Hello.

Thought this ‘title’ was broad enough to encompass almost ‘everything’!

How has your ‘weigh-in’ day been?
Did you lose?
Did you gain?
How do you ‘feel’?
How will you reorganise your food/menu?

How have your exercise days been?

How have your ‘pamper’ days been? We all need them!

Do you have holidays booked?

Do you have activities with children/grandchildren in the loop?

Weight is just a number on the scale. Yes obviously it may be important for health but it mustn’t be the defining factor in life.

Let’s come together here, as and when, not only to look for help and advice but to also add tips and ideas

Hello, not meaning to but in as I didnt want to do it, but you could add THIS MONTH – JUNE, so people know it is the monthly thread. Think it is too late as I wouldnt know how to change the title.

Hi s-g sorry but I don’t think I can change the title. In fact I thought a ‘generic’ title might work best as nobody seems able to host a ‘monthly’ thread. Of course there is nothing stopping anyone starting a new ‘June’ thread if they feel like.

Good evening to you both, I have found the new chat and pleased to be here.
So yesterday was a family birthday bbq, I tried to stick to meat and salad, but I had a couple of new potatoes, and then my aunt had made puddings so I couldn’t say no, and had a small slice of cake. On the plus side she didnt recognise me at first after my weight loss so that was good, I tried to get back on track today but I just wasnt prepared enough, no excuse I know, tomorrow will be a busy day but I shall do the best I can, hopefully I shall be back in the mind set to do well, maybe I need to drop back to 800 cals and be really strict with myself, you would think summer would be easy with salads etc, but theres only so much salad you can eat.
Hope you are both doing ok, and looking forward to messages from you both and anyone else that joins us 😀

Hello Verano & thank you for the thread. I am still trying to stay on 800-900 lowish carb calories with walking more but it seems very hard to lose more weight & only three weeks before my French river cruise now 🤔
Oh well I’m keeping going & still sorting out my summer clothes but it’s cooler & rainy here in West Sussex for this next week.
I hope everyone has a good week 👍😀
Margaret

Margaret don’t worry about ‘just three weeks’, take what fits! Remember you will be amongst total strangers who won’t actually know if your waist is an inch bigger than normal! Just go and enjoy!

Newbie that’s great news that your aunt didn’t recognise you. We have to ‘live’ so try to relax a bit and I agree ‘how much salad can one person eat’??? I really am not a salad person. I eat it. I don’t like it. I think I might like it better if somebody else made it for me! I much prefer vegetables and I love asparagus but unfortunately I think it gives me gout!

So this is the first Tuesday home for me and it works pretty well because there are now just four weeks in this month. I have set myself a goal of 2lbs per week for the next few months. I’m sure I can do that with just a little restraint. Goodness knows I know everything there is to know about losing pounds it’s just a case of ‘doing it’! I guess it all boils down to how much you actually ‘want it’!

Hope everyone is well, setting realistic goals, but most importantly ‘living’ each day and not wasting any time because of a ‘number’ on a scale!

Hi V, dont worry about the title as long as people have found you – and they have.

Had a bad weekend and a small gain. I was put off as I commented on the forum for the paid diet that my BG was down and I had to reduce my insulin. I got a message back from admin saying I was not allowed to do the Fast800 or TRE or TMAD but could go onto their Way of Life plan. I adjusted my membership and looked at the menu and all the meal added to over 1500 a day, my BMR is only 1400 according the NHS chart so I would be gaining. There was nothing in the opening offer about insulin but said I should have read the terms and conditions and the medical information – a tiny link at the bottom of the page. Usual stuff like no pregnant women, no under 16’s, etc etc then the line at the bottom, no insulin users as it can make your BG go down – no shit Sherlock, that is what I want it to do. Anyway I am still on the site, adjusted back to a slightly easier menu of around 900 cals and will see if they decide to chuck me off. It was too strict for me as I was on the Very Fast800. Was out for a meal last night so the diet started again today. From starting 3 weeks ago I have still lost 3.5lbs and I am never a fast loser. I just like that it works out all the meal planning for me and gives me a shopping list. We will see.

Margaret, V is right, just take what fits now. I also take something that is a bit big as I once got off a cruise and had nothing to wear that fit me. We landed in Hong Kong and I had to go buy a pair of trousers. Just enjoy.

Newbie, great that your aunt didnt recognise you, hubby had bread and butter pudding French style last night (pain perdu) so it is made with Brioche bread, it looked delish but I resisted. He would never let me have a taste anyway as he doesnt like sharing.

Hopefully I will start to lose weight again now I am back on the plan.

Thank you Verano & S-G I did smile because I know there are other people out there who are larger than me 😀& I do tend to beat myself up because I am larger than before my knee op & have found some of last years summer clothes are tight on me. I am currently wearing size 14 wide leg trousers & 12/14 tops so not too bad.
S-G I am sorry you have had so much hassle from Fast800🙁
How brillant Newbie that your aunt didn’t recognise the new slim you 😀👏👏
I seem to be better sticking to around 800 calories the last couple of days & have played three sessions of short mat bowls & averaged 5000 steps each day & my knee is definitely less painful so all good for me at the moment👍😀
Margaret xx

Hi all, looks like I might be thrown off the Fast800 site although I went through the medical stuff again and it is just recommendations and not rules. They want to speak to me and I have contacted them so it is a waiting game.

Another waiting game is a couple want to buy our house. They have signed a promise to buy – subject to the people buying their house getting financed and then them going to the bank for their mortgage. They havent said how much they are offering but I guess that depends on the bank and we still have the right to refuse. So it will be around end of next week when we will hear anything. I wont go through the next stages but once they sign in 2 weeks they only have 2 more weeks to change their minds.

Margaret, have you booked any tours or is it an all inclusive trip. When you are in Bordeaux you must go to the Musee des Vins which I have seen ships anchored right outside. Then across the bridge is a food and drink Halle with about 20 different bistro style eateries and drinkies. It is a nice experience if you have time – just a 2 minute walk from the Museum.

Will be back to give you any updates – keep on keeping on…

I am sure that I have already just written a reply that seems to have disappeared but perhaps I didn’t sent it🤔I think I am cracking up because I have also just found I have been sending emails to a friends disconnected account wondering why I had no replies!
Oh well thank you S-G for your recommendations in Bordeaux I love going to museums & eating out & I think a walking tour is included in Bordeaux but we can do our own thing. I hope your prospective buyer commits 🤞🤞
I am still working through my pile of summer clothing ironing which is linen & cotton to have a good choice of what to take with me. Most of my dresses are fairly loose on me so should work well throughout the cruise as well as skirts & culottes during the day. It’s always such a hassle packing then weighing suitcases & we will have to leave the house at 5-0am & I am not an early morning person but fortunately my husband is😀
I hope everyone has a good rest of the week!
Margaret xx

Well it has happened. I have been thrown off the paid Fast800 site for using insulin. Okay I am getting a full refund so I am okay with it. They are changing their checklist before joining to include the insulin question so at least something has come of it. To be honest I was getting a bit fed up (and this is not sour grapes) – it gives you a list of 3 meals for the day and they were all not right for me, either fish or some carb like museli and I had to click to swap then troll through all the alternatives making sure it was similar in cals and carbs and had to do it will all 3 meals. So I am glad in a way. It is useful if you are not as fussy as me or no extreme dislikes or allergies – for example 3 fish dishes and 2 prawn meals in one week – I dont eat fish.

Still got fingers crossed about the house.

Weight down again today and I wont be ‘cheating’ over the weekend as I have blood testing on Monday and doctors on Wednesday.

Margaret, I am assuming you fly to get your cruise but even if not – a bit of advice I have given myself for next time is I PACK TOO MUCH. Do I really need 10 pairs of knickers, 6 tee shirts and 4 jumpers, 3 pairs of jean plus and the evening stuff. I take those washing powder sheets and use the ships laundry once or twice a week. Our last cruise provided washing powder but I prefer my sheets. I also found one pair of evening shoes that matched most evening dresses and stuck with that instead of taking a pair for each other dress colour, style etc. Let us know when you are setting off so I can wish you bon voyage.

Now I am back doing the diet on my own I can go back to my original plan of losing 1kg per month and since mid April and now I have lost just under 2kgs so I am on track to losing 2kgs by mid June. Now I have my BG back down I can relax a little bit but will find out how well I have done by my blood tests on Monday.

Well done s-g. I think it’s really bad that the Fast 800 site was so poor in highlighting those who are on insulin. I wouldn’t be surprised if lots of others in your position are unaware of the issues. Anyway, onwards and upwards. You know what to do and also know the best way to keep your body safe.

We all pack way too much! I often put in that ‘extra something’ ‘just in case’ but ‘just in case’ has never happened …. yet! S-g which washing sheets do you use? I hate the ship’s detergent.

So just day 3 for me but I’m feeling in control again now. I watched a podcast on YouTube with the DCEO with David Unwin yesterday. It’s new, it’s long but it’s really interesting. Try and watch it if you can… ‘Worse than Sugar’.

Hope your week is going well.

Just posted positives here so will go onto correct thread and repost.

Hope you are all doing well, I am 1kg down for the 16th May to 16th June promise – so a bit in advance.

Well done S-G with your weight loss 👏👏
Verano my cruise starts on 21st June so a couple more weeks to go yet.
I have just weighed & have gained 0.2 lbs I know it’s not much but I tried really hard this week & don’t seem to be able to lose at the moment. It’s very frustrating 🙁
I hope you all have an enjoyable weekend!
Margaret xx

Hi there, Margaret try to stay stong and on track. I know when it gets close you start to lose heart and hope and think what the hell and next time you look it is 2 days to your cruise and you have even gained over the last couple of weeks. I am speaking from my own experience of a few months ago. Keep going, you can be another kilo or so down and that gives you leeway when you are away. My problem is that before we even get to the boat I have an overnight in France – meal out, then an overnight in the UK and another meal out so I could have done with that extra 1kg loss just to make up for that. Keep on keeping on…. I am cheering for you.

I have lost another pound and can thank the Fast800 site for that because since being on the paid plan I have cut out the Ryvita with butter with boiled eggs – just boiled eggs now and it saves me around 100 cals. I can also thank them for the every other day strength exercises. I have found a lady on YT with a video called Strength Training for Beginners & Seniors/Isometrics & Balance. It is half an hour, you can do with or without weights and for me no floor work as I hate getting up and down. This is all standing. Then I am doing a 15 min tai chi routine which is basically stretching the fascia to losen up the body. I am having a rest day today but determined to keep going.

Have a great weekend.

Well done s-g. Steady losses are the best.
Margaret just two weeks until your trip so just relax and get yourself organised. Most importantly don’t stress about things you can’t control!
Funny weekend for me. Greek meal out on Friday and an Indian last night seem to have put pay to my loss this week but so be it. Today is another day so it’s just a case of keeping on keeping on …….

Thank you S-G & Verano for your encouraging words. I have relaxed over the weekend having a little chocolate & wine but back on track tomorrow & playing short mat bowls in the afternoon!
Margaret xx

Good morning all, it seems I wasn’t getting the messages for replies, then I lost the thread, but here I am with all the boxes ticked.
Margaret – as the others have said you won’t see these people again go with what you are comfortable in and just enjoy every moment, your weight loss journey will be paused but can be restarted upon your return, have an amazing time.
Verano – so good to have you back and sounds like you are back on plan with a couple of cheeky delicious meals this weekend, we all need to do it, life is for living not all dieting.
SG – great news about the house, will keep my fingers crossed for you. I’m sorry they kicked you off the paid plan, but seems to have been a good thing as the suggested meals perhaps werent the best for you, and at least you got the exercises from them.
So all going ok here except I’m not writing my foods down so going a bit awol with food but trying to stick with what I know I can have, I’m now training every day for my triathlon thats coming up in a few weeks so the calories are needed but no white carbs are being reintroduced, I did have wholewheat spaghetti the other day as a treat and that was really good but will not become a habit. I allowed myself some crisps and chocolate yesterday but that really is an occasional thing, ive been speaking to more people about their diabetes journey and it’s interesting to hear how everyone tackles it.
Anyway best get on with some work, speak soon x

Hi everyone, glad to hear all your news. Newbie, a triathlon – can you imagine saying that 18 months ago (or is it something you have always done).

Had my bloods done this morning and the results are not good. BG up from 6.9 to 7.5 although I am aware that 3 weeks in that 3 month period were on holiday (cruise and a week with family) so I am not being too hard on myself and have done a good job getting the numbers down, so expecting great results next time.

No news on the house but we think the buyer is meeting with the bank sometime this week. Just a waiting game.

Just one piece of bad news – our neighbour died yesterday. He is only in his early 60’s, just retired and discovered cancer. We are not close but it is sad and makes us realise we have nothing to complain about.

Stay safe and keep on …..

SG – I’m sorry to hear about your neighbour, just proves life is short and precious and we need to grab it and run with it.
At least you know what the blip was that caused the rise in your bloods and you are already working towards the next set of results so well done.
Things sound promising for the house.
I did one last year but was almost 4 stone heavier, so hopefully I should fly round this one, I’ve run a few half and full marathons so triathlons seem to be the next logical step, I enjoy having a goal to work towards, just lack motivation to train sometimes which is a major downside but I’m good when I can focus 😀 .
Hope everyone is doing ok x

Another day of waiting. Went to the doctors yesterday and she was a sweetheart. We chatted away in French and I explained my high results. Also pointed out my low cholesterol without the usual high meds (reduced from 80mg to 40mg) and then she weighed me, I told her I hated this part and I had been on a cruise and she said she would be gentle with me. She really was – 72kgs and I had weighed 75 at home that morning. Maybe she has adjusted her scales to take clothing into account but she said it was a 2kg loss.

Anyway, right now the diet is the last thing on my mind, still stick to the principles although I had half a small baguette for lunch (and still hungry) but trying not to crack open the wine. Will wait until we have a definitive answer so celebrating or comiserating 🙂

Newbie, 4 stone down, didnt realise it was so good. Keep it up.

Fingers crossed for you S-G 🤞🤞& wow chatting away in French ⭐️I will only be able to manage the basics around greetings, food & shopping & be too embarrassed to try any sort of chat 🤔😂
My cruise starts the Sunday after next & the weather is looking very rainy at the moment🙁
Thank you Newbie I know that I will probably never meet again the people that I meet on the cruise so shouldn’t feel self-conscious about my size & know there are plenty of 78 year old ladies rather larger than myself. I can pretend being plumper than I wish as a life well lived😂. I am off to knit & natter this evening continuing to make bereavement hearts that go in pairs to those bereaved to put one in the coffin & to keep the other as a comfort keepsake which is one of our current village projects.
Keep on going everyone 👍
Margaret xx

Ah Margaret, what a lovely thing to do knitting hearts.

Chatting in French is easy for me when I know the subject i.e. my BG, cholesterol, reasons for high readings, it is all familiar. Today both of us went to the cardio for our 2 years check up. You would find this strange but we go in together. I am first on the bed having heart tracings done, then hubby. I noticed the doctor only speaks French to me but he speaks English to hubby. This shows he knows my French is good but hubby is nul (rubbish). It is worse when you are speaking French and they switch to English. I thought it was because they didnt think my French was good enough but mainly it is because they want to practice their English.

Remember just one thing. When you walk into somewhere i.e. a shop, bar, visitors centre – the first thing you should say is a cheery bonjour. Say bonjour to no-one in particular, to the server, to other people in the shop, but never just stay dumb, it is the height of rudeness. English think if they say bonjour the person will think they speak French and start gabbling on. No, they will know immediately you are English because we cant even say bonjour as the French do and they will just think you are polite. Just relax and enjoy. By the way, we are heading for a heatwave. Sunday 21st 37 degrees. If it is the Sunday after I can tell you the forecast before you go as my phone only does 2 weeks.

My weight is still stuck and my nerves are still on high alert, waiting. Cant switch my brain off or concentrae on anything. Still waiting. The deadline is Wednesday for them to get a mortgage.

Have a great weekend.

Thank you for your lovely advice S-G & over any years I have always greeted people in French said please & thank you & ordered food in French because I thought it was polite but chatting is rather beyond me, however I am sure I will now because of DuoLingo understand much more than I am prepared to try saying 😂. My husband retains an amazing amount of colloquial French from having been an exchange student with a French family as a teenager & really surprised a Doctor who had to call on us when we were staying in Perpignan a few years ago when Jeremy had very bad ear ache with greeting him explaining his problem & chatting in French. I had to take his prescription into a pharmacy whilst he was still trying to park explaining in my basic French to the pharmacist that it was my husband’s prescription & he was still trying to park & he was very polite but looked with other people there rather bemused & amused. I am number dyslexic & the French numbering system is still defeating my memory so I still will have to see the written amount to understand or I will usually present the approximate money hoping I will be given the correct change😂
I have been looking at the weather & it looks as though it will be raining on some days but still very warm so not too bad 😀. I have just weighed & have lost 0.75 lbs which is better than gaining despite eating some banana bread yesterday 🙀
I have my fingers crossed for you with your house sale 🤞🤞🍀🍀
Margaret xx

Good afternoon!

Not a lot to report from this end. I’ve had a bad head cold this week, which has been frustrating, but is on its way out now… thank goodness! So I guess I’ve not really been in the zone. I have a blood test this week and I have to be honest having a two week cruise followed by a few weeks in Portugal my HbA1c is probably, no definitely, up the wall…. we will soon find out!

S-g so sorry to hear about your neighbour. You really do have to take life and run with it.

We made a conscious choice in our fifties to ‘travel’. We had been invited to a wedding in Pakistan and had geared ourselves up to go into a world far, far ‘away’! But lo and behold it was cancelled. We had geared ourselves up to do the trip so we thought “why not”, “let’s just do it”. That was back in 1993. We have travelled much of the world since. We are very fortunate, but we made a decision and made travel a priority. We have never regretted our decision especially as I had sepsis in 2007 and my mobility has been an issue since. Despite that we continued to travel and hopefully will still do so.

I guess it’s the old adage. …. never put of until tomorrow what you can do today!

Hi all, the diet has gone to hell in a handcart as someone used to say. The house sale has fallen through. The buyers buyer cant get a mortgage. So we are back at square one. Never mind, life goes on.

The diet starts again today.

Margaret good for you losing some more weight, every little helps. I dont know what weather forecast youre looking at as we have this week starting today at 34, 31, 36, 38, 36, 39 and Sunday 40 – no rain. Week starting 22nd we have 39, 37, 37, 37, 35, 35, 36 and 33 no rain. Are you on Meteo France. We are in a heatwave with no let up for 2 weeks. Im sure you will have air con on the ship. Sat out to eat lunch but had to come back in straight after as it was boiling and we are under and awning.

Have a good week everyone.

Feeling better today, lost half a kilo overnight and still motivated. I had a cardio bike test today and he said my heart is stronger than the last test 2 years ago. Some things we cant see but I dont know what is different, maybe the strength training instead of cardio.

Thats all folks, keep on…..

Well done s-g, although sorry to hear about your house sale.

My diet has been in the same ‘hand cart’ as yours!! I blame my cold but hey…. There always was and always will be an excuse.

Margaret you must be getting ready for your trip this weekend so when you go ‘enjoy’!

Newbie you sound as though you’re in great shape for your next triathlon. Best of luck with it.

Not much news from here but hope that everyone is ‘living their best life’.

No news from me, it is hot and we are just staying inside. I did go out and trim a rose bush this morning but should have used that time to go for a swim – it is too hot now. Only going to get hotter with 41/42 expected next week. 38 on Sunday then in the 40’s for several days.

At least I dont feel like eating and had what was supposed to be a caprese salad but added a peach and cumcumber with lots of olive oil, wonder if that is why my heart is stronger 🙂

Verano, just seen Mixnmatch celebrating 10 years on the site – are we the same or is it 11. Think it must be 10 as the site was set up in 2016. Happy BSD birthday to the 3 of us.

Super hot, I should go for a swim but I cant be bothered, maybe this evening when it cools down a bit. Its salad tonight.

We booked a table at a restaurant for tomorrow but I have decided it is way too hot to be sat on a terrace. Went back on to change it and it appears they are closed for the whole of this week and most of next. Dont blame them, can you imaging being in a kitchen in 42 degree heat. We hear people in the UK complaining that they are being nannied by being told how to behave in heat but dont realise that even in hot countries we are bombarded with advice and some places just close.

S-g yes we are 10! Can’t believe I started this way of eating so long ago but also have to admit it’s ’so long ago’ since I actually followed the ‘rules’. Maybe that’s where I’m going wrong!

I have to say I no longer enjoy the heat. High 30’s plus sound horrendous. Ok so the weather here is ‘temperate’ to say the least but we don’t get extremes. Apart from anything else hotish weather is great when you’re sat by a pool, or on the beach, but not much fun when you have to shop, cook and do all the other stuff.

Delighted to say I’ve not sneezed now for two days so at last I feel like I really am on the mend. I got a sample of an aromatherapy balm a few days ago and I have to say it knocks me out completely. I just wake up to go to the bathroom but I am then asleep again as soon as my head touches the pillow. It seems far more effective than the pillow sprays I have been using for the past few years.

So the weekend is almost upon us again. Looks like we might even get warm weather here and hopefully we might actually get to use our ‘new’ bbq that we bought 2 summers ago and which us still sitting happily in its winter cover!

Hope you all have a good weekend.

I’m so sorry to hear about your house buyer not being able to get a mortgage S-G & hope someone else quickly comes to view 🤞🤞
I am becoming quite concerned about how hot it is in France & have revised what I am bringing to wear along the lines of more covering up protection during the day so linen trousers not culottes & very light tunics with sleeves plus an umbrella as a sunshade & my trusty hat & sunglasses & sunscreen 50+!
We used to live in the Middle East so 100F plus but it was dry heat & we were used to leaping from car ac to building acs & of course our home had acs as well. I know our ship will have ac but perhaps my wish to sit outside eating lunch will be rather daft & curtailed! It’s my feet that I am more concerned about so socks & trainers rather than walking sandals 🤔 & keeping hydrated. It is a shame because sightseeing will be rather a trial now but hopefully the guides will be sensible not wanting any guests to expire on them 🌝🙀
Packing is starting in earnest now with the plan of trousers & floaty light tops during the day & dresses & sandals in the evening 😀 & probably not too much 🥂🤔
I will weigh tomorrow but not very hopeful & I am not looking forward to our taxi arriving at 4-30am on Sunday morning because I don’t sleep very well anyway & am an owl 🦉 not a lark 🐦‍⬛ like my husband 😀
Take care everyone in this heatwave that is also in the south of England !
Margaret xx

Margaret enjoy! Despite/or because of the weather you will have a great time.

Hello. I’ve just posted this on the ‘yearly’ thread and would like to post here too….

“When you are setting a goal do you make it a small ‘realistic’ one of maybe 1lb a week or do you go for something more ambitious.”
Which works for you?

Margaret we are lucky here as the heat is very dry and not humid but it is how long it is going on that gets us down. We have already had nearly a week and another week to come. On holiday you can put up with it for a few days and accept it as part of the trip. Just lather on plenty of Factor 50, I never go out without it on my face – dont want super wrinkles or am I too late 🙂 Forget about the socks or you will end up with ankle lines on your legs 🙂 If you are wearing a long floaty skirt or wide-legged linen trousers your feet will probably be protected or was it something else worrying you. Just enjoy.

We had a meal booked for today but I cancelled because of the heat and it looks like the restaurant is closed now until next Wednesday as are a lot of places, especially if they dont have air con.

Went to the opticians and bought some new glasses with a more modern frame, will pick up at the end of the month.

Thank you Verano & I don’t really set myself any target goals now & am just pleased if I lose any weight each week.
S-G I am fairly sure that I have arthritis in my toes now & can’t wear trainers without socks but have other strappy type shoes I will wear in the evening without socks. I’m not fussed about getting a suntan or lines on my legs but will protect my face, arms & any exposed leg or ankles with Factor 50 & take moisturiser & after sun cream just in case. It’s good to know it’s dry heat so at least I suppose we do get sweaty to cool off. Gosh twice daily showers needed I think 😂
Take care everyone in this
Margaret xx