Day 27 – Rural Nebraska, USA – NFD

I woke up around 4am on Sunday morning and went to the bathroom since I was awake–and I also sneezed about two dozen times. That’s unheard of for me, and I was not happy with my body’s behavior! When I woke up for the day a bit before 7, I sneezed another two dozen times and blew my nose just as many times. I was miserable during church, going through a dozen tissues or more, and then had to work with the kids as they began learning their parts for their Christmas Eve service; by the time that was done, I was wiped out and was thankful to walk home (it’s a block). I found a medicine in our cupboard that promised to help with a runny nose and sneezing, so took it into the kitchen where the boys were already at work and had one of them read the label for me so I didn’t have to hunt up my readers. He made a joke about not being able to have alcohol, and I snorted, took the medicine and within twenty minutes felt FAR better; whew!

So we cooked and cooked and had our appetizers (one of which we all loved, the other of which, based on a small wheel of camembert, I was the only one who loved) and got the turkey into the oven, and went and played pinochle. Dinner was finally served at 5pm, and the GF options were not the rousing success I’d hoped for, but they were fine, at least…and I fell asleep at the dining room table. Literally.

Turns out my son wasn’t joking about not being able to have alcohol with that medicine. AND I’d taken a second dose too soon, not realizing my mistake. So, we’ll always remember this Thanksgiving dinner as the year Mom fell asleep over dinner, LOL! 😂😂 However, I slept last night for ten full hours–closer to eleven, actually–and feel far better than I did yesterday, so perhaps this cold is going to stay away.

@northgeorgia I heard a small bit of determination in your voice today, and that’s a good sign. Hang on and you’ll eventually begin to make progress again!!! And, here’s a thought for you: we’ve often said that hosting helps increase the motivation and weight loss is more consistent during months someone hosts. Are you willing to host for December?

I got all the fall stuff put away, and the Christmas stuff is all out, except for the Christmas dishes and the two trees, so I’m feeling quite virtuous about everything. This Saturday is the church’s annual Cookie and Candy Boutique, so this is the week I bake like a crazy woman. We’re only asked to bring 6dozen cookies, but I’ve baked as many as 70-80 dozen in some years, so you can imagine how much flour, butter and sugar I’m going through in one week. I have it down to a science where I mix up a double batch of the cookie dough, scoop it out with a scoop, squeeze it out close to the next ball of dough, and when the cookie sheet is full, I freeze them, then drop them into a freezer bag. Then when I bake on Friday, it’s a simple matter of thawing them and putting them onto cookie sheets. (I’m working hard to encourage myself, as I’m not entirely delighted to be baking this week, LOL!)

Have a grand one, everyone!

Pocket List
@merry🍎

Day 28 NFD NZ 80.5kg

I’ve started filling in our monthly sheet because it’s amazing how much my weight bounces around. In the old days I would be ecstatic with a drop and lose enthusiasm with a rise. It’s helpful to see daily variations and not throw the baby out with the bath water (such a great quote!) I can keep tabs on the ebb and flow of weight variation without any loss of mojo. Does that make sense to anyone else?
I’ve got out an old soft red nylon backpack I’ve had since I was a teenager and put Mr Mac in it on the walk home after dropping the Mini off. Much to my surprise he tolerated it really well although I did carry him on my front so I can catch him if he tries to wiggle out. Carrying 10kg of dog on one side for any distance was doing in my back muscles. I’m going to swap the arms over so they cross at the back and don’t slide off.
@stitchincarol Hope your cold hasn’t come to much… what an amazing sleep! Gluten free flour can be a poor substitute for the real thing… I would cook the turkey with your usual stuffing and also make gluten free stuffing with a GF sausage and bread to cook in a separate tin… You can pour turkey juices over it later! That way everyone’s happy! Or use a GF crushed biscuit base (like for a cheese cake) instead of pastry for the cherry pie and fill it with your usual recipe. Just a thought!
@funshipfreddie I’m off to collect my car this morning. I had a hose replaced. Need the back brakes done in 3 months. Otherwise it’s a clean bill of health! Hope it’s the same for your Kaha!

3 days to go! Steely Resolve !!!

Day 28 – Ireland – FD 🚫🚶‍♂️✅ 🌾

Hi all, I didn’t get a chance to check in again yesterday but back on track after a busy weekend of family commitments and time spent with friends. All good and just what was needed after a sad day on Thursday.
I think I can safely say that everyone here was in shock on Friday and embarrassed that Ireland was figuring in international news for all the wrong reasons…
The events were not protests but out and out thuggery and looting by a minority of mostly young people of many ethnicities who like to rob, steal and instil fear in others because they have nothing better to do with their time…it’s worrying how quickly the call out can go to these people on social media following a shocking random incident and how little our police force can do in the face of such violence. Hopefully this will change now. 🙏 I work with fabulous young people from all over the world and it’s sad to know that didn’t feel safe and honestly still don’t..

I had a lovely weekend with lots of fun times with friends and special time with mum 💕

@stitchincarol well done for trying out baking with GF flour… it’s not great 😌 – and most GF baked goods are super dense and sweet. It means I’m cutting back big time on pastries etc. I’ll have to get my head around Christmas: stuffing, etc I’ll be at mums and my sister is cooking but I’ll have to have GF replacements.

@merryapple – how cute to think of Mr Mac in his backpack.🐶🐶 well done to you carrying him – that’s a workout.

Enjoy the meeting @funshipfreddie hopefully not too long drawn out..

On a FD again.. yesterdays was ok until I met my pal for one little bulmers 🍏 🍻. It was just one but… I go again…👍

Onward and downward ⬇️
We rise by lifting others 💕

Pocket List – Day 28 ⭐️
@jaifaim

Day 28 – Rural Nebraska, USA – WFD

DH and I went to visit his mom yesterday, and on impulse stopped at a Mexican restaurant afterward instead of coming home to yet MORE turkey leftovers. We’re still enjoying them, but they are becoming monotonous. But Mexican sure has inspired lots of bloating for me, so today’s WF is much needed!

@funshipfreddie I mixed up and scooped one double-batch of cookies yesterday, and they’re in the freezer. I’ll do two more tomorrow, then thaw and bake them all on Friday. So, yes, the aroma is killer, but I set myself limits and generally succeed. It’s when I’m mixing them up that I struggle not to eat a bunch of cookie dough!! 😂😂

@jaifaim Special time with your mum and family and friends is so lovely. As to the GF Thanksgiving foods, some of the less-than-stellar results were down to mistakes I made (for example, I toasted the breadcubes for the stuffing far too long), but the bread I made from the website I was using was STELLAR…my son’s expression as he ate a slice he’d toasted and buttered and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar? Priceless. Here’s that website and you can hunt around for other recipes. https://www.mamagourmand.com/best-gluten-free-bread-recipe/ So far, I think her stuff is as good as it can possibly be.

@merryapple I weigh every day, so have seen the up and down of the scale so often that it no longer troubles me. For example, weigh yourself. Go drink a FULL glass of water. Go weigh yourself. You’ll have “gained weight.” I learned that when I was still a teenager, and already working to be thin.

@northgeorgia Thanks for agreeing to host December!! As to an all-you-can-eat buffet? You’ll have to do some serious mental arguing before you go, to ensure that you make good choices, and don’t get sucked up by the way food is displayed to tempt you into eating more than you usually would–and more than you actually want. Those are tough places to withstand, and it’s tempting to think “I have to eat more so I get my money’s worth.” Pizza Ranch is a place around here that is a struggle for me, because their pizza is really good and they also have fried chicken that is stellar. So, we just never go any more (largely because my MIL no longer goes out to eat, and that was her choice of restaurant)!

It’s astounding to me how many of our regulars have dropped away, including our host for November. I miss their chatter! @daffodil2010 You’re one who popped into my mind today…how’s working from home going?

Okay, I’m off. One of my adult students needs to buy a different piano, so instead of a lesson today, I’m meeting her at the house that has a piano she’s considering, where I’ll play it and give my thoughts as to whether it’s worth buying. Fun stuff!

Have a grand one, everyone!

Pocket List – Day 28 ⭐️
@jaifaim
@stitchincarol WFD

Great to have company.. was feeling lonely 😄
Thanks for offering to host December @northgeorgia. We will all help out in that busy month ⭐️🎄⭐️

Pocket List – Day 28 ⭐️
@jaifaim
@stitchincarol WFD
@flourbaby

Day 29 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – FD

Last FD for November. Gotta run…

Happy Hump Day! 🐫

Pocket List – Day 29 🥚
@funshipfreddie
@northgeorgia

Day 29-No. VA USA-FD

Well, fasting again today. Weight is stagnant. @northgeorgia, I believe you are right when you refer to the water-holding capacity of carbohydrates! Thank you for hosting for December.
@jaifaim, I made a lemon cake with almond flour and olive oil, (I think) for a birthday cake for a person with celiac disease. It was delicious, though not very Christmassy, I guess…otherwise, I have not done much gluten free baking. Coconut macaroons, I suppose, are gluten free. @stichincarol, I salute your energy! And welcome back, @flourbaby!

Day 29, London, UK, NFD

Well yesterdays FD meal was resounding success, as a founding member of the ZBC I split my prawn, pea & shallot fried cauliflower rice (492cals!) between 2pm lunch and 7pm dinner. It worked a treat, no hunger, no urge to snack or throw in the towel in desperate need of FOOD!!!

I’m glad today’s a NFD, especially after reading your breakfast menu @merryapple!!! I may be ZBC, but Mmmm, Mmm, Mmm …………creamy porridge!!!🤤🤤🤤

@northgeorgia, hang in there!!! You CAN do this dragon slaying!!! The hosting will help🐲⚔

@excelsior12309, unfortunately, stagnant might be my word of the month!!!😁😁

Onwards & downwards!!!

I may not be there yet, but I’m closer than I was yesterday!!!

FD Day 30 FD NZ 80.7kg

-1.7kg for November… I’m on a FD today. I’m not quite sure how I managed a good finale after being in the doldrums in the middle of the month except to use one word – consistency. I followed my daily timetable of eating earlier in the evening at 6pm with salads and vegetables and protein (rump steak, asparagus and cauliflower last night), no supper and having carbs mostly at breakfast and lunch for energy in the daytime. I haven’t done any particular exercise except carrying Mr Mac around, gardening and general moving around. I needed to get my weight down before I began targeted exercises like a gymn which will be on my New Year’s resolutions list!

Go well!

Pocket List
Merry🍎

Day 30 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – NFD 70.8 kg

A whopping 0.1 kg below November’s starting weight. How’s that for maintenance? 😅 It’s been a roller-coaster month, for a few of us I think. Would’ve been good to accumulate a bit of wiggle room before the silly season starts, but we’ve still got the best part of a month to work on that.

@stitchincarol – I don’t think I ever experience my stomach growling. I wonder if that’s unusual? But I remember an author stating – “real hunger is experienced in the mouth”. Can’t remember who it was, maybe Jason Fung or Michael Mosley? I’d never thought about it until I read it, but that’s certainly true for me. It’s hard to describe the sensation. As for me being busy, I certainly can’t claim to be that 95% of the time. I’m never at a loss for something to do, but I’m naturally lazy. This week’s been a bit different, but usually I could spend the whole day on the sofa, so I have to push myself to move. And I only use the car when it’s absolutely necessary. I think my success with fasting is mostly down to tenacity. I’m tenacious when it comes to my fast days. I may switch the days around, but whatever happens the rest of the week, I WILL stick to my 2 FDs. I don’t think one week’s gone by this year without me sticking to two FDs, sometimes three. And I never bake cookies, even on NFDs 😜

@jaifaim – just above maintenance is a good place to be! Hump day was okay, but I didn’t enjoy having to go to the mall on a FD, because that’s one of my favourite places to have lunch. I’ll try to avoid Wednesday FD’s in future.

@merryapple & @metatauta – both almost 4 lb down! And still a day to go 🎯 🏅 & well done to everyone else for maintaining or/& clinging on to the wagon

@northgeorgia – thanks for offering to host December 🙏 & thank you to @at for hosting November 💐

Hoping to see everyone in December 🎄

“Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal. My strength lies solely in my tenacity.” ~ Louis Pasteur

Day 30, London, UK, NFD

Well, I’m closing out this month with a NFD rather than my planned FD. I forgot the office Xmas drinks are this evening! My tuna & cauli-rice will wait until Saturday, I’m following you @funshipfreddie and vowing not to miss my 2 FDs/week. I’ll just shift it to Saturday and pat myself on the back!!!

STAGNANT………… not a great word, not a great feeling, but a heck of a lot better than Gained, Up, Increased, Added or……………… EXPANDED!!😱😱😱

@northgeorgia, Thank you, I’m looking forward to you hosting December!! We’re going to NAIL this!!! I’m going with daily reminders that IT’S ONLY ONE DAY!!!!

Congratulations to those who’ve discarded some timber and also to those of us who have been marching in place, it’s all about perspective!!! November may have been a small group of us, but ……………………

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead

Day 30 USA/HAWAiI FD800
Ending the month at 164 lbs so at least I did not gain.
Thanks to @notthgeorgia for hosting December. Please count me in.

I could not stay focused in November. After weeks on feeling overwhelmed with sadness, I flew to Honolulu to stay with my son. Being with him and his girlfriend and a change of scenery was helpful.

Now back at home but not alone. A long time friend is visiting and recovering from a successful cancer surgery. She is here to rest and build her strength back up. We like to eating the same healthy foods so we share the cooking. She’s a walker and insists I will get out for at least one walk with her every day.

Thanks to all for still being here. I am committing to logging in every day in December. I am inspired by your posts. @funshipfreddie I love your dedication to the 2 FD a week no matter what. I know that it works and really is the only thing that will get me back on the journey to a healthy weight. I want to feel alive with energy again. This extra weight makes me feel tired and so sleepy.