I want a different me! Do you?

[DoctorDolittle]

Accountability thread. I piled on a huge amount of weight at start of menopause, was ravenous all the time, and am really struggling to lose it. I thought an accountability thread that also focused on increasing self-care and self-worth would be good.

So - food wise I think I’ll try “no snacks”, that gives some wiggle room with meals to be what I most fancy/will fit in with kids the most.

Self-care: I bought a whole new skincare regime a month ago, just start using it woman!!! Am pampering my decades-long neglected feet each night and have booked in to salon for eyelash tint and curl as now suddenly need to wear glasses and want to feel better about eye area behind them.

Fluids!!!

Any company would be welcome 😊

That supper sounds lovely @Nettleskeins. I haven’t made burgers for yonks but you’ve got me wanting them. I add oats and some diced onion, mmm will make some at weekend.

I seem to go smaller sized even though I still weigh loads - maybe I’m large framed? I’m obese bmi, weigh 13 stone now at 5ft 5.

Good day all. I apologize for my sporadic updates, although I've been reading all of everyone else's. Most days I have nothing useful to add! Also, going low carb has left me lacking in energy and in that flu-like phase. But it has halted my nighttime binge urges.

@DoctorDolittle You dugarees sound great. Everyone else seem to be making some lovely food.

This morning the scales say I'm down another 1.2 lbs. It brings me just under the obesity range and into overweight.

I too, have this craving for crunchiness at least once a day. I know this is not to everyone's taste, but as a low/no-carb option I keep a bag of pork crackling and take just a few when I feel like it. It's high fat contents makes it impossible for me to have more than a few, and the lack of carbs doesn't bring on an insulin fueled binge. ,

Yesterday's food intake was a Cheddar cheese omlette with green peppers and a green salad, Home made Thai chicken red curry, and steamed cauliflower. I had a little almond flour mixed with vanilla protein powder and a spoon of coconut milk as some kind of pudding to satisfy the need for some dessert :)

I've been getting around 7,000 steps a day, not as much as I would like to. I promise myself every day that I'll start doing weights, but keep putting it off. That's going to be crossed off my list today. I do seem to be having a problem with right knee which gives off a pinching pain, and sometimes feels like it's going to buckle. I need to have that looked at.

Wishing everyone a good day!

@EasternEcho it sounds like you are doing really well! Congratulations on moving from obese range, that’s a huge achievement. I miss low-carb, it worked really well for me but I know it can exacerbate gallstone/pancreas issues and I have those nowadays so 🤷‍♀️.

Today I’m taking DD5 out for the first time in her wheelchair. We are going to have lunch at a garden centre, where I know I’ve room to steer and she’ll feel there’s space. I don’t know how I’ll feel if people stare at her, suppose we’ll both have to get used to that. Just as long as there is no ignorant talk in her hearing! I’ll probably just have a pot of tea and eat later.

@EasternEcho lovely to hear your experiences but sorry about knee...maybe go easy on weights or too rigorous exercise..I love pork scratchings. Tbh I've avoided my salty cravings by upping the water. It's odd really. No desire for crisp or salted nuts , salami which I used to consume by ba rrelload.

@DoctorDolittle very good wishes for first wheelchair outing. Ds1 was in a wheelchair for albeit only two months aged 9 and he and I just decided...who cares what anyone thinks ..getting around and out was the key. But hard on you, it's heavy trying to get a wheelchair in a out of transport.

Weight down to 87.50 kg this morning from 88kg yesterday I must be doing something right (🤞)

Making butternut squash and red pepper soup now. House is really a tip so trying to do a few soothing organisational activities instead of exercise as such!!

It's POURING with rain in London.

@Nettleskeins thank you, I appreciate that. It went well, was very quiet so not too daunting. And the main thing is it meant DD could manage it, we wouldn’t have gone previously as too much.
I had a bowl of cream of tomato soup (3/4 of it, was SO filling) and a slice of nice bread. Scrambled eggs and chives later.

Food today was: portion of porridge with water, splash of milk, blueberries (no sugar)
Butternut squash and red pepper soup with milk, tablespoon portion of couscous with cucumber and feta
Wholemeal spaghetti 80g dry weight with tomato, fried aubergine and tuna sauce, parmesan tablespoon
Small serving of homemade rice pudding with water and milk, sugar (I teaspoon?) cinnamon and tinned peach slices x 5 slices
Tea and coffee
Water

2 dog walks medium.

Today’s food will be:

greek yoghurt, frozen berries
lentil daal
egg salad

drink more woman!

@DoctorDolittle and @Nettleskeins Thank you!

@DoctorDolittle I am happy to hear your wheelchair outing went well! I love lentil curry! I too am worried about the effects of too low carbs over a long period, but that seems to be the only thing that works for me to jump start weight loss. I'll probably add it more carbs gradually as time goes on. Carbs also make me extremely lethargic during the day, which I hate.

@Nettleskeins I think you are right, I can't be doing much with my knee the way it is. I don't want to risk exarcebating whatever is wrong with it.

Everyone seems to be doing well. I'm trying to limit the things I buy this year, as I think I have more than enough, and part of being a different me should actually be about getting rid of some stuff :) But I did order a deep emereld satin blouse for an event later this year. Wasn't sure about the size as I'm hoping to be a little smaller in September, but I just went size L anyway. I can always take it in if necessary. Also ordered a pair of nice chandelier earings to go with it.

Yesterday's meals were boiled eggs and salad with chillie pesto as dressing. Sausages and cauliflower mash (I'll have cauliflower coming out of my ears soon, but I find it convenient and safe, as in keeps me from overeating). Shredded coconut, vanilla protein powder, coconut milk and chopped hazelnuts mixed together a pudding.

Fantastic about the size 12 dungarees @DoctorDolittle !

I need to get off the evening wine again. I know I can't lose weight and have that!

Just back from shopping (day off) and bought ingredients for a couple more Hugh recipes - SEEDY, NUTTY, DATE & LIME BITES and AUBERGINE, POTATO & TOMATO TRAY ROAST with miso dressing. Sorry for the caps - just copied and pasted from PDF that came with the audible book (yes, have hard copy too but I knew I wouldn't read the first half it wasn't Hugh speaking directly to me whilst I got on with other things!). Going to have chicken breast with the traybake (which also contains beans).

One day soon I'll move from prep mode into losing weight mode - I hope.

I've been practising the Piano more and watching random TV less - so that is the other bit of good news. Oh and new trainers are good so far for foot.

Love reading what everyone else is eating and wearing. Emerald green - just the kind of colour I go for @EasternEcho . Hope you love it and the earring when they arrive!

@EasternEcho emerald green sounds gorgeous, so do the earrings!

@Verlag you're already winning half the battle eating well, the weight will follow. The recipes all sound so comforting at the same time full of goodness.

I’m going to have a hot bath as feel chilled, then spend the evening reading. Long day tomorrow.

We went out to local Spanish restaurant tonight as just us two. Very delicious pudding of cream catalana and a glass of Spanish white plus usual (?) healthy food (lamb cutlets, potatas bravas, padron green peppers, stuffed mushrooms.

I've been practising the Piano@Verlag funny you should mention that. Grade 2 pieces....never too late...

Today I've gone back to dopamine dressing too...ultramarine blue print dress with fuschia cardigan.

I was still 87.25 kg in the afternoon but fear I'm back to 88 kg tomorrow. Still, haven't been out to eat for a long time.

Still deep into The Morning Show with Jennifer Aniston Steve Carell and Reese Witherspoon
.now nearing end of season 2. Two episodes a day. We look forward to it.

I've been reading a book about whales called Leviathan mostly about Melville and Moby Dick but all about whales too. I find American literature very fascinating as it's cultural basis for some many films and drama we watch

@Nettleskeins I came back to the Piano two years ago, after a less then mediocre attempt as a child! Lucky to have an amazing teacher this time round. And really enjoying it (although frustrating hard at times). Are you playing from the current ABRSM grade 2 (I have that book)? What are you playing at the moment?

"Forget me not Waltz"

Also keep trying to re kindle Mozart Sonata in C K545...

I took lessons at 12/14...gave up then tried again 15 years ago with a few lessons; now at least I know what is necessary...scales and close practice. None of my children play the piano except for fun but they are all singers, and ds1 has grade 5 violin.

I do find listening on YouTube how it is MEANT to sound helps considerably then I can play the rhythm by ear.

I'll have a go at that in a minute @Nettleskeins !

I'm currently playing Mozart's Fantasia in D minor K397, just finished Fur Elise (played the easy version as a kid, nice to do the full one 40 years later!). I'm not doing grade exams (yet anyway), I do have the grade books (bought then all as a bundle) though and have done quite a few of the pieces.

I drank wine again last night. Plan is to flip it and NOT drink in the holiday...

Ah yes - when I think I have got something I put one air pod in and play along to a professional playing on Spotify. That usually clarifies I haven't! Would have made all the difference as a kid I think - having the ability to easily listen along/look anything up.

Loving all the piano chat 😊, I do miss piano being a staple of life…I’d have never dreamt when young that many schools now wouldn’t have either daily assemblies or a teacher playing hymn music.

Today I am 12 stone 13, very pleased with that. Huge milestone. Can’t wait to lose one more pound and no longer be bmi obese.

@DoctorDolittle You are doing great! Congratulations on being so close to leaivng the obese range!

I can't play a musical instrument to save my life! I'm an artist though with oils being my primary medium. Haven't been doing it for a while due to generally losing interest in things, but should get back to it soon!

Hope everyone a god day.

Strapatsada for lunch with pumpkin and oat ryvita
Roasted vegetables with spicy mixed beans for dinner
Lots of water

Relaxing day as kids on holiday till Tuesday…I’ll be doing the excitement that is the ironing. 😆
We have nice things planned for over weekend but think it’ll do us all good today to really rest.

Well done @DoctorDolittle - Just one pounds away from a really significant milestone!

I'm off work now for a week (teacher) - really hope I don't waste it! Up to me I suppose...

@Verlag why not have a think about what will make you happy looking back at the end of the week? Even a couple of little things. Makes it more achievable.

Hi everyone! Nice to see a bit of music chat! I am grade 8 clarinet and a qualified music teacher in secondary schools! Piano is a bit rusty but managed grade 3 or 4 a few years back.

Weight day went well. 3lbs off this week so half a stone in 2 weeks since my reset. I'm also in the next stone bracket down (12st 11.5lbs) and only half a pound away from having lost 2 stone!

@Chocolateeggsarebetterthannormalchocolate that’s fantastic! Well done, you’re clearly completely in the zone.