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

NanKate & Whiff, thank you both for the welcome, and for the encouraging words! I'll be sure to check-in often and let you know how I'm getting on. Good luck to all in 2024!

Morning all..Very frosty here glad I have my dehumidifiers on all night or my windows would had been dripping this morning.

Had a good week lost 1 three quarter pounds Thursday started to exercise at home. I do 4 ELO songs must remember to set the timer for 20mins as I want to do that on the days I don't go out . My sit fit class starts again tomorrow. Craft group started on Thursday . I had made my first gluten free cake a marmalade it tasted great texture was a bit weird but the recipe had yogurt in it. Next time going to use my normal recipe just use Gluten free flour and baking powder and bit of milk if a bit stiff. Made normal marmalade cake . Both went . My friend who can't have gluten loved it and took 3 pieces home . All I need is to master gluten and egg free as I have another friend who can't have both.

Hope you are all having a good year so far. Very frosty here but sunny. Have a good week everyone. 🤗

After weighing myself on 1st January and discovering that I'd gained 3lbs over Christmas/New Year, I'm pleased to report that I weighed again on Friday 5th January and I was 3lbs down! I'm back to what I was before the festive season, and now I feel motivated to carry on with a healthier lifestyle, and looking forward to the benefits that come with that!

Well done Whiff on your loss, and for getting back to your exercise routine ... that's an area I need to make a start on!

Your marmalade cake sounds like it was a success. I love trying out new recipes, especially ones that are sugar free ... I'm off to make some sugar free snacks now, as I have friends coming for coffee tomorrow, and they go quite well with a coffee, a bit like a square of fudge, but with no refined sugar in them!

Well done on your losses this week whiff & nansnet.
Ive stayed the same. Went back to Pilates on Friday, ,

We had a very fine snow yesterday in beds.

I haven’t put any weight on over Christmas which has surprised me! I’m at my partners for two weeks and must make an effort to do some walking and do some exercises. I hurt my knee a couple of nights ago but, thankfully it’s ok now: I really thought I’d be spending two weeks laid up. It’s very cold here, though, and I tend to just want to spend the day under a duvet reading or watching tv; I feel the cold really badly. A bit of blue sky and warmth and I feel like a different person. I must overcome it and get motivated.

Nansnet well done . It's not easy to lose with any goodies still around . You have got the new year off to a good start.

Shirley and MayBee well done staying the same.

Went to my sit fit class yesterday and she gave us some homework . It's just 6 exercises 10 reps of each to wake up our bodies..Did them this morning and will keep doing them hope get a gold star next week 😂.

Friday I decided on the days I don't go out will do 20 mins of exercise a day. Decided to do them to ELO songs. As they are a favourite of mine and my late husband's. In fact we had Mr Blue Sky playing when we left the crem. Mind you doing the exercises warms me up.

There were 14 of us braving the cold yesterday. It was great to see everyone again. My week has structure again. Monday sit fit and Thursday craft group.
I like routine it helps me cope with my disability. At least since having my diagnosis I now understand why I have planned and stuck to what I plan all my life. And never knew I had anxiety. I described how I felt if my body or outside forces stopped doing what I wanted and was told that your anxiety kicking it. At least my life makes sense now. Only took from 1988 to 2022 too know what I was born with. But I am a patience person .

Keep warm everyone and hope no one is flooded or snowed in.

I weighed in again today, as Friday is going to be my regular day for weighing in from now on. Happy to say that I'm another 1.5lbs down. Very pleased with that![smile}

I've signed up for a sugar-free challenge, which I've done previously, which starts on Monday. I find it really helps to kick-start me into good habits! And, I'm hopefully going to begin my new exercise regime next week too, as long as my painful, stiff joints will allow me to. I have a new treadmill, and also plan to begin a stretch & flex class which I've done previously. Unfortunately, the problems I have with my joints & stiffness sort of put a stop to it last time because it was sometimes painful. However, I know I need to get moving properly again, so I'll start over with baby steps and see how it goes...

Nansnet that a brilliant weight loss and your plan to exercise is good. I couldn't do sugar free so we'll done you.going to do it. Look forward to how you get on.

I do sit fit class once a week last week our instructor gave us homework to do every morning which I have. She said to do it once we get out of bed but I do it once washed and dressed. They are to wake your body up here they are . She said do them for 10 secs but I do them for a count of 10 each exercise so both sides of my body is 10 times. Hope that makes sense. If anything hurts stop.

1. Deep breaths. That's breath in through your nose and raise your arms over your head or as high as you can raise them and breath out through your mouth.

2. Give your arms and legs a shake to loosen them up. Only do it it as much as you can .

3. Arm swings . Stand straight or as straight as you can with loose arms swing them from side to side as far as you can but keep your hips forward.

4. Shoulder hugs. Put your right hand on your left shoulder and left on right and hug yourself and turns side to side as far as you can go . Then vice versa.

5. Back kicks. I have to hold onto my bed bar with one hand . This is to wake up your hamstring. Just bend your knee as if to try and kick your bum . Each leg. Only go as high as you can.

6. Again I hold onto my bed bar. Alternating knee lifts to wake up your quads . Only as high as you can.

Hoping to get a gold ⭐for doing them everyday 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣.

Also I decided to do 20 mins of our exercises the days I don't go out. Only went out to sit fit Monday and craft on Thursday. And sticking to my cal allowance I have lost 2 and half pounds this week. Will try very hard to keep to cal allowance but I like the exercise and feel better for doing them . So will keep them up.

Having my hair cut Tuesday but as they only a short walk will do my 20 mins that day.

Hope you are all keeping warm and dry . Have good week all.

Thanks Whiff I shall try those exercises 👍🧍🏻‍♀️

You are always a positive inspiration to us all. 💐

Whiff well done on your 2.5lbs loss, that's great!

Those exercises sound like a great way to 'wake up your body' in the mornings!

So, my sugar free challenge begins today! I really need to do this, as I know it greatly helps my inflammation issues, and I can't wait to reap the benefits! After all the sugar-laden goodies I've consumed over the festive period, it really has taken it's toll on my body, and the way I generally feel. I really can't go on like this, my body often feels like someone 20 years older, and it's all self inflicted! I'm putting a stop to it right now!

NanKate hope the exercise help. And thank you for the kind words. As cold as it was yesterday there where 14 of us at class. I was the only one who has done the exercises of a morning but because of my HPX once I decide on something I have to do it. Planning and routine makes my life easier and done it my whole life just never realised why I had to do it.

Sadly no gold star ⭐🤣🤣. But we where put through our paces as usual be it's fun and always feel better after class.

Nansnet you mentioned inflammation issues friends who have osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout found cheese made it worse. It's because of the lactic acid in the cheese which made there syptoms worse. Cutting it right down or out of their diets made an improvement to their joints. No idea if this will help you.

Whiff, I'm certain my inflammation issues are hereditary. My father suffered terribly with both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, as do his younger sisters. He had several joint replacements, and also had terrible gout for years. I'm now experiencing joint issues, and I've also had bouts of gout, which are generally less common in women. My doctor tells me all of these issues can be hereditary ... so there's not much hope for me then!

I've been through lengthy processes of eliminating certain foods, trying to find out what makes the symptoms worse. For me, it's most definitely having too much processed sugar. I never add sugar to tea/coffee/etc., but it's shocking how many of the ordinary foods people consume daily are loaded with the stuff! I'm now an avid label reader, and I generally cook mostly from scratch, so I know exactly what goes into my meals. Over Xmas/New Year I slipped into bad ways, and consumed far too much processed sugar in all the goodies that I ate! I really paid for my overindulgence afterwards!

The other thing that causes a flare up of symptoms for me is white wine, so I never touch it anymore. Thankfully, red wine doesn't seem to have the same ill effects on me, although I am cutting down on that too!

Unfortunately, my new exercise regime didn't quite get off the ground this week! I will try to kick myself into gear this coming week!

However, I am pleased to report that I've weighed in again this morning and I'm another 2.2lbs down!

Nansnet well done with the weight lose. Hope the no sugar is going well. It's difficult to do as there are hidden sugars in some products even onions contain sugar but only a little
Manufacturers label sugar under different names or hide them under E numbers.

Does sound like you say inflammatory conditions run in your family. I know I have osteoarthritis but wouldn't have have tablets for it as they would interfer with my HPX and heart tablets. That's why I like to exercise to try and help.

This may make you smile because I bake every 2 weeks for my craft group plus I make preserves I have in my stock cupboard honey,golden syrup, black treacle,jam sugar, granulated sugar,light brown,dark brown , demerara and granulated sweetener. 😱.

Hope you have managed to start your exercise routine . Our instructor tells us if it hurts stop you should feel it but no pain. She gave us an extra bit of homework for when we was up . I was cheeky and asked what's that as I have a dishwasher. But do wash up couple of things by hand but not everyday . But will do them waiting for my porridge to cook that way I don't forget. It's just the kick your bum exercise as I call it 5 times each leg.

I have started to do 20 mins exercise at home the days I don't go out. Because my floors of my bungalow are concrete even though I have thick underlay and carpet it was hurting my feet as I can't do the exercises in my slippers so brought a yoga which is great it very long and put my chair in the middle. Nothing with me is ever easy . The front legs of my chairs have spindle legs with a hole in the middle and they cut into the yoga mat so brought furniture cups for the feet problem solved.

It was so cold on Thursday my legs froze even though I had the heating on . It was very slippy so didn't go to my craft group. Didn't do my exercises as even with an electric heating pad on my legs didn't thaw out. Which effects my mobility. But back to exercises Friday . There where 15 of us braving the high winds yesterday.

My weight has stayed the same this week which I am pleased with as over ate 5 days out of 7 . In blame the cold 🤣 .

Have a good week everyone.

Whiff, I've not done too badly this week with trying to eliminate processed sugar from my diet, but I know I could do better. My DH has been working long/late hours this week, so I've not eaten as well as I do when he's at home for dinner. Although, I definitely feel a bit better for it, and I also seem to be sleeping a little better too, which is a bonus, as I'm normally feeling very sleep deprived!

My exercise plan has still been a non starter this week ... you put me to shame! The belt on my treadmill needs adjusting before I can use it, so I'm waiting for DH to sort that out for me. Hopefully, he'll have chance to do it this weekend. But I really do need to get back into doing an exercise class! I'm not in the UK, but we've also been having very cold weather here too, and that puts me off getting out of a warm bed for morning exercise classes! I'll try to get started this coming week!

On a good note, I've managed to lose another 1lb this week, so I'm happy with the continued loss.

Hope everyone else has a good week.

Nansnet glad you are sleeping better. So cutting down on processed sugar from your diet works for you. I stopped eating meat think this year is the third year. I eat chicken even though my vegetarian daughter insists it meat but it's poultry . I used to buy fish but do have it in restaurants if I fancy it but because of the way I have to cook means it's not practical . Losing another pound is great I am happy if it's only quarter of pound. I hope you measured yourself as once you start to exercise regularly you may find as I did I put on but lost inches . It's because muscle weights more than fat.

My husband would laugh his socks off me liking exercise but I always feel better doing it. Still doing my homework exercises every morning and doing my 20 mins at home if I don't go out.

Yesterday was craft group and had made a hybrid lemon drizzle cake. Since Christmas I can't use a grater it's too dangerous for me . Which sounds ridiculous but I cut my thumb with a knife beginning of December it's finally healed. Using a grater is to dicy for me. One of my crafty friends suggested a food processor but I had one years ago but it wasn't safe for me as my hands tremble and the blade was very sharp. But as usual I find ways to do things I want. So I made a lemon marmalade cake with my marmalade and mixed lemon juice with demerara sugar for the drizzle it worked and it all went.

Hope you have a good week..

I have put on two stone in weight since October, due to the dark nights and dark mornings and the bad weather as I have not been going out much and just eating everything in sight.

I am starting the low carb diet, cutting out everything that has high carbs in them as that is my problem, biscuits and cakes, the more I eat the more I want. I am going to start having salads with chicken breast, salmon, small cuts of beef and pork finished off with a sugar free jelly. I have found carb free sausages so I can have bacon, egg, sausage and tomatoes for breakfast which gives me a great start to the day. If I can get through the first week of craving carbs I will have cracked it.

WonderfulLife, it's always much easier to lose weight in the summer months, isn't it? I'm more than happy to eat salad everyday when the weather is warmer. But all I'm fancying at the moment is warm comfort food. Luckily, I can manage that without too much difficulty, as long as I cook from scratch, whilst doing my best to cut out processed sugar, which is my enemy. I'm currently making, and eating, lots of healthy, warming soups for lunches, which sees me through until dinner time when I try to have mostly chicken or fish with lots of fresh vegetables. Also, reducing the amount of wine I normally consume is helping in the weight loss department!

WonderfulLife welcome to the fruits. Sorry to burst your bubble but I haven't stopped craving cabs since 2017. I just don't buy them unless I have guests and always the smallest amount I can buy. But it's great you know what foods are your weakness. Mine are anything bread wise, biscuits ,cake ,cheese ,ice cream and chocolate . So don't buy them. Except 400g block of cheese which I cut into 8 and freeze and when I make a lasagne just use a lump for 6 dinners. When I make cheese sauce I don't add any spread or butter. If you use mature or extra mature cheddar you don't need it as there is enough fat in the cheese . No one can tell the difference.

But I do have my treat of cake every 2 weeks as I bake for my craft group. So have a piece or if it's biscuits 1 or 2 but no more. Did had 3 commercial biscuits at my craft group yesterday but I don't have lunch on Thursday's or Monday's . Monday because my sit fit class it's at 1.30 so leave home at 10 past as I walk to it but it's only round the corner from my bungalow. But I have mobility problems.

Like I always say it's a marathon not a sprint. And someone else coined the phrase each day is a new start. NanKate renamed dieting eating less for life. Which is the best way to look at it. Remember to measure yourself because if you start to exercise you may find as I did I put on weight but lost inches. But muscle weights more than fat.

Good luck with the new you.

Hope everyone had had a good week. My sticking to my allowance and my exercise routine seems to have paid off lost 3.75 lb this week. Given me the boost to keep it up.

Off to make Seville orange marmalade.

Just wanted to tell you about my brother. He knew he would need a replacement for the new hip they gave him 18 years ago. My brother is 64. In the last 18 months he has lost 7st now at his ideal weight of 14st 7lb but wants to loss 7lbs more as he knows he will put weight back on after his operation in March. He swims 5 mornings a week at 6.30am. The way he has done is cut carbs out of his diet and only eats lunch and dinner . But he has never liked breakfast even as a teenager.

He is my inspiration to loss and get to 11st this year. Haven't put a limit on myself before but theirs nothing like sibling rivalry 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣.

Well done on your 3.75lbs loss this week, Whiff! That's fantastic!

Your brother sounds like a great example, what an inspiration he must be!

Our instructor think she was trying to kill us today. Circuit training which lasted 90 mins . But it was fun. Got my heat pad on my back to ease my muscles. Think I will be stiff tomorrow.

You and your brother are inspirations Whiff👍👍

Brilliant Whiff. Gold star awarded!
I have not risked the scales since Christmas but will see what the damage is on Thursday ie 1st of the month.
No.1 son flew over in the summer. I went to meet him at the airport and got a shock because this FAT man walked into arrivals! He was previously slim but working from home for a couple of years and too many carbs had resulted in a podgy face and tum . Anyhow towards the end of his holiday here I dared to broach the subject as tactfully as one can! So he made a New Year Resolution to shift the fat and so far has lost 10 lbs. He's now my inspiration like your brother Whiff so I'd better get on with it ... Good luck everyone.