16 weeks on 3 stones 1 lb lighter
Sept 2012
Lost 5 stones
This is me throughout my pregnancy. The top left was taken the day before I found out I was pregnant, and the bottom right was taken 3 days before I gave birth.
Friday, 20 April 2012
Before & During photos
Here are several photos of me last year. As time goes on I will post photos during my weight loss so that you can actually see how I'm doing.
Sept 2012
Lost 5 stones
Sept 2012
Lost 5 stones
Thursday, 19 April 2012
Clothes
Throughout most of my adult life I've never really liked my clothes. Being obese means that you have to buy what fits, not necessarily what you like. I've always wanted to have more of a style but it's never been easy for me. I've never been confident about my looks therefore never had the confidence to wear trendy clothes made for obese women.
This week I went to buy a few items to keep me going whilst I'm still losing weight. I bought a few tops and a pair of jeans. I got the tops 2 sizes smaller than I used to be. They are a little snug, but I'm still losing so should do good for the summer. The jeans I got 1 size smaller but now thinking that I'm actually gonna need the next size down soon. It's such a great feeling.
When I was at my heaviest I never wore jeans. I don't like the look of me in jeans when I'm that big. So when I get into jeans I feel so happy. I love wearing jeans coz their so easy. One day I'm going to throw away all my horrible M&S black trousers. They just remind my of being obese. This probably sounds silly to most people, but to me being able to wear jeans is such a big deal. I think I've had 2 periods of time in my life where I've worn jeans. The last time was when I got married (nearly 4 years ago).
The thought of being able to shop in 'normal' shops is wonderful. It used to be so horrible to go into a shop and know that there's no point even looking because they only go up to an 18/20. I always used to hate if I couldn't find the 'fat section' in a shop, coz then you'd have to ask an assistant. It bought me a lot of shame and embarrassment. So that's why I never like clothes shopping. But I think that's about to change...
This week I went to buy a few items to keep me going whilst I'm still losing weight. I bought a few tops and a pair of jeans. I got the tops 2 sizes smaller than I used to be. They are a little snug, but I'm still losing so should do good for the summer. The jeans I got 1 size smaller but now thinking that I'm actually gonna need the next size down soon. It's such a great feeling.
When I was at my heaviest I never wore jeans. I don't like the look of me in jeans when I'm that big. So when I get into jeans I feel so happy. I love wearing jeans coz their so easy. One day I'm going to throw away all my horrible M&S black trousers. They just remind my of being obese. This probably sounds silly to most people, but to me being able to wear jeans is such a big deal. I think I've had 2 periods of time in my life where I've worn jeans. The last time was when I got married (nearly 4 years ago).
The thought of being able to shop in 'normal' shops is wonderful. It used to be so horrible to go into a shop and know that there's no point even looking because they only go up to an 18/20. I always used to hate if I couldn't find the 'fat section' in a shop, coz then you'd have to ask an assistant. It bought me a lot of shame and embarrassment. So that's why I never like clothes shopping. But I think that's about to change...
Monday, 16 April 2012
Jogging on
Today at the gym I managed the following:
5 mins walk
10 mins jog
2 mins walk
8.5 mins jog
4 mins cycle
2 mins walk
5 mins jog
5 mins walk incline
2.5 mins jog
2 mins walk
5 mins jog
Total of 31 mins jogging!!!!!
5 mins walk
10 mins jog
2 mins walk
8.5 mins jog
4 mins cycle
2 mins walk
5 mins jog
5 mins walk incline
2.5 mins jog
2 mins walk
5 mins jog
Total of 31 mins jogging!!!!!
Friday, 13 April 2012
5K anyone?
In 20th June I am going to take part in Race for Life. For those that don't know, this is a 5k route and you can walk, jog, run round it. It's all in aid of cancer research.
I walked this about 7 or 8 years ago and it took me over 1 hour. This time the plan is to jog/run as much as possible and complete it in under 1 hour. I've got just over 2 months to improve my running at the gym. Last night I managed to run for a total of 18 mins, which I was very pleased with. At the moment I'm doing it on my own but hopefully some friends will also be joining me.
It would be great to get donations for this charity. 2 of my grandparents suffered with cancer, my friends mum is now in remission and a friend has just got the all clear after 6 months of chemo. So I will be doing the 5K for all for of these 4 brave people. Hopefully my sponsorship money will make a difference.
If you would like to sponsor me you can visit my Just Giving sponsor page at Race for Life - 5K
I walked this about 7 or 8 years ago and it took me over 1 hour. This time the plan is to jog/run as much as possible and complete it in under 1 hour. I've got just over 2 months to improve my running at the gym. Last night I managed to run for a total of 18 mins, which I was very pleased with. At the moment I'm doing it on my own but hopefully some friends will also be joining me.
It would be great to get donations for this charity. 2 of my grandparents suffered with cancer, my friends mum is now in remission and a friend has just got the all clear after 6 months of chemo. So I will be doing the 5K for all for of these 4 brave people. Hopefully my sponsorship money will make a difference.
If you would like to sponsor me you can visit my Just Giving sponsor page at Race for Life - 5K
Thursday, 12 April 2012
Totally surprised myself
Today I achieved something which I never thought I could do.
Tonight I went to the gym (3rd night in a row :0)) and I started off on the treadmill. I did 5 mins of walking to warm up. Then I started running. As you may know I've done running in the past month since joining the gym. Previously my personal best, without stopping was 2.5 mins. This was a real push and I was totally out of breath after. That only happened once and the rest of the times I've averaged 1 - 1.5 mins. So you can understand my amazement when I managed 5 whole mins in one go. I got to 2 mins and thought 'just 1 more minute'. I kept doing this until I hit 5 mins. I was so happy. Then I walked for 2 mins. I was feeling good and started to run again. This time I ran for 8 mins in one go. No stopping, no major struggle - 8 BLOODY MINS!! I went to walking after that for 5 mins. During that last 5 mins I was thinking about what I'd just achieved. To be honest with you I had to fight back the tears.
The people that know me really well like my parents, husband & sister, know that I am lazy and that this is such a big deal for me. This is something I've never done in my life.
I ran for 8 mins - i still cant believe it.
In the rest of my gym session I went on the summit trainer, bike, cross trainer & back on the treadmill. This time I managed 2 blocks of 2.5 mins running. So in total today I ran for 18 mins. I'm hoping to increase this now & keep working on it in time. I've worked out what speed suits me which is great. Previously I was running too fast so I was getting knackered quicker.
Tonight I went to the gym (3rd night in a row :0)) and I started off on the treadmill. I did 5 mins of walking to warm up. Then I started running. As you may know I've done running in the past month since joining the gym. Previously my personal best, without stopping was 2.5 mins. This was a real push and I was totally out of breath after. That only happened once and the rest of the times I've averaged 1 - 1.5 mins. So you can understand my amazement when I managed 5 whole mins in one go. I got to 2 mins and thought 'just 1 more minute'. I kept doing this until I hit 5 mins. I was so happy. Then I walked for 2 mins. I was feeling good and started to run again. This time I ran for 8 mins in one go. No stopping, no major struggle - 8 BLOODY MINS!! I went to walking after that for 5 mins. During that last 5 mins I was thinking about what I'd just achieved. To be honest with you I had to fight back the tears.
The people that know me really well like my parents, husband & sister, know that I am lazy and that this is such a big deal for me. This is something I've never done in my life.
I ran for 8 mins - i still cant believe it.
In the rest of my gym session I went on the summit trainer, bike, cross trainer & back on the treadmill. This time I managed 2 blocks of 2.5 mins running. So in total today I ran for 18 mins. I'm hoping to increase this now & keep working on it in time. I've worked out what speed suits me which is great. Previously I was running too fast so I was getting knackered quicker.
Monday, 9 April 2012
National Childbirth Trust - Crawley
I thought that while I was losing weight I would try to raise some money for a charity which has helped me out recently. My local NCT branch has helped me so much since I had my antenatal classes and had my son. I have made some amazing friends and become involved in many events and groups. My son has got a great social life and I can honestly say that it's because of the NCT.
4 weeks ago I turned my weight loss into a sponsored slim. I gave myself 3 months to lose 14lb.
So far I have lost 10lb since raising money for the NCT. You may remember that I had a health MOT done at my gym, well I'm going to have another one done at the beginning of June which will be the end of my 3 month sponsored slim.
If you feel that you would like to support me in my weight loss and also a great charity please make a donation. It doesn't matter how small your donation is because it all adds up. I have got a Just Giving page where you can donate online http://www.justgiving.com/Laura-Harrison6. Alternatively you can pass on any donations directly to me and I can process it for you.
A huge thank you to those who have already kindly donated - it is very much appreciated!
4 weeks ago I turned my weight loss into a sponsored slim. I gave myself 3 months to lose 14lb.
So far I have lost 10lb since raising money for the NCT. You may remember that I had a health MOT done at my gym, well I'm going to have another one done at the beginning of June which will be the end of my 3 month sponsored slim.
If you feel that you would like to support me in my weight loss and also a great charity please make a donation. It doesn't matter how small your donation is because it all adds up. I have got a Just Giving page where you can donate online http://www.justgiving.com/Laura-Harrison6. Alternatively you can pass on any donations directly to me and I can process it for you.
A huge thank you to those who have already kindly donated - it is very much appreciated!
More ramblings from me
I've not really posted much in the last couple of weeks so thought I'd jot down some of my thoughts.
Last Monday I reached a milestone of losing 2.5 stones in 3 months. I was so so happy that I managed to reach that goal. I really like setting myself little goals along the way. Every pound is a good achievement, but when I set myself a goal there just feels like a little bit more of a reason to celebrate. So I've already been working on 3 more goals.
1. I go away on holiday in 4 weeks time and I'd like to lose another 8lb by then. This will mean that I weigh the same as I did when I got married.
2. In 7 weeks time my baby boy turns 2! So from today I would like to lose 14lb by then. The last time I weighed that, would have been about 12 years ago.
3. I have a weight in my mind which is 1.5 stones from what I weigh today. If I can get to this weight I will be a very happy woman indeed. I would not have weighed that since I was 19yrs old. I don't really have a time in mind for this final one - just as long as I get there (but I go on a seaside holiday at the very end of June so maybe I could aim for then).
I have to say that I have shocked myself with the consistency of weight loss. I have lost at least 1lb every week and on average I lose 2.5lb a week. This is much better than I could have ever hoped for. On the whole I have found this relatively easy because this is NOT a diet. This is my life now and the way I intend to eat & exercise for the rest of my life. In the last 14 weeks I have shown to myself that you can have a life and still lose weight. I've still had 'naughty' foods such as Chinese takeaways, chocolate birthday cake, chicken kebabs, chocolate, pizza hut pizza, restaurant meals, proper roast potatoes & and even a sickly sweet Indian pudding called gulab jaman. So I have not felt like I've missed out at all. The only difference now is that I count my calories and write down everything I eat.
A massive support to me is my husband. He has adopted this healthy way of life too. He has weighed in with me every Monday morning. He's been there for me when I'm having a bad day and pushed me to keep going. He has the same meals as me and so does our son. He is my rock and without him I definitely could have lost the 38lbs I have. He has done a fantastic job with his weight loss too and has lost a massive 27lb to date. I'm so proud of you!
This has all been quite positive so far but I have struggled in the last couple of weeks (possibly why I've not posted much). I have been getting that stage of thinking 'I can't be bothered'. Now for those that don't know me well - I'm lazy. I'm so lazy (my husband will back me up I'm sure). This hasn't affected me too much so far because the little angel Laura's voice has shouted loudest. But I can hear that little devil Laura whispering in the background. It's mainly about going to the gym. Now don't get me wrong I know that it's doing me the world of good, and once I'm there I feel great. It's just getting off my backside and going that is potentially going to be the problem.
Losing weight is great and I can see & feel it quite often now. I've definitely dropped 1 dress size, possibly 2; my wedding ring & engagement ring are much loser; I have slightly visible collar bones; plus loads of other things that I can't think of right now. I'm looking forward to going to buy some new additions to my wardrobe, but I'll only get cheap stuff coz I'm not at goal yet. Cannot wait to be able to shop in 'normal' shops and not have to shop in the plus size shops/departments. Who knows I may even like clothes shopping in the future.
I gave myself a year to lose the weight and I know that there will be a time that comes when my weight will plateau and I'll have more of a struggle, but for now I know I will get to my goal weight....I just don't know when that day is yet.
If you're trying to lose weight at the moment, good luck, celebrate the small victories and keep going!!!!
Last Monday I reached a milestone of losing 2.5 stones in 3 months. I was so so happy that I managed to reach that goal. I really like setting myself little goals along the way. Every pound is a good achievement, but when I set myself a goal there just feels like a little bit more of a reason to celebrate. So I've already been working on 3 more goals.
1. I go away on holiday in 4 weeks time and I'd like to lose another 8lb by then. This will mean that I weigh the same as I did when I got married.
2. In 7 weeks time my baby boy turns 2! So from today I would like to lose 14lb by then. The last time I weighed that, would have been about 12 years ago.
3. I have a weight in my mind which is 1.5 stones from what I weigh today. If I can get to this weight I will be a very happy woman indeed. I would not have weighed that since I was 19yrs old. I don't really have a time in mind for this final one - just as long as I get there (but I go on a seaside holiday at the very end of June so maybe I could aim for then).
I have to say that I have shocked myself with the consistency of weight loss. I have lost at least 1lb every week and on average I lose 2.5lb a week. This is much better than I could have ever hoped for. On the whole I have found this relatively easy because this is NOT a diet. This is my life now and the way I intend to eat & exercise for the rest of my life. In the last 14 weeks I have shown to myself that you can have a life and still lose weight. I've still had 'naughty' foods such as Chinese takeaways, chocolate birthday cake, chicken kebabs, chocolate, pizza hut pizza, restaurant meals, proper roast potatoes & and even a sickly sweet Indian pudding called gulab jaman. So I have not felt like I've missed out at all. The only difference now is that I count my calories and write down everything I eat.
A massive support to me is my husband. He has adopted this healthy way of life too. He has weighed in with me every Monday morning. He's been there for me when I'm having a bad day and pushed me to keep going. He has the same meals as me and so does our son. He is my rock and without him I definitely could have lost the 38lbs I have. He has done a fantastic job with his weight loss too and has lost a massive 27lb to date. I'm so proud of you!
This has all been quite positive so far but I have struggled in the last couple of weeks (possibly why I've not posted much). I have been getting that stage of thinking 'I can't be bothered'. Now for those that don't know me well - I'm lazy. I'm so lazy (my husband will back me up I'm sure). This hasn't affected me too much so far because the little angel Laura's voice has shouted loudest. But I can hear that little devil Laura whispering in the background. It's mainly about going to the gym. Now don't get me wrong I know that it's doing me the world of good, and once I'm there I feel great. It's just getting off my backside and going that is potentially going to be the problem.
Losing weight is great and I can see & feel it quite often now. I've definitely dropped 1 dress size, possibly 2; my wedding ring & engagement ring are much loser; I have slightly visible collar bones; plus loads of other things that I can't think of right now. I'm looking forward to going to buy some new additions to my wardrobe, but I'll only get cheap stuff coz I'm not at goal yet. Cannot wait to be able to shop in 'normal' shops and not have to shop in the plus size shops/departments. Who knows I may even like clothes shopping in the future.
I gave myself a year to lose the weight and I know that there will be a time that comes when my weight will plateau and I'll have more of a struggle, but for now I know I will get to my goal weight....I just don't know when that day is yet.
If you're trying to lose weight at the moment, good luck, celebrate the small victories and keep going!!!!
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