Don't Ever Get Fat! - My Small Achievements

I have been struggling with my weight for more years than I care to think about.

In December 2010, or thereabouts, I weighed myself. I was a whopping 19st 9lbs. Incredible, huh!?

I couldn't believe it. I knew if I didn't take action I would be dead soon. People who weigh that much don't have a habit of living long, fulfilling and healthy lives.

People that heavy make appearances on Oprah and Dr. Phil.

I knew I was fat, but until that day I didn't, truly and honestly, realise just how big I had gotten. I could always climb stairs, touch my toes without bending my knees. My body didn't seem to know it was fat, and should be limited and disabled.

Sam and I were both overweight and both managed to lose decent amount when we finally put our minds to it. By March 2011 I had gotten to 16st and 13lbs. For a day. Maybe two. And then the weight loss stalled. And then, until May this year, slowly crept back on, yo yo-ing here and there. I had went back up to 17st and 12lbs. Awful how easy it is to put weight on.

I, like anyone out there struggling with weight, have tried most things. Starving myself. Vegetarian diet. Light & Easy. Various types of exercise. There is more to losing weight than calories in vs calories out.

I never have been athletic, or even a fan of sports. My work has always kept me relatively active, but clearly not enough.

So a short while ago we both joined a gym. When I lost the weight last time, it was mostly through walking and sensible eating. This time walking just wasn't cutting it. I was exercising like an old man and it wasn't doing anything for me. It was high time to workout like the young (ish) man I am.

Joining a gym has been an interesting experience. I am very body conscious and although I know no-one cares who I am or what I do, I have been keeping to the quieter times when I visit the gym. Early and late seem to work for me. I have pretty much free reign over the equipment, noise is usually at a minimum and I don't get the feeling I have an audience.

The gym is really well equipped and maintained to a high standard. And it's available 24 hours, 7 days a week. Awesome for someone such as myself who has zero sleeping pattern.

I am now 16st 12lbs and feel I'm on the right track. Slow progress is still progress and although the weight loss is slower than I'd like, I am fitter now than I have ever been.

I still get frustrated. I work really hard and don't see the results I think I should.

Example - Yesterday I woke up before 3am. I might have been having a bad dream, I'm not sure, but I had a sense of anxiety. I couldn't fall asleep again and so, opportunistically, I leapt on the chance to go to the gym. I was there for 90 minutes. I jogged and walked, alternating between the two on the treadmill for an hour. The other 30 minutes was spent with the weights. I came home, and after a rest, I completed an hour on my exercise bike. Another rest and I did another 30 minutes. Then, not quite finished there, I went back to the gym late on in the night for a further hour. Have you been counting along as you read? That's 4 hours of exercise. 4 more hours than I would have done in my previous sedentary life.

This morning I eagerly jumped on my scales in the en-suite....and...nothing. How can 4 hours of hard heart pumping, sweaty, laboured breathing and strenuous physical, muscle-aching, exercise not translate into any losses on the scales?

I don't know either.

I hope it's simply a delay and tomorrow I will see the benefits I worked so hard for.

I bought new trousers today too, and instead of the 117cm waistband my previous pair boasted, I now can proudly wear a waistband of 107cm. They are a little neat, but they fit. And I'm really chuffed.

Another few gym hours and sit up sessions will further reduce my waist, I'm sure.

Any tips or tricks? I'll take all the help I can get. I have another 30kg, at least, to lose..