Starting today... 2st to lose.

[owlets]

Whilst shopping with my super slim friend over the weekend I realised just how fat I feel - and getting on the scales provided proof. I've put on 2 stone - 1 stone of which has come on very recently ( think a month or two?!).
Other than looking lumpy and increasingly featureless, my legs are achy and I don't feel like I've woken up properly ever.
So, I'm going to start on the diet today. The plan is to eat lots of veg and fruits, lean meats, and limited carbs. I'm going to have 3 decent sized meals a day, and not snack unless I'm truely hungry.

I'm going to weigh myself and post on here every Tuesday. Anyone who wants to join in please do!

Starting weight; 11st 13.
(Target weight 10st so 1st 13lbs to lose)

Gosh, hadn't really seen anything about vit d. Weirdly I do make sure the kids take it (it's advised here anyway because everyone is completely wrapped up 7mos of the year) but only take it myself half heatedly... I always have a container on the side in the kitchen but rarely remember to take it. Maybe I ought to step it up!

Still haven't measured but think I might. Your low carb version sounds v similar to lovely instructor's idea, lamb. What is the five rules thing?

Had to ski with dd2 yesterday and omg. I spent most of the time dragging her upright again and so my arm is really sore today as it obviously aggravated it beyond measure. I did bite the bullet yesterday morning though and make a doc's appointment for Monday though. It's been sore for about three months and the nephrologist was reasonably keen for me to get it looked at. I do NOT want to go off down the rheumatism route. No. No. No. So I'm hoping the gp has an easy fix. I can then go straight to the lab and get my lab work done for the kidney dude anyway, so sort of two birds with one stone.

Right, today we're off to the children's hospital with dd2 for her physiatrist appointment. tis a whole new one on me! The children's hospital here is lovely though, so and I think it's more of a neuromotor generalist who can then refer on to specialists as required, so we'll see.... All I need to do now is find her file and choose an assortment of reports to take they did say 'bring all her notes' but they never actually mean that....

Right, eat light, exercise hard, ladies

The 5 rules Madwoman:

1. No wheat
2. No dairy
3. No sugar
4. No carbs (after 6pm - but I do 4pm)
5. No alcohol

You do this for 14 days and are guaranteed weight loss of up to 7lbs in that time and a flatter stomach.

The first week is the hardest, I'm now planning on keeping it going apart from Saturdays because it has become so easy. I don't even think about it. I love having peanut butter on rye toast and an apple for breakfast or porridge and banana and cinnamon with green tea. Lunch is boiled eggs and ryvita or soup or fish and salad, dinner is fish or chicken or quorn with vegetables or salad and sparkling water. I have snacks of bananas, dried fruit and nuts or apples. You are given an 'allowance' of milk for tea and coffee so it's not entirely dairy free and I really look forward to my frothy coffee mid-morning. It's from Anna Richardson's Body Blitz Diet book btw. I really do recommend it, and it is only 14 days.

Parents' evening is not going to go well - ds1 was attacked by another boy, who also has ASD, at Cricket Club. He did a load of judo moves on him wrenched his neck down then threw him on the floor. Went to pick him up and he was white as a sheet and tearful. He came home and was on the toilet for half an hour with a really bad upset stomach. That always happens when his anxiety is sky high.

I have checked his neck out as far as I can, but its pretty painful. Called dh to come home a bit early and will make a judgement on whether or not we need to take him to be checked by a doctor. He can turn it towards each side, but only literally side to side - can't look over his shoulders without it being really painful and it really hurts to put his chin down to his chest. Poor thing is still shaky and pale. Have sent him of for his DSi time in the hope it brings down his anxiety levels a bit.

I'm not at all happy with the fact that a) the cricket coach didn't see it happen, despite it happening in the queue to bat and b) when they realised ds1 was injured they didn't give him a proper check over or deal with the attacker. Apparently they 'had a word with him' at the end of the session. They also failed to tell me what had happened.

So, am going to insist on seeing not only his teacher, but also the SENCO and get it dealt with properly. The other boy has form for attacking other children at school and has been excluded several times. I only know he has ASD because he sees the same inclusion teacher as ds and I have been trying to teach ds to be tolerant and understanding of his behaviour as a result. It was working and I have been really proud of how ds has handled previous situations with this boy, but this is totally unacceptable.

Between that and seeing the teacher that I had to complain about last year, I am seriously not looking forward to this. I don't think we can take the ds1 with us now, so I'm going to have to deal with all this on my own, while dh either takes ds to A&E or stays at home with all the dcs.

On a more positive note, I found today's workout much easier and I actually think my backside is already starting to look a bit more streamlined, so I might ok in those skinny cargos after all.

Am back. Total chaos. Appointments were 6.55 and 6.10 for ds1 and 7.20 and 7.35 for ds2. We left at 8.10, having seen all the teachers late. Not their fault, the set up just didn't allow for any hold-ups or people queue jumping so everyone was ridiculously behind, then had to take people out of order. Very confusing.

Took ds1's teacher a few minutes to realise I was actually serious about the cricket incident, but when she did grasp it she said she would take it straight to the Head, especially as it involved outside sports providers. She's doesn't teach ds herself on Fridays, but is going to go and see him first thing to check he's ok and deal with any fallout.

His old teacher - now ds2's maths teacher, was fine with me - so it seems we can finally lay that particular ghost to rest.

All ds2's teachers are really pleased with him and say he's a pleasure to teach and a lovely boy - which we knew anyway. Interesting for his maths teacher to have him straight after ds1 and see the difference - wondering if she now sees that its not our parenting and ds1 really can't help the way he is? Checked his books and it seems his letter reversals are now practically non-existent and his teachers said in one 40 minute maths assessment he only reversed 3 numbers, so that's a load off my mind.

Lots of positives about ds1, they are pleased that he is having less tears and meltdowns in school and seeming to develop a degree of consideration for his peers. I think this is due in part to a bit of a developmental leap, but also in how good his teacher is at dealing with any issues as they arise and talking them through with him. He's also becoming less resistant to handwriting and more willing to revisit and edit his work - small steps, but definite improvements.

Maths teachers say intellectually he is ridiculously clever and super fast at mental maths, so he knows the facts, but he definitely needs additional time allocated in order for him to process the learning before he starts producing the work. Apparently she has seen the SENCO about this herself, which is great because despite it being in two EP reports, I was treated as if I was banging on about something that really didn't matter every time I raised it at meetings. Also an issue on getting him to impart his knowledge to others by anything other than speech - which is the same pretty much across the board. Sort of "I know it, why do I need to prove it" attitude.

So, all in all not to bad, considering how worried I was about it.

Just realised, you probably don't want/need to know all this stuff, sorry. Going to press post anyway, if you don't mind, as its helped to organise my thoughts - and Lord knows that's not easy these days.

Blimey moose... But did you/dh end up at the hospital?!

Seriously, hope ds is not too sore and you have managed to bring his stress levels down. I know he doesn't usually do baths but do you think you could persuade him that some warm water would be good for his neck? Or stand him in the shower for 15 minutes or so?. It's so difficult when there is a serious incident and you are torn between being bloody livid and also trying to maintain some sense of compassion for the other sn child. difficult to direct your anger at the supervision (or lack of it) when your child has been hurt by another.

On the academic (and indeed backside ) side, that all seems v positive. Ds1is exactly the same with his maths. Looks at you as though are a shilling short if you want actual written proof of something he knows he knows and you know he knows... Like, why?

Lamb, thanks for rules info... Will have to thunk! Does it give menu ideas? I'm so eternally crapola at anything that involves complicated dos and don'ts, it's why I can never get my head round ww or similar... It has to be simple and not involve me looking stuff up or I really can't be doing with the faff!

Our hospital visit (in comparison with your day moose) was actually pretty darn good. The physiatrist was young and good looking (always nice ) and really very thorough - as it was the first time we had the usual whizz through birth, development history etc, and whizzed through every aspect that dd2 could possibly struggle with. He had an even younger female paed registrar complete with nose stud (which I found fascinating in a doc for some reason...) who he got to do a thorough physical exam and check muscle tone everywhere, then he listened to her findings, and did the whole lot again himself to be sure. Then he quizzed the registrar on muscle tone and brain injury, discussed the differences between childhood brain injury and stroke patients with her (it was really interesting, I hadn't really considered cp in context with stroke patients... I mean it's all neuro damage, but I hadn't made comparisons before) and then watched her do loads of stuff.

We came out with three referrals, ot and physio for full assessment, and orthotics for AFOs. She's not had AFOs before, but looking at her gait pattern, he thinks they might help. He doesn't want her to wear them full time, but to give them a try and see, and he'll see her again in the summer once the therapy assessments have been redone and she's had time to try the AFOs.

We also, bizarrely, appear to have a social worker attached to the neuro motor department. She came and said hi and chatted to me for twenty minutes, gave me a file about her services and what we were entitled to through federal and provincial acts, and how to apply for a local family support worker. And gave me all the forms. In the uk we were never entitled to any sw support as we were a two parent family with no history of drug or alcohol problems and in employment (Hampshire ) so it's quite entertaining that we appear to be not only entitled but to have one by default here...

Anyway, hope ds is as okay as he can be, moose. Have you a got a wheat pack or anything he will tolerate?

Anything goes on this thread

Oh bless you for wading through my posts Madwoman!

No, we didn't take him to hospital in the end. Administered some anti-inflammatories, then he went and lay down on his bed for DSi time, while I made his favourite tea (macaroni cheese) after which his anxiety levels had come down a lot (thank you Nintendo) and his neck was a bit easier. He wanted to come to parent's evening with us, as he'd arranged to multi-player another boy on his DSi, but he was still really pale and rather green looking. Half expecting him to wake up stiff and sore tomorrow and if he does, I'll be keeping him off. Bath would be a good idea, but he won't have it deep enough to soak his neck, so a warm shower aimed at the neck area might be the next best thing.

Your hospital appointment sounds like it went really well, both at the time and in terms of referrals - a million miles from the treatment you get on the lovely NHS! Fascinating that you automatically get sw support via the neuro motor dept as well. Fancy somebody actually taking the time to sit down and explain your entitlements to you!

I know, odd huh? Even weirder, when we got there, the doc apologised that the physio from the REACH team that saw dd2 in school wasn't there as she was off sick. Apparently it's also perfectly normal for outreach workers and therapists to tootle along to the consultant's appointments for moral support and joined up thinking as well... Who knew?! Even the doc said 'I feel we should have known about you before!' and explained they were very good at looking after children with very severe difficulties, but they were trying hard to make sure they were meeting the needs of children with all disabilities, not just the most severely affected. An apology if you will.

Glad ds is less traumatised. Probably all the prep work you were doing about the other boy helped in terms of him realising it wasn't necessarily targeted or anything to do with him per se. Hope he's not too sore tomorrow and school follow up properly. (and put a rocket up the cricket club)

Sleep well x

Oh Moose, poor ds! As I was reading your post I had an uncomfortable feeling that it was my ds that had attacked him (exactly the sort of thing he does) but he doesn't do cricket (scared of balls) thankfully. I do hope he's better today, does he know how well the parents' evening went? Typical that the bit of the day you were most anxious about was the least troublesome in the end. And well done on your fine ass!

Canada sounds amazing Madwoman. If I had to choose between living in the U.S, Australia, and Canada (for some weird reason), I've always thought I'd pick Canada and everything you say about it just confirms it. Looks like you're in exactly the right place for your dd anyway .

There are recipes in the book and they're incredibly simple. Basically adaptations of well known stuff, but it's just a guide really. She put a list of all the store cupboard things you need etc aswell as those you can't have and you can make it up as you go along or follow her plan. Listen, I have no patience and can barely cook. You'd be fine . I can give you more details and recipes if you're interested.

Have a good day ladies. We're picking ds1 up from Uni today and bringing him back for a week of food and hugs (if I can catch him for long enough).

Aw Lamb, nope, definitely wasn't your ds. I don't place any blame with the boy that did it and after a lot of talking, even ds is a bit more understanding and willing to forgive "as long as I don't have to see him today Mummy", but I do have a problem with the lack of supervision and bad handling of the situation by the cricket coaches. I'm just worried that if I kick up too much of stink they'll say no SEN children are allowed to attend extra curricular stuff that's run by external providers. His teacher has taken it straight to the Head though, so will just have to wait and see what happens next.

Enjoy your time with ds1 - pin him down and smother him in Mummy kisses, my boys hate love it when I do that to them!

dd2 had funding for some 1-1 time for after school club in the uk, paid for by local authority (different pot to usual education stuff as it was after hours) so might be worth asking if they do try the no sn kids line?

lamb, if you could pm me some recipes that would be awesome - just a couple and then i can figure out if it's worth buying the book? it's sound exactly right, but i do have a long history of buying books that sound like a good idea and then they gather dust...

glad ds is feeling ok-ish today moose. he's a vey brave chap, whatever his issues with anxiety.

oh, and loooooooooook^^^ i'm back!

Yay - Madwoman is back in the building!

I will bear that in mind about the after school club, thanks. He seems ok-ish today, still very pale green and emotionally tender though. He says his neck still hurts, but its ok if he doesn't move it too much!

No workout for me today - to knackered after all that pallaver last night. Dd has been exhausted all day as well, after missing her nap yesterday and then been kept up late for parent's evening. So we've just pottered and chilled together all day really.

Thank gawd its the weekend!

Evening all,

I'm feeling rather proud of myself this evening. Managed 5 km on the bike, then a 3 circuit BFBM workout and then a mahoosive walk with the dogs and dcs. Even managed, for the first time ever, to make myself walk over the scary motorway bridge/path. I was so scared my knees actually shook and I felt physically sick. Walked all the way to my Mum's house (about an hour at a brisk pace) where the dcs promptly conked out, so dh and I walked back with the dogs and went back for the dcs in the car.

According to MFP, I have earned 650 kcals from exercise today and because I've been good with my food as well I still have almost as many calories left now, as I started the day with! Haven't had my evening meal yet, but I have a feeling I won't be eating back all those calories.

If I don't look good in those skinny cargos /combats after all this I will be extremely.

Ds1 seems to have recovered from his ordeal now. No more dizzy spells, athough a bit spacey and not quite here , which is normal for him when he's been through something stressful. I'm proud of the way he's handled it really, especially as his Friday teacher thought it would be a good idea to invite the other boy's class into theirs to view the Tudor project work. Bless him, ds said "I just kept myself on the other side of the classroom to him the whole time Mummy".

Hope everyone else is having a good weekend.

I've lost 3/4 of a pound. better than nothing, I suppose, and at least it's moving again, but was hoping for a leeeetle bit more if I'm honest.

Glad ds1 is okay. He sounds as though he's got his coping strategies in order. you sound as though you could do with a good meal and an early night after all that exercise! But you must be chuffed with how much you managed. Yay moose! Back to fighting form with the cargos in view!

Everyone else has gone skiing and I'm supposed to be doing taxes

Better crack on, I suppose!

I haven't lost anything much. Scales showed 153.5 this morning, but that was after an upset stomach, so I reckon I'm still 154.

I refuse to believe I'm losing again until I am under 153 consistently for at least a fortnight. I don't trust the scales at all after all the bouncing from 153 to 155 and back again I've been doing for the past few weeks.

Enjoy the peace of an empty house Madwoman. Sorry you have to do the taxes instead of having a well earned rest though.

Ach, I've been mning for an hour at least! must get on

I think you're back on track now, you sound stronger again after your rough new year etc. fingers crossed you'll see lots of difference in the next few weeks.

I've PMed you madwoman and made myself hungry!

Hope everyone's had a good weekend. Was very good and I've even got dh to cut down on his drinking (he even went without on Saturday).

Well done moose! I haven't done anything significant by way of exercise for 2 weeks and I'm feeling a bit antsy and you're inspiring me. I've got a sore neck from watching 'The Help' via a projector plus screen dh borrowed from work and insisted we watch a film on. Have a perfectly good widescreen HD tv btw . Anyway the film was good (we laughed, we cried etc) and dh was happy . Anyone else seen it? First time I think I've seen 3 films up for Oscars before the Oscars (The Artist and The Iron Lady too).

My ds2 must be channelling you Lamb. I've had him off school with a painful neck today - odd, since it was his brother who had his neck hurt the attack last week. Mind you, he did 50% of the walking with us on Saturday and then did an hour and a half manic running around at a LazerQuest party yesterday.

Lol at me inspiring you! Its the thought of you with yer skinny waist and all those Davina dvds that kicks my backside into getting off the sofa and submitting to torture the way only Jillian Michaels can serve it up!

Only managed two circuits of BFBM today by the time I'd got dd down for a nap and sorted ds2 out with various demands. Am consoling myself with the fact that I spent the a good couple of hours this morning doing a major sort of every wardrobe in the house, boxing/bagging stuff for charity and then went on to do a major sort of the spare room which involved lots of lifting and lugging of heavy boxes.

Haven't seen the film. We are foregoing our weekly weekend movie in favour of working our way through the first series of Farscape dvds at the moment - I feel proper geeky!

Need to go and cook dinner now, but am completely uninspired. Well actually, I can think of a few things I'd like to make, but sadly the cupboard is almost bare, as I was waiting for payday to get the shopping delivered. It might have to be blooming pasta - again, eurk. Well pasta for everyone else, I will just have the sauce as ratatouille. Boring!

I had never heard of Farscape until your posts; have googled and am now up to date with Aeryn Sun et al (don't test me!) may have a peek at it myself, looks like the sort of thing ds2 would love!

Had a word with ds's Head today about a possible time frame for integrating him more fully into school. She was a bit 'um' 'er' and 'he's very difficult to manage as you probably know'!! Well yes! But he's missing out on 10 hours of schooling per week. I almost wouldn't mind so much if they gave me a copy of their scheme of work for the term or lesson plans or something so that I could build something for him myself, but that's not really the point is it? How long are we going to be in this no-man's land? The EP was supposed to have seen him a few weeks ago but it turns out he was an aside! I've been letting things slide again because of my dizzy gratitude to the Head for taking him on but he's still missing out.

Been drinking a lot of coffee lately and I think it's starting to show!

Hope you've got something a bit more inspiring for tonight's tea moose. I've got chicken and a crunchy salad which I love which is a good job as I have it quite often.

I checked in on mfp recently and I've been under eating by quite a bit without realising. The whole thing is so confusing, I don't want to calorie count for the rest of my life, I'm eating food I like, decent portions, healthy stuff and don't feel hungry, also this way I can pig out on a Saturday without damaging the weight loss. Does this sound ok to you guys? Or do you think I should stay religiously within mfp guidelines?

... of course you realise I am a dead ringer for Aeryn don't you? Well I have the same hair at least.

Sounds like a very frustrating situation with ds and school. Is it time for a polite but firm letter do you think? I put everything in writing these days and in your situation think I would write requesting a meeting to agree a gradual programme of integration with agreed timescales.

I've gone off coffee, although only drink decaff 99% of the time anyway. I'm really enjoying the Pukka cleanse and detox teas again at the moment.

I ended up making roasted mediterranean veg pasta last night. I had just the sauce in a bowl with a crumbling of feta on top and it was really nice, so a pleasant surprise really, after all my moaning.

Think I'm going to have salad this evening. Have done two separate circuit training workouts today. One level 1 shred and then later 3 circuits of BFBM, including the killer abs circuit. I honestly felt like I wouldn't/couldn't work out when I got up this morning. (I have pmt, haven't been sleeping and am soooo tired.) Had a big bowl of apple and cinnamon porridge then bit the bullet and just dived straight in without letting myself think about it. It was hard, well actually very hard. I had sweat dripping off the end of my nose which is so hard to take, having been able to get through a shred, plus extra BFBM circuits barely breaking a sweat last time round. Felt like I was going to die afterwards, but then got to thinking about those skinny combats and how the BFBM kickboxing circuits really seem to work on my backside and hips. So, left it an hour and a half, fed dd, got her down for a nap and did the BFBM workout before the school run.

Then I realised I hadn't had any lunch. Doh! So ended up grabbing some organic peanut butter on fresh farmhouse wholemeal toast, which hasn't left me all that much in the way of fat allocation for the rest of the day - hence the salad this evening. I only earned 352 kcals from all that sweating as well. Harrumph! Used to be a lot more when there was more of me to work out! I have about 800 kcals to play with but not much fat.

Re the MFP thing, it really depends how much under you've been. I get told by MFP pretty much every day that I'm not eating enough calories, but often can't eat more without just eating for the sake of it, which feels wrong. I do try to intake at least my 1220 per day, but with workouts/exercise that can often still leave my net at just under 1,000. My aim is to try and make sure I don't net under 1,000 but I don't always manage that.

I don't actually agree with very low calorie diets, but genuinely find it quite hard to eat enough food to make up the difference since cutting out all the rubbish I used to eat.

I was actually wondering if I should try and make an effort to eat more in an attempt to kickstart my weightloss again, as I seem to be stuck in a real plateau at the moment. I'm not gaining or losing no matter what I do at the moment, which makes it hard to stay motivated. I've read loads of times on MFP that upping your calories or zigzagging them can work to get things moving again.

Actually, thinking about it, you're probably giving your metabolism a boost every weekend, so maybe that is a good way to do it.

Ooo - mahoosive post!

I know I've already posted waaay too much and also apologise for this being Daily Fail, but this article about fasting days made interesting reading.

Am tempted to have a go, bearing in mind my shonky brain.

That is a really interesting article, thank you. I think the thing with all of this is to find what works for you. I eat a big breakfast and snack intermittently through the day and end up with a smaller evening meal of protein and veg or salad. I don't eat red meat, pasta, etc anymore or drink alcohol so those are masses of calories I was consuming without thinking about it - and I put on loads of weight. When I was thin (all my life until I got together with dh and then had ds2!) I never once counted calories, I just ate less of certain things and avoided others and tbh I was probably under eating a lot of the time but I didn't ever feel like I was on a diet, I was just being mindful. Anyway, I've lost another pound since last Thursday so my metabolism is still up even though the only exercise I'm doing is walking ds2 to school and back, so it can't be doing any damage .

Reading about your regime is making me feel very lazy though, and I don't want to lose any muscle tone so I'll be back to Davina tomorrow. I've got to go into school this morning to read with ds for Book Week I'll only have an hour and then I'll be back to pick him up again! I will push a bit more there I think. Thank you for the advice

And yes I do now picture you as Aeryn! Gorgeous aren't you!?!

Keep that picture of me in your head - its much better than the rl version!

I would highly recommend getting hold of a copy of BFBM if you're short on time - mine was really cheap on Amazon. The great thing about it is that you can chose which 6 min circuits you want to do, so even if you don't have much time you can squeeze in one or two. Its lots of cardio, but also uses your own body to strength train and work abs etc - I enjoy it so much more than the shred. Notto mention my backside has considerably improved since doing the two kickboxing circuits regularly.

Well, I failed to eat in the end last night. Dh fed the rest of the gang, but I just didn't have an appetite. Not good really as I only ate 700 calories and burned off half of that doing exercise, so only netted 350 is kcals. Its only one day though, will try harder today.

Did you see The Truth About Exercise last night? It was on BBC2. It was basically saying that for most people the one hour 3x a week down the gym just does not improve their fitness and that very short intense bursts of 3x 20 secs 3x per week and walking and fidgeting is much more beneficial. Sounds perfect to me! So your BFBM could be more the way to go. Will look into that definitely , I love Davina but it isn't always possible to fit in that sort of block of time and if I do one of her shorter ones I don't feel like I've done much.

Food-wise I don't think you should worry if some days you're over and others you're under, I think we need to learn to listen to our bodies. If you're hungry you eat, if you're not then don't. As long as what you are eating is good quality and real food you should be getting all the nutrients you need.

The EP came into ds's nurture group to observe our Book Week breakfast/reading session and I had a meeting with her afterwards that was very fruitful (I hope). She commented on his poor eye contact and interaction with others, and his incredible single mindedness and inflexibility. Everyone seems to be magically noticing what previously I could only see before! Oh well, hopefully now things will start to happen but I'll believe it when I see it I think.

How's your ds moose? Has he recovered from his ordeal? Hope your ds2's neck is better too.

Hope everything is good in your attic madwoman ? Finished the taxes yet? Well done with your 3/4 pound btw - a loss is a loss, don't knock it

Oo, thanks for that. Just found it on Catch-up TV, so will watch with interest. I've read quite a bit recently about short burst, high intensity workouts being the best for building fitness levels effectively, which is reassuring considering that's what I've been doing. I find it helps to keep me on track, as its never too big a block to face and I can always do a longer workout if/when I have the energy time.

Gwan - buy BFBM, you know you want to!

Found out why I had no appetite. It seems I have a stomach bug. Bleugh. Had a bad stomach after breakfast this morning, couldn't face lunch, made myself do my 3 circuits of BFBM this afternoon and then went downhill rapidly. Am all shivery with a horrible headache now. Dh was cross with me for working out, but I daren't let myself lose momentum now. Every time I get going properly something happens to set me right back and I'm not having it!

Fingers crossed that things start moving for your ds now, it all sounds pretty positive. Its such a huge relief when people finally start hearing you and even better observing things for themselves isn't it?

Ds1 is a bit wobbly and spacey this week. I think its probably a hangover from last weeks ordeal, but they've had a fair bit of chopping and changing around of lessons at school and extra assemblies etc this week, which won't be helping. He's looking forward to being Obi Wan Kenobe for world book day tomorrow, (he has the Clone Wars paperbacks) but then he has cricket club in the afternoon, so I think he's a bit stressed about that - as am I since they haven't come back to me to tell me what the outcome of them 'dealing with it' was.

Ds2's neck is fully functional again now, thank you. He is going to book day as Plo Koon, who I'm reliably informed is another Jedi.

[lazy mother who bought fancy dress outfits instead of coming up with something herself emoticon]

Watched that programme. Interesting stuff.

The 3 x 30 seconds 3 x a week HIIT training only improved his insulin resistance though, it didn't improve his overall stamina and aerobic fitness. Still worth having a go at, as well as a normal fitness programme, I reckon.

I worry quite a bit about internal/organ fat. I went for a scan on my gallbladder a couple of years ago and they said I had a 'slightly fatty liver, but no cause for concern', so its been on my mind since then.

Just decided to check my height. Dh measured me just before Christmas and said I was only 5ft 6 and a 1/4 tall. Thought it was odd, because I've always been 5ft 7", but he did it twice and insisted, so I accepted it. It really messed up all my BMI calculations and MFP targets. I would have hit my Christmas target that week but it put me miles off again.

When I went for my tests, the VEP technician said he thought I told him the wrong height, because he does this a lot and he would have said at least 5ft 7". It was important for the test, for them to work out how far the messages have to travel along nerves to the brain. I told him dh was sure, so he wrote down 5ft 6.25".

Just checked, carefully stood heels and back to wall, head level, eyes straight ahead and drew a line on the wall with a level pencil. First time, a smidge - and a mean a smidge, under 5ft 7" the next one arounda 1/4" over 5ft 7". So I would say that's a resounding 5ft 7". Why do I ever listen to dh, I should know better by now really.

It puts my BMI back to 24.0 from 24.5, which feels much better - even though I don't actually set much store by BMIs.

Bit worried about whether or not it could have messed up my test results though - I'm assuming the fact that didn't actually measure me at the hospital means its not critical - either that or the tech was lazy, I suppose.

Right, best be off. Dd has been sitting at the table eating her porridge for 3/4 of an hour now.

World Book Day at toddler group today, oh the joy!