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

Day 66: 2/3rds of the way there. 2 stone down, 1 to go!!!!!!!!

66 Days!! And tonight its official - I have now lost 2 stone (and 1 lb).

Really pleased tonight as I sit here and blog! In 9 weeks I have lost 2 stone and 1 lb - that is a really big achievement. 

I actually lost 2 and 1/2 pound this week, bring the total up to the magic to 29lbs! I'm actually a pound off of the Club 10 mark of 10% of weight being lost - which will be one now for this week. But I'm losing now about 2 and 1/2 lbs a  week - which seems to be the regular loss figure now!

So it now means that my initial goal of 3 stone by New Year is in sight! There are 11 weeks to that date - so should smash it with 4 or 5 weeks to spare if I keep going at the same rate.

Some people say.... do you notice the difference? Well the answer is yes. Whilst I played like a donkey at football on Monday evening I played like a more mobile donkey. My aches and pains in joints and muscles seem to have disappeared - so yes. People have also said they can see my face is thinner..... I guess its not something I notice... but appreciate the nice comments!

So if you agreed to sponsor me by the stone, then its now time to please give. Or if you haven't had a chance to sponsor me yet..... then here is the chance.

Here is my virgin giving page.....   http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SimonFutcher


Thank you everyone for your support, encouragement, prayers - they are much appreciated. And the finish line of the first target is now over the hill!!! Lets see how this goes!

Blessings

Simon

Day 59: All quiet on the Western front.....

Hi everyone...

Its a quick blog today folks.... I've got a few deadlines to meet - including sorting a question pack out for the youth group's quiz night on Saturday (Quizaid).

Not been back long from Slimming World..... but for a change I came home empty handed. No Slimmer of the week, no raffle - quite relieved actually - only from the point of being the same person winning everything.

So this week was 2 and half pounds.... so that's 1 stone 12 and half pounds..... so hoping it will be a big blog next week as I may well make 2 stones and then also make club 10 in the same week.... we shall see. FOCUS Simon, FOCUS!!!

All else just really busy at present, although still keeping fitness up as well through Football, Gym and Badminton!

Anyway, thats it for now.... here is to a big week this week coming! ;-)