Houston, we have a problem...

scandiebirdie

I want to be healthy and happy. Thin does not equal happy of course. But fat certainly doesn't either - and I'm heading that way. I have felt miserable about my shape and weight for some time, but really thought "uh oh" when I realised that I avoid looking in any mirror when I pass it, when I shop etc. If I catch a glimpse of myself, I quickly turn my head away... Not good - and certianly uncalled for as a grown, otherwise kick-*kitten* and confident woman and mom...

So here goes - this is me;

I am a professional working full time - and then some - and have a fulltime family Between that and liking my carbs a little too much and hitting 40, the weight has crept on - slowly but steadily. I am tall so for a long time, I could pull it off, but then I saw a picture of me at "sports day" looking very differnet from my "inner image of myself". Yikes. Went straight back on to MFP and started from scratch again.

I did 5 weeks in Jan-Feb where I took up running (for the first time ever!! I've done loads of other exercise and had numerous gym memberships "pre-parenthood", but NEVER liked running.). To my utter surprise I loved the running after a few weeks of hideous misery and even started looking forward to my runs.

Then I sustained a running injury (very ironic really consideirng that I was not at all doing any great distances yet). Saw a physio for 2 months, could not even do long walks ---- and totally lost my resolve and put back on the 4 kilos I'd lost. ((((((

My injury has now healed, I've done a few runs again (short and sweet, but glad to be back out there) and finally jumped and started MFP again on Friday last week (yes, well planned, huh? Just before a weekend with not even work to keep me busy and on the straight and narrow... ) Anyways, I got thru the weekend without exceeding my daily calorie goal (1350 cals for a 1.5 lbs weight loss per week - with any luck).

I'm giving up carbs (pasta and bread and rice mainly as they're my huge downfall. And I don't really need it - it's just comfort). to begin with replacing it with lots of veg, salad, fruit, pulses, beans and lentils and lean meats. Bits of cheese for treats And homemade muesli bars, which are basically tonnes of seeds "bonded" with apricot, raisin and date processed to a paste to bind the whole thing. Wholesome, healthy, low GI and tastes almost like a treat. (Although it's obviously not a cake... But I will try to forget about that as best as I can )

I've set myself a few "mini goals": Once I can run 5 km, I can start on the carbs again (as I'll need them to build up stamina and distance on the running).
I'm off on holiday in late Oct - will need to wear swimwear pretty much the whole time, so losing a fair amount by then would be wonderful and spur me on.

My ultimate goal is to lose 10 kilos - 15 if I can. But mainly to get in shape and be healthy. Feel free to add me - I think I'm going to need a lot of support to stay motivated - and am happy to supply motivation right back!