Cambridge Diet; 9 week progress report!

Hi!
Thought I would check back in and update you all on my weight loss journey. I am still on the Cambridge diet!! Woooooohoooooo!!
So, since I last updated you I have continued to loose weight, it has slowed down and I have noticed I have a bigger loss then a smaller loss.
I am still on Step 1; Sole Source; and will continue on this until I have been on the diet for 12 weeks.

In my previous update; I told you I wasn't very well and the doctors had put me on anti-biotics and steroids. I was concerned they would slow down my weight loss that week and lo and behold they did. That week I lost a miserable 1lb but my waist did shrink 1 inch!

Following the disappointment, and completing the course of medication I knew this week would be better. I went to my councillor knowing I had done well and I had; another 4lbs lost, but my waist had stayed the same.

The next week I went to get weighed and I thought I had done well, but I had not. Only a 1lb loss. I was a little disheartened because I had not eaten anything I shouldn't have. The only thing I thought it could be was the water flavouring. I love that stuff, I love it strong! Turns out, I was using to much because I loved the taste and I was knocking myself out of ketosis.

I made the decision that for the following week I would not use ANY water flavouring. This was tough as I couldn't stand the taste of water; but I persisted and found a new addiction - fizzy water!! I attended my appointment with the councillor and I had lost 3lbs!

Either there is a patten going on with my weight loss now; or the water flavouring really was knocking me out of ketosis. I have decided to have another week without it just to see.

My total weight loss for 9 weeks is 34lbs or 2 stone 4lbs! My waist has shrunk a total of 4 inches.

My current weight is 201lbs (14 stone 5lbs), my waist is 35.5 inches and my BMI is 34.5.

I have achieved my 2 stone loss on week 7.

I will keep you updated, so check back in a few weeks! I am so close to my 3 stone achievement!

Dora the Explorer Pumpkin Stencil

Following the success of my previous years pumpkin stencils, I have decided to make a few more for you this year. First being Dora the Explorer.

If you do try any of my pumpkin stencils; please do send me a picture as I would love to see!

Keep a look out for more pumpkin stencils to come.

You can find my previous stencils here:

Peppa Pig Pumpkin Stencil

Waybuloo Pumpkin Stencils

In The night Garden Pumpkin Stencils

Some useful pumpkin carving tips can be seen here.

The first week at school

Your child will probably be really tired during their first week with all the new experiences, early morning and long days. Make allowances for this, and so not try to pack the time after school with too much activity, play sates or clubs as your child needs plenty of time to recharge their batteries.

Tip: Remember that, although you have tried to prepare your child for their first day at school, each day this week will bring new experiences as your child enjoys the whole week's timetable. Try to treat each day as a first day at school.

If you have concerns or questions that have arisen during the first week try to avoid speaking to the teacher at the start of the day as this is a really busy time. Children need to be settled and get started with the activities that have been planned for that day. Waiting until the end of the day is much more suitable, and, if the teacher thinks it would be better to make an appointment to discuss any issue further, it will be easier for them when the classroom is quiet.

Don't forget that other parents may have the answers to some of your questions, or may be wondering about the same thing, so it is good to start talking to other parents of children in your child's class. However, resist the temptation to become involved in the 'What my child can and can't do' discussions that can go on in playgrounds.

Your first day away from your child

If you know that you are likely to feel anxious about your child starting school, then make plans to do something unusual once they have been dropped off, such as having a haircut, going swimming or meeting a friend for a coffee. This will help to distract you from worrying about your child who is probably quite happy and enjoying the exciting things on offer!

It is not unusual for young children to have a bit of an emotional wobble at the start of the day but generally they will be fine within a few minutes of being in a classroom with experienced adults who are used to working with such young children. This wobble can come at any time and so so not be alarmed if your previously settled child suddenly becomes upset at the start of the day. There are usually simple reasons behind this, such as being really tired, not feeling very well, worrying about something at home and in very rare occasions something at school. Again, make sure you talk to your child's teacher to share any information about possible causes and to work together to settle your child.

Make sure your child has time to relax, rest or play after school before you have dinner and start the bath and bedtime routine. They may bring home a reading book to share with you but this can wait until another time as at this stage this has already been a really busy day! A shared story before bed is a good time to have a quick recap of the day and may help your child to allay any anxieties and settle down so that they relax and have a good night's sleep.

Tip: At the end of the first day, and for the whole of their first week tour child will probably be really tired. Try not to keep asking about what they have done as children will usually volunteer information about the days activities in their own time. If you are curious then ask 'What did you really enjoy today?' as this is less intimidating that 'What did you do today?' and is also more likely to get a response, even if that response is simply 'playtime' or 'lunchtime'!