Sour Crepes

[QueenQueenie]

Well someone had to do it....

I do Mfp calorie counting, BTM. I found out my metabolic rate last year which is low (1,270 calories a day to maintain my weight) so I aim for 1,100 to 1,200 a day. I have been very good this week so think I have already lost some holiday weight. Good luck.

ToT

Starting at 100 like Rudy - have not stepped on scales - not going there - it will be fit of things round here and in particular cropped linen summer trousers.

I am 5:2ing (kinda) and cutting out wine and unnecessary rubbish.

NU, how do you find out your metabolic rate?!

At least you were non-Ladyjogging in the rain, Pirate, iykwim. I conducted my own this morning but it was hard work. I do feel much better for it, though, and am nattily attired in a black wrap dress (Topshop via the charity shop) over a fuschia pink Uniqlo (thermal) vest. It is a vague echo of the many colours I used to wear long ago when I wasn't crepey. The librarian at one of the Oxford colleges sent me a photo of a demo I was on (as the result of a completely different correspondence about other pics) - didn't recognise myself but everyone looked heartbreakingly young. In a 1980s b&w long-coaty sort of way.

MI: 100/7lbs (haven't decided which yet).
I should, really, stop thinking vaguely that I need to lose about half a stone and get on with doing it. Mainly by eating a bit less: eating slowly and stopping when I'm full, all that malarkey. I've already cut out a few small things (fruit juice in the morning, after-dinner chocolate) which will probably help.

I think we should also (a) only do this on Fridays (b) refrain from any self-disliking language when we do so, even if backs(l)iding.

Yes, eating slowly.

Am going out tonight, so I fear my best plans will be derailed.

May I also point out, homicidally, that I have just had my draft style sheet back from C.Diff and I've asked for clarifications on various points of style and the response has been 'depends on the context'.

THE WHOLE POINT OF A HOUSE STYLE IS THAT YOU HAVE RULES.

Ooh C.Diff is boiling my piss even from here. I'm not sure I can ever work with anyone ever again - other people are generally Annoying Arseholes.

I am going on yesterday's weight, as today I'm 3lb lighter due to fasting. According to various 'ideal weight' calculators, I need to lose a stone. A whole bloody stone. A half stone is more likely, and I'll start with that. So,

0/7lbs.

I'm back on the 5:2, and will also do no wine in the week, no snacks (apart from the jaffa cake I've just eaten) and portion control.

Oh God Windy much strength! - Have PM'd you about something.

MI - am on your behalf.....

Thank goodness I don't work any more, MI, (apart from housework, gardening and childminding, that is). I really don't know how you manage to be polite.

BTM, I had it taken on a machine at the clinic, both before and after my diet. It's quite worrying in a way because it's amazingly easy to get to 1270, hardly allows any backsliding. The only answer for me is exercise as that bumps up the calories, of course.

I am now editing something from a bloke who's contributed to the mag for ages, so I feel reluctant to drop him, but he's not very good. As opposed to the other bloke who's contributed for ages, who takes a Firm Brief brief very well and the others I've commissioned.

NU - is your metabolic rate the number of calories you'd expend just lying down all day? So if you eat that, you lose weight, as it doesn't take into account the calories used in moving about?

Mmm, Herbs, I know what you mean, but I was told that in order not to put the weight back on I should try to keep to that figure. Nurse did say that it didn't take account of extra exercise. I go back to the clinic for a review a week on Monday so I will try to remember to ask. HTH

I have been spending my morning emptying wardrobes, etc. I have dozens of scarves: any ideas about storage would be appreciated. I have one of those Ikea hangers but it actually takes up a lot of room. I have also looked at earrings: I have 26 years' worth. Any ideas about recycling them - they're not expensive.

I don't think my GP has one of those machines!

at 26 years of earrings! I tend to just buy cheapie ones now as DD pinches them (well, unlike my clothes, they fit her!)

Am just chilling before an afternoon course - hope I can stay awake!

BTM, I took the plunge and had my ears pierced for my 40th, that's how I know how long. (For my 60th I went gliding, can't remember the 50th.)

Upstairs is now moderately tidy and the bins are full. Now having lunch before going shopping with DD.

If they're nice, but you don't want them, NU, you could do worse than donating to the local charity shop. I will confess that I have been known to purchase earrings that way; I have a pair of black/diamante roses which look rather glorious and I'm regularly complimented on, which I picked up for £1.50 and disinfected and now wear regularly.

I should probably say that having gone all self-righteous on healthy eating I then had a v nice piece of (organic, malty, home made) toast with (organic, sugar-free) peanut butter and lime pickle for lunch which is frankly a lunch you can bracket up all you like but isn't as low-fat as one might wish. And an orange.

I have secured two (2, ii) new features to write (well, one is recycling something I've already done) in terror of earning nothing this month, which sort of means I have to find time to do them

NU - I adore Calyx - it was my everyday fragrance for a long time during the 90s (when it was Prescriptives) and is on my wishlist. I wish fragrance wasn't so expensive. Having worked in the industry I know it is largely smoke and mirrors, and the mark-up on most mass-produced perfumes is obscene.

On the subject of scarf storage, I actually bought a unit of furniture just to contain my extensive collection. It is one of those Expedit cube shelves from Ikea, and the scarves are all stored in pull-out baskets. Well, it also contains baskets of hats, gloves, sunglasses and other paraphernalia, but it was mainly for the scarves.....

So what are most made of, CV?

I do like this brand which I know is ludicrously expensive but the stuff is rather different from many...

I like the look of the Roger&Gallet ones on the M&S site but is that too old-ladyish?

I had a very nice salad from M&S

Ds has thrown up and had to be collected from school.... oh joy... lurgy here too?

Oooh yes, Calyx. And that one in a little bottle, Caleche, was it? And Je Reviens? And those nice 'green' ones by Sisley - Eau du Soir, or some such.

My current smell is Molecule 01, which I adore, but is barely detectable at times. It is also £££££. I covet some Kheils Original Musk.

How did we get on to perfume?

I've not got any TofTs but I do have a white size 8 Hobbs summer skirt - a hubristic purchase last year which immediately made me put on about five pounds. So if I can fit into that by the time it gets hot enough to wear it, that would be VERY good.

Loving the perfume chat. I loved Je Reviens and had forgotten all about it.

My current faves are the two Liz Earle Botanical Essence perfumes.

Size 8??

My fault herbs. Sorree

I know but the thing is, I can only JUST get into it on a very very good day, as I am not, in truth, a real size 8 . But having paid cash money for it, I am stubborn enough to want to get at least some wear out of it.