Loosing weight the gentle way

Spring is almost here and there is work to be done!
Not just any kind of work, weight loss work!

Currently my back is giving me serious issues. I have disc issues in L3, L4 and mainly L5/S1. For the last two months I have done no exercise at all other than those that my physio has recommended. It has not been good on the weight loss front. But I am determined to start august differently.

Want to join me?

I'm taking the next 10 weeks to kickstart my sluggish metabolism again. Working on the dietary recommendations from the dietician I saw last year, working with my physio to build my physical health and prevent further back damage.


I am very limited in what physical movement, but given that I haven't been doing everything that I could be to keep my body healthy food wise, there is lots to be done there.

So what is my plan?

I'm using calorie king's 10week calorie counter book. There is an online program www.calorie king.com.au where you can enter all your food online. I have used the online version before but found it too hard to remember what I'd eaten at the end of the day. The booklet set me back$4.95 and I can carry it everywhere. Bargain.

Week 1 I will not make drastic changes to my diet for week one. I will simply record what I would normally eat. This is an important step as I need to make sure that I have a clear picture of where the major problem areas and times of the day are for me so that I combat them effectively. This might seem like a strange way to start a health plan, but you can not fix what you do not understand.

I am aiming to do my pilates based physio stretches (20mins) each day and cycle for 10minutes a day for the first week as per the physio's recommendation. As my strength builds and pain subsides in my back, the physio will add more exercise to my routine. I will be allowed to start running again when I can arch backwards without pain (had no idea that you were supposed to be able to do that without pain!).

Each Monday I will update my blog with my fitness update and progress in exercises. If you want to join me you can link up to your blog or leave your stats in the comments section. We are going to make some gentle changes :) We are not going for crazy, hard to stick to diets, or out of control exercise plans. They can be great and they can work, but for me right now, I can't sit or stand for 10minutes wihtout pain, so let's start gentle. Attainable.

It doesn't matter what plan you use, as long as you are happy with the method and can commit to 10 weeks concentrating on sticking to it!

This Monday I will put up:
my start weight
My goal weight
My current measurements for bust, waist, hips, thighs and arms
Maybe even a 'before' photo!

Feel free to only write up what it is that you feel comfortable with.

It might be as simple as, I'm going to walk for 20minutes twice this week.

Have a think and on Monday, be ready to join me with your goals. We are going to make gentle changes that work!

Things I have and haven't got round to...

Jess at Making Home stuck this meme up. Thought I'd give it a crack. The idea is to put the ones you have done in bold.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris 
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train



21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon (triathlon yes, marathon... unlikely!)
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice (does a ferry count?)
29 Seen a total eclipse 
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33 Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41 Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant
44. Visited Africa 
45 Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted 
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater55. Been in a movie 
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class 
59. Visited Russia
60 Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Gotten flowers for no reason
64 Donated blood, platelets, or plasma
65. Gone sky diving 
66 Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp 
67 Bounced a check 
68. Flown in a helicopter 
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy 
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone 
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79 Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book 
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous 
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby 
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee