I Must Confess I’ve been keeping a little secret from you: I’ve been on a mission to lose some weight and have now lost 5 kilos!
I didn’t say anything on the blog as I didn’t want to bore you with the details. Besides, what if it didn’t work?
After all, I hate dieting and exercise!
How I Lost 5 Kilos
So now I’m going to share how I did it, and it’s all thanks to the hubster.
At Easter, he bought a treadmill off Gumtree for $50.
It’s changed my life – and my body. I never thought that *I* would be spouting off about the benefits of exercise but here I am!
In the four months since Easter, I have tried to go for a walk most days, averaging about 4 or 5 days out of every 7. So not a perfect track record, but fairly consistent.
I haven’t walked fast. I haven’t jogged (it just aggravated the bursitis in my shoulder). I’ve just walked. And walked. And walked! I usually aim for 3km each time; it takes between 30 and 40 minutes.
I haven’t really changed my diet, beyond trying to be a bit more mindful about what I actually put in my mouth, and trying to make healthier choices. I still love chocolate. I still had a dagwood dog at the Ekka. I don’t resist temptation when Miss 17 bakes brownies or other goodies. I still love sour cream with just about everything.
And yet – I have lost 5 kilograms.
That may not sound like much, until you consider that’s one heck of a big sack of potatoes!
My BMI has gone from 28 to 26.
I had to buy a smaller size in my favourite jeans.
I’m not sure that I’ve discovered the “exercise high” all the gym junkies talk about, but I definitely miss my walk when I don’t manage to fit it in to my day. The treadmill is set up so I can watch an episode of my beloved “Star Trek: The Next Generation” while I walk π . (After all, they do say that the key to exercising is to find something that you love to do – walking and Star Trek viewing fills the bill for me!).
Hubster has also lost several kilograms π .
So when it comes to losing weight, I can only recommend what has worked for me: walking.
The interesting thing is, I didn’t start walking to lose weight. It was more that I sit on my backside at a desk for hours every day, and I knew I had to get some exercise – the weight loss just happened!
What’s your tried and true weight loss method – or are you at the stage I was 6 months ago, where “diet” and “exercise” were dirty words?!
Linking up with My Home Truths for I Must Confess.
Liz says
Well done Janet! That’s awesome x
Janet Camilleri says
Thanks Liz! It’s not why I starting exercising – just knew I had to get more active – but is a very nice by-product π
Hugzilla says
Wow. That’s brilliant. Well done! The secret is definitely finding something you enjoy and making small but sustainable changes. Oh how easy it sounds when it’s written down like that!
Janet Camilleri says
I know right. It still takes discipline to actually get on that treadmill at night when most of the time I just feel like flaking in front of the TV π
Mystery Case says
I think I’ve found your five kilos and some. Hoping my new meds allow me to get back to my normal weight and exercise so all my clothing isn’t so snug. You’ve reminded me how much I use to enjoy walking (was walking up to 80 km a week). I’ve lost all confidence after 3 fainting spells where I broke a rib and dislocated a shoulder but it’s honestly time for no more excuses and to get back to it.
Janet Camilleri says
I sometimes wonder if my weight is caused by my medication (anti-depressants), but I think it’s more that now I’m happy I actually enjoy my food. Wow, you take care, fainting and injuries are not good!
KathyMarris says
Well done Janet! The benefits of exercise are just too many to list, but I would say you have added several years onto your longevity. I am also trying to drop some kilos at present as 6 months travelling around made me gain a little extra weight (not to mention the sausage rolls and scones I devoured along he way!) I am back at the gym and trying to watch what I eat without being too drastic.
Janet Camilleri says
Yes, I remember that happening to me also when we were travelling around too!
Anne@gritandgiggles says
First of all great work, just goes to show that a little can go a long way and that I need to get off my butt and start walking again. When I did loose weight I was riding a bike most days for kms and watching what I ate. I am at that I should do something but I’m too lazy stage. Well done again and hope it has made you feel great!
Janet Camilleri says
I know that stage very well Anne – took me ages to actually do something about it. I was lucky the solution was basically put right in front of me (the treadmill).
Linda Tobin says
Well done! I am struggling with my weight, especially since I have recently got plantar fasciitis which means my heel can be quite painful to walk on. I know what you mean about the exercise high, it is wonderful and keeps making me go back to the gym even when I don’t feel like it, I know the high will be my pay-off! My 14 year old daughter discovered yesterday how great she felt after a quick walk/jog, she is a (albeit slim) “couch potato” so I was delighted.
Janet Camilleri says
It must be a lot harder to lose weight if it is painful to walk. I used to be slim like your daughter once …
Ness says
Funnily enough I had noticed from all your outfit posts that you’d lost weight but I wasn’t sure whether to say anything because I didn’t want it to sound like a backhanded compliment. In other words that I thought you needed to. So anyway, now that you’ve posted this: well done! You look great!
Meanwhile, I exercise like a demon and never lose a single bloody kilo. I figured this was something to do with being over 40 and my meds. It can’t be all the cake I eat. Ahem…
Janet Camilleri says
Really? You noticed??? Wheeeeee! Do you know, yesterday was the first time anybody (except my Dad) noticed and commented – I had no less than 3 people at church ask me what my secret was/had I been losing weight!!!
It could be the medication. That would suck not being able to lose weight even when you exercise.
Emma Fahy Davis says
Nice work! And yay for new jeans!
Janet Camilleri says
Thanks Emma! I didn’t set out to lose weight – it was more about exercising for my health and getting more active – but it’s a lovely by-product!
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me says
I will hug you in person to say congrats soon but a virtual high five. I wish I had read this months ago as we have a treadmill and I feel bad walking and think I should be running so have done nothing for weeks!!!!!! YOU ROCK x
stephanie @ stephsjoy says
Wow! Well done Janet!
Zita says
Go you!! Love hearing these achievements and how easy it can be by changing one little thing!
Janet Camilleri says
Thanks Zita, I think from memory you’ve chatted about boot camp / fitness before on your blog and I was so not ready to think of that stuff yet – but eventually I came around, I’m sure your influence helped!
Kirsty @ My Home Truths says
Woohoo – that is fabulous! I’m seriously missing my morning walks – maybe I need to stalk gumtree for a treadmill of my own?
Janet Camilleri says
At least with a treadmill you don’t have to worry about the weather, or if anybody is staring at your wobbly bits π
missRBit @ Legally Alien says
Wow! Well done. I’ve recently challenged myself to “enjoy running” but it’s an uphill task and a lot of days I just end up walking on the treadmill too but it’s good to know even the walking is helping π
Janet Camilleri says
Yep, even walking makes a difference (thank goodness coz I ain’t NEVER gonna love running!)
coco says
I have tried so many ways to loose weight and the only thing that worked was going to the gym. I have weakness for food and I LOVE food that makes me fat, so changing diet didn’t work. At the gym I was forced to move at classes – if I do exercise just by myself I’d give up easily.
Janet Camilleri says
Having others to cheer you on definitely helps. For me that person is my hubster, he will often work out beside me while I’m on the treadmill π
Jacana says
I scored a cheap exercise bike but just keep looking at it – must move it to where it will be used. I could do with a lose of 5 kilos and having bagging pants.
Janet Camilleri says
Yep that’s the secret – make it close and convenient and just do it, even a little bit often makes a difference!
Kathy says
Good on you Janet. I have also lost about 5kg (I think it was almost 6 but I know I’ve put a bit back on). My secret is lots of yoga, but my nemesis is too much wine. Glad you are loving the walks – so good for the soul and well as the waistline.
Rae Hilhorst says
Congratulations on losing 5kilos. I’m a walker to, I average 4k’s and it takes me 45 minutes. When the weather is no good I have a stationary reclining bike, which is better for my back. Keep treading xxx
Janet Camilleri says
Thanks Rae, I will! Yes it’s taken me a while to work up to 3km walks, and I’m gradually getting faster too. Perhaps one day I will manage 4 kms in 45 minutes?!
Bec @ The Plumbette says
Well done Janet. That is awesome! I’m going to start doing some gentle exercise, although the girls keep me on my feet at the moment.
Janet Camilleri says
I’m sure they keep you active! I just felt like I was sitting on my butt literally all day and knew it was time to do something about it.
Rita @ The Crafty Expat says
Indeed walking can have amazing results. I have been walking for the last month and I miss it when I can’t go… Like you, I just started to walk because other ways, I was sitting at my desk the whole day and that was not good neither for my body nor for my inspiration. I listen to audiobooks while I walk and I love it.
Janet Camilleri says
OOo audiobooks I never thought of that, great idea!
Alicia says
I love to walk and haven’t done it much at all in the last few months. So glad the weather is getting better and I can get out there a bit more. Any other exercise is like speaking a different language with me, I no comprehend haha. Good on you for losing 5 kilos, you look great x
Ingrid says
Congratulations, well done on your weight loss. What a great excuse to do a wardrobe overhaul and go shopping for new clothes!
Janet Camilleri says
I’m just excited to pull out some of the old ones that have been a bit snug and languishing unloved in my wardrobe!
EssentiallyJess says
I thought you were looking a bit leaner in some of your pics! Well done Janet! I need to change my exercise regime I think. It’s a bit stagnant
Janet Camilleri says
Why thank ya kindly Miss Jess. And I know what you mean … I seem to have plateaued now too, rats …