Evening Crackers!

Just to let you know I will be absent as I am off to the UK tomorrow for a week, dropping the daughter back and going on a little jaunt with my Mother overnight to London, to see Cinderella and to do a spot of window shopping. On my return to Austria the plan is to start exercising again. I intend to do my daily 8 minutes strength exercises with Jorge, salsacise 5 times a week and I'll throw in the lovely Jillian once a week if I'm unable to walk. We don't have snow at the moment but a lot of Austria it is snowing so you never know by the time I get back...

In the meantime be good Crackers!

Hello Crackers. Somewhat late here but still full of good wishes for all in 2017. PB, I hope you have been able to sing today and are fully recovered from your cough. Likewise, MITM, I hope your daughter got over her cold and you were able to do some of the hiking you so enjoy.
Today continues a recent spate of extremely cold weather, along with high winds and snow. This has really curtailed walking with Nellie; she has to be satisfied with a number of short stints in the back yard. She is so good at amusing herself with the soccer ball and again last night after 11pm when I let her out, she was pushing that ball around.
I hope Christmas, which already seems a time ago went well for all. I again spent some of Christmas day (with Nellie along) at my brother's in the country. My youngest sister and her family were there too. Fortunately the driving was really good that day- if it were like today, I would have to have cancelled!I was particularly pleased to receive a book I had been planning on buying for a gift. It is called Do Not say We have Nothing ( a rather hard to remember title!) by a Canadian of Chinese decent, Madeleine Thien. It won our Governor General's Award, our Giller Prize, and was short listed for the UK's Booker Prize. It shifts in time from present to the 1989 period of the Tianneman Square Massacre. So far I am enjoying it very much. My tv indulgence recently has been to watch episodes of Call the Midwife, a series we did not get here but I have picked up from the Library.
Because weather has kept me in so much, I have tried to begin 'spring' or yearly cleaning tasks including going through files of bills, invoices, bank statements etc. and culling and shredding. It has been instructive to look at a year's worth of withdrawals from my bank passbook and see how often I ate lunch out or had a stop at the frozen yogurt place while shopping.It is now one of my top resolutions to radically curtail this! I am very serious and concerned about shifting considerable weight before the August wedding in British Columbia.
At the moment that is not too hard as my old digestive problems have returned and I have been really restricted in what I can eat. Of course, this is not a long term plan and I'll have to again follow a more nutritious diet.
Regards to all.

Hello Crackers.
Well BM, we really are comrades in arms with our August events so I am looking forward too
to success through our joint struggle. Today I have felt somewhat better after the past three miserable days with my stomach. I don't know what set it off so badly and for so long but the gas, bloating, and pain made it hard to focus on anything, even real reading let alone exercise. Today I finally went out and did some shopping for groceries and got some special cleaner I needed for my floors and actually have a desire again to proceed with my "spring cleaning." I made sure I got some walking in while shopping, not a lot (3600 steps) but better than previous several days. Because of the digestive problems, I have restricted my eating severely, mainly brown rice, a few rice crackers, cooked carrots, and fruit (blueberries, raspberries, a few cherries from my summer freezing and a some raisins)- definitely not a long term diet but it is such a relief to have the stomach more settled that I want to proceed cautiously with adding more food- definitely need some protein.
I bought a new mattress set at the Boxing Day sales a week ago after realising how old the old one was and considering if it might be part of my sleeping problem. I have had really poor sleep with this digestive issue but I am really pleased that the new mattress set seems to be helping my back. I am sure I am waking up far less stiff all over and without the bad lower back pain I was having. It was quite difficult to choose a new mattress as there are so many different types now and every salesman seems to push the type his/her store sells. I also did some research on the internet. There are a lot of completely foam mattresses (so-called memory foam)but I did not really like them, even the firmer ones. The one I bought is a coil mattress with a latex pillow top; I am told latex is more resilient than the foams so I hope it will continue to serve. I also changed pillows; I had bought a very expensive down pillow a year ago but seemed to always be fighting with it to make it comfortable. I bought a bio-soy pillow which is very firm and seems to be working out also. Well, I have rabbited on quite a lot about this but must say it has been so nice to get a positive effect, a more comfortable night's sleep.
Nellie has been out for 20 minutes so must get her in now.
Regards.

Hello Crackers.
BM, I do think those who have never really struggled with weight can deeply understand the diet issue, no matter how sympathetic. I do not think it is unrealistic to want to lose considerable weight by August which is seven months, for me exactly, tomorrow until my niece's wedding. Unrealistic to me would be wanting to lose 20 pounds or even more in just two months. I think and all the experts are always talking about the importance of goal setting, not just for weight loss but for anything one wants to achieve. I do think, however, that it is important not to have as the only goal a very specific weight to be lost in a very specific time because that is setting one up for problems. I am reminded of some advice I've read (couldn't say where as I've read a lot of diet books and articles!!) which is to have big long term goals but also many short term goals, and also to remember that weight
loss itself is not a behaviour but the result of multiple specific behaviours like monitoring what you eat or tracking amount of exercise. And I do think you can be motivated to lose weight for a specific occasion as part of wanting to feel better for you. Hope you are not melted away to a grease spot in your 41C too.
We had a suddenly shift in weather and temps of 4C today and last night with considerable rain which has greatly reduced the snow. I actually felt like taking Nellie for a walk. I also took her today to a home where she had been invited to come for a playdate with a border-collie. I had been invited by the owner when we met in the local grocery store. I am acquainted with her as she runs a small, seasonal garden business specialising in perennials only on her property. But when I got there, I realised that the driveway on one side of the house was not closed. She thought the dogs would be fine if we were standing at the front of the garden but knowing Nellie I could not take a chance that she would not run past us and onto a busy street. So I was disappointed for Nellie but had to think, better safe than sorry in this case.

Lovely to hear from you MITM, happy for you your New Year started on a good note weight wise.

I am delighted to report a 7.2lb weight loss this week (Monday to today!). I am in no doubt a good deal of that is water weight etc but I am still very happy with it. It still feels like a gazillion pound to go, but I will lose it 1lb at a time. There is no rush to be at my goal weight but I AM going to lose a lot of the weight by this Summer.

Have to get ready, it's my monthly cut and colour appointment, I've had enough of my short bob, so I want to grow it a little longer so I can put it up during the day.

Wishing you all a great weekend,
BM x

Good Morning all, hope you are having a good start to your weekend. I am delighted to say I have lost 1.5lb this week. I know last weeks was a lot more but this weeks is fat and not water weight! I have a pile of ironing to do now, it's been a very humid week here so no point in doing the laundry, yesterday wasn't too bad so I had to wash days worth in one so it would dry for me to iron today. I shall put a bbciplayer radio play on and listen whilst I iron. Hopefully it will make it a little less painful!

Here's wishing you can all get a little relaxation time in this weekend (I am going to knit all day after the laundry is done).

Take care, BM x

Good Evening Crackers!

A quick pop in from me before bed. Well a first for me - I lost weight (I don't care if it's only 0.4!!!) during the birthday week of my husband and best friend. I made 2 cakes, an almond and orange one as requested for my friend which after our slice with lashings of cream and a cup of tea, I wrapped up the remainder and sent it home with her - result! For my husband he wanted brownies, perfect, so I froze what was left over in portions to be taken out on Sundays after our weekly hike, I have his waist line as well as my own to consider!!

I must apologize for my absence although I always pop in at breakfast time but I have been too busy to respond. We've never had so many orders for January before. It is the coldest January in Austria for 30 years - does this make people eat more schlipfkrapfen who knows, but we're having to work around the clock to keep up with no let up in sight...

So my exercise plans are still on hold for the time being. The new fitness clothes arrived. The capri styled exercise trousers as I tried them on, it occurred to me, this could be what putting on a wet suit feels like! However once I successfully pulled them on which involved burning calories, it's like a firm second skin holding me in shape! Of course the top is the complete opposite and is where you need support - however not moving I looked the part!! Still time will tell...

Congratulations BM on your weight loss - fantastic results. And as the numbers go down you can only feel better. Your decision to go on this trip is amazing, do you know the other passengers, are you part of an online knitting group similar to our set up with needles instead of scales?!

PB so pleased to hear you are content (apart from Trump/Brexit) and that your contract has been extended brilliant! Your trip should be great too.

Bracken I hope you are not snowed in and that you are out and about?

Well before I depart, I forgot to report on my return from the UK I experienced a non scale victory! My Mother in her seventies met up with her old boss in her eighties for lunch. She owns a Bridal shop where my wedding dress 28 years ago, came from which I'm sure I've mentioned in passing, I had to have silk panels sewn into the sides by the brilliant seamstress a week before the wedding so it would fit!!!! It fitted perfectly in the January but I was living in Jersey at the time and the next time my Mother set eyes on me, in April I was a stone heavier and the buttons from the neckline to the waist would no longer meet! Anyway her boss remembering this asked did I still have a weight problem?!! And my Mother said ' Goodness me no, she's now very, very slim and has been for years.' My Mother has never described me as slim and 'VERY, VERY' - I was absolutely speechless!!

Be good Crackers!

Hello Crackers. A pop-in on a rather cold, miserable day that has kept me indoors except for a brief excursion to get some photocopying done at the local variety store and a stop at the village grocery. Since I only needed a few items I could not be bothered to go the more expansive, better store about five minutes away. I wanted to make copies of a chart for monitoring weight loss in five pound increments from the Beck book. Beck wants dieters to only set five pound goals at a time, achieve them and then set the next five pound goal and so on. I had completely forgotten about that chart and to be honest, although I have done a lot of logging in a food diary I had never used that chart so hope it will prove to be one more tool in the arsenal!
We have a fairly light covering of snow again and it actually makes it easier with Nellie as she does not get as dirty as she did with the recent thaws and mud.
I spent part of the day continuing my so-called spring cleaning or what my sister calls deep cleaning. I have shredded inordinate amount of paper for recycling. Previously I have keep old tax records, receipts, bank statements, etc. for too long, so much of this decluttering should have been done before. However, it is quite satisfying to have made such a significant inroad through the forest of paper. Also because I don't completely trust myself with my computer security, I do not do on-line banking and get bill statements on-line.
Off now to get Nellie's dinner. Regards.

MITM your Daughter is an absolute star. To know what she wants to do with her life at her young age is so special. Not only that, she is working so hard at achieving it too. I am certain she has a very bright future and we will be hearing lots from her in the future with books written and documentaries. It is such an important part of our history and I sincerely believe it should never be forgotten.

I am still plodding on with my healthy eating and desire to be fit. I stayed the same weight wise this week but not too bothered as I feel so much better in myself and to me that's as important as the weight loss. I am wondering if I am finally starting to like/accept myself now at this weight and living my life for today instead of my always thinking my life will be better when I am slim, and sort of always having my life on hold until I reach this "magical" goal weight? I have no doubt I will be absolutely delighted when I do reach it, but I think it is important I am realising I need to like who I am now at this weight as no one is going to wave a magic wand over me to achieve that the day I am the "correct" weight. I hope I am making sense?! My main aims for the first time ever, are that I want to be happy with myself and healthy. Any weight loss that happens alongside this will be a massive plus. I reached almost 12000 steps yesterday so I am pleased with how it's all going so far. Having alternate rest days now though (Swimming instead) as my trainers need replacing so I don't want to risk the shin splints I feel may develop. I am off to the UK in a couple of weeks so am replacing them and my walking clothes whilst there.

Bracken you are inspiring me to sort out the drawers full of paperwork I have. I would think the majority of which requires shredding. I don't know why I am delaying it or quite why I dislike doing it so much but like yourself I will be glad to get it underway.

PB, LMV, hope all is OK in your parts of the world xx

Things are slowly starting to return to normal here now after Chinese NEw Year. (Thank goodness!) There is a new large boat outside in the Marina with a 6seater helicopter on it. We are quite used to the smaller two people helicopters on the yachts but this is so loud it is dreadful. Unfortunately they think it is fun to take off and land at all hours which scares Harry to death, (poor thing keeps thinking it is thunder). I am not a violent person but if I could fly one I would take it and dump it in the ocean! Sorry, rant over

BM - you are making perfect sense to me and good for you! As Beck says "It's important to start working on enriching your life NOW, even if you're not yet where you want to be in terms of weight loss. The more pleasurable things you have going on the less and less you'll turn to food to fulfill that role. You don't have to go fast, you just have to go. Losing weight, if you're being reasonable with your eating, often isn't very fast but eventually you'll get where you want to be. And keep in mind that every pound you lose feels better than being that pound heavier, so there is so much to appreciate along the way." So BM just keep doing what you're doing!

I also came across the perfect quote for me and tiredness!! "If you think 'I'm so tired, I have to eat' remind yourself that while eating may be a (very) temporary fix, ultimately sleep is what your body needs, not food, so eating won't help. Ask yourself 'Do I want to be tired and overweight, or just tired?' Good old common sense from Beck!!

Be good Crackers!

Popping in today, Crackers, as the weather continues quite miserable and I am rather housebound. Not a lot has happened here but since I'm posting I'll make some comments about "A Dog's Purpose." I am over half way through the book but am having to parcel it out as I find it very emotional. Today's reading session was particularly emotional and had me weeping quite copiously. I really am a sop, I guess, for animals. I must say the book is not all sadness; in fact, there is a great deal of unbridled joy and even humour in the story. Although it is far from a great work of literature, the writer has given a compelling and realistic story told from the dog's point of view. I read a lot of literary fiction which I'll enjoy but not in the same way; this book draws you in and lets you read in that immersed, unreflective way that is more common in childhood reading where a story, no matter how improbable can seem very real. Need I say that Black Beauty was a great love of my childhood but also books about people- all of the Ann of Green Gables books were a favourite but many more including The Count of Monte Cristco, The Three Musketeers, The Scarlet Pimpernell and when I was twelve, I devoured my mother's copy of Gone With the Wind vaguely aware that its treatment of slavery was romanticised but most taken in by the wilful Scarlet O' Hara (sp?); my wise mother let me know that perhaps the truly strong character in the novel was the long suffering Melanie whom she later named one of my sister's after. I did not read Huckleberry Finn until I was a young adult but later taught it for many years. I used to read passages to my students and the climactic episode of the novel in which Huck decides to go against his upbringing and try to save his black friend, Jim, even if it sends him to hell was always hard to get through without my voice breaking. I think it is a great shame, here anyway, that the novel is seldom taught now because Twain uses the n.. word which was very common at the time. Political correctness often seems to run amuk and teachers are not trusted to be able to handle a subject with sensitivity. It is such a shame as the black Jim is such a positive character in the novel. Well. I have quite run on once I started on this topic so will leave here.Regards all.

Hello Crackers and a Happy Valentine's day to all. It's been a nice day here at 4C and sunny so again another respite after a few cold days and snow again. Tomorrow back to more snow and colder but I was able to take advantage of today to give Nellie a nice walk and she has had some good time in the yard too.
I had an appointment with my family physician today and I made her and the receptionist a pot of blackcurrant jam to mark the day. Both were very appreciative so I was well thanked. My doctor is extremely hardworking and I think it is easy to overlook a personal thanks, thinking that, oh well she is getting paid for it.
BM, I will wish you well on your upcoming trip. Do not dismiss the strides you have made with your weight. Having clothes fit after a period of being tight and uncomfortable is a very fine step.
The paperwhites I mentioned previously have come into bloom today and their fragrance has filled this den.
On the weekend, I finished reading A Dog's Purpose, not without a few more tears, and smiles as well. I'd really recommend it.
Regards all.

Always lovely to read your posts Bracken xx
I am definitely starting packing today! I fly Sunday and haven't started yet, it won't take me too long hopefully. I always think as long as I remember my purse and passport anything I have forgotten can be bought in the U.K. and everything I do remember is a bonus. OH is always on at me to write lists but I am not as organised as him so I think he just gives up with me! ( he's ex Navy so he's quite regimented in how he does most things). I drive him nuts frequently, but he just says I am the most disorganised, procrastinater he has ever met. Thankfully he is a lovely calm person so we very rarely have words about it

I have just had a manicure and pedicure which is torturous to me, I don't like anyone in my space or touching me, so I am tense and rigid for the whole time. Tomorrow I have my monthly cut and colour and that will hopefully be all the "pampering" over for a month.

My eldest Son whom I am staying with for the 3 weeks was called into work on his week off yesterday and has to work away from home for a month so I will be on my own all day, every day......again! Then last night OH informed me that the day before I arrive back here in Singapore he is off to Norway for a few weeks. I know he can't get out of it as one of his vessels is having a few problems but I am still shocked and left thinking everywhere I arrive people are leaving! I'm sure I will be able to see friends and family on occasion in the UK and I have the joy that is my knitting so I'm certain it will all be OK (!)

On a very happy note to end, I am almost a couple of pound lighter this week and official weigh in is tomorrow so I might reach the 2lb mark. I haven't been able to swim or do much walking due to the monsoon weather here this week and my loss had not been brilliant the last couple of weeks, so I am doubly pleased my healthy eating is working and I have plodded on. Let's just hope I can keep it up whilst in the UK. I was excellent last winter at home ( it was the first time I hadn't gained weight whilst there, so I remember it well!).

Well I've procrastinated Long enough and rambled on but the packing is still there to do, so off I go.

Wishing you all a great weekend,
BM xx

Unbelievable how it has gone from -4C to 12C and sunny today. Reports say we will have a week of unusually warm weather, nice but nature is such a delicate balance and it would not take much to bring on buds and plants too early, only to be decimated by an inevitable return to cold weather. My paperwhites are in full bloom now and their fragrance permeates from the upstairs den right to the downstairs rooms. I don't have a great nose for subtle fragrance so really like paperwhites and am thinking that next year I should buy several lots of them and plant them so I have a succession of blooms over the winter months as they are a real pick-me-up. Off now to take Nellie for another walk today- she is liking this change too.

Good Evening Crackers!

I cannot quite believe it has been 3 weeks since I last posted but I've had a very busy, busy month but finally we have a few days respite from the sight of potatoes!

BM - I have a permanent travelling list which I keep in my filofax at all times! These days I so easily forget things I have ongoing lists everywhere for everything; chores to do, shopping to buy, things I would like to do... - like post! Have a super time in Wales and I trust your other son and daughter and grandchildren will be on hand to occupy your time!

And as Beck says 'Many, many people gain weight during holidays. Even if you maintain your weight, you should be extremely proud of yourself. Make sure you have goals that are reasonable but don't let yourself off the hook too much. You want to stay accountable and in control but you also want to be reasonable and realistic. Maintenance might be the middle ground.' Good luck!

BRACKEN - I too always enjoy your posts! Your mention of Huckleberry Finn bought back delightful childhood memories, as every 6 week, summer school holidays they would show the series every day on the TV and I watched it every year! Concerning the weather I know what you mean. After the coldest January on record in Austria, we had our first real snow of the winter this month on the 6th. Clearing a path almost killed me the effort! I'd forgotten after such a mild winter last year, how heavy snow is so I'm either unfit or getting old or I suspect both!! However this week has been unseasonably warm, the snow has disappeared I didn't need to put the central heating on until 5pm and tomorrow the forecast is 20°c and then at the weekend, back to minus and snow! I spotted my first crocus today in the garden (is Wales covered in daffodils?) and I can see shoots peeping their heads up and unfortunately buds beginning in the trees. Last year our apricot tree got caught by the frost. Nature is like politics you cannot not foresee what is around the next corner.

Well Beck has been in my thoughts a lot of late. 'If you think, "I don't want to get on the scales because "I think I've gained weight," remind yourself that this is actually when it's most critical to get on the scales to hold yourself accountable. It's important to find out if you've gained so you can figure out what mistakes you may have made and correct them. Once you face facts you start the process of changing them.'

So I stepped on the scales and surprise, surprise NOT I had gained 2 pounds. It all started with an innocent white iced donut filled with vanilla cream from the pattissere in town and they only make them in the month leading up to Lent, thank goodness! It just set me off and I scoffed more sugar in that week than I normally do in a month.

Not helped in the slightest the following week, I had the pleasure of my husband home ALL week and it was no holiday but a long hard week of work, work, work! I won't say and 'no play' as he did insist upon dragging me daily on our uphill hike every afternoon. However bearing in mind he is a chef he also plied me with food all week as he did the cooking so thank goodness for the calorie burning walks as somehow I managed to at least not gain further.

Which leads me onto another Beck gem 'I'm discouraged by the weight I've gained, now is a GREAT time to get back on track and recommit yourself to healthy eating. It doesn't matter what you did or didn't eat over the past few weeks, what matters is what you eat today and everyday going forward.'

Well with the husband now back at his day job, no excuses as I'm in charge of the kitchen again and what I pop into my mouth! I hope Bracken your version of intermittent fasting does the trick to get you losing again. I am still the same weight as I started the New Year so I'm not yet going backwards but I would like to go forwards and shift these 2 pounds and get back to target before I go the UK because just around the next corner is my birthday, Easter, my wedding anniversary... I think it might be a good idea to give up chocolate for Lent as I see a future month of chocolate temptation on the horizon!

Be good Crackers!

P.S. I think Beck is my new dieting bible!!