Sue and Joans' Diet Diary

The Final Figures

2010-12-05T23:31:00.000-08:00

Remember these two chubby faced ladies......

Well here we are, who'd have thought that we would actually have stuck it out. It just goes to show that if you pick a good diet buddy you can see each other through the harder times, pick each other up when the going gets tough, have a laugh when it's all going well and just be there for each other through all the ups and downs that are involved with taking yourself in hand. It's been a real journey for both of us and we each couldn't have completed it without the support of the other.

A picture of me taken at the start of this year, it's been stuck in my 'Diet Book' as inspiration since the 1st January.....it took me until the 6th September to get going properly!!

Taken in the same place by Lovely Hubby last night. He suggested I wore the same top, but I was in the middle of cooking tea and couldn't be bothered to get changed......

...so I put a similar one on this morning. I had to peg the back together as it made me look just the same hanging loosely down, before I used to touch the sides of it, there was no room for it to 'hang'. My clothes used to be a size 16 and I filled them...boy did I fill them! Now they are either a 14 (that swamps me) or a nice fitting size 12.....and I'm very happy about that.

Sues' Facts and Figures

Weight - 6 Sept 13st 4lb - now 11st 2lb - Total Loss 2st 2lbs (30lbs)

BMI - 6 Sept 29.9 - now 25 - Total Loss 4.9

Body Fat - 6 Sept 4st 13.5lb - now 3st 7lb - Total Loss 1st 6.5lb (20lbs)

BF% - 6 Sept 37% - now 31% - Total Loss 6%

H2o - 6 Sept 45.7% - now 49.9% - Total Loss 4.2%

Measurements

Bust - 6 Sept 42" - now 37" - Total Loss 5"

Waist - 6 Sept 38.5" - now 27" - Total Loss 11.5"

Hips - 6 Sept 43" - now 37" - total loss 6"

Thighs - 6 Sept 24.5" - now17.5" - Total Loss 7" each

Total Inch Loss 36.5"

Joan has done so well, with a couple of holidays thrown into the three months of the diet, that didn't so much as dent her enthusiasm. With lots of dancing for exercise and her Blood Group diet book to keep her on track. She's discovered foods that disagree with her and cut them out of her diet completely with wonderful effects.

Joans' Facts and Figures

Weight - 6 Sept 12st 13lb - now 11st 8lb - Total Loss 1st 5lb (19lbs)

BMI - 6 Sept 31.2 - now 27.3 - Total Loss 3.9

Body Fat - not known at start - now 4st 5lb

BF% - not known at start - now 39%

H2o - not known at start - now 44.1% -

Measurements

Bust - 6 Sept 44" - now 41" - Total Loss 3"

Waist - 6 Sept 36.5" - now 33.5" - Total Loss 3"

Hips - 6 Sept 45" - now 41" - Total Loss 4"

Thighs - 6 Sept 23" - now 19" - Total Loss 4"

Total Inch Loss 18"

Wow.....once you see the measurements written down it makes you realise how well we've done.

Dad, representing the boys, who have both supported us and joined in with smaller portions and skimmed milk, it's shown a huge benefit for them both with them losing a stone in weight each over the course of our diets.

A happy get together last week to celebrate Jasons' graduation.

The future - well I've decided to embrace vegetarianism completely after a few years of dithering about eating chicken and fish, and will continue with smaller portions and healthy eating. Joan has also decided to cut all red meat out of her diet and stay with the ethos of the Blood Group Diet as it's suited her so well.

Thank you to anyone who has taken the time to read this Blog, our Diet Diary for the last three months. We will be back with an update in the new year, traditionally a time when many new diets start. For once we are ahead of the game, seeing in Christmas and the New Year feeling fitter and healthier than we have for a long time. Good luck to anyone who is still dieting and I hope that you have an outcome you're happy with too.

Sue and Joan xx

Week 13 - Penultimate Week

2010-11-30T02:07:00.000-08:00

All out together celebrating Jasons' Master of Science Degree in Document Analysis.

Well we're almost there, it's penultimate week. We've both learnt lots on our diet journeys and made some monumental decisions, but more of that next week.

For now here are this Monday's weights -

Sue - 11st 3lb - same as last week - Total Loss 2st 1lb

Joan - 11st 9lb - down 2lbs on last week - Total Loss 1st 4lbs

We will be back for the final facts and figures next week.

Sue and Joan xx

Thursday 25th November - Week 12

2010-11-25T02:10:00.000-08:00

Us chicks have been busy!!

Sorry for the late post this week, but we had a brilliant catch up over the weekend, swapping diets tales and shopping for smaller clothes together, and then there was the 'eggciting' birth of my new Lavender Pekin Bantams (7 at the last count), so this Blog has been sadly neglected.

We have decided that our diets will 'officially' end for the purposes of this Blog on Monday 6th December, to leave us time to organise our Christmas festivities, but our healthy eating lifestyles will go on forever. We are both seriously considering Vegetarianism in the New Year as we are finding that meat has less and less appeal, and vegetables, fruits and grains more so.

Facts and Figures this Week

Sues' Weight - 11st 3lbs - last time 11st 9lb - Total Loss 2st 1lb (29lbs)

BMI - at the start 29.9 - Now 25.6

~~~

Joans' Weight - 11st 11lbs - last time 11st 13lbs - Total Loss 1st 2lbs (16lbs)

BMI - at the start 31.2 - Now 28.1

Knowing how much our BMIs have reduced is a good indicator of general health, so we are both really pleased with the reduction of that figure.

Back a week on Monday with our final Facts and Figures, and hopefully a good photo of the pair of us, as we are off to my sons' Graduation Presentation next Monday. He has just got his Masters Degree in Document Analysis so we are a proud Mum and a proud Grandma.

Sue and Joan xx

Week Eleven

2010-11-15T02:51:00.000-08:00

Sues' Weight 11st 9lbs - Starting Weight 13st 4lb - Last Week 11st 6lb

Total Loss 1st 9lbs (23lbs)

Joans Weight 11st 13lbs - Starting Weight 12st 13lbs - Last Week 11st 11lbs

Total Loss 1st (14lbs)

~~~

Well you can't say we don't match. I have gained 3lbs and Joan has gained 2lb.

All in all it was a reasonable week for me most of the time. But I did cheat quite heavily over the weekend if you read my Dukan Blog (which lists my foods for each day), you'll see how. I was de-moralised and couldn't get my head together. After lots of talk with my Lovely Hubby and lots of thinking on my part I have re-evaluated things. More information can be found here .

Joan has had a week of disasters after her holiday, including a theft and a flood, no wonder I've taken her matches away!! So to come out of it all with only a 2lb weight gain is pretty positive in my opinion.

Ah well....there's always this week. Let's see how we go. I am now re-energised and raring to go. I'm determined to get rid of those extra 3 pounds this week and head towards my new target of 11st.

We have just 5 weeks left of our diets, if we publish our final results on the 2oth December as we originally decided, the end is at last in sight!!

Sue and Joan xx

Week 10

2010-11-09T00:33:00.000-08:00

Our Weights

Sues' Weight - 11st 6lbs - Starting Weight 13st 4lb - Last week 11st 7lbs
~
Total Loss - 1 stone 12lbs (26lbs)
~~~

Joans' Weight 11st 11lbs - Starting Weight 12st 13lbs - Last Week 11st 13lbs
~
Total Loss - 1st 2lbs (16lbs)
~
A good week for both of us. Joan has lost two pounds and me just one, but what has really made my week is getting the total number of inches lost off my waist up to ten since the start of the diet.
~
I've spent the week making Christmas cards to sell on my Farmers Market stall and speed walking two very appreciative dogs, they must be getting fitter tooby now. Joan spent the end of the week dancing the night away with my Dad in Llandudno, obviously that worked for her too, helping her to drop the two pounds.
~
So Joan has just four more pounds to go to reach her new target of 11st 7lbs, and I have twelve pounds to go to reach my True Weight as set by Dukan of 10st 8lbs.

Onwards and upwards......or thinner and downwards, however you want to look at it!!

Sue and Joan xxx

In Hiding.......

2010-11-07T09:55:00.001-08:00

We're in hiding after last weeks' dreadful picture. Well really Joan has 'jetted' off to Llandudno on a dancing weekend, burning calories as fast as she eats them, so we will have our weekly update on weights tomorrow when she's back.

Yes, the picture above is of a potato.......I'm missing my jacket potatoes at the moment, they're not allowed on my Dukan Diet until my next stage......sulk, sulk!!

Sue xx

Week 9 - Picture Update

2010-11-02T03:54:00.000-07:00

Our Weights

Sues' Weight - 11st 7lbs - Starting Weight 13st 4lbs - Last Week 11st 11lb

Total Weight Loss - 1 stone 11lbs (25lbs)

~~~

Joans' Weight - 11st 13lbs - Starting Weight 12st 13lbs - Last Week 12st

Total Weight Lost - 1 stone (14lbs)

As you can see Joan is VERY happy at this. She has reached the target she set herself for the start of December and has now decided to carry on and see if she can lose another 7lbs by then.

No.....Dad is not wearing his big brothers' jumper, he too has lost lots of weight, gradually the whole family is disappearing........ in the best possible way!!

Although quite how he is doing it is a mystery......
~

...as he tucks into yet more icecream and fruit.

Seriously, I had a really good visit to Mum and Dads' this weekend and we compared notes and took these photos (including the dreadful one of me at the top) to record how we're all doing on our diets.

I am on target to get to my True Weight by the end of December and Mum has reached the initial target she set herself now. Really inspirational. After the visit it's back to normal at home, but now I am upping the exercise regime a bit, because I actually want to, not just because I should, now that's a first!!

Sue xx

Week 8 - Second Review

2010-10-25T04:18:00.001-07:00

As it's Week 8 already (can you believe it!!). We have decided to do another review.
~

Sue's weight - 11st 11lbs - Starting Weight 13st 4lbs - Weight Last Week 11st 12lbs

Total Loss 1st 7lbs (21 lbs)

Joans Weight 12st - Starting Weight 12st 13lbs - Weight Last Week - 12st 2lbs

Total Loss 13lbs

Sues' Statistics -

BMI 26.6 - down - 3.3

Body Fat 4st - down 13.5lbs (since last month 4.5lbs)

Bust 38" - down 4"

Waist 30" - down 8.5"

Hips 39" - down 4"

Thighs 19" each - down 5.5"

Total Inch loss 27.5" (6" down since last month)

Joans Statistics

BMI 28.6 - down 2.6

Body Fat 4st 12lb (same as last month, no figures for start)

Bust 42.5" - down 1.5"

Waist 34.5" - down 2"

Hips 43" - down 2"

Thighs - 20.5" - down 2.5"

Total Inch Loss - 10" (3" down since last month)

So this week I only lost a pound (poor lonely little pound, must find some more to keep him company) and Joan managed to lose 2lbs. Steps in the right direction so we are both happy.

The inch loss is pretty spectacular I think. In the past whenever I have had a go at dieting I never bothered to measure myself at the start. It does keep you motivated because I am finding that the days I don't lose lbs I do sometimes lose inches! So well worth doing.

We are both continuing on the same diet plans with them really suiting us. Our Hubbies, Alan and Syd are both losing weight too, as they are joining in on lots of our healthy eating ideas and generally cutting down on portion sizes. I am especially proud of my man, he's now at his lowest weight since I've known him. We'll both be like whippets for Christmas!!

Back next week with new facts and figures - I hope!

Sue and Joan xx

Do you ever have days.......

2010-10-21T08:14:00.000-07:00

Do you ever have days when you go to the wardrobe and NOTHING fits, everything you try on has shrunk overnight and is suddenly too small.

Well yesterday I had THE EXACT OPPOSITE kind of a day. Everything I tried on was too big, or used to be too tight and now fitted perfectly.

IT WAS THE BEST DAY EVER!!

I sorted through ALL my clothes, some were put onto Ebay and the rest bagged up for the charity shop. Old things were THROWN AWAY. Yes I was RUTHLESS.

And boy....does it feel good!!

I now have only clothes that fit me now. I will make do with what I have until I reach my True Weight....my final destination. I have saved just enough baggy stuff to wear layered over other things when feeding the animals here on the farm to keep my good stuff clean.

My rails are no longer crowded with things I can't wear or that don't suit. I may have got slightly carried away, but the way I feel now when I open the wardobe door is BRILLIANT and I wouldn't change it for the world.

Sue xx

Week Seven

2010-10-18T02:30:00.000-07:00

Well here we are at Week Seven already, and both well on the way to being healthier and fitter.......did that sound all bright and jolly?

Well we are quite happy, it's going very well considering Joan's been away on a lovely holiday being waited on hand and foot and I've been a lazy oink, not keeping Davina company as I said I would (poor lonely Dvd gathering dust on the shelf)!

Our Weights
~

Sues' weight last week - 11st 13lbs - This week - 11st 12lbs - Total Loss 1st 6lbs (or 20lbs)

Joans' weight last week - 12st 3lbs - This week 12st 2lbs - Total Loss 11lbs

Now the weather is turning cooler and the main farm jobs have been done I will try and do some more specific exercises with my Dvds, I do feel a need to tone up a bit and generally get fitter, although I do feel better than I have for a long while.

Joan has sent a couple of pages of the menus from the hotel to give us an indication of what she was eating last week. To go on holiday and still lose a pound is VERY GOOD in my opinion. It's so much easier to do when you're at home and you have only the right things in your fridge and cupboard, to put your food preparation in someone elses hands is always a bit risky when you're trying to lose weight.

I hope you can click on these and enlarge, if not I apologise now! Back next week with hopefully even better news.

Have a good week.

Sue and Joan xx

Week Six

2010-10-11T01:56:00.000-07:00

Well, first things first, our weights.

Sues' weight last week - 12st 3lbs - Today 11st 13lbs - Total Loss - 1st 5lbs (or 19lbs)

Joans' weight last week - 12st 3lbs - Today 12st 3lbs - Total Loss 10lbs

It's going really well for both of us, Joan is finding it a bit slower going at the moment, with her weight fluctuating by a pound either up or down each day, so too maintain last weeks success has been quite an achievement.

It was also found that Joan was drinking way too little water, so she has upped her intake by a lot this week, which could account for the fluctuating weight, but it is important to always be hydrated whether you are dieting or not (but even more so when you are dieting). So she has been working on getting this right as well as watching her food intake.

I've been busy 'putting the farm to bed' for Winter so specific exercise has been abandoned in favour of digging, raking, mowing and general outdoor hard physical labour (I should have muscles like Hercules soon!).

It seems only yesterday we started this getting healthy mission, and already we are into our sixth week. I am really enjoying my food choices although we have both decided we still need to keep experimenting. It is so very easy to get in a routine of eating the same few foods, which is no bad thing if you really enjoy them, but variation, as they say is the spice of life. So this week I will be trying out some new foodie ideas and Joan, well Joan the lucky thing, is on holiday. Staying in a lovely hotel in Exmouth for a dancing week with my Dad. So she will be waited on hand and foot, and will be able to choose her choices off a menu of foods cooked for her (and no washing up!!). Do I sound jealous........?

My target from now on is to lose at least 2lbs a week. I do realise I have got off to a flying start and I don't really see how this pace can continue so I have to set my mind to a lower target each week, so disappointment and therefore lack of will-power doesn't set in.

Have a lovely week.

Sue and Jet setting Joan xx

Sample Menus

2010-10-05T02:30:00.000-07:00

Joans Menus for the Last Three Days

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Saturday
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Breakfast
Quinoa and Oatbran porridge
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Lunch
2 egg. omlette on one slice of German Rye bread, (my favourite it has pumpkin seeds and linseeds in).
~
Dinner
Mixed homemade veggie soup.
A piece of grilled cod with mint sauce on.
(I had forgotten to have my lemon yesterday so I squeezed it on the cod.)
~
Drinks
Coffee with sweetener and Skimmed milk, Schweppes Peppermint Cordial
~~~

Sunday
~
Breakfast.
Oatiflakes with Actimel
~
11am snack - 4 walnuts
~
Lunch
Baked beans on 1 slice of Hovis hearty oat bread
~
No afternoon snack because I am not supposed to have baked beans!
~
Dinner
Left over mixed Veggie soup with Quorn - only had half,
saved the rest for 9pm when I am usually hungry.

~
Drinks
Coffee with sweetener and skimmed milk, Peppermint Cordial

~~~

Monday
~
Breakfast
Fruit with Actimel and 1spoonful of muesli
~
Snack
4 walnut halves
~
Lunch
Sardines on 1 slice of Rye bread
~
Dinner
1 slice of grilled bacon with a one egg omelette & a grilled tomato.
~
9 oclock Snack

4 prunes

Drinks Coffee with sweetener and skimmed milk, Peppermint Cordial

~
~~~

Sues' Menus for the Last Three Days

~~~

Saturday

Breakfast

Oatbran Porridge

Lunch

Half a packet Thinly Sliced Chicken

Tea

Salmon and Spinach with Quark

Sugar Free Jelly and Fromage Frais Ice Cream

Snacks

Mini Babybel Light

1 Yogurt

Drinks

Sparkling Water

Coffee

~~~

Sunday

Breakfast

Scrambled Eggs with Parmesan

Lunch

Jacket Potato with Tuna Mayo and Salad (naughty girl!!)

Tea

Roast Garlic Chicken Breast

Snacks

1 Yogurt

Drinks

Sparkling Water

Coffee

~~~

Monday

Breakfast

Oatbran Porridge

Lunch

Chicken Salad with Balsamic Vinegar

Tea

Garlic Kiev with Roasted Vegetables

Snacks

1 Yogurt (Homemade)

1 tiny 'Snack a Jack' out of Hubbys' bag!

Drinks

Sparkling Water

Coffee

~~~

So...we both seem to be sticking to our diets and not struggling too much at the moment. This week we are both trying some new recipes and altering our menus slightly to keep things interesting. One of the things that can bring a diet to a standstill is boredom and boring foods, so we intend to keep ourselves interested in our food choices and keep moving forward.

My challenge for this week is to break the 12 stone barrier, can I be 11st 13lbs by Mondays' weigh in. I don't intend to starve myself to do this, just keep on track and try to up the exercise a little bit.

Have a lovely week, back on Monday.

Sue and Joan xx

First Month Review

2010-10-04T01:15:00.001-07:00

Well we're here, at our first months review and both holding up remarkably well. First the facts and figures.

Sues' Weight 12st 3lbs - Starting Weight 13st 4lbs - weight last week 12st 4lbs

Total Loss 1 stone 1lb (15lbs)

Joans' Weight 12st 3lb - Start weight 12 st 13lbs -weight last week 12st 3lbs

Total Loss 10lbs

Sues' Statistics

BMI - 27.6 - down 2.3
Body Fat - 4st 4.5lbs (37.3%) - down 9lb ( 35.3% - down 2%)

Bust - 39" - down 3"

Waist - 32" - down 6.5"

Hips - 40" - down 3"

Thighs - 20" - down 4.5" (each)

Total Inch Loss

21.5"

~~~

Joans' Statistics

BMI - 29.4 - down 1.8

Body Fat 4st 12lbs (39.8%) (no comparison yet - new scales)

Bust 42.5" - down 1.5"

Waist 34" - down 1.5"

Hips - 43" - down 2"

Thighs 22" - down 1" (each)

Total Inch Loss

~~~~

All in all a pleasing set of figures, we each had a tougher week this week, hence the lower loss for the week.

I somehow managed to gain 2lbs mid-week and then had to lose them again. Joan had an early Christmas present, of a pair of scales the same as mine (the Weightwatcher Scales pictured above), so we can both keep an easier eye on our health and have all the same information. Of course what happens when you get new scales.....your weight reads differently. So she also had a couple of extra pounds to shift just to keep her figures reading the same. So in fact if we had cruised along as normal we would have both lost 3lbs. SNAP!!

As it is we are both now at the same weight a good spring board to inspire us for the next month. Back with full facts and figures in a months time, and back tomorrow with some of our weekend menus, so you can see just what we've actually been eating over the past few days.

Sue and Joan xx

Wednesday Menus

2010-09-30T01:36:00.000-07:00

Joans' Wednesday Food

Breakfast

Porridge with a tsp of ground almonds

~
Lunch

1 small mackerel fillet with 1 slice of rye bread.
~
Dinner

Turkey stir fry with bean sprouts and mixed veg.

~~~

Sues' Wednesday Food

Breakfast

Oatbran Porridge

Lunch

Homemade Chicken Soup

Dinner

Chicken with Garlic 'Mayo'

Snacks

Yogurt, Mini BabyBel Light

~~~

We are both 'stuck' at the weights we were on Monday at the moment, maybe this is going to be a much slower week for us. But we are still giving it our all.

Back on Monday with our monthly facts and figures as well as our (hopefully) new weights.

Have a lovely weekend.

Sue and Joan xx

Week 4 - Already!!

2010-09-26T23:39:00.000-07:00

I can't believe we are already at the beginning of our fourth week into our diets, time is flying by so quickly. First here are the figures:

Sues' weight last week 12st 6lbs - Today 12st 4lbs - Total Loss 1 Stone (or 14lbs)

Joans' weight last week 12 st 5lbs - Today - 12st 3lbs - Total Loss 10lbs

I'm SO pleased to have hit the 1 stone marker already, quite impressive in just 21 days. I do realise that this won't keep up at quite the same pace, but this part of the Dukan Diet IS the weight loss phase, the next phase takes considerably longer and is the Consolidation Phase, in which you gradually get your body to get used to the new weight and teach it not to 'grab' at every calorie to give it, this is the main reason after many diets officially end that many people put just as much, (or sometimes even more) weight back on. The Dukan principle is a lifetime decision really, but I am pleased to find it works for, (and suits) me.

Joan is holding fast to her healthy eating regime and feeling so much better for it. A 10lb weight loss is pretty impressive in my opinion. Joan dances, ballroom, latin american, line dancing...you name it she does it (aided and abetted by Syd, my Dad) so that is her her exercise of choice to go along with her healthy food choices for this diet.

Below is a sample of what she is eating at the moment. Sensibly she keeps a food diary, it really helps in planning meals for the future and keeping your mind focused on eating a variety of foods. The worst thing in a diet is to lock yourself into a boring eating pattern, with a food diary it is easy to plan ahead and also to see what your favourite meals were. It's always worth making your favourite meal when you're feeling a bit down. And you will notice she sneaks in a tasty treat when she needs it!!

SATURDAYS MENU
~

BREAKFAST

Juice of Half a Lemon with a spoonful of Acacia honey in hot water. (Every morning.)

4 Ryvitas with a smear of molasses and feta cheese.

LUNCH

Homemade veggie soup. 1 slice toast

DINNER

Chicken, 1 small potato, courgettes, carrots, broccoli and gravy.
~~

SUNDAYS MENU

BREAKFAST

Juice of Half a Lemon with a spoonful of Acacia honey in hot water.
2oz. Oatiflakes.
with 6 prunes.
and 1 Actimel instead of milk on cereal.

~
LUNCH
1 slice Hovis oatbread
2 slices corned beef and sliced beetroot

~
DINNER
4. Ryvitas with roast lemon chicken.
For a snack 6 walnuts.
~

Drinks - coffee. peppermint cordial with cold water

11 pm. 1 small Baileys.

This week I am determined to get exercising to my Dvd, last week that fizzled out before it even began with a mix of house sorting out and farmwork having to take precedence. As I said at the beginning time is flying by, and my days are shortened at the moment with the animals needs having to be met during the rapidly diminishing daylight hours. So this week (with all the sorting done and less work needed in the polytunnel) I giving myself the challenge of doing one easy workout (to get me back into it) and then one, or even two full workouts to my Davina Dvd.

Sue and Joan xx

Wondering.....

2010-09-23T02:54:00.000-07:00

I'm wondering whether to make my Dukan Diet Diary Blog available for everyone to read, it contains mainly my daily menus and the odd thought - what do you think? Would it be of any interest to anyone?

Sue xx

Week 3 - Going Well

2010-09-20T01:32:00.000-07:00

Well here we are, into week three already and boy is it going well for both of us.

Let's get the weight out of the way first.

Sues' weight last week 12st 11lb - Today 12st 6lbs - Down 5lbs = Total Loss 12lbs

Joans' weight last week 12st 7lbs - Today 12st 5lbs - Down 2lbs = Total Loss 8lbs

We're both finding our diets suiting us just fine, Joan is eating a healthy balanced diet, omitting all the things that the Blood Group diet say she shouldn't touch and I am sticking firm and fast to the Dukan diet. This is like a healthier version of Atkins and swings more towards low fat dairy products whereas Atkins advocates low-carb and high fat. The only thing I am really missing is 'crunchy' things, biscuits, crackers etc. All the bakery products I have made from the diet book up to now have been quite soft and spongy.

This week I am going to try and include a bit more exercise, I'm going to dust off my Dvds and get myself moving. Up to now it's just been farm work and dog walking, but I think I need a bit more target exercise to get different muscles moving.

I have been on the look out for a Dukan Blogger that I can follow, but up to now I'm having no success in my search, so if anyone knows of a link I would be very grateful. There are a few diet sites that include the odd Dukan mention but no person with their own individual Blog. The main Dukan Diet Recipe Book is released this week in the UK so hopefully there will be some more interest in it soon. This diet has been going for years in France and has now just reached Australia, but it has not been picked up by the Americans yet and that is usually when diets hit the 'big time'.

We're both looking forward to another successful week and are both upping the exercise to get ourselves fitter as well as slimmer, after all this is a healthier lifestyle challange not just a weight loss thing.

Sue and Joan xx

Second Week

2010-09-13T00:55:00.000-07:00

Well that's Week One over with, and a very successful week for both of us it has been too.

I've been drinking a minimum of 1.5 litres of water each day, in fact I usually manage to finish one of these bottles every day, and they hold 2 litres. It's making me feel clearer headed and fresh. And the exercise of running upstairs to the toilet every hour can only be a good thing!

Our Weights

Sue's starting weight 13st 4 lbs - Today's weight 12st 11lbs - Down 7lbs

Joan's starting weight 12st 13lbs - Today's weight 12st 7lbs - Down 6lbs

We're both really pleased with our first weeks efforts, but are under no illusions that the weight loss will continue at this rate, but to have a good first week is important on any diet or eating plan, it enthuses you to carry on and indeed we are both still raring to go.

I'm very happy because of the weight I've lost, 5.8lbs of it is Body Fat rather than it being just water as can happen in some diets. Although we are not doing the full facts and figures until the first Monday of each month I have to let it slip that I have lost 3 inches off my waist which is brilliant as this is the worst place to carry fat, very unhealthy, so I'm hopefully going about things in the right way.

We had a good get together on Friday and compared notes. We are both filling in our Paul McKenna books each day and keeping notebooks with favourite recipes and our measurements in. It's the best way to keep yourself focused and on track.

I hope all of you who are joining in are doing well, and if not, well it's Monday......traditionally the day that all good diets start.....time to jump on board again.

The best thing I've found about my diet is that I'm never hungry and that can be the thing that sends you off the rails. I do admit to looking at the chocolate bars on the checkout at the supermarket the other day and thinking......Mmmmm! But I resisted and had a big swig of my icy cold water in the car instead, and when I got home treated myself to a lovely fruity yogurt, healthier, and I felt pleased with myself too, which is better than feeling guilty anyday!!

So here's to Week Two and hopefully another couple of pounds off!

Sue and Joan xx

And we're off.......

2010-09-06T01:29:00.001-07:00

No more troughing!!

Well this is it, the first day of a new us. I have signed up to the Dukan Diet website (at a cost high enough to make me stick to this), so hopefully with the added support of Joan, my Mum, and Pierre Dukan I can be a new woman by December.

Joan is taking the advice from the Blood Group Diet and combining it with this healthy eating plan found in Woman's Weekly for the next six weeks, and I'm following the Dukan Diet to the letter, to see if it does give me the healthy fast start it promises.

My statistics at the moment are....takes a deep breath....

Height 5' 6"

Weight 13st 4lbs

BMI 29.9

Body Fat 4st 13.5 lbs (37.3%)

Bust 42"

Waist 38.5"

Hips 43"

Thighs 24.5" (each, unfortunately!!)

And Joans are -

Height 5' 4"

Weight 12st 13lbs

BMI 31.2

Bust 44"

Waist 36.5"

Hips 45"

Thighs - 23"

It really can only get better.... and we are going to make sure it does!!

Sue and Joan xx

Planning Ahead

2010-08-26T04:53:00.000-07:00

Joan and Sue - Diet Buddies

The 6th September 2010 is to be an important day for me and my Mum, Sue and Joan. Together we are embarking on new diets, using each other for moral support and inspiration
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Hopefully by the time 2011 comes knocking at our doors we will be at least a stone lighter (each, that is) and feeling healthier, maybe slightly less wealthier but most definitely wiser, about our bodies, our health and our futures.

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We are working as a team, as partners against the foe that is those extra pounds. The pounds that make you feel sluggish and slow you down, that make you feel unhealthy and indeed, create health problems just by being there. We will eliminate as many of those pounds as possible, but in a sensible and enjoyable way.

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We are both using as our inspiration the book by Paul McKenna 'I Can Make You Thin'. Using the tools he gives you in this book to help us on our way, the moral support, the CD, the DVD and the day by day checklist to keep us on track. We are also choosing our own food 'diets'.

Mum is doing the 'Blood Group Eating Plan'. Eating the foods that are deemed healthiest for people with her blood group and cutting out all the ones seen as 'bad' for her.
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I am doing the Dukan Diet. The high protein, low carbohydrate diet, that coincidentally cuts from my diet many of the food groups that the Blood Group Diet would. Having 'done Atkins' in the past and finding it a brilliant diet, the Dukan is a similar if slightly healthier version (in my opinion).

Things may change, indeed the very diets may change if we find the ones we have chosen too severe, too restricting or simply don't suit us. But whatever happens we are going to give it our best shot.

At the start of this year I vowed to myself not to end my 50th year feeling fat, frumpy and unhealthy. I started the year at 13 stone and guess what I weigh now.....yep...13 stone. Not much success up to now then!!

Therefore, things can only get better and with the moral support of my Mum I aim to rectify that, and I hope to give her the same support that she has promised me. Through this Blog we will inspire and keep each other going in the few months ahead.

If you would like to join us on this journey you are more than welcome. Simply leave your starting weight and your diet of choice as a comment on this post and check back during the four months to update your figures or diet. I will add your Blog to our sidebar and we will all support each other.

We will see where we all are on Monday 20th December. That's 15 weeks of diet, exercise and health, things can only get better.

Here's to a healthier future.

Sue and Joan xx