Weeks 11 - 15

The last few weeks have been the toughest so far. Not because of the food, which has continued to be great, but because the anticipated slowing in the weight loss has kicked in, and the changes haven't been as noticeable. I've actually been a bit down about it - not that I'd lost 2 stone so far, but that it wasn't going to be plain sailing. Add an old chronic back problem flaring up into the bargain, which has stopped the running for a few weeks, as well as the general end of year ennui and another bleeding lockdown (or two!) and I've been a bit miserable at times.

But then you remember what 13kg of flour looks like, and remember how heavy it was! I go back to the weight loss comparison photos to cheer myself up, because, quite frankly, I'm still finding this whole process absolutely surreal! If you had told me I'd be nearing 80kg at the start of the year, I'd never have believed you. 82.5kg to be precise! There's a lot to disbelieve about this year, but on a purely personal level, this has been one of the biggest changes in the last 12 months.

I'd like to say that all this is because the office closed in March and I've been working from home, out of temptation's reach, since. But it's not true. I didn't lose any weight in the first 6 months, even though I was away from the daily temptations of office life. Everything has been the last 3 months, and this almost miraculous food plan. Yes, it is getting harder now, and Christmas is especially difficult, but pull yourself together man! You're already over 2 stone lighter, you look completely different, your clothes don't fit, and you have already sent a huge sack to charity! 

My friend Megan always used to say "PMA" to me when I was chuntering away at work or miserable about something. Positive Mental Attitude. She was right too. Initially I made a playlist on Spotify of stuff that lifted the mood, and she put some of the things that lifted her mood on there. Anyone who knows me will tell you that I love music (even if I do moan about Sheeran), and I have a massively eclectic range of stuff I listen to. But it's really snowballed this year!

Before all this I used to commute via this hip cafe in the most unlikely venue of Herne Hill station. The guy who ran it was too cool for school, rarely interested in engaging in conversation, but my goodness he played some brilliant music. My shazam was very busy! But all that 15 min exposure to new music each day evaporated with the office closure, and that was one of the things I was sad about. 

However, during lockdown there was this 30 Day Song Challenge going round, which I did with my friends. We ended doing our own version, then we did another 7 day challenge over half term  and a couple of one offs. There are over 40 new collaborative playlists now, with so much wonderful music. Not to mention daytime 6music,  which has been a revelation. 

This is a typically long winded way to say Megan was right. A positive mental attitude is so much less draining than a negative one. And it's in your hands. You can make the choice to be positive or negative ("realistic", I used to call it, but it was negative). I can hear the laughter of those who have heard me chuntering about "new age bollocks" so many times, but all I have to say is listen to the wisdom of youth, and find whatever your gateway to feeling more positive is.

Cycling is another one for me - you never regret dragging yourself out of bed for a ride. As the old truism goes, there's no wrong weather for cycling, just wrong apparel! The other day I was out in the drizzle & mist, and it was just good to be out in the fresh air, with mates, chatting about everything & nothing. Then I was out again this weekend in glorious winter sunshine. True, you can be alone with your thoughts while dragging yourself up a hill with something unfortunate on the internal jukebox, but at least you are doing something. I'm getting to a point where I'm genuinely disappointed if I don't get my weekly bike ride! And it's getting easier with the weight loss too. Last weekend I was one second off my PB for a local segment I've been up many times - and winter is not the most conducive time of year to be going faster.  More importantly, I was 5 mins faster going up the 2 mile stretch than I had been when I last went up it before the diet, admittedly at the end of a longer ride when I was knackered!

My 15 year old puts me to shame with her PMA - she's been dealing with type 1 diabetes for nearly 10 years, and she never lets it get her down. I don't know where she gets it from (I do, it's her mum!), as God knows we've struggled with it at times, but she just gets on with it. We're so lucky, she's lucky, not everyone can. Lots of kids can't & find it really tough. Find whatever it is which helps you, because believe me, it's better than the alternative! And listen to the kids, they're not so daft...most of the time. 😂

Thanks for reading this meandering post today, and thanks to all of you who have reached out & shared your own stories, or felt encouraged to try this themselves. I never thought I'd say this, but aiming to have that sometimes elusive PMA is a big help. As all your support & good wishes continue to be.

I'd like to wish everyone in these strange & difficult times, a very happy - if very different- Christmas, and a hopeful New Year. 

Onwards!