Amy's weight loss diary

Thanks for checking in guys.

Diet... not so good. You don't want to know so I haven't been posting. Spoiling continues in earnest, let's put it this way. (And TimTams were half price- under $2- so we have about 20 packs in the house at the moment) I've been good when I've had discretion (groats for breakfast, fruit for snacks) but apart from that... let's not talk about it.

For those who don't know: Tim Tam - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia In the UK the closest thing is a Penguin, but Penguins aren't anywhere near as good (generally, UK biscuits aren't as nice as anything Arnott's make)

I have been getting more exercise, though. My dad has set up the treadmill and I've started to use it (only brisk walking so far), I've taken the dog for a walk almost every day (I'm in a very hilly area) and I've recently discovered the nature reserve which has a 4.5km bushwalk (I haven't done all 4.5km yet, as I don't want to go too far afield and get lost, but I think I've done a fair chunk of it). I'm going to try to be more systematic about that.

Joh, the disasters get worse than just TimTams. Really, you don't want to know. As an expat, it's wonderful... as someone trying to control her weight, really not so much.
 
Ha - you poor chicken! I remember when I went back I just had eggs benedict ALL THE TIME - freaking disaster. But I think I'm lucky, because if I can resist all this incredible temptation here, in the land of chocolate and cheese, then I think I'm learning to do it everywhere.

BUT your situation is different. I remember ages ago in my diary I wrote something like 'I hate how I always have to choose between being healthy and being sociable'. Sounds like you're battling wiht this a bit.

Sounds like you're doing good with the exercise though. Where are you? NSW? Is the weather reasonable? Are you far from the beach?
 
Thanks guys :)

I've been staying away because you still don't want to know what I'm eating, and I suspect you won't want to know the whole time I'm away if this keeps up.

My parents don't actually own a set of scales. I suspect I've put on a small amount of weight based on how my clothes fit, but I know exactly how to deal with it. The problem is that it may have to wait until I get back to the UK, as I have very little control over anything here. It's nice to be home and being looked after (my mum's taken over domestic stuff for me completely, which she hasn't done since I was in my mid teens), but I miss cooking my own food and doing things the way I want to.
 
I think you're right, Ruth, my mum is behaving very much like an Italian (I've done some research into my family history, so far as I tell my roots are something like 95% English, 5% Irish- definitely not Italian), and treating me a bit like the prodigal son and showering me with things. The vast majority of the time my food choices are completely out of my control. It wouldn't be so bad except for all the cakes she's cooked (she's gone through 3 dozen eggs making cakes in the last week!), the pancakes she makes a couple of times a week for breakfast (already made for me when I emerge- although today they were buckwheat, maybe that's not so bad?) and the Australian treats that come out for afternoon tea most days. The meal choices for dinner have been largely healthy as I'd make them (although served with rice rather than potato), and lunch is mostly leftovers (or sandwiches... not so good). When I make my own breakfast I have groats and a piece of fruit. I'm definitely not drinking enough water and I'm trying hard to remedy that- I think I'm going to have to get a bottle and take it to my room to work with.

I can feel my clothes getting a little more snug, although to be honest it doesn't feel like I've put on too much (I have no way of telling apart from that). I know I'm undoing all the work I've done, and I hate it, but part of me just wants to keep the peace until I get back, and enjoy my time here. I know exactly how to fix it when I get back.

Although I do have some incentive for weight loss and maintenance of goal weight. I've bought a lot of clothes from shops that I love and can't find anything like in the UK- a lot in smalls and extra smalls- and my parents talked me into buying some incredible merino wear designed for skiing and such to keep me warm in winter in the north of England. (And when I say "incredible", also read "expensive") And what's even better, my parents have decided to foot at least most of the bill for all of this (which, given I've spent an obscene amount of money :svengo:, is a lovely surprise and something of a relief). Very little of the clothes I've bought have been exciting, but they're everyday things that I like and I know will last.
 
My sister took me to the gym with her today (she can have a guest with her on weekends if she has a pass). Couldn't stay very long because my sister's recovering from illness and can't work too hard, but did a solid half an hour on the cross trainer. Very pleased.

And then my family decide to order take out for lunch. FML.
 
Well why didn't you say that you live in the north of england...in that case, you'll need a few extra cals to shiver your way through the coming winter! heh. Only joking! Well, just make sure that you hit the ground running with a new healthy diet when you get back to the UK.
 
Three dozen eggs on cakes in one week is a SERIOUS amount. Eeeek. No wonder your clothes are getting tighter madam. I'm glad you went to the gym.

Just wondering, how on earth does you sister stay skinny with all that temptation lol.

I think you should weigh your food, even if your not planning on eating super healthily til you come back to England. Your mum might roll her eyes a bit, but I think that it would be good for you to be aware of exactly how many calories it is you are eating. I'm glad that your meals are mainly healthy though, and even if you are eating more calories you are getting all the nutrients you need.

I have never worn thermals before, buying clothes suitable for skiing is a great idea. Think I will do that next winter. Will get some for the kids as well.
 
I have no damn idea how my sister stays so thin, particularly given she's been injured and hasn't worked out for at least a month. I think the cooking thing is relatively recent, but it's insane the amount of stuff my mum makes. My brother's put on quite a lot of weight, but apparently that's less food at home and more food with friends and such. (According to my mum, anyway)

I think I might go back to trying to weigh some of my food. I won't be able to do all of it, particularly evening meals or leftovers which are cooked for a group (by my mum... who doesn't really want to give up the reigns to the kitchen. And doesn't weigh things unless she's trying to prove a point or something). There are some things that aren't worth weighing- for example I had a big pile of steamed veggies with dinner tonight, and I can safely say they had "pretty much bugger all" in them calorie wise (even before I came back to Australia, my policy with veggies was more or less "track, but have as much as you like"). Or milk with tea or coffee- ok, that can add up, but it's skim milk, it's 37 calories/ 100ml or something, it's not worth the agro with my mum thinking I have an eating disorder or something. I'm definitely not weighing water here. I've been trying other things like, when dinner's being served up, asking for less meat more veg, and that goes down ok. I do wish we didn't have rice with everything though (my mum thinks going gluten free will cause weight loss... sure, it might help, but less so/ not at all if you replace cakes and biscuits and ice cream and bread and pancakes with... gluten free cakes and biscuits and ice cream and bread and pancakes).

We had wagyu beef for dinner tonight (meat is so cheap here- it was comparable in price to rump in Tesco, which is some of the cheapest steak I can get), and Mum weighed that. I'm not sure whether she was trying to be economical or prove a point (we'd been talking about NHS recommendations for meat, and she weighed out that amount and told me it wasn't enough, and gave me more).

My downfall continues to be mum's food and stuff I can't get in the UK. Serious downfall. My mum made more cake today, and insisted we share a whole packet of biscuits I loved from when I was a kid, and some other stuff. And then for dessert she came out with homemade ice cream, which is amazing (I can't think of any ice cream I've had that's been even remotely comparable- seriously tops all the specialist ice cream places and stuff) but I'm sure every bit as evil as it tastes.

I can only get into the gym on weekends (unless I feel like paying $35 a visit to my local gym... screw that), so I'm making up for it by trying to be more active around the house. I don't think it's the same as going to the gym, but it's what I can manage. I've also been taking the dog for walks (as long as I/ she can manage), although that may not happen for the rest of the week because there are severe weather warnings for the rest of the week in Sydney, and it's incredibly rainy and gusty out there at the moment (I don't think the gale force winds and minor flooding have started yet, but they will). Need to motivate myself to get myself back onto the treadmill that's been relegated to the garage, and try to do a couple of sessions a day. Hopefully it'll slow the weight gain and make it less painful when I kick my arse back into gear when I get back to the UK.

Although a couple more stumbling blocks- my boyfriend is planning some major celebrations when I get back- we've been missing each other like crazy, plus a couple of weeks after I get back we'll have been together a year. I'm sure there will be at least two nights when the diet goes out the window again. He's also booked a four night holiday for my birthday (which isn't until November), in what's supposed to be one of the gastronomic capitals of the UK. I'm really looking forward to it, but if I've reached goal by then I'll probably have to accept some weight gain. (I suspect I will have reached goal by my birthday, but I'm looking at this as a lifelong thing. I don't plan to weigh everything forever, but I want to eat well and keep active for the rest of my life, for my health and wellbeing. Plus I have fitness/ strength goals after I hit weight goal)

My mum suggested joining the gym 10 min walk from my house so I go more often and am less disinclined to do half an hour and call it a day (also less chance of injury). Was an awesome idea... they charge a hundred pounds a month. No student rates. I'd tell you what I think of that, but it'd violate my personal "try to limit foul language on this forum" policy. There's another one which, according to the review I read, charged 38 pounds for students a year ago- which is steep, but the gym is amazing (and it's 15-20 min walk rather than 45 min-hour walk/ bus). I don't think I can afford that (especially when the facility I was looking at before was under 20 a month for students) but I need to think it over.

At some stage (not today, too ashamed) I need to start tracking my food again (even if it's "porridge with milk, coffee with milk" rather than "porridge 50g milk 150ml" for the time being).
 
Hi Amy1985,

Reading your diary makes me wonder how in the world will I be able to resist my mum's cooking when I'll go for visit!!! it's really a struggle, innit? And you saying: I'm not having that...I'm on diet!' and all the faces turning towards you and saying: 'Awwwww, come on...just eat it, how much harm can cause? '
well, One meal wouldn't cause too much harm I guess...but constant eating by their rules and not being able to exercise..will definitely cause harm. I suppose it's really hard to say: ' I'll just have a salad tonight' when the entire house smells like roast or Sheperd's pie! I feel for you, girl!
Have you tried choosing different times for your meals? but on the other hand..they'll feel bad because you're not eating together as a family! Is there any other way round it?
Wait, I have an idea...I'll send you to my mother in law...When I lived with her I lost 13 kg! :sifone:

All the best,
Mady!
 
amy sorry to hear that you've probably put on some weight.I supposed that happens when on vacation(it is like a vacation,you going back home!)I do understand all the exitment and spoiling you the first days but its been to long.I wouldnt want you yo put on a LOT , just a little with the situation
Do u pass on the sweets?have a little?or a lot?
When are you going back to uk?
 
This is actually awesome for you. This is just a visit, so it's okay if you put on a pound or three. You know that when you go home, you can go back to your routine. Breaking out of it can also boost weight loss. It will like starting your diet anew! Whenever we start a new diet, weight seems to drop off.
I have absolute faith in you. In the long run, you will reach your goal, and stick to it!

"Plaudite, amici, comedia finita est."
 
hang in there amy, and as a coeliac I can confirm that going gluten free is not a magic weight loss bullet not that your mum is actually truly serious about going gluten free with the number of biscuits your family is putting in front of you.
 
I think joining the gym is a good idea, even if it is £100 a month. As well as the exercise, it'll help break up your day a bit.

And at least your Mum is making you eat more beef! That IS a good thing considering your Anaemic.

Start tracking your food again! Please! You don't need to do the calories, just write down what you have eaten and the size of the portion. It doesn't matter if what you have eaten makes you ashamed, its more important to keep a food diary in the bad times than the good times.

2 nights of celebrations when you finally see your bf again will be FINE! Don't stress about that! Its the month(ish) you've got left in Austraulia that could do the real damage. I've said it before, I will say it again.... DON'T UNDO YOUR HARD WORK GIRLY!!!!!!!!! You are a size 8, you are happy with your body. I would hate for you to go up another dress size or two. x
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top