Good morning

 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. First day of the advent calendar and official start wearing Christmas jumpers day! The decorations are up and we even had a flurry of snow yesterday too.

This week I've lost 2lb. New weight: 11 10, which is a total loss of 4st 10lbs. On my way to a 5st loss.

When I was a dieter I used to read all the slimming magazines, I did enjoy them especially the real life stories. And one thing was very common - so many people were spurred on to lose weight after seeing a photo! Unfortunately, I feel the same way now. In real life and in front of the mirror I feel great, so much slimmer and svelte. I rejoice in every NSV (non scale victory) and I hop about like a kid which makes Mark smile! But then I see a photo (yes a photo of today) and I'm right back to feeling fat and frumpy. In a photo I am reminded that I'm right at the top end of overweight! I can see how much I still have to lose and it stops me hopping in my tracks! I'm not sure why a photo is clarification when a mirror isn't but that's just the way it goes. 

Let's go back to happier news - this week's NSVs. I have boots that lace up but also have a zip. I wore them for the first time since last winter and after zipping them on I had to undo the laces and tighten them up, a lot. And I can get socks on over my tights. The other one was at work. My boss asked if I'd like a Christmas tunic - of course I would, thank you. Not knowing what size to order (I'm still wearing my old ones that are drowning me lol) I popped into the basement where we have spares. The medium fitted a dream, and was ample big enough! Whoop

A quick Gillyism to brighten your day. I was shopping with Ellie and needed to get stuff without her so arranged to meet back at the car. I was first there (and yes, it was the right car) but she had the keys. So I'm just hanging at the car when she appears round the corner, walking towards me. My car indicators flashed but the car was still locked. 'Do it again' I shouted down the street, only for a couple to appear the other side of me saying it was their car that was unlocked. Ellie hadn't used the clicker and it was the cat next door that had flashed! I'm such a narna. 

On that note, we are off to Achmelvich today for the weekend. A pod by the beach. Do you remember the photo of my bare bum skinny dipping a couple of years ago - it's that beach. Taking Bella so I hope she settles ok cos it's a long way home! Enjoy your weekend everyone! See you next Friday.

If we could erase all our past mistakes we would also erase the wisdom of the present. Remember the lesson, not the disappointment.

My elephant moment

I've good news twice over this week.  I am now in the 11 stones (3lb loss this week) and I'm no longer classed as having an obese BMI - I'm just overweight. Lol. Yay

So something occurred to me this week, and when I say occurred I mean it was like an elephant sitting on my head. Now this isn't anything new, I've not invented it and I'm sure you're well aware already but... Life is so negative. It started when I was thinking about 'diets', all based on what not to do, in one shape or other. Do not eat carbs, do not eat red meat, do not drink wine, do not eat chocolate, crisps, biscuits, pies, sweets, cakes etc. Then when we are out and about we mustn't drive faster than the limit. We must pay taxes. Even the Ten Commandments is Thou Shalt Not.... So I've decided to try and spin things a little. Instead of I must not eat the chocolates behind my desk at work, I'm going to take different fruits into work everyday. Instead of I must exercise (I know this - like paying tax - is not grammatically a negative, but we all know it kinda is) I'm going to enjoy my walking by breathing deeply, seeing the nature and watching Bella having fun. Instead of not watching too much TV I'm going to enjoy curling up under a blanket and reading a good book. I shall continue to pay my taxes and rejoice that I can select Gift Aid because I do. Every cloud. .  .

You've maybe seen already but my lovely son graduated with his master's degree in modern history. We had a lovely day and he's made me very proud. Isaac loves learning but he's not a genius. He has worked hard to get his honours degree and his master's (with a commendation - just saying). I think he'd love a PhD next but that's not so easy. I think he would stay at uni all his life if he could. He is curious and absorbs knowledge. And thinks this is much better than working for a living. Though he does have a job to be fair. Being his mother I just want him happy (happy in a high powered job earning lots of money is just a bonus).

On a side, I can't believe that my tiny 5lb 1oz baby is a strapping lad of 23. How does that even happen, and so quickly too. Feels like yesterday he was born so spectacularly! To all of my readers with babies or nephews/nieces watch them grow but embrace every moment. Life is short

The same lesson will appear in different forms until you learn to respond differently.

Another week

 

I can't believe it's Friday already. The week has just flown. My week has seen me lose another pound which is good. 

Weight this week: 12st 1lb

Total loss: 4st 5lb

Almost in the 11 stones whoop whoop, exciting stuff.

Bella started her first period this week. She's also had diarrhoea all week which I'm hoping is linked with her season. Got her puppy check at the vet tomorrow so I shall hopefully get some advice. I also had an unexpected period last week. The menopause is upon me, just about, but not official until I've gone a year without the periods - I did this (12 month period-less) last year but HRT has thrown this to the wind. And they started up again. They are quite gross! 

We had a busy week in Newcastle. However, I did manage to pop to the metro centre every day! It was tough but we managed it. That's me pretty much finished my Christmas shopping. Just need to wrap it all now. The decorations will be going up soon. Have you noticed that there are loads of homes decorated already? It seems to be getting earlier every year, but I'm not complaining.

One of my WLS friends found my pictures on the clinic's Instagram business pages. (A snap shot above). I'd forgotten I'd sent them so it was a surprise to see my little video reel. The photos are a tad embarrassing - wish I had been a bit more selective with my choice. But hey, it's all good fun.

My first Christmas with my new tummy. It'll be interesting but I'm confident I'll cope. A tiny turkey dinner for me. My work party dinner will be a small bite of every course and not too much wine! But I have bought my party outfit - a short sequinned skirt in a size 14. I'm chuffed with it and can't wait to wear it. 

That's me for another week. Not much of interest but I hope I've amused you for a few moments. 

Don't wait for things to get better. Life will always be complicated. Learn to be happy now or you will run out of time.

Reduced fat

 

What I loved in Madrid was that, not only did they have green men on their pedestrian crossings, but they had girls too. And two boys holding hands and two girls holding hands. Just awesome. For some reason I failed to get a photo of the single girl but thought you'd like the rest.

Weight this week: 12st 2lb

Total loss: 4st 4lb

Fat: 35%

Fat loss: 14%

My fat has reduced this month even though my weight didn't. For my age group 33% is considered normal (23% - 33%) so that's a nice thing to say.

More news, another NSV (Non Scale Victory in WLS speak (Weight Loss Surgery)). I went to asda for some work trousers (non stretch) and the size 14 fits me like a dream. I was very happy and did a little wiggle bum dance. Whoop!

I also have a Gillyism from my Asda trip. After shopping I walked back to my car, unlocked the boot and started to pile my bags in when I suddenly heard a voice from the front seat. I screamed and jumped a mile! Then realised the voice was saying 'This isn't your car'. Yes, I was at the wrong car. It was a blue Polo exactly like mine, but mine was the next space up. I was mortified, though it was pretty funny - once my heart beat slowed down again.

Making my pre-Christmas visit to my mum's. If you're reading this in Newcastle and are wondering why I've not been in touch, I apologise. The weekend is so full with family and birthdays and maybe a tiny visit to the metro centre - I admit or deny nothing (but there is a photo below lol). I love coming down and seeing everyone. But Scotland is home and I'm happy going back. However, if anyone wants to come up and visit me they are more than welcome.

And now I'm going to show off a little more - I have virtually, almost finished my Christmas shopping! Just a couple of small things and then I'm done. How good is it that? Can't wait to decorate the house. I love Christmas! Come on Santa. 

I'm not saying I'm attractive but when I get undressed in the bathroom I turn the shower on.

Madrid

 

No news re weight loss this week. I have decided I need to get back to WLS basics. Now they may sound like diet rules but they aren't. Though I dare say they include maximum weight loss cues. Eat slowly. This is to ensure my brain catches up with my tummy. With my little tummy it's easy to over eat and consume more than it can comfortably hold. Chew thoroughly. This is to make sure food doesn't get stuck in my new stomach emptying tube. Try not to eat food that is more than 3% fat and 5% sugar. This is to help my body not to react badly to these type of foods. I'm not sure why it does but 'dumping' is a real thing and is pretty unpleasant. Something to do with blood sugar highs I think. Don't eat and drink and the same time. Again this is a tiny tummy thing and the way my new tubes digests what I eat. It needs to digest in the stomach for at long as possible before moving to the intestines. We don't want fluid to wash it through too quickly. I'm not on a diet. Diets are evil.  I've had surgery and need to follow the process. All I can control is what I eat, not how much I eat. Healthy food with a little treat sits well with me. I never pretended that treats wouldn't form part of my forever eating plan. Life is short.

I'm in Madrid. Meeting my sister and BiL. It's been a while and it's lovely. Needed to catch up, so why not in Spain? Not sure what our plans are but it'll be fun. Airbnb has supplied a nice apartment. Plenty of gin and good food. 

You might like to be the sun in someone's life, but be the moon to shine in someone's darkest hour.