Week 9 - very much hoping this is our last fortnight!

[BIWI]

I really, really hope that this will be our last two weeks of all the various restrictions of lockdown. Even though it's looking unlikely

So for us, only two more weeks!

Here's the spreadsheet, as usual

Two more weeks left, so a good amount of time to still shed some unwanted pounds.

Possibly also a time to be specifically even more strict, given that it's the last two weeks?!

@ZiggZagg 🤣 love it!

Yeah I've typed it so much, it's the first suggestion that comes up on my phone when I type a capital F!! 🤣

@MrsKoala what a shock for you both I hope he can sort something soon

@ZiggZagg @ditavonteesed my heart goes out to you and makes my own 'problems' into perspective. Hang on in there and time will generally do it's thing 

@cheeseisthebest glad to hear you're feeling more positive and that that 3lbs is the start of the positive cycle!!

@Midlifemission I was coming to post an NSV about other people noticing too!! Have had 2 people comment recently - I didn't have a huge amount to lose so am surprised others have noticed. 1 was on Zoom too so it must show if you can see it on camera 

Also definitely family meals are the way forward. I have a picky DD so have lots of strategies. My most simple one is to give her a bowl of the veggies she will eat raw (peppers, cucumber, toms etc) as a 'starter' whilst she's watching TV / doing homework then I don't worry if she leaves all the dinner veg (which she does!).

Another reason we eat together is so I can eat early and get a good 'fast' going between dinner and next meal. And recently that has made a HUGE difference to my weight loss.

@Zofloramummy hello and welcome! For water, what's your day like do you work? Out and about? I have a few water tricks - track on phone / app and get reminders. Glass up to bed so start the day with water. Large bottle / jug (1 litre) at my desk constantly topping up. Also have a large bottle filled in the kitchen with a small kids glass next to it. Every time I spot the bottle I fill and down the glass!!

Everything is going really well here - work is finally taking off (own business) after a 15 month industry shut down (!) and I've had several wooshes on the scales. DH is taking much better care of himself too (because of the example I have set thanks to you lovely lot) which makes me very happy and we've finally found a the worlds most expensive camping trip replacement UK holiday having cancelled our rebooked 2019 trip to Italy.

I'm in a wonderfully positive cycle where results (skin, weight, mood, energy) are so encouraging I don't WANT to sabotage it so it's easy and not feeling deprived at all. Toyed with having a small piece of pitta yesterday (adore them toasted on the BBQ with tsatsiki) but then just forgot about it!

Yesterday:

L: smoked salmon, scrambled eggs, avo and asparagus
D: minted lamb kebabs, halloumi, more asparagus, massive salad, herby peppers and onions, bbq aubergine, hm tsatsiki

Today:
L: Cajun chicken and avo salad
D: bolognaise with aubergine and cabbage with garlic and bacon

The sunshine is helping too

💐 to all having a rough time. I am weighing in today as I won’t have scales tomorrow. 0.2kg less than last week which is brilliant as I am trying to maintain. I am bootcamping Monday to Thursday. Trying not to go mad at weekends but having chips if I fancy them. I have a big celebration this weekend, 3 days of eating out so next Friday may be a challenge. I have a few big celebrations over the next few weeks. I am so looking forward to a few nights in a fancy hotel .

@ZiggZagg I'm so sorry things are so hard at the moment. My dd had a app called calm harm which helped a lot. It's so stressful to deal with and that on top of your grief must be overwhelming.
@MrsKoala so sorry about dhs job. Hopes he finds something better quickly.
My stress is gone now, as I say can't share too much but goes with the teenage safe house theme from a few weeks ago. This weekend I have the house to myself for 2 days and a night. Planning to go to M&S and get all the carbs free treats and spend the weekend watching crap, sitting on the sofa and eating stuff. Decompress definitely needed.
Nsv I bought some new dungarees after my mum told me my current ones looked like old maternity ones they were so big, I ordered an extra small based on the measurements thinking it was going to be a massive mistake but they fit so well. (In who's world am I an extra small?).

Hello everyone,

Yesterday's food

Brunch: 2 poached eggs, Parma ham green beans. Slice cheese.

Dinner: courgetti and bolognaise.

All the water.

Late night snack: peanut butter from jar.
After waking up with cramp in calf for second night running.

Feeling overwhelmed with stuff to do.

@Chunkymonkey123 thanks for the suggestion re the programme. I watched it last night and it strengthened my resolve for eating 'clean', and as BIWI always advises, not eating too much processed food. I'm taking lunch for my dd and dgc today and I was thinking along the lines of sausages, but now I'm planning some salmon, prawns and salad instead - fortunately dgc will eat that as happily as they would eat pizza.

@Midlifemission and @FusionChefGeoff when people first noticed I'd lost weight (and commented on it) my first feelings were of embarrassment, and that they must have been silently thinking for years that I was putting on weight but I've come to accept it gracefully and gratefully. I also think that as I feel better about myself my confidence grows, I'm not trying to hide my fat tummy or multiple chins, or despair of my chubby knees, so my whole posture is more upright and confident, and then I look less dumpy anyway.

@Pleaseandthankyou I'm also in a very 'celebratory' phase of life with lots of milestone birthdays (dh, me, many friends) plus several big anniversaries (and aforementioned challenging holidays). For celebratory meals / weekends I try to think beforehand about what is really a treat for me, and what is other people's idea of a treat. So I look forward to eggs and smoked salmon for breakfast but choose not to have the croissant and jam; I enjoy steak with creamy mushroom sauce but opt for berries and cream without pavlova; or if I'm in charge of the planning I suggest brunch and dinner, rather than 3 meals, so at least there's a bit of intermittent fasting added in. But most of all, enjoy it - no food is a real pleasure if you are secretly feeling guilty.

@ElasticFirecracker just do ONE thing. Then tick it off your list. Then do ONE more, it's all progress...

Food today:
B - coffee with cream (finding that a hard habit to break)
L - seafood salad, berries and yogurt
D - roast chicken FLGV

Thanks all for the kind words. I've just had a chance to properly catch up on the thread @venusandmars your sailing adventure sounds gorgeous - I'm so jealous I've never been up that neck of the woods. A weekend break in Edinburgh is as far north as I've been

for @ditavonteesed and @ZiggZagg and all those who require a liberal sprinkling of floral tributes. I'm going to try to destress by getting in the garden to weed a bit today so am hoping to be uplifted by some blooms.

Interesting about not wanting to talk too much about this woe and dieting in general for fear of what people think and say. I find the opposite people are always interested in how I've lost weight/my skin looks nice/I have so much energy etc and I'm always happy to sing the praises of this woe. Everyone says they'd love to do it too but most say its just too impractical. None have said they think it's disordered or unhealthy. It often takes quite a few conversations to explain that honey isn't allowed as its still sugar tho

dita your safehouse is so important for teenage girls who have nowhere else to go/no-own they can trust. It’s awe-inspiring stuff and I am very glad there are people like you in our society.

to everyone going through difficult times.

I have a question about water for BIWI and anyone else who has thoughts about it. I'm spending a day walking in the Lake District on Sunday and I want to be well-hydrated -- but also to minimise the number of al fresco emergency wees. I usually seem to need too many of these when I walk.

What do we think is the best 'pre-loading' period to ensure that my cells are as full of water as possible and my bladder is as empty as possible? Will it be helpful to drink extra water 24 hours beforehand do you think?

Also, I am being brave and trying Sharp Edge , so just in case I topple off, goodbye and thanks for all the tips.

Sure you will be fine doing Sharp Edge Random789. Haven't done it for a few years but should be completely ok so long as not super windy, and you can sort of stay low and use your hands right along the more exposed bit. I think you said it was going to be guided ? in which case I'm sure you will have all the help you need.
Envious of you !

@FusionChefGeoff glad to hear things are going well for you. Sounds really positive for you and OH. Still need to try that almond flour bread recipe just not had time to get to health shop.

@ditavonteesed - glad you’re a bit less stressed and have a chilled out weekend planned. Providing a safe house is such a lovely thing to do - echo TheHoover’s thoughts.

for @ZiggZagg and others where life is not so easy or stressful.

@venusandmars - you struck a real chord with me when you said you felt embarrassed when people compliment you. I’ve have lost around 10kg & although I have enjoyed the recognition at times I also have a voice that says ‘.....you haven’t kept it off yet. Wait and see where you are in a few months’. I am now so much closer to the weight I was in my mid 30’s, a decade or so ago, but most losses creep/run back on. I really want this time to be different but it’s like I can’t quite accept I will maintain - as I haven’t yet!

When people ask me how I’ve lost I mostly just say generally healthy behaviours - lots of water, regular exercise, cutting down on alcohol & lots of veg. I don’t mention low carb unless they ask more.

Going out for an exciting lunch tomorrow. Sample menu includes asparagus salad with poached egg, also mussels in cream and wine. Maybe a glass of wine.

I'm off early for meetings so posting tomorrow's food intentions now:
B - redbush tea
L - see above
D - chicken and salad

That looks lovely lunch venusandmars I think I'll be having something similar

Had a lovely lunch today with one of my oldest friends: Parma ham and torn up mozzarella with thickly sliced tomatoes piled in the middle, torn basil over everything and then olive oil drizzled over and a squoosh of lemon juice. I also made a green salad with my first picking of salad leaves from the garden, plus three radishes freshly pulled and some Parmesan shavings. Picture was taken before I cut the salad leaves.

My friend had a slice of freshly baked sourdough but I resisted it - and we both resisted a glass of white wine

I am feeling very sorry for myself. I tripped and fell in the garden in the dark and faceplanted into steps. Cut lips, grazed face, bashed up knee and very sore chest.

Can't get comfy and I am meant to see a new client tomorrow, but I suspect talking will be horrid, and anyway, who wants a divorce lawyer who looks like she's been beaten up?

I feel old and stupid and I hate my stupid balance problem.

Oh no @MrsBertBibby - ouch!!!

You'll just need to laugh at yourself with your client - it's not exactly something you can hide, so you may as well just explain honestly. Hope it's not to sore for you to talk

@Ifeelmuchlessfat how have you got on this week? Somehow I have managed to wee out 8 of my 9 (overdue period helped!) and feeling v relieved.

This is despite going to a vegan restaurant for dinner on Tuesday where everything was delicious but pulse-rich, and drinking 3/4 bottle of wine. The danger now is that I think a bit of cheating is ok, but this is why I am still 94kg

Anyway it's an inset day so we are off to Brid for a paddle and fish & chips

@prettybird your lunch yesterday sounds delicious! I can't grow salad veg as the slugs just wolf it, so waiting for my runner beans to take off instead.

@MrsBertBibby ouch! I hope you are not too sore today

Is anyone up for a separate "Bootcamp whilst camping" type thread?? Inspired by @venusandmars and her dedication through sailing, there must be a few of us planning / already been and we could swap tips.

Oh @MrsBertBibby that sounds horrible.

@FusionChefGeoff I always keep the last week's chat thread going for that very reason!

But it's definitely a good idea to look for strategies to help us stay on track. And I need it as I'm definitely not so right now

Oh God @MrsBertBibby just read your post you poor thing hope it's not too sore.

For anyone who needs inspiration for baking look at my rolls!!!

The outside isn't pretty but look at that!!

That looks amazing! How did you make them?

I'm really enjoying the bread and rolls from the Seriously Low Carb company, but have to ration it as it's so expensive.

Oh dear @MrsBertBibby I always get so angry with myself and my bodies limitations too, it’s almost like my body is an adversary sometimes and I feel genuine anger towards it. Which is strange when thought through but I know what you mean about hating aspects of your body/limitations. I hope you recover soon and can forgive and even find some peaceful acceptance for your balance issues.

My weight is down today. I’ve not been eating that much tho so it’s understandable. H has decided not to look for work and to focus on his course writing. He’s set the guinea pigs bedroom up as a studio with a green screen and is recording with gusto. I think it’s the right thing to do as it will just hang over him as a what if (like when we moved to Canada). But it’s an anxious time and it means I have to keep Astro to eye on progress and money and then pull the plug (like with Canada) when we at a still salvageable sensible point. A lot of stress and responsibility which has meant I’ve drank far too much vodka this week and not been sleeping that well.

I’m organising renting out our short lived holiday flat (removing all our stuff this weekend ☹️) and rushing through work on FILs old flat which STILL has a bloody damp/roof leak problem despite the management company ‘fixing it’ 3 times - this will be the 4th time I’ll need to sort repairs and decorations. Sigh.

Had some yogurt for breakfast. Can’t think about lunch or dinner yet.

Oh Mrs Koala that's a lot on you.

@MotherBuckets I was wondering how you were getting on… you’ve easily beaten me, well done!! I’ve lost about half of the 7lbs I put on and that’s being really careful, no booze, eleventy billion miles walked with the dog, two gym sessions and a swim

I need to plough through this weekend making sure I don’t give in to the call of the wine bottle, and by this time next week I hope it’ll be gone. It usually takes me two weeks of to make up for the indulgence