Week Four

Nahid downs a bottle and a half of sake

I have been through the wars this week – on Wednesday I had an old lady fall, my foot missed a step and I landed so hard on my bottom that I bounced into the air and fell down hard again so much so that my left cheek is a total bruise, the deepest purple you ever did. It’s quite fascinating in a Cronenberg sort of way and would have been my picture this week but people who care about me (care for me?) reminded me that, this isn’t that sort of blog.

Anyway, this meant I did nothing on Thursday as I couldn't move and anything requiring balancing on my bum was impossible. Not walking or running up stairs or power-plating or yoga-ing left me feeling a bit flat. Although the next day I sneaked in a Boxing and Power-Plate one-to-one, it was brilliant! It is all consuming and used my body in a completely different way to my usual regime. Try it – it really does give your body a good jolt, I was aware of every part of me for a few days afterwards. It suddenly struck me that I offer all sorts of services to the clients but don’t partake myself – we have such great trainers who are available for personal training sessions and they all have their unique take. It’s good to get out of your comfort zone and this week I aim to pick it up a notch and have booked sessions in with a few of them.

I also drank a bottle and a half of sake this week – in one sitting! 3 weeks of holy living and the day I couldn’t exercise I indulged myself in soothing hot sake. I get bored of being good so have to throw in an intermittent bout of bad behaviour now and then to make me not-so-pious. I find the topic of weight and dieting a tad tedious. When did it become an acceptable topic of conversation? The reasons the Drop a Dress Size is working for me are because:

I don’t  feel too deprived. I eat anything I want, I watch the portions, I don’t eat carbs after 5pm to stay feeling light and more importantly if I do stray… I don’t beat myself up about it, I just get back to the program. On the social front I have had to totally remove myself from certain people ( a bottle and a half of sake for heaven’s sake, I don’t need any encouragement, I am a bad influence on myself as it is). There are certain friends who suddenly turn into the naughty things I am trying to avoid, it's a bit like that Charlie Chaplin film where he is starving and he hallucinates his friend into a chicken. Luckily I love activities so am filling my social life into trying new things – a psychic night tonight at Shoreditch House ( although friend of mine was once told by a palmist that her life would be one of total drudgery and you know what…it was!) a salsa class at Pineapple on Thursday night with Debs, a client, and have-a-go-Singer. I had a birthday dinner on Friday night. My friend, who gets addicted to everything, is a very clever and articulate woman but has to carry a set of small scales around with her and she measures out her food – it has to be exactly X weight, she avoids carbs. It is so completely bonkers it makes her so much more intriguing than a health nut who thinks lettuce is really fulfilling. It makes for much better conversation and also means that I am not the only loony tune around. I love it when people are up front about their foibles and have a sense of humour about it. I mistrust perfection.

This week though I will be stricter as next week is the mid-course measuring point. That means truly no drink, a few more salads, eating slowly and also 2 Boxing and Power-Plate sessions and my two yoga classes. The public announcement of my measurements is enough to keep me on the straight and narrow.

Rachel runs every day before work - yeah right!

This week I’ve been running for an hour before work every day, eating nothing but steamed veg and fruit and definitely not drinking . . . . . you don’t believe me? Ok, so that’s not quite true. My cardio still needs a lot more work but I am still walking a lot. The eating plan is going well, the home made soups are working a treat in the evenings and I’m still loving the porridge! I even look forward to it in the mornings.

I do have a few little confessions with the drinking. Last weekend I had a little pit stop on the Good Vibes Drop a Dress Size journey. It seems that half the population have birthdays in January, so, I was out for most of last weekend. I didn’t get in until the wee hours on Friday night / Saturday morning and did have a few cheeky vodka’s along the way. BUT only 3 for the whole night, which I think isn’t too bad (compared to what I would usually do). Then I had another 2 on Saturday night but after that I was so knackered that I went home to sleep! I also have to confess to sharing a couple of glasses of wine with a fellow DDS gal on Thursday night (not mentioning any names! Not me or Steph! - Nahid) We toasted to how well we were doing on the course.

So, as you can see I haven’t really made any changes to my social life. Since starting the DDS course I have actually wanted to go out more, I think it’s because I’ve had more energy from not drinking and eating well so I’ve wanted to go out and do things rather than just fall into bed at the end of the day. I’ve also learned that I don’t mind not drinking when I go out – it’s quite a refreshing change to be completely sober on a night out! I do still like a little tipple after a hard week.

I really don’t like people knowing that I am watching what I eat so doing this as part of a group and even putting it up for the world to see has been a whole new experience for me, and one that I thought I would hate. On the contrary, it’s been great! People ask me everyday how I’m doing and it’s so good to chat with the other girls about how it’s going. It really spurs you on and makes sure you stick to the course. My mum has also been following the DDS course and it’s meant that we’ve talked more and the support has helped – in a ‘if they can do it I can do it too’ sort of way. It’s like being a part of the Good Vibes social circle!

Kate is great

Although dropping this dress size is all good, unfortunately it has meant I have been a bit of a hermit! I'm staying away from bad influences and temptation such as booze, and the evening night bus meal of chips and curry sauce! Last week has been better, I went out on Wednesday for a meal with friends and instead of getting the bus I decided to drive, therefore avoiding drinking altogether. This is the way forward from now on. I had a great night and didn't really miss the drinking one bit. 

My skin is clearer, must be something to do with the 2.5 litres of water I'm drinking a day, my tummy is flat and generally more firmer up top (got to love the plate!) I have had an extra motivational boost in the name of Gemma (who trains across the studios) she is keen to go running and boxing with me, we live minutes from each other so no excuse, so ladies I think a training buddy is a good thing, I will let you know how I hold up!

The 5 week measurements are due next week so cardio and plates all the way for me!

Steph's loose jeans  and snake hips

Yes! My jeans are feeling loose... I really do hope it's not because they need a good tumble-dry! Definitely seeing physical changes: smaller hips and tummy, and it's not just me who has noticed - my mum things my bum looks tighter, and my boyf likes the new hips.

I'm being so disciplined, I think I'm becoming a painful bore. I went back to my family home for the week and there have been so many temptations; lots of home-cooking, plentiful drinks and the big temptation to sit back and do nothing, but I've tried to eat healthier versions of whatever the family are eating and I have kept being active by walking my dog and using the exercise bike in front of the TV.

I'm not denying I really would like a glass of wine now and again, but thankfully I have been too busy to have lots of nights out and to stray. I've found that the people around me generally want me to succeed on this plan which makes things a lot easier!

Send us your comments

Just finished (and survived!) my first week. A bit shaky in the legs, a bit tender, but otherwise fine.

Not really used to pushing myself physically, so for this week I think I have to put a bit more into it.

I have made an effort at eating more healthy, no cookies, chips, fizzy drinks or take outs. Mostly I have been eating: vegetables, fruit, water and protein. Less carbs then before. No or very little carbs in the evenings. Although I am not on a diet, I want to create a healthy, normal, feasible and sustainable eating habit.

 - Johanna

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Nahid

Rachel

Kate

Steph