WHAT A YEAR 2020 HAS BEEN!

 

15^th December, 2020.

We are now in the middle of December, coming up to Christmas and the end of one of the strangest years of my life. I thought last year was a strange one for me personally, but this year it has hit everyone at different levels. We don't know what can happen in a year. When you think about it, it sounds a long time but when you look back you wonder where the time went. Last year I didn't really think I could achieve what I wanted to do, but I gave it a go and I managed to get there. I was cleared to have my joint replacement operations (still waiting) and I am six and a half stones – that's 91 pounds – lighter. I started taking weight loss more seriously this time last year and once I had seen the orthopaedic specialist in March and I knew what I had to do and I did it.

For a lot of people when the Covid-19 lockdown happened here in the United Kingdom, they found that they ate more sugary foods etc. and gained weight. I could not afford to do that. I found that being stuck at home help me to concentrate on me and I learned so much. Having the time helped me to really think about me and how I wanted to live my life to the best I could. I am now beginning to feel proud of my achievement, even though I know I will never stop learning and developing the way I think. There are so many new developments and things to think about and I think we should always be open to new ideas and not become stale in what we know and think.

I was finally contacted by the N.H.S. weight management team, the first time since March, and I was able to tell them about my weight loss. After we had discussed how I had managed without their input for eight months we talked about where I wanted to go from here. Even though I went through so many emotions about the situation I was left in at the beginning of lockdown, they agreed that the achievement of weight loss was all mine, which was nice, and we were able to discuss ideas of weight management. It was good to talk about this with someone else, I must admit, and have some expert input. They are now going to ring me in January.

As we are now in the last month of this very strange year many of us just want to put it all in a box and move forward to 2021 to see what it brings. This is what I want to do too. We are coming up to the time of eating far more than usual and the possibility of putting on a few pounds :-). This is fine, there is nothing wrong with this and when we have done this and got to the end of the year we should not feel guilty, but many of will.

January is that time of year that many of us think, “Oh my goodness! We have put weight on and now we must panic! Start a diet! Join a gym and lose it!”

By the end of January, if we get that far, all good intentions have faded. When you are feeling guilty and being bombarded by the weight loss industry to put it right, give yourself a moment to think about how you got to your situation. Really think about what is right for you to achieve, not only in weight loss but to make it the best way for you. I will do my best to enjoy myself throughout the festive season, watching what I eat but also enjoying good food and treats without guilt. Once December has gone I will assess where I am and move on from there.

I will draw my blog to a close now until the New Year, but I will be back. It's not been a good year, but let us hope as we move into 2021 that there is a light at the end of the tunnel . Enjoy your festive times the best way you can and I will see you on the other side.

Love Jackie

xx

PS. Before I finish for the year, here's a little whimiscal thought for you.

WHAT WOULD THE CAVE PERSON DO?

Can you imagine weight loss in prehistoric times? Cave people lined up to get weighed by the Cave Person Weight Loss Leader. You can hear the excuses now.

“Well, we caught our first animal in weeks, and we had to eat it all, because we are in the middle of the weather being hot and we had nowhere to store it, so we ate it and now I've put 2 lbs on!”

“I haven't managed to get a lightweight fur yet and this fur is drenched because it rained and all the extra weight is water!”

“I haven't had to run away from as many wild animals this week, so I haven't had as much exercise as I need!”

They didn't have to make excuses, and neither should we. In the greater picture, it doesn't matter.