Journey to a New Me

[mesmer_eyes]

Hi cc, Iftar is the meal (time) when Muslims break their fast during Ramadan. Braai, yes its bbq in afrikaans braai rolls of the tongue easier for me than barbeque / bbq..

decided not to weigh in today, will keep it for tomorrow, before the start of my 4th week...

i wore heels yesterday after a very long time (thick heels though).. i know im still lugging around 90kgs but im mostly sedentary.. still felt nice to feel "taller" but at the end of the day i felt tired than usual

laters!

[carrieanne_c]

ahhh so you are a masochist, wearing heels , I have totally screwy feet went yesterday to a foot dr. she gave me some exercises to do, told me to wear good shoes, she seemed to think that they werent that bad, I said ¨girrrrl
well try walken´on em,¨

Thanks for the vocab, I didn't realize it was Ramadan time. Thanks for the new vocabulary.

are you in South Africa? Must be nice! Have a great day, stay steady!

[mesmer_eyes]

weighed in this morning... 7.5kgs lost in 3 weeks AND Im officially back in the 80s baby! i just made the cut, -100 grams but I'd take it!!

cc, arent we all a bit masochistic ? and to think I have pain on my left foot (not so painful but i know its there) on the top left side and its been there for months! i had it massaged, i keep stretching it, rolling my foot on a bottle, putting my feet up against the wall etc.. but it doesnt really go away.. its worse when i do field work.. but oddly enough, when my foot was tilted coz of the heel.. i didnt feel that pain.. im really due to see a doc.. podiatrist right? but my health insurance succcckkkkkkssss.... so im not sure if thats covered...

not in ZA but been around tons of south africans for years

well, thats all for now.. next weigh in is on 17th May capping off 30days OP...

[carrieanne_c]

FAAAABULUUUS, THAT IS GREAT! I think that you are really rocking this. Glad you feetie pain was better in heels, ahhh youth. I wish you strengeth for today and the weekend stay strong !

[carrieanne_c]

Good day weightloss queen!I hope that you had a nice weekend!!! Full of painless feet and fleeing kilos.

[mesmer_eyes]

hi cc! thanks for dropping by and asking. the weekend was great! did nothing but was able to do the stuff i was too tired to do around the house during our peak season.. this sat was the first time in a long time i enjoyed an off day -- i didnt work for 1 bit! didnt check emails, did not respond to work whatsapps and watched the 4hr snyder's cut of justice league.. i hope yours went well too..

on another topic, companies are really implementing the vaccine to the maximum. first they said (all companies did) that those who didnt want to go for the vaccine will need PCR tests every week, otherwise they will not pay us for the week..

now our company is threatening immediate termination, I think Im the only one left (aside from those who are not eligible to take it) AND I REALLY DONT WANT TO BE BULLIED INTO TAKING THIS VACCINE. before anyone says go to labour, well, i cant count on any protection from them.

I've booked for tomorrow though and will probably receive the astra zeneca one.. ugh.. stressful.. my gut is really telling me not to get it.. :/

[carrieanne_c]

AWW, I will take yours. What country are you in? We are still waiting for our age group over here. Glad that you got a little time to disconnect. I have lots of friends in USA that have had it, no big deal they said just like a normal flu vac, some a little uncomfortable first 24 hours but nothing more. Try not to stress. Big hug!

[carrieanne_c]

Hello little Mesmer,
I hope that you are tiddling well wishing you great resistance for the weekend. Stay strong!

[mesmer_eyes]

heya peoples.. CC and to those lurking.. Im back from our 5-day Eid break.. Did absolutely nothing.. well not absolutely..

had braai on the 10th evening, slept very late (1am) and then woke up at 3am, to make it to the hot air balloon ride at 5am - it was ok.. its a good experience. Came home at 7am, ate breakfast, tried not to sleep for about 1 hour so cleaned the house, did laundry (and hung them!), weighed my veggies for the other meals of the day. couldnt help it but i think i dozed off as soon as sat my sweet behind on the couch.. got up at around 1pm, went for the vaccine, came home and slept on and off til the last meal. Woke up the next day still a bit tired, so I just did the minimum. Spent the next days sleeping, waking up early to clean up, make my meals, have coffee in our non-garden, watched tv, went to the grocery, went to the salon for all the works.. I really took the time off. I also started stretching in the morning, the parts of me that hurt or feel tight. I think I need time to be flexible again... a looonngg.. time.

@CC - Im based in Dubai...the thing is, Im not scared of the vaccine, its being pushed into a corner that annoys me. I want to make that choice in my own time. I didnt want to take this vaccine yet, Im not convinced with it.. The govt says its not mandatory, yet companies make it difficult for you and now with the immediate termination email that I received, well, just says if I dont want to make a living with the company during these tough times, well i better get myself vaccinated. Shouldnt I have a say on what goes in my body?? Im very much willing to do and pay for the weekly PCR tests as a consequence to my decision.. but this??

I spoke to my friend in Germany and she's saying its quite the opposite there. Theres not enough vaccine for everyone, and she hasnt gotten herself vaccinated yet. We share the same opinion about it.

I did go though, I hate myself for allowing myself to do something due to external factors. I hate it but I also know I have to make peace with it. In the evening, my arm hurt and I felt very tired, due to the lack of sleep I guess. Felt my throat hurt in the mornings a bit.. but otherwise im fine..

Day 30 today, weigh in tomorrow morning. My BMs are regular but not satisfying though, I might take my senna this evening for that colon cleanse. Clothes feel a bit looser. Face looks less bloated. I feel I havent reached "the zone" yet. why?

ciao for now!

[mesmer_eyes]

30 days done, 9kgs down was aiming for 10 but all good!

not been sleeping right the past few days.. getting enough and quality sleep has always been a bit of a challenge for me. i would love to get that rested sleep that when you wake up in the morning you feel refreshed and roaring to go...dunno what to do.. i drink my black coffee every morning, a soda by mid-day.. no teas..i feel sleepy before 9. but then i have my dinner around 8, so need to sleep at least by 10. I dont think its the timing of my sleep, but it is the quality throughout the evening, i just dont feel rested in the morning.

[carrieanne_c]

Wow, Dubai, how posh is that? I have never been there I have heard that it is really expensive. Nothing for me hahaha.Good for you on your losses, I am jealous. I am starting my 4th week but I dont se me catching up to you. I hope your sleep settles down and you get some rest. Have a lovely rest of the day!

[mesmer_eyes]

ye, dubai is its own character... cant say much more

I'd take your 2.9 kg to lose than my 30+ something kgs to go! it seems so far away from me.. as they said, "dont do the crime if you cant do the time" so here am i, paying my dues..

still not sleeping well.. lets see later, will try to get to bed early.. food-wise, Im deviation free..

laters..

[mesmer_eyes]

- is peppermint tea allowed in the program?
- any thread or post i can read about olive oil? is this allowed?

thanks!

yoohoo? anyone?

TOM is approx in 10 days and i can feel the cravings start... i want to eat!

[Kohinoor]

Hi Mesmer,
Good work having shed 9Kg in a month - that's a good start eh? I think I heard you say you weren't getting into the zone, and that you "just wanna eat".... Hmm - I hear you, and it leads me to ask a bit more of you.

Here's a few thoughts - depending on your answers, some of these might make some sense to you:-
1. This is likely an old Plan - true or false?
2. If true, then you are likely to be some years older than "the first time" - true or false?
3. You do have a lot to lose, so Plan is probably the right way to go for you - BUT the Plan you have was for someone younger than you - TRUE?

OK, if you are still nodding your head to all of them, here's what I think (and note, I am NOT a consultant, nor am I anything other than a bloke who reads a lot and has an opinion).

a. The good Doc creates a Plan that has you (based on the blood tests he got from you) eat JUST ENOUGH to sustain your core body while you call on fat stores to provide energy to move around.

b. That "just enough" may now be "not quite enough" for someone who is now a few years older. Your diary tells me it has been 7 years - did anything major happen in those years? Did you have a baby? Any major illness? Other overall changes? Whatever, I mean you might now be quite a different person than 7 years ago.... or not.

c. We know that if you don't get enough food, you are stepping over the "starvation line" and into dangerous territory - i.e. no zone for you, no happy seratonin, slower (if any) weightloss, etc.

d. If you are no longer going with a clinic, then it is up to you to "try stuff" (which is what Maintenance is all about anyway - and Plan is just another tool in your Maintenance toolshed, yeah?)


So mesmer, if you agree with the above, do you think it is worth trying a bit of a tweak around your food amounts? Like, if you KNEW you weren't eating enough you would change it, wouldn't you? Well, you may not know that (yet), but instead let's go the other way. e.g. Perhaps ADD an arbitrary amount to your protein and vege amounts per meal - perhaps 10g or 20g per serve - and see the effects over the next two weeks. For sure, you won't be worse off with how you feel. But, if my thoughts above have merit, you might find you feel happier, not hungry, and you might even get to find that zone (did you get there on your first time around? Not everyone does...). Your weightloss could even improve !!

And think of this - what is the WORST that could happen if you added those small amounts? What if it slightly slowed your weightloss, but you were happier and not hungry and generally FELT a lot better? Even if it took a week or two longer to reach goal, your happier life would be worth it wouldn't it?

For a bit of an idea, do check out some of the other Cohenites' words around the subject of more food on Maintenance:-

https://newyouforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6408
Now mesmer, I DO believe you were right to go back on Plan (maintenance food amounts are OK to play with to lose a few Kgs, but 30+ needs a Plan I would think). BUT is your Plan showing sufficient quantities for the New you? It might have worked fine for the 7 years younger person, but is it right for you now? How about it? Do you want to "have a go" at adding small extra amounts and see what happens?


It's your call - I have nothing to gain at all over this, but you might! Good luck with whatever you choose.
Koh

[mesmer_eyes]

Hi Koh! Thanks for dropping by... ive been reading up on Koh's Classics (thank you!), tons of gems in there to keep myself focused

I say yes to all your questions.. but the plan im using now was the one i got in 2019 (which i didnt finish, thus i dont have refeed plan and the guidelines). Im not getting hungry (real hunger) but im more of craving i think esp for our local food. It could be ive been in this country for so long and i dont like to cook and the past few months, ive discovered restaurants where to get our local dishes that taste authentic, just like from home. Plus havent travelled for my annual leave for 2 years due to the pandemic.. so craving for my dad's food 😫

Ive been thinking of getting another plan, more suited for my age and size. Ive ballooned up to my heaviest of all time so im sure some things would be different in my plan. Im giving it until the end of June, will see the losses, and then get in touch with the online clinic. I would have to anyway for my refeed plan...

Ive gotten my first dose on the 11thMay, experienced some minor side effects last week. As for the zone, yes i experienced that 7yrs ago, but havent now, even after being cohen clean for 30days. My allergies rhinitis should have reduced by now, but it hasnt. Could it be the vaccine? Or its going to take me longer to get 'there'? I did my body bad over the past 2 years and I can accept that it is going to take me some time to fix it.

On my last post i asked abt olive oil as i think this is the thing i can tweak, the plan said no oil allowed. Ive previously used olive oil spray, now im using a teaspoon of olive oil per meal, coz we have it at home. I dont want to waste it or leave it unused! We have bottles thats been sitting there while we stuffed ourselves with fast food for abt a year! This, using a spray, switch meals and timings and get good sleep are things i think i can do to be 100% dv free.

Thanks for the tips and still being here

[mesmer_eyes]

been reading up a lot in the forum to keep myself motivated and focused and so far i have been on plan for 36 days.. deviated with 1 meal

Im still having problems with my sleep and knowing this is annoying the hell out of me. Knowing that I can benefit more if I slept well and Im not doing it (or not able to do it)... suckssss.

First day of the week for us here in the pit.. decided to read up on my diary from the beginning..

WHAT.HAPPENED.TO.ME???

I was active - into weights, gym, volleyball, yoga, friday beach tanning, going out, clubbing (ok this one i dont really miss, im done with that phase in my life)..

plus, the forum was active then (2014) got a few ladies taking part of the journey with me.. it was nice to have ppl cheering you on and who understands what you are going through/trying to do..

anyhoo, nothing special.. weigh in tomorrow morning.. tschüss!

[mesmer_eyes]

5th week weigh in -- down by 1.2kgs only.. thats low right?



6th week.. here we go.

[Kohinoor]

Hi Me,
Aw, you sound a bit down...

5th week weigh in -- down by 1.2kgs only.. thats low right?

Not really. You were 9Kgs for the first month - and that's often nearly twice as big as each following month (not always, but often). So what does that say for your following months? 4.5? 5? At 1.2 for a week, you are about right.

How does that compare with your first diary? And don't forget that younger folk shed weight more quickly.

Now, CAN you shed more quickly than what you've been doing? Perhaps, as sleep is important. Is there a way to find out WHY you aren't sleeping well? Have you checked with your GP? Could it be sleep apnea? Only one way to find out.

With a newer program that does suit you better, and with you being good, perhaps that 5Kg a month is what it is to be? But do check up on your sleep. Remember NOT to take up any new exercise unless it is gentle (like walking, or tai chi, or pilates type - no cardio though). You aren't being fed enough to cover excessive exercise, so don't overdo it in hopes of FORCING a bigger drop (it really doesn't work - except against you!)

Do check out Asy's words too - I heard you ate late then stayed up two hours - which can even put your next day right out of whack if too late!! Asy has this to say about some "deviations" that aren't really that bad:-
https://newyouforum.com/forum/showth...892#post226892

That "triage" aspect is the biggie - if you can't fit everything in, do the most important first and foremost then if necessary, drop off the lower down (less important) bits. And thinking back a post or two, you hadn't yet got into the zone. That sounds like you aren't getting your full quota of seratonin. Worth checking why that might be. e.g. any stress in your life currently? Job, family pressures, illnesses (maybe not your own), etc. Have a think, visit your GP, talk to family (ask for their help with some things?) etc Read more forum good stuff from others who have gone before.

Anyway, mesmer - great to have you still around and having a go !! Don't give up - keep on kicking on. And good luck,


Edited later:- Oh, and DO read on - my next post has some enlightenings within !!! Maybe even some good news?


Hugs,
Koh

[Kohinoor]

"You see, Koh - you need to take in all information that is around - you'll see more clearly..."

Huh? Whassup? Don't worry - that was Koh talkiing to Koh!

You see mesmer, I figured I ought to have a read of your blog. Some learnings in there, right?

Seems your first two weeks were using a 7year-old plan - then you switched to your more current plan. Quote- "So, I checked my latest meal plan and the portions are sooo different!"

This means to me that you've now been on the right plan for just on 3 weeks, right? And, from memory, the zone can kick in around the 3-4 week mark... Does this mean you are nearly there now?

Maybe it hasn't been stress or sleep - just a time thing and an early stuffup with your food amounts..... Time will tell, eh? Anyway, great that you are keeping a blog for everyone else who isn't on NewYou !!!

Koh

[mesmer_eyes]

I accessed this site after some days AWOL and site was unavailable this morning

whew! glad its back!!

weigh in tomorrow but im not really hopeful on this one, had deviated on 3 meals last week, succumbed to my cravings. I didnt reach out for fast food and chocolates, just ate more crackers with that shrimp paste.. and..a couple of activia yogurt (mango and peach to be exact)

@Koh -- thanks for putting that 1.2kg loss into perspective... as long as im losing right? and big big hugs for reading up on my blog.. long mumblings and musings in there, but yes, i do find good stuff from time to time.. (was that me?? ) so many failed attempts too.. Im not blogging so much anymore, well coz its just so embarrassing and tiring to keep failing. but here i am still truckin'..

i wish you were right though.. but i made that mistake last year... so my 9kg loss is just me being a good gal on plan...

wish me luck tomorrow.. im almost scared to weigh in the morning.. seriously thinking of skipping it.. getting my second dose of the vaccine on the 1st of jun.. lets see how will that affect me...