Hmmmm Not quite what I expected.

[andrewleeone]

Well its been a hectic couple of weeks which have severely disrupted all sorts of positive routines and choices. The eating was going well. Good nutrient rich food every day. Regular big exercise - running 3 times a week and cycling nearly 100 miles a week. No drinking. Plenty of time working on the mind- one hour of mindfulness a day. Then, Work Happened.

Work, in this instance was a six day business trip to the middle east. And the frantic few days in advance of that getting everything stuff sorted out. So shortcuts started being made.

Come to the day of departure - up in the middle of the night - trains, shuttle flights, airline food, airport food, then stupid delays - DON'T FLY LUFTHANSA - litigation pending!! to arrive at the hotel at two in the morning. Up again at seven for hotel breakfast, no sleep and jet lag.

Working in a global retail chain with a hearty supply of Muffins and cheesy Croissants - no fruit - only chips and meatballs for lunch and I have to snaffle food back to the hotel as there is no where to eat without it taking up all my expenses and the whole evening.

Several days of this - some fruit in the hotel. No exercise, more flights and then finally an overnight back to the UK - DON'T FLY LUFTHANSA.

I'd sort of given my self permission to see what happened weight wise as I needed to just eat what I could get access to. More important I thought to relax - enjoy the work and cope with the lousy airline.

Jet lagged back in the UK and finally, reluctantly hopped on the scales Sunday Morning. I'd lost a KG.

To be honest it wasn't what I was expecting.

I knew I'd lost focus.

I could count the muffins (Food of the Devil!) I'd eaten.

No exercise for nearly two weeks.

No routine.

But I had continued to lose weight - I'd have been delirious to have maintained my weight. But I lost a KG.

So I've take a couple of days to reflect and notice whats going on.

I've got used to smaller portions without realising it. Even though I was eating poor quality food I was till eating less of it. I was getting to feel really full on a sandwich that would previously have needed something else in there to fill me up. I was feeling full for longer.

When I got back into the exercise groove I still had the strength and energy I had previously. In fact, probably a bit more than previously.

I'm at my lowest ever adult weight. A weight I didn't think was attainable. I'm changing my perceptions of this belief now. I used to think getting to 85KG (Top of my healthy BMI) was foolish. They're guidelines after all. Now I'm less than 10KG away from that I can actually see that it will be good and, surprisingly, fairly inevitable that I'm going to get there or thereabouts.

My thought. 12 weeks plan has worked in a way I didn't expect. I'm enjoying long term change with very little pulling me back to previous patterns.

I've got another few disrupted weeks ahead. A retreat in North Wales. My Mindfulness Course - also in North Wales. A few days away with a friend. So disruption will be inevitable, but underlying changes seem to be persisting and I'm experiencing things differently.

SO, 12 Weekers out there. Remember, its not a weight loss program. Its a Life Change Approach to help you bing about lifelong change so you can hear, listen to and incorporate positive health messages into your lives. Get skinny, get Fit, Be Healthy, Learn to live in the moment and be happy.

Enjoy!

[Nussaybah]

I love the positivity of that post. I wad also thinking no way I'd shed the pounds. Was also thinking 1 pound a week to be VERY slow. But after perusing the forum and understanding these pounds also didn't just appear over night, I really feel that I'm in it for the long haul now, no matter what. And I like that feeling. Thanks for sharing your experience

[andrewleeone in reply to Nussaybah]

Longer haul than we first thought!

[moreless Administrator 7 stone]

Fantastic post Andrew

You're living life as a slim person now. Things happen which are out of our control, but we can still control ourselves. The fact that you can count the muffins you consumed shows tremendous control. You stopped at one sandwich because you were full. You looked for healthier options, when few were available. All these things show a tremendous strength of character and were no doubt instrumental in your 1kg loss.

You've also increased your muscle mass during your exercise regime and those lovely muscles would have been using up any extra calories consumed and your body would have thought "Oh goody, feast time, I'm taking a break and not hanging on to this fat now"

You've cracked the code for healthy weight, healthy body, healthy life. Many, many congratulations and here's to continued success on your journey

PS: I WON'T FLY LUFTHANSA!

[andrewleeone in reply to moreless]

You Made Me Smile !!!!

[Lizbee]

Sounds brilliant to me and similar to experiences I've had re getting used to smaller portion sizes and better food such as porrage, sweet potato and cous cous that fill you up with good fibre for longer - my issue is that when the 'disruptions' are very emotional and stressful I give in sometimes and lose track then have to claw my way back so my progress is very very slow still only lost 11 lbs overall and still 3lbs under my next target - but well done you.

[andrewleeone in reply to Lizbee]

The emotional stuff certainly gets me and has been my downfall in the past.

I'm working on my mind as much as anything. Currently doing an eight week mindfulness course and cannot recommend it highly enough.

Truly transformational.

[Lizbee in reply to andrewleeone]

Thanks for that - I'll bear it in mind (pun intended)

[Garfield_123 Restart Sept 2023]

Thank you for posting this - exactly the positivity I needed for this rainy Wednesday. Losing weight is such a slow process (and considerably slower than last time I tried five years ago) and it's always encouraging to hear how longer term lifestyle changes can occur almost by accident (though obviously you've put a lot of effort into achieving that). I will keep going with a renewed sense of hope. Congratulations and thanks!

[andrewleeone in reply to Garfield_123]

The thing is, in April, when I first looked for a way of losing weight October seems like a lifetime away. Now in October its a blink of an eye! I'm aiming for healthy BMI in December sometime. What I've learned is its the choices I make today, right now, that make a difference. Everyone I get right is a little victory. Every one. And they add up! Focus on them and the days I make poor choices get fewer and further between.

If I can do so can you!

[sueper]

Well done Andrew It seems portion control has a an influence here. I too find I can be full with just a sandwich. Happy days

[Jenever]

Great post Andrew, very positive and very interesting. Your post underlines the concept of a life plan, healthy eating not a diet...great, thank you for sharing.

[GoogleMe]

Such important ideas to share - embracing the idea that life will have ups and downs and challenges and that isn't being 'off the wagon' it is all part of it.

[Gonti 10 kg]

Great post And great read. Many thanks. Enjoy the retreat and mindfulness courses.

[Hidden]

You survived the Lufthansa ordeal and came out triumphant! I've also had a rocky couple of weeks with a new job and lots of changes to my routine, although maybe not as drastic as what you've just gone through... I've also weirdly lost 2lbs, despite being at the maintaining stage and not even intending to lose any more. Goes to show we're starting to get a better instinct now, maybe we need to learn to relax a bit more in the face of challenges! Although it sounds like you faced your challenges in a pretty zen, mindful way

Hope you enjoy the feeling of that 1kg gone and hope you get back to 100 miles a week cycling and 3x a week running very soon