Agreed wholeheartedly. If it makes you feel any better, this morning I was late to work as the guinea pigs escaped while we were cleaning their cage. We then had to catch them and clean the living room after the peed everywhere. Once I got to work my computer crashed twice and tried to wipe its hard drive. So today is a ein Schokolade zum Frühstück tag which means chocolate for breakfast.

You are doing great. Hit me up if the panic attacks OK?

Dont stress about the cheat meal. It is actually doing a good job rather than a bad job. It be kick your metabolism up.

Thank you GB. And the "hit me up" means a lot *MWAH* Oh yeah, that start to the day would do it anytime! I love guinea pigs like I love my gerbs but when they do things like that..... grrrrrr! Yup. Mine would be a chocolate for breakfast day too in that scenario!

My brain is slowly trying to come to terms with that whole concept Scott! I think I need to repeat a mantra to to myself actually. I have done that for some things which freaked me out when open water swimming (like being able to see the bottom which used to scare the bejesus out of me!) so might give it a go for this.

“The cheat meal is good and necessary. It will help you get to your goal”.

Thank you, big hug Scott!

BF% is the important one. But taking it yourself is not good; but I suppose at least it always you so you have a constant variable there.

Do it every 2 weeks. Best to not get stressed over imo.

Yeah, I know taking it yourself isn't great, but I've been doing it myself all along the same way so at least I know that with that variable staying the same the accuracy will be reasonable in that sense, even if the actual BF isn't what I measure it as.

I've come so far with my relationship with food, just some things are so ingrained they are incredibly difficult to get rid of! It's ok though, it's a work in progress! I already feel much more relaxed now I've decided to take this approach. Plus, I've looked hard at myself in the mirror the last couple of days and I am pleased with how I look now. May not be where I want to be ultimately, but I am reasonably comfortable in my own skin now. My fear is getting fat again, which is why I think the cheat meal thing feels weird to me...but I'm getting there!

It just takes time Pingu. It'll happen. Trust me.

You're doing really well, don't forget that

I do trust you. And thank you... if you're happy with how I'm doing then so am I!

Much appreciated everyone's support today. Had a bit of a wobble there...but feel much better now

SUNDAY 15 MARCH

Well bugger me. What the hell was I getting my knickers in a twist about earlier this week?!!!!!!!

I thought I would do my measurements today seeing as it's my birthday next week and there will be a few treats and it gives me another two weeks to even it out again

Bloody glad I did. I thought something felt different. Even when I was fretting, I thought I felt different but the Sunday's measurements staying the same were freaking me out.

I went out yesterday and bought a new pair of jeans and top for going out in and felt VERY different. Even in Debenhams mirror which is normally a "fat" mirror I was actually happy with how I looked with undies on.

So I was a bit nervous about this morning but...

STANDARD MEASUREMENTS

Weight = 60.4kg (-0.4kg on last week)
BF = 17.6% (-2%)

Now, regarding the body fat. I think it is more like a single % but my calipers and table have brackets of say 6-7mm (which is where I am today) and 8-9mm. I took 20 measurements because I didn't quite believe it. 17 of them were in that bracket! However, it's definitely dropped! And you can tell in how I look too! HOOOOOOOOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also, mum commented on my legs. She said that my cellulite (which has never been bad compared to some women) has definitely faded. I had a good look and it has!

So, since starting Scott's plan on 22 Feb weight has gone from 61.7kg to 60.4kg (as low as 60.3) and BF from the 20.9% bracket to the 17.6% bracket! When you compare and look at it like that rather than week to week...

NON-STANDARD MEASUREMENTS

I also did my body measurements this week. Haven't done them since 30 November as I keep forgetting! Now, a lot have dropped which is fine because my focus has been fat loss but the two of particular interest are:

Calf - increase of 2cm
Thigh - loss of 3.7cm

The reason I note these is because it illustrates how much my lower body has improved. Andy has been commenting on my legs a lot recently, but yesterday out of the blue he said how good my legs looked in my jeans now, how much more balanced they are (don't think he realised what a fab compliment that was!). I have to agree. They are looking great now, and I have obviously managed to lose some stubborn fat from my thighs.

Will be interesting to see how these measurements change from now on as the body fat loss slows...

Well done PINGU. Hard work always pays off

Pingu wrote:STANDARD MEASUREMENTS

Weight = 60.4kg (-0.4kg on last week)
BF = 17.6% (-2%)

So, since starting Scott's plan on 22 Feb weight has gone from 61.7kg to 60.4kg (as low as 60.3) and BF from the 20.9% bracket to the 17.6% bracket! When you compare and look at it like that rather than week to week...

Here's a few more figures for you:

22-Feb-2009 : 61.7kg : 20.9% BF : Lean Mass = 48.8kg : Fat Mass = 12.9kg
15-Mar-2009 : 60.4kg : 17.6% BF : Lean Mass = 49.8kg : Fat Mass = 10.6kg

So, in 3 weeks you've:
1. Decreased body fat by 3.3%
2. Increased muscle mass by 1kg
3. Decreased fat by 2.3kg

Well done for sticking to the nutritional plan Pingu. Your results are really excellent. Good on you

health4ni wrote:
Here's a few more figures for you:

22-Feb-2009 : 61.7kg : 20.9% BF : Lean Mass = 48.8kg : Fat Mass = 12.9kg
15-Mar-2009 : 60.4kg : 17.6% BF : Lean Mass = 49.8kg : Fat Mass = 10.6kg

So, in 3 weeks you've:
1. Decreased body fat by 3.3%
2. Increased muscle mass by 1kg
3. Decreased fat by 2.3kg

Well done for sticking to the nutritional plan Pingu. Your results are really excellent. Good on you

OMG! Thanks for putting it like that Scott...now I am absolutely gobsmacked!

I feel like a new woman. I really do.

And now I can relax a little bit and just let things happen (although not relaxing on the plan of course! I mean I as in ME can relax a bit! ).

Think I am going to wander round a bit zoned out today!

That is great progress Pingu, well done. You deserve some time out from the diet to enjoy your birthday, it wont do you any harm

Thank you Richard! I am really looking forward to some naughty food I must admit!

Thats great progress pingoooo, well done

Thanks Markooo! It's been really hard work but when you see and feel results like this its all worthwhile. I've never been in better shape (especially my legs), and its so nice being 31 and being able to look at 20 year olds and know you are in better nick than 95% of them!

health4ni wrote:

Pingu wrote:STANDARD MEASUREMENTS

Weight = 60.4kg (-0.4kg on last week)
BF = 17.6% (-2%)

So, since starting Scott's plan on 22 Feb weight has gone from 61.7kg to 60.4kg (as low as 60.3) and BF from the 20.9% bracket to the 17.6% bracket! When you compare and look at it like that rather than week to week...

Here's a few more figures for you:

22-Feb-2009 : 61.7kg : 20.9% BF : Lean Mass = 48.8kg : Fat Mass = 12.9kg
15-Mar-2009 : 60.4kg : 17.6% BF : Lean Mass = 49.8kg : Fat Mass = 10.6kg

So, in 3 weeks you've:
1. Decreased body fat by 3.3%
2. Increased muscle mass by 1kg
3. Decreased fat by 2.3kg

Well done for sticking to the nutritional plan Pingu. Your results are really excellent. Good on you

That is awesome progress by anyones standards. Well done.

Thank you!