Hmm, I seem to be back to reading this thread again. I've finally admitted to myself that I need to start monitoring my weight and getting rid of some of the flab again. For those that know me, it would appear that I don't have a major weight issue. However, that's not really the case.
Some years ago I realised that my weight had crept up over the years from the 75 kg I was when I got married to well over the 92kg mark (I don't know how far over, because there was a long period when I didn't dare get on the scales to weigh myself - I call it my denial phase). There wasn't a dramatic increase - just a pound here and there, but it all adds up with time. I put a lot on after my father-in-law died. I'd spent the previous 10 months pushing him and his wheelchair up and down the hills and over the cobbles at least 4 days a week. Pushing is pretty good exercise and I didn't realise how much extra I was eating to compensate. We had a 2 mile circuit (for rain and snow) and a 4 mile one for the rest of the time. I should have cut back immediately after the funeral, but didn't realise for some months and kept to my old portion sizes...
About 5 years ago I finally admitted to myself that I really had to do something about it. After a couple of years of serious attempts to diet I was down to 74 kg - which was a much healthier level for me (I'm 6'0"). I dropped 4" in waist size in the process, losing quite a bit of my beer gut on the way. I'm the first to admit that it was hard and painful, and the will power slipped on quite a few occasions. However, I felt much happier in myself with the new lighter weight me. Part way through my on again, off again diet I established a personal target to aim for, which was to be the same weight at my son's wedding as I was at mine. I achieved it... just. I think having that target benefited me enormously at the time. My weight loss improved dramatically once I'd set a goal. I didn't slip half as much.
The problem is, that once I achieved my goal, I've let things slip. Two years later and I found that I didn't dare get back on the scales. I'm nowhere near as fat as I was, but my trousers are getting rather tight and I've had to slip the belt a couple of holes. I started the diet a month ago and 2 weeks later dared to get on the scales. I was just under 80 kg. So now it's back to the My Fitness app on the phone, salad for lunch, no bread and weighing out my portion sizes for everything I eat (if I don't they tend to grow in size as I deceive myself). I'm also getting up earlier every day to go for a half hour jog/walk before work. A little extra exercise isn't going to hurt. My new target is to get down to 75 kg (my wedding weight), before the first grandchild is born. This is a big ask - I've a lot to lose pretty quickly and with the food fest of Christmas coming up I may well not make it. However, if I don't do something, I'll be sliding back to flabby old me. That's the last thing I want.
Wish me luck.