I was running, going to the Gym but still not losing weight! Could re-thinking my diet lead to the weight loss results I wanted?

My fitness journey started in September 2014, after nearly 12 months my focus begin to shift to the dreaded issue of my weight.  Although I’d lost a few pound it was nowhere near the weight loss target I’d set myself.

Able to run 5km? Yep, was managing 3 times a week now

Joined a gym & going regularly?      Yep, was going a couple of times a week, also managed the occasional class! That was a first for me, especially since having the kids.

I’d stuck at it, had overcome barriers; keeping fit and active was now second nature and part of my weekly routine.

So why wasn’t I losing any weight?

Ok I’d lost a few pounds when I’d started exercising again but I’d toned up more and so wasn’t wobbling as much. OK so that was a bonus; I felt fitter and maybe more active than a lot of women my age. But standing on the scales I was still 2 stone overweight and a couple of dress sizes bigger than I was entirely happy with.

This started to de-motivate me; what was the point?

I had felt I’d reviewed my diet. I tried to be good in the week and thought in general I succeeded there. I’d stopped drinking week nights a long time ago although there was the odd re-lapse or mid week catch up with friends. Yes I did indulge at weekends, particularly on the gin & prosecco side of things, liked the odd bar of chocolate (fruit & nut in my head did count as part of my five a day). You’ve got to have some enjoyment in life! Right?

I’d mentioned my frustrations to a work colleague concerning lack of weight loss. He advocated that sustainable, healthy weight loss is not always down to either exclusively diet or exercise but a combination of the both. Sounded logical but he went on to say (here’s the sting) its 80% diet & 20% exercise. In my head that was simply not fair! I’m running, I’m going to the gym, I’m doing a lot more than a lot of people I know! Blah, blah, blah!

So I soldiered on. Read more