I have an announcement to make - Week 1

So Week 1 is all about outing yourself! This challenge is going to get harder and harder the closer we get to Christmas.. people need to know you're doing it.. and they need to know you're serious! Announce it.. and there's no need for a full page in the Irish Times... but getting healthy isn't a taboo subject... 

There's not need to be embarrassed or ashamed..  deciding to be healthier is a smart decision, be proud that you're making the change to your life... and you can do it even if you DON'T get support.. don't let anyone discourage you.... if you show people you're serious about it.. they'll take you seriously! Stand your ground!


At the office...

'Hey Mary... do you fancy a walk at lunchtime? I'm doing a challenge for Christmas, I'm going to lose a pound a week.. are ya in?' .. worse thing Mary can say is no! If she does, ask Kevin or Tom or Sinead or whoever wants out of the place for half an hour to bitch about Mary being so lazy! You know you do it!

If you're really going for it... stick up a note on the fridge in the office.. 

A pound a week till Christmas who's in!? 

Everyone give a euro a week, all money to the children's hospital at Christmas 

AAANNNNNDDDDDD

'All sweets left in reception before Christmas week are going to charity!' 

Plenty of old peoples homes, homeless shelters, kids charities that would appreciate them... YOU don't need them, you're not a human rubbish bin! Not only because you're losing weight.. think of your skin.. teeth... all that processed sugar in your body! 

with the family... 

'Mum, I need a bit of support... I've got this fab dress and I really want to fit into for Christmas, can you hide the desserts from me till Christmas day, I've enough temptation... Sugar free jelly would be ace!' 

'When you're coming up don't bring any food.. my freezer is full... bring some daffodil bulbs, wall paper paste, light bulbs ... ' whatever just not food... my mother thinks there are no supermarkets in Dublin!

'We'll make lunch when we go home... lets buy some fancy bread for our soup.. ' its lovely to go out to lunch for a treat.. but just until Christmas.. put yourself first.. your health... your body... 

For the mammies out there... your kids are watching you like hawks... you eat crap, they think its OK to eat crap... and once they're big enough they'll get lippy about it too! we've all heard the 'well YOU do it...' argument... you teach them about new veggies and fruits and you open up their palettes and minds because they won't be afraid to try new things! You are a role model... and you love them... so teach them good habits for life... they don't need a selection box in September anymore than you do...


with your friends...

Ditch the saboteurs, you know who they are.. the 'Mrs Doyle types'... we all know one..  'sure one piece won't kill you'... Your response should be... 'You're right it won't kill me in fact it'll taste amazing but what you don't seem to understand is I'm avoiding this type of food because I cannot eat just one piece and I'm making healthy changes... capiche!' 
A bit of tough love won't hurt if they just don't get it! 

'Gals... I'm still doing brunch but I'm on a healthy eating thing till Xmas so how about a walk afterwards...' PLEASE NOTE: This includes window shopping and lets face it how many of us have spend hours faffing about in shops and come home wondering where all the goodies are!?

'Yes... I'd love to see that film... how about a matinee at the weekend and we can go for a walk afterwards...' STAY AWAY from the pick'n'mix!

You control your life... but let them in on what you're up to... they're your friends and if they're good friends, they'll fancy a natter and a walk... they won't bring goodies with them when they visit if they know it means a lot to you ... and maybe they'll join in with you just to give you some healthy competition! G'wan bet a €1 you'll lose more than they do!

at home... 

If you're in charge of the shopping... make better choices ... up the fruit and veg... change the choccie biscuits for things you know are pointed and are better for everyone what's the bet they won't even realize that its good for them!!! Food swaps are easy and variety is the spice of life!

Those with the teeny tiny handcuffs .. yes the married laydeeezzz.. for better for worse.. in sickness and in health... quote him those words and remind him you need him now in health!!! He can watch footie and you can watch Mr. Hollywood *swwwoooooooon* (don't you judge me!) but you both need to promise to pace the neighbourhood for an hour twice a week! 

If you don't tell people you're doing it... you can easily just jump ship... like it never happened... once you've announced it.. you'll hear someone shouting at 12.55 'are you going for your walk at lunch?' 'can I join ya?'.. or the brunch might just be replaced with a long walk (i.e.: gossip!) in the park and a cuppa back home where you know you've got skinny milk!

You are worth every single one of these 14 weeks! That's all 14! You don't want to look back and say 'geez I wish I had stuck with it!'

I'll peruse the papers at the weekend just in case you lot do go mad and post a full pager! 

Chart below ... let me know if I've missed you out... and if you asked to join but forgot to give me your name just post it below... 

There will be a post up every Friday (week 2, week 3 etc...) so post your weight losses there, they might be up at different times with this work lark but I don't want to miss them ... xxx