Day 5 Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 FD

Enjoyed walking on the beach yesterday and yes @stitchincarol, Crescent beach does look very like beautiful rugged Amroth beach. Whilst walking I considered the possibility of taking our property off the market until Spring and started to think that was a good plan only to get home to a message from the estate agent, some people want to view our house today. So I will be busy with a grocery delivery and house cleaning this morning and people viewing the property this afternoon……no time to eat, should guarantee a good FD.

Strength to my fellow Thursday fasters 🥗

Day 5 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – FD

@penz – congrats on the successful FD! Yes, snacking is such a bad habit. I was annoyed with myself after having salted peanuts after dinner last night, when I wasn’t even hungry. A tiny 50 g packet, but that’s 300 cals! I think I was contemplating today’s FD, so I decided I needed a reward in advance 🙄

@merryapple – not sure what you mean re the stalk? I have used light & dark green. Maybe it’s the light/picture? Although, it’s not meant to be a stalk, just grass, foliage in general. I’m winging it 😅 Oh, & @stitchincarol – the blue & white squares are actually purple & lilac. So maybe it’s just my crappy phone camera. I’m VERY proud of those diagonal cuts 😃 But it’s just a little device you use like a pair of pliers, with little sharp-edged wheels.

@merryapple – I heard the two princes both have criminal records, which is one reason the daughter was chosen to succeed the king? There was a huge court battle after the Zulu king died here 3 years ago. The process of choosing a successor is very complicated, especially considering they have several wives & God knows how many children. Apparently we have several ‘royal’ families in South Africa; 10 kings and a queen! No doubt all funded by tax payers 😒

@stitchincarol – $1400 to fix a rattle?! That would be a nice deposit on a new car here!

@bert1802 – welcome back & well done! That’s a good FD & a OMAD all-in-one 🥇

Pocket List – Day 5 🥝
@merry🍎
@michelinme
@missybear
@funshipfreddie

Day 5 – Rural Nebraska, USA – WFD

Yesterday morning’s deep motivation had waned a bit by evening, and I was tired from my busy day and overwhelmed by everything still on my list, so I ate more than I’d intended. And then, contrary to what *ALWAYS* happens, I lost a whopping 2 ounces overnight, rather than my typical 2 pounds. Weird, weird, weird. But life goes on, and today’s WF should dispatch much of what I found ugly on the scale this morning. 😂

I went down to the (finished) basement and did an hour of tidying yesterday. There’s still plenty I could do, but the evidence of my efforts is clear, so that’s encouraging. Our family plan is to have the funeral on Monday or Tuesday, which means I need to have the basement ready for DD and her family by Saturday evening. The only problem, of course, is that my MIL hasn’t yet passed. This need to plan is getting tangled up with an inability to control the details, LOL!

@michelinme I meant to wish you a good trip to see your DD and somehow only got your name down yesterday!

@bert1802 Welcome back! 😉

@penz Ahh, now your description is sounding exactly like my experience. I did another hour this morning; my checklist is about half ticked and most of what’s remaining is the simpler tasks, so it’s happening. The problem, of course, is that visits to MIL take away many hours, and tidying and cleaning and preparing the house for the kids to be here for the funeral is also claiming a big share of time, so the bookkeeping is only happening slowly. I’d love to at least have the paperwork done before DD and her gang get here, but who knows. Thankfully, the extension I filed last April is good until October 15, so there’s no actual pressure…yet. 😂🤣😂

@merryapple Did I say apple? It’s carrot cake… But I’ve a lovely apple recipe–no, two!–that my mom made and I adore and I’ll post them eventually. Want the carrot cake recipe (the one with olive oil) also? Fascinating details on the funeral and selection of the princess!

@missybear Oh! Good luck with the people viewing your house!

@at Silecroft Beach looks very similar to “South Beach” in Crescent City. There’s also “Pebble Beach” (very aptly named as it’s all pebbles mixed into the sand) and the beach I linked, which is surrounding the dredged-out harbor. That’s a detail I really miss of living on the coast, so lucky you that a beach AND your DD are a mere 45 minutes away!

@funshipfreddie LOL! The rattle was actually the belt on the water pump…

@northgeorgia I immediately thought of you when I heard of the shooting, and wondered if you perhaps knew anyone in that town/at that school. So very sad.

Okay, time to get dressed and head out the door.

Have a grand one, everyone!

You are far too smart to be the only thing standing in your way.

Pocket List – Day 5 🥝
@merry🍎
@michelinme
@missybear
@funshipfreddie
@stitchincarol WF

Day 4 UK CD 1100
Day 5 FD800

I didn’t post yesterday as SUCH a long day, but very glad to spend day with DD. Thanks @stitchincarol She’s recovering from surgery with chemo starting in a couple of weeks so life is full of health phone calls/appts and planning/prep. But we had a good day of relaxed chat over coffee, slow walk/push into town for lunch, and a couple of hours cleaning the kitchen!

Proud of myself for a series of good choices despite stress and weariness. I resisted – pastries with morning coffee – in favour of an apple, all snacks on the train, pastries/puddings/sandwiches at lunchtime – in favour of pumpkin soup, and chocolate/crisps etc on delayed train home – I chose tiny bag of nuts and a slice of light fruit cake. It made me realise how easy it is to eat a mountain of calories! But also how simple it is to change my mindset and make intentional choices to serve future goals.

Today I peeled my exhausted self out of bed to visit friend who has been largely housebound for several years. It’s been hard to find a clear day when we are both well and I have access to a car but we finally did it! I turned down proper lunch as fasting but we ate light salad of carrot/cucumber/tomatoes and some berries. I was going to visit another friend on the way home but the heavens opened with torrential rain so we came straight back. Early supper was sweet potato/spinach and pea dahl, quorn ‘chicken’ and cauliflower with nutritional yeast, followed by an apple and dried mango. 792 calories and the kitchen is closed.

I unpacked my box of fruit and veg this afternoon, my first oddbox since before my mum died. The fruit and veg is all ‘odd’ and surplus, so lots of tiny apples and pears, very large courgettes etc. It feels good to have a heap of colourful fruit and veg to encourage healthy eating over the next week.

I’m feeling a little less puffy than I was on Monday morning but not expecting to see much in the way of results on my Friday weekly weighday. Early days, baby steps, but heading in the right direction.

@jaifaim @funshipfreddie thank you – it’s good to be here
@bert1802 welcome back! I landed on Monday after a year away, 18lbs heavier but determined to make progress 🙂 I’m glad to be travelling with you again.
@northgeorgia what a tragedy for the community. Best of luck with your event – you’ve got this!

I’ve caught up with 2 days’ posts – goodness what a lot is happening – now heading to bed. Go well fellow fasters

Day 6 NZ NFD 70.6kg

I had a big breakfast of muesli and sourdough with m’mlade and tea to start the day.
I have a radio interview about the exhibition coming up at 10am for the Auckland University radio arts programme later in the day. I’ve just seen a rainbow 🌈 in the sky so I know my boys are lurking… Today is the 3rd anniversary of Billy’s death. I’m so glad he died in Spring because somehow it seems more positive and forward looking.

@stitchincarol I was going to go back and read your posts because I hadn’t clocked the passing of your MIL but you’re in preparatory mode…!
I’d love a carrot cake recipe. I usually make the Silver Palate carrot cake which is huge!!
@at the Italian apple cake sounds lovely too. I’m not very familiar with Italian baking recipes.
That was a great walk you did. Feeling fit and strong is a great feeling of self containment, I think.
@michelinme Good on you making such healthy food choices.
I hope your DD recovers well from her surgery before the onset of chemo. The support team – you – need to take extra care of yourself too😊
@brightonbelle At least we don’t have hard water… I clean the soap off with elbow grease combined with the natural orange based De-Solv-it , made in Australia. My backsplash in the kitchen is also charcoal slate. It is fantastic – easy to wipe down and doesn’t reflect light so you can’t see sticky marks!!
@funshipfreddie Probably the photo!! You’ll be teaching mosaics soon😄
The royal kids have Māori titles not English… I know the younger son is a tattoo artist now The elder used to accompany his father on official trips but had a troubled past and married a wife no one approved of and is stripped of his title.
There was only one real choice – their sister, or someone from another tribe.
@northgeorgia Well done!
I was saddened by the news of another school shooting… I did listen intently to the accents of the people interviewed and thought you must have the same accent!!😃
@missybear Your house and location sound lovely. Are you going to stay in the area?
Time to get rolling!!

Steely RESOLVE one and all!

Day 6 – USA/GA – NFD

Weigh-in: 231 lbs. The ceremony went well last night. I’m off in about 15 minutes to do a presentation at a local school, then comping my time from yesterday to come back home 🙂

Yesterday was OMAD, from what I could remember, and I’m down more after that NFD than any of my FDs this week. I have some more “interruptions” this month, but not until after mid-September, so this should give me time to start bumping into the 220s again.

Day 6 Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 NFD

@stitchincarol daily fluctuations in weight can be so disappointing, take heart in that it happens to us all and often there is no justice in what the scales say.

@funshipfreddie the people who viewed yesterday definitely like the house, it was their second time viewing us, but they seem undecided about the area, they are also looking at properties in other parts of the UK.

@merryapple we moved to Wales when I retired almost 9 years ago. In recent years I have become homesick for the people and countryside we left behind in central England and DH is happy to move back especially since he has recently experienced the poorly resourced local health service resulting in 3 hour road trips for scans and treatment, so if/when we sell we are homeward bound 🙂

My clothes are feeling less snug today so I’m encouraged to maintain some degree of discipline over the weekend 😉 🍷

USA. Day 6. FD

Another busy FD. Being busy helps me stay on track. I didn’t see a pocket list, so I will start one.

Pocket List Day 6

@ccco

Hope everyone is having a great day!

Day 7 Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 NFD

Well controlled food day yesterday but wine servings on the generous side so not much left in the bottle for this evening. Today’s challenge will be not to open another bottle!

Day 7 – Rural Nebraska, USA – NFD – 158.8

Well. All my whining and fretting yesterday was for naught, as I’m down further than I was yesterday morning! I managed to stay the course through the day and didn’t eat until we got to the restaurant, and I stuck to the planned side salad (huge and yummy), a dozen oysters on the half shell, and two and a half of the five hush puppies–DH insisted on splitting them exactly, LOL. I stretched it a bit by having two glasses of white wine instead of one…but they seemed to be VERY small glasses, LOL! Today, the two black dresses I ordered from Amazon arrive, since what I otherwise would have worn for the funeral is still too snug on me to feel acceptable, and the other option I have feels a bit too much like a party dress, although it’ll be acceptable if neither of the dresses I ordered work out.

And later this morning, I’ll know when I’ll be wearing one of those dresses, as my MIL quietly passed away at 8:40 last night. We mourn her passing but are glad the vigil is over.

Today is a Caesar salad for lunch and a BLT for supper, so not super low in calories, but yummy enough to stave off snacking on anything else, and not wild enough in calories and still small enough in quantity not to make too huge an impact on the scales tomorrow.

@missybear Clothes that feel less snug are one the great rewards of this lifestyle, so well done!

@at I chuckled when you mentioned shoes–we have the same brand in the States, and it didn’t even hit me to specify. Does the UK have the fried cornmeal balls we call hush puppies?

@ccco Are you fasting every single day??

@funshipfreddie My kids always felt loved by their grandma, so my daughter wants to come. Plus, she gets three days Bereavement by her school, as does her firefighter husband, so the only hardship is the last minute issue, which is now resolved since the funeral will be later in the week. Plus, once you’re past the funeral part, which can be painful, we’ll be at the luncheon part and Maggie hasn’t seen her cousins in five or more years, and her kids are the same age as some of the other kids, so it will be such fun–fun she doesn’t want to miss. But kind of you to ask. 😉

@excelsior12309 That your mother liked you was indeed a blessing, and how odd, indeed, that she recognized you and your son, but not your daughter and her son; there’s no rhyme or reason, is there? I was so excited to have “parents” close by (literally: they were a mile away at first and then a block away when we bought a different house a few years later) when DH and I married, and so broken hearted when they were so indifferent to me, and later became clear in their dislike of me. When my MIL first started experiencing dementia, DH and I were visiting her one day, and when she saw me, her face lit up. DH was not yet in sight, so I eventually decided it was because she recognized that she knew me, but didn’t remember precisely who I was, so gave me that response. I actually looked behind me to see if someone there was who she was so pleased to see, LOL. It was a lovely moment…

And in the middle of all this, the tax bookkeeping is nearly complete, whoop-whoop!!

Have a grand one, everyone!

Day 7 – Ireland – NFD 🚫 ✅ 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🌾
Day 6 – 153 lbs

Hello everyone – just a quick check in from me… I’m busy this weekend as will be away for the next two so lots to do. I didn’t get much done yesterday or get to check in as our weather was just glorious..😁

I’ve just skimmed through posts as time is being eaten up here for me but will relax later and have a read…
Welcome back @bert1802!

Onward and downward ⬇️
We rise by lifting others 💕

USA. Day 7. FD

I haven’t weighed myself yet, so I hope my FDs are working!

Day 8, NFD, Aus

Had a fun mini-vacay in Newcastle over the weekend. Lovely city, and great wine lunch at the nearby Hunter Valley vineyards. A FD tomorrow is very much needed.

School shootings; so very very sad.

@brightonbelle – NDS – such a typo!! That should have been NFD. (My fingers appear to have been one key to the right!)

Great resolve @michelinme. And as you say, it’s so easy to quickly build up the calories. I had no idea that 50g of salted peanuts (which I could devour by the handful) was 300 calories until @funshipfreddie (who just took the fun out of it) pointed it out.

Despite your work challenges, and the sad news of the school shooting, you’re doing well @northgeorgia! Keep it up!

Oh yum, @at. I think I just ingested a thousand calories just reading about your Spanish feast!

I’ve lived in the States and still had to google-remind myself what are hush puppies. I also think of footwear first.

@stitchincarol – my condolences. Your posts have such beautiful pathos. It must be hard to lose someone you’ve never had a close relationship with, but still be able to recognise the close connection and importance your MIL had with the rest of your family. I’m sure the family catch up will be lovely.

It’s been a big week for you too @merryapple but your positivity is shining through.

Day 8 – UK – TDEE

Our meal last night was delicious 😋 and it was lovely to catch up with old friends from the south who are visiting the area – I have to admit that I did not have any of the desert and tried to keep to small servings so even though I most certainly was well above TDEE…….it was not as disastrous a day, food wise, as it could have been and my walk of around 6miles/9.6km made me feel a bit better about the overindulgence 🤣

Out early today for a 5.5miles/8.8km walk with another friend and coffee in her garden afterwards – made it back home before the predicted rain arrives this afternoon!!

@merryapple – enjoy your holiday – something lovely to look forward to after that emotional week for you
@stitchincarol – my thoughts are with you and your OH and family about the loss of your MIL – sounds like it might be a blessed release
@penz – my exact thoughts about the calories in that meal……🤣 but I made sure that I had small serves of each to minimise the damage 🤣
@funshipfreddie – dry roasted peanuts here!!!!

Going to find something healthy for a light lunch and we have mackerel for dinner tonight – doing Jamie Oliver’s crispy-skinned mackerel with asian-inspired dressing for dinner and we have the left over of that Tarta de Santiago with orange cream from last night

“Just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.”

Day 7 UK CD
Day 8 UK NFD

Dropping in to catch up with posts and post. I’ve had two Loooooong days; last night i came home so tired that just ate and went to bed tout de suite!

yesterday day out at E Sussex coast with a gang of women friends. We were ladies who lunch then went to visit resident friend who was at home with a bad cold – she was feeling better but we kept the door open, and I kept my distance! I had resisted breafast and train snacks then plumped for gf sandwich of goat’s cheese and red onion marmalade with salad – the only gf veggie thing on the menu. After a longish walk around the natural harbour we had tea and mini cakes (or mini twix, in my case) and put the world to rights before heading home. Train delays meant it was scrambled eggs and bed for me – not the most balanced day, but I woke up weighing the same as Saturday morning!

This morning left early for full day of church/workshop/party, celebrating 10 years of one group’s work. Although I ate lots of salad lunch inc three thin slices of my homemade gf oat/pumpkin seed/linseed/apricot/cardamom loaf and a small piece of gf vegan chocolate cake. I’m about to have late supper of baked sweet potato/mozzarella/spinach and a baby apple, then bath and bed.

@stitchincarol I’m sorry for the loss of your mother-in-law and all she was to your family; and sad that she didn’t know and love you. I just love the story of her face lighting up to see you once dementia had taken hold: I had a similar experience with a very angry woman colleague who had barely tolerated me, but occasionally lit up to see me during her dementia years.

@at @funshipfreddie glad it’s not just me googling hushpuppies! And I first thought of bassett hounds…

Onwards and downwards to Monday morning.. @merryapple wishing you travelling mercies and good adventures

Day 9, FD, Aus

Another windy day and just back from a relatively shortish 4km walk with the dogs. I’ll have to take them back out this evening to make up for it!

It’s a FD and I am staying busy, so must rush off!

Day 9 – Ireland – NFD 🚫 ✅ 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🌾

Hi all, my weekend was busy as had lovely times spent with mum before I head off on holidays. It is great to have the holiday to look forward to, and I am very excited (and need it) but I worry as I’ll be so far away but I can get back if I need to 🙏
@stitchincarol I am so very sorry for your loss 💕 and glad that you had some lovely moments recently with your MIL. Dementia is such a heartbreaking disease for everyone. 💕💕 we are here for you!
@merryapple how sad for your poor friend… and such a shame that the tech failed… it’s so easy to get it right these days… 😢 Have a fabulous holiday! We aimed to drive the length of both islands many years ago but ran out of time! I never did get to Milford Sound, Dunedin and that beautiful part of the country but I loved all that I saw there ♥️ one day I’ll make it back…
I’m going to apologise now for patchy posts over the coming weeks… I’m leaving Thursday but know how it goes before getting away from work/life and then will be busy having holiday fun so will check in from time to time but not posting regularly.

Onward and downward ⬇️
We rise by lifting others 💕

Pocket List – Day – 9 🍓
@penz
@at
@merry🍎
@missybear
@northgeorgia
@snowflake56
@brightonbelle
@jaifaim

Day 9 – Rural Nebraska, USA – NFD

Despite attending a party last night, I ate quite reasonably and entirely skipped the desserts (partly aided by them not looking in the least interesting to me…why do people bother baking such dull desserts??? 🤣) and was 161.0 this morning when I was up way early, and again when I was up an hour later. Then I weighed once more, just because I was so pleased…and was 161.6! LOL, you just never know what your body is going to do, and fickle scales don’t help! Regardless, I’m not back up at 163, so I’m delighted.

I’ve gone down to admire the basement multiple times since yesterday. @funshipfreddie, I used to buy cooking magazines multiple times each month, and I never got rid of any of them. They’re almost all gone now, and piled all on top of each other, they’d have been as tall as I am! We also got rid of a piece of furniture, assembled a wire shelving unit I bought two years ago but couldn’t figure out where to put it, and put it where the donated piece went. Then all that had been on the floor, finally had a shelf to live on. There’s still much to sort through– most of it to toss, I imagine–but it’s a vast improvement. Beyond looking better and feeling better, the granddaughters won’t find nearly so many things to touch and explore when they go downstairs to the bedroom they’ll be sharing with their parents, LOL!

Today’s a busy day, so must scoot. @ccco I echo what @funshipfreddie says! ❤️ Your body needs nutrition to heal, and FDs help us lose weight, but part of your recovery process requires excellent nutrition, which is not possible on FDs.

Have a grand one, everyone!

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

I’m planning on the pain of discipline today.

Dat 8 UK FD

Loooong day number 3 now done- phew. Desk time, church friend’s funeral/reception, recorded interview/conversation for upcoming online conference, helped to host an evening lecture. Despite serving coffee at lunch and pouring wine this evening, I resisted all temptation xc two small glasses of orange juice. I’ve had a late supper of dahl from the freezer and dried mango – result!

Already I can feel my energy and focus increasing especially on FD; I’m sleeping better and not quite so wiped out, even after 3 long days. Cutting out sugar and most carbs is rebalancing something that needs it…

Tomorrow is a mix of rest and desk tho sadly with a 3 hour evening meeting! Depending on energy in the morning I may pull another FD tomorrow and hold off until evening soup/fruit supper…

@jaifaim good luck with the pre-holiday concertina! it is hard leaving elderly parents behind and going away – but you’ve done what you can, she’s in good hands, and if you really needed to you could come straight back

@stitchincarol I’m envying your tidying – and your DS27! Does he hire out? 😀

Pocket List – Day – 9 🍓
@penz
@at
@merry🍎
@missybear
@northgeorgia
@snowflake56
@brightonbelle
@jaifaim
@michelinme

Day 9, second post

I laughed out loud at your post, @michelinme, and grinned at yours, @penz. Yup, he’s a keeper!

DH mowed the lawn today while I did an hour of weeding, then we drove the hour again to help clean out my MIL’s apartment, then brought home the “treasures” we collected and have been sorting them out and putting them away…it’s been a LONG day and I’m rather weary.

Everything is moving at warp speed right now, and I’d rather be able to relax a bit, but it’s also lovely to accomplish so much. I’ve not eaten like a crazy woman, but I certainly allowed food to be my comfort and reward–so, in other words, not a lot of discipline for me…but I’m pretty much okay with that, given all we’ve tackled today and the huge level of emotions involved.

In the morning, I may post, but if I don’t, I thought I’d post tonight. I’ll be WFing tomorrow!

Day 10 – Ireland – CD 🚫 ✅ 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🌾

Morning all
Well done @stitchincarol on achieving so much. It’s a wonderful feeling!
Well done @penz – so glad being back with us is helping with the mojo ⭐️ and for you too @michelinme ⭐️. I am so sorry for your loss 💕 there has been so much sadness this year. Thank you for your lovely kind words. And so very wise 💕💕
And bravo @davinac 👏
@funshipfreddie it’s weird for sure and when you stop collecting I’m sure it’s like any breaking any other habit. So liberating! I’ve never collected ornaments etc but did have a bit of an issue with shoes 👠😂
@flourbaby how are you settling in?
Off to get a good days work in 🙏

Onward and downward ⬇️

We rise by lifting others 💕

Day 10 – USA/GA – NFD

Weigh-in: 233 lbs. ZBC this morning, and may make today an OMAD supper.