I wrote recently about how I am trying to lose weight at the moment, in an effort to getting back to being me. To feeling like myself again. The diet is having ups and downs, good days and bad days but I am not stressing about the bad days. I am trying not to be too hard on myself or trying to do this too quickly. I am a pretty impatient person and want results yesterday, but I know it is going to take time. It is not even 3 months since I had a baby and my body is still recovering. I am walking a lot more and trying to build my fitness up a bit. This week I am also trialling a post-natal yoga class as my back is killing me at the moment and I would be interested to see if that can help.
What has any of this got to do with red shorts? Well, as part of the not pressuring myself I am trying not to base my idea of weight loss success purely on the scales. According to the scales, after 5 days of dieting I had lost 5lbs but then 2 days later on the same diet I was back up to my start weight again. Very demoralising. But, actually, I feel like my clothes are not quite as snug as they were before I started this diet so I do think I am on the right track, whatever the scales say. I always find clothing the best way for me to judge my weight, just because there can be so many fluctuations on the scales.
I have this pair of red shorts that I have had for over 10 years. They have been all over the world with me and I have worn them at different weights and they have gone from being loose to tight to loose to tight as my weight has fluctuated. They are now completely battered and mainly used for doing things like painting or dying my hair but they always help me judge what size I am.
As well as tracking my weight loss, I will also be periodically checking how my red shorts fit me to hopefully keep my spirits up along the way! This photo was actually taken a few days into the diet when I had lost a few pounds, but, well, as you can see, they are extrememly tight, and I cannot remotely do them up!
I doubt I will ever be out and about in them again (note the paint stains) but hopefully my red shorts will fit me again at some point, then I will know I have achieved my goal size and am back to feeling like myself!
It’s a great idea to have incentive clothing to help spur you on! I am sure you can even rock the pain splatter look! Sim x
Aw that’s a great idea. Muscle weighs more than fat so don’t get too caught up with scales, it’s all about the inches. Looks forward to following your journey xx
clothing is a great way in measuring…. after all no one knows the numbers on the scales apart from you. Good luck with the shorts journey… I have some that used to fit me, and now have the same look as yours now. 🙁 #bloggingtojogging
Brilliant idea! Actually I have a pair of jeans that I bought a couple of years ago that I haven’t been able to wear, so I think I’m going to keep trying them on as a measure of how well I’m doing. Thanks for the inspiration! Oh, and good luck! I had a baby 7 months ago, and at 3 months I did nothing but sit around eating biscuits. So you’re doing a lot better than me! x
Incentive Clothing is definitely what I need!
Lizzie Dripping
I love this idea, I still have an old pair of shorts that fit me in my slimmer days, I think I will try them on late in the year and see if they fit me again eek! good luck to you xx #allaboutyou
what a fab idea to track progress!!! you have a brilliant attitude, we all fall off the wagon sometimes but it’s getting back on that wagon after that shows your will power x #bloggingtojogging
Great idea! I have a bridesmaid dress and my goal was to get into that. I have managed that now so now my goal is to get it to a point where its loose 😀
Fab idea, the scales aren’t everything. I was also in Rio in 2007! You’re right to try not to rush things, as frustrating as it is! Good luck and thanks for linking to #BloggingToJogging xx
I’m afraid I have read this post with my Midwife hat on… and wearing said hat I just want to say – give yourself a break! It takes 9 months to grow a baby and 9 months to recover. You’re not even 3 months in yet so don’t give yourself a hard time about the weight. Having said that, I do think that when your body has recovered and it’s time to think about weight loss, having an item to measure against like that is better than being a slave to the scales. Midwife hat off again. xx
thanks lovely and don’t worry I really am taking it easy. I was over-eating ridiculously so it is more about cutting back on that and then gradually getting fitness levels up a bit by walking, ad I went to a lovely post-natal yoga class the other day which was really gentle and helpful! xx
Good luck with losing weight – using an item of clothing that you have had for years is such a great way of helping you measure where you are in terms of reaching your goal.
Thanks for linking up to #WeightLossWednesday over at Sim’s Life! Hope you are having a good week and looking forward to your next post. Bring it on!! 🙂 xx
Good luck Caroline! Don’t think about all the good foods you can’t eat, concentrate on introducing lots of new exciting foods into your diet instead then you don’t feel deprived. I’m on an anti-inflammatory diet since the new year and I’m such a sugar addict it’s so hard! To keep me motivated I’ve been trying lots of nice snacky dried fruit like mango pieces and making coconut bread (which tastes a bit like cake!). xxxx
I have the same but with a pair of jeans and some summer shorts – it would be amazing to get back into the shorts this summer – just to do them up would make me happy! #weightlosswednesday
Brilliant and honest idea for your target to be set on something that is connected to so many memories! I just wrote a post about body image in fact, and I think that you are wise not to base your goals on the scales.
#allaboutyou
Definitely a great idea to keep you going… and a fantastic incentive. I did chuckle and wonder why the post was called ‘My Red Shorts’. I look forward to your red short progress.
Thank you for linking up with #WeightLossWednesday and I hope to see you again this week!
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