Day 24: Slimming World - Better than doing a weeks shopping (Well Nearly)

Just come back from slimming world as I decided to go to the early session this week because I am going out with Jo (my girlfriend) this evening.

Its a much quieter group (less numbers) which means less time to get through everyone. 

Anyway down to business. Well this week saw me reach a 1/6th of my first target (which tied in with my sponsor target). I have now lost over half-a-stone. I lost 3 lbs this week (good in someways as I had a very late dinner because of holiday club!) which now means i have lost 9 llbs in 3 official weeks or just over 4kg in new money!!)

That is equivalent to just over what an average head weighs - their you go, you even learn things through this blog. Now please don't go and try and see if your head weights 9 lbs! - it could get messy. Its also equivalent to 16 blocks of butter!

But the other news, well - I was slimmer of the week again for the second time (which means I won the fruitbowl contents again) 

Here is a picture with my half stone and slimmer of the week awards!!!

So 3 awards (and I can see why the Kids work love stickers now! LOL) and to top it all... I won the raffle again - winning the ingredients for veg chilli and rice!

As the title said, it seems that being at Slimming World can be cheaper than going to do the weeks shopping! LOL

And so my appeal and plee. If you have not sponsored my yet... then please do - it will mean so much to me and the charity I am raising money more. Encouraging me to go that extra mile to lose this weight!

Please go to:

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SimonFutcher

And sponsor me. 

Thanks for reading, God Bless

Simon

Day 17: Don't know how but.......

Well, you probably thought from the title you are going to see that I've put weight on...... 

Well its ok! I didn't, but it really was a crazy session at the 'performing seals' club (AKA Slimming world. I was hopeful that I'd be writing tonight to that I'd lost another 5 lbs. After all I've kept to the diet and also been to the gym for 5 x 40min workouts AND a 45 min game of football - since the last weigh in.

However, this week was a 1 lb loss (6 lb in total from first weigh in). I guess I was a bit gutted that it wasn't more. But talking to the consultant there are several reasons - and I'm not doing anything wrong.

Firstly, if you've not really done any exercise for years and suddenly you start doing lots your body goes into a strange defensive mode - and stores water... a lot of water. This is to keep the un-used muscles safe and help them recover. Over a couple of weeks, as the muscles start to tone and build up they don't need the water - and release it out the body again. 

Secondly, if you are exercising you are burning off fat, but you are also putting weight on muscles. They have suggested actually putting a tape measure around myself weekly as it may well be I'm losing cm's, just not losing weight at the moment.

Finally, I need to ensure I keep to 2/3rds free food and 1/3 super free food to ensure the weight loss programme is 'optimised'. I am pretty much doing that, but need to be rigid!

In all 3 situations, the weight loss will come in quite a way once the body gets used to the exercise.

But then the unexpected bit.... I was actually.......

It was an encouragement I wasn't expecting, especially as I only lost a pound. I had to look on the internet afterwards to understand how i works, and pretty much its:

• You can't win on the first week
• Any loss has to be followed or preceded by a loss or maintain
• The largest who loses over these rules wins.

The prize... Sticker and Certificate (as above) and then a bag of fruit (everyone brings a piece of fruit with them every week for this)... put it this way, I don't need to buy much fruit over the remainder of the week!

So there we go, the ups and downs of Slimming world, diets, exercise and weight loss.

Thanks for all the encouragement that has been given in words or sponsorship. I'm near £800 - which is fantastic. But its not too late to sponsor me if you haven't. Please go to

 http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SimonFutcher

Busy few days ahead, so I'll probably blog on Sunday evening at some stage.... holiday club approaches... don't think I'll need much gym! 

Every blessing

Simon

Day 16: Cravings and Urges

Who can believe its day 16..... and things are going well still - although it is still tough.

Apologies for the lack of blog. I think I said in my last one that I'm really busy at work at present, as I have a holiday club I am preparing for next week! All great fun, but lots to do!

Well, I went back to the gym yesterday for an hour, and actually pushed myself a bit harder with levels. In approximates yesterday I:

• Cycled 3km
• Ran (on the cross trainer) over 1km - and those who know me will know that this is the hardest part!
• Hill Climbed 100m
• Rowed 1.3km

Thats not bad! I'm trying to diarise an hour a day to go the gym around my schedule - time to relax a bit when things are busy - and also keep fit.

I also played my regular 5-a-side last night. Very hot in Chaffyn Grove sports hall last night and the sweat was pouring off of me. But after 3/4hr I felt a twinge in my ankle and decided to go in goal for the rest of the evening. Doesn't feel too bad this morning, and won't get in the way of Gym which is quite low impact on my body.

Sunday was the toughest day of the diet so far!! I had so many cravings during the day. We had roast chicken for dinner and the bit I always enjoyed is the skin (which I'm not allowed anymore because it has all the fat in it!)... oh, to be able to chomp on a bit of skin would have been heaven - but I had to throw it away for temptation caught the better of me. I actually love the Slimming World diet because roast is encouraged... with lean meat and as much veg and dry roast potatoes as you like - and then you can have a bouillon based gravy using water. Now the gravy isn't gravy really - its like veg broth, but it tastes ok.

Sunday evening.... I could have murdered for a packet of crisps..... McCoys to be precise! fortunately there were none in the house and I chomped on fruit to shut my cravings up.

Also seem to be drinking lots of water now... which is great... Good for my old wrinkly skin! LOL.

Anyway, I resisted the urges, and seem to be doing well! As I write, its 36 hours to the 3rd weigh in. If its a couple of pounds I'll be chuffed, but we shall see. Excercise and Diet should equal WIN - but the body is a funny old thing isn't it!

Thanks for all the donations and sponsorship monies that are coming in! If you still haven't had a chance - its not too late; go to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SimonFutcher and add your support. 

It is so humbling and a real driver to see that support and know how much the Bridge can do.

Until tomorrow evening! God Bless

Simon 

Day 12: The aches and pains of being overweight

I'm sure a lot of people will have seen my tweet/facebook message yesterday, but in case you didn't......

"Missing: one pair of thighs last seen in the vicinity of the 5 rivers leisure centre at 9.00am today. Please contact me if you find them."

It got a few likes and one who said it made them laugh out loud in the dentists surgery (thanks Jan, that made me laugh too in return). 

Well, the first day at the gym did go well - even if my thighs thought that their nightmares had come. The fitness consultant, Nick, was brilliant and took me around each piece of equipment i was going to use and gave me a programme to follow when I am down there. At the moment it consists of:

10 mins bike

5 mins cross training

2 mins on the resister (which is like a hill climb)

500m rowing

2 mins on the resister again

500m rowing

10 mins on bike to finish

That will burn off about 300 calories a day. But also, speed up my metabolism to burn food off quicker - and aid what I'm losing (all being well). Takes about 40 mins to do, so not to bad. The only risk, so they were saying at slimming world, is that if you start exercising regularly the first couple of weeks may not see any weight loss because the body goes into shock and tries to hold on to water. Anyway, don't know if thats true - we shall see.

I did contemplate the sauna/steam room, but then thought - no... don't really know what to do. So I'll try that somewhen else when I'm a bit more confident!

I thought I'd hurt yesterday evening and this morning... actually I don't. My thighs felt a bit like they weren't there when I finished for about an hour, but seem fine now..... so may hit the Gym for a break from work in an hour or so! We'll I am paying this reduced rate so it makes sense to use it all. It will also allow me to catch up on Podcasts and albums I have been meaning to listen too more.

Jo, my girlfriend, also wants to start badmington with me.... haven't played in years, so we shall see what happens there. But thats included in my 'package' price on the NHS prescription.

As to swimming... will consider that all once summer holidays are over and there is no children about - and also when I feel a bit fitter. People have been talking about 'Aquablast' which is some kind of fitness in water - so we shall see. 

I have been out to restaurants with Jo and her parents twice now, and actually found stuff on the menu I could eat and enjoy. We went to Wagamama's last night (second time for me) and after doing some online research, found that Chicken Ramon (chicken, noodles in a vegetable broth) is absolutely fine as a part of my diet - except for the chicken being cooked in oil - which is 6 sins - which I allowed in my syn budget for!)

So all is well. This will be the last blog until Monday or Tuesday as I have lots to do this weekend work wise, and need to have concentration to do it. 

I know its repetitive... but thanks to everyone for their sponsorship, support, encouragement, tweets, re-tweets, Facebook messages, Facebook shares, views of this blog, etc, etc, etc. I am truly humbled by it all. The charity donations have nearly hit £800. If you still haven't sponsored me (and said you would) or have seen this for the first time... please sponsor me. Go to 

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SimonFutcher

for more details, or contact me at simon.futcher@btopenworld.com

With every blessing

Simon

Day 10: Lard, Lard and more Lard!

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!!

Well, If that title doesn't get you interested then what will. Well tonight was the first official weigh in at slimming world.

I'd had a good day - met Jo's parents for the first time and we all went to Lacock for the day....  (and they are really nice people!) 

We found a good pub and lunch was really easy... Ham, Eggs and New Potatoes (instead of chips)... No Syns! Really good day!

Then it was time for the performing seals club. Ok, I'll stop calling it that somewhen but it really is like 'toss me a sardine!'

So I signed in and went hesitantly to the scales. Part of me thought that I could end up having put weight on with the amount I've eaten this week.

However you will be pleased to know that I have put on..... na, not really... I've lost 5 pounds in my first week.

To put that into perspective, that is equivalent to nearly 8 and 1/4 of these...........

It also means: 

• I'm now under 21 stone!
• By BMI has moved from 43 to 42!

To celebrate even more I won the raffle tonight... a basket of herbs, chillies and the strangest of Garlic bulbs which is just one clove!

It was a really good day!

Tomorrow see's my Gym induction! Pain is a coming... but hopefully even more weightless.

Now if this doesn't make you want to sponsor me and see that I am deadly serious about this whole thing....... then nothing will! Get along to 

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SimonFutcher 

and sponsor me... its never too late.

Thanks for all your support and reading this blog!

Simon

Day 8: Not fallen off the waggon - just been a bit busy!

It's ok... I'm still alive and things seem to be going well!

Its now day 8 of the diet! Yes, I've done a full week! I feel good and seem to have more energy than I did... so its already doing good.

I've not blogged for a few days as I've been really busy with work.... its two weeks to our holiday club and I'm beavering away to get stuff done. 

On Sunday, the slimming world consultant, Jenny, rang and asked if I was ok... well I'd just had a slimming world roast and was stuffed - so I was fine. 

Syns are under control it seems.....so lets hope the scales agree on Wednesday.

I ended up at football this evening - haven't been for 6 weeks and boy was it tough, but the old knees stayed up - but after 20 mins I was shattered! Hopefully the challenges of Thursday morning won't be too hard at the Gym induction! 

I have a couple of tough days ahead, as I'm out for meals with people over the coming days. Always difficult when you're on a strict diet as you never want to turn food down, but also I need to keep the good work going. 

Not long to weigh in! That will be the next blog with the information to celebrate the first week at slimming world, or commiserate and understand what went wrong! 

Until then, thanks for your support, your sponsorship - and if you haven't sponsored me yet.... please go to my sponsor page at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SimonFutcher and help encourage me more :-)/

Day 5: I am an Anorak on Syns, Free, Superfree and Healthy options!

Day 5: Well its been a good and interesting couple of days on the slimathon! 

However, I feel I have become a walking encyclopaedia of Syns, Free, Superfree, healthy option. I get the feeling that actually you lose weight because of the amount of time it takes you to look up in the 'Syn' dictionary what you want to eat - which means you either don't have time to eat it, or you end up burning it!

Did you know that on the Slimming World Plan you can eat as much Free and super free food as you want.... Superfree is everything that is Fruit and Veg, and free is lean chicken, very lean meet, pasta, non-fried potato's (yes Toby - carbs!!!). There is even a syn-free chip thats available. I even get a daily allowance of dairy and fibre to ensure its a 'balanced' diet. Pretty much its about no sugar that isn't natural sugar, no fat and no simple carbs.

See, I'm becoming an anorak! But all I seem to do is spend my time finding out how many 'syn's I'm yearning to have LOL! Willpower Simon! Willpower! 

I have to fill in a diet sheet for a few weeks to show I'm doing ok. Its actually quite interesting to see what you are eating. But its also encouraging that the 'syns' column isn't too bad! :-)

The ladies at the Youth camp yesterday were a real blessing - balanced lunch and pasta in low fat sauce with a small handful of cheese! And plenty of fruit! I think thats (hashtag) #BOOM!!!!

I have decided I'm not going to put myself on any scales during the week, although it does just worry me that I'm eating loads from free and superfree (which I was told I could do by the consultant) and worried that I won't lose anything in weight.

Today was top-up shop day - and much easier than Tuesday, partly because of my newly-acquired anorak skills for knowing what to eat! (but also because Sainsburys Salisbury's range and availabilty is never the best!). Nothing like wondering around Sainsburys thinking... oh, what can I have and what can't I have!

Anyway, all going well. 5 days to weigh in! 6 days to Gym induction. 7 days to pain, I expect!

Thanks for all your continued support and reading. Don't forget - if you haven't sponsored me yet go do it at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SimonFutcher - please it will help.

Back tomorrow!

Blessings

SImon

Day 3: Throw me a Sardine... I've join the Seal's Club and the official weigh in

Warning - Not for the feint hearted or those who favour slimming clubs

Day 3: Well the day has arrived... the day I had been looking forward to in some ways - and very apprehensive in others - the day I joined slimming world.

The day has been good up to 5.30pm - and I feel really good with the support I am getting from all of you who are reading this... and who may have sponsored me (and its not too late.... please go there and do it if you haven't already)

I turned up at 5.30pm - looking a bit lost and then was directed to the Noob's area!

Now don't get me wrong - the slimming world system works and from what I can see it is very successful and easy to follow and from what I can see it is very good for men... eat as much of the free foods as you like and don't syn too much (for my Christian friends... don't worry I try not to syn at all, but I'm human :-) )

The 'consultant' is a nice lady called Janet and everybody there seems nice. However there is a distinct lack of men there. It was all women tonight apart from one person who as I spoke with him told me he was..... the consultants husband. If anyone is male, single and looking for love then the odd's are definitely in your favour here. If Jo, my girlfriend does happen to read this... don't worry - nothing to worry about.

Anyway, it all seemed to be going well until we got to the main 'image therapy' section of the meeting. Now I know I'm quite self-motivated but I thought I had entered the seal enclosure at the circus. I was expecting Janet to grab a bucket of sardines from under the table and start to chuck them out to the expectant crowd.

Clap after clap after clap..... I have sore hands tonight. Perhaps its a form of exercise. Gain weight, lose weight - you get clapped.

An hour later I was finally registered and weighed.... and that is what you are hear for, right - not hear my moans about Slimming world

Well I weighed in at a surprising 21 stone 3lbs. I felt a bit surprised as the last 2 readings I have had are 21 stone 8 llbs and 21 6llbs. So either the weight is falling off after 3 days - or someones scales are not right! I've been asked what my overall target is and I've said 7 stone.

So there we go... my evening in a nut shell. 

I have all the books, my official membership card for Slimming World.

Will be a tough day tomorrow - off to Shepton Mallet to see the youth group who are camping. Lots of walking to and from events, but food may be a problem - but we shall see how it goes..... think I may take a fruit bowl with me. 

No Blog tomorrow as I won't get back until 11pm - back on Friday!

...Day 2: Never found going shopping so difficult!

Well - Day 2 into the Slim-a-thon..... and its going well from where I sit.

The good news (as the photo above shows)... my slimming world referral vouchers arrived and I will be going to slimming world tomorrow at 5.30pm! I was blessed on Sunday morning that one of the church congregation said to me that she goes to the slimming world i'm going to be going to and its pretty good - and there are men that go - so I won't be the solitary bloke in a room of woman.... I have to say all these slimming agencies seem to aim their advertising and literature at women.... so it comes as no surprise that men are always a bit apprehensive! Anyway, the official weigh in will take place tomorrow at a location I'm not going to give away LOL!

The fridge was bear this morning and so I went and did the usual shop. Never has a rotisserie sausage looked so appetising or a french stick smelt so good - but don't worry, I didn't. Lots of fruit and veg and other stuff. I am looking forward to going to Slimming world tomorrow in a way as I'll get all the bump and blurb to help sort my diet out properly - even if over the last couple of days I've been cutting out the rubbish.

I forgot to say yesterday, with my appointment at the leisure centre. Nick the fitness consultant asked me what my long term goals were..... well two were obvious... weigh less, and be fitter.... but the other - to be able to go to Alton Towers and Thorpe park in Spring next year. Its been 4 years since I've been last... and I've missed the roller coaster world because of my size - and that is what I would love to be able to do!

Well thats it for today. Will update you all with the official weigh in and also how it goes at my first slimming world session

Until then... thanks for everything. If you haven't sponsored me yet... then what you waiting for LOL! Go to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SimonFutcher and sponsor me :-) The money I have already seen come in is very humbling and is a great incentive for me to smash this challenge.

....And so it starts - but its always complicated!

Well Day 1 started of the Slim-a-thon....

From a starting point of view it was good! But it didn't turn out like I thought it would....

I was planning to make slimming world on Wednesday and thought it would be an easy process to get to it. I rung the 'referral' number I was given by the doctors and they proceeded to go through their 'screening process' and then told me where I could go to one of their groups (which is the one down the road from me).....but then told me that I would need vouchers which they send out in the post.... Bummer! So I now need to wait to see if the post that should have gone out tonight arrives Tomorrow or Wednesday morning so I can go this week... if not then it will be delayed by a week.

Soo.... thought I'd put myself on the scales here at home early this afternoon to get a starting weight - and computer said '21 stone 8 lbs' - so the target will be 18 stone 8 lbs by 31st December.

After lunch today I went for my 'consultation' appointment at the leisure centre. It was a good meeting with the 'fitness consultant' called Nick who proceeded to tell me about the programme. I signed paperwork and he weighed and measured me (and got the same weight as scales at home). However what I didn't realise is that I will need a full induction now - and the earliest he can fit me in is next Thursday (16th) so a bit gutted. I even went there today with my new pair of trainers I picked up from Clarke's Village in Street last week!

So a bit frustrating but there we go, should have planned that really.

But that doesn't mean that I haven't started... today has been tough. I've dropped the milk intakes and also stopped eating crisps and snacks and eating more fruit and drinking more water. Tonight Jo, (my girlfriend) decided to get the wii-fit plus out and get me to do some programmes on their.

So day 1 is over... thanks for all your support and messages. Both on Facebook  and also on the charity Virgin just giving page. Its not too late to sign up. But each sponsor has really got me so excited and determined to do this!

More waffle tomorrow!

Simon

The Eve of the War

Well, to pen a phrase from one of my favourite CD's - this is the Eve of the War (Jeff Wayne's 'war of the worlds' incase you are wondering).

And I thought this was the apt time to start a blog on what is going to prove to be the hardest physical challenge of my life yet. For the past 3 years I've been through a mental challenge with my college degree - and now this challenge is going to be another that will, no doubt change my life. This is going to be a War - and this is the eve of that war.

The aims of this blog are to keep everyone up-to-date on how I'm doing, my struggles, my thoughts in all of this. 

As most of you will know, my first aim - is to lose 3 stone by Christmas. I was encouraged by a friend to do this sponsored - and I have been absolutely amazed and humbled with the money that has already come in. Its not to late, and details of all of that an how to donate can be found at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SimonFutcher . The charity I'm raising money for is one dear to my heart as I am a trustee for it - and I couldn't think of a better way to encourage myself.

So..... I bet you are asking, how does one prepare for the biggest challenge of ones life....... Well it has been the final blowout.

I was camping with friends last week in Shepton Mallet and I ended up on a good last night bing of Burger and cheesy chips on what has been labelled blow-out Saturday. Today, it was a good roast chicken with trimmings... so I am now mentally fit to go the course. 

As I sit here and write this, I am enjoying my last cup of tea with milk, as I return to fruit tea tomorrow.

And tomorrow is a busy day! I met the personal trainer at the Gym for the initial consultation and plan setting, and then Wednesday will be the official first weigh in!

So, until tomorrow - here is to the 'eve of the war'! 

And its not too late.... please donate!