I’m a Pear/Apple - Part 5. Still going!!

Maybe a change in mindset ? After all the first three letters of diet aren't so good!

I will have to adopt this forever I think and stop deluding myself. I like your hot water in the morning idea.

StripeyGran

Good Morrow Fruity Ones, I am keeping well away from other conversations here and hope to join this one which seems to be populated by nice people.

I am doing Slimming World ( yet again), our LA give us a free 12 weeks.
However it's very tedious and dull. I wonder if I might be better doing my own thing.
I know if I ate a normal type meal I would be a couple of pounds up. Doesn't seem right somehow? Will post weigh in tomorrow.
God Luck folks, it's not easy but probably worth it.

I gave up on things like Slimming World years ago after listening to some people querying if the scales were accurate! I do find that not eating after my evening meal, then fasting for as long as possible, drinking more water and being very strict about snacking helps me lose weight and inches even though I now can’t get the exercise I used to. And avoiding bread as much as possible even though I have a slice of either banana or tea bread to break my fast. I’m coming up to another birthday in which my first thought is ‘ another year and still on the never ending diet’…(ie nearly sixty years…)

139.2lbs today and a loss of 2lbs which inspires me to keep plodding on.
StripeyGran as Slimming World is free for you ( lucky you) if you carry on it will set you on the right track. It's definitely worth the effort because you will feel happier and healthier. Have a good week Fruits.

Good Morrow Fruity Ones, I am keeping well away from other conversations here and hope to join this one which seems to be populated by nice people.

I am doing Slimming World ( yet again), our LA give us a free 12 weeks.
However it's very tedious and dull. I wonder if I might be better doing my own thing.
I know if I ate a normal type meal I would be a couple of pounds up. Doesn't seem right somehow? Will post weigh in tomorrow.
God Luck folks, it's not easy but probably worth it.

Having spent four weeks eating incredibly healthily I did my usual thing travelling home which is to snack all day. Even though I don’t do the driving I don’t travel well and it takes me a while to get over it and when I’m tired I crave the sort of food I shouldn’t eat. Hopefully I can get back on track today.

STONES AND POUNDS

Sorry, that should say I’m stoned and pounds

My friend and I do a Wednesday weigh in (we don’t tell each other our weight, just if up or down, though I do keep a note of my own weight) and despite the fact that I’ve been really trying this week, I’ve still put weight on! It’s so discouraging. However, I sent for the carbs and calories book and it came today so I’ve been happily looking up
this food and that! Thank you for recommending it on here. Thank goodness my back is on the mend now so I’ll be able to pick up my walking routine again. I have really missed it. Been to the physio today for exercises to stretch my lower spine. But, as the doctor pointed out to me last week (nicely) it’s all the excess weight at the front that’s causing the problems at the back. So, I’m still carrying on the good work regarding not eating too much and hopefully the kg should start to drop off. (I always get weighed in kg because it just felt too upsetting to know how much I weighed in pounds and ounces!)

I weighed in at 141.2 lbs on Sunday morning so almost a pound off. I needed to replace a few worn T-shirts so journeyed forth to huge shopping complex today to find some that did not highlight my bulging belly. Not an easy task to find cotton T's or with just a bit of stretch. Eventually I got 3 long sleeved efforts from Uniqlo. Funny that one is a size small, another medium and the 3rd is a large! At another store I tried on umpteen pairs of jeans and T's and bought 2 pairs of jeans and 2 short-sleeved T's. An exhausting 3 hours in the mall. Won't be going again this year!
Hi Moth and good luck with fighting the flab.
Maybe70, Shakti mats are new to me. The reviews on them are very tempting but after buying clothes today I must resist!

Thank you, Whiff. What is it you say on here? Onwards and downwards!

NanKate you are never 79. I always picture you as mid 60's . Especially with you dress style and colours. The way you write is young .Happy birthday for yesterday 🥂🎂.

Hello Moth I have an electric pad I had off Amazon it's 12" x 24 has 6 heat settings and 4 timers . When I had sciatica and it was especially bad in my bum and thighs I sat on it the heat was such a relief. . It's flexible and can be wrapped around and joints .

I am on statins heart medication,pain tablets and ones to help with my hereditary neurological condition.
The main thing is measure yourself as some weeks you may lose inches not pounds especially if you exercise.
NanKate renamed dieting eating less for life and that's the best way to think about it.

I stopped buying foods I have no control over . Only buy chocolate if making a cake for my craft group. Chocolate and biscuits brought for Christmas presents are wrapped straight away . I do buy 400g of mature cheddar but cut it into 8 and freeze it. To make cheese sauce use 200ml of milk to start 30g of plain flour and chunk of cheese just crushed once defrosted. I put it all into a pan from cold and whisking bring it to the boil. I found you don't need spread as there is enough fat in the cheese. So less cals . That book is brilliant and always use it daily . I count calories but you have to find a way that suits you .

Pears and other fruits are a lovely bunch and we talk about everything and anything . And as you may have gathered I ramble on .

Lost 2.75 lbs this week but have been extra strict with myself and once I had my low cal hot chocolate after my dinner I don't eat anything else.

Moth glad you found this thread . We don't take the easy way out but the main thing is don't give up . If you have a bad day food wise . Tomorrow is a new start. 🤸

Oh, I forgot to add that I’m on statins which are working fine, but I’ve just crept over the border into being pre-diabetic. Has anyone used Splenda for baking/cooking?

Hello Apples and Pears. I had no idea this lovely thread existed until it popped up on the active thingy a few days ago. Then it disappeared again and I couldn’t find it so googled for it, as search not working. As I type, I am sitting on cushions because I’ve had terrible back pain for two weeks. The doctor thinks it’s an inflamed sciatic nerve (I blame childbirth and the fact that my third baby was lying awkwardly on my sciatic nerve for what felt like ages!) It’s a recurring problem but never been as bad or as long lasting as this. Anyway, I have strong painkillers and am trying not to worry. I usually walk a couple of miles a day but of course have not been able to for a couple of weeks. I walked out to the gate today just to feel the fun and fresh air on my face. Anyway, top and bottom of it is, I made myself a promise the other day that if I can get back to normal again, I will lose this dreadful bulge at the front, which I’m told is throwing my spine out. I lost weight last year for a lovely cruise and have since naturally put it all back on again. I’m going to the physio on Thursday so I’m hoping she will sort me out. That was another promise to myself, that I would do stretching exercises and make myself more flexible and less prone to back pain. Anyway, sorry to ramble on, but I just wanted to say that you all sound so lovely and would you mind if I joined in your group, please. It would really help to have support and advice. I’m going to send for that carbs and calories book you mentioned, Nankate.

Hello folks. Sorry Whiff you had such bad service at the hotel. Your hols sound good though.

Yes I agree Whiff this thread has a lovely lots of losers. 😀

Yes living in a riverside town is nice, but we are up the hill and in the winter can just see the Thames flowing by. Although we have lots of luxury houses here I live in an end of terrace overlooking a field where my grandsons play football when they come to stay. They are here now as we celebrated my 79 birthday yesterday. They are lovely lads and I feel blessed to have them.

I ate extra yesterday and to be honest wish I hadn’t, but back on the wagon today.

I meditate and do Thai Chi 👍

MayBee mindfulness this week will be about sleeping . As one of the group has problems if I can will ask for notes I can send to you . It involves breathing and think visualisation.

Every morning I listen to Jason Stephensons Get Back to Sleep Fast on utube. I listen to it at other times if I can’t sleep. A lot of it is about breathing. There are different ones covering different things. Sometimes I lie on my Shakti mat while I listen to it. I’m very open to that sort of thing.

MayBee I remember the Granary well. You ,your partner and adorable dog made my first holiday for 19 years extra special. I never expected you to take me places but you kindly did . Meeting you on the platform knew we would get on .

Funny how some threads everyone just gels and we become friends and care about eachother. Pears are such a thread . Everyone on here are real . Yes we have had some imposters but they soon left . But we do have friends who leave for a while be always glad to see them back and welcome new people . This isn't just about eating less for life but a support group for friends . Everyone here is losing weight the hard way and not taking any easy ways . But we never give up as we have ups and downs.
Bet when you started this thread NanKate you never thought it would become a group of friends. You gave us a place not to just talk about losing weight but life in general I hope you feel proud .

MayBee you have found a way that works for you and glad your partner understands.

CocoPops don't think I could get my legs in anything a size 10🤣. The coat sounds beautiful. But you like everyone else doesn't give up and one day you will proudly wear it.

The class I went to on Thursday was Mindfulness. I am not into hairy fairy things but found I liked it the first week I went . To me it's just common sense which I can get my head around it . Yesterday started to do one of the breathing exercises and going to do it daily before my exercises. My husband would laugh embracing something so alien to me . There where 6 of us and one shed a few tears but we all understood . The teacher is very calming and the room we do it in is yellow with sunflowers and butterflies scattered about the walls. Funny enough it's a room at a catholic church . That the council hired out for us.

Take care everyone 😊

Just realised I did when I was writing on support thread the other day. Needed the loo then completely forgot to finish my ramble and did jobs instead 🤦.

They gave me a bottled of water and told there would be no breakfast. Water came back on at 8 am but hot water was lukewarm . I was going to a farm shop and cafe called Fodder . Someone on the National disability card Facebook page suggested it. So had delicious pancakes with butter and maple syrup. They spread then for me and cut them up. Pot of tea was most welcome. Lovely shop and brought few things . I asked the manager place to go he said Ilkley. Went back to hotel to drop things off and had taxi to Ilkley lovely journey and the driver pointed places out to me . I didn't sing 'On Ilkley moor bar tat' 🤣
Had a lovely time there was a Betty's but as time was getting on just had Yorkshire curd tart it was delicious and Betty's blend of tea.

When I went down to get dinner told there wouldn't be any . Told them why didn't they say on the morning . I could have had meal out or took something in . So no dinner as I was to tired to go out. And there would be no breakfast on Friday morning ..

Told I would get money back as I had prepayment. On check out did mention the fact I hadn't seen the manager other Primier inn the manager was always about. Turns out there wasn't one since beginning of the year. One was supposed to start didn't turn up ,one started lasted one day, next one stayed a week.

I sent an email to Premier once home pointing out the fact they should have managers who go in until a permanent one found . If there had been a manager then all the maintenance problems I saw would have been dealt with . Plus the water would have been fixed and food brought in . I did send problems I saw in my room . I felt sorry for the staff as they where having to deal with guests with no back up.

Got breakfast at the station. All went well until I got to Leeds and my train home was cancelled. 2 hour wait for next one . Explained I couldn't do that and my HPX set off. But I saw on the board a station that I could change at to get to the city. The train was leaving in 10 mins so the travel assistance man got me on that took 2 hours but I was moving and that was important to me . Changed train fine funny enough one of the young women was who helped me in July she recognised me as I did her. Finally got home at 5pm . Left Harrogate at 10am.
Got to go and I have a class to go to but will be back . 😁

Good to know you had a great holiday Whiff.
How's this for an incentive to lose weight!?- I mentioned to my daughter that I was looking for a long black coat.
"Oh, you can have mine" she said "I never wear it". She bought it from Principles in Edinburgh some 20+ years ago. It's a beautiful wool and cashmere lined coat but size 10! Anyway I brought it home and brushed all the dog hairs off and will get it dry cleaned tomorrow. Then it will hang in my closet......probably for evermore!

I love stained glass! Whenever I’ve stayed at my partners he’s expected me to meal plan for both of us. This time I pointed out that my new eating regime means that I plan what I want to eat the following day which will be something I really fancy no matter how weird it might be. Sometimes like tonight it results in a meal that’s ok for both of us ( pork chops with lots of vegetables) but tomorrow I think I’ll just have fried egg on toast so he’ll have to sort his own meal out. He always eats breakfast anyway whereas I don’t eat till midday when I break my fast with banana bread or tea loaf. We had a coffee at The Granary on Monday after we had our covid vaccine at Boots and always think of you when we’re there.

Shirley well done with the weight loss

NanKate sounds like you have some lovely charity shops and good quality clothes in them . Glad you can find things you like . Living by the Thames sounds very grand . Hope you don't get flooded .

MayBee I had decades of being obese so I have embraced my flabby saggy skin . Don't have a full length mirror at home so it's a bit if a shock in hotels especially as they have more than one in the rooms I have stayed in . Remember I have met you and you are beautiful inside and out and you dress so no one would know if you have flabby saggy skin. You are lot smaller in size than me . Never put yourself down .

I started to diet in my early teens . Got to 11st . Then lived with my husband before we got married and put weight on . Of course he stayed the same could eat what he liked and not put weight on. When I got pregnant I ate for 2 big mistake . And didn't lose much after having my daughter. When pregnant with my son controlled my eating and with being sick even up to him being born lost a stone . But bad habits creeped in again . Lost weight after my husband died but it soon went on and more . It wasn't until 2017 and had jaundice and had 5 months of being seriously ill. Finally had no one dependant on me . I could finally live my life for me. I started to lose weight before I moved here and go to exercise class.

As I lost weight I couldn't see I was thinner . I know my clothes where to big . Only when my daughter had words about why was I wearing size 22 when I was a 16 did I buy clothes that fit. Used to be size 32. I own more clothes than I ever had . Infact had a clear out yesterday of clothes I no longer like or wear . So large bag and half for the charity shop so far. As not looked at my winter clothes yet.

MayBee you have worked out a plan that works for you . And thats what we all do here. Pears don't take short cuts by having weight loss jabs . We put in the hard work and never give up and our way is the healthiest and best way to do it . You have a great incentive to stay on the straight and narrow. You will be like a new woman with a new knee once healed and done all the exercises you have to do . When my brother had his hip done then the new hip socket last year he cried through the exercises but he wanted full movement in his leg and no limp. He still swims every morning at 6.30 for a hour then weights at home. He found swimming the best exercise for him . He swam before his original hip op and socket replaced but can do more lengths and is faster now. He's flabby and saggy in his swim shorts but doesn't care .

CocoPops glad you had a good UK holiday. Much to my surprise only put 1lb on. Weather wasn't very good . But that didn't matter. I didn't have my afternoon tea at Betty's.
Didn't realise it was such a hill to get into Harrogate from the hotel. Last year it wouldn't bothered me but since January I am not the same person annoys the hell out of me.
Harrogate was good as usual spoke to lot of people. Went to Ripon on the Tuesday, Knaresborough on Wednesday when it was market day. If I drove would have brought lots of veg. The cheese stall never since so much cheese and homemade butter in sticks by the size they must have been kilo. Those old enough to remember going into the grocer shop and large slab of butter and you had as much as you wanted and they patted it using wooden paddles into rectangle and wrapped in greaseproof paper. They looked like that.

Knaresborough cathedral was beautiful. The arts and crafts pulpit was amazing . There was stone seating along the length of both sides and it had taken a team of woman 5 years to make padded cushions for it and embroidered with the history of Knaresborough. Where people took communion the cushions to knee on had chalice ,wafers and flowers embroidered on. Stain glasses was amazing. I have been in York minister and Knaresborough is far more beautiful. The choir stalls had mahogany carving .
Went in lots of shops and had lunch as usual talked a lot.
Wednesday night at about 10.30 a water pipe burst in the kitchen and they had to turn the water off. Trip to loo at 1am toilet flushed but no water out of the tap but to tired to find out why. But of a surprise when no water once flushed loo at 5am . So put my coat on and went to find out why. Plus I needed some water. Luckily I fill my flask with water before bed. To take my tablets.

Hello everybody. I am home after my UK trip. Weighed in at 142lbs. today. I didn't put much on when away but piled on a few pounds when jet lagged and couldn't be bothered to plan meals and eat sensibly. No excuse now and need to to cut down on bread, rice etc.
I hope Whiff managed to get a table at Bettys in Harrogate. Battle on ladies.

It’s only the possibility of having a knee replacement in the near future that’s keeping me on the straight and narrow. In the past it would have been looking forward to a holiday abroad that would focus me or a wedding.

Well done Maybe70 for working out your own routine for weight loss and maintaining it. I think all of us on the Pears/Apples thread try to find our own path to weight loss and maintaining it. I feel so much better now that I am not lugging so much weight about with me.

Keep going girls.

I’ve maintained the same weight for quite a long time now. In fact I think I’m probably the lowest weight I’ve been for many years. I’ve stopped having sugar in coffee ( only had a small amount but it adds up). Having hot water when I wake up go for as long as possible before I have a piece of tea bread or banana bread with coffee with caffeine ( the only caffeine I have all day). Then have an evening meal. Plan that meal the day before and make sure that I have something that I really fancy ( eg had sandwiches containing parsley marmite and tomatoes yesterday; something I haven’t eaten for years but really fancied it). Then finish off with a treat of some kind. Sometimes have a turmeric latte later on but, in general try to fast after my evening meal. Because I’m not walking much I need to restrict my calorie intake and I’m being very strict about not snacking. If only I’d always eaten like this. I’m so flabby because of constantly putting on weight and losing it throughout my life .