My Monday Post

Well – are you all wondering how my week has gone on No Count?
Has it made a difference to my weight loss?
Have I felt better, been less hungry, had more energy????

Well – yes and no on all counts for the following reasons…
I hate to say it as there are so many fans of No Count – but I didn’t really like it.  I found the rules too restrictive rather than freeing (I can only have a low fat yoghurt as a free food if I eat it at a meal time, otherwise need to count it), and my personal difficulties with using bonus or allocated points.  I know I had 21 points to use, but I didn’t like to!  And even then, as I tracked my exercise as well, my points never went down as it kept adding in my exercise points, which I never used to count!
It made meals really difficult, especially as things such as Weight Watchers meals aren’t permissible (with out counting the full 5.5 points for example), and I often use these as a back up when the rest of the family are having take away.  Coming home from the gym/late night shopping at 8pm faced with cooking tea for one, was not good – really needed to just heat up a frozen meal which is healthy, portion controlled and ready in 6 minutes!!!!

However, there have been some good aspects.  I learnt to eat a good breakfast.  In the past , I have spread my “breakfast” over the morning to save on points –ie it has been a series of snacks.  However I have spent a week eating No Count oats – adding cinnamon, Equal, and a banana every day, and this has been quite delicious, and very filling. I haven’t wanted to snack after this, so the impact on points hasn’t been an issue.  It has also increased the fibre and fruit in my diet, and reduced my intake of processed bars (eg muesli bars, etc)  So this has been quite positive.
I have also relaxed my portion control of meat – which I think is a positive thing, as I need to get more protein.
Lastly, I have decided to drink one 600ml bottle of Powerade each day to increase my hydration.  I made an agreement with myself that I would take this out of my exercise points, as I earn so many of them (about 5 – 6/day) and this is the reason why I need to drink more!  As a result of this -  I have found that I have also drunk more water, as after the powerade is finished, I feel thirstier, and don’t look for the (caffeine free) diet coke.  So this has been good all round.

The outcomes
Don’t know if its just been the great weather we’ve had here last week, or the changes made – but I have felt great – and been full of energy.  Had a fantastic run on Sunday (ran 10 kms) – but this is possibly due to new info I’ve looked at re running – more about that later.
I do feel that dehydration was an issue, and that this is much better, and the powerade hasn’t affected my weight, because this morning I recorded a   (drum roll)

1.4 kg loss!!!!

Yep, you read it right, I now weigh 61.6kgs –only 4.6 kgs to go.

I have decided to go back to the Points Plan as I feel it gives me more freedom, but I’m going to take with me these dietary changes.  I think they will still all fit, its just been a really good learning experience.
So onward and downward for me!