Here I Go Again

Spent a very nice day out shopping with my husband yesterday. We went to the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham to get my rings re-sized as they are now too big for my middle fingers.

Last Christmas I saw a lovely Ruby and Diamond ring, but it wouldn't fit my fingers and it would take them til February to get me a new one made, so being me and being impatient I had another one instead.
We went back into the same shop yesterday to get my rings resized but they told me that in the run up to Christmas there was no chance. At this point my husband noticed that they had the same ring that I liked last year and persuaded me to try it on. Guess what?? Perfect fit. He says it's waited a year for me So he bought it for me. He asked the gentleman if he could now be persuaded to re-size my rings, and he said OK. I handed him my rings and he put them on the "stick thing" (I think that's the technical term). He then looked at me and said "are these your rings madam??". Hubby and I laughed and he told him that I'd lost weight. My ring size had gone down 6 sizes so he asked how much I'd lost. He then asked if he could tell everyone else that worked there. I was then given coffee and treated like a celebrity and best of all they decided to re-size my rings for free
Wonder if I go into a clothes shop and try the same thing I'll get free clothes

I wrote a blog a while back about how people are always saying how great I must feel etc. If I remember correctly (because I can't be bothered to go back and read it ), it was quite a negative post.

Right up until recently I still didn't really know what to say when people asked me if I felt fantastic. I didn't think I felt ill etc before, apart from some backache and not being able to walk for hours.

Then it suddenly hit me on Saturday when I was out with hubby. I said to him "Iknow how I feel now. I feel young again". I know I'm not exactly nearing my pension, but I realise that I did feel like an old woman. I never went anywhere or did anything and had no energy. Our weekends, now seem to be packed. We're always off somewhere, just like when we first met. Hence for the first time in 17 years I suddenly feel young again.

Not eating for 7 months (around £1000.00)
New clothes (£?????)
Feeling young again (PRICELESS)

Lost another 3lbs this week.

Hope you all had a good weekend.

Back later

Well I went to see Derek Acorah last night as he was on at my local theatre for one night.

Everything is an adventure when I go out (perhaps that's why I don't go out very often).

I went with my Aunty and my Mum and my Aunty drove. She parked on the car park (one that we spent hours riding round Christmas eve because we couldn't find the way out) and she was very proud of herself for finding a space by the exit Just as we were walking out I said to her "I hope you know the way", she said "of course, it's only across the road", I said "well you should know, you worked opposite for years". At this she looked at me like I was mad and said that she never worked by "The Civic". I told her that we weren't going to "The Civic" we were going to "The Grand Theatre". After arguing she got the tickets out and yep we were parked in the wrong place. We then payed £2 for the pleasure of parking for 2 minutes

We did get there in the end though.

It was a good laugh. Derek Acorah is very funny,much funnier than on the telly. But as a medium I could have done better myself. He spent too much time running up the three flights of stairs and into the audience.

In 2 and a half hours I think he only spoke to around 7 people.

We did have a good night though and we did get off the car park and back home

The Doctor I work for told me today that I'd lost too much weight in 6 months and that if I didn't eat something soon I would collapse and die

This is the same Doctor that told one of the girls at our Branch Surgery (at the beginning of the year) that if she didn't do something about her weight she would end up looking like me!!!!!!!

You just can't bloody win with some people.

Lost another 4lbs

I went shopping with my Dad yesterday and had a couple of "wow" moments.

Sorry if I'm boring you, but these are the things I like to read about on weight loss blogs

First of all every shop I went into actually went up to my size I think, that in itself is a first. Even though I was still nervous thinking that people would be looking at me and thinking "what's she doing in here, nothing will fit her!!".

Secondly I went into a shop to try on a wrap-over dress. When I went to the waiting rooms the lady told me they had one in a different colour and did I want her to get that one. When I said yes she asked if I'd like a size 16. That amazed me because I'm still convinced I look bigger than a 16. Only that morning my Mom had told me that one of my Aunties said I couldn't possibly only be a 16, because she was a 20 and not as big as me

Thirdly (and lastly) I was browsing through a rack of "sale" items and a lady turned to me and said "it's no good looking, they're all big sizes". I just smiled at her and thought "if only you knew".

So there you go. Even after 7 months?? of losing weight the little things still amaze me

These were my tarot readings from yesterday. Appropriate I thought

The Opportunity
19 - the Sun
Radiant joy
You have the opportunity to shine in the world. You may find a big smile on your face. With a huge burst of energy, your spirit is shouting out a great big YES! Perhaps you have accomplished a long term goal or are receiving accolades and attention for the good work you have done. You are healthy, energetic and enthusiastic with a warm and generous heart. It's time to celebrate and get out and play in the sunshine. Sing, dance, make love, let your creativity flow. Shine on!

The Challenge
0 - the Seeker
A new beginning
You are being challenged to take a risk and begin again. It's time to hit the road, either metaphorically or literally. Every time you set out on a journey, even if it's only a one-day hike, you embark on a spiritual journey as well. Be open to all the twists and curves in the road ahead. Be ready for surprises. Keep your heart open and maintain an attitude of innocence, trust and spontaneity. Take a risk! Before you is a brand new adventure — the chance for a fresh start and endless possibilities.

The Resolution
13 - Death
Dying and being born
Resolution comes as you accept the fact that something in your life is dying and something else is nearing its time to be born. Take the time that you need to grieve for that which is dying, whether it is a cherished dream, a relationship or a belief system. Don't rush the process or deny all your turbulent feelings. Death isn't pretty; it hurts. It's painful. Whatever dies, is dead, and it will never return again in the same form. But just as the Dark Moon gives way to the New, and Winter gives way to Spring, Rebirth will surely follow Death. When you are ready to let go of grief, you will find yourself emptied out and clean, and ready for the next stage of your journey.

on the Cambridge Diet. Hope I don't have another bloody 200 to do

After Trolly's post I couldn't settle until I'd looked at the contents of my address book, and here they are.

Business card for the Bath Doctor
CV and Photo of the Doctors Daughter (yes I have to do all their crap as well)
Avon 2005 Calendar
Underwater picture by one of the children
Orange “Top up your Talk Time” Leaflet
Poem cut out of the paper – Avalon
Dentists’ Business Card
Decorators Business Card
Decorators Business Card (a different one)
Words to a “White Stripes” song – Seven Nation Army
True Friendship card
Plasterers Business Card
Standard Life Bank Card
Cutting out of newspaper of my 15 year old aged 5
Taxi Card
Doctors Practice Leaflet
Letter from the Institute of Quality Assurance with several phone numbers written on the back.
Photo of me and husband aged 17 and 20
Silly birthday letter from my Aunty
Letter from First Direct Bank (Jan 2006)
Business Card from a shop in the village.
FedEx Delivery Card
Miscellaneous phone number
Leaflet for Tesco Clubcard
Tales of Robin Hood Leaflet
Notorious Nottingham Leaflet
Top of a box of tissues with “Dark Nick” written on it ??????????
Library opening times
School advert for concert with times that someone was coming from London to see kittens.

This is the new coat I bought at the weekend. Please note that the coat is much brighter in "real life" and it's got a belt
I definitely wouldn't have been wearing a coat like this last year

Although my Dad told me to be careful when I open my mouth, because someone might try to post a letter

Now not many of you will know this, but my Dad is the real Santa Claus

My children were convinced from an early age as he was Santa at the Playgroup I used to run. Number one son said "Why is Santa wearing Grandads shoes?" So we had to explain that he was the real Santa, but it had to be kept a secret.

This year he's in 5 grottos (every year there's more and more).

I'm thinking of hiring him out.

Santa Claus for hire.
Has own beard and costume
Travel not a problem as the reindeers will bring him.

What do you think??

see the goal, someone moves the goal posts

When I first started my Cambridge Diet I laughed at the thought of getting down to 12 stone. The last time I was 12 and a half stone was in 1988, so 12 stone seemed impossible.

Last night I said to my counsellor "only another 3 stone to go", and she said "Oh you're not going to stop at 12 now are you??". I reminded her that I nearly fell off the chair at 12 stone, but she said "you're only tiny" (first time I've been called that!!).

So it's got me thinking now - although I've halved my BMI already, when I look at the charts 12 stone is still classed as overweight. Well I don't want to have come this far and still be overweight. I always wanted to just be "normal. For my ideal weight I should be between 7 stone 12 and 10 stone. Well even I know that 7 stone 12 would be ridiculous.

I was 10 and a half stone at 15 and lost a stone. I looked ok then.

So now I'm confused. Where do I stop???

That's better

Lost 4lbs this week

As you can see from my Blog name I didn't put much thought into it

But I always wonder where people come up with their names.

So - spill the beans.

You know I'm nosey

I always order my Tesco shopping for a Wednesday morning (my day off work).

The delivery driver put the baskets on my doorstep and said "that's it today. You've been very restrained". A few months ago this would have sent me into "paranoid mode". I would have been thinking, "what does he mean, restrained?? Does he think all the food is for me" etc etc. I really was that paranoid.

Today, however I realise that he is right. I have been restrained. As I've mentioned before my shopping bill is reduced by around £30 a week. The reason for this, although I pushed it to the back of my mind and didn't admit to it before,is that Wednesday was my "binge day". I would order double choc muffins, finest chocolate chip cookies, crisps and dips, crusty bread and a tub of double cream - for ME!!!! Well there was no-one here was there, so I would start with a couple of cookies. For lunch I would have some of the crusty bread with lots of butter, the crisps and dip and finish off with a muffin. The muffin had to be put in a dish and then the cream poured all over it, which then had to be mashed up so that the cream soaked in :: ::

For years I fooled people into thinking I hardly ate anything, and I think I actually beleived it myself. I obviously thought that if no-one saw me eating it, it was calorie free

Denial, denial, denial.

Only now can I admit that my diet was terrible and I'm sure I must have been either heading for a heart attack or diabetes (I have a history of both in my family). Before I started this diet I was concerned about my heart, I was getting palpitations and was constantly checking my pulse.

I'm still amazed at the things this diet is revealing to me. I'm not saying it's all due to the Cambridge Diet, it might have happened on WW or Slimming World or Atkins or any of the numerous diets I've been on in the past. But Cambridge is the only one that got me this far.

I'm so glad I decided to give losing weight one last go.

If you are thinking about losing weight. What are you waiting for?? Go on - really you can do it. If I can, believe me, anyone can.

Hi my name is Sarah and I have a scale addiction.

At the beginning of my diet my husband hid my scales away so I couldn't get on and off every couple of minutes hours.

He's now started on a "health kick" so he got the scales out to weigh himself. Well, you can guess what's happened. Those naughty scales keep calling me and enticing me and before you know it my habit is back again. I'm afraid they're going to have to be hidden away again

I weigh myself when I get up. When I've been to the toilet. In clothes. Without clothes. Before I go to bed. : :

Although I did find out something useful last night when watching "Mythbusters". They filled some rugby balls with air and some rugby balls with helium for an experiment. The balls filled with helium were actually lighter filled with helium than they were when they were empty. They weighed them on jewellers precision scales, which even weighed a post-it note. Asked hubby to get me some to weigh my clothes on before I get weighed, but he wasn't amused

So now all I have to do is suck in a lung full of helium before I get weighed on Friday and I'll be at target in no time

...about losing weight.

1. Normal everyday things become amazing - I'm amazed that there's space around me in the bath and a chair. Crossing my legs is a novelty. High heels don't cause cramp. Walking is easy!!! Running up the stairs no problem.

2. Your body becomes alien to you - my hands and wrists don't look like mine anymore. They're tiny with bones and sinews instead of little fat dimpled babies hands. When I lie down I can see all the way to my toes (without a big belly in the way). I constantly find lumps because the skin seems to be very lumpy where the fat is disappearing.

3. Bones - didn't really notice them before. Now the bones in my knees hurt when I lie on my side with my legs together. My shoulder bones hurt (no idea why!!). I have collar bones!!

4. Food - not an obsession any more. I've come to realise that I don't need all the "crap" that I was convinced I was addicted to before. If I can do without it for nearly 7months and not one craving, I can't have been addicted.

5. Life - I've finally got one. I was only existing before. I didn't find much pleasure in anything and I certainly didn't want to go anywhere. I think I gave a good impression of looking ok on the outside, but definitely not on the inside.

6. Clothes sizes - I now have an obsession with clothes sizes before I would just go to the rack - pick up a size 30/32 (not bother trying it on) and hope that it was big and baggy. Now I don't want to buy a size bigger than I am. I can now understand why it's so hard for people putting on weight to buy a bigger size. I was just happy buying the biggest size they had!!

7. Colour - yes colour has come into my life My wardrobe mainly consisted of black, black, black or ocasionally a bit of navy. I'm suddenly finding that I like to buy clothes with a bit of colour. Red is the colour of the moment. Everyone says it looks nice with my dark hair.

8. Vanity - oh yes, I'm afraid I'm becoming vain (not that I think I'm beautiful etc), but now I have to make sure that my hair looks nice and my clothes make me look slim(ish). I know it's naughty of him to say but one of my Dad's favourite sayings if he sees a slimmer in the paper is "aww what a shame - she lost weight and realised she wasn't pretty after all". I don't want anyone saying "look at her. She's lost all that weight and her clothes are still crap"

9. Invisible - people will ignore you. You'll wonder what you've done to them and then they'll suddenly realise who you are (if you've got a big mouth like mine, all you have to do is speak!!)

10.Cold - you will be constanly freezing. It's one extreme to the other. From constantly sweating from all the fat keeping you warm to freezing whent the protective layer has gone

11. Compliments - get used to them

I'm going to work today wearing a black pencil skirt, black opaque tights and a Victorian blouse with fancy buttons.

Just looked at myself in the mirror. All I need are some glasses and a cane and I look like an old fashioned school mistress.

Anyone been naughty ?

My hubby has bought me a new wedding ring today and for the first time I've bought a ring and not had to have it made bigger

My engagement, eternity and wedding ring are falling off my middle fingers now , which is a shame because they are gorgeous rings, but theres no point in having them re-sized when I've still got another few stone to lose.

When the woman fetched out my size I said to my husband "that's too small", but it wasn't Looks like it could fit my 6 year old niece it's so tiny.

It only cost £36 (considering the one I had for Christmas last year was £800 this was a bargain ) It's only thin (thin rings never suited my little fat fingers before), white gold and yellow gold with three little "diamonds" in the centre. Very cute and I'm very pleased with it.

I've tried to take a photo,but it just doesn't look right

Have a good Sunday

Wow 189 days. Who would've thought I'd last this long ?? I realise now that I do actually have willpower. When for the last ?years that had been my excuse for not losing weight

Anyway I lost 2lbs last night. The little voice in my head started to niggle in my brain - "that's not very good - only 2lbs!!! You'll never reach your target at that rate", but I soon told it to bloody shut up and sod off

As you know, I did add-a-meal last week to try and boost my inch loss (I think I wrote about it, but now I'm typing this I can't be bothered to go back and check ). Well, it worked, even though I only lost 2lbs (yes I know I'm greedy now!!) I lost another inche of my boobs (as if I need to lose any more!!!) another from round my back, and inch and a half off my waist (32" now I think) and an inch and a quarter from my hips. Nothing off my thighs or arms.

So when the nasty little voice had shut up and gone away I was quite pleased with that, because of course it's the inch loss that means I can get into smaller clothes. That's probably the reason I can get my size 18 jeans on and off without undoing the button or zip

Over the next couple of days I'm sure I shall be boring you to death with my weight loss, because I have to say all of a sudden I'm noticing all sorts of things happening with my body (bet you can't wait) rofl nearly typed weight then !!!!

Have a good weekend.

Don't mess about with fireworks

p.s just realised I've lost exactly 10 stone. 10 bloody stone that's a big flipping person!!! Where did they go???????

OK so it looks like my computer was just messing with me!!!

Oh well, it will give me something to do at work