This picture was taken on my birthday in October 2009 and at the time it was taken I was struck when I looked it at it how much weight I had really lost since January. It still has that effect on me now.
I am very excited about losing some more weight. Before the gallstones starting mis-behaving I had lost three and a half stone on a programme called LighterLife. It is becoming very popular in the UK now.
I had a break from the programme to have a holiday and that is when the gallstones flared up. I had to stop the programme and change track. I lost more weight sticking to a very low fat diet until the surgery. Now the evil gallbladder has gone, and I am ready for the challenge of getting rid of the rest of the pounds.
When I joined Lighterlife in January 2009 you had to have at least three stone to lose to join the programme. Now there are more flexible and inclusive options.It is an extreme programme, but it worked really well for me. It suited my personality. I liked the 'freedom' of disconnecting from food totally, and not having the challenge of deciding what to eat. Other than black coffee, black tea and water and the foodpacks, you can have nothing else. It is a very low calorie diet and after the first two/three days you don't feel hungry at all. Hard to imagine? Well- I didn't. I found it much easier to stick to than I imagined. The hunger goes because you are in a zone called ketosis.
I got to a point where I could go out to eat with other people and just drink black coffee. I amazed myself. I was in the zone. And the best part- the results are damned quick. It is the most appealling part. When you have a lot to lose, speed helps!
Some folk said 'you will have to learn how to manage food at some point-is it a good idea?'. I do take that point. However,the rationale for not eating food while you are on the plan is to give you the chance to think about why you got fat in the first place, and to explore your habits and reasons for over-eating.
I did notice some interesting patterns. The biggest shock was how well you can be when eating so little. I can honestly say I felt marvellous the whole time I was on the plan. Full of energy and focus. Even when I was eating very little on the low fat diet I noticed how well I was on very little. Big portions and greed- one of my biggest downfalls.
So, I am back on it and have done two full days. It has been a bit like slipping into a pair of comfy slippers. I am back in the groove. I know my weak point- Friday nights.I pine for wine and a lovely meal out. A deeply ingrained anchor.
Read here for what I do to distract me when the time comes. Til then, wish me luck burning off the festive excess.
