What's your excuse?

So what's your excuse today?
What stories are you cooking up in your head right now as an assurance to yourself?

Weigh in day! Yes am back!

Its the 42nd day! yeaay!
Omg! i have been so occupied. My nanny took a weekend off and its taking a big toll on me, but i have been managing anyways, but not enough to have "me" time to blog. I have been terribly busy with these kids and all that could get to my head is how did my grandma manage in taking care of 11 kids after her husband died at an early age? I will never know cos she is gone, may the souls of all the faithful departed RIP.

More after the cut...



So I weighed in this week and I lost 4.4kg!
Yes! actually lost some "good" weight after 2weeks of almost poor weight loss.
Thanks to my cambridge weight plan and my ever busy hyper kids phew! (muah love you guys).
Am so thrilled I have done a come back!
I have so much energy now than I can ever remember.
My level of activity in a day is growing and I don't get tired so easily.
Am so happy ... My hubby is so happy we are working on the weight.
And I really want to thank him for loving me just the way I am and being there for me every step of the way, "obim, you can't imagine how much i appreciate you and adore you, you are the wind within my wings and love you unconditionally"

For all those sending me those beautiful wishes, you don't know what you guys are doing to my self confidence, I will forever hold you guys dear to my heart.

Next week is before and after photos week, looking forward to it too! *winks*

Hubby is back, let him manage the kids ( trust him on this) while I rush to market...
Will be back soon people, won't stay long in the market cos I hate shopping one of the things fatness caused.

Sleep blogging

Really planned on blogging today but mehn today has been so busy. From morning till now.
Had a tight schedule at work, my nanny took some days off so I was left with joggling two kids and you know how tasking and demanding they are especially at there age.
It's really been a long evening from bathing to feeding then to prepping them to sleep to getting ready for work the list continues...
Tried not to cheat with all this happening around me, and yes am keeping my head above water. Took my 3 meals and all

So am actually sleep blogging good night before I write ... Tfcfdtacmo

BB pin 28d373 @nebogu

Sleep blogging

Really planned on blogging today but mehn today has been so busy. From morning till now.
Had a tight schedule at work, my nanny took some days off so I was left with joggling two kids and you know how tasking and demanding they are especially at there age.
It's really been a long evening from bathing to feeding then to prepping them to sleep to getting ready for work the list continues...
Tried not to cheat with all this happening around me, and yes am keeping my head above water. Took my 3 meals and all

So am actually sleep blogging good night before I write ... Tfcfdtacmo

BB pin 28d373 @nebogu

What is your point of reference

Let the word in you constantly drown the word you hear around you

The Fat around my waist

So i have to vent alittle just give me some air! am really boiling with thoughts!
you see, loosing weight can be tricky, the parts that you would really want to start seeing visible difference are usually that part the crawls in weight loss!
For me it's my arm and waist turned tummy. I have lost a considerable weight that should be visible but isn't because of the massive fat i still need to loose, when people look at me they first glance at my waist then my arm before they look at my face and say "wow you have lost some weight, your face looks trimmer" like they are trying really hard to convince themselves with the words they utter and am like seriously??? After all the hardwork am putting through?
You know, people expect a lot from others but little from themselves they feel good being at the other end, poking and suggesting but not wondering what impact there words can be. Hey! Am not a saint, but I believe in giving people a chance and not just once.
I have tasted weight loss failure a lot of times and I know that look and also that unspoken reaction/gesture emanating from that body language.
It's not easy on me so don't make it harder! Atleast you have noticed the face, am working on me so cheer on and give me time, am not close to being there but surely moving ahead.

Am already at war with "fat" so let me fight my battle one at a time... Walks away ...

The Fat around my waist

So i have to vent alittle just give me some air! am really boiling with thoughts!
you see, loosing weight can be tricky, the parts that you would really want to start seeing visible difference are usually that part the crawls in weight loss!
For me it's my arm and waist turned tummy. I have lost a considerable weight that should be visible but isn't because of the massive fat i still need to loose, when people look at me they first glance at my waist then my arm before they look at my face and say "wow you have lost some weight, your face looks trimmer" like they are trying really hard to convince themselves with the words they utter and am like seriously??? After all the hardwork am putting through?
You know, people expect a lot from others but little from themselves they feel good being at the other end, poking and suggesting but not wondering what impact there words can be. Hey! Am not a saint, but I believe in giving people a chance and not just once.
I have tasted weight loss failure a lot of times and I know that look and also that unspoken reaction/gesture emanating from that body language.
It's not easy on me so don't make it harder! Atleast you have noticed the face, am working on me so cheer on and give me time, am not close to being there but surely moving ahead.

Am already at war with "fat" so let me fight my battle one at a time... Walks away ...

Bad girl apologises to body...

I have been a bad girl, i mean very bad girl to body and sincerely have not appreciated my body enough.

Ever since i balloned to my initial start weight 160kg, i have hated my body, never given it breathing space, always nagging about how bad it made me feel but the truth is i am also involved in making it this way... so i decided to write an apology letter to my body and also promise to stay committed to my journey...

See letter after the cut

Dear Body,

Ever since i started loosing weight, i have seen you on a different light, i know that i have been very terrible to you, eating everything and anything that flies past and not giving a damn to what you feel or think...

I have continously trampled on your ego and keep blaming you for all my mishap, the other day i was furious at you for even allowing me to blow to this this stage, making me go through so much stress to help you reduce the fat which you kept piling in...

Yes i know you tried warning me with those little signs you give my tummy when am full but i kept eating with my eyes and damning you for having the guts to warn me for overfeeding because i was already very angry.

I have been a bad buddie... i promised to be there for you but i have seriously failed, i have allowed people to laugh at you forgetting that we are in this together, i have always referred you to as "this" body instead of "my" body, i have allowed so many bad moments take a toll of our relationship but all is ending now.

Yes i know alot of water has passed under the bridge but am willing to make amends... I have started to make one actually...

From this day onwards, i want to remind you about the commitment i made to you on my birthday, to treat you right, make you feel light and keep you happy, healthy and fit.

If i never told you, know now, I appreciate you even with all that pounds of fat... yes!!! ... you held in my two pretty ones for 9 months ... and we did it... same way we will, hand in hand loose the weight.

Also, thank you for taking all my bullshit and still being strong for me, no complications, no bad health nothing.

As we keep committed in this weight loss journey, keep in mind that .... it will end in praise!!!

                                                                                  Yours One and Only

                                                                                                         Nelly

Bad girl apologises to body...

I have been a bad girl, i mean very bad girl to body and sincerely have not appreciated my body enough.

Ever since i balloned to my initial start weight 160kg, i have hated my body, never given it breathing space, always nagging about how bad it made me feel but the truth is i am also involved in making it this way... so i decided to write an apology letter to my body and also promise to stay committed to my journey...

See letter after the cut

Dear Body,

Ever since i started loosing weight, i have seen you on a different light, i know that i have been very terrible to you, eating everything and anything that flies past and not giving a damn to what you feel or think...

I have continously trampled on your ego and keep blaming you for all my mishap, the other day i was furious at you for even allowing me to blow to this this stage, making me go through so much stress to help you reduce the fat which you kept piling in...

Yes i know you tried warning me with those little signs you give my tummy when am full but i kept eating with my eyes and damning you for having the guts to warn me for overfeeding because i was already very angry.

I have been a bad buddie... i promised to be there for you but i have seriously failed, i have allowed people to laugh at you forgetting that we are in this together, i have always referred you to as "this" body instead of "my" body, i have allowed so many bad moments take a toll of our relationship but all is ending now.

Yes i know alot of water has passed under the bridge but am willing to make amends... I have started to make one actually...

From this day onwards, i want to remind you about the commitment i made to you on my birthday, to treat you right, make you feel light and keep you happy, healthy and fit.

If i never told you, know now, I appreciate you even with all that pounds of fat... yes!!! ... you held in my two pretty ones for 9 months ... and we did it... same way we will, hand in hand loose the weight.

Also, thank you for taking all my bullshit and still being strong for me, no complications, no bad health nothing.

As we keep committed in this weight loss journey, keep in mind that .... it will end in praise!!!

                                                                                  Yours One and Only

                                                                                                         Nelly

Thank you Guys!!! "Confidence rolls in!" Over 10,000 Veiws!!!



Thank You guys!

 Thank you guys am so grateful... BUT START COMMENTING NAA.... BIKO!!!
I just checked and i saw that i have more than 10,000 views... it may be small to the "big guys" but my Oga at the top knows its something huge to me and am so grateful!

There is something i have been battling to tell you guys, normally i should have added it to my to do list but i feel very ashamed to do so, not anymore! and well there is no need to add it to my to do list cos i have accomplished it!

Read my story after the cut ...


So i have been learning how to drive... yes asin drive... alot of people will go like "seriously???? Nelly? a whole you?! ... lol its a half me ... lol
Well yes and this is not because i dont have a car or cant get a trainer to teach me the scopes, its just about me and my lost confidence which am getting back.... it affected everything even getting behind the wheel!

After the birth of my first child, i tried learning how to drive but i stopped because of two things;
I was learning with a small golf car from the training school and it was just too difficult fitting in properly on the seat, so i got really very discouraged.
Secondly, the seats just cant be adjusted! and i freaking hate manual!
Now am learning again after my second child and though i felt like quitting but i felt i can do this and i put in all my willpower in to it.

Hubby was the one that advised i learn with manual gear that it helps in moulding one into being a better driver. So i tried, and i made it! to gear 2 anyway and managed to convince him that am ready to learn with our car.. lol

In the past week i have actually been driving, i went to Ikorodu road... the very busy Ojota, and 3rd third mainland! am so happy not because am going places of course thats a plus but because for a long time in my life that i can rememeber my "confidence" is streaming back in, Yes alot of people tell me naa nelly infact you are one of those very confident ladies i have ever known but they never know how i struggle everyday within me to be that jovial, bubbly person who is all smiles and laughs in the surface...

As i said, am not close to being there yet, but truly loving the results, Now am driving, next week i should be cycling .... Oh yes! ... and it will end in praise!

Do you have a weight loss story to share? email me or follow me on twitter.

April fools day!

Hahaha  got ya!

Don't worry one day I will really be on moments with mo *winks*

Follow me on twitter @nebogu and keep loosing the weight!

Muah!

Dieting in Lagos,Nigeria

So I got a message from one of my readers asking how I manage to diet in Lagos considering the hostel and bustle of Lagos. And my answer is simple... "Na God"

But the truth remains that I still need to do the physical work. I tell myself the truth and that's simple, the time to start is now... Not tomorrow not after Easter or public holidays .... Am starting now and amazed on how strong willed I have been afterwards. I see myself doing what I thought was earthly impossible.
Like I have mentioned earlier, I have changed my lifestyle, instead of driving down to my son's school, I walk down there and it may seem pretty easy to others but I have never done that in my life.
Now I appreciate my body the more, and am so sorry for putting it in so much stress and am willing to make amends...infact I wrote a letter to "body" will post soon.

I know Lagos and nigeria as a whole is hectic but we have to leave, it's only a fool that will be told to die and will ask ways to to die (remixing the adage lol).

So my daily routine begins with me waking by 4am to start my hectic journey, go through traffic and settle my son at school before settling at work, and then go through my stressful day at work, pick my child and then head for home get ready for the next day and then the cycle continues, that was why I actually started the diet, it gives me time to "eat" right in my sedentary day to day life.

Yes my dear, it's so possible to diet in nigeria admist the hectic lifestyle just do the following:

Plan, plan, plan: this can never be over emphasized,when you are coordinated with self you will be surprised the long way this can go.

Have a motivator: it could be anything, mine is to wear bum shorts to shoprite! Of course with hubby by myside ... Lol but this is one of my many motivations

Be committed: commitment is not the same as being interested you need to reaaaaalllllly want it from the depth of your soul, that will stem up will power and discipline.

No excuses: stop giving yourself 1001 reason why you can't,  you not the first mother, single lady, wife, or working person

Keep at it: don't give up, you may not see results but always remember it will take 4 weeks to notice a change, 8 weeks for close family to see it an 12weeks for the world to notice. So no giving up.

Meanwhile I have survived Easter! Phew!!!

Do you have more ideas? Please share with us

Guest post/interview - Uju Ogbogu's weight loss journey

Today's guest post/interview is about Uju Ogbogu, my weight loss buddie! Yeay!
She is one of the most strongwilled people i have ever known, infact, her determination is just top notch.
she started her journey seven weeks ago and has lost 15kg!
Not yet on her goal weight but truly working hard on it.

Please read her story after the cut...

Tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Uju Ogbogu, married with a daughter. I live and work in Abuja, Nigeria.

How long did i take you to get to your ideal weight? Are you there now?

I am in my 7th week of cambridge diet and have lost 15kg. My target is 79 kg.Was weighing 102kg and presently am 87kg. Standing at 5ft 7. 102kg was just ridiculous

What was your motivation to lose weight?
Needed to look good (lol!!!).

What made you decide to start your weight loss journey?
I actually had a bet with my husband. He told me I couldn't do it.

Any embarrassing moments?
Yes oh! Plenty sef  But the one that really stood out for me was when some one saw me at a bank and said "ah! Madam! Again?! Congrats oh! wetin people de find, you just de get am anyhow! Your Oga na strong man oh!" I just bowed my head in shame I wasn't pregnant but I looked 8 months gone!

What kept you on track losing weight?
I have a wonderful weigh loss buddies.. For me the Saturday weighing was it. I no wan carry last.

Why cambridge diet?

Firstly to lose weight you have to eat the right mix of food, that is the right diet and at the right time.For most people who are on the big side and want to loss weight, going by this dietary program is extremely difficult.Cambridge diet bridges that gap of eating the right mix of food at the right time within a busy work schedule.The result you get in terms of weight loss is phenomenal.And let's not forget that in terms of staying healthy and weight loss, what you eat gives u 95% percent and the gym gives you just 5%.So its Cambridge diet all the way because the results are there for you to see.

What is the biggest difference you have noticed because of your weight loss?

The biggest difference is that am much more healthier, have a fantastic shape, my clothes fit better, more confidence,am smarter and fitter just to name a few.

What advice can you give to others struggling to lose weight?

JUST START!!!
Cambridge diet all the way because it gives you that easy foundation for a long term journey to your WISH of getting to that body size u so much desire and most importantly getting healthy.

Do you consult now?

Yes I consult for Cambridge weight plan in Abuja Nigeria.That shows u how much confidence I have in this weight plan.Its a case of practising what you preach.

How can one get in touch with you if interested?

Please feel free to call me anytime on 08091226945 or email me on ujuste@yahoo.co.uk

Give us a quote or a motto that you have used to keep you focused.

Health is wealth and life is for the living make the best out of life while u are alive.

Do you want to feature in my guest post/interview? Please send me an email

Happy Easter- guest posts

This is the time to celebrate Jesus as he has risen but not a time to "celebrate" food!
He is the reason for the season so lets not deviate from that, infact we need to make him our focus and pray that we "rise" in this weight loss journey of ours.

I will be starting guest posts featuring people who have reached their ideal weight loss goal or getting there so please if you have any story or know someone who is willing to share their story kindly ask them to send me an email or call me or a message on twitter @nebogu

I for one could do with more inspiration.

Easter excuses...

So Easter Sunday is less than 24hrs and there is a lot of reason to look the other way and cheat...
Ah! It's not easy at all ... Choi! "Oya Nelly focus"

You see in my own very selfish way, I will like to lock myself up in one room and hide away from all the beautiful sweeties that the Easter eat outs and in could bring just to make sure I just don't cheat but am not alone in this world... I have to still perform my duties as a mum, wife and blogger (lol).
I cannot possibly have the alone time I will crave to have tomorrow for the fear of not cheating.

I even got a mail from a blogger asking me "nelly what happens tomorrow, are you goner cheat?" She went on to tell me that she needs to know so that she could cheat???
Sound weird right? That's why I say it's no longer about me anymore.
Truthfully I would have love to take a bite of something just anything but this lady's mail was just timing.
It made me think about my actions which I have chosen to forget tomorrow and just let loose alittle after all no one will know. But I will, and am accountable (well I feel that way) to this lady who I do not know but looks up to me for her inspiration.
I have tried not to allow my focus shift base, and I tell you every second, am on a constant battle with  myself.
Trying to choose the right option all the time even though they are NOT favourites!

So tomorrow I have decided to do the following

• Remind myself Easter comes every year! So there are so many to celebrate with my slim me.
• Be brutally honest with myself
• Go to church! Speak to my fat to loose and speak to my "self" to obey.
• Cook meals for my family but get a tester (hubby loves ths job)
• And remember why I started this journey I mean literally speak it aloud at any time I can.
• Plan always!

Let see how tomorrow pans out but for now, dear reader am not even close to cheating....

It will end in praise!!!

Weigh-in blunder...

So I weighed in yesterday instead of today lol...
Honestly, I was hundred percent certain it was Saturday! Oh dear!
But i felt something was wrong but couldn't place it. I woke up late (compared to my usual time for preparing for work).
And lazied through the first hour of my wake. Infact yesterday jus get as e be.
Now I remember, I watched my favorite soap yesterday which was usually shown during the week day or Sunday a repeat and I thought it was strange that it was being shown on a Saturday but hey! I just fed my eyes!
After my post yesterday I went to hala my weight loss buddies telling them how unfair it was that its almost evening and no one has posted their weight loss for the week.
Then reality hit me... Anyways story remains the same, I lost 0kg... *sad face* ... Walks away

Weigh in day

Me this week

So you all know this week has been half eating, half dieting so please do not expect much from me lol.

I have weighed in and ... I ehm remained the same 143.9. Zero loss this week am so sad but this only means I have to work twice as hard in coming weeks.
This is the easter period and trust me it's really hard dieting now. Some times I ask myself why didn't the illness come during this period so I can I have good excuse for eating without feeling guilty lol but that's just my "self" talking.
Am keeping at it, and thanks for all the encouraging words my dear readers you can't begin to imagine how it helps me keep focused.

Weigh in day

Me this week

So you all know this week has been half eating, half dieting so please do not expect much from me lol.

I have weighed in and ... I ehm remained the same 143.9. Zero loss this week am so sad but this only means I have to work twice as hard in coming weeks.
This is the easter period and trust me it's really hard dieting now. Some times I ask myself why didn't the illness come during this period so I can I have good excuse for eating without feeling guilty lol but that's just my "self" talking.
Am keeping at it, and thanks for all the encouraging words my dear readers you can't begin to imagine how it helps me keep focused.

200 pounds of joy!

So I stumbled upon an amazing video of a lady (YouTube name 300poundsdown) who weighed 417 pounds but lost most of it all through surgery, prayers and hardwork.

Really awesome video take a watch...

Prisoner of food?

So am having difficulties settling back into the diet, it feels like am in week 1 again. The hunger pains are back, I can't think straight my reasoning brains are covered with sweet little things, and the worse of all is that voice, yes, that freaking voice... drumming at the back of my head saying ... "Nelly remember one more wouldnt hurt, you are already here at the cake shop picking a cake for your son, just look right, ah! Your fav! Carrot cake, it's just a slice and its carrot cake for crying out loud, it's healthy"

This is just part of what the voice told me oh! It was bad and I was feeling terrible and to worsen it all, my son's cake had some delays and jeez you need to have seen me shaking as if I was on drugs. Then I asked myself what the heck is this? This is not how it should be, I cannot be bound by my "self" anymore, even if i need to have a carrot cake it should be my "my" decision not "self's".

I do love my life in all entity and wont be shackled by some mere food that will give me little pleasures for now and regrets all year long.

Its had starting back again but i expected that and am not giving up...

The other day my hubby said to me when he kept his hand around my waist "hmm you have developed "new" waist... keep it up" these words and bible verses keeps helping me to keep pushing...

"Forget the former things do not dwell in the past, see am doing a new thing! now it springs up; you do not perceive it? am making a way in the desert and a spring in the wasteland" Isaiah 43: 18-19

"those who wait upon the lord will get new strenght, they will rise up with wings like eagles, they willl run but not get tired, they will work and not become weak" Isaiah 40:31

Thats all i needed to hear, enough to crush that voice and move towards my goal...am getting back on track,

Its really hard oh! but impossible is nothing.

Having the license to eat

Mehn.... i thought i posted this stuff yesterday oh, only to find out this morning that i slept off at the point ot "send" anyways here it is ....

So today marks the last day of drug intake and my taste buds have been really glad to welcome the "pass" to eat.

Coupled with my son's birthday yesterday, there was just too much around to eat and merry away...

Hmmm, tempting... i have always known at some point i will have to eat like a "normal" person, as my body continues to loose weight and i will be needing fewer calories and eating less... so why not start practicing it now? Especially now that i have the license to eat as i want. Make good food choices, go for what keeps me healthy over what i want to eat... these are hard choices especially when cakes and their likes keep stirring at me but they really do help in focusing on my goal.

I did not particularly eat less this period but i ate right, and one thing also learned was to stop eating when i sense am full. You know here in naija, we have been programmed to eat the food first and the meat/chicken last (tell me you never did that... hahaha) but i have come to realise that if i followed that method of saving the best for the last, i eventually dont eat it! So i start with my favs on the plate then move to the less liked...

Also, i have learned to use a portion plate and eat which makes it much easier to pick little of everything.

Betweein dieting now and learning to eat less, i will continue to maintain my weight loss and hopefully add exercise after my weeks of dieting... lets go there!

Unending possibilities

So today is the last day of taking my drugs and thus my dieting resumes from tomorrow. I want to write something different today so please indulge me. As you have noticed, i did not blog yesterday, not because i forgot or something, but i was preoccupied in thoughts analysing every single action that i have taken that led me to where i am today. I realised one thing, the choices we make today has the power to be or do many things! We might not have so many options as some of our path have already been dictated by our decisions and actions but there is a huge potential we all have inside us to do wonderful things. Things dont always go the way we planned but the are not always supposed to, lets dream little bigger and make today the first day of the rest of our lives.Afterall what we wanted some years back is not necessarily what we want now. Today is my first son's birthday and the day of his birth just feels like today,I can remembered how i would have wanted to wait a while before having kids but our ways are not God's ways.I had no issues, had a completely normal vaginal birth, no high blood pressure, no gestational diabeties nothing!during one of my prenatal visit, my doctor made a comment saying "i wonder how you do it, with your weight, you are more fit than "normal" sized women" and my response to was simple with a smile "perhaps you never asked what the "C" in my initals stands for,

it simply means "God has blessed me with endless possibilities" Am a firm beliver of God and how he turns around one's situation, am a testimony of favour, love and blessings. What are those visions that are streaming in your head now that was not thought about in the past? work on them and always and never forget to let the lord guide you through it all.

The fat-pretty face

I get to hear that countless times in different dimensions!

"You are so pretty, if only you could loose some weight"
"You have a baby face, all you need is to shed some weight"
"Aww those pretty smile, glowing teeth, long hair, smooth skin, cute dimples (phew!), just loose some weight to compliment them all"
"You maybe overweight but you are so pretty"


Ok, ok! Got the message, I got a pretty face, thank you very much.

I could go on for days on how I feel whenever such is mentioned but I chose to smile and swallow the big pill stuck in my throat.
I go out with my sisters to TFC to have a meal (by the way I have models as sisters) but am the focus of attention irrespective of how "healthy" my plate looks...
But my sisters could order and they sure do eat a lot more than I do but never face the physical fat stigma.

When I weighed in before starting this journey, I was in my safe and comfortable zone and knew things had to change especially my routine.
I loved being at home, shying away from parties or weddings, I am always the first person to buy the aso ebi but always the first to give an excuse at the last minute. My social anxiety was overwhelming but it's not healthy, I chose avoidance over courage and did not give myself or my vibrant personality the opportunity to glitter.

So if you are big or small try to look past the fat pretty face.
I will keep my social anxiety buried 6ft down and wear my my motivation on my "chest" and will power on my "face".

All in all, am making an effort give me a chance ...

The looser identity

I read about the looser identity from a weight loss blogger skinnie Minnie (love her too) and was motivated to write my own version.

This is one post am not sure will come out right no matter how I phrase it so I will just let my thoughts flow.

I love being called a looser, a weight looser. Someone who has worked hard to shed some extra kilos, the more I think about it, the more i actually realise it becomes a sort of self-validation and reassurance for me than what people think of me.

When you weigh as much as I do, every moment is filled with insecurities. You think of everyone who takes a glance at you and makes a snap judgment about your weight, motivation and even will power. I have been an obese girl for a long while now and I try to work hard on my academics, as a mother, wife and work (I consider myself as a workaholic)  to compliment for my physical shortcomings.

This blog gives me a chance to show what am doing weight wise and let people know that am not ignoring the obvious neither am I lazy or stupid. Also hope am busting some myth (only thin=active and healthy). I look at my little journey so far and am proud of myself.

Take away the happiness I get from this blog and the appreciation I get from people my dear readers and you will be taking away my security blanket.
When I look at how far I have gone, though little but much as I have never done any of this in my life before, I still struggle but I will keep working hard till I achieve my goals.
But when people don't SEE how far I have gone and giggle at my big tummy, weight, fat hands or my cheating moments and they think this how I eat 24/7 , I turn to that girl just trying to be invisible.

I don't want to be invisible neither do I want to be defined by my size. Am seriously working on myself and from there I will be eating right soon,  I want to one day look back and say this is what I have accomplished and if you choose to judge the book by its cover then its your loss.

Weigh in day!

Weighed in and I lost 0.2kg
This is what happens when one gets sick ... Lol
I have a cold too and a sore throat (got that from my son) so am on antibiotics too. I was also advised to eat before taking my drugs.
I wanted to go for a salad and chicken but hubby insisted on fried rice and chicken ... (You should know by now I don't reject food ... Lol)
This morning I have taken snails jumbo ones like 3 and baked potatoes.
Do you know snails have like 7kcal in one?
Through out this weekend I will eat but watch the carbs. Will start up again on Monday.

Meanwhile a loss is a loss so am happy for my 0.2kg loss :)

Hospital things

Went to see my doctor and a test was done to find out the reason for my fever, the test confirmed that i have no malaria ... Yeay! However he said because I have lost a lot of peripheral fat (what's that abeg?) thats why i feel cold inside and that I need to replenish the electrolytes in my body thus the drip, the drip should last 3hrs shaa ... So my people am fine oh!

Blogging live from the hospital :)

Did I mention they gave me injection? So painful :(

Oh Wait! tomorrow is weigh in day!

So today i have been feeling under the weather, and infact am on my way to see a doctor... of course i had to cheat because i will be given some drugs.
I know i have lost more weight and cannot wait for tomorrow, let me go consult my doctor.

wish me well..

Dont forget to enter for the Hearty giveaways

The Good and The Bad News ...

The Good News

Am so excited really, i dont even know how to begin to explain how excited i am infact make i talk am for pidgin, "my body de toh toh ri mi" yes! Ok why? i got the highest views yesterday thanks to my big madams and my big ogas on twitter that retweeted my blog. Its crazy PR when you have the likes of Linda Ikeji, El Rufai, Derenle, Jedi to mention but a few retweet about my blog!!!
I had a very sweet dream yesterday in fact am still in my dream lol

The Bad news

Hmm, am down with a fever, not checked if its malaria (because thats what i suspect) not treated one in a long while. so i will be heading to the hospital soon.

PLEASE NAA!!! YOU GUYS SHOULD ALSO COMMENT, AH! AH! HAVENT I TRIED... NA WA OH...

Let me go take care of myself... ciao!

51 things in 1051 days ... My to do list

I have been for a while now planning to put together a todo list of what i intend to do when i become "agbani" not like i want to get down to agbani's size oh! dress size 12-16 is OK for me joor.

Ok Oya Nelly focus... eh heh hmmm... lol

Meanwhile have you enrolled for Hearty giveaways? if no please do it now here

My to do list after the cut...

The desire to put in a list stems from my satisfaction ... instead of having a big goal at the end of a year i decided to have small goals and work towards getting there. So i want to share with you my my to do list ... here they are...

1. Do so something about my enormous weight Started...
2. Loose 10kg in 4 weeks done in 3 weeks 15.03.13
3. Loose 30 kg in 12 weeks
4. Loose 60 kg from my initial weight
5. Loose 80kg from my initial weight
6. Fit comfortably in a plane seat I think i can
7. No need to ask for extra belt seat
8. Start climbing stairs every evening consistently
9. Take walks on weekends
10. Play games with my kids without panting Kinda.. lol
11. Ride a bike again
12. Ride a Horse
13. Wear fitting shorts for my son's birthday in Aug (i love shorts cos i have the legs ... lol)
14. Start jogging
15. Visit the Gym 2 times a week
16. Visit the Gym 3 times a week
17. Run on the treadmill 2 hours non stop
18. Enroll for a half marathon
19. Enroll for a 5k Marathon
20. Go dancing
21. Go clubbing and not just sitting down
22. Play tennis
23. Get a massage (and enjoy it)
24. Wear something sleeveless
25. Wear knee lenght skirt
26. Wear heels again (dont care if am tall)
27. Go to the beach
28. Wear a swim suit witout complete shame
29. Learn to swim
30. Of course take a "nat geo" Vacation with hubby (fishing, hunting ... he loves it...)
31. Go to gambia/kenya (wild life things)
32. Go to Australia!
33. Be more confident
34. Go for a full fashion shoot ...
35. Cut my wedding and engagement ring size down
36. Take pictures of me completing the todo lists
37. Donate most of my plus size clothes (if i will see someone to give it to)
38. Start up a "teamslimbody" club... (name could change)
39. Sing karoke!
40. Encourage others
41. Be a consultant
42. Wear a lesser size in bra
43. Buy pretty bras
44. Be able to walk in to a clothing store and pick dresses not just earrings
45. Stop snoring
46. Speak in an audience without wondering if they are checking out my size
47. Of course eat right!
48. Stay on a 1000 calorie intake
49. Love more!
50. Be smarter!
51. And be healthier!

Does blogging help me loose weight?

So i got this email from a reader asking me;

"does blogging about your weight help you loose weight?"

It got me thinking very much and my answer is "it really depends" i will tell you why...

I have tried loosing weight alot of times and i keep failing even now am a diet, there were days when i felt like discontinuing and nobody really cares, but i had to remind myself about my end goal. So i came up with the idea of sharing my story with the world, whenever i know and see that people are actually viewing my blog, it (in its own way) makes me feel i cant let my readers down so i strive to be better and never cheat.


Pros:

• I have become very accountable of my descions and am more consious especially now i know am sharing my story with the world.
• The act of writing out my journey has lead me in identifying patterns of some of my behavior and also ways to enable me remedy them.
• I have been able to encourage others through their journey, really you can never have "too much" support.
• If you really want to share your story and be heard, blogging is a great way to do it.

 Cons

• You have to be open to criticism, always have it at the back of your mind that not all readers are rooting for you.
• Blogging makes you analyse yourself alot, and at a time you begin to wonder if you are letting the readers down.
• Depending on your goals it can be intensive, i spend hours on my blog after working hours trying to make out drafts for the next day also responding to emails and all. For me i do want people to know my story so i put more efforts in sharing my blog by broadcasting it.

 The good thing is that you can start a blog and stop when your goals has been acheived. alternatively you can start as a journal privately, it all depends on what suites you.

I will like to here from other weightloss/fitness bloggers what are your pros and cons?

Tips to loosing weight

Once upon a time i was giving my baby a bottle of water and he started playing with the bottle and then threw it down, so i handed my baby to my nanny and decided to give to pick the bottle, tried squatting to pick it the bottle and it was just impossible so i decided to bend down yet my hand could not reach the floor i was obstructed by the 160kg fat which had made sure i could not pick the bottle. Then reality struck me, i was severely obese and need to do something right now before i die!

I thought about my sedenatry life which never included exercise and my eating habit? just too sad to mention, i became desperate to loose weight ... i started with taking walks in the field but i noticed i get tired easily and i was not loosing as fast as i wanted to enable me start running. Was introduced to Cambridge diet by a friend/consultant and since then i got hooked.

As a beginner, starting a weight loss journey takes every being in you, you need to need it more than ever before and be determined enough to go through it... whether is waking up and exercising or just watching what you eat or even dieting, it needs to be a lifestyle and that's the only way to get through.

Whether you have 5kg or 80kg to loose you need to find your motivation stick on it and dont ever think you will start to see results from day 1.

Know yourself: What will work for you may not certainly work for me, study your body and know what is good for you. not everyone can diet like am doing, even me at a time i could not diet because i always wanted to eat even when am not hungry.

Baby Steps: You did not put all those fat in one day so dont expect to loose it in a split of a second. Have a goal every week and try to acheive it, i used to walk on the steps 5 times when i started then i pushed myself in walking 10 times and more ... dont worry you will see the changes pretty soon.

Dont be discouraged: There are days when you feel "hey am not loosing any weight i rather continue eating" that's the worst thing you can ever do to yourself. Just keep calm and be focused, people may not notice those little changes you get to feel but you know (deep in your heart ) that you are turning around to your dream weight.

If you mess up, try again: Just because you cheated or skipped a work out session doesnt meant you should quit. get up dust yourself and try again. Stop the self pity and move that fat around.

Start from your comfort zone: Not everyone can do those workouts as seen in the videos, they actually started from somewhere, like me am avery busy person so working out from mondays to fridays is almost impossible, what i do is after ensuring that my kids have slept, i go to the stairs and climb 20 times have my bath and sleep, this is my comfort zone what i can do so i make it a routine. if also you are dieting and cannot do a liquid diet all through, the add some meals, just ensure you watch the amount of calories you are taking in.

Focus on the end goal: As i said earlier, always begin with the end in mind, you are trying to change your life and this is not an easy thing to do, just keep doing what you are doing and never forget when you tend to achieve at the end.

Listen to your doctor: Always ensure you consult your doctor before you start any program.

Anyone else have any advise to share? any specific question?

Nelly's things I heart giveaways...

So I have been thinking of a way of making my blog very interactive and fun. I can see people come in view and never comment ...thats not fair naa, motivate your sister…

Anyways so I came up with this idea...

Every other week I will be posting my before and after photos…So during this period (starting from now) you are to guess my total weight loss FROM NOW TO 30^th of MARCH for a chance to win fabulous giveaways, THIS WEEK HEARTY GIVE AWAY IS A MASSAGE AT BNATURAL SPA.

How to enter:

1.       Simply LEAVE A COMMENT HERE (leave your name and phone number to contact you if you are the winner) on this blog posting with your answer followed by “well done dear”

2.       Follow me on Twitter @nebogu

Contest period ends:  30^th March 2013 (GMT) Sunday 31^st of March I'll draw a name using a random number generator and announce the winner here on my blog! so watch out... 
 Scroll down to # of coments to leave yours. I will also email the winner at the address provided. You will have one week to respond to my email or another winner will be chosen.

REMEMBER, YOU HAVE TO DO THE 2 STEPS TO QUALIFY AND ONLY ONE ENTRY PER PERSON

Blog comments are moderated so there may be a slight delay (up to a few hours) in seeing your comment/entry post.

This applies to readers in Lagos and Abuja for readers in other states in Nigeria, you will get the money equivalent in any Recharge card of your choosing. 

***Want an extra chance to win?***

Retweet on Twitter "hey everyone enter the i heart @negbogu weight loss giveaway http://tinyurl.com/b2mbe47"

Fat Fighters

So like i earlier stated, i will be featuring every week, people/someone who is/are trying to loose weight and how far the have gone in their journey, whether you are on a diet or exercising or even had a surgery, we will like to know who you keeping the weight off and if you are still keeping the weight off, if you are intrested please send me a brief mail of your start weight and current weight and height and how long it took you to get there and if your goal has been accomplished ....after all its #teamslimbody.

Check out some supper foods that fight fat...after the cut

So i got this from eggface (besides i love her) and thought i should share, these are food that are fat fighters...
I will try and "nigerianlise" it a little lol

SUPER FOODS THAT FIGHT FAT

NUTS AND SEEDS: (raw, unsalted) Almonds, Flaxseeds, Sesame seeds, Walnuts

FRUIT: Apples, Blueberries, Cherries, Grapefruit, Oranges, Pomegranates

BEVERAGES: (unsweetened) Blueberry juice, Cherry juice, Green tea, Pomegranate juice, Vegetable juice (Ugwu/green water)

VEGETABLES: Green, Ugwu,Spring onions, Arugula, Bell peppers, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Leeks, Onions, lettuce, Scallions, mushrooms, Spinach, Tomatoes

HERBS AND SPICES: Basil, Black pepper, Cardamom, Chives, Cilantro, Cinnamon, Cloves, Garlic, Ginger, Parsley, Turmeric

FISH: Flounder, Salmon, Sole, Tilapia

OTHER: Egg whites, Yogurt (plain, nonfat)

Day 26 ... The worst thing about being fat...

I usually thought that the worst thing about being fat is that people already know your "issues" even before you get to know them; I mean usually you need to be close to someone before you can share in their story, but mine is right there in my stomach, arms, and my intimidating height doesn’t help matters.

Standing at 6ft tall with a weight over a 120kg, my "issues" are very "obvious". They instantly know am out of control and anything else am good at is being negated.

Other things wrong about being fat

 

Going for shopping with friends or family and only picking up an earring or necklace as nothing else fits! (That’s why I hated shopping).

Being hot all the time and sweating like I was poured water on all the time (with all that sweat yet the fat won’t go away!)

Going to concerts or shows and not being able to fit in a T-shirt.

Narrow aisles in stores (God have mercy! I literally have to squeeze my fat to pass through)

Being limited to 1 clothing store, just for fuller figures...

People analyze your orders at the restaurant. Forget going to the ice ccxream bar because if eyes could kill...

Airplanes bathroom size!  Enough said

Tray tables on the plane and sitting in the middle ... not funny

Entering the bank and it keeps screaming "only one person allowed"

Adding "Orobo" to your name before any other person does and you feel hurt... I did chubby Nelly

Having pictures taken and looking for the best angle that won’t depict the obvious

Painting my toes or buckling my sandals… phew!

Worrying about that sound on the chair ... sorry I would rather stand.

Sleeveless, short, revealing, definitely not fat-friendly.

Seatbelts at the back seats!

Seats at the cinemas!

Taxi charging higher than expected ... of course you can’t walk!

The fear of one day in my youth, I will be on medications even my grandparents at old age did not have to take.

Never getting a piggy back ride or being swept off my feet *sad face*

So I have also decided to feature other people's weight loss journey too, this stems from people sending me emails saying if they cannot do the CD, what other ways can they get to their ideal weight and of course I don’t intend to be on CD forever so I have to begin now to share healthy ways of living to prep me up for the days Cambridge diet is over.

Day 25 before and after photos!

Week 4 Day 25 Work in progress ...

I know, I know! I said Saturday before I show new photos but just couldn't wait lol...

I have also lost a dress size, used to be a dress size 24 now am dress size 22!
Just hoping my hand and big tummy will start showing a visible loss!

Yes! People who don't know am on a diet see me and scream "what are you doing? Keep it up dear" and I just can't help but blush sheepishly like a village girl being asked out for the first time lol.
I am much happier, smarter and not giving up!
This is just week 4 of 12 weeks and my fabulosity is already glaring hehehe!

Check me out in few weeks time, impossible is nothing to this chique... #teamslimbody

Oya Nelly back to work!

Day 24

So sorry for the late update, my network has been pretty bad an also can't lie that i have had a very busy day! phew! mondays na wa... plus traffic, even though it was a little manageable.
I have has a boring day ... Very busy oh but boring ...
I have not eating anything yet today, been too busy to eat, even when the alarm went off (yes I keep alarms because I forget to eat these days) I ignored it, even getting up from my seat to get water was risky. But I did and of course peeped a lot.
Now in traffic but when I get home I will make 3 packs of the porridge and take at once. Then take another 1.5ltrs of water...
Tired much...

Very Low Calorie Diet - VLCD

So I got mails asking what VLCD means and I thought I should blog about it.

Very low calorie diet (VLCD) is a diet with very or extremely low daily food energy consumption. It is defined as a diet of 800 kilocalories (3,300 kJ) per day or less. VLCDs are formulated, nutritionally complete, liquid meals containing 800 kilocalories or less per day. VLCDs also contain the recommended daily requirements for vitamins, minerals, trace elements, fatty acids and protein. Carbohydrate may be entirely absent, or substituted for a portion of the protein; this choice has important metabolic effects. The VLCD products are usually a powder which is mixed with water or another low-food-energy liquid. The VLCD is prescribed on a case to case basis for rapid weight loss (about 1.5 to 2.5 kilograms or 3 to 5 pounds per week) in patients with Body Mass Index of 30 and above. The health care provider can recommend the diet to a patient with a BMI between 27 and 30 if the medical complications the patient has due to being overweight present serious health risks.

So ask yourself if VLCD is right for you... I have answered mine. Lol

"I ate a very low-calorie diet" - Beyonce

I found this article on Beyonce talking about how she lost all the baby weight on a very low calorie diet. This was an interview with shape magazine.
Impossible is nothing ....

Read the extract from Abc news after the cut...




In an interview with Shape magazine  the star who was born Beyonce Knowles said she gained 57 pounds during her pregnancy.
Describing herself as someone who is "not naturally very thin," she added that she has to work to keep her body in shape. She told the magazine that 80 percent of her post-baby weight loss resulted from cutting back on food.

"I ate a very low-calorie diet. I stayed away from red meat and ate a lot of fish, replaced pasta and rice with quinoa," Beyonce said.

The Grammy Award-winning singer gave birth to Blue Ivy, her daughter with rapper-husband Jay-Z, Jan. 8, 2012, at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.
Beyonce, 31, also told the magazine that she was at her ideal weight while working on her iconic "Crazy in Love" music video, saying that's the body size she aims for when she wants to get in shape.

"For me, dancing is what keeps me active and I would just say, everyone is not supposed to be the same. Be healthy and take care of yourself, but be happy with the beautiful things that make you you," she added.

She also said that she doesn't count calories.

"I always have breakfast, say, scrambled egg whites, a vegetable smoothie, or whole-grain cereal with low-fat milk. For lunch and dinner, I eat a lot of fish and vegetables. And throughout the day, I try to stay hydrated," she said.

But she does splurge from time to time.

"I always treat myself to one meal on Sundays when I can have whatever I want," she said. "Usually it's pizza, which is my favorite indulgence."

Beyonce kicks off her Mrs. Carter Show World tour next month, and tells Shape that once the tour wraps, she'll start trying for more children.

The singer debuted her new single, "Bow Down/I Been On," on her website Sunday along with a photo of a young Beyonce standing in front of a mantle full of trophies.