Weight Loss Journals - petecohen.tv

...are hard to break. I have not been as disciplined in recent weeks - well for about 6 weeks ish - but I have found that the good habits that I have developed while doing the programme have become ingrained and are just happening naturally. So, although I have not consciously been using the tools, I am completely aware of them and naturally drink lots of water and eat healthier options, eating slowly and usually only when hungry. I have put a couple of lbs on, but believe that to be a combination of 'binge' eating on occasions and lack of exercise recently - both situations that can easily be remedied. The most important revelation for me is that even when I think I am 'failing miserably' when I shut the duck up and actually recognise what I am doing, I realise I am not failing at all, I have developed some really good habits as a result of using the tools, and I honestly believe the 'yoyo' is no more - and as someone who has yo-yo'd for the best part of the last 19 years that is something of a revelation for me. So although I have been quiet on the 'blog' front recently, and I am not actively on the '21 day programme' at the moment, it is definitely not out of sight out of mind - this programme is very much on my mind and I still feel very much part of Pete's wonderful team. Hope everyone is having a lovely Summer - despite the bad weather at the moment - and I hope to be back to blogging and 'chatting' on blogs in September when normality is restored in the house and I'm doing the school run (walk) again and have some sort of routine!

Have completed another 21 dy cycle and decided to go onto step 4 and not to start over. Am doing the exceptional weight loss athlete aswell so it makes sense just to concentrate on that. I have been slipping recently and need to put more effort in. I am out of my routine and find it hard to eat properly and to exercise when my routine is haywire BUT I am just going to have to sort myself out because I have come so far already and it would be ridiculous to slide now.
I am going to take some time to really think abiout what I want to achieve and to look again at my long term objectives as I think that I have stuck for a while - I was listening to something that Pete said today (cant remember what I was listening to )but he could have been talking about me directly when he was referring to the reasons why people yoyo diet as I was in great danger of repeating my old dangerous ways and he made me sit up and listen and I realised that I have got to stop just drifting along and actually make some new plans, so that's what I will be doing and I will also plan an exercise programme as that way it will be more structured.
Loving the weight loss athlete and re-listening to podcasts.

But I thought I should take time out of what is an increasingly hectic life to jot down what's been going on and how I'm doing.
Ive been following the programme as part of the Summer challenge until I went on holiday for a fortnight and paused the programme, so at present I am on Day 16 when everyone else has finished. I am also following Pete's Exceptional weight loss athlete challenge - had to read a few days in one go to catch up with everyone. Ive decided that I will pause the 21 day programme when I finish this 21 days and just concentrate on the weight loss athlete programme.
I have lost momentum over the past month and have not achieved what I set out to achieve at the beginning of the challenge HoweverI am really pleased with my progress to date. I know that is a bit contradictory BUT I have returned from a fortnight's holiday (eating at the wrong times, drinking almost everyday, snacking etc) and realised that although I had done all of those things, my underlying habits remained strong. I drank water as often as I could, I tried to maintain some form of exercise, I was conscious of my food choices and also trried to only eat when hungry (sometimes difficult due to holidays schedules etc) but overall I know that I have developed habits that wont just disappear. I have not lost weight this last month, but I have not gained either. Therefore I am happy witht the knowledge that I can maintain - I just dont want to yet! I have slipped easily into my routine again now I am back at work, and I have booked another holiday and am determined that I will have lost at least another half a stone by October when we fly to the sun for a week - being realistic as I am also going to increase my exercise to tone up so am aware that the weight loss will slow down as the muscle develops. (The last fortnight was spent camping in all that RAIN!!! Sooo bad that we packed up early and came home - something I vowed I would never do)
Have missed reading blogs and finding out what everyone's been up to so am going to read for a while and catch up now....

Havent blogged in a while. Was not feeling 100% for a couple of days, and to be honest I didnt really know what to say.

Ate 'crap' last weekend so paid for it on Monday and Tuesday - my body really cant cope anymore if I eat the wrong foods. And basically it's taken me a week for normal service to resume. I was unable to walk to work most days last week because of feeling lousy, and apart from drinking water I struggled to use the tools - mainly because I didnt want to eat not because I was eating the wrong things. It really is strange how badly my body reacted to a few toxins - slice (only 1 mind you) of pizza and one of garlic bread on the Friday night (stupid as I know wheat affects me) - too much alcohol on the Saturday night and then 'disgusting - and I dont know why I kept eating them' fish and chips on the Sunday - and basically that was what sent me downward spiralling into tummy upset, no energy, and general horribleness for a few days. Although I wasnt technically 'ill' - I still went to work - I really had no energy for anything. Thing is, what is really great about all of this is that I know exactly what the triggers are and it is up to me whether I eat/drink or not. Certain foods make me feel lousy, and I reckon I should just really listen to my body.. As the advert says a moment on the lips not quite a lifetime (on the hips) but definitely a week of recovery afterwards and it really isnt worth it.

Its quite appropriate really that Im starting at Day 1 again today as although Ive still followed the programme, it will be like a new beginning - a fresh start...

Hope everyone is doing well, Im not going to read blogs tonight - too late - hope to read tomorrow - get back into a routine..... I need my routine!

Day 11 is all about how food makes me feel, and I can finally recognise that. In the past I may have been able to say that last nights curry had upset my tummy, or accept that eating all that chocolate was greedy BUT I never actually recognised which food affected my body in different ways. For
the first time ever, I feel I am in touch with my body, and I finally recognise what it is telling me. I could recognise when I was hungry because my tummy would rumble, but I wuld not necessarily feed it the right foods, so would end up needing to eat again sooner than neccesary and was eating the wrong foods.
I now use the hunger scale, and make sure that in the main I feed my body the right foods. I can tell if Ive got it right because i am energised and able to get through the day, the wrong foods can make me tired. I know when Ive eaten enough because I recognise the feeling when my body is full. I do still occasionally ignore the feeling and overeat but thankfully that is very rare.
I recognise that sugary foods make me want more - I have a particular addiction to chocolate, so like any addiction I know Ive got to go without to be able to deal with that addiction, or be really strong willed to stop eating at one bar. That is a work in progress.
But I think Ive cracked it in the main - I think I now finally am able to recognise the foods that my body wants, and choose the right foods. Obviously I still get it wrong - but nobody's perfect. I just know that if I continue to think before I eat, eat slowly, (and in my case give myself smaller portions and on a smaller plate) I can continue to do well.
Pete's question - Do I like it enough that I want to wear it? doesnt always work with me, because I dont have any problem imagining chocolate smeared on my body - I cant get into my head that it is supposed to be bad. Now if I break it down and think of chocolate as a lump of fat then I am getting somewhere so I think thats what I am going to have to do. I will break the food down further to its components - lets face it most of the food thats tempting in my case contains too much fat so if I remember that and remember what congealed fat looks like, then I might win this. I have also successfully managed to remember how foods felt in my mouth after Id eaten them, particularly fatty foods the way they coat the inside of your mouth - yuck - and that is enough to stop me wanting to eat certain foods. Then I can say 'eeeeuuurrrgggghhhh' when I look at a bar of chocolate. Well it sounds good in theory anyway!
But thats one of the things that I really like about this programme - nothing is forbidden, wobbles are expected and there's nothing to 'fall off' so nothing to start again. I NEVER think, oh well, Ive done bad today, I'll start again tomorrow, OR I'm on holiday so I'll start again when I come back. I have accepted that this is my life now, and I am very happy and enjoying my life. If I eat something that's not so good, I accept the wobble and move on - I dont go into overdrive and think I may as well eat everything in the house because Ive already ruined it! I dont feel guilty if Ive had one bar of chocolate, or a couple of glasses of wine - we're all allowed treats - but I do feel guilty and admit to a wobble when Ive seriously overindulged. But I know that a wobble doesnt ruin anything - it just shows that we're human and as Pete says, he expects us to have wobbles.
So I think that food wise, Ive got it sussed. Now exercise that's a different matter and I know I have to up the anti on that. I was reading blogs yesterday where people were admitting that although they were doing well, they could do better and that's how I feel about exercise. My report card will read 'Could try harder!!!' I will work on that...

What a beautiful sunny day we've had today - shame I had to view it from inside a warm and clammy office! At least I was able to see out of the window today - that's cos Im sitting in the manager's chair - my own desk faces the wall, there is a window to the side but all I can see is the building just over the road which casts a huge shadow across. So Ive found one good thing about doing the manager's job - cant think of anymore right now!!!

Actually today hasnt been too bad, I am really being well supported by the other managers and my team. The job itself has deadlines and it is stressful but the people I work with have been great. I even got some time out today to attend a health clinic that my employer organised. They did a few different tests, my fitness is average - must work on that. My BMI is 25.5 - much improved but not quite in the recommended healthy 19-25 yet. My waist measurement was good though - cant remember what it was, but it was less than the measurement that they consider to be 'unhealthy'. And my blood pressure was good too - I was expecting it to be through the roof but maybe Im not as stressed as I think? So all in all, I think Im pretty much ok.

Food wise still a bit of an issue - had porridge for breakfast with full fat milk, almonds and raisins - it is so scrummy and fills me up for hours. I was very naughty and didnt eat anything else til about 2 when I had a banana, dates, raisins and seeds. Have drank loads of water. Have had tuna pasta bake for tea - hubbie cooks on Wednesdays, I commented to him tonight that I really must show him how to do something else aswell - but its his favourite dish! I have had a headache all afternoon - worse when I bend down so am sure its the lack of food and nothing sinister, have taken some tablets to try to shift it though.

Am now going to try to keep myself occupied to fight the cravings incase they attack again tonight.

and I want to go to bed
Thats where Im heading now but thought Id just blog a quick thought for today.
Quite succesful foodwise although did have an ice cream after my tea.Am desperately craving all sorts of foods at the moment - not quite sure whats going on - time of the month maybe. My mind is lurching from one craving to another. Have managed to resist - although did eat a bowl of frosties tonight for supper just to try to satisfy the sugar craving. But Im sure it will pass.

Am having problems with my audio on the videos - have not had any sound the past 2 days yet my speakers work to play music - havent a clue whats going on, am hoping daughter's boyfriend (who is a whizz with computers) can sort something out for me.

Still drinking the water, walking to work, eating natural foods (apart from ice cream and frosties) No exercise today, am worn out - think its the weather and the stress of work - will be glad when this week's over!

Take care all, and have a lovely day tomorrow - I love Wednesdays, cos once its lunchtime you've done half your working week and are nearer to the weekend - keeps me going anyway!!!

Today is the calm before the storm - doing managers job agan for the rest of the week - AND have a presentation to do on Friday at the managers meeting - AAARGH, am already getting worked up. I know if I am rational I will thoroughly prepare my facts, have all the information and evidence to hand, write out a detailed presentation, and present it calmly (well hopefully I will look calm) and I will be fine BUT I am having a really hard job convincing myself of this.
Moving on, I have a 'To Do' list as long as my arm, but love the achievement when I 'tick' something off.
I was naughty today (caught up in the stress thing again) I left home withut breakfast - an absolute no no. So I ate a banana about 10.30, then had a cup a soup at lunch time.I know that is really bad, didnt even drink enough water - purely because I got caught up in a 2 hr meeting and didnt take it with me, then didnt have time to get a refill - Excuses I know. Anyway, got in form work early as today is one of the days I pick youngest up from school to take her ice skating. So, having almost starved myself I felt it best to eat before going to rink rather than risk waiting (was capable of stuffing anything in!) I had left over chilli in the freezer so we had that with jacket potato. That filled me up so I wasnt tempted at the rink, and when we came back I had a banana with raisins, almonds and a dollop of creme fraiche - I just love the stuff it is so versatile.
So I dont feel too bad now, but am aware that I really must plan my food choices for the next week particularly as I will be stressed at work and cannot afford to undo any of the good work Ive done.Evening meals arent too much trouble - Ive always got things in, it;s making sure Ive got food for work - will think about that tonight and sort something out ASAP.
No exercise today (apart from the walk to and from work) am really tired - dont know whats wrong with me - I could sleep on a clothes line as they say!
Anyway, going to put child to bed and no idea what I will do after that - should really do some ironing, or wii fit, need to plan meals, need to sleep? Will maybe get into my comforts and watch TV - til I inevitably fall asleep?

Worked yesterday, out dancing last night - danced loads so felt really good. Had jacket potato for lunch so didnt eat before I went out as I knew after a few vodkas I would want to eat when I got home - had left over tuna pasta bake rather than order take away. Gave myself a pat on the back for still being in control!
Today went to Whitby - afraid I cant go there without having fish and chips smothered in salt and vinegar, then I had an ice cream - however I walked and walked and walked! We pareked the car at the Abbey and walked down into Whitby - walked around for 4 hours!!!!! then climbed the 199 steps back to the Abbey and walked along the cliff to the car. So I havent given myself a hard time.
On way home, we stopped at a pub with a play area - the weather has been glorious today - didnt even need a coat at the Coast, so we sat outside while 10 year old played. Had a lime and soda.
Have just had mushroom omelette for tea and after tucking 10 year old into bed, I will tackle the ironing.
I havent had any time this weekend to read any blogs so will set some time aside tomorrow night. Hope everyone is feeling positive and remembering to shut the duck up and give yourselves a pat on the back.

Oh, and I think I have lost weight - my (size 12 ) jeans fit without being too tight and I fit into everything in my wardrobe (apart from one pair of size 10's and I dont know where they came from!!!?) Have even found that some 'dresses' that I wore as tops (on account of them not fitting over my thighs) now fit as dresses - and are loose. Will need to look at the weight I started at last week to see how much Ive lost on the Summer challenge, but since starting in January I have lost a total of 36 lbs. I need to work on toning and slimming my thighs and I must do some tummy exercises - but they are my pet hate!

I just love Fridays (apart from last Friday but have moved on now) Today has been good, have used the tools well, eaten well and not been stressed.

Had home made chilli and rice with a dollop of creme fraiche for tea - mmmmm lovely. Am nicely full - but not over full. Made plenty so have frozen some portions for nights when I havent as much time.

Am off out shortly for my Friday night walk with my friend. We have known each other all my life (Im 3 month younger). Over the years we have done our own thing, but always been there for each other - in the background. Have re-kindled our friend ship over the past few years and enjoy a Friday night walk - didnt realise there was so much countryside literally on the doorstep. I drive to her house, then we walk for up to 2 hours. We chat and put the world to rights, its a lovely way to spend a few hours and we get fit too. We are doing a 6.5 mile sponsored walk together soon. My friend is dieting so we encourage each other and support each other (although obviously she's counting points etc and Im not) - and I pass on some of the advice from the blogs to her and she tells me about recipes that she's been given. We also chat about our families and its basically a girly night but not out on the town!!! Although we wont rule that out for the odd time!

Anyway, best get my walking boots on and get moving.

Have a lovely weekend all - I just love weekends (even if I am mad and working overtime tomorrow!) Going to Whitby Sunday though, cant wait...

Just had to blog this before work to wipe the slate clean so to speak.
As some of you know I have a major problem with chocolate so decided the best thing was not to eat it at all - so havent bought any to have in the house for some time now. (I do have very small ceral bars that have a light layer of chocolate on, but not enough to start a binge). Have been doing really well.
But yesterday hubbie walkede into the house with 6 different types of chocolate bar, and that was it. Cant believe after all the good days that I sat and ate 2 bars of chocolate. Result is I felt bad with myself for giving in after Ive done so well, and have woken up today with that horrible aftertaste in my mouth (same happened with the chips and gravy a few weeks ago) Not sure what this means, but will try to remember the horribel aftertaste next time I am tempted.
Feel better for having blogged that, have wiped the slate clean so to speak and will have a good day today. Hope everyone else is patting themselves on the back and shutting the duck up.

Today has been good food wise. I have eaten slowly and naturally. (Little bit stressed -AGAIN- so didnt eat as well as I should have done at work, had banana at 10, then oatcakes and small cereal bar at lunchtime. ) But have had a lovely chicken & vegetable curry, with rice for tea - much to the annoyance of hubbie and 10 yr old daughter who objected to the vegetables!!! I am now completely stuffed, and disappointed as I really wanted to have strawberries and creme fraiche for dessert (my favourite) and I am not hungry so cant have them!!! How good's that though - once upon a time I would have eaten them anyway!
Have to finish my blog now as eldest daughter insists that she needs to use the PC - thats the problems with only having the one!!!

Will be back later...

Work today was calmer than yesterday. Managed to achieve quite a bit today - succesful Team meeting this morning with some positive outcomes so it was a good start to the day. I took a lunch break and ate my parsnip soup and oat cakes, even had some strawberries afterwards and a handful of seeds mid afternoon.
Got wet again today walking home. Hubbie had prepared tuna pasta bake when I got home - it was lovely to have a meal cooked for me. Ate a smaller portion and was full - think I may actually have trained my tummy to accept smaller portions at last??? Was a bit envious though as he had buttered a fresh loaf of uncut bloomer bread, and I had run out of my rye bread! But am not prepared to suffer a poorly tummy so resisted the temptation.
Have done some housework but not enough to count as exercise so will go on wii fit later and hope to get the bubble bath and mp3 in later - but not going to hold my breath (I did watch the news earlier though so dont have to watch it later and risk falling asleep)
Hope everyone's had a good day and looking after themselves

Quick blog to set out todays intentions
Will use ALL tools
Walk to and from work
Eat natural foods and only when hungry
No coffee at work and reduce other sugar and stimulants (but like to sit with hubbie at some point in evening and have a coffee)
Exercise today will be wii fit again and some extraresistance on big ball with weights.
Foods to be porridge, parsnip soup and oatcakes at lunch, tuna pasta bake tonight with no wheat pasta - may have salad too, depends how I do on my fruit intake today. (I do try to have my 5 a day)
Relaxation again going to try for the bath with mp3 but not managed that yet (but do sit with hubbie for half hour and class that as a time out)
Always try to be as active as possible.
An extra one just for me today is to try not to get too stressed at work - I know I can do this job but feel really out of my depth at the moment - doing things Ive NEVER done before - am so out of my confort zone....

Another good day!
I worked out yesterday that because I wrote down my intentions for the day/evening - I made a point of sticking to them. So when I came back from the rink and was going to have beans on rye bread, I thought 'no' - I had blogged I would have jacket potato and salad so thats what I did - and I had some chicken for protein. Later when I was in 2 minds about doing wii fit, I did it because I had blogged it. Unfortunately I didnt quite manage the relaxing in bath with mp3 as I sat down after wii fit and news was on, thought Id unwind and catch up on the days events - I woke at 1.30 am - ooops, I relaxed but not quite in the bath.
So have had a good day today (although 1st day in managers shoes so was a teensy bit stressed sooo I did not eat as I should have, survived the day on a banana, seeds and oatcake..... (did have a lovely bowl of nourishing porridge for breakfast) I know thats not enough and I will try to rectify it, but at least I know that I dont eat when stressed rather than overeat so thats a good thing, right???)
Anyway, tea in oven - having tuna and lime (I think?) fishcake with oven chips (not natural Iknow but not too bad) with salad. I will eat slowly (even though I have reached 9/10 on hunger scale) and then I will do some ironing (for tonights exerecise) and intend to relax in bath tonight?
Other tools coming together nicely - even had extra walk tonight as car in garage poorly so walked to supermarket for milk!
Hope everyone is well, I intend to read blogs later (before bath) so hope to comment.