life hell so I have no doubt I will have to try and take him down a peg or two. Also, without being sexiest the "boys" are not very quick at answering the phones and I know Sam has had enough of that too. Looks like it will be back to normal then.

I have no idea what is going to happen about them going for a smoke either. I am the only person who does not smoke (oh there is one other but she only works 6 hours with me) during the day other than management who we don't really see and I know the smoking area was going to fall victim to the smoking ban. I have no doubt they will still be allowed to go out into the car park and smoke which takes even longer and so this week I might as an experiment add up all the time they have outside to smoke and see what comes of it. It is weird but them going out never used to bother me but considering they go every 90 minutes for at least 5 minutes, you can see how much longer they get break to me. There answer is "well you can have a break too" but as I explained, if I said I was going outside for a walk around the car park etc it would get commented on. I really do not know what the answer is so if anyone reading this has any ideas, they will be gratefully received.

Argh I'm getting stressed just thinking about it.

My 5 week personal challenge

I'm setting myself a new challenge. It is a tough one but I'm going for it. It is:

TO LOSE A STONE IN TIME FOR THE START OF THE FOOTBALL SEASON.

For us mere mortals in the Championship the season begins on 11th August. That means I have only 5 WI's to get to 16 stone 1.

Like I said, this is a tough target but one I am going to try very very hard to reach as it will set me well on the way to completing my Seasons Summer target of 15 stone 5.5lbs.

Also, although I'm probably not I feel for some reason I am eating too much of the wrong thing so think this will pull me back in as I cannot fail my own challenge can I?

Vicky xxx

Some more pictures of my new hairstyle

I thought you might like to see these ones. As you can see I am dolled up and feeling and looking good.

It's been very hectic today as we have had various family and friends around for a BBQ but I have been good and can claw back the points later.

Hope everyone is well. There is a bit of a family crisis at the moment involving my cousin and his wife (he is an idiot, enough said) so it has been very hectic and I've not had much time to post on 5+ due to that and the BBQ today and resulting housework. I have managed to go to the gym 5 times since I have been back from holiday, swimming twice and aqua aerobics once so I am feeling loads better about things and in control again. On holiday I did not feel in control about my weight and I did not like that feeling one bit.

Enjoy the pictures and please do feel free to leave a comment and let me know what you think. Have to confess to loving the hairstyle still.

Vicky xxx

New Mini Goals

Now that my holiday has passed and I managed to complete my mini goal of 17 stone 4lbs and more (I was 17 stone 1 before holiday) and managed to maintain it over my holiday I need some new mini goals to get me through the next few weeks.

My next mini goal will be to get to 16 stone 8. This was the weight I was the very first time I started Weightwatchers in August 1991. I am going to give myself just 3 weeks to get there. This means that by my WI on 27th July I want to have lost 7lbs, which will also be 125lbs lost. This is achievable I think.

After that I will only have 1lb to take me to 9 stone left so I'm not going to set myself a mini goal here. I will then set myself a target to get into the 15s. Again I am going to give myself 3 weeks to do this from the 27th July. This means I want to be 15 stone something by 17th August. Just to add here that 15 stone 12 will take my BMI to 39 which means I will be obese and not morbidly obese.

The next mini goal I am going to set myself now is to get to 15 stone 7. This will be a big milestone for me as it means I will have lost 10 stone. Another 3 weeks from 17th August should do this. So by 6th September I should have lost 140lbs.

The next target will be will be to reach my summer seasons challenge target of 15 stone 5.5lbs b the following week. Then I'll go for 150lbs which will take me to 14 stone 10. I really hope to complete this by the end of September but I'll play that one by ear and set more mini challenges another time.

Vicky xxxx

My WI result (5th July 2007)

I'm very pleased to report a stay the same this week. Obviously after my holiday I am very pleased with this. I was not good on holiday by any stretch of the imagination but I could have been so much worse. I am going to be extra good from now on to make sure it does not catch me up next week.

I now need to make up some mini goals to keep my going. My ultimate one is to get to 15 stone 7 to have lost 10 stone but with 20lbs to go until I get there, I want a couple of micra goals to help me get there.

Vicky xxx

My new hair cut

I've been silently debating for weeks whether I should have my hair cut or not. Eventually I decided that I really wanted it cut so this morning Sally, my hair dresser chopped it all of. There was so much hair everywhere and my hair was the longest it has ever been but still, it did it the world of good and I'm loving it. Here are the pictures for you to see.

London

Yesterday we went to London. I love London but I've not been for a while and when I have gone it has been to visit friends or go to football, certainly not as a tourist.

We caught the 0900 train from Southampton Central and arrived in London shortly before 1030. I love trains and it was a very comfortable and smooth journey up to Waterloo.

Once we had arrived we took the short walk to the London eye. From the first sighting it looks fabulous. We had about 90 minutes before our "flight" though so we walked along the embankment and over Westminster bridge and up to Jubilee bridge before walking back to the eye again. After a sit down we joined the queue for the eye.

I was quite surprised that considering the high security risk to Britain at the moment that no-one seemed at all interested in checking my handbag or other peoples bags very thoroughly. The actual flight itself was breathtaking. I've never been on the eye before and it was amazing to see London from above. I have included some pictures that I took from the air.

After we had landed we took a walk to Covent garden where I was a bad girl and had a cajun chicken burger with fries for lunch. Probably not the best idea a day before WI when I am supposed to be on damage limitation but it was nice all the same and what the hell, from now on I'm being an angel again. We then walked down to Whitehall and borded an open top bus tour which was fun, especially when there were a couple of showers, one of which was very heavy. I did think "What the hell, I'm wet now (my bum was soaked) " and braved the rain by staying up the top. The bus went all over London and we saw all the famous sights that you would wish to see. You could hop on and off to look at places of interest. The only place we stopped at was Buckingham Palace and saw a mini relieving of the guard was was interesting. Mum did ask the funniest question of the day there though "Are those real guns?"

Once the bus was back over Westminster Bridge we took a walk back to Waterloo and caught the 1905 train home. A taxi trip from the station later (I knew the driver and he only charged us £6 for an £11 fare) and we were indoors by 2045, totally worn out but it was a brilliant day and one I'd love to repeat sooner rather than later.

Here are some pictures of the day out.

Vicky xxx

My final holiday post

This will be my last post about my holiday. I hope you have enjoyed reading all about it and seeing the pictures.

Please note I have not written much about the children or the people that went with me to protect their identities.

Enjoy these pictures. I may well put up more on posts in the future.

Vicky xxx

More comparisons

Here are some more pictures to compare from my holiday last year and my holiday this year. I think you will agree that there is a huge difference.

Some comparisons

Here are some comparisons of pictures taken last year and this year on holiday. More comparisons will follow soon.

A year ago...

On holiday I said I wanted to lose 7 stone before I returned there this year. However, I planned to join Weightwatchers as soon as I got back and it was 3 months and two weeks before I did so. I never in a million years expected to lose 8 stone 6lbs before returning.

Last year my parents decided to have pictures taken. One of them was with me. I hated this picture and seeing it in mum's living room. Imagine their surprise when it was me who suggested we have another one taken this year.

And here they are for all to see, I'll let them do the talking. I am sure you will figure out which was was taken in which year!!!

Homeward Bound

It was a mad rush to get everything packed and like a giant game of tetris trying to fit everything in the car. I ended up squashed into the passenger seat with stuff at my feet.

I'd seen a nice handbag in a shop window just the other side of Paignton earlier in the week so we stopped there so I could buy it. I say stopped, it was more a case of chuck me out of the car and hope I could find it afterwards. I did eventually and then it was onwards to Dawlish, our next stop.

Just a quick stop at Dawlish to buy some fudge and biscuits to bring home for people. I did buy a necklace holder in the shape of a woman's figure as well which in hindsight was not a good idea as there was nowhere to put it so it had to go between my legs. There was barely enough room for me in the car now.

We stopped at the Swans Nest again for lunch. It was lovely and I had turkey with lots of vegetables. By 1245 we were on our way home and after a quick stop for the toilet, we arrived home about 1530.

There is so much more I want to post about my holiday. We did have a great time but I think I am done with Devon now and it is time to venture elsewhere. Beverley is very overpriced for what it is and I think that is filtering through now as the complex was only about half full from what I could see. Of course the weather did not favour us but we certainly did not let us some showers ruin our time there.

The pictures here are of the lodge and around the site. I'll post more pictures, to include some comparisons of me last year and this year soon.

Vicky xxx