This week was S’s birthday, and with one thing and another I was fairly stressed. I’ve not eaten brilliantly, but it has been better than last week! I think using New Me is helping though; it focuses the mind to have to record everything you eat, but also it shows me how many calories I’ve eaten, how many I’ve burned off with exercise, and a breakdown of where my calories have come from. I find it all too easy to tell myself, “well, you did loads of walking earlier… that’s good for me… I deserve a treat…” when I’m writing it down I’m finding that the walking only burned off a few calories, the thing I thought was good for me is not quite what I thought, and that I had a treat yesterday and the day before. It’s also shown me that perhaps I’m not eating enough – every day I end up with quite a large calorie deficit.

This week I saw a friend I’d not seen for a couple of weeks. He told me I’m looking well, and that my skin looks a lot better. I’ve had awful acne for years so perhaps my diet is helping that too (antibiotics and bleach cream from the doctor have not). I won’t see him now for another two weeks so my plan is to see if he notices another difference.

Goal for last week

Last week’s goal was to still be committed to going sugar free, and to not pig out too much on sugary crap… I think I’ve done ok, considering. I did eat some birthday cake – but considering my house was practically bursting at the seams with the stuff, I’m lucky not to be 80% fondant icing by now. I’ve not had Coke for over a week, and although I have had some Diet Coke on occasion, I don’t really enjoy the taste, and I think I’ve been having it more out of habit than any actual desire to drink it.

I’ve been slowly working my way through the cupboards and removing foods with added sugar. This week I’ve struggled to find sugar free bread and peanut butter. With peanut butter, you seem to have to go for the more expensive, organic type brands rather than the ones I would normally buy. I also discovered sugar is added to a lot of things you would not expect to have it. Coleslaw, for example. And Pom Bear crisps.

Goal for this week

This week I want to knock the sugar on the head once and for all. I have no excuse now; I’m sure the worst of the withdrawal is behind me – whenever I’ve eaten sugar in the last few days I’ve had a terrible headache and felt terrible from it. At the moment I’m in a position where I can’t resist a piece of cake or chocolate if it’s in the kitchen because … well, if I’m honest, I don’t really know why – but the difference now is that because there’s no other sugar in my day to day diet, when I do eat that piece of cake or chocolate, it makes me feel crappy. And if I eat too much of it, I wake up with a hangover. So what I really need to do is have a word with myself, and not go near it. My house is pretty much empty of the stuff now any way.

Exercise

I’ve done a couple of workouts this week, and been for several long walks. On days where I have nowhere pressing to be after nursery drop-off, I’ve started going for a walk as soon as I’ve dropped S off. I’ve also been using a pedometer which is really good for those days where I think “wow, I’ve done loads of walking today” and find that actually it’s only been about 5000 steps!

Food/Drink

I was really busy this week, trying to fit in work and birthday preparations and celebrations. a lot of the time that’s meant I’ve put S to bed, come downstairs and found the cupboard decidedly bare for dinner. There was some take away involved, which has not been ideal – and I don’t even enjoy eating it so I really should know better. I need to be more orgnised with my shopping and planning this week!

Weight & Measurements

Weight: 167lb. Same as last week.
Neck: 14″ same as last week
Bust: 36.5″ Last week: 37″
Waist: 34.5″ Last week: 35″
Hips: 39″ Same as last week
R&L Thigh: 23″/23″ Same as last week
R&L Calf: 14.5″/14.5″ Same as last week

No weight lost again – but I have eaten more sugar than intended. I’m happy to still have lost half an inch from my waist though, and I feel like this change in my diet has had a positive effect on my hernia. I’m aiming for weight and inches lost next week!