Seasidegal's Scrimpy Retirement Diary!

Busterboo_2

Hi Seasidegal, just de-lurking to see how the increased M dose went? Hope all is well. 

beanielou

How are you? x 

Seasidegal58

Hi @Busterboo_2 and @beanielou. Yes I'm still here and ok!  But very remiss on updating my diary...🫣

Had a nice day out with DSis last Wednesday. We take one another out to the spa for our birthdays so was booked in here. Very relaxing - first a dip in the hot tub with a glass of Prosecco then a full body massage and body scrub. Followed by a light lunch then a facial and pedicure. We went for cocktails afterwards then early dinner at one of our local restaurants so all in all a Grand Day Out as they say!

The other pair of silver sandals I ordered for the family anniversary dinner arrived. Still no go. This pair was too narrow even though they were advertised as wide. Didn't even look wide to me. So back they went. The silver bag I bought is going back too as I've decided I'm not going to keep ordering matching silver shoes that might not fit and so have decided I will be wearing black kitten heel sling backs plus a black evening style bag I already own. 

I finished sorting out all my seasonal clothes, bags and shoes - in the end the dress agency has received one pair of trousers, one pair of long boots, four tops and two scarfs. 

SCRIMPY MSE THINGS
Spends were a few food bits, Pilates, PT, lottery, monthly Mounjaro pen - last Wednesday was spendy as I had the balance to the spa to pay, cocktails and restaurant. As it was DSis's birthday treat I paid for all.
oh - I my Shark vacuum broke the other day so I've had to order another from Amazon!😡 
Bright spot - I won a Lotto Lucky Dip!

WEIGHT
So last Tuesday's weigh in went very well indeed. A 3.4lb loss!  Over the 🌙  with that!  My average calorie count per day that week was 1287. 

This last week past has gone well too although I'm still experiencing some bouts of diarrhoea. No other side effects though such as headaches or nausea and still no snacking urges. Trying to think whether anything in my diet is causing it but I'm hardly eating anything fatty. I did have wine and cocktails on Wednesday but that's the only alcohol I've had all week but could be partial cause. I've  decided to cut back on my daily fruits from three pieces to two and see how that goes. 

This week's average calorie count was higher this week at 1417 when I checked this evening, but still slightly under my recommended amount for a  2lb weight loss. When I guesstimated my calories for the Wednesday it came out at just over 2700, 1000 more than my daily allowance so that's why the increase. I must say though I only had one glass of Prosecco at the Spa and didn't want another with my lunch. I picked a ham and cheese toastie for lunch and only ate half as I felt full. I had two Amaretto Sours later in the cocktail bar but these aren't that big compared to some cocktails. I didn't want a starter with my dinner and had calves liver and bacon with onion mash and broccoli - it was delicious - I love it and you can't always get it when eating out. I felt quite full after - I did manage a small berry Pavlova after a break but this was mostly meringue so quite light. DSis finished my second glass of Pinot Grigio for me!
DSis actually remarked in the spa that she definitely could see I'd lost a bit round my tummy. I said, well this swimsuit does have a tummy control panel, but she said I'd worn the same swimsuit last time we were there and she could see a difference. So that's a positive. 👍
So 6th weigh in day and 3rd 5mg dose tomorrow. I'll definitely be back to log this!😀

redofromstart

I do love those proper salt body scrubs at the spa.  

Great progress on the weight loss, well done you.

Seasidegal58

Yes they're really scrummy @redofromstart - I love them!  Mind you this time round they seemed to be using larger salt flakes. I felt like giggling as the therapist that was working on DSis sounded like she was scrubbing an oven!😂

Seasidegal58

Funny ol' day today - a Mercury in Retrograde day - I had my Pilates zoom session first thing this morning but had to amend my gym session to tomorrow as my new Mounjaro pen was being delivered between 10.00 and 2pm and I have to wait in for it as it comes wrapped in ice packs as new pens have to be kept cold. I was also told that my Shark was being delivered on Thursday morning but it arrived this morning which was very handy but I had also changed my Thursday gym session to Friday because I thought I would have to stay in for it. 

A good friend of mine was also supposed to be visiting this weekend but it's transpired she forgot to put it in her diary and so double booked herself with something else. We've sorted out another date for a few weeks time. 

I went out in the afternoon as I needed some supplies - I bought vine cherry tomatoes in the greengrocer; baked beans, reduced fat cheddar, reduced fat Flora, and eggs in Tesco. 

Had a nice chat this evening with a MSE RL friend. 

SCRIMPY MSE THINGS
Today's spends were Pilates, food and I ordered a tub of protein powder. 

By the way, I forgot to say that the Shark was 39% off on Amazon. They have a couple of models discounted there at the moment. 

One of my cash ISAs is coming off one year fixed this week. I was going to check to see what the best one year fixes are at the moment,  but I've decided to put the cash into my DCS pension scheme. I haven't drawn down on this pension as yet - and with the current ruling, don't have to think about this till I'm 75. But with rumblings out there that the Government may cut pension tax relief in the coming Budget, I think it will be a good idea to put the cash into the pension. I am a basic rate tax payer now so I don't think they will touch folk like me, but better to be safe than sorry and the relief will give the pension a nice bump up. 

So I'll start to sort this tomorrow. 

WEIGHT
i lost a very nice 2.9lbs this week which means I've lost just a smidgeon over 1 and a half stone in six weeks!  Very chuffed. 😀. I do feel that I'm walking a bit quicker these days without lugging around this extra weight. 

I had sardines with a large salad for brunch, fruit and yoghurt and smoked haddock with garlic mash and mixed veg for dinner. Plus usual collagen in coffee and my protein drink. 

I've decided to order a tub of the Myprotein Clear Whey protein drink after trying out their variety pack. I did prefer some flavours to others but have gone with Cranberry & Raspberry this time round. I really like this powder as when mixed with water it turns into a really refreshing juice drink and I can add it to my hydration levels. 

ITV are screening a programme on Thursday evening about Mounjaro/Wegovy and the other GLP-1 drugs. It will be interesting to see if they give a balanced view of the pros and cons without sensationalising the whole thing just to ramp up viewing numbers. 

milann

That’s a great weight loss. It seems to be working for you.
The spa day sounds bliss 👍

Seasidegal58

Thanks @milann - yes, I really enjoyed the spa day!

I wrote a post on here last night and then lost it all!  Was disgusted with myself and went to bed!😡
Not much happening - I had my Pilates session this morning then walked up to the chemist to pick up my regular medication. I'm off to the Muscular/Skeletal Clinic at my surgery later as they are going to look at my knee on the back of my recent MRI scan. 

SCRIMPY MSE THINGS
Anyhow, yesterday's spends were gym, some food bits and I ordered some more collagen powder. I wasn't going to but was talking to my friend who is nearly eighty and she said her joints and skin have felt better since taking it regularly for months so I'm going to stick with it for a bit. 

Today's spend was my Pilates session. 

Yesterday I arranged with my ISA provider to send back my cash when it comes off fixed tomorrow. I also spoke to the pension provider of my DCS to check transfer arrangements . It transpires that because I'm not actually employed as such but retired and not working anymore, I've got to do some calculations on how much I can transfer in - it appears to be based on how much income you're receiving from your taxed pension. They've sent me an online self-assessment link to the HMRC website so I have the joy of deciphering that now!

WEIGHT
Yesterday's calorie count was 1367. I've got to work out today's. 

I recorded this week's episode of Bake Off and watched it yesterday. I must say it's the first time watching an episode that I haven't felt the urge to get a cake/biscuits whilst viewing, so the Mounjaro must be working!😂

Seasidegal58

A rainy, grey ol' day today. 

I went to the MSK clinic yesterday. The doctor had seen the MRI scan and he examined my knees. I did say that the MRI'd  knee had improved and it was the back if the other knee that played up more now. He said I had a touch of osteoarthritis in the left knee and probably the other knee and a tear in the meniscus and cartilage damage in the left knee. I said both knees have improved since I've lost weight and exercised more. He said that that is what he would recommend anyway at the moment to manage both and if they got very painful I could have steroid injections. I don't really want that and said I'll continue with the weight loss and exercise for now. He gave me some exercises to do as well, some of which are very much like what I've been doing already at Pilates and the gym. So I'll see how it goes. 

Today I went to the gym and afterwards my plumber came round.  My shower is over the bath and I want to remove the bath and install a proper shower cubicle. I also would like shower boards around the new shower instead of tiles as these are much easier to clean and look very good. DD has these in her bathrooms and I really couldn't tell they weren't tiles until she told me they weren't. He left me the catalogue, but is also going to take me out soon as I don't drive in order that I can have a look at some of the bathroom places and see the boards, etc, properly. 

I was going to catch the bus into town afterwards to take my bag back to M&S and have a mooch but it was so miserable out I'm going to do it tomorrow. 

SCRIMPY MSE THINGS
Spends we're gym and I picked up some apples and nectarines in the greengrocer and some Oatly in Tesc0 that was on offer at £1.50 with your Clubcard. The lovely Discovery apples have finished, alas, but I got some really crisp and juicy Cox's instead. 

WEIGHT
Yesterday's calories were 1453 and today's were 1250. Tonight's dinner was venison burger, wholegrain brown rice and mixed veg. 

I watched the ITV programme on the weight loss drugs last night. I thought it was quite a well -balanced documentary. At least it drew attention to the dangers of buying it from unlicensed clinics/beauty parlours.   

Seasidegal58

A nice sunny day here today in Seasideville though a bit of a chilly breeze. 

I caught the bus into town (free fare thanks to my trusty Senior bus pass) and took back the silver bag to M&S, though ended up buying rather a nice pair of large silver teardrop disc earrings in there - they were £12.50 but actually look quite expensive. 

I also picked up some of their plant based 'chicken' Kiev nuggets as DD will be staying on Thursday through the weekend as we have the family anniversary dinner next Saturday. She likes the plant based large Kievs but these had sold out. 

I wanted to mooch but unfortunately our town is getting less 'moochable' these days - it's looking a bit rundown as so many shops have gone and the units haven't been relet. Clinton's Cards is closing now - I know they've been on a slide for years but it's such a shame. It's a large floor space though and they're not getting the footfall they had. Everything was on offer for 20% or less so I did take the opportunity to buy the family cards for Christmas ( I'd already bought the ordinary Xmas cards last January in the sale).  I was looking for a nice birthday card for DSis but all these had sold out already. So I found one I liked in Card Factory. I will miss Clinton's though as I always felt they had the best 'special' birthday and Christmas family cards. 

If the town ever loses M&S it will be the death knell, but at least it did seem pretty busy today, especially in the Food Hall. Fingers crossed. 🤞

SCRIMPY MSE THINGS
Spends were earrings, Kievs, and cards. 

I also paid off the monthly Amex bill (in full!)

WEIGHT
I didn't get round to eating lunch till I got back from town so was hungry and had a sardine salad which filled me up. I've not got around to eating my fruit/yoghurt as I still feel stuffed and dinner is at around 8pm. 
Tandoori chicken kebabs tonight, wholegrain rice and peas. If I feel I can manage it I'll add some sweetcorn to bump up the calories.