Thank you to all of you for your advice on salt and spices. I realise that I'm really quite ignorant of some of the basic weight-loss procedures! Iwannabething: 72 hours? I'm amazed! That explains a lot!

Lindsey: thanks for your continuing support. I'm really in admiration of your determination and, despite the fac that you claim to have trouble motivating yourself, you seem very focused to me.

Angel: you're right, Margaret is becoming a bit of a guru for me - and I've only been here a month!

BB: I'm relieved about the spicy food. I would have trouble eating the range of vegetables that I do if they were boringly bland and boiled! I like a bit of spice in my life!!!

Well, I think I've bombed out of Kimberly's challenge (BLS) and I'm doing badly at the New Year's - Valentine's, so all in all it's a bit of a disaster
What's more, I'm not convinced that my scales are truly accurate, but I'm nervous about buying others in case they immediately add on 20 lbs!!! Oh, I don't think my scales are lying about the trend: when I put on weight, I really have - it's not just the scales. But I'm not sure that the figures are right. Anyway, I'm feeling a bit fed up. I'll get back to the diary later.

Hi Auburn

I think that treating yourself to some new scales is a great idea. We did that in March and hubby found a really good set on the internet. For us it was very important that it went up to a high weight because we wanted to weigh hubby and most home scales do not go above about 22 stone for some reason.

Since you weigh every day - you would be able to keep records as I do for how the different food that you make relates to variations in your weight. That way you can see whether there is any impact based on a host of things. I find that cheese and spices cause my weight to inexplicably rise. Phoebe (allyphoe) tells me that she finds the same with popcorn. The calories can have nothing to do with things - but it can put you off - especially for the day before a challenge weighing.

I was sorry to see that you were eliminated from the biggest loser challenge. I do hope that you are going to continue with it in the parallel contest. The nature of the contest is such that almost everyone will be eliminated before the end. Just about everyone will be competing in that parallel contest before too long. It is great that Kimberly decided to run a parallel competition. I do hope that you have remembered to eat your fibre today!

You do say the sweetest things - but I would never consider myself to be a guru on any subject.

Dont think of anything as being a disaster.

I did manage to get a slight weight loss at the end of week 1. It was only about half a pound though. I am only a fifth of a pound less than I was on New Year's Eve. We all have slow weeks for weight loss at times. Often it comes just before a better week - if we just stay on track.

Weight loss can be a little demoralising at the minute because a lot of people put on quite a bit of weight over Christmas and during the first week back they have been losing those splurge pounds. Splurge pounds do tend to come off comparitively easily. Dont be demoralised by comparing yourself to others. We cannot hope to compare ourselves with them if we didnt put on much over Christmas. Let's face it - you were on holiday in Spain and so the holidays have only been over for you for a few days. Kimberly lost 5 pounds bringing her back to her weight before Christmas. The Krinse (V) lost over 10 pounds - but again - bringing her back to her weight before Christmas. There was quite a competitive advantage to putting on a few pounds - if you lost them at the start of the challenge as they did.

Good luck in the parallel contest.

Take care
Love
Margaret

Thanks Margaret for your very long and encouraging reply. I've been feeling a bit down over the past few days, not just because of the weight but due to various things, mainly outside the sphere of my control. Anyway, tomorrow is another day, as they say.

I'll definitely be in the parallel challenge. Just after writing this post, I'm going to pop over and see how it's all going. I'm so pleased that you're still in it (but I knew you would be!). I hope you're right about those surplus pounds being the easiest to lose. It's true that I was pretty disappointed that I'd worked so hard at Christmas to keep the weight off, and that I'd succumbed to only a few temptations in Spain, only to find that once home the weight seemed to be actually piling back on. There's no justice in the world sometimes!

I've bought the new scales, got my pedometre up and running and have eaten well today. The scales show a slightly higher weight than my old ones, but that's OK. I'll survive! They also indicate body fat, which is a bit frightening. The only downside from today is that I didn't get a chance to exercise. The evening's not over, though, so I might get something done before the day is out.

Today's details:
Weight: 82.6 kgs (new scales) = 36.5 kgs fat
Food: banana, apple, bread (lots!) + lowfat spread, lowfat yoghurt, light-fried potatoes, veg (spinach, green beans, carrots), brown lentils
Drink: tea, 1L water
Exercise: pedometre =

I'll be back to update this later

Hi Auburn

I am sorry to hear that you have been feeling down. We all have times like that. I hope that soon you will be able to see whatever is troubling you in a new more positive light.

If you are good with your food and try and do some exercise - the weight loss does happen - it just doesnt always happen at the time that we would like it to or that we feel we deserve. Try to remain focused and the rest follows.

It looks like you had quite a decent amount of fibre to eat there - with all that fruit and veg. That looks like contest points to me.

It is great that you have new scales - there is often some discrepancy when scales change so do not worry about that. I have never stood on scales which discern your body fat. I hate to think what they would have said when I was 21 stone. "Help" probably.

I am sure that you will love your pedometer as much as I love mine. I keep looking at it and then decide to walk to another room and add a few steps.

Take care
Love
Margaret

Hi Auburn,

I really was sorry to see you eliminated. But I do hope you'll join the 2nd chance thread. I know I will once I'm eliminated. It will hopefully keep you motivated.

Don't give up! We all go through bad times. Life has its ups and downs, as I'm sure you know. Just think how proud you'll feel if you stick with the program and lose those unwanted kilos. It isn't easy, but you CAN do it if you really want to. It took me 35yrs to learn that.

LOL@Margaret's scale saying, "help!" I'm sure mine would've said the same thing, as it was saying almost 20stone when I started.

Thank you Margaret and Kimberly for your kind words.

I'm finding it difficult to stay focused at the moment because of several things, but one irritation in particular. Without going into the boring details, I've been studying for exams which I'll be sitting in April. These are fairly major tests with a ridiculously low pass-rate - something like 10%! It is very rare for people to get these exams first time round, so normally candidates have a go one year and fail, attempt again the second year and get a near miss, and then finally pass the damn things the third time round.

This year will be my first attempt but, as I'm working only part-time this year (and I'm back to full time work from September), I've been studying pretty hard, just hoping beyond all hope that this might be my lucky year. But here's the hitch. Apparently these exams are going to be scraped. Arrrrgh! This means that this year will be my one and only chance of sitting them. It's really depressing because, as I said, it's highly unlikely that I'll pass first time. I was counting on this year being a "trial" run and building up my notes and experience for next year. Instead either (a) I give up now, knowing that I've only got a 1 in 10 chance anyway, and I stop wasting my time, or (b) I decide that I've already put in lots of hard work and I can't stop now. I've gone for the second option, but it's frustrating. If (when) I fail, over a year of work will have been for nothing - yeah, except my personal fulfillment, I know!

Anyway, this is one of the reasons why I've been feeling a bit miserable, a bit unfocused and too easily led astray. It's also why I've been sitting on my fat backside, reading, studying, taking notes, etc instead of getting out there for my walks and to the gym. Yeah, excuses, excuses.

However, it really helps to know that there are people out there who are interested and supportive. Really, it's wonderful. I would have really let myself go over the past few days if I hadn't had this forum keeping an eye on me! Thank you!

Hi Auburn

I can certainly understand your concern about these exam changes.

I cannot pretend to know anything about the French education / qualification system - but am curious:
Are there any opportunities to transfer to another examining body / institute?
Are there equivalent courses possibly at another college?
Have you asked your course leader / lecturer / head of department if they can suggest anything?
Is it possible to influence the college into changing this decision? - I am sure that there will be many other students that are similarly effected.
Is there a a union for students that you belong to or could join?

I know that you will feel that you have excessive pressure on you to make this year's attempt count by passing. No matter how hard you study you are still going to eat - so try and eat healthily. If you take a break - try and incorporate a little exercise. Exercise can help deal with stress and our bodies work better (including for studying) if we run on quality fuel. We may want to dive into comfort food - but sensible eating and exercise could make your studying more effective.

Good luck.

Take care
Love
Margaret

Hi Margaret and thanks for your concern. In fact, these exams are national ones. I'm a teacher, therefore a civil servant, and to get into and eventually be promoted in the French education system you have to sit competitive exams. There are two levels of exams: the first simply allow you to be a teacher at school level. The second set of exams increases your chances of getting a post at university level (in addition, you get more pay and other benefits).

In fact, the system is pretty ridiculous - academic qualifications are NO indication of good teaching ability, and I think that the government is waking up to this idea. They are on the point of obliterating most of the previous teacher recruitment structures to put into place something new. What, we don't know yet!!!

My personal problem is that I have already put a lot of time and effort and, indeed, money (books, etc) into these particular exams, so I can't just give up now. I totally agree that a change is necessary, it's just that I wish they had given us a two year warning!

Anyway, I do take your point. I have to eat, so it might as well be healthy eating. And I know that exercise is a good stress-reducer. In fact, since my earlier message I've been feeling more positive and have been thinking about how I can listen to some of my courses on my i-pod while exercising. That way I won't feeling like I'm losing time! Do you listen to an mp3 or something when you're out walking? I've got friends who swear by those little pocket-sized radios when they're exercising.

Thanks again for dropping by. You're an:

New start. Positive frame of mind. Focused.

17th January: today's eating and exercise
Weight: 83.1kg / 182.8lbs (36.4kg fat!)
Breakfast: bread, lowfat spread, apple
Lunch: rice, mixed veg (green beans, carrots, spinach), potato, lentils (brown, red), lowfat yoghurt
Dinner: salad (lettuce, raw veg), rice, small bit of cauliflower cheese, spinach (in a creamy sauce - ooops!)
Snacks: protein bar
Drinks: 2L water (YEAH!!!), couple of cups of tea, 1 glass of fresh orange juice, 1 small glass of wine
Exercise: 30mins walking
Pedometre reading: 10,296 steps

I'm pleased about the quantity of water I've drunk (2L - it's almost a first!) and the fact that I did a bit of exercise)

Auburn,

I am glad to see that you are off to a fresh start. Sometimes that is all we can do. It looks like you are doing great so far today! Keep it up!

I don't know why, but I almost never look to see where people are from. I can't believe you live in France! It must be so beautiful and everyday must be just filled with romance! That is how I picture it anyway. My dad's side of the family came from France and I took French in HS and a bit in college, but I wish I would have learned more. I actually used to work for a woman from France and she had pictures up all over the Center and her house was beautiful...just like a movie with all the intricate feminine details.

I can't wait to go to France someday, there are so many places in Europe I would love to visit, but France is at the top of my list. My old boss would tell us stories about the C'ote D'Azur...wonderful!

Auburn
Please forgive me for not coming around so much and encouraging you on your journey!
I have gotten so busy here at home that when I get on the forum I try to get to everyone but before I can I have to either be heading out the door or doing something for someone here in my house.
Please don't lose hope.
We really all want to see you achieve your goals.
And together I know that we can.
Because together we all truly understand how each other feels. And the battles that we fight everyday with food and exercise.
I promise to pop in more often!
Keep your chin up sweetie.

Thank you so much, I wannaBthin and Bella for your lovely words. It really is very encouraging to have people come and visit my diary.

I was doing fine until about 10 days ago, and then it all went pear-shaped (a bit like me! ). However, I know that for two or three weeks I was concentrated on my weight-loss programme, and it was working. I know that it was helping a lot coming here, onto the forum. I know that even a small amount of exercise was making a difference. In other words, I know what was working before, so I simply have to re-adopt my winning habits!

I've updated my previous post with this evening's meal. Still hoping (planning!) to get a bit more water down me.

You know, I wannaBthin, although I love France and my life over here, it's really my hubby and kids who make me happy. With them, I'd be pretty much happy anyway! My part of France - the north - is fairly boring, not at all like the Alps or the Cote d'Azur or the Dordogne or all those lovely, romantic places. Having said that, we do travel so at least I get to visit some of the most beautiful parts of the country.

Please, Bella, don't feel bad because you haven't got time to say hello to everyone! Goodness me, you have such a busy life! I haven't popped in to see you either in ages. It's just so nice to know that people are around, even if you don't "see" them on a daily basis.

HI Auburn,

I've been bad about getting in here, too, and when you could've used some support. Consider me your bra..hahaha.

I would say to you regarding the exams, sit them, and see what happens. You never know--with all the studying you've been doing, you may very well pass. And if you don't, well, at least you gave it your best, and that's all you can ask of yourself. I'm a licensed realtor, and had to take a pretty difficult test in order to get licensed. 80% fail the first time, and many have to take it 3 or 4 times before they pass. Well, low and behold, I passed on the first try. So don't be discouraged--you never know how things will turn out. I say just do your best, and be satisfied in knowing that you did, regardless of the exam result.

I think it's great that you haven't given up with the weight loss. Stress tends to make one gain weight, so exercising is a great way to make sure that doesn't happen--those endorphins are wonderful stress-reducing things. And you know eating healthier will make you feel better physically and mentally--so you have many reasons to take good care of yourself.

Bon chance!

Thanks BB for coming to visit me
Wow, your realtor exams sound really tough. I had no idea. But it comes as no surprise to me that you passed first time - I can see you're a girl who, once she sets her mind to doing something, just goes ahead and does it. Cool!
I will be having a go at my exams, and I'm feeling increasingly philosophical. I'm going to give it my all but, if worst comes to worst and I fail, at least I will have learnt more than anybody would ever want to know about 7 literary works, 2 historical subjects, the finer points of grammar, phonetics and phonology, and translation techniques That's got to be useful somewhere, don't you think?

Back to what really matters in life... my weight (lol)!
The 2L of water plus the exercise seem to have paid off yesterday. A drop of 0.5kg (just over 1lb) this morning. I'm planning on doing the same today. I like how Margaret works: finding out what helps and what hinders her weight loss, and sticking with what works. My life is so hectic at the moment - 3 kids (and often 1, 2 or 3 stepkids), part-time work, exams... - that I really need to NOT think about what I'm eating. It needs to be automatic. I don't mind making an effort for the family meal in the evening, but if I start messing about with varying my breakfast and lunch as well, I'll end up falling back into my old habits of grabbing a sandwich/slice of pizza/fast food somewhere because I don't have time to cook. Sticking to the same menu which I can prepare in advance is, I think, the best solution for me.

Hey Auburn,

Just stopping by. Congrats on the loss this morning. A step in the right direction!

Hope you see some more pregress soon. Keep trying! x