coops

Sheryl I am so on the same page as you re work and having no energy, albeit for different reasons. I still feel absolutely rotten! I went to the doc Monday, had bloods taken today and go back to the doc tomo. I just feel so ill! Doc said prob a flu virus and boy, it is ripping me apart. I haven't felt like this for a very long time (even post op(s) I had more energy... all i want to do is sleep... my steps are down to under 1000 a day which shows how my energy level is low. I was sent home from work Monday and I am unsure whether I will return this week unless something drastically changes.

Thanks Georgia, all I can think of now is rest and sleep ... I am dreading work as I am finding it hard to concentrate. My glands hurt when I stand up for too long too. Hopefully symptoms will clear up in a a day or two. It is sweeping around her too, so I know I am not alone! x

A grim week for me... no fast day completed properly, I did do two low cals days but not enough to see a 'loss'. Mid week I came down with flu type symptoms and they are now making me feel really ill. My glands are hurting, neck underarm and groin areas... all I want to do is sleep. Not sure if I am going to manage fast days next week if I keep feeling like this but I will try.

Sorry to hear about your friend Denise, tough times ahead so try to make the most of your friendship >cwtches< Sheryl, it really winds me up when people/friends/work mates comment on weight, especially the 'oh your too small now' type comments. They didn't give a flying sh*t when I (we) we morbidly obese, and no one ever said to me, 'oh you should lose weight because you're too fat!' So, what is the difference? Hmmm, there is none. We have to be comfortable in our own skin... be it 100lbs or 300lbs... I have come to the conclusion that I will never be satifised with my body, but that doesn't mean I am not happy with how I feel, even if I think I could look better. When I was in Florida, I totally rocked by bathing suite (one piece) in front of 45 kids! I was in a good place mentally and felt great. At nearly 45, I feel fit and healthy and I wanted to portray that to the kids, especially the girls. I am envious of those of you who weigh less, of course I am. I will continue to try and lose more, of course I will. However, I refuse to be told what to weigh, what to wear, and how to exercise. We should all rock our succesess, weight related or not! Be proud ladies... we are awesome!

Yea Georgia, it was a school trip... we took 45 14-15 year olds. That bit was stressful, especially the actual travelling but it was well worth it as it was a trip of a life time for them and for me. The weather was lovely too... we did have a few cloudy days but it was warm, It rained over night one time, but the next day it was around 26 so all good! Nice to get some vit D...lol... not something we get much of here in Wales!

Sorry that there are a lot of selfies...lol... couldn't resist! And I don't know why they aren't the right way around! Georgia, I meant to say, good to see you again and good to hear that you are getting rid of those unwanted pounds... always a 5:2 inspiration to me!

Here are some pics from my trip..

I'm back! And boy am I tired or what... the actual travelling is really difficult then add 45 kids... wow! But we had an amazing time...just so much to see and so much fun to have. I never aspired to visit Disney before the trip but I have to be honest it was amazing. The people that we encountered we just so helpful and happy... I felt at 'home' there. My colleagues joked that I must have 'American' blood! When I have put the photos on my computer I will post them here, Each day was crammed with activities; we went to Nasa which was just the best experience. It was overwhelming in many ways, especially when I saw Atlantis, that was breath taking. We also went to the Hollywood Studio and Magic Kingdom theme parks as well as Blizzard Beach and the Epcot Centre. Like I said, it was a lot to do and we rushed around a lot but totally worth it. So, it is back to normal now... back on the fast train Tue and Thurs. Oh, and I have given up meat for Lent - this is going to be a hard one. Hope all is well with you lovely ladies,

Well, the last two weeks I have only managed to do one fast per week (crap times in work again) - so the scales haven't moved either way... good and bad I suppose. I'm still stepping though... I went on my dad's treadmill Sunday and fast walked/jogged for 64 mins and did 4.1 miles, my personal best. I am happy with that! I am going to try to give up meat (not fish) for lent - I give something up each year, this will be a tough one for me, especially as I am off to Orlando tonight! I will be leaving for Florida in 20 mins... so I won't be around for a week... but I will be thinking of you all. Stay safe ladies! Cwtches from rainy Wales! x

Yep... that is a great selfie... I do love a selfie ...lol! Well done Cathy and Denise... good job on the fasting. I had a bad day in work so my fast didn't work out as I wanted it to, so I will try again tomo - that is the beauty of this way, it works around a bad day! Still doing well on my steps though, I've upped my daily minimum to 15,000 and I am sticking to it, even if that means I have to march on the spot whilst watching telly... feels good to move. There is talk in work of starting a circuit training session after school.... I am defo up for that! Let's hope it is not all talk! Well a week today and I'll be in Florida... I am starting to have a little panic about flying with all those kids and no husband! I am sure it'll be ok... but I've never been away from my family for so long and so far. I am also wondering what to pack to wear... I have the weather app on my phone and it is looking to be warm and sunny! Yey! The weather here is constant rain, so some rays will defo be a benefit! Wish me luck with my fast tomo x

Hey,,, good job Cathy! I was just over 500 including my tea and coffee so I am happy and I managed to get in 20,000 steps too. After I had my TT I lost my appetite too Sheryl, perhaps it is just a way of healing? Fluid is the most important post op and no wine is good... x

I totes Understand sheryl, I remember when you did the 5:2 before,,, I think your modified version sounds good. Yes Denise, I tried HRT about 5 years ago... didn't get on with the Patches or the tablets and I haven't taken anything for a long time... just using the lady magnet for the flushes which did work for a while however, sine I had the bleed back in Nov the flushes are bad again. I went to the gyne today - useless. She didn't seem interested in anything I had to say. Just said that Migraines and headaches can be hormone related and I should go to my GP to discuss it. I have to go back if I bleed again. When I asked about the missing ovary she said that it wasn't a problem, and it has 'probably shrunk to a size so small that it can't be seen.' She wasn't interested in the cramps I am getting or the bloated feeling... she wasn't personable - didn't even ask me if I worked. So, I felt like it was a total waste of time... good thing is that my scan was clear. Cathy... lets set our days for next week... how does Mon and Thur suit? Yes, we go in half term, well we leave on the Thursday before. I am just looking online for some walking flip flops... lol!

Yes Sheryl, as Cathy said... rest up and do as doc said... work will defo wait! I've been really down over the last week or so... only managed 2 proper fast days last week and this week to date. No change on the scale so that is something. When not trying to fast, I am defo struggling with make good choices. It started the Sunday before last with a terrible Migraine ... that has left me with a constant Headache ever since. I am sure it is hormone related cos my hot sweats are really bad to the extent I can feel sweat trickling down my forehead and neck; they are lasting longer and feel so intense, on occasion I have to sit down. Just horrible. Feeling so poorly and stress in work is getting me on the verge of exhaustion ... So tired all the time and not sleeping great either, but I am trying to plow through it. I have to say though, I am not in a great head space at the moment... too much going on and I feel all over the place. Denise, if you wanna partner up for the 5:2 give me a shout, we could start next week... be great to have someone to do it with... infact would anyone else like to join us - perhaps not Sheryl until you have rested after your op though my lovely. One plus side that is keeping me going is my visit to Orlando... two weeks today and I will be across the pond. Never been to America before and even though there are 46 kids with us, I am really looking forward to the trip! Hope all is well with our lil gang,,, I agree with Densie, I miss Florinda too.. hope she is ok. x

Hugs to you Sheryl - rest up and take care my lovely. x

Good luck with the op Sheryl... hope it goes well. As far as men go - take a 'break' from the dating scene... you never know, if you stop looking you might start finding? Just a thought x

Sheryl, that would put me right off... even if he looked like a God! *sighs*

Cathy, consider your backside kicked...lol... I think I am fasting Tuesday and Thursday this week if you want to join me x

Hiya all, 5:2 is going really well... I messed up my fast day yesterday but stuck with it today and came in just under 500! Happy Days. We are starting a step challenge in work on Monday, and this year I am taking part... looking forward to getting those steps in. This UP band is highly addictive! I like seeing how much I move and when I move more I want to do more... seems I am quite a visual person. I am also realising that I am quite competitive too. I didn't think I was but I do like being at the top of the leaderboard...lol work remains rubbish, I've started to look for another job - hoping over the next couple of weeks that a decent -ish school advertises. Trying not to let it get me down though... still doing my job well in the classroom but struggling to motivate to all the stuff outside the classroom! Nothing else to report really... hope you're all ok x

Doing well on the 5:2 done three good fasts so far next one is tomo... down a 'real' pound - only put on a few xmas pounds and they've gone too... seeing 163 now... hoping the slow but steady keeps going. Still stepping too and drinking my Water - I am sure that is helping me feel better; using MFP really helps to stop sneaky cals getting in unnoticed too! Hope you're all ok x

Yea, I am fully in the menopause - before Novemeber it was three years since I last saw anything and then it was probably 2-3 times a year. I was diagnosed peri menopausal 6 years ago. I'll be interested to see what the gynae says - I just feel that at 44 now, I am a little to young for all this! My mam has a missing ovary too - but she is 81...lol! Perhaps it has just given up and shrivelled away to nothing - hahaha! Had a clean eating day again today (just under 1100 cals) and will be finishing my steps just over 16,000, so I am happy with that. Hearing the troubles of being single makes me all the more grateful for my family life - and marrying my imperfectly perfect man... I honestly don't know where I would be without him. He really is my rock and my soul mate and every day I thank the universe for him being in my life.

Hello all... thought I would give a quick update... 5:2 is going well... two fast days this week, first one came in at just under 500 and the other just over so I am calling that done. The other two days have been 1200 cals or less. I am logging everything and I am starting to feel a lot more in control. I have also upped my Water in take - min of 8 glasses a day ( been doing that since before xmas). I am drinking it hot, like the temp of a cuppa, as I find it easier to drink and it has a soothing effect on my tummy. Not seen any significant movement on the scales, but I am the same weight I was before xmas - 164lb. I know I won't see fast weight loss, but I would be happy with a few pounds a month. One thing that has been playing on my mind is this menopause - my hot flushes have come back ( stress seems to be a major cause) and in Nov I had a bleed, I went to the doc who did an examination and a smear and all seemed ok (smear results were all clear) but she sent me for a scan anyway. In the scan the nurse said she couldn't find my left ovary. Although I don't need that ovary, it has freaked me out a little that it isn't there.I have an appointment with the gyny consultant at eh end of the month, where I am hoping that she can explain things for me. Anyone heard of this before? Hope you are all well... anyone else fasting? Hugs from across the pond! Oh and on the stepping front, I reached a personal best today... of 35,395! It was hard work but I got there,

Sheila, my ole friend... soooo good to hear from you! I can't believe you've been in the job for 1 1/2 years - I remember when you took it on. The commute would do my head in to be honest, I can see why you are annoyed with it. I totes get the running around with the kids, I do the same for my two... nearly every day of the week one of them has to be some where or another! As for me... I'm ok... there is a huge amount of stress in work that I am not particularly coping well with and consequently looking for a new school. We will see what happens. As for my weight... I am over my bounce - still - but most of my clothes fit still... which is weird. I still where my UP tracker and I am upping my steps weekly. My goal is 10,000 steps daily but I am now aiming for 15,000 min. I also started the 5:2 today, logging into MFP - just under 500 today so I am happy with that. I really want to get rid of at least 14lb but 28lb would be amazing... but I'll take a lb at a time though. On the up side, I will be coming over the pond - we have a school trip to Orlando, Florinda mid Feb and I can't wait... there is an exciting schedule for us... gives me something to look forward to in work when times are are (as there are every day at the moment!).

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas... I will update properly when I can... lots going on here in not-so-sunny Wales! x

Florinda, have you been to the doc? The symptoms sound awful - hugs my friend x

Yes Cathy, I have seen if before... the difference there is that they are all different heights, whereas me and my two friends are between 5'2' and 5'5'! Still an interesting pic. If I was taller I would be at goal... but I am a lil shortie (not that I am complaining, I have never had an issue with my height). How we see ourselves is totally different to how others see us... I am sure of that. A lady in work called me 'tiny' and asked why on earth I would want to lose more weight when I am so small! I actually laughed at her cos I thought she was taking the pi$$ but she was serious. Even the pupils call me small... hahaha! It will always be a minefield. But what Sheryl says is important -and that is to be comfortable in our skins regardless of numbers.