Thanks Articfox, I will try the things you suggested and see how I get on. I hope you manage to get the garlic harvest completed without too many more interruptions. The EMDR sessions sound as though they will be really helpful but I would imagine can be exhausting too. I’m pleased the second X-ray of your hand confirmed it isn’t broken.
Dawn XX

Hi everyone,
Checking in quickly. I’m in the middle of garlic harvest, well not the middle, I’m only 1/4 done but had to stop because of the rain making everything too wet for now. Hopefully will be back at it tomorrow.
Heidi- well done on your loss so far.
Cathy- I hear you on the weight that won’t budge. Once I get through the garlic harvest, I will focus more on building muscle. I think that will help me the most as I age and hopefully might end up burning some extra calories for me too. I was slim-est (not lightest) as an adult when I was weight lifting regularly.
Dawn – I’ve had to go lower fat too with my gastritis. Saturated fats in particular seem to set things off, so I use more olive and canola oil. I also use high fibre foods like flax and chia and legumes to fill up instead of the fat. Hope that helps a bit.
So, I had a really tough EMDR session yesterday around the feelings of not being cared for that lead to binge eating. Turns out it is heavily tied to not feeling worthy or not deserving care from others, and it is amazing how far back this goes. The EMDR digs a lot of stuff up from very early childhood. The memory we were working from was when I was probably not much more than 2 years old. I thought we would be working from memories from my teenage years or just before because that was when I started binge eating, but the feelings of not being cared for are from much earlier. It turns out that my teen years were just when I started having access to the foods to comfort myself because my mum was working and I could strategically raid the cupboards. Before that, she was always at home and maintained pretty strict control over the fridge and cupboards, and we were never given any pocket money so I couldn’t have bought any food myself. We’ll have to see if this session has any effect. It sometimes takes a while for the reprocessing to happen after a session.
Anyway, I had to have a second x-ray of my hand this week to confirm for sure that it isn’t broken. They were seeing a shadow on the first x-ray, but it seems it was an old partial fracture that has healed and is stable. No idea how or when I did that! Anyway, just soft tissue to mend. Unfortunately, due to the garlic harvest, I can’t rest it right now. Wearing a snug glove helps though.

Thanks DCT, I’ve been on the MFP app this afternoon tweaking things on my nutrient goals and think I’ve managed to work out which percentages would work to make my food plans lower fat for the time being but still low carb and high in protein so will see how that goes🤞Dawn XX

DAWN so sorry you are having all these glitches. I hope that you can get back on the system and get fast tracked for your gall bladder removal. So frustrating!! I’m not an expert but would have thought the BSD WoE would be fine for your diet for now, but maybe with lower fat options if that is recommended. But do see if you can get clearer guidance from someone involved with your care. I really hope that you get some resolution on all this soon.

Best wishes, DCT X

Hi everyone and well done on the 3lb loss DCT.
I’m having a bit of a frustrating day, 2 weeks since I left hospital and I still haven’t even received a discharge letter(there were no staff available to properly discharge me on the day so I was asked if I would mind if it was done by post which I was fine with) and nothing to say I was on a list of any kind for my gallbladder removal. The consultant had told me I could either stay in hospital to wait for the operation or he could put me on an outpatient list to have my operation within the month as he said it was unlikely the acute pancreatitis would recur within a month. I decided to ring the hospital today, I didn’t want to be a nuisance but I had a niggling feeling I may get ‘forgotten about’ especially as there was nothing on my NHS app records regarding my transfer to a different hospital from A&E. I eventually got to speak to the consultant’s secretary who was very nice but there was no record of me being on any list or discharged (or I got the feeling, of even being in that hospital but I may be wrong, when I speak to her again I will clarify that) it’s all very worrying as the consultant is now on leave for 2 weeks so goodness knows when my gall bladder removal which needed doing ‘within the month’ 2 weeks ago will now get done. I said ‘so if I get the pain again should I just go to A&E’ and she said yes. She also said to watch my diet and keep to low fat food. Everything I read about pancreatic health says to eat low fat dairy etc which goes against everything I’ve learned in the past few years about eating healthily so it’s hard to know what to believe. I’m just feeling confused about it all at the minute😩 Dawn X

CATHY I agree so much with what you say in your post and didn’t find it negative at all. I think each one of us needs to find the right balance between being content and grateful with all that we are and all the good things that we have, whilst at the same time working to make positive improvements to our health and wellbeing. I’ve been thinking along similar lines to you in that I definitely do need to lose weight and body fat at the moment, but do I really need to doggedly pursue my long term target if that isn’t achievable or desirable/healthy for me? Right now I’d be happy to see some significant loss and end up a few pounds over my original target weight if I feel healthy and am happy with how I look at that point. I don’t want to be obsessed by numbers, but by wellbeing.

I read something else interesting today about “settled weight”. I’m sure it’s been mentioned on these forums before. But, as I understand it, your body kind of wants you to be a certain weight and if you go below that it will gradually ensure that you put the weight back on again to get back to your settled weight (though, sadly , I don’t think it works the other way round!). That may be a rubbish explanation, and it’s something I want to look into more but don’t have time today. But yet more food for thought so to speak . . . .
Anyway CATHY just to say you are not being negative and I think many of us are on the same page : wanting to achieve our best weight , health and wellbeing whilst also enjoying every moment of life the way we are now. And I hope that you get good results from your appointment next week. Will be thinking of you X

Well done on your 3lb loss DCT. An interesting fact about keeping weight off. Despite life’s ups and downs over the years I am still 20lb lighter than I was when I started the BSD in 2017. However, I’m finding losing weight incredibly difficult these days and part of me is thinking that maybe I should accept myself for what I am instead of constantly fighting a losing battle. Don’t misunderstand me, I will always be mindful of what I eat but I don’t know whether I want to keep punishing myself trying to lose weight that simply wont budge! I feel I want to be kinder to myself instead of constantly punishing myself for feeling a failure. I am 64 years old, my mum died aged 57 very suddenly with septicaemia so I am always grateful for the extra years I’ve had that she didn’t get to enjoy. . I’ve got a long list of medical issues one of which is rather concerning and I’m back at Christie Hospital next week for my scan result. I have a lovely husband, two lovely boys. a lovely cat, a lovely home and a happy contented life so why am I constantly chasing a number on the scales that I can’t achieve. It’s interesting isn’t it? Sorry if this seems a negative post- I’m not feeling negative but feeling I need to be realistic and thankful for the positives in my life and maybe I need to accept me for me. Thoughts?

Good morning from Florida!
Hello to you, Verano! Shetland, this website recipes are good. Wendy, good luck with surgery on your knee. Please do let us know how you are.
I use My Fitness Pal for posting my menus and day-to day-activity. My A1c is borderline at 5.7 so I am focusing on low-moderate carbs most of the time. I started on this website at 170 lbs in 2018 and thru the years lost 20 lbs by changing my foods and tastebuds and staying active. I am 69. It is amazing how many of you are still here all these years!
Has anyone seen Alliecat?
Catherine

Pootle …. your post has reminded me I should be posting some positives, especially as I’m feeling a bit low today, so an ideal time to look at the plus points in my life ….
🌹🌹 lunched with eldest GS yesterday and then had a long chat with his mum in the evening … good to catch up properly with family
🌹🌹 rose feed arrived, so have been out this morning dosing all my rose bushes. It’s a little late to do it, but think they need the boost after being a bit neglected while I was away.
🌹🌹 all upcoming birthdays sorted … cards and gifts in hand, just need to write and wrap.

If you’re not feeling overly positive, take a moment to identify at least one … believe me there’ll one and finding it will help to give you a little lift.

Good morning all,
As it has been a week since I last posted on this thread, I thought it was time to ‘bump it up’ the listing!
So a couple of positives:
1. Heat wave has past, and it has rained here…so watering no longer a priority! ☔️💧
2. Butternut squashes forming… first time I have grown them. 😄
3. Enjoying a second cup of delicious coffee, having a slow start to the day! ☕️

I hope everyone can find a positive in their day!
Kath. Xxx

Hi everyone – can’t believe another week has just flown by.

HEIDI some lovely words in your last post. I’ve. been on this journey since 2017 and sometimes I feel ashamed and frustrated that not on ly have I still not got to goal, but that – particularly recently – I have put back on some of the weight I had lost. But healthy eating is a lifelong commitment, and it’s worth it. I’ve always cut myself a bit of slack for treat days and special occasions, but in recent weeks have just let things slide too much and have seen the consequences.

So this week I’m back on track. Have cut out all white carbs and am really enjoying making recipes from the BSD recipe books. Not only are they low carb and calorie but I also find them delicious, and it’s so nice to try some different recipes (food planning is not my forte!). I’m also doing mostly 16:8 and 2 meals a days. Anyway I’m delighted to have shed 3lb so far this week, even though I know it’s mostly a water weight hangover from my recent sloppiness (and btw, the reason I didn’t put on weight on holiday is because I’d slapped it on before I went. And on holiday I was pretty active and it was so hot I think I sweated it off 😂). But a loss is a loss, so I’m feeling positive and hopeful I can reverse my recent trends and habits.

Also I read an interesting fact in a newspaper article yesterday that only 3 in 1000 people keep weight off after they have lost it. Now I have no idea if that is true (the article was about someone who has lost a lot of weight naturally – no jabs – over the years and has managed to keep it off) but I will look into it further. And wanted to say a great big WELL DONE to all those of us on this forum who have lost weight and managed to keep at least some of it off. We are awesome 🙌

Have a great weekend everyone, and hope you are doing well X

Hi Lucy,
I told the doctor “When I became allergic to the sulphites in wine, 🍷 I gave up drinking alcohol. When I developed a cough, I gave up smoking 🚬 . When diabetes struck, I gave up eating sweet things 🍰, bread 🍞, potatoes 🥔 , pasta 🍝 , pastry 🥐 and rice 🍚 . Don’t ever tell me I cannot have a good strong coffee!” ☕️
I have a bean to coffee machine, and really enjoy a strong black coffee every morning and when ever I feel in need during the day. It is my daily indulgence!! I am dreading the time someone says it is damaging my health and I have to stop!!
The 1lb could be because your body has suddenly decided it needs to conserve fat again… I am certain your perseverance will pay off!
Keep on keeping on,
Kath. Xxxx

So I put on a lb this week. Despite walking most days and adhering to diet.

The only thing I can think is enjoying a few drinks a few of times sat in the garden.
So need to rein that in now too.
Wow life is tough lol, gave up smoking, strict diet and cut down alcohol!!!
Hope youre all doing better than me! X

Hello to you too, Verano. And hi to everybody else!

Pootle, thanks for the tip about the recipe book. I’ll take a look. I’m still learning the ropes as far as balancing carbs and protein is concerned, while trying to make sure I have enough fibre every day. And it sometimes feels like I’m spending half my life inputting foods into a calorie calculator lol! But I’m losing weight, very slowly but it is coming off, so I must be doing something right 😉

Have a relaxing weekend, everyone!

Lacy xx

Hello!

Just want to say welcome back to Violinist and welcome to Shetland Lace and Heidi 24 and Charlotte.

Sorry I’m not very active on this thread at the moment but Pootle you are doing a great job in keeping this thread going!

Have a great summer everyone.

Looking forward to being more accountable here in the autumn.

Good morning, Pootle, and all!
Yes, meal planning is going well. I will have surgery next Friday so I have been overcooking and freezing.
I will stay close to home this next week so I do not catch anything going around.
Pootle, it can be problematic when on a roll losing weight and trying to slow it down. You get used to certain food favorites and your appetite decreases after a while. It doesn’t help to “treat” yourself to add a few pounds if your focus is also bloodwork numbers.
Have a great day, Folks!

Catherine

Good morning all,
Violinist, I hope your menu planning has paid off and you are on track!

Shetland Lace, how is it going? I came across a couple of interesting recipes in Emma Porter’s Life Without Diabetes cookbook ( based on Prof Roy Taylor’s 3 step plan.) up until now I have either used The BSD or the Fast 800 recipe books OR adapted my own recipes using the calculating tool!
But I have been looking around for new ideas!
As I am on maintenance re weight but still need to have low carb, I have been struggling a bit to find a variety foods in my diet to manage the balancing act!

S-G enjoy your time with the family…. Hope to see you again when you feel like popping in!

Margaret, have you had the op yet? If so, I hope all has gone well…if not, good luck! 🍀

Heidi, hope all is well with you!

Charlotte, how are you doing… Hope you are making progress.

Verano, hope the summer is going well for you.

So, I know this won’t be popular but I need to stop losing weight!!!! 🙄😩🫣
Weighed this morning and I am down to 9st 11lb!! I wanted to be 10st 7lb, but thought I could hover between 10st and 10 1/2, whilst restricting carb intake. (To have some leeway) 🤪🤪 why is life so complicated????? I am no longer counting calories, just carbs….. keeping to around 50g carb per day from veg etc.
well, back to the recipe books and try to work out meals that will help to keep my weight steady!!

I hope you are all keeping on…
Xxxxx

I hope you have a lovely time with your family s-g. And that the weather behaves!

Hello 54.
I’m still here… maintaining weight and 🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞😉🤞😉keeping the diabetes in remission.
Eating sensibly… keeping away from high carb foods and generally being boring! 🤪🤪🫣
Great to know you are still on track!
Pootle.

Helloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Anybody out there ????????????????????????????????

Still losing weight people ? I hope so if youre trying and hope not if maintaining !!!

Im still heading down with I hope 6 months left to target weight after July 2024 reset

Little but often is my weight loss moto !!

Hope you are all well

54

Hi all, hope you are coping if you are having a heatwave.

Pootle, the difficulty for me is that my weight affects how much insulin I have to use and my insulin affects my weight so it is a very careful balancing act. Insulin puts on weight and when I gain it is not because I have come off my diet. I am on this diet every day of my life and a even when I allow myself a treat it is not usually of the carb type, maybe a glass or 2 of wine (which is technically carb) and I am only human. Tonight I am going out for a meal with my husband and even if I don’t eat the bread or have anything more than a mouthful of dessert just to try I will put on weight, hubby wont. I think I gain quarter of a pound for every 10 units of insulin and I am currently on 17 units. I have to stay well within the 800 to 900 calories every day if I can. So I cannot just let the diet slide or I will gain and then I will have to use more insulin and so on and so on…….

Anyway, I am going to stop obsessing so much and stay off the site for a short while although I know I will be tempted to look to see if anyone needs diabetic advice. Although we have a good diabetic example of how well this works with Pootle and a couple of others so I will try to keep my head down. Daughter and grandson arrive in 6 days and we have a very full schedule so I will be rather busy.

Stay true and focussed and keep on keeping on…

Good evening all,
S-G don’t you think we sometimes have to work out a priority and stick to it. Great that your BG is steadily improving and so the insulin is coming down! That had to be good!
I am maintaining a steady weight and still resisting the carbs, so my carb monster is just grumbling away in the background. At lunchtime today I very nearly succumbed to a slice of buttered granary bread I had prepared for husband…I even put it on my plate with the salad… thinking; “that little bit won’t hurt “ ! I had second thoughts when I got to the table, and handed it over! I am sure it would have led to more!!!

I hope everyone is surviving the heatwave… this time it has hit us in West Wales also… unusual not to have rain for so long!!!
Wishing everyone a good week ahead…
Xxx

My post just vanished, so apologies for any repetition if it reappears.

I was just appreciating how nice it is to be part of this forum and wider BSD community. I feel surrounded by people committed to improving and maintaining good health through sensible healthy habits. It is so inspiring to see those who have been here for 7 or 8 years and so committed to their own health and supporting others. You know who you are!

Sending best wishes to all, who are plugging on despite shingles (how are you doing YOWSER?), cat-astrophes (ARCTICfox), accidents and medical challenges (probably all of us!). Clarinet it must be lovely to be aiming towards an imminent holiday, I hope you have some lovely holiday outfits in mind. And well done DCT for enjoying a healthy holiday.

For my weekly check in, I am now down 8.1 kilos, so nearly a kilo off this week. I had a wobble in the week when we had wine-loving friends for lunch. But otherwise I have stayed low-carb and no rice pasta bread potatoes. On on!

Hello everyone
sorry you’ve had such a traumatic week ArcticFox. I hope you’re well can rest and recuperate over the weekend. My cat is going to be a trip hazard for me I’m sure. He has snuck between my legs and feet many times! Something to be wary of.
I am impressed that you didn’t out any weight on DCT during your holiday! That is incredible self control. I am staying the same. I can’t seem to shed anything. I’m up and down the same pound all the time. It’s very frustrating.
I’ve got four weeks until my cruise so I’ll do my best.
Have a good weekend is everyone.

Thanks DCT and well done for not gaining on holiday! Articfox I’m so sorry you’ve hd a rotten time, I’m pleased you didn’t break anything and really hope you manage to find some time to relax and look after yourself.Dawn ❤️

ARCTICFOX what a week you’ve had! I’m glad that at least your hand isn’t broken, and also that the experiences have helped you to identify the cause of your comfort eating. Take care of yourself – and stay safe this weekend! And I wonder if there are other, gentler, forms of exercise you can do over the next few weeks during your dancing ban?

Best wishes to everyone else too. Have a great weekend (a very hot one here in the UK!)

Thank you everyone. I’m actually over the moon with it .
Need to concentrate on weight loss now and get off the remaining 3lbs to get to my lowest and then my last stone or so
Xx

Welcome back, DCT. Hope you had a good holiday.
So the bad luck continued through the week. On Tuesday I was stung by wasps that were building 2 nests in my farm stand. Then on Wednesday, I was coming through the front door after being away at pottery for the evening and the cat was twining herself around my feet and I tripped over her and fell against the corner of the wall and broke my fall with my hand. Thought it was broken, so spent yesterday going to physio for my calf (I have been banned from dancing for 6 weeks!), then to the doctor and to the hospital for an x-ray. The technicians didn’t think it was broken, so that saved me a trip to A&E.
With being in so much pain and being frustrated, I’m afraid the carb monsters took control and some comfort eating ensued. The only good thing is that I was having trouble identifying negative thought patterns around the binge eating when I wasn’t doing it, so now I’ve been able to catalog them. It seems the thoughts aren’t about the food itself, but around not feeling comforted or cared for by others. So it is an attempt at self-soothing, for sure. But remarkably ineffective, as I just end up getting mad at myself.
So, it looks like this will be the focus of my next counselling session.

Welcome to Shetland Lace. I sometimes use an app but a lot of my meals have become second nature over the years so have a good idea. It is when I have something new or unusual that I try to log it before I eat it and then maybe I wont eat it after all.

I think for me right now I am on maintence with the weight as I am sick of reporting 0.2kg up, 0.2kg down. So just worrying about my BG and that is coming down nicely as is the amount of insulin I am using.

Had a swim today, the first for 8 days, then I wonder why I couldn’t be bothered as I enjoy it so much and the great feeling afterwards. If I get in first thing after breakfast then it is done for the day and nothing gets in the way.

Have a great weekend and stay cool.

Knew it would not impact too badly, imagine how low it would have been if you hadn’t had some difficulties. Keep up the good work.

A few positives today, despite the heat.

1. My hand survived….!!!! A minor miracle!!
2. Made fridge soup today (everything and anything in the fridge that needs using up and can go into soup!) with home made stock from the chicken I had roasted on Tuesday. It was particularly good, and made enough for 2 people for 4 days>
3. Think I might have found a home for 2 of the ‘feral’ kittens, that are slowly taming down! Yay!!

Hope you are all finding some positives in your lives…. xxx

Lucy just jumping on here to say how pleased I am to read your news. Particularly after all you have gone through recently you must be delighted! You are so right in saying that even though you ate a lot of the wrong things you still ate a lot of the right things. And your efforts have paid off. Well done! I’m sure you will now continue with your weight loss and I look forward to reading about that in due course!
Best wishes, and have a great weekend X

Hi everyone. I’m back from holiday and just doing a quick catch up.

DAWN I’m so sorry you’ve had such an awful time. I’m really glad your mum didn’t break anything and also that you are getting everything sorted as well. But what a trauma. So very well done for getting into the 11s despite all else. HEIDI well done too for your ongoing loss. That’s great news and very inspiring. I love that quote too – ideal for days when we don’t have time or inclination to do all the right things we want to, but if we just keep things simple and stick to the basics we’ll still make progress. And POOTLE thanks for the top about Roy Taylor : will have a look.

ARCTICFOX I hope your back and calf are clearing up? It’s scary how the simplest of movements can injure us. I put my back out once just by twisting to put something in the bin! You may be right about overdoing the dancing but don’t stop! It could just as equally be the stress in your body coming out in other ways – I know my back is always more vulnerable if I’m going through stress. I’m glad that things are getting back on track with your therapist again.

YOWZER you are amazing to fend off that horrible carb monster even whilst you are struggling! I am so sorry to hear that you are still unwell and wish there was something we could do. How are you faring in this heat? Might be an opportunity to tuck away somewhere cool and binge on box sets or a good book maybe? Sending love and hope that you feel some improvement soon.

CATHY how are you doing? I hope that you manage to lose the weight you want to before your holiday. But don’t assume you will put weight on whilst away – you may not. Even if you are eating and drinking more than usual, there are still healthy options to be had, and you may well be doing a bit more exercise too. So don’t give up hope! I surprisingly didn’t put on any more weight on holiday which was a relief. And now I’m back I want to get back on board again and start seeing some loss.

Hello to everyone else reading this. Hope you’re ok, and do let us know how you’re getting on. Meanwhile, wishing you all a lovely weekend xx

Brilliant news Lucy!
Wow…38! That is excellent!! and the 3lb loss. Onwards….
Keep on keeping on!!
XXXX

Thank you Shetland Lace

Hi everyone,
Decided to weigh myself this morning and I’m back in the 11’s (just) at last. Determined to make sure I stay there until I’m in the 10’s ! Hoping you all have a good day. Dawn XX

Morning everyone. Some positive news from me this week. Had my blood test results and down at hba1c 38. I mean wow. One year ago I was 48 and diabetic. Thought because I’d fallen off rhe wagon it wasn’t going to be great. But this is considered below normal and I can’t believe it . I’m really proud of myself.And in hindsight yes I ate a lot of wrong things but still a lot of right things if you see what I mean.
Also back on diet 100 percent….plus have done along walk early morning past couple days. And I lost 3lbs this week.
So 3 more and back to my lowest. Them the extra stone to go. Which I aim to achieve by October when I go away (30 sept).
Hope everyone is surviving in this heat and doing well! Xx

Thank you for the lovely welcome!
Wishing you all the best for your upcoming op, Margaret.
And Pootle, I don’t want to even contemplate how difficult all the calorie etc calculations would be without the apps to help! As for my progress so far, I lost 2kg in my first week or so, and then sat on the same weight for 4 days. Weighed myself this morning and finally saw a shift downward again of 200g. From what I’ve read though, this is how it usually goes?
Anyway… have a fantastic day, everyone!

Hi Margaret,
Gosh, changing the bed every day is major! Particularly when you are in need of a knee op.
Thinking of you and wishing you a swift recovery.
Xx

Hi Shetland Lace and welcome.

I use Verywellfit recipe calculator. I think we all have to use an aid to get the figures right. I know Nutritionix is popular.
I have found this community to be invaluable in my journey to remission and weight loss! There is lots of advice and information. As you will see, this is a monthly thread (renewed each month) there is also an annual thread, a positivity thread and many more! I look forward to hearing how you are getting on.
Xxx

Welcome Shetland Lace & what a lovely name!
Well my pre-op prep is certainly comprehensive with a bacterial shower gel to use for five days & nose gel to put up my nose twice daily plus clean bed linen, towels & clothes every day to cut down the chances of taking MRSA into the hospital. This is all new to me but I believe from what friends have now told me now standard practice in all hospitals & a pre-op carb nutrients laden drink to take on Friday evening before midnight & then again before 6-30am on Saturday after fasting since 6-30pm o Friday after supper. I am at least well practiced for the fasting part!🤔😀 The drink is supposed to help one’s body heal better after surgery? I am just relieved that our new washing machine arrived & was installed on Tuesday in time for all the washing that I am now doing & I fortunately have plenty of wide legged liken culottes to wear for after surgery to give access to my knee & to wear to physio plus of course another heat wave will be here from today onwards. Our garden is already looking rather frazzled & a pigeon is a frequent visitor to bathe in the wide terracotta dish I have put out for the birds to drink from looking very amusing jumping around & swishing his wings in the water splashing it everywhere.
I hope everyone will cope with the warmer weather & keep hydrated.
A bientôt
Margaret xx

Just dropping by for a quick hello, and to introduce myself. I started the BSD on 29th June so am very new to all this. I’m using the Nutritionix app which I would be lost without. I’ve looked through the recipes in the books, and there are some I’d use, but I think I’d be happier adapting my own favourites, and I definitely need an app to track all that! I read through a lot of forum posts before I began – lots of helpful advice and encouraging comments by some really inspiring people! I will no doubt need both in the weeks to come!

Looking forward to meeting you all.

Hi everyone,
Thanks Articfox, it’s been a bit of a rough time but it has made me more determined to crack on and try to become more healthy. My mum is luckily recovering well from her fall. Sorry to hear you have had a rough time with your back and your calf, good that your back is improving I hope your calf will soon too.
Heidi, I love that quote, I may have to stick it on my fridge!
Cathy, I’m pleased you have possible dates for your op and that’s great getting so many steps in.
Pootle I ordered the updated Roy Taylor book after you mentioned it and it’s just been delivered (same day delivery is so handy!)so I will enjoy looking at that tonight. I have never been diagnosed with diabetes but I know the information will still be relevant. I haven’t ordered the recipe book but may do that later.
I’m still hoping to be in the 11’s soon and would definitely like to have more weight off before my gall bladder removal some time in this coming month
I hope all of us with ailments start to feel well soon 🤞
Dawn XX

Hi everyone,
Dawn – so sorry to hear about your mum’s fall and your own health issues. That makes things tough for sure.
Pootle – thanks for the heads up about Roy Taylor’s new book, I’ll have to look that one up.
Yowzer – hope the shingles pain resolves soon.
With regard to walking everyday – I do that on the farm, but I was surprised to see by the step counter on my phone that it often doesn’t add up to as much as you would think. More now in summer than in winter, for sure, but still not great.
However, I managed to do myself in physically this week. I strained my back putting the cat’s dish down on the floor on Sunday and then on Monday I was reaching down for the hose when watering the horses and tore a muscle in my calf. Although these were small movements, I do think the injuries happened as a result of dancing beyond my fitness level. The calf has been bothering me slightly since I went to swing dancing last week. Luckily the back is resolving, but the calf is horrible. I can hardly walk at all, so I’m just limping around the farm. We’re having a cooler day today with rain so I’ve been able to wear my compression tights again and that is helping support it. I have a physio appointment tomorrow.
I did get in a few more limping steps last night as I had to trek out through the hay field to the dyke. My neighbour managed to get our pump working and I had to check on the fuel level. So happy the water level is going down now. It was up over my knees in places last week. Without the pump there would be no way it would be dry enough to harvest in a couple of weeks.

Hi S-G…courgette/cucumber…easy mistake when they are seedlings in a pot! At least you like cucumber. I remember when my purple sprouting grown from seed, turned out to be cauliflower! That was very disappointing, as I was relying on the sprouting to come in after the beans etc….but cauliflower came in at the same time!

So to today’s positive/s;

1) 1st French beans for supper tonight!!!!

2) My hand seems to be healing…Fingers crossed that it survives this evening’s work! (Cutting wire netting for 13 people to use for a flower arrangement base!)

3) 2 hours after weighted lunch, (26.7g carb) my BS was 5.2 mmol/L . (I believe that is ‘healthy”????)

Take care all. xxxx

The weather is warming up here…we missed the last ‘heat wave’ ….and it looks as though watering is going to be the order of the day! Today I am keeping out of the sun, but have to work this evening, so the garden will have to cope until the early hours of tomorrow morning!

Hope you are all doing well today.
xxx

Great quote Heidi! Such sensible advice. I see that Roy Taylor has a new book out.. with a recipe book. Just ordered them from Amazon… just to see if there are any differences or new ideas!
Hope you are all having a good week.
Xx

Thank you Heidi for posting this sage advice! A great reminder for us all . I’ve just come back from a lovely evening walk by the river. I’ve done 10,075 steps today. I did 13000 on Saturday. That’s a lot for me. I phoned the waiting list office today to see wheee I am on the list and it looks like I’ll be having my first toe op in September or October this year. I need to get as many steps in as I can pre op as I’ll be off my feet for about 8 weeks afterwards. I am determined to be on the maintenance cruise in January. Hoping to be less than 150 lb before 8th August! I can do this!!!

Facebook algorithms seem to have twigged that I have someone close with stage 4 cancer, and that I am trying to be low-carb. So I am being bombarded with posters claiming that my life will change with beetroot extract/green tea/B12 etc etc.

But I found the following post from a Dr Mark Hyman helpful today – a dose of commonsense :
“It’s not too late to turn this year around. You don’t need a gym or fancy gadgets. Just simple habits done consistently.

Start by cutting out suagr, walking daily, prioritising sleep. Your health doesn’t have to be complicated.”

Hi all. I hope the courgette and swede were delicious, Pootle!
A few positives from today:
1) have completed most of the prep for a lunch tomorrow for friends. Less stress tomorrow! And it’s a nice healthy menu of protein and salad.
2) Finally got round to finishing the paint job which has been hanging over me.
3) Enjoyed a good walk on the dunes this morning’

Hoping you all have some positives to enjoy!