Day 37- AAM :-D

Morning everyone!

First of all the vital info: how much loss the scales showed on Monday.... drum roll please.... SIX LBS!!!! Can't believe it, I am now in the 12's, wearing my size 14 clothes, and it feels amazing. I honestly can't believe it was only 5 and a bit weeks ago that I was reading other people's blogs in my size 16-18 clothes and longing for the day when I could be like the other people who had done a VLCD and found happiness by slimming down and toning up. But now that feeling is a thing of the past- I am here now, mid-week 6, and knowing that before mid-June I will be at target (as long as I lose my average 3.5lbs a week, so no cheating for me!).

I SHALL be wearing my size 10 summer wardrobe in June and definitely July, and that makes me so happy.. still can't imagine me being size 10 (have not been there since I was about 10 years old I don't think- was always at least a 12 as a teenager)!

So I am thinking positive now. I also can't believe that I have lost something like 3lbs since starting AAM! I am loving AAM- have so far enjoyed: chicken and broccoli with garlic mushrooms, fresh cod and brocolli, chicken and cabbage, and cottage cheese with fresh chives mixed in, inside iceberg lettuce parcels! Yum, never thought I could be so satisfied by suc tiny portions of purely healthy food!! To be honest I will be sad to have to go completely without food again for 3 weeks, but time flies and I know it will be OK- I can do it! I will do it! ROFL!

Anyway, its Easter hols now and need to get on with the old dissertation, so will speak to you all soon.

xx

Day 35/36-weekend summary

Hi all,

Well after my WI on Friday I was very pleased as I recovered my gain from last week and was a total of 6lbs down from last weeks WI! Whoop whoop! It is now Sunday night (late) and this morning I was down to 13st 1lb! That pesky 2lbs to get me into the 12s! Am hoping they will have shifted by tomorrow- have been drinking for England today in the hope that it will increase the speed at which they disappear!!

Anyway I am feeling so motivated today- until today I had been wearing my size 16-18 clothes, and my jeans were getting ridiculously loose- they were making me look bigger than I am, but I was too scared about trying on my old, size 14 stuff in case it didn't fit which would make me feel depressed. However today I felt stupid wearing trousers that fell off so pulled the old clobber out of the loft and had a trying on session. Well, what a surprise was in store for me....

- ALL my old jeans now fit, and 2 pairs I have had to throw away as even those are too big for me (size 14).
- ALL my old summer skirts (gypsy ones which have no beltloops to hold them up :-() were too big and have had to throw them all out, which I am actually sad about as I really liked them!
- ALL my summer tops which were previously tight now actually look OK, altho my arms are a bit too big but once they are more toned the tops will look good- theres no pulling at the back or anything for once.

I then decided to make way for my new jeans (I have 4 pairs which now fit which didnt before) I had to go through my wardrobe/drawers and get rid of some stuff.... this is what I have thrown out....

- ALL (bar 1) pairs of jeans!! They are in good nick as most are a year old or less so will send them to charity
- ALL my 'smart/going out' bottoms- including my 3/4 length black trousers which I adore... that was hard!

I have, in all, today thrown out about 20 items of clothing :-o which although means I shall have to buy a new wardrobe next winter, also means that I am getting skinnier!! Whoop whoop!! There were only 2 things that didn't fit, which are 2 miniskirts that I haven't worn since I was 16. So I shall save them for the summer by which time they will prob be too big :-D and I can buy new ones 2 sizes smaller!

I feel so gooooooooood, I dont care what the scales say- most of these clothes I haven't worn for AT LEAST 2 years, some up to 4 years, and that means I am shrinking..... YES!! THIS IS WHY I AM DOING CAMBRIDGE!!!!

xxx

Day 33- photo update

Hi again, thought I would put a new photo of me up on here so you can see the changes through the stages. I have already noticed my face is much slimmer, as is my neck, and my collarbone is now starting to show :-o I love it!! This will be motivation for me when I log on here as well, to remember why I am doing this, for me, to make me happy! Enjoy!

Day 32- a fresh start tomorrow

Hi all,

Well I have to say I am disappointed in myself. I completely ditched SSing at dinner today and after a meeting in a restaurant to discuss the menu for an event we are organising there, I was invited to sample some of their food for free. Stupid woman that I am I didn't say no, and ended up consuming 2 glasses of diet coke, 2 slices of pizza and 3 or 4 onion rings. Now I know it could have been worse... and it got worse.. on the way home I then bought a bar of galaxy chocolate- i dont know why, i'm not even a real chocolate fan, I just fancied it! What is wrong with me?

Anyway, after feeling stupid and guilty I have just sat down and worked out how long it would take me to get to target if I SS'd 100% from now on, and it will take me til the end of June. So, I have decided that if I don't want to fall off the wagon or prolong my weightloss into July, then I MUST SS 100% from now on.

So, please quote me on this in future should I cheat again (which I won't), as of tomorrow, I stick to the Cambridge plan 100% and absolutely no cheating, not a sausage, not at all, not for anything. OK? Please feel free to tell me off if I do, I would be most grateful!

Think I may have now jeopardised my loss for tomorrow- how annoying, so will be interesting to see what comes up on the scales! Will let u know how it goes... I'm not expecting any miracles!

Love N xx

Day 31- feeling strange...

Hey all,

Sorry didn't write yesterday, went to the pub quiz with my bf. The crisps I ate on Monday didn't take me out of ketosis (dont know how or why!) and by yesterday morning I had dropped another 2lbs which I was very happy about! I had some crisps last night too and I am still in ketosis- mind you I think its cos both days I skipped a pack to compensate for the cals and the fat, and it seems to have worked. Now I know I shouldn't and its very wrong to do that but I figure if I am going to feel rubbish all night about not having them then its better to savour them (it took me an hour to eat a packet!) and enjoy them, and sort out my relationship with food, as I am not going to be able to keep away from them forever. I don't intend on doing it again though, as they didn't make me feel any better and I wouldn't want to risk slowing my weight loss down because of it. I have made the decision that I am now going to go back to properly SSing with NO cheating AT ALL.

That said, I am craving Chinese food so badly! I don't know why I keep getting weird cravings, and so far have managed not to give in, but I REALLY want one! Am trying to focus on Friday when I start AAM and will then have chicken and mushroom skewers (with maybe a teensy bit of soy sauce- low fat and low salt variety) to try and quash the craving! I hope it works... I know if I give in and have one I can get straight back to SSing but I also don't want to slow down my weightloss. Every time I kick myself out of ketosis its gonna slow my loss down by a few more days... at least I know I can get back on the wagon. If I do make the decision to have one I will enjoy it properly and then get straight back to SSing 100%, I am not prepared to fail on my weightloss mission!

I'm hoping that if I don't give in tomorrow, then my weightloss on Friday will bring me into the 12s. Not sure if it will but I really hope so! That would be so motivating and would sort my head out good and proper! We shall see, it will require at least 3lbs off since yesterday tho so not sure it will happen... wish me luck!

Probs wont remember to write again til Friday so will let you know how it goes!
xxx

Day 29- weigh in today!

Well, its the end of week 4 of SSing, and I am pleased to announce that my weight has dropped 4lbs since Monday- so I have lost 2lbs since last Monday, which considering I ate, is very good! It also means that if I hadn't eaten I may have lost a whopping 4lbs this week :-( shame about that is it would have put me into the next BMI range down, and one step closer to being healthier. Never mind eh!

Had a little weak moment a minute ago and ate a teeny bit of chicken which was in the fridge for sandwiches after my family's roast yesterday. I really enjoyed it and its less than I would have had on AAM so i'm not worried or feeling guilty... but thought I should confess.

Other than that, not much to report, will be in touch soon!

xxx

Day 27- no harm done

Well let me fill you in on the weight situation. My CDC yesterday weighed me and I had put on 2 lbs since Monday :-o shocker! I was really gutted and depressed all day yesterday but stuck to it despite feeling miserable and hungry (think im back in ketosis now but wasn't last night). Kept drinking my water in attempt to relieve the water retention held by the glycogen.

Anyway, jumped on the scales this morning first thing and lo and behold I was back to my week's starting weight- so I have not actually gained anything which is brilliant! Today I'm going to do a Callanetics video to start toning up as I need to get in shape but not sure I have the energy for a gym workout as only just back in ketosis and feeling a bit wobbly.

So, might get on with that in a minute, just thought I would update as haven't been very good recently at writing every day!

xxx

Day 25- Back to normal

Well I am officially back to normal with the SS plan, have had 3 tetras today and although not enough water, more than I would otherwise drink. I have been feeling a bit ill with a cold (which made itself known originally on Sunday altho I thought it had subsided) and didn't go into uni today.

Darling bf brought me some throat sweets bless him altho I can't actually eat them :-( shame as my throat is killing me! He's quite happy to have them instead though as we both appear to be suffering from the same bug. Hopefully will feel better for tomorrow.

I forgot to post my loss from last week- it was a measly 1lb, and so if it weren't for the events of this week I would be hoping for a big loss. I get weighed by my CDC tomorrow and I would like to see a lb or 2 off since Monday- altho I wont be upset if its less, as it is only 5 days into the week and 1 of those was cheating!

Will let you know how it goes
xx

Day 24- Back from Business Trip

Hey all,

As some of you may recall, I went off to Worcester yesterday with work and was worried about eating food whilst away. I eventually decided to eat but to listen to my body and stop when I thought I was full...

Well, heres the update! We ended up in pizza hut but I thought I should have a small one and just leave it at that... one slice in and I was full to bursting! I felt so full I couldn't believe it. So I put the rest in a box to take home... and then threw it away on the way out as realised I didn't need it and I wanted to get straight back on the diet so more pizza wasn't the best idea!

Anyhow, this morning we met at 06.30am in the little chef for breakfast, and i still felt bloated from last night so i just had an orange juice, and then apart from water didn't have anything til lunch when I opted for a tuna and sweetcorn sarnie on brown bread. I also treated myself to a packet of crisps but I don't regret it at all and really made sure I savoured every moment.

I have had a cup of coffee tonight with sugar in before fully going back to SSing tomorrow (cant do coffee without sugar and had rly missed it) and am now MORE than ready to re-start. I honestly, hand on heart, can say I would now rather SS than eat. It doesnt make me feel good, and I really believe that this diet has changed my relationship with food forever.
THANK YOU CAMBRIDGE!!!
xxxx

Day 21- a bit disappointed..

Hi all,

Well I have, since Monday, lost a measly 1lb- and thats if I read the scales ambitiously (its more like half a lb really). I seem to lose all my weight at the weekends so by Friday I don't appear to have lost but come Monday am the weight has miraculously dropped off- so I'm hoping thats the case this week. I am thinking that maybe eating on Friday may have affected my weightloss, and if that little can do that kind of damage I'm thinking maybe I shouldn't eat on my business trip after all. I just don't want to slow down my loss as I so want to be slim for the summer.

Thinking of just taking Tetras and having them, and if I MUST eat then just have salad with no dressing and a bit of chicken. I will definitely not have breakfast and probably not lunch as I had previously planned, and will just have water. TBH I really don't feel like eating and its my AAM the following week so don't wanna slow my loss down tooooo much!

So, now I have made that decision I am feeling much more positive. I have really sore lips at the moment- you know where all around your mouth its sorta cracked. I never had anything like this before even as a child, and not sure what's causing it. I think maybe I'm not drinking enough and licking my lips too much as they feel dry. Anyway, now they are all Vaselined up and hopefully that should sort it.

As for what I've been doing this weekend, well, I've been a busy little bee and spent 5 hours sorting out my car yesterday (yes, I DID say 5 hours!). It was a real state so needed a thorough inside and out pampering session- my hands were so dry by the end of it!! I washed, t-cut, waxed, emptied out, hoovered, dusted thoroughly, then sorted out my CD collection. It now looks like a new car- especially where I used T-cut and got the few little scratches out. There are a few little scrapes which lovely OH created on the first day of my owning the car (bought new in Dec) and as I'm sure you can guess, I wasn't best pleased! So, I have decided I'm gonna get a touch-up paint and sort it out next weekend, and then it will all be perfect! I have a definite sense of satisfaction having done it all myself!

Also pleased that I managed to get on an old pair of tracky bums that haven't fitted me for 2 years :-) in order to clean said car!

Anyhow, hope to see at least a 2lb weightloss tomorrow or I shall be most disheartened. Having said that, I believe week 3 is known for often showing a disappointing loss. We'll see!

xxx

Day 19- I'm a naughty girl

Well,

I ate two mouthfuls of chicken, a small roast potato and some peas today- I know I shouldn't have but it was put in front of me at work and I couldn't say no- so I just had a little bit. I know its prob knocked me outta ketosis but I know I can get back in and have no intention of falling off the wagon- I don't see today as falling off the wagon as I did think about it but not in the emotional sense. I thought 'what are the pros and cons of eating this..? why am I doing it..? is it right that I should eat this?' I came to the conclusion that it would be ok as long as I didn't use it as an excuse to continue to cheat. Some people may disagree and this may be controversial but I know in myself that I am strong enough to handle that- it wasn't much different to an AAM except i had a potato.

Am planning to eat dinner on Wed night, have an egg for breakfast on Wed and a salad type thing for lunch, then back onto SS in the evening. Then I do not intend to cheat again until I complete this diet. I think the important thing is not to have a break from SSing as I don't think I could re-start after a significant break, and also not to make a habit of this planned-eating. I'm only eating as my boss basically told me I had to eat as the meals are all about networking and he doesn't want me to "tarnish the company image". Thats fair enough but I can still choose what it is that I do eat!

Anyway, no weight off today since Monday- but I am noticing that the weight tends to drop off over the weekend and I am noticing the inches off this week so I'm not too worried. Maybe by Monday I will have lost some more- hopefully 3lbs! So looking forward to this weekend, as this week has been crazy- I really need a rest!!

Keep you posted
xxx

Day 17- didn't realise I had forgotten...

Blimey,

Can't believe I haven't posted for the last few days- the time is going by so fast that I'm losing track of what day it is and whether I have posted or not.

Oh well, at least this way I have more stuff to tell you. Well first things first, the result of my WI on Monday was another lb off so I'm now down 16lbs in total (saying now, I mean 2 days ago- on Monday). I hope I've lost some since then!!

So, whats new? Well I have had a friend who I havent seen say I look 'sexy' and she told another friend who then called me and asked me how she can get onto my diet as Claire (the one who said I looked sexy) reckons I look amazing and she wants a piece of the action. LMAO i love it- I'm really surprised at how much support I'm getting, even from my uni mates who I woulda thought would have just laughed at me and told me just to stop drinking alcohol instead. Also, my boyfriend's mum who sees me probably once or twice a week but then not again for another whole week, keeps saying she can see the weight dropping off me- especially around my face apparently. Strangely the only place I have noticed it going from is my midriff- which is always good!

My draft dissertation is in on Friday and my course are going on a field trip tomorrow- we have a date with some major politicians in the Houses of Parliament as our final assignment this year is to do a publicity campaign for a party. I'm totally gutted that I have left my work too late and now can't go on the trip- oh well, at least there are no lectures so I will have a whole day to focus and hopefully get the work finished!! And I won't have to worry about how to make my shakes up either!

Went to the supermarket with OH today- he bought a load of crap, I bought a coke zero lol. I cant believe how much food there is out there when you dont really need much to survive. And so much crap- all designed to tempt us, even though its all so disgustingly unhealthy. Ah well, I just walked around feeling smug that I wasn't one of the people walking round with a trolley full of junk!!

Some disappointing news this week, the job that I thought was in the bag, is very much not in the bag, and has gone to someone else. This said, I'm hoping that they might reconsider me for later in the year, as I think they really wanted someone who could start immediately- which I, being at uni, obviously can't. Needless to say it would have been nice if they'd stated this instead of just telling me I was unsuccessful.

Well, thats all the news, now we're all caught up I shall say goodnight- don't want to bore you too much!

xxx

Day 14- 2 weeks gone already!!

Hey hey howdy doody!

I am in an excellent mood this fine evening. Here is why:

1) I told my friends at my 20s-30s group thing after church about my loss so far (they knew I was doing the diet and haven't seen me since the day before I started) and they were really supportive. So glad I have friends like them.

2) I resisted the pizza (my fav food ever) and chocolate bars and crisps at the group and stuck to water... a mega achievement in my book- if I can resist pizza I can do anything!

3) I made a choc mousse for dinner and it was perfect first time- which I had been worried would not be the case having read on minimins that lots of ppl have struggled to get it right. The secret is to blend the sachet and mix-a-mousse together first, then add water and blend for a good two mins to get the air in. Plus I took a friends advice and chilled the water in the freezer for half an hour first. It was yummy but I felt really full halfway through!!

4) I have now lost over a stone-its my end of week 2 WI tomorrow morning so thats 15lbs in 2 weeks :-) which I am over the moon with!!

So, I am now off to bed feeling very smug about my weightloss, resisting my fave foods and still enjoying a social life! A bit worried about the fact that I seem to be coming down with a cold and can't take lemsip or anything, so I'm willing myself well and praying that this snivelly nose thing doesn't turn out to be anything more!

Night night! xxx

Day 13- Went out tonight

Hey all,

Just got back out from a brilliant night out, not drinking alcohol or even coke zero, just water! Have had an excellent day today, just being a general lazy moose and not doing anything in particular! Love it!

Anyway I'm shattered so off to bed for me :-) night night xxx

Day 12- End of week 1

Hey guys,

Well I had my first CD weigh-in this morning, and have lost 5lb since last Friday; its so strange cos where I started LL last Monday but CD on Friday, I don't know when I should do my official weigh-in. Think I'm gonna do it from Friday to Friday but I'm not discounting that hard-burnt-off 7lb that I lost before Friday last week!!

So, I am now down 12lb altogether although only 5lb on CD. I say only- altho I have to admit I am feeling a bit negative today 5lb in a week is excellent and there's no way I could have acheived it without SSing. Also, this week has passed so quickly I have hardly blinked before losing nearly half a stone! I'm happy about that and think perhaps my loss would have been more if I had drunk enough water (which I havent- slap my wrists!).

So, week 2 on Cambridge (or day 12 if we're counting LL) begins, hopefully will lose another 5lbs this week which will bring me to 17lb- a stone and 3lbs off in 3 weeks. Would love to have lost over a stone and a half in the first month, and call me ambitious, ideally 2! Is that asking too much?

Anyway, not out tonight as can't face going out without drinking or eating. At mum and dads at the moment-they just ate a yummy healthy veg stir-fry and I am so jealous! I can't wait to finish this and eat normally again... oh well, the longer I stick to it, the quicker I will be slim. IT WILL BE WORTH IT!!!!!!

xxx

Day 11- CD WI tomorrow

Guten tag!

Well, tomorrow I have my first CD weigh-in. Its strange, cos as I switched from LL to CD my weigh-ins aren't at the end of each week, so end up needing to do my CD weekly weigh in and then my own official weekly weigh-in so I know how much I have lost in proper weeks of dieting! Very odd...

Have really struggled to take in enough water this week, I hope it hasn't affected my loss, as I don't feel much different to this week, whereas last week I noticed a big difference.

Anyway, will let you know how it goes

xxx