What an absolute waste this past week has been. I simply don’t know why I do these things, all I know is it’s RUBBISH, could do better, D minus! Today I am planning the hell out of next week, giving myself a BIG kick up the bum and just getting back on with it tomorrow.
I’ll hold myself accountable and post next weeks menu on my blog tonight, complete with what I am buying with my “points” and post a very quick daily update every evening with a photo of EVERYTHING I have eaten.
All I know if that I am tired of being in pain from the Osteoarthritis all the time and the ONLY way I can lessen it for sure is by actually LOSING a LOT of weight. Quite honestly I feel sadness at times because I’m limited to about a 20 minute slow walk at the moment (which is better than a few painful steps back in February). My mind and self pity is my biggest adversary right now. I hate that so much.
Here’s the thing, there are people out there, that read my blog, who have no choice, who have chronic pain, that is nothing to do with weight and lifestyle. I can’t imagine how you persevere. You are STRONG! I have a choice as I know that dropping 50 lbs will likely have a large, positive impact on my pain and losing 100 lbs could quite honestly see it mostly disappear. That is the reality. I CAN CHANGE my future!
So my friends, readers of my blog, those who have been selfless and kind putting up with my struggles and woes for years and years, thank you for your support and words of encouragement. I won’t shy away from being truthful, I’ll share the good and the bad, the reality of being an imperfect human being who never quite succeeds but NEVER EVER gives up.
I’ll share my 1940s menu sheet tonight and what gentle movement I’m going to do every day to ensure I feel psychologically positive.
Much love, C xxxx
Hi Carolyn,
I have been following you for a long time and really feel for you, I know it’s a hard struggle if your an emotional eater like me, I just wanted to ask you if you have seen broccoli mum on you tube and Instagram, I have been following her plans for around 6 months and have lost 35 pounds, all her recipes are plant based but have such a lot of amazing, simple and absolutely gorgeous meals including sweet treats like cake for breakfast, heaven 😂 anyway give her a look she’s amazing and I wish you all the best as I know it’s so hard to stick to many things in this worrying daily life !
Andrea xxx
Thanks Andrea! I found Broccoli Mum a few weeks back and I try her recipes out on Saturdays (my day off from rationing). I haven’t added the frozen cauliflower into nice cream yet (she uses that a lot!!!) but am definitely curious enough to do so! xxxx C
Oh and CONGRATULATIONS on the 35 lbs down! xxxx C
Oh thankyou, hardest part is keeping it off 🤦🏻♀️ the chocolate porridge with cauliflower is amazing 👏🏼 xxx
Hi carolyn, you are still such an inspiration to me, I love reading your posts and still love everything wartime (well on the homefront). I also am suffering from osteoarthritis and my back and knees will definitely benefit from losing a good stone or 2!! So don’t be disheartened as you are not alone in this journey!! Keep calm and carry on. Xx
Oh Carolyn hang in there. Stress has a huge impact on what we eat. Some of us self medicate with food. We then feel guilty. It’s a roundabout that is hard to get off. Please be kind to yourself. Sending much love💜
Love your honesty, keep going, I’m routing for you. ❤️😀
You do so well Carolyn, try not to be too hard on yourself. I wish I had a fraction of your motivation ! I would like to lose 5 lbs, that’s it, 5 lbs and I seem to have zero willpower and motivation. I have been to the supermarket and bought my ‘rations’ for the week and will aim to have a good week on the food and walking front ! Best of luck Carolyn, will look forward to your updates. Mel x
I can really relate to the exhaustion of being in pain everyday. I am so glad that there is a way that it could improve though. And this is a new motivating factor for your weight loss.
I may not struggle with weight, but I know someone who does, and it really is a struggle. Sometimes you don’t lost anything for weeks, and feel like a real failure. And then the emotional eating hits, and starts trying to ruin your progress.
You’ve got this Carolyn. You Can change your future. I’m so happy and proud to see how motivated you are, and how you never stop trying. You can do this!
Forgot to mention, the activity limitation is hugely miserable, I know. Just look at the progress you are making already! Gentle movement is still movement, and even a little a day is huge! I’m sure you will be back to some jogging in no time!
Sending massive hugs, I know exactly what you are saying…..you have this & we have you….don’t look at the big picture, it can be overwhelming just put one step in front of the other everyday & soon you’ll be where you want to be & don’t forget sometimes we will ‘fall off the rationing wagon’ this is NOT a failure but just part of the journey, your journey & thank you for taking us along with you💜
You, too, are strong. You can do this! Sending good thoughts and prayers.
You can do it, Carolyn!! We believe in you!! You persevere in the reality that rationing is harder when surrounded by abundance and UHPF! But bring on the kale. I’m one of those people with chronic pain, but I’m cheering you on and wishing you taking long, pain free walks. You’ll get there. xxx 💜💜💜
Three steps forward, one or two back still represents moving forward.
I can recommend balletbasedmovement.com videos, some free, some paid for. If your knees are problematical they have a chair exercise one as well as the others. I was doing the five minutes a day programme and the difference to mobility an balance was noticeable even on such a tiny amount of time.
You ARE doing so much better than you think. You haven’t given in, have you? See? Better then you think! While my circumstances don’t seem as difficult as yours, I do know what it’s like to be so frustrated with my own body and inability to just get it fixed or in a place where it might be better. I do wonder if you’ve heard of all the wonderful plants that can help with osteoarthritis such as nettles, comfrey (one of the best), linden, and slippery elm bark. The first two are best in either tincture form or as infusions to be rotated along with linden which is a HUGE anti-inflammatory. Slippery elm bark is used as a hot tea often before bed because it also has incredible benefits to the stomach and GI system which is trying to make the best out of what you are eating for optimum nutrition. All are safe to use. (Comfrey got a bad rap for some time because one of the alkaloids was shown to be toxic in mice but the amount given to them was like feeding a human 13 kilos a day for a month! The amount I, and many others, have used for years is perfectly safe.) It’s called “bone knit” because it’s so good for bones and cartilage. Nettle is a superhero of minerals and vitamins and calcium – about 500 mg of bioavailable calcium in one cup, unlike dairy. Did you know the dairy recommendations are as high as they are because dairy calcium molecules are so large it’s difficult for humans to digest them and use them. So to get 300 mg a day of calcium, it is recommended that we eat 1200 mg of dairy calcium a day! The nettle is already absorbed well by the body, so while I adore my homemade yogurt, I also drink my nettle. Not that plants are the ONLY remedies, but I thought I’d offer up some information. I’ve been making plant medicines for more than 45 years(trained herbalist), have some medical background (midwife), and taught family health and nutrition. If you want to know how to use some of these things in detail, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. I really feel for you. Constant pain in the joints and tendons is absolutely demoralizing, but you shouldn’t beat yourself up about the weight. You’re obviously making some progress and you will be back up to doing much more.
It’s so hard isn’t it I can’t get going either but like you will not give in- in the words of Del Boy ” this time next year —-” keep going, Chrissie x Tomorrow is another day Another diet comes my way Why oh why is food so yummy And constantly attracted to my tummy My body isn’t who I am And I honestly don’t give a damn What others think or if they stare Its those that love me and really care That keep me going every day As health .happy me is on the way .
I love your writing, commitment and innovation about your life and managing your health. You have become an important motivator for me. Best wishes for tomorrow.
Caroline, I have read your blog for a long time and haven’t commented but I feel I must today. Please don’t be too hard on yourself. You have had a hard few weeks. Losing a beloved pet is losing a family member. When we lost our gorgeous Golden Retriever a few months ago, I felt like I would never get over the grief.
Give yourself time and space to grieve and, allowing for your wish to lose weight for health reasons, know that you are gorgeous and special. Xxxx
Hello Caroline,
I am sorry to read your having a hard time at the moment.
One thing my Mother would tell me when I got down about things is to always remember’This To Shall Pass’
I know easier said than done some days.
Think ahead to your upcoming vacation in the WW11 shelter cottage!!!! That sounds divine!!!
Focus on your plans there leave the other bits till later and go into your vacation with a great big smile and excitement for what lays ahead!!!
You’re soo appreciated for your knowledge, honesty and humanity.
Be kind to yourself .
Dearest Carolyn,
you have made great strides since you started this battle many years ago. It is a tough battle. Stop thinking of losing 100 lbs,, think more along the lines of 10 lbs at a time. Say to yourself ok that was a slip but I will do better for the rest of the day. Say it every time! Have you thought of maybe doing chair yoga to help strengthen your core? You may not be able to walk at the pace you want but any movement will help burn calories. I admire your perseverance. Things will get better, I promise. After living with chronic pain for 40 years I am finally finding a way to relieve it.
Sending you love and hugs,
Cathy
I’m back to rationing tomorrow also. Same struggles, and trying to find my way out. Was at an event where an expert talked about highly processed foods and their impact on getting us to eat too much, among other things. I hope to use rationing to get that kind of thing out of my diet.
Making bread today to get ready.
Hang in there. Not easy, but doable.
Sue
Osteoarthritis is painful. You have done so well – you’ll get there!
Caroline, I’ve followed you for years and it’s possibly my first comment, sorry but I just like to read. However here’s the thing… you’re a wonderfully human Human being! Many post of being this or the other but you post as you and we all see ourselves in you! Your highs and lows we relate to, so just you keep on being you. Weight is a battle for so many of us, and food is such a comfort when things are bad… plus it’s everywhere and not illegal, and we are conditioned to enjoy it! So just be nice to yourself and know that we are with you xx
Carolyn, we are in this together!! I am loosely following the point plan. I volunteer at a food distribution program in the city I live. living off the fresh produce they supply and small amounts of meat. Not the same but similar. Its hard. That being said I have lost ten pounds this month. I dare repeat it is hart living off of donations and supplement government income. I do feel more energetic and want to continue.
I know how you feel. I live with chronic pain and a part of it is arthritis. I finally have managed to get rid of some weight after decades of diets. I count calories, nothing else. It works with rationing, with everything. It’s the longest I’ve stuck to anything. Even a bad day, I record it all!
Hi Carolyn, may I recommend you take a look at a youtube channel called ‘yes2next’ – they have a range of exercise plans which are aimed towards seniors, but which might make them suitable given your osteoarthritis – some of them you can do sitting down, and they take from 10 minutes. They are really easy – even for someone with ZERO co-ordination like myself!
You know you can do this – you’ve done it before – I think the biggest obstacle is getting your life in balance, so you can maintain good habits once the weight is off.
All the best!
You inspire me. Thanks, Beth
Carolyn, I am a diabetic and it is such a struggle to try and eat better and not binge eat. Take just one day at a time, you’ve got this.
Sorry, late to this, but you are so courageous.
It takes a huge amount of bravery to say “if I lost 50lbs I would be better, and if I lost 100lbs I might be pain free”. I bet GPs up and down the country would beg to have a patient as self-aware as you. I wish I lived near you and could offer some practical help, but as I do not, then all I can give you is huge applause and a virtual hug. And wish you continued success, 👏 👏 , xx