coops

Sheryl, just dawned on me - my hubby is Steven - only with a 'ph' - Stephen... so I am seeing a 'Steve' tonight too...lol... sometimes with his shift pattern and my work commitments we just manage to see each other once during the week... life can be so fast! Well, after a week of not eating properly (did get two really good fast days in) and not having much of an appetite I am really hungry today and looking to fill my face with whatever I can! Obviously, I am getting better... headache all but gone which is a relief and not as tired - did have a nanna nap but that is the first nap in the day in 3 days. Just want my energy restored and I'll be happy!

Denise, it is fab to see you so happy - this Bill really does sound like a treat! It is great smiling from ear to ear isn't it! Glad things have been sorted for you... happy days, I has all come together for you my lovely!

Georgia, 'ole gray mare' - I love that ... dunno why,

OMG 110lbs - that is 7 stone 8lbs in Brit speak - that is soooo small. I am 155lbs at 5 2 at I just cannot see where I could even lose 45lbs - I just don't know where it would come from and besides, I think that would make me look old, ill and frankly frail - not the look I am going for...lol. I know it suits some and that is fine. I think the most I could lose and still look nice and not too old is 125? Dunno it is that long since I was that light I don't even remember how it feels... However, regardless of weight I love the perseverance - and can completely relate. When I was in my longest stall (remember that time when I didn't lose weight for nearly two years and it almost drove me crazy) I never gave up, well, not completely. So, fair play to her.

CGJ - lower BMI *sighs*! lol!

Good to hear from you Kelly - the menopause really does one on your head doesn't it... Kim posted the link; thanks Kim! I downloaded the book last night and have started to read it. I want to get it read and understood by the time I go back to see the doc to discuss my options. I really don't want to go on HRT and reading about what the extra estrogen does if it is not needed is a little scary! I am starting to feel a little better - I ate yesterday without feeling too sick and my dizziness has pretty much gone. The headache is coming and going and I have a little more energy, so things are going in the right direction. Might even attempt a walk later or tomorrow!!

Oh I teach 'high school' or as we call it comprehensive school - ages 11-16 boys and girls. My subjects are English literature and language and Media Studies and I love it!!! I did go for a promotion to become Progress Manager or Head of Year; this is a pastoral role in the school where you are in charge of the whole year group and basically looking after the welfare and behaviour of the pupils. This is a part of the job that I am really interested in and want to learn more about. I didn't get the job 'cos it had already been ear marked for another person, but I went for the interview and made the right noises. Might get some Assistant Progress Manager experience from it... I can tell you one thing for sure though, regardless of the outcome I wouldn't have even applied for the position 4 years ago! No way would I have the confidence to go for the interview at my heaviest weight!!

Hey Sarsar... I doubt my students are missing me...lol... I can be a task master in the class room heheheee. I too have spent a lot of time doing nothing and I think it has done me good - to slow the pace as such and focus on trying to feel well. WOW - how cold is it with you... I was moaning and groaning about being cold today and it isn't even in minus figures here... bloody hell, I can't imagine how cold -30 winds would be!! Stay warm my lovely!

Dee, any news on the move - are you in? Nearly in? Been thinking of you and wondering how you are doing.. I bet you can't wait to get back to 'normal'!! xx

Cheers Dorrie... I reckon those healing hugs are better than any form of medicine. Good on you for detoxing - damn sugar is in everything isn't it... such a hard food source to deal with. When I get a sugar craving I have a cuppa with sugar in it - I usually have 1/2 - 1 teaspoon anyway, and I might take a risk with two...lol... but seriously, I do find a cuppa helps. Sometimes I also get some dark chocolate, that sometimes helps. But then thinking about it, it might make things worse? Anyway, you gotta do what is right for you my lovely.

Thanks Kim, I'll have a look at the link. I have to go back in two weeks to see her about this bloody menopause, so I'll mention the cream then. Doc said that it was probably a severe virus that has wiped me out... and the menopause symptoms have just made me feel worse... Congrats on getting to the lower end of the bounce range - I'm getting there slowly too - just need to get the last pound off before I can say surgeon's goal... please let the scale be kind to us both!

Wanda, I didn't say I was skinny etc...lol... that is what others say; well in response to photos it is skinny, in real life it is small or tiny but I am only 5'2'so I do 'look small' against a tall bloke like my hubby!! For me to be healthy is going to be how I 'feel' and there is no real number on that... but yea, like Florinda says, to be able to do certain sports and doing them well is a good indication for me. I don't think I will use the BMI as a hard and fast measure because for me to be normal and at a 25 BMI I would need to weight 138 and below - 138 would be a BMI of 24.9 - that would mean I lose another 15lbs... not sure that will happen and I won't be up set if it doesn't. My aim is to get - to surgeon's goal - to say that I have... after than is to weigh and stay under 11 stone - 154lbs, so in American speak to be in the 140s...lol. What about you? What is your ultimate goal - weight? Size? Fitness? I know we are all different. On a side note I have a friend who weighs between 133-140lbs and she is a UK size 8 US size 4 - she doesn't 'look' her weight, she looks lighter. So, yea, weight is not the ultimate way to measure success!

Well done on getting that pesky scale moving down, remember slow but sure wins the race... good for you for keep going. You are right about weight being subjective - and yes, I often think that we do forget where we have come from because we are so focused on what we 'haven't' achieved eg not at weight goal; not in the goal size jeans; not running that marathon and for me; not looking like Lara Croft! And yes, I understand where you are coming from...I too get frustrated to hear people who have lower weight than me and in the past I often let it get to me... I don't do that now. I can't and won't let others influence how I feel about myself. Although others might say I am small/tiny/skinny bla bla bla, I know that I still need to get rid of more, ok, not a lot more but as I age I want to be at a healthy weight and a good fitness level to get the best quality of life that I can... does that make sense. We are all in this together... and although I've said it before, I really appreciate the friends I have made here because they understand where I am coming from. I think you are a star too... you don't let anything get to you, or get you down. Your glass is always half full and I love that. Enjoy your 'journey' because you are living it in techno colour - you'll get to where you want to be because you are doing all the right things. Good luck with Curves, I am looking forward to going back - it really did work wonders for me and I lost so many inches even when the scales didn't move and I am sure that you will do the same... xx

I took HRT a few years ago - tried patches and tablets and didn't get on with them; they made my 'moods' better but didn't help with the hot flushes and I bled a lot. Doc wants me to reconsider taking them again which is why I have to go back in a few weeks. We'll see what she says then. I might look into herbal alternatives? I'm not making excuses here, but this thread moves so fast and goes on and off topic a lot - perhaps that is why others didn't comment? Dunno? But I often read and don't respond as I have nothing to offer or nothing positive to comment on. You know we care my lovely... xx

Just got back from the doctor - she seems to think that the way I am feeling now is due to a virus and the tiredness is exaggerated by my menopause symptoms that have gotten worse. Had some bloods taken to check hormone levels and I have to go back in a few weeks to see if there is anything they can offer me to help; the hot flushes are back (have been for a while) and getting worse. It is nearly four years since this started and it is a complete pain - I just hate feeling out of whack like this!

go and double check - I can remember seeing a few, me included! xx

Thanks Cathy... isn't it awful that work consumes me even when I feel this rough! I am worried that if I go back in tomo I will get dizzy - still happens if I move too fast - in front of the kids! I'll have to ring them later this afternoon to let them know. How are you? - Congrats on your new low by the way! How cool is that? Will you stick at your original goal weight -it won't be long before you get there - hugs back to you my lovely x

Good Morning all - I've been around, just reading and thinking. Florinda, I completely 'get' where you are coming from... I've just come out of a frustrating time feeling like I am wasting my time with no rewards but like others have said, what choice do we have. Good for you for getting rid of the regain, that has to be a good feeling. I suppose we just gotta keep on keeping on and knowing we have this support thread helps me too. I've not been very well, and I'm still not 100%. I had a funny turn in work Friday morning and was sent home. I had a severe headache, sickness and dizziness and that stayed with me I also had pins and needles in my lips; I thought it was a migraine. I slept most of Friday and the weekend. Monday and today I am off work and I just have no energy at all... my headache is still here and I have a dull ache behind my left eye and I just feel exhausted even though I have done very little. I have tried to get an appointment to see my doc, but no luck yet - I will ring again later. Although the symptoms are like my usual migraine ones, I usually get an aversion to light - but not this time; no problems with light, reading or flashing lights. It is probably a 'virus' or some such generic complaint. What is worrying me the most is the lack of energy or inclination to do anything. I am knackered after making a cuppa. Not sure whether I will be in work tomo or not yet?

Yes Cathy - I agree - those 160s are soooo close!! Didn't intend to do a fast today, but it has been a semi fast and I haven't felt that hungry or bothered about food - last meal last night was around 7pm and I didn't eat today my lunch 'til until 1.30. This is the first time in many weeks that I haven't wanted to eat on a feast day. I'd say (haven't counted officially) I've had in the region of 800 cals. Didn't do Insanity in work today as planned but I did go swimming this evening - haven't done that for ages! I have to say I really enjoyed it too - gonna go again next week. Insanity tomo in work, even of I gotta do it on my own!!! I am finding it weird that my rings on my fingers are really loose but I've not lost any weight and my clothes are the same! Normally my ring size is an indication of weight loss and or size... I tell ya, my body plays tricks on me!!

yo vent away my lovely... that is what we are hear for! I too would feel cross if there was a lot of junk food in the house. When Steve had his sausage and chips -yes like french fries only thicker - I left the room... went and plucked my eyebrows. Once they'd finished their food, I had my porridge! but it was hard!!

Dee - if you saw a blurr running around in the south Wales region it was me doing my headless chicken impression...lol... what a great place to wake up! And yes, Kin, you do look DEE-VINE! I'm fasting today - so far so good, but hubby is cooking sausage and chips as we speak! Damn his fast metabolic rate! I think I'll have some porridge later! I haven't gone back to Curves yet (although I am doing other exercise) and I am starting to feel bad about it - I am paying the membership after all - but I am finding it hard to get up and go! Must. Get. Back. To. Curves.

Sarah, that is amazing results - amazeballs! Good on you m'lovely! *turns green with envy* x Dee, I would post a pic if peeps didn't mind - not sure I would want to post it on the main threads, but here I feel 'safe', if that makes sense. Dont get me wrong, my tummy area is way better than it was! I dunno, perhaps it is me being daft!

Whatever era... you look sha-mazing!!!

Oh as a side note, I have to book an appointment to see my TT surgeon for check up, I am 10 mths post op now and I'll book it for next mth... I still have a little lip over the scar line and it is really bothering me... I hope he offers to sort it out but I have a feeling that I will have to pay, and I just can't afford it! *sigh* Don't get me wrong - the whole tummy area is so much better than it was before, and I am glad the apron has gone.. but this little lip really does my head it - I know it is pathetic and I've tried to talk myself down, saying that it is only me who can see it etc... I dunno - perhaps I just have to get over myself...! lol

Quick update from me - two good weeks of 5:2 fast days, plus some low cal in between days and a few cheeky carbs in between that. Overall a good 2 weeks back in the seat and the scale is still top end of my bounce range - not happy about that! I really need to see some movement down to at least my lowest because I am getting p*ssed off and frustrated again. Oh and a few pages back I said that I felt as if I was on 'run up' well, my lil friend showed up again... what is going on? My hormones really do seem out of whack again - been a little teary too but for no apparent reason... nothing to set me off or upset me and I hate feeling like that! There is stress in my life but it is nothing new - work, teenagers kids, hubby, etc. Nothing to 'tip' me over the edge as such - so it must be the hormones making me teary? Anyway, in good ole fashioned Coop-styleeee, I refuse to give up and accept that this is it.... I need to get below 154 (11 stone), especially since I am such a short arse! I suppose it is a case of keep doing what I am doing and wait for my 'rewards'! Glad I have this thread to come to - to read and share everyone's experiences. Thanks girls!