SEWING

This afternoon I'm doing a little sewing. Not very interesting in itself, but let me explain.

Some time ago I wrote about a forthcoming plan to lose some weight. That was about three months ago and since then, well, I've done nothing about it.

Until Saturday, last weekend.

I had arranged a meeting this week for a possible new short term contract, and as I don't possess a suit I thought I would buy a good quality dress shirt for the occasion. So on Saturday I wandered up to a local clothing store and quickly found one in a medium size that I liked, and took this to the fitting rooms.

Inside the cubicle were an arrangement of mirrors that are carefully arranged so as to show you all angles of your body. I tried the shirt on and to my dismay found it was too tight. I then tried on the same style in large and this fitted.  It has been a very long time since medium did not fit me.  Just to make sure I tried the medium on again, but alas, it was definitely too tight. Disappointed, I exaggerated my tummy bulge by artificially pushing it out and off flew the top button of my trousers, pinging off the mirror.

That was it. I was on a mission.

I was seeing friends that evening and took the remaining biscuits and cakes from my kitchen and handed them over to my friends to consume. On the same day I went into overdrive with my food plan.

For this past week, every day, I have been eating porridge in the morning made with fat-free milk, then either a salad or my own homemade soup for lunch, and in the evening a plate of homemade roasted veg with brown rice. No snacks of any kind, and copious amounts of water.

As well as this new food plan I'm doing a number of stomach curls first thing in the morning and again last thing at night (I'm building up the number) and go for a one-hour bike ride up a nearby hill called Arthurs Seat, which has a very steep approach and pushes my heart rate up for good period of time. Tomorrow I'm off for a five-hour ride through the nearby Pentland Hills range.

Just before I sat down to write this blog I decided to weigh myself. I wasn't expecting any change at all, but to my surprise I've dropped just over one kilo, about 2lbs!!!  OK, so it's early days, but that was a nice surprise.  Prior to starting this I was aware that I was over my ideal weight by about 5kilos, but I wasn't gaining anymore over the past few months, so I was fairly confident I might lose it quickly. Update to follow.

Now to finish sewing that button back on!