I’m a pear ? the sequel!

Dorsetcupcake61 well done on the loss

Good morning everyone ?. I thought I would weigh in on a Monday from now on! I have lost half a pound which is a pleasant surprise as I have not followed a strict plan as at times been a bit of stressful week. Think if have eaten higher calorie foods it has been combined with healthier eating/small portions! I think to be honest I'm a little bit bored with the food I'm eating so need to dig out cookery books!
I know its frustrating Whiff but keep on keeping on! I think the last part of a very long haul is possibly the hardest.In the early days its very motivating when you have a lot to lose as seems to come off quickly! Could it even be your body has reached its natural weight? I know there is a school of thought that our bodies have a weight that is right for them and which may be different from charts and guidelines which in themselves can vary by a few stone. I suppose in some ways all we can go on is how we feel and how any excess weight is affecting our daily lives. As you mentioned previously it takes a while for our minds to catch up with a large weight loss,you could be closer than you think!
Sugar free jelly is very handy. I did have a recipe where you combined it with yogurt and it set to a mousse like consistency which was nice.
Well done Shirleyw! I think it goes to show that even when diet routine is disrupted continuing with healthier alternatives where possible makes a difference!
Your holiday sounds lovely Sarahmob! I'm sure it's done you a world of good and sometimes a few treats are the motivation we need to spur us on?.
Well done Furret. A good example of how different things work for different people. Its commendable that you addressed the weight gain early on. Specific diet plans can often be useful in that they help to put us in the right frame of mind. I also think its motivating as they are normally quite expensive so I hate wasting money!
Sending big hugs Fourormore ?. I hope this week brings peace. I think we are all doing brilliantly in difficult times.
Hope everyone has a wonderful week. I've just had an email notification for an encrypted message from my local council. I have been in touch with them recently but sounds a bit James Bond!

Well done Shirley. I water down my chilled white wine and enjoy it that way now surprisingly.

Shirleyw well done brilliant loss. Could you just have a small glass of wine once a week as a treat? I don't drink not because I don't like it but I am on a lot of tablets and won't mix alcohol and drugs. Haven't had a glass of my favourite St Emilion wine for 32 + years. Dark and red yum. That makes me seem ancient by I am 62. Got ill when I was 29.
Have a good week.

Lost 2 and a half pounds this week despite having family down, I stuck to calorie counting and still measuring out 25 ml of Bacardi ar a time lol....(I do miss my wine though).....
Weather has been smashing....another day or two then the colder air is coming in so make the most.

Thanks everyone for your words of encouragement, I did have a lovely holiday and I’m confident that the small gain will soon be gone. I think that the occasional splurge helps you stay on the wagon the rest of the time. Hope that everyone has a good week ?

Fourormore grief has kept the weight gain down. When my dad died my mom lost 2st still eating the same but grieving for my dad made the weight drop off . She never regained it. Take care of yourself .

Sarahmob you enjoyed your holiday and the weight gain could have been a lot worse! You will soon be back on track and we do all need a break so don't feel guilty!
Furret your plan sounds good and as Whiff said we all use the methods that suit us as individuals. Those who live alone may find it easier to stick to 'replacement meals' etc. and there's no problem with that. Those of us who have family to cater for may find it trickier, especially, if they have someone (like my DH ) who can eat all the wrong things with no effect! We certainly couldn't be doing with 'separate' meals!!!
Please do try and read some of the previous posts as you will see that we never despair as such. Yes, we get frustrated, but the point of this thread is encouragement, encouragement, encouragement and never criticise or beat ourselves up.
This week for me has been horrible. Regular posters will know we have been continuing to semi-shield due to have two terminally sick relations. We need to stay as germ-free as possible to be safe to go to the family when needed. Last my Monday, my cousin (62yrs old) lost her fight against cancer which was a huge blow. Depending upon how many more lock-down areas pop up will depend on whether we will go to my Aunty and other cousin but at the moment it is unlikely. During the week I have eaten all the wrong things and willingly done it but this morning I have put on 0.2lbs - basically stayed the same! Where is the justice in that? Other weeks I've been really strict with myself and lost the same or even gained!
We are all different but the crux of this thread is encouragement! Keep up the good work everyone and have a good week next week

Sarahmob I know you have put on but it's a new week. The main thing is did you enjoy your holiday if so then a bit of weight gain is worth it. We are living in uncertain times and getting away and have a relaxing time is worth its weight in gold.

Furret we all have our own way to loss weight which works for us. You have found yours and brilliant weight loss. Remember it's a marathon not a sprint took me decades to realise that.

My weight has stayed the same. Which while not happy about but it's ok. Had a UTI this week the worse I have ever had. Never known such pain just having a wee. At least the antibiotics worked. New week so will try and do better this week but will not give up trying to to lose the last stone and bit. Still pleased with my size 16 figure after being a 32 for decades. Only managed to get in the garden twice this week. Yesterday put down 75l of compost after weeding one of the front garden beds . Sun's out so will weed the back while my washing is doing.

Have a great week everyone.

I would lose the will to live if I read all 34 pages, especially those who have fallen off the wagon and despair, so forgive me now if this has already been flagged up.

Due to a painful arthritic condition which means I am less mobile, and probably the lockdown my BMI crept up to 26.1.

Now I know BMI isn’t the be all and end all, but having hovered around 25 (acceptable) I was upset and my jeans were getting harder to zip up.

Four weeks ago I was reading an article and decided to order a 2-week pack of replacement meals from a firm I’d never heard off before. They arrived promptly and looked interesting.

Shakes (of course)
Soups (ditto)
Pretend biscuit bars (OK)
Puddings (nice)
Pancakes (yummy)

and so on.

I couldn’t face two whole weeks so decided to do Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday and just eat sensibly Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

So those days I chose three of the replacement meals from my box and took them downstairs. Those are 3/4 of my ‘meals’ for the day. And they are quite filling (especially the pancakes - Maple syrup one is my favourite). Then for my 4th meal I just have a tiny bit of what DH is having.

I’ve lost 7lbs in those 3 weeks and haven’t felt deprived.

Not only that but I’m feeling less pain from the arthritis (which may be the weight loss or the fact that the meals are packed with vitamins and minerals....who knows?)

I intend to keep it up for another week to reach my goal, then reduce to two or three days on the meals - because it’s so easy.

Not for everyone I know and I’m not mentioning the brand, but if anyone wants to PM me...

Whoops, 2 and 1/2 pounds on after my holiday, but to be honest it’s what I was expecting. Ice cream, clotted cream, fish and chips have to be reckoned with. But back on it today and it’ll soon come off again. Onwards and downwards! Hope all those weighing in today have better news.

My new favourite sweet treat is Hartley's sugar free jelly. Once made up it's only 9cal for 145g. So if I want a pud after my soup I can have it guilt free. In fact just did.

Ooh that sounds lovely Cocopops?. Thanks for info about the book, I'm going to get the Kindle version for £1.99?

No weigh in for me until next week because I went to my daughter's and sinned!
Lasagna and black forest gateau!!
Back on the straight and narrow now ....
Comfort eating in reaction stress is a hard nut to crack isn't it. Remember Susie Orbach, the psychologist, who wrote several books about it? I have her very helpful little book "Susie Orbach on Eating" which was first published in 2002.
It's a great little book, fits in a handbag and helps me stay on track. Still available on Amazon for £5.94 if you are interested. Have a good week everyone.

Well done Shirley ?. I do hope all goes well with your dog. Hope you have a good day to Whiff?

Shirleyw well done on the loss. Hope your dog gets better soon. I do try and get out into the garden weather permitting. Won't today though. Over did it with the big fork. Had some stubborn weeds. And had to weed standing up more than usual. My legs and left arm are paying for it. Due to long term illness in constant pain in left arm and leg which I tolerate. But in a pain flare up. Which only lasts a few days and goes back to its normal level. Stops me doing somethings and flustrates the hell out of me. Should be used to it after 32 years but hate having to stop doing what I want. At least there are things I can do in doors. Have a good day everyone.

Sorry to hear about your poor old dog Shirley. I do hope the vet can sort things out.

1.8 is well good after a couple short breaks nankate. ! that will soon come off.
whif you certainly get your toning exercise in with your garden lol...do you try and get out there everyday?

I lost 6 lbs ....lost the 4 I put on over last weekend plus an extra 2....I've been keeping to 12 to 1400 calories. ...we had one granddaughter for the weekend, we did a bbq Saturday ....I had 2 3%fat burgers wrapped in lettuce leaves lol....244 calories for the 2... So I didn't really miss out lol.

Weather has been fabulous and the next few days looks good....
Our poor old dog isn't well, she is nearly 15... Better have a phone consultation with vet later, I expect she will need to go in....she had her yearly booster the other week, quite a palaver at the moment...you get to carpark, let reception know your there, wait in car till nurse comes out to collect pet....can't be easy for vet practises at the moment.

Well sent 2.5 hours weeding the back garden . It was nice to be in the sun. Enjoy having your hair cut fourormore had mine done about 4 weeks ago. It was lovely. Had my temperature took, then contact details taken. They have to fill in a separate book to show to health authority if asked. Disposable gown and had to have my hair washed as they can't cut hair dry anymore. My first hair wash in a salon. Had a good 4" s off. Bliss. Enjoy the pampering. You deserve it.

Well on the positive side we are all maintaining. I think a small increase after time away is good Nankate ?.
I relate to the stress aspect Whiff and your determination is very motivational. It is hard though my week had some work related stress moments and counting calories slipped but I'm trying to be gentle with myself and hope you are too.
Enjoy your haircut fourormore. I ventured out a few weeks ago and feel so much better for it. That said I'm still not convinced about my natural colour which although my daughter loves I think is really drab. Its lovely to be able to dry it in moments though! Have a lovely week everyone ?

You have a point Four ?

You will soon be back on track NanKate but I think believing I will lose two stone having my hair cut just may be pushing it a bit!!!!

I weighed myself yesterday and had put on 1.8 lbs over my 2 short holidays. Cutting back again, it will be worth it.

After your haircut Four I’m sure you will be in the downwards direction. ?

We all seem to be struggling but not gaining too much so we need to hang on in there! I have 'put on' 0.2lb which is basically I've stayed the same, in spite of a second week of no bread, biscuits or potatoes
How are our newbies doing?

Still on the 'up' side I am venturing out to my Covid-secure hairdresser on Tuesday for a very long overdue haircut so hopefully I will lose a couple of stone there and all will be well? It will be a quick walk there and back though as it is worrying that more and more new cases are appearing. I know people say it's because more tests are being done but can't they see that the tests confirm the cases not create them - that person has it - the test simply confirms it!

As we are still semi-shielding it's impossible for decent walks but the stairs are useful and climbing them several times a day must help surely???

Good luck everyone and well done losers!!!

Put on half a pound. Need to give myself a good talking to as it's either staying the same or creeping up. Haven't worked this hard for this long to start putting it back on. Don't want to be that woman. I know why it's happening . I am under quite a bit of stress and have been for months due to my son. Not going into it on this thread. But I can not let it stop me being who I am and achieving my goal. Have come to terms with it. Just need to stop going over my calorie allowance I have set myself of 1200 a day.
Today is a new week and determined to record a loss next week. Sun is out so after putting a stew on for my next 6 dinners going to weed the back garden.

Have a great week everyone.