'This has been the hardest week yet!'
Wednesday 20 June 2012
Working mum-of-two from Northumberland
Height: 5ft 8
Start weight: 14st 7lbs
Current weight: 13st 5lbs
Weight loss this week: 3.5lbs
"Well I’m delighted to report that this week I have lost 3.5lbs, however this has definitely been my hardest week so far!
My wonderful holiday seems like a very distant memory. We returned from holiday having learnt of the sudden death of a close family friend, which was obviously extremely sad for us all. And then on Sunday night before the bank holiday Monday, my world literally felt like it fell apart when my oldest daughter collapsed and was rushed into hospital. I spent two days in hospital with her before she was allowed home (thankfully!) but as a result of this my diet and exercise plan understandably slipped.
I have always been an ‘emotional comfort’ eater so in the past any stress or upset would have seen me resort to chocolate (by the multipack rather than the bar!). But I am happy to say that this didn’t happen and I am very grateful to my husband who, on trips between home and hospital, prepared some nutritious and healthy food, which he insisted I ate while staying with my daughter.
While looking for possible reasons for the situation, we discussed Cerys’ diet and I have always ensured that my daughters eat healthily (even when I haven’t!). However we are eating most of our meals together and both of the girls are really embracing this lifestyle change, which has seen them trying new foods (particularly seafood!). The medical staff were very positive when I gave examples of the food Cerys ate and she currently fits perfectly within the range for her height and weight which again was reassuring. Unfortunately they have been unable to ascertain why she collapsed, she had every test imaginable and from a positive point of view the results were all fine. The consultant who treated her told us to return to ‘life as normal’, perhaps easier said than done, but we are getting there!
Unfortunately though these circumstances have meant that we have not made many home-cooked meals this week, and have resorted to relying on low-calorie convenience meals with added veg and salad. This flexibility within the plan is brilliant when life can change so substantially and you can still carry on without overeating!
I am very fortunate that my husband is a wonderful cook and prepares most of the family meals. He enjoys experimenting with food and developing recipes, which I’m always happy to try!! I love spicy food and include jalapeno chillies in all salads/sandwiches. This week Graham made me some lovely chilli salsa, which I enjoyed with carrots, baby corn and raw cauliflower! A lovely ‘free’ snack to munch on (he even made a ‘milder’ version for the children!)
I have been very emotional this week but I’m really pleased that I didn’t resort to chocolate or ‘stodgy’ takeaway food. Cerys, particularly is very supportive of me and on more than one occasion this week has told me she is proud of me and can tell ‘that I am getting thin again’ – and that makes all of the hard work worthwhile.
As she gets older (she is heading towards 8!!) I don’t ever want to feel that I ‘embarrass’ her (or Isla) as a result of my size or inability to do things because of my size (my heart always sunk in the past when we’ve received invitations to swimming parties and I have had to find someone else to take them in. I have felt conscious of my size while fully clothed at the school gates but the prospects of stripping down to a swimming costume and bearing all in the pool was just too much. Fortunately someone has always stepped in to take them in when required which has meant they haven’t missed out – perhaps I’ll feel confident enough to take them in to the next one they’re invited to!!)
Both of my girls love clothes, accessories and handbags and are always complimentary if they see me in something new or different. And my black and white wardrobe is starting to include a little bit more colour now as I don’t mind drawing a bit of attention to myself?! This week has seen me wear a denim jacket that I haven’t had on since last year, it’s not baggy but I got a buzz when I put it on!
The circumstances surrounding Cerys’ illness have had a real impact on me, and the fear that she might have a serious illness have shaken me to the core. For the first few days, I was scared to let her out of my sight and couldn’t even contemplate going out for a run, which I had been doing before, in case the situation repeated itself. However with the wonderful support I have from my family and friends (and the fact that I was starting to irritate her following her around the house!) I have started to get back on track with exercise. This has meant that my personal trainer sessions have been postponed but I’m looking forward to my first one taking place next week.
As I have mentioned before, Cerys loves dancing and it is something that I’m also very keen to support her in. I believe it benefits all aspects of her life, and from a health point of view four hours of regular exercise a week has got to be good. Throughout the whole of her time in hospital she talked about the imminent competitions that she was due to take part in, and I am so happy that with help from her dance teacher she took part and was very successful. What a difference a week makes, from hospital to the stage!!
As a family we have all finished this week on a high and as a mammy I couldn’t be prouder of my family. This week is going to be getting back on track with the exercise plan. I have tried to be as honest as possible and I am so happy that I’ve continued to lose weight this week in these difficult circumstances. It’s over a stone I’ve lost now, which I think is a brilliant achievement after five weeks! Despite a hard and upsetting week, I am feeling positive about myself and the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and looking forward to the exercisechallenges ahead! Wish me luck!
If you fancy joining Rebecca on her weight loss journey, then why not head over to Closer Diets where you can join in on their exact ten week plan for just £25! Drop a stone and a half in time for summer and be bikini-confident this year! Go to www.closerdiets.com now to find out more!
READ WEEK SIX HERE!
FOLLOW KAMALA HERE!
FOLLOW STACEY HERE!