h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

OK. So it is now 11th January 2006.

I have precisely 11 weeks before I go to Vegas for my "trip of a lifetime".

I was so determined to be at or near my comfortable and happy weight/size.

It all went horribly wrong.

It all began when my gym closed for refurbishment during the summer. I lost the continuity as the alternative gym I could go to was a 25 minute walk uphill. I know I could have used the walk as part of my routine but after trying it a few times in the scorching summer sun I lost heart. By the time I got there I was too hot and tired to do much else. Not only that but it wasn't 'my' gym. It didn't feel right. I never felt comfortable there.

I was still being sensible with my diet. I never once strayed into the realms of take-aways and fried foods or choccy bars. I still stuck to my 3 meals a day with healthy snacks like yoghurts or nuts. The portions may have begun to creep up a little I guess. But still - I never went back to my 'old' ways.

Then of course there was the run up to Christmas - which in the retail industry begins in September!! We had alot of staffing problems and I found myself doing extra shifts which played havoc with my routine. I wasn't eating at the right times of the day and began eating bought pre-prepared sandwiches - mostly chicken salad or egg salad, very occasionally (when they'd run out) cheese and tomato.

I still went to the gym (my one re-opened in October) only not as often. I still managed to get in at least one swim a week too. But it wasn't enough. The weight piled back on in a very short time.

I regret to say that I gained 1 and a half stone in 3 months.

I hate the fact that anybody else without a weight problem could have eaten the same amount as me and done the same amount of exercise and not put on an ounce. I will ALWAYS be overweight. I will ALWAYS be on a diet. I can NEVER slow up on exercise.

So now, back to today. I have told work that I can only do my set shifts. I have put myself back on track with my diet - a combination of portion control and Gi. I am back in the gym whenever possible. I have to lose at least what I gained plus a little more in just 11 weeks.

I am not angry or upset. I am disappointed and a little bitter truth be told. I wouldn't mind if I'd pigged out completely and never exercised at all. I would be able to be angry with myself then. As it is I just feel like I am extremely unfortunate to be like this - it seems so unfair.

So - Vegas. As far as B knows we are going to celebrate our 40th and 50th birthdays and our 10th anniversary. I think. I don't think he knows about the chapel on the 1st April!

Yep - Saturday 1st April 2006. The deed will be done (I hope)

I just need to shift a couple of stone first. If I don't I'll still go for it - I just don't think I'll be as happy for the photos. I do keep reminding myself that only about 18 months ago (when I first began the weight loss) I wouldn't have even contemplated this holiday.

Wish me luck.

You're 40?!?!?!

Well, I am staggered! You look *much* younger

Now I've got that out of the way: Don't we just have spookily similar lives? After my wedding I relaxed a bit on the old diet and exercise - cut down to 'just' four exercise sessions a week and allowed myself the occasional treat (one take away a month), started drinking again (only at weekends) and started to allow myself to have a bit of potato/pasta/rice with my dinner in the evening. Even had the occasional sandwich rather than a salad for lunch. I too have regained a stone and a half

I too feel bitter at the unfairness of the world - I didn't go mad, I just stopped being totally obsessed with diet and exercise. I also know people who ate more, did less exercise and didn't gain a pound over the same period

I too have begun the new year back in the old routine and want to get 1.5 - 2 stone gone by the end of april. I don't have quite such a motivating target to aim at as a holiday of a lifetime with a chapel in it, but want to get the weight off before we start trying for kids.

So, I am with you 100% and will be torturing myself over the past 'failure' and future trials to get to where I want to be so you know I'm always here for a whinge or (virtual) understanding hug.

Stick with it, you'll get there

(still)k (after four bloody years of trying!)

Oh yes, I meant to add something along the lines that people (without this sort of weight problem) don't believe you when you say you didn' pig/slob out do they? They think you must secretly have been cramming in the and and and when they weren't looking in order for it to have gone so badly wrong so quickly.

Galling isn't it?

I know!!! 40!! Thank you for the flattery!!

I was thinking of you Kelli when I wrote my journal. I know you went through a very similar setback yourself. I didn't want to just come out with it and pick at old wounds but I need to ask...the first time you "fell off the wagon", how much weight did you put back on, what weight did you get to beforehand and how long did it take to shift the gained weight plus a little bit more?

I certainly wish it had never happened but it is too late now - it has. Now I have to do something about it.

I have been ever so good this last week. 5 times down the gym and one swimming session. I even went to the gym this morning (Sunday)!

I have told work that I must concentrate on myself for the next 10 weeks and they fully understand.

I can honestly say, hand on heart, that I didn't pig out once over Xmas. I had a few naughties - a Scotch Egg, some Chocolate Orange, etc but nothing like a good blowout. I really do think it is down to the lack of exercise and the slow creep of slightly larger portions.

I have eaten chips precisely twice in the last 18 months.



I miss chips!



Thank you so much for your continued support. I look to you for inspiration. I want to look as happy as you in my "Vegas" photos as you did in your wedding photos. You looked beautiful. (J looked OK too!!)

Debs x

I honestly can't remember the fact and figures for the times when I've had my 'bounces', I think I gained just over a stone on one of them - basically all I have leftin my memory is annoyance at myself for being 'weak'. It isn't really like that though is it? It doesn't take much for me to gain weight so just shifting focus to something else can lead to the oounds going back on.

As for how long did it take to get off again, I don't know, all I know it that each time I've attacked the gym with renewed vigour, and been eagled-eyed over the calories and it did come off again - and the whole time I was re-losing gained weight I'd be kicking myself that these could be *new* pounds I'm losing!

You've got what, 10 weeks? So at a rate of 1.5 lb per week you could lose 1'1, and at a rate of 2lb per week you could lose 1'6 and at 2.5lb per week that is 1'11. Which of those is the most realistic for you if you really focus? In the run up to the wedding I was *very* single minded about not having treats of any description. It was easier to pass on things because I told myself that it was only for a limited time that I was missing out - this is somewhat more difficult to sustain now I don't have that day to aim for! You do though, so it is time to be a bit selfish about what *you* need to do for *you* to be happy.

I was happy on my wedding day and you will be too! Thoughts of weight and diet didn't really cross my mind although I did feel happy about the way I looked that day. Part of that feeling was satisfaction that I'd worked hard and achieved something and I am *sure* you'll feel the same way. It is harder for you because your crucial time is happening when the weather is a bit crap so you need even more iron resolve than I did - it is easier when the spring comes

I can't say a lot more than stick at it! You will get there, I promise. Picture me waving pompoms and cheering my support too (good exercise ) along the way. How has this past week gone for you?

Good luck. You will be in my thoughts. I am confident that you can do it.

How is it going babe?

Not long now...!

oh poo...did'ya haff to remind me!!

I haven't lost any weight. There. Said it. I have been going to the gym 3 times a week and swimming once a week - the other 3 days I am working 8 hour shifts in the shop.

I think I have lost size - and gained muscle weight. I have actually gotten heavier

I am ok.

I accept now that I will not be at the point I want to be at when the time comes. It won't spoil a thing for me.

I just wish I were blessed with a "normal" body and a "normal" metabolism. C'est la vie.

I have so much more than many people have and that's what is important.

Doesn't stop me feeling a weeny bit sorry for myself though

There is nothing wrong with feeling a bit sorry for yourslef every now and then(as long as it is only a little bit and does not get out of proportion)

Just because you have not lost weight(gaining musscle weight is a good thing) doesn't mean that you won't.

Try to keep at it and remember we are here to support you.