How I lost so much weight - from 56.5 in January 2021 down to 47.9 in June, that is about 7 stone 7 lbs

Angela on the left in red at Braddell Heights Advanced Toastmasters club. Between 2018 and 2019.

Angela After 2021 about June 20th.

Before Covid-19 when we met at the Community Centre

Let me tell you how I did it. First you need a good enough reason. Not just, 'I would like to wear that dress.' I was weighing I didn't know what, and had to wear caftans to be sure the sleeves would fit over my arms. I bought cape blazers which don't fit over the upper arm, just the shoulder. I was

 I had a good reason to slim. I wanted to lose weight to look good in the photos at our son's wedding. September 2019. I used to swim intermittently. I ate lots of pizza and samosas and chocolates at Toastmasters International meetings.

The Slimming Mantra

'Move more and eat less.' So said my husband. I was moving a bit more and eating a bit less, every now and then. We had to change that to every day.

The motivation came with the start of Covid-19. Danger, or rather risk factors, were being older and overweight. I could not change my age, except by lying, but that would not change my body. I could, however, change my weight.

I started by swimming. I used to swim when I felt like it. I often postponed until later in the day. It sometimes rained in the afternoon. I changed to swimming in the morning.

Slimming By Swimming

I was swimming most days. 

 I knew I had to increase the number of widths. So I increased gradually. Each month I added an extra width.

Slimming By Moving

While waiting for the lift, I walked up and down. Walking to the swimming pool and back increased my steps. So swimming every day not only increased my swimming, it increased my walking.

When I woke at night, or early in the morning, I kept moving. I twirled my ankles, cycled with my legs in the air. I lifted one leg when I was on my side. Anything to keep moving. 

When I remembered, such as right now when sitting at y laptop, I swayed from side to side, or lifted my feet off the floor and taped my feet together.

I weighed myself every day and wrote the result in my diary.

It was easy to see that when I ate out at a restaurant I put on weight.

I cut out eating out. When we had a stop for coffee and cake, my husband and I ordered one coffee and one cake. We looked up the calorie counts. He had two thirds. I ate one third.

I hope this helps you. To motivate you. You should consult your doctor who may give you a diet sheet, taking into account your needs and medication.

Diet

No Sugar

Elevenses at 11 a.m. each morning, consisting of half a biscuit with a smear of soft cheese, an apple slice, and half a teacup of apple juice and a glass of water.

First I cut out sugar in my coffee. 

Less Alcohol

I cut out alcohol altogether some months. Otherwise I limited myself to wine with one meal at the weekend and only half a glass.

Less Milk

Later I went onto skimmed milk. 

Not enough result. 

When I stopped losing weight, we changed to low fat yogurt and the slimmest milk.

Less  Dessert

Instead of dessert I ate a piece of fruit.

Smaller Snacks

For elevenses, I had coffee and sometimes a dice size piece of cheese. 

For tea time mid afternoon I had apple juice and a date, or at weekends, for a treat, one third of a scone or crumpet. 

Fruit

Half an hour or an hour after dinner in the evening I had four grapes, or two sections of an orange, or both. With a glass of water.

I never felt hungry.

Useful Website

https://www.rapidtables.com/convert/weight/kg-to-pound.html 

About the Author

Angela Lansbury, is a semi-retired travel writer still researching bucket list countries and seeking out the special, unusual, people, places,  landmarks, hotels, museums and trails, fabulous foods, recipes, clothes and online souvenir shopping.

Angela Lansbury is a member of Toastmasters International.

About the Author Angela Lansbury

The Author - Quick Quotations

Angela Lansbury B A Hons  is the author of ten books by regular publishers plus another ten self-published books. 

About Angela The Speaker & Trainer

Angela Lansbury is a teacher of English and other languages to Toastmasters clubs and businesses.

Braddell Heights Advanced Toastmasters Speakers Vice President  Public Relations, Immediate Past President. VPPR

Former Area Director S3. Club Coach for Nee Soon South Toastmasters Club.

Also Member of: TCA Toastmasters Club; Singapore Online Dynamic; Harrovians UK

Past meetings have included Garen Tee on using story telling in business, on 

bha.learncool.sg/meet/bha . 

Recent meetings of BHA included an educational session on using Powerpoint for posters.

Next BHA meetings, always first Wednesday evening, 7 pm Singapore time. Next meeting is  the third Saturday afternoon, June 19th 2pm Singapore time.  Inauguration of the new committee by the incoming Director of S, plus a lively speech on teamwork.

 

Angela The Blogger 

Angela has several blogs speeches, comedy and song writing and organizing, writing intermittently, but writes almost daily on these three:

travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.com

dressofthedayangela.blogspot.com

translateforfun.blogspot.com

See many varied posts such as the post on sculptor Tom Harvey.

Please share links to your favourite posts. 

Next BHA meetings?

Wednesday July 7th 2021. 7 pm Singapore time on bha.learncool.sg/meet/bha

Meet Angela and the new committee.

Glues of different kinds

 What is contact adhesive? A strong glue which needs two piece to come into contact with each other.

Glues start with the weakest and simplest glues suitable for positioning paper. Some allow you to slide the top piece around and get it straight long before they set.

Paper glues are often like roll on deodorants in small sold sticks at small prices from craft shops. You can wind them up by twisting the base like a lipstick, without touching the glue. Advisable to wear an apron and place an important piece of paper below. Practise on an unimportant objects. Wipe your fingers before touching the front of any drawing or photo.

Shoo goo.

For shoes you want glue which won't pull apart. But you don't want a glue which sets so rigidly that your sole of your shoe cannot flex as your foot bends as you walk along.

Next we come to tougher glues. 

Evostick

The strongest glues stick firm. But you don't want them to glue your fingers together. Nor to glue to the table top the item you are repairing on constructing.

To prevent any danger of making a mess on a precious work surface, it is a good idea to use these stronger glues outside and not on a precious work surface. You might want to wear old clothes or overalls or protective gloves or use tongs.

You can also buy spray on glue. Not cheap. About 20 US dollars.

Read the instructions before starting.

Broken spectacles

The glass fell out of my spectacles. Again. 

First we hunted for the missing teeny screw. We have a kit for mending frames. You can buy the kits online. The kits consist of teeny screw and a teeny screw drier.

You might be able to find the screw - easier at home.

Don't sweep or vacuum clean!

You need strong lights. The overhead light. The table lights. The light from your mobile phone . A torch.

A magnetic picker.

Look from different directions. Look in your clothes. Shake your clothes over a white plate or large with a deep rim. Then you will hear the clink and see the teeny screw.

Glues

 A temporary fix when the thread was worn: superglue. (Ordinary paper blue won't work. See later article on glues.)

The problem is worse if the thread is worn. You cannot get the screw to fit back in. 

While we waited for it to dry, I used those glasses you can buy everywhere. My eyes are different. However, the reading glasses, size one, were good enough for me to read and look at the computer screen.

Opticians

I had already looked for frames in two local shops. The frames (plus lenses!) were all expensive - but looked cheap. I want cheap but look expensive!

So the next hunt is for an optician. Google to find one.

Useful websites

https://www.amazon.sg/Kingsdun-Screwdriver-Eyeglasses-Sunglasses-Spectacle/

https://www.amazon.sg/MagnetStick-Telescoping-Retractable-Neodymium-Extendable/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Spectacles-Including-Silicone-Assortment-Screwdriver/d

Bury An Egg In Your Garden Soil and What Happens A Few Days Later Will S...

You can take a whole egg if you have leftovers before going overseas. Or eat the egg and just use the shell. Best of all, use the egg shell in the egg box to grow the seeds.

How to hide contents of a cluttered book case or kitchen shelves

 I would hang a pretty shower curtain over it. 

Or a curtain printed with what appears to be a bookcase or shelving containing lots of books.

Choose one which is easy to pull back when you need to reach the contents. 

Alternatively two curtains, with the option of tying them back at waist height.

Useful Websites

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie_Kondo

The curtain shown above is this

https://www.amazon.com/QH-Bookshelf-Blackout-Insulated-Blocking/dp/B07V4HVQG7/ref=pd_lpo_201_img_1/136-8449709-6365034?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07V4HVQG7&pd_rd_r=251cb5a1-a605-469d-96aa-f37f3623dee5&pd_rd_w=sc0g4&pd_rd_wg=tZ3MB&pf_rd_p=fb1e266d-b690-4b4f-b71c-bd35e5395976&pf_rd_r=K0KKFYTWA6ZXJY6M9Q6P&psc=1&refRID=K0KKFYTWA6ZXJY6M9Q6P

Quick 4-minute fix for Neck Hump

3 exercises for neck hump.

How to change your signature in gmail

I could not find anything on signatures in gmail help but I found a link to a forum. A general Google search also turned up somebody's post on the subject. To sum up what I learned.

 Go to settings top right of your gmail screen, it is a cogwheel, meaning circular, a ring, with battlement or square edges

click

scroll down 

go to signatures - 

make changes

save

see default to set it

For more detail see

When hunting for advice or specific web pages, the magic search words include e-signature and digital signature.

Useful Websites

Wiki on electronic signature

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_signature

Gmail Forum

https://support.google.com/mail/answer/8395?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform=Desktop

Internet post

https://www.wisestamp.com/guides/how-to-add-signature-in-gmail/

https://www.wikihow.com/Create-a-Professional-Email-Signature

Download and buy signature Systems

https://www.hellosign.com/esignatures?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=HS-NonBrand-eSignature-US&utm_content=hs-nonbrand-esignature-us_online-signature&utm_term=%2Bonline%20%2Bsignature&utm_matchtype=b&gclid=CjwKCAjw8cCGBhB6EiwAgORey3N7A1C45Qu9TYVogprlw2kbfc028mzf8MZWKvPAUiJAtIdFHxeCvRoC290QAvD_BwE

About the Author

Angela Lansbury teacher of English (advanced and English as a Second Language or English as a Foreign Language, French and other languages, aspiring polyglot.

Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. Member of many toastmasters  speaker training clubs and speaking contest judge.

Angela Lansbury, the author of 20 books, including Wedding Speeches & Toasts, and Quick Quotations, has lived in the USA, Spain and Singapore. 

She  has several blogs and writes daily on at least two of the following:

travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.com

dressofthedayangela.blogspot.com

translateforfun.blogspot.com

 Please share links to your favourite posts.

How to clear an untidy room

Cleaning up should be fun. As Mary Poppins said, In every work which must be done there is an element of fun. 

What will you find? Interesting books. Lost buttons. Lost keys. Jackets which match skirts making a new outfit. Seasonal clothes which will come in handy. 

1 TIMER

Set a timer for an hour.  

2 REFRESHMENT

Pour a glass of water to drink at one hour break when you drink and go to the toilet and reach for the ceiling.

3 MUSIC

Play your favourite music.

4 PHOTOS

Take a before photo. 

5 AIR

Open the window and put on an apron. 

6 PROTECTIVE GLOVES

If you like wear disposable or washable gloves.

7 DUSTERS

Have a duster or an old odd glove or sock for dusting.

8 SOAP & SPONGE

Fetch your cleaning materials. Kitchen towel, Cif or wet wipes or a sponge. 

9 WATER FOR CLEANING & CONTAINER

Find a water container such as a pail. If none use 2 large yogurt pots with labels removed. 

10 Re-LABELLING FOOD & DRINK CONTAINERS

Remove labels from any bottle or food container to void eating or drink supposed food or drink which is dirty water.   

Add clean water to the container. 

Place the container where it cannot be knocked over or kicked over. 

Or use up the water on wetting kitchen paper towels. 

10 BIN

Have a second container for dirty dusters or kitchen roll papers.

11 STORAGE BOXES

Fetch plastic boxes with lids and plastic sandwich bags. If none, take any large box or bag inside this room or from another - even a suitcase, to put in small items. Have small items one side, large items the other. 

12 ELASTIC BANDS

As soon as you get two of something, tie them together or put an elastic band around them.

13 SEE THRU BAGS

Or put them inside a small zip-lock bag. 

14 GROUP PILES

Pile items in groups such as shoes, skirts and trousers, blouses, hats, jewellery, accessories. Miscellaneous.

12 CLEAR FLOORS

Clear all floor space so you can walk around. You need space to sweep and/or vacuum clean the floor.

13 DUST

A two minute dust, clean, vacuum. Move items and clear corners. Keep the bin beside you. Or empty dust out of window into a garden if nobody is in the garden. It all looks better.

14 CLEAR SMALL ITEMS

Have a see-through bag for small items. 

15 PHOTOS TO HELP YOU FIND THINGS LATER

Photograph as you go. Especially items inside boxes, such as shoes. 

16 COLOUR CODE

Use coloured labels on boxes. eg red for rings or red rings. Brown for bracelets or brown items.

Keep a list of important items you might need later.

17 Label hangers which are the right size, with colour or shape for important items and have a place for the hanger, eg Bride's dress, mother of the bride dress, mother of the groom dress, funeral suit, dinner jacket, Christening outfit, Chinese new year clothes, easter bonnet, fancy dress party outfit, birthday cocktail dress, travel outfit, quick release shoes for plane travel security, ski boots, swimsuit, swimming caps, umbrellas. You might add: spices, kid's crayons, homework books, car documents, family history.

Useful Websites

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie_Kondo

About the Author

How to clear a cluttered room - completely cluttered, can't get in

Matryoshka, Russian Doll, from article called Matryoshka in Wikipedia. 

Russian Doll 

1 First move out two items so you can stand in.

2 Clear a path with mountains at the side or back so you can reach in.

3 Throw away or move near your front or back door items such as old and damaged cardboard boxes which you don't need and could throw away later, but keep for now in case you need a storage box.

4 Then begin Russian doll method. Every large bag can have a small item inside.

5 Better still, fold flat the large bags and boxes.;

6 Then store smaller things in see-through containers.

7 Any large item containing another needs a label tied on or stick on labels on all four side, plus top and bottom in case the box is turned. Keep labels and a pen in a specific handy place, perhaps in your pocket, such as a kangaroo pouch pocket on an apron.

8 Write the word well done on a box and throw your lunch sandwich to the back. You have to clear the room to reach it.

(Make sure it is in a sealed container. Don't forget it and leave it to rot and attract insects! It is your reward.

This would work well on somebody else, too, but only if they have a sense of humour.)

Useful Websites

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie_Kondo

Angela Lansbury, author of How To Get Out Of The Mess You're In.

Lost keys, lost crockery

Lost Crockery

The smaller your coffee cup, the more likely it is to disappear. Especially if it is white. 

It is easier to find a coloured cup, on a coloured saucer, always to the right of the desk or table, visible from the door.

Did you take the cup into the bedroom? Leave it in the shower? On the balcony or in the garden? Left in the garden by the gardener. Left by the car when washing the car? By the bed? On the desk. On top of the fridge? Inside the fridge with something inside it? Under another item the same shape in the drying rack or dishwasher? Inside the microwave oven? Taken home with leftovers by a relative? Left behind at a party?

Under a newspaper? On a chair? Under a chair? At the back of a desk? behind a Large object such as a TV or vase? Left by a garden feature such as a swimming pool or jacuzzi? Or outdoor picnic table? Behind a lamp or box file? Still in the picnic box or suitcase?

Under a newspaper.

On the floor? Broken and in the bin?

Our latest lost bowl turned up in the microwave. 

 Lost keys

Doorkeys

Attach them to a ribbon which is attached invisibly under the handle at the end of the bag or tote bag where the pulled together zip fastens.

Postbox keys

Keep on the key ring with the door key. Add letters such as pb.

Ask the locksmith fixing the postbox to post the number of the key and the locksmith number.

Keeping Track of Keys

If you are a landlord or landlady or property manager, the keys should be photographed and attached to the inventory. Before a tenant moves out, the week or month before, remind them that they will have to provide keys to the front door, building door if in a flat or condo unit, the keys to bedroom doors and bathrooms and fire escapes, and window keys. Tell them where to get replacements and the cost.

If possible install a keybox for safekeeping of keys and label keys.

Angela Lansbury is an author and blogger. See other blogs and posts. Please share links to your favourite posts.