Wednesday, December 8, 2010

"Mr Weston, that's remarkable!", said the Doctor.

I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. There has never been a time when I have left the Doctors feeling so healthy. All the way there I was thinking to myself 'I wonder if my cholesterol has come down? If it hasn't then I'm going to have to make even more changes cause I'm not going to take a tablet, I'll tell him what to do with his bloody tablet!'

My Doctor went on to say, "This is the reason I got into medicine in the first place, it's about prevention. Too many patients come in with their hand out expecting drugs to fix their problem and then they go back to their unhealthy way of life, this is rather refreshing Mr Weston." He had a smile on his face too.


My Cholesterol is now 4.4 - down from 6.4. Liver Function, Kidney Function, Blood Sugar are all normal and my Blood Pressure is perfect. What a huge relief! It's the best news I've had in a long time.
I'm going back to have it all tested again in 3 months. If all the levels stay the same, or, better still, improve, then I'll know I'm on the right track. In June I'm going to be 45. Apparently at 45 Australian males are considered half way through their lives and it's recommended that they have a Half Life Test, a Major Service so to speak. My Doctor says that if I continue on this path that he has no doubt that I'll live to be 90. Stuff that! I'm planning on living to be at least 100.


Current weight ~ 89kgs. A total loss of 10.4kgs.  Woo Hoo!


Wanna know a secret?  It's a bit strange........  now when I look at myself I see fat. Figure that one out! At my biggest (137kgs) I used to look in the mirror and my 'self talk' would say 'yeah, I'm a little over weight, I could lose a couple of kilos, I'm not as big as some guys.' The only person I was kidding was my self. I was a big, fat, unhealthy man in denial!


This is 10 Kgs of Butter (FAT) with a 20 cent coin,
in the last 2.5 years I have lost over 4 times this

89 Kgs
New Summer Wardrobe will
be part of my reward.



125 kgs
Hope this doesn't offend you
as much as it offends me!

Holding 10 kgs of FAT

Next week will be my last Blog for the year. I'm hoping to lose at least another 2 kgs before I go away for my Christmas Holiday. I will report my progress, the final amount we have managed to raise for the Cancer Council of WA and my Thank you to my support team.

Clint.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

10.2Kg DOWN ~ 1 WEEK TO GO !

If you'd asked me 4 weeks ago how I was feeling about my challenge you probably would've been able to tell by the look on my face. I was quite honestly thinking that there was no way I was going to achieve my goal, I was so down about the whole thing, feeling a little starved to tell the truth. I now know that I was being very negative. The power of the mind is an amazing thing, my dark 'self talk' was weighing me down. Extreme to say I realise but my negativeness was making me feel like life isn't worth living. How pathetic is that? Those people that are able to go on a weight loss / fitness regime and achieve their goal all by themselves are amazingly strong individuals indeed, I take my hat off to them. I am definitely not one of 'em... Without the help of my Trainers David & Craig I would still be blabbing on about losing weight this time next year. What they have helped me with goes far, far beyond just an exercise routine. The motivation, encouragement, diet advice & positive fun environment they create is another big part of what keeps me going. Don't think for a second that it's easy, it's not, it's bloody hard work, seriously hard work - BUT IT PAYS SERIOUSLY BIG REWARDS! Call me a sadist but I'm starting to love it. And to think that after I'd paid for my first month I was actually going to quit cause I thought it was boring and not for me. Thank goodness that It didn't take me long to realise that the guys were actually getting me to do exercises to develop the right technique, build strength, stability & correct form. Laying solid foundations, so to speak, for the more complex routines that I'm now doing & enjoying so much. It makes sense for them to take their time initially with a new client, they observe and document their flexibility, strengths, weeknesses, core stability, mind set and goals before they custom design a routine. They only have your health, safety and correct development in mind.

Guess what the look on my face today would tell you?    :)

I feel so good I'm jumping out of my skin. I'm down to 89.2kgs. I'm in the 80's and I haven't been here since I was in my twenties. Holy Crap I feel good. David told me to visualise 89 on the digital scale and I did. I could see it so clearly in my mind and now it's come true. There is that 'power of the mind' do'in it's thing again. Freak'in amazing stuff... Now I'm visualising 85 and I can see that clearly too.

One more week to go and that's the completion of this challenge. I've decided that I'm going to keep this blog active so I can report my ongoing progress. Writing this every week has actually helped. I read back a little today and it made me feel good to see where I came from ~ now I can see where I'm going just that little bit clearer... Love life and it'll love you back...

85kg here I come...

Clint.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

I Can Do Anything!

SEPTEMBER 2010

Wed   1    99.4kg   
Wed   8    98          1.4kg loss
Wed  15   96.9       1.1
Wed  22   95.3       1.6
Wed  29   95.3       Nil

OCTOBER 2010

Wed   6    95.2kg   100gm
Wed   13  94.4       800gm
Wed   20  95.4       1kg GAIN
Wed   27  94.6       800gm

NOVEMBER 2010

Wed   3    93.6kg   1kg
Wed   10  92.5       1.1
Wed   17  90.6       1.9

TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS TO DATE:  8.8kgs

1.2kgs and two more weigh-ins to go.

There were tears of happiness this week, the hard work is definitely paying off. I can fit into my new jeans and do them up, but not comfortably. I must be 89.4 by Wed Dec 1 2010 to achieve my goal and I am damm well gonna do it! HOWEVER, I have now set my sights on being 85kgs by Christmas. I had a bit of a fright this week in the realisation that this challenge is coming to an end and I thought 'shit, what's going to hold me accountable now.' My scare was that when I finish I may just relax a little and the weight will creep back on - NOT GONNA HAPPEN BABY.....!

I'm going to allow myself a reward at the end of this, bathe in the glory for a second, so to speak, and then reset my goals.

I haven't been this weight since I was in my 20's and I can definitely confirm that 'nothing tastes as good as what skinny feels.'

Clint.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY!

I can't believe it, I'm 92.5kgs. What a feeling! I'm so close now to being under 90kgs that I can almost taste it. Don't worry, you'll know when I get there cause you'll hear me hooting from where ever you are... A loss of 1.1kgs this week and a total thus far of 6.9kgs. That's an average of 690gms each week since the beginning of this Spring Challenge. 3 more weigh-ins to go and 3.1kgs to lose to achieve my goal so that means I now need to lose just over a kilo a week. TIME TO STEP UP I'D SAY !!

On another note, that also means that it's only 3 weeks to Summer - YAY, I love Summer!

This week I have felt a lot more relaxed with my program, the negative voices I mentioned last week have gone. Even though I still have the same daily pressures my mind set has changed. I'm being gentle with myself and feeling lighter and happier.

CANCER COUNCIL DONATION UPDATE - To date I have 35 Sponsors with donations totalling $750. As you know Cafe Mulberries is matching ALL funds raised so that means we have $1500 to hand over to the Cancer Council but I'm sure we can still do better. Thank you so much to all my loyal customers and beautiful friends for your support and kind words of encouragement. It is without doubt helping to keep me focused.

Clint.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

The Road Block Has Cleared!

This is hard! Really, really, bloody hard work! Lately I have been a little negative, bashing myself up, feeling hungry, feeling pressured and thinking to myself that "I'm not gonna achieve this"

THANK GOD FOR LIFESTYLE IMPROVERS! - the guys have patiently listened to all my issues and systematically defused each one. Giving me diet advice, supporting me with extra Body Shock Training, coaching me through the pain barriers and helping me realise again just how important this is to 'me' - keeping me focused and charged. I go to Training 3 times a week and for the last 2 weeks Craig has picked me up from work and driven me to Jacobs Ladder for Body Shock Training in his own time. IN HIS OWN TIME! WOW! If one of the guys don't pop into the Cafe (we're not far from them) to have a coffee and check on my progress then I usually get a daily call or sms with some words of encouragement. I have joined several gyms in my time but none have ever given me the support that Lifestyle Improvers  do. Their service is incomparable.

CURRENT WEIGHT - 93.6kgs. A loss of 800gms and a total weight loss of 5.8kgs. It's not easy but, as they say, if it was then everybody would be doing it. I feel really good.

4 more weigh-ins to go. 4 more kilos to lose. Wednesday December 1st will see the completion of this challenge but not the finish of my weight loss or fitness goal. I will get to my ideal weight, apparently around 82kgs, but I can never see my life now without Training. I am by no means turning into a gym junkie or fanatic and never will. All I know is how good Training makes me feel and how much more life I have because of it. I strongly urge everyone to make fitness their friend, so get off your arse and invest in yourself!

Many thanks to all my sponsors and to those who have donated and not wanted to leave me their details, your support is greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Clint.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Shock Horror!

It's taken me a few extra days to write this cause I've done the unthinkable - - - PUT ON WEIGHT, and I was hoping that if I left it a few days I may be able to cover it up a little by loosing it again and writing about it later. But, as promised at the start, I am keeping it real so here I am to 'fess up.' I weighed in as usual last Wednesday and to my dismay I had put on a kilo. Current weight 95.4kgs - (sigh) Now I feel like I'm 2 weeks behind and the pressure is on.

How did this happen? I went away for a few days down south to catch up with family and I ate and drank too much. At the risk of sounding like a real lush I probably drank more than I ate and now I'm paying the price. We went out for a family dinner and I had Lemon Meringue Pie. You know the ones that sit tall and look awesome in those cafe display cabinets, they always look better than they taste, always, and I know this. I actually know this and I still had it. I also went out to Breakfast twice and, although I didn't have any carbs, it was still more than I'd usually eat. Add to this that I missed out on one days Training and was basically inactive most of the time I was there and it's pretty easy to work out where I stuffed it all up.

As I write this I'm still 1kg up and it's two days till my next weigh-in.

David & Craig have been so supportive helping me bring it all into perspective and getting my balance back. This week I'm getting an additional Training session in with Craig (here comes that "Body Shock") We're off to do Jacobs Ladder tomorrow and I'm really looking forward to it. Craig runs up and down it several times every week and I haven't even walked up it once yet so this is going to be interesting (for the want of another word....)

I haven't been sleeping that well the last few days, I keep waking in the middle of the night and find it near impossible to get back to sleep. By the time I do it seems like the alarm goes off. Weight management is not all about nutrition and Training, apparently sleep, down time and rest are all vitally important. David is teaching me the importance of all of this but I still have so much to learn. Lifestyle Improvers are the full package, I honestly can't thank them enough.

So with that in mind I'm off to bed.

Clint

Thursday, October 14, 2010

6 Weeks Through ~ 5 Kilos Lost ~ 7 Weeks To Go!

800gms - not as much as I was hoping for but when you weigh out that much butter for a recipe, and I do regularly, it's a whole lot of fat and I'm bloody glad that I'm not carrying it around. Current weight 94.4kgs.

Some people I know have told me that they have tried to post a comment on my Blog and, for some reason, they haven't been able to. I'm sorry but I have no idea why it's not working. If you have also tried with no luck then I apologise. I am waiting on an answer back from eBlogger, apparently many Blog users are experiencing this problem.

I'm half way to my current goal and my focus is stronger than ever. In the past I'd always been able to 'eat for eating sake' , my stomach had no memory. I'm embarrassed to admit that I've actually never known the true feeling of hunger, if something was yummy and available I'd pop it into my mouth and gobble it down without a second thought no matter what the time of day. I must have thought it but food was not my friend. What kind of food you ask? Well, being a Chef, some would probably say I'm a bit 'up myself' when it comes to food and perhaps their right. I guess it comes from being around quality ingredients most of my life.You would never find me in a Fast Food Chain, any of them ~ HJ's, Maccas, KFC - I'd look down my nose in disgust at the suggestion of giving any of it gut room. I never have soft drink either, just the thought of sweet fizzy drinks makes my teeth hurt. Life is just too short to eat shit! However, having said that, really good quality Fish & Chips, that's another story. I got fat eating too much good food, really good food - just far too much of it. Caralamised Pork Belly, Garlic Barbecued Seafood, Roasts, Creamy Potato Bake, Chocolate and Homemade Cheesecake...Mmmmmm..! I even made those around me fat, my partner, my friends, family and my dogs. I'd entertain several times a week and cook so much food that my guests would have take home packs. I also couldn't bare to throw anything away, I will not tolerate waste so everything had to be eaten. When you cook for up to 200 people a day it's hard to come home and cook for two. Eat, Eat, Eat - it's the way I loved everyone. Gosh! It must have cost me a fortune to make my health suffer so much.

Now that I'm seeing results again I'm on a roll and back in the 'weight loss zone' , don't even try to tempt me!


Clint.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Sponsors So Far

To date I have a total of 25 Sponsors with pledges ranging from $1 a kilo to $50 straight donations when I achieve my goal. Dollar amount is $510. Cafe Mulberries is matching all funds raised so thus far we have $1020. I think we can do better than that, I was hoping to have at least $2500 to hand over to the Cancer Council. I'll have to organise a Morning Tea at the Cafe for all my supporters during the first week in December and invite a representative from the Cancer Council to tell us a bit about how our hard earned dollars will be used. If anyone would like to donate then you know what to do.

The Plateau - My weight loss this week was 100gm, a little disappointing as I was a very good boy due to my lousy result last week. Total weight loss so far is 4.2kgs, current weight 95.2kgs. Now, if you have read the rest of the blog, you will know that I'm no stranger to weight loss, so I'm not going to be discouraged by 2 lousy weeks, as this pattern has happened many times on my weight loss journey. My positiveness is not artificial, and I certainly don't want to put a 'hex' on myself, but, if I'm true to form, then I'm predicting a substantial weight loss next week. Stay tuned - will I be smiling or very red faced?

My Training routine has just changed again and I will be telling you more about it soon. David & Craig are mixing it up to keep it interesting, challenging and fun. They were telling me that if my plateau lasts any longer that they'll design a "Body Shock Training Session" that will cause a huge metabolic internal fire (wot tha?) and that together with a 'Clean & Green' nutritional intake to 'fuel the fire' will have me zinging along in no time. Body Shock Training Session - I have no idea what's involved but it sounds pretty scary, ah what the heck? I'm gonna do it anyway. I will keep you informed.

I have just created a truly yummy dry fried Mushroom, Cherry Tomato, English Spinach & Fresh Herb Egg White Omelet that, when teamed together with a simple salad or steamed Green Beans makes a delicious light meal packed with protein and pure goodness. It's now on the menu at the Cafe if you'd like me to cook it for you or I'm happy to share the recipe with anyone who's interested, all you have to do is ask.

Clint.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

The Confession.

No fat loss this week, thankfully no gain either, and it's my own fault! I'm so weak, I gave in to temptation and now I'm feeling a little annoyed at myself. I could blame the public holiday on Monday - it's strange cause when I'm around food all day at work I don't think about it, but on Monday all I wanted to do was eat and catch up on some sleep, however, the only one to blame is myself.

I'm not going to beat myself up too much though because at least now I know exactly what I can eat to maintain my weight and as Craig (Master Trainer & part of my support crew) said this morning - 4 kilos in 4 weeks is still very good going.


Me with 3 of my sisters. I was 137 kilos. Why did I let this happen?
I shudder when I think of where my 'Head Space' must have been at this time.


Another one, I had just climbed the steps (175 I think) to the entrance of the Batu Caves in KL Malaysia. I can remember feeling totally stuffed. I'm going back one day just so I can run up them. My sister says my man boobs look bigger than hers. Why didn't I see this when I looked in the mirror?


97 kilos

I'm currently 95.3 kgs and, believe me, now when I look in the mirror I can see fat. My closest friends tell me that I've lost enough, that I look great, don't loose anymore. My goal was always to be under the 100kgs and now I want to be under 90kgs. I WILL DO IT THIS TIME!

Clint.

PS I just remembered how amazing it felt to fly when I'd lost the 40kgs. I felt like I was in first class, it was so comfortable. There was even about 30cm left on the belt, I could even cross my legs. I remember laughing when I found out that the meal tray could actually be pulled forward towards me - that never happened before as it was always wedged up against my stomach. When I see fat people flying now I can't help but think of how uncomfortable they must be.......

Thursday, September 23, 2010

What a Week!

Current Weight 95.3kgs, that's a loss of 1.6kgs, the most in one week so far and a total loss of 4.1kgs in 3 weeks. I must admit that I'm a little surprised and very happy. This accountability factor is keeping me in line. I wore shorts to work today that haven't fit comfortably for ages, it's such a good feeling. At the end of this I may have to buy a complete new Summer wardrobe - dam what a bummer! I can actually notice a real difference in myself, my tummy has shrunk and my face isn't so puffy, but to date no one else has noticed and that's what I'm waiting for. Lot's of customers enquire on my progress which sometimes makes me laugh cause if there's one thing that keeps me on the straight and narrow is someone asking me about it. Any thoughts of deviating from the plan go away immediately.

The Diet

Breakfast ~ 1 cup of natural muesli with 250mls of rice milk, 6 fish oil capsules and 1 multi vitamin.
I use rice milk as I'm also on a cholesterol lowering diet.

Snack ~ A piece of fruit

Lunch ~ 3 cups of salad vegies with 120gms of canned Salmon (or 120gms of very lean chicken breast) with a dressing of balsamic vinegar, squeeze of lemon, fresh herbs and a grind of fresh pepper. Totally yummy.

Snack ~ A piece of fruit and a few raw unsalted nuts.

Dinner ~ 120gms lean protien (beef, chicken, fish or scallops) with leafy greens, small amount of roasted sweet potato (not every night) steamed green beans, bbq corn on the cob, mushrooms that have been marinaded in a little lemon juice and garlic.

Sometimes I'll have a little crumbled feta cheese and a few olives tossed through my salad but until my cholosterol is back in order I'm going to avoid all other diary.

Being a chef I like to be creative so I do mix things up to keep it interesting, but this is my basic daily diet and, although, it may sound boring to read, I'm really enjoying the natural flavours of fresh, live, natural, healthy foods that leave you feeling satisfied and not weighed down like you've just eaten a brick. By the way, I still enjoy a glass or 2 of wine twice a week.

This diet, along with my training is working wonders for me. Obviously my energy in - energy out ratio is a well rounded formulae and will be adjusted when I've reached my goal. I don't reccommend anyone following this diet without the advice from a health care proffessional. We're all different.

Any questions, just ask. I'd love that.

Cheers,

Clint.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

I'm No Stranger To Weight Loss

2 Weeks Down ~ Ten Weeks to Go!


A loss of 1.1 kg - current weight 96.9 kg.

I'm stoked with that. If I keep going like this I may even loose more than the ten kilos I hope to do before my challenge ends. It is possible to loose weight faster I know but I'm going by the old rule of 'the slower you loose it, the least likely you are to put it back on'.

I must have been a mouse in an earlier life as I'm really missing my cheese. I could eat cheese three times a day, and all kinds of cheese at that, I'm yet to find one that I don't like. (by the way, I'm not talking about those artificially coloured rubbery yellow poor excuses for cheese either - it's just the good stuff for me.) So my plan is the same one as I've adopted for chocolate - have a small piece or 2 of the best quality I can find once a week and enjoy it really slowly. I have to purchase small amounts and not have any left in the house at night in case I weaken. I have totally de-crapped my kitchen cupboards of all things fattening because night time is when I usually like something sweet or naughty. I never think about sweet foods during the day which is good I suppose but when my days work is done and I sit down to relax and watch telly in the evening those nasty little voices in my head start wrestling with my conscience. I am trying now to change my evening routine, altering the chain of events that leed me to the same battle most nights. Now, instead of sitting down in front of the tv, I take my 2 small dogs for a walk (easier now the weather is warming up), read a book, drink lots of water or do some work on the computer, keeping my mind occupied I guess, and it's helping. Anyway, I'm only cheating myself if I loose control and that makes me feel really lousy the next day.

My Training at Lifestyle Improvers has been my saviour. Big statement I know but it's true! I almost border on the obsessive when I'm telling people about how much more I'm getting out of life since joining that I'm aware that I could be annoying them with my raving on. Folks ask me if I'm on the payroll but I'll happily chat to anyone who's interested for free with the hope that I could inspire them to do the same. I can't praise David & Craig enough for their professional guidance. Knowing myself as well as I do I'm totally amazed that it's almost 12 months now and I still look forward to each of my 3 sessions a week with genuine enthusiasm.  I definitely know that if I walk in feeling crap, I'll walk out feeling on top of the world.

I'm no stranger to weight loss (I used to be 137 kg - I'll post a few photo's soon) I've been over weight all of my life. My initial goal was to get under the 100kg and I did that 12 months ago. My weight loss journey has been just over two years now. Lifestyle Improvers has helped me maintain and get stronger - so much stronger. Now it's time to loose the next 10 to 20 kgs and for the first time in my life feel free.

I'm off for a walk with my dogs to the park while the sun is still shining.

Till next time.

Clint.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Will Power or Won't Power?

This weekend was a real stretch for the willpower, my mind kept telling me I was hungry even after I'd eaten all the yummy and nutritious foods that I'm allowed. Thinking about it now, they should actually call it won't-power. Instead of telling myself 'I will' have this and 'I will' have that I was telling myself 'I won't' have anything at all, and that takes power. So there you go, It's Won't Power from now on! Having these cravings must have something to do with the weekend being my usual relax/friends/social time. I watched a movie on Sunday afternoon and for the first time since I can remember I never had any chippies or chocolate or ice cream and I must admit that it did feel like my throat had been cut. Whoever has heard of watching a movie with no treats at all, next time I'll have to make myself a fruit platter?  With David's help I'm starting to train myself to change my habits and to practice more positive self talk. On a side note I once heard that a certain supermodel said that nothing tastes as good as what skinny feels, and, not wanting to offend anyone, even though I'm a long way from knowing what skinny feels like I still kind of agree with where she's coming from.

The best feeling while waking up this morning was quickly thinking about what I'd eaten yesterday and realising I'd been so good. It's such a relief knowing that I don't have to start over again. (I have been on that self destructive merry-go-round before, it's exhausting.) I gave myself a pat on the back and somehow it gave me the strength to maintain my focus all through the day, which was great as the Cafe was pretty slow and I'm a full on sufferer of 'boredom eating' - made even harder by being surrounded by lots of yummy food. I don't want to lose sight of the big picture - fitting into some recently acquired Calvin Klein Jeans that I deliberately purchased 2 sizes too small.

One more day till my next Weigh In and I already feel like I have lost weight. My tummy isn't feeling as bloated either.

I'll be back on Wednesday to report my weekly result and let you know about my diet and training.

I'm pooped so it's off to bed for me.

Clint.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

The Committment

The Spring Challenge ~12 weeks & 10 kgs of Body Fat Gone, totally realistic goal - sounds easy enough! Well It's now or never as I'm really unhappy with the shape of the person who stares back at me when I look in the mirror and those negative little voices going on inside my head! Not to mention my Doctor telling me that if I'm unable to control my cholesterol with my diet in the next 3 months I'll have to take a daily tablet, my blood pressure isn't ideal, the extra stress it's putting on my heart and limbs and, just for good measure, diabetes runs in my family.  I'm sure that anyone carrying too much weight will have heard it all before. 

Why make it so public? (It wasn't even my idea,  details on that another time.) The more people to know about this and to share my experiences the better. I've never been one to step aside from a challenge or to back away from hard work but sometimes my motivation subsides and I fall back into old habits. This will hold me accountable, I mean, how silly will I look at the end of this if I'm still the same 99.4kg. I will die from the embarrassment.
 
Although at the end of this I'm going to feel pretty bloody good at the risk of sounding cliché the Cancer Council of WA will be the real winner. I am asking people to sponsor me with a donation or by the kilo with all funds raised being matched by Cafe Mulberries going to much needed cancer research.

I promise to 'keep it real' throughout this journey and to share all the highs and lows. I welcome all comments, questions, ideas, experiences, recipes & tips.

1st Weigh In - Wed 01/09/2010 - 99.4kgs
2nd Weigh In - Wed 08/09/2010 - 98kgs A LOSS OF 1.4kgs

Woo Hoo! How good does that feel! I was even a bit naughty this week by having a couple of glasses of wine on Sunday afternoon. 1.4kgs may not sound like a lot to some but if I can average that each week I'll be a very happy chappy.

All weigh ins and measurements verified by Lifestyle Improvers.

Later I will share my Diet and Exercise Regime.

Bye for now,

Clint.