Weigh in: 125 kg

Weight loss to date: 29 kg

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Another week has flown by and I am very happy to report this week I had a 2 KGs loss

As I said last week, it definitely is a test to keep motivated when you plateau. So a big THANK YOU to you all for your great words of support.

I had my check up with my G.P. this week and am happy to report that I have perfect blood pressure and am off all the blood pressure medicine. This was always one of my big goals when I started on this journey, and I must say it is very liberating to not have to take a tablet each day for blood pressure. I discussed in depth with the doctor about me reaching a plateau and as with all feedback, he told me “It will happen and will happen again”. The doctor said my body is going through massive changes and it will fight some of these changes. I was very taken back when he looked back at my history (I have been going to the same G.P. for 20 years)  and said that the weight I am is the lightest that I have been since I have been seeing him. I am now at 125 KGs and this is also the lightest that I can remember being. The doctor and I spent quite a while talking about the whole weight loss and I was quite surprised to hear that for reasons that I am not sure of at the moment, I do have fluid retention. The GP said that this can account at times for as much as 2 kilos.

It was also very empowering to be able to look at the long term goals and not give into a short term “feel good fix”. I continue to be more motivated than ever and a big part of this is thanks Anton’s guidance and support. I have to strongly recommend that if you are thinking on embarking on weight loss, a personal trainer is a great asset to have in achieving your goals. Anton is not only helping me get fit but has also become a confidant and to some extent, a psychologist.

It is quite amazing the things you discover about yourself when you are gently (I use that term loosely) being pushed to achieve more. “Do that extra 10 seconds of planks”, “Do 2 more squats” etc. I have been totally taken unaware, and I don’t mean to sound all airy-fairy here, however getting active and training has really given me a new and very positive outlook. I know this sounds all very new age, but it’s true, I just have a new outlook.

This week, I will be in Adelaide from Saturday to Sunday attending Australian Tourism Exchange, this is the largest  Travel/Trade show in Australia and believe me, it will be a test with dinners every night – including sensational South Australian wines. Then there are the lunches and the never-ending array of cocktail parties showcasing all we have to offer to international tourists. This is a fantastic event and I must say I am already starting to doubt my will power. Anton has already been counseling me on what exercise I must do in the hotel gym. I have no problem with this and know that I will stick to the regime he has set out for me. I am not as sure about how my will power will fair resisting the fantastic food and wine that will be on show. Again I will just keep reminding myself EVERYTHING IN MODERATION!!!

In closing, a special big THANK YOU to my niece and her husband who have been in contact with Anton, (you know who you are) and I cannot tell you how blown away I am with what you have done.

That’s it for this week and until next week from Adelaide.

Cheers for now.

- Steven

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About Dragons Abreast

Track donations that has been raised for Dragons Abreast or MAKE A DONATION.

Steven, congratulations on not having to take medication for your blood pressure – great news. I always say that there has to be a positive that comes out of a negative – so the negative was the plateau, and the positive is no more pills’, fantastic effort once again

- Denise, Dragons Abreast

You can learn more about DRAGONS ABREAST on their website:

http://www.dragonsabreast.com.au/

Let the scales guide you, not control you

Weigh in: 127 kg

Weight loss to date: 27 kg

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Hi All,

Another week another kilo, well not exactly…

Anton had been warning me, and my doctor had as well, “you will plateau- be prepared it will happen and is part of the whole process.”

Well it has happened this week, I didn’t lose weight. And even though, I had been warned, I still felt winded.

I actually weighed myself 9 times in a half hour and there was still no movement, stead fast on 127 KGs.

Then came the questions, I worked hard, I trained hard, why why why!!!!

Again, it was with the support of Anton that I have now put all of these questions into perspective.

My body (and lifestyle) are undergoing some massive changes, and all of a sudden I am taking away what my body has perceived as its fuel. My body is saying I must stock up and hoard away this energy (fat) in case of an emergency. I also know that this week, for whatever reason, I retained fluid.

For any one that is embarking on a great weight loss, please be prepared for these plateaus and for the body to readjust itself. I again say that even though I knew this plateau would come, I can’t explain the sinking feeling I went through. “I let Anton down, I let myself down, I’m not working hard enough,” and just doubting myself in general.

As you are all aware, I am the General Manager of The Quality Hotel Cambridge, and have to be truthful and say that I would rather deal with 50 complaining guests then deal with the feeling of not achieving a weight loss.

Now as you know, I weigh in each Saturday and after trying to get the scales to tell me something different (nine times) I texted Anton to let him know. I then sat down and the dark clouds started to appear – sort of the little devil on my shoulder. “Why don’t I just go out and get a Chicken Burger, Fries, Sundae and a Double Chocolate Malted Thick with extra Ice Cream? Now that would make me feel better!” This went on for about 4 hours and then just like a bolt from above, my phone alerted me that I had a text. Impeccable timing, as it was from Anton and this refocused me on what I have achieved – 27 KGs lost, now that is no easy feat. I feel better than I have in a long time, I look healthier than I have in a long time and have more energy and gusto than I have in a long time, and am definitely fitter than I have ever been…. (Last week for the first time, I achieved 3 x one minute planks).

It took the text for me to stop feeling sorry for myself and to say to myself WELL DONE !!!

I say phooey to the scales, they are only a guide and even though they are telling me I have not lost weight, I know that I am smaller than last week (not that I call 127 KGs small) – I took my belt in another notch. This week, I even had the luxury of going into Rebel Sports and was able to buy a track suit off the rack. I never thought that I would venture into the holy grail of sports stores and be able to actually buy clothes. I was always banished to the “Big and Tall Shop” or the big men’s section in the cheap and cheerful department stores.

I then jumped off the lounge and stared at the scales and thought loudly (if you can think loudly ) “you are not going to take away that feeling and sense of overwhelming achievement that was actually buying clothes off the rack at what is perceived as a normal every day store.”

The lesson I learnt last week is that, yes the scales are a tool to guide you, however there are other factors to consider such as, yes, I am stronger and it is a known fact that muscle is heavier than fat.

So take guidance but don’t be controlled by the scales.

That’s me for this week, keep the comments coming!!!

Cheers,

Steven

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About Dragons Abreast

Track donations that has been raised for Dragons Abreast or MAKE A DONATION.

You can learn more about DRAGONS ABREAST on their website:

http://www.dragonsabreast.com.au/

Your weight loss journey is not without its challenges - overcome and stay positive!

5 May 2010

Weigh in: 129 kg

Weight loss to date: 25 kg

Support Steven’s efforts – MAKE A DONATION

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Another week and another 5 kgs – YES that’s right 5 kgs.

I went from 134 kgs to 129 kgs. While I know this is a one off and this week I may not lose anything, I have been basking in my 5 kg loss.

I think that this even surprised Anton.

Leading up to my Saturday weigh in, I was feeling the inevitable – “what am I doing, this is too hard, I don’t want to train etc etc.” It’s during these times that that I think of the support that I receive and also the money being raised for Dragons Abreast. The support I have received from the directors of the hotel has been unsurpassed and they are truly 100% behind my efforts. I cannot thank them enough for their continued support.

I never wanted to make this a blog about people’s ignorance, and I won’t. But I do want to share an experience that I had the other day in a taxi. I have to say that it did have effect on me and my mental state. I spoke about it with telling Anton and told him I didn’t think that I should I should really put it on the blog.

But Anton, simply put, said “I think you should.”

The other day, I was feeling very good about my efforts having lost 20 kgs and was now down to 134 kgs. I was on a high – well that ended really fast. I have said before I have never suffered from poor body image but this incident affected me. I hailed a taxi and when the taxi pulled over, I went to get in the front seat, as I always do, but the driver said out loud that I was too big to get in the front seat and that I should hop in the back. Now, to say the least I was stunned – the car was a large Commodore and had plenty of room. I am still not sure whether this was because I had lost 20 kgs or whether it was his complete rudeness, but for some inane reason his statement really cut to the core.

In thinking about this, I came to the conclusion that yes, we do judge people on their appearance, however we do not know why or how this person is overweight. I have previously shared with you how I arrived at where I was.

At the end of the day I am glad that the ignorant taxi driver made his comments, as, one, it made me even more appreciative of the support I get and, two, I went on to lose 5 kgs last week.

So, I give a 2 fingered salute to people who do not look past the exterior. I have become more observant on how people interact with larger people and fellow human beings in general. I have also become more aware of the way I interact with other people. I am a firm believer in the old saying that you should treat others as you like to be treated yourself.

It can be done, losing weight that is, however I must say and say again, it takes real will power. I have nearly stopped watching television, opting for DVDs, so I am not constantly bombarded with fast food commercials.

I truly understand that the support you receive is critical to achieving your goals.

Until next week this is 129 kgs of me saying, ciao.

Steven

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About Dragons Abreast

Well Steven – 25kg and $6300.00 donated to date is a magnificent effort and don’t be swayed by the narrow mindedness of some. We don’t live in a perfect world, and if the world was perfect – wouldn’t we be boring people ??

Denise Lynn – Fundraising Manager – Dragons Abreast

Track donations that has been raised for Dragons Abreast or MAKE A DONATION.

You can learn more about DRAGONS ABREAST on their website:

http://www.dragonsabreast.com.au/