Day 52: Repeat Champ! Feeling Good, looking great!

Hi everyone! Thanks for all your support after last weeks blog. I think I made it over that wall I hit and today I feel really good!

After last week I think I managed to look at myself a bit differently - and this change in lifestyle is becoming a permanent feature in my life. 

I  haven't been to the gym since last Wednesday... I felt I just needed to have a break from it. However on Monday I enjoyed a good kick around with the guys i play with at 5-a-side football - and for the first time I could notice a difference in my fitness - and could run alongside some of the younger lads! 

Then Tuesday I started playing badminton with Toby - as a part of him giving me a bit of a fun, competitive run around (instead of being in the gym) and also to give us a bit of team bonding time together for an hour, before we go off and do a serious meeting. I know he reads this, so thanks for your support Toby. I know he would also not like me to tell you how the 1 hour match turned out. But being the humble and not proud in anyway, shape or form Christian that I am...... I won 4-0 (first time I have played in 8 years!) - there is life in the old dog yet! LOL - well I'm sure you'll get some revenge when you start playing Toby and I know, you let me win! ;-)

Today of course, is weigh in day. I was back to the 5.30pm group which is much bigger - many more claps from the performing seals (couple of fish tossed my way this week). I hope that none of them read this or I may get chucked out LOL!

And so to the scales.... well I lost 3 lbs this week! Very happy. I also won slimmer of the week and picked up 24 pieces of fruit in the process including 2 pears, 3 oranges, 2 miniolas, 3 satsumas, 2 kiwis (my offering), a pink grapefruit, a nectarine, 2 bananas and 8 apples.

I also, as in the picture above,  picked up slimmer of the month again (hence the title of repeat champ - August and September now)..... (can feel a new title of most unpopular slimming world member being awarded soon! LOL)

So here is some stats..... 

Firstly, heres my progress chart from the start of 21 stone 3 lbs in August to now!

The red line is my weight loss, the blue line is predicted (a prediction of 2 weeks time until Club 10, which is 10% of my body weight lost - which is the green line).

Some other stats...... 

• In 7 weeks I have lost 24 lbs
• I now weigh 19 stone 7 lbs.
• In the past month I have lost 15lbs (which was why I won slimmer of the month)
• On average at the moment I am losing 3 1/2 lbs a week
• My body mass index has gone from 42.5 to 39.1
• I am now just 4lbs away from the 2nd stone loss and....
• just 18 lbs from my first target of 3 stone.

I have 4 weigh in's left of my NHS referral at slimming world before I have to decide whether I will stay and pay weekly. I would like to stay, but need to check the pennies really as at £5 a week it is quite expensive... but I do enjoy the proper weigh in! So we shall see!

Well thats all for this week - except to say (as I haven't put the links in the past couple of weeks), I'd love to have a few more sponsors if you haven't already given. I'm nearly at £1500 including gift aid, which will help the Bridge so much.

So here is the link........... http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SimonFutcher

God bless. Thanks for all your words, support and prayers.

Simon

Day 45: A tough week.... but as Bon Jovi said 'Wooooooo we're half way there'

Well, I should be really happy....... but actually I've been feeling a bit down the last few days. Its been a tough week in one way or another.....

Probably my tweets have shown it, and also I've been quite quiet... well, quieter than usual! I felt it on Monday night after moaning at the Governments new education plan for eBacc's (which, as a youth worker I just don't agree with....but thats for another blog)... I felt depressed and quite miserable (Some would say 'so whats new' LOL!) and still feel it a bit now.

I think it stemmed from a weekend of seeing my old faithful friend... good food, and thinking 'I just can't do it any more'. 

Sunday's youth work was the best I've ever been involved in at St Francis (my workplace) - but both involved food. The morning group had a tea and toast morning with toppings. The evening group made their own pizza's. Then l went to a meeting last night where one of the group had made a fantastic looking fruit cake...... AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!! Inside I was screaming a bit as they munch... it smelt soooooo good.

Then I went to the gym this morning, and really didn't feel motivated to go. I really didn't enjoy it. Felt quite lethargic...short of energy, tired. 

I even went to Slimming World late this afternoon...... and found out I'd lost 2 lbs! Now most the woman there are like... 'WOW, wish I could lose 2lbs', where as I just didn't feel excited. 

It did mean I have now hit 1 1/2 stone....... half way there - and if I lose a pound a week up to Christmas I will hit the 3 stone on Christmas week! Which will be pretty impressive - although it doesn't feel like it tonight!

Now I think this is whats called 'the wall' - that time where the body is thinking, 'ok - this is now for good.... its just you don't have fun anymore SImon'.

And I guess I don't now with Food. This is where the change in diet becomes more than a fad...... but a lifestyle for good!!!!

But got to get myself out of this rutt....... so would value your encouragement and prayers. I'm still losing weight which is a real positive... just all the other stuff!

Thats it for today, I'm off to see Jo (my girlfriend) in a little while who is having a day in day surgery on her knee.... I'm sure that will take my mind off of feeling sorry for myself.

Life is full of temptations, but its how we get through them that makes us better people!!!

Take care, thanks for reading - and you know the usual.... please sponsor me if you can and haven't already done so.

Day 38: Just so much good news!

Well its a week of good news.... and I know I put on Twitter earlier that it was a good news day..... Well it is weigh in Day of course.

Yes, whilst some of my friends think I'm happy because Apple are about to launch the iPhone 5 at 6.00pm tonight..... there are more things than that to make me happy. Although I'd love someone to text me all the details tonight as I'm out at a meeting!

Just come back from Slimming World after the latest weigh in....

So is the good news that I won.........

No! Its not that (although I was pretty chuffed, as much as the others in the group I think are a bit fed up of me winning things LOL!..... I even won the 3.30pm session raffle again (only 3rd time in 5 weeks))

So is it that I lost 3 and 1/2 pounds this week?.....

Well, no - although I am so chuffed by it. I have now lost 19 lbs in 5 weeks (1 stone 4 pounds!). 19lbs is equivalent to 8.6kg, or 34 packets of 250g lard/butter!! 

I can notice the difference (I need a new belt as my trousers and shorts keep slipping and I'm on the last notch!) and other people have said they can notice the difference. One quote to my girlfriend Jo was 'He's fading away before my eyes'. Well I wouldn't go that far... but I'm greatful for the comments.

So what is that has made me so chuffed..... Well I am now under 20 stones... 19 stone 12llbs. Probably the lightest I've been in about 4 years. To me its a significant goal past... quite a psychological figure for me!

With 14 weeks of the challenge left I have 23lbs to lose (so about 1lb and half a week to lose!). If you haven't sponsored me yet, then you know where to go to by now I expect.....

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SimonFutcher

I'm now up to £1200!!! But I know the charity I'm collecting for would love more.... more information on my just giving page about them!

Well thats it for now... have a good few days! 

Blessings

Simon

DAY 32: Most humbled and amazed

A quick blog.... as I log into my Mac this morning, I am amazed to see that I am now going to raise over £1000 for my chosen charity  'the bridge' by completing this challenge.

That is just inspirational to me. In around 40 days each and every one of you has supported me, sponsored me in this challenge - and I am just gobsmacked in your generosity and encouragement. 

Yesterday, saw me reach 1/3rd of the way with my first stone. Today I reach £1000.... unbelievable. Words cannot express how humbled and grateful I feel.

If you have sponsored me anonymously - then a bigger personal thank you, as I can't see you in person to say thanks, or write you a message.

If you haven't had a chance to sponsor me yet... then please feel free to still do that. I have another 2 stone to lose by New Year.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SimonFutcher

Day 31: A month has now gone and here's the result

Weigh in day!! I can't believe that I've now been doing this for over 4 weeks. But I honestly think I'm in the zone.

I know that most people read my blog to see how I'm doing on a weekly basis, so thanks for that. It is so encouraging to know the number of people who are supporting me and who have sponsored me.

Well, the results are in and I am truly amazed this evening as I write this.....

Yes, this is my first 1st achievement award.... this week I lost an incredible 6 1/2 lbs!! The first stone is off... Wooo hoooo!!!!!!!! In total I have now lost 1 stone 1 1/2 lbs in 4 weeks!! I also won slimmer of the week for the 3rd week in a row!

I have to say I really am enjoying this challenge and loving some of the food I am now cooking. For example you may have seen the photo I posted of the slimming world Lasagne..... absolutely divine.

This weight loss was even more impressive to me as I had a nice meal out with Jo last Wednesday and we also went to a wedding reception BBQ on Friday......

My only thing at the moment is.... I need a new belt to keep my trousers up LOL! Thats how much I am losing now....

Anyway, if you said you were going to sponsor me by the stone, well its time to cough up (in a nice way)

And as I always say, its not too late to sponsor me for the other 2 stone I am trying to lose by Christmas. Just go to 

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SimonFutcher

Blessings to you all!

Day 27: 7 days worth of Syns in a couple of days makes one week!

Well, its been an interesting few days, and I had 5 mins so thought I'd update you.

I have to say that its been a hectic week. I've really missed the time in the gym this week (does that sound sad!) but I'm pretty sure I haven't needed it. For those who don't know I've been leading a children's holiday club this week and its constant exercise.... probably 4 or 5 hours a day of walking, action songs, messing around. By the end of day 1 I needed a new set of calves (not not a heard of cattle before anyone retorts)... by the end of yesterday it was calves, thighs, feet, back, arms, etc.

So after my tremendous weight loss on Wednesday, it has been a few harder days. I worked out that I have used virtually a weeks sins in 3 days! Yesterday Jo and I were blessed to be able to go to one of my college friends (Chris and Heather) wedding reception. It was a great occasion - but how difficult it becomes to stay on the diet. It was a good BBQ, with plenty of salad..... but I do love a good burger and a roll.

That tied in with my Wednesday evening celebration of losing my first half stone with Jo, at the V&A means that for the rest of the week now up to Wednesday, it will be a very strict diet and no special treats or syns to try and ensure I lose something this week. That even meant a bit of a change to our church 'mens breakfast' this morning where Chef Stu was more than happy to cut the fat off the bacon and leave some mushrooms separate so I could stay to the diet!

 I'll be back at the gym on Monday - probably every day this week. I am even considering doing a bit of swimming towards the end of the week when kids are back at school, and I get a chance to warn the coastguard that whaling season hasn't just opened in Salisbury - and harpoons are not necessary!

Well, thats it for me - except to say a big thank you to those who have added to the sponsorship monies in the past few days.... very encouraging. I feel very blessed to all those who have given - and I hope I am not letting you down so far. Thanks also for the positive comments about the blog. At the moment, about 50 people read each one... very positive indeed!

As usual, if you haven't sponsored me yet... please feel free to go to 

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SimonFutcher

and add your name and number. Its very secure and an easy way for the Bridge to claim the 
gift aid as well.



I am nearly now at the magical £1000 which would be just awesome...... so thank you everyone.

Until the next blog


Simon