Weeks 19. 20 & 21

I'm really needing to think things out. Weght loss is prtty slow because I'm having a few days off. I think my body needs food now !
I'm going to reintroduce food this week. I'll have CD for breakfast and lunch then have fish or chicken with salad/vegetables for dinner. It's a bit removed from the 790 plan, I know. I talked it over with my CDC. I prefer the discipline of 3 meals a day so having 3 CD replacements and a small meal wouldn't suit me. I also found the add a meal week difficult in the past because of the tiny amount of vegetables - I love them! Anyway - I'll try this and see how it goes. If I can establish a 2-3lb loss each week with this then I'll be happy!
I still feel great. Had my hair cut shorter and everyone comments on how good I look. I'm so much more energetic.
Hormones are all over the place (must be my age!) AND I NEED TO FIND A NEW JOB !!!!!

Starting Weight 18st 7lbs
Current Weight 14st 5 lbs
Total LOSS 4st 2lbs

Target - to be under 14st by school holidays (end of June)

Weeks 16, 17 &18 - slow

I've had a difficult 3 weeks back at school. I'm looking for a new job - really to cut down on my travelling (52 miles each way which takes about 75mins - 90 mins) but also because I'm really unhappy in my current post. I'm unhappy for a lot of reasons - feeling undervalued, marginalised and really unsupported by my manager. I'm really good at my job and tis is the first time I've felt like this. The reasons are complicated but really not my fault. I can stick up for myself but sometimes you get so tired of being in conflict all the time and I feel like that just now. I've tried to discuss it but I know my manager just finds me challenging and doesn't seem to like me anyway. She actively avoids any contact with me - when I go to talk to her she rolls her eyes and watches the clock. She even tells me about jobs she's seen for me - how demoralising is that? She knows that I can do my job - I'm producing the school timetable - se just doesn't like me, I guess.
Moving sideways to another depute post in a secondary school is proving more difficult than I anticipated.I've now had 6 interviews. I generally interview really well (although I have mucked up a couple!) but problem is that you have no way of knowing the internal politics etc. I guess it's fair enough if someone has been doing the job for months and doing well that they get the post - I just wish they didn't have to advertise it and put everyone through the charade of interviews!

Anyway - I've see sawed a bit on CD these last 3 weeks. I've had a few days off. Some of these to eat out with friends - you really need them when you're down - and some just because I was hungry. Slowed down the weight loss but didn't put on !!!!I'm not bingeing though - a few days ago I made a huge plate of vegetables and smothered it in vinegar (love it). Going to make a huge effort this next 2 weeks !

So... in last 3 weeks I have lost 5lbs.

Starting Weight 18st 7 lbs
Current Weight 14st 9lbs
Total loss 3st 12lbs

Weeks 14 & 15 - new term at school

Well - back to school after the Easter holidays. Daunting for me - I have SOOOOO much to pack into this term. Will be a HECTIC 10 weeks until the end of June.

I am still looking for a new job. I am travelling a round trip of 102 miles and it takes me 75 mins at least to get to work. I also need a new challenge - for lots of reasons. However, I don't want to go for promotion yet so I'm sticking with Depute jobs. I've had 4 interviews since September. I made a mess of 2 interviews, was close 2nd in one and really disappointed in the other. Well ...... I have 5 applications pending and sod's law - 3 interviews in 23 hours (Monday 10.45am & 2.30pm then Tuesday 9.45am). Will be exhausted. Not sure if any of them are genuine as so many jobs are already spoken for (ie brilliant internal candidate andthat's fair enough!. Going to read the newspapers then crack into the preparations!!!!!!!!

Cambridge Diet going well - it's a way of life for me now. I'm still doing SS but have 'time-out' when my life demands. For example, during the holidays I had several meals out. In the past 8 days I've had quite a busy social calendar .. Saturday 14th I had lunch out with my niece (haven't seen her for 9 months); friends round in the evening for wine and nibbles; Wednesday was 1st day back at school and we had buffet lunch and on Friday I was out for dinner with friends in Stirling! That's unusual BUT life's like that isn't it? I decided, at the beginning of this 'adventure' that I wouldn't get into a situation where I refused invitations or felt that I was denying myself. That's worked for me - I don't feel deprived so I don't ever resent the diet.

I'm finding that my tastes are changing though. On Wednesday our catering lady had prepared lovely sandwiches for me and my visitor at school. She does this often. This time I found the butter a bit overpowering so I'll ask her to do some 'special' ones next time! I also don't have the same sweet tooth and really don't crave sweets and chocolate any more. God - I used to eat a whole box of chocs in one go !!!!

My 17 year old daughter started CD last week. I was really worried that I'd set her the wrong example but she wants to lose quickly and I eventually gave in. She's not finding it quite so easy though. I need to stock up next week so I've decided that we'll both move to 790 and have an evening meal. Pity because my current way of doing CD suits me fine. However, I need to make sure that she is sensible!

I've now lost 3 st 7 lbs..... AMAZING!!! I have lost 7ins from my bust, 9ins from my waist and 7 ins from my hips and gone from a size 24 to an 18. How has this changed my life? ..............

I no longer feel huge - I feel 'normal'. When I look at myself in the mirror I don't look bloated. My shoulders look in proportion to the rest of my body and my face doesn't look 'blown up'.

When I sit in a chair I don't hang over the sides. If a chair has arms I can move about instead of being wedged in.

I am more mobile. I can run up stairs, dance at my class etc. I don't avoid moving around. I have more energy.

I can shop in any shop I want - and clothes are much cheaper! Don't have a lot to wear though as I am losing so quickly that I grudge spending the money!

I don't have the stress incontinence that i assumed was down to having had kids!

I am looking forward to getting a pair of jeans when I reach size 14!!!!!


STARTING WEIGHT 18ST 7LBS
CURRENT WEIGHT 15ST 0LBS
TOTAL LOSS 3ST 7LBS

Weeks 12 & 13

Well I've had a mixed up 2 weeks. Last week of school was pretty stressful and I was really down about a lot of things that are happening and I'm pretty powerless to change! A couple of times I've been quite emotional about it all - which isn't usually like me - probably exhaustion.

This week I've been on school holiday - a great chance to recharge my batteries and get things into perspective. I've had a couple of days out with friends (lunch, shopping etc)and it's been lovely to just chill. Result is, of course, a little weight gain! At the beginning of this week I was 15st 4lb ... but this morning I'm 15st 6lb!!! I'm genuinely not bothered about that - the need to be with friends and have fun was much greater than my drive to lose weight this week - and I am 100% certain that I'll be back on track next week. I'll aim to be under 15st for going back to school on18th April. I'm having dinner with my daughter today - butternut squash soup,chicken & vegetables, cheesecake. Tomorrow is another day!

Some lovely things have happened to boost my cnfidence. I've seen a lot of people that hadn't seen me for weeks - and they are just WOW YOU LOOK FANTASTIC!
My sisters and I went shopping yesterday. They are both about size 16-18 and always aware of their weight and on one diet or another. I've always been at least 2 sizes more than them. Yesterday however they (and I) realised that there isn't much difference now. They are delighted for me - but also realising that they'll need to stick in ............... remember Caroline said to me at the beginning of this diet "Oh I'll need to stick to mine because I don't want to be the fat one". Lorraine gets married in September so we're all focussed on that date!

I had a lovely day shopping with my sisters. I needed some clothes as I have few outfts that look ok now. However, I am so confident about this diet that I was continually saying "No i'm not spending that amount for something that will be too big in a couple of weeks." I was wearing size 20 trousers but they felt a bit slack so I bought 2 pairs of linen trousers size 18 and a couple of t shirts size 16-18.

Well ..... right now I'm sitting quite comfortably in the size 18 trousers and T shirt from Debenhams. I didn't even need to struggle to pull up the zip !!!!!!!!!!(The trousers from Primark are a bit tight but should be ok in a week or 2). I can't wait until the Summer - when I reach size 14 I'll get a pair of jeans!

THAT IS UNBELIEVABLE .......... AT CHRISTMAS I WAS SIZE 24-26. AT EASTER I AM SIZE 18. WISH I'D DONE THIS YEARS AGO!!!

STARTING WEIGHT 18ST 7LBS
CURRENT WEIGHT 15ST 6LBS
LOSS 3ST 1LB

Weeks 10 & 11

Posting this on Saturday night because I have a hectic weekend. I teach Irish dancing and we have our Scottish Championships in Motherwell this weekend.

Week 10 was fine - I kept to CD but didn't seem to lose much weight. I seem to be falling into a pattern of loss every 2 weeks so I think I'll post every 2nd week so I don't get disheartened ! Last weekend I had a Chinese Takeaway with my daughter. For the first time EVER I just couldn't finish it and only ate about half - my stomach must be shrinking!!

Today i was at the Championships. I haven't been to a competition since the end of January so everyone really noticed my weight loss. That was really encouraging because hardly anyone at work has noticed.

I'm finding that the clothes I bought a few weeks ago are now getting too slack. I've got an interview on 23rd April so I'll buy another suit for that ! It's really nice to be able to buy clothes in Tesco, Matalan etc -- they're so much cheaper. I still feel really great but would like to start reintroducing food quite soon. I've been making porridge with the shakes (well more like semolina. Didn't add a meal this time because I have been having a meal out or takeaway roughly every two weeks - it keeps me sane if i can have a little 'time out'. I put on 3-4lbs that day but it's off in another couple of days. i still weigh myself every morning - it keeps me on track!!!

Weighed myself this morning and I'm just 1 lb away from having lost 3 stones. Chuffed to bits. AND one of my dancers won the Under 8 years All Scotland Championship today - what a thrill. Well done Zoe !

Starting weight 18st 7 lbs
Current Weight 15st 8 lbs
Total Loss 2st 13lbs

Week 8 & 9

Didn't blog last week !
Week 8 was a mixed up week. On Monday I came home to a letter telling me that i hadn't made it to the final round of interviews for the new job I'd applied for. I was gutted. I have loads of experience and really felt that I'd interviewed well in the long leet. I love my job as deputy headteacher but I'm travelling 103miles round trip and need to move to somewhere closer. Problem is - I don't feel quite ready to do the Headteacher move but I'm probably more experienced than most applicants. I've had 4 interviews since October so I'm getting a bit disheartened. Not getting onto short leet was a bit of a blow to the confidence! Anyway, read the letter and then ate a load of rubbish throughout the evening to console myself. Good thing is - I gave myself a shake and went right back on to CD on Tuesday. Managed to lose 3lbs by the Saturday morning......... However I'd promised myself a weekend off as I was going to a Salsa Night with friends. Didn't go overboard - I had wine, some nibbles, a sandwich and bacon sannies for breakfast at my friend's house. When I got back home at mid-day Sunday I went right back onto CD. However, I'd put the 3lb back on when I weighed myself on Monday.Not worried - I enjoyed myself and i don't want to stop living while I lose weight.
Week 9 - Kept to it all week this week - except for a biscuit at a meeting on Thursday. Recovered from the job knock ... these things always work out in the end!! Work is really stressful just now and I'm shattered (but I DO love it).

Generally doing fine on SS with the occasional meal / night out. I have a bar for lunch, soup for dinner and usually a hot shake at night. I also make jelly with the water flavouring and have a bowl in the evening. This diet works so well. I can't believe that I am consistently losing weight. People are noticing the difference now. My clothes don't fit me. I bought a suit out of Tesco for work and one pair of black trousers. I'm reluctant to buy a lot of clothes because it's almost Spring AND I'm losing weight so quickly. I've gone from size 24 (Evans) or size 26 elsewhere to size 20 in most shops. It's great to wander round Matalan etc and know that they have my size!!!!! I'll buy a load of stuff for Spring / Summer !!!!!!!!!!

Best news - when I stepped on the scales this morning I'd lost 7 lbs in 2 weeks (despite my blip!). I'm now out of the 16s and NEVER going back.

STARTING WEIGHT 18ST 7LBS
CURRENT WEIGHT 15ST 13LBS
TOTAL LOSS 2ST 8LBS .......... in 9 weeks !!!!!!!!!!!

Week 7

Didn't have as focussed a week this week - so only lost 1lb. Glad in a way because it lets me see that cheating won't produce the same results.
It was a mixed up week. I had an interview on Wednesday - with a social buffet lunch. That was ok - Friday was the killer though. A colleague brought cakes into school to celebrate her birthday. I think the sugar rush affected my willpower - I then had Domino pizza and garlic bread with my kids for tea AND that was really unneccessary !!!!!!!!!! If I'm being honest - I've picked away throughout the week. When I go into the fridge I'll have a slice of chicken, some prawns or dip my finger in the tuna mayonnaise.
Time to STOP and focus ............

I've decided to do SS for another 4 weeks and then swap to 790.
Well .........here's to a good week.

STARTING WEIGHT 18ST 7LBS
CURRENT WEIGHT 16ST 6LBS
TOTAL LOSS 2ST 1LB

Week 6

Can't believe I've now been on the Cambridge Diet for 6 weeks .... and I'm still motivated!!!

This week I had mid-term holiday (Monday and Tuesday. By Tuesday my infected knee had healed and I was more mobile again. All in all, had a lazy, relaxing 2 days and recharged the batteries.

Back on SS with the diet (ie no food - just shakes, soup and bars). Did stray a couple of times - once planned and once unplanned. On Wednesday it was In-service day at school and a buffet lunch was provided Had a couple of sandwiches, soup and some fruit instead of my usual Cambridge bar. On Friday I forgot to take my lunch. I was at a meeting and succumbed to having a couple of biscuits AND a muffin! Potential for a binge there - but I pulled back and had my soup and bar when I came home.

I have an interview on Wednesday this week - which includes having lunch with the panel. Other than that - it's SS all the way!

Bought a suit out of Tesco yesterday - clothes are so much cheaper than in Evans etc! It was size 20 - 6 weeks ago I'd have struggled to get into 24 in supermarket clothes (which are a bit smaller than Evans!). Anyway, it's a bit neat so I'll need to rethink the interview outfit as I don't want my trousers bursting when I sit down. Think I'll hang onto it for a couple of weeks though.

Loss this week - 5lbs.......... HIT THE 2 STONE LOSS IN 6 WEEKS!!!!!!!!

STARTING WEIGHT 18ST 7LBS
CURRENT WEIGHT 16ST 7LBS
TOTAL LOSS 2 STONE

Week 5

A mixed up week this week......
I have a nasty infection in my knee. A few weeks ago I tripped on the front doorstep and cut my knee. It seemed to be healing fine but swelled and became really inflamed last weekend. I went to the doctor on Monday and got antibiotics. Then - sod's law- fell AGAIN on Tuesday (at work - over a loose telephone wire)- disaster. Knee swelled more and was very painful. Had to stay off work on Wednesday and seen the doctor again on Thursday. Sent for an x-ray and given stronger antibiotics.
After a lot of thought and advice from my CDC, I decided to have a couple of days off the diet to give my body a chance to recover. Didn't go mad with it though!!

Hence - only 1lb loss this week!!!!!!!!

Looking forward to returning to SS this week. Add a meal was a novelty at the beginning of the week and I did enjoy having vegetables again BUT it was a hassle cooking different meals for me and my daughter.

Aiming for a good loss this week ... knee almost fully better. Swelling down due to me 'giving in' and sitting with it up, some infection still there though.

STARTING WEIGHT 18st 7lbs
CURRENT WEIGHT 16st 12lbs
TOTAL LOSS 23lbs

Week 4

Week 4 finished on Cambridge and everything still fine - this is just amazing.

My whole attitude has changed - I am 100% confident that, if I stick with this, I will lose weight. I can visualise myself buying smaller clothes at the Summer etc. It's an inner confidence that I never had before. I bought a pair of size 20 trousers for work (before I was 22/24) on Friday. I was going to buy a couple of pairs but thought "That's a waste of money for a few weeks!!!!"

Met up with friends on Friday. This had been planned before the beginning of the year - we went for a curry. I'd decided at the beginning of this diet that I would still go - better than delaying the start of the diet for 4 weeks! Had a curry and a sorbet - my usual. Didn't feel guilty and right back onto Cambridge. I know some people find that hard to do - they go on a slippery slope. I guess you have to do what suits you .

Lost 2lbs this week and still delighted, as I had my curry and a couple of glasses of wine!
Next week is Add A Meal Week so I'm looking forward to having some white meat and veg.
AND ...........I'm out of the 17s and never going back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Starting Weight 18st 7lbs
Current Weight 16st 13lbs
Loss (4 weeks) 22lbs
Loss (inches) bust 4ins; waist 4ins; hips 3ins

Week 3

Well that's another week done and i still can't believe how easy this is!

I've had a hectic week at work - secondary schools are SO busy at this time of year! It's been great not having to think about food and I'm genuinely not hungry.

Had to make a decision last night. I was going to a 60th Birthday Party. Not having alcohol doesn't bother me because I drive 95% of the time. However, I decided that I would have some food from the buffet. Everyone on the minimins site says not to break the diet at all as it is harder to get back on. I guess that's the case for a lot of people and I was a bit worried that it might be the case for me too. However, I really want this diet to become PART of my life for the nexy few months NOT become my whole life. So i decided that I would try eating then getting back to SS next day..... no problem !!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't hsve a really full social diary so this isn't going to be a major issue - maybe a meal out once a month at most. Glad that I was able to make it work for me.

WEIGHT LOSS THIS WEEK 4LBS
STARTING WEIGHT 18ST 7 LBS
CURRENT WEIGHT 17ST 1 LB
LOSS (3 WEEKS) 20LBS

Week 2

Week 2 finished with no problems. I can't believe how easy I am finding this - Cambridge diet has become part of my routine now.

The minimins site www.minimins.com has been a great help - for inspiration, no-nonsense and honest advice and I log on every night. This week I suffered from constipation (felt like I was giving birth!) but I got some great advice about adding psyllium husks to foods to avoid this.

It's interesting how you learn things about yourself though. Last Sunday I was on the phone to my sister (middle one). My two sisters struggle a bit with their weight but probably have 2 -3 stone to lose (compared to my 7 - 8). Anyway, I told her about starting the Cambridge Diet and how well I'd done in 1st week. She was very encouraging - she's rejoined a slimming club. My younger sister is getting married in September so that's a good target for us. During the conversation my sister said, quite innocently,
"I'd better stick to my diet then because I don't want to be the fat one between us"
It was said with NO malice and she wasn't joking ...................... but it certainly made me think about how other people saw me. Funnily enough - it didn't upset me at all - maybe because I've started to see things differently myself!

I haven't encountered any negativity about being on this extreme diet. It's not a secret if it comes up in conversation I'm quite open about it. I feel great. I have so much energy and don't sit around in the armchair all night now. When I reintroduce foods into my diet I will need to look carefully at what I eat and how this affects my energy as well as my weight. Last week I went to see my Cambridge counsellor and I told her that the biggest motivation for me was the energy that I now had - even more so than the weight loss!

I've lost 16lb in 2 weeks. Soon I'll need to buy new clothes for work. This week I had to buy knickers because mine were falling down lol !!! I also put a necklace on this morning and was delighted that it didn't choke me anymore - I always had to buy longer chains because of my fat neck!

WEIGHT LOSS THIS WEEK 4LBS
STARTING WEIGHT 18ST 7LBS
WEIGHT AFTER 2 WEEKS 17ST 5LBS
TOTAL LOSS 16LBS

Week 1

Started Cambridge Diet on Sunday 7th January. Here's how it went ...
Day 1
Okay really. Had a shake in the morning - wasn't the best I've ever tasted but ok lol. Realised later that I should have put in more water cos I'm not a lover of thick drinks. Found the smell of the foods a bit off putting but nothing that I wouldn't get used to.

Day 2
Sheer Hell !!!! All day I fought waves of nausea. It was my first day back at work too and I needed to be able to give that 100%. At lunchtime I opened the bar and the smell just hit me. I ran to the loo to compose myself. Struggled to force myself to 'eat'.
Real emotional battle - if i give up on day 2 then that's it .... I'll never try Cambridge again ! I'd feel such a failure too.
Went on to the minimins site. Everyone assured me that it shouldn't last more than a couple of days and suggested using a spray breathfreshner to help AND drink load of water (which I do anyway).
Went to bed feeling awful.

Day 3 - 7
Can't believe how brilliant I feel. I have so much energy. Starting to realise how sluggish I'd become.
Established a routine that suits me.

• Don't have anything to eat until lunchtime. I'm not a morning person and prefer extra 15 mins in bed instead of breakfast. Drink water - 2 litres before middle of the day.
• can't eat a full bar at lunch - it's too much !!!!!!!! Have about half or two thirds. Eat the rest on my car journey home (eases the boredom).
• Make daughter's tea and my shake. Have it with lots of ice. Discovered i love choc mint and toffee/Walnut but hate Fruits of Forest.
• Soup for supper. Also drink lots of water throughout evening - with lots of ice which I also love to suck at !
• Love going on the minimins site. Everyone so helpful and it is so inspiring! I've also found out that I work 2 miles from another member doing CD and we are going to meet up next week.

AND GUESS WHAT ....................... I LOST 12LBS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am now 17st 9lbs !!!!!! I am out of the 18s and never going back

A Little Background Info !

A week ago I decided to embark on the Cambridge Diet - why?

I've always said that my weight didn't bother me .... even although I'm 5'4" and 18st7lbs !

• I have a successful career - my weight has never held me back. I'm Depute Headteacher in a school of 1000 pupils.
• I can buy nice clothes ( in Evans etc) and think that I have a nice appearance.
• I have lots of friends and my weight isn't an issue for them.
• I've been a single parent since my two kids were 7 and 8 years old and my weight has never hindered me. They are now 17 and 18 years old and the biggest achievement of my life !!!!!!!!
• I have a hectic lifestyle and I am happy.

So why change .... and why Cambridge Diet ?

Well ........... over the years I've tried lots of different diets, clubs etc (usually to lose weight for a special event or holiday. My attempts have been half - hearted, I admit - most I lost was 2 stone (and I was breastfeeding at the time). Meanwhile, I probably put on about half a stone every year. I read an article by Michelle McManus who said she had 'inverse anorexia' and never saw her real size when she looked in the mirror. That's me .... but I can't remember when I last looked in a full length mirror !

In October I was ill - not caused by my weight. I had a chest infection but thought it was a viral cough and soldiered on. It had triggered an asthma attack but I didn't realise this because I hadn't had asthma since I was about 10 years old ! I ended up in real trouble - steroids, antibiotics and a month of work ...... that scared me ...... WAKE UP CALL !!!!!!! I'd heard of people having heart attacks in their 40s and dropping dead .... I needed to do something about getting healthy and fit ........... starting with my weight.

So why Cambridge ? Well .... I'd tried most others. Problem was that I took the best bits out of each eg.

• I'd eat a couple of slices of turkey ham every time I opened the fridge - unlimited meat (Slimmimg World)
• I'd have maltesers or milky way or fudge as treats (points, checks .. whatever)
• I love fish, fruit, veg, chicken, pasta, wholemeal bread ... but I also love butter, crisps, cakes, biscuits - I ate all the healthy food but didn't cut down on the others.

This time I needed to start anew. I needed to embark on a programme that would retrain me. I knew that it had to be something that I hadn't tried before - so that I was starting from the beginning, assuming nothing and thinking about what I needed to change in my life. Also, I needed to believe that it would work - ie no history of failure. Given that I needed to lose at least 7 stones to get to a healthy BMI - something fast would be better to start with. In the past one of the problems with other clubs was that losing 1lb didn't really motivate me, particularly when I wouldn't even lose that every week.

I researched VLCD, thought about my needs re counselling (I am reflective so didn't feel I needed a massive therapeutic input) and decided to try Cambridge Diet.

This blog will be a sharing of my adventure - I'm sure it will be eventful!