TTC after loss penguins get fit & healthy in 2020

@BunnytheBlueWhale Every 3 years. Mine was due now but if you missed yours because you were pg then you need to rebook it yourself within 6-12 months after the birth I believe. You won't have another letter.

@tortiecat Yes she told me a month which isn't an issue cause like I said we're definitely not TTC this month and probably not before March.

However I just read on CRUK website that if something was wrong (i.e. cervical cancer) and I got pg in the meantime the NHS would most likely recommend to terminate and get treatment. I know it's very, very unlikely but I'd rather had been told that and obviously it makes sense to wait for the results with TTC xxx

@BunnytheBlueWhale it's every three years at our age :)

@MrsMGE I wasn't told anything at all at my last appointment (I didn't even know that you couldn't have a smear if pregnant, this thread is very enlightening!) but did the nurse tell you how long are results are taking to come back at the moment? I last had one in August 2019 - they told me it could take up to ten weeks for results but I got my letter in just over a month I think, so you might be fine to TTC as you have planned if this is the case? Hope all is well x

Hi girls. Quick question, what advice (if any) have you been given re smear tests and TTC? I had my smear test this morning and the Practice Nurse didn't know whether it can affect early pregnancy but said "they wouldn't touch me in early pregnancy" and didn't know whether I can TTC now or wait for the results first (in case the result is abnormal) "but they don't normally recommend anything, just get on with life". Uhmmm.

I have enough common sense and, as you know, I have already decided no TTC this month, for all sorts of reasons, not only smear test-related. But of course, in particular, if my results are bad, it would be the worst possible time for TTC as pregnancy can increase the speed at which cancerous cells spread and I'm pretty sure treatment options are very limited while pregnant, so it's a no brainer in my mind.

The point is, I'm yet again astonished with the poor knowledge and advice (or lack thereof) of the NHS staff.

Curious to know what everyone else has been told? Xxx

Hiya everyone I hope you all had a great weekend! I had my 1st weigh in yesterday and lost 3lbs so I am really chuffed with that.

I am hoping that I can continue sticking to the plan this week as I am back to work tomorrow. Just doing 4 hrs to start with and then building up over the next 3 weeks.

Apologies for being a bit quiet on the thread its just alot to take in going back to work. Will catch up with everyones posts after work tomorrow ❤

@MrsMGE I love that you have an actual tortie cat!! I am very jealous - DH and I are currently cat-less as we can't have one where we currently live. Yours sounds adorable. Maybe if I had a cat that I could exercise with that would incentivise me? I am not sure any cat of mine would trust me to hold a plank long enough to go underneath though

@Shefliesonherownwings your cat is gorgeous - it is lovely when they choose to bestow some affection on you, isn't it? I hope both the cat cuddle and the hot water bottle are helping with your cramps, and that you're having a relaxing day.

Well done you on the garlic bread restraint (I would eat whole loaves if I could). Which type of tofu did you use for your dinner, and is there a brand that you would recommend? I haven't cooked with tofu previously but would like to try it, I googled and there appear to be many different types?!

DH has informed me that we are going out for dinner this evening and that he has picked somewhere to surprise me. I am trying not to get too excited - it could be KFC for all I know, I think he's a bit confused by a wife that eats fish and veg and declines cake!

I also meant to say well done to everyone who has lost weight or just kept up the healthy eating and exercise. @Avocuddles those donuts look amazing!

Oops forgot pic.

Morning all, it's been a very lazy weekend for me. AF cramps have knocked me for six. I just about managed the food shop with DH yesterday but spent the rest of yesterday on the couch with a hot water bottle. Looks like the same today except our cat has joined me which is nice as he rarely cuddles up to me, he's more DHs cat than mine. No doubt he's just trying to soak up some heat from the hot water bottle but it's nice. I've had to attach a photo as it is so rare that I get any affection from this little munchkin.

DH cooked tofu again last night but this time with loads of chillies, spring onions, garlic and some buffalo sauce. We had that with salad and it was delish. We did also have garlic bread but I only had two bits as a treat. I'm pretty pleased with my restraint as I'd normally devour half.

@tortiecat This chicken pie is our all time favourite! Good shout!

PS I love your name, one of my cats is a tortie, I was going to say that earlier 😊 She does squats (I hold her)and press ups/planks (she goes underneath me) with me, she's mesmerized when I do my exercise 😂 xxx

Morning ladies. I am pleased to report I went to vinyasa yoga this morning-just getting the train home now, have a 15m uphill walk at the end. Determined to lose that remaining 13lb!

@Mumlili8 @MrsMGE @SunStruck I think I will try HIIT workouts when I am a little fitter. I can just about get through a spin class at the minute as that involves literally having my feet locked into the pedals and the door shut so I can't run away, I take my hat off to you for finding the motivation to do these

By the way a friend sent me Mr Wicks' chicken pie recipe, DH and I really like this so I thought I would share it with you all:

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.hellomagazine.com/cuisine/2019091877897/the-body-coach-joe-wicks-chicken-pie-recipe-to-try/%3fviewas=amp

We put in more onion, garlic and green veg if we have it and serve with green beans/ peas

@Mumlili8 Not a stupid question at all. As @SunStruck said it's Joe Wicks, a PT. If you go on YouTube and search for Joe Wicks HIIT you'll see a number of his sessions. Great stuff, you don't need anything at all, 15 mins, you can do it all at home. You exercise for 30-40 seconds depending on the workout, then rest for 20-30 seconds and again. If you've never tried, I recommend his beginners sessions, then the intermediate ones etc. These consist of 3x repeat of the same exercises (most of them). I'm currently doing various sets of his 15 exercises in 15 minutes HIIT and Fat Burner sessions (also on YT) which are great, but personally I think they're harder than the repeat exercise sessions.

HIIT improves your blood circulation, speeds up fat burning & metabolism and "pumps you up", even though it's only 15 mins, I feel a lot better, physically and mentally. The benefits are equivalent to a much longer workout at the gym.

Hope that helps, ask any questions that you wish! Also I'm sure @SunshineCrocodile will know more than me as a professional PT 😊 xxx

@Mumlil not stupid at all! High Intensity Interval Training :) check Joe Wicks our, he's championing this type of training!

Ladies can i please ask a more than likely stupid question but what is a HIIT session?

Hi ladies how are you doing?

This weekend I've been quite relaxed, I've had healthy stuff (like a poke bowl with prawns for lunch yesterday, Vietnamese bun (glass noodle salad) with prawns and chicken for lunch on Friday and some home cooked meals other than this. We did go out for a posh brekkie after our gym session (me and DH) on Friday morning when I had an omelette and then a sinful blueberry pancake to share, but I'm not trying to diet now in 2ww so it's fine 😁😁😁

Been using the slow cooker lots this weekend to food prep for whole of next week (dinner and lunch).

@avocuddles congrats on the weight loss!! 😄 that is great! Good way to start 2020!

@MrsMGE well done on your HIIT sessions! I hate HIIT 😅😅 but it's so effective I do try to do it sometimes haha! Nice with VS stuff, I do love their body mists! You smell nice without smelling perfumey, I really like it. Never tried their bottoms, I have to have a look! I use their underwear (the everyday stuff, like t-shit bra's) and they're so comfy and good quality. Expensive but worth it. Also their knickers that look like hipsters in a really soft microfiber material, shows no VPL (I hate VPL). Highly recommend.

Thanks @tortiecat, it was delicious. I'm glad to hear you've returned in one piece and had a good time, we're delighted to have you back 🙌 And we're now 8lbs lighter, wooo! 😊

HIIT done, girls! Did another harder one & I'm feeling it! Currently making beef, bean & rice burritos from scratch 😊 DH and I love them and the smell is making me hungry, mmm!

DH treated me today to a couple of body mists and lotions from Victoria's Secret, I'll keep them for our holiday 😊 £22 for 2, bargain. I also bought a pair of joggers from VS on sale last month and I LOVE them. If you're looking for some lounge pants, I can't recommend them enough (and they don't look chavtastic!). Overall, a really nice, chilled out day. Following our earlier discussion, I haven't actually bought any clothes today. I didn't take my purse not to be tempted 😂. I'll lose more weight first and then buy some nice stuff, sense and sustainability! Xxx

Wow ladies - amazing work on the weight! And in general, feeling happier and healthier! That's what this thread has really helped us all with.

@tortiecat, glad you're back in one piece girl!
Your dinner sounds lovely!

I had a shop bought soup for lunch today (not unhealthy, checked ingredients, it was a veggie one anyway) and tonight's dinner will be seabass, kale and butter beans with smoked pepper sauce. No idea how to make any of it so might be a disaster 😉

Haven't had any scales to step on, but feel good at the moment.

Not going to exercising too much like I said, but currently doing a lot of walking and actually looking to do a hike or something next weekend if the weather is nice!

@BunnytheBlueWhale well done on your run, any distance is a good achievement when you're starting out. In my very active days I used to run home from work (about 10k), but that's long ago. Now I can do 5k more or less ok-ish in about 30 mins.

Hope everyone else is good too!

@Avocuddles I want a donut now. Very very badly. I am going to go and weigh out my 70g of pasta instead!

Evening all! I am overjoyed to report that I have returned from skiing with all limbs intact and just two blisters and a few bruises (thankfully not dinner plate sized ones on my bottom either @LASandOtto! )

@BunnytheBlueWhale I am glad you enjoyed the chicken laksa! I will def have to make it again. Thank you for the meditation / mindfulness tips - I will look into these.

That sounds a yummy lunch @MrsMGE. We had homemade oxtail soup for lunch and this evening I will be having oven baked salmon with roast vegetables.

@Seahawk80 thinking of you in the run up to Tuesday and hoping you are OK.

The latest posts have inspired me to step on the scales - I am down 1lb from my pre-Christmas weigh in. It doesn't sound a lot but goodness knows how much I put on during the festive period (I couldn't pluck up the courage to weigh myself then!) so I think that is a success. A lot of this is down to the support on this thread - thank you ladies. It is amazing to have something so positive to focus on instead of the obsession with TTC that I had throughout the last half of 2019 xx

Also @Avocuddles @Shefliesonherownwings well done on your weight loss! This thread is now at least 7lbs lighter altogether, as far as we know 😁