Progress Report

Yesterday was weigh in day, and I'm pleased to report that I'm down 1kg this week after less than impressive results over the past fortnight. That's my biggest loss since week1. There were quite a few big losses at weigh in this week with about 6 of us losing 1kg or more. I felt thinner but was surprised to discover that I'd had such a good loss.

For those of you who LOVE numbers....

Starting weight: 90.2kg
Current weight: 87.1kg
Total loss: 3.1kg
Time taken: 6 weeks

Measurements.

Chest.
Week 1. 113.5cm
Currently 107cm
Loss of 6.5cm

Waist
Week 1. 101.5 cm
Currently 96.0cm
Loss of 5.5cm

Hips
Week 1 119cm
Currently 114cm
Loss of 5cm

R/L Upper Arm
Week 1 36.5/34.5 cm
Currently 33/32cm
Loss of 3.5/2.5cm

R/L Thigh
Week 1 63.5/63.5cm
Currently 57/59cm
Loss of 6.5/4.5

I think the tape measure is my new friend! Far more impressive than what the scale is telling me. Also explains the Simon and Garfunkel undies (Slip slidin' away).

'Snacks' was the topic for discussion this week at WW and we compiled lists of favourite snack foods then arranged them into three categories. It was very interesting to see how many things like biscuits, lollies, chocolate, chips and other such foods made their way onto the lists. This led to a quick look at how the advertising and marketing industries skilfully convince consumers that these items (and many others) are snack foods. Just head down to the 'snack foods' isle in your supermarket and see what they think a snack is. I bet next to none of it will fill you up, give you slow release energy and stabilise your blood sugar! There is no nutritional value in any of it.

These are the things I snack on...

• fruit
• nuts (limit of about 8 per day)
• low fat yoghurt
• cheese stick (not an everyday snack, but ok for a couple of times per week)
• ricotta with blueberries and cinnamon
• smoothie of berries, perhaps some other fruit, spinach (I kid you not, you can't taste it), flaxseeds, and in a base of either water, keffir or some kind of milk - cows, rice, soy.
• ryvita or with tomato or cucumber and a protein e.g. philliadelphia cheese, slice of smoked salmon or ham/chicken
• vegetable sticks and hummus

Once a week or so snacks

• home baking (I have some lower fat recipes, like baking and at least know what's in the food if I make it)
• scone with a cuppa out at the shops.
• hmmmm, can't think of anything else

Treats that aren't really snacks at all

• the occasional mini chocolate (usually with PMS). Luckily I'm not a big chocolate fan. I know, there is something seriously wrong with me!
• potato chips

I used to crave potato chips with something close to a manic intensity a few times per month. I would scoff them (with the manners of my dogs) and once I'd finished the packet I'd not need or think of them until the next craving. Interestingly some blood work found that I was iodine and sodium deficient and my GP prescribed iodised table salt. I now use that on my meals and have not had one craving or one chip since. About 12 weeks and counting now. Just not interested. Obviously my body needed something.....the salt!

What do you snack on? I'd love to hear some healthy ideas.