haha I found that if I was honest with them before accepting the job, they were often alright with it. I would say, oh great thanks for the offer, I do want to be honest with you, I do have a holiday booked and paid for a while ago. I understand if this changes your affects your decision. Normally they would say ok. But no more holidays for at least a year! Of course I wouldn't be entitled to Holiday Pay as I hadn't worked there long enough to accrue it, but that's ok

It sounds really great that you and Margaret are going to meet up soon! How exciting. Margaret, I'm sure you've mentioned but where do you live in England again?

Thanks for visiting.

Becky
I always love to go down before I gain. It kind of stops you from feeling like it is much of a gain if you just go back up to where you were a couple of days earlier. It is bad news when it feels like to have back-tracked by two or three weeks.

I must admit that I am really pleased that I called in some expert advice. There is much to be said for the concept of seeing what the slimming clubs have to offer. You have had much success from SW.

I hope that you are enjoying the good weather up there. The weather here is brilliant again today. I think that we are getting summer this week. They say that the weather will get worse on Wednesday.

Kim
It is great to see you back here. Thanks for your compliments. If only I had known what could be done with excessive walking I would have done it years ago. You have such gruelling gym sessions - that it is little wonder that it is effective for you - but the thing is that many people are far too big and unhealthy to ever think that they could cope with something like that. It would have just seemed too impossible for me when I was big. Walking is something that we can all manage - it is just things like the distance and speed that differs between everyone here. That can all be built up. Walking can be very effecting from day 1.

I have no main plans for how to celebrate when I get to goal. I dont really know how near or far away I am from that. The goal weight on my ticker is a weight that I was comfortable at when young. Weights are pretty meaningless now. I want to be able to comfortably wear my wedding ring - and I cannot yet. I definitely want this. I also have 4 skirts from when I was young that I would like to be able to get into - I cannot yet. This aspect is a "nice to have" but not critical - if I feel that I am starting to look gaunt I would rethink.

I recently joined Weight Watchers and they have given me an initial goal weight of 133 pounds. When I get there I can choose whether I want to lose more weight or maintain.

Kimberly
Thanks for the congratulations - we all like getting surprise new lows. Up just a fifth of a pound today so it is holding down nicely.

I thought that quark was quite reasonably priced in our shops. It may be worth seeing if Sophie knows a supermarket that sells it at a reasonable price - since she loves it.

I note that Ysolda says that she tells people about a holiday being already arranged when offered a job. I have heard of other people do that. My work experience is non-standard in that I was a contractor and generally you took your holidays in between contracts. When you were on a contract you were often expected to be there every week. The theory was that you could take a month or two off at the end before starting the next contract. Contracts that lasted years and therefore allowed you to take holidays off were the exceptions rather than the rule.

Anke
Thankyou for your lovely compliments. We all act as role models for each other.

Ysolda
I am pleased that your ankle is much better. I am sorry that you lost your money from your shoe. I carry my purse (and often a kagoul) in a bag on my back for during my walk.

It is great that Kimberly and I will be able to meet up soon. I live in a suburb to the west of London. Not within London - but not too far outside.

Take care
Love
Margaret

138. That's fantastic, you are THIS close to your goal you can smell it.

Shannon

That's great that your weight is staying down!

The quark here was between $7-8 for I'd say about 12oz.

Thanks for visiting.

Shannon
Thanks for the congratulations. I must admit to being pretty happy with the way things are still going. It feels so good to feel that the end is attainable. Next there is just the major challenge of maintenance!!!!!

Kimberly
We have at last found something that is much cheaper over here. I have just bought 250g quark at Tescos for 45 pence. That will do me for three smallish baked potatoes for lunchtime.

Take care
Love
Margaret

I will have to buy some quark while there, then. I also have to buy some golden syrup as it's hard to get here--and I need it for making ANZAC biscuits for H..lol. Also, I wonder if one can get Vegemite over there. He forgot to bring any home with him last summer, and is completely out. I thought that with all the Aussies that live in the London area, I should be able to find some.

How's the weight doing? Any TOM gains yet? is due for me on Monday (the day we leave, of course), so perhaps we'll be visited by him at the same time. What a bonding experience..lmao.

OMgosh, Margaret! You are disappearing! I can't believe you are already in the 130s!!! I have joined a "bootcamp cardio core class" to try and kick me out of the 150s.

cheers
Janice

Hi Margaret,

Glad to see you are doing so well. I'm amazed at your steady weight loss. And now to be a 130ish gal - wow! Has it sunk in how far you have come?

Peg

Hi Margaret.

No one is in the hospital atm, so I have time 4 myself...

I tell ya, I didn't know if I was coming or going most days..lol

Still not smoking!

*****

You are doin' Super Awesome!



Congrat's!

My big thing this summer will be swimming/pool exercises!

I can't wait to get started!

It'll have to wait a week or so bc of tom..

Keep Reachin' Those Goals!!

<3 Stacy

Thanks for visiting.

Kimberly
You are brave getting golden syrup. One of the many things that I love and avoid these days. Maybe sometime I will learn portion control!

I am sure that you will be able to get vegemite - not that I have ever had it! I will try to remember to look out for it when I am next in Tescos.

My weight is holding steady. Confusingly so!
08/06/2008 9st12.0
09/06/2008 9st12.2
10/06/2008 9st12.2
11/06/2008 9st12.2
12/06/2008 9st12.2
I really would have expected a weight gain by now. You know that I normally start retaining water by this time. is imminent but hasnt arrived yet. A bonding experience is getting more and more likely.

Janice
I wouldnt care what my weight was if I could wear those teeny tiny skirts that you are wearing these days. Size 5 I think that you said. I am still in UK size 12. The class sounds good fun though.

Peg
Thanks for your congratulations. I must admit that there is still an element of disbelief at my current weight. I never thought that I would see this kind of weight again.

Stacy
It is great that you are still not smoking. That is so good for your health. I know that you will love the swimming when you get the chance - at it is so good for you. I am pleased that you have no hospital visiting to do. I must admit that I have not been able to spend as much time on the forum as I would like recently. Sometimes life kind of gets in the way!

Take care
Love
Margaret

Golden syrup is too sticky for me to find it irrisistable..lol. The only time I ever use it is to make ANZAC biscuits for H (yes, I eat them too.).

I wonder if Vegemite can be found easily in most supermarkets, or if one has to ferret it out..lol.

That's great that your weight has not gone up yet. I guess there is a very good chance that we'll both be plagued by TOM when we meet up a week from today. At least it should be near the end of it.

I wont go into the best ways to use golden syrup as I would hate to give you ideas and lead you astray.

I have just checked the Tesco website for you:
Kraft Vegemite Yeast Extract 235g £1.99 (i.e. 85p per 100g)
from the Marmite and sandwich spreads shelf.

You should have no trouble getting it.

My weight has still not gone up (which is great). I am not sure what is going on with my body. My period didnt start yesterday either (which was the predicted start day). When you are nearly 49 you immediately wonder whether the menopause is imminent. I would prefer to think not! I have been so regular in recent years (up until my operation) that you wonder what is going on!

That is great news about the Vegemite!! H will be sooo thrilled.

Maybe all your weight loss has made you start ovulating and you're preggers. Wouldn't that be a HUGE shock?? Rod would probably

Highly unlikely at my age and considering everything else!
I wont hold my breath!

Well, if you haven't been ovulating all these years, you probably have tons of eggs still sitting there. If you haven't hit menopause yet, it's still possible. But it is more likely the beginnings of menopause.