Sadly, I don't have any decent before photos. I am so disappointed I didn't take any - I had no faith in myself and my ability to stick to a healthy eating plan. I thought it was silly to take 'before' photos when the 'before' wouldn't ever change. The only photo I have is of myself on photo day at the school that I teach at. My intern, Sasha, took this photo of me as I posed for my school portrait and I am so thankful that she did because this is the only photo I have of myself before I started my weight loss journey.
Whenever I tried living a healthy lifestyle, I did what I perceived as healthy. Things that I'd picked up via social media, the Internet, etc. which was ultimately catastrophic to me losing weight. Examples like having a huge, kilojoule heavy salad for lunch, consisting of lettuce leaves, cucumber, avocado, piles of feta, some croutons and chicken which is perceived as being 'healthy' but really loaded with hidden calories which don't leave you feeling satisfied. . I tried cutting down on carbs too which in turn made me absolutely miserable and made me crave them even more.
I wasn't happy with my weight. I was aware that I was classified as obese, but absolutely nothing could motivate me to lose it.
I had always promoted body self-acceptance but as the scale slowly crept over into dangerously high numbers, I knew I had to accept the truth and that was: I was leading an unhealthy lifestyle. Panting up the stairs at work and being too lethargic to play with Nunu in the evenings was also a clear sign that I needed to make a change. I just didn't know how. All other plans had not worked for me - in fact nothing was more frustrating than sometimes putting ON more weight when you have been trying so hard!
Then, as if by some miracle, a book was delivered to me to review. I do regular reviews for Penguin Books. "A Slimmer You" by Regine du Plessis had just been launched and I was sent a copy. The front of the book claims that it can help you 'lose 10kg in 3 months'.
I read through all the information carefully and for once, I felt educated going forward and knowing what would be healthy to eat. The book works off the kilojoule deficit principle. You work out how many kilojoules you are allowed to consume (all explained carefully in the book) and you stick to that amount. I was strict with myself, realising I needed drastic steps, so budgeted 4000kJ per day. This meant 4 x 1000kJ meals per day.
Week One was easier than I expected. A Slimmer You is an entire book of easy to follow, delicious recipes. Amazingly each and EVERY recipe is worth 1000kJ! From pasta Alfredo to burgers, soups to bacon and eggs, each recipe is carefully balanced to equal just 1000kJ. After a week, I was terrified to climb onto a scale...
I had been so disappointed by 'weigh ins' in the past, finding that I'd only gained more grams.
BUT, as I glanced down at the scale I felt overwhelmed with pure joy when I saw that I'd lost a whopping 1.8kg. In Week 1, I hadn't done a drop of exercise. I had just followed the recipe book to the T and not cheated once. This was the motivation I needed to continue.
Week 2 was the week I began exercising. I didn't do any weight training, crunches or planks. I simply walked. I tried to walk 2km every second day. I still stuck to the recipe book and I really enjoyed cooking the meals.
Each dish was simple to make and the whole family could enjoy them. I went out and bought a digital scale which helped me to weigh the portions accurately. After Week 2, I had lost another 1.8kg. From that point I knew that I could do this.
This journey has not been easy for me. I am an eater. I eat my feelings. It doesn't matter if I'm happy or depressed. Celebrations, joy, sadness or grief all equal food to me.
I know this is not a diet. I know this is a better lifestyle that is making me healthier. But WHY does all the bad stuff taste so good? But thankfully this healthy eating plan allows you to indulge every now and again and to budget in unhealthy treats. Everything in moderation. Sadly, moderation isn't my strong point and how I got myself into this mess in the first place!
I am also not a person who enjoys exercise. I don't look forward to doing workouts, but I do like walking which is what I have been trying to do as often as possible. I try to walk to local places rather than driving. For example, Nunu has swimming on a Thursday so as a treat we go to a local bakery afterwards. Since starting my plan, I have walked there with him in the pram. The distance there and back is 3km. When I'm there, I order a skinny cappuccino as my treat with one sweetener. It sounds sad, but it makes me feel so good about myself when I can show some willpower and resist inhaling an entire slice of cake.
I don't always have such willpower though. On days when I am struggling, I can easily raid the snack drawer at home and consume everything in sight. I now have a better understanding of my kilojoule intake and realise that one day doesn't make you unhealthy. A week of unhealthy habits and over-eating makes you put on weight. I allow myself a day a week to enjoy and let go! I eat it all. The cakes, wine and carbs! All of it.
The photo below is me wearing one of my favourite dresses! Before I started on my plan, the drawstring was tied on the very last piece of string and my body filled the whole dress. I love how I can notice the difference so easily when wearing the dress now!
I am only half way in my journey. I am hoping to reach my goal weight - which means another 10kg to go. This means I am only half way which is exciting and scary all at the same time.
Eating plan: A Slimmer You by Regine du Plessis
You can buy a copy of the book here.
Cost: R259
Apps I use:
Pacer - tracks my steps, distance and calories burnt. It is a free app.
Nike Training App - offers targeted training sessions for different muscle groups. This is also a free app.
Instagram accounts:
I follow @the_lean_girl for inspiration as she also follows the calorie/kilojoule deficit method and gives lots of different recipe ideas and exercise ideas.
I really enjoy doing the workouts that @madfit.ig posts as they are short (10 - 15 mins) and are targeted to benefit specific muscle areas.
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