Off target...

When I started SW I had a specific goal in mind - to lose as much weight as possible before my wedding. It worked. Although I fell short of my overall target of losing 4 stones I did manage to lose 2.5 stones.

I subsequently put back on half of the weight I lost and over the last year or so have fluctuated between 1 and 1.5 stone off my original weight.

I still have a target to get to that original 4 stones off, but I don't seem to have the motivation any more. I've got no reason to get there other than to be at a healthier weight, so it's not happening.

I know that SW works, and I know the plan. I even know when I'm making decisions about what food I have which would be best for food optimising, but I just don't make the right choices.

It's getting to the point where I'm thinking about having a break from the whole thing - I've maintained this weight for long enough now that perhaps it's what I'm destined to be, and I suspect that given the eating habits I've developed I'd probably maintain the weight wthout getting weighed every week.

I'm a slim man

Comin' to ya from a slimming group
I'm losin' with super speed soup
And when you lose weight you got something
So don't worry cause I'm losing
I'm a slim man
I'm a slim man
I'm a slim man
I'm a slim man
Got where I got the hard way
Counting my syns each and every day
So honey don't you fret
Cause I ain't giving up yet
I'm a slim man
I'm a slim man
Superspeed!
I'm a slim man
I'm a slim man
Listen

Took a third of super free food
Added two thirds free that tasted so good
I make my soup from free stock
When I start slimmin' I just can't stop
I'm a slim man
I'm a slim man
I'm a slim man
I'm a slim man
Well grab the scales I'll weigh you in
Give you hope and be your Slimming World friend
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
I'm a slim man
I'm a slim man
You're a slimmer
I'm a slim man
I'm a slim man
I'm a slim man

The long and winding road...

5 weeks into 2013 and I've somehow managed to lose 5lb, with only one week showing a gain.

So far so good you say? Maybe, but it hasn't felt like that until today. There have been times when I've been ready to throw in the towel, stop worrying about trying to stick to the plan and just eat whatever I want.

Over the last year my weight has tended to yo-yo around the same level and it's got me down in the past, but it's time to draw a line. 2013 has started well in terms of weight loss - at the same rate of loss then I'd lose another 3 stone by the end of the year and therefore achieve my interim target.

I've discovered the wonders of our slow cooker and used it for a few meals this week. Preparing or planning meals in advance seems to be a big factor in achieving a loss, so I'm hoping to do more of that in future.

Another thing that helped was having such a supportive group - when I felt like giving up they played a part in persuading me not to and made me feel so welcome when I went to weigh in.

The other person who takes a lot of the credit is my amazing wife - without her I could often fall into a pit of despair and self loathing. She is my strength when I am down; my support when I cannot stand; my hope when I have none; and I love her more than words could ever say.

As an aside, I've not added to this blog since November, but still had over 300 hits in January (the second highest hit rate since I kicked the blog off just over a year ago. Thanks to all those who read this blog - I hope it helps you some way on your journeys.