Here Comes The Rain Again

Along my weight loss journey, the biggest and most poignant moment was the decision I made to start running. By my own admission, I am probably the worlds worst runner. I start and I stop, but this time I intend to see it through until the end. I sometimes make every excuse under the sun (or rain) not to go out and run. So far I am on a 5 day winning streak, and while writing this post, I am already thinking of the benefits of going for a run today - hey the clouds and rain have even disappered and the sun has come out - is that a sign or what!

I made a decision to run (something that at well over 105kgs in weight I never thought I could do). I purchased a pair of expensive trainers, and for this I used a professional running store. They measured my gait (the position my foot lands when I run), and advised me on the best pair to get. I still cannot bear to throw my first pair of running shoes away!

I downloaded an app - I can highly recommend this, and it was great until I got to around Week 5. I moved countries, to a much hotter one and I stopped running. Up until this point, in only 5 weeks, the difference I saw in my body shape was astounding, and everybody else noticed it too.

Moving countries was a big hindrance to my weight loss, I missed home, and was adapting to my new surroundings and trying to settle in. In reality, I should have continued with my running to give me some sense of normality. My other half is a marathon runner, he runs like a gazelle and I feel totally inadequate next to him, so this threw me off kilter also. If I learned one thing, it is be yourself, no one else will lose weight like you, so stick to your guns. If it works, then do it.

I began to use everything as an excuse, the weather was too hot, it was raining, I was tired. If I had still been at home in the UK I would have been running. The point I am trying to make here is that only you can make a difference, and you have to do some kind of exercise. When you exercise make sure that you push yourself to your limit.

Have a goal - find a local race and enter one that is around 8 weeks away, and start small. I have ran a 5k and now have two 10k races under my belt. This was something that I never thought I would do. I am writing a separate page on running tips, but if you have lots of weight to lose, then this is a serious contender in assisting your weight loss - rememeber to consult your GP if you are severely overweight though - all running guides will recommend this. Anyway, I am heading for the great outdoors now - please comment if you have found any of my posts interesting or inspiring so far!

Me Before I could Run for 1 Minute

Me completing my 1st 5km race in Birmingham, UK

Day 4- Keep on Running

After yesterday's little mishap, I felt more determined today than ever. So, after cleaning the house from top to bottom - a great way to burn a few calories, I donned my running gear and went out for 7.5km. It was a beautiful day today, and although part of me really did not want to go, I ignored the niggles and ventured outside for some fresh air and exercise.

I have started using a running app again - which combines running and walking. The pace picks up in every session and gets you working harder and longer. A great way to introduce yourself to running, and there are plenty of apps out there to chose from. The one that I use is great as you can have some great up tempo music as well as hearing the voice instructions from the coach. Use your favorite search engine to find the right one for you.

I am feeling much better after 5 continous days of healthy eating and exercise, and am hoping for results in my weigh in on Monday!

Day 3 - Had a Bad Day?

No one said it was going to be easy, so even if your day did not go as planned, learn from your mistake and start again. Having said that, it does not exercise (pardon the pun) your right for you to binge-eat for the rest of the day. Give yourself a break, dust yourself off and start again immediately.

My mistake today was total lack of preperation. I knew we were going out into town for the day, full of bakeries, souvlaki houses and temptations galore. I skipped breakfast as I was late getting ready, so when I got to town I was hungry.

I sat and had a coffee - I ordered a capuccino without even thinking about it, instead of black coffee and ordered a sweet dessert. By some sheer luck, he forgot my dessert, and I had the willpower not to remind him. I did my business around the town, visited some family in law, avoided their high fat lunch of fried potatoes, but then on my way home, hunger pangs got the better of me and I ordered a pita gyros (meat, tzatziki, tomatoes, onions and fries all wrapped up in a pita). A whopping 600 calories spent on one meal, and to be honest, I did not even enjoy it!

When I got home, I made sure I did a 7km walk and run to at least compensate for it, and I burned around 590 calories and made sure I was fairly good for the remained of the day. So the moral of today's story is...

Day 2 - The Eye of the Tiger

So, its almost the end of Day 2. It is approaching the time of day that I like to call 'Danger Hour'. Where all of the good work of the day can quickly be undone. Around 9pm - I really crave something sweet. This thought becomes all consuming, and all I can think of is eating mainly chocolate. These cravings are all in the mind, or in my case, mouth, and if I can find the willpower to distract myself long enough, surely, in time, it goes away. Last night I put a movie on, and made sure that I had nothing tempting in the kitchen cupboards. At around 10pm, I had a Peppermint Tea with a tea spoon of honey in it - hey presto my sweet craving was cured and I also had an intake of water - something that I find is very important when I am trying to lose weight.

Today, my distraction is blogging, and I may even shift this permanently to 'Danger Hour' to take my mind from my chocoholic tendencies. This craving will only last for around a week, and if I can break the habit now, from next week onwards, it will be so much easier! It is so easy to undo a days good work in a second. I am really going to focus on my goal of being slim, it seems so much more appealing to have a delicious bikini body than a delicious bar of chocolate :-)

Thought of the Day!

Today's Highlights:

• 90 minutes cycling through hilly terrain
• Low calorie Hot Chocolate as a treat
• Larger breakfast to compensate for my exercise, I had 2 x slices of 24g Granary Toast and I swapped my usual butter for a teaspoon of honey, along with around 150g of 2% Greek Yoghurt
• Black coffee - having given up milk and sugar in all hot drinks - use honey if you just cannot go without!