The blessing of broken scales! I'm only just noticing that the fact that my scales are broken is the opposite of a hindrance! That's because I'm thinking in a delayed gratification-for-the-long-run kind of way. I used to way in every day- sometimes twice a day. Sometimes it really gave me a boost because I could see things happening slowly but surely... but other times it was discouraging and may have even caused discouragement enough to mess with my endurance of disciplined eating and exercise habits. I might weigh in at the end of the week (on mum's scales at her house), but I might even not! I might just wait until my jeans won't stay up.
Again, feeling really calm and controlled today. I have conquered some cravings and sadly given in to others (Confession- three choc chip cookies yesterday afternoon), but I haven't lost my head about it as I have in the past. Feeling defeat over it and just dropping the whole thing. This time really is different in my head. I'm so happy about that.
ALSO, I think a big factor is that my awesome husband made me an inspiring place to paint in the garage, and painting therapy helps much. Good moods make a big difference, and I have a little holiday in my brain when I'm creating. V Important component. Thank you husband. xo
Yesterday was successful until I had to produce a baked chicken dinner at dinner time. I was fine just eating salad and baked carrot until Tilly wouldn't eat a mouthful of potato and gravy and I "got rid of it for her" and then ended up eating about 3 small potatoes because the gravy was awesome.
And today was good until I got the potato and chicken left overs out of the fridge to make my brother a toasty and ate another potato. But apart from that, my mind feel like it's in it for the long haul. Usually a little slip-up would shatter my hopes and I would binge on something terrible and feel terrible. But this time is definitely different. A switch has flicked.
So. MUCH unfurling has happened over the last FOUR years... The only unfurling that hasn't happened is the weight loss that has needed to happen asap. Because the older I get, the more I feel this extra 35kg impact on my structure. I have begun plans of all sorts only to find that I seriously lacked a strength of consistency. Any of the plans would have worked just fine, as long as I was consistent.
The idea with blogging about all this is because I want a tool that just might facilitate some consistency.
The plan I am using which begins tomorrow is a "kick start" weight loss plan which was on Seven News about 5 years ago. It involves a particular vegie soup recipe (tomatoey base with carrots, celery, spring onion, green beans, green capsicum and tomatoes) and any vegetable except potatoes, green peas and corn; and any fruit except bananas. Each day I plan to specify the dietary command for the day (one day calls for some steak, another advises 3 bananas etc) and express briefly how I think I'm going physically and mentally. I plan to avoid the scales until the first week is through. I plan to spend time being mindful (you could probably call it meditating) of how my body feels, what I want for it and how my eating can heal.
5 years ago I lost 8 kilos in 3 weeks and felt AMAZING. I went on to introduce protein and low GI carbs, and lost 18 kg in about 12 weeks. The HARDEST PART was the first 3 days. I had to be so disciplined to change habits such as gobbling up the kid's left overs, relying on coffee to feel alive, handfuls of choc chips in the cupboard because I felt unhappy or in want (most of the time this is spiritually based). And I have since learned that in this time the body has to change from using the easy energy you've eaten to drawing stored energy out of fat cells and using that (Ketosis). So you feel a bit on the edge. Like quitting cigarettes.
BUT...
after those three days- GLORY! This new lightness and fresh energy seems to bubble forth and carry me for however long I like! I remember having my last bowl of soup or steamed whole head of broccoli and quickly trying to get to sleep before I would feel hungry again! I ate HUGE bowls of steamed kale and silverbeet, massive salads with avocado and strawberries (loved that for brekkie!) a LOT of Bengal spice tea with rice milk and carrots and apples by the boot load. Baby spinach straight from the bag as if it were potato chips. Lemony iced water. I really felt excellent and avoided several colds that circulated the family.
And when I noticed I was pregnant and had my bloods done the Doctor remarked that it was the best blood he'd seen in a while... so I know it's a good eating plan.
So, The Soup was prepared last night. Today is just coup, veggies and fruit (no potatoes or bananas).
This morning I had a cup of herbal tea with rice milk and half a tomato. When I felt hungry again, water. Then next hunger, apple. I haven't actually needed the soup until now at 1pm and I've just downed the first bowl full. I am practising welcoming the yucky ketosis feelings and allowing them as signs of positive things happening... which similar to labour pains.
I realised my scales are not working though, and I havent weighed for a while... but the last figures were 104kg, which scared me because I thought the last time I left 100 was the last time. :(
BUT... mentally feeling positive and consistent so far.
