No April Fools!!!!!

This topic contains 104 replies, has 9 voices, and was last updated by  Upagumtree 8 years, 11 months ago.

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  • Welcome back Upagumtree!!! Your holiday sounds amazing, I’ve always been interested to go to Egypt but have yet to do it. Good to have you back 🙂

    I’m on a fasting day today, which is good because I dont actually have to stress about food during the day. Will probably have tuna salad for dinner later. This will be my 4th day with no wine too, which I’m so proud of!

    I’m not working tomorrow, I’m having the day off with my son who moved out recently. He wants to eat chinese :/ we go to the buffet style restaurant, so I am somewhat in control, I’ll just have to be careful. It is a non fast day but still, I dont want to undo the work I’ve done this week.

    Have a great day everyone 🙂

    Wow! Applepie, 8STONE something? You must be like Kylie by now! You have the psychology sorted obviously.

    Welcome back Upagum, we have missed you. Sounds like you had a fantastic time. I can just imagine you, like royalty on your own yacht. I think we need to rename you the Queen of the nile! Hope the ankle have gone back to their normal size and that the hibiscus works on the BP, I’ve that tumeric has the same effect. I’m surethe little you put on will soon be history.

    Aquafit and white trousers 3rdtime? You are rocking it! Well done and thanks again for your sound advice the other day. I’m happy to tell you that I succeeded yesterday on my FD and the 2lbs I put on at easter have gone. Adopting a state of mind of serenity appeared to work! So hopefully it is onward and downward for me now.

    Good luck all.

    Dragonfly, only just seen your post, the pages seem to have changed and all the posts have gone back to page one! Strange. Anyway, have a lovely day with your son. Are there any more left in the nest? I’m dreading this September when my daughter goes to uni. My son is in Ireland and I miss him a lot. When he is home we go for long walks and have mega long conversations, I miss that. Socialising with your gown up kids is the best isn’t it? How old is your son? I went to a buffet chinese with my daughter on Tuesday, I have to say that it was easy to reign myself in because their food was yuk! Hope yours is nicer. xx

    Hi Magicarp 🙂 my son is 22 now and I miss him so much. He’s my only one, and we’ve had such a good relationship, we get on so well and laugh and chat like you do with your son. I’m really looking forward to tomorrow 🙂 He moved out about a month ago, so its just me and my fella now, which is fine .. but the place is very quiet ha!

    Which Uni is your daughter going to? What is she studying? Its really hard letting them go, even though in the long run its for their benefit. I just wanted to cling on to mine and say he wasnt going anywhere!

    Hope your days going okay, Im fasting although struggling somewhat today with headache 🙁

    Keep going though xx

    Hi all! I hope everyone’s ok.

    Upagumtree – welcome back. Your break sounds amazing!! This bit of sunshine we’ve had here these past few days has definitely got me thinking about a little break. It’s very tricky getting away – both me and the OH run a business together (and it’s only us who work for it) so there’s no-one left to cover if we go away. However it’s our ten year anniversary this year so I hope we can mark that with a change of scenery in some way or another.

    My bonkers week last week has spilled over into this week. I’m studying for a degree in my spare time with the Open Uni and had a tough assignment to get in by Tuesday. I ended up having to take Monday out of the office to get it finished, working solidly for a good 16 hours (on top of all the other time I’ve spent on it so far) and came home on Tuesday (after I’d submitted it) to realise that I’d actually got one bit completely wrong. Argh! So I only managed a semi-fast on Tuesday (I was feeling a bit shaky with the fasting on Tues and that just sent me over the edge – it turns out I’m an emotional eater!).

    Fasting again today and struggling a bit – I’ve just had an unexpected bill come in so that’s made me a bit wobbly!! Still, I’m ok and am determined to get at least one fast day in this week! 🙂

    Magicarp that is BRILLIANT that the easter pounds have gone!! I sometimes think my body has delayed reactions to things, it’s like it’s a week behind! So on a good eating week I stay the same, then on a bad eating week I seem to get a loss.

    And before I forget, here’s the lentil dhal recipe I mentioned last (it serves 4 and when I totted it up on MFP it came to around 150 cals – however I obviously sub the 2tbsp of oil for either a spray of frylight or a bit of water to soften everything in on a FD):
    A little tip, I buy my garlic, ginger, chilli and coriander chopped and frozen from the freezer section of Waitrose, I make the trip especially for these bits, it’s loads handier than having to prep lots of little fiddly bits!

    2 tablespoons olive oil
    1 red onion, finely sliced
    2.5 cm piece of fresh ginger peeled and grated
    3 garlic cloves, finely sliced
    1 large green chilli, finely chopped (as little or as much as you like)
    1 teaspoon ground cumin
    1 cup red lentils (really, I use whatever lentils I have to hand)
    1 tablespoon lime or lemon juice, to serve
    Chopped coriander to serve

    What you do:
    Heat a heavy based saucepan over a medium heat and add oil.
    When the oil is hot, add the onion, and cook, stirring, until translucent.
    Add the ginger, garlic, chilli, some sea salt and the cumin.
    Cook, stirring occasionally until the onion is soft.
    Add the lentils and three cups of water and cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes over a medium to low heat until the lentils are nice and soft.
    Remove from the heat and stir through the lime or lemon juice.
    Serve topped with the coriander

    Magicarp – That is why my scales are so laughable. Trust me, I am nothing like Kylie. My waist to height ratio is nowhere near right yet. So I am keeping on. Allegedly the ideal weight for my height is 8st 3lbs, maybe they are right.

    Thanks for the recipe babs, I love lentils, I will try this soon.

    Have a great Friday everyone!

    ThirdTime I will reserve the cyber smack as you seem to have things back in control. Babs, good point re things getting a week behind. I too feel some weeks when I ‘ve been good I lose nothing yet other weeks when naughty I lose! Thanks for lentil recipe which I hope to use.

    Magicarp well done on losing those 2 lbs – keep up the state of mind. My sympathies to you and dragonfly on your chicks flying the nest. I don’t have children but do have two lovely nephews aged 31 and 28 who have just last year flown the nest (they even stayed at home while at uni!) My sister-in-law bemoaned them staying at home for years, but now they’re gone she’s devastated!

    Applepie 8st something is a great achievement – and only about half a stone away from your ideal weight! I don’t think you need the support from the forum anymore … but we need yours! You are our role model!

    Well, after a week in Egypt of three meals a day and no tummy problems, I yesterday came down with a tummy bug!! Had to cut my golf round short as I had a thumping headache. Got home and went to bed shivering and heart racing then started going both ends if you get my drift! Stayed in bed all day and was unable to eat or drink. Got up late this morning and managed a cup of tea and at lunchtime managed a bowl of porridge which has stayed down. Hopefully it is just a 24 hour thing. I still feel spaced out and am having difficulty concentrating on writing this. Silver lining though – with this and my two fast days prior I have lost 5 lbs in 3 days!! Tues am I was 9st 11 and this morning 9st 6 !! Of course I know this is because of depleted fluids and solids in my system and will expect the figure to rise over the next couple of days when I recover my appetite.

    The weekend is nigh! Have a good one all!

    Upagumtree , so sorry to hear you’re not feeling good. Sometimes these bugs are picked up in planes, I’m convinced the air circulating system is the cause of a lot of belated bugs. I picked up that horrible winter virus travelling back from Holland in October I’m sure from the flight. It took me ages to get over it. I’m kind of dreading the long flight to SA but want to enjoy it at the same time. Of course it could be your body rebelling at all the rich, spicy food you had on holiday. The body is an entity of its own isn’t it, throwing in a tantrum now and again to keep us on track. Hope you are feeling better by now.
    Apple pie, wow eight stone something. Well done you. What is your ultimate goal?
    I managed a 4:3 this week and found it doable. Made a big pot of chicken and veg soup for dinner last night and after a big plateful was just on my 500 cals. Weighed in this morning and another 1/2 lb gone. That’s 3lb for the week. Just another 2.5lb to go to goal by the end of April . Tomorrow I will be having a final sort out and try on of my holiday clothes . Getting excited now just 11 more sleeps! Have a great Sunday everyone, onwards and downwards.

    11 more sleeps Thirdtime – ha-ha – what age did you say you were?! I can feel your excitement vibing across the Internet. Isn’t it great trying out holiday outfits especially if some (or most) are smaller sizes! Well done on your 3lb loss – that’s massive for one week. I am sure with your mental attitude you will shed those measly 2 1/2 lbs over your 11 sleeps!! … And if you don’t you should still be happy to be so close to your holiday goal – just don’t gain any – remember the threat of the cyber smack!!

    Thanks for your wise words re bugs in planes – makes sense timing-wise. I normally think of picking up a cold virus on a plane journey and that stomach bugs are picked up through contamination/touch and didn’t appreciate some are airborne. Thank you for settling my mind somewhat as, at one point over the weekend, I was actually wondering if I had got malaria as I had about 20 mosquito bites – even though my clinic had advised no malaria protection required for the areas I was visiting. (My OH thinks I’m bonkers!) However, I have a doc appt tomorrow to check my meds so will mention it. I forced down two small meals yesterday and as much water as I could get inside me and am feeling stronger today though still no appetite. Weighed this morning and still 9st 6. Official weigh-in for me tomorrow and supposed to be a fast day, but if scales stay the same, or show less, I will not be fasting !

    BTW, my OH weighed 5 lbs more on return from Egypt and has lost 4 lbs of it over the course of the week. He doesn’t have a bug and has been eating normally (he doesn’t fast, just eats sensibly since losing 1.5 stone last year). He says it was down to water retention so reckons he has only put on a pound over the holiday. He ate huge portions, so much to be said for the Egyptian diet! Will be trying to incorporate some Egyptian style food choices into my diet (once my appetite returns!)

    Up

    Hi there my lovelies. Everyone is doing so well, it’s a joy to come on here and catch up with you all.
    Dragon, our boys are the same age! Aw bless, being your only one you must miss him loads. Tom is 23 in October. I think they are a generation of gentle-men. I love that he has never been embarrassed to be with his mum in public and I still get loads of hugs. Skype talk today. My daughter Jasmine is hoping to go to Chester uni to study English lit, also very huggy and at nearly twenty still sits on my knee! I hope your headache went, I often get headache on a fast day, I think I should drink more.
    Babs, wow, you like to burn the candle at both ends. Running a business and doing a degree! What are you studying. I’ve done a couple as a mature student and it’s tough going. I’m studying french now and I’m finding it hard to get into a good routine. I’m trying to see my education as a type of nourishment!! (for the brain)So on fast days I’m trying to study more. Thanks so much for the recipe, looks lush, any idea how much a cup is? Think I’ll make this on wednesday.
    Apple, aka Kylie. 8st3lbs may be ideal for your height but may not be ideal for you. I think we have to be careful about how we feel/look and not be too obsessed about the scales. Sounds so low to me but then I am pretty tall and big boned. 5″8″ and size 8feet! My feet were size 8 by the time I was 14yrs and we could only get womaney shoes, I hated it. They are still sometimes difficult to get and there’s never any left in the sales. You probably have the same probs at the other end of the spectrum.
    Upagum, hope you are soon on the mend. Good that you are seeing the doc to get checked out. Aren’t men lucky with their weight? You OH certainly seems it, mine rarely puts weight on although he has put a little on since giving up smoking..
    Thirdtime, well done on doing a 4:3. Don’t think I could do that, far to greedy. Your willpower is back. I love the thought of the body throwing a tantrum. Mine does that every month!!! You know what I mean.
    Lovely to speak to everyone again. Fasting tomorrow so Mrs Serene again. Good luck for next week all. xxx

    OH took me out for late lunch today as we have both done well on the scales. Our fav restaurant does great lamb which I had intended having, but after a busy lunch there was none left. Couldn’t resist the WAIT FOR IT – tempura battered plaice and chips and coleslaw. It was truly delish. Even while I was eating it I could here UP saying what are you doing, do you really want that cyber slap? Magicarp was on my other shoulder saying it’s just one meal, get back on it tomorrow, and Babs was saying, I have fallen off the wagon too! You are not alone. So all in all I figure I am in great and knowing company! I checked out the cals on MFP when I got home, and am under my TDEE. The only problem is that the food is sitting on my stomach like a ton of bricks, and after taking indigestion gunk, am wishing I had chosen better. How many times have I eaten carbs/fatty foods and regretted it after? At least now I am listening to my body and know what to do. As my school report said, could do better! Sure don’t need anything for tea tonight, although some lovely soup left for later if needed. 5:2 for us again tomorrow so hopefully not too much damage done. Could do another 4:3 if necessary. Hope you are all having a great weekend. May your sun continue to shine!

    Haha, 3rdtime, I love that I’m sitting on your shoulder and I sound a bit rebellious too. I think of the girls on here too as my little voices. You deserve your indulgence, sounds lush. Having a cheeky glass of vin blanc from the Languedoc before my dinner. Will be saintly tomorrow, promise! TTFN

    Hi everyone, hope you all had a good weekend.

    Upagumtree, are you feeling better now? Take care!

    Magic .. my son is 23 in September, so almost idential in age 🙂 I had a brilliant day on Friday with him, the chinese was wonderful, not sure if thats good or bad for me food wise, but I allowed myself to eat what I wanted that day 🙂 Fasting today and back at work!

    Thirdtimelucky, your meal sounded wonderful! I was hearing the “voices” when I was eating out on Friday 🙂 It is just one day, and we’re allowed 🙂

    Apple, I wish I could get to that weight, also ideal for my height, but I dont think I’ve been that weight since I was a child lol.

    Have a great day 😀

    Weigh in day and another lb gone. 9st 1lb now. As I said the 8 stone something was not to be taken seriously as it was after a 350 calorie fast, and 2 liquids only days. My weight today is in the real world.

    I have never been anywhere near this weight since I was a child Dragon. It was my dream to get to 9 and a half stone. But I still have some way to go. I can get hold of big lumps of fat under my armpits on my back, and my waist to height ratio is still not in the healthy range.

    Fasting today then liquids only tomorrow. Loving it!

    Haha – Thirdtime, I’m a bad influence!! How was it? Sounds lovely! Good on you for the 4:3 – which days are you going for this week? I am yet to do a 4:3 and seriously debating it this week. I know I ate a bit too much this weekend, so would like to reset the balance a bit! Although I don’t know if I’m the only one who finds this, I feel like I ate a lot on Saturday, but when I’ve totted it up quickly it’s not looking quite as bad as I thought it would. It’s annoying things that have added to calories like I grabbed breakfast out on Saturday morning and forgot to ask for a skinny latte. The even more annoying thing is that I ALWAYS get a skinny latte, have never chosen full fat over skinny, yet on Saturday morning my brain just forgot to say ‘skinny’ and therefore cost me a good hundred cals or so.

    Magicarp – I’m studying for a degree in Psychology. I’ve been at it since 2011 so I’m now on my final modules. The workload has definitely stepped up a bit, and typically my actual work has also ramped up too. I need to seriously reassess what I get up to in my spare time! Studying is really rewarding isn’t it? Blinking stressful sometimes, but rewarding all the same! I finish next year and I know I’ll miss it, although I’m looking forward to having some spare time! I find I get a bit sleepy on a FD, so I struggle to concentrate on heavy reading. I do feel a bit more mentally ‘focused’ on a FD though. It’s a shame I’ve not got any videos to watch for this particular module. I think that’d suit me on a FD.

    Sorry about the cups, recipes used to drive me mad if they were included, but then I picked myself up a set of measuring cups so now I don’t even consider the measures. Apologies! So in this recipe, 1 cup of lentils would be 250g, and the three cups of water is 750ml. 🙂

    I’m fasting today and have just nipped out at lunch with a friend. We went to M&S cafe and I had a pot of cucumber and carrot sticks and a black coffee. I stood in front of all the cakes under the beautiful glass domes and didn’t even feel a flicker of temptation. Which is GOOD (but also could mean I am still full from the weekend!! Haha – I joke of course!!). Whilst I was in M&S I also picked up a ‘ding dinner’ (well, technically it’s an oven job rather than a microwave) for tonight – I got a vegetable moussaka which comes in at 280 calories. Bonus. I don’t tend to do ready meals, but this one was really low on calories, fat and salt so I thought I’d give it a bash, plus the added bonus of not having to cook was very appealing!

    I hope everyone’s enjoying the sunshine!

    Had to do some food shopping then ended up in. Perth (Scotland not Aus) for a wander round the shops to kill time FD today so feel I have to get out and about. Guess what – found exactly the black sun top I have been looking for, in a sale and -WAIT FOR IT – it’s a size 12 and fits perfectly! Way hey – I haven’t worn a size 12 anything for 20 years. If you see a white haired 66 year old sitting on cloud nine polishing a halo, you will know it’s me!

    Weigh in day for me 1 ib down had a very bad weekend for eating out, italian friday indian saturday chinese sunday… did make some wise choices and only had one glass wine with the Italian a few with the indian but water only with the chinese. Fd today for me and only had 410 cals. Going to try a semi fast tomorrow and wed for my other FD .

    Love reading the posts you girls are all doing great, Apple i cant wait to get to 9st something hope it wont be long. Way to go third time i see your halo shining all the way here in Canada !
    Well done Bab’s resisting those cakes proud of you.. Upagum hope your feeling better sounds like you had an amazing trip. Magicarp your daughter sounds like mine she is 21 just finisher her 3rd year uni and stills love to snuggle watching a movie and yes she would still sit on my knee lol ! well make this a great week and let’s all have a good loss !

    I just love reading these posts! Magicarp and Dragon your comments on your loving relationships with your children were so touching it made me want to almost cry and give you both a cyber hug!! Then I almost cried with laughter at some other comments, particularly “the voices” on the shoulders – perhaps that could be the name for a new thread in June!

    Another pound gone Applepie – well done – you keep rolling along!, even with your occasional excesses.

    Babs interesting to hear about your studying – are you doing it to help with your business or for self-interest? Takes me back a bit – before I retired (early at 52!) I lectured at Napier University and undertook some Open Uni modules for self development (Managing Change mainly). Unfortunately did not complete due to work pressures.

    Thirdtime must now be only 9 more sleeps! Congrats on the SIZE 12!! Interestingly I hadn’t pictured you as being white haired! Somehow I thought you were dark haired – don’t ask me why!

    Soc sounds like you had a great multi-cultural weekend and did very well to escape with your 1lb loss!

    I am feeling much better now, thanks all for your concern. Got a bit of appetite back but still feeling very tired. Unfortunately seem to have passed it on to my OH! He had to take to his bed yesterday and is in bed still. This is bad news as he runs his own business and has a couple of site meetings later today which he says cannot be rescheduled. Fingers crossed he can manage to drag himself along – however this of course means he will be infecting everybody there! Will he listen to my pleadings to call sick? No way!!!

    Good news at the doc’s yesterday – my BP has dropped into normal (due to my one 5 mg tablet per day) so the dose doesn’t have to be upped. And … I don’t have Malaria!! Feel so stupid having asked the question now – she half-laughed when I asked if it were a possibility then said a stomach bug is rife at the moment and that if I’d malaria I wouldn’t be sitting in her surgery. I meekly took my leave apologising for being a hypochondriac.

    Also yesterday I did my official Monday weigh-in and was 9st 7 which is a nett loss of 1 lb over the two week period of my holiday, the resulting gain and the follow-on week of fasting then stomach bug. Whey-hey – reached my interim goal, albeit two weeks late! Just 7 lbs (49 sleeps!) to go to my next goal of 9st – whereafter I will assess if I want to go lower.

    Writing this while waiting for my chum picking me up. We are off on our Golf Club Ladies Spring Outing to Milnathort (you will know where this is Thirdtime). We are the organisers so feeling a wee bit stressed that all goes well – but hey we’ve put a heck of a lot of work into it – even organised this gorgeous sunny weather!

    Enjoy your day all!

    Up

    Hi upagumtree

    get out the suncream, not a cloud in the sky, cant believe its just April in Scotland, but I think its going to be a scorcher – well relatively speaking, you might need a jumper. But you can shed your clout!!! A geordie saying, but I think its used up here too!

    Have a great day!!!

    Paid for those fish and chips by putting on 1/2 lb – delicious as they were I wish…….but no! I’m not going to beat myself up about it. I am still on that cloud with my size 12! Hubby has lost again, now 1/2 lb below his target. He’s delighted (he ate the fish and chips too) and will carry on. He still has a bit of paunch he wants to get rid of. Going to do another 4:3 this week, Monday , Thursday and Saturday . Then next week we will do Monday and Wednesday as we will be travelling Thursday. So I have 4 more FD to get rid of it. Some clothes laid out but still trying on. Bought a new big suitcase so just have to fill it! OH just shakes his head. We have to go to St Andrews today as he has to change trousers he bought for hols – TOO BIG!
    Yes Up, just 9 more sleeps. My cousin plays golf at Milnathort. They live in Kirkforthar and visit them now and again. Small world eh? Good news with your meds. It’s great when something positive happens. So sorry your hubby is not well. Enjoy your golf, you have a great day for it.
    Babs, well done you for your resistance to yummy things. My, how clever you are. And so busy, my brain cells seem to have gone to mush since retiring, but my body is busy so maybe I can’t do two thing at once haha!
    I started going grey in my thirties, coloured it through my forties, chestnut brown, then during divorce decided to change my image , lo and behold completely white when the colour had gone! Glad to say it’s a nice silver white, I keep it short now. A good cut, two mins with a hair drier and am ready to rock and roll.
    Have a great day everyone, whatever you are doing.

    Wow! We are busy bees on here aren’t we? Dragon,glad your chinese was good, I’m sure the company was also. Sons the same age eh? It’s strange getting to know people in the virtual world and getting little bits of info about them here and there. You sort of get a picture in your head of people, usually wrong. Now I’m guessing if our sons are the same age then we must be! I’m 46! Yikes, you don’t have to divulge, I did have my kids quite young from what others say to me.
    Apple, you are doing great and seem to know your scales and how your body will react very well. I love how positive you are.
    Babs, psychology, tough course. I studied that as part of my social studies/social work degree and the amount of theories out there is mind blowing, probably even more now. It’s really interesting though, and like you say, very rewarding to be studying.Good luck with the next modules. I found it really tough doing my second degree, it seemed like a blur but I’m glad I did. BTW, thanks for the cup measurements. Got my lentils today and going to make it for tomorrow’s fast.
    3rdtime. Size 12! Yay, well done you deserve to wear your halo, think the gold and silver will look great with the new top! You are definitely rocking it.
    Soc8, sounds like you went round the world in 3 meals! Great having such variety isn’t it? I have always enjoyed cooking other cuisines. Will be making some ratatouille tonight to have with my salmon. Isn’t it great having cuddly daughters? Well done her on getting towards completion. You’ll have the graduation to look forward to, I was a lot more emotional than I thought I would be at my son’s. Which uni is she at? Well done on your pond loss.
    Upagum. So glad to hear you are on the mend but not that OH is now broken. Why don’t men ever listen when it comes to sickness? We clearly know best. I think I like the idea of a cyber hug more than a cyber slap! What did you lecture in? Some brainy gals on here I think.
    Well, I was really good on my fast yesterday and lost the gran total of 0 today, yes that’s big fat 0/zero! Normally I’m one or two pounds down after a fast. Hope I haven’t broke my fasting muscle with all my uping and downing! So I have been extra good today. Just toast and my dinner later. Fasting 2moz so hopefully will be in the right direction.
    Speak soon, keep the titbits of info coming folks, I’m very nosey. xxxx

    Well my fast day went well yesterday and today managed a semi fast fasting again tomorrow! Magi my daughter goes to Guelph Uni here in canada taking marketing management. She is off to Cuba with a bunch of friends next week lucky devil ! wish i was going… Going to New york next month for a mini break with my daughter and some of my friends really looking forward to it.
    Hoping to get to goal before my b’day in sep promised myself i would be at goal when i’m 50 well i turn 51 in sep so not got long left of my 50th year lol !

    Happy Wednesday 🙂

    Magic, I’m 44! We are so similar, I love that we are in cyber world and yet get to know so much about people in our little circle of friends 😀

    Upagumtree, glad you’re feeling better now. I’m all for cyber hugs 😀 Good news about your BP too, thats brilliant. I agree “the voices” would be a great thread to start in May!!

    socr8v, great job on the fasting, everyone seems to be doing so well at the moment.

    Enjoy the day wherever and whatever you’re up to today, I’m at work unfortunately, but its sunny and it helps x

    Yes, you are nosey Magic and I love you for it. (Cyber hug!) Your questions inspire us all to gradually feed bits of info which we wouldn’t normally release to the world!! I think we have a lovely warm environment on this thread and feel I can feed in bits of personal info (apart from my very personal info). It keeps the thread interesting and makes a change from talking about food.

    I lectured in the Business School and covered a wide spectrum of subjects from Economics, Accounting through to Information Systems and, latterly Computerised Info Systems. My favourite subject was Accounting and least was CIS mainly due to the fact that it was a rapidly changing discipline and one year’s lecture plan could not be used fully the following year, hence many, many hours of research and lecture/tutorial preparation. I loved my job and interaction with different student groups but the long hours (60-80 a week) just about killed me, hence my early retirement – The last straw came when a reorganisation saw my section of the Business School subsumed into the School of Computing where I, with my Business skills had to fit in alongside “computer geeks” who wore jeans and sandals! (I wore a business suit and heels!!)

    Two minutes with a hair drier Thirdtime – lucky you! Mine takes 30 minutes and then some with the straighteners (best invention ever to my mind) – I have thick, shoulder length hair – tinted blonde, but was always fair until the grey appeared in my forties and I hated the salt & pepper look.

    Dragon, are you still avoiding the weekday wine? While on 5:2 I have been trying to avoid a weekday tipple but fell off the wagon yesterday! At the golf outing had a couple of post-round white wine spritzers while sitting in the sun awaiting our late lunch. They went down a treat – well I wasn’t driving and I needed the Dutch courage for making the presentation of prizes speeches (even although I am an ex-lecturer I loathe speaking in public!) The meal afterwards was delicious – I opted for the healthy ham salad – but it came with a bowl of chips on the side. Don’t know when I last had chips – last year sometime – and they were HEAVENLY! Ate every single one! (I hear you laughing ThirdTime!) When I got home OH was in the garden sunning himself (he got to his meetings and was feeling better – how the heck he recovered so quickly I don’t know). So I cracked open a bottle of white only for him to decline as he still had a dicky tummy. So, upshot was I had the whole bottle to myself (over the course of 5-9 pm mind you). As I had had a large late lunch the wine was my liquid evening meal!! Oh, my head this morning!! No allure for wine this evening, even although the sun is shining (what is it about sunshine and wine??), and Fast Day tomorrow so hopefully back on track!

    Up

    Soc8, I keep forgetting you live in Canada, Doh! Marketing is definitely where it’s at these days. A trip to new york sounds fab, I’ve never been but would like to. Good that you are nearly there with your goal.
    Dragon, gosh we are similar, It’s great having kids young I think, I know not everyone can but I’m glad I did. I’m loving the sun, I had to drive just over two hours to see a client today and I went the scenic route through South Staffs, it was beautiful, saw buzzards, kezzis, rabbits and a hare! Been fasting but have just given in to a slice of toast as I have headache and french class tonight! Well, that’s my excuse anyway.
    Upagum, glad you don’t mind my nosiness. Wow! You have had a busy working life, you have a load of knowledge to pass on. I always think it’s a shame that when professional people retire their knowledge goes with them. I’m sure the next generation would benefit from their wisdom. Can’t blame you for doing your own thing now though after such a hectic working life. Glad the OH is on the mend and OMG! Totally get what you mean about wine and sun. I have also driven past loads of lovely country pubs with lucky people sat outside in the sun sipping away. I just had my celery and water in the car, felt a bit mardy. 🙁
    Anyway, must dash, languages to learn and all that. Bonjour mes amies xx

    Upagum – how do you think I manage in Spain?!! The wine is so cheap and we have lovely sunshine most days, even in winter. It’s a hard life (not!) 🙂

    Oh Applepie I so feel for you with your hard life in the sun and all that cheap vino – not!! … ha-ha!! I am coming your way a week on Tuesday – second holiday of the year for me, hard on the heels of my Egypt holiday. This is my annual golf girls Europe trip. A group of eight of us girlfriends are going to Costa de la Luz – just over the border from the Algarve – do you know it? It is a week’s Golf School where we will be coached by an English ex-Ladies Professional. Will be an active week of daily drills and golf rounds but we hope to also fit in some sunbathing and cheap vino!!! I am starting to look out/try on my wardrobe – so far my old (3 years) size 12 pedal pusher golf pants, skorts, shorts and swimsuits fit so not going to bother buying anything new for this trip. The new size 12 tops and dresses I bought for the Egypt trip will suffice for evening events.

    Soc, I so envy your trip to New York. We have been trying to get there for decades now – I have a cousin in Long Island who has invited us for over twenty years. We thought we would save the trip for our ruby wedding anniversary next year. Wrote at Christmas indicating our intentions … not heard back since – think we’ve left it too late as they are now well into their seventies and probably don’t now relish the thought of entertaining their Scottish relatives!! Ho-hum, there’s still my cousin in Toronto – another bucket list item!!

    Magic, what long distances you travel in your job!! – do you like driving? Sounds like lovely English countryside drives. What are kezzies – I am guessing kestrels?? Hope with the assistance of your celery and water yesterday that you get a lower figure on the scales today!! Remember the “no show” on scales is often due to water retention and given our recent warmer weather you have probably not been drinking enough and hence storing fluids!!

    Up

    Hi everyone 😀 sounds like we’re all having a good week so far.

    Up .. I’m staying of the vino in the week, although its really difficult haha, and like you say with the sunshine as well … It will soon be weekend and I can allow myself a few glasses 🙂

    Magic, I’m glad I had my son young too, and now he’s keeping me young! The weird thing is I dont actually feel any different in my head to when I had him at 21 lol.

    Apple .. I bet its amazing living in Spain, but tempting with the cheap wine 😉

    Have a wonderful day, feeling happy 😀

    Oh dear, I feel quite brain dead compared to all you intelligent young ladies! Ever the practical one, me. In my forties I took City & Guilds in prof. Cooking, am qualified to teach but instead went into management, after a few years working for other people decided to run my own bistro. Bloody hard work! Retired last year. People keep asking me to make cakes for them but don’t do it much now. Too tempting! Keep threatening to write a book but enjoying not doing too much for now. Working on getting my health sorted out.
    Only problem being a cook is I dissect every meal I have out. Yesterday decided to try new Japanese restaurant in area. So disappointed . Only Japanese food on menu was Sushi, which I don’t like. Pizza, pasta and expensive steaks. Ended up with smoke chicken and mushroom taggliatelle. Chicken tasted weird, sauce pure thick cream – left half of it, so ended up under my TDEE for the day.
    FD today, and am looking forward to fish and steamed veg for dinner tonight. My tastes my definitely changed. Just plain simple stuff suits me now. Even wine now doesn’t do it for me ( though I will force myself whilst on holiday. Haha).
    Another holiday Up? How lucky are you. I used to golf when living in Australia years ago. OH is trying to get me to start again, caddy for him occasionally , but no plans to start again yet. Have a great time. Only 7 more sleeps for us. Can’t wait! Good luck all those fasting with me today. Hopefully the scales will be kind tomorrow

    April fool declaration!! I am sat at my desk with my left index finger in a cup of hot water and bicarb soda! What, when, why, who? I hear you ask. Last night, even though I had completed quite a good fast I gave into pinching a jammie dodger from the packet. My finger picked up a load of crumbs and I put it in my mouth to lick it off. I felt a sharp stab and had to fish out what turned out be a sliver of glass which in turn went into my finger and thumb and I couldn’t get it out of my finger. Obviously didn’t continue to eat the biccie. So there is karma for you. But, 2lbs down this morning, yay!
    Apple, I’m sooooooooooooo jealous of you’re Spanish sun but have to say I think French wine is the best! Controversial? And hopefully it won’t be too long before I have my own pad in France. I will then been surrounded by the temptation myself!
    Upagum, yes I do like driving and being in the car with my french CDs, audio books and music and of course Women’s Hour. It’s become like my own little mobile classroom. Your golf trip sounds wonderful, we have some beautiful courses here in Derbyshire, my OH used to play a lot. I reckon you are going to cut quit a dash in your size 12 pedal pushers, swit swooo, as they say. I take a lot of fluid with me when I have a long drive, it’s good advice though to keep remembering it. Oh, and yes, kestrels, we’ve always called them kezzies, I’m a reet yorkshire lass tha knows. Have you read/seen Kestrel for a Knave/Kes? We studied it at school but it’s a beautiful and gritty story.
    Dragon, I agree, you don’t age in the mind really, just in the body unfortunately, frustrating eh? So glad you started this thread and i joined in, makes me motivated. Have a lovley sunny day all.

    OMG Magic, Karma indeed! Better the glass in your finger than in your gut though!! Have you taken the biscuits back to the shop? That’s scary!! Whoop de whoop on your 2lb loss!! I haven’t read Kes. Am reading at the moment The Girl on the Train and loving it.

    Your own Bistro Thirdtime – wow! How long did you run it for? I can imagine it would be hard work – and a big responsibility. I now understand why you have been so analytical in your posts! That Japanese restaurant sounds disgusting – and bet it was expensive too – the ones in Edinburgh are.

    Talking of disgusting, fast day for me today and just had a FastdietKitchen soup. Was Minestrone and horribly bitter – I had to add a dessert spoon of caster sugar to make it palatable – kind of defeats the object!! I have loads more of these soups and meals to use up. I only use them in emergencies – they all taste the same – with a manufactured taste. Must make more batches of homemade soup for the freezer – at least I know the ingredients are all natural.

    I am sitting in the garden sipping my sparkling water having just polished off a lovely cool slice of watermelon. It’s getting too hot in the sun so moving to the shade to read my book. Sorry all you working ladies!! … Retirement is great – so long as you have your health and a good pension – one of the good things to come out of my career was the final salary teachers pension. Used to moan at the amount of deductions from my gross salary but reaping the rewards now with the pension, plus the DWP pension … and bus pass to boot!! I am not ashamed to say that after working full time with long hours for 30+ years I think I deserve it!!

    Happy fasting all who are doing it today!

    Upagum – I know the area you are going to, but it’s not near us. We are just south of Alicante. Lots of golf courses near here but it has never appealed to me. Hope you have a great holiday.

    We know we are very fortunate to live here and to be able to retire so “young” Yes the wine is very tempting and I don’t have much willpower where that is concerned. Dragon I admire your strength.

    Magic- ah, but, have you tried Pata Negra, a fabulous Spanish red wine, and quite an expensive one compared to the cheap stuff we sometimes buy. It’s around 3 Euros a bottle, that’s about £2.50, haha!

    Love our life here 🙂

    ,Appliepie, goodness me, I just mentioned you on the Brits post, then I saw your last comment here! Did make me chuckle!

    3rdtime, your post wasn’t there when I went on earlier, how strange. Anyway, never underestimate your talents. Running your own business and working so hard is a massive achievement. After leaving hands on care work to have my kids most of my working life has been at a desk, in car etc (while running the house & family) but we women just do that on the side eh? My mum did City and Guilds catering and taught some home ecs at adult ed college. She is amazing and taught me all the important stuff. You are multi-skilled but I bet you are enjoying your down time, I know what you mean about cakes. One of my hobbies cake dec and once people know whatyou can do! I’ve hd to get good at saying no. Hope you find some great eateries on your hols that come up to your high standards. xx

    Gosh i’m so jealous of you all having the sunshine woke up to stinkin snow again this morning was 23 and hot last week got all the patio furniture out and was almost tempted to open my pool, -1 this morning, so weird the weather here, getting warmer next week thank god. Picking up our new boat in a week we live right at the side of a lake so hope the weather bucks up for us it’s usually much warmer than this.

    Upagum i love golfing sounds like a fun trip your going to have. I have to tell you about my very first day golfing ever with 3 other new to golf girls i was stood waiting for the one girl to tee off when another friend thought she would take a practice shot with no warning or without looking behind her, well she swung so hard back she hit me straight in the mouth and knocked me out. Anyhow i woke got up and felt ok played my nine holes then later the pain set in. Trip to the dentist to find i had cracked my teeth top and bottom $13000 dollars for two bridges yikes. expensive round of golf lol ! i still play but i’m very cautious ! and yes you deserve to enjoy your retirement. You really should take those trips to NY and Toronto i live about an hour from Toronto i’m going there tomorrow with a friend to a creative festival. I live a couple of hours from Buffalo in Ny state go often to shop. It’s about an 8 hour or so drive to New York city this will be my fourth time going but flying there this time only takes 1.5 hours.

    Apple i will look for that wine next time i’m in the liquor store or when i’m in Spain in June we are going to Magaluf. Love trying new wines.

    Magi well done on your loss that glass was scary though glad you didn’t swallow it ! i also did cake decorating don’t do it anymore.

    Third time it’s hard work running your own business i ran my own business selling furniture for 20 years you always put in a lot of extra hours.

    Dragon i’m with you staying off the wine in the week enjoying a few on the weekend. Had a great week with food so far both Fd’s went well exercised loads dropped another pound this morning.

    Well you all have a fabulous weekend send a little sunshine my way please ! x

    Yeh, another 1.5lb gone! down to 10st 2lbs now, sure I can do this before Thursday. We are doing another FD on Saturday so that will give us three FD before leaving. OH has lost another 1lb so he is now well below his target and delighted. Says he feels so much better, physically and mentally. I have also lost 1″ from my hips and 1/2″ from my thighs. Still got that spare tyre round the middle. but I know it will go given time. (and patience)
    Worked as General manager for other people for 5 years, then had my bistro for 6 years. Worked 6 days a week and on my day off was doing the books! so no break at all really. When I retired, I hadn’t realised just how strung out and exhausted I was. OH was an absolute diamond during all that time. Anyone else would have run a mile. We are both now much more relaxed and enjoying each others company. This holiday is so special as it will be the longest break we’ve had in all those years.
    Ouch socr8v, I feel the pain in your mouth – golf can be quite dangerous. A set of clubs is dangerous in my hands!
    Good luck all – off the sort out our Rands.

    Monday again, hope everyone had a good weekend. I’m fasting today, found a low cal ready meal in asda 290 cals! Its so lazy, but so easy on fast days lol.

    I had quite a lot of nice food this weekend, but the scale was kind to me this morning and i’d not gained anything. Stayed the same, but I want to really work hard this week and lose something worth posting about.

    Sipping diet coke and water today. The sun is shining again, and I’m going to make myself go for a walk at lunch, i’ve just been sitting in the sun and its not helping, I need to be moving more.

    Have a great day 😀

    Well I am certainly not an April fool. I have lost another 1.5lbs, bringing me to 8st 13.5lbs. Unbelievable!

    It does seem that with one 350 calorie fast day, and one liquids only day I can eat and drink pretty much what I want the rest of the week and still lose weight. It works for me!

    Happy fasting!

    Morning! Applepie, that is brilliant!! I have also found that if I manage a 400 ish FD, I’ll lose weight but if I do a 500cal one I don’t. i wonder if this is because my TDEE is only just 1600 cals? I also try to stick to a liquid only day when I’m fasting some weeks too. I’ve not weighed myself this week, mainly because I only managed 1 FD last week. I’ve been having a lot of headaches recently and I’m finding they’re much worse on a FD, so I’m trying to find a balance. I’m back on the 2 FD wagon this week, today is the first FD.

    I’ve had a busy ol’ week, lots of work and lots of studying. I didn’t get any ‘down time’ this weekend but I am SO pleased it’s a bank holiday this coming weekend 🙂

    How is everyone doing?

    No wonder the sun is shining for you, Appliepie. Well done.

    Have you tried hula hoop? Heard its good for waist whittling, thinking of buying one. Or a medieval rack. Need to be 5′ 6″ at the moment, Im just under 5’3″.

    Great work Applepie. It gives you such a boost mentally when you see the numbers going down.
    We did a third FD Saturday. I found it hard going but did it. 1/4lb off the scales. Did wonder if it was worth it for a measly 1/4lb (how ungrateful is that when my poor old bod is working so hard). It is still off this morning so now just 1 3/4 lb to target. Don’t think I could do 4:3 regularly, but now and again it’s a boost.
    Babs, my TDEE Has changed to 1550 so now my FD is just 387 cals. I am finding this very difficult, but aim to stay under 500 for the moment. When I get back from hols I am sure I will have to start again. But that’s the good thing about this WOE. I know how to get it off again. Then onwards to lose my next half stone. If I take it in small increments then it doesn’t get overwhelming. FD today, porridge and blues for brekky the beef curry tonight from yesterday’s roast, no rice but lots of veg in it – good luck and keep at it all you lovely people.

    Haha! same here milena, I have just never been tall enough for my weight. I am 5’2″. I enjoy the hula hoop on the Wii Fit Plus, I don’t think I would be any good at the real thing though.

    Babs do you have enough salt on fast days? I have a mug of bovril on my liquids only day to ensure some salt intake. It might help your headaches.

    Thanks for the tip Applepie, funnily enough I was having miso soup on my fast days when I started this back in January but haven’t had it for a while! That might explain things a bit. I’ve got hypermobile joints, which affects my cervical spine a lot, so can often get headaches from that. But salt may well help regardless! I think it’s probably a combination of fasting, salt and having too much on my plate (scuse the pun!).

    Third time, I know what you mean, it’s tough when you get so used to 500 cals! Remind me, where are you off on hols?? I bet you can’t wait!!

    Milena, medieval rack sounds perfect, I could do with being 5’10”! Sometimes my osteopath will give me a bit of ‘traction’, it feels amazing. Not enough to make me grow 3 inches though!

    Brrr! The weather’s turned really cold here! How’s it in Canada now Soc? Got that pool opened up yet? Cracking story (excuse the pun!) re your first day golfing – surprised you continued playing the sport after that!!

    Fast day for me today and I am finding it so much harder with the colder temperature! Played 18 holes this morning and was exhausted after battling a bitter wind and having only had a cup of tea and a few sips of water. Am making up the fluids now with Hibiscus tea and sparkling water (unchilled!) I intend holding off eating until 6 pm – chicken curry from yesterday’s roast with cauliflower rice – works out at circa 350 cals (or less if I reduce the chicken portion size). I have taken note of your comment Babs re 400 cal as opposed to 500 cal fast day. Hopefully with my exertions and restraint I will have burned off half a pound of fat today as, like you Dragonfly, the scales were the same for my official weigh-in today. Hope I am not plateauing!!

    Well done ThirdTime – you and your OH have made a stellar effort in your run up to the S Africa trip. Three more sleeps now? Hope you manage to post in before you go. How long are you away for? Will you be able to post when over there? Would love to hear what you get up to! – and what clothes you manage to wiggle into!!

    Applepie – wow under 9 stone! You certainly have been no April fool! You must be thrilled! – We all have a long way to catch you up, but hey … just wait til the UK weather hots up again – it’s so much easier to fast in warm weather. (That is not meant as a put-down for you Applepie – you have worked hard on your fast days – but meant as an incentive for us freezing Brits (and Canadian) that the good times are just ahead of us!!)

    Just three days left of April now – what a quick month!! Where will we go from here??

    Up

    Upa – I am not sure I agree with you about the weather. I found it really easy in the colder months to keep my general calorie intake low by making massive amounts of vegetable soup. We had that for dinner most days. Now it is warmer, more neighbours are here, more socialising, more vino, more BBQ’s etc etc. If anything I think it is harder in the hot weather.

    3rd – Our posts crossed. Every little bit counts. I did 4:3 one week but found it too hard. 5:2 is enough for me.

    350 calorie fast today, liquids only tomorrow. Whatever works.

    Happy fasting!

    Hey upagum the weather has started to warm up still cooler than it normally is but i think we have seen the last of the snow. Pool still closed maybe in a couple of weeks still a ton of gardening to do to keep us busy.

    My monday weigh in lost another pound so 6 up to now for April. On my fast day today it’s 2.20 in the afternoon only had liquids so far trying to do one less than 500 and wed will be my second FD who knows maybe another might come off before the month is out fingers crossed. so i have officially lost a stone !

    Appliepie way to go thats an awesome achievement you must be feeling fabulous i can’t wait to get to goal i want to lose another stone if i can.

    Third time you have done fabulous hope you have an amazing time on your trip.

    Dragon enjoy that sunshine glad you didn’t gain over the weekend lets both try and have a good loss for next week i would like to be down more than one pound my trips are creeping up on me to fast i need to focus.

    Milena what i wouldn’t give to be taller 5’3″ girl here also…

    Bab’s hope you get those headaches sorted i’m trying for a 400 day hope it gives me a boost in the right direction.

    keep up the good work ladies still a few days left for the month give it all you got !

    Everyone sounds so positive, its great! My fast day went so well yesterday, kept it under 500 cals and walked as well. Feel so much better for it today. I’ve got food with me, but as usual after a fast, I’m not overly hungry right now.

    I think we’ve all done really well this month 🙂

    Stay positive, and give it your all to the end of April x

    Good work al!

    Dragon Fly, I also managed to keep my FD under 500 yesterday, I came in on 450 cals which is good. I hopped on the scales this morning and I have stayed the same, but I am really happy about that where I only managed a 6:1 last week (my body is definitely on a week’s delay with the weigh-ins!). I’m going to do another FD on Thursday, and I have plans in the evening so I’m hoping to be nicely distracted and will hopefully come in a nice amount below 500 again.

    Applepie, I felt so much better the moment I upped my salt yesterday thank you so much for the reminder! Headache has gone and I slept better last night. Having lived with various family members with high blood pressure over the years, I’ve always been really sparing with salt -either adding it to food or eating food with a lot of it in, maybe I need to remind myself that it’s ok to have a high salt day on a fast day!

    upagumtree fingers crossed for a bit more weight shifting!

    Wishing everyone a lovely day 🙂

    Yesterday was a normal eating day for us but still managed to do a 1000 cal day without really trying. That’s pesky 1:4 lb has gone again. We are fasting today as busy day tomorrow so hopefully will shed a bit more.
    Off to Aquafit this morning . If your fasting today have a good one, and if you’re not, have a good one!

    ThirdTime safe journey today – hope you have a fab holiday – keep us posted if you can! Hope you managed to shed that 24 ounces by this morning!

    Magic, are you alright? Not heard from you since your glass incident a week ago, really worried about you!!

    Well that’s us at the end of April. Everyone seems to have started positively this week and determined to shed a little more before the April deadline. Dragon, ThirdTime, Magic, Soc, Applepie, Babs et al, looking forward to reading your April stats – here’s mine:

    I started April with a simple goal of reaching 9 1/2 stone before my holiday second week in April and then to lose whatever I gained on holiday and hopefully be back to 9 1/2 stone at the end of the month. Well, I was 9st 8 by the start of my holiday (only a pound off target). I put on a couple of pounds while on holiday but then had a stomach bug which led to me losing quickly and reaching my 9 1/2 stone target. Last week I stayed the same as I only fasted one day as I wanted to recover from the bug. This week due to the encouragement and positiveness of all on this thread I was inspired to see if I could report a loss in my last post in No April Fools. Had a 350 FD Mon, semi-fast Tue 800 cals and semi-fast yesterday 700 cals. Happy to report I weighed in this morning at 9st 5 which is a 2lb loss in 3 days – and I have a full FD today so perhaps lose a bit more by my official weigh in day on Monday!

    1st April weighed 9st 9
    30th April weighed 9st 5
    Total loss : 4 pounds.

    Thank you Dragonfly for leading us through this past month. I have enjoyed reading all the posts and found everyone uplifting – thanks all – No April Fools on this thread!

    I am happy to start a new thread for May if you like – take the pressure off you Dragon. Suggested title is Little Voices in May, (from Thirdtime’s hilarious post re the voices on her shoulders) but any other suggestions welcome. Looking further forward, perhaps the regular posters could take it in turns to lead a thread a month?

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