St Patrick scuppers good intentions

NATASHA MARTIN/Timaru Herald

LIFTING WEIGHTS: Moving a house seemed a perfect way for Emma Bailey to work on her muscle strength.

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Photographer John Bisset and reporter Emma Bailey are a third of the way through a 12-week community weight-loss challenge, which means meeting once a week for classes on nutrition and lifestyle choices.

A group of 40 will go head-to-head to see who can lose the most body fat. It was a week of weight-loss inaction.

John Bisset: Missed Wednesday night's meeting and weigh-in. Had an important meeting with St Patrick and a few pints of Guinness. I felt guilty until the third drink. We were told that weight training is important and each pint weighed 0.473 kilograms.

It wasn't easy, but I held on to two glasses all night. It must have had an effect on my muscles because I had a headache the next day.

Got up early yesterday for a brisk walk, drove to the piazza and walked to Subway. Ordered a bacon, egg and cheese omelette. "You're the one doing the 12-week weight loss challenge," said the young lady behind the counter. I knew it was a mistake going public. I thought she was going to recommend a lighter choice. Fortunately she cooked the omelette, complete with mozzarella.

I told my editor I had not yet embraced the culture of starvation and healthy living, and that maybe I should give up. He was quick to offer support, telling me my effort was like watching Homer Simpson.

During his fit of laughter, I received a text from weight-loss guru Claire. She was on her way to see me at the Herald. This did nothing to ease the laughter in the newsroom. I wished I hadn't missed those two meetings. She duly arrived with her scales and tape measure. I tried to hide but it was too late. I felt like a naughty little boy, and my workmates didn't help.

I was caught, weighed and measured. She looked questioningly at my food diary. "Hm, I don't think it's what you're eating, it's how much," she kindly pointed out. Still, I had lost 2cm off my hips and waist. I should be losing at least 1kg per week, but have only managed 500 grams in three weeks. I have been told to cut down my evening meal and maybe look at alcohol consumption. I will take a wee peek at it, but no promises.

Emma Bailey: I thought you were meant to lose weight when stressed.

Despite following my house down the road at 5am on Tuesday, nervously waiting for a room to fall off as it was shifted to its new section, when I weighed in the following evening I was 100g heavier. Maybe next time I should lift it myself. Week four of the challenge and we are a third of the way through. So far I have lost 1kg, with five the magic number I'm aiming for. At the last meeting, part of me lost the will to live as we once again delved into making the right carbohydrate choices which I would sum up as: if it tastes good, you're not allowed it. My view was coloured by the weigh-in – I felt thinner, but the scales did not agree. 100g – the weight of a pair of socks.

I think I have hit the point where all weight-loss techniques fall down. It is easy to stay motivated when you are getting results but when you stagnate, it is disheartening. This, we are told in class, is normal and if you do not lose weight one week you will the next. I'd better, or I will be adopting the Johnny Bisset school of weight loss.

- © Fairfax NZ News