Bring It On!

I have just come from my SureSlim support group meeting. I have been on the SureSlim programme on and off for about two years. As a woman, I have tried a 101 diets and weight loss programmes, but this is the only one that has worked for me and that I have genuinely enjoyed. Why? Because it is basically all about healthy eating and making lifestyle changes that can be applied to the whole family, not just for weight loss reasons but for eating better and living longer.

Each member shared their weight loss journey and for confidentiality reasons, I will only share mine in a nutshell. I began the programme and lost about 13kg over six months. I could and should have lost more, but laziness and a half-hearted attitude didn't help. I transitioned to the maintenance programme and kept at my weight, losing a further kilo or two for about another 7 to 8 months. I started gaining when I stopped exercising altogether and began to drink about two coca colas a day and consume a tube of pringles in an afternoon. This went on for several weeks, followed by a period of intensive workshops and you know what that means? Hotel and workshop food is notorious for packing on at least 2kg for a four to five day meeting. We had them at work for about 5 consecutive weeks = disaster.

Finally, late last year, I decided I wanted to live a healthier lifestyle and needed to get with the programme. This was partly inspired by seeing pictures of a slimmed down Jennifer Hudson who lost 25kg in about a year after having a baby. I decided, I didn't really have an excuse and I knew it would be healthier for me in the long run. So, celebrity endorsement really does work. At today's meeting, we each shared our goal for the year and wrote it down. As a procrastinator, I tend to make public announcements in order to lock me into doing something. So, here it is:

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I will reach my goal weight by 30th April 2011 and maintain it up to 31st July 2011.

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This means that I have three months to lose 10.2kg and another 3 months to stay that way. The idea of 31st July is because in this part of the world, winter weight gets packed on during the cold season, from late May to early August, but especially June and July. So, if I can keep at it through the cold season, I will be ready to to take part in the 2011 Run Leopards Hill Race which is held in September. This year, I want to run the 10km in an hour. Last time, I took 1 hour, 19 mins and some seconds. If, I can do under an hour, I will be very happy indeed.

So, that is my goal for the whole world to see and keep me accountable.

30th April Here I Come!

Bring It On!