That is very cool, Arcticfox, and inspirational (my eating plan has gone awry at the moment) 🙂

Hi everyone,
Just catching up on some posts. Firstly Cathy, I was so sorry to hear your news and am not surprised you were shocked, I hope it turns out that it’s a different diagnosis and that you find out soon. I’m doing ok thank you, no date for surgery yet, I may ring to chase up if I haven’t heard by later in the week.
Arctic fox I’m pleased you found out why your bg was high. Sorry you’ve been having such a difficult time, it’s good that you have supportive people around you.
Heidi, your weight loss is inspirational, congratulations on reaching a healthy bmi:) I’m about to do a food plan for this week, I could have stuck to last week’s better than I did but it was helpful having it there.
Lacy, congratulations on reaching your goal, I seem to remember there was a thread on maintenance a few years back.
DCT, I’m thinking I too should probably start doing more exercise, I’ve been putting it off waiting for my operation but maybe now’s the time I should start using my daughter’s treadmill!
Yowzer, I hope you are ok and that your sciatica has eased.
Hope everyone has a good week. Dawn XX

ARCTICFOX it sounds like so much is going on for you, and I’m really glad you have a strong support network around you. And it’s so good to hear about your insights into insulin and blood glucose, and also your NSV victories : hopefully that is all a real boost for you right now.

HEIDI very well done on achieving a healthy BMI. That’s great news! I hope you time with you mum is going / went well.

DAWN any news on your op yet?

And CATHY you are in my thoughts and prayers daily x

Hope that everyone has an unexpectedly positive week in some way. My thread-related goals for the week are to lose my weekly 1lb target and also get back into exercising more regularly, now that my builders have gone.

Wishing you all well X

Two NSVs to report this week. The first is that my belt came in another notch. The second is that I wore my overalls out on the farm for the first time in months, as I have been wearing shorts in the warm weather. The overalls were loose around the hips where they were snug before, and they are quite baggy at the waist. This is good going into winter as I will be able to fit layers under them again. I wasn’t able to last winter, but we were lucky and had a warmer winter for a change. Now I’m ready whatever the weather will be!

So sorry to hear what you’ve had to deal with, Arcticfox, and very glad you’ve got plenty of support.
I shall watch what happens with your refeeding with interest – I’ve just reached my goal and am trying to work out how to adjust my macros to a sustainable way of eating rather than ‘diet’ mode. I’m scouring the forum archives at the moment to see how other’s have dealt with this. I’ve kept my carbs very low, and never considered it could cause low insulin issues. Oh well, you live and learn!
Cathy – I’m so sorry to hear your news. Nobody is ever prepared to hear that as a suspected diagnosis, but your dentist is far from certain, so I would hang on to that! Sending you lots of positive thoughts and good wishes. And good luck for your interview next week🤞
And I want to wish everyone a relaxing and (hopefully) enjoyable weekend.
Lacy xx

Have a relaxing time catching up with family, Verano – and good weather always helps!
Hope everyone is at least getting time to catch their breath this weekend.
xx

Hi there,
Sorry for the absence. I’ve been busy with the garlic and I was blindsided by more stupid stuff going on, having to take steps to protect myself, and feeling quite down about things. I talked through the situation with several people who have direct knowledge of all the players, including my godmother, and I had a session with my counsellor that really helped. I won’t go into details but things are pretty bad, so let’s just say that it is good that I have several credible witnesses on my side this time, and an incredible support system that is stepping up on my behalf, and leave it there.
I’m really tired, so I’ll just say that I figured out why my bg was high in spite of fasting – low insulin. I knew my insulin had gone down because my waist circumference has shrunk incredibly over the last few weeks. My belt has gone in another notch again this week. And also, some of my newer skin tags have shrunk and changed colour. I was watching a podcast with Ben Bikman and they hit on the reason for elevated morning fasted glucose when you have low insulin such as when fasting or on a keto diet, and it is that you can’t clear that morning bg spike that results from cortisol very quickly due to the low insulin. Anyway, for a bunch of reasons, I started my week of refeeding a few days early and my numbers the last two days were 5.0 and 4.7. So lower after eating days now because I’m getting enough of an insulin spike to clear the glucose. Fascinating to see this play out in real time.
Cathy – so sorry about your diagnosis, and I hope that it isn’t truly the case and that you find out more soon.

That sounds super Verano. Where are you jetting off to? I think we’ve got unsettled weather over the weekend…youve reminded me I need to send a birthday card! Wishing you all a good weekend 🙂

Just wanted too bring this thread back up to the top above all the spam!

While Im here just want to say to Sunny hope you’re all coping.

And so to so positives…..

🧺🧺🧺 all my washing almost done. Only have a small amount so just a small amount of ironing,

🥬🥦🧄 roast lamb, not my favourite, but with lots of veggies tonight so pretty healthy.

Have a good weekend everyone.

I’ll try!
Having daughter, her husband and grandsons for lunch on Sunday. My shout so Greek mezze with lots of ‘healthy’ stuff.

Have to admit to lots of ‘easy’ food over the summer like dusted cod etc. It’s become so easy to take ‘something out of the freezer’ and add a few vegetables. In some ways I’m pleased autumn is around the corner because I can go back to cooking from scratch…. soups, casseroles, meat loaf, meat balls as well as my beloved fish.

Just a few more days before we jet off to see our son and family and celebrate two birthdays all together… a rare treat. And the added bonus of good weather!

Have a good weekend !

Cathy my thoughts are with you. Only wishing for a positive outcome for you. Take care.

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I think we all need some good news ( especially Pootle)…anyone?

CATHY I just want to say how shocked I am by that potential diagnosis. I hope and pray that he is wrong and it turns out to be something else, but I can only imagine how worried and upset you must be feeling. I’m so sorry. You are such a positive person and a good friend to all of us on here and it does seem so unfair that you are going through this. Completely understand if you go quiet for a while but please know that we’re all here for you in any way that we can be. Sending love and prayers x

SUE it was lovely to hear from you too, despite the circumstances. And I’m so pleased that your own health scare is now resolved. I’m sure you’ll get back on board withe the WoE once your other issues are sorted out.

ARCTICFOX I hope you’ve had a better week and look forward to an update when you’re ready. Remember that you too are among friends here, and we are cheering you on in your journey forward. Lots of love x

Oh Clarinet Cathy I can’t believe it, what a shock for you, such a devastating announcement. I hope he was sensitive in the way he told you, though any way of hearing would be unbelievable.
I’ll be thinking of you and sending all kinds of positive thoughts and wishes. Take the time you need, lean on family and friends, regroup.
You’ve always been so strong, it seems so unfair for you to have one more thing to have to deal with.
Love ands support.
Marie

Oh Cathy so sorry to read your post – what a worry for you! Stay positive though as hopefully it is something else.
Earlier this year my specialist thought I may have a brain tumour but thankfully the MRI was clear! I’m praying you have a similar result xx

I haven’t posted in ages but do read most of the posts on this thread when they come into my inbox. I have totally lost the plot diet wise, have a lot going on in my personal/family life and aiming to get back on track soon.

I’ll start by catching up with all of the posts I’ve missed!

Thinking of everyone else who is struggling or has health issues too – take care all xx

My friends and family call me unlucky Alf- it’s a reference to a comedy show that used to be on TV- I think it was a sketch from The Fast Show. It was funny!! I’ve been feeling so positive since the orthopaedic surgeon decided to defer my toe op- I’ve applied for a job and got an interview next week and I’ve rejoined choir. So today I brought forward my dental appointment because the pain hasn’t resolved despite a week of antibiotics. It’s now 5 weeks since my initial dental appt for what I thought was an abscess. Long story short he told me he thought it could be oral cancer and he has referred me on the two week wait cancer pathway to the oral surgeons! I am totally shocked and totally devastated. It’s always two steps forward and three back! I am going to try to stay positive but how much more can I take. I feel I want to shout really loud. I’m hoping it’s not cancer but he said I will need a biopsy and it has completely thrown me. I have never smoked and I don’t drink so I am hoping that he is wrong. Yet again I have stumped the medical profession. My GP told me a couple of years ago when I had a recurrence of the rare retroperitoneal Schwannomas that I am in his book of interesting cases! My dentist said today that he had never seen my issue or seen it in a textbook!! 🤦🏻‍♀️ he took a photo on his phone to send off with the referral! Feeling very sorry for myself.
ArcticFox – please let us know you are ok?
I am going to go quiet for a few days whilst I get my head round things. I feel I need a break.

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So sorry to hear your sad news Pootle.

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Pootle I am so sorry to hear about you losing your dog I know it really hurts & feels like losing a friend & one of the family. I’m sure that he very much enjoyed his life with you & your family. Take care of yourself & enjoy your holiday.
Margaret xxx

So sorry to hear your news, Pootle. I know how hard it can hit you. Take care of yourself. xx

Congratulations Heidi on your wonderful achievement. Having a BMI of 27 is incredible! Your hard work has paid off. I would be exceptionally happy with that result! Thank you for inspiring us all.
I haven’t weighed myself for a few weeks but I’m focusing on healthy eating and not scales. I have an interview next week for an exam invigilator position in a sixth form college and panicked that I wouldn’t be able to fit into my smart trousers. I had a try on today and they fit so I am using that as a NSV! Now I am not having my toe op I am feeling positive and have rejoined my choir (not sang with them since pre Covid) and I applied for the job. Interview and task (?) on Tuesday. I hope your trip to the UK to care for your mum goes well. Im ringing the dentist again tomorrow as antibiotics haven’t cured dental pain! It’s better but the nerve is still sensitive! ⚡️
Hope everyone else is doing ok.
ArcticFox- are you ok?
Dawn- hope you’re doing ok and get a date for surgery soon
Mariet- well done on your hand recovery post surgery and also losing weight.

Just popping in to say that I reached BMI 27 today – so technically no longer overweight for 65 plussers. Feeling very pleased. I shall continue to eat healthily though, since there is still some room for manoeuvre! And I enjoy it too.

Now about to face five days of a different challenge as I head to the UK to care for my mother while my father is in hospital. I doubt there will be time to post, but I shall be continuing to cheer you all on. Take care.

Oh Pootle so sorry to read your post. We lost our old lab in July so I know how you feel..big virtual hugs to you both.

Ok, so I slipped yesterday… and my BG showed it this morning! 🫣
Having been so concerned about food on my trip next week, I didn’t see the biggest risk looming!
Yesterday we had to take the most difficult decision to ensure that our 14 year old dog didn’t suffer! He was the gentlest, most polite, well behaved character. He could be mischievous, he followed me everywhere, sitting patiently outside the bathroom and I have loved him greatly!
So I ate my comfort food, tea and toast, then had a ready meal, followed by a chocolate brownie. I nearly always cook from scratch!
As I keep breaking down in tears, and have to pull myself together for work this evening, I am trying very hard not to pick at entirely the wrong food today as well!
At least I am prepared for the trip but knowing husband will be on his own for a lot of the week is a worry in itself!

🤞back on track! K xx

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Lacy sorry to disappoint but the skin doesn’t crisp! The flesh is lovely and soft and succulent though!

Morning all!

CALIFORNIAGIRL don’t worry! You haven’t brought any conversations to a halt. This thread does vary in terms of posting frequency and can go quiet for a while without any one person causing that to happen. How are you doing? I remember your name from my early days on BSD. How is your journey going?

ARCTICFOX I hope you are feeling a bit stronger. Have you managed to restart your online gym yet? And, to echo what CATHY says, I hope your counsellor is able to help you navigate through this difficult time.

CATHY well done for going back to cooking from scratch. Do share any recipes on here. I’m trying to do likewise though has been tricky this week with builders in and out of the kitchen. But we’re getting there! DAWN how is your food plan going?

HEIDI I’m really pleased you are so near a healthy BMI now. That really is tremendous progress! Well done 👏. I’m making very gradual progress but thankfully there is a slight downward trend beginning to happen so I guess I need to be patient and do the traditional Keep On Keeping On thing.

YOWZER, I meant to say in my last post that I was so sorry to read about your mobility issues. You are always so inspiring despite what you are going through. I really do hope that things improve for you soon. To continue our last shingles-related exchange, I’m now getting back into bras, and have found the most comfortable so far is a soft stretchy one from a company called Body and Bra. It’s a bit like a sports bra but softer fabric. Feels nice for a while but it’s still a relief to take it off!!

MARIET good to see you back and I’m glad you are able to do a bit more with your hand now. And well done for further losses both on the scales and measurements – that’s great news!

Hope the rest of the week goes well for everyone. I’m almost at my weight loss target for the week but do need to up the exercise to tackle the dreaded belly fat! Will report back in due course . . . .

Hi all,
Wow, 4 days, Antigone! 40 hours is my longest – I can’t imagine tacking on another couple of days to that. I’m impressed! And good luck with your first goal!
Sorry things didn’t go the way you’d hoped at the doc’s, S-G, but it sounds like you had a very useful discussion. And sometimes that’s all you can hope for. I know where your doctor is coming from, weight-wise. I know they recommend a BMI of 25-27 once you’re 65, but at a BMI of 27 I was pre-diabetic and on BP medication. So it’s a nice idea, but not practical in real life for some of us.
Verano – I love Thai and Vietnamese food, but you’re right – so much sugar in them! And I’ll give your way of cooking salmon a go next time, I do love crispy skin salmon, but it’s often too dry. I think people over-estimate how long fish takes to cook. At the bistro, mine was the last meal out. People had steaks that came out before my fish lol!
When are you heading off for your business trip, Pootle?
Lacy xx

I love how when I post I bring the entire conversation to a halt — mostly because I don’t agree with constant support for poor choices — you all like to think you are “kind” but why is it kind to say “go ahead, ruin your family relationships, it will be good for you”???
It is a very bad idea to ruin family relationships — they are the most important people in our lives, no matter how difficult they are.
We can always find some solution and over time, we can improve the difficult parts and increase the parts that still work (and don’t attack me, I am clearly not supporting sexual abuse or actual physical violence).
Part of getting physically healthy is managing our mental health as Arctic Fox has worked so hard on!
Californiagirl

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Hello everyone.

Good news Wendy. Glad all is as it should be at this stage and going in the right direction.

S-g yes you’re right. Here you need a BMI of 40+ and four ‘conditions’! These include diabetes and high blood pressure but not sure what the others are. Just be thankful you don’t qualify!! Listen to Dr gorgeous and don’t worry too much about the number on the scale!

Well, I’ve been really busy lately. We had a dinner party for 8 on Saturday and I made Thai. I always thought Thai was pretty healthy but I actually followed recipes and wow, so much sugar! I always adapt recipes. I make a salmon red curry which has three tablespoons of sugar in the recipe but I only add a scant teaspoon which seems to do the trick.

I’m on hold diet wise at the moment. We are out tomorrow with a fixed menu so for me it will be salmon, undoubtedly it will be overcooked, with fruit salad before and after! Not much to look forward to really but at least it should be a good evening despite the food!

Thursday we are out for a Thai meal with friends. I’m more prepared now! Then Sunday we have family here for lunch which of course I’ll be in control of. So a more difficult, but not impossible, time for staying lower calorie.

Hope you manage during your week away Pootle. You sound really well organised.

Antigone …. 4 days!!! Don’t know how you could do that. I must admit the best I can do is one meal a day and I don’t really enjoy that!

Lacy I wonder why it is that fish is nearly always overcooked? I love fish. A while ago we had friends for lunch and I made salmon and they wanted to know where I buy my fish. I wanted to say, but didn’t , it’s not the fish it’s the way it’s cooked!! I have a foolproof recipe: salmon fillets, skin side up on a baking tray with baking paper, tiny bit of olive oil rubbed on the skin, squeeze of lemon, cook at 180c fan for 10 minutes. Always perfect flaky succulent fish!

We are off to see our son next week for a couple of weeks so it’s ’beat the clock’ here at the moment.

Have a good week everyone!

Afternoon All, not what you were hoping for SG but really good that your doctor gave you all that time to discuss it with you – my (french) doctor allows 5 mins per person! Pootle – organisation is your superpower! Congrats for surviving the food ordeal Lacey 😉 Great news on the knee Wendy/Margaret. My fast is over – went well but I should have broken it more gently! We had some free range (proper) bacon ( not so easy to source in France) and I think I overwhelmed my organs after 4 days of nada – lesson learned. I’ve been super good since and although the scales aren’t quite where I’d hoped, I really feel well and can see less of myself. I have 1.4 kilos to reach my first goal.🤞Seems like September is looking better than August for everyone so that’s a positive. Bon courage…

Hi all, just back from the doctors and I am still on insulin. We had a long chat about semaglutide and I asked him to give me good reason not to go on it. He talked about urinary tract infection and yeast infections and diahorrhea, told him I live with those as I am diabetic, he mentioned pancreatitis. Finally, he went through the criteria which allows him to prescribe it and I am way under on BMI. I have a BMI of 31 and the cut off level is 40 and above. He says it is dangerous for me at 72 to lose too much weight and muscle and he cannot prescribe as I am not obese enough. I think this is the same criteria that I would have to meet if I lived in the UK so I will go along with what he says. Now I have to try even harder to get my insulin down. I also told him I wasnt happy with the other doctor who talked down to me like a child for eating and drinking on a cruise. My doctor would have just laughed at that. I did conceed that we had trouble understanding each other so that could have been the problem. I will make sure I see my own doctor in future.

Finally he said I should stop worrying about my weight so much and just try to keep my BG down. Bit of a catch there as they are connected.

He forgot to give my a new prescription of my 3 monthly blood test but I think it was because I kept him talking for nearly 40 minutes. He is still very nice.

Hope everyone else is doing well, hope your trip goes well Pootle. Not sure what a Korean BBQ is Lace but I dont eat fish or seafood so I guess it wouldnt be good for me.

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Hi all,
Hope the fast is going well, Antigone (or went well if you’ve finished!)
Good to hear things are getting back to normal for you, Margaret. You’ll be back in the swing of things in no time, I’m sure!
🤞for the medical appointment today, S-G.
And it looks like you’re all ready for your week away, Pootle – sounds as though a huge amount of organising was involved, but you’ve aced it!
The Father’s Day get-together was very enjoyable – the food was predictably ordinary (dry/overcook barramundi and soggy steamed veg) but catching up with the family (all from my OH’s side – my lot are in the UK) was great, as I haven’t seen some of them for months. And yes, Korean BBQ is fun, and very much an ‘audience participation’ dining experience 🤣. It’s very popular here, and definitely worth a try if there’s one near you.
Anyway, have a great week everyone!
Lacy xx

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Morning all,

The countdown to my week working away has begun… Clothes for the week were washed and pressed about 3 weeks ago…so now I have to rethink, as I was in ‘hot, dry’ mode and am now in ‘cool, wet’ weather with hot spells!! 😂 So the ‘working’ jeans and t-shirts have been supplemented with sweatshirts and waterproofs and the smart ‘presentation’ gear has been swapped out for more autumnal attire! 🤣
I am armed with frozen broccoli bread for the first couple of days, plus tinned artichoke hearts, tinned sardines, tinned salmon and nuts for snacks. I will be buying avocado, Greek Yoghurt and cooked meats the day before I travel! So I am all set! 🤞
Now have to clean the house and prepare for my GS to visit Husband whilst I am away!

Margaret, great that your right knee is well on the way to recovery…fingers crossed that the left knee stabilises and you don’t need to replace that one!

S-G hope all goes well for your weigh in and Dr appointment today!

Lacy the Korean BBQ sounds fascinating…cooking yourself at the table… Hope Fathers day at the bistro was a brilliant family get together.

Hope you are all having a good week.
K.x

Don’t give up on your family Arctic Fox — they are important to you and there is no one closer than they, despite their difficult personalities.
I have watched family members do what you are thinking of doing and it has only made family relationships worse.
Find a third way,
Best wishes (really),
Julia

ArcticFox
You have been giving 100% effort this last few weeks. You are very scientific in your approach and I admire your tenacity and enthusiasm. You are a very physically active person and I know how hard you have worked to achieve your goals. Like you, I have a lot of determination but I don’t always feel I get the rewards I want. I feel your frustration. This last couple of weeks I have changed my mindset to using food as purely nutrition and fuel. I am making all my food from scratch and cutting out ultra processed foods and trying not to eat between meals. I don’t think it’s fair for us to keep beating ourselves up when we are doing what we can. I am not weighing myself as that for me is a massive trigger . I am sad to read that you’re struggling with low mood and that your family are not respecting your boundaries. You are supported by your counsellor and I hope they are able to help you through this difficult time. I totally agree that stress and raised cortisol levels will have an impact on your numbers. Please be kind to yourself ArcticFox. I hope you will soon feel better. Let’s just try everyday to do our best.