Rosie - 2012 round up

This photo was taken just at the end of last year (on a particularly mild November day!)  It was around then that I started to realise that my weight had crept up and along with it I was having to buy more and more size 14 clothes. Size 14 can be a totally healthy size on some women but I'm 5'3" and it just doesn't sit right on me.  I remember weighing myself at the start of the year and realising the scales said 10.10 lbs rather than the 10.1 I was roughly expecting.  This meant I had a BMI of almost 27 and was firmly in the 'overweight' bracket.

A typical day for me would have been no breakfast, a sandwich, crisps, chocolate and Haribo at lunchtime and pizza or waffles and cheese for dinner.  I did no exercise and was completely miserable about my weight.  I used to grab the bulging fat around my middle and dream of cutting it off! I felt uncomfortable and a the turn of the year I knew I wanted to do something about it, I just didn't know how.

They say 'when the student is ready the teacher appears' and that's true for me.  On the 17th January I was offered to undertake a free trial of Jenny Craig, which I wrote about on my own blog.  It was a big shock to the system not having all the sugar I was used to and introducing lots of vegetables back into my life.  In the end I stayed on the plan until April and lost 1-2 lbs on average every week so I was down to 140lbs when I came off it.  This is me in April.

I kept up lots of the good habits and was able to hover around that mark for a few months.  By August I was 141 lbs which is still actually marginally in the 'overweight' category for my height.  I wanted to lose more but I didn't know how to.  I'd started running but I wanted to make sure I was eating right too and I didn't know anything about exercise.  Again it was obviously the right time for me as Laura at Chambray and Curls mentioned to me that her partner worked in nutrition and fitness and had helped her lose weight when she was struggling through helping her understand what she should and shouldn't be eating and helping her meet her fitness goals.  Her partner Charis (who runs Louca Personal Training) kindly offered to do the same for me and took some time understanding what my goals and habits were before asking for weekly diet and exercise diaries.  Every week he would analyse my food and exercise log and help me identify where I was going wrong and where I could make positive changes.  He introduced me to 'clean eating' - not eating processed or pre-packaged foods and instead eating lots of protein and vegetables.  I pulled out all my cookbooks and started making healthy, delicious dinners, making sure I ate something every mealtime and increasing my exercise.  I had one day a week where I would eat whatever I wanted, and I would 'eat clean' the rest of the time.  The best thing about 'eating clean' is that it's not a diet, it's just an education in  making healthy choices and not eating things that are super processed or full of sugar.  Charis helped me realise that if I did this 90% of the time I could still go on holiday and eat what I wanted, or eat what I wanted over Christmas or on special occasions because I know it's not going to have a long term effect on my weight.

As I jetted off to Florida for two-and-a-half weeks in September I've really only been doing this properly since mid-October.  I'd lost a few lbs already through Charis's good advice but I started as 139 lbs in October and have continued sending him my weekly diaries and taking on his advice and I'm now 127 lbs, meaning that with his help I've lost another stone, the majority of that in the last two months.  I hit my 10 week pledge target (129 lbs) a few weeks early and I now comfortably fit into a size 10.  The best part of all of this is that all of the changes I've made are a part of my life now - doing exercise classes in the evenings, eating clean the majority of the time, running in the mornings etc, are now things I 'do' rather than things I 'do because I'm trying to lose weight'.

This is the most recent photo of me I have.  I think the biggest difference is in my face! No more chubby cheeks! In total I've lost 23lbs (over a stone and a half) and I feel comfortable, happy and healthy.  I used to go to bed feeling sick almost every night (probably due to all the sugar I was eating), I was tired all of the time and I'd collapse into bed at night completely exhausted and then not be able to sleep.  Nowadays I hop out of bed in the morning to go for a run and still look forward to going to an exercise class in the evening.  I couldn't have done any of this without Charis's help and I'd really recommend him and his company if you're looking for a way to make long-term changes, get fit and lose weight.  He offers several different plans at really reasonable prices and he's so motivating and supportive.  He is also offering 10% off any of his plans if you mention Where Are My Knees when you get in contact.

I'd love to hear about your weight loss journeys this year.  Remember that 2013 is a new year and it could be the year you make some amazing changes.

Gemma - 2012 round up

I have been really disappointed with my weight loss this year. I wanted to start 2013 and be at my goal of -100 lbs. I've lost a total of 79.5 lbs since January 2011 and I know if I had put just a little more effort in I could have reached my initial goal and moved on to the next one.

I've only lost 22 lbs this year but you know what, I've had a really good year. My appearance drastically changed in February, you could really see a difference in the way I looked and my confidence grew so much. I went out and partied like it was going out of fashion. I went to two festivals this summer, went to Paris, met some of my favourite musicians and actors, got a full time jobs and I don't think I've had a free weekend since the Jubilee. I've also started dating which I would never have done before losing weight.

(despite the weight loss I'm still rocking the hand on hip look, it's a classic though, right?)

What I'm trying to get across (in a very non articulate way) is that there is so much more to life than what's on the scales. Yes, it would have been nice to be at -100 lbs right now but I've had a lovely year and 2013 will be even better. I'm hoping for a fresh start next year, I will be strictly following the Weight Watchers plan from the 1st of January onwards and I know 2013 will be the year I reach my ideal weight.

The photo above makes me realise that I may not be where I want to be in terms of weight loss but I'm very happy with all the other aspects of my life. I've lost nearly 6 stone, I know two years is a pretty slow time frame to do this but I'm proud of what I have achieved.

Hope you all get closer to reaching your goals in 2013 and thank you for being there for me in 2012.

Sunday Summary 80

Gemma -Another week where I can't report an amazing weight loss but I am feeling very positive. I had a meeting with Weight Watchers in London on Thursday along with a few other bloggers (including WAMKs very own Lauren) and I can't wait to start fresh in 2013. There is a new approach to the plan and I will be set little challenges for the first three months of the new year. I will reveal more about this in the new year, looking forward to finally reaching goal and I think this project will help.

Me and Lauren on the tube after our WW meeting

I also got to hang out with another Team WAMK member this week, Sarah! I will admit to eating more than one of her cupcakes at the Clothes Show Live yesterday. Ooops.

Rosie - I hope it's okay to say this, but I'm really proud of myself today.  For someone that has an almost permanent sense of guilt and is perpetually cross with myself about something, that's a big deal.  I've been working hard for the last couple of months and this morning heralded two achievements for me - hitting my 10 week pledge target weight, and running my furthest distance.

You might know from my writings on here that before July I'd never run before and couldn't run further than a few metres without my lungs burning and my feeling like I was going to be sick.  So running over 10k today is a huge achievement for me and something I honestly never dreamed was possible - even when I started running I laughed at people telling I might one day be able to run a 5k!  I now run before work a couple of times a week and it's become part of my routine and part of my lifestyle.  I am testament to the fact that anyone can run if they have the inclination.

My ten week pledge was to lose 10 lbs from my weight of 139 lbs in mid October.  Since then I've been running, doing 2-3 exercise classes a week and eating healthily and so, if I'm honest, my meeting my target has been the result of sheer bloody hard work! I have three Christmas meals coming up over the next few weeks so I'm going to carry on what I'm doing but let myself relax a bit and with a bit of discipline I can fit into a size 10 dress for one of these celebrations.  I'm now a healthy weight for my height so my focus now is on toning; I have a lot of flab around my belly that needs to be waved goodbye to!

Lauren - like Rosie I too am really proud of myself this week, although not for weight or exercise related things (more's the pity!). The week got off to a bad start and went rapidly downhill foodwise but after attending the Weight Watchers New Approach Bloggers Event on Thursday morning with Gemma I seem to have really reigned it in. I have been the exemplification of a Weight Watchers angel over the weekend, pointing everything when normally I would have said to myself 'its the weekend' and just gone crazy! I even went out for a bike ride this morning with my dad and actually enjoyed it! I'm still nowhere near my 10 Week Pledge weight but I'm hoping that I can lose another couple of lbs before Christmas Eve and also try not to go too mad over the festive period - I don't want to spend all of January losing the weight that I gained over the course of ten days at Christmas.

I'm also feeling extremely proud of myself this week for taking the plunge and baring all over on A Little Less Of Lauren. It wasn't an easy thing for me to do, but I was raging after a size 8 friend of mine was told she has 'thunder thighs' on a night out, and it brought it home more than ever the negativity that's bred from societal expectations of young men and women. It makes me so angry that people are made to feel unworthy because of some arbitrary picture on the front of a magazine. I don't want to go all hippie and self-help on you here, but why shouldn't we celebrate our bodies and what we've achieved?! Whether you're at goal, halfway there or just beginning we should all celebrate our triumphs and stop comparing ourselves to the people on the front of Closer - because we're never going to be those people. My body isn't perfect, but its a hell of a lot better than it was this time three years ago and I'm taking steps to make it even better - and that is far more important than any stretchmarks, loose skin or wobbly bits.


Chris - I think I speak on behalf of everyone when I say Lauren, I would. Phwoar, and etc. And also, well done of course; it takes a huge amount of nerve to post pictures like that online, and I think all of WAMK are proud of you for taking the plunge.

I have been a massive pile of ill, busy and injury recently: I had to abandon my six day shred after really seriously hurting one of my arms doing Body Combat - TOP TIP: When they tell you to have rest days, they mean it. I've also been having some knee trouble, which means that my ten week pledge has been shot in the head like an old, lame dog - mainly before somebody has to do it to me.

Then, I got myself a stinker of a cold that has lasted until aroundabout now, which has meant that my time in the gym has been seriously limited - and that, combined with a trip to London (and thus eating all the food) means that I've put on a couple of pounds - boo.

My works Christmas party was this weekend as well, so now that's over I plan on being extra super good for the next fortnight before Santa comes - although the other half returning from shopping in Chester with a massive bag of sweets as a thank you for nursing her through a hangover yesterday wasn't the best start...

Guest Post - Lucy

This weeks guest post is from the lovely Lucy - you can follow her on twitter here.

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As I’m writing this, I’m finding it hard to believe that within the space of a couple of months, I've reached my target weight, been voted ‘Woman of the Year’ and ‘Miss Slinky’ at my Slimming World group and fitted into size 12 tops for the first time…ever.

In hindsight, weighing in at 14st 7lbs on New Year’s Eve 2011 at a house party was a blessing in disguise. Refusing to weigh myself for years prior to this had left me with a warped sense of just how heavy I was and how unhealthy my eating habits were. I needed that shock (followed by shots and sulking) to make big changes.

I've always loved food and tended to overeat. My nickname as a child was the ‘Human Dustbin’ as I’d go through seconds and thirds. Through High School and University, I never felt like the ‘Big One’, but looking back at photos, my outfits lacked colour and I never felt completely like the ‘Me’ I feel like now.

Walking into a weight-loss group is always going to be scary, but since that first meeting, I haven’t looked back. This sounds incredibly corny, but Slimming World really has changed my life. I’m almost evangelical about the plan, so I won’t start or else I’ll never stop. What I can say is: BIG PORTIONS and some CHOCOLATE EVERY DAY. What more could a girl ask for?

For a few years in my late teens and early twenties, I suffered horrendous back pain which got worse the older (and heavier) I got. After trips to A+E, boxes of pills and courses of physio, I was thoroughly miserable. Magically, the pain has decreased with my weight loss to the point where I rarely need pain killers. It’s been worth going without full-fat mayo on everything for this reason alone!

My wardrobe is slowly filling with clothes I never would have worn – leather-look skater skirt, anyone? Something very special will be added to my expanding wardrobe next year – my beautiful Wedding dress. I honestly cannot wait to walk down that aisle in May feeling happy, healthy and slim.

My weight loss journey up until this point has been relatively quick one – I’ve lost 3st 7.5lbs since January – but I know that this is really only the beginning. It’s going to be a battle to maintain my weight loss, but it’s one I’m determined I’m going to win.

Lucy before joining Slimming World

Now, after losing over 3.5st!

We are Where Are My Knees? want to say a big thank you to Lucy for taking the time to write this guest post. We are always looking for people to guest post for us - whether it be to share their story or a favourite workout or recipe - so if you're interested in posting for us then please get in touch. You can email us on wherearemyknees@gmail.com, or tweet us on @wherearemyknees.

Much love, 

Team WAMK xxxxx