I’m a Pear ? the sequel part 2 !

I feel that I'm a bit of an intruder here because I'm not a pear; I am definitely an apple.
In the past year I have managed to knock off two stone by sticking more or less effectively to a low carb diet. Recently I have had a problem digesting starchy food which makes it a lot easier to go low carb and I do feel the better for it. My knees are much less painful, but my left foot is arthritic which makes walking less of a pleasure than it should be. The fact is that my waist is about the same girth as my top and bottom and I have a spare tyre that looks as though it should be punctured! No. I haven't tried that yet. As you can imagine, I haven't done much in the way of exercise apart from a short walk down to the local co-op and back. I would welcome suggestions about the next step - another stone will bring me to my former 'fighting weight' - 10.7.

So glad boiler fixed Whiff?. Hopefully your brother and sister in law continue to recover. I'm with you on the vaccination. Of course it's not everyone who are not vulnerable or young but there have been some distinct voices saying they dont want the vaccine,why should they as covid wont kill them etc. Of course if it continues to run through society new variants will develop and we could all be back to square one!
I dont think the government would make it compulsory but as you say it could be more subtle things like not being able to travel etc that persuade people. I'm not surprised large companies such as supermarkets can insist, there is, or soon will be a long queue waiting for there job. It is concerning that they have had issues with care staff refusing jab. I cant see the bosses insisting though as they can barely recruit staff in first place!
I will say I think there is genuine fear for some young people. On of my colleagues on course ,who must be under 30 is having it this week. She was so grateful to speak to someone who had actually had the vaccine. I was honest and said I'd had Pfizer one but other than very slight tenderness no problems. Reassured her that at every stage they check you havent got allergies etc. Also reassured her that people do seem to have more side affects with Oxford one but if do just feel unwell for maybe a day and are fine. Also my daughter who is 30 had it and no side affects at all!
I think the Government need a really strong information campaign!

Hopefully the boiler saga is solved. Started making the noise and the engineer came while it was doing it. It was the diverter valve. He replaced it and gave the boiler a good check . Well worth the direct debit every month to Homeserve.

My brother and sister in laws isolation was up yesterday. But both not well so happy to stay home. Could have had their jab yesterday but have to wait for 28 days after having the diagnosis before they can book. Their surgery phoned Friday.

My Sainsbury's delivery man told me they have been told if they don't have the vaccine they will lose their jobs.

I think it should be complusory which I know won't be popular with some people. But I can see holiday companies not accepting bookings without proof you had it, same with mortgage companies and life insurance and maybe even car and house insurance.

chelseababy my mantra is its a marathon not a sprint. Took me decades to realise that. Be kind yourself. I found it helpful not to set myself a target I wanted to lose each week. Again spent decades of doing that and getting disheartened when I failed so I gave up. Tried all slimming clubs , crazy diets. Anyone remember the grapefruit and boiled egg or the cabbage soup ones. Only counting calories works for me. Even count them if I have gone over my allowance. But everyone has to fine what is right for them. If losing weight was easy we would all be 12/14. Lately my will power has gone walkabout. But I haven't given up. In April it will be 4 years since I started this journey. And if it takes me another year to get to 11st so be it. I love the new me. I actually wear trousers daily only started to do that the last few months. Before that only for exercise class and gardening.

Just decide how you want to do it. But if you know which foods you have no control over either cut out or down whichever feels right for you. For me it is chocolate, ice cream , biscuits and cheese. So I stopped buying them. Then allowed myself a ball of motzrella once every 6 weeks. I now buy a 400g block mature cheddar cut it into 8 and freeze it. Only use a cube for cooking eg lasagne. Swapped mince and sausage for Quorn. I alternate my dinners between meat/chicken or fish and Quorn. But that's me.

Others here have different ways which works for them. The support I have here has been invaluable not just dieting but in life generally.

Good luck with however you decide do it. Pears are a wonderful group.

Morning all! Weighed in this morning at my heaviest EVER! Raining here so my planned walk with friend might be off. Zoom book group this afternoon so that will be more sitting, though could try standing up. Wishing everyone lots of willpower today, most of all me.

I'm so glad your cake went down well Whiff, I thought it would ?. Thankyou for your kind words. Today was indeed better. I think every experience happens for a reason. After nearly 30 years in same job the CAB was a case of starting at page one. It felt overwhelming but we all did it! Same with this job! WFH is indeed a mixed blessing, no travelling and its handy for home comforts. At the moment of course it's safe! My SIL and several friends have been doing it for a year nearly and the novelty definitely wearing off! Certainly after my second jab and with all the precautions 8 would prefer to be in the office. One good thing is that once my laptop is shut down no work communications come through to private email/phone unless an emergency!
Hope you feeling better soon Nankate and hi to Fourormore and Chelsea.?. Its lovely that the nights are lighter, much cherries! Have a good week all?

NanKate that is painful. My friend suffers from it and has done for decades. She is 62. Hope the antibiotics work and you feel better soon. Losing weight is a bonus but it's a painful way to lose it. ?? Thank you about the cake. Think Hubert's story clinched it. Tasted delicious and added the calories to my daily total.

chelseababy the pears are a wonderful group you will find help and friendship I know I have .

Welcome back Chelsea - many of us are still here, still struggling, but. most importantly, still encouraging each other!!!
Have you seen the photos of Whiff''s cake? If we don't lose weight this week it's her fault as just looking at it makes your mouth water!!!
(I'm running short of excuses )

Hello I'd like to join in (rejoin?). I have been following WW on and off but without meetings/weigh ins, have lost my way. I'm going to give 16:8 a try starting tomorrow. I did dry January which made little difference. Thought Lent might encourage me to stop cakes, biscuits etc.

Love you cake Whiff

Been off the grid for 10 days as I have a re-occurrence of diverticulitis. It’s as you get older some people get pockets in their colon where food lodges and causes lots of pain!! Just spoken to Doc who is prescribing me antibiotics and says it should clear up in about 5 days. She has told me to continue eating very bland food.

The only good thing is that I have lost a few pounds (which I needed to do) and hopefully when I am back on track I will be back to where I want to be weight wise. Every cloud etc........

I hope you are all coping with the Lockdown and healthy eating plans.

Pleased to report Hubert and story a success. Both my grandson and daughter loved him. She helped out at vaccine centre the weekend said it was very busy. Enjoy the sunshine if you have it.

Dorset just pace yourself. I think you are very brave taking on all this new technology and a new career. At least you are safe at home and that is a great work environment. Both my son in law and niece have been working from home since March. They both say the same thing . They get more work done than they did in the office. My niece is very much a people person and does miss her colleagues. But at these she is still working. My son in law deals with a lot of overseas businesses so it's idea from home with time differences.

You are doing brilliantly and at least not under all that stress working for someone who didn't value you. ?

I think the cake looks lovely Whiff and I'm sure your grandson will love it?.
I hope you are okay Sisteract?
Its horrible when bad experiences rear their ugly head and now more than ever people seem to be struggling.?.
I heard something about a new slimming pill. I dont think any so far have worked very well, or have had nasty side affects. !
Have a safe and peaceful week everyone. I return to the self paced learning. We have an online support group which I think was a good idea as we were all a bit overwhelmed yesterday. We have workbooks but the reality is they should be done in conjunction with a colleague in the office. It will be fine! I will definitely structure myself better today. I got up later and logged on but once there didnt really stop as looking at things and was a case of I would just do this bit!
I will have breakfast before start and ensure have full breaks today. !!

Cocopops making a decision to maintain your weight is wise and by my calculation 129/130 is only 9st and a bit. I will be happy to get to 11st my target weight. I am only 5' 2' still be overweight but decades of being fat my skin won't go back and only surgery will tighten it up. I do not believe in unnecessary surgery. Waste of resources and money.

Disappointed with the cake. I made a video and told Hubert's story to my brother and sister in law who are both are ill with Covid it made them laugh.

Hope you get your vaccine as soon as possible. Hopefully I am in the next group.

Great to hear some of you have been vaccinated. Canada is a bit short on vaccines so my turn will be sometime between April and end of June hopefully.
Congratulations "losers".
Home made and decorated cakes are the BEST Whiff.
I've decided to try and maintain my weight at 130lbs (129lbs today) Really can't be arsed to subject myself to any fewer calories, especially during this reclusive life in the pandemic.

Hope this makes you laugh. This is Hubert the ugly train cake. The cake is delicious. But it's been a long time since I decorated a cake. My kids are 37 and 33. I have made up a story about Hubert and will tell my grandson it in the morning and hopefully he will take it home with him. I made it for him.

Good morning ladies?. Well done Shirleyw. How lovely of your daughters to send you flowers Whiff. My eldest sent a box of goodies to celebrate my new job which was lovely. My youngest socially distaced a bunch of flowers at the weekend!
I stayed the same which I expected but need to think ahead to warmer days and return to a working environment.!
I hope you have your jab soon to Whiff. I was very surprised to get the notification of my as group 6. I did notice when I was there a few people who looked younger than 60s/70s.
I wonder if the lack of of snow speeded things up?
It was interesting as our surgery keep us very well updated on FB. They did say that that would be starting the 60+ with underlying health conditions. I commented that I was 60 this year and so did that include me!
I do have a theory though. It was the Ffeizer one which we all know has to be used in a set time. For years I've signed up for text notifications for appointments etc. I got the notification by text which had a link to the booking site. The choice was very limited, a few that evening and some the next day. I do wonder if they had covered all the groups and obviously didnt want to waste it and so it was those that they could contact rapidly to fill the gaps? I know I've read some people who live close to surgeries are on standby. Either way I was extremely relieved and grateful.!
Finally stopped raining here,and promise of milder weather,thank goodness! I'd better set up my laptop. I have a consolidation week of training this week,which is a few online sessions and then mainly self paced units! I've done similar before and is quite a challenge !
Have a good week everyone?

Shirleyw I assume it's down its a loss well done. It's been to cold all week too do much. Apart from shiver and for me that's only been to put the bin out. Hopefully by the end of the week I will be doing my exercises and chasing my grandson round.

Be careful anyone going for a walk as the last thing anyone needs to do is break something. Just think how much a cast would weight?

Stay safe fellow pear's.

Morning all...I’m three quarters of a lb....Not been out walking about so much this past week just been far to cold for a decent walk. Not really ate any different though, oh I think I ate a couple biscuits and blue cheese Thursday lol....still, shan’t beat myself up on it....
Don’t think it’s going to be as cold this week. Have a good one guys.

Well done the losers and I'm in the stay the same group. Haven't done any exercise for a couple of weeks. These Kidney infections are taking its toll. Good job I don't buy chocolate or ice cream as the lot would be gone in one sitting. My daughter had some flowers delivered the other day as she said she wanted to cheer me up. I'm not really down . I just get annoyed with myself when I can't do want I plan. But the rest is doing me good. These antibiotics seem ok. But started on a course as soon as I realised I needed them . Don't know how long I had had the other infection before I started the last lot.

Many decades ago my old GP put me on slimming tablets. I lost weight but was hungry all the time . Found out why they contained amphetamines no wonder I was hungry.

I am used to being snowed in every winter until I moved. Had the tiniest snow flakes I have ever seen yesterday they settled but the high winds have blown them away. It's freezing . Guess what started making the noise again . Yep my boiler. Phoned Homeserve someone coming in the morning. Turned it off at the wall and back on noise stopped. But can't be without my heating. Had it on since 5 this morning.

Heard from my brother yesterday feeling a bit better but both have tight chests. Luckily they are still at home. His stepson who lives with them hasn't got it.

Be glad when it's my turn for my first vaccine. But as I don't need to go anywhere I will stay home. Haven't been to the shops since week before Christmas and only been to my daughter's, GP's or hospital. Home deliveries are so easy to arrange.

Hope you all have a good week ?

Fourormore well done,that is still a loss ?. Good point about covid vaccine,I will remember that when I step on scales tomorrow ?.

Hi Ladies

Oh yes Sarahmob it is bitter. We have had no snow but a very bitter wind. My twin phoned from Australia 29 degrees ??

What age do you teach Sarah ?

I’m pleased your family improving Whiff and my DH had vaccine on Friday just a sore arm.

I’ve lost a 1b this week which is the right way thankfully. I need to exercise more. My neighbour lost nearly a stone but is using a slimming tablet from the docs which I don’t fancy.

I was intrigued though by the slimming pill mentioned on the news and read Michael Goves wife been on it a year ! Need to do it without tablets ?

I am struggling a bit as I keep going over an event (10 years ago) which was very distressing and caused my to assess everything I knew. Not sure why now although it was a gradual thing from today’s date to July. I need to stop it, but time on my hands I’ve never really talked to anyone and am not sure why I’ve mentioned it now sorry

Have a good week

Good morning Sarahmob?. We have escaped snow and ice and only had a few frosty mornings but boy its chilly! My house is very well insulated and normally to warm but even I have turned the dial up a few degrees. My cats are like little weather vanes. Initially they are curled up on sofa but as room warms up they amble over to the radiators ?.
I totally understand your frustration Sarahmob! It's so hard when you've stuck to the plan and nothing happens. Usually your body catches up and you suddenly have a week when you lose slightly more. It also works the other way and I know people who have really not stuck with it but lost a pound only to put on 2lb the following week!
I cant remember which plan you are following. For me the old WW was always one of the best and I still use the recipes and basic principles. With the plan I was on with them the amount of points you could have reduced slightly as you lost weight. When you reached goal a fair bit of work was done regarding how many points you could add for maintenance.
It was definitely recognised as you got closer to your goal it got harder to see the regular loss experienced earlier. It's so demotivating?.
They recommended changing your diet a little by introducing a few different foods. I think it's also important to occasionally get right back to basics,after many months it's easier to get into a routine,maybe not measure portions as rigorously as did initially or not take into account a small treat. It may be the time is right to reduce calories by a small daily amount and that will make the difference.
It is hard at the moment when life is more stressful/tiring and cold weather seems to lead us to comforting foods rather than lighter ones. As ever it's a psychological game as much as a nutritional one.
It's often said that weightloss should be viewed as a permenant lifestyle change rather than short term solution. As the years have gone on I've realised the wisdom behind this.
Last year I was silly and went overboard on comfort eating and was home baking in extreme-and eating the results and undid all the good work.
It was definitely easier to eat lighter in the summer. I have managed to lose 5lb of the weight I put on. It's been trial and error. I've realised under no circumstances can I have certain foods in the house,especially if I'm stressed. I also recognise that feeling deprived of nice foods wasnt particularly helpful either. ! Oddly enough I would say that I'm probably following a maintenance plan at the moment. I'm not following a structured plan but the majority of meals I make are lower calorie. My portions are definitely smaller and I will question whether a really need mash/wedges etc with a meal. Frequently I dont,if I do it's a small portion cooked in healthy way. There are some things I wont compromise on. If I do have a sandwich i will only use butter. If i do want to treat myself it will be a real cake/pudding not a low calorie version. I often find low calorie versions very disappointing. I enjoy the real version but have it infrequently. Whilst training i often find the urge for something sweet at breaks. I think we all know how quickly biscuits can disappear ?. I now have high protein snacks such as measured amount of nuts or an apple with a tablespoon of peanut butter. Enjoyable and filling and no sugar crash! Skyr yoghurt is also a revelation!
I do have a substantial amount of weight to lose, but feel I'm heading in the right direction and my attitude to food has changed.
Good luck everyone ?

Another disappointing week here too - a loss of 0.2lb - rubbish!
A word of warning to you all - the Covid jab must weigh a lot !!!!
Good luck everyone and Happy Valentines Day to all our much loved strugglers in the Pears Club

Good Morning ladies,
Hasn’t it been a cold one this week? We’ve still got lots of lying snow/ice, so I haven’t been very far as it’s treacherous underfoot and I haven’t wanted to risk a fall. Watching the children at school on Friday as they enjoyed playing in it was as close as I’ll come to enjoying it these days.
My weigh in was a distinct disappointment, nothing lost this week, but at least it wasn’t a gain. I’m trying to be positive but finding it tough going at the moment. I seem to be denying myself so much of the foods I like and not getting very far, but I’ll keep persevering. When I started dieting back in July my target was 12stone by April, and I’ll hit that soon (I hope!).
I hope that you’ve all had good weeks. It’s lovely to hear about so many people having their vaccine and not having any problems. Wishing you all a great week.