Weight Loss Journals - petecohen.tv

Well that's what all the books tell you is the average pregnancy weight gain. Yep, me and Lovely Chap are going to be parents come January :-) To say we're pleased is an understatement - when I left my unhappy marriage I thought the best of my child-bearing days were behind me and that I may never be a mum. After moving in with Lovely Chap in Feb we thought we'd better crack on with it as aged 38 it may take some time... and here I am 8 weeks pregnant and feeling truly blessed.

Now that I've started telling family & close friends I thought I'd let you guys on the blogs know too as I've been awol for a few weeks and thought I'd better explain myself (Mandie, don't worry, I'm not still on that run Forrest Gump stylee!).

So... I think I'm temporarily out of the petecohen.tv gang. Let's face it, there's only one direction my scales are going to be going over the next few months. Here's hoping for a healthy pregnancy. Take care you guys and I expect I'll be back in early 2010 to shift those post-bump pounds!

Teresa xxx

Ok, so I was too chicken to commit to this on the blog this morning, but secretly my desired outcome for the day is to notch up my first run in over a year. I've just finished work and am about to pull on my running gear which I carefully laid out on the bed earlier to guilt trip me into it, so I'm off now to get changed and RUN!!!!! Wish me luck! I'm wondering just how bright red my face will go :-)

T xx

I didn't get a chance to do more than watch the video yesterday, so here is my belated blog on Outcomes. A great idea those daily mini-goals, and I must admit I used to be very good at mentally running through my day when I woke up and working out what I needed to achieve - mostly work related though! That's what you get for being a project manager. Lists, lists and more flippin lists!! I realise though that with all that has been going on the last few months I think I've slipped a bit on this. So, time to get with it again, and this time for my own personal benefit and not just for work.

My outcomes for yesterday were:
1) Not to succumb to the tea/coffee/biscuits in the breaktime at my Welsh lesson
2) To stay alcohol-free

and I'm pleased to report success on both fronts. Took a fruity tea to class to enjoy instead, and eyed the biscuit tin with distaste. And in the evening I didn't give in to a quite strong urge for a glass of wine - there was none in the house but I needed to get some things from the supermarket and gave the alcohol aisle a wide berth. That's 5 alcohol-free days now, which I'm super pleased about. In the eve if I want to enjoy the 'wine' experience I am now sipping on flavoured sparkling waters with a slice of lime - mmmm!

Off to watch Day 17 video now.

Teresa xx

Am pleased to report an alcohol-free weekend, hoorah! Am also pleased that step count remains high (11,100 yesterday, 9850 Saturday) despite appalling weather - god bless waterproof clothing. And finally, am pleased to report over 2litres water consumed daily - this is the norm in the week but at weekends I tend to drop off a bit. I fill a 2L water each morning and try and empty it by bedtime (I think on Fri I drank nearer 3L though as I had a reflexology treatment and was drinking gallons for the rest of the day).

Displacement activities - have I really never blogged these before? Just had a quick look through my past postings and despite being round the block a few times on this programme, I'm wondering if I hit Day 15 more than just the first time round? And it looks like if I did record them, it was offline in the paper journal I kept back then. Ok, so let's think of 5 activities:
1. Drink a glass of water (and check in 10mins if still hungry)
2. Phone/email a friend
3. Check the blogs- always motivating/inspiring
4. Do some housework (if not working)
5. Close my eyes for 5 and do some deep breathing

Right, time for a quick 5min scan of the blogs before it's back to work for me. Hope everyone had a great weekend and here's to another fab week.

Take care
Teresa xx

Still struggle with this one - I've just got out of the habit of cardio exercise. A few weeks ago I bought a new sports bra and running gear in the size I am now (the other stuff made me looked like muffin man with all those rolls of flab poking out under the too small bra and too tight waistband), Have I used them yet? What do you think...! A big fat no. So, after listening to today's video I have a great idea. I need to remember how great I feel after I've done a run so I'm going to get a few copies of a photo I have of me proudly displaying a medal after my first (and only!) 10K run and pin it up in a few places round the house to motivate me. On the fridge, on the noticeboard next to my work desk, etc. Hopefully that should motivate me to move it!

Feeling good today. Was up and about early, so made the most of the extra time in the day and did an early morning shop. Lots of bright, healthy fruit and veg. And I got myself some sparkling water, a cranberry and lime drink and some fresh limes - I am declaring myself an alcohol free zone this weekend!

I also just wanted to add a big thank you to everyone's kind and helpful comments on my last post. My mum is right now receiving her 1st chemo treatment and so far has not had any adverse reaction (there were risks due to her recent heart attacks and the fact she has a replacement heart valve so she is having to have the treatment as an in-patient on a cardiology ward so they can monitor her). Thanks for your hugs and your prayers. Keep 'em coming, they're needed right now.

Teresa xx

Still plodding along. Bit of a blip yesterday. Mum's chemo treatment was meant to start on Monday, but for various complex reasons it now looks like it might be Friday at the earliest. We've had a totally frustrating few days and my mum is at her wit's end. I've completely lost faith in the system. About 3 weeks ago we got the dates for the chemo start, and even then I thought it seemed quite a long time to wait, so to me this delay is totally unacceptable. I thought after they'd realised the cancer had spread through the lymph system to liver and other places they'd start it almost immediately. If anyone else has experience of this, I'd love to hear about it as I have nothing to compare it with.

Anyway, I was upset and angry last night, and set off for a night in the local pub as I'd been drafted in to the local ladies skittles team to replace someone who'd broken her wrist. In my foul mood I had my drinking head on and sank 4 halves of cider, then at the end of the game tucked into the bread, cheese and pickles that was laid on. Did I feel better after that? NOOO!!! Never have all those lovely fresh fruit and veg in the background of today's Day 12 video looked so appealing. I need to get my fruit bowl stocked up, it's looking a little sad.

Right... deep breaths and on I go.

Teresa xx

Foods that I want to stop eating so my wobbly belly gets less wobbly: cheese, jaffa cakes, wine, crisps. I'm going to imagine that lot all mushed up in a stinky, disgusting mess all over my belly... yuk, not a good look. Wine, for me, is probably the worst of the lot, but that is a hard one to imagine on your body. I know though that after a couple of glasses of wine I normally get the nibbles and out comes some cheese or crisps, so I'm going to imagine them all mangled together instead.

Programme been on pause this weekend - not intentionally, but just not had time to sit and watch the videos so will pick up where I left off tomorrow. Had a lovely, relaxing weekend. Yesterday me and lovely chap and his dad went to a farmers market up in Frome and bought lots of lovely local produce - cheeses, bread, free-range eggs, fillet steak. We came back and had a bread and cheese lunch which was delish! Walked that off with the dogs yesterday afternoon and then in the eve griddled the fillet steak and had it with some salad with lots of cherry tomatoes and my new addiction - beetroot...mmm. Didn't think I liked it but a few weeks back got some chilli infused beetroot from Tesco and it was to die for.

Today we've been to visit his sis and her kids, then back via the garden centre and have been planting lots of bee-friendly flowers to try and get the little furry creatures to take residence in my beehouse. This eve I cooked up a gorgeous spinach and feta frittata and had that with some more beetroot topped salad... mmm. I found the recipe on Dietgirl's site and would thoroughly recommend it - check out http://tiny.cc/RpqYC - in fact, if you haven't heard of Dietgirl then take a look at her blog and/or her book. Someone else mentioned her on here some time ago and I started reading her blog from the start/ 2hrs later I ordered her book to read it offline and stop myself going square eyed - totally inspirational story of her journey to lose half her body weight from 25st down to 12.5 - she is so funny too, I love Dietgirl!!

Anyway, enough from me. Hope everyone else has been enjoying the fabulous weather.

Teresa xx

5/10 - Eating slowly - increasingly being conscious of what I am eating
4/10 - Eating only when hungry - tried a few times, still stuck in the 'mealtimes' mindset
3/10 - Relaxation - only listened to mp3 once, deep breathing a few times when walking
4/10 - Reducing sugar/stimulants - drank less alcohol (except for Sun!); still eating too many sweet snacks
5/10 - Eating natural foods - apart from sugary snacks, most meals healthy & veg based. need to cut down on bread
9/10 - Drinking 2 litres water daily - yep, second nature
10/10 - Walking 30mins day - have averaged over 10000 daily, really pleased
?/10 - Regular exercise/activity - does walking count? need to introduce some cardio/weights
7/10 - Active as poss - always confused by this one. have sedentary job but walk for 90mins day and think I am reasonably active

I know I haven't lost weight, I've had a shaky start. On the plus side, I'm more aware of eating slowly and am re-learning how to listen to my body. Am walking much more. Things to try: cutting down on bread (never ate it much but eat it much more now have moved in with G) and doing some 'proper' exercise - e.g. stepper for 20mins, weights, Davina DVD

Yesterday I had what could only be described as a binge. I've never done that before - overeat occasionally, yes; eat quickly, yes; eat when I'm not hungry, yes; make poor food choices, yes; but binge? no. I stuffed 2 packets of crisps down my neck followed by 4 jaffa cakes then an hour late ate a mammoth meal (lovely chap cooked and went a bit overboard on portion size - I'd intended to only eat half/three-quarters of it but instead I scoffed the lot), and later a slice of cake. What on earth was all that about?!? Yep, I was ravenous when I got home from my drive back from Wales (took an hour longer than usual as I there'd been an accident blocking my usual route) which kind of explains the rapid crisp consumption but what happened after that seemed to be a complete 'sod it' sort of reaction. I was cross with myself last night but today am trying not to be - instead I want to work out what triggered that. At least I didn't uncork the bottle of red in the wine rack that seemed to be whispering seductively last night, so I can give myself a little pat on the back for that.

Today, Day 9 is about relaxation. Boy, do I need that! Am exhausted. Roll on the weekend.

Have just caught up on a few blogs - glad to hear others are doing really well. It's keeping me motivated not to just give up.

Keep going ladies!!
Teresa xx

Missed a few days so have rewound to Day 8. I'm determined to stick to this. I will be like the scientist and not get de-railed by lack of progress so far, but stay cool, calm and detached and think of each 'failure' as an opportunity to learn.

Last night I stayed at my mum & dad's (I spend 1 night a week back in Wales so I can keep touch with the office, the rest of the time I now work from home). Sometimes she cooks for me (if she is up to it), other times I get something from the shops on the way there. Yesterday she wasn't well so I said I'd grab a ready-meal. However, when I got there, the more 'natural' meals were all sold out so I got something from the 'low-fat' range - a chicken saag curry/rice meal caught my eye (all the fat/salt things were green and less than 400 cals). I enjoyed it at the time but it didn't sit well with me for the rest of the night, and even this morning I still feel a bit bloated and keep tasting it again. Uurgh!! That's one mistake chalked up - I rarely eat ready meals and now I remember why!

Mum is off to the hospital today to have the PICC line inserted for her chemo treatment which starts Monday. Fingers crossed all goes ok.

Teresa x

Day 6 (Sat) was a good 'un. We went on a lovely long walk which was only about 15-20mins drive from the house - up on the Mendips and then along Cheddar Gorge. Stunning views and a fab walk. Will definitely be doing that one again as it's so close by. Racked up over 18,000 steps that day too, hoorah! On the not so good side was the fact we shared a huge pizza that evening and a bottle of wine - we said 'we'd earned it' - ah well. I knew it wasn't the best choice but at least we didn't have the garlic baguette to accompany it as we would have normally.

Day 7 (Sun) not so good - we went down to the pub at lunchtime and I had 4 halves of lovely local cider (oops) and they always have a big hunk of local cheese on the bar for the regulars to tuck into along with bowls of crisps and other nibbles. We nibbled away to our heart's content - when the cheese is a good one I'm done for!! I made us go straight out and walk the dogs for an hour afterwards rather than have a little sit down (aka afternoon snooze) - after all that nibbling we weren't hungry so missed lunch. Then we ended up back down the pub in the evening and I had another 3 halves of cider. This morning I am kicking myself. I weighed myself at some point over the weekend and my weight has not moved - not surprising really as I haven't been doing so well. I'm still here though - I'll just treat this first week as a period of readjustment as I get back into the swing of things. I will not lose heart! Time to watch Day 8 video and get scientific.

Teresa xx

Quite a good day yesterday despite feeling grotty with a cold. I'm not sure if I'd lost my appetite due to the cold or if I am starting to get better at listening to my body and only eating when I'm hungry, but I noticed that I didn't want or need my usual morning and afternoon snacks - instead I had just my sandwich for lunch (ham salad) and a baked potato with cheese & coleslaw for evening meal. Now I'm a homeworker for 3 days a week it's far too easy to snack when bored/procrastinating so I'm really pleased that yesterday I didn't do this - pat on the back time! I also didn't fall into the 'Friday night is relax with a bottle of wine night' trap and had an alcohol free evening too. Great stuff.

Up and about early this morning and about to watch my Day 6 video. Looks like the weekend is going to be a good one weather-wise so I'm looking forward to some long walks and some pottering in the garden. Hope everyone else has a great one.

Teresa xx

Hectic day yesterday, so playing catch-up today. On my last blog I said that I was waiting patiently for my tummy to tell me I was hungry before eating my lunch. A while later I went on a late lunch-break for my daily walk around the village (I work from home most of the week now) and I think it was around 2.30pm that I felt my first hunger pang.By the time I got back to my desk at 3pm the hunger pang had passe so I sent an email or two and made a quick phone call. At 3.30pm I finally decided to eat my sandwich even though I wasn't really hungry at all - the reason I did was because we had a yummy meal planned for the evening (I'd already defrosted some yummy feta, olive and cherry tomato stuffed chicken breasts) and if I delayed eating my lunch much longer I wouldn't want to eat later. As it was, we ate our evening meal at about 9.30pm I think - again I wasn't particularly hungry as we sat down. An interesting experiment, but now I'm not living on my own anymore I know this situation will happen again and again - I'll sit down to eat with my other half even when not 100% (or even 50%!) hungry because I don't want to be a picky 'dieter' and I want to be sociable. A common problem surely? Ideas on a postcard please from you lovely ladies!

Had a lovely day yesterday with a generous contingent of the family coming over from Wales to visit me for the first time - mum, dad, bruv, sis. Shame it poured with rain all day! We had a long pub lunch and then after it eased off a bit strolled around Wells and the cathedral until my mum got tired and we headed home. Then lovely chap's parents popped around for a cuppa and to meet them. Glad that little milestone is out of the way :-)

Off to watch my day 5 video now. Hope everyone has a good day.
Teresa xx

A couple of weeks ago I planted some sunflower seeds (so that I can have my own big cheerful sunflowers to look at in my new garden) and last night I planted some cucumber, spring onion and lettuce seeds too - I think it's the move to the country, I suddenly want to grow my own food! As I sat back after planting those first seeds Pete's voice popped into my head and I couldn't help chuckling as I heard him say "C'mon, grow!!". I actually think it was that that made me start thinking more about the programme and led me to sign up again. Anyway, I'm rambling, the point is I'm the most impatient person in the world, so the patience thing is hard for me. Much as I'd love a stone or two to disappear NOW I know that it's going to take some time to get there.

Day 2 was not much better than Day 1, but I'm not going to let a shaky start throw me off at the first hurdle. Today I am patiently waiting for my tummy to tell me I'm hungry before I tuck in to my lunch and I am really, really going to think about every mouthful.

Teresa xx

PS Thanks to those who've replied to my blog posts the last couple of days, I really do appreciate your support. I don't have too much time to reply to others at the moment (it's hard enough right now just to carve out 15/20 mins to watch the video, write the journal and quickly check in on the blogs) but I am grateful for your comments and thinking of you all xx