Hi, I know that this is an old thread, but I just wanted to say thank you! I needed to learn how to thicken the liquid of a pork and bacon casserole that I’m making which before would have been roux or cornflour. A quick search on this forum and there is the answer.

You guys are great!

Good morning. What lovely positive thoughts. Allie and Theo you both made me think back and the 50 year anniversary of our first date was New Years Eve! So much water under the bridge since then but if I had my time again I would do the same all over!

Enough said!

Hi there, I got my bloods back today and my lipid profile isn’t pretty. Will the BSD help sort this out if I follow it properly?

Help!!

Such a beautiful dress Theo, you look so slim! I wlways look forward to seeing the pics you post!
Inka

What LTC said. Oat bran is the ground up outer coating of an oat groat. It has the same nutrional profile as oats themselves, ie, some fiber, a smattering of protein and lots and lots of carbs. Oat fiber is derived from the hull of the groat and it is composed entirely of insoluble cellulose-based fiber. That’s why it’s carbless. When ground into flour, it makes a useful addition to low carb bread mixes, can be dissolved in water for a disgusting but effective fiber supplement, and when mixed in with a bunch of seeds, nuts etc. for a porridge, the yucky sludginess that makes it so terrible to drink dissolved in water works like a charm to add soft richness and a smooth base for the varying textures of the other ingredients.

It’s easy enough to find the US these days. I’m not sure where you’re located, Squidge, but I bet you can find an online supplier that can ship you oat fiber.

The mixed seeds/nuts/etc. could definitely be a muesli kinda thing. I make a trail mix, which is not dissimilar to muesli, from tamari almonds, pecans, flaxseeds, hemp hearts, sunflower seeds, spiced pumpkin seeds (pepitas) coconut flakes and pure unsweetened cacao nibs. High in healthy fats, protein and fiber, rock buttom low in sugar. Dried fruits you buy commercially are usually sweetened, and even in their natural state are so high in sugar they’d ruin the vibe, but coconut and, if you can find them, dried raspberries or bluberries with zero added sugar can be added in modest amounts without damning your carb counts.

Oat bran is not the same as oat fiber….the bran has 48 net carbs per cup and the oat fiber has 0….BIG DIFFERENCE.

And, yes, absolutely personalize every and all recipes to suit yourself. Tweek it to make it hit the just the right spot, just what your looking for. The peanut butter does add some substance/umph to the flax/chia porridge, but any nut butter would do….and you may like it better with less or none at all. Go for it.

Great memory to charish Allie. So glad the low weight issue resolved as well. Hope things continue to stay stable for you.

Flick, you are a beast. Great job!

I am seriously about to hyperventilate here. That dress is freaking EVERYTHING and you look like a freaking Boticelli goddess in it. You’ve found a rare unicorn: the floral gown that looks elegant and lengthening while still being full of life and movement. Flirty but demure. White but not bridal. Floral but not couchy or carpetbaggy. You look like you’re about to take flight, borne aloft by gossamer fabric and fluttery ruffles. Theo’s Rite of Spring will be one for the ages.

And let’s take a moment to acknowledge the awesomeness of you breaking out of your old patterns to embrace your body and all the great things it can do now thanks to your hard work and dedication. I’m not saying stack all your wellies in the backyard, pour lighter fluid on them and strike a match — way too much money and usefullness to go up in smoke — but to rip off Footloose (okay Eccelsiastes), there is a time to every purpose under heaven and you need a glorious new dress for all of them!

I tip the black velvet cloche I bought yesterday to you from across the ocean, Madame. [Insert many hands clapping and fireworks emoticons]

Theo – what a beautiful dress, what a slender model, you look fabulous.

Woohooo Flick! Well done you 😊 What a milestone – congratulations.

Now, onwards and downwards…..😀😁😄

Thank you Flick – and I’ve been called a lot of things in my time, but sadly tall isn’t one of them😢 Something I’ve always aspired to, however, so thank you kindly, ma’am 😊

😊😊😊😊😊 Do it, Al. Not sure Cornwall is ready for you (we are rather a rural, undeveloped community) but hey – you could certainly set the place alight. Why not knock us totally for six, and bring Essie too?!!!! Now THAT would be something to write home about 😉

PS Cornwall is lovely, gorgeous, stunning, wonderful and any other superlative you care to throw at it, but sophisticated and cosmopolitan? Errr, maybe not!

Theo, this IS your phoenix dress. This is the new you 🙂 Wear it with
confidence and joy! Have an over the top garden party. Can I be on
the guest list??? I don’t think your cosmopolitan, sophisticated friends
would find me too over the top, do you? 🙂 (Ha!) We need only tell them
that we were separated at birth…Cornwall beckons 🙂 🙂 🙂

Theodora, that dress looks fabulous – and you look so …. tall.

Morning everyone,

gosh Busybee that’s an excellent recovery and what a terrific break with your son. I’m a bit shocked by how fast the weight can return. The key seems to be to address it as soon as practical so it and the eating patterns don’t set in. Very encouraging to read your posts.

I hope I’m not jinxing myself but, after 5 days at last weeks weigh in 67.5, I lost .6kg overnight. Most excitingly this means I just scrape into the healthy BMI range for my height. I’m so pleased and find myself almost hoping it stays stable, if tipping back up into the overweight range is a risk. No pleasing some people!

Two more days before weigh in on Tuesday, so fingers crossed.

Aww bless you Allie. And thank you Victoria.

I was a little unsure when I saw the dress because it is soooo different from what I usually wear, so your approval means a lot. I shall definitely wear it on my trip, but after that. ……? Who knows? Maybe I need a posh garden party to go to?

Allie – do it! Europe (and in particular the UK ) need you – our lives and culture will be seriously enriched by an Alliecat visit.

You look gorgeous Theo!

OH MY GOD, Theo!!!!!!!! What a breathtakingly beautiful dress!!! Will you
be my personal shopper? THAT is the embodiment of Spring! It were
on anyone else but you, I would be downright jealous 🙂 I looked far
and wide last summer for a silk midi skirt with kicky ruffles, but the only
one I found was $500.00, so I came to my senses! Where did I think
I was going to go in it, I wonder!? You have an exciting trip to look
forward to, however. I hope you will began to share the plans/itinerary
as the time approaches. I’ve been giving some serious thought to a
solo U.K. trip this Spring, to meet up with some of my new BSD friends..
Weekends have been crazy of late, so haven’t gotten to the electronics
store for my new phone, but it’s coming, never fear! I’m afraid that when
my head hits the pillow tonight, I’ll be fantasizing about the perfection
of your dress! Just STUNNING…

XOXO

Allie

😂 Theodora, yes they are still here. My excitng news for the day though is that after 5 days at 67.5 (good to know my response to Round 2 so far is consistent) the scales moved down to 66.9 this morning!

This means I have just scraped into the healthy BMI range for my somewhat dimished height! 🌟🌟🌟🎉🎉🎉😁😁😁

Alliecat, such good news that your weight loss has reversed. And congrats for your wonderful first meeting anniversary! You too Theodora, well approaching anniversary.

Here are my positives for today –

1. It is positively and wonderfully cold here this morning. 9oC with a clear blue sky and yesterday’s wild wind has abated. It is going to be a glorious day.

2. Yesterday was the 5th morning at 67.5 for me. 😩 In need of a non scale victory, I discovered that a very nice pair of trousers I wore on a fabulous Namibia, Botswana, Zambia 4wheel drive safari I thoroughly enjoyed 10 years ago, FIT!! Size 12! So now I have a pair of beautifully fitting, great quality bushwalking pants! I think I kept them in the bottom of the drawer all this time as they were connected to some of my favourite travel memories.

3. My daughter’s first home purchase has settled and she and her partner have just about completed the move. I’m off over there today to help with the final bits, including the final clean up of their rental property. Not a fan of housework, but it is always a lot of fun n to spend time with these two.

Also scales moved this morning!

Hi.

I’m not diabetic, exercise 5 days a week and eat relatively healthy. (Pescetarian diet) However, I can’t shift my ‘love handles’!! I’m 40 in June and I’ve been advised that my hips could become an issue later in life.
Don’t I need complex carbs to support my exercise?
Please help someone who’s confused and has tried weight watchers!

I’m not convinced by this study. No views about coconut oil, but the results attributed to butter just don’t make sense to me. Raised LDLs levels by 10% in 4 weeks? The population of France, and me, should definitely be dead by now!

Definite non scale victory this evening. We had home made meatballs in tomato sauce. A bit high on the carbs but I had calculated for them. I had them with courgetti and spinach, but the real test was the Ciabatta that my husband made to go with them. Plus we usually have a bottle of wine between us with something like that on a Saturday night. I resisted all of it, and thoroughly enjoyed my meal! (Just check my post and the spell check had changed courgetti to confetti. A bit soggy with the sauce I think!)

Hi Squidge, 9st 2 is ok for my height but I still have too much belly fat – typical TOFI. I’m hoping that if I can get to 8 1/2 it might reduce the fat. I’m wondering whether to do keto for a few weeks as that is supposed to really hit the body fat.
I’d like to think I could give up alcohol forever but having just moved to Spain, I think that might be asking too much! 🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷
Keep smiling.
SSB

Hello Wannabeslim (love the name, so do I) & welcome!

I got hubby to take a ‘before’ photo from front, back & side today, they are so awful the temptation was to just delete them but hoping they will be treasured in a few months.

Just tucking into scrummy veggie curry, not missing the rice at all, just don’t mention naan bread though!

Hope you’ve all had a good day.

You’re close to your target weight then, SSB.

I’m aiming for 9st 2. It’s roughly in the middle of the healthy range for my height and also the weight I was when I met my husband.

I’ll be interested to see what happens when we allow ourselves to start drinking again. Maybe we won’t want to?

Hi Nick,

So glad – after I sent that post I was cross with myself for making out I knew what I was talking about when actually I’m a total newbie! Ooh, stone in a month, great idea.

Went for a lovely bike ride this afternoon with DH – felt great. I think there’s definitely more adrenalin swilling round and I seem to need more exercise. Don’t know if it’s the HIT or an effect of the body needing to mobilise its stores.

I was pondering the psychological impact of this WOL – for me it has definitely been a bit of a re-adjustment and I’ve got a bit stressed sometimes about odd things, and other times struggled a bit with overwhelm. I was remembering a technique for dealing with this kind of stuff called “opposite action” (Marsha Linehan). The theory is that an emotion gives you an urge to behave in a certain way, and if you do the opposite your emotion will change. I always thought it was a bit of a yawn technique before, but this week I have really embraced it and found it beneficial. If I feel overwhelmed, then I find something constructive to do and do it, even if it’s just tidying up or something. I feel like I’m finding my equilibrium again, but I am having to work at it.

This wonderful thread seems to have gone a little quiet of late, so I thought I’d revive it by showing you my latest purchase. We have a big holiday planned in the Spring (April) – an African Safari, but we are also doing an “add-on” in Cape Town which culminates in a big party.

Anyway, I saw this……………….and believe me, this dress is SOOOO NOT ME, but I love it (again, please excuse the pesky dog who insists on taking his place in the limelight – only just noticed him lurking in the background, and I’m not getting dressed up again to take another pic without him. What is it about dogs? Guess they are like people, one has to get in every single picture, the other runs a mile as soon as he sees a camera!!)

https://s9.postimg.org/s0r9yfjz3/20171215_124518-1.jpg

Being slender again, after all these years, has given me so much confidence to step out of my “comfort zone” clotheswise……..I really hope it meets with your approval, particularly my phoenix buddies, Essie and Allie (who are my heroes)

Allie, did you get that smartphone for Christmas, so you can join in our game?😉

Wow Theodora, that sounds fab! I use it a lot in cooking but haven’t really used it as a moisturiser – my skin is very dry so perhaps I’ll give it a go.
Btw – a recent ‘study’ by the American Heart Association claimed that coconut oil is really, really bad and should be avoided – guess who funded the ‘research’? – the makers of Crisco, which, it has to be said has been found to have major, serious health implications I.e – avoid at all costs.
SSB

Hi Theodora. I think the coconut oil will have efficacious results on your insides. (You are what you eat). The skin on my face is much smoother since I started this way of eating than it was before. Not spotty or anything just a bit dry or tight. Now it glows, so I’m told! I use coconut oil in the mornings on my face, not in the evenings as it makes the bedding a bit ‘grey’ and oily looking! Not a good look I feel.

I do use it for cooking but I can’t give up my butter altogether and I don’t think it would be good spread on toast for those who still have the odd slice.

I’m very pleased about the cholesterol side effects! Completely unexpected 👍

Aww, Allie😍 What a lovely “positive” – happy first meeting anniversary.💝💕💘 It will be 50 years since I first met my o/h this year too – ours was love at first sight, he asked me to marry him on our 3rd meeting (2nd date) and here we are, still together.❣ Surely that is cause for celebration, for both of us, or all of us, should I say.

My positives…………….

1) Just spent a lovely hour on a “one to one” basis with my beloved daughter – generally one of the kids, or my mother or o/h or somebody is around to claim my/her attention, but today it was just the 2 of us. Bliss.

2) Finally mastered the art of machine rolled hemming silk chiffon (took some doing😆) as I have always done it by hand before, but my granddaughter needs (err….wants??!!!) so many new practise ballet skirts that hand sewing them all would take me forever and a day.🤣

3) Just bought tickets to see aforementioned granddaughter perform in Sleeping Beauty with BRB in February😊

I agree, s-g. I’ve started using it for cooking too.

I have used it for years as a body moisturiser and just yesterday o/h commented (again) on how soft and smooth my skin is, so much so that recently I have even started using it on my face too. I slathered myself in it when I lost weight and all my skin has tightened up beautifully – no sags under my chin, no more batwings etc. That may have happened with any moisturiser, but coconut oil has done the job beautifully on the outside, so here’s hoping it is as efficacious on my insides.

Hi there – Allie pleased there was a reason. I don’t think inappropriate – we are all in different places and it’s always helpful to hear other people’s ups and downs and realise one size doesn’t fit all xx

Well I have finally managed to get around to watching Trust Me on the effects of coconut oil and the results are good for increasing HDL and have no increase in LDL. Might be worth using a bit in cooking for the small amount of ‘frying’ I do i.e. browning onions for a stew etc.

Hi all
Sueonit I too had a compliment from someone completely unexpected. The type of person you thought would never ever notice such things. To be honest I’ve only lost a few pounds but the bloated look and feeling has gone so that could be why. Also skin back to clear after a Christmas blip.
Reading all the inspiring posts. Thank you all.
Beautiful smell of cinnamon in my kitchen as I’m making seed based granola. Just a spoonful on yogurt and berries…. delicious x

Hi there, I have just watched the Dr Mosley TV prog Trust Me etc…. I was pleasantly surprised to find that coconut oil is actually good for us. It raises HDL (good cholesterol) by around 10% based on the amount taken on the programme (which was quite a lot) and does not have any adverse effect on the LDL (bad cholesterol). I always thought it had some bad effects but that has been disproved in a proper experiment so I might just start using a little in cooking.

Hi Speedy, and Lilyrose! I’ve just taken a turn around the forum to check up
on new members, and find a paucity of posts from both of you over the
past 2 weeks. Please check in so that we can know how you are progressing,
as well as to see if you might have any problems that we might help you to
resolve, together. Strength in numbers, ladies! The forum is everyone’s
secret weapon, wherever we might be on this personal journey.
Hope to hear from you soon 🙂

Allie

Hi everyone, didn’t get to post my weigh in 2lb down very pleased with week 1
Dry January didn’t quite go to plan, gave into a couple of glasses !!but reigning in the number DRUNK!! Have been catching up with posts! FAB READING!!!
The dark choc has got me hooked and so I am going to cut it out next week, and will also diary my food, I feel I have to hit basic principles weigh record and plan better to really improve my results. Joined exercise class to motivate me signed up for 8 weeks if it doesn’t kill me etc etc……. hey ho off we go to health and weight loss ! Oh yes had 2 lovely compliments from buddies I haven’t seen for awhile which made my day😊x

Oh so right Alliecat!
SSB

Allie, that is SUCH good news. Really pleased to hear that you have a solid reason for the extra weight loss and now have it back under control.

I cannot imagine how stressful your husband’s illness must have been, and so pleased to hear you are both in much better health now. My o/h is robustly healthy (or so we think) but I still worry about his eating/drinking choices, as he seems to assume he is invulnerable, and banks everything on the fact that his parents both lived well into their 90sm (his father is, in fact, still going strong, at 97).

As far as extra weight loss is concerned, I really feel you are my sister-in-arms, as we seem to be the only 2 on this forum (happy to be proved wrong) who struggle to maintain our weight from dropping too much, not from increasing. Indeed, last evening, not only did I participate in wine whilst out for dinner, I also consumed more than my fair share of vegetable crisps, plus a 3 course meal (no refined carbs obviously) only to have the scales record a half pound drop this morning! If you weren’t on this forum, struggling with the same issues, I would feel very isolated. But, I have never eaten a healthier diet, and never ever felt as well and as energetic – at least not since I was a BYT, which was many, many years ago!

Yes ladies! Bars, pubs, etc. put out the salty snacks to increase your thirst
so that you need another pint, or spirits or wine. Proceeds go straight into
their coffers, and weight straight onto our midriff or hips 🙂

Thank you Squidge – target weight – sort of… I’d really like to get to 8 1/2 but I’m not sure how disciplined I can be to get there.
I am absolutely sure that significantly reducing carbs (especially the rubbish ones) makes a big difference to alcohol tolerance and also desire for it. Perhaps that’s why pubs, bars and junk food outlets all do so well?
SSB

Hi Mrs Getting there ! Yes I am the same as you I am a baby diabetic as it were so only just getting my head around it all – I just keep revisiting the book asking questions on here I have been doing it down for just over three weeks the week I bought the carbs below 30g I was under 6 all week so that is clearly the key for me ! But I will keep you posted if re getting those morning BG down ! Don’t know about the apple vinegar there are a lot of claims for it – the one good thing about testing your BGs so regularly is that you know straight away whether it has worked or not !! Keep me posted with how you are doing x

Thanks for that ! Yes haven’t weighed myself for a while but know I have lost more can feel it !👍

Hi suns shine girl – I have no idea what my blood sugars were in the morning before being diagnosed- the day I was diagnosed was the day I started – so didn’t get my BG machine until the following Monday so my first ever am fasting BG was 7.6 – thanks for the tips late night snack ! I love these forums so reassuring to have people with the knowledge and experience thanks for taking the time to reply !

Hi sorry for late response – yes doing 30g carbs per day at the moment any deviation from that seems to see the sugars spike ! I am new too the daily blood testing so any advice is more than welcome there managed to get the blood sugars down to between 5.2 – 5.7 for a whole week then it was around the 6s –
Just going to have to keep a really close eye on the food !

It IS weird, Jackie, and also probably inappropriate for a weight loss
forum, also. I think all of us are here to gain control over our eating
habits and health, so it’s very disconcerting to realize that I have some
way to go in feeling confident that I know what to expect on the scale
each week. I think my anxiety was further exacerbated by the fact that
o/h underwent surgery for colon cancer in 2017. In my moment of
“panic” early in the week, I completely forgot that I had had a major
g.i. upset that must have thoroughly dehydrated me also. I’m happy
to report that the 3 lbs. have subsequently been regained. Lovely
of you ask Jackie, and I sincerely appreciate your concern. 🙂

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

Allie

Oh Sunny, did I ever smile in recognition over your Mother’s concern
that it’s time for you to stop! One of my close friends has adopted the
same approach with me, but I know it’s only out of love. We must always
consider “the source” I think….Unfortunately, we also encounter those
who find our transformations a bit of a threat, also 🙂

My positive for today is that I actually remembered, in real time, that
it was exactly 50 years ago today (half a century!) that I first met the
man that I was destined to marry, standing behind the bar at a college
fraternity party! It was not love at first sight…He was relentless in his
pursuit however, and here we are, a half century later. We’ve lived every
moment of the “for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health” portion
of our marriage vows, to the enrichment of both of our lives. What
can I say, I’m hopelessly sentimental 🙂

I hope everyone enjoys another remarkable day of positive thoughts!

Allie

Hello Nick! I really enjoy your enthusiasm..(I use a lot of exclamation
points, too 🙂 ) A loss of a stone a month is 100% doable, as many of us
can attest. Everyone has the tools to be successful if they faithfully
follow the principles and take on board the knowledge and experience
of this generous community. I hope 2018 is life changing for you!

Allie