I gave in

Ok, so I couldn't resist it and weighed myself before dinner last night. I've lost 2lb.

Now that doesn't seem a lot to me, considering the radical change in what I've been consuming, but if 1lb of fat equates to 3,000 calories, I guess having burned an extra 6,000 calories is actually quite fantastic. I'm just an impatient little sod.

I think the most noticeable change so far, besides a less bloated belly, is the increase in my bodily awareness. When you're stuffed with bread and running on artificial highs, all your senses are fuzzy. I've realised that before eating clean, my posture was awful; I couldn't tell when I was becoming full, and discern what and when I needed to eat. Now I know I need a bit of protein/fruit/a glass of water or some roughage. It all seems so simple!

Anyway, I'm going to chill about the small figure and remember that 3 weeks like this equals 6lbs and that's past my first goal weight. After all, Rome wasn't built in a day.

Day... whatever!

Oh jeez, what happened?!

Don't worry, I haven't made the classic diet fail, I care for my Grandad and he was taken into hospital very sick. They even called me in to say goodbye, he was that bad. It was a very tough week and I couldn't really concentrate on anything else. Anyway, he's practically fully recovered now and back home. Phew!

So, I've been eating healthily for over 7 days now and feel excellent. The food has been something like...

Breakfast: 2 Weetabix and rice milk, glass of oj

Snack: apple

Lunch: hummus, beetroot, celery & thin cheese on pumpkin seed oatcakes x 5 with an extra helping of celery and a slice of carrot and raisen bread.

Snack: banana

Dinner: at least 2 veggies, 1 carb and 1 protein or near as dammit.

At a guess, that's probably not more than 6-700 in the daytime, and my evening meals certainly haven't been over 800, so I know I've been staying under 1600.

In comparison to my 'old self', I've also been drinking buckets - about 4 (uk) pints of water or watered-down cranberry juice and about 2 pints of green tea minimum. That's about 3.5 litres a day, which is not bad for this dried up old hag who, seriously, only used to drink about a pint or two. And I have crystal clear wee!

I haven't weighed myself yet since starting afresh, and admit that I'm a little afraid to. I don't want to be put off at a minimal loss, or worse, to find I've gained loads of water weight. But I have noticed a little change in the areas of my body I usually see weight loss first. This is unfortunately in places like my décolletage, and not anywhere that it's desperately needed, like mah butt.

Nevertheless, I'm happy with how it's going and feel I have tonnes of energy. I haven't even really treated myself to a biscuit or anything small yet, because I just don't feel the need for sugar. It's obvious now that I was so terribly addicted to sugar. In a nutshell, I was a filthy junkie.

I plan to add exercise in in a week or two and will make sure I adjust my food intake to support my activity.

What I'm worried about now is reaching a plateau. I really love the food I'm having, but it is the same thing everyday, and I know that's not a great thing to do.

Ack, I'm sure I'll be fine for at least another week. And then I might add in a salad day and/or a fast day, and a higher calorie day every now and then to kickstart things.

Day 2

Calories: 1658 Fat: 61.2g Exercise: none

I'm unlikely to be able to log the calories and fat I'm having every day, and I really don't want to get too het up about counting every single thing I eat, because I become obsessive about it.

For now, all I'm aiming for is to become more aware of how much I'm eating, and to have the presence of mind to make healthy choices and not be driven by addiction or compulsion.

Another good day. Nuff said.

Day 1

Calories: 1600 Fat: 55g Exercise: Housework

I was actually surprised at how easy it was to have a low calorie day. Actually, this is probably more like a normal calorie day for a 'normal' person. I'm ashamed to admit it, but I think I've probably been consuming in the region of 2800-3000 calories a day; not because I overeat, I'm just really addicted to high calorie junk at the moment.

My first aim now is to get used to eating healthy foods. I'll add in going to the gym in a week's time. I know that's going to hurt bad because as well as being super unfit, I also broke my elbow in two places 3 years ago, and it hasn't been the same since. I have been able to go to the gym and lift light weights, but the next day my elbow is swollen and sore as hell - so much so that I couldn't drive as I couldn't use the gear shift.

Anyway, I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. I'm happy I've got through the day without giving in to temptation!

The plan

Height: 5ft 6"

weight: 155lbs

arm: 11.5

chest: 38.5

real waist: 31

belly: 39

muffin top!: 41

hips: 41.5

thigh: 23

Dress: 14-16 (UK)

------------------------------------------------------------------

Breakfast: 2 weetabix, rice milk, orange juice

Snack: apple, yoghurt, 1 pint water

Lunch: crackerbread, hummus, celery, beetroot, grapes,

Snack: banana, 1 pint water

Dinner: healthy & balanced

------------------------------------------------------------------

- Gym 3 x week

Gradual increase in workout until fit enough and elbow strong enough to use machines.

PT session on week 4 and 10 to monitor.

- Weekend walks

------------------------------------------------------------------

Goal 1: 150 lbs (5 lb loss)

Goal 2: 145 lbs (10 lb loss)

Goal 3: 140 lbs (15 lb loss)

Goal 4: 135 lbs (20 lb loss)

Goal 5: 130 lbs (25 lb loss)

Ultimate:125 lbs (30 lb loss)

------------------------------------------------------------------

Fingers crossed.