After suffering from heavy metal poisonong 12 years ago, the former self-confessed fitness freak is determined to claw back her health and fitness and regain her love of life and self-respect. Follow Sherie's journey to good health...
Update 1
Saturday
Can you believe habits are sooo hard to break?! I got into the car today and, without even realising until the second time I did it, I reached for the Eclipse mint tin and had two each time. I was annoyed at myself that I’m not even thinking about what goes into my mouth.
Sunday
Yesterday I completed my online diary at the end of the day and realised I hadn't eaten enough even though I was quite full – I need to get my metabolism working.
It rained continually today and I wondered how I was going to exercise. Instead I vigorously vacuumed and mopped the floors and I worked up quite a nice little sweat so I’m pleased to find that this does count as calories out.
I also checked in on my nieces Rebecca and Katrina, who live two hours away, and I’m pleased for them that they are trying so hard and doing well.
Monday
In the past I eat my biggest meal at midday and nothing at tea time. Yesterday my main meal was scheduled for tea time, and come 2pm I was starving. I had a couple of snacks but still didn't feel satisfied. I've come to the conclusion that I might need to eat my real food at lunch time to feel fuller and satisfied.
Rain, hail or sleet, I’m going to get out and walk today – I felt bad that I didn't get out yesterday.
Thursday
Gympie is cut in two and, where we're stuck, there are no shopping centres, service stations etc. I'm not holding out much hope of being able to get a variety of foods but I will do the best I can with what I can find.
Update 2
Monday
Went walking, and was going to start swimming today. But I got home and my husband was still sick, and I thought I should keep an eye on him in case we had to call the ambos again. Which got me out of swimming.
Tuesday
I got up at 5am to go walking, but it was pouring down with rain. I feel really guilty that I couldn’t go, and wish I had an exercise machine that I could get on instead. I tried to get some time to myself at work to have a go on the exercise bike there, but only got in 15 minutes.
Wednesday
The boss from Brisbane came up, so I didn’t get away from work today until late. And so I didn’t have to confront the swimming issue. However, we checked the paddocks with the horses in them, which are quite hilly. My husband had a silly grin on his face and said he was quietly impressed, as I wasn’t huffing and puffing as normal for me. So yeehaa! My walking every morning is finally improving my cardio! Good news.
Thursday
I went walking this morning, and have Zumba tonight, so I probably won’t get swimming in. But I’m going to have to bite the bullet and either use my neighbours’ pool or join the community pool.
Update 3
Sunday
Very disappointed that I didn’t lose any weight this week, when I feel as though I tried harder than any other week. I was hoping to be 100 kg when we went back to Sydney.
Monday
Trying to add in some exercise bike riding for about 15 to 20 minutes each day.
Tuesday
I was soooo tired this morning, and just couldn’t wake up to go walking. But by the end of the day I really hated myself for being so slack, so I got on the exercise bike and did 30 minutes.
Update 4
Thursday
Well, my big decision: I’m going to continue this on my own [without a personal trainer]. It’s what I’ve wanted to do all along, and I think it’s important to prove that you don’t need to spend a fortune to lose weight. You just need a little motivation and determination.
My sister (who is vising from New Zealand and goes home on Sunday) is going to do a weights program for me. She said I don’t need to go out and buy anything, I can just use baked-bean cans or fill up two-litre milk bottles with water. I’ll see what happens.
Update 5
Monday
I’m feeling really pumped. I’m changing to The Biggest Loser Club Express program and hoping I’ll lose a bit faster. I feel that, for the amount of exercise I’m doing, I’m not achieving any big loss. Apparently as you get older it’s harder to lose.
I’m definitely not giving up. I’ll continue to try.
Tuesday
Really browned off. My mentor just rang to tell me not to be too down about not losing big numbers this week. I wondered what she was talking about, as I was convinced I’d lost 1.4kg. But she was right – I’ve only lost 0.4kg, which is really annoying me. I know what she says is true: a loss is a loss and it all adds up eventually. So why am I so annoyed with myself?
Wednesday
I’m still beating myself up. Why am I not losing weight faster? I honestly feel I’m doing my exercise justice, and I faithfully complete my diary.
Don’t get me wrong, there’s no turning back for me. Maybe I need to examine what I’m doing more closely. It is that time of the month for me – as well as that time of life. Maybe that’s playing a role in my slow weight loss?
Friday
Really tired today and didn’t want to get up. I’ve started taking my multivitamin and guarana/ginseng, but of course it’ll take a while to kick in.
Still disappointed that I’ve had two bad weeks.
Update 6
Monday
Still browned off that I only lost 900g, but at least I’m below 100kg now. I did think it would come a little quicker, though!
Tuesday
I went to Curves today and really enjoyed it. It has a comfortable atmosphere. The trainer said that when you’re in a plateau (not losing weight) that you do start to panic and do the wrong things, like cutting down food, whereas you should be eating more of the low-calorie food like salads to increase your metabolism. She’s right: that’s what I’ve done, cut out snacks and so on.
Wednesday
Second visit to Curves. The trainer emphasised that if you don’t use muscle as you get older it wastes away and shrinks. Healthy lean muscle helps your metabolism work better, so light weight training is good. I enjoyed it once again, even though I’m a little sore from the first day.
Thursday
Really looking forward to talking to Susie Burrell tomorrow.
Update 7
Friday
I’m looking forward to the weekend – am going to sort out the back patio and get into the garden.
Saturday
I’m really down today over my nieces. Their local paper did a story on them and published their start weights, which they’d asked them not to do. They were raised in that town, and I hadn’t realised they were carrying around so much baggage from their school days. It’s triggered memories of them being bullied at school for being overweight. I’ve encouraged them to turn this into a positive; I just hope they’re open to use this to their advantage.
Update 8
Had a busy week, with one day off sick. I’m tired and going to bed early.
Update 9
Tuesday
I want to add in some extra exercise over the next few weeks to see if it will make a difference to my weight loss.
Wednesday
Felt really tired this morning, and didn’t want to get out of bed. Better as the day wore on.
Friday
I had a sneak peak at my weight today and haven’t lost anything. So annoyed as I tried really hard this week.
Saturday
I’ve been crook most of the day, so I haven't eaten a lot. I’m still annoyed about my lack of weight loss.
Latest update
Sunday
Still feeling a little sick – hoping I’m fine for tomorrow as I want to get up early and go walking. There are only two more weeks of Biggest Loser Club Second Chance Families to go. I have another goal that I’d like to achieve by 14 May – I’d like to get to 80kg. That gives me seven weeks. I hope it’s doable.