Chickpeas and lentils always put up my BG but they are also good for you. Hard to strike a balance. Glad to hear your lump is nothing to worry about.
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Hi all. Popping in for my weekly report. It has been a very difficult week as expected – reviewing my husband’s illness and next steps. So little sleep and lots of stress. Somehow I have managed to keep on keeping on, and avoided sugar etc. And I know that that has helped me to cope. Not sure how much I have lost this week, but am now down by 10.2 kilos since 25 May.
I’m sorry I haven’t been able to focus on the posts this week. But sending best wishes, and hoping that the quiet ones are OK! Wishing you all a good week. x
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Hi everyone. Will catch up with posts later but just wanted to say a quick hello to HEIDI and send you lots of love at this difficult time. You have done incredibly well to stay on track despite all the stress of what is going on around you. Am thinking of you and wishing you well x
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Yes, well done Heidi staying on track even with all the stress.
I’ve had some stress this week as my car finally died on the way to my counselling appointment Fri evening. Three garages couldn’t figure out what the issue was 18 months ago so told me to drive it until it died. So I was car shopping yesterday and think I’ve found one. It just needs to pass inspection. In spite of that my blood glucose was in normal range this morning even with having a later dinner.
I was able to quickly get hold of my therapist and switch to an online appointment. We unpacked why I was so upset about the diabetic lady binge eating in my support group. It was multi- faceted with me saying it was like staring my future in the face if I don’t get my issues sorted, and then she pointed out that I had watched someone self-harm in real time and so of course that would be upsetting. That really hit home because of course if she had been self-harming in another way, it may have been dealt with by the social worker host, but because it was food she let it slide. Also I think because I was already getting back on track myself it didn’t feel good to be around others who seemingly aren’t trying as hard, if that makes any sense. I told my therapist that I want to be hanging out with others who are also trying and working hard. I know she runs some trauma and eating disorder groups. I think they are on break for the summer but I might ask her about joining one in the fall.
In the meantime, thank goodness for this forum and all of you! I feel that everyone here is working so hard even if the numbers on the scale don’t always show it for us. -
Hi everyone,
I was struggling with my fasting glucose again over the weekend, probably due to stress as my diet was still ok. However, I was so fed up with it by Monday evening that I embarked on another 24 hour fast, but my numbers still weren’t settling after that, even with a walk and a dance session, so I kept going overnight again and am now about to break the fast at 38 hours. I felt really hungry around 2pm Tuesday and my blood glucose was at 3.2, but I was feeling good otherwise and not shaky or lightheaded. I checked it again an hour later and it was back up to 4.7. Thanks to the dawn phenomenon it was up to 5.0 this morning. So now I will eat regular meals but lower carb and may try another fast on the weekend. My replacement continuous glucose monitor is meant to arrive today. We are in a bit of a cool spell, so hopefully I won’t be sweating as much and it will stay on this time, as I could really use a break from stabbing myself multiple times a day.
Hope everyone is doing ok. I know it is a busy time for many. -
Hi everyone, sorry I haven’t been posting, I’ve been a bit pre occupied waiting to hear when my gallbladder removal is happening. I chased it up today as still hadn’t heard anything, no date had been booked for it yet (even though I had been told I should have had it within a month of my hospital discharge at the start of July because the gall stones had caused the acute pancreatitis)after my phone call today it has been booked in for 1st Sept and I’m keeping everything crossed that my gallstones don’t cause further problems before then. I feel I can concentrate enough now to create a food plan for the coming week and work on getting some more weight off before my operation. I haven’t caught up on posts properly yet but I hope all of you who have been having difficult times lately are ok. Dawn XX
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ARCTICFOX I hope you’ve got your replacement car sorted now, and I’m glad you still managed to have an online therapy session and tackle the binge eating session experience. It sounds like you are getting to grips with the glucose situation too. Well done with it all, especially with the farm to run (and, if I remember rightly, another job too?).
DAWN I’m so sorry to hear that you are having to wait for your surgery and hope that you will be ok till 1st Sept. Good luck with the food planning for between now and then. I’m sure that will help, not only with some weight loss but also in terms of something positive to focus on.
How is everyone else doing this week? I have no loss to report but have been getting in the groove of going to the gym most days to exercise and relax. For me, establishing habits is really important, so I’m going as often as possible even if I don’t yet do an awful lot when I’m there. I just know I need to ingrain myself into the mentality of going there today rather than putting it off till tomorrow. Hopefully after a month or so of doing that it will become just what I do . . . and hopefully then I will start to see some difference in body tone and strength as well as the weight starting to come off. I’m getting better about staying on track food-wise, though definitely still much room for improvement. So 🤞I will start seeing some gradual but consistent loss soon.
Hope everyone has a good weekend, and special thoughts to all those who are unwell or caring for others who are X
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Afternoon all,
Sorry not much time, but I want to boost this thread ahead of all the spam ones that seem to be proliferating at the moment!Keeping on…
K xxx -
Hi Dawn, not to worry, it is understandable that you have been preoccupied. Glad you have your gallbladder removal booked now. September is not too far off, so hopefully you will be ok. Hope the op goes well!
I think I have a NSV. It was a much cooler day yesterday with some rain. Only a high of 22 C. I had to go into town to the car dealer to deal with the new car. I am not buying it, but my parents are. Then I am buying their car which is more practical for me anyway and less money so that has brought my stress level down hugely. Anyway, because it was cooler, I put on a pair of jeans I hadn’t worn in a while. I think they were a bit looser than they were. I have the same ones in the next size down that were slightly snug around the waist when I last wore them, so I will have to dig them out and see how they are fitting now and then I will know for sure if I have lost some inches. Well, maybe more like millimetres so far, but better than nothing. -
Hi everyone and thanks DCT and Articfox , well done on getting into the groove of going to the gym DCT and congratulations on the NSV Articfox. There used to be a NSV thread which I posted a couple of goals on years ago but can’t remember if I ever achieved them! I enjoyed writing a food plan the other day, it took a bit longer than it used to as I’m trying to keep my fat lower but it’s lovely knowing what I’m having each day and not having to think about it. I hope everyone else is ok and manages to have a nice weekend. Dawn XX
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Hi everyone,
DCT – yes the car situation is sorted now and I am back on the road with my parents’ old car and they have the newer one and seem very happy with it. So a big relief.
Dawn – we’ll have to find that NSV thread and bring it to the top again even if just to drown out all the advertisements!
It does seem like my NSV is real. I went for a swim today and my suit was looser again. So headed in the right direction. I was super busy yesterday as my hay was cut in the late afternoon, so I spent all morning and part of the afternoon taking down my t-post and electric tape fences so they could get into all the nooks and crannies without any difficulty. I was really really hungry by dinner and didn’t want to take the time to make what I had planned (salmon patties with kale chips), so I ended up doing something not great and had gluten-free potato gnocchi that was at the back of the store cupboard. I am wearing my replacement CGM and I did try to blunt the glycemic effect with lots of veggies, olive oil, pesto and mozzarella cheese. I also had diluted apple cider vinegar before and went for a walk up the hill after. It stopped me from spiking up quickly, but actually resulted in a similar pattern that I used to see with frozen pizza which is a double peak followed by an overnight rollercoaster with 2 serious hypos. My system does rebound on it’s own, but all that cortisol and noradrenaline caused a big spike, followed by another crash a couple hours later, so even though I didn’t wake up fully from it, I am sure it is interrupting my deep sleep. Very eye opening. So probably not having gnocchi anymore as a regular meal. Only as a once in a while treat maybe, and probably only for lunch so it doesn’t affect my sleep. Looks like I’ll have to treat carbs like caffeine and only have them early in the day.
Anyway, I suppose the other NSV is just how well I’m feeling overall. I have a bit more energy and spring to my step on walks, my joints hurt less, and I am enjoying most of my meals (exception was a tofu tikka masala that did not work out – need to try a bit of a different spice blend, I think!). I will spend some time planning meals tomorrow for the week ahead and see what other fun things I can come up with.
Keep on keeping on everyone! -
Hi everyone and well done Articfox for finding the NSV thread, will head over there now.Dawn XX
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So it turns out that I may have a service cat. She sometimes jumps on me in the early morning hours but there didn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason as to why. But 2 days in a row she’s done it when my blood glucose has gone below 3 mmol/L. So it seems she is waking me up out of hypos. Very interesting.
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Thanks DCT and AF for the kind thoughts. This week has been much better – we managed a few days away at a lovely quiet country cottage. A great way to just breathe and recharge. I mainly stuck with the healthy eating, but there were a few restaurant meals in there. Still I lost a bit more, so am now down 10.6 kilos after 11 weeks on this reset. You are right AF that the non-scale victories are just as good. My trousers are fitting better, my watch strap is one hole further. And I am really hoping that a ring I bought last year will soon go on safely (ie come off again easily!). Healthwise I am sleeping much better, my knee has stopped hurting, and I have much less of a problem with reflux. What’s not to like!
Dawn, so pleased to hear that you have a date for the op, and good luck with all the preparation.
AF how interesting to hear that your cat may be alerting you to glucose lows. Animals are so clever!
DCT many congratulations on the new gym habit. It sounds like a really good base for your next steps.Where are Yowzer and Clarinet? Hope all is well/improving?
Have a lovely week everyone.
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Hi everyone,
Yesterday turned out to be a bit rough. I was struggling to get my glucose stabilized all day without overshooting, but just ended up on an all day rollercoaster. Then I messed up with my evening meal as I had imitation crab in nori wraps, thinking it was low carb, but my glucose shot up and down again, so I had to eat some greek yogurt to help stabilize things before bed. Also, I may have damaged my cgm by going swimming. It is supposed to be water resistant for 30 min and I was only in the pool for 20-25, so it should have been okay, but it was giving me some erratic numbers last night. It may have dried out as it seems to be doing better today while my glucose levels are more stable, as I am fasting, and the numbers are matching pretty well with my regular monitor. We’ll see how it does when I start eating again.
I’ve been feeling better today and my blood glucose has been pretty steady between 4.3 and 4.8 while I’ve been fasting. I did have some nori snacks for some salt and because I got quite hungry this afternoon. Only 15 calories though, so it shouldn’t impact the fast much. I’m hoping to keep going until tomorrow morning for a 36 hour fast. Might have a bit of bouillon though to get me through this evening. -
Oh, and Heidi, interesting what you say about less problems with reflux. That is happening for me too, although I didn’t even realize it until you said it. I’m also able to fast now without my gastritis flaring up, which I couldn’t do at this time last year. So that’s a win too!
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HEIDI I’m so pleased you had a better week last week. Lots of NSVs there as well as the continuing loss. Well done! And, talking of NSVs, thanks ARCTICFOX for bumping that thread. It can be far too easy to focus on the scales and not notice all the other positive things that are happening when we eat well.
ARCTICFOX how did your fast go? You are working really hard to get your glucose levels under control and I really admire you for that. How fascinating about your cat too! I do think animals are very intuitive and usually know when something is not right.
DAWN how are you doing? Not long to go now until September and I hope you are feeling ok.
I’m doing ok – not much to report. Still need to be more consistent food wise, but I’m gradually getting back into the habit of exercising more regularly so it’s baby steps. My weight has settled, but I’m currently around 15lb more than I want to be so I need to tackle that. but – coming back to the topic of NSVs – I’m more concerned with getting rid of belly fat than numbers on scales. Obviously the two are related, but if I get to where I want to be in terms of body fat but my scale numbers are still higher than I’d hoped for, I’d be happy to stick with that.
On a funny note, I went swimming yesterday afternoon and it was the first time I’d actually swum in the new costume I’d bought for holiday. The costume has a blouson top which is flattering to wear and hides a multitude of sins! But I found yesterday that when I swim – particularly on my back – the blouson top part blows out like a big balloon. Probably giving the effect of a whale ploughing through the water 🐳. It made me chuckle – though I won’t wear it for pool swimming again!
Hope everyone is ok out there? YOWZER are you feeling any better now? CATHY I’ve lost track of when your holiday is, so hope that you are/will be having a good time. MARIET and POOTLE I hope your maintenance is going well. SUE, NOKIE, MIXnMATCH not heard from you for a while and hope all is well. Though I do appreciate that time flies so quickly!
Hope the rest of the week goes well for you all X
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Hi everyone,
I’ve been doing pretty well this week. My fast Monday went well. I did end up needing some bouillon to get me through the evening, but didn’t break it officially until Tuesday morning. I have been hoping that I could get away with just one fast per week to begin, but even though I’m eating fairly low carb, and my numbers are pretty good for a couple of days after the fast, by the end of the week they are popping back up into pre-diabetic range. So, I think I will have to do at least 2 fasts for a bit. I’m trying not to get down about this and realize that it is just a sign that I have more work to do and more weight to lose. I am feeling good otherwise, so I know the changes are making a difference somehow, even if not fully on the bg front. I have less brain fog at work and I think I am sleeping better as I am less exhausted in the mornings when I wake up. So it has had some impact and I have to remember that.
I phoned the company about my cgm and they were very helpful. They are saying that it is not broken, but that placing it on my chest may be making it read lower than it would if it were on my arm. I explained that they don’t stick to my arm as a working farmer and the woman chastised me and said they are only meant to go on the arm. I was reading online though that other active people have to use alternate placement though and seem to do ok with that. The erratic readings I was having last weekend were likely due to the fact that my bg was zooming up and down all day and it doesn’t do such a good job of being consistent under those circumstances. It leveled out again during my fast.
I was at a training day for work yesterday, and I took a salad with me for lunch. I put 1 cup of cooked quinoa in the whole salad, which made 4 servings, so only 1/4 cup per portion, but unfortunately, it did really spike my bg up. Nice to have some variety in my meals once in a while, and quinoa is a nutrient powerhouse, but it might have to sit on the sidelines for now until I get my baseline insulin levels down. The rest of the salad was kale, avocado, lupini beans, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, acorn squash and feta cheese, so I probably could have done without the quinoa. It is just interesting to experiment while I’m wearing the cgm to see what happens when I eat certain things.
DCT – good to hear you are leaning into the gym and swimming, in spite of the swimsuit issues. We have been quite cool here the last couple of days after a short heat wave, so I haven’t been swimming again this week, but it is supposed to warm up again tomorrow, so I may go then. It will be interesting to see if there is any change in the fit of my suit since last week, as so far it has been looser every time I’ve been putting it on.
Hope everyone else is keeping on keeping on! -
Hi DCT and fellow travellers. DCT you sound as if you are completely in the zone. I had to laugh at your swimsuit experience. ARCTICFOX I am so impressed with your attention to detail re sugar levels. It’s good to be aware of the wider health benefits you are feeling too.
I’m doing my weekly check-in. It is now 12 weeks since I started. I can’t believe that this time I have stuck to it, and have eaten healthily throughout. I’m now down 11.3 kilos. Yesterday I started to wobble and felt that the remaining 2-3 kilos to reach a healthy weight would not be attainable. And then this morning I dipped down again. Ridiculous how the numbers on the scale can change your mood. I was determined at the start to focus just on the healthy eating not the weight, but it is hard to resist!
I am off tomorrow to look after my very elderly parents in the UK for a few days. Wishing you all a good week. Hope the holiday is going well Clarinet. YOWZER where are you?
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Hi everyone,
I’m just finishing up a 36 hour fast. Will break it when my chia pudding is ready to eat. It was easier this time and I didn’t need anything other than water and a cup of herbal tea to get me through. My cgm sensor bit the dust this morning though. It has been reading low all week which has been frustrating, especially since the company tried to tell me it was working. Then this morning it measured a 2.9 mmol/L, which I estimate was probably in the mid-high 3’s based on how much it has been underestimating, but it suddenly packed it in, said it was shutting itself off for my safety, and told me to remove it. The adhesive has been getting very itchy anyway, so I took it off. I just tested with my regular monitor and it says 5.6, which is still pre-diabetic after a 36 hour fast! So clearly, I still have a lot of stored glucose making its way out of my system. Frustrating, but I was reading an article by Dr. Fung and he says this is to be expected and not to worry too much about it. He says he doesn’t even use fasting glucose as a check anymore as it varies so much and can be misleading for people who need to release stored energy, and that the medical system focuses too much on getting blood glucose down without considering the bigger picture that Type 2 diabetes is actually about too much stored energy rather than too much glucose that can’t get into cells as for Type . I am feeling slightly dehydrated still so that could be a factor as well. But I think all the evidence is pointing to needing at least 2 fasts a week. I have been less diligent on the exercise front this past week too, so clearly that was having an impact. It being August, I am feeling quite burned out from the farm, and more so this year than others, so I get lulled into thinking that I am doing enough work around the farm each day, but if I put my step tracker on, that is not the case, especially on days when I am doing my office job primarily.
So here we are. I will have my chia pudding with some raspberries, and then plan what to have for my other meals today and tomorrow. Will likely feature zucchini, broccoli, avocado, kale and chard for vegetables, and at least 1 fish meal and one soy free tofu meal. Keep on keeping on everyone! -
Hi everyone,
I had some pretty good meals yesterday after breaking my fast. Stayed quite low carb, high fibre and finished with dinner of prawns and baby bok choy which was delicious. My blood glucose was still 5.6 this morning though. I guess I have to remember that it is an improvement over the 5.8’s and 5.9’s I was getting 2 weeks ago, and definitely better than the 6.5 I had after two days of eating that salad with the quinoa in it. But I am impatient and don’t like slow progress. So I started what I hope will be another 36 hour fast this morning. I’m feeling good and I had an appointment over the lunch hour at the bank to negotiate renewing my mortgage. I was just getting into ketosis at that time, and I think it helped keep me sharp and on my toes and I managed to hold their feet to the fire a bit and got a much better rate offer than I was expecting! It is still much higher than my current rate, so I am really grateful for all the money I am saving on food at the moment with this fasting. I’ve just had some sparkling water and some salty seaweed to keep me going as I am quite hungry this afternoon.
I also had an appointment with the surgeon about the lump on my back and we decided that it can stay where it is for now. So that is one less thing to worry about for the time being. -
Just popping in to report that my blood glucose was down to 4.5 mmol/L this morning after my 36 hour fast. I was 3.8 last night before bed, so obviously the dawn phenomenon is still quite significant for me and my system is still dumping a lot of stored energy, but so nice to be back down in normal range. Eating today and then I will decide if I am going to go again. October is coming up quickly and I want to be consistently back in normal range after an eating day before I have to get the blood work done ahead of my leg surgery.
NSVs for today are that my shirt seems a bit looser across the bust and the waistband on my shorts is definitely looser. I’m not sure why I was so hesitant to do this before, as the improvement in my energy levels and brain fog has been so noticeable so quickly. Although now that I say that, I did try last year and had to quit because my gastritis was acting up when I fasted, even for only 18 hours, but now that I have fixed my diet and totally eliminated gluten and eggs and tomatoes, it seems so much better. And then there is the issue of getting a dopamine hit from the carbs, which given the state of my mental health, was probably needed as a form of self-medicating. I have noticed that now that I have scaled way back on the carbs, I have had some days of very low mood, and I would have normally been reaching for carbs to fix that. Now I have to find other ways to boost my mood. My hand is getting better, so I am planning to go back to pottery next week. I have just signed up to volunteer with Girl Guides this fall as well. I hope all these things will really help. -
Arctic Fox, you are amazing. I really respect the way up keep on trying regardless of what life throws in your way. I really hope that the regime you are working out for yourself gives you the results you need.
So many here are inspirational, not only the ones who are losing weight but even more the ones who keep on going, getting up when they fall down, coming back after a break, all of that. It’s a lifelong struggle for many of us and it makes a difference for people who are not in a strong place, to see how others are getting on.
I am maintaining my weight, 66.8 this morning which I am trying to be happy with (part of my brain would still like to be back to the 58kg that I was when I was 25). My diet has not changed very much though, I am afraid to eat very much because I fear the weight will pile back on.
My hand is slowly improving after surgery last month. It will never be normal but I have high hopes that I will have a functional left hand. The fusion of my middle finger is in a curved shape so I can still use my hand for grasping etc.
I’m sitting here in my living room with my dog on my lap, looking out the window at yet more rain. We are having our wettest August since 1899, only two rain- free days in the past 3 weeks. It’s miserable especially as August is usually our second driest month! But they are forecasting five sunny days after today, I am really hanging out for sunshine and to be able to hang out my washing in fresh air to dry!
I heard today that there a cottage cheese shortage 😳 of all things! I used to eat cottage cheese but have fallen out of the habit, but it’s high in protein so I’m going to look for it next time I’m on the supermarket. Getting enough protein is always a struggle for me.
Hoping to hear how you’re all going and do enjoy the last of your summer weather! -
Thanks Mariet. I think I am really just desperate to get this issue resolved, especially now I realize how quickly my surgery is coming up. No date yet, but they tried to call me to schedule it last week while I was driving, so I didn’t answer. Just had a voicemail saying ‘don’t call back, we’ll call you again’, but haven’t heard anything since. Glad your surgery went pretty well and that your hand will be functional. I had hand reconstruction done on my right hand when I was 12, and had to go back 14 years later for some touch ups, but I’ve been very lucky with it since.
I agree that others here keep inspiring us. I have been quite unmotivated and struggling the last few years and it has helped to see what others have accomplished in that time.
I hope Yowzer is ok, she is one that inspired me to finally get on with it again and see what I can do.
Cottage cheese – I bought a really big tub the other day as it was actually cheaper than the smaller one, but now I need to think what to do with it. I remember for quick lunches I used to mix it with some pesto and olives, so I might try that again. Fasting again today though. Not sure if I will take the weekend off or go again on Sunday. Next week will be a bit chaotic as it is the fall fair here. I will be entering some garlic and flowers and one of my bowls I made at pottery. We always go and enjoy the rest of the fair on Wednesday morning, and I usually have an ice cream. I don’t ever have ice cream in the house, so it is pretty much a once or twice a year treat. So if I do fast on Sunday, that would move my fasting days next week to Tuesday and Thursday, which would work out nicely.
Hope everyone is doing well. It is getting hot here and will be even hotter next week. I’m headed for a swim now. -
Wow i have so much to catch up on! Havent received a notification for weeks – then realised thatbfor some reason my ‘ tick’ has vanished!yet again…
My awful past 12 months continues! A good friend died last week,my sciatica got worse following the exercises that physio gave me for rotator cuff ( shoulder) injury and thats got worse too 😄🙄 I still have nasty rash and some stinging from shingles ,and slapped cheek syndrome doesnt want to leave me either,every now and again i get a bright red right cheek,chin and jaw! So flattering!
Apart from all that,everything is great and Im so glad to be on our luxury cruise! Can you believe how fast this year is going?
Sending hugs all round and good luck to all with these words of wisdom I read earlier…
⭐️persistence not perfection!⭐️ It’s sooo true! 🩷💜🩷💜
keep going …onwards and downwards on the scales,folks!xxx
will catch up over the weekend on all thats been going on here! ! -
YOWZER!!! I’m so glad to see you back on here. Was worried about you. And I’m so sorry you’ve been having such an awful time. Very sad news about your dear friend, and also that you are still struggling with your various health issues. Sending you big hugs and really hope that things start to improve very soon.
Ironically, I have also joined the shingles club! I say “club” because I remember NOKIE had it earlier this year as well as YOWZER (and NOKIE if you are reading this please drop in to say hello. Have been wondering how you are too.) Anyway, after a week of gradually increasing blistering and pain – I’d also been away for a couple of days visiting family so was trying to ignore it all – I finally gave in on Thursday and managed to get an appointment with the surgery. Not a doctor but I think a paramedic. He diagnosed me and gave me a whole cocktail of drugs to take, which I’m trying my best to keep up with. So hopefully it will start to improve. I have to say a big shout out to the NHS. I did an e-consult at 8:00, was phoned at 8:30 and seeing the clinician by 9:30. Home with drugs by 10:00. Will report back in due course. The irony is that for now I can’t go to my posh gym!! (He said best to avoid swimming until the blisters have completely gone). So I’m a bit grounded.
ARCTICFOX well done with all your glucose efforts, and it’s great to also hear about some of your NSVs. I also love that you seem to be feeling much stronger and are taking positive steps to boost your mood over the next few months. Keep going! I hope you soon get a date for your surgery.
MARIET I’m glad your hand surgery went well and it’s beginning to function again. That’s great news. Even if it is not fully functioning I’m sure you will find many ways to adapt and be able to use what you can. Well done for maintaining your weight too. I’d not head of a cottage cheese shortage. It’s something I don’t tend to eat that often but will look out now when I go shopping!
Hi to everyone else. Do check in to let us know how you are doing. And I hope you all have a good weekend, whatever you are up to X
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Hi everyone. Time for a weekly check in…
But first, DCT what rotten luck to have shingles. I hope the medication kicks in and will lessen its severity. It is striking how many on this site have had a recent dose. Is it getting more frequent? They are talking here (Netherlands) of including an anti shingles vaccine in the basic care package. I’m crossing my fingers.YOWZER good to hear from you. We were all getting a bit worried by the silence. Good to know you are still on the cruise, but sorry to hear that you are still having health issues. I do hope that they clear up so that you can enjoy the cruise even more.
ARCTICFOX, thank you for setting out the analogy on insulin’s role and the dinner table/fridge analogy. I found that really helpful. Food for thought (or not!).
MARIET Good to see you hear and to know that you are recovering from the op. I think it’s brilliant that your weight is stable despite the stress and the unusual bad weather. Good for you.
How was my week? I spent 3 days in the UK looking after my 96 year old parents. Lovely to see them, and also quite a challenging time. But glad that I was able to do it. I managed to refuse wine, Pimms, chocolate digestives and After Eights. So pleased to still be in charge of what I put in my mouth! A part of it is that I am a bit scared to have “just one” of anything in case it leads to half a packet. That’s something I shall need to address at some stage.
Anyway, after 13 weeks of healthy eating I have now lost 11.7 kilos or 26 lbs. The rate of loss is lessening, but I think I am happy for it to be slow to avoid loose skin. I may begin counting carbs or calories if it slows completely. I have moved from size 20 to size 16 trousers and feel and look better. Hoorah.
Best wishes for a good week.
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Great to hear from you Yowzer. Sorry about your ongoing issues. Hope you get some relief soon!
DCT – sorry to hear about the shingles. Hopefully you can get through it fairly quickly now that you are on the drug cocktail.
Heidi – yes, I think there has been an uptick in shingles. Here, it has typically been thought to be something that only happens to the over 50’s, but a lot of younger people I know have been coming down with it lately. My theory is that it has to do with Covid. Covid is known to re-activate herpes viruses, as is the case for some cases of long Covid where the Epstein-Barr virus is reactivated. Shingles is the chicken pox virus being reactivated, and it is also a herpes virus, so I’m suspecting that Covid may be responsible for all the new shingles cases we are seeing. I could be wrong, but in the early days of the pandemic when all the doctors and researchers were flummoxed by long Covid, I called it, saying it was likely reactivation of Epstein-Barr, and now that has been proven out in a lot of cases.
I have a bad personal history with herpes viruses as I was extremely sick as a child with chicken pox and contracted Epstein-Barr from a friend at school who used to spit when she talked. She was only sick for 2 weeks and I got chronically ill from it for 11 years. It is one reason I have been so cautious about not getting Covid (so far so good, I know I probably will get it one day). The shingles vaccine is only covered here if you are over 50. I have a friend who got a severe case of Covid in the early days that did permanent damage to her lungs and heart, and she ended up just paying for the shingles vaccine herself. It actually wasn’t that expensive. I have my 50th coming up and I will be scheduling an appointment to get my jab on my birthday. My physio did that because the physio who owns the clinic where she works got a horrific case of shingles and has not been able to work ever since, so I am copying her.
Anyway, enough about infectious disease. I’m just checking in as I break my most recent fast. Blood glucose was down to 4.5 again this morning. It was 5.2 yesterday morning at the start of this fast, after my last eating day. I figure that even if I don’t quite make it to where I want to be by the time my surgery date rolls around, all these fasting days should at least be bringing my HbA1c numbers down. I know that is more of a measure of average blood glucose, so I still need to eat relatively low carb on my eating days to stay in range for now, but I guess every little bit helps.
And now the NSVs. My swimsuit is now not only fitting better and looser, but I think I may also look better in it now. Less of a bulgy tummy for sure. I actually am starting to feel like I am shedding this weird fat suit that has been hiding my real body since I started peri-menopause. I realized as well that all my menopause symptoms like hot flushes and achy hips have completely disappeared. I was buzzing around the kitchen this morning getting dishes done while my chia pudding was thickening up, and I just had this incredible feeling of lightness that I haven’t had in years. My approach at the moment might seem rather extreme with the alternate day fasting, but it is working, and the fact that it is working is giving me the determination to keep going. My counsellor would probably have a fit if she knew what I was doing, but she is the one who helped me see that the parts of me that want to binge and then restrict as a punishment are like two little squabbling siblings and are very young inner children. I feel like my inner adult is in charge now. Yes, I am restricting food intake a lot at the moment, but I am doing it therapeutically and safely and in the context that I have a lot of body fat that will keep me going. My binging part is not getting triggered because it has been given the job of finding fun things to do and more opportunities for social contact and other ways to try to increase dopamine other than eating. My restricting part is in charge of planning healthy meals and ensuring that I take in enough nutrients on eating days. I realize this all could make me sound rather insane, but my counsellor has been doing a lot of ‘parts’ work with me, and it is working, so I don’t really care anymore if I sound insane. Relaying it here in case it might help someone else.
Keep on keeping on everyone!