I’m a Pear ? the sequel part 2 !

Good to hear everyones news. Well done with your BMI Sarah. Great that your daughter is now on board with you Dorset.
Now that we have vaccination passports ( for age 12 yrs and above) and need to show them together with ID at restaurants I decided I could take the family out for dinner. It was just great to eat out together again after such a long time. Restaurants ask and expect masks to be worn except when eating. Shops also ask for masks to be worn and people comply. Masks are still mandatory on buses.
Kiddies aged 5 to 11 will be offered vaccinations next month so I am pleased my younger GC will get the first shot soon.
I saw the dermatologist about the lesion on my lip, had a biopsy and all is well which means I have no excuse for comfort eating any more! I'm 3 lbs above target and hope to shift that before Christmas.
Have a great week everyone.

Hi all….stayed the same. My enthusiasm is waning , I really need to get back on tract.
Yes , the Covid is rife at my granddaughters school. My eldest granddaughter had to isolate as she was positive…luckily no ill effects, back to school now, they are in small bubbles again in the class room, I think that’s what my daughter said…..are they still in bubbles at your school sarahmob?.
I used the bus the other week for the first time, went to Milton Keynes, was ok, most of us wore masks , went out of school hours so wasn’t packed and the windows were open….not sure if I will bus in the winter as I’m sure people won’t want the windows open then,

Here’s one for the psychologists….don’t know why im like it, daft as my life is the same , nothing has changed in family , social and work life so why does my mind have to change in that I lack mojo?……all through the lock downs I calorie counted, wrote everything down, totted up calories and lost a lot of weight…weird as now I start off jotting down but not so regular and not adding up the calories….not even daily weighing…..I need a ‘kick up the rear’….any ideas folk?

The weather has been fabulous, so far has been a lovely autumn…..better than our summer lol….Have a good week….

Afternoon Pears. Dorset you and your daughter both eating less for life helps you both. Only having to cook one sort of food makes it less tempting to eat the things we should stay clear of. Well done with the loss. Being married to a man who could eat anything was a nightmare especially as I had no will power in those days. How I wish he was still here.

Four well done losing the weight. It's so annoying when you have been extra busy and not lost more weight.

Sarah well done losing the weight and getting into the green BMI band.

Lost a pound this week which I am pleased about. Went out to the Grayson Perry art club exhibition in Manchester with my daughter today. It was lovely. Then we went to a pizza restaurant. Had a delicious sourdough vegetable pizza I loved every mouth full. Didn't need a pud.

It was lovely having a mother and daughter day. Been years since we did that. Had a lovely relaxing day ready for my MRI tomorrow. Which won't be fun as I hate small places. But at least they will be able to see what is wrong with my heart and hopefully can fix it . But not worried about the results. As no point worrying about something I have no control over.
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Have a good week all?

Good morning pears,
Once again it’s good to catch up with all of your news. Like you Dorset, I’m really keen to have my booster - I know so many people who are double jabbed and have caught Covid recently and it’s running riot in the school I work in. We are taking all the precautions we can but it’s spreading!
The scales were kind this week, I’ve lost a pound (and a quarter), and this weeks big target achievement is that I’ve seen my BMI move into the green, healthy band for the first time ever.
Hope you all manage to have a good week ?

What a lovely post Dorset and I wish you and your daughter well - it is worrying when you have someone close who doesn't take any health matter seriously. One thing that may encourage her, is that if she has 'overeaten' for a long time she may well lose several pounds over the first few weeks. We poor souls that have been on the mission for a while only lose a tiny bit - horrible for you but it may encourage her if she 'thinks' she is doing better than you!

Nearly a pound gone this week - 0.8lb. Disappointing in a way as with the lovely autumn sunshine I have really walked this week and yesterday we were moving furniture about! Still a loss is a loss and I'm happy with that.

Have a good weekend fellow pears - keep up the good work - a loss is a loss however small and a gain is a blip!

Good morning lovely pears?.
Hasnt the weather being beautiful this week? Perfect Autumn days. It sounds like you have had a busy week Whiff and your exercise class sounds really fun?.
I hope your week went well Shirleyw. I need to have my flu jab to. I didnt have it last year as at the time I wasnt going closer to anyone than 2 metres and the risk of getting to the surgery seemed to outweigh benefit.!
My surgery normally does my age group the end of October/beginning of November although the pharmacy is now offering them. I'm very keen for my booster. Initially I was concerned when read so many fellow GNs having them but then remembered many may have had them slightly earlier than me. I had my second one on 29th April,the whole process started slightly earlier than I expected. Hopefully the booster goes smoothly too.
I dont know about you ladies but cases in my area have been rising rapidly. Like a lot of areas it seems like there is a varied response from people acting as though Covid never existed to wearing masks outdoors when no crowds.
I guess I'm somewhere in the middle. Last year pre vaccination I was pretty OCD. Post vaccination I was getting quite relaxed. I use public transport but avoid the bus where it is primarily the school run. I always wear an FF2 mask. I will go into cafes and shops,although with cafes if it's not raining I will sit outside.
Work is interesting. Most staff are back in the office although not all FT. We still have perspex screens and regular cleaning. We are strongly encouraged to wear masks when moving around and minimize contact,there are limits on numbers in rest areas . Team meetings are currently over Teams rather than in person. We were discussing a secret santa and gifts will still have to be isolated for 3 days! Yet even within all of this there is a diverse staff group. Mask wearing is not compulsory and a few refuse. We have one team leader who is itching to have in person team meetings. Those concerned are different ages but have had covid.
You may remember I felt shattered last week? I felt really rough from sunday onwards,aching, headache,total lethargy. I was in bed by 7pm Sunday and still felt rough on Monday. I had a PCR test and negative. Lots of news about mix up of results of tests but mine was after date stated. Did I have Covid? I had the symptoms but no,I dont think I did. I know everyone displays symptoms differently but as the week went on mine improved vastly. That said I have close friends who had covid symptoms, first PCR negative,a second one positive. They are at home but in their words feel like they have been hit by a truck. At work people have been unwell with stomach upsets and viral illnesses,to my knowledge none had positive PCR. I think that is the issue with Covid,there are more symptoms than the origional cough/ fever. The new variant includes sore throat, upset stomach and cold like symptoms. Add to that mix people coming together who have been pretty isolated for over a year and bugs are having a great time!
It is quite concerning though. We have perspex screens etc but I'm sure aerosol droplets are clever enough to go round them. ! Personally I will be upping my game and being meticulous about mask wearing etc. Its interesting though how my workplace probably reflects society in general. Mask wearing is not compulsory and all it takes is one asymptomatic person to be walking around....
Ventilation is also not brilliant. I'm lucky in that my desk is downstairs and virtually opposite the main doors which are kept open all day. It's also rather chilly so as a personal first I have bought a thermal vest?.
I am lucky in that my work environment is still at least taking Covid seriously. Also yesterday was my Saturday in the office but I was allowed to WFH. Although feeling a lot better it gave me a chance to ease back into work gently and I have today and tomorrow off. I will also get sick pay and because it was potentially covid the 5 days I had off will not be added to sick days. I'm so much luckier than many!
As for weight. I've lost a quarter of a pound! I was pleasantly surprised as still not following a strict plan and have had a few treats. I think it has helped that my daughter has rejoined Slimming World so all our meals have been SW friendly. The SW diet doesnt work for me personally but I have been using the Skinny cookbooks. They are aimed for use with the 5.2 diet so no recipe is over 400 calories. They are low fat but incredibly tasty! This week we had moroccan lamb and peach casserole-yummy!
I'm so glad my daughter has reached her " enough" point as I was si concerned about the weight she had gained and the affect it was having on her mentally and physically, I knew however that nagging her would make things worse.
So,both our diets have a sound basis and we are gradually building up a selection of home made ready meals in the freezer. Autumn is also the perfect time of year for casseroles. I'm off to prepare a traditional beef stew for the slow cooker,beef,carrots,parsnips bacon and herbs. I hadnt got as much beef as recipe suggested so going to add some pearl barley which not only nutritious but will help thicken it?.
Have a lovely week everyone whether the scales go up down or sideways?. Stay safe?

Had a fun time at exercise class. Got 2 men in the group today we did a full hour and did a lot of laughing. The time flew by. Had my eyes tested as I thought need stronger reading glasses but my distance ones are fine.

Hope everyone had a good day.

Shirley it's the start of a new week. Sounds like you had a wonderful weekend. Recharged your batteries ready for winter.

My day was going so well clearing cupboards . Then Boots phoned and cancelled my flu jab lack of vaccine. Then just found out U3A is at 2 not 2.30 like I thought. So no way can I make it.

Oh well an afternoon of cross stitching it is then. At least the sun is shining.

Morning all….up 3 and a half, had the last of the weekends away till winter sets in… was expected so no shock….next week their should be a good weight loss, I have no excuses whatsoever.

Need to book booster, had a message from nhs Friday , I work with people who have LD that’s why it’s early for me….I will have the COVID booster but not so excited this time to have it….I better have flu jab this year too…never had one before….

The weekend weather was fabulous wasn’t it. …a summers weekend. We wentto Heacham, people were picnicking on the beach .in October, amazing.

Have a good week

Well done losers Sarah, Four and Dorset.

Covid numbers have been rising here as well. But don't think so many are having to be hospitalised . People who used to wear a mask on the bus aren't doing so. But mine is firmly on.

Having my flu jab tomorrow at Boots after U3A talk . Eye test on Wednesday before exercise class. Definitely need stronger readers and may need distance glasses as well.

Been a beautiful day here spent 2 hours in the garden.

Sarah did I say my brother, sister in law and her dad are moving to Lincolnshire. They are looking at homes for her mom there as well. Because it would cost £5+ to move both houses. My brother has rented 2 self storage units. So far has filled the one. He has a large van and a box trailer. Luckily they have 6 friends who live near to where they are moving so plenty of bodies for when they move into the bungalow.

Enjoy the rest of the day.

Hi fellow pears?. Well done to all regardless of whether scales gone up or down?. I hope all goes well with your hospital appointment Whiff. I'm absolutely shattered so will be brief ! Lost 1/4 lbs which happy with. Stay safe everyone ?

Back on course fellow strugglers with a loss of 1.2lb - I'm delighted with that, but I mustn't allow myself to forget it is only what I put on during a naughty week a few weeks ago, so mustn't be too smug!
Well done all the losers and maintainers - we are all doing so well - even gains are simply blips.
Sarahmob we are still able to go out and sit in sunshine a bit too - that has helped me this week as I've done a decent walk every day.
We intend to get out into the sunshine as much as possible while we have it!!! The more fine days we have now, the less winter and I don't do winter!!!
Covid numbers are rising around us too - we've had a family member and several friends quite poorly with it even though they've been jabbed. They all have said that they dread to think what they would have been like if they hadn't been vaccinated. Luckily we hadn't had contact with any of them but we are still being very very careful. I don't do 'ill' either!!!
Good luck everyone - onwards and downwards!

JoMarch housework can give you a good workout the only problem is as soon as you have finished the dust and bits on the carpet appear as if by magic. ??.

Lost quarter of a pound which I take as a win. Had my appointment for AF clinic 8th November they should have the results of my MRI I having on the 18th. At least I am quite a few stones lighter than when I had my last one. Hopefully the tunnel will be the same size so I won't feel so trapped. It's in the mobile unit and the end is blocked off. ??. But at least they will be able to see what is wrong with my heart. So 45 mins of being trapped is worth it.

The sun is sunshining so I am going into the garden. Have a good week everyone. ?

Good morning pears, I hope you’ve all had a good week and have been enjoying this lovely autumn sunshine we seem to have been blessed with here in Lincolnshire. It was warm enough for my friend and I to have lunch outside when we met up on Friday!
After last weeks good loss, I’m continuing in the downward slide with just a quarter of a pound off this week, but I’ll take any loss as a positive.
Covid is quite worrying here at the moment, we’ve got cases in school and are having to work around and in spite of them, so it’s fingers crossed that I don’t contact it at the moment. And if I do, that the vaccines do their job in reducing its severity.

Have a good week everyone ?

Wow, Whiff- 55 minutes of continuous exercise is impressive! Getting stronger and fitter is a wonderful consequence of the whole taking care of yourself, and making good habits thing. Hoovered, cleaned and scrubbed today- DD and family staying this weekend- normally I can ignore dust for weeks- and then did a workout. In the fat old days, the housework would have been a pretty tough workout in itself. Having had my little rant earlier in the week, I’m focusing on the other benefits of eating less for life. Will do best not to lose it tomorrow when feeding DD and SiL-they are veggies so that should help!

JoMarch your GP is so right. I had moan the other week on here as the water retention was out of control. But we keep going and hope the scale gods are kind to us on our weighting day.

Emily my exercise instructor worked us for 55 mins non stop today. I loved it. When we joined the class we were given a green resist band to take home and use. Been going I think 8 weeks she has taken those bands off us and given us a pink band. You guessed it . It' s strong than the green one so gives us a harder work out. Felt quiet chuffed today managed to do the stand up exercises without holding on to the back of the chair not as wobbly as I was. The class is like the pears we encourage and motivate eachother it's fun and the time flies by.

I have to laugh at myself sometimes my husband would be amazed that I like exercise. I think it's the routine of it that I love. Only been exercising since January 2018. But better late than never. ?

Thanks Whiff. I didn’t measure myself- back then I doubt I had a tape measure long enough!- but I do use tight clothes that give me some idea, the only problem being that I can’t always remember just how tight or loose they previously were! I also have fluctuating water retention and an occasional irritable bowel ( my very heavy vegetable consumption can be upsetting to the old tum tum) which influences what the scales say. I was just so peeved yesterday, it was a relief to get it off my chest. Your kind post today reminds me that our bodies will respond to how we fuel them- but in their own ways, and own good time. As my GP once said “If it were easy, there wouldn’t be an obesity epidemic.” Onwards, downwards!

JoMarch when you started to eat less for life (dieting) did you measure yourself. I found at times especially after I started doing a regular exercise routine some weeks I didn't lose weight or put on but lost inches. As I had built up muscle and muscle weighs more than fat. Sounds mad but true.

At the moment I am sticking to my calorie allowance but the water retention pushes my weight up. I can't help it but weigh myself everyday but only take Sunday's weight as my weight I write down in my book. When I weighted myself Sunday I had put on a pound. Yesterday I had put on 2lb today I lost that 2lb. But went to the loo more during the day yesterday and during the night.

At the moment it's very frustrating as I am wanting to lose the weight to help my heart but my kidneys and bladder are working against me.

Cardiology won't give me water tablets because I am on the list to speak to urology. Been waiting since March.

I think as we get older our bodies conspire against us or it's just mine????.

Rant away all you like. We all understand your frustration.

Agree with Dorset and Whiff that it’s great to learn new ways of doing things, no matter what your age. And bravo Sarahmob for hitting your original target- take the time to congratulate yourself and be proud of an amazing achievement. Whiff, I hope all goes well with your MRI, and Four or More, that’s only a tiny up, and you were 2lb down the week before, I think you said, so just a tiny blip in a general downward trend, and at least you have the bread to blame! It is really dispiriting when you’ve done everything right, and the scales refuse to move- or worse move in the wrong direction. Such is my lot this week. I swear on… I can’t think of a suitable object, but I totally cross my heart etc that I have eaten under 1200 cals everyday for the last week ( and since we got back from Wales) and was really hoping for some downward shift, but no. Last Weds 70.5 kg- 70.8 kg ( I think I’ve mentioned our scales are temperamental to say the least). Today ( ok, Tues not Weds, but still) 71.2 kg. This is between 14 oz and 1.54 lbs on. So, so not fair. Yes, the scales are dodgy, but the old white ones were up too. Has anybody else had the experience of appearing to gain when really being good? I worry that my metabolism has shrunk to a very low BMR ( I have been restricting now pretty much since March 2017), and I just don’t see how I can do more. I exercise at least 3 times a week for 30 mins, raising heart rate, getting hot and sweaty. ( Lovely). Whilst I can eat less for life, what I struggle with is eating less for life and putting weight back on anyway. Feel very frustrated.
Sorry for the rant. ( Btw, white trousers of truth were tight after laundering - you know how cotton can go in the wash, but they did do up. I suppose that’s something.) Arrrgh.
Here’s to another week- hope It will be good for you all, and better for me!

Four that's a minor blip. Love seeded bread that's why I can't resist it.

Sarah well done with the loss and hitting your target. Glad you had a nice family time.

Shirley I found walking not the right exercise for me. Feel so much better doing my class. Emily our instructor said she could see an improvement last week which made me feel better , I feel my arms are stronger. Having a stronger resist band this week if she can get them.

Cocopops hope all goes well with the dermatologist.

When for ECG yesterday and AF clinic today had bloods and another ECG. Haven't got to go back too clinic until beginning of November .
Had the appointment for my heart MRI today it's on the 18th but it's in a mobile unit which means it's blocked off at the end ?. Hate small spaces but had them done in a mobile unit before. At least this time I won't have to have to grip my hands so my arms don't move and concentrate keeping my legs still. So all I need to do is control my breathing and relax.

A belated Happy Birthday Nankate and I am glad you enjoyed it.
I remain 2lbs above my target. Off to see dermatologist about the lesion on my lip on Wednesday. I might be wrong because I doubt it's cancer. Perhaps she will deem a biopsy necessary though. I decided not to mention it to my children.
Super weather today. My dog enjoyed a long swim in the ocean and this evening I went to see The Shawshank Redemption again. Remember Morgan Freeman and Tim Robins brilliant performances ?
Have a great week Pears.

Morning all…up 2…took the eye off the ball ?. I need to get back into a fitness routine. I used to go to Pilates and aerobics , was never excited going but felt good when back and it kept me toned. I’m on the go every day and dog gets walked by me every morning rain or shine and sometimes I go out with DH when he takes her out in the afternoons and he goes for a good 4 mile+ walk with her daily but I feel I need to do a class of some sort, you know what I mean ?

Made the Christmas pudding, cake and mincemeat all over the weekend so that’s done and out the way ?. Hope weather isn’t too bad this week, we’ve had a fair amount of rain this last 7 days. Have a good one guys…..

Good evening pears,
It’s been good to read your posts and catch up on the news. We’ve been to see our daughter and the grandsons today and have had a great (although busy!) day. The scales were very generous with a 2lb loss this week which sees me hit my initial target so I’m highly delighted, I have decided that I’d like to take another half stone off before I call it maintenance for life so I’m still going on. Well done to all who have lost or maintained this week.

Well done everyone for sticking with it - water retention is a huge problem Whiff but it's good it's not getting you down and that the medics continue to care for you. Well done Dorset - every half pound counts.
I have put on 0.4lb this week but I know why so I'm not overly concerned. Hubby bought a beautiful 'seeded loaf' and I know bread, in my case. always goes straight to the scales! It's such a shame as I love a sandwich but bread always shows up at the next weigh-in!
Hey ho, we are getting there - our stalwarts are hanging on and persevering and our newbies are sticking with us which is great!
Keep up the good work everyone and have a good week!

Dorset well done with the loss. That's what I love about life you are never to old to learn new things and learn to change habits of a lifetime.

Glad you are enjoying the job being tired from it is better than being stressed out. I have found over the years being stressed is exhausting. So try and avoid stressful situations. And to handle things that are out of my control without them stressing me out. As the only person who gets hurt is me. Don't want it don't need it.

Put on a pound this week but been battling water retention since Friday. At least it's not as bad as the other week.

Checked I was still on the list for urology this week. They are running more clinics so hopefully get to speak to someone soon.

At hospital for ECG for the cardiologist tomorrow. Then Tuesday AF clinic who will also do an ECG. Different departments hence having it done twice. But don't mind they are looking after me and that's what counts.

Having my eyes tested next week as think I need stronger reading glasses and may be distance ones as well.

Had a new member join craft group. She was doing crystal art which I hadn't see before . Need a lot of patience to do that.

Even though it's been raining all week went to my greenhouse yesterday and covered my strawberry plants with fleece to keep them warm . It was only 11° in my greenhouse. If it stops raining this week I will dig up my sweet potato and see if I have ground any. Not holding my breath. ?.

Full week again doing something everyday . Only got Tuesday free next week so far. Since moving my life has never been so busy. I like this new more outgoing confident me.
My husband would say where's my wife and what have you done with her. But he would love me as much as he ever did.

Have a good week all. ?