Saturday, October 18, 2008

Honesty

Honesty. There's not enough of it in this world. Accountability. That's another good thing. There should be more of it, too. As long as it's not me...



Every now and then I get the 'I've got to do something about my physical fitness, and my size'. Yes, I did the get-married-and-put-on-15-kilos-over-6-years thing. What worries me most is that I need to work on my aerobic fitness, my strength and flexibility. These all contribute towards reducing the risk of various health issues. It would also be good to have more stamina. It would also be good to fit my clothes and look good in them. It would be even better to have the opportunity to go out and buy some smaller clothes (and look good in them too - or at least be able to do up the zip/buttons!).



There have been many stimuli for me to come back to this point. Swift Jan posted a picture of a very pretty dress. It is my inspiration. She also highlighted my own fear of having to buy clothes with a 1 and an 8 in them. Not going there. Getting closer, but not going there.


Long Dark Hair, Blue Eyes was talking about her plan and her first kilo of success (Congratulations, by the way). This in turn inspired Givinya.


Also, the finishing off of the Spring Fair sweets has been accomplished. I've put on a bit since my last weigh-in. I'm telling myself it's that muscle weighs more than fat and it's actually the result of getting back on my little rowing machine. It builds muscle. It does! OK, so the sweet things may have contributed. The good thing with that is that I've always found that kilos that come on over a short period of time disappear quickly. It's those pesky long-term ones I have to watch.


It would be silly for me to want to get back to my weight at 18. I've selected my pre-Wedding weight. I was fully grown and 'filled out' and it should be achievable.


So, I have 16 kilos to lose. That's a big admission to make in cyberspace. Real people who know me can read it. Anyone can read it. I am going to do it thoughtfully, sustainably, and concentrating on getting well and strong, in addition to slender and elegant.


I will exercise - walking the dog and rowing and maybe I'll be able to get the bike out as a transport option once I'm a bit more fit. I will be careful about my portion size and only allow myself a maximum of two desserts and two other naughties each week. This means I can choose what I most prefer and won't go into pig out mode because I'm not allowed to have things. I find it easier to say no if it's from the viewpoint of "I could have that, but I don't like it enough to waste one of my weekly naughties on it, so I will choose not to". I will have balance phases between goals to make certain I can maintain each stage.


I've worked out it will probably take more than 12 months. I've planned not to lose anything over December, because that's just setting myself up for failure. I've scheduled myself rewards at certain magic numbers. Massage here I come! New outfits from time to time.


That's the plan.


Saturdays (weigh-in day) may therefore become 'Whinge about Weight' day. When I'm here.


Chances that this plan doesn't involve sacrifice?



...Approximately None.



There is actually an alternate plan I've considered. You see, if I move to the United States I would drop 2 dress sizes. I like that concept! No effort involved. May not make any change to my fitness and health, though.

22 comments:

Dee said...

That dress you pictured is gorgeous!!! I would have to wear a corset (or spanx undies) for it though....

Good luck with your plans, sounds like you have given yourself a good time frame.

Femina said...

Good luck! Having lost exactly that amount some years ago (and put back on exactly half that amount, but let's not go there) I know what it takes. Your plan sounds very sensible and achievable. If you'd said, "I'm going to cut out all carbs and only eat every second day" I might have had to work out where you live so I could pay you a visit and smack you about the head a few times! :)

Keep us all updated.

Long dark hair, blue eyes said...

Yay. That is excellent Jen.

I know how hard it is to admit how much you have to lose. I felt that same way when I blogged about it the other day.

Thanks for the congrats. It is hard to believe I am already on my way. I didn't find this week as difficult as I expected. I think because I made up about 10 meals on the weekend so that if I didn't have to make food choices when I was hungry.

I also am going for my pre-wedding size. I think that is very sensible goal. I mean we want to be a weight we can sustain!

Allegro ma non troppo said...

I've never liked the idea of changing your body to suit some imaginary clothes. That's backward.

But your plan does sound sensible. I like your aim of being a bit fitter and having more stamina.

Le said...

Hello Jen ... this is all a bit cosmic ... I finally cut the crap and jumped on the scales on Friday ... to see the reality of life thus far ...

I have 12.1kgs to loose ... and this time I need them to stay lost !

I am 42 in January next year and cannot face being unfit and lumpy at 45 years ... so I am starting now. I am only 5foot 2 1/2 inches (see desperation - got to get that half in ...) so a loss is required to give me back some height.

I too am walking each morning - 30 mins and am going without my comfort food. I thinkquiting my job will help as I am a stress eater ....

What are your triggers ...

Thanks for sharing this and I hope we can be of some support to each other - biggest hugs le

ps thanks for the drop bys too :)

Hippomanic Jen said...

Triggers?
Stress - definitely - particularly when I haven't got everything I need to get done done; Being a bit blue; celebrating things; Not exercising; exercising enough that I think I deserve something extra... There is a significant list and it contradicts itself.

The thing is I enjoy food, I just need to cut down on how much. I'm not a fan of exercise, so it has to have no impact on my preferred lifestyle activities. Or be something I really enjoy - dancing, horseriding, sometimes swimming.

If my body got toned by reading & computing I would be sooooo fit!

Givinya De Elba said...

You and me Jen, Ballroom dancing again!

I knew where you were going with the picture of the dress, even if my craaazy sister didn't!

Givinya De Elba said...

I wonder

Givinya De Elba said...

if you'd

Givinya De Elba said...

get

Givinya De Elba said...

a great big fright

Givinya De Elba said...

if your

Givinya De Elba said...

comment count

Givinya De Elba said...

suddenly ...

Givinya De Elba said...

EXPLODED?!

Femina said...

Hehe - if only reading comments burned calories.

Sounds like a few of us in blogland are trying to get fit and lose weight... we should start a group blog so we can compare notes and spur each other on!

Givinya De Elba said...

Yes, there's a few communities out there, I sorta like the sound of "Operation Skinny Bitch" - but I think maybe "Operation Skinny Cow" is more our style.

("Skinny Cow" what Jen used to call me when we were in college together and I could see my feet when I stood up. I miss those days. Well, I miss seeing my feet anyway. I hope they're still down there.)

Jen said...

I wish you all the success. I just don't get why getting married means gaining weight and then there is the whole having kids issue...

Swift Jan said...

Laughing out loud at Givinya!! HAHAHA

Jen, your plan sounds great! I wonder if I will ever fit into that dress?

Hippomanic Jen said...

I hereby commence "Operation Skinny Cow"...

err...

Does anyone know how we would go about doing this? I can't even create links in my posts yet.

Givinya - I got really excited about getting over the big 20 in my comment count. I thought I'd struck a chord with the whole cyberspace community (or at least WTBAY). You are a hoot! Thanks.

Yes, we should go back to social dance. It's a pity that it would mean a 1 1/2 hour commute for one of us.

I've been trying to convince my Beloved that this would be a good idea. I've even told him that I'd love to rumba/salsa/tango with him, adding suggestive eyebrows to the mix. No luck so far.

Swift Jan - I would guess that fitting into your dress would depend entirely on what size you buy, and what size you are at the time you need to wear it! ;) Good Luck.

Femina said...

I hereby commence "Operation Skinny Cow"...

err...

Does anyone know how we would go about doing this? I can't even create links in my posts yet.


You (or someone) can just set up a separate blog and give posting access to anyone who wants to post. I haven't actually done it but it can't be hard. Want me to have a go? And if so, who wants in?

Joce said...

Good on you Jen, I wish you all the best of luck. More often than not I'm trying to put on weight, but that happens when you have a digestive disorder and a tight budget! I'm sure you'll let us all know how you're going... just one tip, keep up your fluids, and have a glass of water before eating, as you'll need to eat less to feel full :)