Omg Esnecca. So pleased to see these. And a special OMG for the Thanksgiving suit – slamming! I must confess when you described it as a floral pantsuit I was a little dubious, but it’s FABULOUS!

Turns out that helping someone makes 50 cupcakes is quite tiring, and also that my instinct is to taste and lick bits off my hands, which is not ideal when it’s purple icing ☹️😳. Absolutely not tempted (well, some of the misshaped cakes did look very enticing) but Cross I’ve licked icing sugar off my hand, and also it smelled like she’d put almond essence in, so I stuck a finger in and tasted before remembering what else was in it ie: sugar!

CC – people are weird aren’t they? Losing weight really challenges the status quo, I think, people can find it quite challenging. Or else don’t like to say ‘you look thin’ etc because that implies ‘you used to look fat’. But a ‘wow you look fabulous’ would have done it – I bet you did! I’m sure they talked about it loads when you weren’t there.

I make sure I’m well hydrated all the time so I only take water with me if I’m going to be out for over an hour, unless it’s very hot. For HMs and distance training in hot weather I tend to use just water or fresh fruit juice diluted with a pinch of salt added. I have used hi 5 zero tabs too (but they do have sorbitol and sucralose in them).
Just realised this post is an old one which just appeared as a new one – don’t know what happened there 😮

Allie, I stole your thread title idea shamelessly. Here’s our fashion thread! https://thebloodsugardiet.com/forums/topic/phoenixes-rise-from-the-ashes-with-your-hottest-looks/

We’ve been talking clothes and shoes a lot in the maintenance thread because so many of us spent so long too overweight and depressed to enjoy buying new duds that when we finally teached our goal weight, we found ourselves indulging in more than a little shopping to make up for lost time. The funny thing is I didn’t like shopping before I began to put the weight on in my 20s, but now I’m reliving my misspent youth or something. I took it for granted back then that you could just walk into a shop and buy something. Twenty years of increasing obesity and increasingly limited and hideous clothing options will make you appreciate being able to fit into regular sizes, let me tell you.

So, for phoenixes who are rising from the ashes of their former bodies, whatever stage you’re at in your weight loss journey, post your hottest new looks here! I uploaded the pics to PostImage ( https://postimages.org/ ) because it’s fast, you don’t have to register or install any bloatware. You just upload from your hard drive and it gives you the code to add them here. I’ll kick things off with, what else?, a kickass boot.

Blue velvet knee-highs: https://s8.postimg.org/ytagt47th/bluevelvet.jpg

Two-tone leather riding boots with grey skinny jeans looking just a tad baggy (never thought I’d see the day I could utter that combination of words): https://s8.postimg.org/jxbxljbud/ridingboots.jpg

Extreme hotness alert! I love a brightly colored heel paired with a cool pattern: https://s8.postimg.org/sscrw2g2d/plaidredheel.jpg

This is the first dress that I have bought in more than two decades. It’s been even longer since I’ve worn one. Plus silver glitter sparkle booties, because it’s party season!: https://s8.postimg.org/5qw6qb8p1/dress.jpg

My beloved Thanksgiving suit and Calvin Klein croc-embossed suede booties. I didn’t take a pic of the pug shirt that was my final choice to make this outfit extra happy so it’s not the full TG glory, but close enough: https://s8.postimg.org/v9oj3bcth/floralsuit.jpg

I weighed 248 pounds Thanksgiving of 2016, and that was after losing more than 60 pounds already. A year later, I weigh 130 pounds less than that in these pics. First the BSD changed my life, extending it, enriching it and reviving my former robust good health, and now look what it’s done to my closet!

A new low for me, 62.6kg which is 100g above final target. I must admit I tried every posture I could on the scale to get that final 100g off but oh well. This gives me. BMI of 25.02, so close! Now the weekend looms with guests from out of town tonight and my extended family Christmas get together on Sunday so not much chance of making it this Tuesday. Maybe next week! Well done to all who are sticking with it, it’s great to read so much optimism 💥

Allie, I can’t wait to hear all about your incoming treasures. I’m so glad you got some pre-Christmas presents for yourself. It’s more than deserved and so exciting! Three pairs of boots sounds like walking in a winter wonderland to me. You might have to tip your UPS/USPS carrier extra this Christmas, or at least bake them some … kimchi frittata? (Which I’ve made in real life and is totally delicious, just fyi.)

We could open a fashion show thread and just use Dropbox or another free photo service to upload our images. I don’t know if we can embed as I haven’t quite figured out what parses here, but we can always link. The tide of boots cannot be stemmed! 😀

I can’t believe your co-workers are such a petty lot they can’t even bring themselves to utter a “you look nice today” comment, Cathy. Of course they’re jealous and if anyone isn’t, then they don’t know how to express “I didn’t realize until I saw your kickass rocker chick outfit how much weight lost!” Or perhaps “Hey, nice new ass. Can I wear it as a hat?” 😀

Good for you for having such a great attitude about it. As the saying goes, haters gonna hate. You’re going to look this good all the time so they’d damn well better get used to it.

The diabetic meal was not great. It included a chicken salad which was OK, but the main meal was a disaster – steamed fish, courgette, and carrots with a huge pile of white rice. I left the rice.

The first main menu option was actually the best meal for me, New Zealand fillet steak with asparagus, lentil puree, mushrooms, and carrots.

Fasting readings today up around 5.7.

The more I read the more I find the advice from the likes of Diabetes UK and Australia and the respective medical professions shocking.

Still feeling remarkably good. I am usually exhausted after flying Australia to the UK but today I feel full of energy.

Clarinet Cathy, on this side of the pond we say “that SUCKS”! Are they all blind? I
doubt it. What’s left? The green eyed monster! 42 lbs can’t pass notice!!! We notice,
and the next outfit your voluntary stylists here will help you put together will give them
reason to be speechless. You just enjoy the hell out of those leathers 🙂 🙂 🙂

Hi there peeps, well hubby has left and I am all alone. Had a good day and only had 600 cals so I have a little leeway in case I slip up later. Dont know what I am going to slip up with as we dont have any snacks in the house just cold meats and veg, not even fruit unless you count my frozen raspberries. I have all my meals planned and will probably not eat as much as I wont be catering for another person so just grill a lamb chop and steam some veg. Tonight I had left over veggie curry and didn’t even bother with cauli rice. I will have a snack later.

Well done Marie123 that is a fantastic result. Keep going, it sounds as though you mind have dodged a bullet and now not be considered diabetic. I dont understand those figures except that is a big difference but I am sure you are within a normal range. Without reading back through all the posts, someone said they dropped down into the 3’s. To that I would say reduce any meds but only little by little and have a small snack like yoghurt and berries or a piece of cold meat just to bring you back up. Before BSD I used to get shaky and sick if I went as low as 4.5 but now low readings dont even register with me, which is a worry, but I do check twice a day just in case.

Hi I am joining a bit late, but hope you will have me! I have completed 4 weeks on low carbs and mostly at 800 calories, losing around 5 kilos so far. I would like to lose a further 4 kilos to get to my BMI range – though I suspect this is on the challenging side. Thanks for running this challenge and good luck to everyone.

Thanks for such a friendly welcome Marie 🙂 I hope today has been great for everyone.

I have noticed that on days when I do better at the eating plan, it seems to be because my focus and intention has been more about getting my health sorted out so I can better look after the people around me more effectively, rather than simply doing this for myself. On those days I’m less likely to fridge-raid (which I’m a bit of a tinker for!) and stay on schedule.

I’ve also set up a ‘Progress’ folder on my iPhone and started keeping daily motivational memes and pictures in. It keeps me focused on the benefits of health and well-being, as I scroll through them over the day and get a little feel-good buzz from them. We’ve gotta be our own cheerleaders, hey!

Halloumi kebabs and salad from the book are for tea tonight, yum, can’t wait. Those recipes are super tasty.

Positive vibes to all x

Marie I think I read somewhere you only need to lose 1g, yes 1g, of fat from the pancreas to make a difference. The fact that your BS had fallen so much suggests your pancreas and liver are already doing a far better job than they were.

I’m not a great fan of extended fasting, as you may have guessed, particularly when the person doesn’t have a great deal of weight to lose. It somehow, and sometimes, feels that people are using fasting rather than a well balanced diet to lose weight. Also we none of us know how low carbing will effect us in the long term. It’s quite possible that we are exchanging one set of problems for another! I sincerely hope not because I do enjoy this way of eating. Sorry if I’m sounding like a doom monger but fasting is one thing I do worry about.

Cathy, that’s apalling! What a mean-spirited lot! 😨 The green-eyed monster is a terrible master. Well, may I step up to the mark and tell you that you look amazing? A real hot rock chick😃

As for your next works “do” outfit, go sock it to ’em, girl😃

Yes, Allie, have a fantastic time trying on and wearing all your exciting new purchases – after you’ve scraped the poor delivery man off the stairs that is😜

Just back from the office and guess what? Not one single compliment from the envious lot! Unbelievable but I feel quite smug knowing that they must have felt so envious that they couldn’t even say anything nice. How sad! Makes me all the more determined to keep my weight off and I can’t wait to turn up to the next works do in my off the shoulder, skin tight black jumpsuit with retro silver buckle at the hip. Size 10. As ever, thank you girls for your support and encouragement. It has really cheered me up reading about how positive getting to goal makes us all feel.

Esnecca your snakeskin boots are awesome! That heel!

Allie- have fun trying on all your new buys when they arrive.

‘Morning/afternoon, Kazz, and anyone else who follows this thread. Our posts
did indeed, cross! I did get a quick moment to read your email before o/h whisked
his computer out from under me to take it the college. Will respond later when it
returns to the premises. Until then, thank you for your insight. I feel much more
confident in the decisions I have made. I LOVE that you sent me a picture of your
darling “mum”! She looks great, and it’s hard to believe that she has had a stroke.
I’m somewhat distressed that somehow I seem to have missed this fact, however.
I thought my memory was better than that, particularly because my Mother had
a catastrophic stroke that took her life, so I can more than relate to what your Mother
has been through. This makes the upcoming holiday you are spending together all
the more precious. I envy you 🙂 One thing I have to clarify. I must have been unclear
about my family. I have 4 nephews, but no children. It’s just us and the felines!
Since I definitely won’t be spending Christmas eve with my sister, her husband or her
son, or my Mother, I have no idea how to celebrate it this year. I feel a little “adrift”,
and hope to pull something together with friends afterward, along the lines of your
boxing day. Any excuse will do, really! I’ve read this morning that you’re about to do
a second 42 hr. fast this week? You are the educated one on the teachings of Fung,
so I have to defer to your knowledge here, but is it safe in terms of your vitamins and
minerals to go for 4 days without food? I’m feeling a little anxious for you, my friend 🙂
Forgive me, my sweet, but I AM worried for you. Is this okay? How do you feel when
on a fast? I hear reports of euphoria, energy, etc. but since I can’t personally get past
16-17 hours without a growling tummy, I find it hard to imagine….
Can’t wait to see the results that you will be posting Sat. morning 🙂

Love to you,

Allie
xoxoxo

Hi Verano,

Thanks, yes, that’s why I’ve been hesitating a bit. I did read about your nurse saying that when you got your last Hba1c results and I’ve heard other people with diabetes (here and elsewhere) say they wouldn’t fast. But then I watch Jason Fung’s videos on diabetes, fasting, removing visceral fat from the pancreas, etc, and what he says seems to make so much sense.

I will start slowly, go carefully and monitor my bgls frequently. I’m not a risk-taker so I will stop if I see a potential problem.

I appreciate the post.

Marie x

Marsie – 36c – wow, that sounds hot.

It’s tough when you can’t stop thinking about food, but it’s great that you’re at a new low, though.

Marie x
By the way, what’s a boogie board?

Marie just wanted to mention to you that when I had my last HbA1c a few weeks ago it had dropped again. My diabetes nurse just casually mentioned fasting, as in ‘it shouldn’t really be that low unless you’ve been fasting’. As if so happens for the previous month or so I’d stopped having breakfast and now just have lunch and dinner so I’m probably doing 14 or 15 hours without food overnight. She actually asked me to see the doctor just in case there was another issue causing my BS to fall. I just didn’t really take it in at the time because I was so delighted that my figure had dropped to 33 or 4.8! So maybe you should be a little careful and as you say monitor your bloods.

Hi Kazz,

I think I’ve lost the plot a bit – can’t remember where I asked you about fasting. But I’ve read it, and decided I’m definitely going to give it a go between now and Christmas. I’m going to check my bgls as I go and if I think I’m buggering them up I’ll just stop. Good going with the 40 + hour fasts I’ll be interested to hear your Sat weigh-in results. Careful as you go, mind, eh.

Marie x

Wouldn’t you just know it, the one night I actually get 7 hrs. of sleep (hooray), look what
I missed this morning! First things first, however……..I’m going just a bit crazy
contemplating a cooking thread lead by our 2 resident creative masterminds! Imagine
a new cheer routine coming from me today, including a ridiculous amount of backflips
and cartwheels. If the ground under your feet shifts some, that will be me hitting it
after some major miscalculation in my landing. PLEASE go for it!! (the thread, not
the backflips!)

ClarinetCathy, we’d all like to hear what sort of a stir you caused in the office today!
I’m all in for the clad in black look. Especially the leather look leggings. One of the
first purchases I made back in the Spring when I came in on the scales under target
was a pair of python print leggings. Too chilly for them at the moment, but no worries,
I’m anxiously awaiting a new haul tomorrow or Sat. The delivery driver is going to
have to make 2 trips up a flight of 18 stairs to get it to my door. The weight from
3 pairs of boots and assorted shoes should do him in. I hope that he’s “fit”!

Jackie, your dream about food is just a stray anxiety dream. I have a friend who
still awakes in a cold sweat after dreaming about smoking again! Just a little misfire
in the brain. I sometimes dream that my teeth are falling out on the pillow. There’s
nothing we can do about the subconscious, is there. Maybe you’ve been thinking
about what non BSD friendly food that we must navigate around this holiday season!
Isn’t it wonderful to have this thread to discuss subterfuge! 🙂 🙂

Now, to fashion!! Esnecca, your Norstrom snakeskin booties are a show stopper. I
have a real weakness for boots of all kinds, and in my prime had 10 pairs! I’m
genuinely embarrassed to admit that in today’s money, they represented an invest-
ment of $5,000-$6,000 US dollars, possibly more. Different days and different times
however. With no children to raise or college funds to save for, we had a great deal
more discretionary income for luxuries back then. You are an amazing shopper to
be able to find the fashion statement items you have bought for the money you
have spent. Bravo, and keep putting those links up! I really enjoy them 🙂
I’m casting my vote in the affirmative for a fashion thread, too! I think you should
call it “Phoenix Rising from the Ashes”! Isn’t that what we’ve done???

Enjoy your day everyone, and don’t try too hard to keep your money in your wallet… 🙂
I’ll be back later,

Allie

Esnecca,
I agree with Jackie and Theodora – that is a brilliant idea and would be very helpful, certainly to me. I’m not sure about it being for the ‘terrified’, but I agree that if we are to be successful long-term, each of us has to go through our own private eating revolution, and that’s a big challenge. Any support with that would be fantastic.

Marie x

Hi All,

Have I just entered an alternative universe – asteroid belts, conversations with kilograms, R1W2D4 (Round 1, Week 2, Day 4 ?), Orpheus and Eurydice – love it!

Alibalibee – 4.8 kg and 5 centimetres off your waist is great going. I have the same problem as you, Flick. I’ve lost a lot of weight but still have a fair bit of fat round my waist. It is heartening to hear it’s often the last weight to shift.
Funnily enough I was thinking the other day about starting to have a conversation with my visceral fat, or my overlarge tummy, gently encouraging them to leave – well, I’m definitely going to start now!.

By the way, my weight loss has happened just as Theodora describes, although my plateaus can be even longer. Frustrating, but great when you get that sudden weight loss. Hope things continue to go well.

Now, back to earth…..

Marie x

Essie, that is a fantastic idea, and not just for the terrified or inexperienced cooks among us. We can all do with shaking up our repertoires without having to go through all the trial and error these things often involve. So having one dedicated thread where we can all share our experience and / or pick the brains of others can only be a good thing. And even better if it’s lead by such enthusiastic, adventuress cooks as yourself and LTC.

Go for it. Please.

PS we could also do with a “sticky” function to keep such threads at the top so always visible for newbies.

Luvtcook and Esnecca – yes please!

Luvtcook, I had a new thread idea I thought you might be up for: how to kinda sorta cook some things you used to cook only without carbs. So for instance, you could post a few of your amazing baking hacks, links to recipes you’ve already posted as well as fuller explanations and instructions, as applicable. I was thinking of addressing thickeners for sauces and dressings, like how I make a cream sauce with no cream, a gravy with no roux and an enchilada sauce with no roux or tomatoes.

We’ve got some great cooks on this forum and a lot of people with limited kitchen experience or very carb-centered experience who are intimidated at the prospect of having to lead their own private eating revolution. I think it can be a serious impediment to success, so much so that sometimes they quit before they really begin. I’d love to see all of us marshall our forces to create a VLC Cooking 101 type thread tailored to the terrified and/or inexperienced cooks. What do you think?

Gals, have so enjoyed your fashion discussions. Light at the end of the tunnel. You all richly deserve the fun you are having. LTC

Ouch, MaisieMouse, horrible experience for your little doggie and for you, but what a revelation for you regarding you not needing to eat when under stress. Good place to be.

marie123, you have snow, we’re due for 36°c for the next couple of days. We have our 9yo grandson staying with us this weekend while his parents are away and I just know he will have his boogie board with him … beach here we come. Trouble with walking down on a hot day, by the time we walk home it feels like we should be turning around and walking back for another swim. Lol, circular argument there.

61.7kg this morning, a new low. And, of course, all I could think about today was food. Mostly ok, though. I’m trying to stick to principles rather than weigh and measure. I’ll keep that going until I feel it falling apart, then resume the stricter regime for a while.

Cheers all x

Oops, meant to also say welcome Kush – and I really like that idea of eating well being a form of self-respect.
Marie x

But am I the princess …. or the pea? 😂 time will tell!

MaisieMouse – hope your Jack Russell is feeling a bit better today and that she’s soon back to her more lively little self. What a horrible experience for both of you. The fact that there was a total disconnection between your emotions and the food you ate yesterday – that is an impressive place to get to (as is the way you see this woe). I’m not there yet but it’s definitely where I want to be.

Mokovex – I feel the same. The last few days I’ve stopped weighing everything. I’ve snuck in the kitchen to have some extra Fage yoghurt – behind the open fridge door, straight out of the tub, scooping as much as I can onto my spoon and telling myself it’s only a tablespoonful. Then repeating because ‘a couple of spoonfuls won’t hurt’. Old habits for me. Anyway, I’m knocking it on the head right now! I’m not going back down that road. Definitely onwards and downwards.

Appropos of nothing at all – it’s snowing here – our first snow of the winter!.

Marie x

Oops, sorry, see that Jackie had already answered your Ocado question whilst I was faffing around typing my post!!

Sorry again as my typing about supermarkets seemed to have come out rather garbled. It was meant to read……..”particularly for the likes of me, for whom a supermarket run entails a 30 mile round trip”.

Essie!! Wow – that’s all I can say. You’ve always been my BSD hero, now you are DEFINITELY my badass fashion hero too! Knowing your array of kinky boots, I’d be very surprised to hear you don’t already have “some kind of grappling hook and spiked-toed boot assemblage” lurking in your wardrobe ready to scale anything necessary 😉

And yes, even my full waterproof assemblage looks soooo much better on a slim trim body, and I still looked slim and trim despite being wrapped up like the Michelin man. I can no longer tolerate the cold either.

BTW Ocado is an upmarket online grocery store. Waitrose for those of us who have better things to do with our time than traipse round supermarkets. Particularly for the likes for whom it entails has a 30 mile round trip.

Jackie your new bed sounds fab! All new bed linen too? Don’t you just love new crisp sheets? Your lunch sounds delish too, despite the fact I don’t eat red meat! Still sounds tempting though.

Esnecca – I wanted a bed that high, but husband was more pragmatic. Which I am now grateful for, this is plenty big enough once all the gubbins are on it. That’s probably a British saying? Broadly, ‘stuff’.

Ocado are an online food delivery service, so this is my weekly shop, plus all the stuff needed to make 50 purple cupcakes that my daughter has decided to make for a school fair. Trust me to end up with a child whose main ambition is to be a master baker! Am still working on her, She’s starting to get protein is more filling, but we are a way off relinquishing the rest of it.

Congratulations! New beds are such a thrill. I had to get a little stepstool when we bought a new one. Had the bed been two inches higher, I would have needed some kind of grappling hook and spiked-toed boot assemblage.

What’s an ocado man?

Essie, that is sooo impressive – you’ve always been my BSD hero.

If it’s any consolation, Flick, it took weeks and weeks before I saw any reduction in my waist measurement too, although the pounds were dropping nicely. Then suddenly almost 2″ gone. After that it reduced steadily from a start of 38″ to where it is now, 26″. I lost 50 lbs altogether, though I only started out to lose 28lbs – 2st seemed like a nice round figure and it never in a million years occurred to me that I’d be able to not only lose more but, more importantly, keep it off. But 7 months in maintenance and going well. So you can do this, it really works, just keep on keeping on.

By the way, by way of encouragement, near the end of week two I hit a plateau of 10 whole days, and a similar length one a few weeks later. On both occasions the wonderful whoosh fairy then paid me a visit, so I still managed to lose all my excess weight in 17 / 18 weeks.

BTW Loving the conversation you’re having with the 74.1 – “it’s not you, it’s me” kind of brush off. I’m sure it’ll take the hint, if not, just get nasty, and it’ll skedaddle for sure😉

The bed arrived!!!! A workout just getting the bedding on it!! It’s huge – high as well as wide!! I love it!! Lying on it now enjoying the clothes chat. And it means I didn’t even think to eat yet, holding off for the nice ocado man, who should have something yummy in there somewhere – I’m thinking Roast beef, spread with cream cheese and horseradish wrapped around water toss and/or spinach and/or avocado. Plus my customary coffee with cream that I have around now, though got a cold on its way so that’s a bit less appealing today. Then a dog walk once all the deliveries are done, it’s so bright and crisp here!

I didn’t know that. I always got seeds from the bulk bins at my local organic food store just because they’re labelled “for sprouting” so I figured they’d be good at it. That’s what I get for never attempting to grow any actual vegetables. Key information, thank you.

People contemplating growing their own sprouts from seed need to be aware that in the UK at least, most packets of seeds to grow in gardens or greenhouses are treated with fungicide and pesticide, or even coated to make sowing easier and are not suitable for sprouting.

It’s been there for a while so it has established itself firmly in its defensive posture. You’ll chip away at its perimeter every day a little more until you break through. You just might have to imagine it happening for a while before you can actually see it. Asteroid belts weren’t built in a day and they don’t Jericho into dust in one either, but they do tumble down in the end.

You and ali are doing great. You will both win your epic battles for the fate of your galaxies. 😀

R1W2D4 and I’ve lost 4 1/2 lbs since I started (was trying lchf for 12 weeks before that and lost around half a stone there, but didn’t like the high fat part) I’m happy with how it’s going and enjoying my meals – can’t want for more than that. I’m not diabetic or pre diabetic, so only recording weight/ measurement changes. It will work and get me into the normal BMI range I’m sure

Theo, I’ve only worn them once so far because they’re a new purchase (do y’all have Black Friday there?) but you know what? I think I rocked those badboys. The funny thing is I decided to go against the bondage fly vibe and paired them with a white sweater with a bright, happy orange, yellow, red and black fair isle pattern across the shoulders. And on my feet, Theo. Oh my what a wonder was there. Okay we have no gallery so I have to link you to them: https://www.nordstromrack.com/shop/product/2000146/cape-robbin-athena-bootie?color=SNAKE . Can you even stand that?! I cannot. I cannot even stand it.

Not only does my fella go shopping with me when called upon (which isn’t often; moms and girlfriends do that job best), but he remains engaged, attentive and gives detailed, honest feedback without ever being critical or hurtful. Then when I decide to return a thing I ordered online or bought with less judicious friends/family, he takes it to the store of his own free will so I don’t have to pay for the return shipping. Not to mention the small matter of him sticking with me through thick and thin for 24 years, and it was really, really thick for most of that time. He’s a magical unicorn of a man, I swear.

I’m not hating on your waterproof look whatsoever. It’s amazing how great even really practical clothes look nowadays. My winter track suit is one of my favorites. I look so nipped in at the waist and leggy, which is crazy because we all know my waist has refused to get under 30 inches and I’m elven short so leggy is not even remotely in the realm of the possible. Plus I’m wearing at least two layers under that (undies, long johns at a minimum) because I’m completely incapable of coping with any kind of cold temps whatsoever. I don’t know how they do it but bless them for it.

Have reported the above post.

That sounds so badass, CC. I love it! Would it ruin the hardcore rocker chick look you’re slamming to add a little color somewhere? Not more clothing because what you’ve got on already sounds sleek as a seal in water, but maybe something in the jewelry or accessories arena? I’m planning an all black look for my OH’s office party and I got three vintage jewels to add a splash of crimson very judiciously — a gold art deco bird, very stylized and geometric, with a red rhinestone eye that I will wear on the side of the v-neck decolletage so it looks like he’s dive bombing my breasts, a red enamel poinsettia blossom to pin to the knot of my waist-enhancing sash (no bows for me), and a red enamel link bracelet. None of them cost as much as $20 and they look great together without ruining the sexy of the all-black effect. A little shot of something small like that could be a cool addition for you, especially since you’ll be decorating and in the festive spirit and all that. I hear raspberry berets are even better than raspberry scones. 😉

Have a great time slamming your outfit and knocking your co-workers on their keisters. The “where has this you been hiding?” reaction is such a sweet reward. My guy has no idea what I’m planning. He hasn’t even seen the individual pieces. There’s going to be some naughtiness in the ol’ homestead that night, if I’m not very much mistaken. The crimson satin knee-high boots alone should guarantee it. 😀

I’ll spare you the details of that report, but I want to hear all about the decorating blitz and what people said about you being the boss of the world. Any workplace drama revenge-is-sweet moments? Did guys who never gave you the time of day suddenly become your long-lost besties? Spill!

Essie – your OH goes SHOPPING with you??? And offers fashion advice???? Mine would rather pull out his fingernails by the root😱 Loving the ren faire comment, though we don’t have them here – are they being well worn (the lace ups)?

And everything is ridiculously expensive here – my daughter and her girls make an annual trip to the States to restock their wardrobes. And whenever SiL makes a work trip for med conferences etc he always gets sent with a shopping list. I did preface my wellie story by saying they are an extravagance, and I could buy decent ones somewhat cheaper, but on average they last about 7 years so, on a cost per wear basis (virtually every single day) they don’t work out too badly. Except that I have 3 pairs – and I do try to buy them on sale. That’s my excuse anyway 😉

Haha Jackie, that footnote made me laugh 😃 My OH brings me a cuppa in bed every single morning – in fact I struggle to get out of bed without it – bless him. Really pleased you’ve done the 15kg, well done. Walking on cloud 9? You should be😄

Cathy – rock chick? Just loving it😃 We SOOO need a photo gallery.

My look this morning is a little more sedate – hosing down and bloomin cold here, so waterproof trousers and thermal waterproof jacket, beanie hat, all set off by the aforementioned wellies. Fashionistas, eat your hearts out😉 – well I am just about to take the dogs out for our morning constitutional, but will do a Wonder Woman twirl upon our return to reveal the new me😃

Just want to share my choice of outfit this morning. Black leather look (I’m vegetarian) skinny leggings with thigh length skinny jumper size small and black suede medium heeled ankle boots. Am slamming the rock chic look (aged 56)! . Am going in to work later to help decorate the office for Christmas and to hopefully enjoy a considered clotted cream and raspberry jam scone. Will they get a shock when they see me walk in! Makes all the hard work of getting to goal so worthwhile when you look good in your clothes,

Enjoy your success everyone, we worked hard for our reward and nobody did it for us.

Cathy rock chick

Just to add it’s the weight loss that’s weird, my husband often brings me a cuppa!

Hello, hello! Well, my overall loss for November was 3 lbs, not the hoped for 6. But since last Saturday weigh in, I’ve done a 46 hour fast (Sun to Tues 7pm) and am doing another one until tonight which will be another 48 hr. I’ve stuck to black coffee and water rather than tea with soya or cows milk and water, so I’ll be interested to see what the scales say on Saturday. I shall post that on the Dec challenge thread. Well done everyone! Onwards and downwards!

Kazzee xx

Morning all,

today = +0.1lb.

Starting to notice a creep where new things are finding their way onto my plate. I still thinking I am eating 800cals but totally discounting the odd bits and bobs. Mustn’t get complacent.