Today I'm feeling great I have managed to beat my target of 5lbs and have lost a fantastic 7lbs, half a stone, in a week. Bravo. My current weight is now 402lbs (28st 10lbs) and my BMI is down to 47.5. Lets be real here there is still along way to go but a great start and there seems to be a psychological boost when I moved into the 28st bracket. 

I've had good and bad days this week, I started well with 4 days on the cambridge diet, then I had to get a 5 am train to London and to be honest the thought of a shake or soup at that time of the morning was not working so I didn't and with the hectic day in London planned this also meant that I would not have an opportunity to stick the kettle on. Therefore I had lunch on the fly form a deli and a dinner. Saturday was also a day of normal food with a picnic in the lake district, its not often that there's a weekend of good weather so a day out with the family was great. Also, I found when busy in London or out exploring somewhere new that appetite and food does not dominate my thinking and therefore its easy to stick to healthy food. Sunday was a great opportunity to lapse into bad habits, however I stayed strong and did well. 

I have also ensured that everyday I walk the dog for a couple of miles, ensuring I get some exercise. 

All in all its been a good week, the motivation is still high and I'm energised by the fact I lost 7lbs. 

Unfortunately clothes are still tight and I look forward to when they stick to me less and I look better in them.

My target for this week is 5lbs again, however a conference at the weekend will prove a big challenge.

Joe

My weight loss Journey

Hi, my name is Joe and I'm writing this blog to capture my journey of losing weight, between today and 1st September 2009 I am aiming to lose 129lbs (9st 3lbs). So quite a weight, I current weigh in at 409lbs (29st 3lbs) so well over weight and my BMI is 48.4 again far from desired levels. My aim is to have less mass and to be thinner and healthier as a result. 

I will be updating this blog weekly to track my weight loss. I plan to kick start things by using the Cambridge diet and then moving to healthy eating so that I make some real lifestyle changes. In addition to this I will be looking to improve my fitness, right now my exercise levels are poor. 

Naturally the process of weight loss is both physical and emotional and i will ensure both elements are recorded here. The most difficult part of this whole experience is the remaining motivated to continue losing weight and not giving into temptation or weakness. especially when this manifest itself as a few pints and curry or a meal out and a couple of bottles of wine.

My reasons for doing this are varied, theirs the obvious health reasons, also I would like to feel fitter, improve my image, do sports and not always have to compensate for my size.I would also like to be more active with friends and family and do more with the kids. In addition my size can also impact my ability to get work (I'm a personal and business coach) as there is an expectation on image with this that I do not portray. However, I have only noticed this once and have otherwise been successful in gaining business. 

I hope others in the same position will be inspired to either share in my journey or to make affirming decisions to become healthier and thinner and reduce their mass. 

Getting to this point (again) has been awkward I recently lost 54lbs (4st) but then soon fell into bad habits and increased my weight. This time is to be different, I have had conversations with people who want the Joe the way he is, that I will be making changes, I pleased to say most are supportive, some are indifferent, and thats up to them. I will also make sustainable changes, such as doing a sport that is fun and physical and not a chore(this is down in my tough to do column) and I will seek this out actively in the new year when I have lost a couple of stone.  

I will also use this experience to understand the key frames of mind that both help and hinder and use this to develop and programme for others, my belief is that its not the type of diet that is important but the mental and emotional state that deems whether a diet will be successful. I will be looking at ways to keep that positive frame of mind that I'm currently engaged in and not give into the voice that says "just one won't hurt" knowing that it leads to much more. I have also devised a list of affirmations to support me and will included them in my next blog, in addition I have identified a lot of the messages and behaviours that have got me into this situation and will also include those in the next blog. 

I am happy for people to contact me during my journey at lessmass@gmx.com, it will be good to hear your stories and gain your support. 

Well,I'm hoping for 5lbs this week so will update you next monday. 

Joe