Succeeding in September 2023 – monthly challenge

This topic contains 219 replies, has 19 voices, and was last updated by metatauta 1 year, 2 months ago.

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funshipfreddie

8:03 am
5 Sep 23
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Day 5 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – NFD

Yuck – cool, gloomy & wet here ☔️ I think all my walking will be indoors today. I need to go to the mall anyway. I’ve got 4 eggs, a couple of carrots & one bar of 78% dark chocolate in the fridge 😅

@merryapple – some of the new slot machines are AMAZING! Seriously addictive. I seldom go to a casino now, but I can fully understand how people get hooked. The sound of the coins has been replaced by all kinds of other sounds. Believe me – everyone knows when someone’s won. But yeah, better to stay away from those machines; the odds are tons better at the tables 🎲

@songbirdme – 8000 steps? It really doesn’t take that long. If I walk briskly, I think it takes me around 7 minutes to clock up 1000 steps, so a little over half an hour to reach 5000. Plus all the walking just to get from A to B, & it soon adds up 🚶‍♂️

@penz – I only prepare what I’m going to eat, so there are no seconds. I don’t really have any tricks, although I think eating slowly helps. The longer it takes to eat, the shorter the gap will be between finishing eating & the brain getting the message that you’ve had enough.

New Covid variant. But nothing to worry about… 😷
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-12478667/How-dangerous-Pirola-really-doing-winter-lockdown-Experts-weigh-new-real-deal-Covid-variant.html

Excelsior12309

11:53 am
5 Sep 23
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Day 5-No. VA USA-FD800

Well, we had a little birthday lunch for my DD yesterday; nothing too lavish. There was a small slice of ice cream cake to celebrate. Back on the wagon today!
I have to rustle up some more candidates to interview for receptionist. We have had many, but I am looking for someone who can use a computer and perhaps has some phone experience. I got one young woman with an interesting resume but her primary training was in driving fork lifts. I couldn’t translate that to working at our front desk, though I admire the skill….

NorthGeorgia

12:22 pm
5 Sep 23
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Day 5 – USA/GA – FD

Weigh-in: 221 lbs. Today will be a FD500. Won’t be able to get in another FD this week, but with today, that’ll be a B2B FD, so all is well.

I haven’t done the deep breathing technique in a while. Will have to try that tonight and tomorrow morning.

Pocket list – Day 5
@northgeorgia
@daffodil2010

jaifaim

12:35 pm
5 Sep 23
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Day 5 – Ireland – FD 🚫🚶‍♂️ ✅

Hi everyone!
Yes another FD today! I am not going to use the F word but I didn’t succeed yesterday… 🤣 such a sunny day and all I wanted was icecream… seriously! I know better but…

@penz I use smaller plates too at home and in work I don’t have food with sauces.. we have a great food service and generally everything is very healthy but I tend to go for salads/veg and meat/fish. I try to eat slowly like @funshipfreddie so that the brain understand faster that I am full…

All the best for the week ahead @northgeorgia 💪

I hope all those stateside enjoyed Labour Day!

A sore thigh muscle from coughing @merryapple? That is a new one! You poor thing… And..another insight into your super interesting life there @merryapple 😄!! Where did you work as a child?
Thanks for your lovely comment… Mine are very much invisible illnesses and unless people know about the conditions they would never guess… I manage life around them and as you know try and do as much as I can – particularly exercise for my lungs but I am very good at resting up too… I’m 20+ years in so know my body quite well. It can be frustrating when super fit pals just don’t get it but… c’est la vie 😄

@songbirdme I like rugby but am not an avid follower.. having said that I will be in France around the World Cup so may get to some games.. we will see. Ireland should do well – maybe it will be our time 🏆 . We are very proud of our team who are doing incredibly well so wouldn’t it just be wonderful 😁 I hope you enjoy the game @songbirdme 🏉 my nephews are in Trinity but don’t play rugby anymore… but still : Go Trinity 😁💪
@daffodil2010 sorry to hear red wine is problematic – I cut it out a few years ago… but it wasn’t too hard for me whereas I think you really like your wine? Maybe look for one with little sulphite count? That might help?

Sorry to hear about the health worries @lilymartin – I had forgotten that you count chews… I don’t think I learned that while young although did learn to brush my hair 100 times 😁… I don’t do that either… maybe two easy habits to build… 🤔

@excelsior12309 good luck with the search!

Onward and downward ⬇️
We rise by lifting others 💕

Pocket List – Day 🎰
@daffodil2010
@jaifaim
@excelsior12309 FD800
@northgeorgia

stitchincarol

4:23 pm
5 Sep 23
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Day 5 – Rural Nebraska, USA – WFD – 158.8

Four days of nearly unfettered eating and drinking–well, not really, but it feels like it to some degree–and the scale is ugly. As I think over what I’ve eaten each day, I’m not sure how many extra calories it was, but I think, and believe I’m being honest with myself here, that it wasn’t horrible. For example, yesterday ended up being OMAD, and we had a baguette dipped in olive oil (and I didn’t do much of that), bruschetta with tomatoes and basil straight from my garden, and smoked salmon. And red wine. So, decadent and HOLIDAY feeling, yes, but over 1500 calories? I don’t think so. So is that scale reflecting real weight gain or merely EOEO bulk? Today’s WF will give an answer with tomorrow morning’s weight, so we’ll see.

Oh, and we went to see Equalizer 3 and it was great fun to be at a matinee; I didn’t get any snacks, and by the time we got home it was time to eat, so it made the OMAD simple.

The temps here have finally changed to what I expect from fall weather: warm–even hot–days and cool temps at night, so today will reach 89F/32C and tonight will be 55/13–but tomorrow night will be 48/9, so that’s the telling number that things have changed. We haven’t been 40-anything since May. It will be lovely to have the windows open at night again, and to have lovely afternoon temperatures.

My best tip for eating well is to have two steamed or roasted veggies at supper every night. I don’t always pull it off–haven’t done so consistently for a long time, in fact–but I always make what DH figures is enough for 6 adults, LOL, and then load our plates with them; that way there’s far less room for the other supper foods, but I still get to consume lots and lots of bites.

And I’m off to teach piano lessons.

stitchincarol

4:27 pm
5 Sep 23
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Pocket List – Day 🎰
@daffodil2010
@jaifaim
@excelsior12309 FD800
@northgeorgia
@stitchincarol WFD

SongBirdMe

4:44 pm
5 Sep 23
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Day 5 USA (Illinois) NFD

Yesterday’s FD went very well and got back to 165 this morning. It’s just a matter of keeping it off (and hopefully losing that 5) after a good FD.

I am a very (almost obsessive-compulsive) follower of Labor Day change of seasons. That means clothes colors and fall decorations outside. That is my agenda today.

@stitchincarol – I admire your ability to do WFD. Never could manage JUST water. I now can go with 300-500 as a supper on a FD at least.

@merryapple – I feel for you with soreness of any kind from coughing! Ugh!

Onward and downward.

michelinme

5:08 pm
5 Sep 23
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Day 5 UK CD
Day 4 LFD (!)
Day 3 NFD
Day 2 CD
Day 1 NFD

Phew – made it! I’ve been lurking for the last couple of days, trying to catch up with posts and now back on the waggon. Thank you @penz for hosting this month’s challenge

I’m F60 in London UK, put on weight over a number years with onset of mobility-restricting autoimmune/neuro conditions, stopping smoking and menopause. Joined 5:2 in Dec 2017 weighing 178lbs and went down to 145lbs over the next 9 months. Kept it off for a while then put on weight with Long Covid from Feb 2020… Still low energy, some cognitive impairment, hypertension, POTs and neuropathy. Came back earlier this year but Stuff, then again in mid-July weighing 182lbs. Got off to a good start in August but 2 weeks’ holiday – yay for camping trip! – and sugar/carbs meant I started Sept weighing 182lb again.

Last month’s challenge also helped reset my relationship with food, so although I’ve had some treats I’ve mostly been measured and found it easier to resist or make careful choices. There’s still a voice in my head tempting me to sugar, carbs, cheese, MORE but it’s a bit easier to ignore and not eat impulsively.

Yesterday was first back at desk post holiday. 9 hours of emails and late finish so decided to make it a LFD – just 100ml green apple juice and a marmite tea, plus LOTS of fizzy water, some black decaf coffee and peppermint tea – <100 calories. This morning’s weigh-in was 178lb – a reminder why LFD/WFD are so helpful!

I broke my fast at 2pm with some carrot/red pepper crudites and a little homemade baba ganoush left over from Sunday’s community lunch. Late lunch at 3.30 was a salad with spinach, avocado, cucumber and tomato with fresh mozarella and a splash of elderberry vinegar. I resisted the urge to eat the whole avo and the whole mozarella! Supper will be a beetroot and sweet potato curry – veg are currently sitting chopped up in bowls ready to start cooking.

I’ve learned that if I not only plan but have a mental picture of what I’m going to be eating it helps me to resist temptation in The Now. Eg on Saturday I had already put a bowl of courgette, bean and pea miso soup in the fridge which helped me to resist the quiche and sandwiches at a cafe in favour of a large black coffee and fizzy water.

Right, off to start curry then finish today’s last jobs and plan the rest of the week. I’m out all day tomorrow – lunch with online friends over from Denmark,the funeral of a lovely elderly friend then helping with hospitality at an evening event. If I can find a light salad at lunch and take some homemade seed/fruit bread, fruit and crudites with me I should be able both to resist all the snacks/puddings and not come home late and hungry – a deeply unhelpful combination! DD is staying this week but out at the office & meeting friends so it’s passing conversations rather than long chats this time round.

Good to be back! Hope all who are ill feel better very soon. And here’s to Succeeding in September!

SongBirdMe

9:52 pm
5 Sep 23
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Rugby final – from Annapolis, Maryland, USA:

Trinity (Dublin) 36 USNaval Academy 14 — congrats to Trinity.

Trinity is going on to some other matches (announcers mentioned New York).

Merryapple

12:25 am
6 Sep 23
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Day 6 NFD NZ

Today is the 3rd anniversary for my DH’s passing from cancer during a L4 lockdown. Since I am in a self imposed isolation it feels very reminiscent… I could have friends over but I would be like Typhoid Mary – sharing a little unseen something extra… I could never have anticipated the depth of feeling of loss, sadness and being alone even with the companionship of my wee West Highlander Macintosh. I know how privileged I am to have had such a beautiful relationship, the other side of the coin of an aching heart.
Billy would be very pleased and supportive of my weight loss. I used to tell him I am going to be so expensive when I hit the designer dress sizes, although I am too Scotch to pay for them. He was a very snappy dresser.🥰

Penz

12:26 am
6 Sep 23
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Day 6, NFD, Aus

Wow – that’s NOT the way to exercise @merryapple! You must have been coughing quite vigorously to pull a thigh muscle! Your poor throat and chest too. Glad the GROG did the trick.

All this talk of casinos and slot machines reminds me of a waitressing job I had years ago in a Club (the sort that makes a motza out of their pokies – that’s Aussie slang for poker machines). The machines don’t take 50c coins, so we were instructed to only give 10C and 20c coins in change to customers when they were buying a meal. The rule was so ingrained in me that for years afterward if I ever received a 50c coin in change I would do a double take.

I like the idea of a mental picture of your next meal, @michelinme – what a great way to ensure plans match reality. And a good reminder, @funshipfreddie, to sloooow down. I am a bolter of food and really really need to concentrate on this.

Question for today. Where do you eat? When we had COVID lockdown and were working from home, I had a great routine where I would go out for a walk every lunch time. As soon as we went back to the office I reverted to old habits of eating at my desk. I KNOW this is bad, but I still do it. Eating standing up in the kitchen is the worst, I hear, and mindfully sitting down at the table with family (with no tv on in the background) for a slow meal is the best. Do you think consciously about WHERE you eat?

funshipfreddie

8:27 am
6 Sep 23
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Day 6 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – NFD

@penz – I had to Google ‘motza’ & found – ‘informal/Australian – a large sum of money, especially as won in gambling’. Re where to eat; I don’t eat in the mornings, & I always eat out for lunch on NFDs, so I only have my evening meal at home. I don’t like eating on the go, so I always sit down. But it’s usually on the sofa in front of the TV. Not very mindful, I guess, but as I live alone I don’t think it matters. Boo Boo doesn’t object 😅

Busy busy. A much-needed fast day planned for tomorrow.

Happy Hump Day! 🐫

jaifaim

8:56 am
6 Sep 23
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Day 6 – Ireland – CD 🚫🚶‍♂️ ✅

Hi everyone! Keeping the faith this week…

@michelinme I am so sorry to hear that you have lost a friend. 💕
@merryapple I’m so sorry for you to be in isolation on such a day… I know that you can remember the good times and the beautiful relationship you had but thinking of you today as you remember your lovely Billy 💕
With you very much in spirit and sending hugs your way.

Hope everyone else is well and have a lovely hump day.
Onward and downward ⬇️
We rise by lifting others 💕

FastingNurse

10:49 am
6 Sep 23
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Day 6 – NFD -New Zealand
I’m hoping on the wagon! Not going to lie it has been really tough for me getting back into 5:2, I have been unwell this year and then recent change of jobs has made me seem to forget about looking after myself? In the last 2 weeks I’ve started going back to the gym at least 3 days a week, the other days I go walking and I’m really proud of myself for getting back into my exercise. Also this week I’ve been trying to drink a minimum of 2litres of water and I’ve reduced my coffee intake by half. Now trying to get back into 5:2 tomorrow (Thursday), I aim to do tomorrow and Saturday as my fast days, no excuses

NorthGeorgia

11:33 am
6 Sep 23
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Day 6 – USA/GA – NFD

Weigh-in: 219 lbs. The trend has been a few pounds higher since late August, explained by my birthday, then the holiday weekend, and a week of stress this week. Just got to be patient and stay the course. I can get it lower. It will be a difficult month, but I can do it.

stitchincarol

3:56 pm
6 Sep 23
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Day 6 – Rural Nebraska, USA – FD800-1200 – 155.6

I’m remembering how badly I lost the plot last Friday, so I’m modifying my Wednesday eating plan a bit, so that I don’t have so very few calories in me this Friday (yup, @funshipfreddie, just because it worked one week quite easily doesn’t mean it’ll work every week is what I discovered); we’ll see if that helps me maintain my restraint then. Lunch today is an avocado/peach salad with blueberries and raspberries, a few nuts, and an orange vinaigrette. It’s a new recipe and I’m really looking forward to it. Supper will be wagyu burgers. Haven’t entered it all into MFP yet, but will be content with however the calories add up.

I read your comment, @songbirdme, about how you don’t pull off WFs and spent the day wondering why I find that so simple–well, relatively, LOL!–but doing a 1500 NFD is often beyond my control–or, beyond the control I can persuade myself to muster, at any rate. If I can apply my usual WFD control to an NFD, this extra weight will fall off me. I’ll keep working on the mind game that’s clearly going on inside me.

@merryapple Just read your comment about sugar-coated cereal; actually, what I had was Grape Nuts Flakes, not sugar-coated, and very high in fiber, with skim milk added…

@penz I chuckled to read your confusion about a chicken fried pork cubed steak–very understandable. The meat is a pork steak (perhaps a loin?), it’s run through the machine at the butcher’s that “cubes” it (which serves to make it thin and to make it tender), then it’s fried like chicken is by being breaded, except my mom’s tradition and what I do is to dip it in egg and then in crushed saltine crackers and fried until the coating is nicely crisp and brown (3-4 minutes per side) at which point the meat is tender. Not the healthiest approach to food, but serious comfort food, and I only do it once or twice a year usually. And since we had corn on the cob and steamed broccoli with it, not seriously damaging in the calorie department.

And, actually, @merryapple and @penz, my physician said to me years ago that OTC cough syrups are useless; because we are friends, he was comfortable saying I should either use the stuff with codeine (which he didn’t prescribe that day…) or a swallow of brandy to soothe all the roughed up innards. So to this day, I have a bottle of brandy, which I really don’t like at all, but it comes in handy when I start coughing and can’t stop!

@metatauta Lovely to hear chatter from you, and you sound quite active even if you chose a place to retire with a slower pace, LOL!

@northgeorgia I’m quite impressed that you weighed 225 on Sunday morning, spent the day with family with all the accompanying food and temptations, and started your Monday fast at 224! Perhaps it’s only a few ounces that tipped you that way, but the fact that you tipped down at all is proof that you used restraint on Sunday; WELL DONE. Today’s 219 had to have been a welcome sight! Have you said and I missed what’s making this week so stressful???

@songbirdme Crab salad?? YUM. What kind of crab do you buy for that? It sounds glorious and I’m considering when I could add that to our menu…

@excelsior12309 Happy birthday to your DD! I do not envy you the challenge of interviewing candidates for a job, but wish you luck in several lovely people to choose from!

@michelinme Great to have you back, so glad your time away was lovely, and it was good to read all your thoughts and plans and actions; you sound very solidly on the wagon!

@merryapple My condolences on the loss of Billy. 💞

@fastingnurse I’m so sad for you for the difficulties you’ve had this year, but you are in the exact right place to restart the journey down; welcome back!

Okay, my comments were all over the place and several of you showed up multiple times as I tried to catch up on things I missed, but I’ve now read everything I’d missed over the weekend.

Today is a strange day: DH has a funeral to attend in Lincoln (50 miles south) and then a doctor’s appointment in Omaha (50 miles northeast from the funeral) and then home by four o’clock for the usual Wednesday catechism classes (40 miles west). So I have the day entirely to myself, and although there’s lots I COULD do, the temptation to play hookey is quite strong, LOL! So perhaps I’ll work a bit, play a bit, and continue that pattern? 🤪

Have a grand one, everyone!

Newbound

4:16 pm
6 Sep 23
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Day 1 FD ileostomy concern Thank You for being here🥰

Merryapple

9:04 pm
6 Sep 23
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Day 7 Auck/NZ NFD 83kg

The good news is that’s 10kg down since I started back in mid January.
Now I’m on to letters to the editor and corrections… It is the second not third anniversary of my DH’s passing. He died in 2021. Next I have to apologise to @lilymartin and @stitchincarol for making assumptions – @lilymartin for what was meant to be a tongue in cheek comment about doing the walk ahead of doing the talk and @stitchincarol for even thinking that she might have sugar coated cereal in the kitchen…
@penz thank you for the reminders of some of the little things that go by the wayside with TVs etc. I am going to set a place at my dining table tonight with a placemat and linen napkin, wine and water glasses and eat properly!
@northgeorgia You’re back in the teens! Go you!
@newbound and @fastingnurse Welcome! There is still time to lose a clothing size (5kg/11lb) before Christmas which here in the Sthern Hemisphere will be hot!!

Kia Kaha! (Stay Strong!)

Penz

11:33 pm
6 Sep 23
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Day 7, OMAD, Aus

I usually do a FD on Thursdays but we are off for a wine dinner tonight with one of my favourite local wineries, which I am NOT going to forego! I’ll fast untie then.

I didn’t see your post yesterday @merryapple – thinking of you and your lovely Billy. Hope you’ll be out and about again soon so you can re-connect with friends and loved ones. Enjoy your ‘proper’ dining setting tonight!

Ha ha, @funshipfreddie. I did think to provide the translation for pokies, but didn’t even realise I’d included the word motza until your (accurate) explanation. Thanks!

Hello @fastingnurse! Welcome back. Looks like you are well on your way to establishing a new, good routine. Well done!

You CAN get it lower, @northgeorgia. You will!

Mmm your avocado/peach salad sounds great, @stitchincarol. Did it live up to its promise?

Welcome @newbound! I’m glad you found us. Have a read of the first post for this month to see how we like to start each post – I’m guessing you posted on day 6 (being the 6th day of the month, rather than the count of days you’ve been on 5:2). As we’re an international bunch, it helps us keep track of who is on which side of the date line! Feel free to share a bit more about yourself if you’d like.

One week in people! How are we all tracking? I’ve lost a kilo which is more down to my feeling ill than strict fasting, but it’s helped shift my mindset in the right direction. Have you reached any mini goals?

Daffodil2010

7:57 am
7 Sep 23
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Day 7 – Ireland 🇮🇪 – FD

So @penz, it’s one week in and I am down almost a kilo too so I am happy about that. And happy to be in 160 land again, and WILL go lower.

Smaller portions, all little things to help.

I have also been eating a small cold cooked potato almost daily, plus cooking all my others carbs and letting them go cold before eating, and it does seem to be helping with my gut issues. Fingers crossed I have found a way that does not involve doctors and medicine.

Happy Thursday fast day 😄
@daffodil2010

funshipfreddie

8:26 am
7 Sep 23
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Day 7 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – FD

Happy Thursday fast day 😄
@daffodil2010
@funshipfreddie

jaifaim

8:55 am
7 Sep 23
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Day 7 – Ireland – CD 🚫🚶🏽‍♀️ ✅

Hi all hope everyone is well!

All going well this week and feeling better off the meds… long may that continue 🙂. Back to the consultant for review. A very busy week this week with work and social events and I’m trying to build up my self care habits but hard to find the time. Physio and mindfulness are key… my muscles get tight when cycling lots.

Hello @fastingnurse!! Great to see you… stay with us now – we are all still tipping away ⛏️
Welcome @newbound – great to have you and hope you don’t need an ileostomy 🙏 . Where are you based?

@stitchincarol I am still swinging in roundabouts… up after the weekends and back down by Friday… 🫤 I am
Now making my own gluten free sugar free granola… it’s yum – just fire anything thing in that isn’t the above – so lots of nuts and seeds – and roast it up -with coconut oil and apple sauce 😋 I will take on board the brandy tip for lurgies as, where I can, I try to avoid taking extra medication than I have to…

@songbirdme – well done to Trinity! I didn’t realise they were playing the Naval Academy.. one of your navy ships (the USS Mesa Verde) was in port recently for the NFL Game and I went down to see it – my goodness it was enormous! Very impressive! I love crab!!! I used not like it at all but really do now.

@merryapple 👏 to you and @northgeorgia 👏and to @penz 👏 and @daffodil2010 👏 I’m back in maintenance zone so happy with that – briefly saw a lower number flash on the scale this morning (sneaky weigh in as usually weigh on Fridays) so maybe I’ll see that number soon – would be nice to have some more wriggle room. 😊

@daffodil2010 I’m not sure if I said before but there are great frozen baked potatoes which you can cook – 5 minutes and are delicious… I am pretty sure that the resistant starch benefit is the same if you reheat a potato which has been cooled… I could be wrong… but they are delicious… you can get them in the freezer aisle.

Hi @funshipfreddie! Hope your weather has improved and all is ok.

I’m off to a conference for the day… not sure how food options will go but will do my best.

Have a lovely day all!

Onward and downward ⬇️
We rise by lifting others 💕

NorthGeorgia

12:10 pm
7 Sep 23
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Day 7 – USA/GA – NFD

Weigh-in: 224 lbs. Carb bloat! I’ll explain why this day in particular is a stressful one, but suffice it to say I have to do a 13-hour shift today in various locations, including several hours outdoors, then later changing into a suit and presenting in front of 1,000 people. A light lunch will be provided, but I will be so exhausted this evening, it’ll probably be straight to bed — no supper. I have other stressors this month, but this is the biggest one.

michelinme

12:38 pm
7 Sep 23
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Day 7 UK CD 180lb
Day 6 FD600

Yesterday’s outing turned out to be an unexpected FD600, tho sadly almost all carbs! the lunch place didn’t have gluten-free options so I just had a sparkling rhubarb and ate my packed tea (seedy/raisin oat bread and apple). I resisted the canapes at the wake and wine at the evening event infavour of cranberry juice, olives and TWO PACKETS of cheese and onion crips! I was very hungry trying to fall asleep but kept repeating the Audacious August reminders like a mantra

I’ll swap my usual Thurs FD for a CD, rebalancing yesterday’s poor diet with protein and vitamins and eating up leftovers. I’ve broken my fast with midday brunch of avocado, mozarella and poached eggs (while making toast for my lovely PA!). Supper will be Tuesday’s beetroot and butternut squash curry with corn on the cob and cauliflower followed by pineapple and passionfruit. This evening I’ll batchcook a butternut squash and carrot dahl for tomorrow’s supper, and tomorrow make a courgette and bean soup for Friday/Sat lunches with a couple of pots for the freezer. That should all set me up for easy healthier meals in the very busy next week.

I’m’ back up to 180lbs but that’s still looking like 2lbs down on the month so far. And I can see that my carbtastic stomach has shrunk already, from last week’s looking like 8 months’ pregnant to maybe halfway back to what it was pre-holiday. Great to see and feel progress even if the numbers are slower to change. This will be the month that I get into and stay in the 170s. I want to be well into the 160s by Christmas and I know it’s possible if I stick to the basics and make healthy choices.

stitchincarol

2:27 pm
7 Sep 23
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Day 7 – Rural Nebraska, USA – WFD – 157.0

Yesterday was not the success I’d have liked. I also spent far too much time relaxing rather than working. It’s obvious there’s a huge correlation between not keeping busy and accomplishing things and overeating, so this morning, I got up and went straight to the kitchen where I finally got those ALMOST-too-ripe peaches peeled and cut up and in a freezer bag and into the freezer for some lovely peach crisp for one of the boys’ birthday, and dishes washed, and other piddly things I’d ignored yesterday. Lesson learned: don’t be a slug or my eating will reflect my behavior.

EXCELLENT news from yesterday: DH saw an ENT doctor who explained just why DH has been having so much vertigo recently (to do with fluid pushing over into a different part of the ear and breaking the wall and leading to spinning) and gave him a diuretic that he said will resolve it; he also gave him a second medication that’s also supposed to help with the vertigo and with the tinitus he’s had ever since I met him 36 years ago. We are so hopeful that this awful period (he’s been continuing to have vertigo at least once a week all summer long) is coming to an end!

@merryapple In truth, I’ve had sugar-coated cereal in the house in the past, but only of the healthier variety–except for the kids’ birthdays, when they got to choose a box of cereal of their choice. There are some DISGUSTING options out there, and they managed to choose some over the years of growing up that looked repulsive to me, but it was a great way to let them have what they longed for, but with a built-in limit since it was tied to their birthdays, and I think they seldom actually loved it as much as they anticipated. 😇

@penz Turns out my avocado was rotten to the core, so I had to modify the ingredients, but it was indeed lovely. Here: https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/avocado-fruit-salad-with-tangerine-vinaigrette/ I have some dressing left over, so will get another peach and avocado (and raspberries and blueberries…) and make it Saturday so DH can also enjoy it.

@northgeorgia I’ll be thinking of you today, and hoping the stress doesn’t overwhelm you; I’m sure your bed will be a very welcome final goal!

Okay, lots going on today (thank goodness, LOL!) so I’m off. Have a grand one, everyone!

Happy Thursday fast day 😄
@daffodil2010
@funshipfreddie
@stitchincarol WFD

Penz

11:49 pm
7 Sep 23
Permalink

Day 8, OMAD, Aus

Great news @daffodil2010 – a simple hack like eating your carbs cold is a great way to beat the medico-circus. Hope its success is permanent. And yay @jaifaim for being off the meds.

How did your presentation go @northgeorgia?

Love that the Audacious August mantras worked for you @michelinme. 2lbs down already is great progress in the right direction.

And more good news – yay for Mr@stitchincarol!

Thought for the day (inspired by @jaifaim) – do you have a self-care routine? What special things do you do for yourself?

Happy Fri-yay everyone and, if I don’t check in, have a great weekend!!

Merryapple

12:53 am
8 Sep 23
Permalink

Day 8 NZ NFD

Mr Mac was up, possessed and wanting to go outside 5x in the night… Not good for family relationships…
I have been eating early so my food is well and truely digested before I go to bed and start coughing… Watching the US Tennis Open has saved me over this period. The youngsters, Coco Gauff and Carlos Alcatraz are a joy to watch. I’ll restart my FDs next week.

@stitchincarol That kind of vertigo is awful. So pleased your DH has a treatment plan. As an aside, do you think Alfred Hitchcock experienced Vertigo?!
@jaifaim I look forward to having tight muscles at some stage! 👏for your exercise and maintenance.
@penz Good reminder. I need to follow up on some routine health tests.

Go well everyone! And don’t forget to post especially if you’re new or returning. Success does take consistency and repetition with a wee bit of failure thrown in as we change our habits.

Daffodil2010

7:51 am
8 Sep 23
Permalink

Day 8 – Ireland 🇮🇪 – NFD

Happy Fri-yay!!

Feeling great this morning, much healthier than the last couple of weeks. Busy week in work with people on leave and me having to take up the slack so I am really looking forward to this weekend to relax.

DH off tonight and tomorrow with a work thing, so I will have a simple supper and then either watch the first game of the Rugby Worl Cup (France V New Zealand….go @merryapple). Or watch something on Netflix that I know DH would not enjoy (period dramas etc 😄).

Relax in the garden tomorrow. And Sunday we are bringing Dad to Sunday lunch so looking forward to that and catching up with Dad who is still going strong despite nearly 87 and mobilift issues….but his sense of humour is still as sharp as ever ☺️

Have a great weekend all. @penz, my self care routine involves relaxing and reading the newspaper, or a cheeky tea and toast in bed on a weekend morning, or just getting my hands dirty mucking about in the garden ☘

funshipfreddie

8:17 am
8 Sep 23
Permalink

Day 8 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – NFD 70.1

I had a good FD yesterday, although it was a struggle, as my head wasn’t in the right place for it. It’s odd how it sometimes feels effortless & sometimes like an endeavour.

@stitchincarol – great news re your DH getting some long-standing health issues sorted out 👨‍⚕️

@northgeorgia – I hope your presentation was a success. A thousand people though?! I’d die 😱

@merryapple – 5 times during the night? That’s not good for you, having your sleep disturbed so much. I don’t suppose there’s such a thing as a litter tray for dogs?

@jaifaim – hi! 🙋‍♂️ lovely spring weather here, but the nights are still chilly 🍃🐝🌷

@penz – self-care routine – I guess 5:2 counts as self-care; plus plenty of walking. I used to be diligent about getting annual checks. I had no choice when I was working because it was mandatory for my contracts. So that’s something I should catch up on…

News about a new ‘miracle’ weight-loss drug. Doesn’t say how much it costs, but it can’t be cheaper than 5:2! 😅
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-12491673/Weight-loss-jab-thats-better-Wegovy-approved-UK-diabetes-patients.html

Happy Fri-yay! 🍹

NorthGeorgia

1:50 pm
8 Sep 23
Permalink

Day 8 – USA/GA – NFD

Weigh-in: 221 lbs. Funny; I didn’t do any fast yesterday, well except skipped supper, so technically I guess I did a 16:8, and lost 2 1/2 lbs. All that water bloat from the carbs went away haha

Oh, whew, what a day. I attended an all-day training event where there was a team-building activity. We had to row a dragon boat hundreds of meters into the lake and back!! I got in the boat but my hip didn’t! Ouch…I think I pulled a muscle, and my back muscles today… uff. Anyway, I had to run from that, change clothes at work, and go to the huge event — I am the M.C. for my department’s graduation. We had around 130 graduates march, and all their family and friends, VIPs, etc. So yeah, around 1,000 people. The funny thing is that I’m not nervous at all doing that, but when I had my property tax hearing in front of a panel in the courthouse earlier this week, with about 10 county agents and their documents entering the room and just as many taxpayers waiting for their cases to be heard, my stomach was in knots even over an hour after the hearing! Hey, but the unexpected happened — the panel found in my favor!

Whew, what a week….taking the day off work to catch a breath. Still some crazy events next week and each week for the rest of the month, but this past week was probably the most intense.

stitchincarol

3:01 pm
8 Sep 23
Permalink

Day 8 – Rural Nebraska, USA – NFD – 154.0

I’m not quite as low as I was last Friday morning–but last Friday, I lost the plot entirely, so I think I’m better situated to follow through on today’s food plan. For lunch, I have a packaged salad (<300 calories) and then supper will be pizza and red wine at Opera Outdoor, in the same venue (outdoor, picnic blanket, lawn chairs) as Jazz on the Green was. I think I’ll finish at close to 1200 calories for the day, using the calories their website lists for their pizza, and that will be good. Plus, a guy from the village is coming by to change the water meter this morning, then DH and I have a meeting with a church member working on the language/grammar of the constitution and by-laws, then my weekly zoom call with my sisters, and all that is by a little after noon! This afternoon will be a projecct I’m working on for a friend and then time at church getting ready for choir to start in two weeks; I could wait on that last, but it’ll get me out of the house so that even if I lose the plot mentally, I won’t have opportunity to lose it in actuality, LOL! After being a slug with my activity on Wednesday and being an equal slug with my food choices on Wednesday, I’m determined to stay busy when and where possible and appropriate to help ensure I eat according to plan.

@merryapple Your Alfred question made me laugh out loud. 😂

@daffodil2010 So very glad you’re finally feeling better, and your planned weekend sounds delightful, especially your time with your dad; enjoy!

@funshipfreddie Yup, “It’s odd how it sometimes feels effortless & sometimes like an endeavour” and that’s why I only succeed when I’m thinking and thinking and thinking. I mean, I went grocery shopping yesterday on my WFD and did just fine continuing with just water–but a 1500 calorie day last Friday was beyond what I managed. I keep thinking there’s a secret in the contrast, but I haven’t found it yet…

@northgeorgia How nice that everything went off well–well, except for the hip–and you even have lower property taxes and dropped some weight! That’s the silver lining to a stressful week, right?

Okay, I need to get dressed and ready for the busy morning. Have a grand one, everyone!

michelinme

6:09 pm
8 Sep 23
Permalink

Day 8 UK OMAD FD800?

Quick check in for accountability- it’s been full on today. Yesterday Tired Me succumbed to evening oat/seed/fruit bread x 2 and a handful of boiled sweets – not high in calories but sugartastic. Today I’ve been very puffy indeed so having OMAD ahead of tomorrow’s community events.

Next week is utterly pants – 6 x different projects each with a key meeting or launch event! I’m so glad my freezer is stuffed full of vegan curry & dahl for super-speedy healthy meals to keep me on the waggon.

Right, off to supper and shower and bed. So tired! Have a lovely weekend xx

Merryapple

9:44 pm
8 Sep 23
Permalink

Day 9 NZ NFD 83.3kg

Spring is here with nice sun getting to the house at long last but the nights are still cool. The green grass is just starting to grow again after winter.
@daffodil2010 What to watch live at 0700 hrs! I’m channel surfing… Mainly All Blacks vs France (rugby), Blackcaps vs England (cricket) and USA Open Shelton vs Djokovic (tennis). The rugby looks so hot. Why is it scheduled for this time of year????
@stitchincarol Enjoy your opera plus picnic. Sounds lovely!
@funshipfreddie Doggie litter??? He’s going out because he’s crazed about something. Possibly a neighbouring cat???
@michelinme You sound very well prepared for your busy week ahead.
@northgeorgia Take care of those back muscles…

Ah yellow card against the All Blacks…

Kia Kaha!

Penz

3:36 am
9 Sep 23
Permalink

Day 9, NFD, Aus

I can’t remember who recommended it but I’ve borrowed Atomic Habits from the library. (As an aside, I LOVE how libraries now have e-books!) I’m only a chapter in and will take it slowly, because while it’s very easy to read, it’s good some good concepts that I really need to think about and absorb. For example, the first ‘lesson’ is not to focus on goals (as I have done) but to focus on the system or process for achieving those goals. If the system is well entrenched, the goals will naturally happen, and keep happening.

Right! So, focus on 5:2 which is the system, and not on losing a kilo a week. And we all know how the system works!

@michelinme, I’ve not heard the phrase “Next week is utterly pants” but I so know what you mean!!! Cross fingers it turns out not to be as bad as you dread.

And well done on your property tax outcome, @northgeorgia!

funshipfreddie

8:27 am
9 Sep 23
Permalink

Day 9 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – NFD

@merryapple – oh?! I obviously got the wrong end of the stick there. Sounds like Mr Mac just needs a good talking to then 😅 Um, I’m not going to mention the All Blacks v France 🏈 🤦‍♂️

@penz – I had no idea libraries have e-books? I’ll have to check if it’s the same here.

Dr Mosley’s weekly column. But – no coffee first thing? That’s not an option. Let’s face it, some things are worth dying for ☕️
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-12497661/DR-MICHAEL-MOSLEY-AVOID-coffee-thing-eat-nights-pasta-lunch.html

Have a good weekend everyone 🌤 🌈

Excelsior12309

12:30 pm
9 Sep 23
Permalink

Day 9-No. VA USA-FD

Well yet again I have proved that by over-indulging in carbs you can gain three pounds overnight. Enough said. Back on the wagon! (But in my defense, we were celebrating paying off the mortgage on the house yesterday. So there was that. :))

Excelsior12309

12:32 pm
9 Sep 23
Permalink

Day 9-second post

Also, could not agree more with you, @funshipfreddie. Coffee first, then we can talk. No compromise.

NorthGeorgia

2:18 pm
9 Sep 23
Permalink

Day 9 – USA/GA – NFD

Weigh-in: 224 lbs. My trend this week has been sad, but in fairness, it wasn’t a nice week for me. Still, I could have shown better restraint yesterday. Lots of non-stop snacking from lunch to night, including left over fries in front of the TV.

I find it odd how I can crave things, but if I eat too much or especially if I eat the wrong things (overly processed foods, sugary stuff, etc.), I feel the “yuck” all over my body within minutes and it lasts hours. The only thing that feels good is the short-term effect on the tongue and the chemical stimulation in the brain. If I can only get back to the mindset of “why bother? It’s poison and it feels disgusting after eating it,” I’ll get back on a better track.

Planning for a FD tomorrow 🙂

stitchincarol

2:42 pm
9 Sep 23
Permalink

Day 9 – Rural Nebraska, USA – NFD – 155.4

I’m quite delighted with that weight, as it’s only up a bit from yesterday due to my very decent control yesterday–not as perfect as I’d intended, but very close, so I call it a rousing success. And the evening was a delight, complete with encounters with several friends who were also in attendance.

@michelinme I hope the weekend is full of quiet times and fun adventures so that you can start next week with a renewed spirit!

@funshipfreddie I was equally horrified at the admonition from Dr. M not to have coffee first thing in the morning, so read the article right away, but came away with two comforting details. First of all, it’s the caffeine in coffee that’s the issue, and, for the sake of DH who has always had serious problems with caffeine, we always drink decaf. Second, I got up at 7 this morning, sat on the sofa to read emails and texts, finally found the gumption to go make coffee (a little faster than some mornings, a little slower than others), and by the time it was done and I was taking my first sip, it was 8:20, so there was the 60-90 minutes he suggests waiting. I suspect you are all about your caffeine (most people are), but are you actually drinking your first cup that fast after waking up?

@excelsior12309 Congratulations on paying off the mortgage, and it’s entirely reasonable to have had a carb-fest, which can easily be EOEO with good control the next two days.

The Nebraska Cornhuskers play their second football game of the season today at 11, so my day will be centered around being home for that. Lunch will be that same peach and avocado salad I mentioned a couple days ago (this time actually WITH the avocado, LOL), and supper is shrimp tacos with a recipe I’ve been wanting to try.

Tomorrow is church as always, then we head to Kearney for the second of the pair of marriage retreats; we’re looking forward to it, but it means I won’t be posting much for a few days. Talk to you all when I get back!

michelinme

7:37 pm
9 Sep 23
Permalink

Day 9 UK NFD

I managed to pull off a OMAD FD800 yesterday – yipee! I had to work hard to stick to it but reminded myself how glad I’d be if I could do it. And Lo! this morning I weighed in at 177lb, a whole 5lb down on the month and 2lb down on Friday! I know it won’t stay down but it’s encouraging as my stretch goal for this month is 6lbs

Up and out early this morning for community gathering, clutching the loaf i baked yesterday morning and ready to set up the zoom for live-streaming. Really good morning with the community and home in time for a project zoom meeting with a friend that got squeezed into my Saturday.

It’s 32C here and Far Too Hot for me. After a slice of my bread with a pile of strawberries I picked up a big bag of lentil crisps, as much for the salt and the crunch as anything else. Of course I’m now feeling very puffy, but at least I ummmed and ahhed and made a mindful choice of that 427 calories! Supper was homegrown corn on the cob plus broccoli and a portion of butternut squash and carrot dahl. Just need to water the pots then I’m off to shower and bed – being good to future me.

HOpe you are having a good weekend, whatever it holds x

Merryapple

9:45 pm
9 Sep 23
Permalink

Day 10 NFD NZ 83.3kg

Still coughing but not as paralytically… This is taking forever to clear up…
I have to say the French team were much the better team (on the day!) A few of their players didn’t look like they were going to make it – too big too hot too unfit. They sure know how to slow the game down. There is always a clash of styles between the Nthern and Sthern hemispheres – the lumbering big units of the north vs the quick running style of the south.
AMAZING tennis but sadly Alcaraz is out in the semis. I’m looking forward to the finals. I played tennis for many years but had to stop around ten years ago because of chronic Achilles tendonitis in my heels. When we were kids a lot of our social activities were based around family tennis clubs with lots of summer bbqs. Great fun!
@funshipfreddie Who ever thought of reheating pasta? Three days ago I did for the first time ever because I hadn’t finished my fresh pasta and cauliflower plus cheese dinner and heated it up the next day for lunch. The exposed noodles went brown and crunchy. Yum!
Wow @michelinme Go you! I take it no coffee first thing!!
@stitchincarol I am all about tea, toast and my marmalade first thing. I may or may not have muesli or porridge. Coffee starts at morning tea time for me.
@excelsior12309 Well done on having a NO mortgage celebration! Such a relief!
@penz Have you discovered the magazine section at the library? Great to look at World of Interiors etc!

Steely Resolve!

jaifaim

11:42 pm
9 Sep 23
Permalink

Day 9 – Ireland – NFD 🚫🚶‍♂️ ✅
153.5 lbs

Hi all, just a very quick check in as I didn’t get to log in yesterday… vey happy to see a new number on the scales… just means I am a little more comfortable in maintenance zone.

@penz I hope you enjoy the book. I’ve read it and dip in to it now from time to time. Love it. ♥️ 📚

Have a lovely Sunday all! I’ll most likely be busy here so will check in on Monday .

Onward and downward ⬇️
We rise by lifting others 💕

funshipfreddie

8:45 am
10 Sep 23
Permalink

Day 10 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – FD

Pocket List – Day 10 🍒
@funshipfreddie

NorthGeorgia

2:38 pm
10 Sep 23
Permalink

Day 10 – USA/GA – FD

Weigh-in: 224 lbs. OK, let me look at the bright side; I’m still a pound lighter over last Sunday! Doing a WFD today and a FD500 tomorrow.

Pocket List – Day 10 🍒
@funshipfreddie
@northgeorgia

Merryapple

9:01 pm
10 Sep 23
Permalink

Day 11 FD 83.7kg

Doing a FD not a minute too soon since my weight is up due to making and eating sourdough bread y’day… and then I made bread and butter pudding for dinner with two slices of bread but ate half… sometimes I have pudding for dinner because I can!
I have a full pantry this week because I have a cousin’s daughter staying for a week. She is studying art therapy after completing a fine arts degree and has a week of classes in Auckland. Fun to have someone staying.

Monday’s Pocket List
Merry🍎

Penz

11:40 pm
10 Sep 23
Permalink

Day 11, FD, Aus

Another day working from home as I still have not shifted this head cold and it’s not something I want to share around the office.

No coffee first thing, @funshipfreddie?! Fortunately, it takes a little while for my coffee machine to make the first pot in the morning, so that time can count towards the hour after waking, right?

Woohoo @excelsior12309!! Paying off the mortgage is definitely worth celebrating. Congratulations! What will you do with all that spare cash!

@merryapple – my library also does e-magazines, but they don’t hold the same appeal to me as books. Not sure why!

Great progress @northgeorgia, down a pound in a week. At this rate, imagine how svelte you’ll feel by Christmas!

funshipfreddie

7:54 am
11 Sep 23
Permalink

Day 11 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – NFD 70.3 kg

We had a stunning spring day yesterday, 22 C & not a cloud in the sky. Winter’s back with a vengeance today, rain on the horizon, very windy & maybe a max of 14 C 🥶️

@penz, @stitchincarol – oh, I definitely have coffee first thing; don’t care what Dr Mosley says 😅 The kettle’s on within about 15 seconds of waking up, & it’s boiled by the time I’ve sorted out the cat. I don’t hang around for the fancy stuff either; instant works just fine. I’ve tried the decaf, & it’s just not the same. Sort of like eating a candy with the wrapper on. The magic isn’t there ✨ ☕️

@excelsior12309 – congrats on paying off the mortgage! 🥳️ 🏡

Go Springboks! 🇿🇦 18 – 3 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Pocket List – Day 11 🍏
@merry🍎
@penz

Daffodil2010

8:00 am
11 Sep 23
Permalink

Day 11 – Ireland 🇮🇪 – NFD

Coffee is definitely first thing after waking for me, as my DH has developed this delightful routine of getting up when his alarm goes off, making us a cup of coffee and bringing it to me whilst I am still snuggled in bed, and often still asleep. It’s a cherished routine which I miss when he is away, so no Dr Moseley, I am keeping with my wake up coffee 😄

Saw a lovely weight on the scales Saturday morning, but after yesterday’s Sunday lunch etc with Dad it’s gone up a couple of pounds.

Got to run, until tomorrow xxx

NorthGeorgia

11:41 am
11 Sep 23
Permalink

Day 11 – USA/GA – FD

Weigh-in: 220 lbs. Going for a FD500 today. I’ll check my calendar at work, but should be another day this week good for one more FD. Just trying to get back on track quickly 🙂

I am making chili on Tuesday, even though it’s the “wrong season.” Yummm

Pocket List – Day 11 🍏
@merry🍎
@penz
@northgeorgia

michelinme

2:36 pm
11 Sep 23
Permalink

Day 11 UK FD
Day 10 NFD

Yesterday was too hot and I should have stayed home, especially with the railway engineering works. But I was too tired to think. But at least I went to bed at 8pm and slept through until 7am which has given me the energy for today.

I am so proud of Past Me for pulling a Sunday within goal weight TDEE. I’m delighted to say that this morning I was down to 176.5b, just 0.5lb above where I was in mid-August before my holiday indulgence and nearly 6lb down since 1 September – a textbook EOEO! 🙂 I know there’s a LONG way to go (c30lbs) and it gets harder from here but it has certainly sparked my motivation. A not-so-secret secret seems to be staying away from sugar and drinking lots more water, who knew?!

Today is an old fashioned FD but I’ve got a 6.30-9.30pm meeting tonight which has simple supper provided. I’m drinking water with splashes of fresh pressed apple juice, black coffee and marmite tea to keep me going until 7.45pm then will indulge in hearty portion of whichever vegan soup and fruit is on offer, swerviing the roll and cake. I don’t want to blow the weekend’s progress so hopefully that will outweigh the temptation of tiredness and meeting stress! To finally see the scales moving down is a joyous thing and not to be wasted.

@northgeorgia great results after yesterday’s WFD! hope today’s FD goes equally well – and good idea to bank another FD this week for more progress

@penz so sorry you are still poorly – I hope this week brings much better health and energy

sorry to post and dash but it’s possibly my fullest week ever this week, bar conferences. I’ll make sure I post each day and read posts when I can, but prob not be able to chat much this month 🙁

Pocket List – Day 11 🍏
@merry🍎
@penz
@northgeorgia
@michelinme