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.

Mind Over Matter




Me in year 2



So i have been getting alot of buzz from people asking me why i chose the cambridge diet and why i dont want to jog or watch what i eat, they too are big and have been watching what they eat,  ... blah blah blah...

Anyways una no go understand,as far as am concerned, all you people calling yourself fat, you guys are actually slim beside me oh! dont allow my pics and my height to deceive you...
I promised to tell you guys a bit about me so here is it ...

I have not always been big, the picture above is me in my university days, when i used to be the rocking babe in school... i may not be catergorised as small but i definitely wont be called big...
Even at that i have always been struggling with my weight but it didnt really bother me and all because i used to trek mostly as our lectures were literally scattered all over the school.
Then in school even up till now my slang has been one more wouldnt hurt but i was just in denial, i really let my body rule over mind....
I kept increasing and it never stopped. I have a very catchy personality which people get attracted to first so it was easy to blank my 'fat issues" from anyone and go with the flow... I feel am a shy person (alot of people don't believe that lol) and a goal getter and won't stop until i get what i want. but that only applies to every other thing except my weight...



Me in year 1

Like i wrote in my previous posts, i have tried so many things and have failed at it, even failed at this cambridge diet too! did it a while back when i was still single and had relationship issues and the only thing there to comfort me was food... i even ate more! the ice cream factory and pizza place near my house new my number and would always deliver free and have an extra topping free too because i was a regular customer... i even got calendars at the at the end of the year to show you how regular i was!
Then i started developing pains in my knees when i want to squat, had short of breathe and all...
When i started this journey I weighed in at 160.9kg thought i was 149kg yes am that big and (i have lost 16kg or so in 3 weeks now 144.1kg) I decided to start with baby steps ... it took everything in me to push my fat self to the open space every morning for exercise but i was determined. Funny enough i got support from people who were also exercising and no one called me Orobo (fat girl).
I was motivated but i knew i couldnt jog, so what i did was to walk 10 times the field then in the last lap i jog and go home.
But i really envied the ladies who run 10 laps while i walked, i know i couldnt start jogging just like that, i needed to loose my weight alittle to be able to atleast jog...thus cambridge diet...

To be continued....

Question of the day.... What will you gain when you loose?

Alot of times we forget why we start a journey and tend to loose track like I almost did today and now am beating myself up.
Anyways I did a lot of thinking and I thought I should share my thoughts with you all ... So really what will I gain when loose? So many things really... I will tell you guys my story one day but for now ... I know I  will gain confidence, health to mention but a few... I have been ridiculed because of my weight, been judged wrongly because of my excesses and even skipped on something that should be duly mine just because of my weight,  but all that will soon be in the past because I don't intend on given up, I prayed to God for willpower and discipline so far my God has not disappointed me.

So people let me throw the question to the floor ...

WHAT REALLY WILL YOU GAIN WHEN YOU LOOSE?

Please drop your thoughts/comments

Parrying all the way!!!

More like cheating all the way... Lol

So am at the parry naa!
Didn't know kids birthdays starts this late these days, and I have noticed there are more adults in kids parties than the kids sef! Anyways not my business just here to catch some fun with my kids.

As I promised I will cheat... I hope I won't regret this cheating oh! And hope this will not kick me out of ketosis.
Anyways, I will feel guilty later for now the plate above is my cheating plate :). One fish, one chicken and one prawn all cooked no fried... All protein too (prawns give protein?) and my favorite drink water.
The item 7 party was fun while it lasted.

Day 23 - begins week 4

Good people! am still basking in ths euphoria of last week unexpected weight loss... i already fill like Agbani Darego in my heart, i have been smiling from teeth to teeth choi! am happy... very happy!!!

The struggle continues... 

So today ushers in week 4 which at the end of the week am to show my before and after photos. Well right now am so not looking forward to it, my kids were invited for a birthday party and am sorry to announce that am gonna cheat.

I de talk my own shaa , can't be surrounded by food and won't taste a little mbanu!!!

So let me report myself now, but don't worry I will surly pay for it, lol

Ok see you guys later if I get time i will blog from the parry to tell how much I missed real food lol.

Finally!!! Weigh in moment yes!!!

I have finally figured out the problem with my weighing scale. Imagine it was just to bring out the battery and fix it back in.
Ok that aside! So I weighed in and I lost, stammering I ...I lost 7.8kg!!!
I cannot just believe it! Am in shock!!!
I even had to check like five times but still not convinced you know this scale has been messing up since morning so I did not want to get my hopes high.
I called on my sister to come weigh herself and if she got a low weight then I will know something is wrong but it was correct after like 3 times of checking.
Still not convinced oh!
I called my aunt to weigh and even weighed my son!
Then I was convinced! Am in tears! I look at myself and I cannot believe its me that has gone this far.
I have decided to be posting photos every 2 weeks so please look out for my before and after photo next week after weigh in.
Am so emotional right now... Talk to you guys later...

Arrrrghhh Dammmm!!!!

Can you guys imagine! Of all freaking days for my heming weigh scale to mess up is today!!! I have been battling with the scale since my last post! What is it naa eh? Am so frustrated right now... What is it naa? Gosh! Just pissed!
And the nearest health plus pharmacy is not close at all... I hate all this automatic things in fact I want normal line scale.
I will step on it and it just doesn't move?!!!
There is no way am 0.0kg!
After all my strength gathering and courage mustering the scale is kapish! Not good
I will go online and read about how to repair this scale, weigh in day is a must.
Please you guys should not give up on me, this scale is just one of those distraction ... Make una no worry I am top of it, repairing it, I will bring out the Igbo tech in me...

It's weigh in day!

Infact it's this morning. I don't know why am shaking like a young girl who just took JAMB for the third time and is about to see her results ... Lol
Just the thought that I may loose little or gain some scares me like hell.
Do you know what, I have passed through the scale in my room 14 times already. My Aunty keeps shouting "jump on it already!" As far as am concerned she will never understand. This moment could be a moment of bliss or hmm a moment of beating myself up.
I have dreaded this scale this week not like I cheated but I am not just confident enough, but I have promised to win "myself" in this journey and there is no going back about that.
Ok jus give me 20 mins will get back to you guys with what I weighed for this week... Later

Pants sagging!!!

Saggy Saggy Nelly

So I have not dropped any dress size yet *i think* anyways but my very tight Ashley Stewart pants are freaking loose! I never wear belt because I hardly get my size and even if I get my size am just not comfortable with it so I skip belts afterall my tummy waist line is big enough to hold me.
Just as every normal day I put on my clothes for work and low and behold my pants kept falling of from my waist!
Hehehe, I have been dancing alanta since I noticed the change. It just continues to prove that consistency pays!
Ok there is another thing I noticed, I can now see a neck bone! Choi... Neva knew I had one o! .. Lol
This journey is a struggle but am happy so far with myself first check me out in August ... Lol
#teamslimbody!

Tips to make the Cambridge Diet Journey Easier!

So I thought it was fun knowing what to do first before starting up the diet, am no expert or consultant *yet* but this are little things that could spice up the journey


1. Make sure you take a picture of yourself, front view, back view, both sides, on the day you start your C D Journey.

2. Take pictures every 4 weeks so that you can see yourself getting slimmer, and make them into a photo journal. I have printed mine off and have in a photo album so that when I am feeling hungry etc. I keep looking at it! :)




3. Get measured!! If you dont want your CDC to measure you, then do it yourself! You might not think it's a great idea at first but when you have small losses, it's so amazing when you have lost inches off your waist instead!! Do this every 4 weeks!

4. Have a CD buddie, join a group for weight loss people or just track your loss it sure keeps you motivated.

5. Buy yourself something for every 10kg you lose. I have not gotten myself anything yet cos I have not lost 10kg yet but am certain I will in my next weigh in which is tomorrow!

6. When you first start CD, buy a piece of clothing that you want to get into, that is a few sizes lower than what you are and hang it somewhere where you will see it everyday, I have a lovely Ankara gown that is just pending its actually dress size 14!

7. Go to balogun market and buy clothes that are one size lower than one you are, I have trousers that are size 22, 20, 18, 16. I am currently a size 22, but I started a size 24.

8. Sell your 'fat' clothes on OLX!
Honestly, it is so much fun and you will make some money for your 'new slimmer' clothes!

9. If you dont like OLX or ebay, then, get rid of your fat clothes from your wardrobe, and take them to an orphanage. Not only are you doing something for the greater good, but you will feel so wonderful with a wardrope that is now free from clothes that are too big for you!

10. Keep one pair of fat trousers and one fat top. I have a size 24/26 of both and I look at them all the time. I used to be too tight for these, and they are a reminder that I never want to be able to fit into them again!

11. Moisturise your skin! I use bio-oil on a daily basis, for my skin, as I do not want to have too much saggy skin, but remember, to use it every single day and dont forget about it! It really does help!

12. Make sure to look after your hair while you are on this diet.

13. Keep a blog! I have kept a blog from day one and it is very useful to read back when you are feeling weak. If you dont want something online, write a journal, it is good to write about your feelings!

14. With the water, get a big jug and fill the whole thing with icecubes and then keep refilling it with your water, so that everytime you pour it into your glass, it's really cold. I find that having fizzy water with the water flavourings is just like having fanta!

Day what? For the love of water ...

Cant remember ... lol
Well what matters is that today is the day before Week 3 weigh in..yeay!
Ok, not like am expecting to drop a huge one when i climb the scale tomorrow morning but its now a routine i look forward to Saturday mornings!
So am in this BB group with awesome Cambridge diet dieters and we try to motivate ourselves every now and then... We all have different goals and talking about them makes the journey abit easier, we decided to weigh in every saturday and everyone looks forward to know who "biggest looser" will be, though i won it last week but i am no sure i will win it this week  ... no i didn't cheat well if tasting my son's food is cheating am so guilty.
But all in all am happy with the results am noticing, my lastest biggest challange is that water is now bitter, thanks for flavourings as its really difficult to gulp down water.
I have also noticed some nice changes in me since i started taking water, i pee alot, My skin glows and it kinda smoothe maybe my imagination so i google it up and i saw some amazing benefits of drinking water so am sticking to water...lol. see the amazing facts about water after the cut...

10 Reasons to Drink Water1. Water is absolutely essential to the human body’s survival. A person can live for about a month without food, but only about a week without water.
2. Water helps to maintain healthy body weight by increasing metabolism and regulating appetite.
3. Water leads to increased energy levels. The most common cause of daytime fatigue is actually mild dehydration.
4. Drinking adequate amounts of water can decrease the risk of certain types of cancers, including colon cancer, bladder cancer, and breast cancer.
5. For a majority of sufferers, drinking water can significantly reduce joint and/or back pain.
6. Water leads to overall greater health by flushing out wastes and bacteria that can cause disease.
7. Water can prevent and alleviate headaches.
8. Water naturally moisturizes skin and ensures proper cellular formation underneath layers of skin to give it a healthy, glowing appearance.
9. Water aids in the digestion process and prevents constipation.
10. Water is the primary mode of transportation for all nutrients in the body and is essential for proper circulation.

20 Interesting and Useful Water Facts1. Roughly 70 percent of an adult’s body is made up of water.
2. At birth, water accounts for approximately 80 percent of an infant’s body weight.
3. A healthy person can drink about three gallons (48 cups) of water per day.
4. Drinking too much water too quickly can lead to water intoxication. Water intoxication occurs when water dilutes the sodium level in the bloodstream and causes an imbalance of water in the brain.
5. Water intoxication is most likely to occur during periods of intense athletic performance.
6. Water consists of three atoms, 2 Hydrogen atoms and an Oxygen atom, that are bond together due to electrical charges.
7. While the daily recommended amount of water is eight cups per day, not all of this water must be consumed in the liquid form. Nearly every food or drink item provides some water to the body.
8. Soft drinks, coffee, and tea, while made up almost entirely of water, also contain caffeine. Caffeine can act as a mild diuretic, preventing water from traveling to necessary locations in the body.
9. Pure water (solely hydrogen and oxygen atoms) has a neutral pH of 7, which is neither acidic nor basic.
10. Water dissolves more substances than any other liquid. Wherever it travels, water carries chemicals, minerals, and nutrients with it.
11. Somewhere between 70 and 75 percent of the earth’s surface is covered with water.
12. Much more fresh water is stored under the ground in aquifers than on the earth’s surface.
13. The earth is a closed system, similar to a terrarium, meaning that it rarely loses or gains extra matter. The same water that existed on the earth millions of years ago is still present today.
14. The total amount of water on the earth is about 326 million cubic miles of water.
15. Of all the water on the earth, humans can used only about three tenths of a percent of this water. Such usable water is found in groundwater aquifers, rivers, and freshwater lakes.
16. There are two kinds of water; salt water and freshwater. Salt water contains great amounts of salt, whereas freshwater has a dissolved salt concentration of less than 1%. Only freshwater can be applied as drinking water
17. Water is the only substance that is found naturally on earth in three forms: liquid, gas, solid.
18. Frozen water is 9% lighter than water, which is why ice floats on water.
19. By the time a person feels thirsty, his or her body has lost over 1 percent of its total water amount.
20. The weight a person loses directly after intense physical activity is weight from water, not fat

Culled from Linda Ikeji

The Cambridge Diet - Review

THE DIET

Cambridge Diet is a diet invented by a scientist at, yes, you guessed it Cambridge University.
It is what is known as a VLCD (a very low calorie diet). In fact it’s so low you can only do it for 12 weeks at a time, then you have to increase your intake again for at least a week before continuing.
While you are on the diet you only consume around 500 calories a day, and live off your body weight (fat) instead.

This is my 3rd week  on the diet an so far i have lost

10lbs = first week
8.13lbs = 2nd week
(total of 18lbs or 9kg)

*I think why i lost so much is because i have lot of fat to loose ... lol*


Cambridge themselves specify you should usually expect an average of a stone (14lbs or 6.35kg) a month.
Fed up of losing a pound here, and half a pound there, this was the main thing that attracted me to this diet. I wanted quick, decisive results. But that is not to say other conservative diets are not good and may work better for you.

There are six steps to the Cambridge Diet, with the first step being divided into A and B:


Step 1: A Sole Source:
----------------------------
This consists of 415-554 calories acquired from 3 or 4 shakes or soups per day (depending on how fast you want to lose weight, your gender and your level of willpower). No other food is consumed although you should drink a minimum of 2.5 litres of water.

OR

Step 1: B Sole Source Plus:
----------------------------------
This consists of 615 calories and involves either 3 soups/shakes plus a 200kcal meal OR 4 shakes/soups plus 200ml of skimmed milk.

Sole source should be followed for a minimum of 1 week and a maximum of 12 weeks as it is a very low calorie diet (VLCD).



Step 2:
---------
This consists of 810 calories and requires the dieter to consume 3 shakes/soups plus additional protein rich foods, skimmed milk and some vegetables.

Step 3:
---------
1000 calories from 2 shakes/soups plus skimmed milk, breakfast, salads for lunch and dinner.

Step 4:
---------
1200 calories from 2 shakes/soups plus skimmed milk, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Step 5:
---------
1500 calories from 1 shake/soup plus skimmed milk, breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack.

Step 6: Maintenance
--------------------------
1500+ calories from healthy diet plus your choice of using shakes/soups or not.

THE FOOD

The Cambridge Diet is a primarily a liquid diet consisting of shakes and soups. I won't lie to you and say that it's tasty. Some of the soups are, frankly, disgusting, and some of the shakes are much too sweet, but it is tolerable and my tastebuds got used to the flavours after the first week. It is trial and error as to which flavours you may prefer. I have tried most of them apart from banana flavour, which I despise in all things. As well as the shakes and soups there are two porridge flavours, plain and cinammon and apple flavoured. Apparently these are really popular, but I found them very floury and too thick so I just stick to the shakes and soups. There are bars too, but I have yet to try these. I'm worried that eating chewable food may set me on the path to ruin so will resist these for a while yet.

The flavours:
Shakes can be mixed with hot or cold water. I prefer mine as hot drinks. The flavours I have tried, with my own preference ratings are listed below:

Chocolate 4/5 If left too long this gets a thick skin on top which is not nice.

Cholcoate Mint 4/5 Also develops a skin. The mint is very subtle and quite artificial in flavour.

Chocolate Orange 3/5 Much too sweet.

Strawberry 3/5 Best cold. Very sweet but no mistaking the strawberry flavour.

Butterscotch 2/5 Much too sweet and smells artificial.

Cappucino 2/5 Like many of the shakes, very sweet. Apparently this is better made hot and mixed with coffee. And it's my favorite.

Soups:
Spicy Tomato 4/5 takes a little getting used to.

Cheese and Broccoli -2/5, Yuk, yuk, yuk. Smells like baby poop and doesn't taste much better either.

Vegetable 3/5, quite creamy but has a strange artificial smell. Blindfolded I would not know this was vegetable, but am not sure what I would think it was either!

Lactose free Leek and potato 3/5, this was my favourite but now when I have it I am overwhelmed by the saltiness. Must be a sign of my tastebuds changing.

Chicken and Mushroom 4/5, this comes with tiny slices of mushroom in it.

I'm sure I've missed some of the flavours out, but you get a general gist.

As well as the packet soups and shakes that you must mix for yourself (add hot or cold water) there are also tetra boxes of ready made shakes. These come in Banana, chocolate and strawberry flavours. I take chocolate and strawberry tetra boxes to work as it saves the hassle of mixing during my lunch break. These are slightly different in flavour to the shakes that you mix yourself. They are thicker and smoother and it is recommended that you increase your water intake if using the boxes. I certainly find them less filling that the packet shakes, but that is partly because there is less in them than the shakes I make at home.


MAINTENECE

Finally and perhaps most importantly I want to tackle the issue of maintenance. One of my biggest concerns when I went for my first consultation was if I lost the weight quickly, would I put it back on just as fast when I begin to eat normal food again.
I plan to try and exist on the Cambridge liquid diet for six months in total, after which I will hopefully have lost enough. Now, after six months of abstinence, you cannot simply start eating normally again. Cambridge have a 7 step programme to introduce food back into your diet slowly. By the end of this programme you will be on your recommended daily allowance of calories. Teaching you how to eat healthily and and about portion control.
However, after 2 weeks on this diet. I’ve already began to learn some very interesting things about myself. My relationship with food. Its amazing how this diet teaches, now when i pick up that noodles, i will like to know how many calories is in a pack. Yes its difficult doing the diet here in Nigeria but its possible, Am begining to learn how to count calories on our local nigerian foods.

SUMMARY

The Cambridge Diet is a very fast and effective means of weight loss. But, it’s not for everyone. It’s not a wonder diet, it has side affects that you need to consider before you start. There is something very exhilarating about losing weight rapidly, and seeing a difference in yourself and clothes right from the very first week.
If you’ve tried other diets unsuccessfully and don’t believe a diet can work for you, this one may very well do.

DISCLAIMER
I’m not a scientist & I’m not a weight-loss consultant, this is simply my interpretation & experiences of this diet also culled from different people's experience and blogs. I recommend that if you’re seriously considering doing it you read the Cambridge Diet website thoroughly and meet with a Cambridge Consultant.

My motivation - Winning "Self"

So people keep asking me why do i choose to go on such liquid diet and if this will affect my health and all, so i thought i should write about my reasons for choosing this diet and why i have decided to take this route.

Please am not writing to be criticised or praised, am doing this for me...

Am an emotional person when it comes to my weight, i refuse to talk about it or let it weigh me down thus i try to do all those things lekpa (skinny) people do. I always strive to be the best in what i do and i never belive no is an answer, but for some reason, which still beats me is that i cannot conquer "myself", am like a prisoner in my skin eating what my flesh wants and the way it wants it even when am least hungry...
This may sound weird to some people but i know how bad i feel after taking that chocolate or eating that pizza. I watched myself move dress sizes continously and still felt helpless, and the insults and passing comments about my weight became so much but i chose to ignore.
I have tried alot of stuffs in the past... i have guard my teeth (which i personnally removed as the thoughts of not eating was just unbearable). I have tried to get a personal trainer ( i just bullied them no matter how hard they try), I hate jogging because it leaves me short of breathe but i try walking. But the main issue i have is my thought pattern towards food. I crave for food all the time!


I did not need anyone to tell me i needed an intervention, First will be to change my thought pattern towards food. I was determined to start this diet after i saw my Friend (who is my consultant now) loose so much weight on the diet, i knew her well, and seeing her go from a size 24 to a size 14 in weeks was amazing! and i said to myself hey! Nelly you can do this, its gonna be hard but you could do it.
So i told her i was interested in what she did and that am tired of being the "fat Nelly" and she was glad i came to her.
She has so far been encouraging and i thank God for her.

Left is my friend in a dress size 14 and her on the right is she, a dress size 24

Today, i have accepted that i am big and i am working towards loosing weight. I have so far had so many encouragments from people when they know am on a diet. Though am not showing to that extent where one will see me and say wow!!!! Nelly you have lost some weight (which is my goal) but i have seen alot difference in me. I am much smarter and i am not always short of breathe after taking a few walks.
I see food but am not hungry neither am i drawn towards it, i keep telling myself how this story has to end in praise and the Glory of God manifested in my life as i have conquered "self".
I want to be healthy, fit and happy, i want a day i will stop snoring or a day i can walk into a bank and it doesnt say "two people are not allowed at the same time" this maybe funny to you but they are serious issues to me.
Am in week 3 my weigh in is on saturday, i still have like 10 weeks to acheive my first goal of loosing 30kg.
Though i have lost 9kg in 2 weeks i do not want it to get to my head, am seeing results for the first time in my life and i am glad i started the cambridge Journey.

My son's birthday will be in August and i want to be a trim size mum and flaunt my brand new body, i know its acheivable and am determined to win over "self". I wont give up now its too late to be sorry for "self".
#teamslimbody

I Cracked! ... *sad face*

Well not like i totally cracked but i, ehm.. ok i cheated with some snails and moi moi :(
Before you start the blame game on me, just wait a second, am human ok,... laughs. well thats no excuse at all. Well my cheat was deliberate, i am now fully on ketosis so i do not feel hungry anymore, i mean totally like what thrills me is the amount of energy i have! and its awesome! Amazing right?!
Now here is the challenge, i forget to eat! yes! i totally forget because i do not feel hungry coupled with my busy schedule and food (in this case the cambridge plan) is the last thing on my mind.
So in the morning i take my shake and at nights i take the porridge ... (i love the apple and cinamon porridge) and that is it.. ok plus lots of water.
Then it happened, i started having skin rash, more like pimples with water inside, at first i thought it would just go but it kept coming, spoke to my consultant about it and she warned me about not doing the diet right is not good for my health and i promised to stick to the 3 meals on SS she also said i should stop the diet and try to eat to boost up my system. and it sure did work the rashes are going. So it may seem like i cheated but if for a good afterall i checked and am still in ketosis but i need to boost it more.
So am not beating myself up so much. I dont look forward to Saturday at all because i know i wont have lost much (lol). but i may be surprised because i still have lots to loose.


You can see the picture of my rashes face after the cut *viewers discretion is advised* lol