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Hi Crackers
Well I hope that all had a happy, healthy, peaceful and enjoyable Christmas - like mine (well possibly not all that healthy - those roasties were darn near perfect, and there was home made Christmas pudding - and we even had a slice of Christmas Cake). On the other hand we didn't have tea as we were all full to the brim.
I had a lovely ride on Harley in the morning which so nice. Hilda who I rode with had no power at home, so her daughter Maria was cooking the turkey and the veggies were going on the Raeburn. They have an open fire and partner is an electrician so I think they had even rigged up TV with a battery! I'm sure they coped well.
today my brother and family were supposed to come but my sister in law was taken ill with D&V in the night so they aren't coming at all. Bother! So we went to Felixstowe - where the sun was shining but a slightly chilly wind off the sea. There was also a greyhounds outing - with about 60 greyhounds and their families walking along the front. Hot chocolate in a café and home again. Perfect. Lamb bone stock made. Will freeze when cooled.0 -
Hello Crackers,
Did everyone enjoy the Christmas celebrations? I did! We are back home now and so it's time to start getting prepared for our holiday which is only just over a week away now!
I weighed in this morning and am somewhat perplexed to see that I have STS! I really don't understand how this is possible. Alcohol, cheese and chocolate were consumed in quite significant quantities so that was a very big surprise. It has however motivated me to be good from now until I go away in the hope that I'll shift a few more pounds before I go. So, I'm shredding again!
We're off out for a meal with friends this evening but I'll drive so that
I don't drink any alcohol and I'll make sure I pick something relatively healthy to eat. After all the rich Christmas food I feel like something fresh to eat anyway.
BM - I hope you managed to enjoy Christmas despite your loss. Have you received your cardigan? My "red" one is a great success. It is actually orange (which is how it looks in the picture!) and that is a great colour for me. It was one of my top colours when I had a colour analysis done but it is normally hard to find clothes in that shade. I love it, so thank you for pointing it out. My mother liked it so much she ordered one for herself too so you really should be on commission! I need a pair of light trousers for my holiday so I ordered 8 pairs from John Lewis on click and collect so I'll pop up to the store in Cardiff tomorrow and try them all on and see which pair suits me the best. Knowing my luck it won't be one of the ones in the sale.
It's blue sky and sunshine here today after the all the rain which really cheers you up.
Hope everyone is well.
Love to all
xx0 -
Morning Crackers,
Weighed in this morning and managed to STS over the Christmas period so I'm absolutely delighted with that!
Miserable day here, pouring with rain so I'm off up to Cardiff for a little retail therapy and to spend my Christmas money.
Wishing you all a happy, healthy, cracking New Year.
Lots of love
xx0 -
Hello and a happy, healthy New Year to all. I'm just trying to get back on stride after Christmas. Christmas itself was very nice, spent with a brother in the morning and a sister in the afternoon and for Christmas dinner. I ended up staying at my brother's overnight after dinner (his place is on the way to my home) as I did not feel like driving all the way home. Nellie enjoyed her first Christmas too, especially running wild at my brother's with his dog and my sister's dog. At night she was allowed to sleep near the wood-burning stove which she also seemed to enjoy. She managed to basically stay out of mischief, breaking only a liqueur glass of mine (of course, it was one I did really like and it had some sentimental value!). However, she was upstaged by my nephew's two year old daughter who turned over and broke an antique planter pot. I thought my sister-in-law remained admirably calm about it especially as it belonged to her grandma who died last winter. At my sister's, we watched her DVD of a Child's Christmas in Wales; it used to be played regularly at Christmas on tv but I have not seen it in recent years- regrettably it seems to have been replaced by some truly inane Christmas movies. If there is anyone who is not familiar with it (it came out in 1986), it is wonderful and absolutely faithful to the language of the book.
LMV, I think you have done wonderfully to STS. I thought I did very well including Christmas Day, and did a reasonable amount of exercise too. I was really pleased that on Boxing day I did just under 3 miles on the treadmill (broke off for a phone call and didn't quite finish). However, hold the applause because I followed this with 3 days of frankly crappy eating. I partly blame it on getting yet another virus, this one different with its dry cough that keeps me awake. Add to that feeling really tired and I ate far too much sweet stuff, including the Harrod's Christmas pudding our English friend had given me. I did however, pass on a box of chocolates and some cream liqueur also given to me. Yesterday and today I got back into a better eating schedule and did two miles each day on the treadmill. However, I am still woefully behind on my Nordic tracking but plan to make up the sessions, even if it takes me into spring!
I would like to moan a bit about the weather which continues to be frigidly cold (-20C with the wind today) but again it is all relative as I heard on the radio that Manitoba is having the coldest winter in over 50 years with -42C in some parts today, -31C in Winnipeg. In Toronto, there is hope today that the last several hundred people who have been without hydro for 10 days will be restored to it by the end of today.
PB, you are definitely outriding me at the moment. Your rides sound so lovely. My Briar is enjoying his carrots and mints treats from his stocking but I am not riding at the moment. Quite depressing.
BM, I see on the other thread that you are continuing your exercise and monitoring and setting records for checking in- terrific. I hope you are able to get sorted out with your unexpected travel plans.
I had a nice visit from an old riding friend from Kingston on the weekend. She is retiring from her position as a professor at the Physiotherapy School at Queen's University and at age 60, and single now, has bought a hundred acre farm with a very old house, all of which requires a huge amount of renovation/restoration. She is doing a lot of this work herself and is very handy, also grew up on a farm so is not going into this blind. I felt exhausted just hearing about it but hope to visit in the summer.
Here is a small world tidbit. I was talking to my sister in Saskatchewan who asked me if I had heard of the John Lewis Christmas adverts on U-tube. No, I said I had not heard of those adverts but I had heard of the John Lewis store, thinking of you, LMV, and BM. So I think I'll check them out as they are said to be so good. Regards all.0 -
LMV, amazing to stay the same over Christmas!! Well done x x Hope you found your light pair of trousers and had a fab day in Cardiff.
Bracken, so good to hear from you and to know you are safe! Very sad for the people still without some form of power though. It sounds like you and Nellie had a lovely Christmas with family. You just have to check out John Lewis. The Christmas advert of the bear made me blub like a baby! It is perfect.
Hope everyone else is doing Ok. Sorry for short mail but we have lots to do today including shopping for a new set of scales for me. Mine are broke already, OH says they are exhausted with over use as they are used more times in a day with me than most scales are used in a month!
The thing is he may very well have a good point! (It also means I have not been able to check if I gained for a few days, not too sure if that is good or bad).
Wishing all us Crackers a peaceful and Happy New Year, long may our wonderful internet friendship continue.
Much love to all, BM x x0 -
Hello Crackers and a Happy New Year in 2014 to you all!
Its New Years Day and I am going for a ride at 11.00am (well that's the plan but the weather may have other ideas). I'm afraid I don't like New Year much and so I went to bed at the usual time. Was woken at midnight by the fireworks going off but managed to go back to sleep OK. Just said goodbye to Mum and Dad who are now on their way home. Its been remarkably calm and pleasant having them here - but I must admit it is good to get my home back to myself. Decorations down, everywhere tidy and only a few bits of washing to do.
Have sent them home with the majority of goodies as I have, unfortunately, had a major weight gain over the last month - far too much eating and not enough exercise. Still, cannot change the past but can manage the future. I now have several weeks with no major plans so can start to get back on track. Jillian, day one, later this afternoon. Hopefully, it won't be too painful. Did go to the Gym the other day too - but feel really bad about how I've let myself go since I finished with my swim. It has really made me realise that I have an addictive personality and I need to work at it constantly.
there is still a cupboard full of sweets/biscuits and chocolates at work - but it has to end here. No more!
well, I don't know what 2014 will hold for me I find myself at a point in my life where I'm not sure what to do next. whether to stay where I am trying to make it work or whether to admit defeat and look for something else. It hasn't helped that several friends have either retired or been offered early retirement and are clearly in a position to retire comfortably - whilst I'm still struggling to make ends meet - still, I just need to face my problems and work on sorting them out one by one. This month will be expensive as I have to get the car MOT'd, pay another £100 towards the choir tour and I have a close friend's birthday this month too. So need to marshall my resources as carefully as possible. I feel very sad that work has turned into a chore - I've always enjoyed it and I love the job but GPs are just impossible to work with.
So, I guess I'm starting the year with some challenges - and more importantly, I know that a)I'm not the only one and b) my problems are surmountable - unlike some. So time to think positive, go through my diet sheet for the week, check in at TD and get back on track.
Take care all!
Love
PB0 -
PB, Lovely to hear from you. Glad you had a fab Christmas. Like yourself I am not a fan of new years either. Anyhow, moving on................ I am always exceptionally reluctant to give advice. However, having spent the vast majority of my nursing career working alongside GP's in a Practice environment can I just say, from experience. Sometimes the easiest course of action is to stay. It is often much more difficult to walk away, but when you can do it with your head held high (as I am sure you can), you have not lost or given up. You have given it your all. Be proud and move on to pastures new....... I also know that no job is worth your health.
Hope I have not overstepped the mark with my advice, but having experienced mental health issues that have been work related I do speak from the heart.
take care, BM x x0 -
Hello Crackers.
I'll also join the 'New Years not-my-favourite club too.' BM, I'll second or third your comment on our internet group- let's hear three cheers for it! Also, I have watched the bear adverts and yes, it is so moving, amazing really how a story or piece of art can be so affecting. PB, I hope you were able to get your ride in. You do have a lot of challenges, especially with your job. I think BM has given some good advice, especially as regards to your health being of utmost importance. As for the weight, you have shown you can lose very well over the past year and I think you should see that you have made some clear progress, especially by making exercise a part of your lifestyle. I believe you had not been riding for some time and now you seem quite comfortable to do so and you have done a lot of exercise over the past while. I know very well that the food that derails us can seem virtually addictive, and for those of us who have struggle with weight over a long period, there is no doubt that dealing with it is hard- otherwise we would all be sailing along at a perfect weight. However, there is good research about what can lead to success and having a support system, like our Cracker group, has been shown to be important. As you say, we could be dealing with far worse problems; instead we just have a hard problem. I've felt fortunate to come on here today and find some Crackers here and am sure there will be others tomorrow or soon.
I've been struggling with my GERD (acid reflux) more because of the holidays but am pleased to be getting back on track and exercising. Today I did 2 1/2 miles on the treadmill and the Nordic track which I had not done for awhile.
Regards all.0 -
Thanks for the advice everyone - not butting in at all - helpful. I will I think be looking at a move. There is a job at the moment that I should apply for so will try and focus on that in the next couple of days.
Aiming to do Gym tomorrow.
PB0 -
Good Evening Crackers!
A better late than never - Happy New Year!
A book I recently read had this quote 'on the 29th December usually I start going insane round about now. This year however my parents have gone home unusually early and I've said we're taking no visitors and I've refused all invitations from friends.'
No such luck in my own life. I've been snowed under since I last posted almost 2 weeks ago, with family. My own lovely (but very demanding, irritating, complaining and contrary...) parents are still here (2 long weeks) as they're escorting my daughter back to England on Saturday. Family from my husband's side have all (naturally) wanted to come and see the daughter but they don't live locally so they too have had to stay overnight - 2 families with toddlers and babies... all needing beds, to be fed and entertained. It was the daughter's birthday on the 23rd and she had all her friends round - it's been so long since I've made my wonderful chocolate cake it took me 2 attempts to get it right and then I messed up on the ganache! My husband since Boxing Day has escaped from it all as far as he can during the day, working across the border in Italy until the 7th January. If that wasn't enough to contend with it then started snowing heavily on the 26th bringing down so many trees the husband had to stay overnight. Whilst in our village we had no power for 2 days! Thank goodness in our second kitchen we have a log burning oven and hurrah for all those logs I stacked which kept us warm and we were able to cook on it! And I had plenty of candles in stock as it's my duty to put one on the family graves every week. But boy was it dark!! And imagine being 'trapped' in 1 room for 2 days...
Anyway sadly the stresses and strains of trying too hard to please everyone (and I have to confess I don't like Christmas anymore than I like New Year's Eve), I've returned for comfort to my old friend food - only the sheer amount of snow which needed clearing as my Father looked on and my Mother kept saying what's the point SCREAM has stopped me hitting my 1/2 stone marker. But there's still a couple more days left as I'm not in charge of cooking until my Father has departed and frankly chocolate is the only thing that is keeping me sane!!
However, I've just spent a lovely bit of quiet time on my own catching up on the posts and I can't wait to get back to normality and exercise hopefully on Sunday although I will miss the daughter but I'm longing to remove the Christmas decorations and all the rubbish food. If I don't get another chance LMV - have a super holiday and well done on STS that is really fantastic! My personal goal is to lose what will probably be 1/2 a stone by the time you get back!!
Right I must head for my bed, as yet another exhausting day is just around the corner!0 -
Hi Everyone - well today has been better with only a few minor naughties and a trip to the Gym. Much better on the food front and 40 minutes of rowing and cycling. What a relief. Plenty of water too. Just need to resist the remaining chocolate.
MITM you sound like you've been having quite a tough time - how do you cope with so much family? I've had enough with just Mum and Dad. It must cost a fortune to feed that many people - even if you have a big garden and can grow a lot of your own.
Yes I did get my ride in on New Years Day - although it was quite a windy one.
Hope to go again on Saturday but the forecast is looking pretty rubbish.
talk soon
PB xx0 -
Hello all. MITM, I can not imagine having to have so many guests and for so long. I completely understand the turning to comfort food. And add in the 2 days without power- overwhelming. I'm sure Saturday can not come soon enough though I'm sure your daughter leaving again will be emotional. Loved the quotation and how you used it. Can you let us know what book you are reading? I'm quite immersed in a Canadian novel called Road Ends by Mary Lawson. (Interestingly, Lawson writes about northern Canada but for many years has lived in Devon) It received excellent reviews and I had enjoyed a previous novel by her called Crow Lake. The only thing is her stories take place in Northern Ontario where winters are always hard and the weather factors into the lives of the characters often. So it is not much imaginative escape for me at the moment as I am quite hunkered down because of the weather. Today, again some snow and bitter cold (-14C with a wind chill factor of -26C) and the same is predicted for tomorrow. I went out today only a short distance to the bank and the roads were quite dreadful, snow over ice so I did a bit a slipping around and decided not to go any further afield as I had hoped. It is so cold that I don't let Nellie out for long.
My brother and his eldest daughter dropped in for a visit en route to a DIY store; he is quite an intrepid driver and loves the cold. His daughter takes after him. Yesterday she drove back from Ann Ardor, Michigan by herself (4 hours, normally 2 1/2) from a hockey game she took in with a friend there.
I managed 2 1/2 miles and another Nordic track session today so fairly pleased. I suppose I have the time to do more since I am housebound but somehow the weather outdoors seems to affect me even indoors!
P.B. glad you have had a better day and got your ride in.0 -
Well done Bracken on keeping up the exercise - I see from the news that you are probably buried under yet more snow! It doesn't look so good. We are suffering from wind and rain but not too bad and at least its not so cold! Am spending my day tidying up doing some washing and applying for a new job which has come up. Will let you know how it goes!
Take care all in this vile weather (although I guess some of us are probably just hot!).
PB0 -
Hello Crackers,
I am off on my long-awaited holiday tomorrow so will probably be absent for a while but will be with you in spirit.
BM I know you asked if I was stopping in Singapore. The answer is no, we decided to fly direct in the end with no stopovers other than the refuelling stop in Dubai. Sadly no opportunity to meet for a coffee or wine!
MITM - I hope you survived the last few days without too many extra calories and that you aren't missing your daughter too much.
PB - good luck with the job application. In my view, life is too short to spend it being unhappy in your work. As the others said, make a change and it sounds like you have grabbed the bull by the horns, so well done. Saffy felt the same way as you last year and got herself a new job. She's much happier in her work now.
Bracken - I'm so sorry to hear about all the additional snow you've had - stay positive, it will go eventually.
I've been on a spa day with my husband today and have had a lovely manicure with gel overlays, a pedicure and some waxing so
I am all spruced up for my holiday. I got some good exercise in using both the gym and pool and some lovely chilling time with a good book. I packed on Friday so apart from a few bits and pieces in my hand luggage I'm ready to go and nice and relaxed. I love this circle of friends so I hope to be in touch while I'm away, technology permitting!
Be good while I'm away Crackers and get ready to start "Ripping" when I get back in Feb
xx0 -
Hello all and LMV, if you read this whilst away you will see I just missed wishing you a great holiday before you left. I'll be thinking of you basking in sunny climes.
Life here really is being dictated by the weather. Today all local schools were closed because of stormy weather yesterday and today. Just when I think we must have had it as cold as it can get here (after all my part of Canada and even Ontario is supposed to be in the more moderate part) an even colder day is called for tomorrow; -19C with a wind chill factor at more than -35C!
I was fortunate to get out on the best day we have had recently, only about -3C/-8C on Saturday when two of my sisters and self went to Toronto to see the musical, "Once". We all really loved it. The production featured the stars from the Broadway production which won 8 Tony Awards, including best musical. I have checked and seen that there has been a production in the West End. I only stumbled upon it recently when I came across the 2006 indie film on which the musical is based at my local library. We took the train to Toronto, a two hour plus trip, which is quite convenient as many of the main Toronto theatres are close to the train station, and of course, the train takes away from the worry of driving in this uncertain weather. My brother kindly took Nellie on Friday night as we were leaving quite early on Saturday morning. However, because of the weather Nellie is still at my brother's. I spoke to him today and she is fine but my house seems very quiet without her.
Being housebound by the weather, I am trying to do a certain amount of cleaning and organizing beyond the everyday tasks. Today it was a refrigerator overhaul and some kitchen cupboards before settling into the novel I'm reading. My exercise is all indoors too. Today I did 3 miles on the treadmill but no Nordic track. I'm still somewhat tired from the weekend as we got back from Toronto quite late and one sister and I ended up staying over at the other sister's. We sat up really late, for me (2.a.m.) chatting. I can never sleep in and a late night always takes me a couple of days to catch up. Maybe that is why I generally like to keep to more regular hours.
P.B., good luck with your application for a new position. Regards all.0 -
Good Morning Bracken. We receive very little in the way of weather reports from overseas here, and now one of our only 2 British channels has been stopped with no warning or reason (or reduction in payment) we have even less. So I am almost constantly on the internet watching all the crazy weather reports. I'm glad you ventured out to the musical, it sounds as though you have lovely family connections nearby. I only have 1 brother and unfortunately due to his very difficult wife we have little or no contact any more. I still send my nieces and he and his wife cards, but never receive any, not even Christmas cards from them which I find really sad. Sorry...I digress! I wanted to say how difficult the weather must be making all routine daily activities for you, and can totally understand missing Nellie. My little apartment seems "hollow" without Harry here, even if it just for a few hours when he is having a trim at the local dog salon.
I am starting over this week and trying to gradually ease myself back into a routine. I usually rush headlong into things and then hhave an injury or illness, so this time I am taking it slowly I have put on 6lbs over Christmas which I am disappointed about, I seemed to be doing really well and then, Bam! 6lbs. Although in my rather poor defence I am now using new scales so just hope they are weighing over as I see very little difference iif any in my clothes.
I am off to give Harry his second walk now, I hate to say it but if I don't go soon it will be too hot. I am home to the UK in 5 weeks and just cannot wait to get off the plane in the UK and breathe my first lung full of fresh air since August!
Bracken, you and Nellie are in my thoughts. please keep warm and safe. x x
PB, good on you for applying for a new job. Never forget your worth! x x
MITM, hope you are doing Ok, I know how hard it is to adjust to being just the two of you again x x
LMV hope you had a good journey, weird to think of another cracker in my little part of the world! lol x
Take care all, love BM x x0 -
Hello all Crackers wherever in the world you may be.
B.M., I am here with yet more weather news today. Because of the extreme cold and wind (-26C plus the wind pushing it into the high -30Cs) schools were closed again today, even the nearby university and community college. However, my intrepid brother brought Nellie back this afternoon. I have really been missing her so was so glad to see her though in all honesty had he kept her another night I would not have minded since I am not looking forward to taking her out to toilet later. Tomorrow promises some mild relief with temps of only -12C which now sounds almost balmy! Nellie is quite exhausted, I think, from several days of playing with my brother's dog, Sirius and quite promptly fell asleep. I have spent another day entirely indoors. I had a nice call and chat from the barn owner letting me know that my horse is doing fine. I finished one book I was reading (Behind the Beautiful Forevers, a Pulitzer prize winner, non-fiction, about the lives of the people in a large slum near the Mumbai airport- of course, there is much sad/depressing in it but there is much more about the resilience of people living in such difficult conditions and it is very enlightening to read about how life works in such a place) and am well into the novel I started, Road Ends. I had difficulty getting started on the treadmill today but have managed 3 miles.BM, do not despair. We are all in some manner in the same boat. I did not weigh myself until last Sunday after getting back on track for almost a week and was between 3-4 pounds up from Christmas. You have been doing so well and you will surely be able to manage to get back on track too. I also think that changing scales may also account for some of the difference- no two scales weight the same and your clothes are also a good indicator. By the way, I also understand family difficulties- there is a lot in my family as there are nine siblings. Fortunately, some relate well but I too have a sister-in-law who has alienated a brother from his family over a long period. Such a shame though when you are only two- somehow it seems worse.0 -
Good evening Crackers!
Well so much for only gaining 2lbs over the Christmas period - some hope!! Well the daughter (sob!) and parents (thank goodness!) returned to England on Saturday. Fortunately when we left for the airport at 6.30am it hadn't yet started snowing - however after dropping them off by the time my friend and I got back to our village in the afternoon, it was so deep I had to walk up to my house from the lower half of the village!
Sunday I decided to be brave and face the music. Seeing the scales register a different stone is very sobering! I have hit my personal 1/2 stone marker which when I took off my very tight cord trousers the day before and had seen the imprinted seams down my legs, I suspected might be the case. And when I recorded my measurements that was when it became very black and white - I'm bigger than when I started the shred. Still I have only myself to blame as I ate an awful amount of chocolate!
I got back out immediately my 'ultimate diet log' and I'm logging once again. Haven't done that since November so when I filled in my graph - 6 gained pounds looks horrible!! And then when I looked at my records it began to sink in the last time I weighed this heavy was February and it took 2 long months, to shift the pounds. Well in less than 5 weeks I'm off to England so I've got my work cut out but I too am easing myself slowly this first week back into the routine.
Be good Crackers!0 -
Glad we've heard from you MITM and will commiserate over your weight gain. Of course, we can blame no one but ourselves but circumstances often seem to conspire to make things more difficult than we would wish. As much as it was lovely to have your daughter and parents home for Christmas, it surely was a stressful time, especially knowing your daughter would be leaving again.
I too had stopped using my log (I was surprised to realize it was Dec.7 the last entry!) and have gone back to it. I never do well I realize if I am not logging in some fashion. The journal is really well set up and once you get back into the swing of things it really isn't hard to log either. I feel as if I'm starting rather slowly, not plunging in, but am being quite consistent with exercise. Today I did 2 miles on the treadmill; however, I missed doing the treadmill yesterday. Still I've done 3 days out of 4 this week and will soldier on.0 -
BRACKEN- glad to hear I'm not logging alone! And it obviously does work as I've managed to shift 2lbs of chocolate flab by sticking to my allowance. This weekend for a complete change will be treat free since I've had more than my fair share over the last 2 weeks.... and I don't want it to take me another 2 months to lose these Christmas pounds.
Have a good weekend Crackers!0 -
Hello Crackers
11th January 2013 - the day I decided to change my life. Have I been successful? Well I started out at well over 15 stone. Size 22 (20 in Canada) and I felt fat, ugly, tired, sad and sorry for myself. Couldn't do much exercise - although I did like a walk and certainly wouldn't consider climbing aboard a horse - although in my dreams I considered it. The high point of the year was when I lost just over 2 stone at the end of June - suddenly I felt fit, sleek, attractive, energetic, happy and pleased with myself.
In the last year I have started riding again, completed a 22 mile channel swim challenge (and raised £1000 for charity) bought a size 16 (14 in Canada) pencil skirt, done a lot of dancing and enjoyed a lot exercise. I've eaten really well and until the beginning of December I was doing really well on food and drink. I had a photo shoot in March/April and was stunned by the results. What a transformation and that was at the weight I'm probably at about now! When I lost the other 10lbs I was even more happy with myself.
OK so December has been a bit of a blip and I've spent the days since New Year finishing off all sorts of sugary stuff and still drinking wine. But the last bottle is finished, I just finished the last tin of biscuits and there are no more goodies lying around at home. I've been taking my food into the office and although I've still succumbed to the chocs and biscuits on Thursday I resisted the temptation to take a cheese sandwich and bag of crisps left over from the education meeting and ate the fruit, nuts and seeds that I had taken in to eat instead. I've shredded this week - with my new weights which was actually quite a shock how much I hurt after that - so I need to get my body used to that again.
TODAY, I'm going to weigh myself and fess up to exactly how much weight I have put on since the 1st December and I feel strong and determined to start doing things properly again. One small change is I've gone back to cows milk - didn't really feel goats milk was making that much difference. Today I'm going to celebrate that I changed my life. Today I'm going to celebrate that I proved to myself that losing weight is a state of mind - not a diet. Today I'm going to promise myself to lose another 2 stone (28lbs) by June. I CAN do this - I did it last year.
OK - self indulgence over. The biggest thank you of all (and there are many who have helped me) is for the Crackers - what an amazing, supportive, inspiring and fabulous bunch you are! It is amazing that I feel so close to a group of people who I have never actually met. This is what social media really should be about! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
Much Love
PB xxxx0 -
PB, you have been very courageous in taking stock and so openly and you have shown us what a lot of change can happen in a year. Wow! You have really changed your lifestyle, not just your weight and I'm sure that will inspire you to make the further changes you want to make. I know you are inspiring me, not only by your many successes but also by your struggles. I feel very fortunate too to have you as one of my Cracker friends and am really looking forward to the shared experiences of our Cracker group over the next months.
It is so true that the group can be an inspiration. Today I actually did a bit of Jillian. Yes, it was only one circuit on the 30 Shred tape but it was quite hard as I haven't been doing that for awhile and the reason I did it was because MITM wondered if I was going to try it again. I also did 2 miles on the treadmill and did my food journal logging, also knowing that MITM is doing hers. All this perhaps helped keep my sanity, or at least a positive frame of mind because I was again housebound; this time not because of the weather but because my vehicle which went to the repair shop yesterday was not fixed today as promised and so I couldn't get about and do some things I wanted to do.
Regards all.0 -
Good Evening Crackers!
An exhausting but productive weekend.
At least when I'm working my fingers are fully occupied so there's no time or opportunity for grazing. In fact this weekend was the first in a long, long time when I successfully managed to last without any 'treats'! Sunday we had an hours break for a spot of fresh air ha! The husband dragged me up the hill where I nordic walk with the daughter, only there's now heaps of snow covering the track, so every single step as you sunk down into the snow was such an effort, wearing heavy snow boots to lift and heave the foot and leg back out and onwards and upwards. The calories I must have burnt! The view at the very top was worth it (but I could hardly breath by that stage) and it was stunning weather not a cloud in the sky but ooh I felt so unfit!
However today I did another session with Jillian and felt brilliant afterwards and tonight I salsacised with Rosemary as this jelly belly has got to go.
PB - I loved the spill and your new promise to yourself!
BRACKEN/PB - I second you both, the Crackers community keeps me on my toes and since joining this circle, I've never completely lost control, which I was forever doing when dieting alone, as the support here is tremendous and there is always one of us doing well, so inspiration is just around the next corner whenever the going gets tough.
Be good Crackers!!0 -
Hi all, quick post as I have to go shopping, am almost out of cottage cheese, and being vegetarian that almost constitutes a crisis in our house! I have been unable to shred this week due to the most ridiculous injury. I wore new trainers on Monday morning and it wasn't until almost midway in the walk they started to rub. Stupid I know, not to break them in around the apartment but they seemed so comfy. Anyhow I had to take them off when we were almost home, they rubbed my heel until it bled and with my blood problem it seemed to never to stop! It is healing now, but slowly. I have however found a pair of sandals that the back strap is higher than my "wound" so I have upped my walks a bit until I can get my trainers back on. If it's not right by the weekend I may try the yoga which you can do barefoot.
Bracken, hope you and Nellie are doing Ok x
LMV. Not too sure which part of OZ you are in but hope you are having a whale of a time! x
MITM, you probably don't want to hear it, but I really envy you your snow! lol x
PB. Any news on the job application? x
Saffy. Good for you for getting straight back into running. Fab weight loss too x
New8, hope all is well with you and Daisy x
Wishing you all a fab rest of the week. BM x x
Hope everyone is well and keeping warm/cool (depending where you are!)
Have a good one. BM x x0 -
Hi All
Interview on Monday (all day)... Watch this space.
PB0 -
Ooooh PB! Well done, will have my fingers firmly crossed for you on Monday x x0
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and after today I know I'm doing the right thing - having said that have drunk most of a bottle of wine and a tiramisu - spent the first half of the evening blubbing now feeling much better although I will regret the excesses in the morning.
PB xxx0 -
Oh PB - don't waste another calorie on your ungrateful colleagues and instead get working on your interview techniques. That job has got your name written all over it! I'll be keeping my fingers and toes crossed for you on Monday.
BM - what bad luck with your injury! But 10/10 for sheer effort and increasing your steps.
BRACKEN - long time no see! Don't know what the weather is like in your corner of the world but I hope you've got electricity. I have heard we have more snow on the way this weekend - can't wait!
Well so, so day - husband's birthday and I couldn't avoid a few extra calories but I did fit in a walk and I hope to salsacise before heading for my bed.
Try and be good Crackers!0 -
What a difference an hour can make - one distressing, unsuccessful Skype (England's end!) then endless texts from one homesick daughter and I've stuffed down a bowl of ice-cream from sheer frustration!! So PB I know how you feel!!!
Have come to my senses again but not before finishing the bowl when I saw my first Cadburys crème egg advert!! I am now going to salsacise!!0 -
Hello all. I do feel good to be here after a few days absence, days which were somewhat difficult. It started with another family meeting about my mother's property which has not yet been resolved. I won't go into it but suffice to say there is considerable conflict about this in my large family and of course, it ends up that other issues and grievances are brought up. I wish I were one of those who can just let things like this roll off my back. Instead I carry the feelings around, sleep poorly and then eat badly. (yes, MITM, ice-cream too) It was compounded by picking up or reengaging another cold of some type so I've had difficulty exercising which only makes things worse. However, yesterday and today I once again got my eating in check and did some exercise. Yesterday I did 2 miles on the treadmill and today I did 2 1/4 miles and did the Nordic track. But I do frustrate myself because I know that one day of poor eating can't usually be made up with one day of good eating because it is so much easier to eat far too many calories but there is a limit to how many calories can be cut back or exercised off in a day. Anyway, I have taken heart from MITM's comment about cutting short the time between a lapse and a regrouping. That is true for me too so there is some comfort in that. I do think of one diet book I read (can't remember whose) which talked about having a lapse, a relapse, or a collapse. MITM, sounds like you have just had a lapse. I'm not sure where the boundaries are but at least I am not in the dreaded collapse!
BM, sorry to hear about your foot problem. Hope you heal soon but you are clearly working around it well.
PB, fingers will be crossed here for you with the job interview. Good for you taking action but understandably a stressful time.
Saffy, you are apparently doing well from BM's comments so that is good to hear. New82, you are in my thoughts too.We have had a lot of news re heat in Australia and players and members of the public being made ill by the heat so I do wonder how LMV is getting on.
The weather here is still cold and it snowed a little the past two days but it less cold than it was (-3C) but we have these ongoing strong winds. Next week all week temps will be back to the -14C range. Can I wait for it? When my sister and I were driving on the weekend, I was amazed to see a great blue heron in the roadside ditch searching in a bit of melted snow. I can't imagine what it could find to eat there. I find it distressing to see any animal in difficulty. I don't know why that bird would not have gone south. Herons are so beautiful but I really wished I had not seen it.
Must leave off. I see Nellie in the back yard and she should come in now. I'm pleased though that she seems to enjoy being out and plays a lot with a volleyball in the snow and also plays with bits of fallen branches. Regards.0
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