Thank you Mariet. That’s very good advice. I enjoyed fasting when I did it but forgot to drink enough water and ended up with kidney stones. So am getting the fizzy water in this time!

Very well said Joes Nonna, and dumpty, please don’t take what was said on the Lucia thread personally, I don’t think it was meant as an attack at all. I have been in your shoes on another forum where a comment I made was taken badly and the resultant flaming sent me away. I don’t think this is that sort of place at all and there is room for all of us wherever we are on the health and dieting spectrum. For what it worth, although I was never badly affected health wise compared to many on here by my excess weight, I can understand some of the feelings about the food that is so available everywhere being poison to them, as to some extent I feel the same. I feel betrayed by the modern diet which has been able to cause so many health problems for so many people, even those close to me, and is supported by the ‘eat well plate’ disaster that compounded the problem. Science is thankfully catching up and hopefully this is just the beginning of the end of the obesity epidemic. Enjoy your holiday in moderation, and keep on keeping on into the new year. Merry Christmas everybody.

WELL SAID! Happy Christmas to you to!

That moment when you realise just how much BSD has become a way of life … every year our family have a Christmas Eve party. My family are having cocktails, beer, party foods and chocolates – and I’m drinking a cup of tea and not eating as I don’t feel hungry.
I had planned to have a few drinks but just don’t feel like it – very rare for me!
It’s my first BSD Christmas and I wondered how I’d go – can’t believe I haven’t had a single mince pie yet!

Dumpy…please come back soon. If only to say hello to me. For what its worth. I take my time before replying to posts and often “miss the chance”. However…I feel I have to point out the following. Even if it upsets people…even though it shouldn’t.

The Title of this forum is The Blood Sugar Diet….the book is the 8 Week Blood Sugar Diet. Please note the emphasis on 8 weeks…some of us (me included) decided to continue this WOE. There is nowhere in the book that it says…Thou Shalt Not Eat Carbs…likewise it does not prohibit foods such as Carrot and Onion. It restricts White Carbs, and follows a Mediterranean style of eating.

Page 81 “There is no pizza or pasta. Instead, it is a diet that emphasises the importance of eating fruit, vegetables, oily fish, nuts and olive oil. Yogurt and cheese are warmly embraced. As is a glass of red wine at the end of the day (though this is optional). There are carbs on this diet, but the sort that your body takes longer to break down and absorb. That means legumes (beans, pulses, lentils), not pasta, rice or potatoes.”

This post is NOT AIMED AT ANYONE IN PARTICULAR! We are all here for the same reason. We all have unhealthy relationships with food/drink. I think that we need to remember that a roast potato/parsnip on Christmas Day will not end the diet or the way of life. It will not send everyone spiralling back into bad habits. If you choose not to, well good for you. I make the most amazing food on Christmas Day and I am buggered if I am not going to enjoy it. It may be only one potato..but I will savour its taste with everyone else. Boxing Day…back to normal….no potatoes, bread, pasta etc.

The most important thing about this forum is the SUPPORT we give and get in return. Let’s remember that as we go forward into 2018.

Merry Christmas everybody. Enjoy it as much as you can! Within moderation!

Sermon over…now excuse me as Joseph and Mary (me) are always busy on Christmas Eve…I can’t remember where I parked the Donkey and I bet the bloody inns are full AGAIN !

xxxxxx

Good morning. It’s good to hear that everyone is stress free, long may it last. I am really struggling to find the positives for yesterday I just had one of those days when I was in a real ‘tizz’ with myself for no particular reason.

SunnyB I’m like you and have to weigh everyday I think it helps me stay in control but I know it’s not for everybody. Natalie don’t work too hard!

Just want to wish everyone a great Christmas and I will be back in a couple of days. Enjoy!

Well I’m a couple of days early but I’m posting my end of challenge results today – delighted because I have lost the two pounds I wanted to lose this challenge and am weighing in at 8st 10 this morning.

Even though the opportunities for eating this month have been somewhat overwhelming at times, and I didn’t quite manage to break my long held association of eating chocolate while doing the Christmas gift wrapping… but at least this year it’s been a couple of pieces of dark chocolate rather than whole Lindt reindeers! I think any milk chocolate would make me feel terribly sick if I were to eat some now.

When I started this WOE in May my best friend started Slimming World. We’ve both lost several dress sizes since then and will be enjoying a skinny Christmas together this year – which does rather add to the merriness of it all 😉

I wish you all a very happy Christmas season and will see you on the next four week challenge xx

RED RED RED RED! You’ve got the three-inch lucite heel, the shiny faux patent leather, the mid-shin height shaft, all extra hot. There’s no point in trying to tone that down with black. Lean into it! You can totally sport those shiny red kicks with pizazz. As soon as you slide into them you’ll feel energized and awesome and ready to take on the world.

Merry Christmas to phoenixes present and future, and may all your party outfits be slamming!

Hi Speedy, welcome!

It does feel like a big jump into the unknown but you’ll find so many people here to support you while you find your feet. Clearing out your cupboards is a great start, fill your fridge with the yummy food that’s available to you on this way of life- no more low fat substitute foods!

If you find the jump to 800cal too daunting to begin with, try eliminating the big 5 and don’t worry too much about calories until you get over any carb withdrawal. The first couple of weeks I found that I cannot sleep if I’m hungry so organised my meals to avoid that. After a very short time I realised that it’s actually possible to be very satisfied on 800cal a day.

Drink lots of water and don’t forget to keep your fat intake up! It keeps you feeling full for longer and it’s a necessary source of fuel now that you’re not eating refined carbs.

Good luck! Look forward to seeing your results 😊

Oh my goodness! You could regift them…
To your work friend – milk tray,
To your driver – m&s chocs
To your boss – Thornton’s etc…
Just don’t forget who gave what lol.
Or just the charity shop.

PS I happen to know Santa will be leaving me a little pouch of Lindt chocolates under the tree – and I’ll be keeping those! One a day. Only 150 calories each…. ouch!

Hi Lilyrose,
I’m glad to have read your post tonight. My age and numbers are almost identical to yours. I have lost on the 5:2 some years ago but regained it when life stepped in and just read and tootled about the edge of BSD – more doing it in theory than in practice!

I have to do something and want to, so will be joining in the challenges and am cleaning out my cupboards over Christmas. I live alone and miss the incentive of someone in the house, but I have to do it for myself I think.
Feel like I am jumping into the deep end and can’t swim – but it has to be done – or accept the very unpleasant consequences.

It’s for Boxing day so plenty of time

Mariet
*wipes sweat from brow and tries to stop hyperventilating *

Hi all, this is a desperate appeal to all you marvellous cooks who may see! I am making Chimmichurri for the first time and instead of the glorious accompaniment I was expecting I have a tasteless green sludge. Has anyone got a foolproof (me) recipe??

Marie yes wonderful memories of many years going in the surf with him. At 89 with vascular disease and low heart and lung capacity he’s not up to much now but his memories are sharper than mine! One of my all time favourite photos he’s teaching me to fly a kite on Surfers paradise beach at The Gold Coast in Queensland. Many other times he’d take me to northern Sydney beaches. His favouite was Freshwater, then Newport, Avalon, Palm Beach. For overseas members Palm Beach is where Home and Away tv show is filmed. Ok raving on again. Moorea is one of my favourite places.
I just love being on gear a reading everyone’s challenges and successes. Also, I love that people are posting across the world in sun in snow . Loving it all best wishes to everyone x❤️

Fantastic Atcticfox!
Flick thank you for your good wishes again. Yes, I’ll keep you all posted. Have a lovely Christmas ❤️
Marsie I’m pleased you keep up with your checks! As for Monkey Mia you’ve educated me. I know you’ve got the whale sharks over there too. I’ve imagined one of those popping up while swimming too…
My daughter just came off a cruise today and she saw lots of turtles at Charlotte Amilee in Noumea. Have a wonderful Christmas 🎄❤️

Hi Theodora thank you and have a lovely Christmas and New year too❤️

Hi Allie and thank you for your beautiful post to me. I’ll definitely be joining the January challenge! And yes I’ll keep you all up to date. I hope I don’t rave on too much but it’s going to be a huge year. The first surgeries and recovery will determine the rest. I’m not sure how much I’ve said previously and I’m too lazy to check so I’ll briefly describe what’s being done. The vascular surgeon is removing the Peritoneal catheter which is wholly sitting in a massive hernia . Then a urologist that specialises in transplant and cancer will remove one of my big ‘bad twins’- kidney. It is massive about 28 cm long and diameter 28 cm, and contains
A large questionable mass the size of a grapefruit. Then they’ll biopsy the mass. Each of my kidneys are bigger than my daughter was at birth. Hence my twins. So there’ll be a significant weight loss getting one out. I hope they take the other one one day as neither of them work. Meanwhile I’m at dialysis today but have Christmas and Boxing Day off! I want to thank you and everyone here for making me so comfortable. I don’t normally talk about this stuff in my normal life. I guess if people here find it confronting they can scroll past my posts. I don’t post my weight much as my fluid levels are all over the place but I know this is working. I can’t wait to see my total for these four weeks in a couple of days. My bsl is also still improving and my blood work is due on Friday. I am noticing my clothes more comfortable too. I wish you a really wonderful Christmas and successful 20-18 x

Hi gang,

So my neighbours have bought me a box of fero roche chocolates

My work friend , milk tray

My driver hero chocolates

My boss…. m and s chocolates.

Friend… thorntons

Tomorrow, quietly dropping them off at the charity shop…..

Love Lucia
Xxxx

Verano your daughter made me smile too! She’s just trying to make sure you have a good day. I remember hosting several Christmases where one guest couldn’t eat salycilates which are in nearly all fruits veges and spices, one wouldn’t eat fat or anything with egg in it, a couple on Lent so only seafood which I don’t like and rarely cook, and one who needed special A1 dairy products. No wonder I got a bit stressed sometimes! Still have a couple of those around, plus one child not allowed sugar (her mum’s rule, which I respect but very tricky at birthday/Christmas celebrations) but I guess I’m used to it now. And people bring their own food more if they have special needs.

My positives for this morning:
1. We will have guests from lunchtime today, Christmas Eve. Which means my husband is running around this morning cleaning the house! I love watching him work.
2. How calm and stress-free I feel. I will be working hard for the next two days, but enjoying Christmas as well.
3. I had pizza during the week and my weight jumped up half a kg. I knew it wasn’t 500g of fat! Mostly carbs holding on to water. Sure enough after a few days it’s gone back down.

Merry Christmas everybody!

That’s great idea, Nathalie! For those that miss a daily check-in, the option is out there.
We can just catch up with others who like the idea of a week off on Jan. 2. 🙂 🙂 🙂

Perfect!

A couple of people have suggested delaying the new 4 week challenge until 2 January, because that is when a lot of the regulars are restarting after a little break and also there will probably be a lot of new people. If you do that (which I think is a great idea), perhaps you could post a one-week mini challenge to cover the Christmas to New Year gap, for those who aren’t taking time off strict BSD? Would that satisfy everyone?

KazzUK & Verano – I’m restarting on 2 Jan also and having the week between Christmas and New Year “off”. Although I won’t be counting calories, I still be following BSD principles. Except for Christmas Day 🙂

Haha, Kazz, brilliant of you to find a picture of these boots! I know I would break my
neck if I tried to pull this look off. Essie, on the other hand, would go for it! I know she
would track these show stoppers down, and have them on her feet in 2 days time. (She
and I have a weakness for red). Can’t wait to hear what she thinks! Thanks for the link.
What fun!

Phoenixes, wishing you all a wonderful Xmas!

Enjoying reading about your wonderful menus. Mouth is watering!

Saw a lady get off the train yesterday wearing the below in black. Where have I been?! Adding to the goal list! What do you think? Not sure I could carry off in red but reckon I could in black.

http://www.nastygal.com/gb/glad-to-see-the-back-of-em-patent-boot/AGG94647.html?gclid=CjwKCAiAmvjRBRBlEiwAWFc1mHb4F1rqEzI1zGBztao7nn2lMJSw1pPm-kXW3katWBdtmsQA-FzoOxoCDj8QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

See you all soon!

Kazzee xxx

Marie – wonderful news about the monitor – as I said before – worth a try- in all fairness – you are doing so well – you likely won’t need it 😀 About the Grand Canyon – i have an adventurous spirit but this blasted weight has put paid to many things – it’s a goal – whether i get there or not, who knows! Not counting my chickens – Speaking for myself only , I know even if I ‘get there’ – I will always have to be vigilant. I am very excited for all of us for 2018.
Marie – you expressed good thoughts for me above and I didn’t want to let that go un noticed, hence my reply to you. The written word is often misconstrued and I have been completely traumatised recently. I would never target anyone here or their journeys or the way they deal with things, but I fear things were taken personally. I read A LOT about health and I guess in my mind I was only highlighting the dangers out there definitely not making diagnoses! I should have responded at the time, but I was completely gobsmacked at the responses.
So for that reason, I intend to continue my journey with all its ups and downs on my own. But, please know that I wish nothing but the best for you (you total babe 😀 )and you are on the homeward run – I will pop in from time to time to cheer you on!
Please don’t take offence if I don’t answer any reply you might make – Going to be really busy (as we all will be! ) and also well into the New Year (starting a new job -eeeekkkk!).
Love and best wishes from Dumpty

Allie
xxx
Marie

Hi Dumptynomore,

How lovely to hear back from you. I remember – in fact I was thinking about your advice the other day.

I was on a Desmond course (diabetes self-management) last week and 1 of the other participants told me he got his monitor and strips paid for – when I asked him which GP practice he was with, it turned out to be mine! It’s a multiple practice so wasn’t my GP – in fact he said it was one of the nurses giving the flu jab that had got them prescribed for him. I’m due to see the practice nurse to discuss my Hba1c results on 27th December so I’m going to discuss it with her.

Wow, the Grand Canyon – a dream come true, indeed. No wonder you’re motivated. You know, I’m not a jealous person, but what with you and the Grand Canyon & Great Wall of China, Mitalin and French Polynesia, etc – there’s only so much a woman can take!

It’ll be great to hear how you’re getting on in 2018. And thanks for being one of the first people on this forum to offer me support. x

Do come back and let us know

Stay strong V, take back the control and try not to beat yourself up for things already done. I can appreciate your daughter’s stress, that is usually me! So nice this year to be able to relax in the knowledge the main event is going to be a quiet and relaxed affair for us this year.

My weight was a little up on yesterday, but still comfortably below target, so allowing myself a little latitude. Toying with the idea of not weighing through Christmas, but I suspect when it comes to it, I will continue weighing daily – it’s so solidly part of my daily routine, I think it will just happen automatically.

My positives today as similar to one or two others posted, but here goes:
1) Turkey and meat for Boxing Day collected, last of the grocery shop done and whatever we don’t have now, we will live without.
2) Making a concerted effort to ensure good hydration today, as I have let it slip a little over the last couple of days and really felt it first thing this morning. Keeping track properly today and feeling better for it.
3) Enjoying relaxing into the festive season and revelling in the reduced stress levels this time around. Living in the day and not stressing about tomorrow.

I’m guessing that posts will dwindle a bit in the coming days, as we will all be busy with celebrations. Will look forward to reading everyone’s Christmas and positive posts in a few days. Have a brilliant BSD Christmas to one and all!

Marie, one of the revelations to me in the months past is how many
people read this thread that don’t routinely post on it, yet somehow
know to find me here! I’ve been trying to catch up to you on the forums,
but you fly around as much as I do 🙂 You ARE a genuinely lovely lady,
and I’m happy to get a chance to wish you a joyous and blessed
Christmas. I always love your posts…

2018 will be the year that we become all that we can be !!!!!!!!

Love,

Allie

Hi Verano, Marsie, I’ve enjoyed both of your year end challenges so
much! Can’t wait to see how many new BSD’ers we attract in Jan.
Thank you both for all that you do to make this community what it
is! Wishing you both a blessed holiday, and a great 2018.

Kazzi, I like your tenacious spirit, ready to fight for every last day
of the year! You know that you’ll have me perched on your shoulder,
whispering encouragement in your ear. Fight on, my sweet…

For everyone else who has participated in this thread with so many
truths and insights, thank you all. I hope to get to know you better
in the new year challenge. Merry Christmas to you all!

Allie

Marsie – my husband is also a multiple sports fan. One of his Christmas presents this year are tickets to an Australia vs England One Day International. I’ll be going with him. It’s not ’til June but I’m already feeling strangely, mischievously drawn to cheer for the Aussie team!

Natalie – just in case – Keep on Keeping On One Day At A Time – it’s a different language isn’t it!

Mitalin – the body surfing sounds fantastic – what great memories you must have of sharing that time with your Dad. I’ve heard of Bora Bora but had to look up Moorea – wow, it looks so beautiful.

Kazz – how disappointing – when I first read about your overnight in London I thought it sounded such a great night out – but 10lb loss – that is a BIG silver lining. Good for you!

You, too, Arcticfox, 10kg total is brilliant – and I loved your gardening analogy.

Mariet – Thanks for sharing a bit of your history. I’m always moved by how honest and open people are on here – and what a wonderful thing to be able to say how many good friends you’ve made and how much fun you’ve had in the last decade. Hope Party 1 of 5 (no jealousy here) went well.

Last, but by no means least, JGwen, I wanted to say how much I enjoyed reading your description of your trip to the supermarket through the snow – it really made me think about how much we need (and don’t need) this Christmas.

As Kazzee has said, apologies for not mentioning other individual posts, but hope everyone has a happy and healthy Christmas. See you post Christmas

Marie x

Hi Marie – you sound like a really lovely lady – you have done so well and come such a long way since you were first enquiring about about blood sugar monitors back in the summer. I don’t often come on – my life is very very busy between one thing and another, but I will pop in from time to time to let you know how it’s going. Going great guns at the moment – just over 3 stones off since the summer! But I’m not counting my chickens as they say. I’m hoping to Trek the Grand Canyon in October so that should keep me on track – wanted to do that since I trekked the Great Wall of China a few years ago – so it will be a dream come true! Fingers crossed.
I wish you all the very best and I know for sure 2018 is going to bring good things for you.

Nonna Mary – good to see you back again – 2018 will see you achieving your goals – without a shadow of doubt!

Christmas/New Year love and best wishes

Good idea, Verano. Tuesday the 2nd seems an ideal time to start the next challenge, particularly as I’m not finished with December yet! There’s another week to go! 😁

Hi Marsie I was just wondering if it might be worth having a week ‘off’ and starting on January 2nd. Lots of people will start the new challenge but may be discouraged with the remains if the festive season getting in the way and give up. Just a thought , but then there would be a straight months run to start the new year?

Hello Milalin, yes I have full annual checks even 18 years post cancer. I guess what I meant by denial was that I live along the lines of “plan for the worst (annual checks) while living/hoping for the best”. And that doesn’t explain in any way my recurring carb longings – maybe that’s the denial part.

And, Monkey Mia, that truly was some self-hypnotic dreaming going on there. Yes, we’ve been to Monkey Mia and thoroughly enjoyed the time, but swimming with the dolphins?? No, no doesn’t happen there. The environment there is so strictly and scientifically controlled that you can’t swim while the lovelies are in close. At the usual, almost to the minute, times the dolphins come in for their treats, everyone is lined up along the shore of the bay and only half a dozen or so lucky people are chosen to hand feed them. Still a wonderful experience watching on. They are never given enough to rely on as their only food, but to see the mothers bringing in their new babes (2 when we were there) to show the rangers (who have them all named) and how protective they are in not allowing them near us, the strangers, was quite an emotional experience. When you hear that in earlier, more carefree and interactive times, a virus was spread and it took quite some time for the surviving dolphins to return, the restrictions are understandable. Scientists/students from many international universities come to study our Monkey Mia dolphins. Sorry, get me going and this is the result ……..

I’ll organise the new challenge thread for Tuesday unless someone else would like to. Just let me know.

Well, my lovelies, x2 more sleeps, take care while kokoodaat xx

Also jumping on to wish you all Happy Christmas.

Allie, Kazz and Mary thanks for your kindness these past few months. Nonna Mary, I smiled when I saw the ‘Mary and Joseph’ signature.

Nice to meet you Lee & Tillybud. I look forward to reading about how you, Dumpty, MixnMatch and everyone else are doing in 2018.

Marie x

happyitsworking: re almond flour, no, have not seen it affect my weight loss BUT do need to figure it in re the total carbs for the day. I can maintain nicey on 30 carbs a day but really need to be about 20 to lose consistently. The low carb breads I bake all have some almond four in them and are fine. The sweet loaves have much more and less other fiber so I am very sparing with those…..use those as an infrequent treat for that reason. They freeze well so easy to leave a small amount in frig and freeze the rest safely away.

Re low carb web sites:

re Wholesumyum…..nice low carb site.

For those that are interested, others I like a lot are:

https://www.lowcarbmaven.com

https://www.ibreatheimhungry.com

https://sugarfreelondoner.com/recipes/

https://lowcarbyum.com

https://www.lowcarb-ology.com

https://alldayidreamaboutfood.com

Just want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas….or Happy Christmas to UK friends. Hope you are all spending it with loved ones. It has been a tough year with lots of bad news on both sides of the globe. My wish is for an eruption of random acts of kindness for this holiday season. Pay it forward.

See you back after Xmas. XOXO LTC

I’m very reassured to hear that, Mary. Look forward to seeing you in the New Year! 😁. Love to Jovis too!

Lee, us single ladies can be rubbish at looking after ourselves! Glad you are listening to the doc and that your manager has stepped up! You’ll soon dispose of that pesky 7 lbs in the new year.

See you all later!

Kxxx

Hello friends!

Phew! It’s been a mad week at work and I’m shattered! But I’m now on leave for a few days! Hurrah! The team Xmas party was Weds night in London and it was all a horrible rush to get down there. By the time I checked in, I had only 40 mins to get ready before the meal at 7pm. I missed the pre-drinks gathering entirely. Wasn’t too bothered about that. But, when I unpacked my case, I discovered I’d forgotten to pack the bottom half of my outfit! So I looked ridiculous in my non matching work trousers that were wet at the hem as they’re big on me now and drag. No time to reapply make up, just a touch up or run the hot brush through my flattened dishevelled hair! But down to the meal I went. Gluten free and bsd friendly. I nipped back to my room about 9 for an hour to have a chill and my friend bought us both a vodka lime and soda to cheer me up! I went back down for another stint to show my face and then the staff started herding us all out abruptly about 11.30! The others were all off to a karaoke bar and tried to pursuade me to go, but I just wanted to go and enjoy my room and chill. I can smile about it now, but I was so disappointed and thought the whole evening a ‘disaster’ at the time! Next year will be so different!

I weighed in this morning at 16.3. 1 lb off. Silver lining! Lost 10 lbs this challenge and the goal was 6. So it’s all positive!

Apologies for not mentioning your individual posts, I have a lot of reading to catch up on, but I do wish every one of you a wonderful Xmas, good cheer and much love.

Kazzee xxx

Kazz I would never desert you! Just having a sabbatical lol. You have done so well with your weight loss. You now weigh less than me. Keep going. Have the most wonderful Christmas with your mother. See you next year.

Lots of love
Mary
xxx

Kaz & Allie, thank you for your kind words. Brought a tear to my eye! Thread definitely just slumbering, a bit like me these days!

My new manager (who I loathe as operational support because she is clueless, but one of those whose face fits) is actually pretty good at pastoral care and made me go to Occy Health yesterday who ordered me to work at home one day a week. When I pulled a face, they said just be grateful I haven’t said two days per week! Never been the best at looking after myself, I will admit that!

BSD wise, I’ve had a small gain of 6lbs, but still a healthy weight, sitting at 10 stone in a size 12. Very happy with that. I’ve adjusted my eating habits to accommodate the fatigue. I have coffee with cream for breakfast, my main meal at lunch (protein and veggies usually) and then a sandwich for dinner (seeded low carb bread) it’s not ideal for BSD I know but I’m doing well sticking to 1200 cals during the week and 1500 at weekends (with the odd lapse obviously, especially at this time of year 😱) It’s second nature for me to document and record everything that I consume. It keeps me on track and generally halts a lapse in its tracks!

Welcome Tillybud. You will find some amazing and inspiring stories and people on this forum. Between us, we’ve probably experienced it all! You’ve obviously done brilliantly too. I look forward to hearing how. When my health stabilises, I will focus on dropping this pesky 7 lbs of mine that keeps popping back to say hello 🤣

Oh I’m so pleased to be back!

L xx

Nonna Mary! How the devil are you? So good to see you! Have missed you so and have been wondering if you would ever be back. I’m so glad you’ve popped in. 👏👍😁. Well done on carrying on.

Lee, same to you. So sorry to hear about this issue, but very relieved it’s non-threatening. Hopefully you’ll be right as rain by the Spring.

Welcome Tillybud. More the merrier! Fantastic result and nearly at target. Superb achievement!

Allie, Inka, MnM – so good to see this thread waking from its slumbers. I’m very nostalgic about it. The people and the writings are what inspired me to dig myself out of the pit of despair I found myself in last August. I will never go back to the old ways.

Now if Lizzie would just make the festive season complete and pop in, that would be the icing on the 🍰!

Wishing every one of you a Merry Christmas! 🎄🎄🎄🎄 and jingle your bells loudly!

Love

Kazzeee ☔️☃️

Good morning all! This thread is certainly starting to feel very festive and constantly makes me smile.

Yesterday I had a chocolate fest and not even the ‘friendly’ stuff. I have no idea why and I am truly disgusted with myself. I weighed this morning and by some miracle I am still the same as I was when I went away on holiday 4 weeks ago. I am skating on very thin ice though. So my first positive for yesterday ….
1. I am still drinking at least 2 litres of water everyday.
2. Apart from the chocolate I had a good BSD friendly day.
3. My daughter is making me smile. We are going there for lunch on Monday and she is so stressed she is even asking me what water I drink! This time of year seems to turn normally sane people into some sort of ‘monsters’.

SunnyB all your positives are family related which is lovely but mine seem to all be food related …. sad!

I have never thought of grating dark chocolate over yogurt and berries either. Served in a cocktail glass it will be truly indulgent. Maybe even with a sprinkle of cinnamon as well! I think I might forgo the tablespoon of Xmas pudding altogether and just have this as a dessert instead!

I tried the Green & Blacks 85% but I don’t like it as much as the Lindt, but it’s thicker than the Lindt and probably will grate more easily. So I have a use for it or could have it with a hot expresso with cream! That sounds almost decadent!

Natalie – I don’t often think about food I used to eat, but funnily enough I was thinking about tacos yesterday. I used to make them for my family and was wondering if I could have them, perhaps putting the mince, cheese etc in salad leaves instead of taco shells. I might try making my own salsa (used to get the Taco Kit from supermarket). Hmm.. I think I must be hungry!
Btw, didn’t know that about KOKO and WW1 – I must look it up.

Well, was going to post more but I’m being beckoned – going to deliver some Christmas presents. Catch up with everyone else later.

I don’t like to imagine being without my Jovis. You have had a rough time of it, but you have come through. You have done so well to lose your excess weight and with Polymialgia! Keep positive.

Nonna
xxx

Thank you nonna Mary for your welcome. I do love your story about jovis’s memory loss in hospital. So funny. You told it brilliantly. You two are so happy it comes through your words. My oh is fab too and has been a rock, especially since the cancer diagnosis. What would we do without them? X

Welcome Tillybud. You can’t but in on this thread, everyone is welcome. Have a great Christmas (Polymyalgia is vile). Keep going, you can do it.

Lots of love
Nonna Mary
xxx

Hello ladies. I feel as though I know you all so well even though this is my first time post. I hope Liz and keV are OK. I’ve been so worried about her. I’ve laughed with you all, cried with you all. Shared your triumphs and your tragedies. Willed you back on the wagon when you’ve fallen off and do admire the steely grit and determination of all of you. You are amazing women. I have already lost 2 stone (12 down to 10) so only want to lose a few more pounds. I am not diabetic but certainly didn’t want to be carrying excess weight as at one point it was thought I had rheumatoid arthritis but I haven’t. It is still polymyialgia. I just wanted to wish you ladies a happy Christmas and hope you’ll forgive me for elbowing my way in amongst you all. Keep on keeping on x

Oh LeeLee, hearing from you today feels like an early Christmas present!
MnM must be correct, thread not over, just asleep…
It’s terribly difficult to function with crushing fatigue, and I know that
you have a demanding job, not to mention caring for your father.
I hope this diagnosis is the first step to resolving your symptoms and
that 2018 will be healthier year for you! It makes me extremely happy
to know that you’ve maintained your weight and have been successful
at avoiding the alcohol! That IS an accomplishment 🙂 🙂 🙂
I’m doing well, too, and have been enjoying the new threads, so many
many new BSD’ers!
Warmest Christmas wishes to you..Take good care of yourself!
Just check in when you are able. I’ve missed you, too!
Love,
Allie
xoxo