I’m a Pear/Apple - Part 4. Yabadabadoo !

Could not be more pleased for you Whiff 💐
And you were treated with respect and kindness which must have meant such a lot to you.
👏 👏
Gives us all hope that compassion is still alive and well.
You deserved those florentines; a favourite of mine too, 😋

Well my dear fruits. Went to my PIP tribunal yesterday . And the panel couldn't have been kinder. Emma from the Brain Charity went with me as support. A representative from DWP was supposed to be there but they didn't turn up. The judge didn't seem pleased about that. The doctor was lovely and understood having a rare hereditary neurological condition is hard to diagnose and quoted from my neurologists letter ..What was lovely there was a disabled man on the panel who has been disabled from birth like me. He asked probing questions but I wasn't embarrassed to answer fully. He commented about my struggle to get out of the chair and walk into the room. Also was worried I would fall over reaching for my glasses out of my bag.

Well the outcome is I have been awarded enhanced for both parts of PIP. And as I am under state pension age it won't be taken off me when I get my pension next year. It's taken me 35 years to finally get disability benefits but better late than never.

I can't thank the Brain Charity enough for there support and getting me a solicitor who has worked hard for me pro bono for over a year.

I even treated myself to some naughty mini Florentines from home bargains on the way home.

Thank you all for your support .

Primrose having your mom in a home and losing people you love . You have done what I had always done put others first and negligent yourself. Your wants and needs came last.

It wasn't until my mom died in 2017 then I got jaundice though two sort tablets I had taken since 1992 and was seriously ill for 5 months did I think about what I wanted as had no one depandant on me any more. Only 3 things move house,lose weight get fit. Moved to my bungalow 4 years ago ,lost 7st still trying to lose the stone and bit to get to 11st been trying for 2 years will get there one day and go to sit fit class.

No judgements here or fees to pay . Just support , understanding and friendship. What I wrote further up if it doesn't send you to sleep as I do ramble on. Helps you .

Welcome to the fruits 😁

If people think they are apples or pears then I must be a square! 🤣 i have literally lost my waist since I gained weight a few years ago with Mum in a care home and not being able to visit and then losing a very close friend and my SIL both slightly younger than me.

I really can’t worry about it now. I love clothes and shoes and often have complete strangers asking me where my dress/coat is from so I must look reasonably OK.

I have a voucher for so many sessions at Slimming World which has about 10 sessions left. I went to 2 and can’t bear watching people sitting there clapping like seals and then discussing how they can make a fake sweet treat out of ingredients you would never have in the house.

I have lost several friends who are health mad and slim and most of my friends have had new knees or hips or heart ops so I am just going to carry on as I am because I am healthy enough.

Sorry Four glad you have some new scales and every bit you lose is a win. I know like the rest of us you carry on. 😊

Huia welcome to the eating less for life gang. I liken this lovely thread like my craft group we are all different but we just clicked. In another life we wouldn't have met but know if we all met in person we would still work. We don't just talk about our weight but life in general as that effects how we feel about ourselves and our journey to lose the weight we want.

As I have said many times it's a marathon not a sprint. There are no quick fixes to loss and keep off the weight. It's hard work but it's well worth it. Remember to measure yourself now and every couple of months. Don't be discouraged if you put on,stay the same or only lose a bit. Everyday is a fresh start. The main thing is to keep going.

As you have probably read we have different ways to lose weight . As no way suits everyone. For me I can only do it by weighing and measuring everything I eat and drink and count cals. I write it down in a note book . Plus I stopped buying foods I have no control over. Ice cream, chocolate,biscuits and cheese apart from 400g block of mature cheddar which I cut into 8 and freeze.

When I make a lasagne I make using Quorn mince lots of veg ,only 4 sheets of pasta and make the cheese sauce the all in one mix. 30g plain flour ,skimmed milk and a block of cheese defrosted. Because of the fat in the cheese no need for spread and I bring it to the boil whisking all the time. Season to taste.

All my dinners are either a lasagne or stew either using large chicken breast ,300g Quorn mince or chicken pieces or 8 Quorn sausages I have browned in little oil cut into 8. Usually using pearl barely ,or pasta ,5 Oxo cubes and loads of veg. Enough for 6 dinners . Once cooked portion into 6 dishes to just heat up. My lunches are the same all year round when home. My red lentil (150g) ,5 oxos and whatever veg I have in. Lasts 6 lunches. Breakfast is always 50g oats made with coconut milk or skimmed milk with 20g honey. Don't need honey when using coconut milk. Made in the microwave.

I eat this way best it works for me plus due to disability can't cook a fresh meal everyday or use a dinner knife. All my main meals are eaten using a spoon and fork . Even if I go to a restaurant and have something that needs cutting up. If I am on my own ask for it to be cut up in the kitchen or if with others they do it for me. Started having to have my food cut up 35 years ago. My late husband did it for me and used to glare at anyone who looked and they daren't make a comment as he wouldn't stand for anyone to be unkind to me . 35 years ago disabled people where treated as if they shown be see. Unfortunately some people still have that attitude to this day. But I can say since moving to the north west 4 years ago had no unkindness from anyone up here. Unlike where I used to live.
As usual rambled on .

Just because you are cutting back on foods doesn't mean you can't have treats just not everyday. I bake every 2 weeks to take to my craft group. But do things my way. Don't do pretty anymore my hands and my ability to stand for long stop me but I do tasty. My craft group is when I have a treat on a week I don't bake there are biscuits but limit myself to 2-3 . But I don't have lunch just have extra 10gs oats for breakfast. .

Others have ways that work for them . It's just finding a way that suits you. My way works for me but I live on my own.

This week my weight has stayed the same. Had a very stressful week and have my PIP tribunal tomorrow. If I had chocolate or ice cream in yesterday I would have eaten the lot in one go. Saturday felt fine about it but yesterday nerves kicked in and spend most of the day crying.

Went to the Brain Charity on Monday and met Emma who is going with me. Had just over 3 hours with her taking about my health and how it's effected me my whole life. As many know I only found out what I was born with and it's rare. Plus in 2020 found out also born with a hole in my heart. Had to laugh finding that out as had 3 major and 2 minor ops all with a dicky heart.

Spoke to my solicitor the Brain Charity got me on Friday and she said they will be concentrating on July 2022 when my application was refused. And they will be dealing with it from the point of law. Since when does law effect disabilities. There will be a judge, doctor and someone who works with disabilities. Only allocated a hour for the tribunal. Which is a joke I am 65 how an I supposed to condense that into a hour. And why concentrate on July last year my solicitor said it's how they work. First applied for disability benefits in 1988 when my health got worse and my limb jerks and pain was so bad landed me in hospital for 3 weeks. Only because of my then GP did I get my orange badge as it was in those days ,the forms for DLA as it was in those days and got equipment from occupational therapy and my wheelchair. Plus my husband adapted our home for me. His attitude was we alter our way of life to suit what I can do and be a normal family. He kept his word until the day he died. Our children never suffered or missed out on anything having a disabled mom. Had pains in my legs since a child and fell a lot. My parents had me to the doctors and children's hospital a lot. Told growing pains and a clumsy child.

Thanks to my neurologist here putting me on Clonazepam after 32 years of limb jerks and 4 months of seizures within 2 weeks of taking it my limbs where still in March 2020 and still are . But the damage to my joints was done. This is doom and gloom . I live my life to the full since I moved here.

The trouble is PIP don't see you until you got to tribunal they don't see you in person you are a name not a person. Tried for years after my husband died to claim but they wouldn't even let me have any forms as no diagnosis. But then again it's only because of of our McMillan nurse we had DLA for my husband when terminal and me carers allowance as they where going to refuse us because my husband was given 4 months to 2 years to lie. Because of the 2 years told by DWP not to apply. My husband didn't live 4 months. He died 4 days after his 47th birthday in 2004.

I know I have written about this before and sorry to be a bore. But fighting for something I should have had 35 years has taken its toll. When I had my mom live with me for the lady 18 months of life was only allowed carers allowance for 6 months because I was told my mom would get better she had cancer and dementia. Last 4 months she became violent . My mom had died long before her body did. But I couldn't put her into a home . She was my mom . But proud to say my mom hadn't got a sore on her body when she died I made sure she didn't I looked after her myself. Had few bits of equipment from occupational therapy and community nurse. Which helped.

I don't care who comes to live in this country and pay their taxes and NI then they are entitled to health care and benefits when they need them as they have paid into the system. What I found insulting was when I was in hold for over a hour last year to get a copy of my phone assessment a recorded message said Ukraine nationals don't worry your PIP payments won't stop. 🤬. What's happened in Ukraine is awful but how can they get PIP payments. Illegal immigrants while their living conditions are awful don't have to worry about bills etc .

And yes I am bitter about my treatment over the last 35 years. Because my savings are so low I get UC but the people there see you in person when you apply and my caseworker because of my mobility said telephone appointments from now on as she didn't want me having to struggle too get there.

Because I go out every week to my sit fit class and craft group and may be to get a bit of shopping I was given zero on PIP. My mobility is bad and walked with a stick for 35 years . Used a wheelchair when the children where young as it easiest way to go out if I went into more than one shop. My husband would never leave me home or in the car. But would they give a blind person zero. I know a blind couple both use a white stick with ball on the end . The husband always knows when it's time to get off the bus and they both walk quickly and in a straight line . I can't do that . I veer off and walk into walks and fences don't mean to but don't know I am heading that way until I hit something. I have to watch the floor all the time walking but been doing that since a child hence my spine had a lump at the top through looking down.

Better stop rambling and get off my soap box. But am so scared they are going to turn me down tomorrow. The list of things I can't do is growing yearly. But found ways to do them my way. But have told by Emma on Monday not to be the positive person I am but be negative. I am the sort to always find a positive from a negative ever it's something silly like a funny cloud.

At least I don't tell lies as my memory is crap at times. 🤷🤦😔

Never too late!!! Welcome Huia into our elite gang of losers!
You will see that we have mixed successes but we always support each other whether its ups or downs!

Being let down by my scales last week they went to the lovely recycling man and my new set seem to be on the same wavelength. I was concerned that if there was a big difference I wouldn't know whether the old ones were accurate or the new ones?

Basically I'm the same over the fortnight since I last weighed - a loss of 0.2lb today. Having had a birthday and other slips I am happy with that. We have one week now before our short break away so I will have to be firm this week as I know I will sin while we are away

Welcome again Huia and good luck to you and all my fellow strugglers! As I have often said - we are all in the same boat but some can paddle faster than others!

Is it too late to join in this thread? Really need some weight loss company!

Whiff I do admire you for your strength of character. You have so many health issues that affect your life, but you still keep going - RESPECT 👍

Good luck on the 29th Whiff it will be a relief when it’s over, its good you have someone with you for support.

Put on half a pound this week as I weight myself on a Sunday and take that weight. Do weight myself everyday but only take Sunday's weight. Yesterday I had lost 1lb . But will stick to my rule it's only Sundays weight that I record.

MayBee glitter is a nightmare . I even hate cards with glitter on them. But the glitter of today is safer than the stuff I used as a child as that hurt if it stuck in your finger ouch. My children only used glitter at playschool and school. Wouldn't have it in the house. To many bad memories of using it as a child and my poor mom spent days getting rid of it no matter how much she cleaned always found the odd bit.
I can't resist chocolate so just don't buy it. My grandson's only have it as a treat but just a single item. Luckily not when I am with them. They don't have sweets. I loved lemon sherbet boiled sweets. Haven't brought any for years but couldn't have them now anyway as when I sucked them ended up with a sharp edge and always cut my tongue but on blood thinners so I bleed easier and more so perfect excuse not to have them. Because of the blood thinners can't eat toast or dry biscuits but can if I dunk them . As I get blood blisters in my mouth from crunchy food.

SachaMac wow 3.5lb off. Sorry to hear about your mom hope she gets in well. Fancy not talking you they had moved her. Must have been an awful shock to find she had disappeared. But at least she was safe.

Shirley also wow 2lb. Holidays are to be enjoyed so it's only natural to have put a bit on but you will soon got it off.

Four when I brought new scales I stuck to just the ones that weigh you as I didn't want to now what % of fat I had . I already know as I can see my flabby wobbly bits. 🤣. Didn't buy ones with glass top just incase it broke. Like my daughter said you are daft mom as it's toughened glass. Never thought of that 🤦🤦🤦. So just brought ones with plastic top . Good old Salter only brand I buy. Who can resist birthday cake anyway it's tradition you have to have a piece 😁.

Went to the Brain Charity yesterday to meet Emma who will be with me on the 29th. She was lovely and feel confident having her by my side. She won't be able to talk but a hand to hold if I need it. At least this time I didn't get lost. Took all my files and left them with her so she can have a read and will send me an email with pointers for me. Learnt lot of new things. The descriptor you get with the PIP asks if you use aids. I took that to mean things like shower chair,handles etc. But learn my having to use a tee towel tucked into my top neckline is an aid as I spill food and drink down me as my hands shake . Also because I have had to cope doing things my way my whole life especially since 1988 when the limb jerks and them 4 months of siezures before having the Clonazepam. I say the things I can do when I must say all the things I can't. Did point out when I ended up in hospital 2 months later .I was brand by hospital doctors when I spent 3 weeks as in patient. I was a fake, attention seeking,putting it on, mentally ill and a nurse shouted at me to stop making a fuss you only have post natal depression. Luckily went home after that. My daughter was 4 and started school while I was in hospital and my son 8 months old.
I was a hands on mom even though either my mom or mother in law was with me. But wouldn't carry my son up or down stairs incase I dropped him and was never able to take him out for a walk in his pushchair or take my daughter then him to school.

Until I had my diagnosis last year never said I am disabled even though my GP and consultants told me I was and have been since birth. But now where my label with pride . Yes I am disabled but that doesn't mean useless . But even in this day and age there is still discrimination if you are disabled not I glad to say by the people of the north west where I have lived the last 4 years. But had it where I used to live.

Until disabled people write the claim forms and are assessors no one with a disability will get a fair chance. I have physical proof of my disability and it's rare. But PIP don't care because they don't see you face to face until a tribunal. I look normal until I move since being on the Clonazepam as I no longer have the limbs jerks after having them for 32 years and 4 months of seizures. But I have to laugh even in my bungalow I can't walk in a straight line . Yesterday on the way to the bus stop I ended up veering off up 2 of my neighbours drives. But that's me. One the way home walked into a metal barrier but glad it was there or I would have been headed into the road.

What annoys me is because I go out by myself even though I aren't really safe but not going to stop until I can't it's held against me. But they don't hold it against a blind person or a person in a wheelchair . So what's the difference? I know a blind couple they use a white stick . I use a stick. But the man can walk faster than me and in a straight line. Yes he can't see but I have to look at the floor all the time walking and still veer off and end up drives or into fences, walls etc. But they always know when to get off the bus. Even on a regular bus route I have to watch for every stop as I can forget when my stops coming up. Or forget if I am going out or coming home. It's not dementia but it's caused by travel anxiety and what's called brain fog where you suddenly blank out . Never knew I had anxiety until my diagnosis and talking to others with HPX . No wonder going out is like a planning a military operation especially going for my mammogram on Thursday but I got there without getting lost. These new machines don't squeeze you as hard as the ones from 3 years ago. But then again never been blessed in the boob department my nan,mom, daughter and 2 nieces got the boobs . Not my aunt's or me. Always been bottom heavy .

Anyway better get off my soap box and stop rambling . Have a good week everyone.

I’ve got a week off from childminding duties thankfully. I also ate too much bread because DD has butter in her house and I can’t resist bread and butter! I was ok with the M&M’s unopened in their packet but once they’d been opened and weren’t going to be eaten I couldn’t stop till I’d eaten the whole packet. This is the repeating pattern of my dieting life! I can’t stop eating things.

I know what you mean Maybee70 I always feel like I have a hangover now when I’ve over indulged in sweet stuff. Mind you peanut M&M’s are very hard to resist.
I think it will be easier to get back on track once the school holidays are over NanKate just a few too many treats around at the moment!!

I bought them some M&M’s which they asked for but bought peanut ones by mistake which they don’t like, so I ate the whole packet myself even though I wasn’t hungry. I actually feel quite unwell when I eat lots of sweet food. I also overeat when I ‘m tired and I was really tired that day.

Yes Maybee I too find it hard to keep to a sensible eating plan when with the grandchildren, especially where chocolate is concerned.

Well, I’m pretty sure my house sitting week has resulted in me gaining a few pounds again. I think it’s being in a house that has crisps and biscuits but looking after the grandchildren for two days meant I had chocolate in the house. It was better when their mum and dad were very anti them having chocolate but they’re not so strict now. I always plan to eat well and do lots of exercise but I have to drive home once a day and I end up snacking.I’ll get back on track tomorrow as I’ve got lots of work to do on my house as usual.

Good to see so many of our regulars on here still. What a great band of losers you are. Thanks girls. 👍👋

Have mixed feelings about today - my scales actually packed up this morning so I couldn't do my usual Sunday weigh-in
Hubby tried several new batteries from a brand new pack but he decided the scales were deceased. To be fair they have lasted many years throughout my weight loss mission so as my Nan used to say - they don't owe me owt!
I felt it was a bonus not being able to weigh!!!
However, having had a sneaky peep yesterday it looked like I may just have managed to stay the same which would have been an achievement! We had a huge Chinese take-away earlier this week and a belated birthday cake on Friday with my granddaughters.
I will have a new set by next Sunday and will be back on track then so fingers crossed that the new scales are kinder than the old ones!!!
Good luck everyone as we start a new week!

My mum is a little better thanks Shirleyw she has now been moved to a rehab bed in the community hospital and seems more comfortable there. Only thing was the hospital hadn’t told us she had moved so when I arrived with my daughter she wasn’t there. It took a while to locate her and another trek across to the other side of the city to find her!!

What a shame about the football, they have done so well to get this far. Im sure they will have inspired many more young girls to play.
Have a great week all, it will soon be autumn and might be a little easier once holidays are over and the GC are back in school.

Thanks nankate, you’re doing great on it, might give it a try.

Oh, I do hope you get somewhere with your pip whiff.

Well done on your loss sachamac, that is a good loss, haven’t seen that on my scales for a very long time 😅. How’s your mum now. ?

Lost 2 lbs what I put on, back to sensible eating now all the holidays are finished. We just have a few weekends away now, I should behave myself then.!! Back to Pilates as well, I’ve missed 3 weeks 🫣

We have a mastiff cross, she’s as strong as an ox, she loves going out and needs to have long walks daily , we certainly get toning and aerobics with her, we call her our personal trainer lol.

Looking forward to the football later. Will you guys be watching it?

It also, even when I haven’t got any on me, makes me feel itchy…

I had to dust one of the children down the other day. I was worried that one of them would get some in their eye before they went on holiday. Or the dog would get covered in it. I’ve been picking it up with some masking tape which, thankfully I brought with me. I’ve learned my lesson when it comes to glitter! My grandson said ‘mummy hates glitter’ and I can see why now. Thankfully he was due to have a pre holiday bath that night anyway!

Glitter is a nightmare Maybee70, I’ve ended up going out with it stuck on my face and not realising.

The dog hates going for walks, Whiff. My partner brought my dog round yesterday to take them both for a walk but, on top of the dog lying down every five minutes my grandson (I’m having to look after my sons children twice a week at my daughters as I can’t leave her dog and can’t take it with me as she’s a bit neurotic and also gets car sick) decided that he didn’t want to go for a walk either. I was so tired by the end of the day I slept for 15 hours. I’m really struggling with child minding these days and it doesn’t help that, for some reason, the night before what is going to be a busy day, I can never sleep, especially if I know I have to get up really early. I’ve got a lot of cleaning up to do though because I stupidly bought some glitter to add to the sand bottles they like to make, and I’ve literally got glitter everywhere: and this is in someone else’s house!

Hi all, well I must have done something right this week as I have lost 3•5lb. Back on track again after last weeks blip. It’s not been an easy week as my 88 year old mum has been in hospital, now on her third week and awaiting a rehab bed. I have been dashing up and down there visiting so not had much time for snacking. I’m sure walking up & down all those long corridors must have helped.
Have a good weekend and keep going everyone