UK Cathy

Had to share, a banksy has appeared overnight in Cheltenham, where I live. We have GCHQ here which is our spy service and they are supposed to monitor all calls etc in order to keep us all safe. So Banksy has taken this as his theme and constructed the art around a public call box.

Sarah, it sounds like your MIL is at the same stage of dementia as my MIL, the past 4 months I would say she has gone downhill rapidly. It is so sad to watch. My SIL arrives on Saturday and she has not seen her since Christmas and she is going to notice such a difference. Florinda, it sounds like you have made the right decision to leave ( or it has been made for you), things will work out - I'm a great believer in things happen that are meant to be. At this moment in time it might not seem so but in time it will turn out to be so right for you. I hope all the stress and upset has not impacted too much on your medical condition. Sheila - schools out! You must feel good about that and especially with getting such good grades Still sorting and packing but just had to make a mercy mission to see my mum. Just sitting in a service station having a coffee before completing my home journey. The traffic is terrible. Did you say 54 and pregnant!! Doesn't bear thinking about.

Well it was my 2 year anniversary yesterday and I did hope to be at goal but it is not meant to be - I am 96% of the way there! In my innocence I did think that I might have made goal by year 1, however, a slow rate of loss soon made it evident that it would take longer. Not too disappointed though because without the sleeve I would be up on my starting weight of 263 by now I'm sure. Still ploughing through the house and sorting out the cupboards, it's amazing how many trips to the tip (rubbish tip - don't know the US translation) we have made as well as numerous trips to the charity shops. It's quite cathartic clearing out the old life to make way for the new one. Hope everyone is well.

No unfortunately we don't do take home boxes, occasionally I can persuade a waiter to wrap up some meat for the dog in foil, but that is as good as it gets.

Nearly 2 years out and I use a teaspoon to eat my chilli.

Has anyone mentioned the sleeve to you or will that complicate things more?

Ladies it is Mothers Day here in the UK so I'm having a nice day with my boys. I give permission for all you ladies to have an 'extra' Mothers Day, so grab a child and give them an extra hug. Picture to prove it

I had my sleeve in Czech Rep and flew home after 4 days, I was tired but fine.

As you are looking at BMI as well as dress size you might be interested in this table which takes age into consideration too. I'm 55 and I don't expect to be the same weight I was at 25. I have posted this table before but some might not have seen it.

Is it possible for you to get a protein drink with a higher protein content or double the amount of powder you put into a shake, this would increase your protein intake.

Personally I eat 3 times a day. I'm one of the lucky ones in that I don't feel real hunger anymore (sometimes head hunger or more likely want). I'm nearly 2 years out and for the past 6 months I have followed the 5:2 plan, where I restrict my calories on 2 days per week. On ordinary days I get about 1000-1100 calories. Not quite at goal, 4lb to go - my journey has been slow but I figured early out that it was not a race and so became comfortable with my rate of loss. Before VSG when I went to WW and other slimming clubs I was always a slow loser too.

Keep some healthy snacks at your desk, nuts for example.

I had a good fast day on Tuesday and was rewarded with a new low yesterday (168), it was my birthday so accepted it as a present but didn't claim it. Today scale says the same and that was after cake and drinks yesterday so I am claiming it! I'm chip chip chipping away and can see the finishing line, though I know that is where the real journey starts. I'm buzzing and it is a fast day today. Celebrations were only small yesterday but we will celebrate again on Sunday as it is Mothers Day here in the UK so I will be out with both of my boys and of course hubby will have his mum with him too. MILs dementia seems to be progressing faster these past couple of months so we need to make it a special day for her (and hubby too). Hope everyone has a good day.

I think Wanda meant book of Ruth from Bible, well that is what I took from her post - but don't take it from me I'm wrong quite often.

Wanda, I just got to go and read the book of Ruth now.

Florinda, you are right! When you want the grilled cheese or reach for the cookie put a picture of that scale (displaying that low figure) in your mind and ask yourself 'do I REALLY want it'. Ps I should take my own advice

Sorry hit send too early. Swizzly, you seem to have been hit really hard by the pneumonia and the aftermath of the antibiotics, take care of yourself. Wanda, we haven't from you in a while are you lurking? I love your sound advice and words of wisdom. {{hugs}} to everyone.

Well ladies, I'm back down to my lowest, at last! I enjoyed the week away but not the time it has taken to get the weight off. The survey on the new house will be done on Wednesday and my buyer will have their survey done too on the same day, fingers crossed that both surveys come back with no problems and with the right valuations. If everything is OK we hope to move the 2nd May - 5th May is a holiday here so I will have a 4 day weekend to get things sorted. In the US do you take curtains and blinds when you move? Here it is normal to leave them (your next house never has the same size windows!) but I did not read the brochure properly and they are not included, should have said they must be included in our offer. Anyway I am waiting for a price from the vendor. I don't want to pay much as I will be decorating the house and chances are they won't fit in colour wise then but I do need something at the windows for the first few weeks/months. We are both looking forward to this move now and we are both looking on it as a positive experience. Sarah, so sorry you are having medical issues with you FIL, really hope he is now on the road to recovery. Did you start your PT sessions with your new clients or did the medical emergency take over. Florinda, really hope the skype interview goes well, we all know that you want to get resettled stateside and we are all routing for you. You seem to be on top of your diet too at the moment so congrats

I'm an emotional eater, thank you for this.

Those 2 pictures look like mother and daughter! Congratulations on your loss and especially on maintaining.

Butter seems to have gone off piste at about the same time LV took a rest, No! I'm not starting a rumour.

Coops, sorry you are feeling bad. {{HUGS}}.

Out of my family only husband and my 2 sons know, nobody else. I too live away from family and when I have seen them they comment on loss and I just say "thank you". I'm sure there would be lots of snide comments if they knew.

Was you smaller when you was younger? If so this group may only remember you at that weight and in their minds you was never 'big' so there is nothing to comment on.

Georgia, glad it went well. You deserve a nice big rest now, really hope that you are over the worse of the shingles. You are right GOD is good and he is there for us in all our troubles. Ps beautiful pictures