Diary of Semi-Neurotic Ex-Secretary Soon-to-be-Sexier Sophia

...
Just to start off my accountability, am going to make a note of every workout and keep a food diary.

These are the workouts I've done over the month of Dec:

WORKOUTS THIS MONTH:
01/12/2012 Rest Day
02/12/2012 Rest Day
03/12/2012 Warm up from Tracey Mallett Booty Barre including the plies at the start + Jane Fonda 1982 Workout + Flat Belly Fast section from Blast Belly Fat DVD
04/12/2012 Jane Fonda 1982 Workout
05/12/2012 Rest Day
06/12/2012 Warm up from Tracey Mallett Booty Barre including the plies at the start + Jane Fonda 1982 Workout
07/12/2012 Rest Day
08/12/2012 Rest Day
09/12/2012 Nell McAndrew Ultimate Challenge DVD
10/12/2012 Nell McAndrew Ultimate Challenge DVD + Flat Belly Fast section from Blast Belly Fat DVD
11/12/2012 Warm up from Tracey Mallett Booty Barre including the plies at the start + Slim In Six BURN It Up + Cool down/stretch section from Nell McAndrew Ultimate Challenge DVD + Flat Belly Fast section from Blast Belly Fat DVD
12/12/2012 Nell McAndrew Ultimate Challenge DVD + Flat Belly Fast section from Blast Belly Fat DVD
13/12/2012 Warm up from Tracey Mallett Booty Barre including the plies at the start + Jane Fonda 1982 Workout + Flat Belly Fast section from Blast Belly Fat DVD
14/12/2012 Rest Day
15/12/2012 Rest Day
16/12/2012 Rest Day
17/12/2012 Slim in Six BURN It Up
18/12/2012 Warm up from Tracey Mallett Booty Barre including the plies at the start + Jane Fonda 1982 Workout - this time including Rovers Revenge & Donkey Kick section.
19/12/2012 Slim in 6 BURN It Up
20/12/2012 Warm up from Tracey Mallett Booty Barre including the plies at the start + Jane Fonda 1982 Workout - this time including Rovers Revenge & Donkey Kick section.
21/12/2012 Slim in 6 Ramp It Up + Slim in 6 Slim & Limber
22/12/2012 Rest Day
23/12/2012 Slim in 6 Ramp It Up + Slim in 6 Slim & Limber
24/12/2012 Slim in 6 BURN It Up + Slim in 6 Slim & Limber
25/12/2012 Slim in 6 Ramp It Up + Slim in 6 Slim & Limber
26/12/2012 Slim in 6 Ramp It Up + Slim in 6 Slim & Limber
27/12/2012 Slim in 6 Ramp It Up + Slim in 6 Slim & Limber
28/12/2012 Slim in 6 Ramp It Up + Slim in 6 Slim & Limber

^^^ So pretty obvious from the above that I'm following the Slim in 6 programme which I did before but never really did it properly by following correct rotation, though I did do 6 weeks of it on and off and it gives great results. So shall persevere. But I want to mix and match with something incorporating more cardio, to get a good jump start at burning off this fat. Slim in 6 is great for toning but I think I'm going to need something that's a little more high impact to lose weight too.

Food Diary for 28/12/2012 (yesterday)
Disorganised as hell, as has been the case on & off for weeks:
Half baguette with half fat cheese
Mince pie
Half a Terry's chocolate orange
Chinese lettuce salad with tomatoes
Grilled skinless chicken
About quarter pack of smoked salmon with some half fat cheese
Endless cups of tea

N.B. I am now self-employed so I am my own boss, and can plan my day the way it suits me, hence NO excuse in putting off exercise as I can do it any time of the day, I have no time constraints.
....... Watch me turn into a lean mean burning machine. :coolgleamA::sifone:
 
***
Might be a good idea to note down my très unsexy vital statistics right now at the start of my journey as I'm bound to forget. I'm aiming to measure inch loss as well as weight:

Current Vital Statistics:
Chest: 36 inches D cup
Waist: 33 inches
Hips: 36 inches
:piggy: :piggy: :piggy: :piggy: :piggy: :piggy: <-- that's how I feel right now... remembering how I had a 28" waist not that long ago...

Vital Statistics Goal:
Chest: 36 inches D cup (I want to lose weight but keep my boobs if at all poss, thanks v. much! Luckily they always seem to stay the same size regardless of weight loss)
Waist: 29 inches
Hips: 34 inches

Here's my Diet Ticker in lbs, for goal weight no. 1:



And Diet Ticker in kgs for goal weight no. 1:
 
...

Woke up in a particularly crappy mood, and knew the only thing that would get me out of that funk was a good hard workout.

So, although today was offically 'Rest Day' in my Slim In 6 Schedule, I decided to disregard, simply cos when I am like this - feeling unmotivated and brooding on certain issues going on in my life - I really do need that rush of blood to the head which cardio gives me.
And anyway, doing the same Si6 routine everyday is not ideal because it doesn't alow you to progress - you need to mix and match to get results and to increase your stamina.

So a slim in 6 or Advanced Jane fonda 1982 workout or Tracey Mallett wasn't going to cut it ... In the end, had a fabulously exhausting, sweaty and exhilarating 1 hour 20 mins doing Nell McAndrew Ultimate Challenge DVD - when it comes to getting a cardio 'high' in the living room (as opposed to going out for a run, which used to give me the maximum high ... pity I have not had the guts to do any for at least 3/4 years), this DVD blows all my others out of the water.

It's just pure non stop movement, and the instructor really know how to pace it so that you are able to build up your fitness and get into 'the zone' - which is when you are working out strenuously but your breathing is steady and regular - not gasping adn out of breath. Steady, regular breathing is hugely important in exercise - otherwise oxygen does not get to the muscles and they do not develop and grow and improve in strength and stamina.

Yep I read Covert Bailey years ago, and Debbie Siebers talks about this too.

So now I am feeling just super fine and no longer dwelling on those 'issues' in my life (probs regarding, individually: my ageing parents' situation, my sister, my friend with benefits, and my best friend and my career in general) ... I'm not thinking anything. infact I feel like I have taken 5 valium and am just buzzing.
I don't get this with just sculpting workouts, e.g. slim in 6, but I do need sculping and toning whether I like it or not, because cardio gives me terrible cellulite.
Not to mention I don't want to lose my butt like i did about 5 years ago, when i lost 10 kgs or so, and realised I'd also lost my butt - was as flat as pancake. Since then i've been super paranoid about losing my 'booty', but I managed to build it back up thank goodness - thanks to weights & body sculpting esp. squats and lunges, so they remain an essential part of my everyday workout.
--------------------
So anyway, accountabilty for today:

WORKOUT
Nell McAndrew Ultimate Challenge - 1 hour 20 mins of cardio and sculpt (running, squats, pushups, hip thrusts and ab work with no breaks and a weights section for toning arms and back)
--------------------
FOOD (after workout)
Breakfast - 1 slice warburtons small loaf
1 slice leerdammer light
1 teaspooon philadelphia light
--------------------
WEIGHT: 64.4 kg
yes I lost half a kilo, big deal, but always better than nothing, right? !!!!
--------------------

I love the fact that working out is such a medicine for me, both physically and psychologically, That's why I always want to kick myself when I neglect it and end up losing the habit for months & months when life gets in the way and so on.... cos the benefits are just huge. Eventually as I get fitter, my food intake was also decrease, simply cos my body will start to think "Ok I can't afford to get any heavier, no way, cos this woman's gonna kill me with one of her insane workouts every single bloomin' day, it's like working out with a bunch of 10 kg weights strapped to my body, so let's just forget about feeling hungry and start feeling satisfied with less food!" Yep my body (or rather my stomach hunger) is gonna have to Get With The Programme. :gnorsi: End of.

Now I'm just going to make dinner, watch a spooky horror film, excellent way to distract myself when I have sh*t on my mind, and then later will curl up in bed with my new book that's just arrived (Amazon I love you but you do kill my bank balance) on Victorian London. Super stuff.
yeah that's what I'll be doing on a Saturday night, not exactly wild but I don't actually care. I have no one to do fun stuff with since my best friend went away and I don't feel like approaching any blokes I just haven't got the energy to be sexy and sociable tonight.
 
I always think its funny to read the meals of those out of the states, they are always so different! I'm so glad exercise gives you what you need to clear your head!!! Good for you for doing what you needed to do! Sometimes curling up with a good book is the best kind of therapy! Enjoy :)
 
Hey Korrie, thanks for popping in.:):)
I too love to read what other people's menus are like from outside UK - great way to pick up interesting low-fat tips that would never have occurred to me otherwise.
And yes, exercise is a cure-all for me, I just tend to go through phases where life gets in the way and I end up completely forgetting what would make it all better - exercise !!

It not only makes me feel better, but I get mentally stronger -- I am so different when I don't work out, I deflate into a little cowardly thing who can't deal with anything. When I get fit (and I'm getting there again .... slowly but surely!!!!), it makes me face life's challenges differently - less like a total wimp, and more like a champion who is totally unfazed by anything life throws at her.

Oh yes, and as a self-confessed complete & utter bookworm - I shall definitely enjoy my little window of tranquillity tonight reading in bed, thank you !! It's my fave part of the day... err unless someone dishy is lying beside me - in which case it would be my second fave, haha!

FOOD DIARY (Cont'd) for 29/12/2012
Lunch: Had to skip -there was no time as I was just too busy
Dinner:
Chicken breast again; skinless, grilled, sprinkled with Schwartz Perfect Shake spice, 'Chargrilled Chicken' flavour
Big salad - chinese lettuce and cherry tomatoes
Half a medium Ready-to-bake baguette
Kraft Light Honey & mustard dressing, 1 tbsp
1 tbsp olive oil
About half pint of milk for my teas throughout the day.
Half small bottle Gatineau Low cal raspberry & apple Vitamin Water -- [yummy way to increase my water intake.... my water intake sucks right now]
------------------------
... So, doing good so far today, resisting temptation :Angel_anim:-- hmmmm that's all very well, but let's see if I can hold out through the entire evening and past my 'danger zone' (period between 10pm - 2 am) which is when I'm capable of inhaling the entire contents of my fridge.
 
....

Still hanging in there.... :)

FOOD TODAY 30/12/2012:
Breakfast
Leerdammer Lightlife - Cheese 1 slice
Warburtons - wholemeal bread small loaf, 1 slice
Philadelphia Light - 1 tsp

Lunch
Philadelphia - Extra Light Cheese, 1 tsp
Leerdammer Lightlife - Cheese 1 slice
Warburtons - wholemeal bread small loaf, 1 slice

Dinner
Salad - romaine lettuce leaves & baby plum tomatoes
Kraft Light - Honey & Mustard Dressing, 1 tbsp
Filippo Berio Olive oil, 1 tbsp
Kingsmill 'Tasty Wholemeal' Roll
Sainsburys - Soya Meatfree Veggie Burger (standard size),
Dairylea Light Cheese slice, 1 slice
Tomato Ketchup, 1 Tbsp (17g)

Snacks/Extras
'Tesco Finest' Mini Mince Pie With Courvoisier Vs Cognac
Marks & Spencer - Semi Skimmed Milk (1 pint)

I ate quite a bit more than usual, for some reason, maybe because it turned very cold since last night. Infact I was 38 cals over my 1200 goal (... that wretched mini mince pie !!! ..... thanks MyFitnessPal for keeping me in check) - however yesterday I was under by 86 cals, NOT even counting the workout cals I burned, so I think that kind of balances out...?

WORKOUT TODAY:
Rest Day. I hate rest days.

Am having a bit of trouble keeping my mind of food and cravings, but I blame that mostly on the xmas/new year period, every year it's the same - in this country anyway -, you are bombarded with adverts of food, food, snacks, food, turkey, party snacks, and more food. I've made my house an advert-free zone, but you can't avoid it when you go out.

Apart from that am feeling upset about M., my best friend, again. He's been away with his g/friend, and therefore I didn't see him the entire festive season, and now I find out that he's not allowed to see me for the whole of next week either when he gets back. Cos she's thrown one of her jealousy fits re: me.

Despite the fact that me & him have had next to no contact compared to before he met her she still refuses to accept that we are friends. We meet maybe once every 2 weeks now, never phone, and never text unless for emergencies.

The way he had to sneak his xmas presents to me before he left was like a kind of freakin top secret FBI mission or something.

I miss him a lot, I mean we've been best friends for 10 years, and this woman thinks she can make us cut each other off, after all that time... just like that! It's so mean and silly and selfish. She wants him to have no friends, that's the reality.

It's a shame cos there's no one else with whom I have such a great laugh and a good time, as I do with him - we have the same sense of humour, same mentality,everything - we just don't fancy each other --- which is something she still doesn't get or believe despite their being an item for 2 years. It's really frustrating.

Anyway, apart from all that. I hope next year is a better one all round. This year has been tough, really tough. I've had a lot of sh*t thrown at me that was insanely hard to cope with. As my friend M. said, he's surprised I'm still standing (yep just like Elton's song :) )
It was so bad that I guess it was kind of inevitable that I would be less vigilant and get distracted from my healthy eating & exercise habits - and hence here I am, more than 10 kgs heavier. :piggy::piggy: I need to fix this, and I WILL fix this.
When you're fat and unfit, difficult periods in life are harder to cope with - fact. That's why i need to fix this not just to look better but to be a stronger & more confident person.
 
Food 31/12/2012

Let's not even go there.
My diet went straight out the window due to New Year's Eve (which is a pathetic excuse). I didn't even work out.

So I pick myself up and keep going.
 
it was new years eve, one bad day aint gonna kill things, just get back on track for the rest of the year :)
 
Yep, I quite agree, Trusylver, and I'm ready to brush myself off and keep walking. Thanks for the words of encouragement.


So yesterday was rubbish too, but today ... ? I'm back on track.

FOOD DIARY 02/01/2013
Breakfast
Essential Waitrose - Reduced Fat Cheese - Medium Strength, 25 g
Lurpak Spreadable 'Lighter' - Butter, 4 g
Warburtons - wholemeal bread small loaf, 1 slice

Lunch
Waitrose Love Life - Wholemeal Rolls, 1 roll
Lurpak Spreadable 'Lighter' - Butter, 4 g
Essential Waitrose - Reduced Fat Cheese - Medium Strength, 25 g

Dinner
Tesco - Tomato, beef, slicing, 80 g
Filippo Berio - Extra virgin olive oil 1 tbsp,
Chicken breast - raw, no skin - PD, 140 g
Kraft Light - Honey & Mustard Dressing, 1 tbsp, 15 ml
Tesco - Ready to bake baguette, 1/2 baguette
Sainsburys - Chinese Leaf Lettuce - approx, 50 g

Snacks/Extras
Marks & Spencer - Semi Skimmed Milk (1 pint) for tea

Total 1,173

I'm under my 1200 and actually also have not used additional 'exercise' calories, but to be honest I ate enough over the past 2 days to last me 2 months so I don't think I'm gonna die or pass out if I don't reach calorie goal a few times this week.

It's nice to be eating normally again - I feel somehow like I am 'me' again. I guess it's all down to habit.

Also, one positive point about eating healthy - I find that you tend to really appreciate and 'saaaavour' your food a lot more.
When you're scoffing your face on hummus and smoked salmon and cheesecake, your taste buds get kind of blasé about the whole thing.
But when you're on a diet, your taste buds are literally exploding over something as simple as a bit of salad with yummy honey mustard dressing on top. Crazy stuff but true.


EXERCISE TODAY 02/01/2013
Slim In Six - Ramp It Up
Slim In Six - Slim & Limber

So i'm now at Phase 2 of Slim in 6, which is my second week of Ramp It Up DVD, then next week I shall progress onto Phase 3 which is Burn It UP DVD (and gosh yes Debbie Siebers really does make it burn!) I can't wait - cos that is when you really start to lose the weight.

I'm still gonna mix it up with some Nell McAndrew, Tracey Mallett and stuff and oh of course I HAVE to do some Jane Fonda (I do her old style video's) cos nobody gets me as supple, and flexible & strong as she does. Nobody.
And right now I feel like a stiff old broom.

So if I'm not too tired after Si6 Ramp It Up tomorrow, I think I'll do my Jane Fonda 1982 Advanced Workout straight after --- just to give my body a reeeal nice treat. :)

:hurray:Happy New Year everybody - :cheers2:<--- Here's to a positive & successful 2013 with everyone reaching their goals, losing weight & feeling great:hurray:
 
Yay :hurray: had a weigh-in this morning and I weigh 62.5 kg :)

That's a 2.6 kg weight loss since I started my weight loss journey on 29 December 2012, 6 days ago.

I'm sooo pleased that despite falling off the diet wagon during NYE & New Year's Day, I've still managed to lose.

I know that weight loss is quicker at the beginning and will eventually slow down the nearer I get to my goal, but that's why I gotta keep on keepin on!!

This gives me extra motivation to stick to that diet, to account for every single tiny morsel I put inside my mouth, and ensure my workouts are getting done every day (goal being at least 50 mins / 1 hour every day)
 
awesome loss for 6 days...would be pretty sweet if the losses were like that all the time.

Just read the start of your diary and the end of it (11 pages is too much reading for me :p ), and it sounds like were you started to now you've come a long way, so pretty awesome effort.

Not long to go now, keep going till you crack your goal
 
Thank you Anna Banana :hug2: and Vince Vega (great username).
Actually Vince, my current journey hasn't been that long - my diary starts in Jan 2009 and then ends March 2009, after which I went on to lose loads of weight (I believe it was 18 kilos).

I managed to maintain for a couple of years, and then suddenly 2012 was a disastrous time, and my weight soared back up.
So I came back again at the end of Dec 2012 to start another weight loss journey. For some reason I didn't feel like starting a new diary. Maybe I should.

Thanks again guys for popping in :)

FOOD DIARY 03/01/2013
Breakfast
Leerdammer Lightlife - Cheese (1 slice)
Warburtons - wholemeal bread small loaf, 1 slice
Lurpak Spreadable 'Lighter' - Butter, 4 g

Lunch
Didn't have time.

Dinner
Tesco - Tomato, beef, slicing, 80 g
Filippo Berio - Extra virgin olive oil 1 tbsp,
Chicken breast - grilled, raw, no skin - 140 g
Kraft Light - Honey & Mustard Dressing, 1 tbsp
Tesco - Ready to bake baguette, 1/2 baguette
Waitrose - Chinese Leaf Lettuce, 50 g

Snacks/Extras
Marks & Spencer - Semi Skimmed Milk (1 pint) for teas & a coffee.

Total 900

yes I know that's a bit low, especially as I had extra cals allowance due to working out, but I'm sure there'll be days where I go over, so it all balances out in the end.

And also yes I know my meals are reeeeeeally repetitive and boring, but to be honest I frickin love my grilled chicken breast dinner :)


EXERCISE TODAY 03/01/2013
- Slim In Six - Ramp It Up
- Jane Fonda 1982 Workout (Advanced level)
- Slim In Six - Slim & Limber

So in the end I worked out far more than my minimum daily goal of at least 50 mins/1 hour per day , and thoroughly enjoyed it, too! Am feeling a definite improvement in my stamina and strength - especially with squats and lunges. That's good cos I wanna make sure my booty stays firm!!

Really glad I did the JF workout today, as I now feel fabulous - my back and hips have loosened up nicely, and any tiny muscle tiredness or ache has disappeared. I'm going to incorporate her 2 or 3 times a week, as flexibility is super important to me. I've got so bendy and supple with JF over the 2/3 years I've been doing her, that I can practically do splits and cartwheels, and yoga poses like bridge are really super easy for me. She rocks.
 
VinceVega said:
Its been nearly a week since your last post....hit us with some information Sophia!
Click to expand...
Ahh thanks Vince, very kind of you to ask.

Actually was going to post today, as it's my Weigh In Day (8 January) - result = 61.4 kg .... which means I've lost another kilo!! Which is great news :)
My last weigh in was 3rd Jan, so basically that's another 2 pounds in 6 days. :hurray:
I doubt my weight loss will remain this consistent as I continue dieting - but for now it's a relief to have got rid of 8 pounds of unwanted weight from my body!

Basically I have been sticking to my diet religiously and not cheating at all, and also have been following the Slim In 6 DVD exercise programme - therefore working out every single day without fail, with 1 rest day a week.

Here's the schedule in case anyone's interested :)
Days 1-6: Start it Up
Day 7: Rest
Days 8-13: Ramp it Up
Day 14: Rest
Days 15-20: Ramp it Up
Day 21: Rest
Days 22 – 27: Burn it Up
Day 28: Rest
Days 29 – 34: Burn it Up
Day 35: Rest
Days 36 – 41: Burn it Up
Day 42: Rest (and celebration of the new you!).

I'm currently at the end of Ramp It up, and tomorrow I go onto Burn It Up which is the most advanced DVD, and it burns more calories and gets you fitter, firmer, stronger and more flexible, which are all the things I want to BE!!!

Foodwise I am still doing my chicken diet, which is basically this:
FOOD DIARY 08/01/2013
Breakfast
Leerdammer Lightlife - Cheese (1 slice)
Warburtons - wholemeal bread small loaf, 1 slice
Lurpak Spreadable 'Lighter' - Butter, 4 g

Lunch
Didn't have time.

Dinner
Tesco - Tomato, beef, slicing, 80 g
Filippo Berio - Extra virgin olive oil 1 tbsp,
Chicken breast - grilled, raw, no skin - 140 g
Kraft Light - Honey & Mustard Dressing, 1 tbsp
Tesco - Ready to bake baguette, 1/2 baguette
Waitrose - Chinese Leaf Lettuce, 50 g

Snacks/Extras
Marks & Spencer - Semi Skimmed Milk (1 pint) for teas & a coffee.

I try to aim for 1,200 cals - sometimes I'm under, but haven't been over 1,200 a single time this week.

I'm occasionally replacing the chicken with a veggie burger. Boring yes, but I do love my chicken and salad and can easily eat the same thing every day if I'm in a 'diet' frame of mind. It's just too much hassle to wonder each day what to cook for dinner to be honest.

I've found the dieting relatively easy to do this past week; my hunger levels were fine, and I had very few cravings ....
I expect it's mostly because I've been too damn busy to think about food lately.
I've really had a lot on my mind and a lot to deal with. I'm glad I didn't turn to food for comfort to deal with these things, but I knew I didn't need one more stupid problem to add to all the others, so have managed to refrain !!

Oh, I've also lost 2 inches off my waist, which is nice :)
 
Last edited:
Its all sounding pretty good....awesome that your sticking to everything religiously, wish I could say the same haha

Your gunna smash your goal weight real soon...photos please :p
 
Thanks Vince.
Good idea about the photos - that's a great way to really see weight changes, even if it can be very cringeworthy indeed -- doing the 'before' ones I mean. But I'll definitely look into it. :)
 
Congrats on the weight loss!! :hurray:

I like how you keep your diary detailed!! I find it so beneficial too!!

Keep up the good job!
 
Excellent job on producing the right results. Keep it up Sophia and you'll be where you want to be in no time.
 
Hey Sophia - so glad you found this great site - as U already see - many supportive and lovely folks here... & I totally dont' believe you R shy, unsociable, moody, determined - ... that sounds more like your eveil twin sister... hee hee

I'm so glad U are takling your weight now ( before it crept too high ) - so many of us on here (myself included) just kept saying - next week, next month, next year...then the trail back to healthy is reaalllly long - so no worries, no regrets about how you got here -life happens - just so glad for U that U are here in healthy-mode now - Congrat's on 4lbs. lost already - and so wise to also follow your fit of clothes, your look in the mirror - 'cause sometimes the scale is a bit crazy- so it's good to have other measures of success too !

I laugh when U mention the Leslie Sansone DVDs ( I have a couple- but still with shrink-wrap on them...) - I watch TV at home when I do my treadmill- might have to check out Leslie S. ?! ...too funny.

best wishes for success ,
Maryann C
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top