I have added the book to my Wishlist on a certain shopping site 🙂

Have you seen that Michael Mosley is bringing out a new book called Fast Keto 800 at the end of December ?
I’m a sucker for a new book to boost my motivation 😉. I will add it to my ever-growing Kindle library 😊

Hello … I’ve started so I won’t finish ….. I’ll do my best to post everyday …..
A quiet day today which is always good ….
1.☀️🏚 Looks like a trip to a Country House hotel is on the cards for mid January ….. wonderful to have something to look forward to.
2. 🎋🪴Convinced my amaryllis has grown overnight …. could be my imagination!
3. 🧀🫑🫒 Really struggling at the moment to eat ‘the best I can’ but the positive is that I could be eating one heck of a lot worse!
Now and again we have to cut ourselves a little slack from the totally strict ‘regime’ we follow. As long as it’s only ‘ a short diversion’ all should be well!
Have a good evening.

Ruby yes I agree!
King oysters were new to me this autumn but what a wonderful surprise!
I try to use a little less meat in dishes and bulk out with veg. I often add puy lentils to bolognese or cottage pie, with cauliflower mash of course! I’d just love some more ideas of how to cut down on neat by adding vegetables.

Hi everyone and thanks for your thoughtful comments and insight .

I do love our little community and like Sunny , SG ( and many other vintage contributors ….I mean that in the nicest possible way !!!!I ) I am very invested in sharing experiences, giving support and encouragement because we know this way of eating really does work . I also want us all to feel good about ourselves and our messages are not just about carbs and calories ! Whatever we are going through, this is a safe space to vent and share .

What happens with me though is that the weeks often fly by and depending on what is going on here ( I get called on a lot to help out with French admin and other stuff) it can get busy . Before I know it the week has gone by and I haven’t had time to answer all the posts and contribute as I would like, and that makes me feel guilty .

I’ve had a think and if you all agree, I would like to keep this thread open to see out the end of the year . We can still pop in when we can and have a chat , about Christmas preparations, food choices, worries, stresses and joys, anything really . We will all be cheering SG when she gets all the appointments and tests out of the way and can trust she really will be on the way to the UK !!!

We are definitely not giving up on the thread or anyone but not to feel the pressure of having to start a new weekly thread throughout December would help me . So only a break insofar as I won’t renew the thread but keep this one running until the New Year . Don’t worry Tulip/Clare , we will still be here . I hope you are feeling better after a difficult time .

I hope you and your hubby are OK after your bout of Covid, Elle Mae ?

I am not going to start munching carbage as like Julia/ California Girl, Verano and of course SG I would never sabotage my health now by feeding it crap but I will enjoy a few traditional Christmas treats . Any damage will be managed from January and that’s ok .

We can then decide if we have a weekly thread with a different theme as V suggested or maybe have monthly targets ?

Does that sound ok ?

Merry !!! Yes, it will be wonderful to see my son after more than 2 years apart although he really will miss Australia ( he has loved his time there) He is an avid bird photographer and he will really miss that but he tells me France has some spectacular places he can discover too. He has a great attitude . By the way the Christmas parcel I sent at the beginning of November arrived this week ! It only took a month…..RESULT !!! So my boys will have their French Christmas goodies 🙂

So keep posting when you can . We will keep this space open .

I wonder if Amz will pop back in ?

Love and hugs to you all

Wendy xx

Hi folks,SUNNY so pleased to hear OH is improving day by day💜 got to be better for Christmas!👍👍
VERANO isnt it great to see the sun today! Lovely news about your hair. I think if your hair looks good,you feel good all over.X
My offerings for the day…
*~ Bright sunshine and cold and crisp..my favourite kinda winters day! ☀️🦆☀️🦆☀️🦆☀️

*~ Went with DD to hospital yday for her second scan. Had to wait for her in coffee shop. My sister an inpatient there at the moment and was having a heart scan while DD was having lung scan. Thank you NHS for all that you do.
It felt like a bit of an afternoon out,sitting in the coffee shop watching the world go by! Not allowed further than the reception area,lots of sanitiser everywhere,face masks on,distancing,so it felt safe ( ish!)
*~ Also,will never cease to be grateful for NHS dentistry. I think I usually pay £20 -£30 for routine teeth check. At the moment I can’t get an appt with my usual dentist til 10 th Jan. Have lost a filling and while thankfully I haven’t got toothache,a jagged edge of the now unfilled tooth is now rubbing painfully against my tongue and inner cheek when I speak or eat ( upside : I’m eating less!)
To go privately ( and still with a wait of over a week) will cost me at least £150. Will have to do it otherwise my tongue will be in ribbons… Need to go out busking to pay for it! Makes me realise just what a blessing NHS dentists are! 💕
Thank you 🙏
Have just read this,made me smile,and it’s so true!
🌷🌷🌷“You don’t have to attend every argument you’re invited to!”🌷🌷🌷xxx

Just chipping in to say I love cauli leaves – Tuesday night we had sausage, cauli mash and sauteed cauli leaves with kale – yum!

A better day yesterday, managed to avoid mindless stressy snacking and had a smaller portion for supper.
11st 13.0lb this morning
Hubby 15st 9.8lb
Keeping on keeping on, helped by the support on here

King oyster mushrooms are my favourite!
I normally serve them alongside a nice piece of steak to balance out the calories on the plate, they are so tasty and filling and really good for this way of eating.
I’ve not tried them in a curry yet though.

Wow! I have a lot of reading to catch up! Congrats CC! Alphabet Song…new to me also! Linda – hope you are both better soon.
I’ve been off plan – it’s the last week of term for me so students are bringing in lovely treats, often home made so it’s hard to avoid! It’s been really busy this last few weeks but this weekend the decs go up and daughter arrives from UK 🤞…then its party time!
I will catch up with the posts and check in later..bon courage mes amies!

Linda – sorry to hear about your health problems and your husband’s – it sounds nasty for both of you. Hope things improve soon. Fascinating (for fascinating read scary) to hear about your ‘company man’. Did I tell you that I’ve started throwing in the leaves when I roast my cauli after your tip. They’re lovely. I’ll have to try your soup next. Take care of yourself.
Dawn – hope you have a great visit with your Dad today. The little table top Christmas tree sounds perfect. Also hope Friday goes well for your Mum. xx
SueBlue – good luck with the weigh-in. A city visit, a little bit of gift-buying and breakfast in a cafe – what a nice treat; just my kind of day.
Yowser – not so much too young to remember, more too old to remember!! ….. Didn’t recognise the words but as soon as I clicked through to the song I recognised it, even remember Dickie Valentine. Haven’t heard it for years. Brilliant memory of childhood. Thanks ever so much for writing it out and the link.
Going out for a quick walk before our food delivery. Hope everyone goes well today
Jennie xx

Dawn – hope everything goes well on Friday, I can imagine how worried you all are xx. Enjoy your visit with your dad tomorrow, I’m sure he’ll love the tree 🌲

I haven’t been 💯 on plan this week, a couple of ‘good’ days followed by a not so go good one yesterday, eating wise. I did get a lot of steps in – almost 15,000 – as my husband and I went into the city for the morning, our first foray since February 2020 (due to COVID). We treated ourselves to a cafe breakfast and I really enjoyed my bacon & egg roll and coffee 🙂 I was able to get a few last minute Christmas gifts so that was good.

Linda – sorry to hear about your health issues too, hope you feel better soon.

I’ll post again tomorrow after weigh in and will catch up with everyone else’s posts before then too 🙂

Hi all,sorry meant to post last night but didn’t get round to it.DCT I had better day than Monday but not great day today😩Will try again tomorrow though🤞Sorry I haven’t caught up on all of the posts yet but my thoughts are with those having difficult times health wise at the moment.My mum got a letter from the hospital on Monday with no results from her bowel scan but with an appointment for her to see a consultant on Friday so we are all a bit concerned and hoping it’s not to discuss anything serious.I’m booked to go and see my Dad with her tomorrow so am hoping he is awake and alert.Taking the little tree top Christmas tree for his room.Sending everyone big hugs and thanks for your continued support.Dawn X

Tonight I was making a lamb curry but there was really not quite enough for two portions …. even very small ones! I found two king oyster mushrooms in the fridge so sliced them and added then to the curry.
A revelation … the mushrooms held their shape and were actually better than the lamb!
I’ve used all sorts of mushrooms in the past but they often ‘disappear’ however I found the king oyster mushrooms are really in a class their own.
Any other vege alternatives would be really appreciated.

(p.s. I love the one week at a time thread so it always gets my vote) xxx

Aww just checked in after a few weeks of poor mental health and feeling run off my feet- and trying now to get back on track (food wise)….what’s the plan? When is the break until? Hope everyone’s as ok as can be xxxxx

RubyG I just love your determination. You are very like me. Keep on keeping on and dont forget, as the film says, tomorrow is another day.

Thanks Yowzer I hadn’t heard of the Christmas alphabet either 🙂

Just a quick one for JENNIE..Back later to read..
JENNIE you’re probably too young to know this song. Kids in the fifties sang it every year. I recall my sister teaching me it when I was really small!

The Christmas alphabet…
C is for the Candy trimmed around the Christmas tree
H is for the Happiness with all the family
R is for the Reindeer prancing by the window pane
I is for the Icing on the cake as sweet as sugar cane
S is for the Stocking on the chimney wall
T is for the Toys beneath the tree so tall
M for the Mistletoe where everyone is kissed
A is for the Angels who make out the Christmas list
S is for old Santa,who makes every kid his pet
Be good and he’ll bring you everything in your Christmas Alphabet

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHq2ZvGE3ec
XX

I weighed this morning, and the scales confirmed what my body is telling me – 12st bang on again, which is not good, but not the end of the world either as I know what to do.
I will be below 12st again by the end of this week, and still have a couple of weeks to drop a few more lb before Christmas. There are no major excesses on the horizon, the main event is just 1 meal, but I have bought some nice cheese and nice booze, so I do need a bit if a buffer.

Good morning!
Sunny good to hear OH is improving.
Yowzer sounds like you had a lovely day yesterday hope there are many more great days for all of us ahead.
So I thought it was time I got back to sharing my positives too …..
1. 🥗🍗🥂Lunch here yesterday with some friends we’ve not seen for literally ‘years’ and it was such a joy to spend time with people just enjoying some food and chatter. Let’s hope we all have more of these ‘normal’ days in the months to come.
2. 🎋🪴Planted an amaryllis yesterday and I’m sure it’s already starting to spring back into life.
3. 👩🏻✂️☀️A little ray of sunshine has brightened my life. About four months ago my hair was getting really thin and dull. Very upsetting, but this week for the first time it seems to be back to ‘normal’. Three pronged attack: a vitamin, new hair products and a shorter cut. So good to have healthy hair again.
Hope Wednesday is a good day for everyone full of bright ‘spots’.

California girl you are so right about that ‘sweet tooth’!
Around six months or so ago I thought we would have a change and a ‘treat’ so I bought some sweet potatoes ….. they were soooo sweet I couldn’t eat even one mouthful and had to give away the ones I hadn’t used.
Similarly, I can’t eat any chocolate less than 85% … my grandchildren think it’s ‘poison’ but that’s kids for you.
Ahh, yes a very ‘peaceful’ post California girl ….. I feel relaxed just reading it. I so look forward to the lighter days but I do love the idea of the ‘resting phase’ of winter. Let’s hope we are all renewed and the new year brings more light, in every way.

Hi all,
Sorry I’ve been MIA. TBH I’ve not been feeling too well as I have a VERY nasty flare-up of my autoimmune LS. Let’s just say I tried a ‘wonder treatment’ cream that said it would possibly lead to remission. I KNOW that there isn’t such a thing BUT have had it 15yrs & thought that it was worth a go – At £53 for just 2ozs – it was damned expensive & called EmuAidMax. If anyone else is afflicted with the dreaded Sclerosis PLEASE don’t order it! I am BURNING, can’t sit, can’t sleep, can barely walk etc. etc. I’m feeling VERY sorry for myself at the moment. On top of this poor Carl has been having more & more full blown syncopies – falling down & going unconscious. We’re a right pair!

Diet wise, although I’ve been trying hard to keep us on the straight & narrow I’ve failed quite a few times recently as I just haven’t got the energy. I do have a big saucepan of delicious soup I’m keeping up – cauli leaves, broccoli stalks, leeks, spinach, some cream cheese & add a bit of Padano. I’ve been throwing in cauli & broccoli florets too as often I’m just too tired to do much. Hopefully this will pass sooner rather than later. I daren’t go to docs & tell them what I used, all they want to give is clobetasol which just makes the delicate skin thinner. I’ve been buying Bee Propolis ointment (seems to help a bit) Manuka ointment & any kind of ointment I think might actually work. Nearly resorted to Manuka 15+ UMF honey BUT thought Nah – a trifle messy!

I shall be back when I can sit down for more than 10mins. I hope the rest of you are enjoying the bus & having yourselves some good results. DCT – the placebo drugs going into sleeves of drugs is VERY rare, especially from major drug companies, like I worked at. 99% of analysts are very conscientious & realise we’re dealing with people’s lives so we HAVE to analyse properly. We just had one crap (call himself an analyst?) ‘company man’ that everyone else wouldn’t have trusted anything he analysed. It used to infuriate us & we made sure that the directors knew his analysis was done by calculator as he was incapable of doing most assays. He got promoted to everyone’s disdain & amazement! What I found disgusting was that pharmaceuticals which wouldn’t pass UK, EU, USA regs were sold to third world countries, because their standards were lower OR sold for veterinary purposes. Hmmmmm – Not on in mine & many others books.

Anyways gotta go try & get some sleep as I’m running seriously on empty at the moment, Take care all Linda XXXX

Hi everyone
Just a quick check-in from me. Didn’t have such a good day steps-wise today. Just over 5,000 this morning (steep climb and swearing included). But by lunch-time we had Storm Barra? knocking at our windows so no afternoon walk for me. I only had one meal today (poor appetite rather than personal discipline) but it was trout with roasted tenderstem broccoli and a touch of crispy parmesan. Delicious!
Cathy, I’m so pleased your weight is still good. Fingers crossed for 148lb on Friday.
Hope your OH gets a date soon. It just helps if you know what’s happening when doesn’t it. Like you, I’ve started watching the odd Christmas film. Ssh, tell no-one.
Yowzer, anyone – am I the only one who doesn’t know what the Christmas Alphabet is?
Dawn, Linda & Hubby, Antigone, SueBlue, everyone in fact – hope you’re all doing well this week.
Jennie xx

Thank you Yowzer for your encouraging words. You mentioned earlier hanging on by the skin of your teeth, and I hope your grip is getting firmer day by day. I’m sure the Christmas Alphabet song will help! On which point I do love watching some of the corny Christmas films on TV at the moment – Channel 5 runs them in the afternoons and we tend to record them to watch and laugh at later on. (That’s my excuse anyway!)

My appointment went fine thanks. I need to have regular blood tests because of some drugs I’m taking, so all routine. OH sadly needs an op to repair a macular hole. We’re on tenterhooks as he saw an eye clinic consultant 3 weeks ago as an emergency admission and was told he’d be likely to have surgery within a week. But we’ve heard nothing, apart from copies of a couple of referral letters. He tried chasing up last week but still no-one has come back to him. Which all casts another question mark over various Christmas plans but it’s such more important we get this sorted out as soon as possible. Will keep you posted . . .

Cathy that’s great news about your weigh in! I’m really pleased for you. I reckon all your efforts are finally beginning to pay off in that you’re able to maintain well despite the odd lapse. Fingers crossed!

Dawn how was your day? I had to fast this morning due to the blood test (not even allowed black coffee!!) so succumbed to a couple of slices of sourdough pizza at around midday. but the only other thing I have eaten today was a lovely stir fry this evening with prawns, Waitrose super food veg pack, and lentil noodles. Which according to my Fitbit brings me in under 800 calories, though higher carbs than I’d like. But no wine or deliberate sugar, so not too bad! Will see how we go tomorrow. I’d forgotten I’m at a Christmas do tomorrow night. A bit of an unknown quantity as I’m helping with some carol singing at a dinner, but not sure what food will be on offer. Will report back in due course.

Hope the rest of the week goes well everyone X

Hi all

I can’t possibly compete with all the lovely posts on here the last few days, I just want to send everyone who needs one a massive hug and I’m happy to go with whatever anyone else wants to with regards the thread! I think you’re all incredible – obviously Wendy, SunnyB and Sunshinegirl for all their hard work and support, but all of you – old faces and new, this is such an amazing community and I know it’s definitely pulled me out of the doldrums on numerous occasions and I only hope that I can sometimes provide just a little support and kindness to even one person on here.

L xx

What beautiful, thoughtful posts everyone.
I will reply tomorrow. Today was very full on but I think I can finally see the way through the stresses and trauma for my friend and his son…crossing everything.

A year-end thank you to Wendy, Sunshine girl and SunnyB who have kept the threads alive with interesting and helpful comments all year! I don’t post often but I appreciate the effort you make to support this site.
And a year-end thank you to everyone else too for stopping by to share your stories.
I apologize for my “downer” posts recently — I was born under the Aquarius star sign and somehow this Covid “thing” has really driven me off the rails — I want my happy, exciting life back, I want to see my friends without worrying about masks or Covid passes and I want to go out daily and smile at my fellow man/woman. I am worried for my two grand-daughters. I have just had ENOUGH of the whole thing. So I’m ignoring all the new hysteria also and just going about my life as much as possible.
BSD-wise, I have so habituated that I don’t really think about it (I am six years into this!).
Somewhere along the way I really and truly DID LOSE my sweet tooth — if you doubt this, stay on the low carb path and it WILL happen to you too! It’s just plain weird to me (the queen of sugar and carbs) that at some point it will just stop and you won’t need to seek out sugars. Now and then I might want a cookie, but one will suffice.
If it hasn’t happened yet for you, it WILL happen. It’s a huge game changer, because you just don’t want sugar anymore. So stay on the path!!
Grocery store usual activity: straight to cheeses and heavy cream (for coffee) aisle, then meat, drop by canned food aisle for tuna, tomatoes, beans, marinated artichokes, then to eggs/butter and finish at veggie department (ANYTHING except potatoes)
Create your own grocery- path! Avoid the cookies, cereals and treats aisles. I like to look at others trollies and feel superior (ha ha) really, be proud of your healthy choices.
So I am a person who loves the solstice — the days are darkening and cold and I love to stay out walking the dogs until dark skies send me in. At Lake Tahoe California we are cold and dark by 5 pm — the coyotes start to call and the dogs hug closer and we all head in to the warm house.
The solstice is natures voice that we go quiet and watch the light fade, and stay tight and warm. We are only two weeks or so from the solstice, and on the 22nd the light will start to return and we can celebrate the light in Christmas or whatever your chosen celebration will be.
Let the dark give you peace and quiet and let the solstice give you rest. The next two weeks look to the stillness which renews us all, the resting phase of winter.
Our bodies know this is a time to sit quietly (although party as necessary for frivolity and happiness) but don’t forget to follow the sun’s arc down, and on the 24th celebrate its return!

Hello.
I think that you all, Wendy, S-g and Sunny B, have been great at keeping this thread going.
I started this weekly thread an age ago and am really surprised it’s still going ..
so great job!
We have lost and gained lots of people along the way over the last couple of years so maybe a complete rethink is needed to inject some enthusiasm into the depleted group that we now are.
All thoughts I think would be really useful …. One week at a time …. .?cutting carbs, eating more vegetables, eating more low carb fruit, having one new meal, not eating something specific??. drinking more water, introducing a ‘new to you food’. Just a few thoughts for weekly topics for ‘One Week at a Time’. Sorry if I’m speaking out of turn.
As S-g says this is our way of life , 5+ years, and we won’t give up but it’s great to have help and encouragement and to pass on our experience to newcomers.

Great quote as always Yowser! So glad you are loving the life you’re living right now … so important to recognise when that happens and really embrace it.

Not much new to report from here…. OH continues to improve day by day. He has a bit more appetite and energy.
One definite positive for me, I have a hair appointment tomorrow morning, to renew the colour and have a trim, prior to our return home.
Rained almost all day today, but we took advantage when it stopped briefly, to get out for a walk.

What positive was there in your day?

Hiiii friends,how’s it going! Hope all are feeling tippetty top ! 🥳
My positives…
* ~ Hair done and lunch out today,then a sit by the park lake ( in the car,the rain was belting down)
Really enjoyed. Went to a large eatery and they have reverted to only allowing a certain number in at a time,so it felt safe. Lovely smiley staff,nice food,great coffee,what more can you ask for!
*~ Just feel so fortunate to have so many lovely days and happy times in my life! Life is so good despite all the anxieties of this crazy baffling era we’re living through!
*~ Give yourselves a pat on the back,we’ve gone through a lot, but we’re still here to tell the story. We might get knocked down,but we get up again. Keep rocking everybody! 💕xxxxx
“ Happiness is like jam,you can’t spread even a little without getting some on yourself” 😁😁😁 xxx

Howdy ladies ( we don’t seemto have any gents,apart from Linda’s hub. Used to be quite a few chaps on various threads)
SUEBLUE great to have your hair coloured, a real boost..we need nice things like that as we make our way onwards and downwards! We can be glam and healthier and slimmer 👏👏XX
CCATHY I feel for you and so admire yr work at the vax centre. The folk at mine,and I’m sure same at yours,are so nice and cheerful. It helps,because as a visitor you look around and think,this is bizarre,all these masked people waiting to be jabbed! It’s reassuring that the stewards and vaxxers are so smiley,normalises it a bit! I’m glad you’re not putting yrself under too much pressure,you’re right,specially as we now have a fresh anxiety,this new strain and what does it mean for us…..we have to be specially kind to ourselves and each other.
Hey that’s fab about yr weight loss being so much better than you expected! That’s very impressive,well done,you must feel great!
And I agree,,I love this thread and so happy to be part of our jolly coach travelling! XX
DCT hope yr appt went ok. Is Oh waiting for cataract op? I had both eyes done and it was so quick and easy and the results made it totally worthwhile X
JENNIE soooo well done with yr steps 👏👏👏👏 cussing and swearing v much allowed on the steep bits tomorrow..I hope the weather will be dry and not too cold for you X Fingers crossed for your son and GF! X
DAWN!ANTIGONE!LAURA! LINDA!and everyone aboard our bus..hope you’re all having a good day XXX
love and hugs to everybody! do you all know the Christmas Aphabet! I feel it’s time we had a singsong as we fly over hills and dales,getting closer and closer to our Crimbo destination 🎶🎶🥂🥂🥂🎶🎶🥂🥂🥂🎶🎶

Hello again

Dawn and Dreamscometrue I hope you are having a good day. I think a good day every now and again is doable!
Jennie- great step count- I am so tired when I get to about 11,000 steps.
SueBlue- you’re doing fantastically well and I love to read what you’re having for your meals- always so tasty and nutritious.

I braved the scales this morning in order to “get a grip” and was amazed to see I weighed 149.6 lb so only 0.6 lb of recent damage left! I anticipated I would weigh 153 lb! I am going to be good for the next couple of days and try to get a reading of 148 lb on Friday! That will leave me with 10lb to get off to achieve my revised end goal weight. I might make 146 lb by Christmas but in the big scheme of things and the way things are going with the variant etc, I am not putting pressure on myself. I am aware of my increasing anxiety levels and I don’t want to put myself under undue pressure so I’ll keep chipping away and look at my journey as a long term, healthy way of living and keeping well. When I compare my eating habits to those of my colleagues I can honestly say with hand on heart that I am not greedy. Lunch today was grated cheese and salad and it was delicious. Evening meal is roasted sprouts, and quorn sausages.
Keep going everyone and and keep doing your best. Stay safe everyone.
Lots of love to you all- I am so happy to be part of this lovely Christmas bus journey with you all.

Hi everyone, seems we are not doing another week although we can keep this one going if people want to give their comments. To be clear, I am not giving up on the plan, it is my way of life. It is just that our numbers seem to have dwindled over the last 2 or 3 weeks and it gets hard to motivate people who are not there, no one to bounce off if you see what I mean. I like to comment on how people are doing, answer any queries etc. If no one is posting I am left talking about myself and that gets a bit boring for you and for me.

I actually like the idea of starting a monthly thread that someone mentioned. I will be back fully on plan on Monday 2nd January so we could kick off from them or the 3rd if you like a Tuesday start. Wendy, what do you think, less organising on your part and more time for people to get into a routine for the New Year. As I am sure you will all want to make a big effort once the celebrations are over.

For me Christmas is usual just one day when I have whatever I want, except this year it will be two. 24th December will be Christmas Day for us as all the children (daughters 2 and her partners 3) will be will their opposite parents on Christmas Day this year. We will have another Christmas Day on the 25th but it wont be traditional. More like Boxing Day with lots of cold meats and cheeses and left overs and relaxing and having a few bevvies. Also board games and quizzes are our thing especially slightly ruder ones that the kids cant play – like Cards Against Humanity – I think that is what it is called.

Well everyone, I am signing off for now, organising lateral flow tests for us for our trip and for our sitters, then dentist on Thursday, laboratory Friday.Then the following week (13th) hubby dentist Monday morning then me at doctors in the afternoon, hairdressers Tuesday, then hubby at dentist Wedesday and Thursday and sitters arrive Friday and we will have our lateral flow tests Friday morning. Phew I am exhausted just writing it all down.

Merry Christmas to you all and a very happy New Year.

RubyG, I was going to say the other day that your comment was very restrained when I would have told them where to go. Seems you have now twigged it is spam. I have reported both posts.

Hi all thank you for your kind wishes, symptoms not too bad, it’s kinda like mild cold. On the plus side OH who works such long hours is having to have an enforced break so that will be good for him as he needs it. I enjoy reading all your posts but do understand the need for a break. I plan to be good with the exception of Christmas and Boxing Days when there will be a few overindulgences.

I can certainly understand the need for a break, I think we’ve all got so much going on in our lives right now. The uncertainty levels are so high again, which makes my chimp uneasy (I have mentioned The Chimp Paradox before), and I know I am overeating – as some others have reported, too much of the good stuff is also not good for us.
I had my booster yesterday, and unlike hubby I seem to have escaped any ill-effects other than a sore arm and sensitivity at the puncture site.
I did not, however, feel up to weighing today, nor did I feel like eating, but I did have some Greek yoghurt with a few cocoa nibs and some mixed seeds, which seemed to go down well. Soup for lunch from a batch made yesterday.
I can only hope that the restrictions we are all living under again have the desired effect and we can travel to be with our families for Christmas this year, but I know I have no control of any of it.
Hang in there everyone, and see you all in 2022 if not before!

My spam detector is definitely on high alert, the same paragraph seems to have been posted on at least one other website, and at least half of what has been written is tosh, but hey ho.
I did not weigh myself today, I am feeling fat, heavy, bloated, and had my booster jab yesterday so I will be kind to myself and weigh at the end of the week.

Morning everyone. Just a quick post as I have a hospital appointment to get to. I’m back from my weekend away, which was very quiet as OH is feeling a bit drained (he’s awaiting eye surgery). So not as much wining and dining as there might have been! However, Dawn I didn’t have a good day yesterday either what with travelling back and various other bits and pieces happening. But today is another day and it’s going to be a good one!

Sue it sounds like you are doing really well, and Jennie well done on the steps. Cathy I completely agree with you about keeping things in perspective in terms of our weight loss goals versus everything else that is happening. I do hope there will be some good news soon. I’m in a similar position in that we’re meant to be going to my daughter’s in London for Christmas Day, staying over, then heading north to see my mother. So I guess I’m planning as if that’s all going to happen, but also preparing myself for a quieter time if any restrictions do come in.

Must dash now but Dawn let’s see how we get on today? One good day is a good start X

Hi everyone, just checking in after a long week. Not been following along much as now that the big initial surge of adrenaline has worn off, I’m feeling quite exhausted. Of course moving tons of gravel on my 2 days off on the weekend probably didn’t help too much, although I did sleep well after! I was fasting while I did most of the work as I wanted to be in fat burning mode to have the stamina and endurance to get the job done. I only had a brief window when it was dry enough but before it started snowing in earnest to get the floor of the horse shelter raised up. No idea how many calories I burned whilst doing that. Must have been a lot. My dad came over for a couple of hours on Saturday to help and he did 14000 steps for the day, and he only had done about 3000 before coming over to my place. I had been working for 4 hours before he even arrived, so I’m sure my steps were a lot more. I moved probably about 30 wheelbarrow loads on Saturday and another 18 or so on Sunday. It felt good to get the job done. We got about 5cm of snow today.
At least I’m not working such long hours now that the waters have receded. Still lots of recovery work to be done, but hopefully the worst is over for now.
I’ll catch up on posts when I get a chance, but need to go to bed now.

Hi everyone
Sueblue – 3.5lbs – a mere bagatelle! you’ll have that gone in no time. Woohoo……. but, no more cake, eh! The hairdresser trip sounds lovely though. Also, I haven’t been to the hairdressers in ages (been contemplating it for a few weeks but I know there’ll be telling off involved – OH and I have been chopping at each others hair for months) but I remember my hairdresser saying the same about the condition of my hair one time – it’s a great feeling, isn’t it.
Yowzer – thanks for the call-out. Mines just a head cold so fine really, although staying away from others just in case. Hope you’re keeping tight hold of that seat, but also look after yourself. I know covid can really pull on people and leave them drained. xx
DCT & Dawn – I’ll be cheering from the sidelines ’til Friday. Come on you can do it.xx
Cathy – I’m the same with my son working in London. Like you, our Christmas family celebrations couldn’t happen last year (we ended up having ours in June). I’m really hoping he can get home, and even more so that his girlfriend can get home to New York, the poor girl hasn’t been home for almost 2 years. But I agree with you, I’ve realised it’s pointless to worry about the things I can’t control. If we can do it, we’ll do it. If we can’t, we’ll manage. Fingers crossed for tomorrow and good on you for keeping on!

Well, my focus this week is my walking. I went out for 2 walks today and got to 13,000+ steps. It was all on the flat, so tomorrow I’m going to include a couple of steep bits. There will be lots of under-the-breath cursing – which to be honest I quite enjoy.

Here’s to a good week for all of us.
Jennie xx

Hi wavecrest
I’ve just read your post and wanted to add some things. The first thing that strikes me is how well you’ve done and I’d include your blood glucose results as well as your weight. 40lbs weight loss is a really great result. Fantastic.
The reason I wanted to post is to say please don’t be deflated about your blood glucose results. Personally, I think they are really good too.
I’ve attached a link to a page on diabetes.co.uk. https://www.diabetes.co.uk/what-is-hba1c.html

If you scroll down to the ‘arc’ diagram (Hba1c as an indicator of blood glucose control) the bottom line below the arc shows blood glucose numbers – mmol/L – from a home testing kit, and the top line above the arc shows what the equivalent Hba1c (mmol/mol) numbers would be. So, your 6-ish from your bgl home testing would equate to approx 5.4% – 5.5% -ish (35–36) in your Hba1c which is in the green zone.
As you can see, this is similar to Linda’s which is in the ‘normal’ range and it’s similar to mine (which has run between 5.4% and 5.5% for the last 5 years) also in the normal range.
The big caveat to what I’m saying is that your testing is very limited and you can’t translate directly from so few bgl tests to get an accurate hba1c result from a chart (I know you’ll know that). I tested much more frequently, (approx. 5 times a day) at the beginning but still wouldn’t use it for that. But what it can and does show you is that your blood glucose levels are trending downwards – 9 to 6, brilliant, and that the tests you are taking now are each in the green ‘normal’ zone. That’s great.
Like Linda and sunshine-girl advise, I’d also continue with the 800 calories and low carb for a further 4 weeks. (Quite frankly I stayed on it a lot longer, I had 6 stone to lose). The fact that your bgl numbers have just started to reduce in the past couple of weeks is a good reason for continuing doing what you are for another 4 weeks. It’s clearly working for you.
Just two other points.
I wondered if you are due an hba1c test any time soon. If you are due one for example in January or February, then remember that the hba1c measures your average blood glucose level from the previous 12-week period so it’s worth bearing that in mind when you are deciding on making any changes/increases right now.
Also, I think I read on another post that you keep track of your cals, carbs etc (on myfitnesspal maybe?). In that case, you could note your average daily carbs, and then if you feel your bgls are stuck just reduce your average level of carbs a little for 1 or 2 weeks and see if your bgls lower.

Hope I’m not teaching grandpa to suck eggs – it’s always hard to know what people already know.
Jennie xx

Nb I’m assuming you’re in the UK. This chart isn’t relevant in other countries who use a different range of numbers for the hba1c.

Hello Wendy and SG. I am one of those who has not been posting much lately – my apologies. I do read all the posts every day, but don’t always have any news or progress to add. You both do such a great job keeping us all together. Maybe we could have a new thread “One month at a time beginning 7th December – getting through the silly season together”. Relaxed space for postings as we try and minimise the temptations before us at this time of year – work kitchen table filled with “treats”, dinners out, drinks parties, etc.?
I have been off track this last month. As you said Wendy – nothing feels normal yet. And what’s ahead? I’m feeling not quite settled. But I’m going to several concerts and dinners in the lead up to Christmas and will enjoy them all, hoping our eased restrictions stay in place.
This week I’m on holidays in a wine region in Victoria, with warm weather and in a very peaceful small town. The 2 dogs are here too, so we’ll enjoy some gentle walks. They are now 15 & 16 years old, so gentle does it 🐕🐕. There will be some wine, and some carb friendly meals (excepting the Parma and chips at the local pub last night 😫😫)
Elle-Mae – sorry to hear your news. I hope your symptoms are mild and quarantine is not too arduous and you can get your booster soon.
Fingers crossed for you SG and really hoping your travel plans all work out and you get to enjoy your family Christmas.
I’m sure you are really looking forward to having your son home Wendy, even if it’s not in the circumstances he wanted. I can imagine the huge hugs he will get on arrival. ♥️
Thank you for you calm words of advice RussianR. Hi to Windy, Lauren and Ruby – you are all inspiring.
🌺Merry

Also Elle-Mae I’m sorry to hear you tested positive, hope you recover soon and not too many symptoms

Hi all
Sorry to hear that Wendy and Sunshine Girl are having a tricky time. You are always so positive, so it stands to reason that you might need a bit of a break. You can’t be winning all the time. Don’t be too hard on yourselves. It has been another very tough year and to stay as focussed as you both have, is nothing short of a miracle.
Life does sometimes get in the way. I know when I have felt like that, I have had to step away. One of my favourite pieces of advice is this “the race is long and in the end it is only with yourself”. It’s a mantra I live by.
I’m going to keep on keeping on in the run up to Christmas as I continue to feel quite motivated.
Big love to you all

Hello everyone

Not posted for a few days. Haven’t weighed myself since 26th November! Am nervous of getting on the scales and being disappointed. My little trip to York wasn’t as on plan as I had hoped and so I didn’t weigh on Friday. I ate a mince pie at work on Friday! It was delicious!!! I have got myself all worked up again about the Omicron variant and am nervous that I, my husband or my son will catch Covid and therefore we will not be able to meet up at Christmas just like last year when Boris said we couldn’t travel to London. I seem to be getting more and more anxious as I get older! I am sure others, like me, are concerned! I really am going to work hard on living in the present and trying not stress over things I have no control over- that is going to be one of my New Year Resolutions! Today, at work when I was so tired and so busy I honestly thought what the hell! No Christmas party to dress up for, winter layers firmly on as it’s so chilly and more Covid worries to deal with so why am I stressing about a losing a few pounds. Now I’m home and feeling better I have decided to weigh myself in the morning, face the truth and think about what my next step is.
I know there are others feeling like me and I am genuinely not feeling sorry for myself. We are living in incredibly stressful times. Let’s just do what we can and try not be too hard on ourselves. Well done to those who are seeing results and keep trying those of us who are struggling, I seem to be two steps forward and three back.
I will post my interim weight tomorrow after I’ve braved the scales and try and accept that I’m doing my best.

I hope your Christmas goes well SG and Wendy and everyone else and that you can start to feel more positive in the New Year. I have been a bit quiet as both OH and I have tested positive for Covid.

Hi Wendy, I agree with you that we should take a break. Besides Christmas and Covid we are still running to the dentist (another 5 appts). Honestly, I am worried to death we are not going to get back to the UK. The final decision on Christmas will be made on the 17th which is tough as we will have sitters here and be on our way on the 18th. What a shit storm once again.

The numbers are sparse on our thread so I dont think it will be a problem for most people. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and see you all in 2022.

Hi all and thank you for so much your kind words and good wishes.DCT I haven’t had a 100% good start to our 4 day challenge but am all set for tomorrow! Dawn X

Hi everyone . I feel a bit of a fraud as I have not posted this week . I am coasting quite frankly . I discarded 2 kilos in November, probably could have done better….. for sure in fact . I lost a bit of focus towards the end of the month . No crappy carbs, just nuts , dark choc and cream … too much of the ‘good’ stuff .

I can’t quite get my ass into gear and I can’t work out why . I think I am still a bit unsettled with the news of my son arriving back in France late January and the ongoing covid mess . We didn’t have any plans to travel but I really feel for those who are facing the stress of additional testing , waiting around for results and ensuing isolation .

Nothing feels normal yet , far from it as there doesn’t seem any end in sight .

So I have been thinking as to how to move forward . My instinct is to have a break so we are in the right frame of mind . The thread is clearly flagging and we all no doubt have our own reasons for being quiet .

I am not giving up on us . I just don’t feel very useful right now and need a bit of a kick . I am not anticipating any carb/sugar binge over Christmas but I am not quite in my focused low carb zone .

Anyone reading this , can you let me know how you feel ? Shall we have a break and start up the thread in January … or just carry on as usual ??

Thanks as always SG for your contributions.We are reassured by your constant presence . I know you are very much preoccupied by your upcoming trip and much needed family time . I hope your daughter feels better soon . Lots of trauma in her area recently which has maybe impacted on her ?

I hope everyone is OK and can just pop in to give their reactions