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Chats, Challenges & Laughs 2nd home

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For all my Chats, Challenges & Laughs peeps! Since we can't get on the threads I thought I would start a discussion area for us. We may not be able to keep track of points standings easily but we can still talk.

I miss you!

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Monday - Ate after hours.

Tuesday - Finally the deep freeze broke somewhat and we delivered two loads of wood.  Just within calories now.  Hope I can keep it together.

I'm really feeling for all the states being hit by these storms.  They are so unprepared to handle all the ice, snow, cold and power outages to boot.

Hoping all of you are safe and warm.  

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My depression has lifted for the most part. I still haven’t gotten on track. 

Our temperatures have been below zero for a few days, along with about five inches of snow. Yesterday morning I made the decision to not get more groceries so I’m getting creative with what we have. 

This weather is not normal but not extraordinary either so we aren’t having any problems. Places south have been dealing with extreme cold and snow like they haven’t seen in over 30 years so they don’t have the means to deal with it. 

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Another small food blowout last night.  I went from 5:30-8:30 without eating and then I gave in to my urges.  So, as of last night anyway, I'm not on track either.  So, lame.

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Tues - 4 pts; Wed - 4 pts (water, posting, logging, exercise); and, last night I did not eat anything past 6:45 pm.  Finally a 'Day 1' success on the books.

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@CJ_Here , congratulations on a successful day! I admire your perseverance. I have not been overeating this week but no exercise. I have been moving around the house getting things done. 

Our granddaughter’s class was exposed to COVID so she is with us during the day doing homeschool. But most of these students have siblings still attending school so I don’t understand this type of quarantine. 

I baked bread yesterday and Granddaughter was amazed that I could make “old fashioned” bread!  I really must make a trip to the store today. 

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Well, @ElaineJ27 , I am still working on the perseverance part!  I got the 1 day in the books and then I went to the store...  I started with measuring out the treat, but I should have measured it out in the kitchen instead of taking the bag and tablespoon with me to watch tv.  The spoon was ditched after three servings and then I finished the bag.  Friday is my weigh-in day now...last week's night eating did what I thought it would.  

1/1/21 - 248

LW - 243.5

CW 245.3 up +1.8

first goal - lose 19 lbs (229)

 

Still working on finding a place for 66yo hubby to get 'the' vaccine.  It's a struggle between his willingness to travel and availability.  

I think I might have made homemade bread when I was around 25.  I believe it turned out hard as a rock.  I then used a bread machine for a while but it was so big and bulky; and noisy.  So, now a big treat is buying it from an artisan once in a while.  Maybe your granddaughter would like to learn how one day.

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Hi Everyone,

 

Lol @CJ_Here somehow I can see you with your spoon playing out like a scene from a sitcom - so real and so classic! Whenever I don't measure in the kitchen, I pretty much don't measure!

 

So our big snowstorm turned into a bit of a bust the past 2 days which was okay with me. I was safe at home with nowhere to go but we got only a dusting of snow topped by an inch or so of ice. Treacherous and not very pretty, sadly, either. It is horrifying to see what's going on in Texas and I feel sorry for the people but I also really feel sorry for the animals and the citrus farmers are also going to be in big financial trouble too! What was more exciting in my neighborhood is that because the cloud cover was so low and the ground was so cold, we could feel the artillery practice at Quantico all around the region. We feel/hear it now (I'm about 20 miles away) and then but it was so rumbly and disconcerting that I actually wondered if they were blasting down the street or we were having some kind of earthquake. It's never been that severe that I recall before - where you could actually hear stuff rattling in the house.

 

What I did get was a kind of bombshell, however. You may recall my saga from about 2 years ago when I had a bunch of tests and finally saw a specialist to resolve my severe period challenges, ultimately opting for a Kyleena which I have loved and been so grateful for. Well, at my last well woman exam, they couldn't find the strings so they sent me for an ultrasound to make sure it's still where it belongs. I wasn't all that worried because I felt like it was working - my periods were much lighter and farther apart - each month was getting better with less pain, dizziness, etc. I really thought the ultrasound was just a formality.

 

Well . . . they discovered that I have a condition called adenomyosis. The doctor explained it to me when we spoke on Tuesday but of course I also consulted with Dr. Google. My uterus is enlarged and the walls are kind of lumpy. The lining and the walls are so thick that they can't quite tell where the walls end and the lining begins and because of that thickness, they also can't tell if Kyleena is in the right place or not and now they really need to know in case there's even more issues at hand. So, the next step is I get an MRI - this is when they put me in the big tube with an iv full of chemicals and for pelvic scans, it's longer than normal - an hour and half!

 

So, this means 2 things - 1. I may also have some other conditions like endometriosis or even cancer that they want to look for or rule out but if I do, Kyleena for sure comes out and possibly my uterus. 2. I have an actual diagnosis and explanation for why exactly my periods have been so debilitating for so long. I've joined 2 forums on facebook dedicated to this condition and some of the other members are as young as their early 20s. Meanwhile, there's a handful of us all at my age - 48 - who are wondering if we take action or just ride it out through menopause. Seems like removing the uterus is fairly common for them and everyone whose had it done, even at a late age like me, has been really happy with their decision. Note, I don't have to do this IF Kyleena is okay and there's no other condition they discover which is what I'm hoping for. At the same time, I'm resigned to the fact that I may be facing surgery this summer and if that means I never have to go through what I've dealt with for so many years and also lessen the burden of menopause and associated risks from that, then I'm okay with that too.

 

Anyway, having had a skin condition go improperly diagnosed for a few years previously and now this after maybe 2 decades of complaints, I can really vouch for the fact that having a name for what you feel is so empowering vs. the dreaded unnamed or worse, it might be all in your head.

 

MMMM, home made bread! I can't bake to save my life - somehow the chemistry of it all never works in my kitchen. My mom used to bake now and then and after a number of years, did buy a breadmaker but we only used it a few times. However, I do have a sourdough starter that I've been keeping alive for a number of years (pre-covid) which I actually only use maybe 2-3 times a year. I finally decided with the terrible storm to make something with it again. I haven't tackled actual bread yet and don't have that planned now either but I did get the stuff for a coffee cake, chocolate chip cookies and brownies. I haven't actually made any of those yet either and when I do, will only do 1 at a time because I don't need all that stuff in the house at once! Previously, I've made a cherry crumble type thing and especially, many times, pancakes and they are really good! I also tried crackers one time but decided they were so much work for so few pieces that I'd rather just buy them.

 

 

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@Katrin , I hope you can have your tests sooner than later.  That's a lot to take in and then having to wait makes it even harder.  I'll be praying for quick results and an easy route solution.

 

I did excellent yesterday in eating until around 9 pm when I was feeling really hungry and ended up eating 600 calories worth - protein based but still put me 600 over my calorie limit.  Here we go again today; fresh and positive.

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USW - 218.0

LW - 191.4

CW - 192.6

 

Didn't realize that I haven't posted my weight since the 1st of the month. 

Things are going well, we ended up getting a 2018 Ford Escape which is very nice. Our mechanic gave it the thumbs up so now we are further in debt for the next 6 years. This past week we paid off one of hubby's hospital bills so only 3 more medical bills left. 

Weather has been snowy, icy and frigid. Hubby slipped on the ice again last week (no damage to him or the ground). He hurt himself on the ice two years ago - bad enough that we were watching for signs of concussion. 

My eating still hasn't been great and I need a plan to move forward again. Definitely more water and movement and obviously fewer calories. Just can't seem to get back in the groove I had and then abandoned over the holidays. 

Stay safe everyone!

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High calories Saturday; pretty high today.  Tomorrow I start fresh with counting calories through the Lose It app I've been using.  I found an accountability partner on a member's group.  She's similar in age, weight, etc.  I made up some chicken soup and plan to refrain from simple sugars and junk food carbs.  I will definitely being getting exercise tomorrow as it has been snowing steady (wet snow) and since Hubby's back went out today, I will be doing all the snow blowing and shoveling.  In the past, I've done maybe a 1/3 of it and it's been plenty.  I'm up for the challenge!

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@Cele21I found that humorous that there was no damage to the ground . . . clearly this was not nearly as bad a fall as the one 2 years ago but both of you please be careful! Judge Judy has said a few times that if you want a long life, don't fall and it's so true. My cousin fell a couple of years ago at about 44 and injured herself so badly on the ice that she had to have surgery in 2 places and couldn't walk normally for over 6 months (some of that was in a wheelchair/rascal type thing!) Please be so careful!

 

@CJ_Heremy MRI is scheduled for 3/2 so not too far from now. I'm about 85% confident that it's going to be fairly normal other than the now obvious complaint but I'm anxious about the test and in particular, the IV and the dye. I don't believe I've ever had an IV before and I'm super squeamish!

 

I've since joined a couple of groups on facebook and am learning so much more! One of the things they are discussing is diet and what you can do to minimize symptoms and I learned something unrelated but really makes me go hmmmm. I've never been very careful with worrying about what's IN my food beyond calories and portions and to some degree when I'm cooking, the sodium. However, I have a nickel allergy and it's pretty severe - hives raise after only seconds of touching jewelry for example or the front close clasp of a bra or poorly wrapped underwire (which for the record, the underwire part of your body is a TERRIBLE place to have an allergic reaction!) What I didn't know is that nickel IS IN FOOD! I've been slowly poisoning myself with something I'm terribly allergic too and didn't even know! The worst one for me is almonds (super fun and satisfying snack) and it's variations like marzipan (one of my favorite treats) but it's also in carrots which I use all the time in cooking because I feel like they are healthy and add color and crunch to soups, salads, snacks as a dipper.

 

Anyway, the reason I discovered this is because some of the symptoms women with this condition experience are similar to pregnancy. Because the uterus is enlarged, it puts pressure on the stomach, bladder, colon, etc. and can create feelings of nausea, frequent urination, gas, trouble passing BMs, etc. They were discussing foods that can decrease inflammation to hopefully minimize some of those pressures and then they went on the nickel tangent.

 

It's a rain, snow, sleet mix again today and I've got to go out to my GP for my annual exam in about an hour but it will warm up by this evening when I go to my part time job. Have a great day everyone!

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@Katrin , don't look!  I've had a couple IVs for surgeries and find not looking is the best for me.  My veins are pretty deep so it sometimes takes a few times (and people trying) to get a good one to use.  Just breathe through it.  If you've given blood, it's basically the same thing.  Also, how interesting on the nickel in foods.  I hope you can adjust your diet enough to find relief.

 

Hope your two vehicle life is working out, @Cele21 .  We had one vehicle for a few years and I am thankful for two.  I bet you find some new found freedom being able to come and go on your schedule.

 

Ended up outside for about an hour working on the driveway.  Hubby had done 1/3 of it.  I was so mad at him this morning.  We know now that his problem is a nerve probably getting hung up on a spine spur.  I got the inflammation down last night by forcing Advil and using emu oil www.emumagic.com (although I get ours from a local vendor).  Since he was feeling better, he went out and got the snow blower going and did a few runs up and down the driveway.  I wasn't even really awake yet so I was out before I wanted and I can't seem to get him to just 'behave'.  As soon as that back area inflames again, the nerve will get pressed or 'hooked' again and then he'll be out of commission.  This has been going on since he did something while chopping wood a couple weeks ago and I can't impress upon him to let it heal.  Anyway, I got my exercise today and now I just need to stay on track with my eating.  I went all out last night so I'm ready to feel better.

 

Hope everyone else is having a good day.  Can't wait to hear what you are all up to.

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@Katrin , I am shocked about almonds and carrots containing nickel. As far as I know, I’m not allergic to it but assumed that foods in their natural state are healthy. I need to research the produce I (would ordinarily) eat frequently. 

I totally need to plan meals again. I did my best when I had a plan and stuck to it. I’m blaming my headaches on first bingeing on junk food, then withdrawal. I simply don’t have snacks in the house (except almonds and carrots!).

 

@Katrin , I don’t envy you having the MRI. Most IVs that I’ve had weren’t bad, but I prefer them in my forearm instead of the back of my hand. I’m not too familiar with dye but the actual MRI would activate my claustrophobia. Be prepared with topics to occupy your mind. 

Like you have found, diet has a major effect on our bodies and symptoms. As I study and plan, I can be diligent, but when it comes time to eat (or not), I still tend to seek the easy or instant gratification way. 

Our cold snap is over. We have had sunshine for a few days and now milder temps. 

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Hi Everyone,

 

So I didn't mean to drop a bombshell and then leave. I'm still learning about the nickel thing . . . nickel gets into food in 2 ways: 1. via the soil in which it's grown and 2. via the processing such as canning or cooking from pots and pans. In some food products, the amount of nickel can vary based on the region it's from.

 

In doing a little more reading, the amount of nickel in root vegetables including carrots is lower than in others but here's the kicker - it is in seafood and it is in oats and rice, whole wheat and whole grain cereals and breads - that stuff that we should be trying to eat more of to replace the corn and white flour stuff because it has more fiber. It's also in lettuce and spinach - that healthy stuff I try to fill up on so I don't eat the crappy stuff. Also, sadly, it's in chocolate! From my reading, it looks like it affects mostly people of western european descent including overlapping with the genes of those who are prone to celiacs disease which I don't think I am but I've started to have some GI issues and my GP now wants me to get tested for that among other things.

 

Here's a little more info if you want to do some reading on it yourself: https://www.webmd.com/diet/foods-high-in-nickel#2

 

Anyway, that's good advice - a. I won't look as that will freak me out and b. I don't think I have enough meat on my hand so I'd assumed it would go in my arm but ouch!

 

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Trying to post but having problems.  I am doing what I usually do coping and pasting from word but it says there is an HTML problem - no idea.  I will try againg tomorrow.

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I joined Weight Watchers on Thursday 11th February weighing 124.8 kg (275 lbs), by Monday (my chosen weigh in day) I had lost 1.8 kg (4 lbs) & on Monday I lost a further 2.1 kg (4.5 lbs). So I now weigh 120.9 kg (266.5 lbs) so I am very happy with this. I know a few of you may be familiar with WW so you will know what I mean when I say that everyday last week was a blue dot day and I achieved 120 fitness points.


We are having some issues with our house. Our fence down one side needs replacing especially as now the next door neighbours seem to have acquired a German Sheppard with access to the front garden. The problem is next door is a rental property, so Mum contacted the agent who told Mum that he has taken photos and sent them to the owner who doesn’t think it needs repair. We don’t believe he sent photos. We took pictures and showed the staff at the council offices who gave Mum a number to contact re disputes they agreed the fence needs replacing. Hopefully, it won’t come to that.


As well as the fence issue one of our internal doors with a lock would not unlock so we couldn’t get into the room. My brother was going to try to drill out the door knob but then realised the drill was in that room. So he ended up having to use a mallet to knock the door knob off. We will have to replace the door but it can wait.


Also, our upstairs bathroom sink had a leak, which resulted in the cabinet under the sink flooding, so I had to throw out loads of stuff.
My state went into a five day lockdown last week due to a covid case in hotel quarantine that got out – due to using a nebuliser and the mist from the nebuliser contained the virus and it spread out of the hotel room when the door was opened. One of the staff there was contaminated & it spread to several people. It is all under control now & we have no local cases and have had several days of no new cases. It just goes to show that even when you think you are right on top of things things can go wrong.


Our vaccination roll out started yesterday with the Prime Minister (PM) getting the second dose. The first dose was administered to an old lady who came to Australia as a Polish refugee after the war. It was amusing as she was sitting next to the PM but didn’t realise who he was and wondered why there was so much attention and why he kept talking to her.


I hope you are all doing okay with the bad weather you all seem to have been experiencing. I hear it has been particular bad in Texas. Our hot spell is hopefully over with some lovely cooler weather.

Elaine
How is your granddaughter after her school was exposed to covid?
Glad to hear your depression is lifting.
I agree with you about technology. It is something that does cause me anxiety when things go wrong, which they often do.

 

Catherine
When I saw the date for your MRI I thought you’d already had it. Here 3/2 would mean February 3rd. Hoping everything is okay.
You mentioned a part time job, did you have this job before you started your new one – how is the new job going by the way.
I can’t like humidity it just causes me to sweat. I can’t even wear sun screen. Genetically I am very lucky skin wise. Although I am 57 I always get told I look younger as I have very few wrinkles. I put this down mostly to genetics, being overweight, never smoking , rarely sunbathing and just socially drinking.


CJ
I appreciate how you are feeling about erratic eating. I joined WW as I needed a push to stop my eating, it was becoming to the point it was controlling me. As a result of me trying to eat better so is my brother – he doesn’t have much of a weight problem but he is on cholesterol reducing medication.
For most part our weather is not humid. So, it is only really humid for some of the summer and occasionally at the end of spring and the beginning of autumn.

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Monday was a 5 point day with having to clear snow and today should be a 4 point day.  I went for a walk in town while Hubby was getting his 1st dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.  It ended up taking 32 minutes to go 1.45 miles.  I felt like a plow horse with a stone in my horse shoe.  I had on socks that were slipping and then there must have been some little sand or something in my left boot.  I now have a big bandaid on the bottom of my foot where a blister formed.  So, I don't think I will be walking for a few days.  I need to remember which socks worked good in those boots as the roads are either snow, slush or water covered.  It will be a while before I can wear walking shoes.  We have been having warm weather (hitting 40 degrees) so that is a good thing.  My eating was great for the first time yesterday and I have a plan for today.  It feels good to be back on track.

 

I enjoyed the posts.  Keep them coming 🙂

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@Cele21 You may have hurt feelings that no one is joining your February to Easter challenge but that forum will not let me post anything.  It is only 5 weeks so I hope I can lose the 5 pounds I've gained lately  CW 120  goal 115 again.

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Semi retirement, working part time. My wife and I changed available hours at work . Now on Tuesday we do yoga and Thursday we do a butts and guts class. Survived last 2 weeks. Wife and I think butts and guts class is tough.

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Good to hear from you, @Glenda .  @reszy , sounds like you and your wife are having fun in your classes.  All kinds of opportunities to challenge each other - who can hold a pose the longest, who's got the toughest butt, etc. lol

 

I made a mistake of telling hubby it was OK for him to go back into the store for some heavy, sweet caloric snack that he knew I would like but didn't initially buy because I've asked him not to.  Again, had a measuring cup and measured out half the servings and then ate the rest right out of the bag.  When will I learn - don't bring home what you can't control your eating on.  I did log it all and now I hope to find some very, very low calorie protein to get me through the night.  I am also really trying to focus on how icky I feel right now.

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