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Dieting & exercise

I’m a Pear ? the sequel part 2 !

(1001 Posts)
NanKate Sun 01-Nov-20 20:35:42

On 08 May 2018 I started this thread for those who wanted to lose weight and have a healthier lifestyle. Many people have joined up and many pounds lost and a few gained.

However the 2 Gransnetters who have stayed the course from the beginning are Fourormore and Shirleyw who have helped to keep me on the straight and narrow, most of the time ?, and kept up our spirits.

We now have some other excellent new regulars who have joined our ranks and they have brought new ideas and support. Many thanks girls what would I do without you all.

Do join us the rules are simple.

Choose your own style of diet plan.
Check in regularly with a report of the highs and lows of the diet.

Have an occasional binge but get back on the wagon ASAP.
Pass on any useful diet tips.

So for example I started calorie counting with the NHS Diet Plan. I now eat what I like but make portion control my mantra.

You have nothing to lose, other than weight, on this thread.

Please join us at this difficult time in all our lives with the Pandemic.

So Onward and Downward girls ??

JoMarch1962 Sat 04-Sept-21 23:04:03

Sending hugs, Whiff. Xx

Sarahmob Sun 05-Sept-21 09:05:40

Good morning pears,
A better week this week - 2lb down, so last weeks indiscretions recovered from and an extra pound to boot.
Whiff I do hope that they get you sorted and settled quickly.

Whiff Sun 05-Sept-21 09:28:59

Sarah well done with the loss.

Thank you all for your good wishes.

Well weighted myself this morning as usual but know it's not my true weight. I have stuck like glue to calorie allowance for 3 weeks now and my weight had gone up again. I know it's not fat but water retention. It started before I went on my new tablets so I know it's not them.

Normally go to the loo 3 times in the night have done for years. Now only go once. I am still drinking as much but not getting rid of it. When I wake my legs lower legs are a mass of wrinkles within a hour of getting up both legs are huge and the skin is tight and makes my legs hurt.

Back at AF clinic on Saturday. I mentioned the swelling on Thursday and the nurse said they were bad. I had to come off one of my BP tablets as it can cause water retention.

Speaking to my GP Friday and will talk to her about them. I have been on the list to speak to an urologist since March. I know my blood work for my kidneys is fine. But think I need ultrasound or MRI on my kidneys and bladder. Something is wrong. Hopefully my GP can get urology to speak to me soon.

It's disheartening when I am sticking to my calories as I am determined to get to 11st as it will help with my heart. But other bits are working against me.

Sorry to moan but I could scream it's so annoying.

fourormore Sun 05-Sept-21 10:49:20

Don't get disheartened Whiff You have had an awful week anyway and you know that you are retaining water - water weighs a lot.
Why not give yourself a break from weighing each week? Sometimes if you miss a couple of 'weigh-ins' you get a pleasant surprise when you next weigh. Personally, I think I would leave weighing until the water medication works but I know, like me you like to monitor it weekly.
I have stayed the same this week which was a pleasant surprise as having lived on salads for weeks (I do love salads though so it's not a problem) I have returned to 'real meals' as DH calls them.
We are hopefully away next weekend (Covid permitting) so I will not be weighing for two weeks. Hopefully the half-board breakfasts and evening meals won't do too much damage but I intend to enjoy the weekend break!
Good luck everyone and remember there is no such thing as 'failure' - they are blips and we just put them behind us and start a new day!!!

Whiff Mon 06-Sept-21 06:29:00

Four thank you. Well done maintaining. A weekend away will be lovely. Re charge your batteries and quality time with Mr F.

I suppose I am more focused on wanting to loss the weight because I have PAF . At the clinic on Saturday and will ask about my legs. It isn't due to my new tablets as I had the problem 2 weeks before I had to go to hospital when I was in A Fib. I told the nurse on Thursday but they are worse now.

Hopefully getting into the garden today. My dahilas are finally flowering.

Dorsetcupcake61 Mon 06-Sept-21 08:15:51

Good morning all and happy Monday Morning! Rather disorienting here as BH last week,worked Saturday and today my non working day! ?.
Well I put on 3/4 of a pound. I suppose on plus side i only put on half of what i lost last week?. I have however only myself to blame as my diet is a hybrid of calorie controlled and odd treat. A good example last week was virtuously avoiding an ice cream and succumbing to a piece of tiffin an hour later! Main meals tend to be 99% healthy. Probably most important of all I'm not actually writing anything down! I'm not stressed but physically tired and have very little time in the evenings. SO I need to get organized! Work lunches are a pain! For the past few weeks I have actually grabbed a sandwich at a cafe next to where I work. The calories are usually reasonable. I did work out however that with a coffee this is costing me £80 month. Hmm. Also at the moment the weather is nice so eat outside. I am not a fan of doing work packed lunches-probably not a lot cheaper and calorie wise the same. I also used to find it a challenge to keep it interesting p/t let alone f/t?. So a good bit of thinking is needed!
Well done to all those who have lost and considerations to those who are going through an up or down or stay the same phase. With support from here we will get there♥️.
Take care Whiff and dont lose heart! Dont be too hard on yourself either-it must be incredibly frustrating but even though the scales stay the same your diet itself is healthy which is important ?.
Have a lovely week everyone ?xxx

Whiff Mon 06-Sept-21 08:41:37

Dorset enjoy your day off. Have you thought about making a couscous salad to take to work. You could ring the changes with different veg and salad ingredients. Make a middle East one with bit of curry paste and dried fruit and peppers. Or make a pasta one with low fat mayo and veg. That way it's takes longer to eat as you would need a fork. In the colder weather how about flash of home made soup. I found a sandwich was gone in a couple of minutes and then wanting to snack later. But I have soup every lunch. Because it's hot and need a spoon it slows you down and therefore is more filling. Doesn't matter how hot it is I still have soup. I have sugar free jelly if I fancy a pud after lunch. Sweet treat 200g =12 cals.

It's all about fooling your mind you have been naughty but not really.

Your weight gain is a tiny blip.

Can't help weighting myself everyday. By my scales put on 2.25 lb since yesterday. Really hope they give me some water tablets. My legs look like tree trunks. Even the backs of my knees are swollen. I liked my wrinkled legs just want them back. I know just an old moaner.

I still keep plodding along and sticking to my calories. I won't go below 1200. As I find I get tempted to cheat eating less.

Have a good day everyone

fourormore Mon 06-Sept-21 16:03:26

DH and I enjoy the freshness of 'Subway' but as I am trying to avoid bread I just have a salad!
I didn't realise you could do that but you choose all your bits and pieces as if you were having the bread but it comes in a box rather than a roll!
Their salad items are always so fresh whereas I find lettuce especially, really hard to keep in the fridge for more than a couple of days before it goes brown around the edges.
Maybe worth a try Dorset if you have a Subway nearby?

Rosycheeks Mon 06-Sept-21 16:41:58

Hi all 2lb loss this week so am pleased with that.

NanKate Mon 06-Sept-21 21:09:47

Well done Rosycheeks.

I’m just back from a short hols and my trousers around the waist feel definitely tighter ? Must get back on that old wagon. ?

Shirleyw Tue 07-Sept-21 03:21:47

Just back from Norfolk , Dorset next for a few days….scales will lay gathering dust under chair for a bit longer…darent get them out ?.

Whiff Tue 07-Sept-21 04:54:39

Rosy well done losing 2lb.

NanKate glad you had a good break.

Shirley you might surprise yourself when you do go on the scales. No doubt you have been doing a lot of walking visiting places. Hope you had a good time in Norfolk and have a lovely time in Dorset.

CocoPops Wed 08-Sept-21 00:25:19

I continually hover a pound or two above my target. No big deal but I just feel chuffed when I manage to stick to the target. My grandkiddies go back to school tomorrow and the sleepovers with pancakes for breakfast will stop so that's good!
Our swimming pools have stopped online booking now so I can drop in one or twice a week easily and I have joined a walking group. When it comes to exercise I need to be more consistent though!
Good luck everyone.

Whiff Wed 08-Sept-21 07:10:26

Cocopops hopefully one day I will be maintaining the weight I want to be too.

With my tree trunk legs I managed to do my exercises yesterday and felt better after them. Got my class this afternoon but won't be able to wear my normal walking boots I exercise in. They are by Hotter made from canvas give my feet and ankles plenty of support but can't get me feet in them . So it's my Hotter trainers which are comfortable but don't come round my ankles. Might not be able to do a couple of the walking exercises. But I will try.

It's funny it wasn't until I got to 15.5 st that I decided to exercise and so glad I did. They helped me lose weight. Just need to lose the last stone and half.

Hopefully at AF clinic they will let me have a water tablet to get rid of this weight. I wouldn't mind if the weight gain was my fault by eating to much. But this weight gain is no fun it's painful. Are well just another way my body is conspiring against me.

But I will win in the end. Wasn't a misery guts yesterday . Had my pity me day on Monday that should last me for hopefully a good 6 months . Hate feeling that way. I am better than that.

Thank you for all your support. ??

NanKate Wed 08-Sept-21 07:38:43

What a good description Whiff a ‘Pity me Day*.

I have been feeling a bit down about developing arthritis in my thumb which feels as if it is on fire if I use it in the wrong way. Then I returned for the first time in over 18 months to a ‘live’ WI Meeting and saw how many of us have changed physically since last being together and some quite drastically. My thumb problem is minor in comparison to some of the others and it made me feel grateful I am still walking, driving and getting out. So I too have left my ‘Pity me day’ behind. Thanks Whiff for flagging this up.

It’s good to be able to unload our concerns on this friendly thread. ?

Whiff Wed 08-Sept-21 09:48:49

That's what I love about being here. No bullying. Unfortunately can't say that about other threads. I have friends on other threads who have been victims to it had it myself on another thread.

There are certain posters you need to watch out for. And Gransnet has let one banned poster back on to my knowledge. On Chat forum an apology thread.

That poster made several people's lives hell . And she thinks an apology will undo the damage she caused. Also illness is no excuse for bullying.

It's bad enough being bullied as a child but adult bullying is inexcusable.

On a lighter note my face no longer looks someone pumped it up. Off to exercise class this afternoon.

Hope you all the sunshine . ?

Rosycheeks Wed 08-Sept-21 11:59:09

I read that this morning whiff i dont know the story but if she was banned for bullying then she should stay banned. Also why did she come back with a new name and then tell everyone who she was. Its a bit strange if you ask me. Anyway you take it easy. Love Rosyflowers

Whiff Thu 09-Sept-21 06:12:37

Rosy the bully thought by apologising it would make all the hurt she and her co bullies caused would be forgive. She was so wrong. And Gransnet got it so wrong letting her back . I know some of her victims one is a good friend of mine on another thread. Because of the bullying it made her ill.

Went to my exercise class yesterday afternoon and had a PM from my friend to say the thread had been taken down. Both her and Gransnet wrongly thought saying sorry and using illness as an excuse makes everything all right. They where so wrong.

Bullying as an adult is inexcusable.

Had a phone call not long after I got home from the hospital yesterday. It was the hospital with an appointment for me with the cardiologist at 10 this morning. When I ended up in AF the other Saturday the A&E Dr said he would put in an urgent referral for me. He kept his word. I asked who had put in the referral and it was him . The health care I have here is excellent .

My brother has permanent AF and should have an ECG every 6 months hasn't had one for 2 years. He lives in the West Midlands I did to but we where under different health authorities.

In the north west the health care here is wonderful. If anyone moans about I soon tell them what it was like where I lived. Here we still have specialist hospitals.

Take care ?

Whiff Fri 10-Sept-21 06:12:44

Thought I would update as you have all been so kind over me and my heart problem. Saw the cardiologist yesterday. My ECG was ok. He was pleased I have a strong heart beat. And glad I am able to take the blood thinners and tablets to regulate my heart beat also I was already being seen by the AF clinic .But said the main worry about AF is it can increase your chance of a stroke. But like I told him I am not worried. Worrying about something that could happen won't do me or any of the people who love and care for me any good. It's a waste of time. I won't live my life with what if's .

He is arranging for me to have a MRI on my heart to find out what the defect is. He asked me if I was ok with small spaces. I said no but I have had MRIs before . I will be in the machine for 45 mins but have been in that long before. I made him smile when I said I just do the breathing exercises I was taught at pre natal classes . And I always stay still that way it's done in one go. Anyway I want to know what the defect is.

Over the years some of the things I have had done to me some people would consider torture. But testing has come on so much since I first had to under go tests in late 80s earlier 90s to tests I have had done over the last 5 years.

Where would we be without our NHS and all the wonderful people who work in it.

At AF clinic tomorrow. Another ECG and blood tests.

Got a workout today. My daughter's youngest is now crawling . The have a very large living and dining room. But playtime with his brother first then lunch. When they come back from swimming that's when we have a naughty treat. Usually a yummy cookie or some cake. My weekly treat.

Haven't been on the scales for a few days . After my pity me day on Monday . My daughter made me laugh she text me she thought they would have to stage an intervention ??. But nothing keeps me down for long. Life is to short. My husband dieing when he did taught me that.

We'll take care my darling pears.

Dorsetcupcake61 Sun 12-Sept-21 09:18:47

Good morning fellow pears?. Thank you for all your lovely suggestions about lunches?. There was a Subway close by but sadly that shut. Their salads used to be brilliant and if you chose carefully an actual sub could be doable! I must admit I'm still undecided. ! It probably helps that during a work day I'm not particularly hungry. At the moment it's more time I'm short of/ value. I've decided that getting the bus to work is a pain,the only bus that wouldnt get me there an hour early is packed with school childeren. It's not that I mind school childeren it's just I think with covid that might be pushing my luck at the moment! A taxi means I get up an hour later and have 10 minute drive to work etc! Obviously if I get there early there is a tendency to get a coffee to while away the hour. Adding it up the cost of bus fares and coffee not much less than taxi!
While the weather is nice I must admit I enjoy my hours break at the little cafe which is a minutes walk from office,we sit outside and chat and people watch. Calorie wise my sandwich is okay! I must admit as weather gets colder I probably wont relish the thought of sitting inside anywhere with the prospect of infections rising.
I dont know how everyone else feels but I often find it quite surreal. In some ways the political agenda is business as usual with a back ground of rising infections and deaths and rumblings of circuit breakers and masks being introduced.
My office is certainly getting back to normal. Staff are being gradually bought back in and WFH equipment has been returned. On the other hand the office has had two cases of covid over past few weeks. It's a grey area- a lot of restrictions have been removed but were are still advised to wear masks when moving about! The vaccination made me feel more confident but I'm hoping the booster is soon. As I say it's a strange world. My daughter and I were quite taken aback at how audiences were packed together at a couple of tv shows recently although presenters continue to socially distance! Maybe I'm still over cautious but wherever possible I would not be in over crowded indoor gatherings!
I'm glad you are getting treatment Whiff,our NHS is brilliant even if a bit variable at the moment. You are so inspirational that I think you are entitled to a down day after all the difficult times you have had recently!
Well I put on 1/4 lbs this week! Still just under the stone mark but definitely time to evaluate. My daughter is restarting Slimming World this week which I'm very pleased about for her wellbeing. It will also help me focus to. Although it's not a diet I'm keen on the basic recipes are very healthy ,I just wont be following the carb laden bit!
Certainly as the weather gets colder I will be doing as you suggest Whiff and making soup. I love homemade soup and have many low calorie yummy versions. Indeed it will be an excellent office lunch,both filling and very nutritious. Apparently it gets very cold in there in the winter to!
It is so lovely that this thread is so supportive and like popping in to see friends. I know last year I felt there was a small group of people on other threads that were quite unpleasant. Every time you would see a certain name you would think here we go! Fortunately that doesnt seem as prevalent now. I do almost wonder if it was caused by lick down-maybe people hadnt got anywhere else to release their venom. It definitely changed the feel of GN . I remember when posters commented about it they were often shot down in flames. Interesting though how a small group of people can change a whole site. !
Have a lovely week everyone. I will endeavour to be healthy. Today feels quite strange as I was in the office both last Saturday and yesterday. I have Monday off but it's been a bit disorienting ?. Still,I'm enjoying the job,plus I passed my Probation!
It's a beautiful early autumn Sunday-enjoy everyone?xxx

Whiff Sun 12-Sept-21 12:49:46

Dorset glad you like the soup idea. The tiny weight gain is a blip. You sound positive. Like you I am cautious when out . I still wear my mask only comes off if I am in a wide open space and no one near me. Notice people on the bus who used to wear a mask are not now. Mine is firmly in place. The numbers here did get down to 800 cases a week but it's over a 1,000 again. But not so many people admitted to hospital.

Glad your daughter is on the eating less for life path. It will help both of you doing it together. I am still staying clear of bread products at home. But have some at my daughter's if I am there for lunch. And then a naughty treat when they come back from swimming . This week they had made some melted moments. My grandson loves to cook.

His brother gave me a workout forgot how quickly little ones can crawl. His tooth is fully through and can hold his sippy cup of water himself.

There are very nasty posters on some sites. I found out via Michael at Gransnet why that thread was taken down on the chat forum. It was because they had deleted a lot of the posts. But the posts they deleted where from her victims and people like me who where defending our friends.

She is still active on various threads there are 3 others beside her who are nasty bullies.

Well it's good news and not so bad new weight wise. Last Sunday I had put on 4.25lb due to water retention then Monday my weight had got up by an extra 2.25lb . Hence my pity me day.

But today as I only take my weight by what I weigh on a Sunday my weight is down by 4lbs from last Sunday. I know some is water but some has got to be fat as still got tree trunk legs not as big tree trunks but want my wrinkled legs back. I have been sticking like glue to my allowance
and will continue to do so.

AF clinic when well yesterday ECG ok Simon thought my heart might be a bit slow they have a meeting on Tuesday to discuss cases so will bring my water retention up. Might need a tweek of my tablets. Had blood taken. They will let me know when they need to see me again. On the whole feeling ok. If the MRI finds they can repair my defect I will have it done. Just have to wait for the appointment and then wait and see.

But determined to get this weight off especially if they can do something I need to be fit.. So doing my exercises regularly plus doing the garden.

Well that's me rambled on as usual. Take care all of you. Autumn is definitely on its way. ?

Daisytwoshoes Sun 12-Sept-21 23:16:18

Hello everyone.could I join you please
I lost One and a half stone 2 years ago with SW .
Have put nearly half of that back on , really need to loose it as my clothes aren’t fitting very well .and I feel quite unhealthy .
I’m not going back to SW as I have all the books at home .so can hopefully achieve my goal on my own

Shirleyw Mon 13-Sept-21 05:50:19

Morning…up 3lbs…holidays have now finished so ‘back to the drawing board’.

Hi *daisytwoshoes’, welcome to the group.

Whiff Mon 13-Sept-21 08:47:59

Daisytwoshoes you will find us a friendly helpful bunch. Everyone has to find their own way to lose weight. But having support here helps so much. Took me decades to realise it's a marathon not a sprint. So if I have a bad day it's only that day . I no longer just give up like the me years ago.

I weight and count calories and don't buy things I can't control eating. But do have as a treat if I go out. But it's only 1 portion. Not like in the past a litre tub of ice would go in a day. ?.

By being here doesn't cost you money. I hated slimming clubs. They where ok if you lost weight but treated like a naughty school girl if I put on. And I paid to be treated like that . This was in the 80s and 90s.

Shirley hope you enjoyed your holidays . You know you can lose that weight. The main thing is the holiday re charged your batteries and you have lovely memories of them.

Autumn definitely is here . Leaves are changing and it's darker in the mornings and at night. Do find its cosy when the living room curtains are shut . If it doesn't warm up later today I will put the heating on. Think it will be soon time for the 10.5 duvet to go back on.

Have a good day ?

Shirleyw Tue 14-Sept-21 05:33:37

That’s right whif getting away does re charge batteries..
Batch cooked recipes from the ‘slimming foodie’ , similar to PON.
The nights are drawing in. Have sorted all summer wear and put most in loft, still left a few bits to wear and brought down all autumn and winter wear and sorted through that yesterday. Off to clothes bank today.

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