October 2010

I haven't posted for a while; apologies for the lack of updates!

The past couple months have been quite unusual. All part of what life does to you, but trying nonetheless. Debs has been into hospital for a major operation, and so the disruption to normal schedules, eating patterns, exercise, etc. has had the effect of halting my weight loss.

The structure I put around food and exercise means that I haven't put any weight on, so we say thank you for small mercies. In addition, my measurements in the important areas (waist) continue to fall, and in other important areas (chest, biceps, thighs) continue to increase!

What is the most important thing though is that the reduction in fat over my body has started to reveal some real muscle definition. I've got a better upper body shape than I've had in a long time (ever?!).

Two things they didn't tell you about this weight loss thing:1. You will be cold. Very cold.2. The lack of padding when you sit down will make it very uncomfortable3. It will cost a fortune in clothes.

Taking the last point, I'm now just about getting into size M clothes. Quite remarkable. I have also nabbed Debs' favourite Lynyrd Skynyrd t-shirt that she bought this time last year in Manchester. I can now fit into her old clothes. (Settle down at the back, thank you!)
Otherwise, lots more confidence, more compliments and I'm able to tell people that I've "lost 4 stone".

Weight Loss

My weight loss has slowed considerably now, as might be expected so far in. I've decided not to do weekly updates but I'll keep you posted on my end of month weight.

Here goes: 13st 12.2lb

So from the end of July, 3 months ago, I've lost just 11lb at a rate of about a pound a week. It's still not a bad to keep up consistently, although it does feel that the whole time has been spent on a plateau.

Body Measurements

Waist 100cm (-22cm)

Chest 104cm (-10cm)

Calves 41cm (-4cm)

Neck 41cm (-5cm)

Upper Arms 31cm (-3cm)

Thighs 53cm (-8cm)

Paul's Weight Loss Rules

#4 Watch your Salt Intake. Salt is an absolute killer when it comes to weight loss and measurement. The more salt you take in, the more your body retains water. Since most of what we eat and excrete is water, this has a massive effect on our measurement of weight. Remember that it takes 3500 calories to add or lose a pound of fat, which is a big deal.

#5 Enjoy Yourself. You'll very quickly find your taste buds reactivating. If, like me, you were very obese, your sense of taste will have diminished. Add that to your new found culinary skills and you'll find this whole healthy living thing a pleasure. It most definitely is not "hard work".