Weight Loss Blues
I am overweight. Tending towards obese. I’m nearly 6 feet tall, so I can carry a bit extra and hide some, but not this much. There are many factors contributing towards this condition, however upon seeing a photo of myself over the Christmas period, I decided enough was enough.
A few years ago, I embarked upon a weight loss program. I forked out my dough and received countless photocopies, menus, recipes and ‘tips’. It seemed to work quite well. I lost about 10 kilos, and was pretty happy with that. Then we went on holidays to Daydream Island. Hello buffet breakfast! Hello creamy cocktail!
I wouldn’t say I put the whole 10 kilos back on during that holiday, but I lost the ability to eat well and control my portion sizes, so that when I got home, I became very lazy. You know: oh, that fast-food-chain burger with cheese won’t be so bad if I only have the small fries! And, I can have chocolate every day, so long as it’s not the whole block. I stopped exercising too. At my age, that’s deadly!
So, after the Christmas-photo debacle, I stepped on the scales and almost died. I am the heaviest I have ever been, and that includes when I was 9 months pregnant!
Out came the weight loss program, the calorie counters, the kitchen scales, and the tape measure. I vigilantly measured portions and ate salad until I was ready to puke. In the first week, I lost 0.7 kilos. Not bad. In the second week, 0.8. I’m happy with that, really, except I need to keep this up for at least the next 6 months, and you know what? I don’t enjoy it. Not one little bit. Do you even know what a portion size looks like? In terms of meat or chicken, for example, open your hand, whatever fits in your palm is approximately a portion size. Hello?
I’m hungry all the time. Being hungry makes me irritable. It gives me a headache. I do eat regularly, breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and supper. I eat a variety of proteins, carbs and starches. I pretty much use my full allowance each day, BUT I’M STILL HUNGRY. And let’s face it, who craves lettuce? No, no. I crave juicy hamburgers, chocolate, biscuits and cake. I try to be strong. I resist temptation, and then I feel deprived. Then I think ‘oh, fuck it, who cares if I’m fat?’
But I do care. I want to be able to look nice in fashionable clothes, instead of buying hideous things from chain discount stores. I want to put my swimmers on and not look like a beached whale. I want to eat tasty, tempting and delicious foods. I’m so sick of that lo-cal, sugar replacement after taste! I’d rather go without. I don’t mind eating yoghurt, I really don’t, but does the low calorie stuff have to taste so bad? And can that artificial sweetener really be good for you? It’s a chemical for fuck’s sake! And the great love of my life? Cheese? I will not eat that plastic shit. I would rather go without than eat that artificial, never-been-near-a-cow-in-it’s-life crap. why does everything that tastes so good have to be so full of calories and fat? I can’t do this for another 6 minutes, let alone 6 months.
Me too sweety.. Me too! I gained 20 kilos when I gave up the ciggies.. Eeeek and I was already 20 kilos overweight.. fuck!!
The low-fat stuff has heaps more salt in it so be careful.
I have stopped drinking *sigh* and I have cut out all the bad fat ie: margarine, chippies ,junk food etc etc.. I want to lose 25 kilos.. I need to lose 35 sheeeit!!!!
xxxx kim xxxx
Comment by kim — January 17, 2008 @ 9:36 am
hugs, friend. I so understand.
we could walk together.
Comment by Tiffany — January 17, 2008 @ 3:52 pm
hang in there …With your sense of humour and friends you can do this - I will hold you in my thoughts as I eat the chocolate and cheese for you - send it on.
I won’t presume to give you advice but just know that I will be here to coerce you into sticking with this.
I have no good tips, no advice, nothing. Except to tell you that you are normal. And that I hear you and feel for you!
I know soon you will feel better about the dreaded D word , but everyone has those days and it takes a brave one to admit it.
I hope that the best solution for you is right around the corner!So get those walking boots on. Everything in moderation. If you can’t do it we will still read your blog.
Umm someone has a great weigh loss pep talk might be Craig Harper ? I will check …
Comment by Babyamore (Trish) — January 19, 2008 @ 12:00 pm
You guys are the best! Thanks for your comments. I’m still trying, but it needs to be something that I can stick with, not so extreme maybe.
Comment by Administrator — January 19, 2008 @ 12:48 pm
Yep, been there done that too ! I’ve was put on my first diet aged 12 by my size 8 mother and have been on one diet or another for the past 31 years. I’ve recently found something that works for me, but I have tried everything in the past from Jenny Craig, Weight watchers, shakes, Atkins, SureSlim, south beach diet, blah, blah, blah - I weighed 9okgs at my heaviest (I’m only 5′6″) but thanks to the eating plan I’ve dropped to 62kgs. I still eat largeish portions, but …and here’s where it gets scary…have completely cut out all forms of sugar, flour and wheat. It was intially hard, but I have porridge for breakfast, brown rice, veges and salad and chicken/tuna for lunch and the same kind of thing for dinner - I eat full-fat greek yogurt with frozen berries or mango after dinner. It sounds extreme, but it is the only thing that has ever worked for me. Happy to tell you more if you like - otherwise, hang tough my friend - it’s not easy, believe me I do know.
Comment by Tex\\\'s Missus — January 30, 2008 @ 7:50 pm