I've been doing a LOT of diet maths this last week. If I drop 1lb a week for the rest of the year, I'll be X by summer/Christmas etc. But, if I drop 1.25lbs a week I'll be X by then!! In one sense it's good because it's helping me visualise success and giving me inspiration. In another sense, not so good, as I'm obsessing about my weight and weight loss while I could be living my life!
On balance, as long as this is just a passing phase, I can use the inspiration and focus all this day dreaming about targets and future sizes etc gives me. I don't want it to go on too long though as, given how long I'm going to be dieting, I could turn into the most boring woman on the planet!
Also, realistically speaking it is going to take me many, many months so I can't put my life on hold until some mythical "day" when I'm finally there.
The positive thing about dieting slowly and steadily though is that it is really, deep down teaching me how I need to live AFTER the dieting. I am slowly realising just how much I ate even when I thought my diet wasn't too bad. The difference between 1lb off and maintaining is (I was told by my former personal trainer back in the day) 3,500 calories per week. That is just 500 extra calories per day. So, even when I hit that mythical "day", I will not be able to resume normal service. I will be able to tuck into an extra piece of toast, maybe a little bit of cheese or an extra glass of wine here or there.
Sigh
So this is basically it, forever.
But no amount of sighing and railing against the rules of biology will change the facts so I will just have to learn how to enjoy life on the measly allocation of calories which will maintain my weight. And this next year is going to help me do just that.
I'm already feeling more positive about the future and 7 weeks of tracking has given me that perspective. Can't think why I've never tried it before. Well, to be honest, I have tried tracking before in my tried and tested half-assed way but have never lasted 7 weeks before. I can't recommend it highly enough. Go on - be a slave to the tracker!!
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3 comments:
It’s real food for thought, isn’t it?
I remember one of those Lighter Life counselling session lightbulbs of the reason I got a bit overweight in the first place – the weight made me strong – I liked being strong as a kid because I wasn’t naturally fast – so the heft of having an extra stone as a teenager meant I was a great and intimidating goalie for hockey, good at the throwing athletics even if I was rubbish on a netball court or on the track. When I got down below 10st I couldn’t push the 1920’s brass revolving doors of my office at Fleet Street! They were designed for big burly businessmen to push, not wee slips of girls. I felt weak. Part of me objects having to eat and drink ‘like a girl’ I think you and I have similar upbringings in that we were that first generation that were truly encouraged to do anything a boy can. I realise that if I want to hold a healthy BMI out the other side I have to be on what will feel like a diet to me for the rest of my life! Even if I cycle the 10 miles to and from work every day (which only works on days where I’m not going out after work/the weather is relatively good – I’ll cycle in drizzle, but not in frost or a downpour) and keep moderately active with 3-4 gym sessions a week, at 9ish stone that still means 3 x 600 calorie meals and a small treat like one alcoholic drink (not beer) or a small chocolate bar. For normal – that’s not even counting the dinners at friends’ houses where the calorie count blows past 1500 even if you don’t have seconds – or 3-4 pints in the pub at the weekends.
Ugh – it’s so unfair! But then – those are the cards I’ve been dealt. I can have 3 pints in the pub once a week as long as I’m prepared to put a couple of extra hours in on the bike and not have a treat on a couple of days. I’ve spoilt myself. If I were to look at me as a parent bringing up a child, I’d raise my eyebrows at how much I’ve indulged her!! And even more – there were days, weeks even, last year where I was eating until I was far beyond full – I was being unfair to myself in a whole different way.
I assume after a few years of sticking to the basic rules, you do start to change your habits though. That normal feels normal. I mean – before Lighter Life I would never have dreamed I’d own a bike in London (those first few bike rides back in April 2007 were terrifying – I never thought I’d enjoy it/prefer it to the bus). I managed to change that habit and make it feel normal to the point where a couple of years ago I was cycling in to work from 16 miles away! I’ve got to change the image I have of myself as the beefy girl who can handle her ale!
You are spot on as ever. I still feel proud that I'm a big woman (no idea why!). I would hate to feel insubstantial. I remember when I got a size 10/12 I did feel "little" and I wasn't keen on that feeling. I like being one of the lads but must recognise that most of the lads are generally big burly chaps so I'm really NOT one of them.
Exercise is the key!!
We're going to crack this!
Lesley xx
Gosh, I would love LOVE to feel insubstantial! Not going to happen, though...
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