My Weight Loss Journey

I started writing this post in 2014, hoping I'd reach my goal weight then publish it, but life happened. Being unhappy at work triggered comfort eating. Fast food, chocolates and biscuits became my coping mechanism. I put on a decent five kilograms of the twelve I initially lost (I weighed 72 kilos at my heaviest in 2011) and that horrified me. I'm now in a positive frame of mind to lose that weight again through the Momentum Wellness Challenge. It's a twelve week (starting tomorrow) program of structured eating and includes two exercise challenges. My entry weight is 63 kilograms and to mark the occasion I have taken two photographs as a means of measuring progress.

 

Here is the original post:

It's no secret that I have battled with my weight for many, many years.

I was a chubby primary school kid (who hated exercise so I was always bunking sports day), and was on Weigh-Less by the time I was 10 years old. Name the diet I have been on it. I even tried chewing each mouthful 25 times before swallowing! Then someone said I'm eating the components of my meal in the wrong order. I should ideally eat vegetables first, then starch and leave protein till last. No word of lie.

Weigh Less was particularly challenging as it involved weighing EVERYTHING I put into my mouth and wasn't very child friendly. You can imagine the hard time my mom had preparing my school lunches each day. Somehow fruit and veggies weren't very appealing when my peers had tuck money or sandwiches. Anyway, we pushed on and I attended every Thursday meeting to be weighed. My mom was a real trooper throughout. She was happy when I lost and supportive when I gained. This trend continued until I reached high school.

At 13, I gave Weigh Less up and tried out Sarah Ferguson's Weight Watchers. This eating plan was so much easier to manage. Each foodstuff is given a point rating, and the facilitator allocates each person a certain number of daily points . How one reaches that target each day is up to them, and the best part was very little needed to be weighed! Unlike Weigh Less, Weight Watchers encourages those little treats and places emphasis on the "everything in moderation" statement. This plan worked wonders for me. I followed it for years and lost a good deal of weight. 

Nearing the end of my high school career, I'd picked up a few kilos and because I wanted to lose the weight quickly (and in time for my Matric Farewell), I tried the Atkins' diet (or high protein diet). It also produced good results, but the high amount of protein gave me headaches, and permitted no carbohydrates or starches so I REALLY missed my cereal. The diet worked and I managed to slim down in time, and even kept the weight off for a few years. I was never rake thin as my African curves would never allow for such a figure, but I was less chunkier.

In October 2012, after seeing the photograph below, I decided that enough was enough and I wanted to lose the weight once and for all. I started a calisthenics class at Simply You four times per week, and although I didn't follow a diet per se, I watched what I ate and slowly the kilos started coming off. 

Have a look at my timeline below.

October 2012 - 67kgs

This photograph was taken at Shannon & Colin's wedding. Seeing my face so round was a real shock to the system and I knew something had to be done.

June 2013 - 64kgs

On holiday in Athens earlier this year. Once we returned, I started walking. At least five times per week, over distances ranging from 2 - 5kms. This cardio really kick-started my weight loss, and you can imagine my elation at finally finding something that has worked for me. I also adjusted my eating and the following was my mantra:

• Drink at least 6 glasses of water per day;
• Cut out carbohydrates at dinner time;
• Eat at least 5 servings of fruit and veggies per day; and
• To avoid tissue drowning (which also makes a person put on weight), limit liquids (other than water) to 7 x 240mls.

I love chocolate, sweets, ice cream, Wakaberry and biscuits and I never cut those items out whilst losing the weight. The key is everything in moderation. So instead of having a whole slab of chocolate in a sitting I only had 4 blocks. Two or three biscuits instead of half the packet. These small changes made a BIG difference.

August 2013 - 62kgs

At my 27th birthday party, wearing a pair of leather pants. This was a bucket list item for me.

October 2013 - 60kgs

At Angie and Roger's wedding. Almost there!

Technically I am at my ideal or goal weight, but I'd like to lose one or two extra kilograms just so that I have some room to move.

What I've lost:

• A shoe size. From a size 5 to a 4.
• 12 kilograms in total
• A bra size
• 83 centimeters across my arms, bust, waist, hips, bottom and thighs

Losing this weight has been a lifestyle change for me, and the best gift I could ever have given to myself (yes I am turning into one of those very annoying healthy people that no-one likes). I am more confident in myself, and for the first time in ages I actually look forward to clothes shopping. I can now wear figure hugging outfits and shorts, instead of the shapeless mid-calf dresses. However, anyone that was ever chunky and has lost a fair amount of weight will tell you, we are terrified of going back to the way we were and will do anything to keep the weight off. It's true that maintaining a healthy weight is sometimes more difficult than actually losing the weight, but I have found what works for me and as long as I stick to it my weight should stay stable. As soon as I stop moving, I put it back on. So now I know - don't ever stop exercising!

A special word of thanks must go out to everybody that has supported me during this journey. My mom, my gran, friends and other family. Even the ladies at Simply You who were never shy with their compliments which motivated me when my weight seemed to remain the same. I thank you all, because without you all I would have probably given up.

The Weekend That Was

Morning readers!

Wow, can you believe we are now in October (or Rocktober or even Ocsober as it is known to some) - the end of the year is fast approaching! Time to start making those Christmas and holiday plans (if you haven't already) and definitely time to start Christmas shopping. There's nothing worse than fighting the hoards of last minute shoppers in the malls come the last week before Christmas!

Back to the present day though. October is going to be a very festive month for us. This coming weekend is Angie's bachelorette party, next weekend is Roger's bachelors and we're ending off the month with their wedding. Absolutely cannot wait!

This past weekend I attended Ryan's Gatsby themed 30th birthday party with Angie at the Skye Bar in Sandton, and let me say that the views from this venue are absolutely breathtaking. The twinkling lights of the surrounding suburbs and skyscrapers lend an almost other-wordly vibe to guests as we stared out over the balcony. Amazing. Guests really went the extra mile in dressing in period appropriate attire, and Jenna (Ryan's wife) outdid herself with the decor and entertainment. There was a photo booth, a Murder Mystery Game and even some gambling. Thank you Jenna & Ryan, we had such fun!

Here are some pictures from the evening:

On Sunday, William and I were invited to a Portuguese braai by Colleen & Fernando. The weather was absolutely beautiful and we soaked up the sun while relaxing around the pool. Fernando may consider himself a top notch chef as the steak was done to perfection, using the traditional method of bay leaf branches as skewers. It was a fantastic opportunity to meet new people and take advantage of summer. Thank you Col & Fernando, you are excellent hosts and we felt so welcome and comfortable in your company.

Unfortunately I didn't take my camera with on Sunday, but am sure Colleen will post some photographs shortly. Keep an eye on my Facebook page:)

Until next time
xxx

The Weekend that was 30 Aug - 1 Sep

Happy Spring to all those in the Southern Hemisphere! I know I am sure glad to see the back of winter although, as some have said "we haven't really had a winter". Hello??! Did you not feel how cold it was those nights in July? Pfft. Crazy people.

The weekend got off to a good start when GWM Fourways kindly returned Black Betty to me in working order. Friday evening was ladies night out at Movida. So, Colleen, Candice, Carey-Anne and myself got all dolled up and off we went. There were a whole lot of exhibitors including hair stylists, lingerie boutiques, false eyelashes, a gym, and a confectionery stand amongst others. Ladies watched demos of products, and were even treated to a live show by a hip hop dance troupe. There were also loads of prizes and each of us won something with the exception of Carey-Anne, which is quite unfair seeing as though she extended the invite to all of us. Here are some pics from the evening.

Our group of ladies

Colleen and I before we headed out

Saturday was quiet, what with William going to the local casualty unit to have a football injury he incurred on Tuesday checked out. The doctor ordered x-rays of his knee but thankfully nothing was broken or dislocated, but rather the ligaments were damaged and there was fluid on the kneecap. He was treated with anti-inflammatories and sent home with a knee brace.

Sunday was Spring Day, and our local community forum Atlasville Organisation organised a walk around the suburb. With a turnout of approximately 50 adults, childrens and even babies in prams, we walked the 5km route and enjoyed the lovely weather. It had been rather chilly on Friday night and Saturday so we were stressing about Sunday's weather, but for once Murphy stayed away.

After the walk, we went for a late lunch at Tashas Bedfordview with Linsey and her mom Karen. It was my our first time dining there and we loved it. The menu caters to all tastes and appetites, and the cakes were far too good to pass up. Linsey and I shared a slice of the bar one cheesecake - absolutely delicious! 

So how was your weekend? What did you get up to?