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Innocents Abroad

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  1. I'll try again - sent this earlier and the whole thing crashed on me!!! Welcome Tag and WOW - well done you !!! [:D] Would you mind telling us how you achieved such a brilliant weight loss?  I'm sure that I speak for many (the 'usuals' and the numerous 'closet' dieters who read this thread) when I say that it would be not only very interesting but also very inspirational to hear your 'story'.  Do tell [:)] Lynda x (In fear and trepidation of clicking on the Post button again [:-))] )
  2. Well done Maggie - what an excellent start! [:D] [:D] Can't stop and chat as I'm making jam at the moment - trying not to lick the spoon is driving me nuts! [6][:D] Lynda x  
  3. [url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/w2G2UEv/] [img]http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/w2G2UEv/weight.png[/img] [/url] Well done Joy - good for you [:D] And HURRAH - I've lost one pound too!!!  Finally, I've broken the plateau - though it's not really been a plateau as such as I haven't been trying these last few weeks.  To be honest I'm not really sure how I've managed to lose anything this week either as I've certainly not been counting the cals, though I have done 30 mins on the cross-trainer every other day.  I rather suspect it's dehydration from all the booze I've drunk recently - but hey, if the scales say I'm a pound lighter then who am I to argue [:D] [:P] Only 8lbs to go .... [:-))] And if anyone is trying to buy shorts in size 12 on eBay then forget it - I'm just a size 12 shopaholic [:D] Enjoy the sunshine! Lynda x  
  4. Many thanks for all replies - really helpful [:)] I will sterilise all the jars but the Mrs Beeton 'way' I referred to was to put the jars with their contents into hot water/the oven, and that's what I was a little unsure of.  Now totally clear about what I'm doing and off to the shop to buy lots of booze.  Might try a few different types and see which we like best (hic!) [:D] Thanks again for all your suggestions. Lynda x  
  5. Would like to preserve some of our abundant cherries and bottle them in brandy or similar.  My question is do I need to do the hot bottling method as described by Mrs Beeton, i.e. putting them in a hot oven/hot water for a period of time or can I just go ahead and put them, together with some sugar and the aforementioned booze into sterilized sealed jars, as per a recipe I've just got from Google?  What does anyone else do? Thanks, Lynda  
  6. Very well said Jan - I'll definitely second that! [:D] Lynda x  
  7. Welcome from me too Maggie, great to have you with us.  Mmm, I do sympathise with you, it must be very difficult to have to eat all those gorgeous sounding goodies when you're trying to cut down, especially when, as you say, your guests are on holiday and want to eat scrummy things.  I suppose that might be the answer, i.e. you're not on holiday and simply cannot eat such luxurious things all the time - though I understand that it might be difficult to eat differently to your guests. Though if I was one of your guests then I would fully understand.    If the guests have specifically requested a certain menu then you shouldn't worry about eating something different, i.e. they have made their choice and, from the sounds of it, should be very happy in deed and not be worried about what you're eating.  Perhaps rather than dazzle them by eating something completely different that might tempt them to request it for themselves, have something very simple looking for yourself?  Or perhaps offer your guests a large green salad with starters/mains/cheese and bowl of fruit with dessert and just tuck into yourself and avoid the naughty things?  As a final resort you could simply tell people you have a dairy/wheat allergy - or say that you are having to lose weight under doctors orders - that usually shuts people up [:D]  Whatever you decide to do, if you want to lose weight then something is going to have to change.  You either stop eating with your guests - perhaps too extreme(?), have something different to them, or have the same as them but very small portions - and then smear it rounjd your plate to look like you've had lots (like wot I used to do at school when we had semolina for pudding [+o(] [:D] ).  Oh and by the way, please can I have the recipe for the white chocolate tiramisu - sounds divine [6] Fiona and Joy - well done [:D] [:D].  As you have said, one pound at a time ... and suddenly it's a stone! Jan, please don't be disheartened, I'm sure it's just one of those silly little blips - usually a water retention thingy - and all will be well next week! Getting bored of saying this now, but no change for me again - but had a brilliant weekend with friends [6] [6]  One of the highlights was going into a lovely frock shop (the lady makes all the clothes herself) and finding a STUNNING skirt which would be ideal for the wedding (daughter's next Feb) and she said she can make me a bustier and little jacket to complete the ensemble.  The reason for me telling you this tale is that prior to my weight loss there's just NO WAY I would have been brave enough to try it on.  As it happens it was an (almost) perfect fit and exactly the right length - and I'm 5'10" so heaven knows who she had in mind when she made it!  All the items in the shop as samples so everything is made 'bespoke' and we've arranged for me to go back in September to start the process.  Hopefully that will now get me kick started again so that I can shift the final 10lbs - and then keep it off during the summer months!! Lynda x  
  8. Hi Abi, I've reused kilner jars and also reused the rubber seal, providing it is still intact and doesn't show any sign of perishing.  If you have a dishwasher then a cycle in that will ensure your jars and seals are sterilised, though let them dry naturally and, as you say, use them whilst still hot.  The other way is to put them in a warm oven for a period of time - think it's about 15-30 mins but I'm sure someone will correct me if that's not the case. Incidentally, I used the little wax bits that you melt and seal your preserves with for the first time last autumn and it was brilliant.  I was worried about getting it off when I came to open the jar for the first time but just a little push and the whole thing tilts up and lifts off very cleanly. Hope this helps [:)] Lynda  
  9. Well, what an absolutely brilliant week - well done everyone! [:D][:D][:D][:D] Sadly I'm going to let the team down as I am the same weight again this week.  I did count cals for about four days but went off the rails a bit at the weekend - and I'm having problems cutting down on the old Pineau and vino at the moment [6] [:$] (hic!) Got a couple of friends and their husbands coming over for the weekend so can't see me losing this week either.  Feeling positively good though - lots of clothes now too big and feel very confident in shorts - even in tankinis [;-)] - and have actually bought a couple of bikinis but might need to loose the last 10lbs before I feel brave enough for those [:-))] Tell you what, despite what I've just said about not losing this coming week, let's make a pact and see if we can have a week where everyone (apart from those on holiday [:)] ) loses something - no matter how little - and I'll have a Trojan effort and only be gluttonous during the actualy weekend (and not a couple or three days either side and use the weekend as an excuse [:$] ) And here's a little thougt for the week.  Many moons ago I enrolled at yet another slimming club and there was a guy who also enrolled during that same week.  The following week we had both lost weight - 1 lb each.  I was totally downhearted and couldn't be bothered going again the following week.  A couple of months later I decided to give it another go.  The guy was still there and that very evening was celebrating his first stone lost!  Had I stuck with it I could have been celebrating my first stone lost too.  Instead I was still at square one, two months further along, and nothing to show for it.  And the moral of this little tale?  One pound a week might not seem like much, but in a very short space of time it becomes lots of pounds! You are all super-stars !!! Lynda x  
  10. Hi Fiona and a very warm welcome!  I think I read your post a little too quickly or it might be that I've got my dieting head on but I imagined that you were going to some sort of weight watchers stype meeting - in a Chinese restaurant - with lots of wine flowing [:-))] Obviously I quickly realised my mistake  [Www] Anyway, best of luck for your first week with us - what sort of 'regime' are you going to follow?  If you've been following this thread then you'll know that I'm a calorie counting fan.  I've been having a few weeks off - having lost 22lbs since the 2nd January - but I've now got the bit between my teeth and am raring to go again. 10lbs to go - watch this space!!!! Hey, when I get to my 'goal' weight I'll even post some 'before' and 'after' photos [:-))] Other Jan - you are a STAR [:D] - I'm so proud of you! Have a great week Fiona - and everyone else! Lynda x  
  11. Brilliant Joy, really well done!  [:D]  You must feel really motivated now and the exercise will definitely help.  Keep up the good work! As predicted, no change for me this week.  In fact, I was rather pleased that I had stayed the same and not gained!  We've had a lovely week with daughter and fiancee, catching up on their wedding plans and talking colour schemes and flowers and dresses and stuff!  If anything is going to keep me motivated till next February then this is it!  Anyway, am now seriously back on the cal counting and just about to go and have a cross-training session with Michael Flatley [:D] ... now, where did I leave my long curley red haired wig? Hope you've had a good week too, the Jans!  Jan in the UK and Other Jan wearing your shorts! Till next week Lynda x  
  12. Well Done (other) Jan!!!!! [:D] [:D] I knew you could do it - and get those shorts on girl !! Joy, when I use the cross-trainer I have an old video player in the same room and play 'dancey' type vids.  We happened to have Lord of the Dance (Micheal Flatley doing his Irish thing) and also Burn the Floor (some amazing dance routines - particulalry the Jive section) on video and they are just BRILLIANT to watch and very motivational when doing any sort of exercise that could otherwise be boring.  I'm so into it that only last week I got a really good deal for two Riverdance videos - for the princely sum of £5 I think it was, and that included postage!  I think I'm going to have to stop wearing the black opaque tights though - bit too warm in this heat [:D] L x  
  13. Happy Birthday Joy [:D] As I said last week, "No Gain, No Pain"!  [:D] I'm the same again this week though I perhaps ought to mention that I haven't been cal counting for the last couple of weeks so I'm not really 'dieting' at the moment - just fancied a bit of time off for good behaviour!  We've also been without a kitchen for the last week and a half which isn't really an excuse but it is difficult thinking about weighing and measuring evrything when one is 'camping' in various bits of the house!  Daughter and fiance arriving tomorrow so lots of food and wine this week - though still no kitchen (they were supposed to turn up today - but that's another story!).  Don't expect any change next week but from next Monday onwards it will be full battle on to get rid of those last 10 lbs! (I know tracker thingy says 6lb to go but I'm going to change it next time I have a loss to record - which WILL be in two weeks time!! Have a good week everyone Lx  
  14.   WELL DONE JOY - HURRAH FOR YOU!! [:D][:D] And Jan and Other Jan too!  Like you I've had no change this week but my motto is "NO GAIN, NO PAIN" !! [:D] Before our dog Ben had his knee operation we used to have an hour's vigorous walk every day but I'm afraid that's now a thing of the past. (He's on the mend but only had his stitches out last week and the vet says it's going to be a good couple of months before he's going to be anything like back to normal).  To compensate for this I've started doing a 30 minute session on our cross-training machine.  I try and do it every day but it's probably averaging about five times a week.  I also do 2 lots of 100 crunches on one of those cage thingies.  It's really making a difference on my tum - and I can now do 100 in less than two minutes [8-|]  My theory is that if I keep up the exercise then it means I can eat (drink [6]) a bit more ! Tell next week ... Lynda x  
  15. Hi Other Jan.  Do you mean that you're a bit of a yo-yo dieter; loosing it for a while and then putting it back on again?  I hope so becaue if you've been really dieting for 40 years then you've definitely been on the wrong diet! [:D]  The salmon thingy sounds postitively dangeous - you didn't really lose 5 kilos in two weeks, did you [:-))] Sorry to be flippant but it really sounds like you need to get in control of you're eating - and, from what you're saying, it actually sounds like you're not eating enough and that's why you're not losing weight!!  I've mentioned it before but if you don't take in enough fuel then the 'fire' will go out and will stop burning up your excess body weight.  Jan, the fact that you've been "dieting for 40 years" suggests that you've bounced from one 'diet' after another and had periods in between of 'normal' eating and over indugence eating, i.e. the yo-yo dieting that I mentioned earlier.  So, here's a suggestion: stop dieting all together!  Instead, decide on how much fuel your body needs each day (and, trust me, it will be considerably more than probably what you think it should be, based on what you've said) and then control your eating to ensure that you take on board that amount of fuel.  Buy a calorie counting book or use an on-line facility (see the excellent website mentioned by La Vette) and weigh and measure everything you eat.  It may sound a pain to do but you very quickly get used to it and start to recognise what your portions look like.  You can eat exactly what you want to eat (salad dressing, glass of wine, etc etc) but you must make sure that you're eating up to your fuel allowance - but no more!  So, not dieting, just sensible, controlled eating.  When you've lost your excess weight then you can gradually increase your fuel consumption to a steady 'holding' rate.  If you do this Jan I GUARANTEE that you will lose weight.  I too was a yo-yo dieter (I have photos of me from various parts of my life that would make you cringe) so please don't use the excuse that your metabolic rate is all wrong.  Once you start to eat sensibly - and the right amount - then your metabolic rate will get back on track.  The only situation where this may not occur is if you have some sort of medical issue and I'm assuming that this is not the case. Please don't be down hearted - you really can do it if you have a plan. And I look forward to you ditching the "hopefully" from your sign-off line! [;-)] Lynda x  
  16. The website is: www.dadamo.com - no apostrophe Thanks ianf - not heard of this one.  May be good for others but think I'll stick to what I know works for me [;-)] Lynda  
  17. Did ya miss me [:D] Oh dear, oh dear!!!  Now come on girls - is this a thread about dieting or is this a thread to see how many excuses we can think of as to why we've not lost weight?  [:$] Sorry if that sounded a little harsh - call it hormones or whatever you want, but I just get SO frustrated for you because you clearly WANT to lose weight - (well, I'm assuming that you do or else why would you be adding to this thread every week??).  Now, what has occurred to me is that none of you have actually said HOW you're going to lose weight - other than read books about it and drink apple cider vinegar (sorry again!). So, come on, here's your challenge.  If you REALLY REALLY mean it about wanting to lose weight, tell me - and everyone else reading this thread - what 'regime' you're going to follow to enable you to do it.  Hopefully, it will be something sensible and will include eating less calories (not necessarily less food!) but it really doesn't matter at this stage as long as it's a plan.  I was going to add at the end, "and you stick to it", but if you don't then it isn't a plan anyway. There, I've had my rant - and I truly hope that I haven't offended any of you because that was not my aim.  I've tried being nice and polite and I've tried giving you motivational thoughts but this week's lethargy was just too much!  So shock tactics it is. I just want to help you to achieve your goal - but you have to have a goal and a plan to start with, and not just a prayer and/or keeping your fingers crossed. I did get on the scales this week and I have stayed the same, ie I am still 22lbs lighter than when I started on the regime on the 2nd February.  I'm really not trying to be smug, but ask yourselves how much you have lost since you started posting on this thread.  Yet I too have gone to dinner parties, and restaurants, and eaten the odd bit of chocolate, and certainly had lots of wine, and am menopausal (as you can probably tell from this posting [:$]) - so stop kidding yourselves ladies.  If you want to do it then you can! Blimey [:-))]!  I think I now need to go and lie down in a darkened room.  "Best place for you",  I can hear you say! I guess after this the answer to my first question will be a resounding NO [:P] So, unless I get struck off by a forum moderator for being so inflammatory, or start getting 'hate mail' for being so mean, till next week .. Lynda x (lighting the blue touch paper and standing well back)
  18. [url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/w2G2UEv/] [img]http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/w2G2UEv/weight.png[/img] [/url] Welcome back Joy!  Hey, one lb isn't too bad at all and, as I said a couple of weeks ago, it won't be actual fat [+o(] but just a bit of fluid retention - honest! And here I am as living proof!  Not only have I shed that pesky 1lb but I've also lost a further 2lbs [:D][:D] - and I had a birthday at the weekend which included a couple of bottles of champers (hey, any excuse!) and a lovely meal out on Sunday lunch!  I will never tire of saying it - Cal Counting Rules - OK!!! So m'dears, what can I say/do to get you motivated?  I once saw a film where someone said to someone who was trying to stop smoking (and not succeeding very well), "You are either a smoker or a non-smoker.  Decide what it is that you want to be - and be it!"  It's a bit different I know, in that you can become a non-smoker instantly!  Well, perhaps not so different - because YOU can become a person who IS going to be 1lb lighter next week! I think Mr Motivator's job is safe for another week [;-)][:P] Ah, here's another thought - though not for the faint hearted and it does come with a parental warning.  A couple of Summer's ago I used to have to smear the inside of my thighs with vaseline [:-))] as they got quite uncomfortable when I got hot and, let's face it, sweaty [+o(] and they used to chafe.  I vowed I would never have to do that again.  Just a thought .... [;-)] Lynda x    
  19. Sorry, slightly off topic but just wanted to let you know that Ben came home last evening and is well - all things considered!  Looking a little sorry for himself but otherwise the patient had a restful night.  Jezzie, our border collie, and Holly, our cat, have both been fussing around him like little nurses [:)] I too am going to start the ACV regime - I actually quite like the taste of vinegar so am doing without the honey.  Not sure it's going to replace my pre-supper Pineau though [:P] Lynda x  
  20. [url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/w2G2UEv/] [img]http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/w2G2UEv/weight.png[/img] [/url] Well done Other Jan, I'm really pleased for you!! [:D][:D] I'm intrigued by this Apple Cider Vinegar malarky, not from a dieting point of view but from a 'relieving all that ails you' point of view.  I had a look on the website last week - can't remember if it was you or the Jan that's not the Other Jan [blink] but I found it quite interesting.  I might give it a go myself - though there seemed to be a lot of confusion about whether you should take with with baking powder or not.[8-)]  This probably sounds like a dumb question but is Apple Cider Vinegar the bog standard Cider Vinegar that you buy at the supermarket (cider being made from apples and all that) or is it some other wonder potion that's probably very difficult to obtain? No change for me this week, i.e. still that pesky lb of 'fluid'.  Actually, the original lb of fluid has probably gone now but was replaced by another lb of fluid which was consumed since last Tuesday [:$] (our frinds didn't go till Saturday [6]).  I'm looking at it as simply putting the weight loss 'on hold' for a week[;-)].  However, the counting cals started again yesterday so looking forward to a good report next week. Bit worried at the moment as our lovely dog Ben (the one in the avatar) had surgery this morning to repair the ligaments of his back right knee.  We're no strangers to this procedure as he had the same problem with his back left knee last September!  We phoned the vet, as instructed, at 3pm fully expecting for them to say that he was fine and could be collected at tea time.  Instead, they said that he was still not really awake and to phone again at 5pm.  She then said that if he was still not OK they would keep him in overnight - or words to that effect (think I'd stopped really listening by then and was imagining all sorts of gloomy things).  I'm probably being totally over sensitive but you dog lovers out there will know what I'm talking about. Anyway, to get back on topic, wonder how many calories are used up by having a good old girlie sob [:(] Lynda x  
  21. [url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/w2G2UEv/] [img]http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/w2G2UEv/weight.png[/img] [/url] Mmm ....  eat Cadbury Creme Eggs and lose a lb!  The Cadbury Creme Egg Diet?  Yep, definitely has possibilities [:D] Well done Joy!  Told you that little bit of excess would just melt away - didn't think it would take the form of a chocolate fountain though [:D] Well, as predicted, I haven't lost anything this week and weighed in 1lb heavier this morning.  Note that I didn't say 'have gained 1lb'.  I'm not sure if technically it's any different but it sounds better.  The thing is, it is simply not possible to gain 1lb of fat in just one week; it will just be a bit of fluid retention - OK, red wine retention then!! [:P]  In truth, given the amount of food and alcohol that I've consumed I'm secretly delighted that it's only a 1lb!  Though interestingly, son and girlfriend both noticed that we are now drinking a lot less (even though we thought we were letting our hair down) and that I was serving up much healthier meals (even though I didn't think I was!).  So there you go, once you get into the habit, it becomes second nature!  We've got friends with us till Friday so will try not to be too bad, but we've both said how much we're looking forward to getting back to the regime of controlled healthy eating.  Do you think we're turning into dieting anoraks [geek] Till next week, Lynda x  
  22. [url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/w2G2UEv/] [img]http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/w2G2UEv/weight.png[/img] [/url]   Welcome back Joy - 600g gain isn't so bad and I'm sure it will just melt away over the next week! No change for me this week but that's hardly surprising given last week's loss.  Actually, the scales did show that I've lost another lb this week but I had a tummy bug yesterday and was quite sick so I'm putting it down to dehydration. Will probably be a bit suicidal next Tuesday as we have son and girlfriend arriving today and with us till Saturday and a couple of friends coming over for a long weekend.  Much eating and drinking will be done [6] - though still not feeling my best so may take a day or so before I get my proper drinking head on [:D] Lynda x  
  23. Hi berkey.  We live in Bellon which is quite near to Chalais so obviously Reseau Pro is good for us.  You're not that far away from Chalais but I don't know if there's anything else further north of you.  We find Reseau Pro really helpful and I think the main guy does have some English, though it's probably best to look up some of the words relating to the thing(s) that you want.  Sorry, don't have any info on mini-digger hire, though I'm sure they'll point you in the Right direction at Reseau Pro.  Hope this has helped - even just a bit!  If we can help further then please feel free to get in touch. Lynda  
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