Decided I should probably record this for posterity, and also as weight loss blogs are all the rage these days...
So, about 7 months ago my dad had a stroke. Scary. Scarier was the fact that his high cholstrol (9 point something) and diabetes which contributed to his stroke were related mostly to his diet. Since the stroke he has had a pacemaker fitted, had surgery to remove artery blockages from his neck and has now been diagnosed with thyroid problems. Whilst he is chipper and now back at work (thank the gods), it has led me to some very serious thoughts.
1. I am getting older
2. I have a very serious phobia of hospitals, and invasive hospital proceedures.
3. I have a diet and lifestyle that will GUARANTEE hospital treatment in the future.
Clearly something needed to be done
The Eating Plan
I can summarize what I am doing as "eating the way my grandparents ate", specifically only eating natural foods (as in, not pre made or pre processed), in sensible portions, as and when I get hungry.
There are also some banned and seriously restricted products, namely snack foods (pasties, ready made sandwiches etc), non meal foods like crisps, chocolates etc. I am also limiting the amount of carbohydrate I am eating (2 portions per meal) and only eating wholegrain carbs. Seriously restricting the amount of caffiene, and only drinking soda on the rare occasion I go out socially. I am reducing alcohol intake, and watching the sodium content of food and making sure I don't overdose on the fruit, as too much fructose is as bad as not enough. Hitting the veggies pretty hard! Limiting the amount of cheese and other similar fats as well.
I have been taking advice from an NHS nurse re: portions and necessary nutrients, and I get weighed by an NHS nurse once a month.
Since begining the eating plan (with my mother doing it too :P) on 16th August 2009, I can report that I began at a size 26 - 28 and I weighed in at 22.8st. The goal of this whole thing is to be a size 14 - 16 by the time I am 30 (thats 3 years away!)
I am currently able to report positive success - at the september weigh in I was 22.04st and I am writing this whilst wearing size 24 trousers!
Its going to get better...