UK/Europe/Middle East/ex-pats et al — August

[Mimosa23]

Hello Everyone!

Thanks Cindy for checking in with me, I needed the break from here and the internet for a while to focus on work and life.

Next time I decide to do this, I'll let you know first before going off like this!

It's been a hectic time, had a lovely two week holiday and then I couldn't get on here anymore from work (a good thing, LOL) so I decided I would use that as a motivator to stop posting and start living a bit....

BF and I found a wonderful house together and are moving there 1st of November. We are very excited, and the house is absolutely perfect!

For the rest, work has kept me very busy, and so has my health. My darn eye has caused me more worries, and I'm again recovering from a nasty infection. This is the second one since my hospital stay in February/March, so I'm getting pretty annoyed with the whole thing. It's taking my positive energy away, and I'm feeling a bit hopeless about it all. Hopefully this time I'll have a few months of respite!

Weight loss: weeellllll..... At least I haven't gained much! I'm back on track doing a modified JUDDD/Paleo/LC which is doing wonders for my energy and hopefully my health! I need to get my immune system back up to where I can live eye infection free!
So I'm eating more calories on my DD's on doctor's orders, and have taken up walking in an almost obsessive way, LOL! After one week, I'm feeling great! I've also added a daily fast from 8pm to 11am, to give my body the chance to heal. So far, I think I'm doing well...

I will try and catch up here today!

Lola: I wanted to send you my deepest condoleances and let you know that I'm thinking of you... xxx

[Kissa]

how lovely to have you back. Sorry about the eye issues still causing you problems.

JUDDD and Paleo will help I am sure. Did you see the Horizon programme on intermittent fasting.

[Mimosa23]

Originally Posted by Kissa

how lovely to have you back. Sorry about the eye issues still causing you problems.

JUDDD and Paleo will help I am sure. Did you see the Horizon programme on intermittent fasting.

Hi Cindy!
No, I didn't see the programme, can't get BBC here in Germany!
I read the book 'Six weeks to OMG' by Venice Fulton, and am incorporating that into my JUDDD lifestyle. Have done so the last week, and not sure how much I've lost, but I can see my body toning up and I've noticed I've got better skin and more energy already.
His plan is not so crazy as they are making it out to be in the media; low carb, exercise and fasting... What's so bad about that????

[Kissa]

I'll try to post a a link to it that worked for the US, may not work in Germany though!

Are blowing up balloons too? Reference OMG.

[Mimosa23]

hahahahaha!
I'm blowing up balloons and I'm taking a cold shower in the mornings too, LOL!
The blowing up balloons is funny, my BF has joined in for fun sometimes which has resulted in us getting the giggles... Also good for stomach muscles, LOL!

I think the main thing to take from the OMG book is the exercise and rest before eating thing. It really makes a huge difference! Noticing more energy and clearer head for starters... My tummy is toning up too, and that after one week...

Because my immune system is shot, I'm focusing more on the evening to late morning fasting and not so much on calories. I'm trying to get the best nutrients possible into my system and not even a grain of wheat, sugar or sugar substitute has passed my lips since I started. Was difficult with BF enjoying some nice jaffa cakes the other night, but I just kept my focus...

The cold showering (I hate bathing so I do the shower thing) is lovely at the moment, it really wakes me up and gets me going for the day, and with the current heat (37 degrees here on the weekend) it is great!

His book does not tell me anything radically new, but helps put things in order for optimal health and fat burning. His methods aren't all conventional, but I don't think they are super weird either, at least for people familiar with Paleo, LC and intermittent fasting it makes perfect sense!

[lola5k]

Nice to see you back Mimosa.

Well everything went really well yesterday and over 70 people showed out for my Mum so that was lovely. The flowers that I ordered for her were fantastic I was so happy with them. Had a 5ft spray made with over 100 roses, sweet williams and carnations +++ ...best flowers that I have ever ordered as usually I seem to get ripped off with Interflora and florists. They are now sitting on my back lawn for us to all enjoy as no point leaving them behind to get chucked.

Well first day back on JUDDD...so on a down day today and hopefully soon back to normal with things. (apart from admin lol).

xxx

[Kissa]

Amin going on around me still. even as I write.

I am so pleased it all went well. It is so good when the flowers are what you hoped for. I am often disappointed when I order them.

My home is in chaos, with furniture in every room after emptying our bedroom for the floor sanders tomorrow. I don't do well in chaos.

[lola5k]

Kissa ha ha...you and me together I do not do chaos....in no shape or form. My garage is like that at the moment with all the stuff from flat and house...

You will love it all when it's done though.

[Kissa]

Absolutely. I wish I had my lovely SIL, Mint's DH here, he is brilliant at keeping me focused on sorting and cleaning. He is amazing.

[blotto76]

Lola, so pleased the funeral went well with such a good turn out. Hope the brick hasn't hit you too hard now it's over.

Kissa, hope all the sorting is going well - a horrible task I'm sure.

Mimosa, nice to see you back, congrats on the house and sorry about the darn eye. Hope the eating is still going well.

Blondie, yay to the size 8s!

Mint, not sure I like the mixed up words, but that's just my opinion.

Shy, Jan, Juno, Ailurios - hello!

Just back from 5 days off for Eid, back at work now and swamped!

x

[Kissa]

Ironing done, haircut next. Trying to ignore the noise of the sanding machine. It is going to look nice though.

[Blondie Baby]

Back to reality today. First day of Eid kids and I went to see the movie Brave and loved it! Then Monday their dad took them to Dubai so DH and I had a couple days on our own. Nice to have some alone time! Hated going back to work today. And of course, nothing worked right! System was down most of the day, which I would ordinarily love, but we are absolutely swamped due to so many people in the office being on leave!

Lola - so pleased that all went well. Flowers sound gorgeous!

Mimosa - Nice to see you! Sounds like things are going well. Hope you get the eye sorted out.

Blotto - Thanks! I'm quite happy!

[Kissa]

Wow, Maryam, look at you, so lovely and slim!

[Junoesque]

Hello all! Nice to know you're here and apologies for being missing in action for a while. I have good excuses

Lola - oh, the flowers sound gorgeous. I'm really glad the funeral went off well. Not to mention gain-free drinking. Silver linings and all that... Still. Hugs. I know how unpredictable the emotions are around such times.

Blondie - well, hugs too on having to go back to work you don't want to do So glad you and Blotto had a fab Jamaican Iftar!! Thought of you when Lufthansa started bombarding me with ads for great destinations e.g. Dubai... *sigh* bit beyond my budget at the mo.

Blotto - how wonderful that you made it over to Blondie's - isn't the 21st century amazing in terms of possible new friends??

Kissa - oh, I hope the sander episode is short and as sweet as it can be - the only time I got up close and personal with one of those, I was wielding it myself. My hands and arms took nearly a month to recover!!! Aargh. It does look soooo gorgeous afterwards, it's worth it.

MIMOSA!!!! Hellooooooooo!!!! I am still aiming to land an audition somewhere near you, all the better when you have a nice new house with the BF :-) - meanwhile sorry about the dratted eye, don't forget to eat lots of garlic for the health/immune system. I love this sunny weather because I can combine the two things I swear by - garlic and yoghourt - with a bit of cucumber and salt, to make tzatziki. NOM!!!

Mint, well I have to admit I'm reluctantly with Mimosa on most business examples of made-up words (although obviously I'm a bit of a hypocrite since they often amuse me no end in literature - Joyce and Gogol come straight to mind). Fascinating area, though. Handed a good book on that to a business friend of mine whom I'm seeing tomorrow - will have to let you know the title as it was very interesting. I am sure this will be a great speciality for you, and it's very much needed in the business world!

Please, if I missed anyone, I apologise, but I really need to ask RIGHT NOW what the deal about blowing balloons up is? I am rather amused as I am invariably the designated balloon-blower-upper before any party!!!

And hello to any lurkers. Come on in, the water's warm!!

OK well so long as you all promise not to tell my mother - because she wouldn't understand why I wouldn't rather go back to England for a few days - I had the most glorious week in France with Ze Lovair. Who is a LOT younger than me, six five, absolutely beautiful, owns a run-down pile in northern France (shutters occasionally falling off, plumbing nineteenth-century, mostly no hot water downstairs and no cold upstairs!!), drove me up there, took me to Mont St Michel and St Malo and an island which had a RAINBOW from one end to the other - unbelievable!! - wish I could show you some photos more easily. FRENCH FOOD!!! YAY!!! Ohhhhh there was one evening when he took me to a wonderful restaurant. Escalope de foie gras with peach and balsamic; lamb from the salt marshes, with everything you could possibly wish for; cheese plate; mi-cuit au chocolat, all washed down with an immensely cheerful Brouilly... may I just say, how WONDERFUL it is to know I can eat a glorious meal without ANY guilty thoughts, secure in the knowledge that I can low-carb my way out of any negative consequences!! And, interestingly, that my natural bent is towards what is low in carbs. I seldom eat the bread, even when it's free, which is saying something as I am not wallowing in money right at the mo.

And since, have been swamped in wine fests and barbecues (I did a birthday one on my "private" Rhine beach, similar to last year but hoping to avoid the debauched consequences). Fun. And I was grown-up enough, when the first friend arrived and poured me a glass of cold Sekt, and my stomach said, nooooooooooooooo, not yet, to down a litre and a half of Apfelschorle (wonderful stuff, just apple juice and fizzy water) before drinking any more. Damn, does this mean no more drunken birthdays? Hmm. Probably not.

I know all the wine etc is hindering the flattening of my belly. However I am really very deep into the feeling, powered by the death of my father just over a year ago, that life is there fore living. Rejoice in the good bits, change what you can of the bad bits, pass gracefully over the rest

Love to you all; thank you for being there!!

Juno x x x

[blotto76]

"Life is there for living. Rejoice in the good bits, change what you can of the bad bits, pass gracefully over the rest"

Such wise words Juno, and ones which we should all adhere to! Life's too short to worry about the little things. Bottoms up!

x

[lola5k]

Oh Juno you have such an exciting life I WANT IT lol. Great with the Lurver la la la....and very wise words. I am sure once I get off this kinda non descript planet that I am on at the moment just chugging along in 1st gear I will untilise those words.

Well my mini goal was to get to 10st and I am now officially 10st 1lbs...so nearly there. I don' really want to go much lower than about 9st 12 anyway as I will start to look scraggy so maybe a couple more pounds and I will be happy. DD lost 10kg since May on Dukan so she really got the motivation and has done fab I am proud of her.

Hope that you are all OK...sorry for no big personals as I said I.m on this unknown planet at the moment...still more or less dodging the 10 ton truck though it did scrape me on the side a little last night.

Take care everyone xx

[Kissa]

Before I forget Mimosa, You can see the Horizon prog Eat, Fast, Live on You Tube now. Also on one of the JUDDD stickies.

Juno you crack me up, I love your life too! And a belated .

Lola, you are doing so well on the weight front. At times like this it is so easy to turn to food for comfort. 10st 1lb is wonderful, you rock.

I think maybe that unknown planet is a safe haven for you just now. Sending you lots of hugs.

[Mimosa23]

Hi All,

Kissa, thanks for the tip, I will go watch it this weekend!

Lola: sending good thoughts, hope the unknown planet is a nice quiet place for you for the moment.

Blondie: thanks for the welcome back! You are doing amazing!!!!

Katie: Have been slyly checking up on all the goings on with you... A loooovverrr???? OOOOO!!!! Enjoy!!!!!!

Everyone else I missed: hope you are well!

I'm off to Holland this evening till Sunday. Won't be a relaxing weekend, but I'm sure it will be fun! For the rest, I'm doing well. Will check back in after the weekend, have a good one everyone!
xxx

[Kissa]

Have fun!

[blotto76]

Lola, hope you're still dodging that truck, and well done on the new low - 10st1, woo hoo!

Mimosa, hope you're having a good time in Holland.

Blondie, are the kids back now? Hope you enjoyed the peace without them, but bet you're glad to have them home.

Juno, when is your next trip to loverville?!

Hi everyone else!

Not much to report here - just busy with work and training - BORING!

x

[Blondie Baby]

Kissa - Thanks Habibti!

Juno - I want your life! Sounds like you are having a lovely summer!

Lola - on 10st and

Mimosa - JUDDD was really working for me and then Ramadan came along and that just kicked my weightloss into high gear! I'm pretty pleased! Thanks!

Blotto - Yeah kids came back Saturday. Enjoyed my quiet time but really missed them!

Work is crazy busy, as usual. Back to working out so that's good. Haven't been on scale lately but plan on jumping on tomorrow. Pretty sure I gained a couple pounds over Eid, but nothing huge. Time to get serious again. Today is my first proper DD, so far so good!

[Kissa]

I am enjoying the end of a not too greedy Up Day with a glass of red wine and some chilli chocolate, in front of the TV. All is well with my world.

[blotto76]

Hmm. I really keep wishing I could make JUDDD work. Keep thinking about giving it another go, but at higher levels for my training. It's such a fine line to eat enough to give me the energy to survive all the training, but I do want to shift a few pounds to help the training, if that makes sense!

x

[Kissa]

It is tricky to get everything just right when you are training so had. It may work to go higher, one of the JUDDDers who is a speed skater is doing this I know. Sorry I can't remember the name just now..

Just had a really busy day putting our bedroom back together again after the floor sanding. We had to wait until after the bank holiday to get a couple of chaps to help us move the big furniture.

It is a DD and I must have worked off a ton of calories, now looking forward to Thai style cabbage with crab sticks for dinner.

The scales are back out of their hiding place (DH didn't realise he was putting them away, but the furniture stopped me getting to them) so I have to face them in the morning.

Hope everyone enjoyed the bank holiday...

[janj]

I'm a bit pressed for time, but wanted to pop in and say hello and give everyone a hug Sorry no personals, but I've just got up to date on the recent posts and loved reading everyone's news.

I have been absent for a little while. Not sure why. I have been feeling a little 'low', even though I have no real reason to be! I think those of you close to my age can maybe relate - 50 and in full blown menopause......and with kids grown I find myself wondering, "What now?" and feeling blue.....

Sorry if this is self-indulgent and negative.....I will bounce back but wanted to explain the break.

Maybe I just need a kick up the backside and to get back to work!

PS Confession #2 - really haven't been bothered to count calories - must do better on that front as a couple of pounds have crept on recently....

[MintQ8]

Just a quick check in. Not sure why I've been absent - just have!!

We're moving again in 3 weeks - so that took/is taking some time.

I've got the work in the Blue Mountains - but otherwise working on website and course material - and trying to pluck up the courage to start marketing!!!

Hope you're all doing well!!

[blotto76]

Quick check in from me too - Jan, sorry you are feeling a bit down - hope it passes soon.

Mint, congrats on the Blue Mountains job!

Kissa, hope the scales were kind.

Have a good weekend all!

x

[Kissa]

Hi, the scales were kind, 125.

Vicky hope the Blue Mountains are fun. I love the look of the new apartment. What is happening about the Manila option?

Back in London for a few days.

Hope you have a good weekend Blotto, not training too hard.

Jan it is funny how we have these ups and downs. You have had a lot of changes over the past year, health and family wise. The menopause, well, it ain't fun.

[MintQ8]

Not sure what's happening with Manila at the moment. Not sure how much coverage you saw in the UK - we saw practically none here - but they have had terrible rains and floods - people dying, businesses being flooded etc - so I think a Training Needs Analysis may not be high on the list!

Still JUDDDing - jut not very well!!! UD tend to be too high - and DD are around the 35 - 405% mark - never mind - I'll get there again. Just keeping it going is better than giving up.

Okay - off to play on website and course design...

[Junoesque]

Dear Jan - BIG hugs!! Haven't quite got to the menopause yet, although it could leap out at any time, but totally understand the philosophical blues. At least it means that you're thinking about the Big Stuff, which is actually the best start there is. Who knows where you go from here? Good luck with the journey. x x x

Mint - ooh, congrats on the Blue Mountains gig - I have an online friend in that area, so I looked it up - and WOW, how gorgeous!! Hope that one is wonderful. Yep. Manila not too hopeful. Fingers crossed you get all the work you need.

Kissa - congrats on the 125!! You are, as always, fabulous. Enjoy the Big Smoke!

Blotto - bottoms up indeed!! I have absolutely no idea why you feel the need to lose any more weight, but do let us know if the JUDDD works out for you. I am considering some version of it after reading about the 5:2 fasting in the papers - would appear that this works. Well, yes. Low carb works, too. Last couple of days not too good on that as middle-of-the-night cravings are seldom satisfied by low carb stuff (DRAT THEM) and I have been awake too much.

Blondie, how did the weigh-in go? Good on you for getting back to serious business after Eid.

Everyone else I missed - hellooooo!!

Well I am feeling a little bloated tonight but that's really no wonder as I snarfed a huge schnitzel - WITH chips (they always come but I usually leave them) and erm a couple of beers... My excuse was that I cycled through torrential - and suddenly FREEZING - rain beforehand, and really needed the warmth. Except I would have actually loved a low-carb alternative. Struggling a bit at the mo, what with wine festivals and cooler temperatures and all sorts of fried wossnames. Plus the season has re-started and I am trying for auditions, and unlike everyone else in the WORLD, I am currently, it would appear, neither fat enough nor old enough for the jobs going - AAAAARGH!!!

I rather think the schnitzel etc was a reaction to the weather rather than the stress, though - on the whole I'd rather look younger and slimmer, and have a little less work (although, a LITTLE less, Universe, a *little* less...).

Love to you all!!

Juno x x x