Post Summer Holiday

Well, after a summer in France and Italy I came back 3lb heavier. Within 2 weeks I managed to lose 2lbs, although I was not really trying very hard. To give my dieting a boost I have joined Scottish Slimmer Dietline - a telephone, e-mail or letter dieting support service. I attended Scottish Slimmers in 2000 (and after) where I was very successful in losing weight, just not successful in keeping it off.

I received my pack of support books, with the Positive Eating Plan, daily checker, eating out guide and other support information. My dedicated dietline support advisor phoned on the Friday to check it had arrived and agree my weekly support time - Monday's. On the Monday I duly measured my bust, hips and waist, stood on the scales and provided this information to my advisor. We discussed my past slimming history, what and why I wanted to lose weight, and how I was going to organise myself to get there this time. I phone through this Monday for my first weight loss report.

I have only had 2 wobbles this week, on Thursday I was so tired I gave into chocolate and crisps on the way home from work and on Friday I felt like a treat for lunch so we eat out in the village at a new cafe. Never again there, it took 55 minutes to serve us a panini and lasagne (mine)! The wobbles were small wobbles and did not become all out binges, I was soon back on track.

My excuse was the utter tiredness I am feeling from starting in my new consultancy position at a major northern council, which involves getting up at 6 every morning to ensure I get the train ok. The travelling time to and from work is 3 hours a day and is exhausting, especially after a long holiday. The only perk is that I have been able to read my novel on the train there and back, a real treat as I love reading and it stops me from eating normally.

I am reading the 'Other Side of the Bridge' by Mary Lawson, excellent. Over the holiday I read her first novel 'Crow Lake', do read it if you can, I was crying with happiness and sadness at the end of it.

Youngest daughter is living with us for a short time (money shortage until uni starts again) and has brought her cat home with her. I would never have called myself a cat lover before now, but I do find myself very, very fond of Turk (yes, called after the character in Scrubs). Friends who know me well are amazed.

We do have a stressful week next week - I have an interview for a major position that I would very much like to get. The position would give us financial security for several years, help me to achieve my dreams, and is the culmination of my career. Trying not to let the interview get to me, and stay in control of my eating is very difficult but I must try hard. Hubby is travelling down with me to give me moral and physical support (stop me from eating everything in site)! Watch this space!!

More on the French/Italy holiday to follow - in Italy I was watching Aida at the Verona Arena on my 50th birthday, which was absolutely magical. A wonderful setting, but more on that in a future blog.

diet, dieting, Dietline, Scottish Slimmers, Birthdays, Verona, Mary Lawson, Crow Lake