The 4 stone shock
Likewise I have gone from 10 stone to 15 stone but over a period of 10 years. My greatest difficulty is motivation. My concern for you is that you seem to be doing a huge amount of work towards a healthy lifestyle, you exercise is superb, however, to gain 4 stone from July 2006 to now makes me wonder whether you don't have a hormone problem or thyroid problem that you may be unaware of. Have you been to see a doctor to have blood tests to have it checked out. There is so much that you are doing which is condusive to losing weight, just a few suggestions, I have found that if I keep a log of EVERYTHING I eat during the day I am often astounded by the little bits here and there that I put into my mouth and don't even register, the only thing that registers is the calories which just creep on up and up. The other idea that I found useful is to serve my food on a sideplate as I know that I have "portion distortion". It is very important, even though I know its a pain in the butt, to measure out your servings e.g. spread a piece of toast as you normally would and then measure our a flat tspn of butter and then spread another piece and you will see the difference. I don't want to knock any diets, however, you need to go for something which suits you. Personally I cannot do diets that rely on "shakes" because I cannot do them for the rest of my life, I have chosen a lifestyle change and have gone with calorie counting. When I was 17 I weight 200 lbs and went on a calorie counting diet 1500 per day and lost 60 lbs in 6 months with no exercise (I was 17 though) but with this diet you have to keep a log. I kept the weight off for more than 10 years then went through a number of failed pregnancies hence the 4 stone gain and have struggled to get back to dieting and I am still struggling. Eventually you get so used to how many calories there are in a slice of bread or say 50 grms of cereal etc it becomes second nature. I recommend you purchase one of Rosemary Conley's cookbooks, also she has her GI diet book which has had outstanding results. Remember you have turned a corner by acknowledgeing you have gained weight because remember you cannot change what you don't acknowledge. Take small steps, make small changes that you can continue, drastic changes are difficult to stick to.
There is also the 80:20 rule which means 80% of the time be absolutely strict and then 20% allow yourself a few indulgences. It may be an idea to chose a day, e.g. Saturday evening where you are going to have a piece of cake or some sort of treat that you love, but do remember portion size.
Keep cleaned crudites, carrots and celery sticks in your fridge and low fat hummous - snack on those when you have your weak moments - mine is when I walk through the door I could devour the fridge but I hit the carrot sticks and 1 tbspn of hummous and that satisfies me whilst I make dinner. I never poor out the olive oil when I e.g. stirfry I always measure - a set of measuring spoons and cups are invaluable. I also purchased the Rosemary Conley scale, its a very helpful tool.
Aim at 1 to 1.5 lbs per week. Remember if you lost 1lb per week you would lose 52 lbs in a year, therefore you can either be 52 lbs lighter by the 10th November 2008 or you could be a few more stones heavier - which will make you happier, I think I know which it will be.
I wish you all the best, you can do this, Rome was not built in a day and there is no rush, every lb will make all the difference. I am with you on this journey as I too have 4 stone to lose so believe me I am not sitting in a glass house throwing stones. Perserve, be positive and stay focused on your strengths and conquer your weaknesses over time.
| 
