Living the healthy life

I recently realised that I haven’t blogged about my healthy lifestyle journey post my 12WBT program. As you know the program ended in November last year and I didn’t go ahead with the next round. During my 12 week program, I lost about 6 kgs. So what’s happened since?

Well, I’m pleased to say that I haven’t gained weight despite being off the program. I have managed to continue my healthy eating and working out at the gym. Yes, even during Christmas. To the point where I have lost more weight than I intended. In case you are following the ticker on my sidebar, my goal had been to get down to 48 kgs (given my 153 cm frame). Last week when I weighed myself, I was down to 47 kgs. I’m not entirely pleased about it as I have lost inches too. Which means some trousers I bought in November during my shopping spree, no longer fit nicely. Some other tops are too loose. And don’t even get me started on my boobs. Or lack of.

I’m not starving myself at all. I eat all my meals. And enjoy my food. But if I overeat, my stomach can’t handle it and I feel sick. Someone at work recommended cutting down my gym days from 6 to 3. But I want to go to the gym. Because it helps with my mental health. Personally, if I didn’t go to the gym 6 days a week, I reckon I’d end up being clinically anxious or depressed. The gym keeps me functional. And in any case, I’m not doing as much of cardio as I was. I’m focussing more on lifting weights to tone my muscles. Which is coming along nicely. And my fitness levels have definitely improved as I can run 3 kilometres on the treadmill without running out of breath. To cut a long story short, I’m loving the gym!!!

Colleagues and friends keep commenting on how much weight I’ve lost and keep telling me to stop. I tell them I’m not intending to lose any more. Parents of my clients have also commented on it. I do feel good but I’m not doing this for anyone but myself. In the end though, this is all towards being healthy. So that I don’t have to undergo a bypass surgery in my 40s. This is something I have to keep telling the people who tell me I don’t need to exercise any more as I’ve lost weight. That there is a risk of heart disease in my family as well as diabetes.

Sure it helps that I feel great about myself. But that hasn’t helped the wallet with some of the clothes shopping I’ve been indulging in. I bought a dress on the weekend from Myer of all places because it looked bloody amazing! And I felt sexy. It falls under a little-black-dress category. Anyway, I will put up a photo when I eventually wear it to go some place.

When some colleagues talk about diets such as no carbs or other weird stuff, I tell them I eat everything. Just in limited quantities. I am a bit more vigilant about what I put into my mouth. So for instance, I’ve probably only had hot chips twice in the last 4 months. But it’s a choice. I have been having low-fat cheese instead of heaping on the mozarella like I used to. I still have my two-three glasses of red wine per week. And I might have over-indulged a couple of weeks ago at a friend’s 30th with 4 beers and 2 shots. But in the end, it’s all about moderation.

I am glad I did the 12WBT program. Because it gave me what I needed — a lifestyle change. I’ll leave you all with photos of some of my meals post the program from some healthy recipe books I own.

Meals a la moi

Clockwise from top: Beef burrito | Mango crumble | Tandoori chicken with carrot salad | Chicken noodle soup | Peppered kangaroo steak with leek mash | Weetbix & passionfruit crumble

So yes, I still am living the healthy life. And loving how I feel about myself.

Until next time,

Cheers!!!