I've joined the gym!

The time has come where swimming alone doesn't seem enough anymore. In order for me to do what I feel like has been a really good workout I need to do an hour in the pool, which does get a bit boring! I'm ok up until about 40 mins but then I've had enough. I always knew that eventually I would upgrade my swimming only membership but at the time I joined I didn't have the confidence to waddle around in the gym!

So, I upgraded today and I'm really excited. I'm booked in for an induction tomorrow and have been shopping tonight for some new gum wear. Sainsburys have a really good range of nice quality but not silly priced stuff. The changing rooms weren't open so I grabbed a few bits and bobs and thought I would take back what I didn't want or didn't fit.

I got some size 16 jogging pants, and I thought they looked like a big 16. (In the end they weren't and fit me perfectly) but I'd also grabbed a size 14 too. They were too small, but they went on! Tight around my bum and definite belly overhang, but about 20 minutes ago I WAS WEARING A SIZE 14!!!!!

My brain isn't catching up with my weightloss

I haven't posted for a while. Things are still going well, I lost another 2lb at WI last wednesday, so that's 53lb in total and I'm creeping up to the 4 stone mark.

I am really proud of myself of how well I have done but at times I still feel like that huge person I was before. Some days I have zero confidence on how I look. When looking at clothes I still automatically go to the back of the rack to see if they have the biggest sizes - it's habit and then I remember to go to the smaller sizes. Yesterday I got some size 16 jeans in the sale at Sainsburys. I didn't try them on, I knew they would fit by looking at them (and they did). However when I took them to the till to pay, instead of feeling good about myself for buying size 16's I felt like the lady at the till would be thinking that I should go back and get a bigger size, like people look at me a see a hugely overweight person.

And I also feel like people are fed up of me telling them how I am doing after weigh in, or talking about weight watchers.

I am still as comitted as ever, but I just wonder if the fat Jo in my head will ever go away.

I felt so good the other week when I got to 50lb. I was over the halfway mark and it felt fabulous, but then I kept getting comments about how much harder the second half would be. It's almost like people are expecting me to fail.

Anyway, like I said I am still as commited as ever and I KNOW I CAN DO THIS. I just wish my confidence and brain would catch up a bit.

On a brighter note, when I started WW and Emily put her arms around my waist her hands wouldn't meet. Her fingertips were a good 3 inches apart. Every few weeks we would try again and see them getting closer. A while ago I did her a deal that when she could get her arms around me and clasp her hands completely together that I would treat us to a fun treat. She can now do it so today we are going to the Trafford Centre to play Laser Quest, then to Pizza Express where I can try one of the new WW pizzas. And I know we will have a brill time :o)

I got my 50lb!

Except, I didn't...

I got to 51lb woooohooo!

But my leader said my certificate hadn't arrived yet. Not so woooohooo. She didn't mention it during the meeting either, hopefully she is waiting until next week. Finger crossed I don't go back to 49lb in the meantime!

I am now officially more than halfway through, 51 gone, 49 to go. I have a feeling the second half will be somewhat harder.

But still, WOOOO!

7th silver seven

I wasn't sure how this week would go with my weigh in. Magnus' Mum came to visit for a long weekend, and it's always harder when you are eating out and have guests.

I knew in advance that we were going to a Thai Restaurant on Friday night so I planned ahead and did some extra swimming. Also on Friday daytime I spent 4 hours shopping with Ewa in Manchester City centre. Whenever she visits from Sweden she likes to bring a practically empty suitcase and then fill it up at Primark! We had a good day out. I also got some new jeans from Dorothy Perkins to wear out for the meal that night which Magnus had given me money to buy.

Saturday we went bowling and I kept scoffing sweets from those little vending machine that you put 20p and turn the knob. I ate far too many Tutti Fruites but they were yummy!

Sunday we ate out again, we went to a country pub lunch and I tried to pick the best option possible but pretty much everything looked high in points.

Anywaym, with the eating out I wasn't expecting much this week so was utterly shocked when I had lost 4.5lb! I am now at 49lb and really keeping my fingers crossed that I get a pound next week for my big 50!

I'm halfway there - I'm really doing this!!

Size 16 Jeans

For everyday wear I have some jeans from Asda. They are only £8, look good and seem to suit my shape. As I have been shrinking I have been getting them in smaller sizes. The only problem is I need a short leg and it's difficult to find them.

Anyway, I spotted some yesterday in a size 16 short. It doesn't seem long since I got into the 18's but decided to buy them in advance so I have them.

I got home and they fit! I have not been in a size 16 for about 7 years. I feel soooooo good today wearing them, even though I know they must be a very big 16 as I am an 18 everywhere else. I don't care though.

Also, I went to New Look last week and automatically went to the plus sized section, but I'm not fat enough for those clothes anymore! (I'm not thin enough for the standard clothes yet, but hey, we can't have it all can we?!)

Into the 14's

No, not size 14s, I'm still far too porky for that. But I now weigh 14 stone 10.5lb.

I went to weigh in tonight and lost 4lb, bringing me to a total of 44.5lb. Only 5.5lb to go to get to my big 5-0!

I've been getting extra swimming in this week as Magnus' Mum will be visiting from Sweden this weekend and I think there will be a couple of meals out. I have also joined a fitness challenge on the weight watchers board. You have to post how far you swim each day, there are two teams, the hippos and crocs who are racing to swim the equivilant of the nile. I'm a Hippo and have just reported my 70 length swim which was 1750 metres. It's a fun way to keep motivated with my exercise.

Better go now, got some bedding to iron - fun, fun, fun!!!

Can you see a difference?

I think I may be cured of my 'photo phobia'! I am now able to see pictures of me and not cringe, feel depressed and then delete them from the camera. The first picture of me was taken at Christmas, and is probably one of the most disgusting picture of me ever. (Cheers Mum and Dad!). The last two were taken yesterday, 3 stone lighter. Well, I say 3 stone - I am fairly confident of getting my 6th silver seven on Wednesday. A sneak peek on the scales just now says I will :o)

I know none are full length, I'll try and get some taken but I think I can see quite a big difference. Hopefully everyone can!