ROUND UP 2.0: Week 1 - 4 Results

Hola peeps!

I've got some great news. After 30 days of being on the plan, I lost 8.6 kgs! That's just 100gms less than my 1st go I had with the program 5 years ago without exercise and with deviation (see Food Pushers entry), so I'm pretty happy about it.

Cue in.......

As for the scale that tells me my life 😛, I've seen some nice improvements too, most notably Body age and Visceral Fat have both gone down.

I haven't taken my body measurements when I started, probably because I never thought I could do it again after so many failed attempts. I wanted to do that this morning but I can't find our tape measure. I'm doing that tomorrow so I have better reporting next time ;). 

Observations:

1. Hair and Skin - both definitely looking much better. My hair looks healthier and my skin is not dry. I don't think my hair is falling out than the normal daily hair loss. 
   
   
   Aside from being on the plan, I'm taking a high dosage of liquid Omega 3s (Ultimate Omega by Nordic Naturals), it's quite pricey for a 4 oz bottle. I've switched to their Complete Omega which has a lower dosage of Omega 3 but has Omega 6 and 9 in the mix. It's cheaper and twice the size. So let's see..
   
   
   I'm also avoiding direct sun exposure because I get that a lot of that from Oct-Apr at work. 
   
   
2. BMs - way more regular before I got on the plan. I'm happy about this because I have poor BMs that I take a laxative tea at least once a week to get a good clear up. Nowadays it comes like clockwork in the morning. 
   
   
3. Exercise - I did NADA! On my first try, I was still pretty active and reduced my workouts to yoga at least 3 times a week. Now, all I did was walk for about an hour thrice? I just walked, because I'm feeling like a lazy bum from doing nothing. 
   
   
4. Oranges - I love them! :D I never really ate oranges by choice. Now, I have 1 every day (except for the past 2 days)
   
   
5. Sleep - I'm still struggling with this. Before the Eid break, I couldn't sleep early. But since the holiday started, I'm sleeping more. Was it because I cut the DC? Or maybe I'm not thinking about work so much? NO STRESS LIFESTYLE.
   
   
6. Mood - definitely better. I feel good. Same as the 1st time, I didn't feel the same amount of "dread and depression" prior to my periods. I felt the lethargy and the quick temper, but nothing compared to how I felt each month prior to it. I wasn't sickly as well.
   
   
7. Energy - I can't really gauge, because I haven't done anything that's extra. Overall, I just feel better
   
   
8. Allergies - For years, I've depended on a nasal spray to clear my nose up. My nose is clogged as I type this however, I feel that my use of the spray has lessened. I look forward to getting rid of this nasal spray for good. 

I'm not as strict on meal preparations like before. I don't prepare my meals for the week in advance anymore. I'm trying to establish the habit of cooking my food per day, as I believe that's how it's supposed to be, so the food is fresh.

The plan really works as long as you follow it. It is difficult at the beginning but once you get over the initial weeks, it is pretty easy to be on. On some days I'm craving, but I think its something to do with the timings of my fruit intake or I'm just missing the thought of eating "good" junk. 

But honestly, I'm not hungry and no longer craving. And it feels so damn good to be rid of that dependency on the stuff that's not good for me.

I look forward to the days ahead :)

29th Day: [Very] Long Weekend

Eid Mubarak to all my Muslim friends and readers :) 

I've got a few days left until my 30th day weigh in. Im targeting a 10kg loss which Im behind. I'm going to cut out the diet colas and fruits until my weigh-in day and make sure I have my last meal no later than 8PM. Im not sure if those will help, but I will try 💪💀. 

I've nothing planned during the Eid break (6 days!). I started to stress out on how I will fill those days in. I've got some errands to do but I'm cash low these days so I have to penny pinch. So I thought, I will have totally relaxing days at home, 

1. Wake up as my body does.
2. Have a cup of coffee on the balcony, enjoying the warm mornings.
3. Cook my meals when I feel like it (but on time, but no pressure to cook all of them in one go).
4. Eat on time
5. Clean up when I want to
6. Go for a walk when I feel like it
7. Do yoga if I fancy
8. Sleep well - sleep when I'm sleepy, read when Im not
9. Take my cat to the groomers - no particular day, just make sure its done.
10. Collect laundry - I received laundry vouchers worth $300! so I sent all the clothes I cant be bothered to iron plus everything that needs to be dry-cleaned and permanently creased.
11. Maybe go to the beach
12. Have an at-home spa - talking about DIY facials, hair masks, bubble baths, scrubs
13. Cat-sit
14. Read/listen to my books
15. Improve my knowledge on the job
16. Read diaries in the forum
17. Shop for groceries
18. Get the car serviced

Not going to stress about it, just do them if I can or if I want to. Since I'm in a good head space right now and I feel better overall, I want to continue destressing my mind and body. God knows my work during the Equestrian Season is crazy. Who thought organizing back to back polo tournaments (we've got 15 tournaments in the upcoming season) and show jumping competitions (around 15 SJ comps, maybe more) in a span of 8 months could be so hectic?! Mentally and physically draining, 6-days a week of working long hours.

So I'm using the summer season to relax, but still plan ahead, and this Eid break to basically indulge in the luxury of doing (almost) nothing.

Day 29 - all meals, crackers and vits taken on time. Deviation free

Day 37: Im Zoning!

Today is another good day. I love saying that! :D I met with my previous colleagues from my first job here. We were a small team and after 2 years, we are all working in different companies. And with the looks of it, we are all in a good place now (work-wise). It was a lovely time. It was breakfast and they ordered nice stuff and dessert!(brownies and vanilla ice cream! My soul!) Im a breakfast person, I think its my favorite meal outside. I really eat loads of breakfast items - eggs, pancakes, sausages, bacon (heaps!!!), bread and butter.. its my favorite meal out (did i say that?) :D But anyway, I just had 2 cups of black coffee and enjoyed the chat.

 

1 lady there, i worked with her until my recent move and as we walked out the venue I told her Im back on this diet. She saw me struggle to get back on so many times before and I told her now this time it was different. And I just blurted out "It feels so so good!" She was like, "Really?" "Its not just the weightloss part but I do really feel good somehow." And then she continued to mention that my weightloss is noticeable and that I really look nice at this size, looking happy and healthy. Told her that I also dont feel hungry most of the time now. Just missing taste of the food that I used to eat, but hunger wise, none.

 

Food is our medicine right? Do people really pay for medication to achieve this good emotional state that Im experiencing now? I hope more people knew about this!

 

The change with the scale is still slow, but Im really dropping in size. I wore a 3/4 khaki pants today and it was lose on me. And Ive had this since 2004! Imagine that!? Love it

 

I think this is one of the reasons why I kept trying to get back on the bus in spite of the many failures and dissapointments. Because I have experienced the other benefits aside from weightloss. I cant put a price on the "feeling good" feeling. I feel positive and just light. Amazing what food can do to our overall well-being.

 

Afterwards went out for movies with bf and thr popcorn doesnt bother me anymore. Later, we did some major grocery shopping (the rotisserie chicken smell was drool worthy!). Was tired from walking around. Im ready for this week with my proteins, veggies and fruits.

 

Saturday, rugby night. Wanted to braai but we were both tired. So had my dinner on time.. a PAM stir-fry of everything! :D

 

Day 37: deviation free. All allowances taken
Mood = Good good..
Hunger = None

Day 35-36: Feeling good

Oh my goodness what a week. Really hectic at work. Im learning a lot on the field I want to be in but I have to think this through.

Im really fascinated about my temp boss. Why is she like the way she is and how did she become that way? She is brilliant and at the same time toxic. Is she really all what I think she is? Nevertheless I could learn more than thing or 2 from her. I still cant wait to start with my actual boss, Im sure that will be a challenge as well.

Went to the club after work. I havent been in ages! Had my dinner and ate that and just had DC in the club. I was partially deaf when I left that place. Im too old for that shiz.

Slept a lot on Day 36. I didnt feel hungry at all the whole day. I felt eating was a task that and I could have gone more than 5 hours without a meal. I just wanted to sleep.

All is well and I think Im back in the Zone.

Day 35-36: deviation free. Fruit under allowance. Didnt take my vits on both days because I forgot them
Mood=good
Hunger=none

Day 13: Popcorn with Cheetos Jalapeno on My Mind

Hungry for taste that is. Im just missing my papa roti buns.

Went for coffee during mid day with a friend. I just had coffee and her something else. We chatted about the things we used to talk about in my previous job, somehow I miss the industry.

Im in a good place right now, just missing the taste of junk that I used to eat. I wasn't hungry per se, but I want to eat those food. Popcorn with Cheetos Jalapeno.. aggghh my mind is still on this one. Salivating.. hahahhaha but not gonna cave in because....

Im zoning baby! yebo!

So busy today. Ate lunch ar 4:30 and the dinner at 10!! :/

Day 13: dinner at 10, 2 fruits under allowance, vits taken
Mood = really good
Hunger = craving taste of other food, but not hungry

Day 12: Trying to Keep a Positive Attitude

She brings in the same terror as this
woman minus the looks & style and
composed voice. Everyone in the
office avoids her.. :/

Hay this lady, the boss of the person Im temporarily handling the job for is just really a very toxic person! It is warranted that she has a lot on her plate and she will not have patience for errors or delays, I definitely understand that, but still all that negative emotion - raised voice, annoyed look, making everyone hurry, just trickles down to the team. I feel it but I try not to let it get to me, I know Im good (and zoning) so I try not to let her kill my buzz.

In other news, the meat spice yesterday evening didnt seem to have an effect on me this morning (the scale moved down). However, it may still harm me over the next few days.

Day went by, was so busy I got to eat lunch at 4 and reached home 10mins to 9. So I was able to eat my dinner on time.

Day 12: deviation free, 1 fruit under allowance, vits taken

Mood = good

Hunger = none

Day 11: 10 Day Results

Ah-wooh-hoooh!

After 10 days, I lost exactly 3kgs!! And together with this are the following changes:

- no more bloating (except when I eat asparagus)
- allergies almost gone
- I feel good, could it be that Im in the Zone?
- Sleep is much better -> I have a fit bit HR so it shows me how many times restless and awake I was during the night.. Shows me that I restlessness is less.

So Im good. Yipeee!!

Anyhoo, I overslept today, so I rushed preparing my breakfast and lunch. I was a bit torn between not preparing it and just buying salad at work, but no, I really cant stop this now. So I was 10mins late for work but all is gooood..

I just made sure I reach home on time to make my CD dinner. But I really had to work late so I asked my BF to prepare my dinner, he got it all right, he just added meat spice to my beef! No wonder it was very tasty.. Deviation right there.

Anyhoo.. all is well.. and I do a mini- Chandler dance :D

Day 11: Not deviation free, 1 fruit under allowance, everything taken on time and properly spaced.

Mood = good
Hunger = only while watching Chopped (which we do every night) :D