Weight loss:    +0.5lb

Current weight:    12st 2.5lb

Weight loss since start:    4lb

Lbs to go to reach next target:    1lb

I must admit, when I stepped on the scales this week I was absolutely gutted.  I’ve still stuck to the program, still not had any alcohol or chocolate and still kept up my new exercise routine.  I honestly could have cried (although I’ve also had an extremely stressful time at work over the last few days so I am slightly emotional anyway).

However, I soon had a little chat with myself though and realised that only 2 weeks ago I was moaning that I’d ‘only’ lost 0.5lb.  Therefore, it surely makes sense that I don’t give myself too hard a time about putting on this amount.  It may well be due to some kind of natural fluctuation in my weight and I may well end up with a bigger loss next week.

Whatever the reason for it I’ve decided to view it as a positive and make sure that I’m concentrating on feeling ‘satisfied not stuffed’ this week and hopefully it will also motivate me not to go mad on alcohol and chocolate once I’m allowed them again on Saturday.

What’s gone well?

I said in last week’s post that there were a couple of moments when I’d felt like I couldn’t be bothered to go to my fitness classes.  Well, I’m happy to report that this week it is beginning to feel like just part of my routine.

I’m also really pleased that I have managed another week without chocolate or alcohol.  To be honest, I’m not even missing it.  The only time when I did feel like a glass of wine was on Sunday when my dad came round for a meal for his birthday.  I am looking forward to having a glass of wine or a cocktail next weekend, but I won’t be going crazy!

Me & Mr FFF went to the cinema on Saturday to watch The Wolfman of Wall Street (really good but really long film – 3hrs!).  As I had plenty of weekly points available I did treat myself to 2 scoops of Ben and Jerry’s (1 FroYo & 1 ice-cream) and we shared some popcorn.  However, the popcorn wasn’t that tasty so I didn’t eat much of it.  I’ve never done this before – in the past I’d just munch my way through it anyway.  But this time I thought ‘This really isn’t worth putting into my mouth’.  So I didn’t.  Simple.

What’s been difficult?

I’m starting to worry about whether I’ll be able to control my chocolate intake when I allow it back in to my diet next weekend.  I’m not too bothered about the alcohol as I don’t drink much anyway.  Chocolate however, is another story.  I could quite happily scoff my way through a large bar of chocolate in about 20 minutes.  I’ve also got a few chocolate gifts left over from Christmas in the back of one of my kitchen cupboards.

I’m planning on having a couple of drinks on Saturday evening but no chocolate.  That way I’m not going to be treating myself to chocolate straight away on 1^st February.  I might even lay off the chocolate for the rest of that week.

I’m also going to bag-up my Christmas chocolate into 3/4pp portions and keep them out of sight at the back of the cupboard.

The week ahead

I’m going out for dinner with my sister on Wednesday.  I’ve had a look online at the menu for the restaurant we’re going to and there are at least 3 options I can have with a choice of veggies, salad and new potatoes.

I’m still going to have a nice relaxing bath tonight to unwind but I won’t use my Lush products as I didn’t lose this week.  Instead, once I’ve stayed on track this week, I’m going to treat myself to a Lush bath on Saturday.

As I’ve already achieved my January target of losing 4lb, I’m going to set myself a mini-target of losing 1lb this week to help motivate me to stay on track.  If When I achieve this goal I’m going to buy myself a bunch of flowers as a reward.

Thanks for reading.

PS  What do you do to help you stay on track following a weight gain?