New Mums still seeking new bodies - this time we'll do it.

[SolitudeSometimesIs]

So a new thread, a new more motivated state of mind.

We will be skinny. No more excuses.

Hi Beyond, Happy New Year. Sorry you're still feeling poorly.
Which Exante stuff did you get? Remember to drink loads of water, it really helps. The first 4 days were probably the hardest to get through. Good luck for tomorrow. Were are you going for your holiday?
I love your resolutions too. I want to get all my clothes sorted out. I have too much stuff generally. I think I'll spend 2015 de cluttering and dieting!
I'm not 100% sure were Bucks is, I'll have a look on a map later. It's probably too far for DH to commute to though so he probably won't agree to a move. You never know, one day I might actually get to London again and we could all meet up. Or we could have a trip to Ireland (you are in Ireland aren't you Sol? Or have I made that up?). It would be lovely.

I had a proper look on the feminism topic but didn't know what they were talking about. There was lots of swearing and deleted posts! Had a read of AIBU, quite entertaining. No crazy MIL treads today though.

Are you feeling any better today Sol? How long are you on antibiotics for? Would it be worth taking probiotics after you have finished them to help with the bloating. I'm sure I read that they affect bacteria in the digestive system too, so that would probably cause bloat. (Rubbish scientific explanation-sorry).
I'm feeling better today, but my cold seems to have came back. Just annoying snot though, nothing terrible.

Enjoy your weekends.

Just brushed up on my geography. A Bucks/Sunderland commute is a no go. Off to read up on microbiology now.

The gut bacteria story is true! Maybe my brain is not total mush.

Yes I am in Ireland. I have a vague Roy Keane related idea where Sunderland is but I've never heard of Bucks, is it short for something? Is it where the Fizz comes from? (alcohol and geography joke there for you all)

I think Exante is a great idea, I think you need a big push Beyond. I'm so jealous you are off on holiday. Are you off to Florida again?

Feeling really dreadful here, but managed to take down the Christmas tree and decorations as they were driving me insane. I was sweating throughout the whole thing and may have started hallucinating slightly but it was worth it. My house is back to normal.

Bucks Fizz. Ha!
TBH no one needs to know where Sunderland is. Not a place worth visiting really. We live in a town outside of Sunderland, I don't associate myself with the place at all. Lots of nice people from there though. I remember Roy Keane being Sunderland manager. I've only been to one match in my life and he was running the club then.

My knowledge of Ireland is limited to Marion Keyes novels and Father Ted I'm afraid. It looks very pretty.

Our decorations are down now. The tree is still half up, the helpers keep getting in the way. The house is a complete tip, I've done the kitchen so making slow progress.

Not sure if I can face a full on Exante experience from Monday. Or I might start low carbing on Monday and do 100% Exante from Wednesday. I'll decide tomorrow I think.

Hmm seems commute to Sunderland/Ireland not possible. Yes come to London! I really like the Marian Keyes books, I have a new one my MIL got me for Christmas to start. I have been to Dublin several times and to Mayo. Mayo was really quiet and I got a few looks when I went in the local pub, my Mayo friend said v few people from other cultures there... vv friendly and nice people though (have to confess to a few irish boyfriends in my past)!. One of my best friends lives in Newcastle and I have also been to Cumbria but never Sunderland.

Sol - It's Buckinghamshire, nothing to do with Bucks fizz I don't think but I do have lots of champagne/prosecco if that will lure you here :) About an hour from London.

Hoping we all feel better soon, so miserable being ill. Tree is down, started a tidy up and my quest continues for the perfect storage options.

Day 1 has been ok, but I am used to fast days, I imagine it will get tougher as the week goes on? If I am desperate for food, could I have some celery or cucumber or would that spoil the effect?

DH has gone out for a chippy, I should leave him shouldn't I?

How are you both?
Is the low -carbing going well Beyond? I ate lots of celery and cucumber when I started Exante, I don't think it did any harm. Definitely leave DH if he brings in takeaway again, or make him eat it outside. So rude.

Are you feeling any better yet Sol?

I intended to restarted today but haven't. Mainly because I'm a lazy cow. I've felt much better the last few days and have went on a massive eating spree to make up for missing out over Christmas. now I feel all bloated and like crap. I will weigh myself in the morning to shock myself into restarting. I'm a self destructive idiot.

Hello Green don't be so hard on yourself. Start again tomorrow, you have proved you can do it :) The weight gain may not be as bad as you fear and a couple of lbs will probably be water retention?
Yesterday I felt awful, today - fine, bit hungry. Tomorrow will be a tough day I think, my 1st day with Tiny and Little on my own for 2 weeks! I have some clicked chicken in case I am desperate. I could only do this diet as a short term measure - I miss food!
Paranoid about my breath - so purchased some sugar free spray although I don't think everyone gets ketone breath?!

I've had a bit of a shit day here too. Just picking at bits of crap here and there that I know will add up. Sorry. I weighed myself this morning and I put on exactly 1 pound over Christmas so not terrible. However , I ate feckin rings around myself this weekend. In the space of 4 days I had 2 takeaways and went out for dinner. My appetite has returned after my flu, I ate like a mad woman. I regret nothing, it was delish!

Green I think Father Ted will serve you well with knowledge of Ireland, I have never read a Marion Keyes book, I am a devout Jilly Cooper fan. I think you should write off your junk food spree and move on tomorrow. You have done so brilliantly it would a shame to lose motivation now.

Beyond, I will take you up on your Prosecco trap. I'm dreadful for a glass of bubbly. How was your day? Can you tick off one day at a time so you know that it is only a kick start? What types of food are you eating?

Well done, the first few days are definitely the hardest. I felt terrible on day 3 or 4 (can't remember which), quite flu-ey. After that I felt pretty good. I hope you don't feel like that. The water really helps, (sorry I keep repeating it!)
My breath smelt weird (to me) at first, DH swore it wasn't bad. (Although he's not always the best judge of these things). No one visibly swooned when I was talking to them so I don't think it was bad. I tend not to get too close to people anyway!
The chicken is an excellent idea. I found it far better to eat something like that. It stopped me snacking on things that knocked me out of ketosis. I liked having the packs of wafer thin ham and chicken that M&S sell in the fridge. They're really low cal and good to pick on if you're desperate too.
How long till your holiday now? Are you going to Florida? I'm so jealous if you are. We are desperate to take the children, but DH has only been able to take a week off at a time and I refuse to go for that long. Also the flight with children puts me off. DD1 is great, but DD2 will want to run up and down the aisles!
I just weighed myself, I was 13stone 12.5 lb. I was 13stone 6 lb the Minday before Christmas. Hopefully I'll be lighter in the morning? You're most likely correct, some will be water and some glycogen back in the liver? (Dodgy science).
Today was our first day without DH. Not too bad but I did eat to get through it. Tomorrow is back to nursery and toddler group. It's going to be a struggle to get out of bed in the morning, never mind trying to look human.

Cross posted with you Sol. Excellent news about your 1lb, glad you're starting to feel better. I've also had 2 takeaways and a meal out, it had to be done really.

Marian Keyes books are brilliant. You must read some. I got the new one for Christmas too. I love Jilly Cooper, although I started re- reading some when I was pregnant with DD2 and they weren't quite as good as I remembered. The man who man husbands jealous is my favourite. I read it as a teen and wanted to call my first born son Lysander. Good job I had girls really, not a name you ever hear in this part of the world! Less bonking in Marian's books mind!

Are you a mad woman, you never weigh yourself at night!

First thing in the morning, naked, after a wee! They are the rules.

Have a do-over in the morning and see where you are.

I cut and dyed my hair last week and even straightened it. I also got myself in gear this morning and put on make up and everything. It was back to the grind of school and minding my friends little boy so I'm hoping distraction will lure me away from the enormous box of Lindor in the kitchen.

I wouldn't do the flight with either of the DS's. They are...well there's no polite way to say this... they are nuts and they would be a nightmare on a flight (unless I sedate them). I would love a holiday in the sun, but we're thinking it might be next year as hopefully and extra year will help DS2 be less of a whirlwind.

Lysander is a fab name, although I'm not entirely sure how to pronounce it. I'll have a look at Marian Keyes, it will take a lot to beat Jilly. I've never smelled wild garlic but I really want to after reading her books.

Eating out at Christmas has to be done. I really enjoyed my time off from low carbing, but I really did notice the difference with bloating and feeling absolutely stuffed.

Day 4 here and not feeling too bad (so far). Headache seems to have gone and not too hungry yet, although still have to get through children's lunch and dinner without picking.

Green - did you with in this morning? I agree with Sol, never weigh in the evening, I ma sure you'll be a couple of lbs lighter in the morning. Anyway I think it was absolutely fine to have Christmas off. Those lbs will be off again in no time. I hope toddler group and nursery goes well today. I got some of those packs of chicken and ham at the weekend, so far haven't needed any but I think it's going to be a long afternoon, Tiny and Little are asleep (unheard of!) which means they'll be on the go from 1200 until DH gets home at 7 although I will make attempts to get them to sleep from 6 onwards...

You are sounding really glam Sol. Also think it was amazing to only put on a lb. Try the Marian Keyes books. They are hilarious (at times a bit heartbreaking). I think they are better then Jilly, more contemporary and less posh :). I used to work with a girl who was always saying the 'have a cup of tea' line from Father Ted, we always used to get the giggles, great show.

Yes we are going to Florida, it's our last out of school holiday so we are going for almost 3 weeks. I have decided I ma eating within reason what I want while on holiday but when we get back I am going to the 5:2 It's just more manageable for me. I needed a kick start which hopefully I cam getting with this but I wouldn't be able to do for more than a couple of weeks. To be honest, I ma dreading the plane with Tiny. We booked it before she was walking and now she loves running around and is really stubborn. I think it's going to be quiet trying but it's only 9 hours.. and we'll never see the other passengers again hopefully
Little will be fine, with his stickers, books and iPad. Hoping Tiny doesn't encourage him to be wild!

That was meant to say green did you with in this morning?

Sorry for the typo's - I should proof read.

Made it though the day, had 2 slices of chicken at 4pm. Just having my 3rd 'meal' now. Am sure I'll be able to stick to the plan tomorrow and Thursday, I'm at work and will be vv busy. Then only Friday and I will have done a week. Fingers crossed for a good loss. Am hoping for 6 or 7lbs - really hope I won't be disappointed.
Then hopefully 3lb the following week (introducing a low carb evening meal and 2lb the week after (may have some low carb lunches in 3rd week, don't want to go on holiday having not had normal food and risk having an upset GI system!). If this all goes to plan, I'll only have 1 more stone to lose (Plue any holiday gain - do you think I will put it all back on, I'm hoping for no more than 4 lbs, I know I can shift that in a week)

Hope you both had a great day.

You're doing so well Beyond. Have you not been tempted to have a sneaky weigh in?
Your plan sounds really sensible. I don't think you'll put it back on when you're away. Unless you go for those massive fatty American size carb fest portions (yum). I haven't been to the states for a couple of years, but I never put much on because of all the walking. Are you going to the theme parks? I'm so jealous. Just drink plenty of water and avoid empty calories.
At least they usually have a good choice of salads and meats.

I was 2lb lighter this morning. Still can't get back into the swing of things though. My excuse is the children were up half the night so I am tired and ate more. I am hiding the Christmas cake tonight. I was doing okay till I discovered it at lunch time. I'll try to low carb for the next few days and if I manage that I'll start Exante on Monday. If I keep eating crap I'll make myself start earlier (as punishment).

After our book club discussion last night I perused my kindle and realised I have bought loads of books over the last few years but never read them. So I'm going to aim for one a month. I was reading Game of Thrones last year but lost interest. Do either of you read Lisa Jewel books? If you like Marian Keyes you will love them, she's excellent too.

Oh and what do you think of Exante? Delicious isn't it?

How did low carbing go Green? I am sure you will be back at your lowest weight in no time. I have read some of the Lisa Jewell books, might get some of her more recent stuff. I kind of got bored of chick lit type books for a while and read a few thrillers (But sometimes I find them too gory).
Exante - well I am not too keen on the soups but I don't mind the bars or shakes. I felt hungry today so not sure what that is about, should be in ketosis...
Yes we are doing Disney :) I am already dreaming of a few things I want to eat, I'm not going to get too obsessed re putting on weight while I am on holiday now I have discovered I can fast for a week when I get back and probably get most of it off. I really want nachos/key lime pie. I think I'll be able to avoid fries/pancakes etc as not too fussed about them.

How are you Sol?

I managed a full day of low carb. I feel more focused now. I've planned some meals for the next few days and I will try to re-start the Exante on Monday. I threw a lot of opened Christmas stuff out as no one else was eating it.

I don't mind the soups, shakes and bars. It's the hot meals that are dodgy. I have some left so I'll force myself to have one a day when I go back to it.
I'm sure I still felt hungry for the first week or so. I think it was just physiological. I was so used to snacking all the time. Hopefully it will subside.

Disney will be fantastic. Have you taken the children before?
You should have lots of treats on holiday, plus no where in the UK ever makes US food as well. DH is still obsessing over some chicken wings he had the other month in Boston. I always remember getting an ice cream in Disney Village when I was 13, it was cookie dough flavour. My brother and I couldn't get over it. We'd never had anything like it before! Luckily my dad is an ice cream fiend so we got to try many more flavours during that holiday.

will you be doing any shopping when you're there?

I quite like murder/crime type books. But then I get obsessed with serial killers. Plus I've lost track of what I've read as they all seem to merge into one.

How are you Sol?

Hi,

You are doing so well Beyond, have you not weighed in at all? Your holiday sounds lovely, I am very jealous of you heading over to the sun. You'll have a great time, don't worry if you eat a few bits and pieces. Maybe you should have protein for breakfast and some fruit for lunch while you're away. I did that over Christmas and it worked out really well.

Congratulations on your 2lb loss Green. It's always best to weigh in the morning. I think your plan sounds great - I'm loving that you plan to punish yourself with Exante if you eat crap. I haven't read any Lisa Jewell, I'll have a look at them.

I haven't weighed in but I have been really busy over the last few days so I'm hoping that constantly moving will burn some cals off. My DH is finishing off the last of the Christmas snacky food (he's such a trooper) as I type and then there is no more coming in to this house. I plan on making Baba Ganoush and hummous with chopped veg for our Saturday night picky bits.

I went shopping and bought some size 16 super tight fit trousers (for wearing with winter boots). I was a bit afraid I wasn't going to fit in to them, but they were fine, I think they'll look really nice with flat, strappy sandals in the summer. There is no over hanging stomach or love handles, they sit perfectly. I am delighted. I would have tried 14's but because they are super skinnies I was afraid that I would look mashed in to them.

We all seem to be getting back on track after the Christmas break. Exante seems to be really good for a kick start, it's like magic.

Fucking Lindor with their tasty, tasty taste and the fact I had (had!) some in the kitchen from Christmas.

And I ate them. I was weak and I ate them like a snuffily piglet and now I feel bad about myself.

I had baba ganoush and pitta for dinner but I ruined it all with my picky ways.

UGH! I feel a bit shit about the whole thing as you can guess. I was talking to DH and we have 2 weddings this Summer with another in September that we have to wear nice outfits to. We need to be trim and skinny for it, so we are going to be really low carb for the next few months - starting on Saturday after the shopping.

How's everyone else getting on?

You haven't ruined it Sol. Unless you chased it with a bottle of wine and a family bag of crisps?! It won't have done much harm. Are they all gone now?

I decided that I like the Exante bars. They aren't as good as having chocolate but they fill a gap. I've nearly ran out so decided to try the Atkins meal replacement bars instead. I'm picking them up tomorrow. The flavours seem more like chocolate bar type ones. could you get something like that to have in?

I've had a good day. I spent most of the day tidying so didn't think too much about food. I think I'll do Exante next week anyway. It needs using up and I've decided I have to be 12stone by May. So just over a stone and a half to lose.

The trousers sound lovely. Just focus on how good they look and not the size. Sizes are different everywhere anyway. Where did you get them? I need a list of places to go to when I am thinner. I always struggle with trousers.

We are all going to be so skinny by the summer, I just know it.

I did have wine

I don't like Atkins stuff. It's such an odd taste. I think I'd prefer nothing.

I'm glad you had a good day yesterday Green. I think a stone and a half is a great goal by May, I need to be 12 stone too and I think I will join you in your goal. That's just over 1 lb per week.

I got my trousers in Penneys (Primark in England). They are really nice. I also don't see any point in spending a lot on clothes because hopefully they won't fit me soon.

Hope everyone is having a good day today!

What's done is done. No use crying over it now. I would have had the crisps too so you've done quite well really. We all have off days, don't be hard on yourself. You've having a difficult time of late and as you've said before you are an emotional eater. So it could have been much worse.

You got me thinking about hidden treats that are in our house. 1 giant toblerone (bought on holiday, I ate a whole one in a week before I started the diet! This is it's sibling), 2 unopened boxes of Hotel Chocolate. I need to cancel the subscription don't I? A box of Aldi truffles (Christmas gift). Some bars of Green and Blacks I bought for Christmas gifts and lost. Shit. I need to forget about it all again. Oh and there are piles of chocolate belonging to the children (about a year's worth).

I'm worrying now about the Atkins stuff. I've ordered a whole box. I should have tried one first.

I never bother with Primark much. It's always so busy and my nearest stores are all huge. I get overwhelmed (wimp). I keep hearing about the skinny jeans, so maybe I'll attempt another trip when I need new ones. I'll probably end up the the M&S ones again. I like Internet shopping best.

Had a good day so far. Mainlining coffee though.

We will both be 12stone by May. Then I will post a before and after picture.