Last day of Week 1, quick update and ramblings.

[Stevo5585]

Just thought the last day of my first week on the 12 week plan was as good a time as any to take stock and see how it's going. Long story short, I can do this!

With 7 days (nearly) done the calorie counting, at first a chore, has now fallen into routine. I'm logging stuff as I eat it in my tally book, then totaling up after lunch and then after dinner. Gets easier the more you do it and as the food choice is limited I'm spending less and less time having to look at the calorie checker as I note the values down every time I do it.

Was surprised at the popularity of my meal picture threads, the replies were a real boost and yeah, if I can sit in front of a fridge full of fizzy drinks and chocolates all day and not succumb to their sultry call to be devoured then I can go anywhere and control my treat intake.

The first few days the total calories were jumping around, but now have them tamed to the low side of recommended intake. Day 6 was a harder day, got a bit headachey coupled with low energy levels. I think it was due to not eating enough on Day 5, I was 800 cals under the recommended lower limit. Feeling better today, after nailing the plan on Day 6.

I'm averaging between 800 to 1000 cals for breakfast and lunch, using the rest for dinner. I'm toying with shifting the calories forward, having more for lunch and brekkie and less in the evening. Problem is breakfast choices can be very fatty and am trying to avoid them. Might go for the eggs option, will do it next week as a trial.

Very pleased with my reduced sugar intake, not so pleased with the planned exercise routine, as in I never got it organized. I think the only way to reliably fit it in is to get up earlier in the morning and do it before my shift starts at 6. Means getting up at 4:30 though, yak, I'm not a morning person!

Weight loss for the week, unknown, I have no scales, I will get the tape measure out later today as I took body measurements at the start. But, we are all susceptible to the odd sneak peak and on Tuesday I did have a quick check of my chest size and it was showing a 2" loss...hmmm, seems a bit much. Having said that when I was facetiming my wife yesterday she did say my head looked 'lighter'. She then spoiled the effect by asking if I had measured my chins, typical. If I have achieved visible results after a week though I will of course be delighted!

More than that though, I have proved to myself this week that I CAN resist the treats, I CAN survive with a hugely reduced sugar intake, I CAN take control of my eating habits and not feel like the sky is falling.

And if I can do it, so can you.

[DartmoorDumpling Restart Feb 2024]

Well done for your positive attitude - just got to repeat the process a few more times and hey presto - job done! Well almost - you will then of course have to adapt your eating habits to maintain the new trim you, but that will be so much easier now you know what you are doing.

Don't forget that "Exercise" does include use of stairs, walking around whilst on the phone, bending and stretching whilst moving stuff around, jogging to and from the car, tidying up your room....it doesn't have to be a structured activity!

[Stevo5585 7lbs in reply to DartmoorDumpling]

Too true DartmoorDumpling. Underneath I felt I may have been biting off more than I could chew at the start of the week. With the help of the forum I've tried to stay very positive and think long term, I am very much a short term goals person and that's been tough.

Though this is but the first week of many I now know that if I put my mind to it my long term goal of being trim can override my short term goal of satisfying a craving.

[victoria-anne]

Well done Getting the calories under control so quickly is impressive - I am still fighting mine, and struggling to work out exactly what I am eating!!!! I wouldn't worry too much about proper exercise, just move as much as you can.

You can buy these cool 'desk swings' that you sit your feet in and it means you can swing your feet around and get exercise that way!

I sometimes just sit and repeatedly lift them up and down, telling myself I am doing a good job, lol.

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to victoria-anne]

ANY extra movement is good 😊 Just getting up and sitting down again, leg raises, arm raises, pulling your tummy in and out . . . All count 😊 Stair climbing is excellent, hubby takes the long way to the loo at work to include four flights of stairs . . . Dedication or what?? Lol 😂

[LouTrev in reply to IndigoBlue61]

I have to walk up the corridor in my current work, don't know if could make a 4flight trip if was really needing to go toilet though ha,ha!

[IndigoBlue61]

Great post Stevo5585 😊 I 'lolled' out loud the comment about the chins!!!

I have found it very interesting to see the meals you have been given and how you have managed the situation. 😊

I'm sure you will have lost fat, you must have done, it's the law of physics 😊

Very well done on a successful first week, Keep the posts coming, and have a good second week. 😊

Anna

[AnnTandy]

All I can say is - good on yer, mate, keep going!