March for Me – monthly challenge

This topic contains 307 replies, has 18 voices, and was last updated by  jaifaim 6 months, 1 week ago.

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  • Day 25 – Rural Nebraska, USA – CD 1000 calories

    Those poor children at the Easter Egg hunt: the temp was only just a degree or two above freezing and there was wind, making it very bitter. But they had fun, and it was astonishing to see the ground outside the church covered with 300+ children and their parents and/or grandparents; a fun day to be sure.

    Yesterday, I made a new recipe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX06WwQEI0o It took about 35 minutes of active time, and was absolutely delightful. Not low in calories, but not excessively high with added fat, and naturally gluten free, so a dish I’m eager to serve to my gluten-intolerant DS32. I will not use more than the HALF of the gochujang next time, however, LOL! That’s what I did this time, and was still astonished by the heat, which was fine–but it was heat!

    @penz Something to keep me distracted from food is always a challenge. Thus, I leave the house whenever possible. Is there volunteer work you could do? Take a long walk with your dogs right when it gets particularly tempting to nibble? I’ve recently realized (keep in mind that it’s been a LONG time since I’ve actively quilted) that being busy in my sewing room keeps me entirely content to go without nibbles–I never think of food at all, so do you have a hobby you could resume?

    @jaifaim Thanks for reporting that dumb post. People who do that make me roll my eyes in astonishment and irritation. And thanks to you, also, @funshipfreddie

    I sewed on giraffe #5 of 6 this morning and he’s now half done, and since #6 is also cut out, I can see finishing the entire top in a matter of four hours or less. Now if only the bookkeeping I have to accomplish in order to file our tax return was as exciting to accomplish, LOL!

    This week is, hands-down, the busiest week of the year for DH and me, so I’m not going to think about what other chatter I can give, but am going to get at my list. Have a grand one, everyone!

    Pocket List – Day 25 🎯
    @penz
    @jaifaim
    @flourbaby
    @excelsior12309 FD800

    Day 25 – Ireland 🇮🇪 -FD

    Just skipping breakfast and waiting until noon to break my fast is a big thing for me and I am proud to say it has been done. So that’s 18 hours fasting. Slowly getting back into it

    @flourbaby oh that rain is relentless. We heard on national radio on Thursday or Friday that this has been the wettest 8 months on record in Ireland 😱
    So although I have trays and trays of seedlings hanging about on warm windowsills, we are nowhere near chancing to actually put them out yet!! My daffs are going over now but my tulips are about to burst into their colour so it’s all to look forward to.

    One comment by my boss today set me back, but I have decided not to give it the head space….yet. I am definitely leaning towards getting out of here (the job) and revisiting the travel plans that DH and I had before Covid hit. I have 8 years before I officially retire and can live off my nice pension….can I afford to jump sooner?.. Hmmm…lots to ponder.

    I don’t want a return to those dark days of recent months, so a change, or looking forward to a future change might help the mind. Oh and @penz, I must have missed it, but have you taken a years sabbatical? Good for you 💃

    Hope you are all having a good Monday. Xxxx

    Second post

    Well done, @daffodil2010, for skipping breakfast today; it’s a great show of RESOLVE for you, because I know you love your breakfast!

    I’ve been doing well at eating very mimimally so far today as lunch was about 100 calories, but I’m getting hungry, and despite being busy in my sewing room, I AM thinking of food today. So a big bunch of water is in order, and if that doesn’t do the trick, I’ll go over to church and start practicing the organ for Easter; THAT’LL keep me busy, LOL!

    Day 26, NFD, Aus

    Thanks for the tips. I think in my call for advice, I worked my way to an answer. Work used to provide a routine. Now, on leave, I do what I want when I want. The solution to my FD challenge is to build in a routine on FDs so I know what I have to do and that would be sufficient distraction from food. Today would have been a perfect day for a FD because it’s only now (after 1pm) that I’ve slowed for a break and to catch up on the forum!

    Good for you @funshipfreddie, taking the high road always wins out in the long run (even though a good stoush can be satisfying at the time).

    Yay for you @northgeorgia – the fact you are looking forward to next week’s FD opportunities speaks volumes about how positive your mojo is right now.

    Yes, @daffodil2010 – I’m got a year’s leave on half pay. The drop in income is a bit of a challenge but it’s helping me work out if I can afford to retire now, a few years before my pension kicks in. It will also help me work out if I miss work – not so far! If you’re able to take a break from your current work environment (sounds like you need one) I highly encourage it!

    Either way, @stichincarol, your granddaughter or congregation will win out – finished quilt or improved organ playing!! You will too if you successfully swerved the siren call of the kitchen.

    Day 26 – Ireland – CD – 🚫 ✅ 🚶‍♂️ 🌾

    Hello everyone. Just a short check in.. one foot in front of the other at the moment… it’s all I can do.
    Built up my kms on the bike over the weekend but rain is back and work is the priority this week…
    I am planning trips later in the year though to keep me going through this very loooong wet winter… 💦 .
    Tempted to fast again today… will see. Won’t commit just yet.

    Onward and downward ⬇️
    We rise by lifting others 💕

    Day 26 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – NFD

    I sent my revised, but still lengthy email, & got a very brief reply about 8 hours later. “The matter is being reviewed further by the Trustees and the Property Management company and further feedback will be provided shortly.” I can hardly wait. I believe a meeting is taking place today, but the revolution has already started; one resident is getting his white yard gate installed this week, & another has told me she’s going to paint over her brown one 😱

    @flourbaby – Re ‘FountainGate’ 😂 I’d actually describe the colour as closer to terracotta/clay than brown, so it’s not quite as revolting as it sounds. But after talking to the trustee the other day, I got the impression my other neighbour had the wrong end of the stick. The trustee said the fountain was painted long before Judy-the-dictator arrived, & she only had it repainted last year.

    @penz – ‘stoush’. I had to Google that. ‘Informal, Australian. Hit, fight with. “Get out of that car while I stoush you” 😅

    @daffodil2010 – good to hear you’re getting back into the fasting routine. Maybe you’ll feel differently about work once you’re back at your desk & things get back to normal. I was 56 when I retired. But Covid would’ve forced me into it just two years later anyway, & I would’ve been worse off financially. Every cloud, right..? 🌤

    A new, possibly drug-free treatment for dementia being studied:-
    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-13237623/Exposing-patients-flashing-lights-help-halt-dementia.html

    Lovely & cool here after some good rain during the night. Boo Boo didn’t appreciate the brief thunder-storm, but then neither did I. Those sudden, really loud claps of thunder make me feel really anxious & I nearly finished up under the bed with her 😂

    Have a lekker day everyone

    Day 26 – Ireland 🇮🇪 – FD

    Building up my fasting muscle so will do another 18:6 and wait until lunch to break the fast. Slowly getting back in there.

    @funshipfreddie I am 56 now and finding work too much….though it has been a seriously upheaval-ly and stressful year. Yah maybe when I am back at my desk and normal routine I will feel better about actually working.

    @penz I had 6 months not working back in 2015 when I took redundancy and was waiting to go to Horticulture College…..and it was divine!!! I did not mis work one bit. But it was summer so I had lots of things to do in the garden etc.

    Weather still wet and drippy here. Boo.

    Have a great Tuesday all. Great to be back.

    Day 26, London, UK, NFD

    Had to do a double take at the date ….. 26th!!! I could have sworn it was the 16th!🤨

    Stoush is my word of the day, I’m going to try to use it a lot, my Aussie colleague may get a surprise!!🤣🤣

    There’s nothing like a good old uprising to get the blood flowing (figuratively!!) @funshipfreddie, I imagine Judy is either about to explode or melt like a Wizard of Oz witch!!🧙🏼‍♀️

    Well done @daffodil2010, as you know, it only gets easier as you work that fasting muscle!!💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼 I don’t want to wait until the official retirement age, no doubt it’ll be increased to 70+ by the time I get there, because NOW is the time I would like to travel, take classes to learn something new, and generally get OUT there…………….. All I need is a huge lottery win!!!

    The relentless rain has …………….. relented!!👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 I’ll make the most of it whilst I can and have a lunchtime walk.

    Onwards & downwards folks!!!

    “I value self-discipline, but creating systems that make it next to impossible to misbehave is more reliable than self-control.” ~Tim Ferriss

    Day 26 UK f800

    Determined to have a few good days , trip to London to see DS26 and afternoon dim sum in Chinatown meant yesterday wasn’t great but it changes today!

    Although my conversation and tech skills are limited I’ll volunteer to lead April unless someone else has already bagged it ? , I’m hoping the daily accountability will help me stay on track

    I’ve been retired 12 years @penz and most mornings just the thought of not having to go to work makes me happy 😃

    Day 26 Pocket list 🧘
    @daffodil2010
    @brightonbelle

    Day 26 Auckland FD 74.6kg

    I’m a wee bit all over the place this month. Just when I think I have a working food routine it comes back to bite me… I slipped on Sunday and had way too much food in the evening… me, myself and I. If I have structure and planning in place I’m good… If not the cracks widen. So as I’ve done previously, declare it and put it behind me…

    @daffodil2010 You sound in good heart and ready to make the best decisions for yourself!!
    @stitchincarol I completely agree with you about idle hands! Hearing you talk about your sewing room is going to get me cracking on my next knitting project! Especially as it’s cooling off on the evenings.
    Whew! @northgeorgia Hitting the 230s is just what you didn’t want… Key words – quantity, quality and no seconds… Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water…
    @excelsior12309 I agree, the slow descent can be nonsensically eroded by a fast increase… but you are doing really well. It all adds up in the end when you keep it going!!
    @flourbaby I was looking forward to @funshipfreddie’s village coup as well!!! I so dislike people like Ms Management – my vote was to topple her!!!
    Your wardrobe dilemma is precisely why I like uniforms for work, particularly scrubs!! Then you just require weekend clothes and the odd good outfit and SHOES!!!
    @funshipfreddie 🤣🤣🤣 I once looked after a 25 yo in Oakland hospital who only weighed 500lb. He had lost 100…
    @jaifaim You certainly do need time out!! Great to hear your fitness is up there. Swimming too!
    @penz The dilemma of idle hands…. Making my FD a busy day is my main strategy so doing any that keeps me out of the kitchen (shopping, gardening, dog walk😢etc). I also have a boiled egg at 4pm then eat dinner an hour earlier than usual… And yes I’ll stay on the committee because I’ll get a wee puppy in about a year I think😊

    I did a late afternoon walk today and made soup for dinner and now I’m drinking a glass of Pinot Noir because I’ve just finished talking to Billy’s gallery in London. I might go over late April because the gallery has moved from Cork St in Mayfair to St James and opened their new premises with his work along with another conceptual artist’s work from Bosnia.

    Onward and downward…

    2nd Post – Day 26

    Pocket List – Day 26 🤐
    @daffodil2010
    @brightonbelle FD800
    @merry🍎

    Day 26 – Rural Nebraska, USA – WFD, or perhaps FD500

    I succeeded in sticking to no more than 1,000 calories yesterday, which felt nothing short of astonishing! 😂😂 So, while it wasn’t a FD on any level, I certainly feel PFDS. I haven’t weighed because I’ve set myself the goal this week of judging the results of my behavior by thinking of what I’ve eaten and how I’ve felt, and entirely ignoring the scale–something I’ve done very rarely for 50+ years. But it used to be when the scale went up a bit, I’d gasp in horror and cut down on my eating for a few days until it went back down. Clearly, that’s no longer what happens when the scale goes up. Hence, a new plan for this week.

    Having eaten so relatively little yesterday, however, I don’t know that my body will be all that strong for the long day I have, so I’m allowing myself the possibility that I’ll have 300-500 calories at some point. I’ll see.

    @daffodil2010 and @jaifaim When I was much younger and still lived in northern California, where 89″ of rain per year was the norm, we once had it rain nonstop for an entire month. As in, it. never. stopped. Twenty-four hours a day, not drizzle, but rain, usually POURING rain. It was muddy everywhere, and while it wasn’t pleasant, it was over Christmas when all the siblings were gathered, and one of my fondest memories is of the grandkids going outside at my mom’s and playing and coming in completely muddy–five different times in one day. Doesn’t sound like a lovely memory, but we all laughed and laughed at the sight of them! So I hope you have some muddy children in your neighborhoods to make you grin!

    @penz That was such a sweet thing to say, and you made me smile. I actually found a new piece to play to introduce our opening hymn; it’s in the style of a carillon and will be lovely–once I learn it. LOL! So that will be practiced daily all week. I’m glad it proved to be an easy solution to simply make plans to provide structure to FDs.

    Wow, @jaifaim. Can’t think I’ve ever said “tempted to fast again today.” Wow. 😂 You clearly have serious mojo going right now to get to the low 150s so you’re solidly in maintenance where you want to be. 💪💪💪

    @funshipfreddie I pity you living in a space where everyone has to comply with regulations…when we buy our home in retirement, I do NOT want a place that’s part of an HOA (Homeowners Association), because I want the freedom to do what I want to my home and don’t want a cookie cutter neighborhood. But then, I like to garden… As to thunder, when DH and I were first married, and I was only slowly becoming accustomed to thunderstorms (translated: they terrified me), there was a huge clap of thunder once in the middle of the night that woke me out of a sound sleep and scared me so badly that my entire body somehow shot up into the air, turned over and came down on DH. Poor man. For once, a clap of thunder terrified HIM, since it caused 132lbs of gasping and shaking fear to land on him! 🤣🤣🤣

    @flourbaby You have an impressive collection of wonderful quotes; thanks for sharing!

    @brightonbelle Your day yesterday with your son sounds delightful, and thanks so much for volunteering to host April!

    @merryapple You maybe ate too much on Sunday, but if I were to have done that–wait. I DID do that. yup–then my weight would have shot up, so it has to be comforting that you’re still 74-something! And how lovely it would be to go to the gallery when it has first opened, huh?

    Got lots done yesterday, including the 5th giraffe and am well started on the final giraffe. I have nothing on the list to accomplish today since it’s such a long teaching day, so I’ll be back to being list-driven tomorrow.

    Have a grand one, everyone!

    Pocket List – Day 26 🤐
    @daffodil2010
    @brightonbelle FD800
    @merry🍎
    @stitchincarol WFD

    USA. Day 26. FD

    Pocket List – Day 26 🤐
    @daffodil2010
    @brightonbelle FD800
    @merry🍎
    @stitchincarol WFD
    @ccco

    Well, I woke up today to find that going to the shore this year is going to be very difficult. We lost our bridge this morning! My daughter lives down there near the harbor and she said the noise was incredible and their house rattled, which woke them up! BTW, I live in Baltimore, MD! The site of that downed bridge is horrific. I never like that bridge. I found it scary! Not a good way to start the day! 🙁

    second post

    Wow, @ccco, big news, indeed!

    USA. Day 26. FD

    I learned that this bridge is one of the largest truss bridges in the world. I always found it scary. It sways, sometimes so badly, it had to be closed. It also bounced up and down and iced over whenever we had snow or ice and had to be closed. The harbor is a very important east coast harbor but it is blocked. The harbor is closed, so nothing can get in or out. It’s a mess here! 🙁

    However, my FD is still going well! Maybe the shock of all this bad news has caused me to lose my appetite!

    Second Post

    @ccco my heart goes out to you all in Baltimore! We woke up to the dramatic scenes of the bridge collapsing on the news here too. Seems like it will really affect the area of course in terms of getting about the Bay Area.. hoping that they manage to locate all of those who were on the bridge at the time 🥲🙏

    Day 26, FD, Aus

    Glad I could add stoush to the international lexicon; though I’ve never heard it used as a veryb.

    So glad to hear you’re contemplating getting a pup soon @merryapple. Another Westie?

    Looking fwd to seeing a pic of the finished quilt, @stitchincarol. We have a carillon here in Canberra so I can only imagine how beautiful your new organ piece will sound.

    Thanks for offering to host next month @brightonbelle. As you know, this forum pretty much takes care of itself so don’t let limited tech skills put you off.

    I also woke to the news of the horrendous Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore. As I was listening to the radio I thought, surely people would have had enough time to get clear, and then I saw the footage. I’m amazed at how quickly it collapsed. Truly scary and I can well believe it would have easily swayed. Are your movements restricted @ccco?

    Well, before @funshipfreddie gets in, have a great Wednesday everyone.

    Day 27 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – NFD

    @stitchincarol – 🤣 imagine trying to explain THAT to the congregation, if your DH had shown up in church with a neck brace or a few broken bones?! “No, I didn’t beat him up, really! It was the thunder!”. It’s not a HOA though, it’s a Sectional Title scheme. Although I don’t think there’s much difference. Most of the time they work really well. The whole point of the rules regarding the appearance of the houses is to maintain the market value of the properties, & to prevent any whack-jobs from doing things like painting their garage door in rainbow colours & orange polka dots. There’s always one 🙄 But our complex manager is a little over-zealous & takes everything too literally.

    @brightonbelle – thanks for offering to host April 🙏

    @ccco – crikey – that bridge collapse?! It was breaking news on every news channel yesterday morning, just as I was posting on the forum. It must’ve been terrifying to wake up to that noise; people thought it was an earthquake! What a mess? They still don’t seem to know what caused the collision. Something about engine failure, maybe? But a really bad career move for someone if human error is discovered

    @merryapple – a 600 lb 20+ year old?! That’s just tragic 😞

    Line-dancing time 🕺 Happy Hump Day! 🐫

    Pocket List – Day 27 🍌
    @penz

    Day 27 – Ireland 🇮🇪 – NFD 18:6

    Going to keep on with the 18:6 as much as I can, get back being used to this, and not feel deprived cos I haven’t had breakfast as we know fasting is good for the body.

    Oh my goodness @ccco that bridge collapse was truly astounding and frightening. In another life I shipped lots of containers to Baltimore, huge important port…..I cannot imagine how collapse this will affect all of you there.
    It’s a tragedy. Hope you will be ok

    Raining here again. but the Easter weekend is almost here.. My DH is going over to his mother in the UK for Easter so I gave the weekend to myself so hopefully I can garden 😳 It’s my own mothers 32nd anniversary on Monday 1sr April so will visit her grave with a huge bunch of my homegrown, and beautifully scented, red wallflowers (they were her favourite) and then the family will go for lunch somewhere. Dad’s mobility not great so he won’t walk to the grave but he is all on for lunch with his children on this day 😄

    Happy hump day 🐪

    Day 27 NFD NZ 75.1kg

    I went with a photographer to take photos of works today. He bought me coffee and the hugest delicious cheese scone and that was the end of any extra FD!! It was breakfast and lunch but…

    @ccco My goodness, what a tragedy the bridge collapse is. I see police cars were able to block access to it which saved lots of people too. But those poor bridge workers… How frightening for your family being woken up by it.
    @penz Agreed. A stoush is a fight or a disagreement here in NZ.
    I think a Westie – Macintosh II 🐻‍❄️ 🤍 in a year or so 🥰
    The thought of @stitchincarol landing on her DH in the middle of the night is enough to wake the Banshees🤣
    Thank you for volunteering for next month @brightonbelle.
    I don’t mind doing the sheet if you would like me to but I’m away for Easter so might be a day or two late posting it.
    I have a busy FD tomorrow starting with a walk up Mt Eden.

    Kia Kaha (Stay Strong)

    Day 27 – Ireland – FD – 🚫 ✅ 🚶‍♂️ 🌾

    Good morning everyone!
    @stitchincarol I stuck to 1000 too. My mojo is back but putting it into practice is harder 😂 so it was a CD yesterday at 1000. But feeling like I’m going well this week. I felt pretty awful recently after taking in foods I know don’t suit me (bread and baked good even gluten free is so bad for me and low mood and mojo – it is all the sugar) so have cut it out again and can feel the difference.

    @merryapple your plans sound lovely and I do hope you get to London 🖼️♥️ and that you can see yourself giving a fun and the most loving home to a little pup in the future! You’ll have to make sure to get an electric bike which takes a basket 🐶.
    I do deserve time out for sure 💕💕 so holiday planning is ramping up but actually routine suits me at least for 4-5 days a week as I naturally balk at filling up my days on free days..as I treasure time out- it’s a weird paradox I know 🤔. Mind you, I could do without the pressure and stress of work but I thrive on it too… and working with all ages is fun. Luckily I work in a great place where I can take time if I need it for mum, family etc and the option to work from home if I want to has been a gamechanger for all of the above… I have another good 10+ years in me I’d say so just as well 😂💕

    @funshipfreddie I hope you have good news back soon on gategate – don’t you just hate it when you receive a generic response to something you feel passionate about… it’s a little like “there, there” 🤨😂 .

    Thanks so much for that link…anything that could halt /stall the dreadful disease would be the most fantastic news.. it’s too late for my beautiful mum and others 💕 but when I see younger people diagnosed it makes me very very sad…

    @penz yes stoush was a new one for me too! Will have to see how I can use it…

    Ok have to dash again… @daffodil2010 good to see you getting back into the groove! We were hoping you’d hear our calls…😄 take everything just one day at a time.. sunnier days ahead ☀️

    Oh @funshipfreddie I went dancing 💃🏻 last night too – lots of fun and slept really well! I am so bad at following the steps but I don’t care… dancing with abandon is a giggle 🤭 and I’m not the only one 💕

    Onward and downward ⬇️
    We rise by lifting others 💕

    Pocket List – Day 27 🍌
    @penz
    @jaifaim

    Day 27, London, UK, FD

    The scales have faltered again!!! Once again, I need to review my expectations, but I’m sure it wasn’t so up & down on my previous fasting journey!!!

    @stitchincarol, I have a Word document where I write my daily musings for the monthly challenges, if I see a quote that resonates I c&p it to my fasting diary; so I always have a selection to choose from which I try to keep in mind for the day!💪🏼 Taken out of context I had to smile ……………..” Got lots done yesterday, including the 5th giraffe”🤔🤔

    @brightonbelle, thanks for taking the reins for April, you’ll be grand!

    Goodness @ccco, it’s so tragic, I wish the construction workers had been evacuated from the area, especially as there was time to close the bridge, perhaps only those moving & not for those at a standstill mid span😥. So very sad. It’s impossible to judge what losing such a major part of a city’s infrastructure will do for the local economy and residents. 🙏🏼🙏🏼Thinking of you & your city.

    @funshipfreddie, I think I would have been one of those polka-dot whack-jobs, not by choice, but just to see Judy’s head explode!!!🤣🤯🤯🤣

    @daffodil2010, I’m glad to hear your dad is still fighting fit!!!🙏🏼

    I ought to sign off & get some work done, but more likely to spend time contemplating how to tweak my regimen to actually get some fasting results like I did way back in 2016/17!!😥😥

    “Success is the sum of small efforts — repeated day in and day out.”
    —Robert Collier

    Pocket List – Day 27 🍌
    @penz
    @jaifaim
    @flourbaby

    Day 27 UK f800

    Seem to be gradually getting back into the f800 groove, few tweaks and should be raring to go April Yes please to the spreadsheet @merry🍎 Have fun up mt Eden

    Oh my @ccco how dreadful, words fail me ☹️

    Pocket List – Day 27 🍌
    @penz
    @jaifaim
    @flourbaby
    @brightonbelle

    USA. Day 27. FD

    Pocket List – Day 27 🍌
    @penz
    @jaifaim
    @flourbaby
    @brightonbelle
    @ccco

    Day 27 – Rural Nebraska, USA – CD1000

    I abandoned the idea of a WF yesterday, and then chose something with far more calories than 300-400, but I was well below 1,000 calories, so it was a win in my book–and my stomach is certainly flatter than it was on Monday morning. I’m quite curious about what the scale says, but I’m sticking to my plan of not weighing until … Hmmm. Haven’t actually planned that out. Saturday morning? Sunday morning? I’ll give that some thought, as I also haven’t planned what my eating will look like on Saturday. Something else for the to-do list, LOL!!!

    We got snow on Monday night–a bit less than two inches–and it was far more than Omaha or anything south of us, and a town just 30 minutes north got EIGHT inches! Quite the contrast to the early spring we’ve had since the middle of February. It’s about the weirdest spring I’ve ever experienced here in Nebraska, although we’ve had a few that have been close to this. It’s particularly relevant to me because I’ve been struggling to figure out when/how to get the back yard looking nicer for Sunday and our guests who’ll look out the window, as there’s some serious raking to accomplish …but if that snow would simply stick around, it erases any evidence of a lawn that looks awful! 😂😂😂

    Okay, there simply isn’t enough room in my brain to read and respond to posts and also to think through what to do first on my to-do list, so I’m going to get at it. I was hoping my new piano student, a 7th grader, would play clarinet for one of my choir’s Easter pieces, but when we pulled out the music last night after lesson, and she said, well, no, she hadn’t practiced it, but assured me she’d LOOKED at it, I knew the handwriting was on the wall…I now know the girl is as bad at practicing the clarinet as she is at practicing the piano. 🤣 Oh well.

    See? I can chatter plenty if it’s about my lists and to-do (because I have to figure out a solution by tonight’s choir practice to the lack of a clarinet). Perhaps I should simply get at it instead of chattering.

    Have a grand one, everyone!

    Pocket List – Day 27 🍌
    @penz
    @jaifaim
    @flourbaby
    @brightonbelle
    @ccco
    @stitchincarol CD1,000

    Day 28 NZ FD 74.6kg

    Just back from a crispy walk up our local volcanic cone, Mt Eden. Now I have a @stitchincarol length list of jobs to do for Easter🤣
    I’m babysitting Ms Paisley the Scottie at midday so have to get going so I’m back home in time.
    We’re getting a cold snap for Easter with showers/ rain and have to dig out the wet weather gear for the weekend…
    The big question is do I weigh early for the end of the month or late when I get back???!!! 🧐

    Pocket List
    Merry🍎

    2nd post NZ

    @brightonbelle Have you thought of a name for April?🤨

    Day 28, NFD, Aus

    Hello all – have read all posts but run out of time to respond individually. Cross fingers tomorrow (Easter Friday – wow!) gives me a little more time.

    Day 28 – Ireland – NFD – 🚫 ✅ 🚶‍♂️ 🌾

    Good morning everyone!
    Oooh a crispy walk up a volcano cone… @merryapple that sounds unlike any walk I’ve done and so exotic!!!
    @brightonbelle thank you so much for offering to host April – as @penz says we will all help out along the way..
    How are our new fasters going this month? @opal shine, @emma_hedgehogs and @calicocat and @woosoo?
    And hi to all those who are quietly applying this WOL but not posting 👋
    @maui you are in my thoughts today as holiday planning last night and all our dream destinations came up of which Maui and Hawaii is one for me.. 🏝️. Hoping to make it across the Atlantic later this year as so many of the family are stateside but it will probably be east coast and Canada but we’ll see… Alaska also calling to me. See I need to keep working 😂😂.

    Last super busy day of this week for me and then away this long Easter weekend – I usually spend the big holidays with mum but big Sis has offered to be there as her chicks are all away and we are visiting them – France and Belgium. ♥️♥️

    Onward and downward ⬇️
    We rise by lifting others 💕

    Day 28 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – NFD

    I was planning a FD today, but I’ve changed my mind. Because I can 😃

    @flourbaby – “I think I would have been one of those polka-dot whack-jobs” 😅 My purple lounge walls aren’t to everyone’s liking. People seem to either love or hate them. On seeing them for the first time, one so-called friend covered her eyes & shrieked, “I’m blind, I’m blind!” After I bought this place, the first thing I did was get rid of the pale-grey that every wall had been coated in.

    @jaifaim – yeah, that generic response to my email was mildly irritating. I think Judy’s taking it personally now. She’s not used to being challenged, & I think she needs to be reminded who she’s working for. But anyway, it’s done as far as I’m concerned. Another neighbour proudly sent me a photo of his new, white yard gate yesterday 😅
    Re halting/stalling dementia, I think you’ll find this interesting:-
    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-13244325/cut-risk-dementia-scientists-name.html

    @merryapple – 74.6! 🎯 You have to weigh after your FD?! I insist! Because it’ll be a new low, surely? And maybe once you’ve seen the result of all your efforts you’ll be a little more restrained over the weekend 💪

    I just heard on the radio that the door from the movie Titanic was auctioned off – i.e. the door that saved Rose from drowning – for + US$718,000! What would you do with it? I mean, I love that movie, but I wouldn’t want the door, even for free! Even if I could paint it white & use it as my yard gate 😂 And how do you know for sure it’s THE door? Unless it’s maybe signed or authenticated by James Cameron?

    Some people should not be allowed out alone 🤣
    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13241783/Kind-hearted-woman-nurses-stricken-baby-hedgehog-overnight-discover-fluffy-hat-bobble-took-animal-hospital.html

    Pocket List – Day 28 🍏
    @merry🍎

    Day 28 – Ireland 🇮🇪 – NFD 18:6

    Was supposed to be on our temporary office today, it’s my day on the rota, but decided NO this morning, as its cold, damp, and I don’t fancy a 30 minute motorway each way drive on the day before the long Easter weekend. So WFH and maybe sneak off earlier today 💃

    Three days now of fasting until lunch, today will be my 4th….though I feel hungry now. And the Easter weekend ahead but as I am mostly on my own I hopefully won’t be tempted by too much indulgence….though there are two huge milk chocolate Easter eggs in the kitchen, one a Lindor truffles egg and the other a Cadburys Flake egg….so if they remain unopened by Sunday….we’ll see 😂

    I will keep logging in all weekend for accountability though.

    Oh @merrapple your crispy walk sounds good. I have gone to the top of Mount Etna in Italy, that’s super volcanic up there!!!

    Have a great weekend away @jaifaim

    I had a purple feature wall one @funshipfreddie, looked good, but it made my room smaller so it eventually got painted over by something akin to a silver (sounds awful but it looked good too 😄)

    Anyway have a Thursday all

    Day 28 UK f800

    Realistically probably my last FD for a few days so going for it 💪

    I’ll stick to the alliteration @merryapple so it’s Amazing April , I’ll set it up shortly as obviously quite a few of you will be in April before me

    Just hoping the weather improves , definitely un Easter like here at the mo ☔️

    Day 28, London, UK, NFD

    No scale change this morning after a FD, but I MUST be due a whoosh soon, I’m feeling slimmer, my fat is squishy (if you know what I mean🙄) so I need to remain mindful over the holiday weekend to fulfil the prediction.🙏🏼🙏🏼

    An old article, but a good read ……………………….. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/apr/07/the-sugar-conspiracy-robert-lustig-john-yudkin

    I’ll try to get a FD in on Saturday, but I expect today will be my sign off day until Amazing April.
    Thanks for hosting @penz💐💐

    See y’all on the other side!!

    “All things are difficult before they are easy.”

    Day 28-No.VA USA-FD800
    Not a lot going on here, as far as food or holiday plans. A visitor coming to the office tomorrow who may be interested in buying the building we own (and I work in), which would allow me to retire. Yay. I can’t get too excited until we see the actual plans. But it would be nice to be done by next year. I will be 75!

    A fast day 800 today, and then plans for a modest Easter food wise. Weight is still down, so that is good. I have avoided the bread, pasta, wine, and sweet treats for the past month and that has made the difference for me, I think.
    I read that article about the lady who “saved” the “hedgehog”…I am speechless. I hope it got a decent burial….
    Looking forward to Amazing April! Happy Easter to all.

    Day 28 – USA/GA – NFD

    Weigh-in: 232 lbs. That’s ugly, but there are some things to celebrate… just a pound gain during the away period; tonight is my last antibiotic! I’m so glad because forcing myself to eat in the mornings has been rougher than I thought! Someone already tried to thwart April 1 as my FD, but I have hopefully put off that invitation until later in the month. I am hosting Easter dinner, so the only thing I may get away with until then is ZBC tomorrow… oh please, please 🙂

    Did I say how much I hate the 230s? LOL

    Day 28 – Rural Nebraska, USA – CD1000 or less

    I don’t know what the calories will be today, but I know what I’m eating (I’m not WFing as too much is happening and all lessons are moved to tomorrow), so as long as I stick to that, I’ll be content. This business of not weighing is TOUGH, LOL–I don’t know how the rest of you do it every single week! I can say that I’m truly aware of how poorly I ate yesterday, however, and not at all pleased with myself, so perhaps it’s working (not weighing is) to reset my attitude to be more diligent about behavior. 🤷🏻‍♀️

    LOL, @merryapple, good luck with your long list and decision on precisely when to weigh. 😂

    @penz You crack me up that you’re not working fulltime any more but seem to be busier than ever! 😂🤣🤣

    @jaifaim I’m shaking my head in wonder that you so casually mention that you’ll be in France and Belgium this weekend…you’re all astonished that we drive so far for various trips, but I’m dumbfounded that you can mention a trip to France and Belgium in the same breath and so very casually! I supposed it’s no different from me saying we’ll be, oh, in Kansas and Missouri…but it simply does not have the same ring! 🫤😂

    @funshipfreddie Oh, that’s entirely too funny…and unbelievable! Did she mix up her dates and think it was already April 1???

    @daffodil2010 Enjoy your alone time this weekend, and I hope the weather cooperates with you so that you’re able to get some yard work done as you’re hoping! Our weather is cooperating for me today and tomorrow–except the snow still isn’t entirely melted, so it’s unlikely I’ll be able to accomplish anything.

    @brightonbelle Nice choice, as I’m a big fan of alliteration.

    @flourbaby It is SOOO frustrating to behave well and not have the scale respond as we expect, isn’t it? I’m sure your WHOOSH! will come soon to reward you for all the restraing you’ve been showing!

    @excelsior12309 Oh, I hope this person DOES buy your building!

    Got lots done yesterday, and found a perfect organ piece to solve the problem of no clarinet (…that makes no sense, I’ve realized…) and choir practice went well last night. I’m taking deep breaths because the horrible pressure I often have on the last few days of Holy Week seems to be averted by being so diligent about making a list and sticking to it. And throughout the week, DH and I have been smiling at each other and saying, “Well, that was the last ________ ever!” For example, last night was the last choir practice, because I’m not planning to have a choir next fall. @excelsior I’m only 65 and DH is not quite 70, and we can’t stand the thought of not retiring at year’s end, so I’m impressed you’ve persevered so long!

    Okay, and I’m off. Have a grand one, everyone!

    Pocket List – Day 28 🍏
    @merry🍎
    @brightonbelle FD800
    @excelsior12309 FD800
    @stitchincarol CD1000 or less

    Day 29 Good Friday 74.7kg

    Here’s the April sheet with a colour scheme inspired by @funshipfreddie’s interior decor🤣

    https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16YGu1SYdIT6FpQNf2CAkLlU72erLjEG3IEvBDCjObag/edit?usp=sharing

    I’m having a lovely time in the countryside. We’re staying in a house right in the middle of a paddock with a creek running through it. The cows were moved y’day leaving behind a sea of cow pats to dodge. An agricultural sweet grassy fermenty aroma permeates the air. I had a meat pie for breakfast followed up by a hot cross bun… I’ll be off to scale a farm hill in my red band gumboots with Ms Paisley the Scottie later on.
    Enjoy Easter everyone!!!

    Day 29, NFD, Aus

    I think I need a new acronym for my Fridays. NFD does not adequately capture the P&RW night that it is (pizza and red wine night). OH is sound asleep on the couch, and the dogs are racked out on the floor. It’s very quiet here today!

    Your farm escape sounds wonderful @merryapple. Was Ms Paisley well behaved?

    I do love the sound of your sharing “that was our last [fill in the blank] with your DG @stitchincarol. What a great way to count down to retirement.

    Wow, @excelsior12309 – do you like working? Or just have not had the finances to retire yet? Either way, cross fingers the building sale comes through for you.

    Hope to see you one last time in March @flourbaby.

    Hang in there @northgeorgia. April WILL be kinder!

    Day 29 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – FD

    @flourbaby – that was a good read; but more like a short book than an article! 😅

    @merryapple – thanks for the April spreadsheet 🎯

    @excelsior12309 🤞🤞🤞 for your building sale 🍀

    @daffodil2010 – it’s the norm for me now, not eating until lunchtime. I’ve been doing it so long that I don’t even think of it as fasting. I guess my body’s just gotten used to it, because I never wake up hungry, or even give food a thought until close to noon. It would probably be different though, if I lived with someone who was cooking up a storm every morning, & I could smell toast & bacon 😳 My purple walls aren’t as oppressive as they may sound. It’s just two walls, and then to the left is an enclosed patio which is mostly windows & face-brick. To the right is the open plan dining area with white walls & a fairly large window.

    I’m not going anywhere this weekend, but Happy Easter to those who are busy/ travelling & see you in Amazing April 🐣

    “Everything’s in the mind. That’s where it all starts. Knowing what you want is the first step towards getting it”. ~ Mae West

    Pocket List – Day 29 🍋
    @funshipfreddie

    Day 29 – Ireland 🇮🇪 – NFD

    DH has just left on his motorcycle, travelling to Belfast to catch the ferry to Scotland to spend Easter with his mother in the Lake District. I would have loved to have gone with him but our cat is too old now to put into a cattery (and it’s too stressful even trying to get her to the cattery), and my brother who usually stays when we are gone is busy……so time alone for me so.

    And I look forward to that too! Sun shining, about to go to the garden centre and pick up supplies, compost, bulbs, flowers etc….and plan a weekend working hard in the garden

    @stitchincarol I was saying the same thing when I was finishing up in my big corporate job back in 2015, ie this is my last conference call with X, and then it was this is my last Monday…oh how good that felt. 9 years ago almost to the day that was. My how time has flown.

    Everyone have a great Good Friday if you observe. I know it was a big day of holy obligation when I was a child, a fast day, fish only, Stations of The Cross at the church, all bow our heads at 3pm…….times sure change, but have a grand day today.

    Day 29 NFD country west Australia
    Blah! Blah! Blah!
    Too much to tell and has been busy few weeks trying to set up a house.
    DH and I laughed that we are working harder now than when we are in our 40s ( 2 decades ago!!!!)
    Today – Too many hot cross buns with LASHINGS of butter dripping…..
    Family lunch/dinner all afternoon/evening Sunday so I am not even going to try to be restrained. Well I will try, but the family LOVE to cook and are SERIOUSLY good cooks so…..
    Monday WILL be the first FD in a while.
    Looking forward to reading some of the posts on a quiet ?? day tomorrow.
    The problem is it is SO dry here and all the sheep do need to be fed.
    Oh and if some of them get stuck in the mud at the edge of the dams which are at almost historically low levels, then we have to pull them out.
    3 feet of Mud, suction, a 50 kg sheep stuck fast…. who needs the gym ??
    Have a Good Friday.
    @ccco, thinking of everyone in Baltimore. That bridge crash looks terrible.
    @funshipfreddie, I have only skated over th posts but your situation sounds very similar to our strata unit.
    An overly officious committee run by a few zealots.Not. Good.

    Day 29 – USA/GA – ZBC?

    Weigh-in: 232 lbs. Eww, nasty. But, I finished off my last antibiotic last night! Cough also seems under control this morning, so I’ll hold off on any nasty tasting syrup, too. With Easter on its way and me being off alongside my mom, nephew, and niece today, I don’t see any way to do a FD until April 1. But I’m hoping I can get to do a ZBC today. Those forced breakfasts over the last two weeks were tough! I’m about two or three pounds heavier than last week each day, so I can’t wait to start reversing the nonsense.

    Day 29 UK NFD

    Friday weigh in shows me same as month start , which I’ll take but if I could just drop even 1/2 lb I’d be happier but I have a lot on over the weekend so seems unlikely

    I too had a delicious hot cross bun this morning @lilymartin

    Have a good one all☀️

    Well, PHOOEY.

    I moved my fingers on my mouse pad–and I went back a page, and then had to sign in, and now my post is gone. It’s enough of a stretch to type it the first time, but I’m not going to try to recreate it. Just know I responded to almost all of you, and I wish you all an excellent Easter!

    Day 29 – Ireland – NFD – 🚫 ✅ 🚶‍♂️ 🌾
    End March – 154.6lbs 😁

    Hi all!
    Checking in now as I am away this weekend…@stitchincarol – flying to Paris for two nights and train to Brussels and on to Ghent for two more nights then home on Tuesday.
    Visiting family and some friends .yes I suppose it seems like a big trip but very much darting over the Irish Sea … 😂 because I lived in Paris for so long it’s very much like going home. The distances you all describe in 🇺🇸 🇨🇦 🇦🇺 seem so vast though…

    Thank you @penz so very much for hosting March and keeping us focused 😇 💫 and @brightonbelle you are a ⭐️ for taking over for Amazing April! I am an illiterator (made up word) 😂

    Thanks for the company all! Off to eat my homemade relatively healthy sandwich and board my flight.

    À bientôt! Have a lovely weekend 🐣🐥 all and I’ll catch up on posts over the weekend . Be strong!!!

    Onward and downward ⬇️
    We rise by lifting others 💕

    Day 30 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – NFD 69.1 kg

    Easy FD for me yesterday, but I was irritated at myself for not just getting it done on Thursday. I’m right on target, so can we just pretend the month is over now? I mean, if 30 days is good enough for April…? Who decided 31 days for March anyway? I blame Julius Caesar 🤔

    @lilymartin – good to see you back! So did you reach your goal of under 80 kg for March? Or shouldn’t I ask? 🤐 You seem so busy & active, lugging sheep around too? You should be like a whippet! 😅 Luckily for me I can take or leave hot cross buns, so I leave them. Not so good at swerving the chocolate though, or the butter.

    The latest Gategate instalment – The April Newsletter was distributed yesterday. It contains a survey asking for feedback on imposing fines on people who break The Rules, our garden service, & ‘colour preference for yard & security gates’ 🤣 There are two options – keep the colour scheme (which doesn’t exist) as it is, or allow owners the option of of white gates. I would’ve preferred a third option, i.e. ‘couldn’t care less’. Oh, & ‘opinions will remain confidential’. Gripping stuff!!

    Dr Mosley’s weekly column:-
    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-13252085/MICHAEL-MOSLEY-test-reveals-Covid-stupid-it.html

    Flying spiders?! 😰 I think if I lived in Oz I’d never get a wink of sleep, & I’d have at least 1 can of Doom in every room 🤯
    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3500824/Australian-golden-orb-spider-2-000kms-away-New-Zealand.html

    @penz – just in case I don’t post tomorrow – thanks so much for hosting the March Challenge 🙏💐

    Wishing everyone a very Happy Easter 🐣🐰

    See 👀 you in Amazing April

    Day 30 – USA/GA – NFD

    Weigh-in: 233 lbs. Steadddddy… Just holding on until Monday! My clothes are feeling tight again…grrr

    Day 30 – Rural Nebraska, USA – FD500

    I’ve decided to weigh in tomorrow morning. And then, I’m thinking I’ll skip weighing for another week. It’s been a fascinating study in restraint, LOL! Somewhere, I’ll find the missing link to control my mind and my impulses, because I’m sure not always in control right now.

    @brightonbelle That extra half pound off would feel like a lovely cushion, wouldn’t it? On the other hand, how glorious to be your goal weight, and to be succeeding in maintaining it!

    @jaifaim DH and I were at the Paris airport for a 3 hour layover on our way home from Rome then Israel in 2019; it makes me smile to think I know what you’ll be seeing! And congratulations on being below 155!

    @funshipfreddie Wow. So much for you taking the high road; Judy is clearly out for spiteful low road options! And what are you doing for Easter?

    @northgeorgia Tight clothes are never fun!

    My massive to-do list is mostly accomplished; there’s still plenty to do today, but just normal get-ready-to-throw-a-dinner-party stuff that’s all fun, so it won’t feel like work at all. And I almost know that carrilon introduction for our first hymn tomorrow, so another chunk of time practicing it today ought to get me there. I seldom practice more than two hours in a week–and often a lot less than that–but Holy Week sees me practicing ten or more hours, and it’s lovely to revert back to college year’s efforts. But I’ll be glad not to be practicing so much next week, LOL!

    I’m sure I won’t be posting tomorrow, although I might grab a moment here or there to use my phone to read posts. Have a grand Easter, everyone, and may we all eat with the restraint we choose as reasonable!

    Pocket List Day 30 🐰
    @stitchincarol

    Day 30 USA (Illinois) CD

    We have moving dates! Packing on Monday April 8, loading van Tuesday, delivering at new house Wednesday 10th. I am crazy busy still clearing out stuff here, taking care of details at the new house. But think about you all often.

    Oh, and GO ILLINI! Still finding time to watch my beloved Alma Mater playing basketball in March Madness.

    Hope to see you all more in April?! Onward and downward.

    Day 30, NFD, Aus

    I think I missed yesterday! My brother (and family – ie my niece and nephew!) arrived Fri night for a week so it’s been super busy catching up with them. The kids are at a fun age; not too old to feel embarassed to give their old aunt a kiss and cuddle!

    Orb spiders are really quite beautiful, @funshipdreddie. But it’s the legless reptilian locals that give me the heebi-jeebies. The other week there was a 4-5 ft brown snake at my favourite dog walking area. It was just basking in the sun, lying on the gravel, which fortunately made it easy to see. But I felt trespassed upon and did not return for a few weeks! I hate snakes!

    One more day of the month, but being Easter weekend with family in town puts paid to any thought of a FD. Looking fwd to an Amazing April!

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