Fran's Diary - 2012 To Get To Target

[frannie]

Although I have posted before, I haven't really started a diary, so here goes....

Lost over 4 stones on VLCD last year from March till October. I was delighted to go from a size 20/22 to a 14/16 and having been overweight for 25 years, it feels amazing to be able to try on clothes in smaller sizes.

I have more or less maintained since then and in January 2012 started again in earnest and managed to lose the Christmas excess. February has not been a good month in terms of weight loss though:sigh:. I have been doing a lot of socialising (and lots to come) and a sports injury has left me unable to exercise so I am just about maintaining.

I have found the support on here has been fantastic and the weight losses inspiring. I really need to push to make that final transition to the 'normal' weight range (having come from obese to overweight). I would also be over the moon if I could fit comfortably into a size 14 top.

I really do want to achieve this in the first half of 2012 and I know that if I stick to the packs and do not cheat, it is easily achievable in the timescale. I hope too that by keeping a diary here as well as communicating with others in the similar situations, I will remain focused.

Today, I go to the gym to be weighed, measured and given a six week plan to help me on my way to my goal. Because of my injury, I may be restricted in what I can do initially, but I am feeling motivated today (hope it lasts for the next few weeks!) and I will be able to see those scales coming down!

Anyway, enough of my wanderings....good luck to us all in our weight loss journeys

 

[gunpowd3r]

Hiya Frannie

Welcome to the forum, lot's of lovelies on here that are supportive and offer some great advice!!

Good luck with your journey

 

[BordersGirl]

Hi Frannie, good to see you track your journey in a diary. It's definitely helped me even if no one reads it but me

 

[ladyfelsham]

Welcome Frannie and all the best with S&S, I am sure you will reach your goal in no time

 

[frannie]

Thanks BG, I have to say your diary and losses were one of my main reasons for starting one up myself. Your weight loss has been so steady and in such a short period of time.

I love to hear other folks' success stories - it gives me the will to keep going!

 

[frannie]

Well weigh-in day today and I have gained two 2lbs over the past couple of weeks, bit disappointed but not unexpected!:break_diet:
Had a heads up when I got weighed at gym yesterday.

Anyway, need to focus for the week ahead. Although I cannot do my usual sports, I am going to try to keep using the treadmill and the vibration plate. Hopefully this will help to get a reasonable loss next week. Most importantly though, I have to stop grazing in the kitchen, honestly - sometimes I am like a woman possesed! I even ate an apple the other day! Now I know that in the grand scheme of things, and on a lot of other diets, an apple would be fine. But as the relatively fast weight loss is dependant on remaining in ketosis, the apple is such a no-no and I have no idea what made me pick it up and eat it.

Anyway, clearly more discipline is required and I need to keep away from anything that triggers this sort of nonsense!

Hope everyone has a good week ahead.

 

[BordersGirl]

What does the vibration plate thingy do and how does it work?

 

[frannie]

Hi BG, well if you believe the hype, doing exercises on a vibration plate quickens the weight loss and toning process. After losing 4 stones, I feel a bit flabby and really need to not only tone, but get to target.

One of our other forum members had bought one for home use and felt it was good, so now that I have joined a gym, I am using it for about 20 mins a day, at the moment for squat and lunges as I'm still really a beginner.

It has a solid plate which vibrates as you exercise and although it feels a bit weird, I am told by other gym members that there is no sign of my flabby bits wobbling around (now that would NOT be a pleasant sight!!!).

You can get some more info if you google power plate, v plate or vibration plate.

Now I don't believe in miracles, so won't be on the next cover of Hello mag, but if it tones a wee bit and helps the fat burning, it's got to be worth a try.....will keep you posted.

 

[TaraTeal]

Good luck Fran! You've done so well to lose 4 stone already! Well done... Wishing you all the luck in getting to a BMI of 23!! xxx

 

[BordersGirl]

Ha, the thought of my flab wobbling about it full view of everyone is not pleasant! . Someone at work has bought some sessions on one but she says that she just stands on it and doesn't exercise and the benefits of doing that seemed a bit tenuous to me. I reckon I could do something similar here if I stood on the washing machine during the spin cycle

 

[alison55]

Hi Fran,
Good to see you have started a diary too! I am sure it will help you, it is a good distraction when the kitchen is calling your name anyway. Remember to keep away from the apples now!!
I found that the vibration plate did help, it is not just standing on it but getting into different positions, many of them stretches and then the vibrations work through the muscles e.g. in a push up type position with your hands on the plate it is toning up your arms etc. In squat you can feel your leg muscles and so on. No guarantees but anything worth a try and it was an easy thing to do at the end of a days work, combined with a cross trainer when I am not up to high power aerobic exercise! Lots of different positions on the power plate site for your friend to try BG or for you during the spin cycle (photos please!!) Let us know how you get on Fran!

 

[ClaireCat]

Hey Fran! Well done on starting the diary!

I've often wondered about those vibration plates. I quite fancied buying one of those slender tone thingys, but again, im a bit sceptical. Needing something to sort the tummy flab and the bingo wings! lol!

 

[gunpowd3r]

Bingo wings aaahhh just the word makes me shudder

 

[Maka]

Hi Frannie and welcome

I've got access to a free gym at work BUT no instructors and I'm interested in how you use the treadmill and for how long. I've got myself confused really by googling - so much conflicting info.

But I gather from your experience, it must be working for you. Also, are you doing any weights?

Three to four times a week, I'm doing about 30-45 mins on the treadmill, brisk walk & jog, alternating between inclining and level. Then about 3 times a week, I do squats, leg raises, arm exercises with light weights - just many reps, then crunches and step.

Would love to try the powerplate but no such fancy stuff here

 

[frannie]

Hi all and thanks for your very positive (and humorous) comments.

Alison, it was you who alerted me to the power plate and I had been meaning to try it for some time. We have a poster on the gym wall with some of the more energetic exercises but the instructor has given me some basic ones to begin with. Initially I was doing press ups etc, but because I have torn an abdominal muscle playing badminton, I have been a little more restricted in what I can do. It does seem to be fairly easy though and if it improves the bingo wings and saggy stomach, I wont be complaining..!! Will let you know ClairCat and Gunpowd3r!
BG - I too love the idea of the spin cycle thing...yes a piccy would be good!!!!

Maka, the treadmill is not my favourite machine, but I need to do something. I am pretty much doing what you do. I do a short walk, then jog for as long as possible, then alternate between walking and jogging. Before injury, I was doing weights, but just following the guidance of the instructors in the gym so I am not too knowledgable in that department either. Truthfully though, last year my main exercise was playing badminton and tennis which I really enjoy.

I also still continue to wear my pedometer and TRY (although don't often succeed) to do 10,000 steps per day! One thing is for sure, I am no gym bunny, but I really do want to get to my target this year and I know the benefits of exercise so must keep going.

Had a lousy day at work today and this has really helped to take my mind off things. Good luck to all

 

[Maka]

Thanks Frannie - guess am on the right track then. I am surprised at how much I am loving going to the gym...and the treadmill is my favourite. I hate cycling...it's too hard on the fat-burn mode.
Good luck with your programme - exercise is definitely worth it! I so wish I had believed that many, many years ago.

 

[alison55]

Hi Fran. Hope you have had a better day today??

 

[frannie]

Yes thanks Alison, today was a little easier.

Slightly better day at work, then round to mum's where we had a visit from occupational therapist, then to gym for my usual treadmill and vibration plate.

Had some spag bol and then a lemon bar to complete. Started grazing on piece of cheese and thought 'get on there and start posting now before you do any more damage!' Glugging a litre of sparkling water now.

Why, oh why, do I not just stick to it 100%? Am I becoming complacent because I am nearing the normal weight range? I know I have not gone right back on the slippery slope, but I just want to comfortably fit into a size 14 top (still and M & S 16, so that will let you know how much I have to lose!!). It's not too much to ask, is it??

I know that if I could just stick to it for a 4 week period, I would get there. I think I just need to address my trigger points. I have absolutely no problems at work and do not feel any need whatsoever to attack the canteen or chocoate machines. My danger area is when I get home and go anywhere near the kitchen. The kids even now prepare a lot of their own food, but still I am tempted.

I think I will just make a point of coming on here as soon as I get home from work and absorb all the support and inspiration.

Good luck to all in the week ahead

 

[alison55]

I find the distraction on here definately helps!
You are so close now........ perhaps you need to think of an outfit you really want to wear or hang a size 14 top you really like somewhere obvious and just look at it and try it on when you get tempted? You are right just a few short weeks of focus and you will reach your goal........you can do this. Do it for yourself (and for the rest of us with a longer journey to go but needing the motivation of others getting to their goals to inspire us on our way!)
I said it was a distraction on here .....your post just distracted me on the way to the kitchen for spag bol and broccoli!!!

 

[frannie]

Thanks Alison. You are right of course and I think maybe treating myself to a new size 14 top that would be suitable for wear in mid to late April may just be the ticket!

I worked though so many social occassions and holidays last year without straying too far from plan. My son will be 21 next week and we are going for a meal. The following week, I have a 'do' with some friends. I think when I am going off plan now, I am REALLY going off plan and as a result, am undoing any weight lost during the week by going a bit mad at weekends. As a result, I am demotivated.

I need to get my head back to where it was last year. Think 'grilled fish, salads and sparkling water' on social occassions and I will be back in the zone.

Thanks for your pep talk, I will NOT go near the kitchen tonight!