Frugal February

Just been down the allotment and dug up all the remaining ? ? dozens of them, to make room to plant onion sets ....now I’m cold and mucky and not in the mood for making 10 gallons of carrot soup.

Tonight is the end of Week 1

I’d like to say I’m proud of my Frugality, but know it’s mainly due to the fact that it hurts to eat. However looking forward to jumping on the scales tomorrow morning, just to see ????

Not vitamin c as it’s water soluble
Other vitamins yes

Must say I'm loving the homemade soup. Todays was red pepper and tomato,slow roasted with onion and garlic before blending.
Do you suppose it's possible to overdose on vitamin C?

Have noted less tummy bloating after 7 days without bread. I'd love to think I could continue with these small changes permanently.

oldmeg I am just the same with carbs.

Tiredness and alcohol are terrible for making one want to eat everything in sight! I think my stomach has shrunk because the constant craving for food has gone. Last night I went in the kitchen to do some washing up and realised that, before this month I would have been snacking on crackers, cheese etc. Because I ate quite early yesterday I had my banana and oranges as an evening snack. Oh, and my turmeric drink, which I usually have in the morning. Going to an exhibition this afternoon and having a scone at John Lewis but I'll make sure that is counted as a meal and will try to go to the gym tonight.

Not had anything to eat today as been busy scrubbing and cleaning. However, need to work my way through several boxes of Special K as we’ve got an offer on here. For every 2 boxes of cereal you buy you can claim a $10 book token, up to a maximum of $100. I’ve got $40 already! And lots of cereal ?

Well, I wasn't doing too badly. Weetabix for bteakfast, the remnants of the courgette (?) soup with bread for dinner, vegetable pasta for tea. Then we went to our local pub quiz, DH went to the bar and, despite my frantic gesticulating, bought me a second large glass of red, and I came home with the munchies and scoffed two bags of those pea snacks. FGS. Onward and downward tomorrow, I hope!

Its strange, because I don't really limit sugar at all. I suck on sweets during the day, to keep me away from crisps and savoury things: savoury stuff really is my weakness. Still, as long as we're on the right track for us, as you say. Onwards and downwards. I have the dentist tomorrow, same problem as you. A broken tooth which needs an inlay, whatever that is, as the hole is huge.

I keep wanting to shout ‘cut out the carbs, the bread, the potatoes, the fruit’ but ..... and this is where it gets interesting, I’m wrong because it’s NOT what works for me it’s what works for you!

I can eat cheese, and butter and chicken skin and other fats until the cows come home, but show me carbs and the weight piles on. That’s what happens at Christmas, it’s a carb and sugar fest. When I’m able to eat (?) I limit myself to one piece of breakfast toast a day, laden with butter. And that’s just about it as far as carbs go.

BUT that’s me, not necessary you. If I had a banana sandwich I’d weigh 2 stone more next morning ?

When I was working I was always a size 12. Now I’m retired it’s a 14 which felt a bit tight after Christmas even though the scales said I’d lost those 2-3lbs I gained, until I started this. Now jeans are slipping on easily already. You see it’s not the weight it’s the size that matters (to me at least).

So, my point, is ...find something that suits you and most importantly something you can stick with - a lifestyle change you can maintain. Forget all the ‘diets’ and do what you know works for YOU long term.

WW I'm also 5'7"
Last time I weighed myself I was 12st7lb
I wasnt that heavy when I was about to give birth. .

I have been yoyo dieter since I was 18.
When I got married age 22yrs
I was 9st 2lbs.
My weight is mostly on my middle
I also have a fat back!

We recently cleared out the loft and I brought down my wedding dress.
Unbelievable that I actually fitted into something that size

I seem to put on extra stone every decade

whitewave I just cut out fat wherever I can. That way I can indulge my (large) appetite. Often have 4 or 6 slices of bread a day, made into healthy sandwiches, and never any butter. Also, my acid reflux is much better with less fat in my diet. I'll have dinner with a jacket potato, crispy skin, with no butter, but lots of veg and gravy.

Not too bad today but not really what I intended.

So porridge

Then half a baguette with ham and salad - should not have had baguette but cupboard was bare of everything else.
Then should have had a vegetable stew but got too cozy watching the last bit of GOT - brilliant!!
So had a M&S ready meal 359 calories so not too bad but it isn’t enough to lose weight I bet.

missadventure that is good, what are you eating?
cherry that’s just the sort of thing that happens to me. I have zero self control where food is concerned.
How tall are you tegan? I’m 5 7 and 12.13 that is a healthier place for the weight to go on. My weight goes on to my waist and upper body.

Tegan I think I've lost the equivalent weight of another person over the years, and carried around the same. Not all at once of course. I lost 4 stones once. The trouble is, I really like food!
Cherrytree thank you as I said, I didn't weigh myself on the same scales, so it might be less, or even more, if I'm lucky. I am pleased, but as tegan says, a bit miffed with myself for spending years yoyo dieting.

Evening OldMeg and Frugeleers
Good day yesterday busy busy, so mind not on my belly!

Today ..
Usual oats and fruit and yogurt for breakfast
Banana lunch time

But disaster

Came home this evening freezing cold and starving.
Had cheese sandwich and tomato soup
And then DH found Xmas pudding in cupboard which he made with custard.
I just couldn't resist!!!

Will be more prepared food wise tomorrow!

Haven't weigh myself as yet will try and brave scales tomorrow as it will be first week in on the diet front.

Well done Missadventure 2.5lbs is a bag of sugar

MissAdventure; my weight has fluctuated from 7st 3 to 11 st 7 over the years, and this has happened constantly. I'm so annoyed with myself. I think if, when I was much younger, I'd known more about diet/exercise etc it would never have happened because all of my weight has been on my thighs/bottom and dieting always made me even thinner on top and more out of proportion. Someone once told me that I'd be better putting on half a stone but exercising more, and she was right. But, by that time I'm sure I'd messed up my metabolism .

I think I have lost 2.5 pounds. Not the same scales I was originally weighed on, though, so there may be some difference. Hopefully not 2.5 pounds of difference though.
I feel a bit disheartened thinking how much I still have to lose, and how much I've lost and gained again over the years. Have a lovely chicken casserole bubbling away in the slow cooker, and have bought some crusty rolls.

It didn't make much sense to me, either . I'm sure honey is honey, no matter how much it costs! I've just had a M&S ready meal but have added more vegetables [they never have enough vegetables imo] and I'm absolutely stuffed! Did a fast walk to the next village in case the snow really kicked in [it's on it's way...]. Going to Nottingham tomorrow and unfortunately have a coffee and cake voucher to use up, but I'll have a cheese scone which isn't quite so bad, as long as I substitute it for a meal instead of having it as an add on.

Tegan with respect to your chappy at the gym, there is evidence that your body going into ‘fast’ mode is A Good Thing. And the reason that solid honey is ‘better’ that liquid is because you use less of it. Liquid honey is very easy to get out of the pot.

just read Funnygran's post. You put prunes in cockie leekle soup. That may be what she was thinking It is a "Scotch broth" after all! My husband (a Scot) once made lentil soup and put a carton of orange yoghurt in it. Not recommended, but cockie leekie is delicious!

Chap at the gym explained to me about how important it is to change what you eat constantly [I'm someone that will eat the same food day after day]. I didn't really understand what he was saying, though [not unusual for me]. Something about the way the body stores minerals.He also said how important it was to eat several small meals a day [which I did understand, as it stops the body going into 'fast' most]. Also said cheap honey [which I use a lot of] isn't as good as more expensive honey, and that solid honey is slightly better than runny honey.

I've had banana sandwiches and I've had toasted sandwiches but I've never heard of a toasted banana sandwich. It does sound rather yummy!

Porridge this morning
Perhaps baked beans on 1 slice of toast (no butter) now
Then ??? this evening

Porridge for breakfast and a GF half a baguette (which I didn’t intend to have but shopping arrives tomorrow and cupboard bare) with ham and salad for lunch

Morrocan chickpea, squash and cavolo Nero stew planned for supper

Lost 1/4 pound - still it isn’t going up I suppose

There you are then Tegan you’re doing something right ???

I do feel better, Meg; even my pyjamas had become uncomfortably tight and they're ok now and the roll of fat I had above my waist [somewhere that I've never had fat before as a hips'n'thighs sort of person] is going down. It's time like this, though, that the support of being on a thread like this really helps!

Millbrook You're doing great! Think how much much you're saving avoiding cakes and cafes.
Another trick is to leave your purse at home.
I'm considering home deliveries from Tesco to avoid the aroma of the bakery.