8 Steps to Skinny

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Day 3:

Christmas is problematic... there are soo many temptations! Today I did a lot of walking (ok shopping) but it still counts. I managed to avoid all of the rich and enticing foods that I encountered. I was able to ward off my chocolate cravings with a smoothie and later some raspberries, although I suspect that the sugar content in the smoothie was a bit high anyway. The best thing about today was that I didn't get hungry and seemed to have a lot more energy than usual. I also had a sneak peek on the scales and my weight has dropped a little bit already. So I guess that my efforts are paying off.

Food Diary:
Breakfast: breakfast bar, mandarin and coffee (250 cal)
Lunch: Chicken salad wrap (400 cal)
Snacks: Tropical smoothie, large cappuccino and a small punnet of tay berries (550 cal)
Evening meal: Stir fried kale, cabbage, carrot, mung beans, rice noodles and cashew nuts (300 cal)

Total Calories 1500
 
LaMaria said:
May I ask what's in your breakfast bar? I'm always looking for ways to avoid cooking :p
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Its a gluten free biscuit kind of thing with dried apricot, raisin and fig. You get two bars in a pack and the total calories are just under 200. They are not very filling so definitely need something else to go with them if you usually like a good breakfast.
 
I wanted to add some photos to mark the beginning of my journey, but no camera at the moment ): So I have added one that was taken recently. I dont mind so much that I am overweight, but get shocked every time I see how much my face has changed! I cant wait to lose some weight around my face and chin.
The bottom photograph was taken 4 years ago when I was at a healthy weight. I am hoping to get to back down to the same size and level of fitness that I was at then, or maybe even little smaller. I still have those clothes in my wardrobe but they don't fit at the moment. One day I'll wear them again.


September 2017
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November 2013
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You'll find that you'll lose the excess from the top down, including your face & chin. I'm sure you can do this. I find I look bigger in loose-fitting clothes like a long skirt. You look lovely now Clackedy & don't look like you have to lose that much weight. Every kg will have you feeling much better & will be noticeable. Your 2013 photo reminds me of my sister.
 
cate said:
I find I look bigger in loose-fitting clothes like a long skirt
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I find the same, although only on a weekend, when I'm known as Stanette :p

I agree with Cate tho, Clackedy, you wont need to lose all that much to get where you want to and you'll be there in no time :)
 
Agree with above- you are already very lovely!! But if you want to lose weight, it doesn't look like you have far to go!
 
@cate Thankyou for your kind words. I think you are right about the lose fitting clothes. I wear them to "hide" my figure but I think they just make it look worse lol.

@Stan 'Stannet' sounds like a very fun person lol. Thanks for the encouragement :)

@Jenniquest Thanks for the kind words and encouragement too.
 
Day 4:

Today I spent 5 hours walking in town and I'm going to take my dog for a walk after this post. Lets hope that all of the walking has made up for a bit of a heavy eating day today. I took my daughter to her preschool Christmas party this morning and I didn't eat any cake wooo hoo. My eldest two children bought home their school reports today. I was very proud of them both for doing well this year. School holidays begin next week! eekkk.

Today I was a bit unsure about what I ate. I log my calories and exercise on a website. Whenever I add an exercise it adds extra calories to my allowance. I was very active today so it added an extra 600 calories to my allowance. I am not sure weather it would be safe to eat that many without gaining weight, even if I did have a lot of activity. What do others do? Would it be better to just stick to my 1300 calories regardless of exercise? I am not in a hurry to lose weight, but I definitely want to be going down and not up.

Food Diary

Breakfast: Breakfast bars, raspberries and coffee (321 cal)
Lunch: Chinese take away - chicken chow mien. Unfortunately it came with fried rice, but I gave have of my rice to my partner (600 cal estimate)
Evening meal: Small salad roll and a banana split (570 cal)
Snacks: Mixed fruit, cucumber, rice crackers, coffee and an icypole (172 cal)

Total Calories: 1663
 
Take a calculator like this one, and subtract 500 cals from your sedentary numbers to get your daily cals for weight loss. Personally, I don't eat more on days I workout. I prefer, instead, to have a small cheat once a week. I think the biggest mistake people make when losing weight is eating too little. My experience for myself and watching others is that too much of a calorie deficit is impossible to maintain for very long without eventually going on a binge. Plus, when people lose weight fast, their skin looks like hell. I'd rather have a few extra pounds than a bunch of loose skin. Have you ever tried lifting weights?
 
I try to remember to eat more when I exercise more than 500 kcal (say I go hiking and burn 1200 extra calories I'll eat an extra 700 kcal) but since I estimate instead of counting it's not exactly scientific.
 
Thanks @Jenniquest that tool is really helpful. I am going to use my TDEE -500 to determine my calorie intake from now on. I cant say that I have ever tried lifting weights. I am not very strong though so it would be a good idea lol. Do you lift?

@LaMaria I like your idea too. I felt guilty for eating a lot of calories today.
 
I love weights - that's pretty much all I do. The health benefits are many- stronger bones, balanced hormone levels, reduced depression, higher metabolism, etc. Aesthetically, there are also many benefits. When people just "lose weight" their body doesn't change proportion - it just becomes a smaller version of their fat body. Weight training will change your proportions and give you more changes that you can see, which I believe, helps motivation. And don't worry about getting "bulky." That look has more to do with body fat percentage than anything else (unless they take steroids). Bodybuilders go on hardcore diets for months and then dehydrate to get that look on stage.
 
You do make weights seems like an appealing option @Jenniquest ! I have been contemplating joining the gym when I go back to Uni as I tend to sit and snack lot when studying.


Day 6:
Today has been a bit challenging. I was given a Christmas stocking full of chocolate at the party last night. I have decided to allow myself one piece a day because I think that is what a skinny person would probably do lol. The problem arised just after eating a mini mars bar lol. A friend called in with a present which happened to be a box of homemade Christmas slices and fudge. Normally I would just keep them for the kids, but she is literally the best cook on this planet and I couldn't resist trying some. The rest of my food choices have been good at least.

I have also started monitoring macros. I am finding it really hard to get enough protein. Most of my calories seem to come from carbs. My focus for the next few days will be to up protein and reduce carbs!

I'm off to Carols by Candlelight with the family soon, so probably wont do an update later, but I'll make sure that I eat a well balanced, healthy meal before I go. No more cheating!
 
Slip-ups are going to happen, especially this time of year. As long as you don´t get into "today is ruined anyway so I might as well eat everything I can get my hands on" territory you´re doing fine.
 
LaMaria said:
As long as you don´t get into "today is ruined anyway so I might as well eat everything I can get my hands on" territory you´re doing fine.
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That made me laugh. I have been there before! ha ha.
Unfortunately the temptations didn't end there. My mother in law packed a huge picnic to take to the carols. It comprised of all of the "no" foods that I love to eat. I'm feeling grateful that so many people care and want to share delicious foods with us, but it does make it difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
 
Very true. On the other hand: most of us wouldn´t be overweight if we only ate unhealthy foods on special occasions. When my parents were kids they´d get a sweet on Sunday and maybe a piece of cake once a month. When I was a kid I´d get a sweet every day and maybe a piece of cake once a week. And my (ten years younger) sister was thought to have a very strict mom because she didn´t get either a piece of cake or a handful of sweets every day.
 
Day 7:

Today I dyed my hair brown again after a hair dye fail over the weekend lol. I ate pretty well, but did allow myself a piece of fudge. My calories were good though. I made tacos for tea and replaced the taco shells with lettuce leaves.. not as delicious but half the calories so it was worth it. Our house mate is making me watch the new IT (creepy clown) movie tonight. I really hate gorey movies but hopefully the extra adrenaline in my system will at least burn a few extra calories ha ha.

Food Diary
Breakfast: coffee, egg and a mushroom (75 cal)
Lunch: Celery, cucumber, rice crackers, snow peas and tatziki (305 cal)
Evening meal: Lettuce, carrot, tomato, light cheese, light sour cream, salsa, hot sauce, beans (492 cal)
Snacks: fudge, popcorn, coffee, a vodka with sugar free lemon aid. (500 cal)

Total Calories 1372
 
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