coops

Hey all...sorry I have not posted for ages... been reading but not really in the mood to sit and type.
 
Tough times here in not-so-sunny Wales...
my friends' father, who was seriously ill over Christmas, died nearly two weeks ago and it has it us all hard.  He was a wonderful man - honoured by many and a local legend (in the true sense of the word, not the 'street' sense!).  What has been hard is staying strong for my friends (they are my second family) whilst their hearts and souls are breaking and I can do nothing to help.  Just awful for all.
 
On top of that my mother is really unwell, she is down to 91lbs and is soooo frail.  She doesn't want to eat and pretty much refuses to do so, even though she has been told by the doc to up her calories.  I have said for many, many years that she has an eating disorder and as I reflect over my childhood years, there are definate signs of that and I stand by my statement.  However, no one is listening to me and as she is at the age of 80, I am not sure that the doc will take me seriously, although I plan to have the conversation with him.  She has also started to repeat herself a lot so I am also worried about the on set of dementia.   My dad has gone into hyper worry and anxiety over her health - this doesn't help as Mam digs her heals in.. The problem is that he loves her too much and doesn't know how to deal with it... he is pretty much old school, at 71, and his nagging isn't good.  He has also been really poorly and is recovering after a knee operation - he will probably need a knee replacement op in the very near future.  Then there is my brother, who is living at home after his marriage broke down, and he basically doesn't give a sh*t.  
I have been to the docs wiht her several times over the last three weeks and there is no improvement in her health... this all started Christmas Day.  She sleeps a lot through the day and out of 24 hours, she is probably stationary or asleep for 19-20 of those hours.  Very worring.
 
On the food front... I have not moved into the 'excuse' eating and have done four good fasts over the last two weeks... however, on my 'feast' days, there is often grab and go food - some of it bad but most of it good to ok!  On the scale I have lost a pound so not happy but not giving up either. If I only had a few pounds to lose, then I wouldn't complain... but dear me!  I could probably shed 28lbs if my body would behave and let go!!
I have 3 nasty warts on my feet that are now giving me a lot of burning pain, to the extent of a limp some days, so my jogging idea has been dashed until I get them burnt off... which is in two weeks.
I think that some form of exercise will help me get through the stress I am currently feeling (it has really helped in the past)... and hopefully pick me up a little.  I am not giving myself a schedule but when the warts have gone I will go on the treadmill and do zumba in work when I feel my energy levels allow.
I have also been really suffering with constapation - and I am talking two weeks with no movement that ended in the need for laxatives, something I haven't had to do for a very long time.  So I am keeping an eye on the movements!
 
Also, I am in the middle of a 'proper' period... something I haven't had for nearly two years... I have a bit of spotting, probably 2-3 times a year over the last 4 years... but not a proper period.  Around the Christmas period, just after Christmas Day, I said to my husband that if I didn't  know better I would be seeing my friend visit - all the symptoms of the old days!  The three weeks later, she arrives.  I have to be honest, my body is a total mystery to me.
 
So basically, I am feeling very stressed and a little low at the moment... trying to work out a timeline in my head for when things may improve... but the uncertainty of my parents' health really causes me problems.
Luckily I have an amazing husband who is really looking after me (even though he has his own issues that he is dealing with at the moment - and making good progress, so kudos to him!) and two wonderful teenagers who also look after me!  From all this stress, I am really trying to find some light in my life.
 
Hope everyone else is good - and well done to those who are seeing movement on the scales!
Hugs from across the pond - and the border for Cathy... x

Gotta add my experience... I was in a stall for nearly two years; no matter what I ate, how I moved or any diet I could not shift a pound. Disheartened and fed up didn't come close to how I felt. I wasn't at goal and I really felt that my eight loss journey had ended.
The Georgia told us about the 5:2 and how it was working for her. I decided to try it, well, I hay tried everything else!
That was June... I have broken that stall and lost 10lb. Now, that might seem slow to some reading this, but for me it was amazing. I am now 3lb away from my surgeon's goal and when that day comes I will think about going for my personal goal, which will be an extra 14lb or so extra.
This, albeit slow, has worked for me... And even though I don't lose on a weekly basis, I am seeing results in measurements.
Sorry for the long post

Coops! Sounds like my last year....   sorry... this is not easy to go through, but happy to hear you have close family that is there for you. Take care!
My mom stopped eating much for a couple of years before she passed on...lost around 35 pounds and at the end she really hated eating at all. All she wanted were chocolates ... who can blame her! But not very nutritious... and acording to the 5:2 studies, sugar makes rats with dimentia decline twice as fast. (My mom had dimentia too) What can you really do but love them and hold their hands during this time. I just tried to make a connection every day with her... which was really lovely. I brought her art supplies to use, which she did, and brushed her hair.... used lotion on her hands and face. Sorry Coops, I know its a hard part of life.

Coops I have been thinking these past couple of weeks. I saw some Facebook messages about someone passing and I could not work out the relationship bit I knew it was someone close,{{hugs}}.
I know about the problems and worries about the mum, I have the same too. My mum is starting with the memory problem and it is a real worry. She is coming 84 and lives 200 miles away and I don't know what I'm going to do. I have spent the last 4 years looking after Kevin's mum and now it is time yo look after mine. I have family living close but it is me she seems to trust. I know she will need me in the next few months/ years and I will have to be there for her. She is my mum and looked after me so it is pay back but it is hard when I am so far away. It's hard because out of all of us 6 children I'm the one she thought least of but now it is me she seems dependent on. It seem ironic.

{{{{coops}}}} I have nothing to offer but huge hugs. Hang in there. <3

Gotta add my experience... I was in a stall for nearly two years; no matter what I ate, how I moved or any diet I could not shift a pound. Disheartened and fed up didn't come close to how I felt. I wasn't at goal and I really felt that my eight loss journey had ended.
The Georgia told us about the 5:2 and how it was working for her. I decided to try it, well, I hay tried everything else!
That was June... I have broken that stall and lost 10lb. Now, that might seem slow to some reading this, but for me it was amazing. I am now 3lb away from my surgeon's goal and when that day comes I will think about going for my personal goal, which will be an extra 14lb or so extra.
This, albeit slow, has worked for me... And even though I don't lose on a weekly basis, I am seeing results in measurements.
Sorry for the long post

You know, Sheryl, I do really find it amazing our much of the journey our minds play into it all. I believe someone said in one of the posts recently how crazy it is that we get down on ourselves with a small weight gain when we were OBESE before but I think maybe it also shows that we have turned the corner to true normalcy since I've heard others moan about having to lose weight and I would think, "Yeah, if I had that TEN POUNDS to lose..." ????. Now we are them! Ha!
And Sheryl I agree on the visualization part too. 140 is an awesome number. I was Really Proud when I reached my goal of 150 the first time but boy, something about being 139-140 was truly Awesome! So awesome I just gradually slipped up and added too much junk back in and here we go again!
BUT, what a great tool our sleeves have provided us!
Got a fast day in today. Not pretty and not as low as I wanted (685) but I held on!!! Ha! And returning to good eating patterns feels really good too
Glad we are all speaking up and helping each other out in the 5:2!

Well, where is everyone? Got in another fast day. Wasn't pretty but I'm claiming it. 685. Considering I CELEBRATED because I found out today I'm gonna get a bouncing baby BOY "grand" in June for baby #1! We all got to be at the ultrasound today and view that beautiful sight! Then we went out to lunch. Had a small piece of lasagna and one roll and very small other stuff today. So I'm happy with it and ELATED over my first grandson on the horizon!

Great posts all...!
Had a good fast Monday, a good 'normal' day of quality food not quantity! Attempted to fast today but totes failed... not in a junk food way, just too many good calories so I am not going to worry... will fast tomo! Gotta get this extra off...
My original goal would be 154 (I'm now 10lbs over that after xmas! Grrr) but I too would love, love, love, to see 140!

You are all so inspirational!
So, the mental part of "how much should I weigh" is interesting. I sort of laid down a line in the sand by intentionally getting down to 150# when i had plastics. I had been told that you really should keep your weight within 10% of your plastic surgery weight which gives me a rough range of "135-165" -- which struck me as a pretty reasonable ballpark for a 5'5" woman who has been morbidly (hate that word) obese or super morbidly obese (hate that word even more) most of my life.
I have been obese or overweight my whole life presleeve, with the exception of some fleeting moments of beautiful normal. So, I am freaking golden at 165 but I like 140 better. So, the mindset I have is that I am in great shape, loving my body even though I am pushing 160 right now. Instead of seeing it as a horrible I am focusing on what such a an awesome job I have done of maintaining since I have NEVER maintained weight loss for more than about 2 weeks in the past and using that energy to get myself back in compliance.
I try to keep alot of positive energy around this topic. I treat it like...woo hoo... I won a marathon race, lets see if I can just do one more mile.
I also visualize alot on the number 140. I truly believe that you should think about and "look at" where you want to be, not what you are trying to avoid. Having said that, I do still look at my before pix because it helps me love myself and be proud of what i have done even whilst I am resisting the urge to kick myself for letting myself get back up to nearly 160.
Having said that, yesterday was NOT a fast day, it was a normal day, and I feel like I overdid it. I am getting better, but having quite hit my old groove yet.

Great posts all...!
Had a good fast Monday, a good 'normal' day of quality food not quantity! Attempted to fast today but totes failed... not in a junk food way, just too many good calories so I am not going to worry... will fast tomo! Gotta get this extra off...
My original goal would be 154 (I'm now 10lbs over that after xmas! Grrr) but I too would love, love, love, to see 140!

Denise, I really feel for you - back pain is the worst... I suppose you just have to follow the doc's instructions ... take care of yourself.
 
 
 
 
I finished my fast day yesterday just over but I am calling it good... I caved to a small piece of toast with my evening soup...just needed to chew something!

Yey Cathy!  Good for you... Monday I focus on food.  I had NSV of sorts today... I had to baby sit for a friend (her dad is back in hospital) and on the way back they brought a McDonalds home - they offered me something as I hadn't eaten all day and I refused!  I then sat there whilst 5 of them devoured their Big Macs and shakes... and it didn't bother me one bit!  How cool am I?  lol

Good to 'see' you Georgia!  Yes, I am with you as of next week.  More poundage due to grazing over Christmas... and it all has to go!  Bring on 5:2!
I have been thinking of the last year... starting this year at around the same weight which isn't good in my  head... but I realise that I have really slacked off with exercise.  I have become lazy and seriously lack motivation.  I have to get that back.  I know it won't 'melt' the fat away... but I want to feel strong again!

The husband made me exercise today!  My Dad has a good treadmill, so I did 30 mins walk/jog whilst Steve used the exercise bike.  God! I have lost my fitness...breathing was ok but the ole leg muscles were burning... at least I've made a start!

Fasted today, came in under 500. Made the pizza too... was a little soft in the middle, but I think I can modify and get it closer next time. The flavor was great! I swear thinking about making/eating that pizza got me through the day!

Hi Stacy,
I am just over half way there and I use my before and after pics to keep me motivated, especially when I am in a stall ... I am real slow loser but I am losing...
Here goes, hopes this helps...
[
this was the day I went in to hospital 2nd July 2010

this was the end of June 10

last week

side view!!

this is this week at 32 weeks post op, my most recent pic
Like I said, I still have a fair bit to go, but when I look back and am pleased with the progress so far... I look forward to sharing goal pics!!

Hi Everyone, I have had a lot of life changes and I need to get back to taking care of me...so I'm back and I have not been on the 5:2 plan and have found that I've gained lbs from my 142.5 lb low. I am now at 156 lbs since the holidays. I can now eat so much more, not because I'm hungry, but because it tastes good. Gotta stop that. So I have been trying to get back to the 5:2 and each day I sabotage myself. So today I am focusing on eating just Protein, decreasing portion sizes and eating no sugar. I am a sugar addict and I need to get this under control.
In the past i found everyone on here was very helpful so I'm back....I love this group and I have missed everyone. Thank you for reading and letting me share....

Yey Cathy!  Good for you... Monday I focus on food.  I had NSV of sorts today... I had to baby sit for a friend (her dad is back in hospital) and on the way back they brought a McDonalds home - they offered me something as I hadn't eaten all day and I refused!  I then sat there whilst 5 of them devoured their Big Macs and shakes... and it didn't bother me one bit!  How cool am I?  lol

I'm in too - like Georgia, it will be next week; either Mon or Tues will be my starting point... got some extra xmas pounds on top of the over the bounce, so this is now very real for me too! Stupid thing is though, my clothes still fit?
I am also gonna get my head around exercise again too. As I look back over the last year, I have become lazy and lack motivation... this has to change! I want to be strong again

I'm in too - like Georgia, it will be next week; either Mon or Tues will be my starting point... got some extra xmas pounds on top of the over the bounce, so this is now very real for me too! Stupid thing is though, my clothes still fit?
I am also gonna get my head around exercise again too. As I look back over the last year, I have become lazy and lack motivation... this has to change! I want to be strong again

Ah our sisters from across the pond are leading the 2015 5:2 charge....woohoo!
I have had a lot happen last few weeks. Had an amazing new years eve special night out. It was one of those "this kind of magical night never happened when I was obese"
I am oddly in a weird mood. Well, I know why but not sure what to do.

Yesterday I had a fast day and came in at 520 calories (I even logged the 4 nacho chips I pinched from my son while in the cinema). First thing this morning I got on my elliptical and did 2 miles, I was hoping for 3 but I am not fit so will have to aspire to that. So far so good.

The husband made me exercise today!  My Dad has a good treadmill, so I did 30 mins walk/jog whilst Steve used the exercise bike.  God! I have lost my fitness...breathing was ok but the ole leg muscles were burning... at least I've made a start!

The flu is mostly gone... but may sneek into the lungs yet... a little cough now and then. Husbands looking sick now... hope its just sympathy! Good fast today, I feel confident I can finish it off under 550.