Desperately seeking the real Auburn

Thank you Margaret for your very kind encouragement. It means so much to me to know that people are around and offering their support and help. I'm going to have a look in your diary to see how you're doing, but I know that you are so focused that you'll still be on track.

For me, Christmas = Yeah! I didn't do too badly! :party:

The weigh-in this morning showed 82.5kg! So I'm really quite satisfied.

You might be aware that there is a different approach to Christmas in France. In fact, the main celebration takes place over here on Xmas Eve. There's usually a huge meal (5 or 6 courses are normal) which finishes around midnight. Then, at midnight, presents are opened. For the children, the system is more like that which takes place in Britain: they wake up on Xmas morning to find the pressies under the tree.

In France there's a second day of celebrations on Xmas Day, but then it's over. So while you in Britain are, right now, trying to struggle through the temptations of Boxing Day, my ordeal is finished :party:
(Out of interest, do they do Boxing Day in the States and down-under?)

So what did I succeed in doing, in terms of my objectives? I wanted to RESIST the desserts, the chocolates and the fatty stuff, and do a walk every day. Well... I resisted all the chocolates (yeah!), I took one tiny slice of cake (made by my father-in-law, so I couldn't really upset him by saying no), I was a little bit careful about the fatty stuff (but I could have done better), and I didn't go for any walks (arrrgh! not good :banghead:). I also drank in moderation (yeah!) and had plenty of water and cups of tea. All in all, it could have been a lot worse.

Anyway, here's my food journal so far today (not going to bother with the last couple of days - can't remember much!!!)

26 December: today's eating and exercising:
WEIGHT: 82.5 (yeah!)
Breakfast: bread, spread
Lunch: rice, indian-style veggies, potatoes, lowcal yoghurt
Dinner: vegetable soup (pure!), bread, tiny bit of butter
Snacks: apple, banana, clementine (more fruit than I've had in weeks - got to continue like that!)
Drinks: 5 glasses of water, a few cups of tea
Exercise: none
CONCLUSION: still not getting the exercise in, what with the family at home and everything, but I think it's going OK food-wise - and no wine!!!
 
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Nope, no Boxing Day here in the United States! It is recognized on our calendars for the most part, but most Americans don't celebrate it. In the U.S., it's typically called the "day after Christmas" and most people usually either head back to work or rest and put away Christmas things.
 
I guess seeing as you've all had your Thanksgiving only a few weeks ago, you go a bit easy on Christmas. I've been in the States for Thanksgiving and it's really a major event, isn't it? With it falling on a Thursday, half the nation seems to shut down for a long weekend. In comparison, Xmas must seem fairly low-key I suppose.
 
Hiya

Thanks for dropping by my diary i love it when people drop in and give support so now you are stuck with me popping in returning the favour LOL

I guess you still have your 2 days of celebrations though but yes I am still struggling though boxing day just finished dinner and still have the evening to go!!!

Hope you had a good xmas and get playing on that wii!!!
Take Care
Sarah
x
 
Auburn said:
I guess seeing as you've all had your Thanksgiving only a few weeks ago, you go a bit easy on Christmas. I've been in the States for Thanksgiving and it's really a major event, isn't it? With it falling on a Thursday, half the nation seems to shut down for a long weekend. In comparison, Xmas must seem fairly low-key I suppose.
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Oh no! Christmas is a lot bigger than Thanksgiving! Most places shut down completely for Christmas and sometimes shut down for most of Christmas eve! Some places do shut down Thanksgiving but a lot of retail stores, restaurants and grocery stores stay open and there are a lot of people who don't do anything for Thanksgiving.
 
Oh oh, there I am revealing my ignorance. Thanks Lindsey for putting me right. It's funny, we speak the same language but there are a lot of cultural differences between the Brits and our cousins across the ocean. I've seen Xmas done in American films, but when you've never experienced it for real, it's difficult to know just what it's like. (And who believes everything you see in films anyway?!)
 
Boxing Day in the U.S. is a huge shopping day, also. Stores have big sales, and people go to return/exchange gifts and use those gift cards they got for Christmas.

In Australia, they also celebrate Boxing Day much like the Brits do. There is a HUGE cricket match that day. I think the Aussies are playing England this year because I heard my H say several times yesterday to him mum on the phone, "God, I miss cricket! Go the Aussies! Stick it right up the POMs!!" LMAO! If he were in Melbourne, he'd spend Boxing Day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground with his buddies. But instead he's stuck in America with me. :biggrinjester:

As to your diet/holiday dilemma, I'd say try and maintain as best you can, and then when you get to Spain, walk your bum off and try to keep the indulgences to a minimum. There's no better time like the present--says the girl who's pretty much been off her diet for over a week now. :D

You asked earlier what made me change with the dieting this time. I guess I just got sick and tired of being fat and (in my mind) ugly. I wanted to be pretty again, and I'm desperate to have a baby. At 35, I felt like I needed to get myself back in order bc I'd really let myself go since 2000. I just felt that I HAD to do it, and WOULD do it. And so far, I've done pretty well. I still have a long way to go, but I know that I'll get there b/c now I know that I CAN. Make NO EXCUSES your motto. It worked really well for me. So you'll be in Spain, make the time to exercise and don't use it as an excuse to overeat. There's yummy food everywhere. Just eat it in moderation and you'll be fine. Unless I'm having a planned break, I tell myself that exercise is not an option--it's mandatory. Once I get back from my little trip this weekend, it's back to the grindstone. I'm running a very challenging challenge that starts Jan 4th. Sign ups begin Jan 1st. Go to the challenges section if you want to join. It's somewhat modeled after the Biggest Loser show (not sure if you get it over there--they do in Aussieland). Anyway, I'd love to see you join up. :D
 
I saw your challenge, BB, and I'm definately signing up :willy_nilly:
It starts on the 4th, and I don't get back from Spain until the 6th, so it'll force me not to over-indulge on those last couple of days!

It's very interesting what you say about the mental attitude to dieting. I like your motto "no excuses". It's very (too!) easy to find reasons why you can't do something, and it's these types of excuses that have kept my weight going up and up and up these past few years. I'm feeling reasonably focused on the food front, but I'm having enormous difficulties with the alcohol at this time of year, and I haven't even been out for a walk in a week. It's embarrassing.

You're right: exercise shouldn't be an option in my life: I have to make it mandatory. I WILL!!! :willy_nilly:

BTW, having a baby a little later in life is lovely. I know! I had my oldest son at 27, and my youngest at 39, and everything is different with the little one. I make more time for him, I'm calmer and less worried about whether I'm doing things right, financially things are easier... However, you're right to want to be physically on form before starting a family because the pregnancy is tiring on the body, especially when you're no longer a spring chicken (!), and having a young baby can wear you out. But it's a joy! I do hope that your family project comes to fruition soon.
:seeya:


Here's my food diary for today:
27 December: today's eating and exercising:
WEIGHT: 82.3 (lowest since I started! Drop in total of 1.2kg / 2.6lbs - not a lot in 2 weeks but better than nothing - oooops, I didn't mean to say that, I meant to say, "A fantastic achievement in only two weeks! Yeah!")
Breakfast: bread, spread
Lunch: vegetable soup, potatoes, veggies, chickpeas, lowfat yoghurt, tiny slice of roquefort cheese (tiny, really really tiny)
Dinner: pasta with tomato sauce, grated cheese, bread, bit of butter
Snacks: apple, banana, clementine, lowcal snack bar
Drinks: 7 glasses of water, a few cups of tea, half a glass of wine
Exercise: 50 minute walk with dog (through muddy fields!)
CONCLUSION: I'm pleased with the amount of water I've drunk, the fruit, and the long walk.
 
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Auburn said:
WEIGHT: 82.3 (lowest since I started! Drop in total of 1.2kg / 2.6lbs - not a lot in 2 weeks but better than nothing)
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not a lot? lol! i would take that over my 2lbs in a month anyday!! you are right though better than nothing! weight loss is weight loss no matter how long it takes!!! hehe

you are doing great. well done!

;-)

x
 
Thanks, Angel! Of course you're right. Any weight loss is better than none at all and, to be honest, I'm not really complaining. It's a difficult period for all of us at this time of year. Come January, I'd really like to be losing a couple of pounds (about a kilo) a week. I think it's feasible in theory, but in practice...?

I saw from the "Weigh yourself every day" thread that you're starting over again. I think it's a good idea not to spend your time looking back and saying "I've only lost ... pounds in ... weeks! Arrrgh!!!" There comes a point where you need a fresh start. Good luck with your new beginning, and I'll pop in and visit your diary later on today.

Thanks for your encouragement :waving:
 
A little story for you to keep under your pillow and remind yourself of daily :D

Hello, do you know me?
If you don't you should.
I'm a pound of fat, and I'm the happiest pound of fat that you would ever want to meet.
Want to know why?
It's because no one ever wants to lose me;

I'm Only One Pound, just a pound.

Everyone wants to lose three pounds, five pounds or fifteen pounds, but never only one, so I just stick around and happily keep you fat.
Then I add to myself ever so slyly so that you never seem to notice it, that is until I've grown to ten, twenty or even more pounds in weight.
Yes, it's fun being Only One Pound of fat, left to do as I please.
So, when you weigh in, keep right on saying "Oh, I only lost one pound."
( as if that were such a terrible thing!)
For you see, if you do this you'll encourage others to keep me around because they will think I'm not worth losing.
And I love being around you - your arms, your legs, your chin, your hips and every part of you.
Happy Days!!
After all, I'm Only One Pound of fat!!!
 
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Cool! And just so true! Thank you, Mal. Of course, each little step, each small achievement, each tiny advance towards my goal counts. I know that, I just sometimes... minimise it.

BTW, is this an original Maleficent literary work? I'm impressed :hurray:

PS I've edited my earlier post to reflect my newly positive attitude!
 
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Hi Auburn

It looks like things have gone pretty well for you. I am pleased that you have rethought your attitude to your loss of 2.6 pounds. The fact is that it is not any old two weeks - it is arguably one of the hardest two week periods on the calendar for weight loss. Everyone wants to take it easy with the exercise and over-indulge with the food.

If I had been able to get a guaranteed weight loss of 2.6 pounds over that two week period - or see what the fates had in store - I would have gone for the 2.6 pounds loss and I imagine that most people would. An awful lot of people will have put on weight over those same two weeks.

Well done for going on a good walk and you also appear to be making vast improvements to your wine consumption. :hurray:

Walking your bum off in Spain (as Kimberly suggested) sounds an excellent idea. The concept of exercise being mandatory is good as there are days when we would all prefer to relax and enjoy ourselves. It is easier to do it - if you do not believe you have the option not to do it.

Take care
Love
Margaret

I like Mal's story.
 
Margaret: Thank you for visiting my diary and for your continued support. It means such a lot.

I visited an old friend today and went out to lunch. We had pasta, but I said no to the dessert! Also managed a walk, so I'm feeling quite pleased. However, I also ate a huge bag of crisps - I don't know why, I just suddenly couldn't resist. Not going to dwell on it, just going to turn the page.

UPDATE: I ended up not having dinner this evening, which is really stupid. I'm off tomorrow with the family to visit my mum in Spain so we had a sort of drinkies thing with some friends. I only ate 1 raw mushroom (yeah!) and two light-fried potato things, but I had two very large glasses of kir (a white wine drink) which is just crammed with calories and a glass of wine :(

28 December: today's eating and exercising:
WEIGHT: 82.0 (down again!)
Breakfast: bread, spread
Lunch: restaurant: pasta with salmon/cheese/cream sauce
Dinner: 2 potato brownie-type things, mushroom
Snacks: apple, banana, clementine, lowcal snack bar, two chocolate-covered nuts, huge bag of crisps (why, oh why?)
Drinks: 3 glasses of water, a few cups of tea, 2 (more like 3) glasses of kir, 1 glass of wine
Exercise: 30 minute walk with dog
CONCLUSION: Very bad with the dinner - no meal, just drinks. Arrrgh!

EDIT: Feeling pretty fed up with myself. I've done well over the past few days, and I was really proud of myself this lunchtime - there was very little choice on the menu, but I did what I could and I didn't have any dessert. But this evening's been a catastrophe. I'm going to try and just see it as a slip-up and move on. But I'm angry with myself.
 
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well done on the new low.:party:

don't stress yourself about the slipup. just get bak on track. everyone has bad days. you've got the right attitude with just moving on..

hav a good day

;-)

x
 
:iagree: I agree with Angel.

Congratulations on the weight loss. It is brilliant that you have got a new low. Feel proud of that achievement :hurray:

You did well at lunch and went on a walk. If I get my walk in I always consider it to be a good day.

Immediate forgiveness is the only way regarding the lack of dinner, wine and crisps.

During my project I have had my share of days when I ate things and didnt know why. It is an old habit and very bad. When I am in that frame of mind I have been known to get an irresistable urge to eat things that I do not like or that are out of date. You are not alone in eating things and not knowing why you have done it. All we can do is forgive ourselves and resolve to try to be strong so that it doesnt happen too often.

Take care
Love
Margaret
 
Auburn said:
Feeling pretty fed up with myself. I've done well over the past few days, and I was really proud of myself this lunchtime - there was very little choice on the menu, but I did what I could and I didn't have any dessert. But this evening's been a catastrophe. I'm going to try and just see it as a slip-up and move on. But I'm angry with myself.
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Dont be angry we all have slips ups and yes its really fustrating esp when you have had a good day and feel you have done really well but as you said say ooops remember how you feel now and move on and hopefully the next slip up wont be as bad and then the one after that will be smaller again
Thats the way i look at it i know i will slip up and i will always have those bad days but the key is jumping back on track straight away and not dwelling on it

Have a good new year
Sarah
 
Well here I am after a couple of days of absence...

Saturday was just awful, not so much in terms of the diet, but more in terms of organisation. I was meant to have a 3 hour journey to the airport followed by a two hour flight down to Spain and then a one hour drive to my mum's house. Unfortunately the best laid plans...
I drove for 7 hours before getting to the airport as my kids were stranded in a northern port and I had to go and pick them up. Then the plane was delayed for nearly 3 hours, and the taxi in Spain didn't show up - meaning that we were left high and dry at the airport... we ended up hiring and piling into a 5-seater car - there was 6 of us! - with 200 suitcases - OK, I'm exagerating slightly! Terrible day!

Anyway, the diet's going to be very difficult today, but I'm just going to enjoy myself and, as they say, tomorrow is another day. I'll come back to noting down my consumation from tomorrow.

Thank you Margaret for your new year's wishes and I, too, wish you all the best. So much has changed for you in the past 12 months and, if everything goes to plan - as it will! - this year will see you achieving your goal. Best of luck for this last difficult period and see you in the new year!
 
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