Frugal February

Poor pup!

OldMeg, i was 75 kg at the end of October so it has been a slow but steady loss. I remind myself that I have lost the equivalent of 7 bags of sugar or 28 blocks of butter! I need to lose another 7 or 8 kg but will take it one step at a time.

Well, I am still plodding on. I am managing to stick to the 16.8 (occasionally 15.9) but it's difficult sometimes when I work a late shift to resist the temptation of a slice of iced victoria sponge! I have bee attempting to use iceberg lettuce leaves instead of bread to make a sandwich but they break up when I bite into them and it gets messy, tastes the same though..just looks messy! I don't have any scales ( and too nervous to buy some?) but my clothes aren't quite so tight...which shows how much weight I'd previously gained because although I'm no longer bulging over the waistband my jeans are still 'snug'. I have cut out the? as well, zilch. However, as I mentioned before am away for 3 days in Edinburgh for a celebration with friends followed by a 50th birthday party a few days later so it wont be possible to stick to any of it during those times. I shall be 'aware' though and straight back on track after. I am determined to lose the weight OM, nothing frivolous about me ? except for the Scottish weekend

Tesco sell small pack of nuts for £1. My favourite is the salt and pepper. And in my store they’re located by the fresh herbs, garlic, ginger etc.

If you could make a pack last 2 days Tegan ??

Wow! And wow again Niobe. RESPECT ?

MrsA yes, they are messy, but worth it. If you’re eating at home, try using a little gem instead and use it like a taco.

Enjoy Edinburgh and just being ‘aware’ of what you at3 eating can help you say nay to that extra slice. I can tell you’re one determined lady.

Because I was trying to avoid bread I started taking little containers full of mixed nuts, dried cranberries and small chunks of cheese with me if we went out for the day. Alas, my teeth are getting so crumbly I worry about biting into nuts these days. I started buying nuts to use in my Nutribullet [I buy large bags of them from Holland and Barrett] but the smoothies I made were calorie packed [I'd put everything bar the kitchen sink into them]. I also read of the health giving properties of eating a handful of nuts each day. I have a loyalty card with H&B and buy the nuts when they're buy one half price and often get a voucher to spend there as well. I had lost a bit more weight on the scales at the gym last night; there are three particular machines that tones up the areas where I always put weight on and struggle to lose it from; I always got despondent about the fact that I was, if anything, underweight but had huge thighs, and these machines target the thighs/bottom. I wish there had been gyms around when I was younger; I've always walked a lot but walking doesn't tone you. Several of the machines at the gym can be used by people in wheelchairs also and the place is always full. If you provide people with the means to get healthy they will embrace it; imo places like this should be free to use by everyone in the country [sorry; rambling on and need to get off my soapbox!]....

Oh I love nuts! They're one of my favourite things to eat. I have to not buy them, sadly, because I can't be trusted around them.
How much more weight have you lost, Tegan? Or are you trying to avoid obsessing over the scales?

Obsessive? Moi?!! I'm only getting on the scales 5 times a day as per usual! I can't remember a time in my life when I haven't got on the scales first thing in the morning [other than last autumn when I starting piling the pounds on and had a sort of mental block about it]. This is my bathroom; the grey scales appear to be over the weight of the ones at the gym; the white ones are half a stone less than the grey ones! The gym ones are somewhere inbetween. I should really go by the grey ones as they're the ones I've always used. I am a stone more on the gym ones than I was last summer. Currently 10stone on my grey scales, but I was veering towards 11 st till I pulled myself together a few weeks ago. Doesn't sound too bad but I am quite petite and small boned. Weight goes onto my thighs and hips first but always comes off my boobs first when I lose weight, so I get more and more pear shaped. The only way the inches are going to go is if I go to the gym a lot. There's a guy there who lost 14 st last year but hasn't got awful rolls of fat because he worked out all the time. The S.O. [who I've been with for 16 years now] is a bit of a 'feeder' and I've struggled with my weight ever since knowing him as I eat anything put in front of my and hate wasting anything.

Ah, I see, Tegan. You quite often check your weight then..
I've always thought I wouldn't mind chunky legs and bottom. I think its womanly. My weight is all on my belly.
I have been a bit more frugal today, after yesterdays fall from grace. I did have one piece of garlic bread with my healthy dinner. (Couscous and tuna with salad) and I'm suffering with terrible heartburn now. I never learn!

Morning all (just). Loving this thread to keep me motivated, informed and amused! ? Off to the supermarket this morning, and am beside myself with excitement cos I get to have a coffee and croissant! I've been really good all week, and have come in way under my calorie allowance, so am using this as a reward/incentive! Will hopefully stop me putting other 'non healthy' options in the trolley too....

Yesterday was ok except- arrived at mums (Mum is 99 and I am a semi-carer) armed with my lunch of a prawn sandwich. 315cals

She was pleased to tell me that she had a trifle for my delectation (her real career had got it for her) what could I do?? I couldn’t say no thank you - how mean. So tried cutting down the amount of evening meal which was a M&S ready meal.

Never mind the scales whilst no going down at least haven’t gone up so that’s ok.

Porridge for breakfast and chicken salad with 4 chips for lunch. Veggie thing for supper.

You mustn't upset your Mum; however old they are they are still trying to 'feed you up'!

It is useful, sort of writing down what is actually happening to my diet. I am always beating myself up for finding it such a struggle - but to be honest looking back at this month so far it has been difficult because of the kindness of family and friends, so I shall relax more, be happier to loose weight more slowly and go with the flow

I had a wobble yesterday . A friend gave me a packet of Liquorice All Sorts and somehow I managed to eat THE LOT!
It was like I'd been possessed by a devil.
The good news is that I was too stuffed for any dinner.
Oh yes whitewave The kindness of friends!

Life will always throw a wobbler - old and caring mums (bearing trifles) birthdays, family meals, etc. and these have to be worked into your lifestyle. WW that’s the way to go, just try to cut down at the next opportunity or if you’ve mamaged a whole packet of All Sorts, then tomorrow’s another day.

I’ve had a bad day. Old memories stirred up, that I’d rather not remember. So I was fine until after dinner and then ....well let’s just say I should be on the naughty step.

My first slip up in 10 days so I’ll not beat myself up.

Good luck and we’ll dine everybody, ????

Well done not we’ll dine- very Freudian slip ?

Late night babysit last night which resulted in me eating some bread and butter very late as I was trying to stay awake. Then today it was a family get together for DGD's forthcoming birthday so we went to our favourite 'greasy spoon' [no posh stuff for us!] and had a huge bacon cob then back home for birthday cake and a cupcake. Just had some quiche. Will start again tomorrow; avoiding the scales today!

I have fallen off the wagon so haven't posted, but will try again from tomorrow.

Oh me too. I got on the first set of scales I was weighed on, and found only a pound lost. Nobody to blame but myself. Tomorrow is another day though. Sigh.

Just been reading that those who are naturally slim tend to include a lot of vegetables in their diet. Just a thought and wondered what we had all eaten today veggie-wise?

I’ve had tomato, onion, courgette, peas and peppers. But I’m not always that conscientious. How about the other Frugaleers?

None today . But I have noticed that adding lots of vegetables to my M&S ready meals really fills me up [I never thought of vegetables as being 'filling']. I've never been a great veggie eater [apart from round Christmas time]. Probably eat more in the way of fruit.

I’ve eaten tomatoes, red pepper, squash, onion and sweet potato.

I've had tomatoes, lettuce, cucumber today.

The next chapter says that those who habitually eat lots of vegetables live longer and are more healthy in old age.

Evening OldMeg & Frugeleers

Thursday was not frugal!
A long lunch with at friends turned a marathon game of cards and supper!

Aim was to get back in the wagon Friday but Mil problems put paid to that.

Saturday arrived with unexpectedly looking after grandchildren at the crack of dawn as DD had come down with a bad stomach bug.

Back on track today,
Even managed a walk at local nature reserve.
Hoping that this coming week will prove to be more frugal

Wishing GNers onwards and downwards