You know I only tried chia seeds once and they were like glue. Was I doing something wrong? Soaking overnight sounds good or does it just expand the chia into even more ‘glue’?

Verano, chia seeds end up like tapioca (school dinner frogspawn 🙂 ) and is gloopy. If it is glue like maybe a little more water although I didnt measure, just 2 of chia 2 of blueberries and 1 of cinnamon and topped up a jam jar. And, no it doesnt taste of anything really, although you can put in some stevia – I have liquid stevia to mix in the puddings I hardly ever make.

You asked on the Positives thread how I stayed sub 20g carbs. Every day I start with the tablespoon of frogspawn) Diet for that day was all keto – 2 boiled eggs, homemade bone broth (I cant buy it in France) for dinner I grilled steak and had it with a salad with olive oil and balsamic vinegar – came in at 720 cals and 12g carbs. Next day I had 2 boiled eggs and a lunch of grilled bacon and hallumi salad, again with olive oil and balsamic as a dressing. Dinner was 2 chicken thighs with skin on roasted with garlic and lemon and a plain salad (obviously olive oil and balsamic dressing). Cutting the salad cream or mayo saves about 5g carbs. Being mainly keto helps keep the carbs down – only taken 10 years to trust the process. Then yesterday I tried the high carb to trick my body but my carbs came from a peach (15g carbs) and yoghurt (8g carbs) although I did have a few chips with my dinner (28g carbs). I guess the trick worked as I have lost another half a kilo this morning.

It is experimental right now and I will report how it goes. I didnt have to chia mix this morning as I couldnt swim yesterday for fear of an upset stomach so I gave it a miss today and had a swim. It does keep you regular but I understand your body gets used to it and settles down.

Cooler today – 36 degrees but the air feels heavy – we need a good storm to clear it. Take care everyone.

Hi s-g I don’t think there’s anyway I could start my day with ‘frogspawn’!

I don’t eat brunch until about 11/11.30ish. I’m impressed with your low carb foods and I do agree that ‘fooling’ the body with higher carbs here and there definitely works. I’m sure, although I have no proof apart from myself, that throwing in a few goodish carbs here and there actually does shake the body up. I’m sure if you keep to the same ‘routine’ day after day the body almost ‘switches off’. New food type, woweee says the body, let’s get merry!

I think we are all so different and we just have to work out what works best for ourselves to stay healthy and well.

Hi Verano, I say that because we are the only ones posting, besides occasionally Newbie and Wendy1947 who is currently on holiday. Is it really worth running a thread just for 4 people.

I am happy to set up the thread for July (going back to the month at a time) but unless it picks up it will be the last one for me. Any thoughts and anyone else want to comment.

We had a massive storm here, just what we needed and today it is a lovely cool 30 degrees. Yes cool. After 44.6 anything is cool.

I have a job to do today. I have about 5 years of Slimming World magazine. Tried giving them away and will take some to my hairdresser. Doctors surgery no longer allows them for germ prevention. So I am sorting them into years and months and going to go right back and read the correct month for the time of year (so recipes will be the right season) and when read they are going in the recycling. I have cancelled my subscription and the last one ends with July/August. What an exciting life I have.

Keep cool and keep on keeping on…

Hi s-g I think I missed a post where you mention ‘threads’. I agree that a thread running for just 4 people is maybe not be worth it which is why I set up this thread rather than another monthly thread as I thought it would just ‘run’ and die a natural death as and when???

I guess now is the time for people to speak up. There are really only three or four ‘active’ threads on this site now and I think it’s amazing that the website has stayed open given the new website with the paid for facilities. I for one am thankful that this site remains ‘live’ but for how long?

Hello & we returned after our cruise yesterday & I have just weighed & gained 4.75 lbs. It is much cooler here & now we have to get back to more restrained eating 😀. I ate breakfast each day with fruit, an omelette & on the last two days French toast with berries which was delicious & then of course lunch & dinner each day with wine & most days also wine tastings. All this of course meant many more carbs than usual but my husband only gained two pounds!. We walked as much as the weather permitted & one day I walked 10000 steps a record day for me. Our cabin was at the far end of a corridor so lots of steps going to the restaurant but I did use the lift not the stairs to the lounge except a couple of times climbing outside stairs to the open top deck but nearly every day it was too hot up there even in the evening. The most memorable days for me were a wine tasting at a family estate & chateau with the owner who then sat at our table for the included lunch à la famille for lunch. He had told us all about the family history during Bonaparte & then both world wars with the estate confiscations & recovery etc. After we left we were told he is a Baron & he was an amazing sprightly 88 years old with excellent English & very welcoming. The other day was when all the guests were taken to another chateau where we were treated to a four course dinner with accompanying wines for each course.
Thank you S-G for your recommendations in Bordeaux & unfortunately when we returned there last Friday the trams & buses were cancelled because of the heat & it was too far to walk but we did go to a smaller wine museum based in a former wine traders home & cellars that was very interesting & included another wine tasting 😂. We also visited three Bastide towns on the river but I did opt out partly through one & returned to the ship because of the steep climb needed to get up into the town bastions. Overall it was a lovely trip & throughout we had dinner with two other English couples we had met who also flew from Gatwick but the majority nationalities on board were American with English the overall language spoken by staff.
Regarding the continuation of this thread I understand the hesitation in continuing with so few of us but I still enjoy posting but will understand if you don’t want to continue Verano🤔
I hope you are all keeping well despite the recent heat wave 🤞
Margaret xx

Hi Margaret, glad you enjoyed France yes it has been hot but cooled down to 28 today. It was me who said I didnt want to keep going with the monthly thread. Verano, thinks we should just let this one keep running as it doesnt imply any start or end date. I agree with her and hope more people dip in.

Verano, lets keep this one going and see how it goes.

I had a mad idea yesterday and being impatient put it into action. We are going to drive to Vienna to see a concert by the Vienna Philamonic. 2 overnights to get there, 2 full days there and 2 overnights home. Booked. We have found a housesitter so now just have to look at some hotels en route in France and Germany and a base in Vienna. It will give me something to do and look forward to in the coming months.

Had 30 mins in the pool this morning.

Sounds wonderful seeing the Vienna Philharmonic S-G we always watch the New Years Day concert on tv & used to have a season of the Royal Philharmonic in a nearby theatre that has been cancelled since covid with only one yearly concert now & a few quartets. We have booked another Viking Douro cruise next September for ten days with two spent in Lisbon & had some discounts booking whilst onboard which we can now look forward to. However I have now got to get back to losing lots of weight in the next few weeks 🤞🤞
I am continuing to wade through our pile of holiday washing & am already missing the view of the river from the ship & the attentive service from the staff. It’s so easy to get used to being spoilt 😂
Margaret xx

Margret so pleased you had such a wonderful time and you have something to look forward to for September. I would particularly love to do a Douro river cruise but river cruises just won’t work for me with my level of mobility. So, I’ll just have to continue to ‘put up’ with the amazing service, food etc etc on an ocean cruise!! In fact we have one booked in the Med for November. I doubt the weather will be great but the rest should be marvellous so we’ll just take our Rummikub with us, just in case!

S-g that sounds absolutely wonderful. Like Margaret I always watch the New Year’s Day concert. It’s a wonderful way to start the new year and I’m sure you’ll be blown away by your experience.

Quite happy to keep posting here. It would be sad to just ‘disappear’ into the ‘ether’.

So, I have joined an NHS online weight management program. I thought ‘being accountable’ might just help me. As it so happens it’s based very much on lower carb and reducing ultra processed foods. So I’m already 90% of the way there but nonetheless I’m going to go with the flow and give it my best shot. It’s a 12 week program and as I have nothing planned, apart from my second cataract operation, I thought this would be a good time. It reminds me a little of the slimming clubs of yesteryear but we will see!

Much cooler here now and so feeling more ‘normal’. Hope the heatwave has disappeared for you too.

Thank you Verano & the Douro river cruise is next year because we can’t afford another one this year 😂 I may also have to have my other knee operated on following a review this September 🙁
All the holiday washing has been done now thank goodness & back to the routine of preparing supper!
I hope your NHS slimming club works well I am now on WhatsApp with a crowd of oldies from The Rosemary Conley online slimming club that closed down & am currently recording my calories etc with Nutracheck which is quite easy to use listings lots of brands & quantities of food easily saved to a daily diary.
Oh well onwards we go 👍
Margaret xx

Good evening all, I have just read all of your messages, SG I’m sorry to hear about the house and hope a new buyer will show themselves very soon, your trip to Vienna sounds like a real adventure and lots of fun. Well done on your 1kg per month loss and getting under 75kg thats great work.
Margaret your cruise sounds lovely and I’m sure you will lose the holiday weight in no time, holiday washing is always such a drag.
Verano the nhs program sounds great and it’s good that you know some of the advice already. I hope your cataract op goes well.
Sorry I’ve been absent, my triathlon went really well, shaved 33mins off of last year’s time so I’m extremely happy with that. But I hate to say it I’ve fallen off the wagon and finding it extremely hard to get back on it and feel ashamed and disappointed in myself for allowing it to happen and I guess I didnt want to admit it, not to you guys, but then I remembered that you are all here with a listening ear and lots of wise words and advice. I don’t know where to go with it, I’ve put so much pressure on myself, and my family strongly feel I can reverse my diagnosis but as you all know it’s just so hard, I got on a slippery slope and just kept sliding 🥲, I’ve eaten crisps, dairy milk, cereal, bread, potatoes, crackers, alcohol free beer, not all in one day but I need to snap out of it, and I guess go back to basics, my working day is normally ok, I take my breakfast, lunch and berries for a snack, if my colleagues don’t tempt me i’m really good, the other half has slipped and is now buying crisps and chocolate so he’s had a severe telling off. Please tell me how do I get back on track?? I’ve lost my way. I’ve contacted nutritionists for advice but they dont reply or I need a gp referral. Can I ask, I’m on metformin 3 tablets a day but my fasting readings in the morning are quite high, what can I try? I try to stop eating by 7pm but worry that as I don’t eat breakfast until 10am my overnight fast is causing problems, anyone else experienced this?
Anyway thats enough of me whittling on, wishing you all the best, and I do appreciate the thread but also understand where you are all coming from, i hope you all sleep well now it’s cooled a little x

Hi Newbie. We have all been there, done that and eventually found our way back on track. It happens and the last thing you need to do is beat yourself up and definitely don’t feel either ashamed or disappointed with yourself. We are all human.

None of us are perfect and there is no need to look for perfection. Just doing the best you can when you can is enough. I honestly don’t know of a formula to get back on track it just clicks when it clicks. Maybe try taking baby steps again. Possibly start with water and just concentrate on drinking 6 glasses a day then 8. Then move on to another step, maybe saying ‘no’ to crisps. You will find a sense of achievement when you reach small goals and hopefully that will soon give you the impetus to get back on track.

Unfortunately, this way of eating is just that when you have T2 and not a ‘diet’ to stop and start. We all have periods when our blood sugar rises and the only thing I can say is look at the alternatives to healthy eating. I first started eating this way 10 years ago. A friend of mine with uncontrolled diabetes had just had a toe removed. I was on the highest dose of metformin and was being threatened with even more drugs. Then I found Michael Moseley and his Blood Sugar Diet. He saved me. No I’m no angel and yes I do have periods when I go off piste but the thought of drugs, and more drugs, and maybe losing toes is enough to keep me from throwing in the towel completely and eating just anything. Maybe you could be a little kind to yourself and set a higher limit for your carbs. How about 125g a day which is still much lower than the average person has in a day?

Hopefully others will add their coping strategies and you will soon be back on track. BTW when is your next HbA1c due? If it’s a long way off you could ask for an earlier one. Things might not be as gloomy as you think!

Hi Verano and Newbie. Newbie glad you have come back. I am a bit tired right now and only just seen your post – I have been busy. But I will come back on tomorrow to have a chat with you and see if I can be of any help.

Had a bit of a day of it. Booked concert, arranged housesitter then today tried to book 3 nights in Vienna – nothing, ziltch. I wrote to one hotel to ask about prices and availablity and they said they were not taking bookings for that week as it is the week of Congress and every hotel in Vienna is chocker. Just my luck. Tore my hair out for a while then realised the concert is refundable and the housesitter was only booked yesterday so probably wont have made any drastic arrangements (they were driving here from Germany). So I just cancelled everything. I intent to rebook for the week after when my cancellation has gone through and daughter will help with hotel as she was in Vienna for a few days last month and said some that I was looking at were 30 to 40 mins walk from centre and I need something closer. She talks to Google and they do everything – it even remembered when she asked about an exercise programme for me to loosen fascia and this time it said it remembered my age and suggested being close to the main attractions. I find it a bit spooky. However, we have left it for now.

We have the gardener here tomorrow so I will just be sat around (dont like to swim when we have company) so I will get back to Newbie and see what we can sort out.
Night night.

Thank you for your kind words Verano, Today is a new day and I’m back tracking my food on my fitness pal, and I’m being accountable for all I eat and drink. I have done what you suggested and have brought two 800ml bottles of water with me to work to consume them by home time then another one when I get home during the evening with a cup of tea before bed. I have had Greek yoghurt, homemade granola with berries for breakfast and a chicken salad (no dressing) for lunch, with raspberries and strawberries for extra fiber. I have also switched to slow release metformin in the hope that helps with the high morning readings – we shall see. I’m in the UK and my GP/DN does not want to see me until my annual review in December, I guess I could ask to have a repeat HBA1C blood test done, or I could pay to have it done by Boots at home, like you say just to see if things are as bad as I think they could be. I have increased my carb limited as you suggest but as a total upper limit not to be reached or exceeded more as a buffer, and I will do my best, I faired much better with the strict 800 diet but that was not enough calories to keep me going with the exercise that I do, so I think logging it is definitely the way forward.
SG – I’m sorry to hear about Vienna, I’m pleased you have managed to get a refund on the concert, it will all click in to place when you and your daughter book it up again, and you never know more things may be available for you to do along your adventure. Hope the gardener has done a good job in the heat today. I don’t like how phones now listen in to every day conversations and start showing you ads for what you have been discussing, it’s all a bit too much like big brother for me. Any house news?
All advice greatly appreciated, thank you all, now back to work I go, enjoy your afternoons xx

Hi all, no still havent received my refund. They say just send an email so I am waiting.

You know Newbie it would be so easy to be annoyed with you. You have lost a lot of weight, you have just done a triathalon and you worked hard to get your HbA1c down. Yet you are criticising yourself for a few extra pounds and one unknown HbA1c. You are a powerhouse compared to me. I am always up and down both with weight and BG. I dont think I can teach you anything. You are amazing. Self criticism and blame are not allowed on this site. Seems like you are back on track so you do have the willpower and motivation to get back into it. You have not lost your way and you dont need nutritionists to tell you what you already know.

I would stick with the December HbA1c, give yourself time to be fully in the game. Unlike me who had to have a test just 3 weeks after a 3 week holiday when I know my weight was up and that my HbA1c would be high. I had to put up with it on my record as being out of control, listen to a lecture from the doctor (although the young lady I saw was understanding) when I know what I did wrong and I know how to fix it. However, for me the motivating factor is always my health. On a cruise everything is laced with salt and sugar so it is impossible to avoid (will ask for diabetic and salt free food next time). Back home I was 77.7kgs with an HbA1c of 7.5 (on my particular scale). Within one week of ‘normal’ eating I was down to 76.8kgs and that was the start of my diet for real. I dread to think what my HbA1c would have been without 3 weeks to improve but I really needed longer. Now with 3 months before my next test I am determined to be down to around 6.5 or less. The thing I am doing different is realising that it doesnt have to be all or nothing. If I look at some food and know it is going to be bad for me (hubbys weekly cake) I just dont have it. I am in a restaurant once a month and there is bread on the table I have just one piece. That is why I am aiming for 1kg a month. Compromise or you will be miserable. But remember, diabetes is for life, and as Verano points out, without this diet we would all be suffering terrible things like gangrene of the toes, neuropathic eye disease, lack of kidney function, liver disease, heart disease, skin ulcers and on and on and on. Just because you cant see diabetes doesnt mean it isnt real. Sorry to be so blunt but the reality is there. We can give up and stuff our faces and die early of a long list of illnesses or we can be sensible and take control of what we put in our mouths.

Looks to me like you have got it. Keep going, you are great.

Jusst for the record my weight shot back up to 75.1kgs this morning. No reason – 30 mins swim, 750 cals and 29g carbs. Thats life. And Verano, my gardener didnt show this morning, says he has food poisoning. Hey ho, there is always tomorrow.

S-g as you say there’s always another day….. and another gardener!
We are expecting a new one next Wednesday so my fingers will be crossed until then!

Newbie glad to see you have ‘plan’. As s-g says we just have to keep on keeping on………..

Weight is back down to 74.8 so still that 2kg loss. Would really like more before Monday as we have our Quiz night and dinner.

Still waiting for gardener but at least he did let me know his is ill.

It is still quite warm here at 28/29 but that feels cool for us after being in the low 40’s. Must not speak too soon as it is coming back again next week – 40 degrees.

Weight down again – I think my chai pudding hack might be working as I dont feel hungry or need a late night snack. Just makes me poop a bit 🙂

Concert in Vienna is re-booked and now booked a hotel. We are also doing a day trip by boat on the Danube to Bratislava. The route and hotels can be all worked out another day, as long as we have the important things booked.

Gardener is still ill but will be here at 7am Monday – this is because it is going to be 39 degrees and he wants to get a good start (which is why he was coming this week, much cooler).

How are you doing Newbie – still on track I am sure. Have a good weekend everyone.

Good morning all.
So I stepped on the scales yesterday as I have been throughout, and I’m the lightest I’ve been as an adult. I’m still doing my best diet wise, drinking plenty and trying to avoid or minimise the naughties. My fasting reading has also come down and am now in single figures so that it good. Feeling a bit more positive and just hope I can keep it up.
I also have chia seeds everyday, mostly in my overnight granola and that helps a lot.
SG – glad you have rebooked your trip and your Gardener is rescheduled, we are due another heatwave but hopefully not to your temperatures.
Verano – how is the nhs plan going?
Have a lovely weekend xx

Welcome back Newbie & wow completing a triathlon that is amazing very well done ⭐️👏👏
S-G I’m so pleased you are able to still get to Vienna to go to your concert & your weight loss.
I have just weighed & since Monday I have lost 2.8lbs which I know is mostly carb fluid retention but still pleasing. I’m finding it difficult not to have a glass of wine with my dinner & still feel in a treat myself cruise mode 😂 but we have played short mat bowls & went out to visit Standen a National Trust property near us which was lovely. We have decided to go on more days out on a weekday taking advantage of avoiding the more crowded weekends. Nymans near us will be holding music evening events so we will also try one of those 😀
I am trying to get back on track because I can feel that my arthritis has spread to my toes & any extra weight is not helpful! We have booked another Viking cruise next year to Portugal on the Douro with a couple of days in Lisbon which I have never visited & I have signed on to learn Portuguese with DuoLingo just to keep my little grey cells ticking along.
Keep on going everyone & take care in the sunshine & another heatwave is coming to my locality in Sussex 🌝
Margaret xx

Hi all, good to hear the results for both of you. Newbie, you are doing great and I hope you have got over your wobble. Lowest adult weight is something to be proud of.

Margaret, it is good to have something to look forward to even if it is next year. That is why we have booked Vienna. It is a bit of a mad trip, driving for 2 days for a concert but hubby was disappointed to miss Andre Reiu both in Amsterdam and then in Birmingham. So thought a special concert would be nice. Obviously we will be doing some sightseeing as well, the Belvedere is my go to with the Klimt collection. Think the Schoenburg Palace is a bit out of the way and a full day which we will only have on the day of the concert and it will depend on whether we have to rush back. The one full day is going to be spent going down the Danube to Bratislava or maybe not, we have yet to decide. Sounds nice though.

Weight is down again and I am trying really hard not to treat myself to a cold glass of white wine so I am with you Margaret – it is my only treat as food doesn’t really tempt me. For tonight I have made a pastry-less quiche and will have with a green salad.

Stay as cool as you can.

Hi there, bit annoyed with my weigh in this morning. I have lost a total of 0.01kgs. Which means from yesterday an increase of half a kilo. No reason, no carbs, no alcohol – sometimes wonder why I bother. Ok stop crying, it is a loss.

Going out tonight and going to drink vodka a diet coke, normally tonic but they dont do diet in this restaurant so I will switch to coke. The food wont be a problem as they dont do carbs much here and I will just have a starter and main.

The gardener came this morning at 7 am and went home at 10 due to the heat so I managed a 30 min swim. He will do the same tomorrow to finish the job so I might get in the pool again.

Hi. Well my new programme seems to be good so far. I think you can access this without a referral but I also think they then push ‘medication’. The provider that I chose is Second Sense.

Anyway the program started with 13 documents to read prior to starting the program. I am now day 1 week 1 and there was a new article to read today. The program is basically low carb but no weighing or counting although you do have the choice of logging all you eat and drink. I have to say that so far I’m impressed. Yes I know an awful lot about low carb eating but I do appreciate the ‘daily record’! I’ll post again as time goes on.

Anyway, starting a new plan has given me some impetus. Hope everyone is doing well.

After my night out with minimum food (melon salad, beef stew with potatoes taken off and no dessert) I have gained 1kg. Seems to me like a whole month of dieting wasted. Will I never be able to go out and eat a normal meal. Anyway, dropped .25kg overnight so on my way back down.

Yes s-g of course you’ll be able to go out and eat a ‘normal’ meal. We have been here so long and know all the ups and downs, literally. There are so may things that make us fluctuate so we just have to take a ‘view’ and not let one blip, which could be due to extra fluid retention or anything, stop us moving forward. You have lost overall this year so just keep on keeping on…….

Sunshine-girl thank you for posting on Michael’s thread again. We are all so grateful for him, his work and setting up this website.

Well warm again here but I have a ‘cool room’! I have an internal room with just a glass brick partition with the adjoining room …. it’s cool!! Great for this weather although we shouldn’t complain really it’s lovely.

Hope you’re all well.

Hi all, can people not understand that the post about Michael is a memorial and not the place to place ads or even ask for diet advice. It is getting difficult to cut and paste as it stopped me before saying I was repeating a post, so I had to change just a few words. Not everyone realises what it is about so you cant really blame an innocent new member but the ads really rile me.

I am back down to my 2kg loss so have to lose another kilo by 20th July to keep to my promise to myself – not sure it will happen. I would love to swim every day but it is so hot I dont have the energy. I sometimes have to drag myself out of bed rather than face the constant heat. It will be cooler next week but still in the mid to high 30’s.

No news, I am still using my fake GLP-1 chia and blueberry mix which seems to keep me satisfied longer with few hunger pangs. Losing average of 0.2 kgs per day. Now it is the weekend and I fancy a drink. Might allow one vodka and slimline as a treat but might delay the satisfaction and have it tomorrow. You know what they say about tomorrow…

Well done with your weight loss S-G & it’s still very hot here & difficult sleeping & energy sapping when out & about. I have just weighed & more or less staying the same only losing 0.25lbs. I blame the ice lollies & icecream plus the odd glass of white wine 😂🤔Take care in the heat!!
Margaret xx

Well done s-g. Persistence pays!

Still warm here which is lovely but also making me stay indoors with a fan as company! Just coming to the end of the first week of my twelve. I have been more aware of what I’m eating this week which is good. I get an article in my inbox every morning which helps with accountability not just to the program, but also to myself. For the first time in quite a while I feel a little more in control and don’t just mindlessly eat a piece of 90% or whatever. Starting to feel like I have regained some control over what I put into my mouth!

Hope everyone had a good weekend . A new day and a new week tomorrow so a new start!

It was a busy day with our village fete today & out & about this morning & then I was helping my fellow WI ladies in the village hall kitchen serve teas coffee & cake & felt slightly wonky despite fans in the kitchen & had to sit down & my neighbour asked me how much water I had drunk ? I had had a small glass of wine & nearly two glasses of J2O but no water & felt such an idiot. I came home & sat in front of a fan sipping water! A stupid mistake to make & I did then have an hours siesta listening to Classic fm & did nap. It so easy to underestimate how humidity & heat can affect us🤔
My husband are now watching the Wimbledon men’s final & have just had a lightest salmon supper 😀
Take care everyone
Margaret xx

Hi all, didnt post yesterday and it would have been a completely different post. Felt I had let myself down. It is so hot here it is difficult to breath, exercise or even walk around. Had a few treats over the weekend to cool down, ice creams some wine etc etc. Yesterday I was back over 75kgs and totally p–s-ed off with myself. Anyway, I got through the day and in the evening hubby poured a glass of wine at dinner, I didnt have one but thought about it later. Said no no no. Today I have lost half a kilo and back to my 2kg overall loss and now back on track.

This morning the temperature was down to 28 and I went for a swim, not had one for days due to lack of energy. It was wonderful and I feel totally refreshed and back on track. We all have down days, we just have to pull up our big girl knickers and get back on it.

Have a good week. Although it is rising to 38 again today but started out well.

Well done S-G losing weight again but it is quite comforting to have a treat of chilled white wine & ice-cream when it’s hot!! My husband & I went to see the Disney live action film Moana last night which I thought enjoyable & I had white wine & carrot cake & ice-cream that I also enjoyed but a rather abstemious supper before going there to try & balance it. However on the whole just trying to cope with this hot weather & I slept very badly last night so didn’t go to play short mat bowls this morning. This evening it’s a WI meeting & talk on Victorian corsetry & undies. No doubt Queen Victorias oversized pantaloons will be mentioned 😂 Tomorrow we are going on a visit to the Chichester Festival Théâtre with a behind the scenes tour followed by lunch & a matinee performance of My Fair Lady which should be very enjoyable 😀
Margaret xx

Hi all, yes Margaret it is good to have a treat but I seem to have overdone it over the weekend. Still the same weight but not gaining and feeling better about things.

Funny what can get you down but I have been asking my husband to telephone our house alarm people since September – yes September – it has been malfunctioning since then. Finally he rang today, as soon as the girl came on he said parle vous anglais, she said non and he shoved the phone in my hand. So I ended up doing it all and we now have a working alarm. The reason I wanted him to do it was for him to take some responsibility for our French life. I seem to do everything from ringing a plumber, gardener, tree surgeon, roof cleaner and so on and on. I GIVE UP.

Had a swim yesterday but we had shopping this morning and it is too hot now. On exercise, I have been doing bed pilates for 10 mins before I get up. Amazed at how comfortable it is not to have a hard floor in my backside even though I do have a yoga mat.

Heatwave should end today but still 33 degrees. Here a heatwave is classed as over 35.

Will keep on keeping on…

Hi all. Thought I should pop in and say hello. Just plodding along here keeping on keeping on. I have finally got back into some sort of routine and have cut out the odd biscuit, even though oats and lowish carb, and that pack of crisps late afternoon! Amazing how easy it is to get back into bad habits. My snack habit now is a couple of squares of 90% or a few nuts or olives. Sounds so virtuous! Anyway most importantly I’m on a downward path. I was reading a very interesting article about plateaus and the role they play in helping us to reset our set weight point. In essence you should welcome a plateau, go with it, and be happy that your body is reaching a new lower set point!
So hope everyone is well and managing to stay cool and hydrated. Hydration has always been a problem for me but doing my best.
Sorry for being so quiet but really not a lot happening in my life at the moment.
Have a good weekend.

Afternoon all, sounds like everyone is struggling with the heat but doing the best they can, as Verano says hydration is so important but drinking water is boring and repetitive!
My weight has been pretty much stable from one week to the next so thats good, my fasting sugars have been high, after discussing with friends at work about stuff I contacted the GP this morning, who organised a repeat hba1c test, a referral to the health coach and a review in clinic once the blood tests are back, so now we wait and see what they have to say. Another triathlon booked for Sunday, thankfully it will be a little cooler and I will juggle my fuelling as I seem to be doing of late. Anyway have a good weekend all x

I have stayed the same for one month so not met my 1kg challenge for June/July (ends on Tuesday). But that means I havent gained anything either – always look on the bright side of life de dum de dum…..

Still too hot here at 33 degrees, managed a swim yesterday and know I am not duty bound to swim every day. It is just too tiring to do anything. We have a brunch around 11.30 on Sunday so I cant swim without food first and then after it is too hot, it was even too hot to sit outside. A normal summer for us is around 28 degrees with the odd blast of 30 or a bit more. That seems to have changed.

C’est la vie!

Well done staying the same Newbie & S-G I have had rather a busy social week with our son unexpectedly coming to dinner on Friday & staying overnight so more food wine & snacks consumed than usual. I weighed this morning & have gained one pound in weight which I am not surprised about. I suppose I have been eating what has been simple to prepare & still rather in a holiday mood with the continued sunshine & not really focused on losing weight! However I know some of my clothes are tighter plus those I can no longer fit into so I’m conscious that I should do something about this. The weather is slightly cooler here for the next few days but then hotter weather is predicted to return 🌝
I hope you all have a good next week.
Margaret xx

Hello everyone … hope it’s okay to join in here. Have scanned through your posts and think this would be the ideal thread to help keep me accountable again… of which I’m in desperate need.

“Sigh” …. Now to put my cards on the table. Left home in April already carrying approx 9lb more than I would have liked. During our time away, not only did I fall off wagon, but I rolled most of the way down the hill too! So my extra 9lb has now morphed into a 1st 4.5lb excess!!!

To say I’m ashamed of being in this situation is a understatement, however I have given myself a good shake and talking to and I begin my new regime today. I’m kicking off with an extended fast today. No exact plan for when it will be broken, but will eat lightly when I feel it is no longer sustainable.

Going forward, my plan is to move back to 800/20, with a 16/8 eating pattern. My only issue is where to record my daily intake, as it feels like too much of a faff to revive my old spreadsheet. Any suggestions would be very welcome.

Hello SunnyB & welcome & you have taken the first step joining us here👍 I am also struggling to shed my holiday weight gain & having difficulty mentally switching to diet mode. I record my calories on Nutracheck that seems quite easy to use but of course you would have to pay a subscription fee t join. Anyway good luck with your first week🍀🍀
My husband & I are off to see the film Odyssey this evening which has good reviews.
Take care everyone in the warm weather & keep hydrated! I have to keep reminding myself to drink enough water 🤔
Margaret xx

Welcome SunnyB, I’m new to all the lingo, what do you mean by 800/20, with a 16/8 eating pattern?

So the results are in, my hba1c has gone up to 66, I knew I had fallen off the wagon and was only kidding myself that everything would be ok, but I’m hoping it’s the shock I need to get back on track, what track I’m yet to decide, but it will be some track, small steps first like cutting out treats and banning them from the house, drinking only water and tea. I have a review with the nurse in August and waiting to see a health coach whatever one of those is, so today we sulk, and tomorrow we pick ourselves up and start again x

Hi everyone, SunnyB, Verano set up this thread to take the place of our monthly one – everyone is welcome. It saves someone having to set up a new thread, new title, new introduction – you know what it was like. Great to have you back. You will soon get back into the swing and start to see the pounds disappear.

I record my food on Myfitnesspal and you dont have to pay unless you want to ultra super dooper, whatever that is.

Newbie, I will let sunny explain the eating plan, it is what we all do and I am sure you are too. Not my place to but in.

Messed up again over the weekend. Roasted jacket sweet potato and a 0.6g gain. Drives me mad, surely a jacket potato shouldnt do that. I know it will be gone by tomorrow or Wednesday but it always seems like a set back.

Anyway, new week new motivation.

Thank you all for the welcome … much appreciated. Looking forward being part of the team.
Thank you for the recommendation of myfitnesspal SG, will take a look. Don’t need anything fancy, so something that doesn’t require a subscription is ideal. As you say, that small jacket spud blip on the scales will quickly disappear … can understand the frustration of seeing it though.

Newbie, just to explain my eating plan more clearly, the 800 is daily calories and the 20 is daily grams of carbs. The 16/8 is 16hrs overnight fast, with an eating window of 8hrs .. commonly called Time Restricted Eating or TRE. Generally when I’m focused and looking to lose weight, I don’t eat after 7pm or before noon though.

And yes SG … new week new motivation!

Hello and welcome ‘home’ Sunny! Sorry to hear about your gain but you have all the tools and you will do it. I use Fatsecret, similar to Fitnesspal, again no subscription required for basic plan and I find it a bit simpler to use. BTW make sure you get the .co.uk version of whatever you choose as the .com version tends to be for the USA.

Newbie sorry to hear about your HbA1c. I’m afraid it really is down to those carbs and there doesn’t seem to be anyway around that without medication. I know how hard it can be and I don’t really have any suggestions. I do finger prick tests every now and again and ideally I like to be below 6, which is around 42, but I have had odd readings of as high maybe the high 9’s which is approaching 60. I know these are just snapshots at the time and not equivalent to the HbA1c readings but it’s enough to shock me into doing something immediately. I don’t know if you finger prick but it may work for you too?

Margaret hope you’re managing to get back on track.

S-g I know you’re a daily weigher like me but maybe you should force yourself to stay off the scales some days…. large glass of water before you get out of bed maybe?? Last week I lost weight then regained it by my weigh-in day so just got downhearted. I need to act on my own advice and stay away from weighing daily!

Weather has finally cooled here so life is much more pleasant. Hope everyone is well.

Thank you for the welcome and recording suggesting V. Last night I downloaded Myfitnesspal and have used it today … seems to provide all I’ll need, but will take a look at Fatsecret too.

Newbie, fingers crossed your next results will be more favourable. As Verano says, the secret is to keep an eagle eye on those carbs.

Thought I’d report in on my fast. Broke it at 39hrs, as this is the first one I’ve done in about 3mths, I was pleased to be able extend it that far. Today I’ve been back to weighing and measuring everything, as a result my intake has been slightly under on cals, but 6g over on carbs. I’m okay with that though, as today was my first day keeping track again.

So, one day down and feeling good about being in control again. I too weigh daily when I’m trying to discard pounds, a habit I don’t seem able to break. However, overall I find it a useful exercise, even if the readings can sometimes be a bit frustrating!

Feeling better, weight dropped under 75 so now on a downward journey. I have to be clear that Saturday doesnt mean I need a glass of wine or 2 or 3. I must remember that it makes my weight go up more than any food cheat.

I have to be clear about what I want. I looked back on a photo from 3 years ago when I was dressed up and ready to go out for Sunday lunch – and I am chunky. Looked in the mirror this morning and I am still chunky. Clear motivation is to get my HbA1c down from 7.5 to around 6.5 when I am tested in September. That is my main goal. Second goal is to be down another 2kgs before daughter comes out in mid September. If only I can just stick with it.

SG, you have shown time and again your determination, so I’m sure you’ll be able to hit the targets you are setting yourself.

Read somewhere that a good incentive, is to put a photo of yourself at your slimmest somewhere prominent, to spur yourself on … just a thought.

I’m on day 3 of my reboot. Doing well at not snacking between meals and with recording what I am consuming. Struggling a bit with getting daily carbs down to 20g although managing to keeping them below 30g, but it’s a work in progress. The calorie levels are okay, so hoping that as time goes on, the desired result will reveal itself.

Thanks Sunny, I dont normally like seeing pictures of myself but I have changed my FB profile photo from my cat to me in a red designer jump suit on our last cruise. I wasnt slim but the way the photo is taken and the layers on the suit make me look at least 1 stone lighter. It is a lovely photo of me. If I went back to my slimmest it was when I hit my goal at Weight Watchers around 30 years ago and, to be honest, I look like a lolipop head. Too thin.

I have just reported on the Michael commemorative post as some idiot has put a gaming post on. I have asked admin to just take it down and restore it to a more respectful post. Please dont comment on the post or your post will also cover the real post. I have tried to repost something but the system says I have already posted so I have to change a few words to trick the computer. I will try again but better to let admin deal with this scum.

It worked, I just added a few words. I think admin should lock the post to stop people putting rubbish on it, it is like desecrating a grave.

Back to the diet – doing okay, slowly slowly – another 0.1kg down so under last months goal weight. Just another 0.9kg to go 🙂

I was on this site a while back when the community was very diverse and helpful. I have no doubt that that the basic premise works. It is a shame that the forum has been largely overtaken by a core small and tedious group. Who don’t seem to understand that it’s just AI algorithms posting not a personal slur. And frankly if after 8 or 10 years still chasing 100g…it’s not healthy. And just very boring.