Mid Fifties – Just starting and hoping to lose weight (yet again)?!

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Makica

1:42 pm
23 Oct 15
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Yup, understand the run and the fun but hate the ballast of weight. It feels like it is choking me from time to time. At 55 I refuse to feel helpless about anything that in some way, or any way, is in the realm of my influence.

When I was told that these 2 stone/12 kg is impossible to lose in menopause my “inat” a word that can’t be translated, something like “in spite” but not exactly, kicked in and I was determined to deal with it and the time is now.

5:2 seems like a very elegant and dignified way. I will elaborate on the dignified later if necessary. 😉

MinnesotaMiss

2:26 pm
23 Oct 15
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Welcome, Makica. I chose 5:2 as a dignified way to lose because I don’t need to tell others I’m on a diet, since I eat normally most days. I try to fast on days when I teach over the lunch hour, which makes skipping breakfast and lunch on those days quite easy and leaves 500 cals for a decent dinner.

I’ve only been on this since May, and summer was sort of off and on since I had a fair amount of travel. A lot of weeks were just maintenance. Now I’m trying to be quite strict about getting in two proper fast days a week and hoping for a loss of about 4-5 lbs. in the next six weeks. Salma, don’t be hard on yourself. I more or less took the summer off. We just begin again whenever we can.

I’m a university professor with a chair in science and religion. And I share a bit of the Yugoslav link. I had a Fulbright and taught at the University of Sarajevo a few years ago. Fell in love with the country and the people. I’ve been back many times and hope to be back there again for a few weeks this coming spring when I have a sabbatical.

Love the Alzheimer’s story. It’s especially motivating for me because, while I only have about 10 lbs to lose, I have very high cholesterol. My doctor started me on statins last winter but they woke me up with leg cramps. So I am mostly on 5:2 to improve my blood work. And lose those pesky ten lbs, of course.

Good luck to all fasters today.

MM

milena

4:44 pm
23 Oct 15
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Wow, love this 6 degrees, my father came over at the end of the war, but I know little of his background, though my brother is in touch with our slav relatives, too long and too boring a tale …..

Finally getting my slavic cheekbones back, snd my son is drefinitely a slav!

Salma, you began this thread as FA – foodies anonymous – so we have ALWAYS been travelling via the scenic route and not the motorway.

If I han’t been on this journey with you, truth is we both would be heavier, not lighter, than when we began. And after 10 months – I think we are awesome!!!!!!

We have kicked that myth sbout weightloss and the menopause into touch, and we each bring something very special to the table. Makica, you have slain much bigger dragons than mere fat, so good go have you here.

Coming up to the BEST season for FA – remember the rules, eat the best food, drink the best wine, and tell us all sbout it!!! Life is too short for bad wine – bad, not cheap – I think Lidl has Chateauneuf du pape under 11 quid. M&S £20-40.

travel hopefully……..

Makica

5:11 pm
23 Oct 15
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I had a great Slavic dinner because my youngest daughter just got her second university degree. Sour cabbage fried and turkey with some great local wine. I broke my fast but it was worth it, third fast day this week, so not a big deal and I stayed in the 16:8 window.

As all of you said tomorrow is a new day. And one more thing while I was in my Stott Pilates class I felt really weak. Maybe I shouldn’t fast when I have these intensive trainings although it is not supposed to be a problem. Maybe it was just a bad day.

Milena, my dragons were mear hatchlings compared what people go through. At least I always got new boobs in the process as I had a double mastectomy with implants. And I always get a smaller cup. I was a falling Madonna with big boobies before this. And they were heavy load to carry around. So now I have a bust of a 18 year old and don’t have to wear a bra! Freedom to the nipple! 😉

Am I allowed to say boobs and nipple on this site?

Makica

5:38 pm
23 Oct 15
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MinnesotaMiss it is so good not to have to explain dignified as term to describe this WOL. I am really fed up with people looking over my shoulder and into my plate as the women who is always on “some kind” of healthy diet because of her history with the big bad wolf.

More Slav around here than I would dream of but I am only 1/2 Slav and 1/2 Hungarian. I always thought of it as my wealth, 2 national songs, histories… legends… kings, princesses…princes. 😉

milena

8:13 pm
23 Oct 15
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Makica

I know what you mean, I’m half Slav, half English and and a Yorkshire lass!!! God’s own country!

I have a Scottish son and a Scottish husband and speak with a Geordie Accent – well, I reckon around Durham or Cleveland but my sisters think I have a Scottish accent.

And my middle name is Welsh!

milena

8:19 pm
23 Oct 15
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Wow

Madonna with the big boobies – love it – a lady on another thread had just been through the same, she has had new boobs AND they used the fat from her tummy!!! I love the positives out of the negatives!

Me, puppies ears, though they didn’t fall until I was 54 – but they still look ok in a bra! One of my sister’s went south at 25 – so not to bad!

Love your spirit!!!!

Cinque

9:01 pm
23 Oct 15
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I loved your post about the scientists too Makica. I think I am already looking younger!
We live in a time where we really have to stand firm against the pull of the nnnnnnnnnnnnnnn ,mmmmmmmm,
(oops keyboard hijacked by baby
granddaughter!)
to resume:
we need to stand firm against the pull of food advertising, and food being present everywhere, and shows about food everywhere, it makes eating normally quite a feat!
I’ve been on grandma duty since 5:30am. I might have to nap as soon as they head off to my nieces wedding up country.
Talk to you later!

Sherryann

10:27 pm
23 Oct 15
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Hi ladies!

Ok, I have one thing to say ( well, actually many- you know you can’t shut me up)… 129.6!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For those of you who’ve heard me whining forever, getting under 130 lbs has been my Holy Grail for months now! And I did it! While on vacation!
Ok MM, your turn! I say this in the most loving way ?!

I’m offline for a few days and have come back to so many interesting conversations that I don’t know if I can comment on them all! I’m typing on my IPad, which like my phone is not my preferred method of communicating as I’ m better with my computer keyboard that isn’t as confining! So, pls excuse an inadvertent typos!

Firstly, a warm welcome to Makica from me as well! You sound like a very interesting person! I look forward to reading more of your posts in the future!

I am feeling better… Thanks for asking Cinque! I have been so busy that unfortunately my intent to read a lot of good books while away has gone by the wayside! On a positive note, I did buy a lot of new Balinese furniture for my Hawaii condo ( wish I could post some pics- ahem- Milena?). Besides the flooring installers I’ve had guys replacing my front door which was also damaged by the flood so I’ve had people in and out for weeks now ( not exactly relaxing!)

Also interesting is that I had a meeting with a wellness coach in Lanikai (and did a two hour walk on beautiful Kailua Beach afgerward- Google it! Just gorgeous!). She’s looking at what I eat, supplements I take, exercise, what causes me pain in my back, etc.- sort of like a medical detective! I go back again today & Sunday. I will try to relay back anything I think might be of interest to you all.

Milena, I agree with Cinque, you should put money in that Hawaii jar when you have good eating days not bad! And Salma, you are going to get it togehter & come with us, remember?

Ok, off to my appointment on the other side of the island! Aloha for now!

Sherry

milena

10:37 pm
23 Oct 15
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whoooo whooo whooo whooo Sherry – giving me a bit of incentive to join you weight wise and actually getting together!!!!

JUST ONE POUND TO GO FOR ME – YEEEEEEEEEEEHHHH – To get to 3 stone! Way I’m going the other one might take a month or three.

Taking your advice – putting away a tenner a pound lost and a pound every time I refuse rubbish and a pound every time I eat something healthy. OH is already complaining – wait until I tell him how much spending money I’ll need lol!!!!!

MinnesotaMiss

3:20 am
24 Oct 15
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Sherry! Congratulations! You did it! The magical 2!

I have to admit that September was a wash out for me. I suppose it’s good to know that life is so full of events that it’s hard to find two fast days in the week. But you’ve given me the incentive to really make the push now to join you in those magical 20s. Fast day tomorrow. I’ll be running errands, so it shouldn’t be too hard.

Good night all.
MM

Makica

6:45 am
24 Oct 15
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Good morning to all of you beautiful young ladies. As I wrote on another thread my soul is 24 it is just my body that is aging.

And again the concoction of our gens is beautiful @milena. The more mix the more beauty in it.
Dog ears are great when nothing is growing in them except fat. I would trade places in a heart beat. Altho maybe would consider breast reduction cancer no cancer because I was a FMWBB. But as I am cancer free now with nice new boobs I can give my thanks to all wain women who wanted bigger boobs that made it possible for me to have these implants instead of scars and breast reconstruction surgery fro my tummy fat as you said, which at that moment I did not have. 9 years ago I was slim and hot. hahahaha if I may say so myself.

@cinque it is interesting that someone said in a thread that they fasted in order to go through a flu or cold quicker because our body heals or mends faster when we fast. Science is helping but when you look at it it is an ancient wisdom from almost all religions and cultures where fasting was a WOL.

@sherryann – congratulations and thanks 🙂 how long and how much??? Give us beginners some hope.

I am going to try a Saturday fast instead of yesterday but the Ides of October in my family are continuing as we Serbs take any opportunity to gather and gorge on great food. So my husband who is retired and is our weekend cook has some sinister plans for some serious feasts.

As Saturday is my day for my girlpower with my girlfriends and I would not give it up for anything, maybe sticking to my TDEE and remaining in the 16;8 window is more realistic. I don’t have time to prepare a meal for myself and enough character to sit at the same table and eat my 500 kcal meal.

I have chosen to eat only once a day on FD as it then creates 2 windows of 18 hours of fasting. It has been only 2 weeks for me but I can report my tummy has shrunk and my cravings for starchy foods are not that bad. Have lost 2 kg. That would be 4.4 lb. Putting it down to beginners luck and a loss of fluids although my clothes feel spacier around my thighs and lower stomach area. Just a bit but a good feeling.

BTW what is that money jar about? I like the sound of it!

Lori_PA

11:15 am
24 Oct 15
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Good Morning!

I’m afraid I can’t claim to have a Yugoslavian connection, but I did visit Kotor Montenegro & Dubrovnik Croatia last year while on a Med cruise! It was lovely and we enjoyed it there very much. I love how diverse this thread is becoming. It’s wonderful to hear what everyone’s daily life is like on the other side of the world! Keep sharing everyone!

Sherry….congratulations! You all are giving me hope that I will get back on track.

I’m really going to give it a go next week. I just have to figure out which days will be my “low” days. It’s very hard to stick to 500 calories on days when I do my early morning boot camp workout. I do fine till late afternoon and then all bets are off! I’m going to increase to 4 boot camp sessions a week starting next week, so I’ll be off on Wednesday. That will be one of my Fast days and then I’ll have to choose a weekend day. It is very hard for me to Fast when I’m at home and so close to the kitchen! 😉

Makica…enjoy your weekend feasting! I only wish my husband knew how to cook!

Lazy Saturday morning and then I’m going to visit a jewelry shop where I hope to work on a part-time basis once I retire next year. I have a ring that needs a bit of repair and I want to reiterate to the owner that I will be interested in working for him next year. We discussed it in the Spring, but it won’t hurt to give him a reminder.

Enough of my rambling. Hope you all have a lovely weekend!

Makica

11:20 am
24 Oct 15
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Lori have a great weekend. My husband just likes to cook that does not mean he know how to cook and that would be a problem if I made it a problem which I don’t. 😉

Cinque

9:17 pm
24 Oct 15
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Good morning,
I only have one Slav connection (I think), and that is a lovely friend. Nice to have so many more now 🙂

Congratulations Sherry! Cheers for getting under that 130! AND on vacation! So glad you have got rid of the bug and have got things done. I hope you get a little bit of reading in yet!

Milena, how fun to be getting that jar full now! Good luck with that last weight pound to go.

MissM, good luck locking in Fast Days through all the eventfulness. It is tricky I know, but I bet you work out a way.

Lori, your life is full on! Good luck with all the boot camps and fasting. I hope you can have some pleasurable feasting soon! In the meantime, all power to you! Good luck with your gentle jewelry shop reminder!
It was good to hear some gall bladder knowledge from your course too!

Makica my soul keeps being surprised at the state of my body! So does my brain. 58! How did that happen.

I am having a leisurely morning before my daughter’s family get back (attended a wedding in the country) and some more lovely visitors too!

Makica

6:45 am
25 Oct 15
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Hi Cinque and a nice Sunday morning to you all. The sun is shining, as the clock was moved to winter daylight or whatever we slept an hour longer! yay

I ended up eating one meal of about 1.000 calories together with the wine. No dessert. And that was it for me. I wasn’t even hungry at dinner time. Funny that the scale did not move this morning.

So you see Cinque we Slavs are berserk. A Slav festive meal can be from 3.000 to even 10.000 calories. Nuts if you ask me. Our food is legendary but nobody was fat in the old days and I remember 50 years back as all of you do. But that was only for special occasions and there were 2 days a week of fasting for my great grandmother. Orthodox are supposed to fast twice a week. There are also 2 long 6 week fasts before Christmas and Easter. It is a new fashion to fast (after the fall of the socialistic regime) but today it is all gone crazy in the sense that in the past it was no meat and eggs, just fish and vegetables. To days they have “fast cakes” fast jams…fast everything full of sugar and fats.

And what can I say about our young souls in these aging bodies. It can be worse. Remember when you were young all over, and there was the girls from class with a old soul being all serious. Young body and old soul. That is tragic.

So a challenge for me with my crazy schedule next wee. I have the Board of Directors Mon.Tue.Wed. so I can only fast on Thursday and Saturday and try and keep well under my TDEE the other days.

Love ya all beautiful people. Nobody explained the jar thing yet and I haven’t gotten to that page.

Cinque

9:45 pm
25 Oct 15
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Hi Makica! Hi everyone!
It is Monday here and life is all go with my daughter and 14 month old granddaughter here. Just off to pick up all the wooden blocks on the floor!

I am having a Fast day (forgot to get the yummy soup out of the freezer last night, but remembered this morning!). It is hard to fast when there is the last of the Moroccan chicken stew in the fridge, and it may not be good tomorrow. I have to remember that my health is more important than the last of the Moroccan stew!

Good luck with your crazy week Makica. The jar thing is Milena saving up money for her holiday (that’s right isn’t it Milena?).

The rain just watered my garden for me!

Just thought: I could eat a small portion of the Moroccan chicken instead of soup. Less waste (I hate waste!). Will pop the soup back in the freezer!

Susiewoosy

7:16 am
26 Oct 15
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Hi all and hello to Makica
I had a long w/e in London- all bets were off and I came home feeling bloated and quite unwell. How stupid is that? I enjoyed what I ate at the time and we walked a lot of miles around the city but I struggled sometimes and realise that is just because I am carrying about 30 lbs more than I should be.
So onwards today, previously I have tried to do my FD with no bf or lunch except SF jelly so today going to try small meals instead and see if that eases the mid afternoon cravings.
I was very interested about the scientists looking younger, I do think there are other benefits to the fasting aside from weight loss.
I am looking forward to retiring and think it is easier to fast at home where I have to go out if I want to buy something naughty or extra, as I keep junk to a minimum at home.

Lori_PA

8:46 am
26 Oct 15
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Good Morning all!

Susie…I have the opposite problem as when I’m at home, I tend to eat more! Not junk…..just more! Sigh. I’m going to retire in a year and need to get a handle on that or it will not be good. 30-40 lbs need to come off in the next year. That is my goal.

Real food and low sugar is going to be my mantra. I’ve started eating fruit, which I have been avoiding for years because of the carb content. I’m enjoying it! I’m experimenting with all of this and will try to incorporate some fasting along with the real foods and see how I go.

Monday again and time to get the week started. I will finish Phase 1 of my nutrition training book this week and will move on to the counseling phase. The first text was all nutrition and digestion etc. So much information! Once I start the counseling section, there are assignments to turn in that involve a lot of writing. Wish me luck!

Soon time to head to boot camp. Hope you all have a wonderful day!

salma

9:45 am
26 Oct 15
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Good Monday morning ladies!

Autumn is officially here.. we had a very rainy Sunday which kept me at home for a big chunk of the day, all the better to do some more unpacking of boxes. How do we accumulate so much STUFF? Most of it was forgotten and is probably not even needed. I guess it is a good opportunity to cull some of the accumulation.

So, I did the deed.. I actually ‘found’ my scales as I ploughed through the boxes, and more importantly, stepped on them this morning (after removing the very last item of clothing & jewelry. My heart sank as I saw the number 86.4 Kgs on the digital screen. It is not as if I didn’t know it, but it is hard to take in when you see it in black and red!! This is a gain of 82.8 Kg (about 4 Kgs – 9 lbs) way back in August. This Sept/Oct has been a time of turmoil for me and this has not done my weight any favours. I should have LOST 4 Kgs not GAINED in this time. So, effectively, I am 8 Kgs (18 lbs – 1.4 stones) out of synch with my schedule.. 4 months delay 🙁

So, back to the drawing board for me. It is a good thing to see this hike now before it gets any worse. So, today is an FD for me and I will get back to doing a minimum of 2 FDs per week. I have to change gyms as my old gym is quite a way out for me now. I am not sure how that will pan out with the subscription. I have not given it much thought as I have been busy just moving. I hate it when you are paying for stuff that you do not use.

Lori, best of luck on your course. It sounds very interesting. I did a 6-month course two years back which was a lot of work but was also very gratifying. There is something to be said for putting the old grey cells back in motion and finding that you can still do it.

Susie, I also try to keep junk to an absolute minimum at home to avoid temptation.. those days when nothing but chocolate and/or ice cream does the trick. If you can’t find it, you can’t eat it, right? At those times, I am too lazy to get out of the house to buy anything. The problem here is though is that it is so easy to get everything delivered to your door, but I, happily, do not do that (yet!).

Makica, when I visited, I though the Slavic women were beautiful, slender and tall. I did not see a cellulite dimple anywhere. They were elegant and many wore shorts that displayed legs up to their necks. I was quite jealous that none of those genes found their way to my cellulite-ridden thighs. I know the food is heavy on meat and fat, but I believe it is the excessive refined carbs and sugar that are the cause of all evil. Is obesity finding its way to the younger generation?

Cinque, Moroccan chicken.. yum! I am afraid it is going to be tinned soup for me tonight. I usually cook my own soup, but my new Fridge is smaller and does not have the space for lots of home cooked soups like the old one. I have to figure out a way.

Have a great Monday.. and please do send me positive vibes so I can get my nose back to the grindstone.. I am feeling rather disheartened today.

Salma

Makica

11:20 am
26 Oct 15
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Hi everybody! It has begun. The BoD’s are here. It means 2-3 dinners with them and they all love our food. Can’t wait to come to our meetings from the US and the UK and Ireland, The Nederland’s… I don’t like business lunches and dinners but as the COO I am supposed to be the hostess. Small talk with them is not my favorite way to spend my evening after being stuck with theme in the Board Room all day long. But I shall live as I always do. Hopefully.

Sorry for the rant but I needed to get it out of my system.

I was a bad girl yesterday. I had 2 cakes, pure chocolate and cream. And as far as I can remember Milena’s rules said that it is OK from time to time. I haven’t had a morsel of refined sugar for 2 months now.

Have to go back now. Hope to drop in from time to time this week on brakes so I can get some positive energy. Going to eat some duck salad tonight. Ducky ducky qua qua qua I feel like the Swedish Chef from the Muppets.

Makica

11:24 am
26 Oct 15
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And Slama, yes we are tall and leggy but we are plagued like the rest of the world with obesity and cellulite (I have some for export if anybody interested). I am pretty short 5’7 compared to my daughters 6’06 and legs up to their necks. They call me little mother.

See you soon I hope

Lori_PA

12:31 pm
26 Oct 15
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Ok Salma…..let’s pull ourselves up and get down to business. We are virtually the same weight….so know I am right there with you!

I am having a FD today. First one in quite awhile. Since it was a boot camp day, I’ll allow up to 800 calories if needed. I have the day planned and I’m coming in at around 750. Next FD will be Wednesday and it’s a non boot camp day, so no excuse to not stay at 500!

Makica…hope your meetings go smoothly and that the food is not too tempting! I’m sure you’ll do fine. Check in when you are able.

Time to get this Monday in the office started. Nothing to eat now until lunch which will be an apple with some natural peanut butter spread on it. An apple! How decadent! 😉 Dinner will be a large mushroom cap stuffed with crab over a bed of greens. I had that on Saturday night and it was SO yummy!

Have a good day everyone!

milena

12:58 pm
26 Oct 15
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Hi Salma

Im obviously your typical slav woman tall, leggy, well proportioned and only modesty prevents me from stating Im quite beautiful!

Meanwhile, in the real world, Im quite leggy for a 5’2′” woman – I dont need to move the car seat from my hubby’s seating position, he is just under 5’11”! Pity Im still suffering from water problems on my legs, still looking gross. And it means I have a very short body, my bust overhangs my relatively small waist, so need a good bra for my over large puppies ears. And my waist is nowhere near my belly button, which is very close to what can only be described as child bearing hips! And my ass could give the Kardashians a run for their money!

Y’all feeling a bit better about yourselves???? lol!!!

Salma, I reckon its time we left the layby and got back on the road, cos the year’s end is beckoning. 5 kilos might a nice round number to head for??

I tend to make two days soup, and either put it in the fridge or judt leave the kid on tight and heat it well the next day.

Making my stock as soon as I can persuade hubby to go to the shops. Fast day today, hopefully a liquid fast gomorrow with the chicken stock, and soup Wednesday, well see how it goes, one week at a time!!²

Makica

2:47 pm
26 Oct 15
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I have a break so Milena to comment on your description I bet you were and will be Sophia Loren type of beauty. A real women not those stick type Twiggy lookalikes.

I am not that tall but I imagine if my daughters put on the weight of our 50’s they would be Godzillas. Not sure which is best or if there is such a thing. But I think there has to be a new rule in your book of Gibs/Milena rules No. 51 do not judge yourself to harshly on fast days.

Just be kind to yourself. I know that was the toughest lesson I learned and shed a lot of tears over how hard and non-forgiving I was toward myself.

Love m

Susiewoosy

5:50 pm
26 Oct 15
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Ps forgot to say well done to Sherry- great to hear success here, nice to happen when you are on your mini break, esp after being ill on it too.
Salma- I am with you- one step forward, then two back but we must keep trying I think. Today has been ok so far for me- onwards.

Cinque

8:08 pm
26 Oct 15
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I’m jealous of those long legs, people!
I’m short, and my legs are shorter.

Sending you lots and lots of good wishes Salma. I did send some last night when I saw this, but the granddaughter (14 months old) was taking her time going to sleep so I didn’t even try to tell you I was sending them then. Hope they worked though!
Hopefully in your new place you can get set up to make living healthily even easier.
It’s a life journey remember! And tomorrow is a new day.
The new day has just started here, but I hope you are finishing a really good Fast Day.

I had mine yesterday. I made myself a very small bowl of Chicken stew, but I think I should have made it smaller, it was quite a rich stew. Lesson learnt!

Lori, real food, low sugar is a great mantra!

There are so many delicious meals full of real food and real taste! It makes skipping those empty snacks a real treat!
And then if you really really miss something, you can have it every now and then as a special!
That’s my theory anyway.

Hi Susie, I am glad you enjoyed your London weekend. With any luck some good plain eating days, with fasts, will make the perfect counterbalance. Fingers crossed some pounds fall off.

I’m so tired from looking after my granddaughter (not that I’m complaining mind!) that I will have to make sure I don’t eat just to keep awake. I will concentrate on keeping awake without chewing! 😉

salma

10:00 pm
26 Oct 15
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Hi ladies,

So.. back on the straight and narrow.. I managed to finish an FD today with reasonable success. Did not anything all day, then had a bowl of minestrone and a rocket salad with just a few shavings of parmesan (allowed, right?), oh and a cafe latte.. I think I stayed within the 500 or maybe 600 calories. Given the amount of food (and sinful variety) I have been having recently, this is pretty angelic.

Sherry.. I also forgot to say woo hoo on your weight loss. I am jealous but very happy for you. Really well done.. I know you have been struggling with this one.

Cinque.. your good wishes surely reached me. . I seem to have made my first FD back work okay. I am planning another for Wednesday. I am also looking forward to becoming a grandma, but neither of my sons seems to be willing to oblige anytime soon.. I guess there will be plenty of time for baby sitting soon enough.

Lori.. thanks for the encouragement. It really helps to know there are others in the same boat, and Milena.. what can I say.. you crack me up 🙂 . I absolutely agree that it is time we get back on the highway.. 5 Kgs by the end of year (or was that by Christmas) is very doable.. and we SHALL do it. I am determined.. I may even venture into the gym tomorrow.. I have the best of intentions, and I have set my alarm clock for 6 a.m (6 hours from now).

It is my final week at this job, so very hectic. and like Makica, I have a board meeting tomorrow as well as a truck load of work. Happily, I do not have to feed or entertain them afterwards, but these meetings tend to go on till around 8 pm which can be pretty exhausting. Ah well.. eyes on the finish line..

So, a good night to all, and I will catch up with you ladies tomorrow.

Salma

milena

11:47 pm
26 Oct 15
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Hi Makica – to quote Keira Knightley in Pride and Prejudice (though not in the book) I am not afflicted with false modesty, and I do not look the least bit like Sofia Loren! I have long grey hair – and the best hairdresser in the world, who highlights it a lovely blond, so good people say Im so lucky to not have grey hair! Worth the 74 mile round trip to Glasgow!! Think it will be ash blond sometime soon!

Come to think of it I look nothing like Keira Knightly, though either her or Sofia would be nice – in fact my best friend – who is 10 years younger than me, does look like Keira Knightly! Another great friend, you may remember Nessie who did the FBD with me, she is 34 and not much under 6 ft, looks like a gorgeous doll. Just realised, Im the ugly friend some girls have to make them look better.

Just kidding, they are both flat chested and jealous as hell!!!!!

Another friend always says I remind her of Diane Keaton, but she knew me when I was thin, and I think its the mannerisms rather than looks.

Salma, I had an almost okay but better than nothing fast day.. Tea, down to a quarter of a spoonful of sugar, til 2pm, OH took me to M&S, asked for tea, got a large full fat latte, which put a wee bit of pressure on a fast day, chicken and salad open sandwich, so quite good. Until OH handed me a little cake! Reckon around 850, only so so, liquid fast tomorrow, hope that goes better!!

Sherryann

12:40 am
27 Oct 15
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Hi lovely ladies!

Waiting at airport to board my flight back home. Sad to be leaving Hawaii and the peace & little taste of “me” time I had, but happy to be seeing the family (& then I remember all the fighting and stress with these kids and think “hmmm- do I really miss them?!” Just kidding- I think?).

Saw a blink of 128.8 this morn & on a repeat jump on the scale ( WHY I thought
that would be a good idea after seeing such a good number, I don’t know ?) I was steadfastly 129.0, but that’s still going down so I’m pleased!

Salma, I’m praying that those numbers on the scale go downwards soon. You’ve had a lot of stressors lately between moving & the ending of your job ( thought a good thing still stressful I’m sure tying up loose ends , etc.) that I’m sure have contributed to the numbers on the scale. I think once you’re settled in your new life it will be easier! I just saw a movie about how much cortisol which is caused by stress inhibits weight loss. It also and on to talk about how the food industry purposely puts addictive additives in our food to get us to eat more & more of it! So, Lori’s idea to eat as close to nature as possible & avoid sugar is a good one. I’m getting some helpful hints from that wellness coach too that I don’t have time right now to discuss but will pass along. Plus, are you or aren’t you aiming to get those lbs off and join Milena & me in Hawaii?!

Hi to everyone else, I have to board the plane now!

Hugs to all!,

Sherry

salma

5:30 am
27 Oct 15
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Hi Sherry.. and good morning.. Hawaii is in my crosshairs 🙂
I am on board again and this morning I got a great (as in pleasant) surprise that the scales noted 85 Kg (1.4 Kg down from yesterday)! I know it is all water, but it still feels good. So, I will probably not weigh myself again for at least a week to keep that number in my head. Aren’t the games we play with our minds silly? Thank you for the Cortisol info.. I did know about that, but you have given me another reason to be kinder to myself!

Milena.. Keira Knightly or Sophia Loren (polar opposites) .. I am sure they have their gripes with their bodies too, but I must say, I was glad to hear that your friends are flat chested .. there is SOME justice in this world 🙂

Have a great day ladies

Makica

6:29 am
27 Oct 15
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Congratulations to all and keep some of it for the future. 🙂 I am almost back where I started, I lost 2kg now I annihilated 1.3 from my loss.

Milena would Gina Lollobrigida be a better choice? I love both Keira Knightly and Diane Keaton but we were talking about body type not your beautiful face. Correct me if I’m wrong. 😉

Salam go girl, you can do it. Maybe you should read a book by a Japanese crazy lady about organizing and throwing out everything that does not make you happy. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo. Maybe the scale would fly out of the windows on some days. LOL mine would for sure.

This is a steep hill and I feel like Sisyphus had it easy. Although this is a pushing our weight down. Well anyway this is hard and without such a wonderful support group I suspect many of us would give up.

Back to the Board Room where I spent 10 hours yesterday and we are very successful and profitable. What would they do to us if we weren’t????? The table was covered with yummy crackers. I didn’t eat any. At that point I was patting myself on the back and envisioning myself sitting in the restaurant eating only lettuce. Yea right.

I was almost a good 55 old girl at the restaurant last night. I was, up to a point, but then the goat cheese moose came, Foie gras…. the best home made bread with olives… duck breast on mixes salad with orange…

Thursday is salvation day for me. Liquid FD.

Sherryann Hi. Welcome back from paradise. And congratulations!

Cinque

6:30 am
27 Oct 15
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Hi Sherry, I hope you had a good trip home, and aren’t missing the peace and quiet TOO much! And I hope 128.8 is there for certain next scales hop.

I like the ‘eating close to nature’ mantra, it reminds me of Michael Pollan’s “Eat Food (real food). Not too much. Mostly plants.” http://www.healthyfoodguide.com.au/blogs/zoe-wilson/2012/july/23/eat-food-not-too-much-mostly-plants

Salma, what nice scales! Fingers crossed the week is not too stressful.
Isn’t it completely out of our hands when and if we get grandchildren! But I hope you don’t have to wait too long, they are such fun.

It has been such a pretty day here, sun and a light breeze, two loads of washing dried!

Makica

8:27 am
27 Oct 15
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Salma sorry for mistyping your name. Sorry again, I know how irritating that can be.
Love m

Lori_PA

8:59 am
27 Oct 15
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Good Morning All!

Safe travels Sherry and congrats again on the scale going down. I’m anxious to hear about the tips the wellness coach has given you.

I had a successful fast day yesterday that shows over 2 lbs down on the scale. I know a bit of it will be back, but at least I saw a flash of a lower number. Now for the problem. I slept well, but sprang out of bed late and with my head spinning. No boot camp for me this morning as planned. I guess my body just has to get used to those lower calorie days. I don’t like not feeling well enough to tackle boot camp. Ah well……tomorrow is another day.

Meanwhile, I’m looking forward to eating some real food today! I have to think about my menu for the day and fill in gaps where needed.

Have a great day!

milena

3:57 pm
27 Oct 15
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Hi Salma

well done – of course now you have to follow the rules and NEVER mention an increase, they are merely blips! Remember, its a game of snakes and ladders, though I think sometimes they hide the ladders!

Makica – Gina? I think probably more Kate Upton (in my wildest dreams of course!)

Cinque, has Spring arrived yet, looking decidedly Autumnal here – though Scotland is generally anything between Autum and deepest Winter all the time – with a week of Summer if we are lucky! We have had snow in June! Not sure if I can remember sun in December though.

Well done Sherry, will have to do a bit of catching up before we make that trip – something to aim for!

Have a great day y’all!

Makica

5:09 pm
27 Oct 15
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Milena, I was aiming for the real women not the popular ones of today. If I offended any part of your beautiful self I apologize to every bit separately, from the long legs, to the tiny waist, ample cleavage and substantial gluts. 😉 any Kardashian can envy!

I gain weight all over the place so I resemble the Michelin character. ALL over and I am serious. It is like I am inflated all at once and evenly. Until recently and I mean before the menopause thingy that hit me like a volcano I used to loose it the same way – all over. Now I loose it all over my lusciously gigantic curves except my midriff that stays in the Michelin style growing and growing like a beast!

Now back to the BoD and yet another extremely boring dinner with mediocre food that I am not supposed to eat specially in the evenings.

Tallyho my beauties!

milena

5:14 pm
27 Oct 15
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You were nearly there Makica – put so well, too – until you got to the michelin man – THAT’S who I see in the mirror!!!!

At least we’re curvy!

We should going into house selling or advertising together, I think we could actually make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear, don’t you think?

Makica

5:26 pm
27 Oct 15
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Milena I agree totally that we can make a silk purse! We are great material and don’t you ever forget that!

Cinque

10:38 am
28 Oct 15
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Hi Milena, Spring sprang with a vengeance, and bit of summer has been sticking its nose in. The blossom has come and gone, the magnolias too. The roses have been glorious. It was 28c today, and now I have come to my daughters place in Sydney for a week and it is warmer and balmier, and all I packed were summer clothes.

I hope you found some excellent real food Lori! And are recovered from your dizziness. Btw what is your boot camp? Gym? Some extreme obstacle course? A personal trainer?

The more overweight I get, the more I resemble a sack of potatoes. I am glad to say that I have lost enough weight now to just look like one potato!

All best wishes, silk purses!

salma

2:34 pm
28 Oct 15
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Hello all silk purses, Michelin men, potato sacks out there..

It is Halloween time and we are all Marilyn Monroes hiding under our costumes.. Look at how bright, funny, dedicated, loving and simply FUN we all are!!

I think we should all give ourselves a pat on the back that we are attempting to salvage our inner Marilyns (or Keira Knightlys or Sophia Lorens or Ginas) and keeping each others’ company along the way.

Just a thought for a cloudy and rainy day here.
Salma

Lori_PA

2:51 pm
28 Oct 15
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It’s always such a treat to pop in here and read the comments! You all are awesome!

A rainy day here that started with a boring meeting. zzzzzzzz…I could have fallen asleep very easily. My sleep was interrupted by my cat last night, as usual. Wish I knew how to break her of that bad habit.

Boot camp was brutal and I’ll be feeling it in my legs for days to come. The plan is to go back tomorrow, providing that I can walk!

Hope your day is a good one!

MinnesotaMiss

3:05 pm
28 Oct 15
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Hi all! Sorry to have been away for a time. Just got snowed under with midterm grading etc. My sympathy, Makica and Lori, with your meetings. When I have long meeting days I eat out of sheer boredom.

I’m making a concerted effort to keep two fast days a week well under 500 cals. So far I’ve made it through two weeks and have one fast day under my belt (so to speak) for this week. I’ve decided not to get on the scale till I’ve done four weeks of this, but the waistbands do feel a wee bit looser.

Have loved reading all your posts and chuckling at your descriptions. Cinque, I’m with you on being “vertically challenged.” Makes it soooo much harder to disguise any extra pounds. But, as Milena pointed out, being curvy has its plusses. I have a friend who is tall and willowy and looks wonderful in anything, but my SO (significant other) was kind enough to compare her to a tent pole and tell me “a man likes a soft landing.”

Today there’s a cold wet wind straight out of Canada. I hope it’s nicer where you all are. Sherry, have you settled into being home yet? Congratulations on at least glimpsing 128. I’m going to have to work hard to catch up with you.

MM

milena

5:02 pm
28 Oct 15
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Hi all

not doing to badly, got to bed last night with nothing more than the 3 bowls of soup and a couple of cuppas, under 400 – though it was originally a liquid day, I suppose soup is quite wet.

Just a bowl of muesli so far today and its 5pm. Getting rather worried about the frock for Saturday – my favourite, black quite stretchy fabric, nice bustline, with lace to the neck and lace full length sleeves. I looked VERY lumpy in it the last time I wore it – you know, the sort of lumpy where your man says it shows all your curves – but you never want a dress to show ALL your curves – you would prefer a dress which minimises those lumps.

Hence the 2:5 instead of 5:2 this week.

Still not found though and so sign of the men going up to the Attic to look.

Hubby had a wobbly about his outfit today, I had bought a cravat one ebay but hadn’t paid – he asked – in a slightly demanding tone – why it hadn’t been paid for – I was waiting for an invoice with first class instead of second class postage – now he is worried it won’t get here on time.

Of course, the smoking jacket, cigar, make up and real hair moustashe have been sourced and bought by the fairies at the bottom of our garden!!!!

Wish the bloody fairies would get off their butts and find my dress!!!!!!

Makica

5:32 pm
28 Oct 15
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It is I Makica, and I shall say this only once! We are all beautiful women, lovely people and great human beings, lumps no lumps, curves and poles and Michelin man “fat belts”! Gina, Marilyn or who ever we want to look like it still has no relevance to/on the fact that we are wha we are! Funny, and witty and charming and thoughtful and supportive and so much more. If I say so myself. 😉

You ladies have made my weeks of suffering easier, made me laugh out loud and want to know each one of you. And I am not too tolerant of a person. After twice facing my own mortality I am very picky who I spend my limited time on this world with.

I am finished with the BoD. Yay!!!!! I even drove 2 of them to the airport. I am so tired that I want to go to bed and it is not even 6 pm. It went great and it is only once a quarter but it is so stressful that it drains you.

So tomorrow liquid health with Cold Press Juice made of kale, carrot, ginger, apple… about 150 cal. 2 of them + some chicken soup. Chicken soup is considered liquid right?

Back to being my best version of myself! Thank you all for every word you type.

Love m

Makica

7:37 pm
28 Oct 15
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My previous post has to be read in a fake French accent!

Cinque

2:11 am
29 Oct 15
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Read with a very fake French accent Makica!
Cheers for a good sleep and an enjoyable liquid day!

I hope you find your dress in the very next place you look Milena, I am sending some good witchy magic to make it so! Let me know if it works!
I am doing your kind of a liquid fast today, I think. Miso soup for breakfast, and veggie soup for dinner: liquid with lumps in!

I hope the midterm grading is over Miss Minn, and the cold wind has dropped.

Lori I hope your cat behaves itself tonight and lets you sleep. I have a cat who thinks night time is the time to be awake.

It’s one o’clock and the miso soup has kept me full til now ( with the help of a milk coffee) so that is good. Maybe I will make miso soup my summer breakfast – very Japanese of me!

milena

2:28 am
29 Oct 15
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Pesky cats, well they are nocturnal hunters.

When I had my burmese, all knew it was bedtime – a mad hour before was always the norm – and burmese can fair flay around the walls. The kittens were encouraged to do this from an early age, and then put in a closed pen with mum, and anyone else who fancied it, for the night. I just had to say ‘BEDTIME’ and they all jumped in – though one of the boys would jump straight out again!.

I do miss my girls, though sometimes at night I can feel them all lounging on the bed, I still hear their purrs and still trip over Willow. Might buy a great grandson of hers one day – the beauty of breeding boys who become stud cats means I can find a cat with the genes of my girls. One day!

Makica

6:26 am
29 Oct 15
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Milena, did you find the dress? How can you keep us under so much anxiety and pressure??? You of all people! I am passing my and the dent is showing in the floor. Stop me please before I fall through into the unsuspecting lap of the fat lady that lives below. Although my fall will be well cushioned. *talking a conspiracy like tone now* We don’t like her because she is mean to my dogs and meddles in everybody’s business.

Cinque I hope the same for you and that the miso did it for you. It is my first FD of the week.

I did a boo boo and stepped on the scale after my 3 day board room food. I annihilated all of my good work. Even higher on the scale. But to my surprise I don’t feel bad. Just plowing on.

MinnesotaMiss congratulations on you efforts. It cant be easy with all the work.

Lori maybe you can use the old trick with babies when you want them back in their crib after they have been sick and you brought them into your bed. It is painful for you but at the ned the results are there. You just put the cat out and live through 3 nights of hell until she gets the message. Maybe you need to sound proof your bedroom door. LOL I know you love her, and I love my dogs but nothing gets in between me and my sleep. Nothing I tells ya. The little I get these days due to retched hormones and lack of melatonin and what have we not …. sleep is like a precious rare commodity. Anyway after this little rant of a seriously tired woman. Lori I think you need to try something. Maybe get some advice from your vet or maybe there is good advice on the net.

Salma how id your inner Marilyn doing? My Gisele has deflate problems.

Love m

salma

8:21 am
29 Oct 15
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Good morning ladies..
Another successful FD yesterday.. I feel like I am back into the swing of things(or was that just my fat wobbling away?). Yaay! I hope the weekend does not undo the good work of this week. I have not managed gym this week either and came up with all sorts of lame excuses for my instructor as to why I have not dragged my considerable behind to the gym. I have to actually find a new gym closer to my new apartment.. at least that is my excuse to myself.

Lori, you poor thing with the cats. I agree with Makica.. you have to be tough and conserve any minute of sleep you can get. I did what she suggested with my firstborn. It was hell for a few days, but then he got the message. Before that (at his four months’ of age), I was a walking zombie and sooooo tired. At this stage in life, with hormones going haywire and insomnia becoming an unwelcome, but persistent visitor, I think you have to get tough! Good luck with it. I love cats, but I am done looking after babies, husbands or pets 🙂 On the other hand, maybe you can mentally ‘snooze’ in boring meetings to catch up with sleep. I hate these interminable meetings.. they seem so pointless.

MM.. nice to ‘see’ you and congrats on your FDs going well. You are a better man than I for not weighing for 4 weeks. I can’t seem to resist the temptation although it, more often than not, leaves me feeling annoyed and wanting to give it all up. I bet beautiful Canada is getting really cold by now. Here, the weather is turning into real autumn weather with rain and clouds, but the temperature is still in the twenties (centigrade).It is the perfect time to put things in order and refocus. I remember when I was a teacher, grading and exam times were very stressful and loads of work. I hope you have finished with all that now.

Milena, any sign of the frock yet? As Makica says, you are keeping us on tenterhooks.. The dress sounds lovely and I am sure you are going to look beautiful in it. I am also sure that Cinque’s (positive) witchery works.. she is very good. It worked for me 🙂 Did the cravat arrive? all these questions hanging in the air.. ! by the way, I second the question: DOES veggie soup qualify for a liquid only day? even though it has ‘lumps’ in it?

Makica.. How do you do “liquid health with Cold Press Juice made of kale, carrot, ginger, apple” in French? I am a bit confused about that.. it sounds decidedly un-French to me, fake or otherwise 🙂 I am glad all went well with your meetings and that they are all over now. It is never a good idea to step on scales right after a few days of work (or play) lunches and dinners. There is always water retention that adds on at least a kilo. Who needs to see THAT on the scales? be kind to yourself (says she who isn’t). I will have to travel for work in 3 weeks and will have t face the exact same thing. I am just hoping that by then, I will have got rid of the weight I put on recently. Sigh!

Have a great day ladies..