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Weigh In

With a week to go until the start of my C9 challenge, time to take stock of where I am and think about some of the specifics.

Post-Christmas and New Year weigh in this morning puts me at 11st 5lbs. That is a 4lb gain from Christmas Eve but actually just 2lbs above what I consider an 'acceptable’ weight.

I have been eagerly anticipating the C9 but this (and in indeed an earlier) weigh in caused me some anxiety. Should I see the benefit of weight loss from the challenge, I don’t want to have gained so much over the festive period that anything lost simply returns me to where I was. My target is to break through the 11st barrier and so I want to be as close as possible to this before I start.

To this end, I strongly considered delaying my start date of 11th January but ultimately decided against it. Instead I opted to make this a healthy week, putting aside the leftover junk and stepping up the exercise. I enjoyed a 30 minute stint on the exercise bike before work followed by a 50-60 minute walk at lunchtime, a pattern that will be broadly maintained throughout the week, weather permitting. My meal plan will return to normal with a low-carb dinner based around vegetables or salad.

The sudden transition from an all out snack-a-thon to careful calorie control has been jarring, the evening period between getting home and dinner particularly difficult as my hunger pangs tried to override my brain to lead me into the sweet filled prmoised land of the kitchen. But I resisted, an important victory given what is to come. I don't rule out the occasional indulgence this week but it will be in moderation.

I have demonstrated to myself that I can shed a couple of excess pounds within a week and so this morning’s weigh in is no reason to delay the start of my C9. In fact I am toying with the idea of bringing it forward.

Start Date

Before starting this blog I was only notionally familiar with the C9 plan and will do a full unboxing during the week, however some background reading gives me pause for thought.

Of the 9 day plan, the first 2 appear the hardest as they are based predominantly around the Aloe Gel. There is a risk of low energy given the limited calorie intake.

Combined with the sheer fact of a fundamental change to diet, I am concerned that starting on a (working) Monday morning may not be prudent. My day has become broadly structured around when I eat certain foods, and of course I need to have a level of mental alertness. For that reason, I am considering starting on a Saturday, giving me the hardest 2 days at home which, although presenting different stresses of family life, may ultimately be easier to manage.

To be determined.

Potential Challenges

Increasing my water intake should not present a problem as I already consume a fair amount. I do however like to supplement this with several cups of tea, which will be a wrench to give up. Not just for the caffeine intake but also the break in the day it provides in making it. I intend to phase it out gradually this week, although I seemed to be staging a silent rebellion today, sneaking in an extra cup or two as a final act of defiance.

General snacking has also been a concern. I consider my current diet to be broadly healthy (Christmas excluded) but am conscious that it includes a number of processed items. Fruit bars may be better than chocolate bars but they are still packed with badness. It was interesting then to read about the number of items that are considered ‘free foods’ as part of the plan with many items of fresh fruit and raw vegetables admissible and which should provide ample snacking.

I am really looking forward to starting this plan, taking charge of my diet and hopefully laying the groundwork for a healthier, happier me.

Still To come

The countdown continues with a unboxing and summary of the C9 pack, a provisional 9 day dietary plan, a final pre-plan weigh-in and some ‘before’ pictures of my target areas.