current weight 14st 1.3lb. total loss 7st 4lb
HHHIIIIIIIIIIII,
I CANNOT believe its been nearly 2 weeks since my last blog. And so much has happened in that time. Two weigh ins, a trip to the swimming pool, another UniSlim class talk AND an almost near melt down, plus an introduction to UniSlim online and lastly a new inspiration.
SO, after my last blog, my first weigh in was non eventful and I stayed the same, I was a little bit disappointed BUT then I remembered I did go to a fabulous wedding, eat wonderful food and drink alot of white wine spritzers! But all that was evened out by the 6 hours I spent dancing. I weighed in this Wednesday and was half a pound down, but with the week I'd had, it could have been terribly different.
So after my stay the same, I decided that the whole family should be a little bit more active together! And whats more active and fun, than a trip to the swimming pool? I agreed with the kids that we would go swimming and totally forgot that would mean having to be in public in nothing more than a swimming togs. People would ACTUALLY see my body in its natural state. I hadn't stepped foot in a swimming pool for 3 years, a) because my son was too young and didn't like it, but mostly b) because the last time I went to the pool, I was too big to change in the regular changing room, and even in the family one I felt squashed. And I was so paranoid the whole time I was there that people would be staring at me, or laughing at me. One woman was telling me the benefits of giving birth in the water, and how being in the pool would help with all those pregnancy aches and pains, I was too embarrassed to tell her I WASN"T pregnant!!
I couldn't sleep the night before with worry. I tried on my old swimming togs size 24, much too big, I had been given a size 20 togs, so I tried them on and they seemed to fit OKAYISH. I made sure my son was better prepared this time. Packed up our bags and headed off. the whole time my heart was in my mouth, what if it was busy, what if someone said something nasty to me, what if they thought I was pregnant again? I had a million thoughts going through my head. There was a group of students in front of us, I reckon my heart rate was sky high at this point, I felt a bit better when I realised they weren't going to the pool. Next stop, The changing rooms! I made a quick dash to the family room with the kids, They seemed alot more spacious than before, that was a good thing right? We all got into our swimming gear, but it took me another 5 minutes before I plucked up the courage to actually open the door and walk out to the pool. BUT I DID IT! And boy was I glad I did. My togs were much too big, as I found out the hard way, but it didn't matter, the parts of my body I am quite shy of showing were on display and it didn't matter either, do you know why, because people were actually talking to me! Other parents there just voluntarily offered their time to say hello. That had NEVER happened before. Did I used to avoid getting into conversations and not even realise it? I'm definitely adding swimming to our regular family outings. AND I bought a smaller, better fitting swimming togs too, SIZE 16!!! WHOOP WHOOP.
Which actually reminds me, I've officially moved into SIZED 16 clothes this week! ME? A size 16, I never ever thought I'd see the day.
We had another class talk this week with some Fabulous Unislimmers in Arklow. I was MORE nervous this time. and really worried about what I should wear, I wanted to look presentable, and its not like I had much of a choice in my wardrobe what with rehoming all my size 18's.
On the Tuesday before the talk, I started to feel really annoyed at myself, overly emotional, and angry. I thought maybe it was my PMS playing up as I have only just started back on my pill after a 6 week break. (does anyone else suffer with pms cravings? How do you cope with it). All day I craved SOMETHNG, I didnt know what it was, but I just knew I HAD TO EAT. The old emotional eater was creeping back in. I decided a trip to the cinema was in order. I packed up the kids and some homemade popcorn. I paid for our tickets and then I heard myself say, a large bag of Hunky Dorys please . . . and a share bag of m&m's. Uh OH this WAS NOT GOOD. I had every intention of eating these, and justifying it to myself by saying I bought it for the kids, I only had one OR two! LUCKILY I was saved by my youngest, He decided that he just did not want to go into the cinema, so I brought him out and I was far away from the naughties. I took to facebook STRAIGHT AWAY, I needed to share what had happened. It may have been circumstances that stopped me from binging in the cinema, but it was my own determination that stopped me from buying more naughties in Tesco when I stopped for milk. CRISIS AVERTED.
It hit me as I was driving to Arklow on Wednesday, that I used to worry that I would look like an elephant, or stick out like a sore thumb, but this time I didn't mind so much about being at the top of the room, and even found myself having the confidence to encourage Eugene to say some words! And yet again, I took home so much inspiration from these people. Seeing them all sitting with their friends, all with their own stories to tell, it was inspiring to find out that when most of them joined UniSlim first, they did it alone, and its amazing that they have formed wonderful new friendships from their mutual struggles with weight!
As you know, I didn't go to classes, I have been doing Slim@home plan, with the help of our local leader if and when I needed it. I was so lucky to have found support from the online community. It started with the UniSlim clubs Facebook page accompanied by tracking on Skinnie Minnie (a facebook page administrated by Ciara and I) and more recently I have been spurred on by the Fabulous ladies (and men) on the Unislim Chat private page. BUT this week, I have been given the opportunity to try out the UniSlim Online Plan. I am surprised at how well I am taking to it. You are given a choice of plans to follow, but I stuck to the maximizer. You can follow the meals that have been pre planned FOR YOU or, you can track your own foods and meals. I took a whole evening to sit down and go through it, and I must admit I was very overwhelmed at first. I had my own system that worked, I was torn as to whether I really wanted to change that or not. BUT in the end, the new adventurous me won. In for a penny as they say. I am filling in my food diary privately online. Its quite handy to use once you get used to it, but unless your gonna be online alot during the day, I would recommend either pre-planning your meals, and then write out your tracker during the day OR spending an hour in the evenings filling it in. But be truthful, your online mentors cant help you if they cant see everything you've eaten. if you eat more than your daily allowance of anything, you can fill out your journal instead of your tracker, especially if it wont let you "add" the food. it's also great for keeping track of your trigger moments, like when I wanted to eat at the cinema, just because I was nervous. I'm still only settling into the Online Plan, but Its definitely given me a new incentive to do better. I LOVE that I have to earn my maxi star treats (yumz on the max plan) AND I still have my 2 optional extra's a day. It has helped me to reign in my extra snacking habit. I hope it can help me reach my target weight by this time next year.
The race for Unislimmer Of The Year 2012 is on too. Its so exciting getting to know the guys and gurls that have put themselves forward for it. I cannot WAIT to see their Before and After pictures. I've already had a sneak peek at one or two, MIND BLOWING STUFF! Everyones story is so different, but I know I will absolutely LOVE reading them all. I cant WAIT to reach my target, its sooooo close, and CAN be done in a year! I just have to be dedicated.
Another thing that has me totally enthralled, is the Eumom/Unislim mums on a mission. I really Idenify with Claire's story, and have been following her blog since day one. http://www.eumom.ie/blog/2012/07/25/unislim-diary-week-3/ . Well done girls, you are AMAZING! Keep up the hard work xxx
So that's it from me this week I've had my ups and downs, but the one thing I take with me is to NEVER GIVE UP. I WILL reach my target weight, and it doesn't really matter how long it takes, as long as I keep on trying.
Remember, your MORE than just a number on a scales, your someones friend, someones parent, someones child. You are loved, and you are blessed with life.
EAT TO LIVE, and live life to the MAX.
Love, Hugs and Kisses,
Emma xxxx
PS. who agrees I need a picture on my blogger profile?? I'm such a technophobe, I don't know how to do it xxxx
