Diet & Fitness 

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Diary of a dieter - week 2

It's been a tough week for Rachel, our new dieter. As well as an office party she's had PMT to deal with

Help! Have you ever tried dieting when you've got PMT? Usually, only a mega-sized bar of chocolate will dent my misery, but this time round I've had to endure the pain and mood swings as well as my sweet cravings. I'll admit I finally gave in to a Walnut Whip (a virtuous two and a half points on my Weight Watchers plan), when things got too unbearable.

Actually, the hardest point of the week was when we celebrated someone's birthday in the office. Out came the lovely cakes, crisps and sweets, which I'd normally have tucked into without a second thought. But this time I had to make do with a piece of low-fat chicken breast. Yum bloody yum.

To make matters worse, my general fatigue didn't make me feel particularly excited about going to the gym either. Still, I forced myself there three times, clocking up 45 minutes of aerobic exercise and 20 minutes of toning work each session. They say exercise makes you feel happy and I'll admit that it did for, oooh, at least 10 minutes! Grumpy, me?

So after a difficult week, where I'm not ashamed to say a few tears have been shed, I woke up yesterday to discover that my period had started. Damn! I always gain several pounds at this time of the month. I fought and won the urge not to go to my weigh-in. But I've decided there is no point avoiding the truth at this early stage so I joined the class line-up with my fingers firmly crossed.

I've put on a pound. A whole pound. I wanted to kick the bloody scales. A week of struggle for that. And to make matters worse, I was sitting behind the dieter of the week, who had lost a 'fabulous' 5lb. I felt like force-feeding her a cream bun.

It's weird how 1lb has suddenly become such a big deal. Before the diet I wouldn't have worried about it for one second. But now, because my weight is such an issue, it feels hugely important.

This is where the motivational chats at the classes come into their own. Liz, our group leader, is very supportive and she reminded me that my hard work would be rewarded. There's something about a woman who's lost 11 stone telling you that it can be done that makes you feel a bit less disheartened.

Despite my grumbles though, I have learnt two things this week. The first is how to distinguish between real hunger and emotional hunger. A number of times I've caught myself thinking, 'I really want a bar of chocolate,' but then I've realised it would take up a valuable seven or eight food points (I'm allowed 22 points a day) and I've been forced to ask myself 'Am I really hungry? Do I really need chocolate?' Of course, the answer has been 'no.' At times like these I've taken my mind off food by going for a quick walk, reading a book or listening to a favourite CD.

Secondly, I've learned some great low-fat comfort food tricks. For example, mashed potato with a dash of mustard powder tastes surprisingly creamy and, served with a low-fat sausage casserole, it does wonders for a PMT-ravaged soul.

Wish me luck for next week.

Original start weight: 13st 7lbs
End week one weight: 13st 2½lbs
End week two weight: 13st 3½lbs

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