Last day

So, last day of work before my trip. Off to Bali, with a 3 night stop in Bangkok on the way out.
I’ve never been to Thailand or Bali, and I’m really looking forward to this.
I’ve just missed the Bali Spirit Fest, which was a couple of weeks ago, so that’s a bit of a shame, but I’m taking a yoga mat with me, so I don’t have any excuses.
Bangkok is going to be a food-fest for me.  It’s great timing as I’ve just finished my diet today.  Lost 6 1/2 inches round my belly.  I need to make sure that I keep to sensible eating now and not get back into bad habits.
Weirdly though, not that I CAN eat bread and sweets if I want, I seem to have lost the craving.  That’s not a bad thing, so long may that continue.

 

Winding down

As I type this, the last 3D print I’m doing this semester is currently being printed.  This afternoon I’ve got some sensors to start wiring up, and then I can breathe a sigh when that’s done, and just think about the trip I’m taking.

3 nights in Bangkok, 11 in Bali and 3 in Dubai.  I’ve got a couple of trips and a surf lesson booked for Bali.  My recently replaced yoga mat is coming with me so I can get each day off to a good start, and I’m coming off the diet which has seen me lose just under 7″ from my belly, and the sensible eating regime (not going back to eating processed foods packed full of sugar, and continuing to eat salads, which I never used to.  Increasing the amount of excercise (I cut back due to lack of carbs) should keep me from returning to my previously comfortably padded belly.
I’m not deluding myself, I know I’ll put a bit back on, but I need to stick to sensible eating, and only eat junk once a month on games night.

Unexpected side effect

So, since the New Year, the good news is that my gut is well and truly getting kicked into touch.  I’m looking more the shape I should look, and my stomach no longer resembles what someone referred to it as, “a knot in a bit of string”.
This is good.  I feel better, I’ve more energy, and I’m generally happier.
There is however an unexpected downside.

Downside (a) – who knew you could lose weight from your fingers?  It never crossed my mind that would happen.  I now need to get my wedding ring re-sized, as I’m currently using sticking plaster to “fatten” my finger and stop it falling off.

Downside (b) – the increased intake of salad, has resulted in fartage.  I know it’s jsut my body re-adjusing to the change in diet, and it’ll calm down.  I’ve also noticed some veg causes it more than others.  You don’t get this problem with meat/bread/cakes/chocolate…

Downside (c) – my made to measure kilt was made to measure when I measured a fair bit lardier than I currently am.  Even tightening it as much as I can, I have to stick what’s left of my gut out, and over-tighten the belt so it doesn’t end up round my ankles and scare the horses!  This could mean investing in another at some point.  (If I’m doing this I’ll go for a different tartan, as two identical kilts is a bit daft.

Food hangover

Since the New Year, I’ve been (sort of) on the Atkins diet.  I’ve not cut out carbs, but I have limited their intake.  The result to date is, about 6 inches off my gut, that I was more than able to lose.  I’ve (almost) got a flat stomach now.  I’ve been going to the gym again and doing some core sessions – I really need to do some upper body as well, as I’ve never been great in the upper body strength stakes.
I’m also doing a yoga class – vinyasa flow – once a week, and I’m doing more yoga on my own most days (I’m doing the men’s 30 day yoga challenge on Do You Yoga)
I’m probably in better shape at 50 than I was at 25!

Now I said above that I’m “sort of” doing Atkins.  Once a month we have a games night (boardgames like Pandemic, Zombies, Robo Rally, Cards Against Humanity) and I drop the diet for that day.  So it’s pizza, beer, etc for me 🙂  The downside to this is what I can only describe as a “food hangover” the following day.  It’s almost as if my body reaslises that I’ve been eating “clean” food for ages, and suddenly isn’t all that impressed when sugary rubbish suddenly gets introduced to the mix.
I have to admit that weirdly for someone who had a sweet tooth, I don’t really miss the sweet stuff now.

Anyway, I’ve done my yoga for the day.  Did it first thing this morning, and lunchtime, I’m off to the gym to give my abs a hard time of it.