I am holding steady at the higher weight I jumped to in November. More than the weight, I am not feeling my best. I feel bloated and uncomfortable. First thing is to add more soluble fiber -- very likely oatmeal and benefiber. Next thing is to increase vegetables. I havent been eating near as many vegetables as I usually do.

I always have a little vertigo but that has increased also. Not sure if it is the cataracts or what. I have a presurgery dr appt coming up in a week and a half so I'll discuss then.

I am going to try to get some exercise in this week .. I wasnt active at all last week. At least some walking. The vertigo is making even basic activity a challenge but I am feeling like a blob between the inactivity and the bloating and I need to get back to feeling good.

I went out for a celebration earlier this week-- and to meet youngest Niece's new beau. I ate and drank fairly wisely.. had grilled halibut and a grilled fennel salad and only a spoonful of the creme brulee dessert. 2 glasses of wine-- but it was a celebration after all ;)

How are you doing? Are you managing the holiday gatherings well?

Funky, sorry to hear you aren’t feeling great. I have been having more oatmeal now that it’s winter. This is my favorite.

To add extra benefit, I’ll throw in berries, cut up apple or banana, sometimes protein powder, chia seeds, etc. The other day I added this (and some banana), yum:

I have been taking a stab at that 800g Challenge but not doing great, partly because I’ve had this lousy cold/cough for about a week, but it’s at least been making me try to add more fruits and Veggies. Since I’ve already got a score sheet, I am also going to keep track of protein this week.

BTW I recently learned that kiwi is great for that bloated feeling, at least for some? But you have to eat two per day, apparently.

My activity has also slowed (see: nasty cold) but I’m at least keeping up my PT exercises. I was supposed to see the ortho dr this week but they rescheduled — fortunately just to next Monday. If a cortisone shot is offered, I’m taking it.

All I can say is, thank god for grocery delivery and prepared foods! DH is OOT so I have only to feed myself. Last night’s dinner was mashed potatoes and edamame. Weird, but it’s what I wanted.

My goal for the week is to get back on the Peloton. Even just 15 minutes.

sorry you're not feeling so great, Funky. I hope they get your vertigo figured out. I'm glad you're trying the 800 gram challenge, Sue! More fruits and veggies can't be bad. You seem to have a much more reasonalbe apporach than me. The first time I tried it was in the summer, and I just ate enough watermelon at the end of the day to meet my goal. Definitely not the idea:) This time my grams are from more rounded sources at least.

I had a good week on the challenge and am definitely feeling less bloated. I thout I was eating a lot of fiber through chia seeds and oats, but this fiber seems to make me feel better. I did track all my meals in cronometer just to see where I was, and I never get enough protein. Not even the lowest recommendation. I think if I did eat enough protein and the 800 grams, I wouldn't eat anything else. Which, maybe that's the point :)

Exercise has been awful - nothing at all this week. Last night I did at least stretch because my back was so sore from inactivity. I tried my trampoline twice this week, but got bored way too quickly. I need to find something I like as much as pickelball to keep me active through the winter. Last year I was really good with my weight lifting at home, but haven't done well with that yet this year either.

Pretty much still in full hermit mode, so it was easy to eat well this week - will be more challenging coming up. My plan will be to get most of my grams at home and protein out of the house, but we'll see how that goes.

Yesterday I gave Chat my ingredients on hand and it gave me a pretty good recipe for white chicken chili!

I am a breakfast eater and often have steel cut oats ( I make enough for 4 bowls at one time since it takes about 30 minutes to cook). Instead of adding sliced banana on top last week I cooked the banana with the oats for the final 10 minutes. It tasted like something rich and special— more than I was expecting.

Very sorry for your vertigo, Funky. I think I’d rather have pain than dizziness.

Sue, Sorry to hear you are still sick. Yes! Grocery delivery and healthy/good prepared foods are lifesavers! When sick ... when busy .. when I can't just even!

I love oatmeal and have plenty in my cupboard .. two things are keeping me from making it: nephew gave me a HUGE loaf of rye sourdough which is wonderful toasted and I have been trying to stick to intermittent fasting so I don't eat until after noon. There's no reason I can't eat oatmeal in the afternoon, but I am just not reaching for it. I will make a point of it .. .

also, I am due a trip to TJs and will pick up some of their ancient grains oatmeal. I love amaranth in oatmeal. Thanks for the tip!

I did go and add Benefiber to my coffee after posting. It mixes in well and has no taste or smell. I just keep the bottle high up in the cupboard where I dont see it or think of it. I should get a pretty container to store it in and keep on the counter. (only half joking!)

Hope everyone feels better!

Oh my toasted rye sourdough --- I may have to get a loaf of rye now. I am uber-susceptible to food cues. And shopping cues. Oh and travel cues. Damn.

I have counted and weighed and measured food for years, and it works. But I am not willing to do it anymore. I never eat a meal without a fresh veggie or fruit, and all meals and most snacks include protein. I try to eat my colors and I try not to drink my calories. With foods that are particularly rich and not particularly healthful, I try to buy only a portion at a time. I will throw away food if there is too much of it. These rules have helped me lose weight, albeit at a snails pace. I'm okay with my eating, as I find a balance between enjoyment and healthfulness.

I think my weight has stalled but I have not weighed in this week. I had some meals out and that is almost always a small gain. Seeing a gain makes me unduly frustrated, so I avoid weighing until I think I have righted the ship. Would seem like a bad strategy but it seems to work ok for me.

I signed up for another training package at the gym. I like it, and I don't beat myself up that sometime it is only 2x a week; my goal is 3. My gym is funny. So many gyms I have gone to have a "scene." The vibe at my gym is really about health, I like that. I find inspiration from others at the gym.

Sorry, Funky, vertigo is never fun. Hope you can get some answers at the eye appointment.

Mtn, WTG for signing up for another package.

SueB, hope you are feeling better soon. DH has had a low-level cold and is just starting to feel better now after two weeks. It was his birthday and he didn't want to go out, so I cooked steak and lobster for him at home. It was also very cold and miserable, so staying home is totally fine.

I went to do weights today and then I have Pilates Monday and Wednesday. I have final exams this week, so I will be super busy. we also have some holiday luncheons from work, so I will need to continue to make good choices and not get overfull. Next weekend we have Trans SIberian Orchestra and will take MIL for her birthday dinner.

Well, if you remember I had asked about permanent toe nail removal, which is an annoying but relatively short term minor healing kind of thing. And that would eliminate one symptom of the real problem but possibly cause another. So it looks like I should have orthopedic surgery either on my foot itself or on my foot and further up my leg, so 4 weeks off my foot and 4 weeks in a boot. So that will have to wait until summer. So that will be three surgeries in 12 months, last August, coming in January, and then this summer. I am going to have to figure out how to go to the gym and work out upper body when I am casted and on a wheelie and in the boot. And I am hoping I only miss a few patient days at work. The last time I had orthopedic surgery I feel like I was casted for months, but I was eight, so I don't really remember. I just really don't want to mess up my gym progress too many times. The procedure in August took me out altogether for almost a month.

Sorry to hear, Pal ... will the summer surgery fully address your issues? I hope so.

Today I had chicken w/ no sauce, just a squirt of lemon with roasted brussels sprouts for lunch. It is rare that I can take that much time for lunch (shouldnt have done it today but I needed the break). I am trying to eat more in the afternoon and less in the evening .. but again, it will be hard to keep up.

I did get a prepared soup from I Eat My Greens .. this one includes tomato, coconut milk and basil as described ... but also cauliflower, lentils, onions, celery, beets and I forget what else. It doesnt have a huge amount of fiber (3g) given all the veggies but if it tastes good, I will keep some around. It is kind of pricey so other than the taste test, I will keep it for days when I have no other quick/easy/healthy options.

Sorry to hear about your vertigo, funky. I hope the doc has an answer for that. I can imagine that is not pleasant at all and would make any type of exercise just about impossible.

Also sorry you're still not feeling well Sue. There must be something going around. DS has been sick for over a week now. This is very unusual for him. He rarely gets sick and when he does he's fine in a day or two. While DH and I were in NYC last Thursday night for my retirement dinner, he texted us that his nose was bleeding a lot and asking what to do. He also texted a picture of a hole in his bathroom wall. Apparently while pee'ing he passed out and hit his head on the wall. OMG I wanted to drive home immediately but he insisted it wasn't necessary. I'm just so thankful his head hit the wall and not the tile floor. When he was a kid seeing blood made him pass out. We suspect this was similar to that.

Our plan is to redo his bathroom this spring, so I told him the hole in the wall was more incentive to get that done!

As for me, I'm continuing on my walking workouts on my Peloton treadmill. I'm finding them very effective. Much more than the spin classes on my Peloton bike. I was down another 1 lb when I weighed myself this morning. Who knows, it could be back tomorrow but it's encouraging and keeps me going. I'm losing weight at a very slow pace but that's ok.

I need to start doing weights each day too. I have to fit that in my very busy (not!) retirement life. I just don't enjoy it, but I need to force myself to do it. I do wear a weighted vest for the walking classes and I think that helps too.

It’s funny (and gross) but I had a lot of blood when I blew my nose yesterday morning. It was slightly alarming but I also think I started feeling a little better after that. The cough isn’t quite so dramatic.

DH started about 2 days after me. He’s at our cottage taking care of some winter maintenance so we are comparing symptoms from afar. This works for me bc he can be very annoying when he’s sick!

We need to both get better by the weekend bc the festivities are starting! I keep reminding myself that it’s good to get it over with now, because the next 3-4 weeks will be very busy.

Today I did PT exercises, some upper body weights, and a 20 min yoga class. Maybe the bike tomorrow!

Jsk, I'm glad your DS is ok after the fall! What a scary text to receive.

I read last week's discussion about the 800g challenge, and once I looked it up, it's similar to what I'm doing currently, which is at least a serving of 5 different vegetables each day. I don't count fruit, but after a quick calculation, I'm close to 800g. Another serving or 2 of vegetables, and I'm there. That's a realistic change for me.

I'm still up a few lbs from Thanksgiving, but it wasn't as bad as I had assumed. I'm back to vegetable and protein focus, and I feel better.

Since we've had so much snow, and due to icy sidewalks, I haven't been walking as much as I had before. I really miss it, so will probably add some gym cardio until the sidewalks are safe again. Cold weather doesn't deter me from getting outside, but the prospect of slipping on ice and being laid up does.

I have been making use of my yoga/meditation room. This morning, I stretched and did a brief yoga routine for 15 minutes. It's a good way to begin the day, and to be in a more positive mindset.

Funky, I hear you on all counts (although I don't have vertigo, and I'm sorry you suffer with that). I hope you're feeling better soon. This may be an obvious question, but are you drinking enough water? A friend and I were together over the weekend, and we were talking about our health. We both realized we weren't drinking as much water now that the weather is so cold. I go through this every year, and you'd think I'd learn! I have to be extra proactive in winter to get enough hydration.

Actually no, the surgery this summer will not really solve the primary issue. I had some kind of procedure and a Denis Browne bar as an infant , surgery when I was eight and they said back then that I would probably need surgery when I got older, so 50-odd years is a pretty good interval between interventions. They don't even do the procedure I had when I was eight anymore, or at least not the same way, and they couldn't really anyway because of the scar tissue and calcifications in the scar.

All in all I am really lucky I do not limp. He brought up a simpler procedure with a shorter recovery to reposition my toe statically, but it's possible that that would make make me limp and I would lose flexion in my foot, minimally, so it's really better to go with the more invasive procedure. To be honest the part I am worried about is getting out of shape and gaining weight in the month I have to stay of my foot as much as possible. Pain doesn't really phase me all that much.

Gosh, I am sorry for the illnesses/surgeries that several of you are experiencing or facing. I did better with my eating last week. I am feeling so much stronger at Pilates also. My birthday is this week, and we are spending a few nights away. I am looking forward to some pampering and some fabulous meals. Dessert will definitely be eaten. After a rough two years, I am so grateful for my return to health.

@Sueb20 that's when my DS's nose bleed started - when he blew his nose.

Can someone explain this 800g protein per day thing to me? Depending which calculation method I use, I should get between 50-100 grams of protein per day. I did some quick math and I don't even reach that. How in the world can one eat 800g per day? And is that healthy? From my quick non scientific on line search, eating too much protein is not good and outweighs the benefits.

I am not a nutritionist or dietician and don't really know much about this topic. What I've always done is eat in moderation and avoid sugary drinks (don't like them anyway). I never deprive myself of any particular food because at least for me that's not sustainable.

Why would eating 800g per day be a good thing?

I thought it was 800 g of fruit & veg, not protein

I'm getting over the flu. Got it about 10 days ago...lingering symptoms. My stomach rocks n' rolls after eating "anything". I can sleep for 8 hours straight + take an afternoon nap. I got on the treadmill and just walked for 20 minutes and THAT was enough to work up a sweat. Went to the gym today with hubby. Got on the massage chair. Was on the recumbent for 30 minutes. Ate pizza for lunch, getting tired of chicken, turkey & ham. Had a 20g protein yogurt, those still appeal to me, by Dannon. My drivers license will expire on my Birthday, today....couldn't pass the eye exam. Went in for an updated script, ordered NEW glasses. Never wore prescription glasses when driving before. My Kaiser medical insurance covered the whole cost! Nice!

Happy Birthday, Nicole and Texanjana! Enjoy your birthday weeks🎉💕

Glad you are feeling stronger and back to normal, Texanjana!

Glad you are starting to feel better too, Nicole!

Yes, I thought the 800g was for fruits, veggies, legumes too.

Also, yes -- Feathers, I can always do better with water but I loaded up on Hint water and that is helping me. I am doing better than usual (at least as long as it holds out).

I am feeling better with a couple of days of increased veggies and soluable fiber! I know I need them but it is so easy to grab and go and slip. I need to be more intentional... even when.. especially when I am busy!

I thought it was 800 g of fruit & veg, not protein

Oh! Well that makes so much more sense! Whew, I knew I had to be missing something.

I could probably easily do that in the summer. So much fruit I love in the summer. Would be harder in the winter. Not a big fan of apples (unless baked in a pie), or oranges. I don't not like them, but they're not what I want to eat. I could eat peaches, plums, nectarines all day every day.

I do love almost all vegetables. I should focus on that in the winter.

Yes, it’s for fruits and veggies! I still haven’t broken 600.

I saw something, somewhere — maybe a nutritionist on Instagram, who can even remember anymore where info comes from — that raw broccoli is even better for you than cooked, and even if you’re cooking it, you should grab a few florets and eat them raw. One thing I have done to increase my veggies is to cut up some raw broccoli (it has been about 2 cups each time) with maybe a tblsp of ranch dressing for dipping, and have that as an afternoon snack, or while I’m waiting for dinner to cook. Of course you really have to like broccoli… but obvs could do this with any veggie.

BTW I just realizing I am using the same trick on myself that I used on my kids when they were small.

@Sueb20 I have been doing the same thing with broccoli. I have always liked it better raw than cooked. It’s a great, easy snack.

Just thought I’d share this recipe I’ve had forever but had forgotten about. Super easy and healthy, and tasty. Easy to tweak it, too — tonight I added some fire roasted corn that I happened to have in the freezer. This is supposedly 4 servings but the 2 of us pretty much finished it.

Got a prescription for antibiotics this afternoon because this darn cold has settled in my sinuses. DH is on antibiotics too. Fun couple! I am still feeling better than I was, though.