Weight Loss Journals - petecohen.tv

I have a suspected fractured ankle.

Bugger.

Basically, I did a powerwalking marathon last month. And while training for it in April, I twisted my foot badly. It hurt. A lot. But I kept thinking "It'll get better, it'll be fine". It continued to hurt, but I kept going.

I did a 20 mile training walk on it, and I even did the full 26.2 miles (with the help of lots and lots of Nurofen), telling myself that it would be fine. It wasn't. It hurt a lot.

Two months on, it still hurt, so I finally went to the doctor today. She sent me for an immediate xray, as she thinks it's a fracture.

Ooops.

No wonder it was still hurting.

Boy, do I feel stupid.

So, I'm under strict instructions not to exercise for at least two weeks, when we get the results of the x ray, then I might have to go for a further bone scan.

I'm so frustrated. I really wanted to keep building on my fitness and keep up the powerwalking. Ah well, I'm sure I'll be able to go back to the powerwalking, just not for a while. :-(

Grump grump grump.

Hello!

Back on day 3, and everything still going splendidly.

Today I'm wearing a new top - it's floaty, brightly coloured and absolutely the sort of thing I would have had the confidence to wear this time last year... in the past, my uniform was always black, black, black. That makes me happy,

Feeling very comfy with my eating; my tools are eating slowly and when I'm hungry. Also being careful to keep my water consumption up, particularly in this hot weather. I'm going to the doctor in the week, hoping to get the all clear on my ankle to start exercising again... I'm itching to get walking!

Yesterday's food diary:
Brekkie: Special K, sliced banana, raspberries, skimmed milk. Apple and beetroot juice.
Lunch: Penne with sweet potato, sage, roast garlic and cream cheese sauce. Watermelon for dessert.
Snack: Handful of dried pineapple and cashews.
Supper: lentils, basmati rice, sauteed onion, mango chutney. Resisted an offer of ice cream for dessert - I just didn't fancy it! - and had more watermelon instead.

Today:
Breakfast: leftover penne from yesterday (I love leftovers for breakfast)
Lunch: Sausage sandwich, baked beans and green salad. Orange and carrot juice.
High tea: Egg bagel and small handful of crisps (turned down biscuits and victoria sponge as I just didn't fancy them - very satisfying, in my previous eating life, I would have felt compelled to eat them just because they were there)
Supper: I'm a bit peckish now, so I'm going to get something yummy to eat. See you later. xxx

Hello petecohen.tvers. It's all going well: I've lost weight, inches... I've gained confidence and fitness!

But I don't want to get complacent, so I'm starting again on Day One. Back to the blogging, back to watching the daily videos. Just to keep hammering my new way of living into my brain!

I'm feeling a bit frustrated at the moment - I got fit enough to powerwalk a marathon the other week. My plan was to keep up the powerwalking, but unfortunately I've hurt my ankle and can't exercise for a while. So annoying! I want to be active!

Also - I've just got back from staying with family for a few days. It was a bit of a captive eat-a-thon. I wasn't doing the cooking: there were no veggies, just lots of lardy, fatty foods and lots of sweets and chocolate lying around. It wasn't great. On the plus side, I was absolutely desperately craving fruit, vegetables and salad when I got home, so my body clearly wants to look after itself!

Today's food diary:

Breakfast:
Branflakes, banana, skimmed milk, apple & beetroot juice.

Lunch:
Oatcakes, cheddar, blue cheese, apple chutney, baby plum tomatoes, pepper sticks, carrot sticks.
Cherries and watermelon.

Late afternoon:
Air-popped popcorn and a scoop of lemon sorbet.

Supper:
Grilled chicken breast, salad, sweet potatoes, roast garlic, mustard.

Night night everyone xxx

I did the Moonwalk last night!

26.2 miles, 41,280 steps, 7.5 hours, 6 nurofen, 1 nasty blister. And most importantly, my walking mate and I raised over 2000 pounds for breast cancer research!

So we started walking at midnight, and walked through the night. I've been training hard so it went pretty well - although there were a lot of bottlenecks en route and narrow residential streets where the whole crowd had to slow right down; it was quite frustrating because that meant we couldn't walk as fast as we wanted for a significant chunk of the walk. And there were a load of crossings too where we got held up. Added to that, unfortunately there was an accident along the route - the police closed the road, so at one point, we were stationery for 15 minutes.

But, even with those delays, our time was still 7 hours 30 minutes, which I was thrilled with.

I felt really good throughout the walk, except for miles 18 and 19, where I really hit a wall... my walking partner and I really struggled!

So, I've had a couple of hours sleep, a bite to eat, and I'm feeling alright. Somewhat achy and stiff, inevitably, and with a particularly ouchy blister. But I feel good! And proud.

I can't believe in less than six months, I got fit enough to power-walk a marathon! Wanted to say a massive thank you to Pete for providing inspiration and know-how, and all you petecohen.tvers for your wonderful support. I honestly couldn't have done it without you.

Here I am, on the finish line, looking hot, tired but happy!
http://tweetphoto.com/22654033

Much love xxx

Well, it's the Moonwalk tomorrow. 26.2 miles of powerwalking fun. Somewhat nervous, somewhat excited. I've completed all my training - blisters, chest infections, knackered feet and all!

I've lost over half a stone in the training - and my body shape's changed so drastically! I feel really good, and I'm determined to keep my fitness up. My appetite's a bit crazy at the moment with all the exercise, hopefully that'll calm down a bit. I'm trying to answer my appetite healthily though. AND my BMI's gone down... instead of being "obese", I'm now merely "overweight"! So still loads of work to do, but I've come a really long way.

Just off for a hot bath, a good stretch and an early night.

Wish me luck! xxx

I did my 20 mile powerwalk, in prepartion for the Moonwalk marathon (it's the last big walk before the big day on the 15th).

It was great, actually. I greased my feet with Vaseline (fabulous tip), set off into the driving rain and walked the 20 miles in 4 hours 50 minutes. A pretty good time, I thought (particularly considering my left foot hasn't 100% healed, so it was 20 miles of "OW!" every other step).

Oh, and it rained the WHOLE way.

So, I'm all set for the Moonwalk and I can't wait...

The exercise front is going really well. On the eating front, things are fine, however I've still got to be careful to feed my hunger carefully and sensibly. It's easy to nosh... easy to think a munch won't matter because I'm exercising so much... got to keep on the right track!

Onwards...

It's all a bit strange. Good strange.

I'm still training hard for the Moonwalk. I've powerwalked 155 miles in training so far! With a 20 mile walk to do tomorrow (on a bruised left foot and a right foot with a beautiful blue big toenail - not entirely ideal!), that'll be my last walk until the Moonwalk itself on the 15th. My training tines are improving all the time, which is really satisfying.

So, what's weird? Well, as I've mentioned before, I'm at a complete weight plateau (and have been for months), but that hasn't stopped my shape completely changing. I'm getting wonderful compliments daily from the people I see. My clothes are getting so loose! Even my boobs are joining in... my bra backsize is down to a 34 (the smallest I've been since I was in my teens!). I'm still a size 16, but very comfortably so, no breathing in required if I try on a size 16 in the shops!

And yet, the scales STILL say 14 stone, and my BMI is still over 30. I feel OK about that now.... because, actually, I feel so great! And I feel that the BMI can't account for everyone's differences... I've always been a large, broad build. And I have 34GG boobs! (they're probably pretty heavy in themselves!!!!)

My big challenge is going to be keeping up the exercise after I've done the Moonwalk. I'm definitely hungrier, with all the training I'm doing, but generally managing to eat healthily and answer that hunger sensibly. I need to keep that up after the Moonwalk finishes, and not feel I can suddenly "let go".

I think, right after I've done the Moonwalk, it'll be back on Day 1 of the 21 day plan, to keep me on the straight and narrow. I've also agreed to exercise with a buddy, which will be good for both of us. And I'm going to schedule regular exercise into my week, and work it around the kids, and keep it as my "golden time".

So overall, it's amazing. I feel terrific, I look great, I'm the fittest I've EVER been.... and best of all, I've raised over 1700 pounds for breast cancer research. I've never felt so good about myself.

Thank you so much to everyone for all your support and encouragement.
and Pete, I couldn't have done it without you!

Hellooo, well, it's been a little while since I've written. I've been ill AGAIN with ANOTHER chest infection, so had to take ANOTHER week out of my Moonwalk preparations (that's the powerwalking marathon).

So I've only been able to start walking again this week, and I feel I'm going so slowly... and unfortunately I sprained my foot last time I went walking and that's not properly healed so is incredibly painful to walk on... but I can't take anymore time off training, I really can't. Managed to do 6 miles today, in 1h30m, which is ok, I suppose.

The eating continues to go well... despite the best efforts of my husband. He thinks he's being kind, but he keeps coming home with treats for me... 2 HUGE bars of Peppermint Aero, boxes of Violet Creams, big bags of Pick & Mix... I really don't understand why he's doing it. He knows I'm trying to get fit, and trying to eat more healthily... I really don't need any temptation put in my way.

So. It feels like my fitness level has plateaued, with the time off. I think my weight has plateaued as well, I've been hovering just over 14 stone for over a month now, I'm desperate to break through!

Anyway. This post might sound downhearted, but I'm actually not, because I'm just keeping going. I know I'll get there, it's just taking longer than expected. And I am going to walk that marathon, even if my time's slower than I'd first hoped.

Onwards and upwards, onwards and upwards.

Hellooo fellow petecohen.tvers!

Haven't checked in for a while, I've been on my hols! Had a very nice week in Lanzarote. Sun, sea and a lot of sleep! Bliss!!

We were staying half-board, with buffet breakfast and supper. As much as one could eat, twice a day. For breakfast, huge stacks of pancakes and glistening sausages calling to me. For supper, mounds of delectable desserts, as much delicious ice-creams as one could eat in any lifetime. So, a bit of a challenge.

But actually, it was fine. The first 48 hours, I ate more than I was comfy with, but then my petecohen.tving kicked back in, I started eating the right amount, and really ejoying it, for the rest of the holiday.

And since I've been home, things have been really great. The eating's going marvellously well. Sensible but satisfying portions. And munching good things too. Loads of fruit and veg!

Training also going marvellously for the Moonwalk. I've powerwalked about 20 miles this week (more and more each week), and hitting good times. I broke through the 14 minute barrier (which was my target). Today I walked 6 miles at 4.6mph! That would have been absolutely unthinkable this time last year.

I hope this all doesn't sound boastful, it's just I'm so amazed at all of this, I can't really take it in myself.

I've never been sporty, always been quite overweight, and now I'm getting super fit, I'm going to powerwalk a marathon, my body shape's really changing and I'm getting loads of compliments from people about how good I look. I can't quite believe it.

I remember Pete saying at the end of the last Online course "Have you got your ticket?". Meaning, are you on board, are you living the programme, is it becoming second nature? And you know what? Yes yes yes I have my ticket!

To anyone reading this, who needs a bit of encouragement: IF I CAN DO IT, YOU CAN TOO! really really really and truly. go for it.

have a great evening xxx

It was the last night of Live Online tonight. And to be honest, I'm really sad it's over.
I've completely loved the course, it's been amazing. Pete's been brilliant (as you'd expect). Meeting, and working with, my marvellous fellow course-goers has been an absolute pleasure too.

Ladies, Pete, my Tuesday nights will be a slightly sadder place without you.

I may well do another Live Online course later in the year, but for now I'm going to focus all my energy and time on training for the Moonwalk. (about eight weeks to go! crikey!)

So. Pete asked us to write about what we'd achieved on the course. I really feel I've achieved a lot (and not just related to weight-loss). Let me sum it up:

1) I have a much better understanding of myself.
Not just physically, but mentally as well. I'm learning all the time why I want to do, or not do, certain things. It's easier for me to see my behaviour objectively, and to work with that.

2) I'm much, much fitter.
From someone who sneered at the mere mention of the word "exercise", in ten weeks I've discovered a new fitness routine that I actually enjoy. I'm currently power-walking 15 miles a week (I WILL crack through the 4mph barrier, nearly there), with two aerobic exercise sessions on top of that each week. It's intensive but I love it, and I feel terrific.

3) I'm looking pretty good!! (modest I know)
I've had some wonderful compliments about how much my appearance has changed. My face has really slimmed down and my waist is certainly toning up. I've gone down a dress size and looking forward to buying a new wardrobe.

4) I'm proud of myself.
This is a HUGE achievement, as I've traditionally been my own worst critic, and unable to take any pride in anything I do. But now, I have finally shut that duck up. My inner voice is now much kinder. I am truly truly proud of how much hard work I've done, and the results are speaking for themselves.

5) I feel wonderful
Really. I have so much more energy. I feel a lot more confident too.

So - that's what I *feel* I've achieved - what are the hard, cold facts?

Weight loss in 10 weeks: 4 pounds (was more, but my weight's gone up over the last two weeks. I'm training so hard I'm confident that's fat-turning-to-muscle-weight-gain)

Inch loss in 10 weeks: three inches off my waist, yay!

I've also finally been confident enough to drop my old size 18 clothes off at the charity shop. They're too big for me! HOORAY!

I'm not complacent. There's a lot still to do, but I know how to do it now, and I know I'm going to get there.

Hooray! xxx

This week, Pete asked us to blog about what we want our legacy to be.

I've really struggled with that one, actually. For me, a legacy is how other people remember you, and quite different to what I'd like to achieve in my life. So I'm going to split it out and answer each part separately.

1) What do I want my legacy to be?
I want to leave the world a happier place than I found it.

2) What do I want to achieve?
I want to thoroughly enjoy my life!
I want to have the courage to continue to make changes when things in my life aren't right.
Having struggled with my eating and weight for most of my life, I am determined that I now know how to how to live healthier, and have the strength to do so!

The training's going really well. So far this week, I've done two 4 mile power-walks and a half-hour session on the Wii Fit. I get to rest tomorrow and then it's a 6 mile walk on Saturday. My walking speed is just a shade under 4mph at the moment, so really pretty good - still plenty of room for improvement.

Still slightly disheartening that I'm not seeing any difference on the scales... I know they're misleading, and the important things are the way I feel (wonderful! strong! bouncy!), andthe way my clothes fit (better every day). But it still would be nice to see that reflected in the scales... I'm still over 14 stone.

But I know where I'm going, and how to get there...

Hello all!

It's been a pretty frustrating week. I've had a chest infection for a week and a half and it's knocked me sideways. Worst of all, it made my asthma completely flare up, so I was completely unable to exercise - I did try, but I just couldn't breathe and had to admit defeat. And I'm currently in training for the 26 mile Moonwalk, so I was completely worried that I'd blown the training program.

Anyway. the anti-biotics and asthma medication has finally kicked in, so I went out for my first power-walk today in a week and a half. And it was great! Happily I don't seem to have lost any fitness in the last ten days, so I breezed through my 5 mile walk. I loved it. I felt so good! And my time was terrific too, I was hitting 4mph, which was my target.

So, feeling great about that! Eating's been alright this week, but not brilliant, to be completely honest. Had some really good days, and the occasional not-so-good day. I was feeling pretty frustrated with not being able to walk, so I dealt with that frustration with the odd munch of this and that.

There was one stage when I caught myself desperately hovering up a mini chocolate eclair, that rationally I didn't really want to eat, and I really wasn't enjoying, and I just thought... ENOUGH! Been back on the straight and narrow since then. So not ideal, but I forgive myself and I've moved on.

Ahhh, it's difficult. I feel I'm definitely on the right track, but also that I'm a recovering food-a-holic... I look forward to the day when I just automatically eat only when I'm hungry and it doesnt even occur me to snack at other times. I've just got to keep practise practise practising and I'll get there!

xxx

This is a real quicky cos I'm desperate for my bed. I've had a chest infection for a few days (nothing antibiotics can't sort out) but it's knocked me sideways and made my asthma flare up.

So, I haven't been able to exercise for a few days, and you know what? I really really miss it! Astounding. AND, despite the illness I still feel really healthy, oddly!

Enjoyed the session tonight. It's good to take stock. And, genuinely, I do feel proud of what I've achieved. I do feel I'm heading the right way. I know this because I feel healthier within myself. I have more energy. My clothes are getting looser and looser. My friends and family are showering me with compliments. I love it love it love it.

I want to keep it up. And you know what? I actually feel confident I can.

Pete was talking about catalyst moments tonight, an event that changed our lives forever when we knew things had to change.

Personally I really love this Anais Nin quote: "The day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."

Have a great evening and much love xxxxx

Having a wonderful week so far, I've really stepped up the exercise (I'm in training for the 26.2 mile Moonwalk!) and I feel terrific for it.

Went for a 4 mile walk this morning - completed in 63 minutes - very happy with that. It was a bit of a struggle to get out - my asthma's been playing up - but luckily my Ventolin kept everything under control.

The eating's going really well too... although I'm finding exercise is giving me an increased appetite, so I'm trying to be extra careful to eat only when I'm hungry. Getting some evil snack cravings in the late evening though... not sure why... all sweet cravings and I generally don't have a sweet tooth. So trying to live through those rather than giving in (and doing OK.. more work required though!)

The one thing I've noticed is that actually at the moment I genuinely don't care how much I weigh, because I just feel so wonderful within myself. It's a novel feeling. I like it!

Just off to enjoy some lunch (rare beef with lambs lettuce, avocado, roast sweet potato and tzatziki)

Have a great day xxx

It's been a great week, all in all. Really enjoyed half term (almost to my surprise to be honest... I was expecting to be completely knackered by the kids all week, but actually really I've had a wonderful time and I've been bouncing with energy)

And... I weighed myself today and I've lost four pounds this week! Really chuffed with myself!

Off to do a victory lap around the lounge... :-)