January 2025 Starters - Maintenance, Progressing and Avoiding Traumatic 💩

[meatyryvita]

Hit me up losers!

Good morning my shiny baubles.

lots for me to catch up on. @BreezyPeer have a smashing day

I have been away for work most of the week and it’s been full on (in a bad way). Had drinks and a big fancy dinner out where I probably ate the most I have done in a year. Low sleep high stress so unsurprisingly sts.

what was quite nice was the number of people who told me how good I was looking. I know I’m doing it for health purposes but after a year of no one saying a thing, to have over a dozen people say it was quite nice. Amusingly only one actually said ‘and you’ve lost a bit of weight I think’.

I have decided to keep on my 10mg pen this time to see me through Xmas with an aim to try and sts then willl move up to 12.5 in Jan to get rid of my last half a stone. I am starting my hrt today and I think that plus Xmas is enough to manage in one go.

@myladyjane , lovely to hear that you're hearing how fab you look. Confidence boosting my friend. Good luck with the HRT, my BF found it life changing.

Stupidly I've been so reluctant to increase my dose - no idea why I am still on 7.5mg, maybe I need to push that forward and move on up to lose the last bit.

I'm still dithering over houses. I went to see a delightful house yesterday, very very clever photography from the agent and streetview wasn't available in the location. I would absolutely buy the house tomorrow, sadly it was next door to something that looked like a junk yard 😫. I'm thinking of viewing a ground floor flat, beautiful location, beautiful grounds, 1500 sq ft, private patio and a garage, no stairs for my old age and a huge walk in 'cupboard' for want of a better word that I could turn into an office .... but I'm not sure I want to live in a flat - where's my cottage garden? I've been fitting in viewings here there and everywhere I can find the time - no joy whatsoever.

I’ve been a massive lurker on this thread since DH had his accident and op. I’ve been battling alot of head demons for various reasons and been really struggling with my diet and the switch from MJ to wegovy. I seem to have had a few more side effects from that than previous so been battling them as well. I’m finally starting to see some light at the end of a fairly dark tunnel and have readjusted my initial (and ultimate) goal to try and get a ‘win’ into my head. I know I won’t get there by Christmas (it’s just under a stone away) but that’s ok - I know that I will get there eventually! I’ve been sitting here cheering the rest of you fabulous ladies on and celebrating all your victories though.

it's such a lovely feeling, isn't it, @Thelittlestranger
I was walking back from gym and just thinking how nice it is when my body feels so strong and also kind of..compact? No extra jiggly parts.

Ah I’m loving all the anniversary stories! My decision to start was made after seeing pictures from a family party in November last year. I ordered my pen on 15th Dec but didn’t actually start until New Years Day. I thought I would just do it for three months and lose a little bit. Cost has been a big factor. Anyway, my journey has been a funny one. I didn’t actually lose anything until Feb - in fact during January I gained weight. My biggest losses were during April May and June. Then I plateaued after my surgery and I’ve been stuck there ever since. The switch to Wegovy hasn’t helped either. I think I’m only just starting to make a bit of progress on that. I’m definitely a plodder. I still have a stone to go. But what I have noticed is that people have started to say to me that I look ‘well’. I don’t know if it’s a combo of weight loss and post hysterectomy recovery but I do look healthier. I looked at my Teams picture at work yesterday which was taken last year and I look so unwell in it. I really need a new one.

Plus can I just say - I slept for 12 straight hours last night. TWELVE! I’m definitely anaemic!

Weighed myself today after no mid-week weighing at all - maintained at 58.15kg, which is about right for day 4 of my cycle.
This is just ridiculously easy. I feel like I should still somehow be consciously depriving myself but I’m not. Even having the Mini mince pies from Cook hasn’t affected me.

Have 2 x 2.5mg doses left in my 5mg pen. My dopamine drive currently feels v high, too much doom scrolling on Social media atm and productivity has dropped, so not ready to lower my dose below 2.5mg.

Still need to buy DBs something for Xmas. DS2 has politely declined to write a Xmas list - and has just asked for clothes, but we buy those for him anyway as he’s been on a massive growth spurt so doesn’t feel special enough.

Pity post incoming. I’m ill AGAIN. I just cannot seem to shake this stomach bug. I’ve been reasonably ok since about Wednesday. Eating normally Thursday and Friday. Then since early hours of this morning I was unable to sleep due to my stomach absolutely churning again. I am so sick of this now.

How was your date day @BreezyPeer?

CT report is in but the wait goes on as it refers to two lesions in right lung, malignancy not ruled out. Appointment on Monday with consultant which rang alarm bells but urgent treatment is needed for pneumonia and lung abscess and biopsies haven’t even been booked yet. On the positive side all other organs were normal and no other alarming lesions were reported.

My day to myself started strongly with a lovely hot bath and although it wasn’t fun I have a feeling of satisfaction when I see the order imposed on the utility room cupboards. Then DH returned at least 2 hours before I expected him! Peace and quiet gone. 🤣

Today has started rather earlier than I’d like but I’m wide awake so making the best of it. I need to get on with some Xmas sewing today so as soon as it gets light I’ll be heading to my machines to finish Xmas pjs for toddler twins. I’m moving my sewing set up into DS1s old bedroom in the new year. It’ll be lovely to have a dedicated room to work in.

Happy Sunday everyone, I’m looking forward to hearing what you’re all up to.

Morning! Just finishing my cuppa in bed and talking myself into going for a run in the rain. Dogs need walking anyway, so...

Lunch out with my dad and sisters, and then hopefully a game with OH. Depending on how he is feeling.

Weight is a funny thing - have eaten less over the last few days than the previous week - and while I'm still in my 2lb buffer, I'm at the top, not the bottom. Whereas last weekend I was right at the bottom on similar amount of food. Just looked and I'm 9 days off my period. So, I'm going to track my weight against that to see if there are any trends. You do that, right @DGonMJ ?

Very pleased to have smashed most of the Xmas present shopping in the past two weeks. Few bits left to buy only. Phew.

@Jins, fingers crossed for your brother. I had lesions and a lung abscess in 2017, just with bad dose of double pneumonia.

Early start and a quiet day in store here, finishing a bit of work, but planning on doing it from a sunny sitting room with the fire going and a cheesy film on the TV so it could be worse.

Weight pretty static but my shape has definitely changed despite not losing too much, I can fasted up a favourite coat I haven't worn for years now, I couldn't do that a couple of weeks ago.

Hope all goes well with your brother @jins

Like a cheesy film @PenelopesProteinPackedParty you’ll need a few nice (protein) snacks too.

Hope you feel better soon @CurlsandCurves

@DGonMJ @Thelittlestranger both doing so well!

@Polkadotdash new glam photo needed
@RockyisMYRhino sorry you’ve had tough times and hoping for much brighter times for you.

had any baileys @HeidiLite ?

@2025istheyeari yes I did live in Oxford (I sent you a pm re Oxford but assumed you’d not seen it !). Popped there for shopping and lunch yesterday, was really nice but rainy. Managed to tick off a few presents.

Enjoy your Sundays - another busy day here 🙂

Ps loved hearing the stories 💙

Morning

@jinseverything crossed. Good news re everything else seeming ok hopefully.

@Thelittlestrangermy weight always tracked to my cycle really clearly. Always 3lb gain when I ovulated and sts or gains a lb the day or two before I came on. Clockwork it was.

@CurlsandCurvesso many bugs seem to be lingering this year. Rest as much as you can.

talking of bugs I have another cold. I am not surprised - surrounded by ill people right left and centre plus very stressy week last week and awful
sleep. All my triggers. My mum is coming down at 11 ish so I am going to stay in bed until then I think. Christmas fun day in the village so I will pop in as it’s usually quite sweet. Bath and early bed. Fun times.

@PenelopesProteinPackedParty I know what you mean re shape. I can’t put my finger on it but things are re distributing

Thanks all. We’re hoping the lesions are related to the pneumonia and abscess, or indeed damage from a hiatus hernia that has caused scarring elsewhere but there’s no relaxing until the biopsy results are in. Either way he’s got mild/moderate emphysema so if that’s not an incentive to live smoke free I don’t know what is.

Things are moving in the kitchen! The skirting boards are in place in the fridge freezer corner so when they have been painted it can go back! I can’t wait!

I’ve dealt with the menagerie and I’ve gone back to bed with a coffee. Really enjoying it.

Hope you feel better soon @myladyjane
@2025istheyeari your ROH day sounded so lovely ☺️

The site stopped working for me before I had finished my post, I typed this and forgot to come back. DS told me my jeans looked absolutely ridiculous yesterday, they are an old pair from White Stuff that I hadn't worn for years, couldn't even get them past my knees six months ago. Label says 16 but they are small, I was a 14 everywhere else when I bought them. I'm wearing them because I am packing and ironing for our holiday and don't want to wear my new ones. I am struggling to keep them on and can take them off without undoing them, but I am only at home for a couple of days so they will have to do.

I think it will be The Holiday @BlueLimes . I haven't eaten anything yet today, not fancying it, must do better.

I am feeling a bit flabby @myladyjane, fine when dressed, but not without clothes. Fortunately I don't inflict the without clothes me on anyone and it is definitely because I haven't done enough exercise recently. Hopefully I will change that in the new year. Sorry to hear you have got another bug.

I have had tea and some first defence - feeling better so hopefully mild sniffle only.

i am watching americas next top model with dd1. The ‘plus size’ model is hilarious and dd is outraged. She’s a 10 on a bad day - got bless the noughties eh

@Thelittlestranger yes I do track against my cycle and find I gain over the month and lose after the first week, I also find my hunger and carb cravings change over the month so I’m less worried about a sudden desire for toast. I remember early on in the weight loss phase I would be so upset with myself for craving anything - it felt like a loss of control. But now I understand it is temporary and connected to hormones I don’t fear it so much, it’s not the beginning of ‘the weight piling back on’.

Sorry for those who are ill and feeling rubbish @myladyjane and @CurlsandCurves

@PenelopesProteinPackedParty I bet your measurements have changed. Sounds like the increased dose is working for you. From my personal experience I’ve found that MJ isn’t just about appetite suppression, for me it switches on my body’s ability to burn fat rather than store…given your v low calorie intake I wonder if you just needed a higher dose of MJ to trigger the body’s switch to burning fat rather than very efficiently storing it. Just a theory.

@Jins a lot to take in with your brother’s results. Positive that it seems isolated so far.

Given MJ’s ability to disrupt addiction I do wonder if the pharma companies are working out how to isolate that cause without causing weight loss.

Official weigh in today and I have gained 0.5kg overnight. Likely water retention from the heavy weights session at the gym followed by copious amounts of sushi and soy sauce for dinner.

I woke up in the middle of the night with just my legs sweating, upper body fine despite wearing a jumper to bed, lower half soaked with sweat…anyone else had that?

Have jabbed slightly over 2.5mg today as it was via a syringe and I took a little bit more than 0.3ml to account for an air bubble.

Today I’m doing a shepherds pie, DS2 has friends coming over who may or may not stay for dinner. And also hoping to prep a gluten free chicken pie for early in the week as DH is having a small bit of surgery, and a prepped pie to stick in the oven will be easy for me to sort in between work calls that afternoon.

Shepherd's pie - yum @DGonMJ . I am all for fat burning - you could be right, I think I need to go above 7.5mg tbh.

I frequently wake up dripping in sweat, not isolated and I have no idea where I am in the menopause journey due to all the medication I've been subjected to tbh.

I've made this chicken dish for dinner, well it is marinating in the fridge, I did the whole recipe, potatoes, whipped feta etc., the other week and it was lovely. I might just roast it in the oven today with some new potatoes and cherry tomatoes as I have just used my last lemon and I don't want to go shopping.

Ooh that chicken looks yum @PenelopesProteinPackedParty. I’m just finishing a very boring (but tbh quite tasty) chicken breast as I’ve bought into the more protein theory.

@myladyjane the skinny culture really was scary - and I remember myself agreegin with some of those articles, I was also thinking that this or that celebrity was huge and had really packed on the pounds, when in fact they just were a little bigger than their previous rake thin not an ounce of fat on them.
I also think though it's sometimes going a little too far the other direction. all those American influencers who go on about being 'mid-size' when they are clearly morbidly obese. That's not healthy either.

@jins even if it is not the news you hope for, they can do a lot nowadays, a friend's mum was recently diagnosed with lung cancer but the treatment is working really well.

I went to the local gym this morning, good arms and back day. Now will do something you can't do every day here - will go to supermarket! Everything is normally shut here on Sundays, but they have a few Sunday Shopping days prior to Xmas. I've been here for so long now that this feels almost illegal.

But I will resist Bailey's!
See, I have developed a theory. If I have a little too much Xmas food every day, I'll gain weight, right, because body will turn all excess into fat.
However, if I properly overeat on a few days only, have all the treats and all the Bailey's, body surely can't absorb all the extra calories, so some are for free. Makes sense, right? 😀

Happy Sunday losers! I switched off my notifications which meant I forgot to check in. Lots to catch up on. @Jinsit sounds positive for your brother 🤞
My jab last week didn't work. It was a new pen from Get a Drip. The plunger is broken so when you push down nothing happens. Plus half the liquid is missing. I emailed GaD a week ago and heard nothing. Thankfully I have syringes so was able to get last week's dose out, but I hate using them (I can't feel the normal needles). I also dislike that I've lost significant amounts of medication. Has anyone had similar?
I'd planned to probably pause around Christmas to start ADHD meds, so it probably doesn't matter too much, but I don't like that I've lost medicine! I normally gift the syringe amount left to hubby.
My plan is to jab on Monday with my usual 2.5, as this is a 5mg pen. I should still get 6 (rather than 10) jabs out of this.