Hello lovely positives thread people … apologies for not posting more regularly … it’s not due to lack of positives, just not using tech as often right now. Warm welcome to flickertrend and pootle, always good to have new people posting here and thank you to SG and V for your efforts to keep the thread live. Anyway, let’s see what positives I can offer up this time…
🚘💥 SIL’s car skidded on a muddy road and crashed into a ditch … the positive is that he’s injuries were minor and no-one else was involved
👭☕ lovely morning out with my neighbour, browsing shops and drinking coffee
👠👠 bought a lovely pair of sparkly black shoes … couldn’t resist 🤭

There is always a positive to be found, it’s just that sometimes we just need to look a little harder.

Lucy I’ve just added to the ‘positive’ thread. It made me think it might really help you to read the thread if you haven’t already and maybe try to find just one positive a day. It can be something really minor. If you wake up and feel ‘wide awake’ for example that’s a great positive. Losing 1lb is a great positive.

I’m also an ‘only child’ so understand the pressures that can bring but finding positives in even very small things, like eating lots of green vegetables, or resisting a temptation, is so useful. It’s just a step forward. It’s so easy to become overwhelmed and so much harder to see even the very small positives. Just try!

Flickertrend welcome but please don’t advertise your business!

So I thought I would just pop-in to help s-g keep this thread alive !

🫑🥦🌶️ Made my first casserole of the winter today. I’ve made enough to freeze at least 3 or 4 extra portions. Now it really does feel like ‘winter’!

All my positives seem to involve food or maybe just ‘socialising’

🥬🫒🍅 Invited a couple of people for lunch a week on Sunday. Now we are 10! At least I’m in control of the menu so lots of salads and fish, salmon and also sole goujons for those who want them. Anyway always good to have company to share a meal with.

That’s it for me today! Just one positive can lift your mood even when you’re feeling low.

Lucy you’ve lost a lot of weight so a pound a week is probably realistic now. Give yourself a goal of a pound a week and when you manage that you’ll be happy. If you lose more that’s a great bonus!
Just keep on keeping on …… as sunshine-girl would say.

Hi all, film last night was as expected, very violent and very loud but it did go faster than I expected. When we got home I popped a readymeal in the micro. Not like me but it was after 9pm when we got home. Surprisingly, it was a lasagne with no pasta but made just like I would with aubergine slices, calories were about 400 and I forgot to look at carbs. Slight blip up, just 0.01 kgs. I would probably buy it again but it was supposed to serve 4 and we ate it all, so with better planning I could cut it down to 200 cals with a plate of veg as extra.

Seen a beautiful red dress on the Debs site and been battling with should I buy it now or should I just hope there will be something nearer the time of the cruise in April (sure there will be). Anyway, couldn’t get it out of my head and decided to buy knowing I can send it back. Problem solved, they don’t deliver to France, so I can forget about it for now. Tried on a size 14 (very fitted) dress I have had in the wardrobe for years as a test sizing. No way can I get into it, maybe need to lose a stone – so that is still on my list for the cruise.

Hubby is giving the pool its final clean and we are going to have to get the winter cover on. As previously mentioned it weighs around 200kgs, so we have to drag it and hook it on bit by bit. Lets see how we get on before we have to call the neighbours for help 🙂

Hi Lucy. Brilliant idea to Google what 1lb fat looks like!
Also think about carrying a sack with 30lb in up a flight of stairs! You no longer do that on a daily basis! And you will shift more fat so you don’t have to carry it around!!

Thanks for all the help and support. I think in my head I think 1lb is rubbish!
But anyway that’s what i lost this week. Better than nothing and trying to be positive
Onwards and upwards!
I actually googled what does 1lb of fat look like. . It seemed a lot….so I’m keeping going!

Health Update: My OH saw the consultant this week, and the news is positive—Mr. Tumour is still growing slowly, but it’s not causing any problems for now. He’s started pill-based chemo to slow it down further. Five years since diagnosis next April, and we’re hoping for many more years ahead. 🙏

🍷 Stress & Wine: It’s been a stressful week, so I’ve turned to a bit of wine for comfort—but the good news is, I haven’t gained any weight! 😅 I’m back to my hardcore 800 plan starting Monday—time to get back on track!

🌊 Mum’s Journey: Despite a vehicle fire on the M5 trying to throw a wrench in her plans, Mum made it down to Cornwall safely today! So glad to see her—quality time is always a blessing. 💕

Even on tough weeks, there are positives to hold onto. How’s your week been? Sometimes, it’s about focusing on the good moments, no matter how small. 🌟

Hi Lucy, I am not suggesting weights for you personally — we all need to do what is right for our body and if you are protecting a bad back I understand that, having had back surgery (L4 and L5) myself.
However, it is possible to do weights with low weights as I have done for years — I just have to do a lot of repetitions to reach what is called “muscle failure” — this is the gold standard and I work to the point where my muscles are just so fatigued I cannot do another lift.
I also work very very slowly on the lift — maybe eight to sixteen counts to do one lift and another eight to sixteen to go down again. That way I use low weights and still get a great workout.
For example, I use no more than five pounds for biceps and shoulders — sometimes even less like three. I squat with about 10 pounds.
I use low weights on the machines too.
I recommend anyone who wants to start weights join a gym or your local recreation centre (the one in Bath was great) and get trained on the safe way to lift weights.

Positives for me

Chateau where we are having our Christmas Lunch are going to cater for my diet, so I can relax and enjoy.
Bought Christmas jumper No.2 in medium but had to exchange for a large – I forget French women are quite petite so their sizings are slightly out.
I am now spending quiet time until the 2nd week in December when I have 3 medical appts in the space of 2 days. Just enjoying having nothing to do.

Hi again, still the same. Made a really silly faux pas that English people often make when they think words that are the same in French and English mean the same thing. Fortunately, I know most of these and this is the most well known. Man touting for business roof cleaning, I told him it had been cleaned just a few months ago. Hubby shouted out in English that they used a preservative to keep it in good condition. So without thinking I said, il a utilise un preservatif – which translates to he used a condom. Honestly, I have never done that before. Still, it made him laugh.

Bought my second Christmas jumper today and had to take it back as I bought a M when I should have got an L. Thought I was slimmer than that but it was quite clingy.

Help, we are going to the cinema tonight – 2h 30 mins of Gladiator. Still there is nothing on TV except football so it is the better choice.

Winter is now upon us and we have turned on the heating. 16 degrees daytime but down to 3 or 4 during the night, needed an extra blanket on my feet.

Lucy, try to be kind to yourself.

Coping with a parent with dementia takes a huge amount of emotional strength, which will have a knock on effect on other aspects of your life. That you have lost 30 pounds is testament to your determination and commitment.
XXX

Thanks everyone for the support. I think I’m expecting too mich maybe. I’m tired and have things going on, my dad has dementia and my mum barely copes. I’m an only child and live close to them so it all gets a bit much sometimes. I work for myself which has been busy and can be physically demanding at times too. As well as rhe usual ups and downs of life. Haven’t been sleeping well and rhen the scales were the straw rhat broke rhe camels back I think.
You have all been so kind and helpful and I’m really grateful. I know my weight was making me so unhappy so I am doing the right thing, just sometimes I lose sight of it. A pound is a pound I guess….and I’ve lost over 30 of them so even if I add some single pounds along the way it’s good. I haven’t lost anything rhis week but weigh day tomorrow maybe it will surprise me with another one. Sometimes it’s just seems a lot of hard work for not much reward when it’s like this. These are the difficult times!
Thanks again for the support
Wirh regard to weights I have to be careful because of my back but yes definitely need to try some more exercise when I can. X

Thank you all.
Verano I see that I will have to continue weighing and calculating for most meals!

Mixnmatch. That sounds a supremely sensible approach to maintaining weight, as I am certain we all need different calorie intakes, depending on our metabolism and activity. When I get there 🤞I will certainly try it this way!

S-G brilliant that the Chateau is going to cater for your diet. I suppose many restaurants are now used to having to adapt to other diets and allergies (gluten free, vegetarian, vegan etc) so we shouldn’t be surprised that they can offer a low carb meal!

Hi Lucy, please don’t despair. You are not alone! I think we all struggle! Often with different things in our lives that can affect how we feel about ourselves and hence how our bodies react to diet etc. BUT I believe we are all here to support each other when we need it!

I have had days when I could sit and cry my eyes out all day….feeling very depressed, with my self confidence at a very low ebb! Feeling ugly, unloveable, stupid and incompetent. When that happens, I make huge efforts remember how far I have come, the weight I have lost (and I am NOT fibbing!!!!!), and the support & advice I have had getting this far! That keeps me going!

Take care of yourself, I will have my fingers crossed for your Friday weigh in…I am sure it is just a blip.
XXX

Pootle that sounds like an amazing positive.

I’ve had a ‘quiet’ week so far and given life’s ’curved balls’ I’m going to count that as a ‘positive’ !

Starting to think about next months ‘celebrations’ and think I have to get my head into gear. So that is my task for this week ….. might just be easier to take a short trip away!!!

Lucy, you will hear of people having big losses but usually in the first few weeks. However, most of them lose maybe 10lbs, 1 stone etc in that first few weeks and we never hear from them again because they now think they can do this without the site support. What probably happens is they go on holiday, put it all back on and cannot face coming back – though some do and there is no shame in that. All diets plans will slow down due to the body playing catch up or your metabolism slowing down – not because the diet ruins your metabolism but because your body is now lighter and probably doesn’t need as many calories to keep losing. Because we are already on vl cals it is not practical to reduce more which is where the weights exercise comes in, it can help increase your metabolism. One thing about this diet is if you stick with it you will lose consistently, even when it gets slower.

Hi all, I have just received an email from the chateau where we are going for our charity christmas lunch. I wrote telling them about my diet and they replied that it was no problem and they would look after me. I haven’t seen the menu yet but assume because it is for a load of English people it might be very traditional. Very happy now I know I can go and enjoy without having to worry.

Weight is steady and still just above 71kgs. Fingers still crossed. Will go and do some exercise in a while, while Deal or no Deal is on 🙂

Hey Lucy,
No need to apologise! We feel what we feel, it is only your response to that feeling that matters. Stay on track — your numbers are good! I don’t think anyone is losing more quickly — if they say they are it is likely they are fibbing. Two pounds per week is a very large amount to lose and even a pound a week is a lot. Your poor body has to catch up with the changes and it takes a while for it all to settle together.
I am with Verano, try switching up a few things. Stay calm, carry on — frustration is not our friend. Think about how much healthier you are now and every day as you eat this way of eating. The good things happening in your body are not visible. The number on the scale is just a number.
Have you been able to add in some workouts with weights? It is probably THE most important thing to do — it activates every single thing in your body. The research is 100% positive on this. Make sure you are getting enough protein (1-1.5 grams per Kg) — the combination of protein and exercise with weights is incredibly helpful in this WOE.

Thanks everyone. I’m so pleased you take rhe time.
I have to confess I felt really upset this morning, even got teary which isn’t like me. Bit ridiculous really. I have never been a big lover 5 lbs first week then 2 a week usually. Not all the loads that most report. I am menopausal which probably doesn’t help. But I got up this morning and flet really slim (you know those days) and thought wow I’m going to weigh. I actually felt gutted. I know I have had a holiday a month ago but I’ve only lost 3lbs since the beginning of October.
I know I out on holiday weight and then lost it. But apart from that I’ve lost 3lbs . Just relky got to me. I’m hungry, tired and down in the dumps!
Pootle, I understand you’re nearing your target weight…the last bit will always be hard but I’m only halfway through. Still 2 stone to go.
I’m even teary writing this which is crazy. I have to keep in mind I’ve lost 2 stone 3 lbs but I really am struggling with this slow progress.
Sorry for being miserable. And thanks again. X

Hi Lucy, if you feel you are not doing anything different then your body has got used to it and is in a state of homeostasis – remaining the same – which is a comfortable place for your body to want to be. You could try a week of going back to basics, follow a menu, weigh and measure everything. Throw in a bit of exercise if it is not part of your usual routine. That is working for me after weeks dodging around the same kilo mark I have finally followed my own advice and dropped some more weight. Mind you, I have been on this diet for 8 years as it keeps my diabetes under control but the weight is a different matter – just looking at a slice of bread can put me up – not literally but it feels that way.

You are doing so well, particularly with your diabetes.

1-2 pounds a week is very good controlled weight loss. Our initial huge losses on this woe owe more to ‘clearing out’ stored carbs (glycogen) from muscles and their associated water molecules. Your body then begins to adapt away from relying on these ‘easy calories’ from carbs and relearns how to burn fat efficiently. It is a process that can cause people to suffer from what is called ‘carb flu’ while their body adapts.
I am currently in the process of gaining and losing the same pound over and over again, but then I am not currently ‘counting’ just trying to be quite good on a day to day basis. I am pleased my weight is currently so stable. When I feel ready I will go back to counting for another couple of weeks before Christmas to try to get rid of these last 5 pesky pounds.

Hi Pootle,

If you are getting near your target weight then it is worth thinking about the transition to maintenance, but several of us found a few years ago that the so called ‘reverse diet’ worked really well. Essentially you increase the calories gradually, I.e. from 800 to 850 for a week, then 900 for a week, then 950 and so on. Keep weighing yourself (you will probably find you still lose weight during this process, sometimes it even accelerates!) and when you reach a value at which you register an increase after the week, stay with that value for another week and weigh again. If it stays the same, another week at the same value, this may be your personal limit, if it rises again, try going back 50 calories, and if it falls then add another 50. This way seems to have the dual effect of helping the metabolism recover from any slow down and get you used to maintenance portions going forwards.

Pootle not all recipes, either on this site or in the recipe books, count carbs accurately. Best to do your own calculations. As I said in the UK carbs on packets etc are ‘Net’ but in the US they are ‘Total’ so it is confusing especially when you read recipes from other countries. Australia counts in the same way as we do.

Hello Lucy. Try not to get too disheartened.

The answer to your question is yes. Weight loss isn’t linear. Sometimes we gain for no apparent reason.

Maybe try mixing things up a bit. Sometimes if you throw in an extra meal/snack, or change your meal times it helps. I find mixing things up seems to give my body a bit of a jolt. I have been doing TRE for ages now and not eating my first meal until around 12ish. I found I was starting to feel hungry earlier and earlier so I decided to give up the ridged 12 and just eat now when I’m hungry. Sometimes I have two meals a day and sometimes three and it seems to be working.

Try mixing things up a bit by changing meal times and adding/subtracting some foods.

Thanks Verano, that is what I thought, so have been going by the higher carb figure. However, was looking at a couple of recipes on this site, which seemed to have much less carb than I calculate it to be..but which tallied with the ‘sugar’ content. So wondered! I will carry on with the total carb!

Hi Lucy,
I think it does happen…my weight loss was phenomenal to start with, but has slowed to almost nothing as my body has adjusted to the calorie intake it is getting. :Like you, I am still doing everything the same…same food, counting cals and carbs but put a pound back on Sunday morning…lost it again yesterday, but still at the weight I was last Thursday!

I am nearing my target weight and beginning to wonder how I keep to that weight!

It is very frustrating, but don’t despair, you will get there!!!
xx

Thanks everyone.
I’m having a real issue today. Been so good all week. Weigh day isn’t for 2 days but jumped on scales today….exactly the same. Why has my weight loss slowed up so much? In several weeks it’s been a few pounds. I feel really low with it. I have not changed anything, doing the same.
Is this usual? Does it slow down so much once your body gets used to it? I can’t do any more rhan I do and its getting me down.
Sorry for the whinge

Pootle in the UK the carbs quoted are the ‘net carbs’ so you would count 2.2g.

A question;

When you count/calculate the carbs in your food, do you use the total carb or the sugar only?
e.g. package says “Carbohydrate 2.2g
of which sugars 1.5g”

Do you count 2.2g or 1.5g????

Thanks.

I went up by 1lb yesterday and lost it again today!!! Now I am getting near to my target weight, it is becoming even more difficult. Still weighing and calculating cals and carbs…trying to get the balance of ‘maintenance calories’…(1200 rather than 800??) with 50g total carbs per day, to ensure I remain below the Diabetes threshold and keep the weight steady. I assume it IS possible???

Verano, It is great to share good food with good friends and especially when one takes the trouble to ensure your diet is catered for!

This weekend’s positive for me was going to a Remembrance Day Concert, given by a local Welsh Male Voice Choir on Sunday evening. The sound was amazing!!! 😄🎶🎵

Good evening! (well it’s evening here because it’s dark!)

So I need to find some positives …..

🌶️🥦🧄 Wonderful evening with our friends on Saturday. Hostess was amazing even made me cauliflower rice because she knows I eat low carb.

🌶️🥦🫑 Sunday lunch out with friends. Lovely meal. Just good to spend time with great friends eating great food!

New week, new start new positives to be made!

S-g 7lbs is great! Don’t be disappointed.

I made my 1lb goal this week plus a little more and that was with a very ‘sociable’ weekend. I have a short term goal of 5 weeks and a longer term goal of 22 weeks. I’m staying with my goal of 1lb a week with anymore being a bonus. I’m finding that eating in the morning when I’m hungry rather than adhering to TRE is working much better for me. Some days I have two meals and some three. Some days I have a snack mid afternoon and sometimes not. I’ve been weighing my food because I do feel that my portion control has flown out of the window. No, it definitely has! I realise that I need to cut certain foods down so weighing is the way to go for now.

Start of a new week let’s make it count.

Hi all, weight is back down and I am hoping for a further 0.4kg loss over the next few days taking me down to a new low. I didn’t make my 9lb loss for oct/nov but I am 7lbs down which is great.

Just booked for a Christmas lunch on 13th Dec. They asked for any allergies and I told them I don’t eat carbs. We have been to the place before for a buffet and everything was served in pastry or deep fried in breadcrumbs so I reminded them that they said if I had said they would have been able to cater for me. Lets see.

this post is 8 years old

Hello again everyone 💞
Dct Thankyou for your kind words it’s strange but although I am feeling very low at the moment (not only sressed with the move)! There are a lot of family issues as well I read all your messages again at 2 am this morning !and I had a light bulb moment once again you have all come to my rescue 💞there are 5 weeks until we move and 6 to Xmas 🎄 I am going to try and find a seat at the back of the bus 🚌 and try to loose even a pound a week I might feel better if I am not carrying this weight around 🤣what I want to say is THANKYOU to you all
Lv nokiex

Lovely to see a little flurry of posts and to catch up with everyone’s news.

YOWZER I\ve got to add my congratulations as well – 50lb is incredible. Very well done! And I love what you said about Ive lost about what do you want to look back on in six months time : six months of more excuses or six months of progress? You’re amazing and inspirational for sticking to that for the last six months. I’m so pleased for you.

And I think those of us who have not been on track and seeing the results we want can also take inspiration from that. Starting today, we can adopt that mantra just for the next month – What do you want to look back on by Christmas : one month of more excuses or one month of progress? Worth a try anyway!

Good luck with the move NOKIE, such a stressful time. And, as others have said, I hope you will then be able to consider welcoming a new fur baby into your home.

Love to everyone else on here, and hope that you all feel inspired to pick up the pace a bit. I know I certainly do. My “urgent” fitness challenge ends next week and I’ve worked out if I can then lose 1lb a week from that point I will be heading well in the right direction by Christmas. So I guess I’ll be around in the New Year too 😊🚌

Hi everyone, sorry for not posting for so long. I have no real excuse, not moving house or anything else. I also have nothing to skite about as far a weight loss is going 🙁
Yowser that is so amazing, you must be so happy with such great progress. We all know how much effort goes into it, well done you!
CCathy, I am sure you would rather be losing but maintaining is the next best thing after all. I have been away on a road trip for a fortnight and unfortunately although I thought I was being careful I managed to stack on 3kg. I’m so annoyed because that’s nearly a third of the amount I had lost this year so I am knuckling down now as well and hope to have some better results soon. One thing that I’ve noticed since being home and trying so hard to keep to the WOE, I just seem to turn to the kitchen all the time- Bored? Have a snack. Headache? Better have something to eat- it goes on and on and I am really noticing it because i am doing my best to veto all these internal suggestions but they are very persistent!
Staying on the bus and still trying and I hope for good results of all of us.
Mariet

I read this before making these and I used chick peas flour and I added about 1 teaspoon of chia seeds I soaked first to use as a binder and they turned out perfect! Hope this helps.

Thankyou cathy and Dawn
I hope to have another furry friend once we are settled you are all so kind
I am going to try and sort my food 🍱 out over the next coming weeks I know it’s only me that can do it 🤔
Take care everyone and keep going you are all doing amazing
Love nokie 🐈‍⬛x

Thank you Cathy and Yowzer for your encouraging words.Nokie I’m so sorry to hear about your cat, our pets become family members so it’s no surprise you are finding it difficult.I hope your move goes well.I will definitely need to continue to lose weight in 2025 so will be continuing with this journey.
Dawn X

Nokie – it’s heartbreaking when we lose our furry friends. Maybe when you get settled into your new home you might feel able to rescue another furry friend. Don’t be hard on yourself Nokie- the bus is always round the corner and we can. Jump on and off when the time is right. I think many of us will be around in the NewYear to support one another.

Thankyou yowzer for your kind words 💞I will jump back on the bus 🚌 soon is it still carrying on in the new year or are we all stopping in 2024 ?
Take care
Nokie x🐈‍⬛

Im so sorry NOKIE to hear about your cat 🩷 its something we dread happening with our furry little pal now as hes getting a bit older XX
Moving house is one of the most stressful things any of us do. Just be kind to yourself while life is so hectic right now,then jump back on the bus when youre ready,your seat will be waiting! Xx

Hello everyone
Sorry I haven’t been posting so much going on in my life I have read all your posts well done to you all .
I lost my lovely cat Nokie in March and I don’t think I will ever get over it 💞he was from Battersea and I loved him to bits
We are moving house 🏠 at rhe moment so very stressful!! So I am afraid I have fallen off the bus 🚌 I have put back on all the weight I had lost very cross with myself as my back aches and I keep getting headaches it’s all due to my weight and eating too much sugar!!
Hopefully when I get to my new house I can refocus 🤔I would like to thank everyone on the bus it’s been a great journey and you are all friends for life
Love nokie x🐈‍⬛

Hi DAWN,what a lovely xmas eve present to give yourself,you can do it! Might not be 18 lbs,but thats ok,I have a feeling that we never quite do as well these days on low carb as we did first time round. But lose six,and even if you regain it with xmas treats,youre not ADDING six to what you are now XX
CATHY,oh Monty sounds adorable,and what a lucky cat to be rescued by someone who’ s going to love him so much.
Two xmases ago,and four xmases ago,i reunited cats with their broken hearted owners. First cat,Colin,had been missing a month,think second cat,Coco,had been missing two weeks. It was so satisfying to reunite them with their families. The Christmas in between I reunited a lovely little old lady who had dementia with her daughter and son in law. I wonder if anything/ anyone will need reuniting this Xmas! XX

Dawn we can lose a few pounds if we behave! I’m rebooting today too! Let’s see if we can lose a bit together!!
Yowser- Monty is an expert at his cat flap now. My friends daughter came every day for a couple of hours to sit with Monty and he had two automatic feeders dispensing his food. He was well looked after and loved Alice. I was so pleased . He is a rescue cat who was a nervous wreck when we got him. He still doesn’t like men but he is the most affectionate cat I’ve ever had. We got him in lockdown and it was an emergency rescue, we shouldn’t have even gone into someone’s house to collect him but it was a mission of mercy’. It took me a long time to get used to him as I had lost my precious cat Big Bob and didn’t think I’d ever love a cat the same again but Monty has melted my heart. He is the sweetest, most gentle cat ever.
Yowser, you’ve inspired me to “lose a Monty” 😹

Hi everyone,
Sorry I’ve been meaning to post for about a week but never got round to it.Yowzer you have done fantastically well this year, well done🎉🎉🎉 I’ve still been struggling to get into the right mindset and keep it going so am counting today as a ‘start again’ day and will aim to knuckle down in the hope of still losing a decent amount by Christmas Eve(the 1st time I did this woe I think I lost 18lbs in 6 weeks but not sure my body is capable of that now!) I’ve done a food plan for the week on MFP which always seems to help so 🤞Good luck to everyone for the rest of the trip❤️
Dawn X

thank you Wendy, SB, Sunny, for keeping us a thread- I know I only dip in sometimes but it’s a huge comfort to know this group is here 🙂

Just re-started the WOE properly, again……yesterday……let’s see if I can get a good bit of weight off and feel more healthy.

Love to all, Tulip xxx