Sunny B I haven’t heard of agave syrup… where do you get it? I don’t want to use stevia or xylitol as I wish to eat ‘natural’ as far as possible. I did a 40 mile round trip last week to find full fat crème fraiche that hadn’t been produced by arla! I just don’t trust them about feeding bovaer. Scientists thought it harmless to use sheep offal in cattle feed years ago(without telling the farmers buying the feed)…resulting in BSE and Creutzfeldt Jakob disease !!!🐄🐄🐄
A new carpet sounds exciting and brilliant news on the weight front!

Today I was feeling down…January gets me like that… and when I sighed as I was trying to get enthusiastic about preparing our evening meal, husband said, “come on, we will go out tonight.” So my positive is garlic mushrooms followed by gammon steak and I was strong enough to turn down the bread and chips…although I have eaten 6 of husband’s chips!
😇😇😂

Those brownies sound interesting, Pootle. I do a similar thing when it comes to sugar in recipes, although I usually use a little Agave Syrup, as it’s surprisingly low in carbs for a natural sweetener. Csn’t stand stevia, as it tastes the same an artificial sweeteners to me.

I have a couple of positives for today ….
🪣🖌 started the task of refreshing the paintwork on our landing and upstairs hallway. Once it’s done, we can order new carpet …. yippee!!!
🛁⚖ bathroom scales surprised me with a reading 2lb lower than this time last week. More than happy with that!

If you have a moment, why now share one I’ve your positives with us?

Quick report in with my weekly weigh in result. Pleased to say that I’m 2lb down on last week’s reading, which is a really good outcome given I’m a really slow loser.

Have been giving some thought to a title for February’s thread. Two ideas came to mind ….. Forging Ahead in February, or perhaps Feel Fabulous in February …. has anyone else got any thoughts or ideas?

Agree V, January is too long after we have already had Nov and Dec. I check the clock every evening to see what time I am putting on the livingroom light. Moved from 5.20 to 5.45 so we are moving in the right direction. February has my birthday so something to look forward to.

S-g ‘fed up’, ‘cold and wet January’ (and February, March and April ( here in the UK at least) Yes I see it.

I feel the same in the winter. Just have to look towards the positives …. less than 8 weeks before the clocks ‘spring forward’ on March 30th. We can do this. Clocks move forward on March 30th just less than 8 weeks away. We will all feel better with lighter and brighter nights.

January for me has been at best an ‘average’ month but in saying that the ‘number’ is reducing.

Looking forward to February, onwards and upwards goals.

Hi everyone, thank you for your kindness and support. As I said I wasn’t looking for advice and it really was nothing to do with pickle. It was more like living this way for 20 years – almost to the day. Just feeling really fed up in a cold, wet January and husband making a stupid remark.

Weight has stayed the same so I can be proud I didn’t go off the rails after my little meltdown. I will declare my final weight on Friday. I set myself a goal of 3lbs a month and sure I have done better than that.

I am heading off now to get my feet done. Have a good week.

I am deeply saddened by the news of Dr. Michael Mosley’s passing. Thank you for sharing this beautiful tribute. It’s clear that he touched countless lives with his expertise, compassion, and unwavering dedication to improving health and wellness. Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. Mosley’s kindness and generosity will be fondly remembered. His innovative spirit and genuine concern for others stand as a testament to how one individual can truly make a positive impact in the world. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, and colleagues. He will be profoundly missed, but his legacy will continue to inspire us for years to come. May he rest in peace.

Thanks Pootle. She thinks it’s stomach acid irritating my stomach. Have to take some tablets and see how it goes. In addition as a precaution i have to have some bloods done….I have asked to have the diabetes one again whilst they’re doing it…to which she agreed. So that will be interesting! Very uncomfortable at the moment. But have been perfect on diet!

Hi Lucy,
I hope the GP has been able to pinpoint your trouble and that you feel better!
K xxx

Ah S-G be gentle with yourself but I do really sympathise with you because it’s so frustrating feeling restricted on a daily basis!!. You are so supportive of everyone on here & we are all here to also give you some support. How about giving yourself a different kind of pampering treat such as a massage or facial right now & of course also whilst you are on your cruise?
I have read that the Chinese have a screaming tree to shout at & offload & Ive always thought that was an excellent idea except my neighbours would hear me in my garden🙁failing this bashing the hell out of a cushion ? We are all allowed to have an occasional meltdown & I frequently stomp around like a two year old!!
Do take it easy & pat yourself on your own back for how well you are managing your diabète in such an inspirational way👏👏👏⭐️
Margaret xx

S-G
So sorry you are having a difficult time…maybe cut yourself some slack…I think we all lose it from time to time, and regret what we can or cannot any longer do/have. I don’t really understand why people have a ‘dry month’ in January. I find January a very depressing and difficult month without depriving myself! Perhaps a little retail therapy will be restorative.
I see Verano and Sunny B have some suggestions….and I think you should know that we are all here to support if we can.
xx

My positive for today:
I tried adapting a recipe I found online for an aubergine and chocolate brownie… dropped the 100g sugar, added 1 small dessert spoon of honey instead.

It has worked well… suits my changing tastes being less sweet! 👩‍🍳😄

S-g yes I understand how sometimes we all reach that ‘tipping point’. It can be the smallest of things that turn out to be the ‘straw’ but it’s worse when it comes from someone who we feel should know better!

I wonder if you can maybe just relax a little. A few posts back you said you aren’t ‘fat’. Maybe you shouldn’t worry about the calories sometimes. Even if it’s just one day a week or one meal a week. Sad to think you are worrying about the food on your cruise. I know it’s not easy when faced with all those temptations. We don’t go to afternoon tea as there’s no point for me! I have learned to eat a ‘taste’ of something but it’s taken me years. I know this wouldn’t be the way for everyone but I can quite happily take one spoon of a dessert and leave the rest. That works for me. I know you have to be far more careful but I wonder if one of the constant glucose monitors might help you work out which foods actually do send your blood sugar high. I think people have different tolerances to different carbs and maybe you could try and find which ones you could have that don’t spike your blood sugars. Speak with Dr Gorgeous I’m sure he will help if he can.
Anyway, when all else fails, as you say, a little retail therapy usually does the trick. Happy shopping!

Positives for today …
🥘👩‍🍳 menu has been planned for date night
🚅🚆 we’ve booked a shuttle day trip to Calais for two weeks time, for us and eldest DD, as a birthday treat for her

Did a positive pop in to your day today?

How about while hubby indulges in afternoon tea on the cruise, you indulge in something for you …. a shampoo and blow dry, a facial, a swim or some other onboard activity? Just a thought.
Right now, a bit of retail therapy might be just what’s needed to help lift your spirits a little.

Thank SunnyB. These rules I live by are self-imposed and necessary to keep me well. I am a good cook and do experiment but mainly day to day food is the same old, same old. I think one thing that is getting me down is not being able to have a drink. Yes, I decided to do dry January, mainly to give my body a rest and also lose weight. It is not that I want a drink but just that I can’t have one – why, because I would be so disappointed in myself if I didn’t see out the challenge. So most of my problems are not only self-imposed but self-inflicted.

I will be back to my sunny self in a few days and might go a do some shopping, look at some nice jewellery to go with my cruise outfits, maybe buy a few bits that are totally unnecessary and see if I can cheer myself up.

SG, I hear your frustration and imagine it must get really tough, having to live constantly under certain restraints because the alternative is so grim.

It’s okay not to be okay and without doubt this is the place to come and vent. Once you’re feeling more upbeat, perhaps we can help you think of ways to incorporate more robust flavours in your meals, meanwhile, take care and be gentle with yourself. As V said, sunnier days are on their way, when we’ll all be able to get out in nature and enjoy some warmth.

Thanks V, it is not so much the pickle, pickle was just an example – I could have pickled beetroot or onions etc etc it is just not something you think of eating on its own or I would be even thinking about calories in cheese – and I do have cheese and pickle every week in a ploughmans. That’s not the point. It is hard to explain except you understand with your mobility problems that it sometimes seems so bloody unfair and you just have to live with it. And then for someone who should understand watching and commenting on what you eat or drink which you know perfectly well the item in question was not bad for me, he was policing my portion size – even though I didn’t mention he was having chips and I wasn’t. Sorry but it was just a tipping point.

Every morning I get up and have a medication in water and add vinegar, then I take 9 tablets. My day is spent obsessing about what I can and can’t have. I write a menu but want something interesting or exciting or something like fresh strawberries (not possible). I look in the fridge and there is cold meat or cheese but is that it! I have some kiwi in the bowl but it is saved for breakfast. A few nuts and again, the calories. Then in the evening I take another 3 tablets and, of course, the dreaded injection. It doesn’t hurt much but it is a constant reminder. It is just a constant battle and I know I just have to put up with it just as you do, but as you say, I am allowed to get down about it now and then and not pretend to be living the life I want to. Even thinking ahead to our cruise my mind goes to what I can or cannot eat and will I gain weight, will my blood glucose get out of whack. We have free afternoon teas every day onboard which hubby loves and I will sit there watching him enjoy sandwiches (I can throw the bread away) or cake/scones (which I definitely cant have). I might as well just go and sit in our cabin but don’t want to leave him on his own. Yet when I want to swim he won’t come and sit by the pool with me so I go on my own.

Tomorrow is another day and I will be okay – I am going to get back into exercising this afternoon. That should get some of the feel good hormones going.

Sunshine-girl my heart goes out to you.
I guess we all feel down at times. It’s allowed.
I live with restricted mobility which gets me down now and again. We both have ‘something’ we have to live with and I guess ‘accept’. I have no choice. There is no alternative for me which in some ways makes it easier. Maybe there are some pickles you could have that aren’t sugar laden or maybe ‘treat’ yourself with a square of cheese with a spoon of Branston once a week or so.
The sun will shine again soon but in the meantime your ‘allowed’ to feel down but remember tomorrow is another day and hopefully a better one.

Hi all, my loss didn’t last long and I don’t know why. Yesterday I had my usual Sunday brunch around 11.30 – 2 grilled sausages, canned toms, grilled mushrooms and a fried egg. Dinner was steak and salad, only snacks were my usual 85% dark chocolate square and a couple of slices of chicken.

One thing I did have was an absolute melt down – and over nothing. I am diabetic so cant just say to hell with it I’m going to have that cake or sausage roll or whatever – never, ever, ever. I have lots of friends and know of many people who do say that, I also know people who have lost limbs, sight or have serious organ complications or are even dead. So I am not going to be stupid and my diet is a personally enforced regime. BUT just sometimes….. I wish I could be like everyone else. One thing I miss are strong flavours like pickles. I know I can have them but they don’t usually go well with what I am eating – you cant have scrambled eggs and piccillili or branston. Yes I could just have a teaspoon at any time but its not the same as an accompaniment to a meal. So last night when I served out steak and salad for me and steak and chips for hubby, I put a large dollop of horseradish on my plate. He took one look and sarcastically said ‘sure you have enough there’. I am sorry to say I shouted and screamed at him to just leave me alone, let me have something nice for a change. Later when I calmed down I apologised for over-reacting and explained that I feel like every day of my life is being restricted (which it is) and I am sick of living my life like this. The alternative is to stop the strict diet and eat cake and sausage rolls and be dead in a few years or lose a leg or toe – which I also don’t want. I also have the double whammy of wanting to lose weight and look better but not just that, it is better for my overall health and diabetes.

I still feel weepy but know I have to keep on keeping on…. But no, its no life and I am fed up with it. I know depression is a common consequence of diabetes, just because we have to live with it day in day out and I will talk to my doctor about it. I just don’t know if I can go on like this.

I’m not looking for a solution as I know I just have to keep going with the diet but finding it hard to find joy in anything. Maybe the weather is not helping as we can’t get out in the garden when it is cold and wet and miserable.

Sorry for my moan but sunshine girl is not always sunny.

thank you shelocoF but this was 2016 and all problems have been sorted out. People don’t realise that diabetes affects eye sight. Any good optician will know this.

It sounds like you’ve had a good conversation with your optician already, especially with your blood sugars stabilizing. It’s definitely worth chatting with them again if you have any concerns or want to explore options for your reading vision. Since age-related changes are common, they might suggest different approaches or recommend options like reading glasses or other solutions tailored to your specific needs. Keeping up with regular check-ups is always a good idea, especially with diabetes, as it can have an impact on vision over time.

We pay tribute to our dear friend and colleague, Dr. Michael Mosley.

Michael was an integral part of our lives, bringing a wealth of knowledge, dedication, and compassion to his work.

Throughout his distinguished career, Michael made significant contributions to his field, earning respect and admiration from all walks of life. His unwavering commitment to excellence and his innovative approach to science and health have left an indelible mark on the lives of many.

Michael was not only a remarkable professional but also a kind and generous individual. He was always willing to lend a helping hand, share his wisdom, and support those around him. His infectious enthusiasm and genuine care for others made him a beloved figure in our organisation.

We will remember Michael for his outstanding achievements, his compassionate nature, and his unwavering dedication to improving the lives of others. His legacy will continue to inspire us all.

Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him. He will be deeply missed.

Rest in peace, Michael.

Both the two above posts have been reported.

Alinasmith05 please read previous posts on this thread to see how completely inappropriate your spam posts are.

SG, well done on hitting your weight goal.
V, really glad you are pleased with how your kitchen is shaping up, I’m sure it looks great.
Pootle, hope all is okay with you now, after the storms.

Positives from my corner of the world ….
🐑🐑🐑 saw the first lambs of the year, in a field on Friday really made me smile
🙂🤸‍♀️ had friends visiting this weekend…. lovely to have a proper catch up with them
🚘🚗 my darling OH repaired DD’s car, ready for its MOT retest on Tuesday

Hope you have all had a wonderful weekend, we’d love to read a positive or two

Happy Sunday, Margaret you are doing perfectly well. After being on the diet for a while 3.25lbs is a respectable loss. Glad you are feeling reassured about the epidural.

As for my travel plans, we are now 79 days from our cruise (I look on the booking every now and then) and we have a housesitter who is from Canada but will already be in Europe, travelling from Germany to us.

I have to stop late night snacks. Okay they are only a Ryvita and Laughing Cow cheese, but I know they are messing with my weight and BG. I am afraid of going to bed hungry due to some hypos but I know I should be okay. Also, being honest, it is more of a craving for something, anything, rather than real hunger.

Going to try to start up my exercises again tomorrow. Not done anything since Christmas except my facial yoga.

Have a good week all.

Hello everyone & I’m not doing very well weight wise losing only 3.25lbs so far this January. You are doing well Verano & thank you for your reassurance about epidurals.! I now have a couple of hospitals appointments in April & May that I hopefully assume are surgery pre-assessment ones but have been warned by other people that a surgical date can always be cancelled & delayed. However it gives me three months to try to lose at least a stone & hopefully much more.
S-g your travel plans sound as though they are coming together well & I hope you are fully recovered now?
I know that I need to further reduce my carbs & calories & am trying to make sure that my husband & I are eating enough protein 😀
Keep on going everyone 👏👏🍀🍀
Margaret xx

Well done s-g!

So my kitchen is now 85% finished and really looking good. I hadn’t realised how just a colour change could make such a huge difference.

Anyway my first is
🌝🌝🌝 Over the moon with our kitchen renovation.

🥗🥦🍅 eating really well and seeing some results. Not huge loses but going in the right direction and feeling healthy!

Hope you are all having a good weekend.

Good evening!

Still plodding along here trying to get to my 2lb a week loss which may be a bit ambitious but am almost getting to target. My plan was 26lb in 13 weeks. So far working well!

Hope everyone is still on track with your goal even if they have to be ‘revised’. Just have to carry on!

Nights are drawing out which is uplifting, and now just two months, eight weeks or so, before we ‘spring forward’ again. So looking forward to the lighter nights.

Almost the end of the month now and hopefully we’ll carry on into February. Thoughts for ‘uplifting’ titles??

Reached the 71.5 kg goal after the slice of bread.
Resisted having a drink last night – only 7 more nights to go – yes I am counting.
Feeling better in myself and managing housework with one task each day.

Sorry to hear you haven’t been feeling well…with tummy issues. I really hope the GP can sort you on Monday. I haven’t had any tummy problems on the diet and am still following the principles (but more calories now) 7 months in! 🤞for you, all the stress really doesn’t help with anything!
xx

Thanks Verano!
Dawn XX

Great news Dawn!
As sunshine-girl says just ‘keep on keeping on…….’

Hi Pootle, thanks for the wishes. Haven t been feeling great, struggling with tummy issues, heading to doc on Monday. Hopefully it’s nothing to do with the diet!
Have been good but for some reason I put on 2lb although I do feel terribly bloated….not sure if they’re connected.
Is there any history of tummy problems being on this diet a long time? Wonder if anyone knows …..
I’m hoping his isn’t the case but have never had terrible tummy aches and bloating before.
Well done on your continued success. And hope you feel better soon x

Hi Lucy,
Been thinking about you again….if it were possible to assist over the airways, you should have plenty of positive vibes coming your way.
Hope this week has been ok for you. I have kept my weight and sugars stable, but had to give up on trying to improve my balance…cold symptoms… and feeling really rough, meant I just couldn’t keep my balance on one leg!!
XXX

Hi all,

Yes S-G the cats will definitely be riddled with worms and fleas…as, when & if they tame down, we will deal with those issues. Our last ‘house’ cat died in 2021 and I said no more cats ….but am weakening!
I know what you mean about the cough/cold…I think it could have been flu if we hadn’t had the jab in November…

Today’s positives…
1. 💨Storm Eowyn has side swiped us, with power off for a few hours, but all back on now! We were so well prepared after last time, I managed breakfast of porridge and coffee without much trouble on the camping gas. 😁
2. Great that the power is back on, as I am making chicken & chorizo with med veg tonight….difficult, but not impossible on a camping stove. 🥘 😉
3. The sun is out again!!☀️

Hope you all have some positives today!

Nothing to report but looking for some knowledge from you peeps. I always cook down chicken bones and use the broth for soup. Can I do the same with braised meat (specifically pork) as I had a ham hock at the weekend and hate to throw anything out. I have skimmed all the fat off and put it in the freezer for now.

Been trying to understand why I am so hungry all the time and I have now put it down to being cold, having a cold and generally not feeling well. Being good now and only snacked on a Ryvita with cheese 2 nights ago and nothing last night.

Weekend is here – lottery tonight – fingers crossed.

Hi all, sorry you are ill Pootle, we are taking a long time to get over our cold and coughs. Can’t say it was flu as we were not laid flat but we had flu jabs before Christmas. Hate to tell you but the cats are probably riddled with fleas and probably also have worms so keep them away from any ‘home’ cats. My daughter was a cat/kitten forsterer for a couple of years and they had to be kept in a separate room so as not to contaminate the rest of the house i.e. furniture, carpets etc. They are doing a cull of feral cats here in the Dordogne but it is not as bad as it sounds. They catch them then spay, vaccinate etc and then let them go wild again. Just hoping our Maisie doesn’t get caught as she was never chipped, it was before the law changed. Maybe we should get her done – but she is 11 and doesn’t stray far.

Positives for me:
Weight is coming down to pre-slice of bread gain – only 0.3 to reach 71.5 again.
Delivery of Nutrition Geeks supply of 3 in one Magnesium (+ 2 other minerals), hoping it will help with my night cramps and restless legs.
Try to find 3, so, hubby is cleaning the hob – just before the builder comes and drills a hole in the wall above 🙂 Hey ho.

Thanks Yowzer😀
It sounds like you’re having a lovely cosy morning. I am too, I can see the trees outside bending in the wind. Good job DH laid our wooden bird table down flat before he went out to work this morning as I’m sure it would have blown over🌬️🌬️
Dawn XX

Thunderous applause DAWN! Weight down 2 1/2 AND 1 1/2 inches off waist! 👏👏well done!xx
Im just sitting having a cuppa and a slice of toasted low carb bread. The slices are very small but satisfyingly nutty and seedy. I think off top of my head a slice is 132 cals,3 carbs. Its very cosy eating tea and toast and listening to the wind howling outside.
Good luck to all Friday weighers ! 👍 X have a groovy weekend and keep shipshape 🙂

Hi everyone,
I weighed myself today and have lost 2 and a half pounds this week. I also took my waist measurement and it’s 1 and a half inches less than when I last measured it on 1st January so I’m pleased about that. My middle feels more ‘jiggly’ today and when that’s happened in the past I’ve had a bigger weight loss the following week so 🤞
Hope everyone has a lovely weekend.
Dawn XX

Hi Yowser,
Well done for providing shelter for your visiting cats! 😸
🐈‍⬛🐈🐈‍⬛
Here they tend to sleep in the hay stack, moving sites every so often… I think they do a natural form of flea control… not sleeping in the same place for too long so the eggs don’t hatch on them! 🪰😸
The biggest, oldest ‘bruiser’ (Felix) goes missing every few days… typical ‘old Tom cat’! One of the others, I think possibly female, (Pretty Puss) is becoming much more confident. She will actually sit next to the bowl as I spoon out the food, but if I make any unexpected moves she is gone! The littlest (Littl’un) is still extremely timid. Not helped by my very old dog 🐩(brought up with 3 cats in the house), who has been brilliantly quiet, sitting, waiting and watching until last Friday, when he decided he wanted to sniff the cats!! 🥴🫣. Mad panic… escape route rushed… but Pretty Puss returned very quickly, and Littl’un realised he was missing out… so repeatedly, nervously, grabbed a mouthful and retired to a safe distance.
Progress is slow, but I think Pretty Puss will come into the house when the weather warms enough for us to leave the door open! ☀️🌞

Hi all, still the same weight.

We had a lovely chat with our sitter and I showed her around our house. The only room she wont be able to access is the utility room which only has the washing machine and she said her hubby can be on washing duties 🙂 We are very happy with them and looking forward to meeting them for real in 12 weeks.

Builder came and looked at the job we want him to do. He is coming back to do it on either Monday or Tuesday morning (he needs daylight as he will be turning off the power) and he is charging us €35. Great.

Have a lovely evening.

Hi Becka, I know how you are feeling. I have been on this diet for over 8 years (yes, but I am diabetic and keep to it) and after the Christmas feasting I am finding myself quite hungry. The worst thing you can do is have something carby as it will only make you hungrier quicker. For example, I was craving a lovely French baguette so I bought a small one and had half with tuna salad in it. I was starving an hour later, it doesn’t help. Carb crave carbs. As for the protein bars, mixnmatch says they are full of carbs, but especially sugars which are really not want you need. They are wolves in sheeps clothing, i.e. pretending to be healthy.

Take it easy, if you have to have 1000 then make sure it is good veg or protein. Compared with a normal 2000 cal female diet you will still be doing a heap of good. As you get used to it you can cut back. If you log everying into something like MyFatSecret or MyFitnessPal you will get to look at the cals and carbs before you eat them and learn to make some tweaks.

Your birthday is around the same time as mine (7th Feb) and I will be going out for a slap up meal and wine but I will still avoid obvious bad carbs like the bread or potatoes but I might allow myself a couple of spoons of a nice dessert. Have you heard of the Glucose Goddess, she has some good tips for eating out and eating in general. Enjoy your birthday then get straight back on it the next day.

Hi everyone,
I’m just catching up on some posts. Articfox I hope you are enjoying your week off. Cathy, I’m not surprised you were annoyed with the junior doctor, she sounds very unprofessional and unhelpful! Nokie, sorry to hear u have shingles, I’ve never had them myself but my Mum has had them a few times and I know they can be pretty painful, I hope they go soon🤞
I’ve had another good day food wise, am so pleased MFP is working again for me, as u say DCT, it’s great that there is always someone to help on this forum😀
Verano, I haven’t taken any screenshots of my recipes but I have loads of unused notebooks (I can’t help buying them if I see a nice one! ) so I’ve used a nice Bodleian Library one to write all of them up in today. I also have used a tear off meal planner pad which I used to use all the time to copy my weekly menu plan onto so I’m all set if there are any more problems!
I love that quote Yowzer😀
Dawn XX

Pootle, sorry you’re poorly, well done on managing to find positives when you’re feeling under the weather.
Yowser, good to have you posting here and lovely for you to receive those unexpected gifts, which lifted your spirits and reminded you spring is sneaking closer.

My positive today is ….
👍🏻🙂 got lots of prep done ready for friends visiting at the weekend and made a list of what’s still outstanding.

I’m sure you can find a positive, so please let us know about it.

Just catching up here reading and enjoying everyone’s pozzers,and must ask,as a cat lover… POOTLE,how are your ferals? We have two cats here,neither ferals or strays,but they dont go home much. We know one doesnt get on with the dog,so stays out ( has a cat flap to go home when chooses) The other,we are trying to establish where his home might be.. I got a microchip reader and it shows he’s not chipped. He looks well fed and in good condition,but is here from late afternoon and overnight every day. Anyhoo,we have put two waterproof shelters out in the garden,with straw and blankies,and they get cosy in them,and we put out food too,but it still must be very cold and uncomfortable for them this time of year.
If only they could talk!💕
My positive for today,just the one..
*** It feels like spring has arrived because DD called round before starting WFH at 3 pm. Brought me a huge bunch of daffs and a big light green candle. The yellow and light green look so springlike together ..oh and I nearly forgot,a light green mug,same shade as candle,with white flowers painted on it. Really lifted the greyness of the day!
*** Another pozz…woohoo! Soon be pancake day,yum yum,i love them! 😋 ( and Vals day for those who celebrate💕 we celebrate Beau’s bday two days later instead) X

Sorry I have missed a couple of days..Have started a nasty cold and yesterday I was stung on my throat/neck by a very dopey wasp! So not feeling 100%!
I agree with you SunnyB…family, friends and a warm home are all major positives,,,I would add the support from the forums on this site! I read most ‘recent’ threads, and think the community on here is so very important!
I am sure I have other positives to share…but 🤔 time is running out…😉

“ Chippy tea”…🥳🥰🥳 two of the best words in the English language! * chef’s kiss *
CCATHY I wd defo send that email. Junior doctor needs to be told,or she will just get worse. Good news about your eye! Isnt it a lovely feeling when that misty veil lifts?
I too am jealous about your jeans! You really deserve good news and what could be better than to put something on and find its loose fitting! X🩷
FOXY good luck with yr appt tomorrow,let us know how it goes X
NOKIE youre the second person ive heard this month who has shingles,Im so sorry,I hope you recover soon X
DAWN!im glad you have a nice notebook! My latest one is flowery and says Keep It Happy! I love the Pukka ones, tho they have plain covers, because they have sections! Which makes them even better! I have a hatbox full of diaries going back to 1980. My best friend is re reading her diaries from the 70s and sends me pictures of her entries. In the latest one,from 1972,its just before we went off to work in Austria for the ski ing season,and she was devastated as her boyfriend at the time had taken her diary and read it.What a cad!
DCT well done on your first proper week.X
Crimbo is a distant pleasant memory now and Jan is nearly over so come on guys,lets sail on into smooth seas,onwards and downwards 👍🥰 X row row row your boat gently down the stream!… 🎸🎶🎵🎸

Hi Becka,
I am sorry to hear you are struggling so much, all I can say from personal experience is that after a few days, when your body adapts away from the ‘easy option’ carbs and you can access your fat stores directly, you will never again feel totally starving and it is very freeing. Regarding snacks, I would try to stick to an extra piece of cheese or slice of ham rather than a protein bar which are often high in carbs as well. Likewise, one meal or one day ‘off’ after the adaptation has occurred will not result in the same problems happening again, once you have gained access to these fat stores. That doesn’t mean you are necessarily free from cravings however, so make sure you can recognise the difference between cravings and hunger. Enjoy your birthday, with moderate portions and then straight back on the fast 800 would be my advice.