Week Four: Slightly better

Week Four: 

Current Weight - 61.2kg
Goal Weight - 58kgs (size 10)
Weight Loss to Date - 4.3kg


What I am finding difficult: 

The thing I hate the most is that I have to keep explaining that I've quit sugar. Everywhere I go people keep shoving sugary treats in my face. I'm not tempted by them, that's not my problem. The difficulty is having to explain without making a fuss. Then, their face! It's almost a face of disgust. A look of "what? Why?"  I don't know if it's because you expose how badly they eat? People have done all things from putting sugar in my tea (feel really bad when they've just made me a cuppa!), offering me fruit as a "healthy" option and just blatantly tempting me with my favourite chocolates (twirls). 

What I enjoyed:

I feel a lot better in myself. Clearer. Fresher. 

Week Three: Flat

Week Three: 

Current Weight - 61.5kg
Goal Weight - 58kgs (size 10)
Weight Loss to Date - 4kg


What I am finding difficult: This week hasn't been amazing. The thing is, I'm not craving what I thought I would. I don't feel like "Wow, I need chocolate" or "Pleeeeeeease give me some ice-cream!" The weirdest thing is that I'd really like some fruit! What? Who would've thought my first sugar craving would be for fruit! I really miss it.

Markus nearly chucked it all in. He wasn't losing weight like he wanted to, he was irritable, grouchy and feeling rubbish. Seems like I have joined him now. I don't feel like I want to quit quitting sugar, actually I'm really passionate about staying this way for life now! I just don't feel right. To be honest, that could be down to a severe lack of sleep or the fact that I haven't been to the gym this week. I guess when you throw all those things together you get a fairly ordinary feeling.

What I enjoyed:Hmmm...

Week Two: Just so yummy!

Who would've thought that getting rid of sugar would make my cooking better? But it has!

Before starting IQS8WP my cooking was pretty average. Not unhealthy either, just a bit boring. I really couldn't think of more than 5 things to make and I used to rotate them week by week. Spaghetti bolognese, salmon and potatoes, lamb burgers, chicken stir-fry...blah. Now thinking about it, we were eating so much potato, white bread, white rice and then pile chocolate, ice-cream and lollies on top of that! Wow, no wonder I wasn't losing weight!

Now my cooking has rocketed into another dimension. My husband is pretty impressed with the variety of my cooking and the incredible tastes I create. He keeps asking "Are you sure we can eat this? It tastes so good!" Because the food is so yummy we really haven't noticed that sugar is gone. We're actually enjoying its absence. Although, week 1-3 you can still have fruit, I think we will miss that. 

Today's lunch: 

Dukkah Crusted Chicken with Proccuitto wrapped asparagus and a fried egg

Tonight's dinner:

Main: Pork and Fennel Sausage Rolls with Rocket and Avocado Salad

Dessert: Berries with Caramelised Cream

All I can say is, OH MY GOODNESS, YUM!

Week One: Why?

"What? Do I really look like that? How utterly embarrassing?"

These were the thoughts running through my mind when I looked back at the photos from my recent trip back home to Australia. There was one photo in particular that shocked me the most and I will attach it here. I wouldn't normally publish such an embarrassing photo but I really want to face the reality that is the incredible weight I have put on.

I've decided to ask myself a series of questions every week (or probably every couple of days just to keep myself motivated!)

Week One: 
Current Weight - 65kgs
Goal Weight - 58kgs (size 10)
Weight Loss to Date - 0kgs

My top 5 goals:
1. Lose 6kgs/return to a size 10
2. Go to the shops/cafe without feeling like I need to buy something sweet
3. See photos/myself in the mirror and not feel 'frumpy' or 'bulging'
4. Feel energised and positive
5. Understand how to change my lifestyle so this isn't just a craze


What I look forward to:
At the moment I look in the mirror and I see my stomach bulging over my jeans. I am embarrassed to take my cardigan off because you can see where my fat is desperately trying to escape from all areas possible. I can't wait to put on my jeans and not feel like they are pinching me at the sides. I want to be able to wear clothes this summer and not feel too big to wear them.


What makes me nervous:
I think other people might react negatively to this drastic change of diet. Some might make me feel like its a con or a joke. Others might try and tempt me to give up. I don't look forward to the cravings and possible lack-of-sugar-headaches. I'm nervous about going out for coffee with friends and being tempted when I see them eat cake.


What I am finding difficult:
Understanding what has sugar and what doesn't. Do I cut out fruit? All of it? Is that healthy? Do I really understand what I am meant to be doing?


What I enjoyed:
I loved the Avocado and Goats Cheese Toastie today. It was so yummy! I also added some left over roasted sweet potato and it was fabulous! Another fabulous recipe I discovered was Sweet Potato and Chickpea tortillas (photo below). The food is so good you forget it's a diet!

Week One: Gym

Protein Shakes. Lycra. Sweat.

Walking in to the gym for the first time since Alex felt like walking into a club for cool people and I had a giant, neon sign screaming "LOSER".

I hate that first moment when you return to the gym. All the men are built like Mr. Strong and the women look gorgeous in their tights, amazing make-up and gorgeous hair. I swiped my card and walked in to the main workout area and it had all changed since I'd been there last. I immediately just wanted to fit in but it seemed that all the machines I knew how to use were taken. I lingered around the water cooler until a bike was free then hurried over trying to look like I do this all the time.

This. won't. stop. me! Bring it.

Week One: Smashed it!

Week One: 
Current Weight - 62.6kg
Goal Weight - 58kgs (size 10)
Weight Loss to Date - 2.4kg


What I am finding difficult:
Not much really. This week was so much easier than I imagined it would be! It's crazy to think we've been a whole week without sugar. We haven't completely cut out fruit yet but I've only had 2 apples and haven't really craved anything or feel I'm missing out. The small things are the hardest. So, ordering a cup of coffee and they serve it with a small biscuit or wafer. It's just sitting there screaming "EAT ME!!". That's where I struggle. Or, a friend of mine was talking about Hagen Daas Ice-Cream, ice-cream is my kryptonite. 


What I enjoyed:
I made the world's most amazing hash for lunch yesterday. I blew myself away. 

Most Amazing Hash:
Steamed broccoli
Raw beans
Roasted chickpeas and sweet potato tossed in cajun spice and garlic
Pepitas
Feta
Pan-fried strips of beef
Squeeze of lemon

Chuck it in a bowl and mix together.