Sarahs Weightloss Blog

Hi All,

Hope everyone is getting one step closer to their goals

I have finally moved into my new home! and it’s wonderful.  When I was packing as most people do we combed through all our belongings to throw away everything we did not need, so there was less to move.  Guess what the largest back of rubbish was? My clothes!  It was a real eye opener, I had loads of clothes of varying sizes from UK 10 to 22, some of which were years and years old and I had not worn for years but kept anyway, probably in case I ever needed to fit into them again.  I had even kept the size 22 trousers I had 9 months ago and the size 18 dress I wore to my friends wedding 8 months ago.  I suppose I am still thinking that I will perhaps be wearing them again! So I said to myself ‘NO WAY’, and purged all the large trousers, dresses and tops.  I also realised on checking the labels that I was still wearing size 16 and 18 tops, and didn’t own any other clothes – my wardrobe was looking a little empty to say the least!  So I took a deep breath and went out clothes shopping to get some nice things, something which I haven’t done for . . . wait I actually cant’ remember the last time I did it!  I usually just buy what I need and what would fit – no trendy choices or ‘I’ll buy that because it looks nice’.  However I found that I am a size 12 in pretty much everything (except skinny jeans, still a size 14, but hey, they are SKINNY jeans with a size system all of their own ).  I also quite enjoyed my self, it was a totally new shopping experience.  I didn’t buy much though – I don’t like the 80’s style at the moment, yuck!  But I tried on everything in every shop and it was FUN!

So now I have much more get up and go to sort out my exercise and get my fitness back.  I am training to do the silver triathalon this time (I did the bronze about 4 months ago), it’s an extra 10 lengths in the pool, 6kms on the bike and 2 kms on the run (so 30 length, 18kms, 5kms).  Now I have something to focus on.  I have also organised a new program at the gym with an instructor.  Taking Maik’s advice I have got a weight program together (I do classes, cycling and running for cardio) for 2-3 days a week, each day concentrating on a different body area.  I’ve also been giving it beans (as we say in the UK) down the gym.  Yesterday I managed a 7km run on the treadmill (slowly, in about 50 minutes, 5 mins slower than before Xmas), did a cycling/rowing class for 30 minutes, and 45 minutes of pilates to finish.  I also cycled to work the gym and home.

I am now quite sore, in places I didn’t even know you could have muscle! However I am embracing the soreness, it’s a sign that I am taking it up a notch.  Hope to see some differences soon.  Tonight I’m doing some weights, running and cycling.  I haven’t found a martial arts club I like yet, but will keep looking.

To end with for this week, here are some things I have learned so far to keep myself on track when motivation is low . . .

Tips for when your motivation is lulling:

1. look back and what you have achieved so far

Photos are great, as is being able to step into those really big trousers you used to wear and hold a clear lot of inches either side!

2. Reward yourself

You’ve been working hard, give yourself a treat – clothes shopping, weekend away, whatever you like

3. Take a break!

Don’t be too hard on yourself, everyone deserves a break once in a while.  Try to up your calories (in a controlled manner) and maintain your weight, work on your fitness instead perhaps (a tip given to me by Jon – thanks Jon!).  I have also found that this is also a really good way to beat a weightloss plateau.

4. Mix it up

Doing the same exercises day in and day out is soooooo BORING.  Mix it up, change things, make it harder to achieve, work towards a goal or event (e.g. a fun run, charity event – race for life is coming up for instance).  Don’t let yourself get bored and stop as a result.

5. Keep it real

Be sensible and keep your goals realistic.  Have a realistic plan with goals which break down your weightloss into managable bits.  For example start with a goal of 10% loss in total body weight.  Enjoy the changes, then lose another 10%, and so one.  Becoming disparaged with unreasonable expectations of yourself is a real lifestyle change stopper.

Till next time