New Mums: Pre-diet we had pride, now we want new bodies!

[SolitudeSometimesIs]

Here we go again!

Ok it's the magic thread where we find inspiration, motivation and actually see the results we want and manage to hold on to them once we get them.

No more excuses (unless they are hilarious or necessary).

Welcome all!

Well the wine helped me sleep. On the negative side I woke up 3lb heavier.
Thought I'd manage a healthy day, but my brother brought cake round for desert (although SIL and him did make me Sunday lunch!)

It must be water Green fingers crossed it will be gone tomorrow, also fairly normal for body to retain when unwell. Glad you damaged to sleep, you must feel very unsettled but I would think very very unlikely they would come back to the same area as people would be more aware. I hope you are feeling better too?

Sol your McDonalds sounded delicious. I ma sure it won't have done any harm on the scales - you have been so focused. Hope the kitchen is sorted out. I am planning on fasting Mon/Wed/Thurs this week, Feeling very blobby with pmt (and very hormonal). Will weigh in tomorrow anyway.

How are you rachey ? That's amazing that you are in the 10's. So pleased for you. Think you have lost 16lbs? Would you really rate the diet/exercise regime? How tough has it been?

I'm feeling fed up with my slow progress, It's my own fault though. I tried on the dress I wore to DD's christening today and it was tight ! Which is obviously marvellous.

evening all. I hope you have had great weekends?

green The indian was delish and due to no rice or thick sauce I didnt feel over full :) I think your right the jackets are called duster jackets. They are a really nice length I saw a nice leopard print one in sainsbury's only 35 quid but I have so many jackets OH will kill me if I brought more.

are you feeling any better? sounds like you have had a good weekend, I love a fish finger sandwich.......with tartar sauce and rocket. yummy. Im sure that 3lbs is not a true reflection of your weight.

Is everything in your street ok since the break in?

sol How was your maccy d's? I have not had one in ages (sitting here licking my lips) well done on avoiding the treats at the kids party. I would fail as I love little picky bits :) did you have a good time meeting your friend? what takeaway did you decide on? I hope you managed to be good.

beyond did you manage to go shopping this weekend? how long ago was your dd's christening? I have heard this diet isnt for everyone, I have found it ok. Lots of prep and cooking, you really need to plan your meals in advance. I found myself sticking to the same meals as there was a lot I couldnt be bothered to cook. but that aside I have found it easier than most diets i have done but I feel I have been more focused. I dont drink much/hardly any alcohol which has prob helped my weight loss. I spent my 20's yo yoing now Im paying for it in my early 30's and I have said I dont want to be fat in my 30's.

I havent be in the 10's since mid twenties :) and there is only 1 stone 5lbs between my weight and my skinny sisters (no sibling rivalry ;)) I weighed myself after ds2 was born and I was 14 stone so all in all I have done well, just wish my body looked better.

I havent been very good this weekend but I knew I was off plan and starting fresh tomorrow. we went to pizza express last night and had three courses and a large glass of malbec. Today went to in-laws of dinner with the bil and sil x2, niece and nephew. I managed to avoid the lasagne but had lots of bread with my salad. WTF? why didnt I just have pasta and salad with no bread?

No gym this week as settling in a nursery and speech therapy so will have to work out at home. I hope I have the motivation.

I am feeling a lot better now Beyond. Thank you. I think I'll keep off the scales tomorrow though.
There was a police car in the street this afternoon, so hopefully they are patrolling more. DH is back tomorrow, so I'll just be kept awake by snoring then!

Sorry you are feeling fed up. I know how you feel. But you are doing really well with all your running and fast days. PMT is awful, it just seems more intense each month? Did you want to wear the dress for something?
Just try to stick at it. Are you thinking of doing the Bodycoach?

I might try to look at that coat tomorrow Rachey. I have a strange urge for leopard print stuff at the moment.

Thanks for the description of the diet. I'm re thinking my options at the moment. Exercise needs to feature more heavily in my life.

Your weekends sounded great. I was chatting to SIL about diets etc and we were saying how difficult it is to balance losing weight and actually being able to go out and enjoy food.

I haven't been in the 10's since I was 27. I'm 36 this year. I kept saying I didn't want to spend my 30's fat. I really want to enjoy the rest of them and not feel like it's been a 10 year battle
It's hard when you compare yourself to other people. But yes you've came really far. I was 15 stone 12 lb 2 weeks after having DD2! I'm 13 stone 10 now. So still fat and she's 2 and a half! But imagine what we would be like if we hadn't tried.
I had to watch my other SIL trying dresses on yesterday afternoon. She's about 5ft9 and a size 10. Then she was complaining about that bit of fat that you get on your arm/chest when you are wearing a strapless dress. That's the least of my body issues!

I hope everything goes well for your son this week.

Ha Green I'll definitely help in May . I'm a bit of a tidier and can't help myself, I was opening packets of crisps and sweets and sourcing drinks and then tidying away rubbish - then I remembered it wasn't my party and perhaps I should back off. Don't worry about the 3 lbs, when you are feeling better it will disappear, it's like your body is giving you a kick when you're down. You are a very good person not to tell your SIL to shut up and stop complaining, I have no patience for the woes of the skinny. I am always jealous. Don't think of your weightloss as a battle, think of it as a journey - a Ryanair journey where you wanted to go straight to Skinny but ended up a bit further away than you expected and you're having to make your own way there, it'll just take a while

Beyondhave you taken any measurements instead of relying on the scales? I did and I plan to have a re-measure on Friday or Saturday. I'm fasting Mon, Weds and Fri I'm in work all week except for today so I will be very busy. Don't get too down hearted, do you think it might be a case of PMT self-loathing (or am I the only "lucky" victim of it?).

Taking the weekend off was a great idea Rachey, sometimes it's nice to break out a bit and really enjoy yourself before a plan. You have done incredibly on your diet, you should be so proud. I know what you mean about yo-yoing, it's sort of a rite of passage in your 20's though. I look back at pictures though and wonder why I tortured myself when I looked really well - I was a total gym bunny back then.

My Mc Donalds and takeaway were delicious and I ended up picking at loads of bits yesterday, I didn't have one meal. So I'm avoiding the scales today and fasting. I'm up with DS2 who wasn't in the humour for sleep and is now playing with his aqua doodle and watching Peppa. My DH is away too Green and I never sleep properly when he's gone. There's been loads of break-ins around here, I was freaked out by every sound, perhaps because they picked an empty house they were just looking for a hassle free robbery (if you know what I mean), they probably don't have the balls to break in where they know they could get thumped by a big bloke. We were told to open a big window and yell "fire" if we were broken in to, apparently more people respond to that as opposed to calling for help.

I just wanted to post some of the stuff from my SALT now that I have a minute because DS2 is asleep.

The first thing was that there are different types of speech delay - the main ones being
a-the kids know the words but don't say them
b-they can say single words but can't put them together to form sentences.
c-they have no words and use non-verbal communication.

DS2 has very few words and uses non-verbal communication.

Some of the tricks the SALT told me for DS2 were:

• If you ask him a question give him 10 seconds to answer. I literally have to count them slowly in my head. This is so he hears the question, thinks about his answer, tries to put the word together and say it. It's just giving him the time and respect to speak.

• Don't overcomplicate sentances. If he says "car", just repeat "car". Don't go all performance-y and say "Yes Ds2, a car. A red car. Look at the car. Oooh red car. What is it DS2? A car. Car". Basically you have 5 seconds to respond and reply using the same word, it's about giving him the confidence to say the words, it's not the time to expand his vocabulary.

• We focus a lot on OWL'ing.

Observation. Waiting. Listening. Let the child take the lead with play, even if it's not playing "properly" such as instead of stacking cups he fills them with stuff and pours it out. Wait to see if any language is used or if any noises are made. Listen to words and noises and repeat them. It's all about encouraging speech and letting the child take the lead then giving them the confidence to say it again.

• If your DS knows where things are; such as yoghurt's on a specific shelf in the fridge and he can help himself, move them around out of his eyeline so he has to ask for help, or say "gone" or something. But this should only be used when your DS is in a good mood and not likely to tantrum. There's no point in winding him up.

I can't think of any more things, but if I do I'll put them up here. It's all about using the tricks and seeing what works.

Had a fast day today. Feel murderous with the hunger and tired too. Off to bed for me.

Hope everyone else is getting on well.

Sol I am too scared to take measurements

Well done on your fast day. I had 1400 cals today. fasting tomorrow.

I am thinking about more quick fix diets Green but know realistically I need to lifestyle change. Is your DH back? I hope you feel more settled with his snoring beside you. You are so right, at least we are trying. And we do weigh less.

Rachey thanks for posting all the info, I really don't think I have the discipline to be as good as you have been.

I do get really hormonal and irrational with pmt, I absolutely hate it. I told DS off today and he was really upset, I should have been calmer.
I think I will take the M&S coat back and look for a different but similar one iyswim!

I weighed myself and have lost another lb. I may use up my final bits of exante at some point just to see a bit more action on the scales!

Hope you get some sleep Sol. Good work on the fast day.

DH is back, I got some sleep last night. I still don't feel great though. So tired again today.

I know what you mean about quick fix v lifestyle change Beyond. I tried WW to try to change my habits. But it's slow after the initial loss! I know I need to exercise more.
I'm really tempted by Exante again. Just for 3 weeks (I probably have that much left). Then maybe I could get back into the zone again?
I'm thinking of calorie counting too. I initially liked the new WW plan, but now I think some of it is silly. Example a 2 finger Kitkat is 6sp. You can have 30sp per day (5 kitkats). But they are only 107 calories? I understand that they want everyone to cut down on sugar but it makes the diet very restrictive?

Well done on losing a pound. Beyond

I'd like a smarter coat for the spring. But I refuse to buy anything else while I'm this size. Plus I never go anywhere so probably don't really need one!

How did you fast day go Beyond? I know how you feel about wanting a quick fix. I would like one too but I am trying to stick to this 5:2. Could you use up your Exante on your fast days? Congratulations on losing 1lb.

The new WW plan sounds really confusing, I thought 1 pp was 50 cals? Is sugar the new thing they're trying to cut back on? Could you manage 3 weeks on Exante? You'd probably lose about 14 lbs though if you stuck to it though, it might be crazy but it works.

I did a back to back fast day today, I think I came in at about 700 cals but that's good enough for me. I hate fast days - I want wine and these gorgeous chocolate oatcakes I bought - but I can't because I am the size of a moose, an obese moose. But I'M BLOODY HUNGRY!

Good Lord, hunger makes me dramatic. I plan to have 1500 cals tomorrow.

I hope everyone's having a better day.

evening all,

Thanks sol for posting the info about SALT, I have taken all on board and started to use some. Only time will tell :) I take my hat off to you doing back to back fast days, i certainly couldnt do it. dont worry the day is nearly over then you can eat a nice meal tomorrow.

congrats on losing another lb beyond how are you finding exante? I had never heard about it before I joined this thread.

are you after a similar style but different design? as i cant shop at the moment please indulge me and post your purchases :)

wow it sounds like WW has gone difficult green. I remember it was so easy you had a little calculator and added up the points of food. easy peasy. diets need to be easy and non complicated otherwise they are easy to slip up. (well thats what I find anyway)

Hope all is ok on your road now and DH back with you and the DC's.

DS1 had a chatterbugs SALT session on monday. He was the youngest by at least 6 months and most had basic words. Ds1 found it hard to wait and concentrate and kept trying to play with the toys, I just had to talk him back into the circle. I was the only parent that sat with the kids and interacted thou which I thought was strange. I hung back after class as I wanted to discuss he anger and behaviour and she said that I shouldnt be concerned, I told her how I deal with his behaviour and she said I was doing things right. I guess its just a waiting game.

I have started settling in DS's into their new nursery. DS2 is fine and I have no concerns. DS1 is very tearful and clingy at the moment so Im spending alot of time with him.

I havent started cycle two of my diet yet. I have been eating like a pig because i have no self control and im always hungry. I feel no matter how much weight I lose I will always be fat as I cannot control myself.

I am starting back on friday and I will be more focused than ever (i hope) just sent my dsis out for chocolate :) as OH out for the night.

hope your all having a good evening

Hi everyone,

2lb on this week. I'm still not feeling very motivated and I'm still really tired. I'm going to start Exante on Sunday. Otherwise I feel like I'll never stop eating!

The new WW points aren't really that difficult to follow. But sugary foods are really high in points. I'm not that bothered about chocolate usually, but that fact that they now seem 'off limits' makes me obsess about it. Does that make sense? You can actually have quite a lot of protein for not many points, but that's not always what you want to eat is it?

Did you get your haircut Rachey? I want to go shorter but I really wanted to wait till I'd lost another stone.

Have a good day/weekend.

green im guessing your still not feeling 100% hence the tiredness and motivation. Good Luck with starting exante on Sunday.

I agree as soon as you say no chocolate its all i can think about. Having spent time on this diet I dont think I could go back to a WW style diet. but this diet is so restrictive as Im not allowed to dream about chocolate let alone eat it :)

Yes my hair is all chopped off. I cannot believe how much its changed the way I look. I was worried that it would age me but as its so blonde it has a edge to it.

I started cycle two today. I cannot believe how much I have to eat. Im so used to dieting where I eat very little and weigh myself where as I have to eat quite alot and Im not allowed to weigh myself as I am incorporating weights into my exercise. I have never really lifted weights before so I have an induction with the resistance trainer to show me how to use the free weighs.

Hope you all have a good weekend.

Well done on your back to back day Sol I tried do Wed/Thurs but think came in around 600/650 cals. I had a non fast day yesterday (1500) and am aiming for 800 today. Non fast day tomorrow. When are you weighing in? Do you feel different? I do feel lighter and than I have more energy.

Green new ww points seems bizarre and wouldn't work for me. I need chocolate! Could do you do exante Mon-Fri and have the weekend off? I might do this in 2 weeks time, I think I have about 5 days left. Sorry about your 2lbs, I am sure they'll come off quickly. Please can you link any coats you see, I'm still in the market!

Rachey Glad hair went well and also well done on starting cycle 2. Hope nursery settling went well as the week went on? I'm not doing exact at the mo, I'm trying to fast 2-3 days a week, I do have a few products left I may try and use up though. I think it's ok for quick weight loss but not sustainable. Probably better off eating 2 boiled eggs rather than having a bar really, but it does help with discipline as you know no food is allowed.

Now on week 4 of couch to 5k. It's really difficult but I am pleased I have got so far.

Week 4 of C25K I'm seriously impressed Beyond. How much running do you have to do? I feel great on this diet, full of energy and I don't feel as tired in the mornings as I did previously. In fact I have started waking naturally just before my alarm clock most mornings which I think is a good thing (maybe not on Saturdays when I want a lie in though). It's like my body is regulating itself a bit better. I haven't weighed in this week, I want to step away from the scales a bit, I think I'm getting a bit obsessed. I will continue eating this way as I feel really well, the weightloss may be slower but I feel great.

Glad your haircut is fab Rachey, slightly jealous of your hair (I'm rocking a birds nest look at the moment ). Cycle 2 sounds good, I'm all for more food. What weights do you start with, do you do them every day? Group SALT meetings can be very intense for little kids, it seems a bit mean of them to put out toys the kids couldn't touch. My DS has no self-control, he'd have been in messing with them too. I hope your DS settles in to nursery soon, it's all ahead of me when DS2 starts in September so feel free to give me any tips.

I agree with you about the "I can't have chocolate...I want chocolate" thought process *Green". I've never sat in front of the telly with a cup of tea and though "Oooh I'd love a chicken breast with this". I get really bored with diets when they change them up, it's like I give myself permission to not follow it because it's changed and I can't be arsed following it and WW are to blame because I was doing ok until they mucked around with it. That's why I stopped doing it for a while when they introduced propoints. Exante will give you the instant weightloss that you want, you followed it for ages previously didn't you?

I gave myself a night off and had chips and dip in front of the telly and a few glasses of wine. Heaven. Back on track today and just about to get up and drag the kids out on a walk, might swing in to the playground too and really tire them out. When the weekend rolls around I fall off any healthy eating plan so I'm hoping doing a lot of activity will undo the damage. I'm planning a tofu and noodle stirfry tonight with soy, garlic and ginger sauce and I'm going to make some veggie soup for lunch. I'm trying to have a stirfry on non-fast days to cut down on my cals and carbs. This way of eating has opened my eyes to how appalling my diet usually is. I saw a photo of myself from Christmas and my belly was sticking out further than my boobs when I was sitting down (I hasten to add it was not some sort of naked pic, but I was wearing a very unflattering outfit), I was mortified that I had gone to the party thinking I looked well, when in reality I looked pregnant. Quite the reality check.

Have a good Saturday everyone.

Yet again my weekend became a bit of a foodfest. I'm getting so annoyed at myself for being unable to control my eating habits. I was fine on Saturday but on Sunday I was picking at crisps and stuff. It's so irritating. I am having 3 fast days this week - Mon, Tues and Weds - to try and get my self under control. Does anyone else binge on non-Fast days?

We had a crap night with DS2 as well, he was up for hours during the night and I am exhausted and I just want pastries and coffee for breakfast (and chocolate).

But onwards and upwards and back on track. I am so not in the humour for dieting today, I would quite like to go back to bed.

Hope everyone has a good day!

evening all,

I hope your all well?

beyond well done with reaching week 4. where abouts do you run? I know some prefer a treadmill as it easier on the knees.

sol how did the fasting go today? weekends are always my downfall aswell.

green how are you getting on?

I have never ached so much in all my life.......weights are HARD. yesterday I did bench presses and bent over rows and today my chest and arms are killing me and today I did barbell squats and bumbell lunges (all 10 sets of 10), and I am struggling to walk.

settling in went ok, ds1 very clingy but he seems to like all the girls that work there. He started today and we had lots of tears I really found it hard leaving him. I dont know how I am going to feel dropping ds2 off tomorrow........my baby leaving me cannot get over how quick these 9 months have gone:(

I have to admit Rachey that I don't know what some of those exercises are, but bloody well done on doing them. Are you really sore? I couldn't walk down the stairs for 2 days after doing level 1 of The Shred, the pain was dreadful. Can you do more warm up stuff to stretch out your muscles? Sorry to hear DS2 is finding it difficult to settle in. Can you ring the nursery later in the morning to see how he's getting on? When are you back to work?

I did a fast day and feel fine. I also had the misfortune of wearing the worlds most unflattering top and I had my picture taken. I look like I've recently had a baby. Its a dreadful shot and I feel bigger than ever. And the annoying thing is that I feel this way every Monday and I still don't stick to my plan at the weekend. Self-sabotaging is the word.

Off to have an early night and give myself a stern talking to about my shitty eating habits!

Most days turn into a food fest for me Sol. I know what you mean about the Monday feeling. I think we need some therapy.
Well done on your fast day though.
I ended up having fish and chips on Friday night. Saturday probably wasn't too bad for food but I had half a bottle of wine with lunch and another bottle on the evening . So I had one meal yesterday and 2 Exante products and the same today. I will try for 3 Exante meals only tomorrow.
I really don't want to do it this way, but I have no self control around food if I'm left to my own devices. I have to be under 13 stone by May (for no real reason)

All that exercise sounds terrifying Rachey. I'm seriously impressed. Have a nice bath and take a painkiller! When do you train again?

Week 4 is amazing Beyond. Hope you're okay.

I had a terrible dream about naked training on a treadmill last night. I was so relieved to wake up. I think it's my subconscious trying to tell me something.

Well to day I am in a vile mood re weight would be an understatement. Despite 3 fast days and 3 runs I STS. I honestly felt like diving into the nearest bar of dairy milk (but didn't). I did have an 2000 cal day on Sunday (we went into London) but I chose what I hoped was a healthy option: calamari and salad.
So I fasted yesterday and aiming for 1000 today.

Sol Call that a food fest? Sounded pretty restrained to me. Well done on your fast day and damn those unflattering photos. I am absolutely sure they do not reflect how you really look. Sitting down photos are always the worse kind. Hope you had a better night with DS2?

Well done on the weights rachey Hope nursery was ok today? Such a difficult time of adjustment for you all. Nursery told me DD was challenging yesterday. I don't think I am managing her behaviour well, she completely rules the roost...

That's an awful dream Green I can feel Exante in my future as well. I am sure under 13 stone for May is achievable. It's just so miserable isn't it, perhaps we do need therapy.

Week 4 is 2 cycles of 3 mins of running, 90 seconds of walking, 5 mins running, 2 1/2 mins of walking, with a 5 min walk at the beginning and end.
I am finding it really hard so not going to move up to week 5 this week.

Hope everyone has a good day.
My food plan is:
celery with peanut butter 150 cals
Prawn stir fry (courgettes and red pepper) 200 cals
Chicken curry (broccoli, pepper and mushroom) 400 cals

Which leaves me 350 emergency (chocolate) cals.
Off with DD today, off to tidy the study. I am going to charity shop al the books I won't read again.

So sorry that you are feeling down Beyond. You've done really well not to turn to food. Maybe leave it a couple of days before you weigh yourself again? It's easier said than done though. It could just be water retention?

I'm a firm believer that it sometimes takes your body to catch up with what you're doing to it.
Despite me still not losing any extra weigh since before Christmas I actually do look slightly slimmer and I've had people commenting on it. My stomach has gone down a lot.
It is so hard though. I was chatting to someone this morning about actually finding time for yourself to exercise and get some 'grooming' done. Anyway, it never happens so I end up having some wine and crisps to cheer myself up.

The dream was terrifying, someone had filmed it. I think I've been looking at too many before and after pictures on the bodycoach site.

Day 4 of Exante. I was lighter this morning! I'm taking it a day at a time. I'm not allowing myself to buy any more products as I just want them gone really. But I seem to have quite a lot left.

Do you have a Kindle? I got rid of a lot of old books when I got mine. Any that I thought I'd miss I added to my Amazon wish list, so if I really feel the need to read it again I will just buy it. (So far that hasn't happened much) I need to go through the cookbooks. I love cookbooks but don't look at half of them.

I need to tidy the whole house. I don't know where to start. The bedrooms are a disgrace. I tried to start in mine yesterday, but gave up. I need to get rid of lots of shoes. I also need time to try on clothes and throw some out. As I'm feeling so fat I'm wearing horrible old things again. This is must be linked to self confidence. I have a tent like black jersey dress from Asda that I keep wearing. I bought it after having DD2 as it was comfy for BF. I swore I'd throw it out, yet I can't bring myself to. Whenever I'm feeling fat and miserable and wear it and feel hidden. Ridiculous when I have so many nice clothes.

I think I'll go tackle the bedroom again this afternoon. DD can watch Peppa pig.

Your food sounds really nice for today. Are you running too? It looks low on carbs if you are? Maybe your body is hanging onto some weight because of that? (I may be talking rubbish of course ).

The running schedule sounds scary yet inspiring.

Not running today as have DD to entertain. I might try one tomorrow.

I'm just a bit bored of it all and want instant results :)

Well done on day 4 of exact, I have a few things left but like you won't buy any again. I don't have a kindle, I'm love actual books but my tastes have changed thought the years and I have a lot of I won't ever read again. I'm also going to tackle the DVD's. I have just cleared out some baby stuff. How to you reconcile getting rid of things? I have loads of shoes I am finding it hard to part with.

I really want you to throw out the dress, you don't need it. And you must feel much better wearing your lovely clothes.

Maybe we could work out thread a grooming regime?

On Sunday while DC were in the bath, I put a face pack on, then did a face scrub and filed my nails. Felt good!

By the way one week into scrubbing arms and oiling/moisturising there is little improvement. Will keep going though....

I prefer instant results too. Although I keep telling myself I need to be healthier overall. But it is so slow. At least you are exercising, that's a great habit.

I love books too. But I had to move them into the loft as we didn't have any room. Once they'd been their I found them easier to get rid of. I have kept some favourites.

I'm terrible at getting rid of things. I get far too attached. After my sort out of children's clothes the other week I finally put most of it into a charity bin.
Someone I met at WW is coming to look at some of DD2s clothes. So hopefully that will get rid of more. I'll put anything she doesn't want into another charity bag. I need to get round to selling stuff too, but I want to sort out other parts of the house first.

I got rid of some shoes last year, I do find it very difficult. I tried some on and they just don't fit any more so that made it easier. I try to put things into the Children's society. Then you get a gift aid letter telling you how much it made, so that makes me feel better.
When I was growing up we didn't have loads of clothes or shoes as my parents couldn't afford it. (Which was normal at the time I suppose) So as soon as I could buy my own I think I went slightly over board. Then I panic that I'll end up poor and I can't throw things away.

I do need therapy thinking about it.

I've just got rid of stuff lying around the kitchen. DH doesn't help, he is brewing ginger beer so has a collection of empty bottles in the utility. Plus he empties his pockets everywhere, so there is a collection of metal tooling parts lying all over. Apparently they are very expensive so I don't know why he just can't take them back to work again.

Is it ketosis Pilaris (no idea of spelling) on your arms? I have out too. Flexitol heal balm helps clear it (I saw this tip on MN and it works) it's very greasy so you need a long top on overnight. It clears up quite quickly. Or Eucerin body lotion (with urea) is very good. I probably need to tackle mine again for the summer.

I do face masks when the children are in the bath. I'm going to find my epilator so I can sort my legs out.

I will go and do some more tidying now., I'll find that dress and put it in a charity bag.

Oh Green I do the same thing when I feel heavier, I put on tent-like ensembles and feel comfortable (it's like swishy armour). In fact I have been wearing the same comfortable-but-ugly stuff since Christmas - I will make you a deal, I will chuck mine if you will chuck yours? I will have to hack at them with a scissors or they run the risk of being rescued form the charity bag. My downfall is big jumpers, I swaddle up in them and look even bigger.

How many weeks/days of Exante do you think you have left? I found an Indian rice and a chocolate pudding mix in the kitchen press so I might have them tomorrow. Your naked treadmill dream sounds a bit freaky. They're the sort of dreams I dread. Maybe it's the ultimate workout though? Can't see it catching on in my local gym.

I did a massive clear out last year, I started with DS1's bookshelf in his bedroom and then slowly made my way around his room. Once you start it's easier. When it came to my room I threw out loads of shoes, well I charity bagged them. I kind of thought that if they were so important I would have worn them more regularly and wouldn't it be better for someone else to get a wear out of them instead of them rotting in my wardrobe.

I hope you're feeling a bit better about your weight Beyond, but you deserve congratulations on not having chocolate. I really think you should take measurements because there's every chance you are losing inches but gaining muscle and that's why the scales aren't changing. There is a thread in 5:2 section about it. Your food plan for today sounds great, but just one question: Do you spread peanut butter on celary? Is it nice.

I had a non-fast day and I had a veggie burger for lunch and quorn chilli with rice for dinner. No crisps, no chocolate, no Mc Donalds from the drive thru that has opened in the retail park I have to pass 4 times per day (I wanted it as I was up all night with DS1 and wanted sugar and carbs). I feel good, I can be motivated during the week but I am exhausted and I can't seem to muster up the energy to exercise. I bow down to you Beyond.

I'm liking the idea of some sort of eating behaviour therapy - do you think we could get a group discount?