Lucybell33's Journal, 09 June 2008

Goal Weight Officially Reached!!!!

It did stick - in fact I managed to lose a little bit more over the weekend, so I've now officially lost 5 stone or 70lbs and one-third of my original body weight to reach my final goal weight - hurrah!! Here's a final before/after photo before I pack that outfit off to the charity shop. (I hope to be able to add some slightly more flattering photos after Finlay's party next Saturday!)



A couple of you have asked (nay, begged!) me for some hints and tips on how I've managed to lose the weight. I've tried to think of everything that has helped me along the way:

1) Even if you don't want to weigh-in every day, try to journal here. It's good to write down how you're feeling, and it's nice having something to read back over. And don't forget to read lots of other peoples' journals - you're bound to find someone else who's going through the same things as you are who you can relate with, as well as inspirational stories to keep you going.

2) Use the food and exercise diaries religiously. I find these invaluable for keeping me accountable and focused. I tended to stick to a Slim Fast milk shake for breakfast and either a Slim Fast soup or meal bar for lunch. They also recently introduced a breakfast cereal here in the UK, so I switched to that a couple of mornings a week for added variety. I snack on fruit, cereal bars and rice cakes with cheese triangles, keeping within my overall daily calorie allowance (see point 4). I try to limit alcohol to weekends, and again only within my allowance. I cook one proper, healthy meal every day (usually in the evening), taken from the recipes on the Slim Fast website.

3) Start exercising as soon as you can (if you're not already). I left it really late to start incorporating the exercise into my plan, and really wish I'd started sooner, because it's great once you get going. I try to do something every day, and have a spreadsheet detailing each day's scheduled workout to keep me focused. I mostly do home exercise DVDs and Wii Fit workouts, because that fits in the best with my lifestyle (I can do them during my little boy's naps), although I would also like to start trying to get to the gym a bit more regularly than once every couple of weeks!

4) Try zig-zagging your calorie intake. I've seen lots of people (including myself) try this with some great results. It makes sense that you don't want your body to get used to a certain calorie level. I use the complex method from this website in conjunction with the the average recommended intake from this website.

5) The odd splurge day really isn't a problem - just as long as you put it straight behind you and start over the next day. I actually think it really helps keep the metabolism boosted to have the odd "bad" day!

Thank you to all my wonderful Fatsecret buddies who've supported me along the way - I genuinely believe this site is the final piece of the jigsaw that has helped me reach what had seemed to be the unobtainable. I'm finally back to a healthy weight, and I couldn't be happier! I look forward to seeing you all reach your goal weights over the coming weeks and months - I'll be with you all the way!!

Love and hugs
Leanne xx

139.2 lb Lost so far: 70.8 lb.    Still to go: 0 lb.    Diet followed 100%.

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1637 kcal

Fat: 38.09g | Prot: 99.64g | Carb: 233.81g.   Breakfast: Raisin & Almond Crunch Cereal, skimmed milk. Lunch: Seed Mix, Banana Milk Shake. Dinner: Mini Milk, Grilled Vegetable Pasta Sauce, capers, tuna, wine vinegar, chopped tomatoes, sugar, garlic, red onion, spray oil, pasta. Snacks/Other: Biscotti, watermelon, clementine, Cranberry, Almond & Raisin Bar, cocoa, strawberries, tea, coffee, skimmed milk. more...

2029 kcal

Activities & Exercise: Standing - 1 hour, Driving - 1 hour and 30 minutes, Walking (slow) - 2/mph - 1 hour, Housework - 2 hours, Desk Work - 3 hours, Sleeping - 8 hours, Resting - 7 hours and 30 minutes. more...