Happy Anniversary Jean! Hope you’ve had a nice lunch out! I wondered at your screen name- Symba- now we know why. We’ve had some lovely cats too- but youngest son seems to be very allergic to them now (13 years since we last had one) so wouldn’t dare get one.
Cakey- well done you on the stone! nobody noticed my first one- but then they didn’t comment when I put it on, so I guess that I shouldn’t complain! It’s easier when you have an event etc. to aim for, I’m sure you’ll be in shape for the spa weekend, lovely! Our Josie has had extra chicken for a while now- I need to disguise her tablets in something, & since she had pancreatitis she can’t eat cheese or peanut butter that she was fond of before!
Dave all sounds like it’s promising with the kitchen (apart from the wallpapering!)- you said ‘ovens’- was that a slip or are you having more than one? I’ve got a lovely range style cooker with 2 ovens, although don’t often use both.
Kay- hope the weigh in is better at the end of the week! I’ve been up & down a lot since Christmas… Hope those second best houses turn out okay!
Typhoo- Friday’s a tough day for a FD, but obviously it suits you? We always have a nice meal on a Friday, but I have a stir fry or courgette instead of pasta if I’m on a Friday FD- I will be this week, hopefully.
Saw my Home-Start family today- out to the park again even though it was freezing & had snowed, but did lots of running about… resisted breakfast, & lunch, so going okay. I worked out I can have a cuppa or two with milk today & still not go over the carbs, so will see if that makes a difference to the headaches!

Kitchen looking good,all the cupboards up, ovens in, surfaces on, Washing machine in place, so tomorrow they will plumb it in and Friday wire it all up, then we need it tiling,he is coming round Friday to measure up for tiles, think we are having metro tiles.

Hello everyone

Happy anniversary Jean & Steve, how was lunch?
Kitchen sounds like it’s coming along quickly Dave
Happy holiday, have a safe & wonderful trip Minols
Well done on the fasting today Lynne & HH
Hello to others Kay, MStar, Typhoo

Chicken & chips for dinner. Very nice although would never make it for myself. Mum and dads tastes more conservative I think. But the chicken was lean and I left half the chips. Not too much damage done. Mum and dad’s scales much better than mine and I weigh at least 1-2 lbs lighter. The ridiculous thing is it doesn’t matter which scale I use Im still ‘me’ but because it reads lighter I feel lighter. There will be some psychology about keep trying different scales until you find a number you like. Makes me smile though.

The doors have been taken off and standing in the sitting room. The freezer, washer and dishwasher are in the dining room, chairs etc in the study. The floorers are hopeful they will be finished tomorow or Friday. Still feels a lot of putting back together and anything more than changing a plug is outside my OH DIY capability.

Going away for the weekend a week on friday to Rutland in a little cottage. I know it’s cold but I am so looking forward to the break and a couple of days off work.

No adverse effects from yoga so booked back in for next week. Hopeful.

Random question – does anyone eat prawns? Heard a discussion on radio 2 about them actually being really low calorie and nice snack with salt, pepper and vinegar. I’m not a shellfish lover but I checked the packet (me too Jean!) at Sainsbury’s and they do seem very low. Just a thought. I’m trying to keep off added salt too however to avoid too much water retention but interested if anyone else likes them. Or did I just make that up about salt and water retention – so many theories.

CW

Cakey- I don’t know about the prawns, but the cottage in Rutland sounds lovely!
Lynne- well done with the walking & hope the rest of your fast has gone okay.
Minols- have a great trip!
Done well on my FD- resisted nephew’s birthday cake- my sister made it, but was under strict instructions not to make it ‘shoddy’- nephew is at catering college & works part time as a chef! Have a good day ahead tomorrow to keep me distracted- my friend is dropping off her baby, I’ll look after her (eek!) while friend goes to hairdressers, then we’ll have lunch (at mine so I can eat what fits in with the low carbs!). Sadly friend is moving to Belfast soon, so I’ll really miss her 🙁

Forgot to mention I did go swimming,i did 30 lengths,my arms were aching after two 🏊🏊fast day today now it’s past midnight,I hope all other fasters have a good day.

Well I have a rather naughty Woof who wouldn’t settle last night. We went to bed at 10 but ended up getting back up and dressed to take him out. He normally sleeps until 8 and in no rush to get up but we were up and out for a walk st 6:30. He’s very barky too which isn’t like him.

Well that’s one way to get the steps up but feeling very groggy headed now.

Got booted out of the forum this morning and couldn’t reset my password to get back in, took me about 6 reset attempts.

Right I’m off to look for my positive pants before I just decide today isn’t going well.

Hope the no/low cards ok Hh, I don’t know what to do today. I wasn’t planning a Fast as at mum and dad’s but would like to keep it low as our for dinner Friday night and then having friends come for dinner on Saturday.

Good luck anyone fasting today I know Thursday is a FD for quite a few.

CW

Early start here as Neil’s car in garage. Im going to do a full fast…drinks only. Need it. Be good to feel empty and give my body a rest!

Jean- sorry, somehow I missed your post about changing the car! I’ve never driven an automatic either… I like the idea of ‘mucky red colour’! Hope the step-daughter’s dog has her op okay- sounds like a lot to put it through, it is a hard decision. I hate, hate the cold too, I’ve been freezing all week! Guess you’ll be out shopping for more milk then?!
Cakey- hope you manage with not much sleep!
Dave- I think you need a little salt, but too much salty stuff can cause water retention.
Kay- hope your fast goes well.
I wasn’t needed to babysit after all, my friend thought her baby would need feeding , can’t help with that! Still on for lunch though.

Afternoon everyone

Jean, a new car, how exciting. I’ve driven an automatic a couple of times, once in Canada when Phil ‘forgot’ his driving licence and once as a reward in work, an automatic Audi convertible for a month along with petrol card – shame it was January.

Hedgehogs, I’m trying to go low carb as well, when I have bread I make other bad choices, and if I cut the carbs I can get so much more food for the calories.

CW, I heard about the prawns on R2 as well, and ended up buying some. I’m the only one who likes them so a treat for me. Too much salt will cause water retention, but needed in moderation for the body to function efficiently. I’d rather take it in prawns and smoked fish than ‘hidden’ in processed foods.

Kay, good luck with the fast, it’ll put you back on track.

Typh00 are you fasting today?

Dave, my dog barks at anyone at the door, but the minute they come in she cowers. A right wuss. Things seem to be coming along with the kitchen.

Well yesterday was a good FD, and trying to be sensible today. Have taken the dog, but not in the mood for much else. Really need to get cracking but I think I’ll leave it until after the weekend and have a few days break. May do a bit more sorting in the spare room and get ready for a trip to the tip at the weekend. I do love a good run to the tip, it’s like bin day on steroids.

It’s hard to move from the sofa when the dog is curled up next to me and the cat is asleep on the chair. Very badly behaved pets, just like the rest of the family.

Lynne x

Held out so far….now hitting danger time!
Just waiting for a call from the garage so we can go and pick Neils car up, then I will need to be strong whilst he cooks and eats tea. Its only tonight, I can eat after Ive weighed myself in the morning!!!

I dont know what it is but on a fast day i feel worst after i have my meal,as for salt i cant bare food without salt so will never go without it.The hob is now connected and the electrician is coming early tomorrow,still got no water as the plughole is missing,he is going to collect it in the morning,so by this time tomorrow night we will have a working kitchen.Then we have to get the tiles put up and then wallpaper.

Lynne- you can’t beat a snuggle on the settee with your babies, what a lovely excuse to sit down for a bit! Shame about the convertible in January!
Dave- When I first did FDs I would get so over-hungry that I’d feel sick & not eat much dinner, but thankfully that seems to have gone off now. Kitchen nearly done! 🙂 🙂
Jean & Kay- hope your FDs still going okay & that the scales are friendly in the morning!
Typhoo- I’ll be fasting tomorrow with you, but might not be on much..
My Josie has huge, alarming hackles which she puts up when anyone knocks at the door, or she sees a dog she’s worried about! She barks too- but saw off an opportunist burglar once by barking- funny thing is she’d probably just have licked him if he had have come in!
Friend’s baby had bad colic, so lots of crying- glad I didn’t have to babysit her in the end! Friend quite upset at the thought of moving away…
Josie was quite poorly again today, so we know we’ve made the right decision
🙁

Hedgehogs, thinking of you, hugs, Lynne x

Hedgehogs, thinking of you today, such a difficult decision but the last act of love and kindness we can do for our furbabies. Take care.

Thank you all (again!) for your kind wishes & words… it was all very peaceful & good, her favourite vet, assistant & loads of chicken. She’d obviously not been feeling well this morning, so that reinforced it. Unfortunately the vet’s car wouldn’t start when they were leaving, so they came back in for coffee while waiting for a lift! So Josie has gone, but Sue’s car is still here until her hubby can come over & tow it away! Trying to keep busy the rest of the day.
Very sad too as we were woken in the night to banging- the police were breaking into the neighbour’s behind us. It appears the husband took his own life- his wife & very young boys left a couple of weeks ago. Don’t know them well, but knew one of the boys from when I helped at school.
Jean- so frustrating to be on a plateau- could you cope with an extra FD a week, might get things moving again? Hope that you have a lovely meal with Steve & family tomorrow!
Lynne- Disappointing if the school didn’t request special consideration for Bec- most schools are usually really quick to do that, if only for their own results/ league tables!

Afternoon All..

Been out sorted the money out for the car, snack lunch at cafe but no cake…Steve weight moving has made him strong and resisting things…

Lynne..
Hoping the school takes on board what you have said and take your circumstances into account…it’s a lot going on for a young person to take. Have a nice walk with the dog..

We have had snow flurries off and on but not laying…it’s really cold we were well wrapped up which is unusual for us…

Do you think liquid fast days are any difference to 500 cal days…for weight movement?? I would be interested.

Hedgehog..
Glad everything was peaceful and with your choice of vets….daughters dog is having her op now, started at 10 am..not heard anything yet…..maybe three FD’s is the answer for me, I will have a think..

How sad on your neighbour and for the family, I understand what they are going through……my BIL did the same…it’s so devastating for everyone left..for us there was no answers.

Kay..
I was wondering were you was up to…a pound up but you have had the family stay so it was expected…I only can say a meal out for anniversary Wednesday for me a bit close to weigh in…

I do use MFP it’s about the same week in and out..as meals are about the same…I don’t think I can go any lower…( MM said it could be 500 cals wrong and higher than you think)…I keep under my TDEE….I have a glass of milk each night, I shall stop that it is 1050 calories over a week. I may try and cut back on carbs and up my protein …as hedgehog says up the water which I still have not done. Reading on excerise although not good for weight it still says you must up it and movement generally which I suppose I have. These last three weeks I have hit over 10,000 steps missed it about 4 times. I really don’t know what else I can do…change as above and see how I go…get the birthday meal out the way tomorrow then nothing else in the way..

Only thing Steve keeps saying what size would we be if not fasting…at least an increase of 2 stone each over the last 2 years…so at least it’s down and not up..even if on a plateau.

Have a good day fasters..

Jean x

Hedgehog..
I think I might do the low carb and higher protein…have been looking on line all saying the same, excerise, up water, mix the food around a lot have different foods…I think we all tend to have the same foods as it’s easy. Up the calories one day to lower the next ‘ calorie cycling’ I have read this before.

I will get today over with and birthday dinner tomorrow night and seriously get my head around it….see if I can change things…our Nordic Walking course starts Tuesday for three weeks…hoping that may help I have been looking forward to it…Steve not as much as me…lol

Vets ringing daughter at 5 pm it’s been a long days wait for them…7 hours…

BIL ..it’s been long time now maybe 21 years…it’s just such a waste..sister was left at 53 years old…she is still very bitter about it and her son too.

Thanks for your help and thoughts any help needed…2 glasses of water drunk…lol

Jean x

I always feel really upset when I hear about dogs leaving us, I have only took mine out once today, been waiting for the electrician and builder, all done now but tiler coming round on Sunday now, he will tell us what we need to buy then he will do it all, then we have to paint and paper to finish it off. I think I will need a degree in quantum physics to work out how the microwave works.

Off topic – does anyone aspire to minimalism? Having emptied so many rooms I’ve been quite selective with ornaments and pictures that I’ve put back and it does feel good. I find it hard to part with things for no reason when they are still perfectly fine but once I do I never give them a second thought or remember what I’ve donated. I’ve read a few articles which say if an item isn’t useful or doesn’t bring you joy then get rid of it either sell or donate. It’s easier said than done.

Just a thought

Cakey Wakey..
Crossed posts..

We are minimalistic here.. looks quite bare to other busy houses.. much easier on the dusting.

I have three plants on my window sill and a four things on the mantelpiece but that’s it ..

Jean x

Morning…

Drizzle here today….busy doing the birthday meal for tonight..lemon cheesecake which I have never made before…having a go at onion Bhajis new again to cook …then my favourite Tikka Masala …I will have my Sou Chef in operation with me…

A good feast today and line drawn with a new plan….

Hedgehog..
When Steve and I moved in we went with the minimal look, so it was a fresh start, I wasn’t to sure but like it now…I had to have my plants just to soften it….much easy on the cleaning…I must of admit lots of things in cupboards..even the Kitchen is bare, just my knives out…and a few plants, herbs.

The dog had a 6 hour operation and the vets pleased with the out come..I think she is home Tuesday…if everything goes well…she was still sleepy last night at 9.30.

I am with you on the microwave..keep it simple..I really only defrost and par cook jacket potatoes..

On my first glass of water..keep me at it please…

Have a good weekend everyone

Jean x

Good news about the dog,hope for a good recovery.I have gained 2lbs so i will put it down to the new kitchen and try harder this week.Going out now to buy a new fridge/freezer.Cant really do our shopping until the new freezer is up and running,we have never had an electric cooker so it will be a learning process.

Hi Folks,

My FD went very well yesterday and I think I’m beginning to enjoy the feeling of not eating on certain days, I’m definitely sleeping better now than when I first started.

Still having some cravings for fast food today I feel like pizza from a certain delivery restaurant that rhymes with hominos 😎.

To anyone fasting today good luck and remember the hunger is only temporary and you can eat normally the following day.

Hi All….

Typhoo..
Wondered if you was still with us..lovely to hear from you…I think you get in a pattern of days and it really helps …I still never sleep on a fast night even after two years…I wish…

Dave..
Fridge/freezer sounds great..daughter has an ice maker frightens me to death when I go in the night, no glasses on, then it drops ice instead of water..😂

Who does the cooking you or Denise?

Well I have been at it for 6 hours, cake made, 5 dips made, Bhajis made..all the ingredients for the curry measured out and ready to go, I will start that about 4 pm…they are arriving just after 5 pm…so want most of the pots and kitchen about tidy by then….

It’s hard work having visitors….lol

The dog is up and now she is walking without a sling she is doing really well..she is on heavy painkillers…good news..home maybe Tuesday.

Hope everyone’s having a good weekend..

Jean x

Jean, sounds like a perfect day. Well done x