JockoT's Journal, 02 Dec 16

Oh Jocko. Don't be downhearted - it will just make you eat more. I can only give you tips that help me. Firstly, don't think about losing large amounts at a time. I've been losing less than 1/2 lb a week but I've still lost 20 lbs this year. My next tip is a trick I use on my mind. Every time I look at things like cakes, biscuits, bread and pastries, I imagine eating them and getting instantly fatter. I imagine all the overweight people eating them too and them getting fatter. It puts me right off. If I do succumb, despite this, I only eat a very small amount because I can still picture in my head me getting bigger and bigger. Hope this helps. Don't panic and just take it steady. 

You knew it was coming and you've resolved to put a stop to it. Is Mrs T properly onside with you and won't be buying you any of the wonderful doughnuts and cakes she seems to enjoy so much? I hope so as this lack of progress really seems to be knocking you for six. Take a step back and think, though. Not only did you have an emergency op, you also had a messy time with your scar reopening and being infected. That will have ground you down not to mention the inevitable water retention while you were healing showing on the scales which made you appear heavier than your fitness and vastly reduced fat would have had you. Even though intellectually you knew it was healing water weight, the number was there and reminded you of when you were genuinely that weight. All these things will have worked towards removing you from the mindset we all need to make the effort to lose weight. What I'm trying to say is don't look back and berate yourself - look back and see it for what it was and that nothing can change it but you can change the now and the future. Here's to a better month for you, Jocko. Take care Px 

Mrs T is onside but not 100% so. Yesterday she said, "Do you want to finish these McVities Nibbles and that's them done". So I did. She could have eaten them herself (I bought them as a treat for her), or put them in the bin.  

Jocko - learn to say "no" or put them in the bin yourself! You will feel better for it, I promise. 

Jocko, you've not been well and you've had tremendous family stress as well. Nobody likes to go backwards but things have been stacked against you recently. You've come much further than you still have to go. You can obviously do this. I agree with Phooka. See if there are lessons to be learned that you can use for the future and then be sanguine about it. 

It's not easy but don't give up 🤗 

I know you can do this. I like Doobrie's idea of looking at those nasty, fattening foods and imagining what they will do to you. They are rubbish, literally, and belong in the bin. Best not to buy them. It is hard living with a partner who can eat them without bad effects, though. 

I also agree with Doobrie. I keep telling the other members of my family off! My husband will not eat cakes and biscuits in front of me at the moment, he goes into the kitchen lol. He has promised me after Christmas he will start eating healthy too! His weight is starting to creep up towards 14 stone now. This is such a hard time of year as there is so much temptation, but we are all on your side Jocko. So please don't be disheartened you can do this! 

Temporary. Your body likes to be around the 200 mark right now. This weight will fall off with minimal effort. 

Opps Jocko I thought I already sent you a message but must have pressed my phone wrong somewhere. Your weight loss story has inspired me more than any Weight Loss club could have done. Think back to earlier this year when 15 stone was a great achievement. Well it still is. I had a major set back a few weeks ago and you supported me. It's going to be more challenging now because you have come so far. I used to tell my students just before their exams, you are nearing the top of your Mountain, so it's going to be tougher, but you are so much nearer the top than the bottom. Stand back a moment Jocko, just see how far you have gone up your own mountain🎇 

Such great advice and support for you Jocko, and although I am the 'newbie' here, I do empathise with how you're feeling right now, and just reiterate the buddies comments above....you know in your heart you CAN do this, just ask yourself to keep on plan for 1 day only...break down the hours if need be, then see how you feel when you wake the next morning....that really is how I work, sounds crazy but it's how I get through the food minefield, lol !! 

Thanks to you all for your support. With your help I can do this. I don't want to let you all down. Thank you. 

Jocko, my weight has gone way up, too, from stress. I know we can both get rid of it again .... we just have to focus on it everytime we eat and think about how good it feels to lose the weight. It's a journey and it's never over.  

You’ve taken a number of knocks recently, none of that helps, but after the rain comes the sunshine. As the song lyrically puts it, “Just pick yourself up dust yourself off and start all over again.”