Hi Clarabell
Welcome to our little corner of the board!

I dont eat much cream - only when I use it in cooking for quiches etc, but one USA member (ElleH) even drinks about half a cups'worth each day and still loses weight!

In DANDR 2002 we are allowed on induction
as a regular food item but also now and again what he calles 'special category' foods These extra foods are an either/or option as I read it so we can choose one of these if we are not stalled by them.

Hi Elizellen

Hmm, I might be a slow loser. I think that small dents and hollows are beginning to appear, though, so will try not to focus on the scales and actual pounds lost. Have already cut back on the cream, but it does provide some sort of treat for those occasional times when I could do with one. I generally take a couple of dessertspoonsful of organic double or cornish clotted and sprinkle with some chocolate whey protein powder and that keeps me happy as I think I'll be on on induction for months at this rate.

Thanks for your reply though. I looked up your pics and must say you are inspiring. Your loss is so impressive and your picture progress is a revelation. Congratulations. Must also say, the flax bread looks absolutely delicious.

What kind of exercise do you do? I'm walking at least 10 miles a week and thinking about doing some weights at the gym.

I'm 53 and can't help wondering if age might be slowing my progress. Would be very interested to know if your loss was more dramatic at the beginning then slowed or if there were peaks and troughs. I seemed to lose 7lbs the first 10 days then suddenly put 3lbs back on although I hadn't cheated apart from two small glasses of red wine on the 16th day of the diet. In other words, two days after induction.

Hi Clarabell Thank you for the kind compliments
I didnt do any exercise except for walking maybe an hour most days till I had got down to about half my original weight, but I really think that if I had joined the gym earlier it would have improved my shrinking!

I have been going to the gym three times a week doing weights plus cardio for about 18 months now and though since starting the gym I have put on weight gradually I have lost two dress sizes!!

As to my pattern of losing, I am afraid I didnt really keep much of a record of daily/weekly changes in the beginning, but looking back on my fitday entries it looks as if I lost 70 pounds or so in the the first year, so fairly slowly compared to others who exercise more intensely.

After the first year it slowed down even more
30 pounds in 6 months
20 pounds in 6 months
16 pounds in 6 months
5 pounds in one year - then up about 10 pounds in the last 10 months even though I am losing inches!!

Here is a screenshot of my fitday weight log graph

Hi Clarabel,

Like you I'm in my early 50's and have found my weight loss much slower than in my younger years. I was able to really concentrate on diet and exercise in September and daily exercise helped me shift more pounds more noticeably. I've also found that sticking to low fat snacks has helped me get past some of the plateaus. Walking is fantastic! I regain weight regardless of diet when I stop exercising! Have you found that?

hi niknak
i'm in the uk....wembley in fact
how ru?

i think it is harder to lose and maintain one's weight when one gets older.
I for example am 40 and my highest weight has been just over 17 st.
i try to eat so called "healthy" but i have a weakness for crisps and chocolate, Cornish pasties and the occasional full English breakfast on a Sunday.
now i don't believe there is anything wrong in eating those foods as long as we back it up with regular exercise
and that is where i stumble because i don't take enough regular exercise these days.
not that i am lazy, i just don't enjoy long walks...i wouldn't mind if i had someone to join me who like me is overweight and wants to get fit.
but walking on my own i find boring.
so this may sound unpractical
but i choose to sit down and play my drum kit sometimes for 2-3 hours
or if i feel uninspired, then less.
when i really get into it, and work up a sweat, i don't feel so guilty to go and lay down and watch tv after my evening meal.
my mum used to say that it is better to let your food digest before taking exercise...i think there is some wisdom in that, but in my case i feel guilty if i sit down after a meal in the evening because i worry that the weight will just pile on...but i find that if it does, it's only a tad but i still keep an eye on myself to make sure my weight isn't increasing.
i was thinking to myself this morning whilst i was cooking my breakfast(4 eggs scrambled, 4 pork sausages grilled in the oven,2 sliced tomatoes, 7 slices of toast with low fat butter, brown sauce and brown pickle on the side)
how good it would be to eat till my heart is content and not have to worry about my weight!

Hi Niknak,

I am from the south west, Paignton in Devon. Anyone else from down this part of the country?

I am currently in London.

Hey Jacs, I'm from Barnstaple