It turns out that trying to maintain a blog while also looking after a newborn is really difficult. It’s two weeks since the last post, and in that time Arthur has started to smile and has had his 12 week jabs. He is gaining weight nicely, something we can all relate to in these trying times. Some would argue that it’s perhaps not the time to be restrictive around one of life’s real pleasures, but then they don’t have 84lbs to lose!
With the help of MyFitnessPal and MapMyWalk I have been tracking the calories consumed and the time exercised to really get back control of my diet. I have 1200 calories a day, and with a basal metabolic rate (BMR) of over 1700 calories, this should be sufficient a deficit to create a sustainable weight loss. Esther, my closest friend, is also working on her “lockdown bulge” and we are keeping each other motivated with endless pictures of what we’re eating!
Wednesday 8th July saw my first weigh-in after a week on this new regime… I was very happy to see 5lbs had gone already. Admittedly, I realise this is a lot of water retention and that there’s usually a good weight loss in that first week. Esther reported in with an 8lbs weight loss in her first week. Needless to say, we were both thrilled with this and celebrated accordingly with a chinese and a bottle of fizz. I should add that the food was from a slimming world recipe so not all bad.
Motivated by this loss, I kept on with the calorie counting, but sadly exercise is taking something of a back seat, as I have done something to my hip. While I wait for an x-ray, and a physio referral, it’s more important than ever that I control what goes in! I have kept in and around the 1200 permitted calories, and tracked what little exercise I can do. The important thing for me is to maintain focus so that by the time I’m heading back to work next year, I am fitter and healthier and can enjoy both working and spending time with Arthur.
Wednesday 15th July – weigh-in number two: another 3lbs gone! That’s 8lbs in 2 weeks, which is over half a stone. My aim is to lose 7lbs a month. I want the weight loss to be sustainable. Fad diets don’t work, I need to ensure I am eating the right amount of the right kind of foods. And yes, sometimes that is a cake… but if I count it, and make adjustments elsewhere, that one cake isn’t so bad.
Friday (17th) saw a lovely walk out with the girls I met at NCT, adding 8000 steps and offsetting some of the treats then consumed with Esther on Friday night. It’s four sleeps until weigh day – so I have spent this afternoon raiding my Slimming World and Pinch of Nom recipe books and making a list to take shopping. Looking forward to trying out some new recipes!
Blast That Baby Blubber 