Poppy

Jan your right tuna, egg and lettuce is nice, dressing on lettuce unfortunately just olive oil and lemon. Diet is a variation on a 3 day face lift diet by Dr Nicholas Perricone. I tried it a couple of months ago and lost weight for the first time in five years. I continued for more than three days but this time intend to get his book which gives a 28 day diet. You can view the 3 day diet at www.nvperriconemd.co.uk Added bonus is a glow to the skin. The Other Jan

Ironed sheets seem to be a requirement of gite owners but I would like to hear what the holiday makers think.  Do you notice whether the sheets have been ironed or not ? Jan L in the L

Thanks for the positive vibes Jan and good luck with the gyno next Tuesday.Good to hear 'things' are getting sorted, keep us updated with your progress. Ive been good today tuna , boiled egg and lettuce for lunch but unfortunately have had an aperitif. Definitely just pork salad for dinner and NO WINE. The Other Jan

Can really sympathise Jan. Thought I had something like an ovarian cyst until I went onto the salmon and lettuce. Just had steak and chips followed by a slice of very creamy gateaux. Thanks for the reminder Alexis to defrost salmon for tomorrow. Seriously though Jan what treatment are you getting for the cysts. The Other Jan Lost in the Lot

Aileen how did you guess what Ive been wearing for the last few years. Good job I am lost in the Lot Thanks for the input Alexis afraid hubbys meals consist of one huge course of meat and two veg. The two veg being mash and roast pots. On the positive side he doesnt bother with dessert so no excuse to buy them. Last month when I lost kilos for the first time in years I substituted pots for lettuce. Definitely up for it on Monday will buy lots of lettuce this weekend and ignore comments about my nose twitching. Just got to keep thinking of that little black number we will all be wearing on Christmas Day. Dare I suggest we all agree to post pictures. Jan Lost in the Lot

Oh dear it is always easier when husbands aren't around. Mine is 5ft 10 and weighs 58 kilos and couldnt put weight on if he tried. It's so unfair and obviously he does not understand - keeps saying just eat proper meals. Will eat 'properly' tonight roast chicken etc, steak and chips tomorrow, roast pork on sunday. Trouble is have to keep cooking like this for hubby. Apart from divorce has anybody got any suggestions. Dont think he would agree to do the cooking. I can't drive so he does the driving. Jan Lost in the Lot

Oh dear it is always easier when husbands aren't around. Mine is 5ft 10 and weighs 58 kilos and couldnt put weight on if he tried. It's so unfair and obviously he does not understand - keeps saying just eat proper meals. Will eat 'properly' tonight roast chicken etc, steak and chips tomorrow, roast pork on sunday. Trouble is have to keep cooking like this for hubby. Apart from divorce has anybody got any suggestions. Dont think he would agree to do the cooking. I can't drive so he does the driving. Jan Lost in the Lot

Thanks for the push Janey. YES DEFINITELY MONDAY. Got to do something situation is getting very silly. As soon as I read your email and conditioned myself for Monday I rushed to the Auberge for lunch. Feel like a squirrel stocking up for Winter, cheeks both ends are starting to look like I'm ready for hibernation.  Sort of good to know we all feel the same. Hope its just post holiday depression. Like Naps said its a vicious circle but we will have to focus on how good it feels when we do lose weight. I know the low carb diets are drastic but its the only diet I have been able to lose weight on. Time to get research hat on. Jan Lost in the Lot

Back from holiday and like everyone else soooo fat. What did we eat? I lost 3 kilos in the month before hols and put it all back on in 2 weeks. Finding it very difficult to get into thinking diet -lots of pieces of chocolate to finsh and hate to confess I just bought it yesterday. Does anyone else feel the same. Jan Lost in the Lot

Ask at the local Mairie if they have names of exterminators. Jan Lost in the Lot

 Hello again Catherine - As I am lost in the Lot I have thought about a sans permis. They are more expensive than conventional motors but cost probably outweighs the benefit. it just depends on why you cant drive. Have you decided which region of France you would like to live? Perhaps if you could let the Forum know members in that area could give you more detailed information. I'm sure somewhere in France that suits can be found. Jan

Sorry Clair didnt mean to sound flippant in last posting, just wanted to try and make you feel a bit better. There is always one every season. Did they know you lived on site? Jan

KathyC you took the words right out of my mouth. I was just about to make a posting about a lovely small town near us called Prayssac. Houses on the outskirts are in the 'country' and the town has all amenities, including a bus service. Most facilities are much better than in the nearest large town Cahors. I'm sure there are similar small towns throughout France. Dont want to digress but where did you live in Shropshire. Jan Lost in the Lot

 I agree with Eslier, dont worry two people can often do more damage than six. I'm sure it will be OK and you do have the deposit. Jan Lost in the Lot

Transport in country areas of France is very poor. Check out the bus routes before you commit yourself to a property. Jan Lost in the Lot PS Not being able to drive is why I'm lost in the Lot

Know how you feel Alexis. Ive lost nothing this week and I have been good. So upset had a chocolate muffin this morning but back on track for lunch. Ive got another twelve days so will persevere. Have a battered cod for me, and have a great holiday.We will have another go when you get back. I remember seeing something about changing eating habits every couple of weeks as body gets used to eating plan and metabolism slows down. Getting technical and couldnt get my head around it but if no loss next week will look into it. Jan Lost in the Lot

Don't know how but can always tell when trouble has arrived. Used to be able to pick up the same scent during telephone calls and put them off, but email has changed all that. Jan Lost in the Lot  

We have lived in France for 16 years. For many years we did not have a holiday but 4 years ago we rediscovered Spain. We drive to the Costa Brava in May and September each year for about 10 days. Then in December we drive to southern Spain to escape the French winter. The prices are so cheap in Spain that we reckon particularly in the winter,when you take into account heating costs, that it is cheaper to go away than stay at home. France is a beautiful country, but in our experience French hotels are much more expensive than equivalent Spanish ones. Jan Lost in the Lot and sometimes Spain

Yes well done Janey. That small.stuff will soon start looking big. Jan

Janey - Thanks for info on the wine. Afraid today has been a bad day  got invited to the Auberge,didnt do too bad on the food but had aperitif, 1 glass wine and a digestif. Well you have too , havent you!!!!!!!. Will be good tomorrow. Well done on your loss, you did lose nearly a kilo last week as well. Jan Lost in the Lot

Have you tried your local DRIRE ours was very helpful with a 16 year old Nissan. Thnk it cost us about 65 Euros for the Certificate. The magic ingredient is the metal plate under the bonnet which has all the car details. Let us know if we can help further. Jan Lost in the Lot

Just can't believe it , have lost 3 kilos in one week. Haven't been able to lose any weight for 3 years. Thank you everyone for the tips and support Did have a couple of glasses of wine on Saturday and Sunday wasn't going to have any yesterday but bit of a drama and I needed a drink. Haven't had any coffee, read that it raises levels of cortisol and insulin - hormones that accelerate aging and store body fat. Never knew that before but weight gain was after menopause so perhaps lack of coffee has adjusted hormone balance. Getting a bit technical for me but it has worked this week, see what happens next week. Alexis - A new grandson is definitely a good excuse for having a drink, and you have lost some weight. Congratulations on both. Jan Lost in the Lot

Thanks Polycarpe for the info on the porridge. The Detox Diet said that instant oatmeal rapidly raises blood sugar, but old fashioned oatmeal is slowly absorbed by the body. Guess that's why you don't have mid meal hunger pangs. Good luck everyone with tomorrows weigh in. Jan Lost in the Lot

Thanks Janey for the tip about small.thing on the wardrobe door, brilliant idea. Im sure ypu will get into yours next week. Thanks also for info that Atkins allows wine, can you have coffee? Well done Polycarpe 14 kilos is a huge weight loss since May. Very interested in the fact you have porridge. I have just done a 3 day detox diet and that included oatmeal for breakfast. It states it must not be instant.,what kind of porridge do you use? I said diet but there was so much to eat daily I probably only ate half the amount. It did give me unbelievable energy and a kick start to what you describe as a new way of life. Like Janey said we just need to be good, with ocassional treats. Jan Lost in the Lot

Yippee  have lost weight for thr first time in 3 years. Spotted a Detox Diet in an English mag. Consists mainly of melon salmon and blueberries but I had to get strawberries here. It lasts for 3 days and this is the third. Felt really awful yesterday, guess that was the detox, but have unbelievable amount of energy today. Just got weighed and have lost 1 kilo and 1 inch from waist. Cant believe it. Like Janey said it has taught me to be good, and given the incentive to be good for next few days and then do diet again next weekend. So happy but wont celebrate with a glass of wine. Strictly limited to weekends now. Jan Lost in the Lot