Let's celebrate

 

Current weight: 12st 6

Loss this week: 5lb

Total weight loss: 4 stones!

Last week, with all that non emergency emergency I feel we didn't celebrate the fact that I didn't put a single pound on during my holiday. So, loud and clear, hooray! 

And this week I've hit the 4 stones total loss. So, again, hooray!

Today is my baby's birthday (he's 23 (and no, I don't look old enough)) so yet another hooray!

That's better. Although I could go on... So I will. The knickers you see me in on the photo below (yesterday) kept falling down! And I was wearing a dress. A couple of times I thought they might end up around my ankles. So they are in the bin. Not the sort of thing the charity shops accept me thinks. So hooray to that. 

Now I'm definitely done.

I still get excited when I look in the mirror. I feel so much better. 4 stone is amazing but I know I still have a wee way to go. I know this because the stats tell me that I'm still obese! Yes obese! I don't feel obese. Overweight, yes, I'll give you that. But obese? I just think that's rather rude! I bet you if I was taller (about 7 foot tall) I'd be perfect. Not obese or overweight. 

Something I have noticed mind you - when I dry my hands under one of those super powerful hand dryers the skin on my lower arm gets pummeled and blown around. It looks really weird. Excess skin I was expecting but my lower arm? It freaks me out man. 

I hope next week continues to give me weight loss. I hope that you all have a good week. And welcome to autumn! 

I woke up this morning and ran around the block 5 times. Then I put the block back in the toy box and went back to bed.

It's a miracle!

 

Yes, it is a miracle. And I don't mean getting home after our flight from Heathrow was cancelled (in the end the journey was very smooth with no more surprises), and I don't mean that Bella walks to heel (courtesy of Ellie's training), nor do I mean the house being clean (again mostly down to Ellie) but rather the fact that I didn't put any weight on during my holidays! Not a single pound 🎉. It's the first time in my life. And I'm delighted and gob-smacked all at the same time! 

Now I'm home I'm hoping the weight will start to fall off again. Just back to my usual eating and (soon to start) walking. Unfortunately, I've returned home with a strange pain in my left leg. I don't think it's muscle damage but it's more inside the leg like the bone. And as I typed that I suddenly thought 'DVT?'. So I've spoken to NHS 24 and they have referred it to NHS Grampian. Waiting on a call back so I'll update you later.

Well that didn't take long, just thinking what to write next and they rang. Going to the local community hospital in 40 mins. Great service NHS! 

So it's now 10pm Thursday night. At first the Dr didn't think it was but did a blood test anyway, which came back positive. So first thing in the morning I'm off to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for a scan. Ooh my. I'm so annoyed because I had flight socks with me and forgot to put them on. And I'm normally good at wiggling my feet. Anyway, if I have I have, can't be helped. And I just booked my next holiday about 9 hours ago!! Ahhhh

And yes, the most exciting photo since I got home was the community hospital waiting room (all alone). 

Sometimes you don't feel the weight of what you're carrying until you feel it's release.

Fab

 

I've done nothing. I've relaxed in the pool. I've soaked up the sun. I've loved wearing my dresses, and I've felt better than I have in years. Just what a holiday is supposed to do, for me at least.

It would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous about stepping on the scales on Monday morning. It's a weird feeling that I can't explain. Partly because I always put weight on (having enjoyed all the food and drink) but this time I want things to be different. I don't want to believe that my weight loss is infallible. To be reminded that I do still have the ability to gain weight - that's so scary. I know other weight loss surgery peers that have holidayed and gained just a little. As soon as they get home the small increase has melted and they've continued to lose. I also know others that still lost whilst away. But what I can't let it do is spoil the time I have left on this beautiful island. Qué sera Sera.

Mark has been diving alone. I discussed it with my doctor and we decided I needed to wait 6 months after surgery, so I have. It's been fine. He's gone every morning, all morning. I was a little jealous but it's sensible. Until he decided he wanted to do the next step in diving competency. He's done his rescue Diver course! I don't want to do rescue Diver, I'm happy as advanced open water - but I'm not happy that he'll be one step ahead of me! My only compensation is that he'll be qualified to rescue me should I ever need it lol. 

I hope you've all had a holiday this year. Whether far flung or closer to home or even down the road. Holidays are what you make them. Your holiday might be doing all the museums or shopping in a new town. Hiking up a mountain or visiting your mum. Just leaving the house for a few hours can rejuvenate you. Sitting in the garden on a fine day with a glass of wine. Embrace any time that you're not working or cleaning or looking after kids. Take a deep breath and count your blessings. Thank you for reading and I love you all 

Are you an adult? Yeah, but not like on purpose or anything.

Hooray hooray...

 ... It's a holi, holi-day!

When I last weighed myself on Monday morning I was 12st 11. Now traditionally I would put weight on on holiday at a rate of 1lb per day (absolute truth) so if I get home and it's less than half a stone I'll be okay (away from home 13 nights). In truth it should be/I really hope it's not even that much but I have no prior data so I'm just guessing and crossing my fingers. Obviously, I can't consume any more food just because I'm away but my diet is very different to that of when I'm at home. And then we have the cocktails....

I have discovered two wins this week though. First one, my bikini bottoms don't roll down under my tummy fat nearly as much as they used to. And the second (my favourite) I can now fasten my own sandals! Whoop whoop amazing. 

Google is now getting in on the act of before and after shots. Mark's phone gave him the comparison photos today (see below). Both taken at this resort - one 2016 and one 2023! So if Google can notice my weight loss it must be true lol.

I had also prepared a before and after bikini photo ready for today's blog (also see below). First one was at the end of April and the other was this morning. I'm so happy. Still got a bit to do but it's fabulous. I don't know why my size is making such a difference to my happiness - I'd need a psychologist to tell me. I do know that it's shared by lots of women (and men) all over the world and has done for a few decades. Media? Food options? Everyone getting fatter? Shame but there it is.

I can't believe the UK is having such good weather this week too. That's very rude! And a little gutted tbh. I mean it's rather be leaving rain and mist and coldness rather than glorious sunshine! Anyway, I hope you all enjoy the lovely weather. It'll be miserable just in time for me to get home.

There will always be someone who can't see your worth. Don't let it be you.

Happy dressing

Weight today: 12 13

Loss this week: 3lbs

Total loss: 3st 7lbs

And I'm in the 12s! Whoop

I was getting ready to go on holiday. I have all my holiday clothes packed in a suitcase in the loft. I also have a suitcase or two under the bed, stuffed with clothes that don't fit me. Everything was dragged out and I gave Mark a wee fashion show. Just delighted to fit into dresses that I've had for years that were too small. Some still had tags on that I've never worn! My habit of buying clothing (especially if it's a bargain in the sales) that 'I'll diet into'. I mean half of them I've had so long they're not even fashionable now. But my God I'll still wear them this holiday! I was so happy, but kind of more than that too. I had such a feeling of contentment. A warmth all through me. Hard to describe. I found a pair of jeans that I bought from BHS (remember them?). Still with tags and now fit me a treat. Wore them to work yesterday. Ooh yeah ooh yeah.

Lots of people have started to mention my weight loss. Even the beautician who waxed my bikini line last night! Lol. I only see her a few times a year. When I first had surgery I was worried I wouldn't get to my target weight and I'd be desolate. I mean I don't have a concrete target but I kind of know where I'd like to be. But now, and I hope I have more loss to come, but even if I didn't lose another pound I'd still be happy with where I am. It's good! In less than 3 months I've lost almost 50lbs! Wow. Bring it on. I still have smaller clothes to get into please.

It's not all good though. I'm starting to feel like a half full bag of potatoes. I'm noticing the slack skin and it looks a bit weird. Not much can be done (apart from cosmetic surgery - but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it). It's not enough to put me off further weight loss. It is what it is.

Do you like my Prince Albert Christmas decoration? Whenever we are away, wherever in the world, I try to always buy a decoration. It makes hanging up the Christmas tree such a joy. So many memories are triggered with each one. We've been to a lot of places and I think it's just smashing. And Albert is my most recent purchase. Bring on December (just kidding - I'm not finished with summer yet). 

Doing nothing is very hard to do... you never know when you're finished.