Hi
I. Had a foot spa last night in front of the telly watching wolverine the movie.

My feet were tingling, along with my heart.
Have you seen his muscles, swoon……..

I haven’t had a foot spa before but it was so good.

So remember gang, sometimes you need to give yourself a treat.
Treats doesn’t equal chocolate
It can be a foot spa
Or go out and see a movie,
Or watch the sunset holding hands
Etc

Love Lucia
Xxxxx

The sun is shining and I have had a walk. Just over 5000 steps.
Will walk more later.
Been into Bon marche to try on size 12…. Nope not there yet.

So, I have decided to watch game of throne from the beginning,and climb on and off my step. Like a plastic box.
For an hour each night.
Anyone want to join me, 6 series, an hour at a time? In the evenings.
You can pick your own to programme.
During the commercials, have a drink of water.

Love Lucia
Xxxx

Okay so I ah e just watched game of thrones episode one series one.
Sean bean is in it.
Aryea is so young in it’d
Geoffrey needs a slap
Sansa is so young and innocent,
Bran was climbing.

Oh, me? I stepped on and off my box for the whole hour, drink water in the intervals and carried on. I took my fit bit off.
As well as 12,000 walking steps, as well as a bit of yoga.
Episode two Monday or Tuesday night.
Love luica
Xxxx

Morning team
How are we all this morning?

Love Lucia
Xxxx

Hi Lucia. I’m new to this way of eating and so far I’m loving it. Your wonderful blog has really motivated me to keep going. I lost 3lbs in my first week but have got a few heavy social days ahead of me. Any tips on how to stay strong? How much have you lost now? You’re doing so well. 😀

Hi Lucia, All is well here. A beautiful 15C today and sunny this afternoon after a rainy start.
B – chia pudding and strawberries
L – chicken and green salad
D – salmon and salad

A special welcome to Hels.

Awww, thanks Switzerland.
Breakfast- greek yoghurt, blueberries, chia and linseeds
Lunch- tuna and chick pea patties with homemade tzatziki on salad
Dinner- chorizo, chilli and tomato sauce with whole meal pasta and salad.

Planning my meals ahead seems to be the way to go. When I know what the next dish is I don’t want to snack.

Also I’m on week 2 of Couch to 5k! It’s hard though!

Note to self….MUST DRINK MORE WATER!

Happy Tuesday all.
Love Hels x

Hi held,
First, you have done the hardest step, and that is starting.
We can all read about it, talk about it, plan, dream, but to actually be well on the way. My hat is off to you?
😀🎩🎩🎩🎩🎩🎩

I keep motivated by two things, I do different exercises , try different things.
At the moment I try and do yoga, alone in my bedroom as it doesn’t look pretty.
Imagine tying an elephants four legs and trunk together…. Well that’s how I end up.
Sometimes I have to shout for hubby to untangle me before the blood flow stops 😖😖😖😖😖😖
I wear primark pyjamas as I feel comfy in them.
I have tried hoopscotch,
Puddle bashing,
Roller skating
Skipping
Tap dancing
As well as a LOAD of walking.

The second thing I do to keep motivated is this. What we are doing right now.
I blogg, I read other blogs.
I started this blog just as a ‘dear diary’ to myself, as I didn’t think anyone would be interested in a big birds rambling. I just wrote to the ether.
And low and behold, many people read it and lots reply to me.

I have a unique mental attitude, some call it insanity. I look at things differently.
I don’t mind, because while you are smiling at my blogs you are burning calories,

It’s good that you are planning your meals.
If you get hungry, don’t know what to eat, then you can graze on everything in the fridge. And regret it.

My weight?
I have gone from elephant to a young Dolly Parton.

I have gained the best two things…… Health and happiness, and you can’t buy either in any stores.

Blog me back ,

Love Lucia
Xxxx

Regarding socialising.

Restaurants, google them and decide before you get there, what you are having.

Have fizzy water instead of pints of beer.

Don’t graze on the bread sticks, peanuts, crisps, prawn crackers etc.

If you slip up, enjoy it, acknowledge its a one off, then get back on the diet.

go for two side portions of veggies and ask they serve it one the one plate as your main.

Love Lucia
Xxxx

Hi Lucia,

Confession;-

‘Fraid I’m not going to be able to rise to your challenge of upping the exercise just yet – the chassis is proving not to be up to it! Since trying to do more I’ve been getting niggling strains, tight calves etc. so I’m just going to push on with the regular regime and try again later.

For the record, my current programme is as follows:

Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri:
11 mins calesthenics and running on the spot + 25 mins brisk walking

Wed – as above but without the PJs (for a bit of recovery time)

Sat – 25 miles bike ride – reasonably hilly (usually about 1,300’ of climbing in all) – about 2 1/2 hours
Sun – 15 miles bike ride – mostly on the level – purely for fun 🙂 about one hour

I think that averages out at about 55 mins a day.

You wanted my age in minutes (seems a bit rum that one has to do more the older one gets!) which is currently 67 so just another 12 mins to fit in as and when.

Will that do for now Ma’am.

John

Hi Lucia,
Good advise! thanks! Well today went well. I spent most of the day on my feet! After a lovely sunny walk in the woods I went to The Hampton Court Flower Show! And was I tempted by all the foodie smells???? Not I wasn’t! Not even an ice cream or a cheeky Pimms! No I waited until I got home and had my dinner with hubby!

I’m going for another walk in the morning followed by my gym sesh.
Out to cinema in the evening but will avoid the usual snacks and just take a bottle of water.

Tomorrow is another day!
Sleep tight and I hope your limbs aren’t too sore after you yoga tangle!!

love Hels

Hi hel,
Wonder how far you walked the the flower show.
Probably miles.
Great to hear what you are doing, but most importantly , you must enjoy yourself.

I usually sing.

Something appropriate, eg yoga, I sing … Tangled!

Puddle bashing….. I sing … Just go ahead and jump…. Is it the Who?

Hopscotch, I sing chas and dave’s ,,,, you’ve got more rabbit than sainsburys, why don’t you give it a rest, rabbit, rabbit, bunny, bunny…..

Love Lucia
Xxxx

So string breaker……
You do the exercises in the middle of the week without pj’s. 😊😊😊😊😊😊

You are doing some pretty tough exercises….. But where are your smiles and laughter.

So your task, my little Paduan, is to read a comic strip, or watch a movie like the minions, within an hour of your next exercise.
Loosen up a little…. Enjoy life too.
But
I am proud of you.
Stick with it.
And yes, we need to give ourselves an extra minute a year.
Enjoy it. You haven’t lived until you try and do one workout, with Jane Fonda. In the 80’s, free on you tube.
Look at the outfit, makeup and heels,
I had a go with her, laughed my leg warmers right off.

Love Lucia
Xxxx

Lucia,
Will do, boss.
(Best laugh of the day is when I look in the mirror)
I shall have a big smile on my face tomorrow morning – only working half the day then off to Cricket, Lovely Cricket 🙂
(Might even have. G&T to help me lighten up)
🙂
John

Hi everyone,

Wow, it’s just so obvious that you’re all in Summer and (ahem – clears throat) I’m stuck in Winter.
Bissell – I have another Welsh word – cariad – very nice. I’m afraid my dream team (Wales) will not be in the final of Euro 2016 (weeps openly).
John – You’re off to the cricket. I’m soooooo jealous. Cricket is so much better when you’re there in person watching it. I hope you have a good day.
Lucia – I’ve been exercising, mainly walking and I regularly have a smile on my face when I think of things mentioned on this thread.eg. if I walk for 90 minutes does that make me 90 years old? (or maybe only makes me feel 90 years old!)
Hels – The Hampton Court Flower Show. Honestly, you’re killing me. It must have been beautiful.

I’ll just slink off and dream of warmer climates….maybe watch some of your tennis on the tele… at least I can eat strawberries and cream and not feel guilty about it!

Have a great day everyone.

Hi gang,
I agree with Switzerland, we are now all busy doing summery things.
But
We are not sad for you, Switzerland, you live in the most beautiful place on the planet!
The coastline, the outback , the mountains, the cities, and you have koalas.

I had the temperament of a koala, now I hope it’s a kangaroo! Hoping about.

Yes, we have got some great sport on the telly at the moment…. Like buses… Nothing for weeks then a pack of them turn up at once.

Love Lucia
Xxxx

90 minutes exercise?
Great, you are in credit so you are making yourself turn the clock back.
Positive thoughts 😀⏳⌛️⏱⏲⏰🕰
I try a little in the morning but don’t have much time.
Do my 10,000 at lunchtime in an hour.
Then do a bit whilst watching the telly or singing along with the wireless.

Does anyone remember leg warmers?

I just feel energetic wearing them
( they really are two sleeves cut off a sweater😀👍🏻)

Love Lucia
Xxxx

String breaker,
You can’t beat me on laughter.
If I sent you a video of me attempting yoga you wouldn’t be able to breathe with so much laughter!

But I can touch my toes,
I can clap my hands behind me.

Two very important things,,,,, when I work out their uses I will let you know 😀😬😀😬😬😀😬😀😬😀😬😀
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Love Lucia
Xxxx

Oh
Usual yoghurt and a bit of banana,not a whole one

Ham salad

Pork steak, cauliflower cheese

And a mint imperial

And a funny Pepsi, in a black bottle, zero everything. No cals no carbs no sugar, so it’s probably just water and a chemical. I got fed up of water…💧💧💧💧💧💧💧💧💧💧💧💧💧💧💧

Love luica
Xxxx

Hi gang,
Weather here is weird, rain , sun, rain.

Coats on and off so many times, I don’t know what I look like.

Love Lucia
Xxx

Been searching you tube for a beginners yoga class.
Any suggestions please.
I need a video to show me how it’s done.
When I read it and then do it, it all turns out very very strange

Love Lucia
Xxxx

Dentist next week, oh boy.
Not in the mood for that one.

They always ask you a question when they have both hands, a foot and some equipment in your mouth.

I think they do it to get the weirdest expression or reply
Love lucia
Xxxx

None of you have noticed my new Karimore sandals for walking in.

Do they make me look big? 🤓
Love Lucia
Xxxx

Oh Lucia
I’m not a fan of Karimore sandals! They’d make my feet look like a yeti’s! But….if they encourage you to move then go with it!
I know what you mean about the weather yesterday though. I walked into town to meet a friend for a cuppa. That’s 2 miles downhill and yes you guessed it, 2 miles uphill to go home. First it was sunny. Then cloudy. Then blowing a hooly! After all that in the morning I trimmed the garden hedge! And then the hot sun appeared so I topped up my tan.
Hubby away overnight so I had a yummy prawn curry with cauliflower rice. Just weighed myself. Down another 2lbs. Yeah! So exhilarating!
It’s almost the weekend! Happy Friday!
Love Hels x

Hi held,
That’s a cute yeti of course😀

I had a few ops on my feet a while ago so I need a good sole and adjustable straps.
With having weak feet, and now poor balance, that why I am so proud of me when I do my steps.

Weather poor here again, but it’s nearly the weekend,
Anyone doing anything wild and wacky
.
Love Lucia
Xxxxx

Oh dear oh lore, wild and wacky you say?
I have grandkids birthday parties on Saturday and Sunday to negotiate. Wild and wacky enough?
Talk about weekends being rest days…..NOT

Hi Lucia,
You inspire me! I know the benefits of comfy shoes! I spend the winter in my Celtics (UK Uggs!) and the summer in my new Sketcher memory foam trainers! Bliss! It always takes me a few minutes each morning to sort my soles out to stop aching! But…hopefully with some more weight loss that will improve.
This weekend I’ll be camping! Every year my entire family (husband, 2 daughters, 3 siblings plus their 3 spouses, 7 nephews, 1 niece and my 83 year old Mum) spend 2 nights under the stars in a very special place in the middle of nowhere. Not another sole, not a sound other than wildlife, no traffic, just peace and quiet. We cook on an open fire with wood collected by the children, wash in a bucket and pee behind a tree! Now, before you think that we are all savages, my Mum lives across the valley so we do go in occasionally for hot showers, fresh clothes and supplies! We’ve been doing in for 15 years now so a firm family tradition. I just hope that he weather holds up.
As for the diet, well that should be ok as it’s mainly steak, chicken, and salad. (no bread for me) and eggs, bacon and beans!
I’ll post on Sunday to let you know if I survived!
Love Hels xxx

Hi Lucia,
It’s a good job I’m feeling better! I have three grandchildren (from teatime last night)! until Saturday afternoon when dad comes to pick them up, mum is on a hen weekend to Barcelona, so we are proxy, yes I said proxy! parents for now, it’s 8.50 and I’m already feeling like I’m on a merry go round, here’s to 1.30 on Saturday!
Otherwise nothing planned, apart from getting ready to visit brother in bezier France, so we can watch a couple of days of the tour-de-France live! Ah bliss.
Christine

Hi Christi1948,
We are soooo jealous of you going to watch Le Tour de France. Do you think you can dress up in an outfit and let us all know what you’ll be wearing so we can keep an eye out on the telly?

Hi Lucia,
Forgive me, I had to look up Karimore sandals on the net (well, you do know where I’m from)…….they make you look taller, yes, definitely taller – the height suits you.
Yes, I know I live in the most beautiful place on Earth and if I’m patient, Summer will be here before I can say ‘Gee, it’s not long until Christmas’. One of the downfalls of living beside a world heritage listed national park is that the possums were here first. Currently we have possum wars across our roof every morning just before sunrise! Oh well, it keeps us punctual.

Hi Hels,
Have a great camping week-end – now that is good for the soul.

Hi Switzerland,

Hahaha, I really don’t know what I would wear, we are limited in what we can pack too! I could say I would wear a white, red, yellow or spotted hat, but that would be no use would it, a couple of years ago we were at the finish in Montpellier when a woman near us kept a red umbrella up to keep the sun off her! We had to,ask her to put it down as no one could see anything, I could do that but don’t think I could get away with it? She was English too! Although I could see her point, we were there from about 10am and the riders didn’t come through til 5pm! All the French were there nothing on their heads arms or legs! We, my brother, husband and me were covered up and coated in sun cream! We didn’t get away until after 6pm so it was a long day but we loved it.
I could do a big banner with BSD written on it and hold that up? Not sure what the two David’s would say! ( brother and husband).
What has happened to Cadel Evans? We always rooted for him before Wiggins and Cav came on the scene?
Christine

So envious of you going to see Tour de France , even my dogs react to the music now!!! 🐾🐾

Hi collie,
We are very sad people we tape it live and watch as much as we can during the day, we then tape the highlights in the evening! Watch that too, and go and watch a couple of stages if we can. We went to Sheffield when it was in Yorkshire, luckily our daughter who is now living with us for the moment lived in Sheffield, as does our son, he is married with children so couldn’t come with us, we got to our ‘spot’ at 10.30, Angela asked what do we do now, well she wouldn’t believe that we just sat or stood around for the day waiting, she didn’t realise the entertainment on offer, local people trying the hill we were waiting on, then the junior riders came along, then the caravan, then at last at five o’clock the first rider came through.
She gets it now, why we love it, although she doesn’t sit and watch it like we do, so looking forward to getting to France, I haven’t seen my brother for a couple of years, we couldn’t go last year and the year before of course it was in Yorkshire.
I will let you know how we get on, going Sunday back Friday.
Christine

Hi Christi1948
Have a fab time I would love to go , maybe next year. I am off today so watched it on tv Chris C was amazing. It’s really funny here but the collies respond to the music I think they can sense my excitement. Our roads are now littered with mammals (middle aged men in Lycra) ha ha . I’m training for a charity ride in Malawi so a I will abe a women in Lycra !!!!!
Have fun yell out for me xxx🙋🏻🐾🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴

Hi collie,
I will, love that your dogs like the music, our 5 year old granddaughter, who we have looked after, while mum is at work, since she was a baby also loves the music, she used to dance when it came on!
Wow I wish I could ride, I think that’s why I admire them so much and love to watch it, I have really weak legs and a bad back so am unable to ride a bike, even an excercise bike is torture for me!
My husband, David, rides most days so he is a mammal or a very old man in Lycra!
Christine

Hi Christine,
I love the idea of a BSD sign for Le Tour – the trouble is all of the cycling fraternity would probably think it’s some new team that’s going to edge it’s way into the competition!
To my knowledge Cadel Evans has retired from competition.
While it’s a bit more difficult for us to get there, we’re fortunate that our government run multi-cultural TV station covers the Tour really well. Live coverage at night, highlights at 07:00, 13:00 – 15:00, highlights again from 17:00 – 18:00. The great thing about that is if it’s too tiring to stay up at night, you can generally catch up the next day at some point. I really do love when Le Tour de France is on. It gives me an interest in the middle of Winter, there’s the actual race and then there’s the spectacular scenery. A win:win situation.

Hi Collie,
Our roads also are streaming with mammals. Some even wear BMC racing gear. A charity ride in Malawi – now that’s commitment. Do you go near Timbuktu?

Oops Collie,
I’m having a geographical problem and got Malawi and Mali confused…..apologies all round.

Switzerland thats ok but do tell about Timbuktu. I am really starting my training now, I remain 3 1/2 stone overweight so it is a big ask and my fear is that the other riders will be all skinny. I have a can do attitude and will achieve this just nervous. This forum has helped me keep on track and am 21 pounds down ye ha. It is a fabulous charity called Maternity Worldwide the monies go to university training for the midwives from Malawi. Last year I went to Ethiopia to see the ongoing projects there it is heart breaking to see women struggling to birth their babies safely.
Mammals in lycra mmmm the women are as bad as the men but just because you can wear lycra doesn’t mean you should!! That is all I will say.Ha ha.
Anyway as I cycle today I will hear the music from the television coverage in my head.
Have fun all

Hi Collie,
Just ignore my reference to Timbuktu – I mistook Malawi (where you’re going) for Mali (where Timbuktu is).
What a great charity to be a part of. In developed countries we take safe birthing for granted.
Have a safe ride.
Have a great week-end everyone.

Hi Switzerland,
We will be on the rout of le-Tour on Wednesday, we were going to the finish at Montpellier but now brother, David has decided it will be better mid route, and as he lives there we accept his wisdom on where to make camp for the day!
Look out for a mad woman with two old geezers with a card with my name on and bsd, I’m going to try and do one!!!!!!!
Crazy or what, christine!

Hi collie,
What a great charity to do a cycle ride for, I admire you immensely, I like to do stuff, mainly just giving money to be honest, for Mary’s meals, it’s a Scottish charity set up initially by a young girl, who used to take photos of her school dinners, as they were awful, then somehow she started doing Mary’s meals, the charity makes sure young school children all over the third world get a breakfast meal then they are able to stay and learn with a full stomach, they also get schools here to fill old school bags with supplies which they then distribute to these same children, there is a specific list that you have to go by, I have been trying to get our school in my parish to something however I haven’t yet got the priest on board!
When do you do this wonderful charity ride? Good luck whenever it is.
Christine

Hi gang ,
First I am sorry, I know, I should of had a mint or tictac.
I had garlic for dinner, I will try not to breathe on you.

Oh, so I was washing the car, then started cutting the hedge, next door thought we had a new motorbike. ( at our age!) so he just came around. He noticed that I washed the car, and jokingly said I had missed a bit. So I chased him around the car with a bucket if soapy water. The laughing…. My hubby told me off… 😀😀😀😀

So I carried on cutting the hedge and brushed all the paths if the clippings.

I couldn’t have done all the above 6 months ago, as I didn’t have any energy.

So jobs done and laughter too.

There you go
😀😀😀😀
Love Lucia
Xxxxx

Hello Lucia et al.,

I have been a silent reader of this thread whilst I was doing my own 8 weeks. Well done to everybody – you are all very inspiring and you certainly helped me.

I’m pleased to report that my 8 weeks went well. A few years ago I tried intermittent fasting to help control my allergies. It worked really well – I lost loads of weight and came off all of my medication…. and then I got pregnant! I thought that pregnancy was perhaps not the best time to experiment with diet and so I stopped, ate for the baby and for the rest of Britain, regained the weight and became allergic to everything once more! I thought I would return to intermittent fasting once the baby was born, but my gorgeous wee boy turned out to NOT be a sleeper. It is only now that he is about to start school that I feel I have the energy to get on top of my diet once again!

So, ten weeks ago, I started my 8 weeks. It went really well – I lost 2 1/2 stone and came off all of my medication. Brilliant. Then two weeks ago, I got my tonsils out. I was told that the best way to recover from a tonsillectomy was to eat as much as I could… so I did! And there’s half a stone back on already! Although I have very much enjoyed eating toast, crisps and chain-eating choc ices, it’s definitely time to reign things back in again. I once again have big puffy eyes and the eczema is starting to creep over my skin.

…. I tried today to get back on the wagon, but I found it really hard. I’m not used to having to stay in all the time and it’s still another week before I can take up running and cycling again. And so I turn to the good people of this forum… can you convince me to give it another go? Should I make this a public resolution to begin again? Actually, yes, I will.

If you would be so kind, I’ll check back here again tomorrow night to let you know how I got on. Tomorrow WILL be an 800 calorie day.

Thanks all and goodnight!

Hi kboo,
You’ve made the right decision to have an 800 calorie day. Having already done this, you’ll remember that the first days/week are the most difficult as you stop eating the simple carbohydrates. Stick with it, you owe it to yourself.
The BSD way of life has really helped clear my allergies. I have some that I will always have to avoid the foods because I have severe allergic reactions, then there are others. By eating the BSD way I find that the asthma I get improves out of sight and eczema disappears. I haven’t figured out if it’s no processed food or the good fats that are abundant in this diet (or even the exercise and/or mindfulness) but it works for me.
kboo, launch into your BSD mach2 knowing that you have the support of Lucia and all of the gang on this thread. We’re all here for each other.
Welcome.

Hi Christine,
I’ll be looking out for you Wednesday (night, my time).
Do you think you could convince the 2 David’s to wear mankinis? The guys wearing mankinis and Borat wigs were highly recognisable on Friday’s stage.
Enjoy.

Hi Lucia,
Did you wear another gorgeous dress when you washed the car?
FYI while I was reading about you chasing your neighbor around the car with a bucket of soapy water the Benny Hill Show theme song kept going through my head!
You must have the cleanest car on the planet.
Your recognition of the changes in your energy levels says it all – well done.
BSD for me today: B – yoghurt with strawberries, walnuts, pepitas , sunflower seeds and cinnamon. L – veggie frittata and salad. D – Gruyere cheese, olives and salad.
Have a great day.

Hi kboo
I say ‘go for it’! We both know that you’ve nothing to lose but your weight and the nasty side effects of your allergies, so why not commit to this both for the short and long term! Time will go by regardless of what you choose to do, but I know how I’d like to look and feel about myself when I see myself in the future !! 😀 Keep posting now that you’ve taken the first step and let us know how you get on.

Okay so here it is….

I signed up for a day pass at the local gym….. To see if they let big birds in.
Yes, they do…..
So let’s see if their equipment can take the Weight…

I went on the bike that looks like a chair for ten mins to warm up.
Then the cross country stand up machine that feels as if you are walking through mud with two walking sticks 20 mins
Then the rowing machine, I frightened a few of the ‘professionals’ in there when I shouted… Mind the ducks and swans… As I continued to row my boat for ten mins

Then n the bike chair thing to slow it all back down and regroup.

Was able to walk…..
Was able to walk with my chins held high…..

So if you are thinking of joining a gym, if the building can still stand after I’ve been there, then it can cope with anything.

Love Lucia
Xxxx

Just wore t shirt and baggy leggings, pumps, took a towel and a bottle of water.

Went in white and dry.
Came out red and sweaty.

Job done

Love Lucia
Xxxx

Thinking if going back for a after session,
And swim,
And sauna and steam room.

Just didn’t want the fit squad not let me out..

So I came out ok…. So I can go back in….😀🏋🏻🏋🏻🏋🏻🏋🏻🏋🏻🏋🏻🏋🏻🏋🏻🏋🏻🏋🏻🏋🏻

Yup. They let me out……
I am on to their games. Ha ha…..

Love Lucia
Xxxx

Well done Lucia,
I’m so pleased that no swans or ducks were harmed whilst you rowed indoors.