Heidi I am so very sorry to hear the sad news about your father. Sending you lots of love and hope you are ok. Also hope your husband’s surgery went well. Busy and stressful times for you, especially with responsibilities on two different continents. Take care of yourself – we’re all thinking of you xx

Mariet hope you have a fabulous trip despite the weather!

Hope everyone else is doing ok xx

Heidi – thinking of you and sending love at this difficult time. Wishing your husband a speedy recovery from his surgery.

Heidi I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your father, take care x

Heidi, sorry to hear about your father and best wishes for your husband’s recovery after surgery.
We arrived in Dublin last night, in slashing rain and wind and a temperature about 9C, after leaving Sydney at 31C. It woke us up I can tell you, after a 30 hour journey! Now sitting in a pub with a glass of Prosecco and reminding myself that holidays are fleeting but the weight can remain for months!

Thanks for the shout out, DCT. And good to see the thread buzzing with news. Very pleased to hear that operations have been successful, a new job about to start, and wishing a happy holiday to Mariet.

Since my last check in here on 25 October, my husband has had surgery and my father has died. I spent the last few days with him last weekend and head back to the UK tomorrow. Speaking selfishly, it has been difficult to keep on track with sadness, stress and travel, but I am doing reasonably OK. Just 0.1 kilo is back. So 15.3 kilos off since end May. I shall keep on keeping on. As Cathy says, there is still time to make a difference this year, Best wishes to you all. xx

When it comes to tarot readings, many people wonder how to interpret the High Priestess yes or no. This card is deeply connected to intuition, hidden truths, and inner guidance. In most cases, the High Priestess gives a “maybe” or “wait” type of answer rather than a clear yes or no. It suggests trusting your inner voice and allowing things to unfold naturally. If you’re seeking clarity, this card invites you to look deeper within before making a decision. Feel free to share your experiences of getting the High Priestess yes or no in your readings!
Read More:-https://www.occultscience.in/tarot-cards/major-arcana/the-high-priestess/

Hello everyone & I have just weighed & have gained 0.5 lbs & looking back half a pound is all that I have lost since 1st October! It’s very frustrating & with my husbands birthday tomorrow & a family gathering with the extra wine nibbles food & cake on offer I am sure to gain more weight. Next Wednesday it’s my birthday & we will go out to dinner next Friday but I will try to do better the week after next 🤞🤞I keep on trying but am finding it difficult to get back to eating low carb with the temptation this week of some excellent seeded wholemeal sour dough bread! To cap it all my husband lost two pounds this last week after eating much more than me but good for him of course & rather demoralising for me 🤔
Oh well the weeks running up to Christmas & then the new year is going to be very challenging diet wise & I suppose it’s just trying to monitor eating on a daily basis!
Keep on going everyone all we can do is try to do our best to look after ourselves 🤞🍀🍀
Margaret xx

thank you for the welcome back lovelies- I am really very on off…I think mostly due to ongoing stresses and other people to sort out…..I am just finding it hard to prioritise my own healthy eating…I must though!! Love to all xxx

Hello.
Just wanted to pop by. I obviously haven’t been sticking to any sort of plan lately! Anyway, we leave the ship on Monday for 10 days in a hotel where food will be far more ‘controllable’ …. hopefully!
Sorry to see the November thread is so quiet but I’m guessing that’s because everyone is so busy sorting out recipes and making food plans for the winter?? Hibernating can be healthy !
Hope everyone is well.

Reported

I’m glad your surgery went well Dawn, hope your recovery going well also and your back to full fitness soon 🙂

Sorry to hear you are still facing issues with your gum Cathy, I hope you are able
to get some answers at your hospital appointment.

I have still been yo-yoing up and down, to say I’m disappointed how this year has gone is a huge understatement. Sadly I’m still dealing with some upsetting family situations which is not helping. BUT on a positive note, I weigh the same as I did this time last year, so havent gained anything (downside is I was overweight last year also, so in effect have made no progress at all!).

I have been making an effort to cook more at home, and to focus on eating healthy foods. All the stress I’ve been experiencing lately has aggravated my IBS and I’ve been getting really bad tummy pain/cramping. I dug out my Clever Guts Diet Book today, and going to try some of those recipes (like Bone Broth) in an attempt to settle it all down. Have also bought Kefir and Greek Yoghurt. So I want to focus on feeling better first and then on losing weight. As Cathy said, there are still 7 weeks until the end of the year, so I may be able to end the year less than what I stated it at, if nothing else!

As for ‘time to come alive in 2025’, I really did believe this at the end of last year, I had so much positivity, but sadly it hasn’t turned out to be a good year after all (and I know I’m not alone here as many of us on here have had lots of ups and downs this year.)

Hope everyone is having a good week x

You always need to work hard and even harder for small things to gain!

Great news Dawn. Here’s to a speedy recovery.
7 weeks can make a difference and today is day 2 of my final reset for 2025.
DCT – lovely to hear how you are enjoying life with friends and taking care of yourself when you can. Going swimming and walking your dog. Do what you can and be as healthy as you can. I read some words recently by Donna Ashworth called The Shape of you. It resonated with me. It’s about body image, self acceptance and personal growth. Made me really think hard about how much pain I’ve put my body through to fit with the trend whilst forgetting to feed my soul.
Here’s to the next few weeks as we come to the end of our years cruise. I am going to reflect on the year when it comes to a close and see what I have learned. I had so many expectations and was convinced this would be the year! Going to try hard to undo the damage since my holiday. Back to the hospital next week for my gum problem which still isn’t resolved. No pain but not healed up yet. Trying to stay positive and really hoping I can use the next few weeks to my advantage.
Have a good week everyone x

Hi there, how is everyone getting on.

Today is a public holiday in France for Armistice Day. The French are very big on commemorating war dates like VE, DDay etc. Just means it is quiet and no post. Some supermarkets are open but thats about it.

Thanks DCT, I’m in no pain today, just a little discomfort which is no worse than the discomfort I’ve been in for the last four months or so. I’ve taken some paracetamol to keep on top of it but probably didn’t really need to, I’m amazed at how quickly the pain has gone as it was pretty bad yesterday. I’ve had more bone broth this morning and will try some mashed vegetables later today and maybe some scrambled egg. My hubby is going to make some blended soups in the soup maker which I will try too. I will try more solid food over the next few days. The NHS information I was given just says to eat a ‘light diet’ for a few days and that there were no dietary restrictions. I’m instead following information I’ve gathered from books and the internet and reintroducing food in a gentler manner as I want my recovery to go as well as possible.
I’m sorry to hear your re-set isn’t going as well as you had hoped but the fact you are attending the gym regularly is a massive positive and I’m sure you will adjust to a healthy eating plan again with your new routine.
Cathy it’s great to hear your positive news. I hope everyone else is doing well, I’m sure I won’t be at maintenance stage at the end of this trip but will hopefully be there not too far into the new year as know if I can get back to a healthy eating plan it can make a big difference over the next seven weeks. Dawn X

DAWN I’m so glad you had your surgery and that it went well. I hope that the pain will soon wear off and that you find healthy food that you can eat. Get plenty of rest, and keep us posted!

CATHY I was really pleased to hear that your gum is finally healing up, and that you are able to get to choir and attend the induction for your new job. Things are really looking up for you after such a terrible time, and I’m sure you will soon get back in the groove of a healthier lifestyle. Thanks for asking about my reset : I’m embarrassed to say it’s not going that well. I have good days when I feel motivated and do all the right things. But then other days I just go completely off piste. I think part of it is adjusting to not being at work any more. When at home I tend to eat three meals a day instead of my previous two, and I’m also going out a lot which always seems to involve eating and drinking. Being really honest, in one way I don’t care, because I’m enjoying life and managing to carve out some “me-time” after working for so long. But as the scales creep up – and particularly when I catch sight of myself side on in a mirror – I just want to weep! So I will persevere, but definitely need a huge dose of willpower to keep on track 🙀. The good news is that I am now in a groove with the posh gym, so at least I am swimming regularly, doing yoga classes, as well as also walking the dog every day. So I’m hoping that is some first line of defence!

How is everyone else doing? ARCTICFOX I hope you are continuing to recover well from your surgery. YOWZER are you feeling any better? SUEBLUE I hope your reset is more successful than mine! MARIET I hope you are still maintaining well. Not long till your trip now! HEIDI how are things with you and your family? Thinking of you x

Hello to anyone else reading this too. And a particular shout out to our lovely NOKIE! Where are you? Be lovely to hear from you.

Hope everyone has a positive week xx

Thanks everyone, all went well with the surgery, I was first of the day and was home by 3. There is quite a bit of pain which I know is to be expected. I’m taking morphine the hospital gave me to bring home and paracetamol. The nursing staff were lovely and very attentive. I’m pleased I have been reading up on recommended diet after gallbladder removal over the last few months though as was given a pile of toast and biscuits in recovery. I hd a tiny nibble of toast but couldn’t manage any more as felt nauseous because of the pain and it’s probably just as well really. I’ve had a couple of small cups of Freja bone broth since getting home and have been sipping water. Sorry if I’ve missed mistakes in this post, the morphine may have an effect on my typing! Dawn X

Dawn, just wanted to pop in to wish you all the best for your surgery. I hope your recovery is swift as well. Good luck!

Dawn- wishing you well for your planned surgery tomorrow. I hope everything goes well and you will soon be feeling much better.
I’ve just come home from a weekend away to Buxton with my book club. We had a fab weekend of laughter. Back to basics tomorrow for me. One of the book clubbers is taking Mounjaro and looking fab after losing 3 stone. Taken her 8 months. My gum is healing slowly . Back for a check up in two weeks. Been a long haul! Feeling better. It’s been a year of ups and downs. Feeling motivated to a healthier lifestyle over the next few weeks. Am not weighing myself- had enough of scales!
Am attending my invigilator training next week. Choir is going well.
DCT & SueBlue how are you both doing with your reset?
Yowser- how are you doing? I hope you’re feeling better.
Thinking of everyone. Have a good week.

DAWN – Just wanted to wish you all the best for your surgery tomorrow x

Hi everyone,
Just catching up with posts, have been away in the Yorkshire Dales for a week and had a lovely relaxing time. Thanks DCT, I’m keeping everything crossed that my surgery goes ahead tomorrow and that they’re able to perform keyhole as planned. I hope everyone has a good week. Dawn X

Oh excellent S-G it’s so pleasing to be able to wear a smaller size 👏👏😀
I am feeling frustrated because I thought I had done well this week with two fasts & more exercise but I weighed this morning & I have gained 0.4lbs! I know it isn’t much weight but I was expecting to have lost 2 lbs😕
Oh well I will keep recoding what I am eating & try & do better next week. I continue with TRE because I don’t eat breakfast & I will try to short mat bowl on Monday.
Keep going everyone 👍
Margaret xx

Hi all, Good for you Margaret, you put me to shame with your recently operated knee. I just cant seem to be bothered even after getting my yoga mat out of storage.

My 7lb loss has dropped back to 6lbs after quiz night (we came second) but I am now determined to stick to it, even refused a glass of wine last night.

My new dress has arrived and I am pleased to say it fits, even though I ordered a size smaller. Could still do with a few pounds off for the back bulge but, another good thing is it doesnt need taking up.

Keep on…..

Hello everyone. It’s been a while since I posted . . .. I felt sure that I’d posted since then but if I did (and I’m now questioning myself!!) it seems to have disappeared.

Anyway, how is everyone? ARCTICFOX lovely to hear from you and I’m glad the surgery has gone well. I know what you mean about painkillers affecting your judgement about what you can and can’t do, but you sound very brave managing without. Take things easy and well done for getting back on track food-wise as well.

DAWN not long to your surgery now, and hope that all goes well too. CATHY how are you doing? I hope that you are feeling much better now, and also that you’ve been able to start your job and get to choir .

HEIDI I’m thinking of you in your family situation. You have so much going on yet have done so well with your loss this year. Very well done, and I hope you are ok in the midst of everything.

MARIET you have done really well too, and with your determination I’m sure you’ll be able to maintain your loss. Almost time for your trip and I hope you have a wonderful time. I can’t remember if you originate from the UK, or have visited before, but it’ll be nice to be on the same continent for a few days!

SUE it sounds like we’re both doing a bit of a restart in terms of eating and exercise. Let’s hope we both see some good results by the end of the year. I’m literally up and down at the moment – lose a couple of pounds then back they come again! But I will keep at it and report back in due course . .

Hope everyone has a good week X

Well I am feeling quite pleased with myself because yesterday I managed twenty minutes Jane Fonda dvd exercises & two fast days yesterday & today plus 4200 steps so far today walking to things in the village. My knee still hurts but is slowly beginning to become more usable 😀
Bravo S-G losing 7lbs in weight 👏👏
Welcome MTNGRL125 & welcome back Clare & we all need to stick with it now with Christmas & all the tempting treats around now 🫣🤔
Margaret xx

Hi everyone, just a quick check-in. My surgery went well, although the recovery has been rather painful. I was on painkillers to begin with but they took all the pain away and I would end up doing too much, so I came off them so I could properly judge what my limits were. Things have been going better since then and the pain is lessening each day. I saw the surgeon on Thurs and he thinks everything is healing well, but the pathology results were not back yet, so I have to book another appointment for when they come back, but he is not worried as it looked like a standard lipoma. I forgot to ask him if he weighed it so I could report a fat loss for that week! I don’t think it would have been much more than 1/2 a lb though. I was doing pretty well with eating the first week as I had meals planned and things put away in the freezer. I have fallen off a bit again this week though as things in the fridge and freezer have been thinning out, so need to get back on track there. Just haven’t felt much like cooking again yet. I made a broccoli and lentil tray bake last night that was pretty good and quick, so will have to do more things like that. I still have a couple of portions of squash and lentil curry left in the freezer and some Asian veggies and soy-free tofu that I could make a quick stirfry with. One of the things I discovered just before the surgery is plant-based eggs made from mung beans. I have just tried the pre-cooked ones so far that you can heat in the microwave or a frying pan, but there are apparently liquid ones too that you can use to make quiches or omelets. So I will have to try to find them as I have really been missing the ability to use up leftover veg that way.
Anyway, hope everyone is doing well. Will catch up on the posts over the coming days.

Hi Tulip, nice to have you back with us. We all know how good it feels when we are healthier, it impacts on so many other areas of our lives like confidence, how we look, how we feel, knowing we are in control of our lives. Keep on….

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

well…..I have restarted the healthy eating again and more exercise….need to keep focussed…I know I feel hugely healthier when I stick to it, apart from the benefits of weight loss… fingers crossed for steady losses.

Hope all ok- Clare. 🙂

That worked but I am trying to reprint the words we said about Michael when he sadly left us.

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

Cant seem to post on here, so this is a test.

Hi all, happy Sunday.

Weight is down so I have now lost 7lbs, malheurusement (unfortunately in French) I have a night out tomorrow.

Reported innaperechenko scammer

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

Just a warning that the people who have defiled our memory thread for Michael is a scammer and the link is marked as DANGEROUS. Do not go onto it.
Welcome to MTNGRL, hope you can reach your goal before your surgery. We are on a cruise in 6 months – Northern Norway.

Weight is still 74kgs, I remember when this was my demon number and I did get passed it but 2 holidays later I am back up. Still keeping on….

Hello S-G & thank you for setting up the November thread. I think nourishing homemade soups may be called for now 😀
I tried really hard this last week with two fast days but have only lost 0.5lb so I’m rather disappointed but oh well onwards & downwards 🤞🤞😀
Good luck everyone for next week 🍀🍀
Margaret xx

Im selecting recipes that are easy and can be done easily! Then the shopping list. I’ll have to modify it a little because I’m on the road a lot and tend to eat in the car. Looking forward to a new body and some new recipes!

Welcome Curlytot, sounds as though you are well prepared. Shout out if you need advice.

Hello, I plan on starting next week. Just in the process of meal prepping etc.

I have set up a new thread for November. See you all there.

V, we are heading for Norway again in March next year, yes on a cruise, cant wait.

Welcome to one and all, oldies, newbies, diabetics, dieters and lurkers.

Now winter is definitely upon us we are going to have to look forward to keeping ourselves warm and well. There are plenty of things to look forward to, maybe you celebrated Halloween last night (tonight) or Bonfire Night. But dont lose sight of Christmas coming soon – I am allowed to mention it now we are into November. I have just ordered a new dress which I am looking forward to looking good in so my mind is set on a few pounds off in the next 2 month.

Come and join us and feel the caring support you will receive here.

Sunny glad you’re Dad’s doing well and he has help around him.

Holiday started as a nightmare… plane cancelled! We’ve been travelling for over 40 years and been to many parts of the world but this is the first time our flight was cancelled.
Anyway despite this there’s a positive…..

🛩️👎🛩️👍 We were rebooked on a later flight. We were flying SAS via Copenhagen to Athens, went Lufthansa via Frankfurt. Flights were excellent, assistance was excellent so we arrived , albeit 6 hours late, but we arrived and made the ship as scheduled. That’s the positive.

🥬🌶️🥒 Food is really good with lots of BSD friendly choices. Fortunately I love fish! But must admit to one cookie and part of a small muffin! In three days …. not bad? Oh but then there’s the blue cheese!
Anyway, not giving up my usual way of eating with ‘gay abandon’ just adding a few bites of something I fancy here and there!

Hope everyone has some positives although I know this time of the year can be really difficult.

Yes, now on our way south to Corfu. We came to Kotor last year but I was unwell that day and missed the sail-in. Just on our way out now but because of the clouds there won’t be a visible sunset. Nonetheless lovely port to visit.

Nourishing is one of the four adjectives I picked out, nurturing, nourishing, nonnegotiable and notable and my ‘auto’ just came up with no-U-turning! I like nourishing the best too. It’s warm and wholesome.

Are you on a cruise V. Montenegro.

How about Nourishing November

Definitely not ‘Naughty November’ !
I will only be ‘dipping in’ in November as we don’t get home until the 28th . Being the best I can be at the moment. Today we’re in Kotor which is really spectacular, not as spectacular as the Norwegian Fjords, but a good runner up. The weather isn’t sunny so I guess it will look even better on a brighter day.
So back to the question……
November?

I guess I will be setting up next months thread. Any witty ideas on a title.

Hi all, feeling a lot better, weight is down and BG back to normal.

Heidi I know corn on the cob is not the best at 126 cals and 27 carbs. However, I only have half as I share it with hubby so 68 cals and 13 carbs. Being diabetic I have to go without things I would like to eat every day of my life, not just for a diet, to stop it killing me (eventually) so giving in now and then is not a big deal as long as I am careful 99% of the time. My gripe was on the resistant carbs con, yes it does reduce cals and carbs but that doesnt make it healthy. Jacket potato has been something I have been craving for months, now it done, finished.

Not sure why we would need to be on a French community site when everyone has their own opinion or experience. Look at the bad advice we got for expats when we moved here. Hubby is a volunteer for a British charity and has contacts at the consulate and also has a wealth of information from people on his team who have dealt with repatriation etc and know all the rules. The only advice we have been given by expats has been bad or wrong advice.

Hi s-g. I’m glad it was only a blip. Resistant carbs aside, the corn on the cob might not have been your friend? Though I know we are all different.

Re your move, are you in any of the Facebook expat groups? I find the Dutch ones really helpful for answering practical questions and they are normally well up to date with recent experiences. I see British Expats in France has some 5000 members and might be a good resource.

Have a good week. x

V, hope you got off on you holiday with no issues and are having a wonderful time.
SG, sounds like you have plenty on your plate, so well done on finding positives despite the negatives.

Have a few positives to report myself ….
🌻🌻 pleased to report Dad is doing well and actively seeking out social interaction. Some friends and neighbours have been checking in on him too, which is lovely of them.
🌻🌻 have been tidying Dad’s garden for him, there is still lots of colour out there and I so enjoy pottering in a garden
🌻🌻 treated myself to a veggie meze lunch at a Lebaneses restaurant today …. (negative) ate too much, but (positive) will fast now until dinner tomorrow evening.

Have a lovely evening everyone.

Well I was right, the weight gain was fluid and I am back down to 74.1kgs. So still hopeful to lose 14lbs by 16th Dec. Just got to stop doing stupid things, especially when shopping and buy stuff I fancy but know I shouldnt have.

Should have known our friends were talking a load of rubbish. When we moved to France they were here already for 15 years and told us some really bad info, like hiding money from the tax man, keeping money under the mattress etc. Until they came to sell their home in France and the tax man caught up with them!!!!! Anyway we did everything by the book and have survived. The rubbish they spouted was that we have to apply to the Home Office for the right to return. Not true. We have to inform HRMC which is obvious and we already have tax numbers as we both still pay UK tax on our government pensions. Yes, we have a few hoops to jump through but no more than when we moved to France and we did it all in French.

All in all life is good, no one is ill or dying, we will get through this if we just take one day at a time and deal with things as they come.

Have a good week.

Just thinking on another subject. All these people advertising rubbish like printers, diet pills, exercise therapy in Malaysia etc etc, Ok report them but dont comment, dont interact and they just fade away down the line. When we comment they just come back up to the top. Ignore the buggers.