[andreaphilip3]

hey justwant thank you if interested those videos can be found on amazon by searching chair dancing and also reach for fitness.

[andreaphilip3]

hey mo, pm me if you wanna 'compare' notes

[purpleorc]

Hi Ladies

It has been a glorious day here. So DH and I have taken the opportunity to be in the garden and mow our 3 lawns. Plus weed the patio area. Weeds are one thing that grows rain or shine. I hope we did not do too much and we are stiff as boards Both of us enjoyed having a nice day and being able to straighten up the garden a bit it was sure looking over grown.

Been trying on numerous clothes this afternoon from a friend who donated them too me after she lost over 4 stone in weight 56lbs. I must admit they have and will come in handy now that I am going down in sizes. I am reluctant to buy too much new as with me still losing your not in them very long. I have been so grateful too her for these clothes plus we have similar tastes which is a bonus.

ROSEBUD :~ I really hope that it is financially possible to turn your dream into a reality. For me a retreat away sounds so wonderful. A place to recharge your batteries and get away from it all. Lets hope it comes to fruition very soon a great 2 person place as a get away.

Now a confession to make I have never made muffins and don't even have a recipe As much as I cook and have baked over the years that is one thing that I have never done. So if you could let me have the recipe I think I will tackle them (especially with other benefits as my medication plays havoc) I would be very grateful and love cooking and trying out new things.

The recipe which is vegetarian with tomato and pasta sounds yummy too. It is nice when you get family recipes. We have what is called a wine cake but we alway use it for our christmas cake as it is moist and lasts for months (if my DH does not get his hands on it )

All this talk of different foods good job I have had my tea so I am not hungry. We are going out shortly to pick up a 91 year old gentleman to go and play cards. He is a lovely man and has a phenominal memory of facts details and peoples names etc.

Yes like yourself I believe that sensible eating one that you can stay with for life is the best way forward. I choose a plan that I thought that we could stay with for life rather than a few weeks. I try to vary my menus to make them interesting. I will make life easier for me I cook in bulk and freeze portions just enough for 2 of us. Then when I am busy or not feeling so good I still have a home cooked meal rather than going for a calorie laden packed take out.

Must get my skates on my hair is still needing "putting up" I have long hair well nearly to my waist and I have washed it today and I have been letting it dry.

Bye ladies and catch you all later.

[andreaphilip3]

purple--- sounds like youve lost alot of weight good for you! i too think life plans work best

[KO]

Hi Ladies
I'm Kierie> I'm 31 married (no kids but the cat and turtle) and I have CP. I DO WW south beach and I had gastric bypass last year. Having a large% of my weight off has really made a difference in the way I feel and move! I'd like to try posting here in addition to the other places I post b/c I DOn't really "know" anyone else in my sitch!
Mainly I use a treadmill and arm bike for exercise In addition to PT and OT I'm definitely going to amazon search the chair dancing which will be great for winter when I'm more stiff! Also there is a video called yoga for aches and pains which is really good!
I'm looking forward to getting to know all of you!!
Kierie

[purpleorc]

Hi Ladies

Phew another nice day developing here which is nice the garden does so need to dry out there are parts that are so water logged. My hanging basket this year has thrived and has been a beautiful show of flowers for the past few weeks.

ANDREAPHILIP3 :~ Thanks for the kind words, yes I also agree with you being a life plan so it had to be something I could live with and stay with for life. My DH has also lost about the same amount of weight so he is looking so much better for it and is more active because of it.

KIERIE ~ Welcome to our thread very nice to have you on board. Yes I though I would not find a nitch that I was comfortable in and people understood what I was going through. I have MS and there is no way I am ever going to manage running x number of miles or walking it for that matter it just isn't going to happen. But what I can manage is walking in short spells but there are days that i am so fatigued that getting out of bed is an enough. But everyone here has been so supportive and helpful. That for the first time I really feel that my goal is achievable. Looking forward to getting to know you and having your input.

[purpleorc]

Hi Ladies

Had a marathon trip out today to deliver bean bags to near Bogner Regis which a seaside resort on the south coast of England. From where I live in the UK which is in an area know as the Midlands for very obvious reasons which are slam bang in the middle of the UK. It was a round trip of 410 miles so DH is absolute shattered as he drove there and back. We did numerous stops on the way there and the way back. We also passed or saw places which we both know like Windsor Castle (one of the Queen's residences) and Ascot racecourse. (one of the more famous ones in the UK.) So despite the long ride and how tired it has made me there was some nice points along the way. Unfortunately my DH has got to get up early to take the hire van back to the hire companies lock up unit. So he has got no "lie in" tomorrow.

I took some sandwiches for one of our meals out. But unfortunately where we stopped for a hot meal there was nothing healthy. So I only ate a small amount of it to do damage limitations. But you can guarantee the scales tomorrow will not be in my favour ( my weigh day tomorrow) but I am determined that this will not steer me back to my old eating habits. Where I consumed way too many calorie for the amount of activities I was doing. Not only that my food choices were appalling. Now that I have a much more healthier regime I eat more but it equates to way less calories.

Tomorrow will stop by friends as we had a phone call this evening saying their PC was not working properly so we will take it home to see if we can rectify or solve the problem. Our friends husband and wife both have limited knowledge of PC but we have been very luck that we had a great deal of tutoring from a nephew who is PC whizz kid.

Had some news yesterday which was a relief to all the family. My Mum had an infection in her breast she was prescribed antibiotics which cleared the infection. But unfortunately there was still a lump in her breast she was sent to the specialist for further tests to investigate it further. Fortunately it was found to be a benign cyst. My mums maternal grandmother died from breast cancer and her own mum had bowel cancer / skin cancer. So that was in the back of all of our minds. I am so relieved for her and now she can go on holiday in 1 months time with us with peace of mind.

I can not believe that it is our holiday in 1 months time on Saturday it seems only last week that I was booking it. I booked it in December 2006. Just started preparation for the holiday making lists what to take with. I am the queen of lists, I do not know where I would be with out them. I have cognitive issues due to MS and I have the memory span of a gnat now. I use to have a phenomenal memory and now that it has more holes in that a swiss cheese. So lists just help me along the way. Pity lists don't help my speech I mix words up often with funny results and have DH laughing uncontrollably because I have used the wrong word. My specialists calls it word salading But I have a sense of humour that helps me cope with the foibles of the illness otherwise I would crack up.

Well off to bed I go to snuggle up with my book, but I don't think I will read much before I fall asleep. Goodnight ladies catch you all soon xxx

[Justwant2Bhealthy]

HI LADIES ~ Gee, can't believe four days passed since I posted here; time is flying by these days. We've had two scorch-dingers so far this week, but thankfully, it rained last night and that cooled things down. The heat is getting rid of the buggies though; and that's always good.

ANDREA ~ nice to see you pop in now and then; your posts are short and sweet, but that's alright with us! We're glad you joined us!

KIERIE ~ I've seen you posting in other areas around the board (as I do a lot myself and lurking {reading} too). We haven't heard from our dear MO lately; it is possible they have gone away on holidays. She did mention that they were going to Edmonton this year; that could be why we haven't heard from her in a while.

We are always happy to have people join our little thread; the more the merrier, we think. We are all on plans of our own choosing; and we come here just to encourage and support each other; and yack, of course! That video for aches & pains sounds like just what I need. Do you have to use a credit card to buy from Amazon; I guess that is safe now, eh? My DH is very hestitant to buy on-line cuz we were in a PC dept recently, and the worker told us not to do it for several reasons.

PURPLE ~ My bran muffin recipe comes from the box of QUAKER NATURAL WHEAT BRAN; first heard of it from a sweet lady we delivered papers to on Saturday mornings as a kid. She would give them to my brother and I with hot cocoa, esp on those cold winter morns.

OLD-FASHIONED BRAN MUFFINS

1/4 cup shortening
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup molasses (I use cooking)
2 large eggs
1 cup milk
1-1/2 cups NATURAL WHEAT BRAN
1 cup flour
1-1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup raisins (opt)

Cream shortening and sugar together; add molasses and eggs; and beat well. Add milk, and then bran. Combine flour with baking powder, baking soda, and salt; then add to liquid ingredients. Add raisins; then place in greased muffin pans. Bake at 400F or 200C oven for 18-20 minutes. Make one dozen large muffins.

NOTE: you can add chopped apples or chopped dates instead of/ or with the raisins (sometimes, I even add chopped bananas). Enjoy ...

So glad your mom is OK, PURPLE; what great news! That must be a load off your mind, for sure. I also have to make lists to remember things these days; BUT, I just have to remember to take them with me. Now, I carry a small writing book in my purse for the lists. We still forget some things though, and have to do them the next trip instead; oh well, it's another outing for us.

From the time I was a teen, I would talk too fast, and get my murds wixed; I recall my mother laughing over some of my language foilbles too. DH still does today; and his favorite is "on the counter, between the stiv and the froge". I'm glad your DH is so supportive and keeps you laughing; they say that laughter is the best medicine for all kinds of ailments of the mind, body, and spirit; I know from personal experience that this is sooo true!

You hang in there girl, you're doin' just fine. Our attitude in this life makes a huge difference; life throws wrenches at us all the time. The best thing to do is to catch the wrench and use it to fix the next thing that comes along. Then, I try to enjoy every minute of every day the best I can.

Well, this post is getting pretty long, so I'll go for now; but take good care everyone, and do come back, cuz we love to hear from you all. Your friend ROSEBUD

[ericsmommy]

Hi My Dear Friends (and the new ones that have joined)

Sorry l have been missing in action, I have been so busy with Eric, he is having some issues and we are trying to work threw them. I won't bore you with them but lets just say we haven't beening getting my sleep or time to just sit and relax lately, On a good note he has started using PEC'S (which is a picture exchage communication system) he gives us a picture of his cup when he is thirsty and a picture of a cookie when he wants a cookie. So far he is getting the hang of it and it is really excitting to see. He goes to theraphy camp all next week from 9-3 and l can't wait for the break.

I have a friend flying in tonight from Ontario with her little boy who is autistic too, they are visiting till Tues, I can't wait to go to the airport and pick them up.

To the 2 new ladies I have mild CP it only affects my right side, ride leg is 2 inches shorter and weaker. So l walk with a limp and lose my balance alot. I am married to a wonderful man and we have a 4 year old little boy who is autistic. I have joined curves and do the sugarbusters diet, and so far have lost enough weight that l feel great.

Rosebud and Purple

You both sound like you are very busy with activitys to keep you busy, Purple have fun on your holiday and reember to eat healthy when possiable and drink lots of water.

Rose I know you will have your dream getaway as soon as you can cause it gives you a reason to save. I am glad your Dad's is almost done and they can relax in there retirement.

Well guys sorry this is so short, I have to run and get my friend now, so have a wonderful weekend ladies.

Love Mo

[purpleorc]

Hi Ladies,

We are suppose to have 3 beautiful days weather wise (they talk of a mini heat wave) so I think I will be plugging in the air conditioning to keep myself cool during this hot spell.

I think for the first time this year people will be actually able to get their barbecue sets out and do a bit of outdoor cooking. Nothing like eating outdoors the food seems to taste that much better for some reason.

ROSEBUD :~ Thanks for taking the time to give me the bran muffin recipe. Not quite sure what shortening is we do not have anything called that here to my knowledge. But I did wonder whether it was either butter, margarine or vegetable fat of some sort. Will have to do a bit of research and see if I can come up with the answer. Molasses is something that is not common here but I wonder if they sell it in a health food shop will have a look. But I am sure am looking forward to making it when I get these 2 recipe items sorted DH eyes will light up like a Christmas tree

Glad you have had some rain and that it has killed some of the bugs that love to eat your plants or you come to that. Hope your enjoying your fruits of your labour now. I would imagine salad crops are coming in nicely to keep you supplied in fresh home grown salads.

MO :~ Nice to hear from you, I fully understand that during this time your personal time is very limited as to going on the PC. But when ever you do post I always enjoy reading about Eric and your weight loss programme.

That is great news about Eric and the card system that he now has in place a non verbal way of expressing his needs. It seems that Eric has grasped this and must make life a easier for him being able to communicate his needs.

Yes I can fully understand you looking forward to the few hours break during the day whilst Eric goes to therapy camp. For you those hours will be so precious and allow you to get on with chores more easily plus recharge your batteries so to speak.

I hope you have a great time when a friend comes from Ontario with their autistic son. This must be great on so many levels firstly to catch up with news of old friends is always good and secondly someone to talk to who understands what you are going through. Other people may be empathic regarding your son and the demands that puts on you and your DH. But someone who is raising a child also with the same condition have real understanding and knowledge. They maybe a source of information that you did not know and that can be so empowering.

In many ways Mo I am looking forward to this holiday as it has been 18 months since our last but food wise I am not looking forward to it. I am going to try as much as possible to keep health but there will be a few treats along the way but I must keep them in check less I will undo my good work.

Must run our nephew 14 has turned up his bicycle peddle has come of so needs it mending. Catch you all soon.

[purpleorc]

Hi ladies

Thought I would stop by and catch up here with my mid morning drink. Dare I say it I think summer may have actually started here in the UK better late than never. The hot dry spell has just about dried the garden out and especially our little pond ( well dip in the garden where all the water seemed to pool) which is good news.

DH has sorted out our friends PC so we are taking it back this afternoon and we are having lunch/tea there not quite sure what to call it as it is at 3pm DH has just got to fix some components into it which he bought yesterday which is a another hard rive and a graphics card. Our friend is then giving his sons PC to be reformatted as it is in desperate need of it.

Been trying to be good this last few days and drink a bit more water. I am not overly keen on water as it is so trying to get me to drink it is difficult but I am trying to make the effort. The only plus side is that I do drink decaffeinated coffee black and no sugar or sweetener so very minimal calories. I have drank my coffee this way for years I think since I was the age of 14 or 15 as I much preferred the taste to having milk or cream in.

Fortunately when it came to weigh day my option of having unhealthy food did not show on the scales in fact I had lost 2 lbs which was a big shock to me. DH has now had 2 weeks of being on the same weigh but I am trying to encourage him and keep him motivated. If this trend continues I will just tweak his food slightly and see if that has an impact. But I will cross that bridge if I have to.

Sadly here in the UK we have had an outbreak of foot and mouth. I do so hope that it does not spread like it did in 2002 ( think it was that year) it was an awful time and ruined many farmers. So many livestock had to be put to sleep and then incinerated it was horrid.

Right must shoot off as I have thing to do. Bye ladies be back soon.

[purpleorc]

Hi Ladies

Gee whizz just gave myself a shock just then when I could not find this thread but trouble was I was in the wrong forum, I was in the one dieting with depression. Oh well that what comes with not paying too much attention and going on auto pilot mode

Well we both had a lovely afternoon yesterday when we went to friends for lunch come tea. We had roast pork with steamed vegetables and roast vegetables. But each of the cooked vegetables came to the table and the meat came in different plates or dishes. Which meant I could serve myself how much or how little I wanted of each item. For dessert she had made a sugar free jelly with strawberries and blueberries. Topped with a very small amount of sugar free custard. The cold dessert was so refreshing with it being such a warm day.

Later well 5 hours later we had crackers with home grow tomatoes and cucumbers. So a nice round off to the evening and great so I could take my tablets as I must have a little food to take my medication else it makes me feel queasy for hours.

We played for a good couple of hours a game called spades. We played in pairs ladies verses the gents. The gents won. Only trouble with this game there is a slightly complicated scoring system that we play with it but adds enjoyment to the game nevertheless.

Just had our house alarm annual check today to ensure that it is working correctly and it gives you peace of mind that it is serviced and working to its optimum. Tomorrow we are having our pull cord alarm system checked. In every room in the bungalow we have a red corded lazy switch which you pull if you are having difficulties. If my DH was out and I fell over then I could pull one of these and they would send an ambulance out to me. The centre where the alarm goes through to has basic details about you like name, address, date of birth, health problem. Also next of kin and key holders your house. For a few pounds a month it gives us both Independence in the knowledge that I will be looked after. If my smoke alarm goes off it also calls this centre also and they come through on the intercom system to see if you have a fire or it is a false alarm. The only time I have set it off is cooking when I have the grill a wee bit high for grilling (broiling) bacon for example and I have not opened a door or a window to let the smoke out.

Must dash and get my tablets before I ends up too late. So catch you ladies soon bye. xxx

[Justwant2Bhealthy]

HI LADIES ~ We have had some really nice weather here for the last two days; cloudy with sunny breaks and the temps are really ideal right now too. We have all the windows open to let in fresh air. I picked some peas yesterday and we ate them for dinner with some yellow beans a friend gave me (sweet of her). When I get more peas or carrots ready, I'll take here a few as well.

My marigolds and red geraniums in my hangers are all blooming nicely; the ones I started as well as those I purchased from a local nursery. The tomato plants are really getting covered with toms now, so we are watering more often; now we just wait for them to ripen. The beans have made a comeback are now putting out baby beans; yummy (these are my faves).

We are not sure whether we will get some potatoes; but a friend says maybe we'll get some baby tators; well, that's better than none. The carrots and turnips stay in til late fall anyways, so they have lots of time yet to get bigger. So although things had a slow start, seems everything is trying to catch up now. We had lean hamburger steak & onions; plus a nice mix of broccoli, cauliflower, and carrot sticks; with a new potato, and coleslaw for dinner tonight. We are really getting heavy on the veggies here; my DAD calls them "FILLERS"!!!

Our car is working great now that we have a new radiator in and the rad fan is now hooked up properly to the starter switch; hmmm ... whoever thought of disconnecting that wasn't using the gift of a brain that GOD blessed us with ~ hehe! ANYWAYS, thank GOD, it's all fixed up now; but it cost us a bit. We are thinking of ordering the PIT-RUN GRAVEL (chunky gravel) for drainage for our cottage/ cabin. Our lot is a bit unlevel and this will help that; and will be used as a drain under the brick foundation.

MO ~ it's sure nice to here from you again; the card thing for ERIC sounds like a good start. We are glad you have so many friends to support you who also have autistic children. I was posting for a short while on the SB thread, but I don't think my plan really fits in there; too many differences. I find my plan with controlled portions of a variety of whole foods is more suitable for me and DH too. Met some nice ladies there though.

Hope you can come in and visit us now & then, as we really enjoy your company. Have a good rest while ERIC is away at camp; you deserve it!

PURPLE ~ you are really keeping this thread alive; I'm so glad you come so often and I read every one of your posts. That dinner at your friends sounds sooo yummy; nice that your friend went out of her way to serve a healthy meal and dessert. IN THAT RECIPE, shortening is vegetable fat; you can use margarine or butter as a sub; and we can get molasses at our regular grocery stores here, but I know things are different in England.

GOOD FOR YOU for the 2 lb loss; I will weigh myself soon for the August month (as I was late last month); but, I'm focusing more on inches and sizes than lbs so much. I know that cuz I lift weights that can make my losses slow down a bit; as when I was in a gym when I was younger, I gained 9 lbs in one year just from muscle mass increase, even though I was much smaller everywhere than when I first started there.

Sorry to hear about the F & M problems with the animals again; I know what that did to your meat industry. I thought they had that all cleaned up, but it just goes to show that we cannot control everything, hard as we may try. Canada works very hard to keep our animals healthy too; and, we can get organic meat (no hormones or anti-biotics) here now too.

DH says the "NORTHERN LIGHTS" are out tonight; those colored lights that shine at night are so lovely. Will go out to take a look for a few minutes; so, that's all the news from here for now; take good care everyone ~ your friend ROSEBUD.

[purpleorc]

Hi Ladies,

Weather broke yesterday and we had a little thunderstorm with a short down pour of rain. It freshened up the stifling air which had become so muggy and close. But when we went out later that night there was not a cloudy in the sky and it was a lovely walk.

Just waiting in on the alarm pull cord gentleman to give it the annual check should be here in an hour or so. Slept really well last night as the previous night was one where you toss and turn and get little sleep. Then look like death warmed up in the morning. But DH took pity on me and took me out to lunch to somewhere that does healthy options and we had soup for tea/supper with a fresh pineapple for afters.

ROSEBUD :~ Your garden now seems to be going well and you are getting a few vegetables from it. Mind you I will not envy you your peas it is the one vegetable that I hate with a passion Never liked them and even trying them numerous times as an adult I just can not like the taste. Mushy peas the smell from those makes me turn green ( I know I am exaggerating but you get the picture.) I really love runner beans sliced with gravy and homemade mint sauce. I can eat a plate of just them especially when they they young and tender.

When I was living at home we all had to help with the running of the garden and do chores in the garden as well as the home. The one I loathed most was podding peas cos we got buckets full ready for mum to put them in the freezer to tide over when there were not so many vegetables in the garden. I think I hated this job the most as I hated peas and did not see why I should pod them when I was not even going to eat them. But all the other jobs in the garden I did not mind as I saw that if they did not get done we did not eat. The garden was a big one as we had bought a plot of land behind our house so it was 1/3 of an acre of land that is without the land with the house.

The only trouble was I am just not green fingered and dreaded when mum an dad went away. Inevitably I would kill a cucumber plant or the tomato. I think I just had to look at them and they curled up and died

Glad that you have got you car fixed and that you are able to get from A to B. Just a pity it hits us in the pocket to sort these problems out.

Yes gravel maybe expensive but it should be worth it to give better drainage to the land. I bet you keep envisioning how it will look once you have built your cabin. It is nice to dream and plan.

I tend to come on the thread most days as for me it kind of polices my eating behaviour and makes me accountable. I then tend to get carried away with typing and see that I have typed loads. I am the same when I write letters in the days when letters were the in thing. So I suppose I am never going to change I just ramble lol

Yes our friends are really supportive and plus they are on healthy eating as well which helps. But like us she has health issues she has lots of metal work in her back due to an accident at work. I do not know how she does all she does because she is constantly in pain and has like me a bucket load of medication. The medication in turn makes you gain weight and so losing for her is very difficult. But she has done really well and you can see a difference now in her body shape. Her husband I think has lost over 3 stone (42 lbs) and so is visible different also. It is nice when you have other supporters along the way for your weight loss journey.

Good luck when it comes your weigh in day. Yes when you do weigh lifting in the gym you gain weigh because of muscle but you lose inches which is what you must go by rather than the pesky scales.

I have never seen the northern lights. Well I have seen them on television but never in person. I would like to see them they are suppose to be very pretty.

bye see you all soon ladies xxx

[purpleorc]

Hi Ladies

I have had another glorious day weather wise but towards the end of the day it did look like rain but none came.

Today DH and I have been to Cambridge which is a beautiful city which has one of the most famous universities in our country and the other is Oxford. These are because annually they have a boat race up the Thames. The Thames is in London and it is over approximately a 4 mile course. I think over the years there have been different nationalities in the boat like American and Canadian. The only thing is you must go to one of these Universities.

On the return home stopped at a village and there was a village pond. So we exercised Rizzie (dog) and stretched our legs. There was a little way in the distance a large stately looking home. Any way it looked very nice what ever it was and had a fabulous view over the countryside from where it was sited.

Today whilst driving through Cambridge on the river Cam we saw punts going up and down the river. Which reminds you of the gondolas over in Venice.

We went to a private school today to drop of quite a lot of bean bags. It looks like the school is having a lot of work done at the minute because it is the summer holidays.

Unfortunately I have been very unsteady on my feet today and have had 2 falls. The first was not too bad as I fell getting into a van so rather a soft landing over all. But the second was not a soft landing. I fell getting out of our car. I did not realise my handles of my handbag was wrapped around my feet. I have very little feeling in my legs the lower parts especially. So I did not feel that the straps were around my feet. At the time DH was filling up the car at the petrol (gas) station and I got out of the car to get some money from the cash point (ATM) but as I got out down I went. DH said he could hear me initially but could not see me. But of course found me on the fall in a heap a bit shook up I feel a bit sore and have a painful foot. But no doubt it will be stiff in the morning.

Must go poor little dog is crossing his legs time for his last walk of the day. Catch you ladies soon xxx