Weight Loss Challenge - Week One

Well week one of my weight loss challenge is over and from a personal perspective think I've made a good start, exercise as increased played TT 4 times (2 comps and training twice), done a lot of gardening and a good bit of walking through the week.

On the eating side I've been eating salads quite a bit also trying to use fruit for snacks, generally its been good but I'd be lying if I said there hasn't been to odd slack moment, so looking on the brightside I know I can still do better.

Still the result of all that is a 4lb weight loss, decent start as my 22lb target requires losing 2lb per week so could say two weeks work in one week.

Just got result from M and she reports a 1lb loss which equates to 11% loss which is within plan so well done.
Should get  Regs results later (and anyone else that cares to join in) so will update then.
As you'll see I'm basing the results on percentage of target so far we've had approx 9% of the 11 weeks so any loss above that number is good.

Mick - start weight 222lb - todays weight - 218lb - target loss 22lb - loss 4lb ( 18%)
M      - start weight 163lb - todays weight -162lb - target loss 9lb - loss 1lb (11%) 
Reg   - start weight 131lb - todays weight - ???? - target loss 6lb - loss ?? ()

On another note had a nice day yesterday with Mandy, we went to the Yorkshire Riviera, mainly Scarborough, parked up at south side and walked all the way along the front to peasholm park on the north side.
Came back over the hill and through town  where we stopped for a light lunch, then back down to the harbour, walked along beach back to the car. It was really nice and we coverered a few miles.
On way home stopped off in Filey for another beach walk, that is one big beach, really enjoyed the day out.

Going well

The weather is holding out still mid 20's with the sun shining so life is good.

Been seeing a bit of my new friend Mandy, friday night she came to my places and we watched a DVD together, its just good getting quality time together as we get to know each other more.

Saturday I'd planned to go golfing with two friends (1st time for months) and when we got there we were told the course was closed because there was a team match on. Wasn't happy but accepted it because it was in the diary but then we found out that they were letting a society on awell. Come on we pay a annual membership nd they let outsiders on, lets just say we were sitting feathers.

This morning saw Mandy again, we went walking along the canal, it was really nice and i was out just under 3 hours, covered a fair distance.

Not meeting again until tuesday as she is working tonight and monday morning, I'm TT training monday afternoon and have a Pool match mon night. Not sure where we will go tuesday but as she isn't working and I'm free all day we'll go off somewhere nice, depending on the weather.

Really pleased I've met Mandy, I needed to move on and she makes me feel good about myself, things are going really good even though its still early days.

Been busy in the garden, still a couple of areas need some work (weeding) but its looking really good, got a lot of plants coming on well.

Had something in the post the other day which was supposed to answer a few questions for me on the one burning issue i've got, however it didn't tell me what I wanted so the quest goes on, left me a bit down. If you are confused don't worry its a personal issue i wont blog about, some of you know where i'm coming from.

Weight Loss Challenge - New Beginning

As those of you that have read my previous posts will know today I'm starting a weight loss campaign and did challenge anyone to join in. Intention was to compare everyone based on percentage (against target) each week to provide extra incentive.
Sadly not too many takers but still time just let me know your start weight and what you aim to lose over the next 11 weeks then update every wednesday, i'll do calculations.
I've one promised challenger "M" who is sending her weight later today (now done) and whatever it is i know the target is get down to 154lb (11stone).
Another is showing interest but we'll see if the challenge is taken up.

Post now been amended because my long time friend on here Regina as joined in, come on anyone else, bloggers or none bloggers.

Yes 11 weeks is a strange time period but it takes me up to my next holiday so seemed obvious. M reasons for this new beginning is because i blew most of my this years efforts on holiday (as posted previously) so am very determined to give it a big push.

So on to the challenge, well I weighed in at 222lb this morning and I know I previously stated a 20lb loss for my target but it seems silly to aim at 202lb so I'm going for a 22lb loss and hit the 200lb mark. 11 weeks 2lb per week sounds possible to me, just needs effort.

So start facts :-
Mick - Start Weight "222lb", Target Weight "200lb", Target Loss "22lb"
M      - Start Weight "163lb", Target Weight "154lb", Target Loss "9lb"
Reg   - Start Weight "131lb", Target Weight "125lb", Target Loss "6lb"
Any more challengers ?

Writing this after breakfast and have already started my efforts by only having two weetabix (with fruit) instead of my usual three. Also planned lighter than normal meals later today and playing table tennis tonight, trainingtomoz morning, then competition again tomoz night. Top that up with some gardening and only fruit as snacks (if needed) I'm on my way with a mixture of diet and exercise.

Two nice afternoons

With the weather now improving took the opportunity to spend the last two afternoons with my new lady friend.

Yesterday we went to York and walked around the city walls stopping half way for cofffee (and cake), very pleasant it was.

Today was probably the hottest day so far (even the shorts came out) so we had a stroll into town and had a ice cream before chillingin the park. Big news there while sat on the bench a photographer asked if we would pose for a shot, and we agreed. Apparently we will now be appearing in the "Yorkshire Life" magazine (july issue).

No the ice cream in th photo wasn't todays that was one i had in Croatia and its there as a reminder my new weight loss campaign starts tomoz (see last post) so wont be seeing anything like that for awhile.

Great Holiday - Weight Loss Disaster

I'm back from Croatia and must say what a lovely country it is really enjoyed my time there. My hotel was one of three in what was called the flower complex and must admit the gardens were beautiful especially the roses.

 Men and guns, lol.

 view from the balcony of my hotel, stunning.

You can check out my photos here - http://www.flickr.com/photos/8308363@N02/sets/72157629768024576/detail/

Things were cheap the country is not on the euro, have there own currency (kuna) but that goes with a downside. Things like ice cream, cakes & beer were dirt cheap so it would have been rude not to indulge on a daily basis.

So you've probably guessed i've pilled a lot of weight back on, in fact i got a major shock when i jumped on the scales immediately on my return to find i was 232lb a increase of 24lb in a fornight. Ok there is always some temporary weight gain and to be honest it followed a big meal and 24 hours later it was 8lb lower at 224lb but still way above the 208lb i was pre-holiday (16lb above).
Think by wednesdays weight in it'll be a few more pounds lighter now i'm into normal eating habits but its still gonna be a record holiday increase i think (7lb is about normal for me during a fortnights holiday).

So its time for a big push on the weight loss, from wednesday it'll 11 weeks to my Austria trip, I'll weigh every wednesday morning and am setting myself a target of losing 20lb in that period from whatever i weigh this wednesday.
However I challenge any of my friends (and blog friends) that read this and want to lose weight to also take me up on this. So name your own 11 week target loss, doesn't need to be 20lb same as me as we are all at different stages, can be whatever you want to lose in that period.
Then every week (tues or wed morning) message/comment me your weight and each week i'll produce a league table on my blog based on percentage of target loss achieved (also a weekly performance result).
Should boost those doing well but will name and shame those failing.

So any volunteers to take up my challenge (don't need to be bloggers).


Back to flowers what you think to this beauty in my garden :-

.

Weigh in Wednesday - Holiday time

A nothing much happend week to report, same weight as last week and as far as weigh ins goes this is it for 3 weeks. I'm away to Croatia on Sunday (off down south first) and wont be back home until wednesday 16th and figure it pointless weighing ins that day so it'll be 23rd for the next update.
Of course holidays are a dodgy time as far as weight loss goes, dont know too much about the food over there so we'll see how it goes.

On return I do intend to up my physical activities to improve my fitness and of ourse help with weight loss.

Story so far :-

Start Weight (4th Jan)      - 225lb
11th Jan                          -  223lb
18th Jan                          - 221lb
25th Jan                          -  218lb
1st Feb                            - 217lb
8th Feb                            - 217lb
15th Feb                          - 216lb
22nd Feb                         - 215lb
29th Feb                          - 212lb
7th Mar                           - 211lb
14th Mar                         - 210lb
28th Mar                         - 210lb
4th April                         - 210lb
11th April                       - 212lb
18th April                       - 209lb
25th April                       - 208lb
2nd May                         - 208lb