Thursday 1 October 2009

sugar

For those of you who are regular followers-you will know that I am currently not drinking alcohol and eating a restricted no fat diet. I am a walking advert for a healthy diet. I eat so much fish these days I probably will develop gills. So much chicken- I will develop feathers. Industrial quantities of salad, vegetables and wholegrains disappear down this throat these days.

So you would think that this lady, sitting drinking a coffee with skimmed milk, would be pencil thin. Like Kate Moss and so forth.

Not a bit of it.

I am still three stone overweight, and while I am not putting any weight on, I am now not losing it.

I am living proof that a healthy diet is not the route to losing weight, but keeping it off.
So- more examination needed. What can I do to further help my cause?

I have identified two things. One- I am not doing enough exercise. At the moment I am really not physically robust enough to do anything radical but I could walk a lot more, and I could swim. I could do some gentle stretching. I could move more. I know it helps, I know it helps a lot.

Secondly, and more importantly, I need to look at my SUGAR intake. I don't eat chocolate because of the gall stone problems but to be honest it's not a passion of mine really. I don't miss it, but I never ate a lot anyway. If someone said I could never eat it again it wouldn't really bother me folks.

However, the gallstones don't seem to mind tooty fruities, skittles and fruity sweets. The odd biscuit seems to be ok too, and even a low fat cake. With all the fruit I am already eating, I think I am overdoing the sugar. I have said it. The culprit is sugar .... or should I say the culprit is me.

So, what now? From Monday I am going to kick all sugar other than fruit sugar into touch. It is being cut out.... and I am going to start walking every day. Even half a mile. Rain or shine I am getting out there.

I have a month til my operation, and I have time to get half a stone off. This will help me and I am determined to do it.

No fat. No read meat. Nothing fried. No alcohol. No sugar. I think you could be reading the post of a saint in the making.


The Saint

10 comments:

l'optimiste said...

ee - HARD! good luck with that. I wish I had your determination!

Daisy said...

Wow - I really admire your determination - sounds like you're about to be the healthiest blogger out there!! Good luck and keep us posted!

Renie Burghardt said...

Hi Jo,

Hmm, well, I know I actually do eat some good fats (olive oil, little butter) but watch my carbs! Sugar, rice, pasta, potatoes, etc. Splenda makes a wonderful sugar substitute. Are you counting calories? And fruits have to be eaten in moderation for sure, because of their natural sugar. I'm sure you will figure it out, and walking will help, no doubt.

Happy weekend.

Renie

Loopin said...

I heartily recommend the walking. It's the only exercise I'm currently doing, and as well as losing off the legs, it's beginning to go from lower abdomen. You're lucky in being in the gorgeous Lake District, so you can do some walking uphill - which is particularly good for making sure the exercised muscles include the stomach. Not only will your surgeon be pleased with the no refined sugar vow, but also your dentist, I'm sure!
I don't know what I'd do without chocolate, but I'm sure if I was in the pain you get in with fatty foods, it wouldn't be such a wrench. Hope your new tack pays dividends in the lead-up to the op. I'll have my fingers crossed for you and more, renewed positive vibes sent your way.

Expat mum said...

Yes, you're right. It's both. You need to move around to shift more weight and you need to stop scoffing sweeties. Why not try to replace your "treat"? It's too hard to just cut out your favourite things without having something in their place. Dried fruit? Pumkin seeds?
But well done girl.

Gberger said...

You have GREAT self-discipline. Sugar is a hard taste to curb, but it can be done (so I understand). =)
The South Beach Diet cookbook has a lot of recipes that would work with this goal, I think. I couldn't do the (extreme) first phase of their plan, but the recipes are good, and they helped us to transition from depending so much on carbs with our dinner(rice, potatoes, rolls, bread) to a veggie and fruit, or veggie and salad, to accompany the meat dish. We don't stick to this way of eating as much as we used to, but I wish we did! Good luck!

Anonymous said...

Hey good to hear from you again - I was getting worried.

I spent 15 years working as a personal trainer / fitness instructor so know you MUST combine exercise with healthy diet to increase weight loss. The more lean muscle you have, the faster you will burn calories. I have software to analyse dietary intake and would be happy to do this for you. Email me on polergirldiary@yahoo.co.uk if you would like me to help out.

tmmb said...

Bravo on the diet! Wish I had anywhere near your discipline. And I will get back as soon as I can, and we'll do some walking! in the Lakes! :)

Gill - That British Woman said...

good luck from me as well, I have such a sweet tooth, that's my down fall as well, along with bread!!

Gill in Canada

Jinksy said...

Having been diagnosed as diabetic recently, I've taken to studying the sugar content of just about everything! Sugar free jelly makes a great pud, when the tongue needs an after dinner sweetner, especially with a dollop of Dream Topping, also sugarless, made with skimmed milk. I've managed to loose quite a bit of weight, despite an occasional Rich Tea biscuit or finger of Kit Kat! If I can do it, you can! I've been on a low fat regime for years, to keep gall stones at bay too, so I know the challenges you are facing...