Day 24 – USA/GA – *sigh*

Weigh-in: 219 lbs. Supposed to have a luncheon today. Doing ZBC and planning on OMAD, having only the luncheon bits and maybe a sugar-free mint at mid-afternoon. If I’m lucky, I won’t have to eat at the event and can convert this into a FD.

USA. Day 24. FD

Hurrying off to Tai Chi, so just quickly checking in.

Pocket List – Day 24 🍎
@litprof
@dramaqueen6
@daffodil2010
@ccco

Have a great day, everyone! 🙂

Day 25 Melbourne, Australia FD

Off for a swim today then a quiet day. I may try for a WD, apart from a coffee this morning so that I don’t end up with a headache.

I definitely agree that I could not continue to do this without the support from the forum. With the group support I can keep going even when I don’t want to. And come back to this when I go off track.

Day 25 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – NFD

@daffodil2010 – I hope your toothache went away?! Odontophobia – I think that’s what it’s called. I was the same when I was a kid, after having a couple of horrible experiences at the dentist. Well, he WAS a horrible dentist. I didn’t go for years after that, until I was in agony in my early twenties. Then I found a very nice, empathetic lady dentist. It made a huge difference & my fear mostly went away. I wouldn’t say I actually enjoy going, but I no longer have nightmares just at the thought of going for a check-up. Maybe Allen Carr should’ve written a book about that?! 😅

@missybear – are you planning to move within the same area? 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

@stitchincarol – I’m sure @songbirdme is fine. At least, she was yesterday when she kicked my butt at ‘Words with Friends’ 🥴️

@maui – good news re your DH! Fingers crossed you’re granted that extension so you have more time to get organised at home 🤞

Still no news re the house, but I’m taking that as a good sign. If they were just going to reject my offer, I’m guessing they would’ve done it by now…? 🤔

Happy Hump Day! 🐫🐪

Pocket List – Day 25 🍒
@malee57

Dorset – NFD

@maui – Lovely news that your husband was brighter. I agree with you regarding the people in this group, it is keeping me in check as well.

@funshipfreddie – hopefully you will hear good news soon re your house.

Off to the gym in a minute, as I am trying to lose inches as well as pounds. So far I have lost 2 inches off my waist! I am not sure how they calculate it but according to my scales my metabolic age is 5 years older than my actual age.🤨

Salmon for dinner with broccoli and carrots, maybe even a bit of rice. I am trying to keep to 1200 calories on NFD.

POCKET LIST
@maui
@funshipfreddie
@snowflake56 CD

@funshipfreddie – so do we only put in the pocket list who is fasting? Honestly, time zones and posting is really not my forte! I feel so old saying that, but it feels like my brain only has so much capacity for things I know at the moment!!

Day 25 UK F800

Ended up being nearer 1k than 800 yesterday , I’m so easily influenced, read your post @missybear and thought it sounded a good idea 💭 anyway I’m happy

Yeah I’ve come to the same conclusion with beer @stitchincarol aiming to stay clear for the rest of Jan

Good to hear of your DHs improvement @maui

Happy🐫day all

Pocket List – Day 25 🍒
@malee57
@snowflake56 CD
@brightonbelle F800

Day 25 – USA/GA – FD

Weigh-in: 219 lbs. Yay! Today turned into a FD because our colleague had to reschedule her dentist appointment. Which means I’m back to an official FD this week.

It also meant yesterday was a NFD, but I didn’t go crazy. Actually went down a few ounces over Monday. @stitchincarol It’s a good question. On the one hand, it can open the door to snacking and probably stimulate hormones that could affect insulin resistance and hunger. On the other hand, I have a co-worker who lives on sugar-free gum and mints to keep cravings away, and says it has helped her stay on track. On my FDs, I just do water and some occasional salt. I am a bit curious if the gum and mints might help on NFDs or end up a bad decision.

Pocket List – Day 25 🍒
@malee57
@snowflake56 CD
@brightonbelle F800
@jaifaim
@northgeorgia

Day 25 – Rural Nebraska, USA – NFD 151.4

Last Wednesday morning, my post-WF weight was 154.0 (and I was NOT best pleased by how high it still was!). On Friday morning, after my second WF of the week, I was 151.4. And this morning I weigh that same amount after only my first. That’s an excellent indication that my body is losing weight, although if you’ve paid any attention to my bouncing weight, you’ll understand how hard it is to know if and when I’ve lost a pound, LOL.

I’m working at writing up an “essay” on my process that’s gotten me back on track. It’s not there yet, but I’ll work on polishing it until it says what I want it to say (with as few words as possible, which you all know is a challenge for me, LOL!). My hope is that someone else might find something useful in my experience, even as my process of writing it out helps to cement me in position to keep on track.

@maui How delightful that you’re maintaining your 163 and that your DH was more alert yesterday; I pray that both continues for him/you. ❤️

@funshipfreddie Oh, how that made me laugh; I’d forgotten that you and she play Words with Friends. For your sake, I’m sorry she kicked your butt. But only for your sake; for her sake, I’m thrilled! 🤣

@snowflake56 My recent turnaround has come from rephrasing my negative thoughts, so allow me to rephrase yours: At your age, you have 1300 daily calories to spend, right? You really would be uncomfortable to eat many more than that, so what a joy that you’re not currently in the habit of eating 2500+ calories each day. And such a blessing that a little bit of exercise–something that will make your body feel so good–and some daily activity will take you up closer to 1500, which is a wonderful level of food at our age: not too much, not too little. And how GLORIOUS that you’re not 100lbs overweight with that daunting task in front of you. Yup. 1300 daily calories sounds low but is actually an excellent place to be. ❤️ Do you have a Fitbit, or anything that tracks how many calories you actually burn? My TDEE is 1366, but I’m active enough that I burn 1500-1650 each day, and I’m guessing that’s very possibly true of you. If you don’t have a Fitbit or the equivalent, you can get an app on your smart phone and carry that around every moment of the day in a pocket, and get a decent approximation of what’s being burned and how many steps you’re getting.

@dramaqueen6 and @funshipfreddie I smiled at the exchange of posts regarding the pocket list; glad that’s all straight now! @dramaqueen6 The pocket list started when an early member, struggling to stick to her FD, wrote down on a little piece of paper everyone who was fasting that day and tucked the list in her pocket; every time she was tempted to eat something not on her plan, she’d pull out the list and remind herself that all those friends were going through the same thing, and she could be strong. Hence “pocket list” for those who are fasting.

@brightonbelle In the spirit of re-framing my thoughts to be positive instead of self-pitying, I’ve been pointing out to myself, “Well, it’s winter and it’s FREEZING out there; a cold beer is refreshing in the heat of summer, but how is it lovely in frigid winter temps???” I’m not entirely successful with that reasoning, but I’m working on it! 🤪

@jaifaim I’m guessing you won’t see this but in case you do: last you said you were “under the weather” but now you’re still not feeling well? Two weeks later?? That doesn’t sound good at all; do take care of yourself. Prayers for healing for you, my friend. ❤️

@northgeorgia I certainly do my fair share of gum to help resist snacking, but I always draw the line at mints. Well, I draw the line now; didn’t draw the line a few months ago, LOL. You’ll have to report how well it works to control the snacking urge.

@ccco You have my sympathy; I know well how easy it is to get carried away in the evening! And today’s a fresh start, so it’s all good.

Last Wednesday morning, it was snowing and we got 5-6″ by the time it stopped 8am on Thursday. It was lovely to watch, and fun to stay home with DH since every activity got cancelled…but more fun to look forward to the tasks on today’s schedule!

Have a grand one, everyone!

@stitchincarol – thank you for the back story, all is clear now!!! Didnt mean for anyone to do a FD if they didn’t want to 🤣

Day 26 Melbourne, Australia CD

Yesterday’s FD went well. I am not good at trying to do a B2B so today will be a CD. We had a really busy shift at work last night, so I am proud of myself that I did not give into the “I deserve this <insert food>” thoughts.

@funshipfreddie weather forecasters are predicting Tropical Cyclone Freddy for WA on the weekend here. What shenanigans have you been up to?

@stitchincarol I think the idea of trying to reframe what we do as a positive is helpful to my mindset. I try to look at what I will eat, not what I am wanting to exclude. It helps to include lots of fruit and vegies and crowd out the unhealthy food. Rather than have a mindset of deprivation e.g. I can’t have these chocolates I try think about all the really yummy fruit I can have.

Day 26 – DORSET – NFD

Morning All,

Have a lovely day

@songbirdme – Happy Anniversary to you & Mr @songbirdme! 54 years?! 🎉 🥂

@malee57 – Happy Australia Day! 🇦🇺 You’re on the west coast? So about 6 hours ahead of South Africa. I hope that tropical cyclone doesn’t do too much damage?! 😳

It’s ‘D’ Day – as in deadline day. Not had so much as a text message re my offer. The OTP says the offer expires on the 26th, but there’s no time specified. So I guess they could still accept it anytime before midnight. Anyway, back to scouring the property websites. There’s a coastal town called Jeffrey’s Bay about 45 minutes south of here. Well-known for surfing 🏄‍♂️ Although you won’t catch me doing that anytime soon 😅 I might take a look around there next week.

Let’s make it a good one, Thursday fasters! 🎯

Pocket List – Day 26 🍓
@malee57 CD
@snowflake56
@funshipfreddie
@missybear

Day 26 – UK Cam NFD
Hello everyone! I’m back, just – been a pretty chaotic few weeks – DH health issues plus a minor incident on my part. Been trying to eat carefully and weighed in last week at a steady 139lb – not losing any, but more positively not gaining either. DH had mixed results from tests – good news, no cancer (big fear); bad news, damage sustained is irreversible so what we have to work with what we have. He has made some major life changes which have initially been hard to work with but we’re getting there. My ‘incident’ involved whiplash after a stupid fall on the allotment (of all places) in the icy weather – laying chipping paths, slipped over backwards and hit head on rockhard ground with resounding crack in the neck area 🙁

Going to hit February hard, back to the proper 5:2 regime. Like Thomas the Tank Engine – you know you can, you know you can …

Haven’t had much time to check the posts regularly – @stitchincarol, thanks for mentioning me – it reminded me what a wonderfully supportive group this is, hence this post. Thank You – you’ve got me back in the groove.

Shopping trip planned for today, maybe pub lunch (always a challenge to eat well) but, @funshipfreddie – still sticking to DTF (dry til Friday) routine, successful thoughout Jan (so far) so it will be cal free elderflower tonic with my lunch.

Right, I must get moving – will catch up with all the posts and see you all soon – promise!

Day 26 Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 FD

Checking in to put myself on the pocket list and see I’m already on it, thank you 😊

@funshipfreddie 🤞you get good news about your offer today.

I’m another one with elderly parent worries, my 86 yo dad has had a couple of bad falls recently, he has had to give up driving and is pretty much house bound but he has regained strength since the falls and remains stubbornly independent and won’t consider looking into care arrangements. Frustrating but I have to keep my mouth shut and let him get on with living how he chooses.

Together we are stronger, have a great day everyone!

Pocket List – Day 26 🍓
@malee57 CD
@snowflake56
@funshipfreddie
@missybear
@daffodil2010
@brightonbelle

Day 26 – Rural Nebraska, USA – WFD 153.0

Last Thursday morning, I was 154.2…dare I take this morning’s weight as proof of a 1lb loss? I actually went over calories yesterday by close to 200, but entirely innocently and accidentally; I’d figured out what to eat for each meal, carefully weighed out the meat for supper so I didn’t have too much, ate my meal, entered it in MFP–and discovered it added up far higher than my mental math had realized! Oops, LOL. On the other hand, my Fitbit says I burned 1960 calories yesterday, and I reached 11K steps (which was actually from pounding the piano at choir rehearsal last night, but that’s far more exhausting than walking, so I never feel bad about it), so it all evens out, and I’m calling yesterday an on-target day…and making a note to myself to use MFP to input my food BEFORE I’ve already eaten it, LOL.

@missybear Loved your description of feeling as if you’ve been on an extended vacation but now it’s time to go home. But where is “home”? Somewhere in England?

@songbirdme Happy anniversary! Fifty-four years, eh? Wonderful!! Have a grand time at your honeymoon locale!

@michelinme Fast asleep by 6pm? Yup, that’s TIRED, LOL! And while we miss you when you’re gone, you’re right that we take care of each other. 😘

@maui How lovely that insurance has already extended the stay at rehab; that’s hopefully enough time to have the house ready for your DH to come home, and how extra lovely that both sons will be there with you both.

@malee57 I’m glad the reframing idea is working for you, so here’s another: While you did indeed “deserve” that food that was tempting you since you were working hard (okay, I could argue against what I just said, but hang in with me), you ALSO “deserve” a body not filled with empty calories, a body not struggling to digest unhealthy foods, a body that’s somewhat empty because that feels so good, a body that is only asked to digest healthy fruits and veggies and appropriate proteins. So, well done on swerving those temptations!

@snowflake56 Ahh, I’d forgotten you two do ballroom dancing!! What a fun thing to be reminded of! And sugar…yup, that’s a tough one, and so very easy to overeat! I adore baking, and eating the results of my baking, but do it very rarely these days. When I am old, I shall be the baking grandma who’s given up on being thin, LOL.

@jaifaim Well done for ticking off all your goals for yesterday!

@funshipfreddie How frustrating that you’re having to wait until the very end of the time period to hear/know about your offer. The town of Jeffry’s Bay sounds fun, however…just sayin’… 🤪👍

@daffodil2010 Wow, tons of grief in your life right now; my condolences! For your friend to have lost a husband sounds like it was WAY too soon, and my heart aches for your dad’s friend to have buried a son at his age; I pray he and your dad both recover well and are out of the hospital soon.

@gardenlily Oh dear. I truly was afraid your silence was bad news. What an awful few weeks you’ve had! So glad to hear the good news of your honey that it’s not cancer, but sympathize that there’s no improvement to be gained. Are you still in pain from your fall, or is that finally gone? Wowza but you’ve had a tough time. And to have maintained your weight? That’s beyond impressive, so well done, you!

@brightonbelle Thanks for agreeing to host February, unless someone else is keen to do so!

@missybear I smiled to think about the time in your life when your dad likely was worried about you but had to “let you get on living your life.” Crazy how our roles reverse, isn’t it?

@northgeorgia Nice weight this morning! You know, given how many calories you burn each day–since you’re male, I know this for a fact–you could still easily beat me. If I recall, whoever hits their goal weight three times in one week wins, right? I’m on my way, and will get there soon…

DH has a funeral today–to attend, not to conduct–of a former employee, back when he owned an auto parts store. I’d love to go with him, but it’s 40 minutes in the wrong direction for my piano lessons today, and the logistics simply don’t make good sense. So I’ll work at church without him, then head to Omaha as usual, thinking the entire way! And, speaking of thinking, I believe I’ll post my “essay” next as I think I’ve edited and tweaked and polished it enough to be content now.

Have a grand one, everyone!

Pocket List – Day 26 🍓
@malee57 CD
@snowflake56
@funshipfreddie
@missybear
@daffodil2010
@brightonbelle
@stitchincarol WF

Day 26 Second post

If it’s not yet obvious, it will be over the coming weeks: my thinking has accomplished getting me back on track. I’m sticking to my plan and I’m losing weight again. I’m sharing my process in case it helps anyone else, and in case I get derailed again and need to remember what worked for me.

Four times each week, I drive a stretch of 30-40 minutes plus a number of smaller increments. That’s a lot of thinking time, but the trick is to use the time to think the correct thoughts. Over the past eight months, I’ve forgotten what to think about, and have instead been trying to find motivation—my “mojo,” if you will. But the effort to find mojo is focused on negative thoughts—what you’re going to quit doing, and what you’re going to start doing even though you’re not very eager to do so—and when you’re caught up in thinking negative thoughts, sufficient motivation to stay on track is VERY hard, if not impossible, to gather.

The solution is to re-frame those negative thoughts. For too long, I’ve been mentally whining—basically, “I want what I want when I want it.” And I’ve been following through on those wants, and the scale shows it.

So my thinking over the past week has been to consider if I truly do want what I want, and if I truly want it when I say I want it. And I’m slowly remembering that I don’t.

For example: “I want to start drinking wine when I start cooking supper.” I love the process of cooking, and I love what I see when a glass of wine is sitting by me as I work at the cutting board covered with colorful vegetables. So when I head to the kitchen at four o’clock, I want to open that bottle of wine. But if I do, I’ve had at least one glass of wine by the time we eat at six—although probably closer to two—which means that if I am to have wine with dinner, I get more than my share of that first bottle of wine, or we must open a second bottle. I can hold my wine, so that’s not the issue, but my sleep is miserable, as is the headache and stomachache I face in the morning, and the health consequences of too much alcohol can apparently be dire. So do I really want to start drinking wine when I start cooking supper?

I don’t try and convince myself I don’t want to start drinking wine then; instead, I reframe the question: Will the results of opening the wine at four o’clock be worth it? Will the delight in sipping wine in between chopping onions and mincing garlic be enough to compensate for poor sleep and feeling awful the next morning? Without my T/Th thinking, trying to find it in me to say “No” as I’m walking into the kitchen is tough, if not impossible, so I open that wine, and a downward spiral of over-indulgence begins. The smoked almonds are next, then some slices of cheese—cheese is, after all, protein!—then extra butter as I cook, then…you get the picture.

The solution is to use my driving time to consider the moments I’ll be cooking in the coming week, and contemplate the process of cooking as well as what I’ll be cooking and eating. “Do I feel good at 8pm after having lots of salty smoked almonds?” Nope. “Do I feel good at 8pm after nibbling an entire supper’s worth of food before supper is even served?” Nope.

It’s important to think through every angle of the situation long before I get there. As I’m thinking, I ask myself how I feel now? Am I empty? Am I full? How will I feel then? Is the joy of eating the food enough to compensate for how I’ll feel after eating it? There are some social situations where I overeat and shrug off regret. And, in fact, when there’s that much laughter and chatter, I somehow never feel awful at 8pm. So the behavior isn’t inherently bad; it’s that the behavior isn’t always the best choice for a situation.

What other phrases have I worked to re-frame? “I want to eat as much as I want.” With that thought, I’m envisioning just what all I’d be eating…it’s a lot. So as I drive, I think about how I feel at the moment. I’m empty. There’s no discomfort. There’s no misery. There’s no regret. Then I think about how I feel after I’ve over-indulged. The discomfort, misery, and regret are off the charts. “Really?” I ask myself, “that’s what you want?”

All things we mentally whine about can be rephrased.

“Ugh, I have to fast today.” No. “Thank goodness I’m fasting today; I will feel so good after a day of extreme restraint.”

“Gah, I need to exercise.” No. “Yup, it’s not something you look forward to, so instead look forward to how proud you’ll be to have been disciplined enough to do it. You know your body NEEDS exercise, whatever you feel about doing it, so think about how smug you’ll feel when you’ve been exercising long enough that you are once again strong and healthier because of exercising.”

What do you mentally whine about? How are you going to re-frame it?

2nd post

Love your thoughts @stitchincarol, I am going to start reframing my whiney thoughts in the same manner!

And @maui, woo hoo at the new low!!!!

@funshipfreddie, sure hope you hear today re the house

Day 26
@stitchincarol – loving your mind retraining – will definitely use this.

@michelinme – just started reading Fast Like a Girl by Dr Mindy Pelz, it gives really good arguments for fasting, i.e. helping the immune and a 36 hour fast every now and again to turn on the fat burning switch. She is also on youtube.

@brightonbelle – thank you for offering to do February, I am loving this group.

Day 27 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – NFD

FD done & dusted, phew?! And would you believe it? My phone rang just a few minutes after I posted yesterday. It was the estate agent. She asked me if I would be prepared to increase my offer by R20,000. I told her no. I’m not sure why I said no, because I would’ve gone higher. I think I was just a little irritated that they’d made me wait until the last minute. So she said, “that’s what I thought you’d say. So the sellers have accepted your original offer”. 😳 🎉 🥂 So I’m going to be a home owner again, in around eight weeks. So thanks everyone for all the crossed fingers! 🍀

@gardenlily – good to see you back! So sorry to hear about your accident & your DH’s health issues. I hope the adjustments you need to make go smoothly & that you can gradually get back to normal. Or a new normal anyway. Well done on sticking to the DTF! 🚫 🍷

@brightonbelle – thank you for offering to host February 🤗

@maui – awesome! 🎉 🎯

@stitchincarol – a lot of food for thought there! Pun intended 😜 But I don’t think I do much mental whining. Not regarding food anyway. I do NOT enjoy fast days. But for me I just think it comes down to a simple choice – stick to the fast days and remain slim & healthy, or throw in the towel, eat what I like/when I like & suffer the consequences. I guess I really took to heart that quote, “the pain of discipline or the pain of regret”. But I do understand the struggle many people have. To deny ourselves food when it’s so ubiquitous & tempting. Your musings reminded me of the technique I used when I quit smoking though. It was a thought process the author used called ‘The Outline’. And it occurred to me it could also be used for overcoming food cravings. You work through 5 simple steps, slowly in your mind. Really focus on each step…

I have a desire to smoke
I’m free to smoke
Just one puff, & I’ll be smoking again
For now, I choose the desire to smoke
I make this choice in order to (e.g. be healthy/clean/live a longer life/be an example to my children

See how easily that could be adapted for food cravings? The author – Gillian Riley – did write a weight loss book too, but I never read it. I think the 4th step is key. You make the choice ‘for now’ because you can only conquer the craving in the present moment. In an hour, 4 hours, tomorrow, that’s irrelevant. And ‘choosing the desire’; when that desire/craving pops up, don’t run away from it. Don’t fear it. Focus on it, embrace it even. The desire/craving is a sign that you’re not smoking/eating. You’re succeeding. Because as soon as you light up/chomp on a cookie, the desire will be gone. But if you let it be, it will subside anyway. I think I read that book three times before I fully got the message, but I haven’t touched a cigarette in 17 years.

Happy Fr-yay y’all! 🍹

“We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons.” – ~ Jim Rohn

Day 27 UK NFD

Didn’t weigh in this morning as too preoccupied with weird facial swelling, an emergency dental appointment confirmed massive infection/ abscess so I’ve picked up the 2 antibiotics , starting immediately and hope they take effect, going back to see dentist Tuesday to see if I’ll be fit to fly as have trip to Lisbon booked for the 6th – oh and can’t drink with the medication so can’t even drown my sorrows tonight , I’ll try and calm down and catch up on posts later

Day 27 – Rural Nebraska, USA – NFD 150.4

Last Friday, I was 151.4, so I’d say I’ve actually lost a pound, Yee-HAW!!!! 🤪 I’m again having fun with 5:2, and looking forward to continued progress.

I’m glad some of you found my thoughts helpful. In so many ways, this journey is so very personalized for each of us, but there are some commonalities, so I figured gathering my thoughts and posting them for everyone might touch on those commonalities. @funshipfreddie It makes sense to me that you don’t whine–neither did I back in the day when I weighed 112, and very seldom back in the days when I weighed 132. But at 152, I’m definitely a mental whiner, LOL! The whining is, I think, prompted by frustration that we don’t know what our exact parameters are for how we can eat to maintain and how we must eat to lose; you have, however, found your sweet spot…a position we all aspire to!

@songbirdme I suddenly realized, as I was driving yesterday, that I made no comment on your 3-inch-total shrinkage, LOL…it’s a bummer, isn’t it? I used to be a solid 5’4″ and am closer to 5’2″ now. 😢 Four years ago, I wore a particular summer dress just fine when I weighed 150; this past summer, it didn’t fit at 145, and I was so puzzled. Then I found out my new height and all became clear…Wearing that dress again is one of my goals!

@maui How exciting that you have lost another pound! WELL done!

@michelinme How wonderful that you not only have a new haircut, but it’s a really GOOD haircut, and it gives you confidence and joy. I know that feeling, and am glad you’re experiencing the joy!

WOW, @funshipfreddie, that you had the presence of mind–the irritation level?? 🤣–to say no to upping your offer, so that you not only got the house, but got it for your original offer. I’m thrilled for you! You’ll get the house in 8 weeks or so; what’s the timeline for the updates you’re planning on?
And I loved your explanation of “The Outline.” I was sure you had a typo in the fourth step, that it was “I choose the desire NOT to smoke,” and it took a lot of thought to absorb what the point is of that step…and it’s brilliant. You choose the desire over relieving the desire by doing it. Brilliant. Rather like assuring myself that “hunger is God’s gift to humans.” Not always easy to embrace, but so very true.

@missybear You’re right that any progress IS progress, so congratulations! In ten weeks at this pace, you’ll be down 8lbs, and that’s far better than the alternative.

Oh dear, @brightonbelle, when I was 17, I had the exact same thing happen, and my face got so swollen on one side that all I could eat was canned cherries (so, very soft), one at a time–my mouth couldn’t open enough to get anything else in, and chewing anything (rather than smushing with my tongue against the roof of my mouth) was not an option. Painful!! I hope the meds help swiftly and that you’re back to normal soon!

@northgeorgia Yeah, crazy weeks leave no time for the thought process necessary to change a mind-set, so good for you for a decent weigh-in.

At the end of lessons yesterday, as I waited at a traffic light to turn onto the freeway, I could smell grilled meat from a restaurant. It was sublime–more than sublime since I’d had only water all day. My first thought was a disgusted, “Great, the last thing I need is temptation!” and I was quite irritated that I had to experience that. And then I had a sudden realization. “Why is that an irritation? That glorious smell doesn’t have the power to make you stop your WF, so why don’t you just breathe in deeply and appreciate the glorious aroma??” And I did. And I smiled. And I was very thankful that I’m learning to re-frame my thoughts. ❤️💪

Have a grand one, everyone!

Day 28 AUS FD800

@michelinme thanks for your warm and attentive hosting this month. You are one busy lady!

@stitchincarol, I enjoy reading your thought processes too; its really helpful to see how people address obstacles and plateaus.

I’ve just done 6 FD800s in a row, and am currently at 58.3k/127.8lbs – down 5lbs from 2 weeks ago.

It’s super hot here, so days of salads and fruit are easy (or veggie burgers on the bbq), so next week will be another round of FD800s. I’m trying for at least 5 each week. Hoping to see another pound or two dispatched by the end of the month. Four days, eep!