I never had all that much weight to lose, just a stone or so…easily acquired when you’re eating out a lot and partial to cheese and wine! However, last year I did manage to shift it with a switch to the 5:2 diet, intensified for the first few months.
Sticking to this straightforward way of life and eating only 500 calories for two days of the week means I have kept my excess stone off for over a year. Where am I going with this rather uninteresting tale? Well, successfully losing weight does feel great but there are a few surprises no-one tells you about…
1) You miss your appetite
The 5:2 way of life and eating a little less does rather seem to shrink your your stomach and your eating capabilities! Bizarrely, I miss being able to eats lots of food. I used to be a massive fan of grazing, I still am, but it really fills me up! When you know you’re going to get full pretty quickly you really have to pick your food carefully.
2) You can’t choose where you lose weight from
It’s true, you might just want to shift a little from around the middle but you end up losing it from everywhere, even places you didn’t want to slim down! If you’re a woman, you can expect to lose hips and bust, not something I was prepared for!
3) Some of your favorite outfits won’t look so good on any more
Partly due to point number 2 and a changing shape, dresses, favorite jeans and tops can all not fit as they once did. Some clothes will look better on but some you’ll have to say goodbye to. It is an excuse to go shopping though!
4) Your shopping habits increase!
Yes point number 3 brings you every excuse you’ll ever need to go clothes shopping. Whether it’s buying old favourites in smaller sizes or embracing bold new trends now that you feel more confident. You may have lost weight but your credit card bills will be getting fatter!
5) The fear of re-gaining weight is ever present
While it feels great to be slimmer, there’s always a faint glimmer of worry that you might gain the weight back. One too many takeaways and you could be back where you started, ruining all your hard work. If you’re being healthy it probably won’t happen (beyond a couple of easily shed-able pounds), but the fear lingers in a way you never expected. I guess maybe it’s the motivation to stay healthy?
6) You become a bit boring
Yes, like people who give up drinking or get really serious about the gym, you’ll lose a little bit of your fun self. Maybe it’s not true for everyone but having to be sensible about what you eat does make you a little dull and even annoying, in my opinion. Loving food and being adventurous with it is part of who I am…I like farmers markets, day time drinking, brunch and cheese on everything! So to have to reign these elements of my character in, sometimes doesn’t feel quite right. Like everything though, I suppose it’s all about balance. It’s important to get the calorie counting Vs living life balance right and I guess I’m still adjusting…and slightly mourning those carefree, eat-anything days!
So there you have it – some of the unexpected results of weight loss! This isn’t intended to put anyone off their weight loss goals, it’s just a one year on reflection from me I suppose. Would love to hear your thoughts on losing weight too…
xXx
