FFS.

Christ, I need to lose weight. I literally can't fit into some clothes,

Status Update: Week Whatever

 As you may have guessed from the lack of update over the past few weeks, I've stopped doing weekly weigh-ins. There didn't seem to be any point when I was doing on exercise and not really managing my diet that effectively. Plus, you know, it's the holiday season and it's time to drink alcohol and snack.

I'll get back on it when 2021 rolls around and this god forsaken year fucks the fuck off.

Status Update: Week 29

Another quick update: same weight as last week. A bit of portion control was the extent of my dietary management for last week, but I did hit the booze pretty hard at the weekend.

Oh. 232.1 lbs if you want the actual number.

Random wafflings

 I'm on my second cup of coffee made with almond milk. I'm not sure that I like it.

Status Update: Week 28

Quick update: 232.1 lbs which I think is pretty much the same as last week.

On the diet front, I have made inroads into introducing a more protein-focussed diet, but that's gonna need tweaking as time goes on.

Status Update: Week 27

Magic number: 232.1 lbs

While I didn't do any calorie counting, I was more aware of what I was eating last week. So it was with some relief that I found myself over 3lbs down on last week.

I have a massive Tesco shop coming in the morning, and I've targetted a higher protein intake and carb reduction (I love my carbs). I need to further investigate recipes for this, but what I have seen so far is encouraging in terms of something I would enjoy and easy to cook.

I'm also experimenting with plant-based milk and meat alternatives, but that's not related to weight loss.

Holy crap! (Part 2)

The weight gain thing is a conundrum. I had thought that by working from home, I might actually lose weight. I'd be doing a lot less snacking for starters. I'd also be knocking the large lattes on the head which is an easy 150 calories.

However, that was offset by the exercise going down by roughly 8 - 10k steps per day and the alcohol intake going waaaay up.

Urgh.

Pretty much for as far back as I can remember, I've suffered from stomach issues. It's not quite acid reflux as the pain is confined to the stomach, but it is there. I've no idea what causes it, but when it strikes it can be extremely painful. I've taken to carrying around ant-acids of some kind almost all the time, so I am prepared if it strikes.

Last night, around 4 AM, I awoke with the pains. They were much more intense that I've had before. It was quite a while before I was able to get back to sleep.

I've had conversations with my GP before about it and he advised me to cut out some foods. The thing is, there is no pattern. Last night's issue was probably booze-related, but booze isn't always an issue. Same with coffee or spicy food.

I did a search for excessive acid production and this is the list:

• Citrus fruits: Oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit, and pineapple can cause acid build-up. 
• Vegetables: Most vegetables fit into a low acid diet, but fried, canned, or creamed veggies should be avoided. Some people find that onions and tomato-based products bother them.
• Dairy products: Whole milk, high-fat creams, chocolate milk, and strongly flavored cheeses should be avoided. 
• Grains: Any grains that are made with whole milk or cream.
• Meats: High-fat meats, cold cuts, chicken wings, sausage, bacon, poultry skin, and fried or greasy meats. 
• Beverages: Alcohol, coffee, mint tea, hot cocoa, and other caffeinated beverages
• Spicy foods: Hot peppers, curry, garlic, and salsa are some examples.
• Fiber: Too much fiber can cause acid production to go into overdrive since it takes a long time for the food to pass through the stomach.
• Ulcers or cancers: Either of these can lead to an increase in the production of the hormone gastrin, which increases acid production.
• Stress: Research shows people who are severely stressed produce more acid in their stomachs.
• Infection: Bacterial infection by the bacterium H. pylori can also increase acid production.
• Irregular meals: Not having meals at a regular time or having long gaps between meals can result in acid accumulation.
• Lack of sleep: This can also increase acid production in some individuals

My diet is pretty varied, so I eat a lot of stuff including lots on that list, though as I said, there's no real pattern that I can see between my diet and a flare up of the tummy issues.

Still, I've been pretty tired all day. A good night's sleep awaits me tonight.

Positive thinking.

This month is going to be very busy both professionally and personally. I've already had two social nights out. There's at least another one planned, with work, before the end of the month. There are a couple of other things in the pipeline as well, but they've slipped my mind for now.

In work, we're pretty much changing our entire suite of processes. We're years behind the current industry trends, but this is more to do with upper management than people at my level. In fact, if they'd listened to us when I joined the team, we wouldn't be involved in something this big. We've wanted to modernise our way of working as well as update the product we deliver for years, but were never allowed to. That's the trouble with the company I work for - they tend not to listen to us, only paying attention when someone in the upper echelons makes a decision. In this case, we got an industry renowned guy in, who pretty much suggested the changes we've been asking for for years. Only he wasn't suggesting this about my team or small departments but rather the entire company. We've spent millions of pounds making these changes, but it's been slow, not without issues and probably not as successful as it should have been.

This change means this month is going to be spent re-writing processes, meeting new team mates and doing lots of training. And it's going to get stressful.

I'm already stressed to a certain extent. Not as much as I was last year, but I don't feel that I've properly recovered from my boss working me to the bone then hanging me out to dry. My diet and exercise habits have been appalling since the turn of the year. Exercise-wise, I've been out of sorts for years due to various injuries, but my diet has taken a turn for the worse. I've increased the amount of takeaways and general junk/quick food I'm eating for dinners for the same reason that I've struggled to get into exercise again - mentally exhausted by the time I come home from work and want something quick and easy.

I've just done a Tesco shop with ingredients that I can use to cook proper dinners, including some healthy options - a filling Tabbouleh salad, for example. With the nights brightening, maybe I can spend half an hour in the kitchen prepping something tasty and healthier than a Chinese takeaway. If I can do the same for lunches, not only can I eat healthier, but I could even save some money as well.

Countdown...

At some point on New Year's Day, I'm going to be stepping on the scales to see what the size of my challenge will be in 2018. I know that I'm heavier than last year - the tightness of my suit at my Xmas dinner doesn't lie, but by how much?

Whatever it is, it'll be the heaviest I've ever been.

The exercise portion of what I need to do is pretty much taken care of - yoga and Bodyweight Freeletics. If I'm lucky, then some other stuff that FP mentioned as well. I have some weights at hand as well, but with DDP and Freeletics, I shouldn't need them.

I'm still not 100% convinced that my shoulder has healed, but I need to start somewhere.

The hard part is the dietary portion. I love food, me. I know that I should give up bread and crisps (crisps are easily my biggest vice), but that adjustment will be the more difficult aspect. Eat less, more frequently.

It's just a preparation and willpower thing.