Learning from my past

I got to my goal weight in 1998. It took only 8 months and I did not stray from my weekly points allowance even once in that time. Christmas, birthdays, hormones etc etc. Nothing sent me off track.

But I didn't stay at goal for even 2 weeks. I put all the weight back on in 8 months. Then added some more.

There were things I had not resolved. Obviously!

A lot of water has passed under the bridge since then. I am a very different person.  And I have attempted to lose the weight again too many times to count.

I wanted to write down some of what I have learned in the past 12 years that will make this journey more successful for me in the long term, even if it takes longer than 8 months to get there this time. Apologies if I am repeating myself. I need a reminder!


1. Getting to my goal weight is the start of my life long journey, not the ‘finish post’. This is not a race, it is my new life.

2. I have PCOS and a tendency to insulin resistance. Successful weight loss for me will always require a decent amount of protein and low GI carbs.

3. I have coeliac disease, eating gluten is extremely bad for me, but as far as weight loss goes it also makes me crave high energy foods to counteract the fact that my body is not absorbing enough. A gluten free diet is required 100% of the time for so many reasons, but also for weight loss.

4. I sub-consciously sabotaged my weight loss efforts for over 20 years. I no longer have the issues that caused this (after successful therapy), but I do still tend to go back to bad habits if I lose focus. I need to continually remind myself of what behaviours are acceptable to me.

5. I have ADD. I was not diagnosed until last year, and it is this I believe that will make the biggest difference to my success. Focus, follow through, impulse control, reduced stress and anxiety are all keys to me losing weight and are all things my ADD meds give me.

The past 12 years have included a lot of personal growth. They have included me learning a lot about the best way to deal with my tendency to over plan, my tendency to be 'all or nothing', my need to feel in control.

With all that I have learned, with the support I get from many sources, with the love and happiness that fill my life, there is no reason for me not to become the best version of me that I can be.