Sometimes on your weight loss journey, things just come together and losing weight so easy.  I know we don't all have the money to go to a dietician but we did that.  We also saw a Biokineticist and a physiotherapist.  We learnt something from each one of them.  The biokineticist taught us how to exercise our core muscles but while John has been seeing him, he's been a fountain of information so we've learnt so much more from him.  The physiotherapist taught us healthy back hygiene and why it is our muscles start giving problems as well as why we need to exercise.  The dietician used what we were currently eating and adapted it so we take in a certain amount of kcals a day.  Ever since we started this multi-dimensional approach to a healthier lifestyle our weight has gone down.  When we were on Weigh-less, our weight would fluctuate all the time.  The minute you cheated or as our dietician says treated ourselves, the weight would go up.  With this multi-dimentional approach even when we treat ourselves, the weight keeps going down.  It's fantastic and inspirational.  We have set ourselves a goal weight but I'm sure when we get there and keep on doing the healthy eating and exercising, our weight will continue to go down until we are at the right weight for our height and bone structure.  The amount of weight loss per week is no more an issue, although very gratifying, but the end result is.  To be able to maintain is what's important and for someone who has been on all kinds of diets since I was a teenager, this time I feel, we can and will make it to our goal weights. Here's to a healthier us, cheers.

This morning I had to walk alone as John had work to complete.  Was a bit scary.   The weather was overcast and there were hardly anybody out.  Normally there are people running and walking and some walking their dogs but not this morning.  Anyway I did my walk and felt great afterwards. People are starting to notice the weight loss which is a tremendous motivation to lose more.

We started middle Feb and so far I have lost 5kg and John 8.  My plan is to lose the weight slowly but surely and then to keep it off.  I've done this far too often to know how quickly the kilos can pile on again.  I had to get my head right cause it was telling me that I only need to eat properly and exercise until I've reached goal weight and then I can go crazy and eat badly again. Also times away from home was enough reason for us to go bonkers and eat like starving people.  We were in Cape Town twice now and actually used the gym facility at the hotel, a first for us.  We also judiciously chose our meals to fit in with our eating plan. 

The Easter weekend we really pulled the water out from under the duck and had hot cross buns and Easter eggs but we were in Mpumalanga and did a lot of walking.  Saw all the beautiful waterfalls.  I suppose this was our saving grace cause when we weighed, we hadn't gained any. We were very happy about that and went right back on the program with no sweets and cakes.

I feel we can do this, this time because we're not cutting out anything only reducing.  It's something we can do for the rest of our lives.  We feel good, excited and motivated.

Haven't blogged in a while and thought I'd better do something about that before everyone thinks we've given up on our new, healthy lifestyle.

John is losing kilos faster than what I do and he is so proud of his 6 kilos he's lost so far.  I've only lost 3.  Our dietician says rather focus on the journey than the outcome which can be influenced by so many things.  Instead of saying "I want to weigh x amount by a certain date, just eat healthily and exercise and eventually you will get there.  This is to prevent you giving up when you get to that specified date and you still have lots of kilos to lose.  I like that idea and don't mind losing slowly but steadily.  It is a lifestyle change after all and ongoing with no time limits.

My biggest challenge is to cook healthy meals but with variation so we don't get sick of it. For eating out we've found a good place for breakfasts where we can put together our own breakfast, Fournos Bakery.  For lunches and dinners, it's Spur of all places.  You can choose a nice t-bone steak or grilled fish and calamari with a salad or veggies.  Just save up some fats during the day cause you're never sure how much butter and oils they are using.

It's getting cold in the mornings now when we go out for our walk so we're planning on getting some long pants and even gloves and beanies.  The winters in Gauteng are very different from the Cape Town ones which are cold, wet and miserable.  Here it's cold in the mornings and evenings and quite pleasant during the day.  Don't want anything to put us off our morning walks.  It is lovely to be out so early.  The road where we walk is tree-lined and so there's always some in bloom and of course birds galore.  The people we meet always greet and we're starting to notice regulars.  We're walking faster now too so every 2nd week we add another block to our walk.

Tonight I'll cook Shrimp Pad Thai On the Lighter side,  one of our favourite dishes, for dinner.  It is so yummy, you cannot believe it's part of a weight loss program.

John sees a biokineticist twice a week to learn how to engage his core muscles so on those mornings I do core exercises at home. I got some videos on youtube but I find these exercise extremely difficult to do so feel a bit despondent today.  Why, oh why is there never allowances for chocolate and ice-cream.  I feel like I'll never get to have any of that ever again and I'm not even the sweet tooth.  Made us some couscous tonight for the first time and we both liked it.  Gotta still try out the bulger wheat and quinoa. It is quite a task to plan out menus for each day of the week seeing as we're only allowed three fats and three carbs a day. Gone are the days of the dagwood sandwhich or willy nilly cooking with oils, cream and butter.  Tomorrow morning it's up early again for our walk. It's also weigh day. I'm very proud of my husband who, even though he's the one with the sweet tooth, has not given in to any food temptations. In fact he says he craves nothing. Amazing.

We had a massive treat last night. Apparently cheat has bad connotations, so we treat ourselves. Went to Browns Restaurant with a colleague of John's and his wife. I said no to the beautiful little baked bread and butter and felt very noble. Then everybody ordered starters and I only wanted my main meal and the waitress asked if I wouldn't like a small salad seeing as everyone else was having a starter and I decided on the Asian calamari steak instead and then I also decided to have some red wine. The guys wanted to order a bottle but didn't want to get one between the two of them alone, so I helped out by volunteering to have some as well. I had been fully intent on staying within the program but I felt like a party pooper saying no to this and to that, so I just enjoyed my starter, which was very good and then had chicken and a yellow pepper stuffed with rice as my main meal. Fortunately we didn't have dessert as well.  I'm becoming super aware of the carbs and fats present in what we eat and drink. I know from trying to lose weight before, that alcohol is a big no-no. One glass can easily reverse a whole week of healthy eating benefits so I avoid it. I was a great treat though. I would recommend Browns in Sandton anytime.  I could've stayed well within my daily allowance if I'd wanted to.

Last weekend we visited my daughter Natalie and John picked up something, we're not sure what, and sprained a back muscle.  He was in so much pain that he had to go for physio. She explained how these injuries happen and why.  There being no core muscles to support the muscles needed for actions like picking up things, these muscles go into spasm.  That decided us to do something once again about our weight but not only that, to live a healthier life.  Lent seemed to be the right time to do this as we've given up alcohol and a lot of carbs and I love my bread.

Well, we're well on our way.  John sees a biokineticist twice a week and we walk for 30 minutes 3 times a week.  We've also seen a dietician who gave us a program to work on and it's looking good.  No hunger pangs.  In fact the proteins we are allowed seems too much to eat in a day.  We're eating lots of veg and salads.  Salad dressings are minimal as we're only allowed 3 fats a day and one serving is like 1 teaspoon of oil.  We've both lost over 1 kg since starting last Thursday.  Yippee.

We're both feeling good and energized.  I pray this lasts and becomes a way of life and not just something we do for a few months and then fall back into bad ways.