Hi all. Thanks Pootle and verano for your messages
I am indeed a grandparent to a little girl called esme who arrived early back in October. , she’s beautiful.
Unfortunately my other sons ivf failed again so always feel the pressure stuck in the middle
As for my diet….fundamentally have been good. Christmas ive gone a bit wild and put a fair bit on which was actually a shock this morning. Thats the only thing I find with this particular diet is when you eat what you want for a bit it goes on sooooo quick, far more than any other diet ive been on. Its like the carbs just bump up the weight so quick.
Apart from that I have remained the same , just have this half stone to het off starting next week when all food and niceities have gone! Feel confident I will achieve this although I know initially it will be hard. Hoping to get into the ladt remaining stone too which so far I haven’t. .
Happy new year to you all. Hope all your diets are going wrll.
Poitle…ahhh a puppy how wonderful. Apart from the hard work
All the best xx

Hello Margaret!
Sunshine-girl hope you’re still with us!

Just wanting to wish all the contributors to these monthly threads throughout the year a ‘Happy and Healthy’ new year.

2026 can be what you want it to be!!!

Lucy just hoping the new year will bring you less stress and more joy.
Best wished for 2026.

Hello!
Guess I need to check-in for the last time this year….

🥂🫒🍸 We had a lovely pre-Christmas gathering here. It was so lovely to catch up with friends. Hoping to make 2026 a more sociable year!

🍇🥦🥂 Relatively quiet holiday time which has suited us well.

🧳🛩️🧳 A surprise three day visit from our son🎉🎊🎉 Just ended!

Sunny enjoy your upcoming trip.
Pootle ‘popping in’ as and when is fine. I think we probably all use these boards for moral support as we need it.

Wishing everyone a ‘Happy and Healthy’ 2026!

Another year over! ….. A new one about to be born!

Hope 2025 has been kind to everyone. If there were ‘problems’ let’s hope 2026 will be better.

Wishing everyone a ‘Happy and very Healthy’ New Year!

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How is everyone doing? I’m prepping for a friend coming to lunch tomorrow then I will start clearing carbs from the kitchen in preparation for starting my diet on Monday 5th January. I suppose I will have to bravely stand on my scales on Saturday 🫣🤔😂
Margaret xx

Hi Lucy,
Happy Christmas and all good wishes for 2026!

Sorry I haven’t been in touch for months.. life became very hectic.. I have thought of you often, wondering if your first grandchild has arrived safely and how you are coping. Did you enjoy your holiday??

I lost my 14 year old dog in September, had to take the difficult decision! 😭 As the house was so empty, we got a puppy in October… a totally different character and I had forgotten just how much hard work a puppy is!! But we are getting there!

I relaxed my diet over the last 10 days and have put some weight back on, but I am still lighter than last Christmas! 🤞 I can get back on the wagon when all the bad goodies have gone!
Thinking of you.
Xx

Happy New Year to all.
It is time I returned to the site and forums… I probably won’t post as frequently as I did until October 2025, but will be lurking!!
So to a couple of positives from the Christmas period:

👢👢👢Husband bought me new boots from Clark’s, had them delivered and wrapped as a surprise present. When I opened them, one was size 5, the other a 6!!! Returned to Clark’s shop.. picked out a slightly different pair, which were in the sale 😄. The refund paid for a second pair from Pavers next door! 😉 So we got 2 for the price of 1!!!

🐩🐩🐩 I have found a ‘puppy class/group so hoping to get him behaving round other dogs and people!

🌧️🌧️🌧️ It has been dry…no rain = no mud!!! 😄

Good morning all.
Happy Twixmas 😄
Thanks to all for the news & support through 2025, looking forward to “2026, we’ve got this!” DCT thanks for setting up and keeping the threads going!

I have weighed in at 6lb heavier than mid December, 🥴 BUT still 7lb lighter than January ‘25! 😄 The really brilliant thing is my BS has remained ‘non-diabetic’ throughout the Christmas period despite all the treats I have allowed myself! (Christmas cake, pudding, brandy butter, mince pies, chocolate and toast/bread daily!! In fact, I am surprised I haven’t regained more weight!)
I am promising myself that, once all the bad goodies have gone, I will get back on the wagon🫣! However, so long as the BS numbers stay down, I think I might include a slice of granary bread into daily use!🤔
Here’s to 2026! 😄😄

Hi all and Happy Twixmas as it’s increasingly being called!

Just to say I will set up the new thread on 1st Jan or thereabouts. I think we were going with “2026 : We’ve got this!” but I’m happy with anything, including the latest ideas. As long as we can find each other and stick together that’s fine by me 😊

Greetings to you all and will check in again soon either this year or on the other side! X

Love your thread name suggestions Mariet and agree the Building better habits one stood out for me.
I’ve been using AI (CoPilot) to help with meal planning – I just enter what I have in my cupboards/fridge and ask for a meal
Plan (e’g. Higher protein lower carb meal
Plan for 4 people for 5 days including breakfast, lunch and dinner – and some of the suggestions have been surprisingly good!
I haven’t done a final weigh in for the year but it’s looking like I’m going to either end the year at the same (overweight) weight I started it at OR I’ll be a few kilos heavier 🙁
Not going to let it get me down though – am going to enjoy NYE then knuckle down from Monday 5 January.
It’s a bit early, but Happy New Year everyone! Thanks for your support and friendship this year xx
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Wow, so many spam posts on this site now. I’ve reported some but it’s an uphill battle.
Well a week after Christmas, how did we all go? 800g increase here. I was hoping to start the next year with a loss, let’s see how it goes!
Have I missed the name of next years thread? I haven’t seen anything so i asked Chat GPT and got these suggestions

Becoming Our Best Selves in 2026
Healthy Habits, Stronger Lives — 2026
Stronger Minds, Healthier Bodies 2026
Building Better Habits Together in 2026
Choosing Health and Confidence in 2026

I don’t love any of them but maybe Building better habits together in 2026?
Amy other thoughts?

Hope everyone has had a lovely Christmas and enjoyed whatever special things come your way. Now we are fast approaching new year celebrations and greeting 2026 and all it may hold for us. Before then though, I thought I’d post a couple of positives ….
🙂🙂 had lovely three way video chat with a good friend in Turkiye and his daughter this evening
🙂🙂 today I started packing for our upcoming trip next week … really excited!
🙂🙂 OH and GS who are working together, came back for lunch today … sounds silly, but I enjoyed catering for them
Whatever yor have planned, I hope you all enjoy your new year celebrations, ours will be low key, just the way I like it.

🎅🎁🎄 Just a quick post to wish you all a wonderful festive season and only good things for 2026. Hope you’ll have a joyful time over the coming days whatever you’re doing 🎄🎁🎅

Merry Christmas everyone & I hope it will be a relaxing & not too stressful time if you are hosting.
🎄🎁🥂⭐️❤️
Margaret xx

Hi all, home again from my travels and enjoying the warmth (!) here in Sydney. I put off weighing myself for a while to slow the bloating etc to dissipate but the bullet yesterday and was shattered to find I had put back 4kg. Disappointing as I really was watching what I ate and was careful to eat only two meals a day and all that but I had such a good time and have memories for ever so I guess it just is what it is. So I’m here definitely for next year 😁

Thank you, DCT, for all the work you have done this year, setting up the thread and keeping it going. I have really appreciated it and all the contributions from my fellow cruisers.
Looking forward to next year’s journey. Merry Christmas to all who celebrate.

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Thanks for your observations Verano. I’m with you on the longer days, it will be so good to have more daylight.

My small positives for today are ….
🎄🎄 lovely flying visit from a former neighbour, good to have a face to face catch up, even briefly
🎄🎄 very last Christmas gift has been wrapped now
🎄🎄 found the ‘lost’ remote control at last….somehow wedged in the reclining sofa! Pleased to say it’s still functioning.

Hope your day had gone well and brought positives your way.

Hi folks,well our ship is finally pulling in to shore after its long voyage!
The year hasnt gone at all as I expected,and I know its same and similar for lots of other members here
My big plan to maintain just didnt happen. Having slapped cheek syndrome,then longterm shingles AND long term sciatica meant there was some comfort eating going on. 
Muscle spasms kept me awake many a night,which led to several tea and toast very early morning sessions.
Anyhoo its Crimbo week everybody so lets forget our cares and enjoy the festivities!!🥳
New Year awaits and I want to thank you all for your friendship.
 It will be tenth BSF anniversary for me and for others,and perhaps the year when we finally all reach a weight we can live with!
In the meantime,have the merriest Christmas ever,and see you in ‘26! Be there or be square! XXXXXXXXX

            “ May the dream of peace take flight across the world in 2026 “

             🐝 ¨*•  ¸🌼¸¸ 💞🐝*•.¸🌼¨*•💞¸🌼¸¸

Very true Sunny! We absolutely do take things for granted.
A few days ago I withdrew some money from the bank, not a great deal, but I thought how fortunate I was to be able to do that without giving it too much thought. The newspapers are full of such doom and gloom about jobs, unemployment etc and the thinking seems to be that next year will be no better. Yes we do need to count our blessings and for me today it’s that it will be a lighter day than yesterday! Spring is just around the corner, well nearly!

Hey everyone, great to see the updates—sounds like a whirlwind of chores, docs, and pre-holiday hustle! 7.3 isn’t ideal but awesome your doc trusts you to dial it in without med tweaks; that new machine should make tracking a breeze. Smart move on the bronchitis vaccine with asthma in the mix—stay safe through the chaos.

Verano’s catering tip is spot-on; supermarket buffets are a lifesaver for low-effort variety without the fuss. Fingers crossed the sitters make it soon—Poitiers traffic can be a nightmare!

Pootle, you’re killing it as the success story—inspire the rest of us! Hugs to Lucy if she’s lurking. New thread name idea: “Winter Thaw Triumphs” or “Frost to Flourish: Q1 Wins.” Merry Christmas back at ya—catch you on the 30th!

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In the early hours if this morning, inexplicably awake with various thoughts parading through my mind, it occurred to me, that in finding and recognising the small positives in our day, there is a danger of overlooking the big ones. The things we often take for granted, even if we don’t mean to …. like having a roof over our heads and warmth on winter days, enough food to eat and clothing to wear.

So, while I ‘m happy for today being the shortest day, heralding longer one’s from here and recognising the joy of spending time with friends today and being gifted a lovely healthy hellebore plant for my garden, I’m also acknowledging how privileged I am to have a warm, safe home and all I need to be comfortable and content in life.

Just popping in while I have a moment to pop this thread back up to the top!

’!

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Sunny … all is sounding good . Take care.

Pootle, good to see you posting here and huge well done on the weight front.
V, wishing you a wonderful birthday and a great year to follow. At this time of year, it’s tough trying to keep our consumption of tempting fayre under control and we all have to find the approach that suits us best.

My positives today are …
🎄🎄 good visit with Dad over the last few days. He is coping well with a little support and taking care ov himself
🎄🎄 did a huge amount of gift wrapping today. Still a bit to do, but the bulk of it is behind me

I’m sure there should be more, but my sleepy brain isn’t working properly!

If you have a moment in the busy festive build up, please post a positive or two.

Hallo! Ich kenne dieses Gefühl, wenn man bei der Dissertation einfach nicht weiterkommt. Mir ging es genauso. Ich stieß auf https://ghostwriter-masterarbeit.com/ und fand dort Berichte von Studierenden, die ähnliche Schwierigkeiten hatten. Das gab mir Mut und half mir, wieder kleine Schritte zu planen, anstatt mich zu blockieren.

Meine Masterarbeit wächst, aber leider in die falsche Richtung. Der Text ist lang, aber nicht klar. Ich verliere den roten Faden und weiß nicht, welche Inhalte wirklich relevant sind. Besonders der Hauptteil wirkt unübersichtlich. Ich suche Unterstützung, um die Masterarbeit sinnvoll zu strukturieren, Inhalte zu priorisieren und die Argumentation verständlich aufzubauen.

So today I have a birthday!
I’ve decided that it’s time that I just nurtured my body and forgot about ‘weight’ per se. I’m just going to eat ‘well’ and ‘healthily’. Too old now to worry about fitting into a size ??
Just need to be as healthy as possible….so my new positive … eat as well as you can!

Shetland Lace one step forward at a time and you will come through all your traumas. Hopefully the new year will bring new optimism and a better year for you.

Sunshine- girl enjoy your trip back to the UK and hope you have a wonderful time with your family.

Pootle just keep doing what you’re doing! Happy hols to you and yours.

Margaret enjoy the ‘happy season’! Whatever makes you happy just go with it. ….. life (especially at our age) is uncertain so best to just enjoy!

Hi everyone, just catching up. It’s lovely to hear from so many of you as to how you are doing.

YOWZER I was so glad to see your post as you’d gone quiet, but I’m really sorry to hear that you are still battling health issues. I do hope that things improve for you soon and that 2026 is a much better year for you.

POOTLE well done for maintaining your weight loss and avoiding the diabetic range. That’s great news! Long may they both continue.

LACY I’m sorry to hear your sad family news and completely understand that posting hasn’t been a priority. But very well done for your fantastic weight loss and blood results. It’s great that you are now off blood pressure meds : very inspiring!

Hello to everyone else too, and I’m glad there is interest in a 2026 thread. I’ll still be here! It’ll be 9 years since I started this WoE and I really want to get things back on track. So I’ll set up the new thread on the 1st January. I like Sue’s title 2026 : We’ve got this! so unless anyone else has further inspiration will probably go with that.

If I don’t manage to post again before Christmas I hope that you all have an enjoyable, restful and peaceful time whatever your circumstances, and I hope that 2026 is a happier and healthier year for all of us X

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Hi all,
I’ve been keeping up with you all through the forum posts, but a death and a cancer diagnosis in the family has left me struggling a bit, so I’ve not really been in the right frame of mind to post anything.
My reason for doing the BSD this year was high blood pressure and a pre-diabetic blood test result. I managed to lose 11kg (about 1.5 stone) in 12 weeks and my HbA1c test result last month was 5.6 (down from 6.1), with a fasting glucose of 4.8. My blood pressure is now a little on the low side, if anything, and I’ve come off the medication competely. I’m working on trying to keep my weight stable, and I think I’m slowly winning that battle.
I’d like to thank everyone here for the support and for sharing your hard-won experience with me this year. I doubt I’d have been successful without you in my corner.
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, and a healthy and happy New Year.
Love, Lacy xx

Hi all,

I’ve been keeping up with you all through the forum posts, but a death and a cancer diagnosis in the family has left me struggling a bit, so I’ve not really been in the right frame of mind to post anything.

I’d like to thank you all for your support and positive encouragement. I doubt I’d have been successful without you in my corner, and I shall be counting on your advice and support next year as I learn to live with my new ‘normal’ diet.

Wishing you all a very happy Christmas, and a healthy and prosperous New Year.

Love and hugs,
Lacy xxx

Hi everyone, sorry for my absence, I have been busy with cleaning, viewing, doctors, vaccines and more cleaning.

Doctor was not happy about 7.3 but said he knows I will sort it out so he is not changing any of my meds, not increasing insulin. Also, gave me a prescription for a new machine. I had to have a vaccine for bronchitis due to having asthma so that was 2 trips to the pharmacy, one to book it and next day to have it done.

Verano, I like your idea of catering. Here the supermarkets so buffets of many different types so that is where I would go to cater for anyone although never have anyone here anymore.

Packing all done, I think!! Now just waiting for sitters to arrive. They got lost around Poitier so are running late.

Pootle, so glad you are still a success story as you and Lucy took a lot of persuading. Now you can tell everyone else that it works. Dont worry about the pre- we all have ups and downs. Any news on Lucy, say hi if you are still reading.

I will be back on 30th so only one day to set up new thread which will be Winter/Spring for 3 months. Any ideas for a catchy name. By for now and a very merry Christmas to you all.

Solid summary of key takeaways. The link between meditation, gratitude journaling, and brain health is powerful. It’s a great reminder that simple, daily habits can rewire our thinking. The sleep and diet points are so true as well. For anyone wanting to make a short, clear video recap of talks like this for personal use, a tool like this can be handy: https://www.movavi.com/

Oh! Well done Pootle and a huge pat on the back for you.

So sorry I’ve been absent. We all need to just post those ‘odd’ to others positives even if it’s just enjoying a slice of really good sourdough!!!

So yes, here I go…….

🥒🥬🥦 Food wise I’m a bit up the wall but having fun! Weight is an issue but then tomorrow is another day!

🥂🍸🍾 Lots of people for drinks and canapés here on Sunday and really enjoying the organising …… I think!

Enough positives to say just at the moment I feel ‘positive’ and hoping you do too!

Hi Pootle! Good to see you and well done for your achievements this year.

S-g sounds great and yes I would love it! Actually we have help at the weekend so it’s just a case of ordering/buying ‘stuff’. My cooking days for lots of people are over now but we do still love to entertain!

Margaret we have to ‘live’ as well as keeping healthy! So just Enjoy!

S-g how did you get on with your doctor? I’m guessing you’re leaving tomorrow or at least very soon so safe journey.

Will post again during the next week or so.

Good morning all. Sorry I have been absent for a couple of months.. I have been reading your positives via email..
Today:
1. 🐩Our new puppy is a terror and a delight! 😉
2. 🤞I am still in remission from diabetes. 😅
3. 🎂my weight is steady and the least it has been for over 30 years! 🎉
😄😄😄😉

Good morning,
Sorry I have been absent from the site for a couple of months, so have missed your news. Life got very hectic and I felt I had nothing of importance to share. 🥴
I am ending the year another stone lighter than last Christmas and still in remission from diabetes. (Although my latest Hb1Ac is still just into the pre-diabetic range). I have been very strict with no carb until this month, but have just relaxed a little and treated myself to the (very) occasional slice of granary toast, roast potato or mini mince pie. Not all on the same day! 😅
I cannot thank you enough for all the advice and encouragement when I was desperate to avoid metformin and get the diabetes under control. I started this journey at 15st 8lb and this morning weighed in at 9st 9lb (in October I went down to 9st 7lb)
Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas.. hope to see you in the New Year. I am keeping on, keeping on.. determined to keep the weight off and diabetes in remission!
Pootle.

Good morning all,
Sorry I have been absent from the forums for a couple of months. Life has been very hectic and, whilst I have read the email notifications (so kept up with all your news) I haven’t felt as though I had anything of import to share with you all.
My latest Hb1Ac was still just in the pre-diabetic range (phew, as I was in diabetic in June 2024). I have kept the weight fairly steady since the summer at a stone lighter than last Christmas..
Have just been giving myself a little more leeway in the run up to Christmas with the odd mince pie, slice of toast or roast potato and put a pound back on, but at least the blood sugars are ok. Thanks to all of you for ‘being there’.
Keeping on keeping on with the blood sugar diet.
Happy Christmas and a happy healthy 2026.
See you all on the new thread!
Pootle.

Lovely message and a great reminder for all of us.

With a few weeks still to go before Christmas, this really is the perfect time to stay focused without pressure. Whether the goal is feeling confident in an outfit, improving blood glucose levels, or simply building better habits, every small win matters.

I completely agree that Christmas is just one day, not a reason to undo weeks of progress. A few things that help me personally are sticking to regular meal timings, staying hydrated, choosing one indulgence instead of many, and reminding myself that consistency matters more than perfection.

For anyone looking for lighter festive friendly treats, I recently came across this helpful guide on Thai bubble tea that explains ingredients and ways to enjoy it more mindfully without overdoing sugar. Sharing it here in case it helps someone stay on track while still enjoying flavours they love
https://kongsiteabar.in/thai-bubble-tea-explained-taste-ingredients-recipe/

Looking forward to supporting each other through the rest of December and into the new seasonal thread in the New Year. Let us make this a Christmas we can all feel proud of.

See you all here.

Hello everyone
So lovely to see posts from absent friends – it has made my day and for me, I’ve found it interesting and inspiring that although weight loss goals weren’t always met this year, a lot of us have grown in different ways and are looking forward to 2026 with optimism and enthusiasm. It’s not easy to bounce back after disappointment, illness or difficulties but here we all, strong and ready to move on. I am so inspired to move forward, doing things gently, being kind to ourselves and being supportive to each other. How lucky we are to have found such a strong connection with each other.

Thank you everyone for your support, inspiration and kindness during 2025 and here’s to another journey together in 2026. I’ll look forward to seeing and being part our new 2026 thread. Thank DCT for your lovely words and for your kindness in setting up the new thread for us all.

Hi everyone,
It’s so lovely to read so many new posts and a relief to know people are ok, though sad it’s still not an easy time for many.
Sue it’s great that you have retirement to look forward to and that you already have added regular walking into your routine, it’s something I still struggle with (I always find an excuse not to do it) but it’s a habit I would really like to adopt next year.
Cathy I really hope your dentist is able to remove your tooth, you’ve suffered for long enough and I’m sure it would be a relief for you to enter the new year without it still causing problems.
Articfox, I’m sorry to hear that you have been having emotional upsets but am so pleased that you have new amazing people in your life and hope that 2026 will be a much kinder year.
Yowzer! Lovely to hear from you again but sorry to hear your health problems have not cleared up. Like Sue, I’ve missed your positive posts❤️
DCT I like ‘Moving forward together in 2026’ and also Sue’s ‘2026 we’ve got this’ . Thinking of our various individual goals maybe ‘A healthy mix in 2026’ or ‘Finding a fix in 2026’ whatever the title I will definitely be joining our next year’s journey together.
I would like to wish everyone a peaceful Christmas and a healthy new year ❤️❤️❤️ Dawn XX

Hi guys,just calling by to apologise for not posting since October. I havent abandoned ship,just been hunkering down in my cabin,still struggling with various health problems.
Will come back and catch up on reading over 2 months of posts,hear all the news,but for now just want to leave my best wishes to you all for a fab Christmas season! Enjoy it all! XXX
I’m wishing too that 2026 will be an easier year for us..2025 has tested so many of us in many different ways. We all deserve a pat on the back for getting through it all with grace and humour.
Love and hugs all round and thanks for being here XXXXX
🩷🩵❤️💙🧡💜💛💚🩶🩷🩵❤️💙🧡💜💛💚🩶🩷🩵❤️💙🧡💜💛💚🩶🩷🩵❤️💙🧡💜💛💚🩷🩵❤️💜

Thanks for the update Arctic Fox and for your lovely and wise words DCT.

Thinking about names for the next thread , here’s my suggestion – 2026 We’ve got this!
Could also be ‘You’ve got this’. As I was trying to think of rhymes, the only other one I could think of was ‘2026 pick up sticks’!
Haven’t had my morning coffee yet…

ARCTICFOX so lovely to hear from you! I was worried about you. I’m so pleased you are back k and have some good things going on socially, yet sorry to hear about the emotional upsets. Do stay in touch ….. I hope you know how much we’re all rooting for you xx

DAWN, CATHY and SUE good to hear from you all too and I’m thrilled you’re up for a new thread in 2026. Any ideas for names much appreciated: the best thoughts I’ve had so far are along the lines of Moving Forward Together in 2026 or Sticking Together in 2026. But any other ideas really welcome. I’d see it as an all-encompassing thread for those old-timers who still want to lose more , those who want to maintain but keep in touch, and those who are new to all this and would like some support.

Meanwhile, may I send the very best wishes for the festive season and 2026 to anyone reading this. Please know that you matter, and that there is a welcoming group of people here for anyone who needs us xx