Topic: Looking for all of your tips/tricks/wisdom please!

Dec 1, 2020 02:17AM ScotBird wrote:

Claire your lifestyle sounds fabulous! I really need to start exercising properly again. I keep making excuses to my self. Today is not a fasting day. I’m going to try not to feast quite as much as I have been doing recently

Dec 2, 2020 01:58AM Claire_in_Seattle wrote:

Well done, ScotBird! I am with you on the rain or shine though do think twice if black ice out there. Even then, I usually go out with ski poles and hiking boots. I don't cycle hills if there are wet leaves about either. The trails were clear last weekend when I was out.

I got out at dusk for a 3.5 mile walk.

Getting out also boosts my mood, even when rainy. My brain works better as well.

Major, major congrats on the bicycle ride! My goal for today is to walk 4 miles or a bit more. I also need a few meals of fish to undo the Thanksgiving feasting. I froze some turkey along with some fresh green beans. They will make an appearance next week in some sort of curry.

BTW - when in London two years ago, I managed to twist my foot walking in Holland Park. It was two flights down to the loo where I was staying and I was walking 10 miles per day. Memorable, and not in the right way. But I survived and saw almost everything I wanted to see, plus did a fair bit of shopping. I limped for a couple more weeks, and then I was fine.

I feel so lucky that I can walk and cycle. I live in an over 55 place for people who define "active" a bit differently than I do. So much preventable infirmity. Something else to think about. I don't want to be amongst the infirm....or at least not for a very long time. - Claire

Dec 2, 2020 11:45PM ScotBird wrote:

Did a dog walk this morning, not far but I’m trying to just get out there every day for a walk or bike ride. Even if only for 20 minutes. I’m into my 3rd week of alternate day fasting now. Weight is a bit up and down, but basically stable. After Christmas if my weight has not gone down I will start to do a longer fast every couple of weeks to get a bit more weight off. Also need to start building up my strength and fitness again, gradually

Dec 3, 2020 09:46PM ScotBird wrote:

Wow MinusTwo yours is a very inspiring story! Developing healthy habits does seem to be the holy grail. It’s beautiful and frosty here today and crunchy underfoot. Lovely weather for a walk

Dec 4, 2020 07:39PM ScotBird wrote:

I’ve already started thinking about all the things I am going to cook and eat at Christmas. This year there will only be six of us: last year there were 16. I am going to have to try really hard to keep this in mind and not over cater. After fasting yesterday, I’m starving this morning, but hoping that I can be a bit more moderate with my feasting than has been the case recently. Weight is stable, and around 15lbs lower than it was in May

Dec 5, 2020 05:14AM tiff2008 wrote:

Hi everyone! It's been a minute since I've been on here. I am a 12 yr cancer survivor !!! My original diagnosis was Stage 1, Grade 2 HR/PR+ . I had a lumpectomy , chemo and radiation. Took Tamoxifen for about 3 years. Later I got implants in both breasts and everything is great! I'm now Post Memopause UGH ! For the last year I've had a lot of problems down there. Sex really hurts, itchy and so uncomfortable to wear any pants at all . Dr. told me my labia's are hitting each other which makes that area very sore ., WHAT? that sounds weird. When I look down there its very red all the around the area. Sorry I don't know what the "area" is all called. I've tried coconut oil, olive oil (per dr) have taken several meds/creams hoping to clear it up if there was any bacteria.. nothing has helped. I'm going to make another dr appt probably for a biopsy this time.... Of course can't take Hormones.

Sorry for all the details, but wondered if any of you have experienced similar things? If so, what have you done to fix it or??

Thank you for listening.

Dec 5, 2020 08:41PM - edited Dec 6, 2020 10:29PM by ScotBird

Tiff so sorry to hear about this - it sounds distressing I am glad you are going back to the doctor, there must be something they can do for you. Keep going back until you are happy and I hope the other thread that sbelizabeth mentioned will be able to help and advise you as well.

I am fasting today, the weather is OK so I'll get out on my bike now before it starts raining which it seems to do every single day here.

Dec 6, 2020 10:42PM ScotBird wrote:

I didn’t really notice my menopause as it seemed to happen overnight 5 years ago and coincided with my second chemo (I was 49). I am often bad tempered, my libido is lower, and I get a bit of sudden hot flashing a few times a week but that is about it. I guess I’ve been quite lucky. I do struggle with my weight, but haven’t noticed this struggle being any different post menopause. It’s been about the same issues for the last 40 years, while my weight has fluctuated in a 50lb range (from 126lbs to 176lbs) during that time. Today I weigh 147lbs. I don’t think this will ever stop being a struggle for me. Alternate day fasting has been my most successful way to control my tendency to overeat over the years, with occasional extreme diets for a few weeks when things start getting out of hand. The main downside is that dieting does seem to make me more bad tempered and less patient with other family members! Or to put it another way, in the past I eat as a way to dull my negative emotions, and when I stop doing that, I end up expressing them to my family... I committed to posting here every day until Christmas after cm2020 asked for more dialogue, and it’s actually helped me a lot, and gives me a lot of support. Thanks everyone!

Dec 8, 2020 02:32AM Claire_in_Seattle wrote:

Great going, ScotBird. I got in my planned ski on Saturday and a 20 mile ride yesterday. I covered less ground on my skis than planned as it was very icy, and then I took a fall at the far end of the road. But enough to get my groove back and be ready for better snow which should arrive late this week.

I made a huge vat of bean soup last night so have soup for the week. I also made a Rillettes de Tours which is mainly for Christmas presents. (Mine is far better than any available locally and I have a fan club for this - Delia Smith's recipe, but with added herbs, spices and garlic.) I ordered a new parka for skiing yesterday which should arrive in the next week or so. I choose a slim-fitting style as an inducement to keep going. It will most likely be a bit snug when it first arrives, but it should fit beautifully once I am down to my goal weight.

I still have to get my tree which I hope to do later today. I need to get to work but am resisting. I think I will start with the website review, which I feel is still missing the mark. Dreading the call on this later.

All said and done, it's so wonderful to see success. I think this is a lead-in to a reset of a few things in 2021. I was on the way there nine months ago, but things got diverted with Covid. Time to revisit my hopes and dreams for the next ten years. I have already started this process with the weight loss, and also a few life upgrades. I need to get back in the dating game. (Nothing wrong with this libido, but solo isn't the way to roll in that department.)

More to come, and that is most exciting. - Claire

Dec 9, 2020 08:13PM ScotBird wrote:

Fasting today. I have cleaners who come once a month and clean my house from top to bottom. They are here today - I love it when they come, it’s such a treat. As good as going on holiday

Dec 11, 2020 01:57AM - edited Dec 11, 2020 01:58AM by Claire_in_Seattle

Still holding, neither up nor down. Freshly coifed and I have to say it was great to get in a haircut, as feel ever so more chic. Ran into a difficulty yesterday when the butcher that I use every year had decided not to carry suet, an uncommon item in the U.S., this year. This is after I had invested a considerable sum in pudding ingredients. But a friend who is a serious foodie rescued me.

He called all the butcher shops in Seattle (mind you, he has a vested interest in this) and we found one that does whole, locally-sourced animals. On top of this, the owner is from the UK, so has a really good idea what this is all about. I pick up the suet tomorrow; they have set it aside and will grind it for me.

I think this will proved to be a major find as they do meat pies, terrines, sausages and all sorts of wonderful items not available elsewhere. My friend is over the moon as he has taken up brewing. He has plenty of room in his new house.

Other thing I did was stop at the resale shop that I frequent. Got a few lovely items, including a Christmas present for a friend. Happy to support them.

It's chilly and wintry out again. Snowing in the mountains. Hoping for a fabulous ski day on Saturday, and perhaps even Sunday. We shall see. - Claire

Dec 12, 2020 03:14PM Claire_in_Seattle wrote:

Got my tree up and decorated. It's a Noble Fir from a tree farm about 8 miles from here. The person I normally go to only had 4 trees left, so I had to get creative. I went to a very strange place that was also out of trees, but scored at a place about 4 miles away. Tons of trees left, and I think this one is just gorgeous. Very fresh too. I can just make out the black swan towards the top. I brought it back from London last year.

This was after a flying trip into Seattle to get suet for puddings. I am very glad that I also got a couple of pork chops because I am too tired to make anything for dinner other than that and a baked potato plus reheat vegetables. The puddings will need to wait.

The butcher was like being in a food hall in Europe, so will need to go back for terrines etc. I bought 8 oz. of dried mushrooms, a real find as I love them in risottos, etc. I also have fresh chanterelles from Pike Place market. I bought a squab, which I don't think I have ever made, but I am guessing that braising it in the chanterelles, shallots, wine, and herbs could be a safe bet. Perhaps Sunday?

Dec 13, 2020 02:59AM Claire_in_Seattle wrote:

I hear you, ScotBird on Christmas Lunch. I am looking forward to mine as well, though not yet sure what it will consist of. I will do a pheasant if home alone, but I could get an invite from my foodie friend and son. But will start the festivities Christmas Eve, perhaps with a backed seafood casserole which is a fave from my childhood. It goes with champagne. Anyway, I am down another couple of pounds now so feeling like there is hope. I am one third there.

I need to order my Large Christmas Gift which will be a Bose Internet Radio with Bluetooth and Alexa (plus a CD player). I got the my new shelves up so I now have the space. These are quite expensive so a major purchase. I do have a radio, but I want to have the option to listening to Radio 4, Radio France, Radio Canada, CBC plus all the online music streaming services. This will be literally a whole new world and I am excited. I grew up in Northern Vermont and listened to the CBC a lot when growing up. At that time, they used the BBC World Service so was introduced to that at a tender age. I still marvel at their ability to fit all the news into 15 minutes, whereas NPR takes 3 hours to cover the same ground.

I just took the suet out of the fridge as need to mix up the first batch of Christmas Puddings. I can steam them later, but want them ready to go with Batch 1 done by EOD tomorrow.

Need to check the snow situation in the mountains. Grooming report is iffy. Hmmm. The weather web cams will give me a lot more information, or they will once the sun rises.

I am so happy with my tree, not to mention that I got to put some money into the local economy. It's one of the prettiest I have ever had, mostly perfect, but with enough imperfection so you know that it's real. When I was in my teens, my sisters and I used to cut and sell Christmas trees (with help from our father) to earn money for Christmas presents. So I am choosier than most people. Interestingly, neither of my sisters puts up a real tree. I am so grateful that this apartment has the space for one, and that I reclaimed my older ornaments about 2 years ago. Some of these go back decades. I distinctly remember scraping together some money to buy the unicorn ornament, which came with a broken foot, back in the day. I made it whole with Crazy Glue. Looking at my current tree, I think it could use another box of red ornaments. That is an Amazon item, and I want good ones.

Anyway, I think I can shave off a couple more pounds prior to Christmas. That will make me extremely happy. Not to mention that I shall soon fit into my leather Versace mini skirt.

Because what's the point of having fabulous legs if you don't rock them! - Claire

Dec 13, 2020 01:53PM Claire_in_Seattle wrote:

Hi Dragon,

Looks like you are on the east side of the divide, possibly near White River. But perhaps not because then you would be close to Dartmouth Hitchcock. The Northeast Kingdom would be really remote if you live there. I grew up in Lamoille County and am related to about half the old families through my father's side of the family. Also have French Canadian heritage.

Heaven help you if you live near Norwich, home of King Arthur Flour. A dangerous place. BTW - I still use their white flour because it really is that much better. I know people who work/have worked at Concept 2.

I am not vegetarian and greatly miss my wine, though necessary to curtail the high living until the lard comes off.

Doing work for a brain cancer nonprofit, I actually know what an antibody-drug congugate is. One fallacy is that these targeted therapies are easier on the body than chemo. Not necessarily. Really exciting things going on with comprehensive genomic profiling and targeted therapies. This from a call I participated in last Thursday.

As for motivation, I remember when I was seriously dragging during chemo. I decided that I might as well be dragging and exercised as opposed to dragging and unexercised. Once I actually got moving, I felt better. Amazing. Besides, it was fun to rub it in with my oncologist that I was getting far more exercise than he was (and that I had the muscle tone to prove it). My surgeon started running because of me, though a few years later. Until she moved, I gifted her with wine each Christmas. She became extremely unpopular with her colleagues because she was the only one getting a good bottle of wine from their patients.

I went out skiing today, but only for a simple out and back. Needs about one more foot of snow to be really fun. The real trails didn't look any fun at all. Not to mention that I like a soft landing if I crash. I got a lot of shoulder work staying upright in the slick conditions.

Christmas puddings are steaming, so finally making headway on that front. Need to go out for good cheese, French bread, and sugar. Onion soup on the menu for this evening.

More later. Feel just fabulous from my ski. Supermarket is right across the way, so will get in some more exercise walking there and back. Hopefully no black ice...time for lug soles. - Claire

Dec 14, 2020 12:13AM YesIamaDragon wrote:

Claire -- I am jealous of your skiing! I am not sure we will get out this year even if we do get some much-delayed snow! My balance is just a bit too wonky. My small town has amazing trails -- all volunteer, all on private land that farmers allow to be used for winter trails (pasture and forest). They have even bought a groomer! Unfortunately for me, even if we get snow (I am feeling VERY cheated already this winter!), a lot of the trails and connectors are black, very few green which is the most I feel capable of this year.

Scot -- Isn't it easy to make excuses?! LOL, I need an external push so many days. But the one who really challenged me to even try the 100,000 metre challenge went through a stem-cell transplant, and so she is permanently immunosuppressed and with neuropathy and weakness from the heavy-duty chemo and the chronic steroids she has never been able to get off. So I felt like if she can do it, I need to at least try. And with that, I am going to finish my coffee and get on the erg and re-watch some holiday GBBO to get my day off to a happy start :)