DREWspective

I haven’t written for a while, so I’ll update you readers on my progress.

Though I’ve talked about lapsing not being “such a big issue”, there are problems I had overlooked. Particularly as I’d done it considerably last week, I found myself with less energy than I usually had. It was as if the pounds I’d lost in the last few weeks were creeping back on, just as quickly.

The issue also showed up in last week’s weigh-in. Even I was shocked when I discovered I’d lost only 1¾ lbs. My ketosis was very low, even though I’d been regularly drinking water and taking the food packs. More importantly, I still haven’t lost three stones yet – I’m just over 1 lb away.

So this week I’ve been taking the diet more seriously, vowing to go at least one more full week without caving in. So far, so good.

On Friday (day 50), I had to wait for three hours in a hospital, for a weight-loss consultation appointment that was supposed to have been made a month earlier. Nobody acknowledged that the GP in charge of sending the referral letter had screwed up, but they were all too happy to suggest there was “nothing they could do”, because I was so far into the diet anyway. You can imagine my reaction.
Also on Friday, I’d decided to go to my local dentist. For whatever reason they decided to treat me like a criminal: first because I’d initially left my wallet at home, secondly because they got rough with my teeth (taking some kind of drill and “cleaning” my teeth, pushing hard between each tooth right next to the gums), and thirdly having the cheek to stretch out their hand, demanding money.
Both parties will be getting a colourful letter of complaint from me, and I will be looking for both a new GP and dentist.

More unfortunate events occured just yesterday (day 53), when I’d lost at least six of my tropical fish at once: two tetras, a rainbowfish, at least two rasboras and at least one catfish. It was probably my doing, as I’d deliberately overstocked the tank with new fish. Still, it was very distressing to have to fish them out. Sometimes, I wish I’d stuck with the goldfish; I knew where I stood.

Also of note: I’d bought myself a very cheap and effective blender from Asda, though the same model exists in Woolworths at a similar price.
If you ever go on the LighterLife diet or equivalent, know that mixing your shakes in a blender makes a world of difference. For best results, use 200 ml of water and a few ice cubes.

The usual story: alarm goes off at six, and I get up at eight. :S

I am seriously considering going back to the gym, but this time to concentrate on weight training rather than general working out. You should see how thin my arms are, and how muscular I’m not right now. There has probably never been a better time to take up bodybuilding; the only question is which gym to go to.
My nearest Virgin Active is in a very convenient spot for when I come home from work – except I won’t be working where I am right now in a few months time. The council gym, which is far less expensive and more social, is forever under repair and out of the way. There may be other options, and as usual it’s up to me to find them.

Despite the sandwich on Friday, the beef jerky on Sunday and the sausage roll I talked myself into eating on Monday, the unforgettable taste of ketosis is still alive.
Let’s not kid ourselves, however: my ketosis level has been at 0.4, which is a very feint purple. During the three weeks I had abstained, the strip was dark. So we’d better be very careful, otherwise we might find one week it comes up negative.

It’s probably the darkening mornings and evenings, but recently I’ve had trouble getting out of bed. it’s not uncommon for me to get up after 7am to go to work. Actually, I’m lucky if I get up before 7.30am. To put things into context: I have to leave the house before 7.15am if I want to get to work on time. I assure you, though, that things will change.

As far as the diet was concerned; it’s become just a little more difficult to mix the shakes first thing in the morning. I could really use access to the blender at home, but it is incredibly noisy (not to mention packed away). I could always buy myself one quite cheaply, but that would only cause trouble.

Only recently have I begun drinking “black” tea. I’m sold on Earl Grey as a black tea; you can taste hints of fruit, with all the goodness of tea. I usually have a cup later in the day – with stevia if possible – but for now I still begin my mornings with black coffee.

I am rather nervous about Thursday’s weigh-in this time, as what they’ve said about lapsing is true. I don’t think it’s as dangerous as they make out, however, and while I wouldn’t recommend doing it, as long as you keep it under control it shouldn’t be a huge problem.
Remember, I lost six pounds on a week where I’d lapsed – but I knew what I was doing and risking.

A rather interesting weekend… well, not really.

I’ve rewarded myself substantially since my massive loss last week. The first thing I did was plan on getting more tropical fish for my large tank.
Visiting my local fish store once again, I went home with five Black Emperor Tetras and three Albino Catfish. The Black Emperor Tetras were inspired by two things: first, seeing them in a very sexy display along with some Chilli Rasboras that were on sale at the time I bought the Neon Yellow Rasboras (but no longer) and some other fish; the second, seeing a whole bunch in a tank with a red betta fish, although I’ve since decided against buying another.

To mark the end of a stressful week, in which certain people decided to use opportunities to take the piss, I treated myself to a deli sandwich. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a huge mistake; the sandwich was huge! Huge and full of calories. Needless to say, it brought me out of ketosis; all I could taste were onions. In fairness, however, I didn’t have anything else that day.

I also had a pack of beef jerky that was lying around in my room on Sunday. I figured that beef jerky had far more protein in it than carbohydrates, and it turned out to be more healthy – figure-wise – than the bars. Since I tasted that familiar ketosis taste later on, I think I’m okay.

But seriously, this isn’t a time to play around. This week I’m expected to have broken the three stone barrier, with a week to spare, and this isn’t the time to have an incredibly huge lapse.
Once I get organised, I also plan on revisiting the gym, and perhaps working out four or five times a week on the weights.