January 2025 starters - goal weight era

[HeidiLite]

New thread!

@26inprogress he's off to Bath. It does make me laugh saying that. I imagine him dressed as a Georgian fop, off to dance with Jane Austen 🤣
I decided in the end to order a 5mg pen as the cost of it was almost all covered by the part refund. And I could not be bothered in arguing with them any more. It’s so tiresome.

and thank you all for your kind words about the bluntness of the physio woman. I did think to myself that if everything was hunky dory with my body, I wouldn’t be sitting there in front of her, so yes I know I’m imperfect. Plus my issues have been made worse by bloody surgery so it’s not just that I’m a fat lazy slob! Snipping ligaments tends to have consequences.

MN is really playing up for me at the moment. It’s just taken 6 minutes to load the page and another 2 to get a text box to type in. Grrr

I emailed WePrescribe with a photo of the unused pen and my Oushk prescription from February and they’ve approved a pause in ordering to use that up. Very friendly and efficient so I picked a good one to swap to. That’s given me a bit of a breather financially. Weight still pretty stable but for some reason I was starving hungry yesterday and definitely overate. Hopefully that won’t happen today as the feeling of lack of control wasn’t much fun. Shotsy says blood levels around 5mg so very unexpected.

My peaceful weekend has started and I’ve already been through my makeup and disposed of a lot! Mostly eyeshadows tbh as my eyes are too hooded nowadays to do much with them. I’ve also binned all the mascara and 99% of the lipsticks. I’ve also rationalised deodorants and antiperspirants as my trial has concluded with a winner.

As DH is away DS2 and I are treating ourselves to some real comfort food and having corned beef hash tonight. (DH doesn’t share our liking for it). At over £4 a tin corned beef has entered luxury food territory. I had such a shock!

I should really sort through my make up too, mostly beause I wear so little nowadays. But maybe will pick the habit up again in the autumn. I have eyebrows and eyeliner tattooed on, and found a nice Latvian lady that does brown and modest eyelash extensions. It can be a challenge as I am very pale, and regular eyelash extensions make me look like I'm about to hop on a stage and start undressing. But I love my current ones, they simply look like nice, healthy lashes. Nowadays I use wonderblading lip stains that last all day and most days no other make up.

quite a difference from when I was in my 20s and wouldn't even put the bins out without a full face of make up

Hello ladies. We’re back from our two very chilled weeks in Cornwall. I managed to read four and a half books, and get a couple of decent walks in.

Also slowly went make up free throughout so my skin has had plenty of time to breath. But when I’m back in the office I’ll be back to a full face - bb cream for light coverage, eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, eyebrows pencilled, and a hint of blush. I don’t do lipstick even though I’d like to be one of those people who ‘just does lips’ but it always feels dry after a couple of hours and stains just the outer part of my lip.

Eating out was quite tricky though. Every time we went out autistic DS1 would need at least 30-45mins to regulate his irritability from the heat and generally feeling overstimulated; on top of DM having zero awareness and saying everything to add to the overwhelm or deciding to loudly complain about everything. And then we’d finally eat in silence. Which always felt was slightly sad that we can’t just make nice conversation while eating together as a family, but it seemed to be the only solution to managing DS1’s moods. If we didn’t go out, he’d get twitchy from lack of stimulation!

Weigh in this morning and back up to 61kg - my PT thinks I look better with these extra Kg. I don’t mind it either. As long as all my ‘target weight’ clothes still fit! I would like to maintain at this weight though rather than continuing on this upward trend.

DSis is having a lumpectomy for a pre-cancerous cluster in September - her consultant said it’s not an urgent operation. Feeling grateful she discovered the lump before it turned cancerous. I have another check up on Tuesday, but haven’t had my BRCA results yet, so not sure if it’ll just be another opportunity for the consultant to drain a cyst!

@Jins I’m not a meat eater but four pounds sterling for corned beef???? The games gone!

Just had a week when I forgot to bring foundation so have been make-up free and feeling fine as long as I don’t look too closely in the mirror. On the way home now so will be feeling the need for a bit of coverage.

I have also been scales-free. I don’t feel that I’ve been massively overdoing it but wouldn’t be surprised if a little weight has crept back.

Glad holiday went generally well @DGmaintaining. Congratulations to @Polkadotdash DS. We have experience of Bath Uni, it’s a nice place.

Managed to get MN to load. Anyone else having issues?

I discovered last night that I’d forgotten to put my Prucalopride in my pill sorter so I’ve gone just over a week without it. Pre MJ I’d have been in trouble whereas it was only yesterday that I noticed things backing up. Back on track now and will weigh again in a day or so to see where I’m at.

Otherwise life chez Jins is going well, I’ve managed to avoid subscribing to any more life changing products since I finally succumbed to smol and I’ve cancelled a couple of refillable deodorant subscriptions now I’ve found the one.

Welcome back @Wtafmakeitstop and anyone else holidaying. I’m starting the countdown to Malta in September. Can’t wait to meet up with my friend again

@HeidiLite totally blaming you for the fact that I now have a shiny new Ninja blender in my kitchen 🤭 . It’s not small! Blades look very efficient though, will be trying it later.

I am not complaining about the Ninja. Works really well.

Oh ladies, I've fallen off the wagon a bit these last few weeks and weight is creeping back up. 😭 Put on 3.5 kg over the summer.
I've gone back up to a 7.5mg dose last week but it's not stopped the stupid snacking on cakes and chocolate.
I need to get a grip of myself. Stern talking to needed please!

in other news, the cancer pathway has been cancelled - yay. I have another appointment in a couple of weeks to discuss an op which might help, it's ENT related.

DS did well in A levels and has his spot at uni. Brilliant but feeling very sad. He's such a great boy, and a delight to spend time with, I will miss him so much. Trying to quietly grieve that bit without making remaining DD feel like she's an afterthought or not enough. Her health struggles continue. Another appointment for her too in a couple of weeks where we're hoping for a definitive diagnosis. A turbulent few weeks in our household!

off to catch up on all the posts now, I've avoided the thread for a few weeks because I know things have been going downhill for me but I'm going to tackle it now before it gets too out of hand.

@MJalltheway you are on it. You have a lot on which has shifted focus and now you’ll get it back. I offer you a slightly too warm handshake and a manly slap on the back.

my third week without mj and I don’t like it. I want it back. I am not overeating I don’t think (although I can’t tell in this batshit body of mine - how did I possibly think this was ‘normal’). It’s more the food noise and the inflammation symptoms. Blood tests next week and depending on results I may try to bring my drs appointment forward as I feel really crappy (currently itching head to foot, boiling hot and can’t stop fidgeting).

Also @MJalltheway well done junior. It’s totally normal to feel very bittersweet about uni - a good friend of mine got a bit teary this week as her lovely huggy boy is off and she won’t get anymore cuddles.

@myladyjane interesting to hear how quickly inflammation symptoms have returned. It sounds like you’re totally fed up with it all and I hope you get some answers and more importantly treatment soon.

@MJalltheway back on it straightaway. 3.5kg is an achievable target! I know how you feel about DS and uni. Mix of emotions but tbh after the first week we morphed into a new pattern which was probably good for both of us. All the feelings returned when he moved into his own house last year though.

I’m more or less back on track after my failure to take essential medication and we’ve had a good weekend so far. Yesterday DH and I went on a Viking tour of Chester which was great fun and today we’re having ye olde traditional family pub crawl with my nephew joining for the first time as he’s now 18. Hopefully it won’t get too messy.

I seem to have changed shape a lot as I’ve only got one pair of trousers that looks reasonably ok so another wardrobe cull looks likely. Even my trusty shorts aren’t great anymore so after we’ve been to Malta they’ll go as well. Still struggling with bras though and tried yet another ‘proper’ bra last week in the recommended size which looked hideous with rolls of flesh spilling out everywhere so I’m giving up and sticking with bralettes. I’ve spent too much time and money on bras in the last 12 months

My shape has also changed over the last few months, I think another wardrobe cull is needed. I desperately need to get measured for new bras, I have no idea what size I am now - my boobs have gone down so much 🫤 and all my trousers are gapping around the waist. Using the waist tightener buttons def helps, but the additional folds can get uncomfortable if the fabric is a bit thicker, like with jeans.
We‘re finally off on holiday on Tuesday, can’t wait. Just a week at my mum‘s in Switzerland, but it will be so relaxing. The kids are so looking forward to it, which is great. Who knows how much longer we will be able to do these trips… My mum is 82…

I‘ve now dropped to 5 mg, and I do notice the difference… Need to keep an eye on this, there is def still work to be done with my eating habits. Hey-hi.

Morning all

Weigh in this morning and I’m down a kg on last weekend - but stuck with the 2.5mg dose as it’s given me quite the anti-procrastination boost this week. I think next weekend I’ll go back down to 2mg before I leave for my LA work trip.

DS2 is on holiday with his friend’s family. Was v nervous about him going but he’s having a great time and has so far texted me every day.

@myladyjane does sound like the MJ was at least helping on the inflammation side of things, just a shame it was also causing too much weight loss for you. Hope they figure out a treatment protocol for you soon.

@Jins and @cloudjumper it’s strange isn’t it. A year later and our bodies are still adjusting while in maintenance.

@MJalltheway agree you’ve had real life happening, but isn’t it great to have this tool to help us get back on track without the added drain of having to summon up all the willpower. Which for me, willpower is actually just the ability to deny yourself what your body is craving (to build up reserves of energy through overeating and resting) and running out of willpower is just your body overriding your brain, for survival.

I’m off to get my nails redone today. Have made apple & rhubarb oat muffins this morning, will be batch cooking a morroccan lamb & chickpea stew later. Freezer now has aubergine parmigiana and butternut squash risotto. I think with Moroccan lamb, plus maybe I’ll do Turkish meatballs in sauce next weekend and we’ll be well stocked for the back to school weeks. Good to be back in control of the kitchen again!

hello all - just back from visiting my parents for the week, my sister and nieces were there as well (she also lives abroad) so was a full house. Kids enjoyed it a lot, I was mostly working home office, managed to get to gym a couple of times. Probably put on weight but will work on that next week.

The visits are challenging as well, as my dad has Parkinsons and is by now barely able to stand. Not sure how long he can still stay home. Does remind you to do things here and now - he's only 74, should be travelling the world and enjoying his retirement, but that was not to be. There is some evidence exercise might slow the disease progression and some observational studies that it may even lower the risk of getting it, so another argument for continuing my gym visits, in case I will also develop it.

Another week of school holidays. DS is also having a minor surgery tomorrow, but him being him, we will have a week of moaning and insisting his sister does his chores :D

Oh, another topic, does anybody have some kind of teenager den in the house, and would you recommend? We don't have separate sitting room, just open plan kitchen- living room, and I often find it taken over by bunch of teenagers. I actually love that they all want to hang out here and find our house welcoming, but I would occasionally want to have the sofa to myself!

We have a room in the basement we could renovate, even has its own entrance. Good idea or a really stupid one?

I think it’s a great idea to give them a den, but you need to be totally sure they won’t let anyone smoke down there!

Sorry I haven’t been around much. It’s just been work work work. I have gained a pound or two. Too many biscuits!

I am trying to get on an Oushk maintenance plan but I am not sure they will let me order what I want, when I want…

Ours had a den but we were lucky as our house is mostly open plan downstairs but the previous owner built a ground floor extension to make a bedroom for a parent so that became the kids room. It worked really well to keep them contained and keep the smell of lynx away from the rest of the house 🤣

We’re heading off to Belvoir castle steam fair with friends again this weekend and have booked a few days in Warwick on the way back home. I’m going to try to get a pair of trousers made and possibly a couple of tops as my wardrobe is looking rather bare since the latest cull and I’d prefer not to have to live in leggings.

I have a man cave in my house if that helps. That keeps him out of the way which is most of the battle.

so my body is literally insane. I have put on 7lb in a week ffs. Now obviously a combination of inflammation after coming off mj and whatever insane batshit my thyroid is up to (plus a couple of meals out and not being allowed to exercise). I have most of my blood tests back and they are still awful. I am still waiting the main thyroid ones but my thyroid antibody test is back - normal people have a reading of 9 or below - mine is 780….:

sorry for the moan but I struggling a bit with all of this and the weight fluctuations are messing with my head a bit. I am going to see if I can bring my drs appointment forward and see if she agrees that I can go back on a low dose of mj (it’s not contraindicated with my thyroid shit).

I hope she does agree @myladyjane. I think it’s taken my GP a while to wrap his head round the fact that I’m staying on MJ indefinitely but I think he’s got the hang of it now. 7lb in a week really can’t be fat so should come off smoothly when things are back under control but it sounds like you need to bring the appointment forward.

OK so I hear yes to den. I'm having a guy over for a quote, then can see what we are talking about.
If it's reasonable, I finally have the opportunity to use a retro IKEA product from 1970s I saw in the IKEA museum. Thought it's so cool, would definitely buy if it was available, and this year it has been brought back. Isn't a set of those just ideal for a teenager den? www.ikea.com/fr/fr/p/varkumla-chauffeuse-convertible-vansta-bleu-80587704/

@myladyjane that's shit. Is ir Graves then? What treatment options are you discussing?

I've put on a touch of weight too, was planning to hit the gym hard but now have managed to hurt my wrist. Don't even know how exactly, but it was a little painful yesterday, and swollen and a lot more painful this morning. I also had a morning class to teach, and of course no chance to find anybody to take over at such short notice, so had to do the class with empty bar. Luckily I had only long time regulars there today.

Have a doc app for the afternoon to check it out. If I can't lift weights for a while, this will be no fun whatsoever.

Hope the wrist is nothing serious and recovers quickly @HeidiLite. Currently I’m nursing a sore thumb from lifting a kettle awkwardly so it shows how easily we can hurt ourselves.

I’ve found a couple of pairs of trousers in my alterations pile so I’ve done a quick alteration on one pair and decided the others will do for now. One pair is in viscose linen so being oversized isn’t a massive issue and the other pair is in tencel and cargo style with a gathered cuff and I can get away with it for a couple of weeks. I’m ok for tops for a week away but I definitely need a couple of better fitting ones for Malta.

Weight still +/- 8st 5, Wrinkles no worse but the loose skin looks like it’s here to stay. I keep chanting the mantra that I’ve done this for my health.

Not sure yet @HeidiLite but certainly looking that way - just got last set of blood tests back and just as crap and my thyroid antibodies are ‘very high’ according to dr google.

my dads man cave was wall to wall books on 4 sides with just a doorframe. I aspire to that!

@Jins i though of you yesterday whilst watching sewing bee. You should apply and represent!

Hello everyone. Long time since I have been on here and I am not missing MJ (yet). My weight is static and I am really pleased that I am not permanently constipated. I am literally bang on the weight I was when I stopped at the start of the year most weeks and I think I look ok at that, so it will do! Plus I have acquired a lovely new wardrobe of clothes and I don't want to have think about buying again.

Sorry to hear you are not well @myladyjane . Hopefully they will sort you out once all the tests are back.

@HeidiLite my house is much bigger than we needed for three, so my kids have got a reception room for them/their friends. It is still in use three/four nights a week at the minute during uni holidays. My view was always that even if they do get a bit pissed and/or give smoking a go, at least you will know where they are and that they are doing it in a safe space. I wouldn't have tolerated smoking in the house mind you, but it never happened. They rarely drink tbh. I do seem to be feeding all of them again during the holidays, this week I have fed two friends one night and three friends two nights.

I'm just starting a four week break😎, off until 1st October when I start another new job. After staying somewhere for too long (I will never do that again), I knew fairly quickly that the job I have just left wasn't right for me and I have left for what is hopefully a better fit and will see me out until I retire. Fingers crossed all round.

hello @PenelopePitstopPersists . Congratulations on the new job. I guess it's like with dating, when we get older we won't try to make it work, if it's clear it's not for us. Can't make a silk purse out of sow's ear, as they say.

As for den, I have a guy coming over to quote it. Already asked ChatGPT to give me some ideas, so am thinking something like the attached (DD and DS will need to share it, so trying to find a balance). I would not allow smoking indoors but kids are young enough so they have never seen anyone smoke indoors, the thought would probably not occur to them. I really want to have a house where all their friends are welcome (in an organised manner) and indeed, keeping an eye on the shenanigans is a good selling point.

But gosh the feeding. One evening I decided to do some batch cooking, stock the freezer a bit, but then DS asked if 2 friends can stay for dinner. I said yes sure. Well, there went the 'batch' 😁