Day 122: My girl and Baggy Trousers weekend

Hi everyone. Well its Wednesday which means its weigh in and blog day!

Firstly, thanks for all the positive comments people keep giving me... either in person, on twitter and FB .  It still feels odd when people say - you look great. On Sunday, I lead an action song and also did the talk at our church's all age service. It was interesting to here so many people say that they could notice the difference in my weight. It was also noticeable that I felt much fitter doing the song.

Secondly, its official - including gift aid, I have managed to now raise over £2000 for the bridge project. Feel so humbled by this, so thanks to everyone who has given money to that. I know the Bridge are amazed by the support

Its been a mixed bag this week. People have asked how and if the way I'm feeling at the moment has effected my diet. Well... up and down to be honest. I go from not eating at all and feeling quite down, to comfort eating when I'm sat at home thinking about things. I guess I need to move on from that but just need to get into Christmas and everything going on at Church and work things out from there in January - I just guess the Jellytots are off which is the hard bit and wish it was different.  I did tweet yesterday that I'm sorry if people are finding me a bit introvert at the moment, but thats me and where I am at the present - and probably you'll learn more about me from here than talking to me. But just need to stay focused on this diet now... I want that next 3 or 4 stone!!!

I had a good day and half away from Friday - Saturday at my good friend and his wife, Rich and Rach Ocone (And their son Joshua). We had a great time and went to see Madness in concert at the Metropoint (hence the My girl and Baggy Trousers title). A great evening, and we went to Pizza Express which was a welcome treat (Pizza and Garlic Bread) - then Saturday it was some great home cooked food by Rach - but also I don't think I've drunk so many cups of tea in such a long time..... I miss the good old cup of english breakfast tea and got carried away I think! LOL! But the one thing that I chatted to Rich about was going on a Rollercoaster fest next year... now I will be able to get back in them! I really cant wait, and so want April/May to be here! I've missed doing theme parks and will be an emotional moment when i get to do all the rides I have missed since being built!

Anyway, weigh in today was always going to be a challenge - but I maintained my weight (so I'm still 18 stone 1 lb). I think psychologically I want to get into the 17's in the next 7 days - so will be trying as hard as I can this week, before the Christmas events and parties start!

Anyway, thanks for all your encouragement, prayers and support!

Blessings

Simon

Day 115: A little wait for the weight

Its been eleven days since I've updated my Slim-a-thon blog.... amazing what can happen in that short time!

I'm not sure really what to say that hasn't already been said by good friends in their wisdom about all my facebook changes and tweet updates, so I'll press on with why you are reading this - my diet - not to hear about what else is happening in my wild and wonderful life. All I will say here is Jellytots and I mean that!

My diet has been interesting in the past few weeks, as much as slimming world has been interesting.

Over the past 2 weeks I have lost 3 lbs - however that been done the hard way (he chuckles). The week before last I decided to have a mega blow out week and boy it was good! KFC (which I wrote about before)... a couple of lunches and dinners out... and I managed to put on 2 lbs. The consultant and slimming world was concerned until I said it was fairly deliberate! 

Then tonight at weigh in I had lost 5 lbs. I think its great to show that actually I have the discipline now to have a bad week and enjoy myself a bit.. and then go back to focus. Think that shows I have made the lifestyle changes. I am seeing more difference in my trousers.... my recent new jeans (the mistake from a couple years ago) are actually becoming looser! January sales may be a calling I think.

I won Slimmer of the month for November with a 9lb loss - thats 3 out of the last 4 monthly awards.

However, over the past couple of weeks at slimming world we were told there has been a problem with the scales that has been identified and has been weighing people lighter than they should have (by about 2 lbs) - and this has been going on since the group began (Jan 2011). Now, your wondering what that means... well in simple:-

*My original weight should have been 21stone 5 lbs

*My correct weight now is 18 stone 1 lb

*So i've still lost 3 stone 4lbs (nearly 21KG)

I'm back in exercise routine now that the ankle is better. I've been to the gym once, played 5-a-side twice, played badminton 1 (thanks Toby for letting me win again). So all good.

The only issue, I guess, is that my appetite has disappeared in past couple of days, but I expect it will return soon!

I had a nice feeling today... that I am so looking forward to going to Thorpe park and Alton towers early next year... who's up for coming?

Well thats it for now. Thank you for your support. The bridge is nearly £2000 better off with Gift Aid recovered - and I'm feeling much better health wise.

Be Blessed and be a blessing.

Simon

Day 104: The week after the week before

Hi Everyone. I haven't dropped off the planet. I am here. 

In honesty - this is the first chance I have had to sit down and blog since this weeks weigh in.  So apologies. Work life is really busy as we approach the 'reason for the season' as they say! Jesus and Christmas!

Firstly - Thanks for all your kind comments on achieving my charity goal of 3 stone and also for the additional money you have given. The total I have raised now is nearly £2000 including gift aid. I just can't believe how kind you have all been. At an exec meeting of the charity I am raising which took place on Wednesday I said to them I couldn't believe how much has come in. I thought I'd do well to raise a few hundred quid, but then realised I could raise that target to £1000.... and you have all surpassed it! Thank you - and thank you on behalf of the charity too!

Also, thanks to those who missed the blog this week and messaged me - Emma, thanks for your words of support!

So whats been happening the past 10 days. Well, I admit, I have been a little less focused on the diet, I must confess. This week I only lost 1 lb. It was a relief in someways.... after losing 7 lbs the previous week I was hoping I didn't put any weight on...and suddenly realise the scales were wrong.... and thank goodness I didn't.

However, this 10 days has been a bit of relax of everything. Yes, on the whole I'm still going for it... I want to lose another 4 stone. But it has been nice to take things a bit easier without the pressure of the charity work. Thursday lunch time I had a burger, chips and salad at Harvester. Last night we went bowling with the youth group and then ended up in KFC afterwards for a supercharger and fries! Today at our Alpha course day, I had a piece of quiche and a cocktail sausage. But I now what I have to deliver the rest of the week to lose a pound or two... so it will be total focus again. 

My ankle is feeling better and I managed to find time to beat my old pal Toby at Badminton again.... I'm going to give football a miss again this week, as it still feels sore, but I am hoping to do a couple of shifts back at the gym.

A couple of people have asked, 'Am I doing the next 4 stone for sponsorship'. Well the answer at the moment is... no. I think I'd feel a bit guilty taking more money. I will have another think later this week. If I do, I think it will probably be for my youth group who have just been given a brand new youth lounge - but need to kit it out, so we can open it up to the community... But as I said, maybe watch this space. Or if you would like to sponsor me a bit more for this charity, let me know and I will then confirm once I decide.

Anyway, thats it for now! Hope to blog next week again.

Take care, blessings and prayers.

Simon

Day 94: IMPORTANT - Shock, horror and lots more

Has that got you looking.... oh good. Well here is the weekly blog and I think its a monster one this week.

A monster one... "why's that" I hear you cry. Well, the bets are all off! "What he's so close and he's lost the plot?"

Nope.........

The bets are off because its time to pay up. It is official! As of weigh in today (5.43pm) I have lost 3 stones in weight in 14 weeks of diet and exercise.  I have to say it was a complete shock today. I've been really busy this week with lots of work things going on: we took handover for our new hall which has taken up a lot of time in sorting intruder alarm stuff, helping with keys, codes, etc (back to my old world again and enjoyed being able to use my JS skills for something worthwhile).

Also, because of my ankle injury (which is getting better - just still a bit sore) I have not been able to exercise much (although I still managed to just about beat my girlfriend Jo at a little game of Table Tennis on Saturday evening at a friends house :-) Sorry love, had to put that in!!). No exercise is usually not helpful in achieving a bit more loss.

So, off to SW today.... and I popped onto the scales - and I have lost 7 lbs this week - Taking me to 18 stone 3 lbs. I was in shock. I misread it to start with..... I thought it said 18 stone 13, and I was thinking... oh! no - whats gone wrong. 

I think as I sit here now, it is just sinking in.  I have gone from 21 stone 3 lbs to 18 stone 3 lbs. I am also in a new pair of trousers which are a size smaller than I had....and are already getting loose (I didn't buy the trousers in the past couple of weeks... they have been sitting in the cupboard for 3 years as I bought the wrong size and didn't take them back.

I feel fitter, quicker, less lethargic and loving life. People can see the difference and are telling me, and for that I am eternally grateful. 

Its a lifestyle change and I would encourage anyone who is thinking about it that if you're not prepared to make that lifestyle change, you will never win. Its about will power, having good supporting friends, enjoying treats, prayer (well I would include Jesus in this), exercise - but ultimately if you keep the same lifestyle and expect to lose lots of weight... forget it.

I am now the lightest I have been for about 7 or 8 years - and its great!

Tonight, I know that I have raised £1700 in money (including gift aid) for The Bridge Project (See my Virgin Money site for details). If you were one of those who don't pay up until someone has done something, or promised extra monies when I succeeded - well this is the time to act. I won't chase anyone, I'm not like that. But I thank each and everyone of you for your support.

Here is the link to the Virgin Money site! Please go there to give, or see me in person. The Bridge Project really value your support as much as I do.

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SimonFutcher

And so to the future, what now? Well this is the beginning? Jo said to me on the phone tonight in an ecstatic way.... well what could you lose up to Christmas now? Well personally I think I could lose another stone. At 2 lbs a week that is possible. I think the key time will be after Christmas... and getting through the hardest time of the year! But we shall see.

I'm a bit more relaxed about this now... with the 3 stone done the pressure is a bit off. But ultimately I want to lose another 4 stone minimum, 5 as a possible in 2013. I'm not going to pick your pockets anymore. But I am learning how to treat myself as well as be determined. Sunday evening was our Youth group bonfire and I had a couple of sausages, but kept within my bread allowance and ignored the crisps, hot chocolate... and Lynn Taylor made a great Slimming lentil soup! 

Anyway, I will continue to blog. Who knows, it may be useful if I stay in SW and end up going for slimmer of the year LOL! (He chuckles!)

Thank you to everyone again. 

Blessings

Simon

PS. If Keith Barnes reads this...... I've done it mate - lets see if you can keep going!!!!!

Day 88: Pow! Bam! Superheroes & Super weight loss

Hi everyone. Well the Title of the post is because I'm still in Superhero mode from last night, where we held a party for 30 kids in our church as an alternative to Halloween! (And if you want a laugh here's the photo of me - I trained hard for this LOL!)

But yesterday was also weigh in day, and in a mad rush I did make the weigh in - but didn't stay for image 'chuck me a sardine' therapy.

But all I can say that my first mini target is very much on the horizon - the 3 stone by New Year! Yesterday's weigh in was a 2lb loss which is now........

......2 and half stone lost (or 35lbs, or nearly 16kg's to anyone in metric). I now weigh 18 stone 10 lbs and its just 7 pounds until I achieve the target.

That 2 lbs could have been more, however I was tempted to IKEA on Saturday (see Twitter, Instagram or Facebook for more details of that) and had a nice plate of meatballs and chips, followed by a strawberry tart ! A nice treat from my lovely girlfriend (NB. The tart is no reference to Jo in anyway, shape or form before anyone tries to make a manufactured comment!)

Things will be a bit harder exercise wise as on Monday evening I popped/tore my ligaments in my left ankle (old war wound from Highbury School that hasn't played up in a couple of years!). 

This is a picture of my ankle at present, and its the same on both sides and also on the front at the top! Typical that it was the best game I was having in ages, and typically after I'd done a little trick that even left me surprised!


Anyway, enough of my injury woes! Here's to the couple 7 lbs to get to the first 3 stone loss.

Have a great week! Thanks for your support. 

Blessings

SImon

Day 81: Celebrations of Life = not as much weight loss

Morning everyone (or Afternoon, Evening if you are reading this later in the day. It was a chaotic day from one event to the next yesterday so this is the first chance I have had to Blog about weigh in....

.....And today it will be short and sweet, as I have lots of work to do.


After a week where it has been difficult to balance the diet with seeing friends and celebrating all week, I didn't really know where the weight loss would be going when I stepped on the scales.

Last Wednesday I ended up enjoying a bottle of wine with friends over a slimming world dinner (thanks Bridewells for the fantastic meal - a great Pork, Cider and Mustard Casserole from the all in one recipe book) - I wasn't driving for a change, so it was nice to relax with friends; Then Thursday the temptation was too great to not have a piece of the chocolate cake I made for the coffee and prayer morning - and I had a small slice; 

Friday was the great celebration of Graduation (I hope you may have seen the photos of me on Facebook - great day and great friends). The afternoon buffet was Beef Casserole and rice and a piece of cake. Jo and I had agreed we were going out for something to eat after the ceremony - which ended up at 9.30pm. So as a one off treat we went to the good old KFC in Christchurch, which I happen to know was there.... don't know how! LOL!

Then Tuesday evening was a fantastic Chicken Casserole with roast potatoes at our weekly Alpha dinner. Alas, these were not slimming world roasties, but were very nice.

So as you can guess, getting to the scales was a concern for me yesterday.

However, I weighed in and lost a pound! So I'm now 18st 12lbs and have lost 33lbs (2 stone 5 lbs!) - 9 lbs away from everyone paying out! Looks like that will be end of November, beginning of December. That was my 12th week at Slimming World - the end of my NHS freebie. I've decided to continue for now, but need to ensure I have the pennies to pay for it at £4.95 a session (or £4.13 if you pay for 12 sessions in advance)

In case you are worried...... KFC was fantastic for a treat, and it was good to be able to relax. It also shows that if you exercise and play fair with your self, your lifestyle and treat yourself on occasions, its ok!

Anyway, time to sign off. Thanks for reading my blog - I am always amazed and humbled by the stats to show how many people read it! 

God Bless

Day 73: 10% in 10 weeks.

10% in 10 weeks. Officially, that is the weight I have lost - 10% of my body weight in 10 weeks.

Apologies for the late blog this week. Was really busy yesterday following weigh in at Slimming World, so thought I'd blog early this morning (its 6.30am as I start to blog).

I think today is a bit of a review really. A chance to step back and look at what I have currently achieved.... So first of all - weigh in this week.

Well, I lost 3 pounds this week, which actually surprised me in a way because I've had meals out in the past 7 days (A very mean roast cooked by Jo's friend Pauline which was superb, but I could count the syns going on and then the Alpha meal on Tuesday night) - although didn't in others as I know its been a busy week. 

So that means that I have now lost 32lbs in weight, or 2 stones 4 lbs, or for those who like metric thats just over 14kg's. 

Or if you want it a bit easier thats 56 of these........

Or, interesting fact of the day... is actually is the same as this, the NHL Stanley Cup..... 

So here are some other stats to bore you over your cornflakes.....

My BMI has gone from 42.61 to 38.02! Over 4 and half points.

I'm now losing an average of 3.2llbs a week, or 1.4kg.

The other thing I am really chuffed about is that yesterday I weighed less that 19 stone.... at 18 stone 13! Must be about 6 or 7 years since I weighed anything like this. T-shirts are becoming baggier - and I can even fit in pairs of Jeans I have not worn for a while!

The area I'm stuggling with is the Gym! Just been too busy, and to be honest not motivated. My normal regime of footy on Monday and Badminton on a Tuesday are still in place, but not been on the machines in the gym for about 10 days. Hoping to get their on Friday.

Anyway, so the big title was 10% in 10 weeks. Its amazing to think how these last 10 weeks have flown by and actually have been ok to deal with. The mind set is there and focus that this is now my lifestyle. Yes, I have the odd treat which doesn't seem to be doing hard - and I can now even make food for other people and things and not worry (See my pic I took yesterday of 3 cakes for an event I'm going to today... 1 lemon drizzle, 1 victoria sponge and 1 chocolate fudge cake!). But the reason S/W have the 10% is because its the point you start to feel the benefit - and indeed I am. I'm not getting so breathless - and can run a bit faster too - and my reactions have quickened up!

But 10% of 21 stone 3lbs is a huge achievement - and its thanks to the people who follow my blog, who are encouraging me and, in my Christian circles, are praying for me. The sponsorship is still amazing and humbling (At near £1500 including gift aid has either been given or pledged!). Possible those who sponsored me on paper will be paying out by end of November, maybe even before!). A bigger thanks to my girlfriend Jo, who is more than supportive at me fading away - but thinking of my food choices as much as I am when we are out, or at friends.

But people have asked, does it stop with the 3 stone.... well, no is the answer to that - as my overall target will be 7 stone! Which as I said to the consultant at SW yesterday is a way off. However I have made this lifestyle change to prolong my life and health.

Anyway, its time to go and do some other things. Once again, thanks for your support... if you haven't sponsored me yet then please do. I even see John Glen (MP for Salisbury) has mentioned the charity I am raising funds for in today's Salisbury Journal!! They are doing great work and would love your sponsorship of me.

So please go and sponsor me here......    http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SimonFutcher

Have a great day and week!

Blessings

Simon