5 stone gone

This is by far the most successful I've ever been at losing weight.

I had lost weight a few times before. A few documented on this very blog, but after about 6 weeks (often less) the old habits crept back in, and back on it all went.

Today I am 13 stone 4 lb. I'm having real trouble actually understanding that I've managed to crack it this time! I'm comfortably in a size 14 to 16 and have days when I feel fab (and of course, days when I still feel like a chub). It won't be long until my BMI is 'healthy'. Bonkers.

Speaking of chub, this summer has been great without the chub rub. I remember having to wear cycling shorts underneath skirts a few years ago as the pain from the rubbed raw skin would be excruciating. My thighs well and truly still rub together, but no longer enough to cause a sweaty, chafing world of pain.

I have some way to go yet, hopefully around two more stone to lose, but I think I might just get there.

The key has been, and perhaps this is blindingly obvious to everyone else, PERSISTENCE. By this I mean, when I've gone off the rails a little I've drawn a line under it quickly and carried on as normal. Before, I would fall off the waggon and have an out-and-out binge. I would feel so wretched afterwards, and filled with self-loathing. Instead of rectifying the situation I'd eat even more to soothe myself. And on the rare occasions that I did try damage limitation I just went stupidly in the other direction, restricting, which led to another inevitable binge rather quickly.

This time (and I'm being tentative here, as I don't suppose all habits ever completely die), When I've had a 'naughty' weekend, I've managed to just get back to the basics of Slimming World as soon as I could, usually on the Monday. Most of the time this approach has meant that I have even ended up losing weight on those weeks!

I peeked in 2008 at around 18 stone 3 lb, possibly more as I couldn't face the scales after a while. I was in complete denial. I thought I got away with it because I am tall. I look back at photos now and can't believe I got that big. I'm really so very happy that I've come this far, it's been relatively slow, but I think sometimes that's best.

Here's to the next two stone.