I'm not going to let another year pass me by

This is my entry for the ‘Get Fit Feel Epic’ competition hosted by Kate on Thin Ice

Two years running I've had plans on how to make it a great year. And two years running I've been thwarted by serious illness. It would be easy to think I won't plan anything this year, that way I won't be disappointed (or tempting fate!) But I'm not going to let another year pass me by.

I've a couple of things I want to achieve this year but the one which fits with the theme for this competition is to lose 2 stone.

I started losing weight in 2011 with the help of Slimming World and since then I've managed to lose four stone. That 56 pounds, which is one, two three........... ummmm,  a lot of bags of sugar!!

Last year I lost a kidney and a gallbladder and gained an interest in all things to do with kidney cancer and cancer in general but also lost the impetus to carry on with the weight loss. Keeping me mentally well was more important than losing weight and it took a back seat for a while.

But 2013 is the year to bring it back to the table

So the facts, the bullet points, the all important numbers

• I started in 2011 at 19 stone 4 pounds
• I hit 15 stone 4 pounds in February 2012
• When I weighed after Christmas I was 16 stone 8 pounds (eeek! Most of that weight did go on over Christmas)
• Since I started eating mindfully last week, I've lost 7 pounds which brings me to 16 stone 1 pounds, so just 11 pounds to lose before I can comfortably think I'm starting on 2013 weight loss goal

So 39 pounds to lose this year, that's a steady pound a week; which I think is doable.

How am I going to do it?

I will eat mindfully; that is think about what I'm eating, why am I eating, is there an alternative? Slimming World has taught me to make choices. I don't have to stop eating all the foods I like and enjoy, I can cook them differently or find alternatives.
I'll also keep busy to stop boredom eating! Lots of craft projects to pick up and do to stop me eating just because I can.

Which leads me onto following the Slimming World healthy eating plan. It's taught me to how to cook tasty, healthy, low fat meals. I can still have chicken and chips with coleslaw. It's just roasted without the skin, chips aren't fried but baked and coleslaw is homemade and lower in fat. Winner!

Meal planning is key to eating well. I know what I have in my cupboards and the meals I can cook from it. Knowing what I can cook stops me from impulse eating. You know, the 'sod it, I can't be bothered to cook today, let's have a takeaway' feeling. If I know there's a quick and easy meal I can do, or I've already got that killer casserole cooking in the slow cooker, I'm less likely to go off plan. The added benefit is it's saves money too!

I'll increase my exercise in line with my ability to sustain it. I'm still getting treatment which makes me tired and give me very sore feet. I love walking but that's very difficult when you feel like its through glass! So I'll be exploring some other things, with less impact on my feet. Watch this space

And lastly I'm going to be kind to myself. If the plan needs to change, it will without feeling I've failed. This is a plan, it'll work now, but who's to say it'll be feasible in a couple of months time if my health changes. It can change, goals can change, everything can be changed (if nothing else over the last couple of years I've learnt that!)
I've a tendency to be hard on myself if things don't go to plan, generally over stuff I have little control over. So the plan is to be fluid, go with the flow, follow the guidelines and alter it as and when needed.

So come on 2013, I'm ready for you. I'm not going to let another year pass me by

Kate on Thin Ice is currently running a competition over on her blog in association with MoneySupermarket, Get Fit, Feel Epic. If you'd like to join in click the link here. It's open to all UK residents over the age of 18 and closes at midnight on 31st January 2013.