Taking Stock

It's been a while since I posted about how I'm doing - lots of stuff from the conference, some photos and recipes but not so much personal stuff about how I'm going and what I'm up to. I also feel that I am at a bit of a turning point, so it seemed like I should mark that somehow with a post.

Things are quite good.

Work is going well and I'm confident now that we are going to be ok financially, which is a huge relief actually - I don't think I had realised how much I was worried about it until I got to the point where I didn't have to worry anymore.

My arm is heaps better. I realised a couple of weeks ago that working from the laptop aggravated it. I begrudgingly spent some of my hard earned cash on a laptop stand, mouse and keyboard and it turns out it was money well spent. I still don't have full feeling in my fingers and my arm is weak, but I haven't had any pain at all since I made the investment, so I am feeling hopeful that it will all be good in a couple of months.

You might also remember me posting about how I had put myself forward to trial and review a new weight loss book. Well, I didn't hear anything for a while, and thought I hadn't been chosen, but a couple of weeks ago they contacted me and asked if I would still be interested. After some deliberation I have said yes.

I was hoping I might get paid for it, but sadly that's not the deal. What I would get is promotion of my blog, which might be a good thing, and if necessary a free consultation with the author. Neither of these things were what actually persuaded me. I do want to lose weight and feel better, I can see that there is value in determining what works for me. The theory is that being overweight is due to an individual's food sensitivities, so it is an elimination diet. I am still yet to receive the book, but I do have a list of the foods that I can eat for the first few days. They are limited ( I think there is 42) but they include fish, turkey and lentils and a variety of fruit and veg and some nuts, so it is nutritious and healthy. From what I understand so far, after this initial period, other foods are introduced at the rate of 2 per day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon,  and the effects observed. Apparently just a few hours after eating it, I would weigh heavier if I was sensitive to that food. There are also other sensitivities I might pick up on through doing it too.

As you know I have fasted a few times before, but I have never done anything like this. I am also rubbish at sticking to diets. What actually persuaded me to give it a go was the fact that I have far greater chances of sticking at it if I have to blog about. It makes me accountable to others not just to myself, so there is a much higher chance of success. What was putting me off most was the fact that it will mean delaying TTC for another month, but actually if we tried in December and did happen to succeed that would mean a September baby, which is not really good timing as DD is a teacher and would just be beginning a new school year - not good for him or his students. Also, I feel fat and sluggish and would like to sort it out before getting even fatter. If I do manage to get pregnant again, this might be the last window I have where my body is my own for another couple of years, so it seems good to take the opportunity that is presenting itself. I am starting on Saturday 1st Dec, (hopefully the book will have turned up by then!)  so the 6 weeks should be finished just in time to TTC in Jan.

Since agreeing to do this I seem to have made an unconscious decision to get real with the whole situation and actually see where I am really at, rather than trying to ignore it. I have cleared out my wardrobe, have over 40 items for sale on that well known auction site and have given two huge sacks to charity. I was holding on to clothes I had yeas ago that were size 12, and some more recent ones in 12-14 that also don't fit, and probably never will again as my shape has changed. I think it will likely stay changed even if I do lose weight. I have kept some of course, but lots of them were no longer "me" and so can go anyway.

I also decided that it's time to stop wearing maternity clothes. I have been living in a pair of maternity jeans but they do have a hole in and are shortly going in the bin. I have refused to buy new clothes because I have been expecting to fit into my old ones again so it seemed like a waste of time, but here I am 16 months later...

So as well as selling, I am also buying new clothes from the same auction site - just a few, that fit me now. Although I am not prepared to buy new, expensive, fat clothes, part of this process meant going into the store and trying things on to see what size I was, so that I can buy the right size online.  I was horrified - I expected 16, but not 18! So am selling size 12 trousers and buying size 18. That's very sad - but I'm only buying one pair.

I think it is possible that the diet could show up some sensitivities. I have noticed before that if I want to lose weight I need to have cereal for breakfast not toast. I have also felt much much healthier when I have avoided cheese, but I LOVE it. I really hope eggs are ok, for the sake of my three hens if nothing else.

I am hopeful that I will lose some weight too - I think it would be hard to get/be/stay fat on the foods on the list.

I am trying to pluck up the courage to take a before photo - but I haven't quite managed it yet! It's not pretty!

Oh, and before I start, tomorrow I am going out for what will be my first night out since Arthur was born, it's a curry night, so I shall enjoy every mouthful!

If you are interested in buying the book it is available at Amazon, Waterstones and The Book People. It maybe be worth checking them all as prices do change. Amazon also have a Kindle Version