Today marks the 100th day of no crisps, after giving them up for Lent this year. I never imagined this abstention would carry on past Easter, but as my mindset gained momentum I kind of just did. So, the 47 days of Lent have no turned into 100 as of today. Anyone that knows me, knows crisps are my kryptonite, so for me this makes a massive change in my approach to losing weight.
Not only is it day 100, but it is also weigh day, which I’m pleased to say was another good one, which makes 18 straight weeks of green numbers (losses). This makes me out to sound like a saint, but it is all about my mindset and currently “in the zone”. I have been going to WW for 21 years, I’m no fool, I know as you lose it gets harder, but what it is doing, is increasing the focus, and reaffirming the mindset.
A few weeks ago someone asked me today in ‘Group Therapy’ (thats the weight watchers meeting) how I have given up crisps, as I mentioned it was just for lent, but keeping it going was a choice. It’s a choice I could only make because my mindset was in the right place. It has been a bit like the snowballs you see in cartoons, started small, but as the keeps rolling it is getting bigger. As you lose each week it adds to your confidence that you can do it, which in turns makes the mindset stronger.
A quick summary, back to WW in February 2022, lost about 42lbs up to October/November 2022, then lost my way. February 2023 was back to 28lbs down, but was introduced to Pinch of Nom, now 18 weeks late that total is 82lbs.
The change was Pinch of Nom, the recipes are engaging and low calorie, low fat, low carb, take your pick, but it was like a switch in my head. Within a few weeks I had all the books and was cooking a different recipe almost every night.
Back to the choice I made to stay off crisps, pure and simple I have not needed them, I have wanted them a few times, but having the odd rice cake, a bowl of homemade popcorn, homemade banana ice cream (PON and so good), I don’t feel like I’m missing the crisps. Now it is like a challenge, I have made 100 days, the next target will be if I can get to 365.
Mindset
I have been thinking about this blog for about 6 weeks now, where has the mindset come from and I think there are a lot of things, it is almost a recipe of it’s own.
- Your WHY
- Recipes you want to cook
- Things that Motivate you
- Success
Start with the Why. Pure and simple why do you want to eat healthy or lose weight. If you’re not doing it for you, it will not be strong enough. You know the person that wanted to give up smoking, tried a few times, but finally they had a kid and giving up was simple, it a bit like that, your Why has to be strong enough for you.
Next recipes you want to cook, I have said I have been doing this 21 years, I have many recipes that I have picked up over the years, but I was cooking the same stuff every week and getting bored. Pinch of Nom has shook it up, turning pages in a book and finding something new to do next week. I love food, so what I eat needs to excite me, cauliflower rice or kale isn’t going to be doing it for me. Butter Chicken or Beef Bourguignon, that is going to tickle my fancy.
Third, things that motivate you. Right then, first I’m shallow, I love good feedback or recognition, so I have a number of things. Attending WW as you lost you get a little keyring when you lost 7lbs, with a dingle dangle on it for 7lbs, then you get one and 14lbs and other milestones on your journey. My keyring sits next to my desk and I see all the dingle dangles I have, and think I want the 100 next. Next, if you track you weight on the Pinch of Nom site, you get this certificates when you lose weight, and they make the number real, for example 53lbs is the same as 22 cookbooks. I love getting these each week and the posting them to the socials. That brings me nicely onto sharing. Difficult one to explain, but to help me focus, it needs to right there in front of my eyes, I post pictures of my food in Insta, and Facebook, to both the WW and PON groups I’m in, sharing ideas, sharing pictures, talking about what I have been doing, I’m told in the WW group that the members love to see what I’m cooking and it inspires them, which is great, as I love doing it. As I do writing these blogs!
Lastly in motivation, it’s pictures. In the past I have focused on what I don’t want to look like, but by accident my daughter found a picture from 2003 when Jane and I were on holiday. Coincidentally it was the same time as when I had lost a huge amount of weight the first time. Emily was saying “don’t you look young!” I however was thinking “don’t I look skinny” (well that is skinny for me). This picture as much as anything has surged me on to get back to that weight.
The last thing for the motivation is success. What I mean by this, is the more you lose, the better you feel about the journey. The better you feel about it, the more focused you are and the more you lose. This them takes me back to the beginning, and think about the WHY.
I could talk about planning and exercise and all those kinds of things. I plan the home meals a week ahead as it helps me stay on top of cooking, I use the menu to planning the weekly shop as that keeps me out of popping in to the shops! I love swimming and go a couple of times a week, walking is getting easier after 82lbs (still hate it). I am even looking for WW meetings for when I’m on holiday as I need to be policed. BUT…I’m not sure these are what make up the mindset I’m in, but they are important for the overall journey.
I hope you enjoy reading my ramblings as much as I do writing them, and for the record, the last 90 minutes typing this up, has stopped my mind thinking about snacks! 🤣
Cooking by Matt 