Wednesday 29 December 2010

Five months later - The End

Today was a hugely momentous day – as I had my very last LPG/endermologie appointment and weigh in at Alizonne

I booked it especially as we just got back from a 2-week holiday in the US (large portions!) and it’s just after Christmas, so in a way this was meant as a bit of a test to myself to see how well I’ve coped

First – the holiday. Generally I found it easier than I thought I would, largely because as I can’t have gluten or dairy it does cut out pretty much all the bad temptations out there. Although I did watch what I ate, I did have some treats and did sometimes have 2 courses, so definitely didn’t feel deprived at all. Unfortunately during the holiday my husband got sick and ended up in hospital for 5 days, cue eating from a hospital cafeteria again – although I will say at least the choices weren’t just hot sandwiches, so I was able to keep to a balanced diet

Second – Christmas. Again, with a bit of foresight and planning I managed to navigate this. I make a dairy free chocolate mousse which everyone loves, and which I did have some of. I stayed away from snacking outside the 2-4 hour windows, but aside from that it was fairly easy

So, although my home scale has me slightly lower, I weigh myself first thing in the morning at home, whereas my Alizonne appointment was this evening:

Current weight - 67kg (200g loss since last weigh in) - 42.9kg lost to date
Weight in stone - 10st 7lb (1lb loss since last weigh in) - 6st 11lbs lost to date, or 94.6lbs

So, at the end of this momentous journey, what have I learnt?

Well, I’ve learnt that I’m much stronger than I thought I was. I’ve always been determined, but usually became despondent if I didn’t see results – but I guess the beauty of Alizonne is that you do see results, and fast. What I mean by strong though is how I was able to stick with it during what has without a doubt been the hardest year of my life emotionally: from my parents’ accident to the challenges at work and from starting a new job to my husband’s illness. I don’t know whether it was easier given this was frequently the only thing I felt I had any control over when everything else was falling apart, maybe it was

I’ve finally figured out that not every diet works for everyone, and the reason Alizonne worked for me is because it matched my personality and who I am – this is I think the trick that so many people are missing and something I intend to do something about

I’ve learnt that there are a few essential Alizonne fundamentals that are good practice to follow for the rest of my life:

  • Eat every 2-4 hours
  • Eat 3 meals and 2 snacks a day
  • Drink 2 litres of water every day
  • Understand calories – the book they give you at the end is an invaluable source of helping you get a grip on what is a good vs bad calorie
  • Know your medgem and mentally keep tabs on how you track through the day – without being obsessive

And my own three little additions:

  • Weigh yourself regularly – it helps you keep a check on things so you can nip problems in the bud, and when you see things are under control it is a fantastic morale boost and helps keep you motivated
  • Listen to your body – it will tell you whether it’s happy or not
  • Look at old photos of yourself regularly – it will remind you what you used to look like and each time you do make a promise to yourself “NEVER AGAIN”

I’ll be dipping in and out of the blog now, as I think it has served its purpose – but I do hope if you’ve found this it provides you with some help on your own journey. Good luck!

Thursday 18 November 2010

Four months later


Wow, so much has happened since I last posted, including me starting the new job and getting stuck into everything - which has made it feel like absolute ages since my last Alizonne appointment, even though it has actually only been a month.

I got back to the UK after a work trip today, and had a Venti Starbucks coffee just before my Alizonne weigh in and LPG/Endermologie, but even so I'm quite pleased with the results:

Current weight - 67.2kg (100g loss since last weigh in) - 42.7kg lost to date
Weight in stone - 10st 8lb (0lb loss since last weigh in) - 6st 10lbs lost to date, or 94.2lbs

My home scale actually has me weighing less, but even with the Alizonne weight I'm still happy - yippee!

Just one more weigh in next month and then I'm going to go it alone .....

Saturday 30 October 2010

OMG - I can't believe it!


So, I saw a gorgeous blue coat in the latest Easy Living magazine which is available at Monsoon, and popped in today to try it on.

I tried on the Size 12, which fit ok, but actually felt a little loose even with the fleecy jumper I was wearing underneath. So I decided to try on the Size 10 - and it fit perfectly!

I'm not saying I'm a Size 10, especially as I bought a pair of Size 12 cords just before the coat, but do think I'm somewhere between a Size 10 and Size 12.

Absolutely can't believe it - Alizonne has really changed my life .......

Monday 18 October 2010

Measurements - three months later


I finally got around to having my measurements done again on Sunday, and the results are:

Bust - 84cm (2cm loss since finishing - 24cm lost in total - 5cm below target)
Waist - 77cm (3 cm loss since finishing - 27cm lost in total - 5cm off target) - though it doesn't seem to matter as I'm definitely within the correct range ;)
Hips - 91cm (4cm loss since finishing - 40cm lost in total - 4cm below target)

I also lost 1cm off my arms and 2cm off my thighs since the last measurements a month after finishing.

So far so good, just keep going!

Thursday 14 October 2010

Three months later


I can't believe it's already been 3 months since I phased off Alizonne. In some ways it feels like I finished ages ago, but then went I went back for my LPG/endermologie treatment today it felt like I've never been away.

Anyway, the continuing good news on the weight front:

Current weight - 67.3kg (1.1kg loss since last weigh in) - 42.6kg total lost to date
Weight in stone - 10st 8lb (2lb loss since last weigh in) - 6st 10lbs lost to date, or 93.9lbs

I am genuinely not trying to lose any more weight, but it still feels quite good to see my body is able to pretty much maintain without me feeling deprived - although I am getting chocolate cravings today as my period started ;)

Hooray!!


Monday 4 October 2010

Bizarre


I am currently looking for a new job (don't ask!) and have been to a number of interviews over the last few weeks. It occurred to me that the people I'm meeting now have no idea what I used to look like, and to them I have probably always looked like this. On the one hand it feels quite nice to be considered "normal" and for weight not to be an issue at all, on the other it makes a real change from all the comments ......

And another positive event to celebrate, I've finally taken my wedding and engagement rings in to be resized as they were literally falling off me - not surprising as it turns out they were 3 sizes too big! It feels like a bit of a milestone, and also means I have no choice but to keep the weight off now ;)

Thursday 16 September 2010

Two months later

I had my month 2 Alizonne appointment today, together with an LPG/endermologie treatment, and the good news is that things are holding up quite well:

Current weight - 68.4kg (2kg loss since last weigh in) - 41.5kg total lost to date
Weight in stone - 10st 10lb (4.4lbs loss since last weigh in) - 6st 8lbs lost to date, or 91.5lbs


Generally happy with how things are going so far!

Friday 27 August 2010

The BMI mystery solved

So, I've been trying to get to the bottom of the whole BMI thing - specifically why I am now below my target weight by some way, but still regarded as overweight. When I moved onto Phase 8 the doctor at Alizonne said this was frequently because people who have been overweight in the past end up with a slightly higher BMI, but I wanted to find out what weight I would need to get to to be considered normal.

I tried the NHS BMI calculator, which is frankly useless as it only tells you what your current BMI is, not what weight you need to be based on your height to be normal.

Luckily I found a really good calculator on the Diabetes UK website, and the results are:

- Current weight: 68kg (10st 9lbs)
- Current BMI: 26.6
- Normal range: 20-25
- Required weight to be within normal range: 63.9kg for a BMI of 25

Mystery solved!

They also have a great BMR calculator, which puts my medgem at 1,429 - so not a million miles away from what Alizonne calculated.

Definitely recommend their tools ;)

Wednesday 25 August 2010

Medgem update

I had my medgem reading done again at Alizonne this morning, and the great news is that it's 1,330 - which is MILES better than the 1,180 reading I got straight after finishing Phase 7. It's also much closer to the 1,410 I started out at, and the 1,500 the doctor had estimated.

Generally happy with that and I think I can live with it, although I plan to have it checked periodically if I start getting any problems

Sunday 22 August 2010

Measurements - one month later


I decided as it's been a month since finishing, and as I had my weight done this week, it would be useful to get my measurements taken today, which are:

Bust - 86cm (0cm loss since finishing - 22cm lost in total - 3cm below target)
Waist - 79cm (1cm loss since finishing - 25cm lost in total - still 7cm off target)
Hips -
91cm (2cm loss since finishing - 40cm lost in total (!) - 4cm below target)

I haven't lost anything further on my arms or thighs - but then I have just been on holiday for 2 weeks with virtually no exercise - so it's not entirely surprising.

I know there are sizing differences, but I bouth 2 stunning pairs of trousers while I was away in a Size 10!!! As they didn't have them in a Size 12 I initially thought I wouldn't be able to get them, but then decided to try on the 10's on the off chance the cut was generous - which could have been as they are amazing and look great. Now I'm just waiting to have them taken up, as they were too long, so I can wear them

Friday 20 August 2010

One month later


It's been a month-ish since I finished Phase 7 and moved to Phase 8, and I had my first month official weigh-in and LPG/endermologie Alizonne treatment. We've also just got back from our 2 week trip to see my folks, where I had no access to a scale and only some control over my food, so I wanted to see how I'd done.


The good news is the results have been good - which despite the shock of my medgem reading just before I went away was great to see:

Current weight - 70.4kg (1.6kg loss since last weigh in) - 39.5kg total lost to date
Weight in stone - 11st 1lb (3lbs loss since last weigh in) - 6st 3lbs lost to date, or 87.1lbs


I am getting my medgem reading done again next week to double check it - really hoping the initial 1,180 reading was wrong!

Tuesday 3 August 2010

Shock!


I popped into Alizonne this morning to get my medgem reading - and it showed up as 1,180!!!

Considering the doctor estimated this at 1,600 but told me to stick to 1,500 and I started out at 1,410 I'm absolutely gobsmacked! Luckily I've been sticking to the routine I set when I finished, which probably explains why I've been able to maintain the weight.

I still don't trust it, especially as it was a different machine they used, so have booked in to have another reading on 25th Aug after I'm back from seeing my folks, and will then speak to the doctor on 26th Aug just to clarify it is correct.

Jeez, talk about a shock to the system ......

Sunday 1 August 2010

Measurements - two weeks (ish) later


I thought it might be useful to continue getting my measurements taken every few weeks just to track how things are going. My home scale says I am 70.6kg, so below the 72kg Alizonne had when I finished, which feels good. Allowing for the difference of around 0.3kg between my home scale and theirs, that would put me at around 70.9kg (11st 2lbs)

Current measurements are:

Bust - 86cm (1cm loss since finishing - 22cm lost in total - 3cm below target)

Waist - 80cm (0cm loss since finishing - 24cm loss in total - 8cm off target)

Hips - 93cm (2cm loss since finishing - 38cm loss in total - 2cm below target)

What is clear is where my problem area lies - my waist!! No further loss on my arms or thighs.

Luckily Alizonne have now replaced their medgem machine, so I’m popping in on Tuesday morning to get my reading done, which will be good to have the “official” metabolic rate

Generally feeling ok and managing to keep on top of things, fingers crossed for the trip to my folks - we leave on Thursday .....



Friday 30 July 2010

Two weeks later


I had a bit of a wobbly earlier this week when it looked like I had put on around 800g, despite pretty much sticking to the Phase 6/7 rules - which started making me depressed.

Luckily I was able to keep calm and think through exactly what I was eating, the only real variable being my afternoon snack, which I had replaced the Alizonne bar with an Alpen/Weetabix bar. As these contain wheat & dairy I suspected they were causing the issue, so got some Alizonne bars, and have spent the week alternating one day of these with an Alpro Soya yogurt.

I jumped on the scale this morning and it appears to have worked, as my home scale is showing 71kg on the dot - so if anything I've shifted a bit more off - hurray!

I'm flying out to visit my parents next week so am delighted the weight is back under control as weighing myself won't be possible there, so I'll have to just be sensible

Thursday 22 July 2010

One week later


So, it's been one week since my Alizonne Phase 8 appointment, and this week of all weeks presented a challenge, as I was travelling for work from Monday afternoon until Tuesday evening - so had dinner, breakfast and lunch out.

I then had my wedding anniversary (8th!) dinner on Tuesday when I got back to London.

All in all quite a few meals out, however I'm pleased to say I managed to make sensible choices, and having jumped on the scale this morning am about 100g lighter than what my home scale said last week - so am managing to maintain.

I know it's early days, but I'm really hoping this means I can balance eating/drinking out with good choices and maintenance .....

Monday 19 July 2010

Quick update - Day 5


I had an LPG session at Alizonne this morning, and quickly jumped on the scale just to see how I'm doing so far. I was quite chuffed to see I'm holding steady at 72kg - which is probably actually slightly less as this was after I'd had breakfast this morning and 3 glasses of water.

So far so good - keep going ........

Thursday 15 July 2010

The End - Day 197


So, I had my final official Phase 8 Alizonne appointment today....... I have to admit I was feeling a bit apprehensive, how will I cope in the "real" world with no regimented routine and no specific rules on what I can/can't eat?

I turned up at 8.15am only to be told that they had a burglary last night, with someone nicking their medgem machine, so they had to take a manual estimation of my final resting medgem, and I'll have to go back once the machine has been replaced for a final, proper reading. In the meantime they've estimated this at 1,500 - which means I'll need 1,500 calories daily to maintain my current weight - although with exercise I can have an extra 150 calories.

My final stats have ended up as:

Weight - 72kg (2.3kg loss since last weigh in) - 37.9kg lost in total
Weight in stone - 11st 4lb - 6st lost exactly, or 83.6lbs
Body fat - 35%, which is 2% above desired body fat %, so the doctor has recommended I slowly try to shift around 2kg more, which should bring this to the correct level
BMI - 28, which is the upper end of normal, so if I do shift the 2kg mentioned it probably wouldn't be a bad thing

The key thing right now is to stabilise and stop losing - which to be honest feels weird as I can't remember any time in my life where the objective has been to maintain the weight rather than lose - so that's definitely going to be an adjustment.

Alizonne also gave me a huge, thick book containing the calorie count of pretty much every food imaginable, so what I'm going to do now is set up a spreadsheet plotting the different types of foods I generally eat or would like to eat - that way I can have easy access to good vs bad choices to keep me on track.

I've also decided to keep breakfast, morning snack, and lunch pretty much the same, as I'm enjoying those already and they work for me. That should leave afternoon snack and dinner as the opportunities for consuming extra calories.

We are going to see my parents, who are slowly recovering from the accident, in August for 2 weeks, so I need to be in good control of Phase 8 by then.

I will keep posting on progress, updates and general thoughts, as this is where the real journey begins - the rest of my life ......

I hope if anyone finds this blog that it helps you discover the true inner you - have courage, make a commitment to yourself and your health and you too can do it. I wish you well ;)

Sunday 11 July 2010

Measurements - after day 192

I started the alternate Phase 6/Phase 7 this week, and it felt great getting some carbs back in the diet - although I was somewhat petrified I'd immediately feel the pain on the scale - but thankfully that hasn't happened.

I definitely feel SO much more confident about my body now, enough to wear a short strappy top with my leggings to my Movers & Shapers session yesterday.

This week's measurements are:

Bust - 87cm (2cm loss since last measurements - 21cm lost in total - 2cm below target - wow!)
Waist - 78cm (2cm loss since last measurements - 26cm loss in total - 6cm to go) - finally getting close!
Hips - 95cm (1cm loss since last measurements - 36cm loss in total - 0cm to go) - HIT TARGET!!!!

I also lost 2cm on my arms and 1cm on my thighs. Clearly my body seems to be loving phasing off.

My home scale says I weigh around 71.7kg now, so I continue having a bit of buffer below my 75kg target, which is exacly what I wanted. It also means I have now lost a whopping 6 stone!!! I have to be honest, I never thought I was carrying that much excess weight on me, and can't even imagine where I was hiding it all.

One thing I do need to check with the Alizonne doctor when I go for my last phasing off appointment on 15th July is why my BMI is apparently "overweight", when I thought targets were set based on getting to a healthy BMI. Am very confused about that, especially as the NHS Direct website says I'd need to get down to about 62kg to be at a healthy BMI, which seems a really low number.......

Will update after Thursday's Alizonne appointment on how it all went

Monday 5 July 2010

End of Phase 6 and weigh in - Day 187


I had my first LPG/endermologie only treatment at Alizonne today, with weight as follows:

Current weight - 74.3kg (1.7kg loss since last weigh in) - 35.6kg total lost to date
Weight in stone - 11st 9lb - 5st 9lbs lost to date, or 78.5lbs
Weight to lose 0kg!!!

Tomorrow I start Phase 7, which I'll stay on until my phasing off doctor's appointment on 15th July


Sunday 4 July 2010

Measurements - after day 185


Phase 6 seems to be going well and I'm definitely feeling as though I'm stepping back into normality. I attended a networking function this week and was even able to have food they were serving at a BBQ they had, although I did have a pre-cooked meal in my bag in case it was needed ;)

This week's measurements are:

Bust - 89cm (0cm loss since last measurements - 19cm lost in total - 0cm to go)
Waist - 80cm (2cm loss since last measurements - 24cm loss in total - 8cm to go) - finally into single digits!
Hips - 96cm (1cm loss since last measurements - 35cm loss in total - 1cm to go)

I lost 0.5cm on my arms but nothing on my thighs.

My home scale says I weigh around 73kg now, so I have a bit of buffer below my 75kg target, although do have an Alizonne session tomorrow (LPG/endermologie only as I'm done with ultrasound!), so we'll see what their "official" scale says. Tomorrow is my last day on Phase 6 as I move onto Phase 7 on Tuesday, which I'll be on for about 10 days until my final doctor's review on 15th July

Monday 28 June 2010

End of Phase 5 - Day 180

It feels a bit strange to be moving on a phase without a weigh-in, but I feel ok about it given my home scale is giving good vibes (for once!).

So, my last meal on Phase 5 will be steak with veggies - tomorrow I start on Phase 6 for a week, and am excitedly looking forward to strawberries for my morning snack, with salmon for dinner - yum!

Sunday 27 June 2010

Measurements - after day 178

Not surprisingly my body is slowing down on weight loss, so it's not entirely surprising that the same is happening with inch loss too - this week's measurements are:

Bust - 89cm (0cm loss since last measurements - 19cm lost in total - 0cm to go)
Waist - 82cm (1cm loss since last measurements - 22cm loss in total - 10cm to go)
Hips - 97cm (1cm loss since last measurements - 34cm loss in total - 2cm to go - almost there!)

I didn't lose anything on my arms or thighs unfortunately.

My home scale says I weigh around 74kg now, so it looks like I'm slightly under, which is a good place to be as I move to Phase 6 on Tuesday this week. Yay!

Monday 21 June 2010

End of Phase 4 and weigh in - Day 173

I had my last ultrasound treatment at Alizonne today, as well as endermologie/LPG. And, best bit was the weigh in (NEVER thought I'd ever say those words!):

Current weight - 76kg (2.5kg loss since last weigh in) - 33.9kg total lost to date
Weight in stone - 11st 13lb - 5st 5lbs lost to date, or 74.8lbs
Weight to lose (to hit lower target of 75kg/11st 11lbs) - 1kg or 2.2lbs

I'm so close now I can just about taste it.

Tomorrow I start Phase 5 for one week, and will be having half the allowed quantity of cheese, as I'm having the lactofree cheese which isn't low fat as well as tuna in my salad. Looking forward to it!

Only 3 weeks left to go .......

Sunday 20 June 2010

Measurements - after day 171


Tomorrow is my last day on Phase 4 - unbelievable! I had my very last snack sachet (vanilla dessert) this afternoon, and my last lunchtime sachet tomorrow will be sheep's milk. From then on all I'll have left for the remaining 3 weeks on Alizonne is snack bars.

I have my last combined ultrasound and LPG treatment at Alizonne tomorrow evening, so will update weight then. I have booked LPG treatments only for July, and will then make a call on what happens from August onwards.


In the meantime, this week's measurements are:

Bust - 89cm (0cm loss since last measurements - 19cm lost in total - 0cm to go)
Waist - 82cm (1cm loss since last measurements - 22cm loss in total - 10cm to go)
Hips - 98cm (1cm loss since last measurements - 33cm loss in total - 3cm to go - almost there!)

I didn't lose anything on my arms or thighs unfortunately.

Yesterday I decided to finally do a big clear out of the spare room wardrobe, where I've been storing up all the clothes that have been getting too big for me. I created 3 piles - clothes to keep in storage (size 16 and under only to hedge my bets!), clothes for charity and clothes to give to my mum, as she loves nothing better than getting my old clothes. It may seem foolish keeping any clothes, but my thinking is to keep them until I'm through the 12 months of Phase 8, then I can safely get rid of them. At one point I pulled out a lovely pair of black cargo trousers, which I used to wear and feel really good in - in a size 22. I put them on and I'm not kidding - you could easily fit another half of me in there there was SO much excess space! It made me so emotional I burst into tears, and my wonderful husband had to give me cuddle, but they were honestly just tears of emotion and joy.

I am determined never again to let myself get to that size again, never again .......

Friday 18 June 2010

The day after - Day 170


Last night went well.

Although we only won 1 of the 6 categories we entered we were highly commended in a 2nd category.

I had a good time - stuck to no alcohol and ate my dinner I had pre-prepared on the way home, so no snacking on canapes or the buffet. Plus, I got LOADS of compliments from people saying how fantastic I'm looking, what's my secret, and one saying I look better and better everytime they see me.

Will I ever get tired of the compliments? Somehow, I don't think so ........

Thursday 17 June 2010

Here we go - Day 169


Tonight is my first industry award function since starting Alizonne, and I'm all dressed up in my new emerald coloured magnificent Size 12 cocktail dress - ready to leave. A bit of me is excited to see what everyone says, and off course to see if we win - the rest of me wonders whether anyone will notice ......

Butterflies in the tummy .......

Sunday 13 June 2010

Measurements - after day 164


What a week it's been!

I saw the doctor at Alizonne on Thursday for my monthly check up and the good news is that my blood tests came back completely normal. On the downside my body fat percentage is 37% when it should be around 33%, which she was slightly concerned with. Her view is I should continue to phase off as planned, but at the end I may need to try to lose a few extra kgs to get it down to the right level, but we'll see how the next few weeks go.

Best bit is I've booked my last appointment for 15th July, when I'll have ended Phase 7 and be ready to move onto "real" life again! I'm excited and full of trepidation at the same time .....

On Friday I had a corporate hospitality event in the afternoon where they were showing the World Cup kick off match. When I arrived they were handing out South African football shirts, and they immediately said "What size? Medium?" - I could SO have kissed the girl! And best bit is it fit perfectly *sigh*

Anyway, this week's measurements are:

Bust - 89cm (1cm loss since last measurements - 19cm lost in total – I'VE DONE IT - HIT TARGET!)
Waist - 83cm (0cm loss since last measurements - 21cm loss in total - 11cm to go)
Hips - 99cm (1cm loss since last measurements - 32cm loss in total - 4cm to go - finally broken into double digits!)

I also lost 1cm each on my arms and 2cm on my thighs.

It was my husband's 40th yesterday and we had some friends around, including my mother in law who I haven't seen since Christmas. She was so impressed by the loss and really supportive, which felt great.

4 weeks to go and counting ......


Tuesday 8 June 2010

End of Phase 3 and weigh in - Day 159


Ok, I know today is actually Day 160, but I didn't have a chance to post this last night when I got home from Alizonne as I had to get to Moves & Shapers for a session.

The fantastic news is that I officially moved from Phase 3 to Phase 4 as of Day 160, with weight details being:

Current weight - 78.5kg (2.8kg loss since last weigh in) - 31.4kg total lost to date
Weight in stone - 12st 5lb - 4st 13lbs lost to date, or 69.3lbs
Weight to lose (to hit lower target of 75kg/11st 11lbs) - 3.5kg or 7.7lbs


So, the plan is to stay on Phase 4 for 2 weeks and then 1 week each of Phases 5-7, so 5 weeks left until I'm done - yay!