Hi everyone, seems we are not doing another week although we can keep this one going if people want to give their comments. To be clear, I am not giving up on the plan, it is my way of life. It is just that our numbers seem to have dwindled over the last 2 or 3 weeks and it gets hard to motivate people who are not there, no one to bounce off if you see what I mean. I like to comment on how people are doing, answer any queries etc. If no one is posting I am left talking about myself and that gets a bit boring for you and for me.

I actually like the idea of starting a monthly thread that someone mentioned. I will be back fully on plan on Monday 2nd January so we could kick off from them or the 3rd if you like a Tuesday start. Wendy, what do you think, less organising on your part and more time for people to get into a routine for the New Year. As I am sure you will all want to make a big effort once the celebrations are over.

For me Christmas is usual just one day when I have whatever I want, except this year it will be two. 24th December will be Christmas Day for us as all the children (daughters 2 and her partners 3) will be will their opposite parents on Christmas Day this year. We will have another Christmas Day on the 25th but it wont be traditional. More like Boxing Day with lots of cold meats and cheeses and left overs and relaxing and having a few bevvies. Also board games and quizzes are our thing especially slightly ruder ones that the kids cant play – like Cards Against Humanity – I think that is what it is called.

Well everyone, I am signing off for now, organising lateral flow tests for us for our trip and for our sitters, then dentist on Thursday, laboratory Friday.Then the following week (13th) hubby dentist Monday morning then me at doctors in the afternoon, hairdressers Tuesday, then hubby at dentist Wedesday and Thursday and sitters arrive Friday and we will have our lateral flow tests Friday morning. Phew I am exhausted just writing it all down.

Merry Christmas to you all and a very happy New Year.

RubyG, I was going to say the other day that your comment was very restrained when I would have told them where to go. Seems you have now twigged it is spam. I have reported both posts.

Hi all thank you for your kind wishes, symptoms not too bad, it’s kinda like mild cold. On the plus side OH who works such long hours is having to have an enforced break so that will be good for him as he needs it. I enjoy reading all your posts but do understand the need for a break. I plan to be good with the exception of Christmas and Boxing Days when there will be a few overindulgences.

I can certainly understand the need for a break, I think we’ve all got so much going on in our lives right now. The uncertainty levels are so high again, which makes my chimp uneasy (I have mentioned The Chimp Paradox before), and I know I am overeating – as some others have reported, too much of the good stuff is also not good for us.
I had my booster yesterday, and unlike hubby I seem to have escaped any ill-effects other than a sore arm and sensitivity at the puncture site.
I did not, however, feel up to weighing today, nor did I feel like eating, but I did have some Greek yoghurt with a few cocoa nibs and some mixed seeds, which seemed to go down well. Soup for lunch from a batch made yesterday.
I can only hope that the restrictions we are all living under again have the desired effect and we can travel to be with our families for Christmas this year, but I know I have no control of any of it.
Hang in there everyone, and see you all in 2022 if not before!

My spam detector is definitely on high alert, the same paragraph seems to have been posted on at least one other website, and at least half of what has been written is tosh, but hey ho.
I did not weigh myself today, I am feeling fat, heavy, bloated, and had my booster jab yesterday so I will be kind to myself and weigh at the end of the week.

Morning everyone. Just a quick post as I have a hospital appointment to get to. I’m back from my weekend away, which was very quiet as OH is feeling a bit drained (he’s awaiting eye surgery). So not as much wining and dining as there might have been! However, Dawn I didn’t have a good day yesterday either what with travelling back and various other bits and pieces happening. But today is another day and it’s going to be a good one!

Sue it sounds like you are doing really well, and Jennie well done on the steps. Cathy I completely agree with you about keeping things in perspective in terms of our weight loss goals versus everything else that is happening. I do hope there will be some good news soon. I’m in a similar position in that we’re meant to be going to my daughter’s in London for Christmas Day, staying over, then heading north to see my mother. So I guess I’m planning as if that’s all going to happen, but also preparing myself for a quieter time if any restrictions do come in.

Must dash now but Dawn let’s see how we get on today? One good day is a good start X

Hi everyone, just checking in after a long week. Not been following along much as now that the big initial surge of adrenaline has worn off, I’m feeling quite exhausted. Of course moving tons of gravel on my 2 days off on the weekend probably didn’t help too much, although I did sleep well after! I was fasting while I did most of the work as I wanted to be in fat burning mode to have the stamina and endurance to get the job done. I only had a brief window when it was dry enough but before it started snowing in earnest to get the floor of the horse shelter raised up. No idea how many calories I burned whilst doing that. Must have been a lot. My dad came over for a couple of hours on Saturday to help and he did 14000 steps for the day, and he only had done about 3000 before coming over to my place. I had been working for 4 hours before he even arrived, so I’m sure my steps were a lot more. I moved probably about 30 wheelbarrow loads on Saturday and another 18 or so on Sunday. It felt good to get the job done. We got about 5cm of snow today.
At least I’m not working such long hours now that the waters have receded. Still lots of recovery work to be done, but hopefully the worst is over for now.
I’ll catch up on posts when I get a chance, but need to go to bed now.

Diabetics should also be wary of the “three unsuitables” in their daily diet
It is not advisable to eat all kinds of sugar, candied fruit, canned fruit, soda, juice, jam, ice cream, sweet biscuits, sweet bread and sugar pastries, as well as sugar-free biscuits, sugar-free foods, etc., which basically contain a lot of starch, because these foods High sugar content, high blood sugar easily occurs when eating;
It is not advisable to eat high-cholesterol foods and animal fats, such as animal brain, liver, heart, lung, waist, egg yolk, fat, butter, pork and goat fat, etc. These foods are prone to increase blood lipids and are prone to atherosclerosis. hardening;
It is not suitable to drink alcohol. Alcohol can cause blood sugar fluctuations. Severe hypoglycemia can occur when drinking a lot of alcohol on an empty stomach. In addition, drunkenness can often mask the performance of hypoglycemia, which is difficult to detect and very dangerous.

Hi everyone
Sueblue – 3.5lbs – a mere bagatelle! you’ll have that gone in no time. Woohoo……. but, no more cake, eh! The hairdresser trip sounds lovely though. Also, I haven’t been to the hairdressers in ages (been contemplating it for a few weeks but I know there’ll be telling off involved – OH and I have been chopping at each others hair for months) but I remember my hairdresser saying the same about the condition of my hair one time – it’s a great feeling, isn’t it.
Yowzer – thanks for the call-out. Mines just a head cold so fine really, although staying away from others just in case. Hope you’re keeping tight hold of that seat, but also look after yourself. I know covid can really pull on people and leave them drained. xx
DCT & Dawn – I’ll be cheering from the sidelines ’til Friday. Come on you can do it.xx
Cathy – I’m the same with my son working in London. Like you, our Christmas family celebrations couldn’t happen last year (we ended up having ours in June). I’m really hoping he can get home, and even more so that his girlfriend can get home to New York, the poor girl hasn’t been home for almost 2 years. But I agree with you, I’ve realised it’s pointless to worry about the things I can’t control. If we can do it, we’ll do it. If we can’t, we’ll manage. Fingers crossed for tomorrow and good on you for keeping on!

Well, my focus this week is my walking. I went out for 2 walks today and got to 13,000+ steps. It was all on the flat, so tomorrow I’m going to include a couple of steep bits. There will be lots of under-the-breath cursing – which to be honest I quite enjoy.

Here’s to a good week for all of us.
Jennie xx

Hi wavecrest
I’ve just read your post and wanted to add some things. The first thing that strikes me is how well you’ve done and I’d include your blood glucose results as well as your weight. 40lbs weight loss is a really great result. Fantastic.
The reason I wanted to post is to say please don’t be deflated about your blood glucose results. Personally, I think they are really good too.
I’ve attached a link to a page on diabetes.co.uk. https://www.diabetes.co.uk/what-is-hba1c.html

If you scroll down to the ‘arc’ diagram (Hba1c as an indicator of blood glucose control) the bottom line below the arc shows blood glucose numbers – mmol/L – from a home testing kit, and the top line above the arc shows what the equivalent Hba1c (mmol/mol) numbers would be. So, your 6-ish from your bgl home testing would equate to approx 5.4% – 5.5% -ish (35–36) in your Hba1c which is in the green zone.
As you can see, this is similar to Linda’s which is in the ‘normal’ range and it’s similar to mine (which has run between 5.4% and 5.5% for the last 5 years) also in the normal range.
The big caveat to what I’m saying is that your testing is very limited and you can’t translate directly from so few bgl tests to get an accurate hba1c result from a chart (I know you’ll know that). I tested much more frequently, (approx. 5 times a day) at the beginning but still wouldn’t use it for that. But what it can and does show you is that your blood glucose levels are trending downwards – 9 to 6, brilliant, and that the tests you are taking now are each in the green ‘normal’ zone. That’s great.
Like Linda and sunshine-girl advise, I’d also continue with the 800 calories and low carb for a further 4 weeks. (Quite frankly I stayed on it a lot longer, I had 6 stone to lose). The fact that your bgl numbers have just started to reduce in the past couple of weeks is a good reason for continuing doing what you are for another 4 weeks. It’s clearly working for you.
Just two other points.
I wondered if you are due an hba1c test any time soon. If you are due one for example in January or February, then remember that the hba1c measures your average blood glucose level from the previous 12-week period so it’s worth bearing that in mind when you are deciding on making any changes/increases right now.
Also, I think I read on another post that you keep track of your cals, carbs etc (on myfitnesspal maybe?). In that case, you could note your average daily carbs, and then if you feel your bgls are stuck just reduce your average level of carbs a little for 1 or 2 weeks and see if your bgls lower.

Hope I’m not teaching grandpa to suck eggs – it’s always hard to know what people already know.
Jennie xx

Nb I’m assuming you’re in the UK. This chart isn’t relevant in other countries who use a different range of numbers for the hba1c.

Hello Wendy and SG. I am one of those who has not been posting much lately – my apologies. I do read all the posts every day, but don’t always have any news or progress to add. You both do such a great job keeping us all together. Maybe we could have a new thread “One month at a time beginning 7th December – getting through the silly season together”. Relaxed space for postings as we try and minimise the temptations before us at this time of year – work kitchen table filled with “treats”, dinners out, drinks parties, etc.?
I have been off track this last month. As you said Wendy – nothing feels normal yet. And what’s ahead? I’m feeling not quite settled. But I’m going to several concerts and dinners in the lead up to Christmas and will enjoy them all, hoping our eased restrictions stay in place.
This week I’m on holidays in a wine region in Victoria, with warm weather and in a very peaceful small town. The 2 dogs are here too, so we’ll enjoy some gentle walks. They are now 15 & 16 years old, so gentle does it 🐕🐕. There will be some wine, and some carb friendly meals (excepting the Parma and chips at the local pub last night 😫😫)
Elle-Mae – sorry to hear your news. I hope your symptoms are mild and quarantine is not too arduous and you can get your booster soon.
Fingers crossed for you SG and really hoping your travel plans all work out and you get to enjoy your family Christmas.
I’m sure you are really looking forward to having your son home Wendy, even if it’s not in the circumstances he wanted. I can imagine the huge hugs he will get on arrival. ♥️
Thank you for you calm words of advice RussianR. Hi to Windy, Lauren and Ruby – you are all inspiring.
🌺Merry

Also Elle-Mae I’m sorry to hear you tested positive, hope you recover soon and not too many symptoms

Hi all
Sorry to hear that Wendy and Sunshine Girl are having a tricky time. You are always so positive, so it stands to reason that you might need a bit of a break. You can’t be winning all the time. Don’t be too hard on yourselves. It has been another very tough year and to stay as focussed as you both have, is nothing short of a miracle.
Life does sometimes get in the way. I know when I have felt like that, I have had to step away. One of my favourite pieces of advice is this “the race is long and in the end it is only with yourself”. It’s a mantra I live by.
I’m going to keep on keeping on in the run up to Christmas as I continue to feel quite motivated.
Big love to you all

Hello everyone

Not posted for a few days. Haven’t weighed myself since 26th November! Am nervous of getting on the scales and being disappointed. My little trip to York wasn’t as on plan as I had hoped and so I didn’t weigh on Friday. I ate a mince pie at work on Friday! It was delicious!!! I have got myself all worked up again about the Omicron variant and am nervous that I, my husband or my son will catch Covid and therefore we will not be able to meet up at Christmas just like last year when Boris said we couldn’t travel to London. I seem to be getting more and more anxious as I get older! I am sure others, like me, are concerned! I really am going to work hard on living in the present and trying not stress over things I have no control over- that is going to be one of my New Year Resolutions! Today, at work when I was so tired and so busy I honestly thought what the hell! No Christmas party to dress up for, winter layers firmly on as it’s so chilly and more Covid worries to deal with so why am I stressing about a losing a few pounds. Now I’m home and feeling better I have decided to weigh myself in the morning, face the truth and think about what my next step is.
I know there are others feeling like me and I am genuinely not feeling sorry for myself. We are living in incredibly stressful times. Let’s just do what we can and try not be too hard on ourselves. Well done to those who are seeing results and keep trying those of us who are struggling, I seem to be two steps forward and three back.
I will post my interim weight tomorrow after I’ve braved the scales and try and accept that I’m doing my best.

I hope your Christmas goes well SG and Wendy and everyone else and that you can start to feel more positive in the New Year. I have been a bit quiet as both OH and I have tested positive for Covid.

Hi Wendy, I agree with you that we should take a break. Besides Christmas and Covid we are still running to the dentist (another 5 appts). Honestly, I am worried to death we are not going to get back to the UK. The final decision on Christmas will be made on the 17th which is tough as we will have sitters here and be on our way on the 18th. What a shit storm once again.

The numbers are sparse on our thread so I dont think it will be a problem for most people. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and see you all in 2022.

Hi all and thank you for so much your kind words and good wishes.DCT I haven’t had a 100% good start to our 4 day challenge but am all set for tomorrow! Dawn X

Hi everyone . I feel a bit of a fraud as I have not posted this week . I am coasting quite frankly . I discarded 2 kilos in November, probably could have done better….. for sure in fact . I lost a bit of focus towards the end of the month . No crappy carbs, just nuts , dark choc and cream … too much of the ‘good’ stuff .

I can’t quite get my ass into gear and I can’t work out why . I think I am still a bit unsettled with the news of my son arriving back in France late January and the ongoing covid mess . We didn’t have any plans to travel but I really feel for those who are facing the stress of additional testing , waiting around for results and ensuing isolation .

Nothing feels normal yet , far from it as there doesn’t seem any end in sight .

So I have been thinking as to how to move forward . My instinct is to have a break so we are in the right frame of mind . The thread is clearly flagging and we all no doubt have our own reasons for being quiet .

I am not giving up on us . I just don’t feel very useful right now and need a bit of a kick . I am not anticipating any carb/sugar binge over Christmas but I am not quite in my focused low carb zone .

Anyone reading this , can you let me know how you feel ? Shall we have a break and start up the thread in January … or just carry on as usual ??

Thanks as always SG for your contributions.We are reassured by your constant presence . I know you are very much preoccupied by your upcoming trip and much needed family time . I hope your daughter feels better soon . Lots of trauma in her area recently which has maybe impacted on her ?

I hope everyone is OK and can just pop in to give their reactions

Hi everyone, hope you all managed to get through the weekend unscathed.

Sixturkeys, was that a criticism, me and my daughter messaging our weights to each other. My daughter is over a 1000 miles away and I cant be with her to give her my support but I am just on the end of a phone. It is just a point of contact but much more than about weight. For example today she said ‘I dont want to talk about it’. I know she is feeling down and it is not necessarily about her weight. We will chat later but for now I can send her a virtual hug.

I am the same weight with still a week and a half but we are having people (yes real people) round for drinks on Friday evening so will need to be strict during the week days. Have a good week and keep on keeping on…

Thanks for that information.

When the blood sugar level is higher than the normal range, it is considered high blood sugar. Hyperglycemia is also one of the “three highs” commonly referred to as high. In addition, the “two highs” are hypertension and hyperlipidemia. The normal value of fasting blood glucose is below 6.1mmol/L, and the normal value of blood glucose two hours after a meal is below 7.8mmol/L. If it is higher than this range, it is called hyperglycemia.
Under normal circumstances, the human body can ensure that the source and destination of blood sugar are in balance through the two major regulatory systems of hormone regulation and neuromodulation, so that blood sugar is maintained at a certain level. However, under the combined action of genetic factors (such as family history of diabetes) and environmental factors (such as unreasonable diet, obesity, etc.), the two major regulatory functions are disturbed, and blood sugar levels will rise.

Happy Monday all 🙂
Thankfully I’m feeling a bit better today, antibiotics must be working. I went to the hairdresser today with my MIL, it was our first trip there in 6 months (due to lockdown), so we made a day of it, having coffee and cake while we were out. I kept the calories as low as I could with a skim milk latter and a small almond friand which I really enjoyed. We ended up walking 6,000 steps too as MIL had a few errands to run while we were out. I’ve had quite a bit cut off my hair, and a nice colour put through it – usually I put a shop-bought rinse through it so it was a treat to have the hair dresser do it 🙂 I felt great afterwards – hairdresser was saying what great condition my hair is in and I’m sure that’s due to eating a good, healthy diet as it wasn’t always like that.
Anyway it was a good day – maybe not totally on plan but I’m going to have scrambled egg and spinach for dinner to make up for having the coffee and cake today. As that was my lunch, my calories are still only about 900.
Tomorrow I’m planning on having cinammon apples with yoghurt for breakfast, the ploughmans lunch from the BSD book and then roast veggies (cooked yesterday) with some vegetarian sausages for dinner, so that will be 800 calories with my usual tea and coffee.

Mother and daughter posting their weight to each other daily? Wow.

I love that little Santa story SUEBLUE! I can really identify with it!x
Get well soon SUE and JENNIE xx Sue hope the antibiotics work for you.🙏
Yes me too SUE got big plans for next year re getting down to a ‘ normal ‘ weight,and staying there! X looking forward to our next challenge!
DCT and DAWN,good luck with yr four day challenge! I think it’s really good to break things down to short times,small goals. You two can do it! 👍👍xx
Love to all,have a great week CoachChallengees…peace,love,joy and laughter for the week ahead! XX

Oh that’s fab news SUNNY! am so glad OH got sorted before anything worse happened! Enjoy the rest of y r stay…we have wind,rain and storms,so make the most of that sunshine! xx
*~ No after effects from boosta yesterday! We went for lunch afterwards, just to the Carvery almost next door to the vaccination centre..it was really empty which suited us fine. Better than anything it was warm and cosy looking out at the pelting down rain and raging winds!
*~ After lunch,veggy Carvery for me,king prawn sandwich for Beau,we got coffees at Starbucks drive thru ( other coffee sellers available!) Never been to any sort of drive thru before,so it was exciting, and the coffee was delicious!
*~ I’ve never celebrated Saint Nicholas Day before,doesn’t really happen in UK. But inspired by my Dutch friend, I decided to wrap a few St Nicks Day presents for DD and SIL..they were so surprised,it was lovely to see their happy little faces! Ditto Beau,he was delighted with his prezzys.
Have a grrrreat week every one…may your week be filled with peace and love,joy and laughter xxxxx⛄️❄️⛈⛄️❄️⛈

Thank you for the good wishes, OH is doing very well. Caronl and V, great to see you both posting…. come back soon with some positives Verano.

My positives are ….
🎉 seems OH’s surgery was most timely, as the surgeon said if left much longer the gallbladder would have burst.
🎉 back home now and recovery is going well … fingers crossed OH will be properly ‘back on his feet’ before we head back to UK on 14th.
🎉 glorious sunny day here today, was able to read whilst sitting on our terrace sunbathing …. bliss.

Hope your weekend has been a good one, bring lots of positives your way. We’d love to read about them, so pleased do post a few here.

Jennie it’s nice to hear from you 🙂 sorry to hear you are unwell 🤒 touch wood I haven’t had a cold for a few years now. I’m feeling a bit better (tummy wise) but it seems to have set off an RA flare, my hands In particular are very sore today. I was going to do some meal prepping but will leave that for today I think.
I weighed again this morning and have dropped another couple of hundred grams (more because I haven’t been eating as much with not feeling 💯 I think), so now only 1.6kg to go – or just over 3 1/2 pounds.
I’m also starting to think about 2022 goals. I’d love to lose another 10-12kg (after reaching this years goal), then I’d be in the “Normal” weight range for my height.
Antigone – I’m actually not a very organised person at all, well not naturally organised anyway, it’s something I have to force myself to be! It’s easier now that my children are grown up, and I’m workIng part time instead of full time.
Have a good day all 🙂

Hi everyone
I’m laden down with cold at the moment so I’m about to go to bed with a hot water bottle but didn’t want to let another day go by without checking in.
SueBlue – I know what my Christmas wish is now – fingers crossed for a little bit of that Santa magic. Hope the antibiotics are doing the job. Good on you for keeping on going even when you’re not feeling too good. Being 85% of the way to your target weight is a great achievement and 1.8kg (my converter says 3.9lbs) is so fantastically close. Woohoo.
DCT – hope you and OH are having a great weekend away together.
Dawn – sorry to hear about this past week. These things can be so emotionally hard. I agree with everyone else, and also think how lovely for your Mum and Dad to have such loving and caring daughters. Also, good luck to you and DCT on the 4 day challenge.
Antigone – I’m not sure I could be classed as one of those who are organised (I can hear the raucous laughter from my husband!) but what I have got is the luxury of retirement. I genuinely admire all of you who are doing BSD or Fast800 alongside a hectic job, looking after kids etc. Hope you’re going well – keep on keeping on. (Btw, love the name).
Yowzer, – Keep gripping tight hold to that seat, if anyone can do it you can!
Cathy and LindaandHubby – hope you’re all going well too
Californiagirl – lovely to hear from you again xx
So, I’d say I’m tripping along OK at the moment – not brilliant but not terrible. Food-wise I’m really making the effort to cook good nutritious meals – I made more soup this week which is really handy right now. But my walking has ground to a halt again – snow on the track! – so that’s my focus for this week. (I did do a couple of exercise sessions – Callisthenics – anyone remember that video!). I’ve been planning for Christmas, but I’ve also started planning past Christmas to the end of December, early January too. Doing that always seems to help me keep Christmas in perspective. Catch up soon.
Take care
Jennie xx

Hi all, Elle – I cant cope in pounds and stones but convert for my daughter as we post our weight to each other daily. Just so used to metric and it is so much easier than 10 to this and 10 to that. 16 oz 1lb, 14 oz one stone, where does that come from. 🙂

Still doing sober November even though I did have a slip up a couple of weeks ago. Oh, hang on, its December now, where did that month go.

Have a good weekend everyone.

SG I can’t cope with kilos I only work in lbs and stones 🤣 I can report that 2 days of 800 calories has the 4 lb I put on whilst away all gone. I can’t quite believe how well this all works 😁. I now feel confident that I can cope with Christmas. This will be the 1st time losing weight won’t be my New Year’s resolution, will have to think of something else🤣. Sadly I have a bad cold. Hope it goes soon as I am due to have my booster on Tuesday, not sure if I can have it with a cold. Am awaiting lateral flow test arriving today to be sure it’s only a cold. Then will phone Dr’s on Monday to ask.

Thanks DCT – I went to the doctor yesterday and she prescribed antibiotics – if I don’t feel better next week she’s going to organise a scan and further tests, so I’m hoping the antibiotics do the trick. Hope you have a lovely weekend away with your OH.
Yowzer I hear you re the Christmas food – I was putting together an online order earlier and had included mince pies, pudding etc but then went back and deleted them, going to wait as close to the day as I can so I’m not tempted!

I read this on FB this morning and it made me chuckle, so I thought I’d share here:
Dear Santa
All I want for Christmas is a fat bank account and a skinny body.
Please don’t mix it up again like last year!
🎅 🎅 🎅

Hi friends!
Enjoy yr weekend with OH,DCT !🥂🥂🥂🥂xx
Whooo happy scales SUEBLUE thats fab! Just love it when that happens and it only seems to happen on low carb WOE! xx
Hope you’re ok now DAWN,migraines are horrible and can leave you feeling like sbodys kicked yr head xx listen to the Wise words from CCATHY…,some days better than others,things happen in life and can affect our eating plans. Never feel like a failure,just do the best you can as each day unfolds. xx
As for moi,I’m struggling,guys! My prob is I’m just ready for Christmas food a few weeks too soon!…
Hanging on by the skin of my teeth,grippinghold of my seat on the coach like grim death😀! Just- about- keeping- to- plan- taking -it -one -day-at- a- time!
Thanks for the baubles and tinsel SUEBLUE! They look great! xx

Hello! Hey! Good to see my pals here!xxxx
My positives today.
.*~ Following storm Arwen,some people are still without power a week later. It’s the small things that are really big things..grateful I’m warm,have lights,hot water,food,cups of tea,my bed,tv etc etc…all my things around me. Hope will be the same v soon for all those suffering at the moment,and staying in community centres etc for heat and food.
*~ Filling fell out today,no pain ( fingers crossed) Was relieved to get a dentist appt even tho it’s not til 10 th Jan,half expected to be told they cdnt see me,ever!
*~ DD had flu jab today,I’ve got booster tomozz ..thank you NHS!…also thank you NHS for looking after my sister after she fell in the middle of the night,cdnt get up but didn’t alert anyone til next morning ( “ didn’t want to bother anyone” )… thanks to the care of the doctors,nurses,etc ,she’s ready to be discharged home.
SUNNY thinking of you and OH,hope all has gone well and you can enjoy the rest of yr time in Turkey before coming home sweet home for Christmas xx
Goodnight/ Good morning all! Stay well and happy! 🌷🥂🌷xxx

Hi everyone, been absent for a couple of days due to things being done. Hubby had his 3rd appt at the dentist, the tree fellers have been reducing a eucalyptus tree that was around 20 metres high and cutting back all our shrubs to eventually make them look like a hedge rather than random plants.

Lauren, I too am trying not to get dragged into the whole covide thing but as we are going away in less than 3 weeks we have to keep up to date with the latest. On that subject and because my nerves were jangling I nearly had a drink last night. Nearly but I managed to talk myself out of it. Two things – first my weight blipped upwards 2 days in a row – just 0.1 kgs each day but I was thinking ‘why am I bothering’, then this morning I had a whoosh and lost about 0.7kg. So glad I didnt give in and now more motivated for the weekend.

Secondly I have a confession to make. I said I was less than my previous lowest weight. Wrong. Obviously I cant add up. So to set it straight, my lowest weight was 11st 6lbs. Last week I weighed 162.5 lbs which I converted at 11st 4.5lbs. Wrong. There are 154 lbs to the stone not 158 that I was using. Anyway that means today I am 11st 7.5lbs so nearly at my lowest. Also only 0.4kg to the next kilo. This is what happens when you work in pounds, stones and kilos.

Well thats me for today. Hope you all have a good weekend.

Hi waveCrest, well done on your weight loss. Based on my own experience I can say that you can continue on the BSD for longer. I have been doing it for 5 and a half years for my blood sugars. Obviously I dont stick to the 800 cals 100% all of the time but do burst of being strict. Mild warning on the weight – I sort of let it slip when I went on a cruise and gained. From then on I never got my weight back down to where it was (except right now it is close) and I have spent nearly 5 years trying to get down again. Good news, once I got my BG down, it was 11.8 at one point and is now regularly around 4.8, because I have NEVER gone back to eating carbs my BG has stayed low to normal even if I have gained some of the weight. My doctor is talking about taking me off insulin which was my main aim, but I dont feel like just before Christmas is a good time.

I would suggest you stick with it for a further 4 weeks which takes you to the recommended total of 12. Then you can start thinking of upping calories, doing 5:2, of whatever you decide. Right now I would be more worried about your BG not responding in a consistent way. Are there carbs of any sort creeping in. I am thinking of things like fruit or fruit juice or things you dont think are bad for your BG. Keep a food diary for a week or so while you are still doing this and lets see what is going on. Obviously you will have a break over Christmas but that is not then the time to give up. Just get straight back on it when you have had your celebrations or try to be serious about it over Christmas. My daughter is already planning my alternatives. Even with the Christmas dinner I wont be having carbs.

Keep going, you are doing so well so you really have this cracked.

Just noticed the calories suggestion you make. I think you will find 2300 cals will be way too many after following this and losing weight. If you are going to do 5:2 you might think more like 1500/1600 on 5 days and back to 800 on the 2. But keep going for now.
You might also think about doing TRE (time restricted eating). I didnt think I would be able to do it as a diabetic. Visions of having hypos all the time. I tend to have food at 8pm and then breakfast at 10am or later if I can hold out. So it is not a long fast but enough to get your body using up its own fat.

Well done Sue! I’m really pleased you achieved another loss. I do hope your tummy problems clear up soon.

Dawn – we’re on! I’m about to go away for a long weekend. Belated 60th celebration for OH which was postponed when he had Covid. I’m back Monday morning and definitely up for a 4-day challenge. The scales showed a bit of a downward trend this week and I’d love to be at 142lb by the end of next week . . .

Have a great weekend everyone X

Dawn, glad to hear your shopping trip went well. Focussing on 4 days sounds like a good plan – I like to break things down into manageable chunks. I read this good quote yesterday:

“Re-set, re-adjust, re-start, re-focus as many times as you need to.”

It certainly applies to me, I have a re-set most weeks!

I almost wasn’t going to weigh in this morning as I’d weighed in on Wednesday but thought I’d get back into my usual Friday check ins – glad I did as I’d lost 1.2kg since Wednesday! Obviously water weight after my carb-fest on the weekend, but at least it means my target weight is now 1.8kg away, which does seem more achievable. Happy Scales is predicting I’ll be at target weight on 28 December if I lose 1/2kg per week. I’m 85% of the way there so just need to focus!
Yesterday was a good day food wise – low carb seed toast with avocado and a boiled egg for breakfast, the barley risotto from the F800 book for lunch and then bolognaise with green beans for dinner. I managed to fit in a quick walk (30 minutes), was busy at work and then popping in to see MIL, but am going to go for a longer walk today.
Still in a bit of pain/discomfort with my tummy so going to see doctor this afternoon – I have a feeling it could be diverticulitis again, but last time a course of antibiotics cleared it up pretty quickly.

Hope everyone else doing well!

Yowzer – I have some baubles and tinsel left over from decorating my tree so will use them on the bus! 🎄 🎄 🎄

Hi Sunny just want to say hope all will be well with OH and that he will soon recover from his surgery, and you’re able to travel home again. Take care of yourselves. Thinking of you and sending good wishes.
Yowzer …. we’ll done you for ‘keeping on keeping on…. ‘ especially when all around you were ‘sinking’!
Sorry I’ve not been contributing but just been busy and time has slipped by but …. I promise to come back and post my positives soon!

Hi DCT,sorry I didn’t see your post before I went out before.I’m definitely up for a good run with you next Monday to Thursday.Four days seems a lot more manageable to me at the moment than seven!My migraine has gone now thanks.Had a nice shop with my Mum.Dropped her off about an hour ago and my sister is staying with her for the day until the gardeners finish.I’m going to have a relaxing afternoon now until school run🙂 Dawn X

Hi all, and a happy December. I thought I would pop in since it is a bit quiet here. Yowzer you have been doing a fantastic job!!
1) Got my booster today. Very relieved since the Dutch are being a bit slow with the roll-out. In good time for my next UK visit – if the quarantine rules don’t change!
2) The sun is shining in between hail showers. Bird food is about to arrive for the goldfinches – love watching the sunshine and the birds in the garden.
3) Looking forward to lots of Christmas carols on my online singing site.
4) My boots have been delivered – logged on by accident on cyber Monday and got a 25% discount and free postage. Genuine bargain!

Very best wishes to SunnyB, and wishing your husband a speedy recovery. x

Thank you for your lovely post Cathy.I will do as you suggest and take pressure off myself but will still post.I’m just back from the school run and about to go and pick my sister up as she’s going to stay at my Mum’s with the gardeners whilst my Mum and I are shopping.We are very lucky to all live within a couples of miles of each other.Dawn X

Dawn
So sad to read your post this morning. You’ve got such a lot of emotional upset to deal with regarding your dad etc. I feel you should try and be kinder to yourself and when the time is right you’ll find it easier to think about losing weight. There is a lot of uncertainty ahead for us all at the moment and it’s difficult to focus on being strict in these difficult times. Then, when we “fail” we feel worse about ourselves and it is a vicious circle. I think you’re right to take the pressure off by not weighing. I’m not weighing this week because I know I’ll have put on a few pounds and I don’t need the scales to tell me and make me feel bad about myself. So, why don’t you just do your best every day, some days will be better than others and ditch the scales. That will definitely help to take off some of the pressure. Keep popping on here and posting but in the big scheme of things the scales should not rule our lives and have power over us.
Enjoy choosing a tree for your dad and I hope his new landscaped garden turns out to be beautiful. I am sure he would want it to be maintenance free for you and with a few pots you can make it look beautiful.

Im glad you posted today Dawn. I am sure there will be lots of support for you here on the forum and some wise words of comfort.

Morning Dawn, and hope your migraine has gone now? It sounds like you’re having a very stressful and emotional time. Sending virtual hugs.

I think the plan for your front garden sounds lovely and, as you said, your dad would approve. Your mum will be able to enjoy it so much more when she doesn’t have the maintenance to worry about, and you can make sure she has all her favourite plants in the new tubs. It’s lovely that you can see him again soon, and make his room more festive. It sounds like you and your sister are both doing everything you can to make your parents’ lives as loving and rich as they can be, so please do take care of yourself too. Give yourself a bit of breathing space.

Why not do your next weigh in next Friday the 10th? I’m away this weekend and, whilst I have no intention of going overboard, I’m unlikely to stick completely to plan. So am going to do a very strict 800 run from Monday to Thursday next week, and weigh in on Friday. We could do that together if you like?

Hello to everyone else as well. Do let us know how you’re doing?

Hi all,sorry I didn’t post last night,I had a migraine.Had ok(ish) day food wise but definitely could have been better.Bit of an emotional week,we have really struggled to maintain my Dad’s gardens since he went into a care home and my Mum decided earlier in the year that she would like the front garden gravelled so we booked in some landscape gardeners,earliest date they could give us was February next year but they said if they could suddenly fit her in earlier they would and my sister got a phone call on Tuesday to say they could start yesterday.I haven’t seen it since they started but will be going there today and know I will have to mentally detach myself from the idea of what’s happening as I know it’s for the best and we will put nicely planted tubs out.We know that if my Dad had foreseen his dementia he would have for sure made his gardens much more manageable for us so we would have his blessing.I haven’t seen him for a few weeks but when my sister and her husband went last week he was mostly sleeping.I’m hoping to get booked in to see him next week.My mum and I are going to buy a little table top Christmas tree for his room today.Up until September this year we didn’t have access to his room so last Christmas we just passed a Nativity Scene to the staff for him.I must say I’m finding it difficult to concentrate on my healthy eating this week and am wondering if I should leave my weigh in until Christmas Eve.Sorry it’s a bit of a depressing post,I’m feeling quite down today.Hope everyone else is ok.Dawn X

I’m here, Yowser, sorry not to have posted in a couple of days, but things have been hectic. Well done on resisting those naughty ‘treats’.

My positives right now are …..
🌸 our lovely Turkish friend, who had helped us arrange surgery for OH, which will happen tomorrow.
🌸 all the other lovely friends and acquaintances here, who have offered help and support.
🌸 grateful that OH will be getting the treatment he needs, quickly without months of waiting.
🌸 online shopping …. going to be doing plenty of that in prep for Christmas.

That’s it for now, really for me the focus is on getting OH well again, so that he is out of pain and can travel home in comfort later this month.

Hope you are all experiencing some positives and that some of you might take time to share a few with us as well.

Personally I think you’d be OK extending the BSD diet for another 4 weeks. Hubby is also 6ft 3in & he did OK on it & we extended. I’d say stick to it especially since you probably still need to get your BS down. I went into remission after my HBA1c was taken – down from 68 to a ‘normal’ 34. Hubby was pre-diabetes with I think 44?? Well done with your tremendous weight loss.

We’ve now upped good carbs (more fruit & veg) & are maintaining the loss, Think we’ll probably try to keep it low before Christmas & then see if we go back on the stricter BSD again. I think we both lost about the same the 2nd 6 weeks as the 1st 6 weeks BUT we had been on a diet previously & had lost 2 & 3 stone in the 18m-2yrs previously so neither of us got a whoosh.

Good luck whatever you decide
Linda

Hi everyone,good to read all the comments,keep them coming!thanks for your uplifting postJulia 👍👍
happy 1 December,time to get the deccies up on our coach. I’ve made loads of crepe paper chains and streamers.
We need bells,angels,boughs of holly,mistletoe,twinkly fairylights and stars! I’m off to blow up lots of balloons! 🥳 xx

Anybody home?Hellooooo?
*~ First December! Yay! Love the build up to Christmas more than Christmas itself!
*~ Successfully resisted offers of cake and chocolate THREE times today.
*~ Received a late birthday present..lovely box of Lush Snow Fairy toiletries ( other brands available) and a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc
Hope everyone well and happy xx 🥰🥰

Hi all, I hadn’t been getting the updates, thought I had subscribed 😕. Back home last night, we had to drive most of the way through heavy rain. Well the scales show a gain of 4lb so back to the 800 calories and see how long it takes to shift it back down. I know I can do it. This is where I always got stuck before couldn’t maintain and didn’t nip it in the bud immediately. However I feel in control now.anagedy walk almost missing the showers but I did get to see a double rainbow 🌈.

Hi All

I have to say SG I’m very much ignoring the new bad covid news, I’m aware of it but I’m just saturated and can’t take more, and like you say when you live with people that build things up it’s exhausting!!

Ruby glad your hubby is feeling better and you’re doing ok too

I’ve been swings and roundabouts today, I started co-chairing an ethics debate group a couple of months ago and today was my first “in charge” and it was just awesome! Then I went straight from that into another meeting and ended up wanting to cry!! Now having a snuggle on the sofa with the Guinea pigs and trying to not dive into a vat of chocolate!

Hope all are ok

L x