Momentum, that is.
It's easier to keep going than to stop and start again. - Gareth Allen.
This may seem like an obvious statement especially when it comes to dieting but with Easter weekend coming, it's the perfect motivational phrase. Those of you who have been or are on the same track as me will know how hard it is to get back onto your diet after a particularly indulgent holiday or weekend. How hard is it to stop the alcohol or chocolate everyday after you've treated yourself? How hard is it to weigh-in again, whether that's at home or with a club? We all recognise that sinking feeling of knowing that the first weigh-in after a naughty weekend has got to happen at some point and how much effort and self-discipline it takes to get back in the saddle.
I need to keep this in mind with all the chocolate eggs, hot cross buns, Easter cakes and family meals that are looming on the fast approaching horizon.
I'm reminding myself to have only a small good quality treat on Sunday but not to stop the momentum entirely. Not to ruin the last month's hard work so that it's difficult to start again on Monday or dread the weigh-in next week. Not to fill the house with ridiculous amounts of chocolate (like at Christmas) that it takes 3 weeks for Easter to leave the building. Not to accept tons of eggs from family and friends. As considerate as it is, I'm not 12 anymore (28 actually. what?) so I don't need the big egg with added eggs inside with added bars in the packaging. BECAUSE THE EGGS AND MINI EGGS AREN'T ENOUGH SUGAR!
I've told family NO CHOCOLATE EGGS so my fingers are crossed for jewellery instead (Did you read that Mum, JEWELLERY).
If you have already bought me a big packaged egg, Gareth said I can keep the mug but must hand over the chocolate to children. In my street. I said I don't want to spend the rest of my annual leave in a cell. He said try giving it to children you know. Ah yes, that would make more sense.
So, I may be giving away chocolate on this blog in a week's time. And not just for the children. For anyone who feels they are a big kid. Obviously, if I don't get any, there will be no give-away. I'm not handing over my expensive, gorgeous JEWELLERY that Mum will have bought me. (Mum? you there? 1, 2, 3, testing, testing?).
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I was cheated twice last Wednesday.
A man eating a donut crossed my path as I left work to meet Gareth on the common. The man was acting all innocent, walking along eating an iced donut like his life depended on it as if nothing was wrong. But I knew the truth. Gareth had planted him there just at that moment to test me. I was hungry, hadn't eaten lunch yet. I was tempted to rip that donut out of the man's hand and stuff it all in my mouth in one go. Hah! That'll teach ya for trying to eat that in front of me! But I didn't. Obviously. One step too far maybe? I pretended that I hadn't seen it. Can't fool me that easily Gareth!
Ten minutes later, Gareth announced that we weren't doing any exercise that day. Whaaaaa?! You must be joking! I've changed into my hideous gym gear for nothing! Say it ain't so.
Unfortunately it was true. He wanted to talk about how I was getting along and see if there were any challenges that he could help me with over the next few weeks. Must have read my mind about Easter and ALL THE CHOCOLATE.
Much as I like talking with Gareth, I missed the exercise. Felt cheated, even. Stupidly, I chose to tell him this. He cupped his hand to his ear 'Say what?' Umm....Look, an ice cream van.. shall we stop? Mine's a 99. Do you think we could ask them to fill the ViPR...
At the beginning he warned me that exercise would become addictive and that I would love it soon. Hah! I thought. Yeah right. But in three, almost four weeks, I have succumbed to the endorphin demon. It's winged monkeys are dancing on my back shouting more! more!
After Wednesday, I couldn't go swimming for 3 days (THREE WHOLE DAYS) due to work and stuff so felt really lazy, lethargic and missed it, got all crochety about my swimming or lack thereof. I'm officially sadder than I was four weeks ago. Husband agrees. Cheeky git.
Instead he asked me, what feels great so far?
- Exercise - argh! did I really type that.. really?
- Thirteen pounds lost in 23 days - as of Wednesday's weigh-in
- Down into the next stone - as of Wednesday's weigh-in
- My fitness has improved so much (I can run for a short amount of time and swimming has improved immensely, see below)
- Can do the usual dog walk up the usual hill and be barely out of breath at the top. In the past, I had to sit on the conveniently placed bench for a little while as the dog sat looking at me going 'What? Why'd we stop?'
- All my clothes are looser. My jeans are so loose that I HAD to buy a new pair (I WAS PRACTICALLY FORCED TO).
- New pair of jeans are two sizes smaller than the old pair. I'm sorry maybe you didn't hear that? TWO SIZES SMALLER THAN THE LAST PAIR.
- whoop! whoop!
- I have arm muscles. What are they called again? Oh yeah, biceps. I got me some biceps!
- One pair of trousers that I wear only around the house for chillin' are so loose that if I have my hands full, say with the laundry basket, they end up around my ankles very quickly. Much hilarity ensues. Husband refuses to take the laundry basket from me. Makes me shuffle to the washing machine in my pants.
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The pool was practically empty today.
I had a lane to myself for most of the hour. I could pretend that I was mega rich and owned the entire pool for my personal training. It's a day dream I have often. In it, Husband is the butler. Let's not tell him that bit.
The best news this week (so far) is that the pool is open every day of the next two weeks apart from Easter Sunday. So I will be swimming every day and living the dream of my own personal pool.
This is getting embarrassing but ANOTHER PERSONAL BEST at swimming pool today and to be honest I wasn't even really trying. Don't tell Gareth for god's sake. I just pootled along enjoying the serenity and the music on my mp3 player..
a mile in 50 mins 51 seconds!!! (Down from one hour).
Guess what my high-achieving mother said when I told her my new time...Congratulations? no... Well done?... no, no... I'm so proud of you?...no, no, no!
"I wonder what time the Olympic swimmers do a mile in... Hmm.. you should find out and beat it" She wasn't even joking......yes Mother. I think you need to slow down on that Glucosamine.
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This Thursday is the 5th April and our session will (probably) include a weigh-in and a measuring (oh joy!). We started on the 5th March so it will be exactly one month on this project! (I can tell the time too, wanna see?) I'm looking forward to examining a month's progress. Fingers crossed, it will be good. See you back here for the results AND DON'T BRING ANY CHOCOLATE.
Great stuff Claire!!!
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