Day 8 UK FD
Day 7 UK NFD

Yesterday was not a CD as it contained vegan ice cream and chocolate rice cakes! Miraculously I weighed in at 80kg again today but I suspect an upswing is in my near future.

I slept very badly and woke up wiped out and in tons of pain. Long covid is rearing its ugly head after a few weeks of respite – fatigue, postural tachycardia, peripheral neuropathy, burning joint & nerve pain, cognitive impairment. I’ve made the wise decision to rest up and look after myself today and think about projects and deadlines tomorrow after a good night’s sleep, getting up early and resting in the heat of the day.

FD late lunch was marmite tea followed by yogurt and berries with raw cacao (to make it feel like a treat); early supper will be egg salad. For once i’ve had no problem drinking plenty of water bc it’s 28C here and feels hotter. If my pain levels go down/energy up I’ll try some adapted yoga this evening before bed, another of my August challenge goals for this month. Nothing makes me feel better than proper self-care and gentle progress

@linda.b yes, really good to spend some fun time with DD after the last few years. We went to Paris together in Feb 2020 and had an excellent time other than me catching covid. This was the first thing that felt like fun since then.
@funshipfreddie good luck with your house hunting
@missybear well done for making such a good start to the August challenge
@brightonbelle hope you have a lovely time away for DH’s birthday
@peonylover welcome to the August challenge
@babs_b I’m with you on snacking – and will also be closing the kitchen after supper!
@gardenlily sounds like a wonderful time in Scotland with your family

Pocket list Day 08
@penz
@i-hate-lettuce
@missybear
@linda.b
@michelinme

Day 8 – UK Cam – FD
Another hot day, especially working in the Gardens (volunteering) in full sun. Decided to do a FD today as no food around where I work and easy to monitor what I consume (until I get home …). Drank gallons of water and wore a grove in the path to the loo! Lunch was egg salad (all homegrown salad, even the red bell pepper) and supper was tuna salad (too hot to cook anything) but added a couple of anchovies and sprinkle of parmesan shavings to jazz it up a little. Salads in greenhouse now all gone and forgot to get fresh plants before going to Scotland so now have to BUY salad – serves me right. Off to buy more lettuce plants tomorrow, provided the nursery has any left – I like a mix of types so I can cut & come again.

@funshipfreddie – hope you can find somewhere to rent/lease soon and Boo Boo can join you.

@Ihatelettuce – we first went to Scotland on our honeymoon and have been going just about every year since (and that was in the 1970s)! We love the Western Highlands and Coastline but usually base ourselves in Perthshire so we can go in all directions. We’ve walked up a fair few Munros too – the poor kids went up their first when they were 5 & 7 yrs (I think it was Schehallion, the Fairy Mountain).

Today’s trivia – off the top of my head: tangerine, orange and lemon?

Determined not to give in to the dragon tonight – end of FD can be hard, when the belly grumbles. I shall immerse myself in the book club read – The Accidental Tourist – which I must hurry up and finish.

Pocket List
@michelinme
@missybear
@IHateLettuce
@penz

Day 9, NFD, Aus

One day at a time!

Welcome (back) @peonylover.

Day 8 Ohio, US — MFD
Days 6 and 7 — NFD

Over the weekend eating stayed on plan. Up til this evening the fasting has gone well, but after “supper” there was a big energy drain. We’re having a major front line, along with some good sized thunderstorms, passing through and it sometimes happens that a strong shift in atmospheric pressure can throw off the electrolyte balance in my body. At least I think that is what has happened.

Pocket List
@michelinme
@missybear
@IHateLettuce
@penz
@mariaelena
@matpi

Day 9 – Ireland 🇮🇪 – NFD
Running late and haven’t caught up with page 3 so will try later.

Suffice to say that FD Friday was a good one, I saw below 164 on Saturday and DH breached the 240’s and is in 230 land. So good we plan to do it again this Friday with an FD then a long motorbike trip on Saturday. The weather is just too good not to be out there 😀and to be able to plan for the weekend with guaranteed sunshine, practically unheard of in Ireland.

Sad stories of dementia and Alzheimer’s. May you all be strong.

Day 9, NFD (CD), Scotland

Thanks for saying im a stellar excerciser ! I find i exercise more now I work from home, as i just need to get out the house! And it also gives hubby a bit of home alone time, which i think is important too. Yes, a walk sounds like a fab idea, and weather to be good this weekend too.

My FD went well yesterday, im really into the groove of the FD’s now. Its not hard not to eat, my mind just knows I cant, I eat my lunch and my dinner and thats it! I’ve just prepped sausage casserole for dinner tonight, and ive added…..a wee spoonful of marmite! Bit risky as im not sure if hubby likes marmite but i wont tell him of course 🙂 I usually add a wee drop of hp sauce so i thought the marmite might add a wee something nice to it.

Body attack after work. I usually muck up and drink wine on a Tuesday evening but im thinking of getting one of those mini bottles, as ill enjoy that but its not excessive, yes i think ill do that.

See ya’ll tomorrow and have a good day.

PS I know where ONJ was born! I was surprised, both hubby and I were like what?!

Day 9 Wales CD

Good FD yesterday although I was hungry at bedtime, typically not hungry on waking and didn’t feel the need to eat until 11.30am. I am finding the measuring and logging of food tedious but it is proving worthwhile as it is showing me how much I have been slipping up on portion control, this morning’s measure of 20g of nuts was a revelation, so I will continue logging for the duration of this challenge.

@funshipfreddie glad to hear Boo Boo will soon be back in your company. Our elderly puss is in her 19th year and despite sleeping much of the day she is a marvellous companion 😻

@matpi interesting how weather conditions affect our bodies, I get what I refer to as ‘storm head’, a kind of pressure buildup headache and sinus pain which clears immediately the clouds break.

@linda.b sad to hear about Olivia, she was a favourite of mine in my teens. I would guess her first hit was ‘If not for you’ and the first film I recall seeing her in was ‘Grease’.

Aiming for a solid CD today, intake is planned and logged.
Have a good day everyone 🙂

Day 9 – Rural Nebraska, USA – WFD
Day 8 – NFD

Yesterday was a delightful day. I slept until 8, rolled out of bed and was in my overalls and outside doing yard work by 8:05, where I worked in my perennial bed until noon. It looks better than it ever has and I keep going to the window and looking out, celebrating how much I accomplished. Then I had to run to the grocery store, and get cleaned up, and do some house tidying, and then the boys came up for dinner because they brough some peonies DS25 dug up for me because he doesn’t want them in his yard. We had a lovely dinner, lively chatter, and then at 8pm DS25 and I went outside to dig up the two blackberry bushes I have that don’t get enough sun, and they’re in the sunniest location I have. It was very strange to be “gardening” at 8pm, but very lovely to be working with my son, and the blackberries are gone and the transplanted peonies are looking happy this morning. Not an optimal time to transplant, but you do what you have to do when your son is out of patience to get something out of his yard, right? 😂😜🥰

You know, ever since I read Jason Fung’s book and learned that it’s not a simple “calories in/calories out” equation, and really digested the whole Keto thing where calories are not a straightforward part of the equation, I’ve been subconsciously explaining to myself that I don’t lose weight if I reduce calories, that calories don’t actually matter.

Yup. That’s what I figured out in the last couple of days. Beyond that I love to cook–evidenced by last night’s dinner, when beans and weanies could have sufficed–I have been sabotaging my efforts on other days by my subconscious idiocy. (I spent a long time trying out various words there; this one is harsh, but seems the most accurate.) So I have my work cut out for me, to rethink that subconscious thought and get my mind on board.

@missybear I can’t even imagine not weighing myself for a month; more power to you!

Thanks to everyone for the kind words re MIL, and @linda.b that had to have been so very awful for you with your own mom. My own was 96 when she died and had some dementia at the very end, but remained sweet and kind the whole time.

And, to the trivia question, since I’m late to the game, I’m going to say out loud: salt and pepper??

@gardenlily Awww, what a lovely time you described in Scotland; thanks for sharing!

@funshipfreddie Yeah, that explanation makes sense…and bummer on losing the one you were ready to buy! Good luck finding one you love even more. Great article; thanks.

@peonylover Welcome! I love that 5:2 is helpful for you in taming diabetes, and we’re delighted to have you join us.

Ahhh, I wondered if salt was a spice. Mustard, huh? That sort of startles me…but not once I think about it. Maybe. Tangelo? That one I know!!!

@northgeorgia Each of us has someone dementia has hit, huh? How old was your grandma when she passed?

I’m certain I’ve missed someone I was going to reply to once I’d read all the comments, but I can’t remember who/what. Oh well, eh?

DH is off to the eye doctor and wants me there to help him choose new glasses, so must water the garden and get out the door; talk to you all later!!

Pocket List – Day 09 🎯
@linda.b
@litprof
@stitchincarol

Day 9 – UK – FD500

An indulgent time off the forum I’m afraid but back to it today with definitely a strong FD500 – I CAN DO THIS!!

Last week I managed Mon – FD300 Tues-Thurs – CDs but then Fri-Sun were feast days all round but back to it today!

A brisk 12.5km hike this morning with 365m elevation gained in 2.5hrs – definitely worked up a sweat and a few calories as it’s a beautiful and hot summer’s day here.

@litprof – welcome back – you know what to do and will get to your goal – stick with us 🤗
@anicecupoftea – you could try a couple of OMAD but make sure that you enjoy your holiday and then get back to this WOL on your return
@gardenlily – lovely to see your post – sounds like the Scottish break was a good one!
@michelinme – good to hear that your DD is doing well and what a treat to get to Commonwealth Games together
@penz – I suspect that MOJO is just lurking round the corner and you will grab hold of it soon
@i-hate-lettuce – great to see your post – you are a great advert for our WOL and an inspiration to many
@peonylover – what a lovely name – I love peonies – welcome
@linda.b – I’m afraid I had to look up today’s TRIVIA question 🎶🎶🎶 and @funshipfreddie she was born in the UK

Pocket List – Day 09 🎯
@linda.b
@litprof
@stitchincarol
@at

I’m reminding myself that “If I quit now, I will soon be back to where I started. And when I started, I was desperately wishing to be where I am now”

Day 10, NFD, Aus

We had our regular pub trivia outing last night and we did appallingly. Your questions aren’t helping my self-belief in my intelligence, @linda.b!!! Seriously, keep ’em up. I do know that ONB’s first movie was not Grease but apart from that I’m stumped for the answers.

Have been enjoying everyone’s posts, esp @funshipfreddie‘s description of his new abode. Maybe you’ll strike oil!

Day 10 – Ireland 🇮🇪 – FD

Steady weight loss for me, and DH powering along with a 10lb loss so far and already feeling it in his clothes. It really is motivational doing the plan together, although me being a lady of a certain age it’s much much slower for me, but it’s happening.

Oh all those memories of Olivia Newton John. I was 9 when Grease came out and loved loved loved her. I still bop about to Xanadu whenever I hear it. So sad, she was so young. So what country was she born in then?

@linda.b I would have to say it’s Cola for the calories ? Please let it be so as I do drink wine and beer 😆

Happy hump day 🐫

Day 10 – South Africa – FD

@linda.b – well, you made it easy for me! I’ve been debating with myself as to whether I should fast today or tomorrow. But I’m on a pocket list already, so it’s a no-brainer 🤪 My appetite has returned with a vengeance now that the most stressful part of my move is over with.

@daffodil2010 – ONJ was born in Cambridge in the UK. I was watching the report on Sky News last night. At the end of it, they showed the scene at the end of the Grease movie, where she’s driving off in the Thunderbird with John Travolta. She turns around & waves goodbye as she looks directly into the camera. So poignant.

@missybear – 19?! That’s a great age for a cat. Boo Boo is pushing 8 – but still thinks she’s a kitten. She’s certainly not getting any wiser with age 😅

Trivia answer – 12 oz beer?

Pocket List – Day 10 🎯
@funshipfreddie
@daffodil2010
@at

Day 10-No. VA, USA-FD
Hello to all. Normally would do fast day tomorrow, but am going to do one today, due to general non-compliance with the plan this month. I sabotage my efforts in the evenings, most days. Knowing that, one would think I could avoid that problem. But….I am taking inspiration from those of you with more determination!

Day 10 – Rural Nebraska, USA – NFD

The water fast went fine yesterday, I’m down 3.6lbs this morning (clearly, much of that was simply bloat from the wonderful meal on Monday evening with the boys), and now I’m trying to figure out my meals for today; I always do much better when I have a solid plan/menu.

I’ve been thinking hard about taming that ridiculous voice that says calories don’t matter–I know they do–and taming the inner dragon that eats so wildly on weekends, and especially on Sundays. No great solutions yet, but I may be making progress, we’ll see.

@northgeorgia You and I have both been stuck in a rut for awhile now. I’ve been–VERY reluctantly–considering committing to logging all my food on MFP, as it will certainly open my eyes, and I’ve also found that I sometimes don’t eat something just because it’s simpler not to eat than to find it and log it. Have you ever used MFP?? Perhaps that’s the simple change that will help you take back control.

@missybear You’re a natural weather forecaster, eh? That has to be miserable!

@michelinme I always smile to think of your mom coming to tea; I’m sure it’s a joy to share those times with her.

@mariaelena It makes me happy to read of how you’re approaching cooking, but when I try to imagine incorporating “gamification” of cooking into my life, I know it won’t happen. I’m too much on the run–and love my two WFs each week–to cook daily, so when I do cook, I want to do all the “fancy/gourmet” stuff I couldn’t do when the kids were little and when our budget was so much tighter. I will, however, have your approach in the back of my mind to prompt changes here and there, so do continue to share as you’re inclined to do so.

@at You’re the one I most noticed when I first joined the forum back in 2015 … Okay, that’s not true. Curious, I just looked it up, and while I did 5:2 in 2015, I did it on my own, and got down to 137. I first joined a monthly challenge in June 2018. Okay, and my point is that it’s always been obvious how STRONG you are, both physically because of your exercising and mentally because of losing the weight and maintaining. I’m also very strong–well, mentally, LOL–but we’re both off track and have forgotten how to tap into that strength, haven’t we?

@gardenlily “Grilled tomatoes on rye sourdough” … Wow. I’ve never thought to grill a tomato for a sandwich; do you put anything else on it other than, I assume, mayonnaise?

@linda.b You are such an excellent cheerleader; thank you! As to the trivia, I’m guessing it’s beer, which is close to 200 if you like an IPA as I do, because I think a regular cola is 150…yes?

@daffodil2010 Did you notice what you wrote today? “Steady weight loss for me.” Whatever you’re doing, it’s working, because I don’t recall you ever making that statement! Well, well, well done!!

@funshipfreddie I love hearing a more peaceful you behind your posts; so glad your big move is behind you, as I’m thinking the move to a different place in a few months will be more less stressful.

@excelsior12309 Good to hear from you! Yeah, sabotaging ourselves happens regularly. Try this: if you make someone a promise, you keep it, right? Because you take your promises seriously? Then promise yourself that you’ll _______________ whatever it is. And then keep the promise. Start small, if you think that will help, but make a promise and then KEEP the promise.

You know who else we’re missing? @emma-taylor! She had such great success with the Ridiculously Big Salad, and went AWOL; if you’re reading this, we miss you!

Okay, I’m off to get a perm. I know it’s not the current fashion, but DH loves those tight curls, so I do it. 🥰

Have a grand one, everyone!

Pocket List – Day 10 🎯
@funshipfreddie
@daffodil2010
@at
@excelsior12309
@goal10kg

Day 11 – Lake District UK – FD

Good morning all,

Early on the list for Thursday’s Fast Day, as going to be a hot one, so I’m having an early start to avoid the midday heat.

Take care all

Pocket list day 11
@i-hate-lettuce

Day 11, NFD (CD), Scotland

Yessss! Ive lost more weight! I didnt weight myself last week as I got up on the Thursday and had something to eat and a cup of coffee then thought oh shoot ive not weighed myself! And as silly as it sounds, i didnt want to weigh myself after eating! But maybe weighing every two weeks is the way forward for me, as i see more progress!!! Im BUZZING 🙂

Day 11 Wales FD

Having a lovely week enjoying the summer sunshine. DH and I are unable to go away on holiday together owing to our fur baby parental responsibilities, our elderly puss has to be given epilepsy medication at regular times and we just don’t want to consider putting her into a cattery, at 19 she needs regular routine and home comfort, so the 3 of us are enjoying our garden and DH and I are having local trips between pill administration times. Yesterday we discovered a new marina development with interesting shops, restaurants and bars……and yes I partook of a brew, a treat of a cold beer was called for 🍺 then in the early evening we sat outside at the village pub and I had a delicious large chilled white wine. With those treats I just managed to keep within TDEE by making very careful food choices 🙂

Joining the Thursday fasters today, together we are stronger 😊

Day 11 – UK – FD

Had a lovely day with DD yesterday, not too hot and a cooling breeze by the coast – 4hrs of dog walking following by a mango/coconut ice cream by the seaside 😎 but due to an unexpected visit from friends late afternoon which turned from afternoon tea in the garden to dinner with 🥂 it meant that my FD didn’t happen but today is a new day and I’m determined to get a good 2nd FD in this week!

So hot today – walked into the village for some food shop and was 🥵 by the time I got back home so nothing else for it but to sit in the shade in the garden enjoying the perfume from all the old fashioned roses 🌹around me and read my book with a pot of tea 🫖on the side – perfect temperature in the shade!

Now that the sun has invaded my space I’m back indoors and catching up on here for a bit 🤗

@excelsior12309 – great to see your post – there are a few of us who have been struggling so join us for a positive August as TOGETHER WE ARE STRONGER
@stitchincarol – yes we’re both off track and have forgotten how to tap into that strength – but we can do this – we know what we need to do and I have promised myself that August and September are the months to do it in with my Mojo firmly in place
@i-hate-lettuce – certainly proving to be a hot one but much worse down south as told by my Suffolk friends..
@linda.b – Thanks for the encouragement……..I’m hanging in there……My special tips for reining in the evening dragon is to drink plenty of water all day and specifically a big glass before, with and after evening meal – avoid alcohol as it certainly increases the need to keep snacking – don’t keep snacks/chocolates or whatever your temptation 🐉🐉 is in the house!! BTW great advice to @stitchincarol – I might look at this for myself 🤗
@daffodil2010 – well done to both you and your DH – you are providing inspiration to us all who are struggling at the moment 🤗

Lovely to read everyone’s posts and all the UK seem to be enjoying a fabulous summer despite the very hot conditions in the south and the shortage of water – up here in the lakes, no shortage of water, everywhere is very verdant and the bracken has overtaken the less trodden paths on the fell – head high in places where I was walking on Tuesday

“Don’t let a stumble in the road be the end of your journey”

Day 11 – Rural Nebraska, USA – WFD

Discouraged. That describes me today. Somehow, I never managed to put on my I’m-in-control-of-my-actions hat yesterday, and ended up eating WAY more than my plan. I was pretty much yelling at myself to STOP! as I went into the kitchen for each subsequent nibble, and it did no good: I ignored my inner self and just nibbled. And this explains why I don’t lose weight, despite my entirely successful water fasts: I ate as many extra calories on Wednesday as I burned on Tuesday.

Why do we sabotage ourselves this way?? My “make yourself a promise” approach is an obvious answer, but that’s what I didn’t manage to pull off at the beginning of the day. @basyjames (from a year ago) was so completely right that this is a mind game, and we MUST gain control of our mind if we’re to be successful.

So I’m starting today to think about what I’ll eat on Friday, so that I can stay in control. One thing that I know: if I’m not home, I don’t eat, so on days when I know or suspect I’m going to struggle, I need to have plans in place so that I am doing things elsewhere.

@penz YAY!!! I’ve been sad that you had such a wonderfully successful July, but your mojo has been in short supply for August (am I reading between the lines of your posts correctly??), so I’m delighted for you that you had an easy FD yesterday.

@linda.b As to your topic of reigning in the evening dragon, I know one answer that works: DO something. GO somewhere. Don’t just sit (and watch TV) so that you can think about food and what you’re longing for. And why don’t I do that? I’m tired by then. As to what I did in 2015 that I’m not succeeding with now? Nothing fancy, just the normal 5:2, but somehow my resolve was strong enough to accomplish it; these days, I don’t manage to have reasonable NFDs, and we all know how that’s the hugest challenge of this WOL. Thanks for the thought, but I haven’t yet succeeded in “doing
what I used to do.” 😢

@mariaelena Coffee-flavored yogurt is also my favorite and I can’t find it in any brand most of the time, so thanks loads for the tip!

@daffodil2010 Love your description of your evenings in your garden. I don’t have enough sunshine in my yard for nicotiana, but I have tree lilies; I’ll certainly smile to think of you every time I look at my own!

@goal10kg CONGRATULATIONS!!!! You deserve the success of losing given how well you’re eating, and how consistently you’re working out and building muscles!

@funshipfreddie Well, I teach piano (does that count as “playing”?) and play organ every Sunday, and I read an average of 30 minutes per day. Does posting here count as writing for pleasure?? 🥰 Interesting article. What I can say about it in connection to my MIL is that for the last year, she has sat in her chair and watched TV most of every day. She’s never been a reader, she’s never played any instrument, she doesn’t write, she doesn’t exercise, she socializes very little…and it’s in the last year that we think the dementia has really exploded. Now I’m thinking about all my family and which of these activities they do. Fascinating. Thanks for posting!

@missybear That was some impressive food decisions you made, to enjoy a beer and white wine and stay within TDEE; well, well done!

@northgeorgia It’s one thing when we self-sabotage, but when life gangs up on our plans, that’s a far worse frustration. I hope it can all work out well for you!

@at Another lovely description of back yard beauty; thanks!

@gardenlily Your busy morning sounds delightful and productive; well done!

Well, I should get off the sofa and get started on my day. Have a grand one, everyone!

Day 11 – 16:8

Fast day yesterday went ok – didn’t get enough fiber rich veg in tho. Was being lazy and just had rotisserie chicken and some yogurt (but really that was all I had an appetite for) and I can’t let that continue. Must have my fiber, b/c I really notice (uncomfortably) if I don’t.

@funshipfreddie – thanks for the article. I read and exercise (hoop dance) so that is a plus for me, but I’m not very social – I have some pretty severe social anxieties and just naturally seem to be a more self contained type. Covid precautions have emphasized those traits in me as well. Happily my 91 yr old papa is doing well – he does get frustrated with his memory for names (he is an avid news follower who always knew the names of the newsmakers and news reporters) but I haven’t seen any worrisome behaviors other than that so I keep my fingers crossed.

@linda.b My tip for the evening munchies is go brush your teeth. For me, at least that generally shuts it down. If I still ‘have to have’ something, I make a flavorful herbal tea (well, not in this heat wave, but otherwise). Ginger and lemon, licorice or mint seem to help do the trick for me. Also, I always have a glass of water next to me in the evenings. Sometimes just drinking that down will calm an evening urge to eat. I guess I have a number of strategies because this is the very challenging time for me – post dinner. I manage fine at meals and not snacking in the afternoons, but boy do evenings loom with challenges.

@stitchincarol – interesting question that I have not seen a good evidence based answer to. I’d guess all of the mental puzzle games should help, certainly couldn’t hurt!

@goal10kg Yay for the results!! Especially gratifying after missing a weigh-in.

I’m feeling so lazy today, and enjoying my seat in the corner window with my coffee, this forum and my kitties. The weather outside for a few days is under triple digits (but still above 95°) and it is surprising how refreshing that relative coolth feels. Tonight we try to trap the local ‘mama’ cat who had another kitten this spring so we can take her to get fixed. Last summer’s kittens have moved on and I worry but hope they are doing well. We haven’t seen the occasional glimpses of them for a while, but the extreme weather probably explains that- I guess they are snoozing in the day and making their rounds after nightfall.

Ok, best get a move on. Sending good thoughts.

Day 12, NFD, Aus

Yes, you’re absolutely reading between the lines accurately, @stitchincarol. My mojo is just not around. My FDs are doing ok but I’m sabotaging the rest of the week. Grumble.

I need to catch some of the steely resolve and determination I read in @northgeorgia‘s post.

Well done @goal10kg!

have a great weekend everyone.

Day 11 Ohio, US — MFD
Days 9 and 10 — NFD

Monday turned out to be a CD instead of an MFD. After I posted that evening the pain in my lymph glands was so severe that I had a bowl of whole grain cereal and some dates, as well as a couple of ibuprofen. So I probably went over by about 300 calories. But it enabled me to sleep that night. The last two evenings I also had big energy drains in the evening, so had to forego posting.

In contrast today has gone well. The fasting went well with no energy drains. Maybe it was because that front line finally passed through the area? In any case, I was able to get a good walk in. I figure that with the walk amounting to about 200 calories burned, my 800 calories for the MFD really nets 600 calories, the amount recommended for men in the original Fast Day book.

@michelinme Your FD menu sounds wonderful! Unfortunately, I pretty much eat the same pattern now every FD. Not much variety, but it ensures that no matter what happens, meals will be prepared..

Pocket list for today
@at
@northgeorgia
@missybear
@stitchincarol
@michelinme
@matpi

Day 12 – South Africa – NFD

@at – 4 hours of dog walking?! That’s a lot of walking. And I was so proud of my 9975 steps! 😅 Do you track your steps?

@stitchincarol – just glancing at the comments from readers, & a lot of people disagree with the conclusions of that dementia article. And someone also commented that the article doesn’t even mention crossword puzzles. I’m sure it’s partly the luck of the draw when it comes to health. We’ve all known someone who smoked 40 a day, reached 90+ & never had so much as a cold. I’m sure teaching piano counts though! Just doing what we enjoy, keeping busy & exercising must all make a difference, I would think?

@mariaelena – I’m the same when it comes to social events. I’m okay with one or two people, but a crowd of people, especially strangers?! No thanks. I think I get more introverted the older I get. And apparently that’s quite common, especially with men. I don’t think I’m antisocial, I just don’t ‘need’ people. Whenever I hear that song, ‘People’ (who need people are the luckiest people) I think – no they’re not, they’re just annoying 😅

@linda.b re trivia – I know! But I cheated – again 🙄

Happy Fri-yay, y’all 🍷

Day 12 UK NFD

So pleased I managed to stick to a FD yesterday – I woke up cheered tho still weary & spaced out. Today I’ll be listening to my body a bit more carefully, grounding and going slow. As my neuropsychologist told me years ago, sometimes you need to redefine success!

My weekly weigh day has me at 80kg – that’s probably a weekend of chocolate, rice cakes and ice cream balanced by two successful FDs and gallons of water! I’ll take it – it’s better than where I started the month which makes it progress. My monthly goal is to get into the 70-something kgs/170-something lbs – that’s anywhere down from here!

Hot weather is good for not over-eating! I’m planning on staying home this weekend until the heat settles down. Luckily I’ve got a fridge/freezer full of lovely veg & salad, berries and vegan ice cream and a yen to eat as colourfully as possible. Gentle stretching, meditation, resting and pottering in small practical or fun ways – a 3-day restful retreat at home….