A very good week...............

I've stayed away from rubbishy carbs, only eaten when I was actively hungry and stopped eating when I was no longer hungry.

The result has been (over 6 days) a very pleasing 5lb weight loss; ½" loss from waist; ¾" loss from tummy; ½" loss from hips; ¼" loss from both thigh and upper arm.

28th April 2014

4th May 2014

Here's me being chuffed after measuring myself, and then trying on holiday bikinis, this afternoon.

I'm a happy bunny

After my breast mastopexy (uplift) last July, and then small augmentation in January, my boobies are now fully healed and I'm very pleased with the results.  I have, round, pert breasts (they pass the 'pencil test with flying colours!) that sit up on my chest and remain there when I remove my bra :)

Before my breast surgery I was a size 34F.  I am now a size 34F/G.  Exactly what I had hoped (note: breast uplift usually results in a reduction of 1-2 cup sizes, the augmentation op was to replace the volume lost in the mastopexy).

My scars are healing/fading beautifully (I had a full anchor lift); they are much less obvious/red/visible than I had anticipated (yay!!).  Scars are already fine and pale and, I'm hopeful, will fade more and more over time.

Being able to chose bikinis with no support is a total joy!  I have bought a few triangle bikini halter tops in size 18 (no more extortionate cost for cup sized bikinis - yay) and they fit well over my boobs but each of the back straps will need shortening by a couple of inches.  I'm waiting until closer to my holiday before I get my sewing machine out to make the alterations (I might lose a bit more 'back fat' between now and then).  Size 12 bikini bottoms fit fine but I am hoping the slight bulges of flesh at the waist band will be long gone before we jet off!

I need to recommit to my vibration plate - and I will starting tomorrow.   May will be a month of focused exercise to firm up my muscles (June is a crazy work month but I will try to do as much as I can then too).

Hubby and I are going to Mexico for two weeks in an all inclusive, adults only, luxury resort.  We fly out on 28th June the day after my 40th birthday; hubby's birthday is 29th June :).

Who knows I might even post a holiday bikini shot (or two).

Making progress.......

............thank goodness!

I have managed to keep away from refined carbs and both weight and inches are reducing.  I am back in control of my eating and hunger is much lessened (phew!).

I am eating small portions, only when I am actively hungry and eating mindfully.  Most meals (one or two per day) I leave food on my plate.  If I feel hungry and am not able to sit down and have a small, mindful, meal I eat something like piece of cheese or spoonful of sugar free peanut butter.

5lbs and an inch from my waist shed in the last two weeks.

I feel thinner and less 'yukky' (when I was gorging on carbs I felt sluggish and headachy much of the time); and I am not obsessing about food all the time.  

13th April 2014

28th April 2014

I'll update next weekend.  x

Getting back on track........

In the past two weeks I have cut out the carbs and refocused myself on eating well and mindfully. Once sugar is out of my system I don't crave it and I only want to eat when I am physically hungry.  

THE RESULT: 5lb weight loss and 1.5" lost from my waist. 

I have re-read (actually listened to the audiobook) of 'Why we get fat and what to do about it' and that has been so helpful in reinforcing what I need to do.  If you haven't read that book I very much recommend you do.  Then, once you've read it, read it again. And again.  

The result of reading 'Why we get fat and what to do about it'

Controlling emotional eating

In the past, like many overweight and obese people, I would often eat when I was not hungry. Infact, prior to being banded, I hardly ever ate because I was hungry. I rarely went without food long enough to physically become hungry. I craved food, I obsessed about food and I wanted food but not due to physical need (not very often at least). 

The experience of being banded has had the unexpected, but very welcome, result of my recognising and conquering my emotional eating habits. Interestingly I don't think I would have been able to address them pre-band because it is the experience if being banded that has enabled me to recognise how I used to use food. 

My emotional connection to food was at serious odds with the very basic rules of being banded, namely: 

• only eat when hungry;
• eat slowly and consciously;
• eat small portions, off a small plate;
• and stop eating when no longer hungry. 

None of the above allowed for emotional eating and, as a result, I became aware that I used to eat for reasons other than hunger. I read a book on emotional eating and that helped me to identify what my triggers are (mostly work stress, sadness and boredom).  

I learnt to chant the mantra "if the problem is not hunger the solution is not food" in my head whenever I felt a compulsion to eat.

Now when I feel the urge to reach for food when I am not physically hungry I address it thus:

Step one: if the problem is not hunger then what is it?

Step two: what would be a more appropriate response to the problem?


Ultimately I have had to come to terms with the fact that food can be a lovely distraction from stuff I don't want to do or think, can entertain me when I am bored, can comfort me when I am sad etc. BUT only temporarily and after I have eaten I am still overworked, sad, bored etc. but I have the additional problem of my having overeaten and that makes me feel bad (and physically I know the consequences that overeating have for me). 

I have to remain vigilant and sometimes resisting the urge to soothe my emotions with food is very, very difficult. But it's becoming easier and easier - practice makes perfect afterall..........