I've tracked my weight and measurements on the first of the quarter, on and off, since the nineties. Some years I skipped it altogether, others I managed every six months instead of every three, but on my computer there's a file tracking my dimensions for the past decade and a half. At the top of a series of tables is a summary: my highest and lowest weights and measurements.
The lowest weight is from 1991, when I did the now-defunct NutriSystem program - they supplied a week's worth of (predominantly synthetic or canned) food and conducted weekly weigh-ins. Having a history of an eating disorder was a warning flag that meant they needed to consult a physician before signing someone up, but that slowed down the sale not at all. It should have - I lost maybe 8 kilos in about seven weeks, but relapsed into the bulimic behaviour that characterised parts of my adolescence. My initial weight gain (some 30k in the time between leaving high school and dropping out of uni) is at least partly attributable to stopping the purging but keeping the binging. Fortunately I decided I'd rather be fat and relatively healthy than thin and regurgitating.
My heaviest weight was three months ago today.
I'd already decided to start Lite'n'Easy, the latest in a long line of short-lived life changing resolutions; seeing 118.2 on the scales did help a bit with the impetus. Having food automatically delivered every week has been a big part in sticking to it - I've fluctuated with my compliance on the exercise front, but stuck to the calories very well.
And it's paid off - though I'm sure my progress would be faster if I walked more consistently, and had more days beginning with a workout instead of half an hour (that inevitably stretches) online or with a book, the weigh is still coming off. That, of course, encourages me to continue. In thirteen weeks I've lost a shade under a kilo a week, or 12.2k to date, which is no bad thing. I'm trying to focus on that, and the smaller vital statistics, rather than the very long road ahead, not always successfully.
There are many things I've so far enjoyed about Lite'n'Easy - the food is varied, filling, tasty, nutritious and convenient. the two most useful aspects from a weight-loss perspective, though, are that everything's portion controlled (a serving of corn chips is a lot smaller than my usual consumption!), and the delegation of decision making. The only time I make any decisions about eating is when I place an order, and even then the choices are limited - though I have a wide selection of dinners to pick from, when it comes to lunches I can pick either the popular (default) meal or the optional (usually less interesting) alternative. That's it.
As I'll explain tomorrow, I've reconsidered my original plan because of that aspect. Instead of a three month lifestyle change kicked off with three months of Lite'n'Easy, followed by the Real Age weight loss program, prioritising my long-term health, I'm sticking with what's working for now. I need to put back the exercise, too, and that's coming. But for now, looking back, I'm going to focus on the fact that I've been sensible, that I've lost a hair over 10% of my starting weight in three months, that I'm eating two servings of fruit and at least five of vegetables every day, and that I'm stronger and have more stamina than I've had in a long time. - Alex
The lowest weight is from 1991, when I did the now-defunct NutriSystem program - they supplied a week's worth of (predominantly synthetic or canned) food and conducted weekly weigh-ins. Having a history of an eating disorder was a warning flag that meant they needed to consult a physician before signing someone up, but that slowed down the sale not at all. It should have - I lost maybe 8 kilos in about seven weeks, but relapsed into the bulimic behaviour that characterised parts of my adolescence. My initial weight gain (some 30k in the time between leaving high school and dropping out of uni) is at least partly attributable to stopping the purging but keeping the binging. Fortunately I decided I'd rather be fat and relatively healthy than thin and regurgitating.
My heaviest weight was three months ago today.
I'd already decided to start Lite'n'Easy, the latest in a long line of short-lived life changing resolutions; seeing 118.2 on the scales did help a bit with the impetus. Having food automatically delivered every week has been a big part in sticking to it - I've fluctuated with my compliance on the exercise front, but stuck to the calories very well.
And it's paid off - though I'm sure my progress would be faster if I walked more consistently, and had more days beginning with a workout instead of half an hour (that inevitably stretches) online or with a book, the weigh is still coming off. That, of course, encourages me to continue. In thirteen weeks I've lost a shade under a kilo a week, or 12.2k to date, which is no bad thing. I'm trying to focus on that, and the smaller vital statistics, rather than the very long road ahead, not always successfully.
There are many things I've so far enjoyed about Lite'n'Easy - the food is varied, filling, tasty, nutritious and convenient. the two most useful aspects from a weight-loss perspective, though, are that everything's portion controlled (a serving of corn chips is a lot smaller than my usual consumption!), and the delegation of decision making. The only time I make any decisions about eating is when I place an order, and even then the choices are limited - though I have a wide selection of dinners to pick from, when it comes to lunches I can pick either the popular (default) meal or the optional (usually less interesting) alternative. That's it.
As I'll explain tomorrow, I've reconsidered my original plan because of that aspect. Instead of a three month lifestyle change kicked off with three months of Lite'n'Easy, followed by the Real Age weight loss program, prioritising my long-term health, I'm sticking with what's working for now. I need to put back the exercise, too, and that's coming. But for now, looking back, I'm going to focus on the fact that I've been sensible, that I've lost a hair over 10% of my starting weight in three months, that I'm eating two servings of fruit and at least five of vegetables every day, and that I'm stronger and have more stamina than I've had in a long time. - Alex
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