carinthea Member

Thank you :) I hope that he can help. I do find it funny that people outside of the UK think the NHS is free though - it's really not. Every month a third of our salaries are taken to cover all the stuff that the 'state' provides (schools, benefits, NHS, etc etc), then those who work also pay for their medications - mine…

I won't be using the treadmill, I am more of a rowing machine and boxing girl - something I have already spoken about with the instructors. I am one of these people who would prefer to cycle (I cycle 5-10 miles a day every day as part of my commute to work) or do something quick and seriously cardio (I love to dance and…

The dietary restrictions are due in main, to the 600mg I take daily of an old style anti-depressant I take (having suffered from depression for 27 years I have run the gamut on meds and this was the only one which worked); the side effects if you avoid the restrictions are blinking nasty. The low-carb is because it's a…

I weigh everything that I put in my mouth, (a tedious process so I mostly live on salads) I am low-carb (no pasta, rice, potatoes etc), balanced proteins, I exercise regularly (6x a week for 30 mins cardio) don't go over 1200 cals unless there is a bit to spare. I am being incredibly good (it's actually frustrating), my…

I purchased an HRM when I started working out properly a few years ago - I was attending 5 Zumba classes a week, cycled a lot (well for me, 30+ miles per week) and wanted to know what I was burning...the calorie indicators on MFP for exercise burn are in no way accurate (erring on the very generous side of caution). I love…

HI Tigger, Thanks for those - unfortunately, the nearest gym on the first is 25 miles away and the second has no records for my area at all - I live in a small coastal town and don't drive so I am very restricted. Hence being happy that I have found this new gym, it has quiet times - which for me is very good as I suffer…

I am going to look around a nice and cheap gym, no pool, but sensor boxing equipment and surfboard workouts. I want to find a dirt-cheap gym (they are few and far between along the South Coast of the UK) because I want to be able to afford membership - my really local gym is nearly £80 a month and I so cannot afford that…

I had the Mirena for 5 years to control my period (as they won't sterilise me). They were the worst 5 years of my life but I had to lose weight to get it removed. It took me 3 years of diet and exercise to lose 2 stone, had the nightmare removed and I lost 6 stone in 6 months following the exact same plan. I would rather…

Yes, because abandoning production of an item that puritanical society disapproves of worked so well during prohibition. I am sick of being 'nanny-stated' by the government who think that they know what they are doing when in actual fact there are a heck of a lot of other problems out there they should be looking into…

Initial start weight (as of Feb 2011): 368lbs Initial loss (as of 25/08): 145lbs Start weight (as of 25/08): 223.1lbs Goal by Christmas: 203lbs Loss: 20lbs Ultimate Goal: 130lbs (possibly) 25/08: 223.1 01/09: 224.8 (lost inches but gained weight (!!!?) this week) 08/09: 222.4 (yay, a loss) I will note I go into hospital…

Thanks for the suggestion...unfortunately just looked at Jovial and they only deliver within the US.

Thank you - but as you can see from my open diary I am not exactly inactive and I consume rarely more than 1200 calories in a day.

These large gaps are where I have been unable to eat due to zero appetite (I honestly have to say that I never thought I would look forward to surgery ever, but right now I can't wait). The exercise I log (apart from the cycling and walking which are my daily commute) are all measured with my HRM, I input it myself and…

The only carbs I consume are those that are found naturally in the foods - I don't eat potatoes, only eat wholemeal bread and pasta (both of which I dislike) and currently I am not eating fruit as I love the acidity of it but with really bad acid reflux due to my gallbladder issues I am avoiding them. I don't eat fruit…

I don't dream about cheeseburgers, but I do dream about eating a pint of Haagan Dazs ice cream or a bacon sandwich dripping with butter on white bread.

Some people resent those with willpower to do what they can't bring themselves to, and they voice this in such a way that it is potentially insulting. Ignore her, it really is jealousy talking. I think that you look great, and very happy in your profile pic.

Thank you all. With regard the calories in vs calories out thing, I know this, I have been dieting pretty unsuccessfully for decades (unfortunately literally), but I have introduced exercise as I have a lot to lose and doing so without exercise and toning will lead to a definite issue with plenty of excess skin, which I…

I know. Sometimes I will see recipes for things and think "yum, that looks really good" then I will try and get the ingredients for it and find that it's virtually (if not completely) impossible.

I have tocophobia (fear of pregnancy) and cannot stand to be around pregnant women (find the moving stomach thing really creepy - I know it's not but it really does send shivers up my spine and make me feel sick) and when a close friend got pregnant I started to keep away once she started showing...my mum told me "don't…

Coffee made with almond milk! Tea made with almond milk! I love almond milk, love it on cereal, love it in a hot chocolate (with my single allowed tablespoon of cocoa powder) but I cannot stand it in either of the other two drinks, which means at present I am going without caffeine (wondered why I was getting headaches).…

I live in a small village right on the South Coast of the UK, the most exotic thing we have here is probably bulgar wheat and even that is only available in a health food store and it's not cheap...it's unbelievable how difficult things are to get even in this day and age. This is the point where I got so frustrated last…

I will also add that age is a great factor. I had a very bad experience in my early 20s with the partner I was living with at the time. It really damaged my confidence and my feeling of being secure when out (long story don't want to go into it but take what you will from what I have said). Push forward 18 years, I am 40…

What is einkorn pasta? I live in the UK and though we do have a fair few things here sometimes they are harder to come by (believe it or not) unless you live in London!

I too have gallstones - or rather one MASSIVE one - it's huge and won't pass on its own so I am now waiting for surgery. In the interim I am trying to lose weight and sticking to a relatively low fat diet, high in protein, low in carbs (following the South Beach diet for the most part). I hadn't realised that my low-fat…

I am loosely following South Beach, at present no carbs (had a bit of a fail yesterday with a pizza but I paid for it with an upset stomach). I am also starting Hip Hop Abs this week and will be continuing with the 20 minutes of weights 3x a week. I also have a 25 minute cycle and 20 minute walk every day as a normal part…

I weigh on a Monday (as I can work out a bit more over the weekend and find the balance of a new week and clean slate works) and in the middle of all of this I am going to be having my gallbladder removed so expect either a huge drop or a lull in around October. Initial start weight (as of Feb 2011): 368lbs Initial loss…

I have to be honest and say that all I know about the diet is what I have read in the books. I started it with a friend when I was desperate to shift the first few stone after coming off Orlistat (the fat buster pill), she gained 2 stone (cheating I guess) and I lost 6. I am now back on South Beach having discovered that…

There have been lots of scientific studies around the cravings women experience during their period and though some say "it's just an excuse to pig out and eat whatever" these people are wrong. Scientists are now providing evidence that states you crave what your body needs at that particular stage of your cycle. I have a…

Do wish that the BMI not being used in the medical community were the case. I am 5ft (barely), currently weigh 223lbs, started 21 months at 368lbs, and would love to get down to 120lbs eventually, but anything under 200lbs would make me happy in the interim. I am waiting for an operation and being the weight I am was told…

I am relieved to see this. Working at a deficit, started using heavier weights a couple of weeks ago and this week there was a 1/2 lbs gain on the scales...was disappointed but now really relieved to find that there is an explanation. Thank you.