No way

 

Current weight: 13 2

Weekly loss: 3

Total loss: 3st 4lbs

As you can see from the picture, it wasn't just expensive peanut M&Ms I brought back from London. Monday I had a sore throat and thick head - I thought I was getting a cold. It didn't once occur to me that it was COVID. On Wednesday morning, feeling pretty poorly Mark suggested we test. Sure I thought - it's just a cold. And I nearly fell off the floor when it was positive. In 3½ years, when virtually everyone I know got it, I never did! I was proud, it felt like a badge of honour. My immune system must be platinum star. What happened? Maybe my immune system is lacking after having my surgery? But I am truly gutted! Like, proper, gutted! And yes, I'm feeling very sorry for myself because I feel crap too. I was supposed to be going out for supper Wednesday night, obviously had to cancel. And Saturday I'm volunteering at our bouncy castle community event in the local park. Not if I'm feeling like this! Letting people down. It's poo and poo again. I make a terrible patient, just ask Mark. It's like man flu but worse.

Anyway, moan over (probably). 3 days/2 nights in London was fab - if bloody expensive! Mark and I popped down for the weekend (as one does), very last minute. What we did - Westminster Abbey, Tower of London (just loved the crown jewels and the Beefeater tour), Tower Bridge (see photo below of the glass floor over the Thames - I felt very brave going over it, pretty scary), The War of the Worlds Experience (excellent - climbing through windows and going down slides lol), and had a chocolate cocktail. We had champagne in Fortnum & Mason, went to the theatre to see The Crown Jewels (so funny, great cast, loved it) and ate at Gordon Ramsay's Street Food restaurant (yummy fries), we did The Royal Albert Hall tour (very interesting!) and spent hours in the Science Museum. We walked miles, did thousands of steps, I was knackered! 

Eating was, shall I say, unusual. I tended to have a protein bar and just nibbled at whatever Mark had. He tucked into Greggs bacon rolls (so I'd have a little of his bacon). He ate at Gordon Ramsay's (I tried his fries and had a cocktail lol). I had fish fingers at the Science Museum and Mark helped me with my potato wedges. I did manage my own ice-cream at the theatre, though felt sick for most of the second half - it was so scrummy though. Food is weird now. Breakfast used to be my favourite meal but now I really struggle to eat it, and often wait until later before food. A bit of a shame but just how it is. I certainly don't enjoy food like I used to. But maybe that's a good thing. Anyway my weight stayed the same which is a real win for me because usually I just had to step away from the house to gain - a lb a day. So a 3lb loss since Monday is probably due to my sickness status. Always a silver lining lol.

Right, before I start crying into my blog, as I wallow in my sorrow, and scare you all away, I shall say Adiós.

We are like books. Most people only see the cover, the minority only read the introduction, many people believe the critics. Few will know our content.

Bucket love

 

Weight: 13 5

Loss this week: 2lb

Total loss: 3 1

It's been a slow weight loss week. I'm guessing a roller coaster ride is normal after gastric surgery. Bit frustrating no less, though I must confess the consumption of chocolate increased this week. Not loads but maybe more than I should. The proof is in the chocolate! However I feel slimmer so that's all that matters.

I was in Aberdeen Thursday. Went for a coffee. I had a free Costa coffee reward on the app, thought I may as well have as large one. Well as you can see it was a bucket of coffee! The mug even had 2 handles to hold it! Couldn't finish it all sitting in so had to ask for a takeaway cup. It took me an hour to get through it lol. Nice though.

I managed a great Gilly-ism the other day. I only managed to book a table in a restaurant that was closed. And not only was it closed but it has been closed for over a year! Of course it wasn't my fault. It was through a booking app - how was I to know? It was a bit disappointing to say the least. And a few hours after the booking time the app sent me an email asking for a review. Ha ha ha

Bella Dave lost a tooth last night. Nothing strange there, she's a Puppy. But it was bleeding bless her. I didn't know they did that. She looked a bit perplexed and managed to shake blood onto the carpet. The joys.

It's 5.05am and I'm sat in the airport waiting for our flight to London. Last minute booking. We have 3 days, 2 nights. Going to a play, The War of the Worlds Experience (super excited), Albert Hall tour (thank you uncle D for idea) and various other tourist things like the Tower! Goodness knows how I'll get on with food but I'm sure I'll cope. It's going to be interesting let's say.

Have a good weekend everyone and see you next week. Same time ish and same place - here! 

To be rich is not what you have in your bank but what you have in your heart.

Not sexy

 Weight today: 13 7

Loss this week: 3lbs

Total loss: 2st 13

Total fat loss: 4%

I usually sleep really well but I noticed the other day that I'd not fallen asleep as readily as normal. Sometimes seeing 1am or 2am and I was really tired waking up for work. Saturday night I did all the things that they tell you to do for good sleep. I didn't look at my phone after 7pm. I changed the sheets, had a hot shower, moisturised all over, used my foot balm, and sprayed my pillowcase with temple spa. I slept well and went to sleep easily. Yay. But then I noticed that the week before I had opened a bottle of wine. Because Mark is on nightshifts I drank it myself. I was only having a small glass each night so the bottle lasted a whole week - the week I didn't sleep! And I hadn't had any alcohol that Saturday night. So (in the name off science) I had a gin Sunday night. Whoa and behold I didn't sleep. Tossed and turned like I'd had caffeine. Now we all know alcohol is a stimulant but I'd never suffered so acutely after such a small amount. Another legacy of my surgery. Alas, this means that I can no long drink booze... In the evening! Afternoon drinking only lol.

I've also had a few dumping episodes that I was describing the other week. I had a small piece of birthday cake at work and that set me off. And I tried a protein rice pudding but that made me feel pretty yuk too. Though I've heard that rice can be one of those tricky things to eat. I think (and I might be wrong) that it has something to do with the glycemic index. 

My new mantra is to eat delicious healthy food with occasional treats. But any treats are just things that I absolutely love. I will not waste calories on the mediocre! 

My new bras are not sexy but my goodness they are comfy. I must have very sloping shoulders because bra straps are constantly falling down - and driving me crazy. These non-wired things are all over social media so I decided (since I needed new anyway) I'd give them a try. And I love them, just fab, and straps are staying put! 

Sometimes I feel like running away, but then I remember how much I hate running! 

Bloods tested

 

Weight today: 13 10

Weight loss this week: 3lbs

Total weight loss: 2st 10lbs

Firstly, I just want to tell my octopus friends how much I love them.

I had my blood tests done but unfortunately one of the vials clotted so I'm back for a repeat today. However, the other came back that I'm high in PTH and the doctor wants to see me. Dr Google told me this was something to do with my thyroid and a possible growth, but when I googled PTH + bariatric surgery it seems it's also linked to low levels of calcium and vitamin D. Now this makes sense because whilst I was prescribed calcium and vitamin D it was a huge tablet, which my bariatric nurse friend told me not to take, under no circumstances for fear of death (no, sorry got that wrong, she just advised me not to take them). So I had to wait to get a chewable version. Which I now have, so hopefully things will right themselves. 

Before surgery I made a list of activities I could partake in on my days off rather than just mindlessly watching TV (and eating biscuits). I don't think I've shared this with you yet but one of things I like to do, but not in years, is jigsaws! I was very excited to open a brand new one which I was given by my sister in law at Christmas. A proper picture, not one of those silly all skies or all sand! Like a normal person I sorted the edges from the middle pieces. I tend to do this looking at the grey underside rather than the picture side (am I still normal?). I had Bella at my feet and life was good. Constructing the edges, which was harder than I anticipated, I noticed Bella chewing! ..... Yes you've guessed it 😡 I must have dropped some pieces and she was busy eating them. No idea how many but by the soggy remains I hoiked out of her mouth looked like at least 4! I wanted to cry. Do I still plod on trying to guess what is missing? Well, obviously. But I'm not a happy jigsaw-doer. Blinking puppies.

I grabbed a pair of old jeans out of the wardrobe this morning, and they fit. No idea when I last wore them but disappointed that I got fatter and they didn't fit me in a while. But they fit me now and at least I'm not buying new yet. 

Friends come and go like waves of the ocean but the true ones stick like an octopus on your face.