BIKINI BABE

It has been 6 months since I gave up all sugars including the hidden sugars in processed foods (marinades, sauces etc).  I do however still use Xylitol to sweeten my tea.

My goals were to stabilise my weight and lose weight around my stomach.

Well my weight is now stable.  I no longer worry about what size clothes I will be wearing.  That day to day torment is over.  The new clothes I bought 4 months ago still fit and look good.  I actually feel really happy with the progress so far.  For years I have had at least 2 cloth’s sizes in my wardrobe as I was bloated a lot of the time.  I hid it well with large clothes saying that they were comfortable which of course they were however I was just hiding my body away.

Not only did my weight stabilise, it also means it stabilised my hunger and appetite.   I would eat every 2-3 hours….If I didn’t eat I would get cranky, tired or go a bit crazy.  So I always made sure I had some type of ‘healthy’ snack with me or work out where I would be able to buy something if I was out.

Now I eat 3 meals a day.  Occasionally I may feel a bit peckish in the afternoon so I will have a cup of tea or half a banana.  This does not happen very often.

The second part of my goal is to lose weight around my waist.  I know I need to because with my waist size as it is and my high blood pressure I am at risk of having a heart attack.  So going by Australian medical standards I have 10 centimetres to lose.   That’s 4 inches.  It seems a lot at the moment.  A bit overwhelming as I don’t want to go on a diet to do this.

So I have decided to exercise.  Now I am NOT a great one for exercise.  Basically I find it boring however I really need to do something about my health ASAP.

I have started Yoga and now I no longer have Fibromylagia my body seems to be coping very well.  I first started Yoga with my mother and perhaps my younger sister when I was back in high school.  It was many years ago….I have done Yoga on and off giving up (due to the FM) when my body could no longer take any of the exercises no matter how gentle they were.

I have also started walking along the beach going a little bit further and a bit faster each day.  This process could take months and that is fine with me.  At least I am doing something that is within my reach, something that doesn’t involve dieting and something that is sustainable for me.

So about a month ago I bought new swimmers or if you come from South Australia they would be called bathers.  These have 2 pieces.  Not a bikini but 2 pieces.  I love the feel of sun on my body and what a way to feel comfortable about my body (even with excess weight around my stomach).

First I wore them done to the pool here at the complex where I live, then today I wore them to the beach for my walk.  The first couple who walked past me smiled and said hello.  Neither burst out laughing or screamed and ran away.  Other people walked past me and just looked at my face and said hello.  I felt happy and relaxed.  I can do it.  I am doing it.

So I have given myself till September to lose some of the fat around my stomach.  That’s 4 months. 

I am feeling a bit apprehensive.  Normally I would go on a diet and deprive myself of food.  Not this time.  Diets don’t work.  We all know that.  This is certainly about life style choices and I have made mine.  A sensible no sugar diet and some exercises.

Wish me luck!!!