51 days and 50 nights

Wednesday, August 1, 2012 Permalink

Do you friggin’ believe it?

I have now gone for 51 days sans chocolate, cheese flavoured rice cakes or corn chips. From several packets (of each) in a day to none. Nada. Zip.

Again, it hasn’t translated to any weight loss, but it’s comforting to know that I can set goals and bloody well stick to them.

Similarly, I’ve just completed my second (and final!!!) month of the Photo-a-day challenge.

I’m not hugely into photographs or very visual (which is why I still don’t really ‘get’ Pinterest) so I’ve struggled a bit, BUT I’ve done it. I’ve read of many others who’ve tried and failed, but I posted my photographs every day for 51 bloody days.

Again, I haven’t created any masterpieces and I don’t feel particularly inspired, but I. DID. IT. And that’s all that’s important.

Are small goals really worth the screens they appear on?
Over the past six months my ability to ‘do’ or ‘do without’ has been almost nil. I was starting to think I was incapable of setting a goal and following through.

After a great 3-4 month effort between May and August last year and a 25kg (55lb) weight loss, I’d floundered. My weight was yo-yoing about (though only by a few kilograms) and I was becoming increasingly frustrated at my inability to get back on track or stick with a commitment.

So, it’s with great relief that I can report in on my success on these counts:

No binge foods. Photo-a-day every day.

World peace and a book deal next.

Joking. Of course! Ish.

19 Comments
  • Neen
    August 1, 2012

    Congrats Deb! That’s quite inspiring!!

    • Debbish
      August 1, 2012

      Why thanks… Small goals but happy that I’ve been able to follow through!

  • Runa
    August 1, 2012

    AWESOME JOB!!!
    Wowza Deb! That is friggin amazing that you’ve managed to stay away from your trigger/binge foods. I have t give you your kudos for that. I listen to women talk about being abstinent from paticular foods at Overeaters Anonymous and I just cringe inside. I can’t/won’t commit to never again eating something. Not gonna happen here. But, I could do some portion control or a short term goal of not eating a particular food.

    You are inspiring! Keep up the great work 🙂

    • Debbish
      August 2, 2012

      Thanks Runa. I think I’ve been successful so far cos I haven’t said ‘never again’ (which – as you say – is very scary!), rather… just a month. I’m not sure what the next step is (portion control for eg) cos worry a bit that once I buy ‘some’ to try then I’ll be back into old habits.

      Deb

  • Rebecca
    August 1, 2012

    Yay go you! Small steps lead to big changes!

    • Debbish
      August 2, 2012

      I hope so Rebecca!!!

  • Karen@WaistingTime
    August 1, 2012

    Awesome!!

    • Debbish
      August 2, 2012

      Thanks Karen. Am celebrating the small wins! (Though not with chocolate, rice cakes or corn chips – obviously!!!)

  • Marion
    August 2, 2012

    Hi Deb! Well, You maintaining such an amazing weight loss is really something. I too have kept off a chunk of weight for about 5 years now. I think the next stage of losing more weight requires a further change of mindset, which I think I know what it is (for myself, at least), but I’ve not consistently done it! People at my weight loss group who have lost tons of weight say that I have to factor in my ups & downs and inconsistency into the formula. It has to be something that a person is willing to do and keep doing for years–which seems dumb to say because it is so obvious.

    We have to re-invent our goals and dreams constantly to keep them fresh. And small goals are the only ones that have ever worked for me. I get psyched out with huge goals, but can handle them if I do something every day to get myself closer to that goal.

    🙂 Marion

    • Debbish
      August 2, 2012

      Marion, I need to think of some small (not scary, but doable) weight-loss related goals. But without being on a ‘diet’. *Sigh*

      Deb

  • Satu
    August 2, 2012

    Congrats! I’m waiting for world peace next! 🙂 And I agree with Marion that maintaining a 25-kg weight loss for over a year is no minor feat.

    I’m sad to confess that my no diet-Pepsi for 30 days challenge lasted roughly 14 days if I remember right. Like a true addict (caffeine addict?) I caved in when I had a hard time. And I now drink diet Coke instead of Pepsi! 🙂

    • Debbish
      August 2, 2012

      Oh well Satu… on the bright side, you’re staying away from Pepsi (it’s just been replaced by its evil twin sister).

      PS. Will work on world peace!

  • Eating as a Path to Yoga
    August 2, 2012

    Weight loss is cool and all, usually temporary. Peace with Food? Nothin’ like it! 🙂 Blessings.

    • Debbish
      August 2, 2012

      Thanks!

  • Vicki
    August 2, 2012

    Good on you Deb! I do hope that you are proud of your efforts over the last 51 days. See you really can do what you set your mind to. Bravo!

    • Debbish
      August 2, 2012

      THanks Vicki and I am very happy with my achievement!

  • KCLAnderson (Karen)
    August 3, 2012

    Woot!! Marion hit the nail on the head…you’ve actually achieved some very significant things: not bingeing on some of your go-to binge foods for a long while AND maintaining a loss. (I think long plateaus are vastly underrated). In my mind, that just sets you up for more success. As you know I was away for a few days at a retreat that was very empowering and even though I have heard it a million times, this time it clicked: it really is about baby steps and consistency (which doesn’t mean 24/7 perfection)…this is how we master something. And for many of us, it means walking our own path.

    • Debbish
      August 3, 2012

      Karen, it probably also means getting back on track after a slip, rather than letting it cascade or snowball!!!

      Deb

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