I'd kindly like to ask anyone who is going to read this blog post, to please first watch all 2 minutes and 29 seconds of this video first: Rocky clip (I strongly advise you watch it, so that we're all singing from the same hymn sheet)
Have you watched it? High motherflumping five biaatches! This final week has been summed up passionately in this video clip. Even dontask2015 has summed it up in his Clip Description as "So Inspirational" Dontask 2015, short and sweet, but you hit the nail on the head. Trying to finish the final week of milkshakes was the last lap of an emotional and physical marathon and Rocky is on my page. He was a lot more physical as I have discovered I have a lot to do to get as fit as him. But mentally this is how I felt, and all those beautiful people cheering him on, running behind him, was you, yes you, cheeky, reading this, you big babe. Pass the Kleenex ladies and gents because a Rach is Shaked and feeling very overwhelmed.
Did Rocky think he was going to get up those stairs? Did Obama think he was going to be the first black president of America? Did Gareth Gates think he would overcome his stutter and get to the final of Pop Idol.? Maybe. But, definitely not at first. I never ever in a gazillion years think I could put down the Pringles tub and have meal replacement Milkshakes. But look at us now. Obama is in his 2nd term, Gareth is in the West End. Rocky I don't know because I lost count after Rocky 5. But Dontask 2015 said it first, he did inspire us. And I, am three stone lighter.
I enjoyed my last week as I was able to eat two meals, despite having to eat one for breakfast I was so glad to feel normal again. I made the error of keeping my choc whip one for the last day, as it was disgusting! But in a good way it was nice as it was all the better for feeling the "see you later shakes" feeling. This week was a very hard week to be finishing on as it was coming up to Easter Sunday. If ever there was a temptation, it was this week. I finished my two-week work experience at Tiger so made some cakes to say thanks for having me, and the office had also passed round Easter treats so they were flung at me left right and centre. My friend who also works there had told some people about my blog before and some of them had been reading it so everyone was really supportive and encouraging about the diet, so I didn't have to defend that I wasn't being rude turning down their home made cakes.
It was my friends Murder Mystery party on the Saturday night, I decided during the week that I was going to have my first drink and treat that night as it was the end of the week and it was a good time to celebrate the end of the shakes, with my friends being there. I had a glass of champagne which felt lovely a nice way to toast it. My friend Amy had made lovely 60s cocktails, such as Andy Warhol cocktails (from his Campbell’s soup tin) and I had a slice of birthday cake and some nibbles for the birthday. I just felt like it was the end of the week anyway and on my last day everyone would be at work so I did it then. It felt really nice but a big part of me was worrying about getting too drunk having not drunk for 12 weeks, and about how much I was eating. I really paced myself and drank water and I didn't actually feel drunk all night. Maybe over panicking, and sometimes when you build something up too much you’re waiting for a big "wooooop" to come. If that even makes sense? I went for a swim and a run to work this off between the next two days to undo it and when I went to my weigh in I actually stayed the same weight, which was a relief. I'm not disappointed by this as I know I want to lose another stone, but I knew I was having a celebratory drink, and it's encouraging to see that when you do exercise it does keep it off.
A few people have asked me how I'm dealing with the eating part. I thought before on the shakes was the struggle. But it is actually more steps for Rocky to climb at the minute. On the milkshakes it's black and white, measured out for you, you pour water in it, drink your black tea and coffee and tons of water. Done. You know where you are. Now I'm planning meals thinking "I am allowed this, but how much?" "Oh I could have that, but then less of that" etc. Then there are meal times. Last week I was coming home at 7, not sitting down till 8, eating at 8 surely isn't good? It's all a bit confusing. I don't want to turn into a crazy calorie controlled lady. Life can't be all about worrying about food and weight. But I did work way too hard to undo it. I'm really going to have to manage this well. There is also the exercise; throughout the shakes you don't exercise, which makes it hard when you finish. Today I was running up a huge hill where I live and I had to put on "Enter Sandman" by Metallica on my iPod to get me up it. I got up there in the end, and it was no Rocky video. It was I bent over considering phoning an ambulance.
Then again, did I ever think I would lose 3 stone in 12 weeks? No no no. This is the next marathon. If my friends, family and ABBA gold CD is half as supportive as they were while on the diet, I'll be toned, fit and ready in time. On that note thank you so much to all the little txts, messages, comments and phone calls encouraging me to this point. It may seem so little to you, but to me it has literally pushed me and pulled me up and been a big fat virtual hug. It's been the loveliest of all lovely things to receive. I'm one lucky gal and just so overwhelmed at the minute. I’m so unbelievably happy. If I can help anyone I really hope I do. I thanked Dearbhail at the weekend for being there for me,and giving me the confidence to do it. She was brave and did it off her own back. I did it knowing it worked from seeing her. We both agreed that the nicest feeling is being happy in how you feel about yourself, and to be proud of yourself. As my brother Marc txt me when I told him I finished my last shake #FromFatToPhat (among other lovely and supportive things, this was just how he summed it up)
My friend Beckie met me from my weigh in today and took me straight to get me a Vodka Lime and Soda at Mid day, Slainte!! (Cheers in Irish) Goodbye shakes! The only shake shake shaking I want to be doing is my shaking slimmer hips around a dance floor!
