I DID IT!!!!
About 18 months ago, I decided I was going to try (again) to lose weight. Occasionally, I wonder whether it would just be easier to stay fat, but then I realise I really don't want to, so yet another diet attempt starts.
I am a big believer that losing weight isn't just about eating less and moving more, although they are important. It's also about your head and knowing why you overeat. I am a comfort eater. I was probably a beagle in a previous life, I swear my dog Cyril does the same thing. He can sniff out a bacon swizzler at a 2 mile radius, I'm the same with Oreos.
Feel sad... eat.
Feel happy.... reward with food.
Remind myself I am not actually a beagle!
People never seem to think I get sad. I naturally present as a happy person, and I am most of the time. I reckon I could teach Pollyanna a thing or two about finding the good in a situation, but because of this, no one ever thinks to check how I am, because I always seem alright.
There's been a few occasions I've told people that I suffer from panic attacks and I see the look of disbelief in their eyes, but I do suffer and I have for the last 20-something years. I think that's one of the reasons I love the TV show "Ted Lasso" so much, firstly it is one of the best TV shows ever, but secondly I totally relate to Ted. I've had to dump my supermarket shopping and run back to the car because I can feel a panic attack coming on. When I start to have a panic attack, I then worry I'll be sick in a public place and that makes the whole thing worse.
Fortunately my panic attacks are far less frequent than they have been and I can manage them.
Eighteen months ago, I decided enough was enough and that I needed to start to take back some control. I started by being honest about whether I was actually hungry, or whether I was bored or sad. I also knew there'd be no quick fix and that I needed to do it my way in my time.
I lost the first stone pretty quickly. The second stone was a bit of a cha-cha-cha. Two pounds off, one pound on and repeat, but eventually I got there.
Despite saying I wasn't going to go crazy over Christmas, it turned out that December was a month of festive revelry. Meals out, red wine, Christmas film evenings with friends which involved pizza, red wine, Christmas dinners, more red wine. You get the picture.
I put on five pounds, not terrible, but not what I wanted. A week or so of eating healthily and exercising and it had gone, but I decided I needed a bit of an extra boost, so I joined my local Slimming World. I've had more comebacks than Frank Sinatra, but I figured, I've got to keep trying.
If I'm honest I find Slimming World quite easy to follow, it's basically protein, some carbs and lots of fruit and veg. Plus I can still eat cheese. What's not to love?
I won't claim I've been an absolute angel since I've joined, there's been a weekend away where there were cocktails, wine and good food, and a "I can't be bothered to cook takeaway", but I'm trying to stick to high days and holidays for that and eat healthily the rest of the time.
As a result last week, I achieved my first Slimming World half stone award, which means I am about 3 pounds off losing 3 stones.
3 Stones in 18 months is slow, but it's off and so far I've lost weight every week, so that's good enough for me and 'm seeing it as a lifestyle change and not a 'diet'.
I'm also prioritising my mental well being and taking time for myself. I'm saying "no" to things that I don't want to do, I'm not allowing myself to be pressured into taking on things that will cause me stress and I'm giving myself time to do the things I want to do. I've even made a list of the things I want to do around my house, and gradually working through them too.
So here's to the next
Well done Katie. I love your Slinky by Tuesday determination and wish you every success and happiness in the future.