The Edcawber Principle

Suffolk_lass

I don't think you should worry about the extra few calories - the big thing he (Dr Michael Mosley) stresses in the book is that this 8-weeks re-sets your taste buds - so just be careful about any sweetness added to your sparkling water.

Today I used the bit of stock I had in the fridge to make soup - I think it was meat stock (regularly boiled, fat skimmed off and clear-ish) so I didn't want to make courgette soup with it (got loads in the home-grown freezer in soup-sized bags) so DH brought in a big bag of leeks (there are loads in the garden but they are a good staple and easy to top-up stews with) and I added my last two carrots and sweet potato - we had some for lunch after wizzing with my stick blender and it was delicious (well-seasoned and with my mixture of herbs, Lazy chilli, salt and pepper added, and a swirl of cream on top). After decanting to the pot that just fits on the bottom shelf of the fridge there was a little left - so I chopped up a couple of skinned chicken breasts I had got out of the freezer and after frying them off I poured the soup over them and popped it in the simmer oven and we had it again for supper as the casserole sauce with the last of the fresh broccoli, some savoy cabbage and frozen peas.

I baked a couple of Bramley apples stuffed with blueberries mixed with maybe a dozen sultanas (forbidden but I soaked them) and about three-four tablespoons of orange juice (left over from Christmas) as the baking fluid - we had one each with a dollop of greek-style yogurt - lush! - Apart from the sultanas and the orange juice all good and the scales are up to 4.6lbs this morning. - Keep going, it takes maybe 4-5 days and you will suddenly feel a bit better with more energy and fewer bits that might creak (OK, just me!)

edinburgher

I read the book 

Still, a few weeks ago a bit of bad news, a tough day at work and exhaustion would have had me reaching for the crap, so I'm happy with the outcome. I don't have a sweet tooth, so don't think I'll be deprogrammed!

Another pound off this morning, it's definitely slowing rapidly (16 stones 2 pounds). I'm not sure if daily weighing is the best plan, may switch to bi-daily?

Yoghurt etc. For breakfast, a black double espresso for elevenses and probably a light lunch (maybe steamed broccoli and a protein shake), which will leave me enough calories for a ham omelette for dinner.

A lovely 4 bed detached bungalow has gone on sale near us - offers over £480k! Man, do I feel priced out.

Suffolk_lass

A lovely derelict farmhouse was on the market near us and we put ours on the market but not everyone knows how great thatched cottages are and in the end he put it back on the market. We would have needed to sell our Son's house too to pay for the revitalisation. I suppose I have nearly accepted it probably would have left us with a much less comfortable retirement, as times and costs often overrun. 

You're not old enough to live in a bungalow (and neither are we!!) IMHO 

edinburgher

@Suffolk_lass - I remember an episode of (I think) Grand Designs where a retired couple were renovating a beautiful and unusual historical property and got totally caught up in the build to the extent that one of them basically used up all of their pension provision to fund it, no doubt getting taxed until the pips squeaked. Yes, they ended up with a gorgeous £700k house, but they halved their pensions and their original house was hardly a cowp!

The house today was a bungalow and a half (literally). Tastefully extended, big level plot, 4 double beds, mandatory massive living space, 2-3 bathrooms and expertly staged with (I suspect) brand new, rented furniture. It has been empty for years, suspect a property developer? I would not have kicked it out of bed

Had an interesting conversation with Mrs E today. Her best pal was bemoaning a "good" approval at work despite leaning heavily on their spouse, working huge amounts of overtime, taking on extra responsibilities and spending too little time with their kids. Seemed to be a good lesson on working to live.. 

On my work front, I realised I made a hash of a complaint that I responded to last year. Trying not to ruminate too much and specific circumstances mean that the scale of the error will remain partially shrouded even once it's fixed. I'll draft a new version tomorrow and fess up to my boss 

Lunch ended up being a big tuna salad, dinner a three egg omelette with ham and cheese (about 20g of each). Just over 1,000 calories, average since Monday 953.

beanielou

edinburgher said:

Thanks beanie - this was the first cat DD ever met - he set the bar high and has given her a fierce love of all felines! 

How lovely  😸

beanielou

Errrrrr.
I live in a bungalow & love it.
Vastly underrated!!

South_coast

Ooh, "cowp" - that's the second Scottish word I've Googled today 😀! 

The first was "haver" - courtesy of The Proclaimers 🤣!

edinburgher

South_coast said:

Ooh, "cowp" - that's the second Scottish word I've Googled today 😀! 

The first was "haver" - courtesy of The Proclaimers 🤣!

Glad I'm helping my fellow forumites explore the wonderful world of language 😄

Dinner not very satisfying last night, spent my evening watching Aliens with a grumbling stomach! Good news on the scale tho, now checking in at 16 stones and 0.2 pounds (nearly 13 pounds since Monday)! 💪

Holiday fund at 34% of target yesterday, getting there...

ajmoney

beanielou said:

Errrrrr.
I live in a bungalow & love it.
Vastly underrated!!

Me too.  I love it although I hadn't realised how much walking up and down stairs keeps you fit!

Suffolk_lass

I'm sorry if my bungalow reference caused disquiet, it was a poor attempt at irony after my reference to people not appreciating a thatched cottage. Sorry.

That is an amazing total so far ed - far better than me. Still just under 5lb but I took a painkiller last night that always impacts my body by dehydrating and whatnot. The painkiller was needed because I have hit the sugar withdrawal headache. Usually two days with me. I must drink more water. 

We had more soup for lunch and I made chilli with a pack of stewing steak with the usual chilli ingredients but no kidney beans. Instead we had borlotti and baked beans, chick peas and red lentils, which ensured it was very satisfying and filling - probably too much. As I said, I don't count the calories but that was v high protein so hopefully it will encourage fat burning in some way