I am a failure

[Elspeth Scott]

It must be nearly six years since I joined the original THC in January - was it 2008? - and found being a member of such a supportive group gave me the motivation I needed to lose weight.

And now I am back up to almost the weight I was then.

I kept kidding myself that I had improved my attitude and would never go back, and yet here I am caught up in the old cycle of comfort eating and self-loathing again. I knew that I needed to get a grip but I was ashamed to come back to the group and admit what a failure I am and how lacking in self control. But I know that my health is being adversely affected by my bad habits - I eat quite healthy meals though often too much but I have a shameful addiction to chocolate. I see myself behaving in the same way that my father (who had alcohol dependency) did'; the lies I tell myself and the stratagems I resort to to 'justify' why I 'need' that bar of chocolate and I hate myself.

But I also know that I am the only person who can change that. So if I have another go at this will you allow me back and help me to keep myself on track? It is too easy to not check in if I have had a bad day food wise and once I start slipping I seem to keep going so I here and now give you permission to shout at me and nag me to try and keep me on track. it is clear from the last year or so that I can NOT do this on my own, but I did it with your help in the past so maybe I can do it again with your support.

So please - will you help me to GAG?

[Claire Hawes]

Elspeth,.Elspeth - you know we are always here to support each other with whatever demons or worries or angst we have and I will be very happy indeed to support you however I can - I'm sure we all are. Addictve traits are so hard to handle and I think you are very brave and clear aboutwhat you need to do. You are NOT repeat NOT a failure!

Welcome back!. Let the GAG begin!

[Cally]

Elspeth, I know you have been quiet but to me you have never left. You will always be one of us.  I do empathise as I weighed in yesterday at the biggest I was (when I first went to WW 3 years ago before I lost 1 1/2 stone.)  It is frustrating, but when I feel breathless running a few steps it shocks me. I have tried the last 2 days and been good during the day and picked in the evening but am trying to healthy pick, or have soup instead of snacks.   It is very hard, and unless we break a habit as Claire has done (whilst starting a new one!) then this may keep happening - unless we use here as a support, consessional, motivator and encourager.

I too have a weakness for chocolate but it can be taken as a treat when we have worked for it and in moderation. Having said that, if I break the choc habit for a few weeks, when I do have it it tastes too sweet and I have to remind myself I do not like that type/be selective and then I a better.

Onwars and downwards Elspeth, and think healthy and filling. We are with you. x

[CarolB was MNKB]

Elspeth, just as Cally says, I never thought you had left. Your not a failure. WE! Just all fall back a little now and then. I in the same boat.
So give yourself a teensy little brake. X
Welcome back more often too. ;-)
It's a yo yo situation.
Cally your WW 3 ( I thought world war three was starting lol)
I have to say also Elspeth I joined WW online and it's not working. So I am trying different tactics. If any of them work I'll let you know.

[Claire Hawes]

Well I haven't really broken the eating too much habit CAlly and that was really brought home to me today. We have a posh 60th birthday lunch to go to on Sunday -  old friends from university, and other guests are also contemporaries from those days. The "birthday girl" will, I know, be expensively and elegantly dressed and some of the other guests have had exciting careers (one is a Dame!!). I would therefore like to wear something that I feel good in and bolsters my self-confidence a  bit.
I have spent the day trailing round the shops looking for something to wear. I found 3 possible dresses which looked good on the hanger but on me. simply, emphasised how tubby my tummy is :-( I really need to make better food choices - the carbs need cutting out.

[Elspeth Scott]

Thank you to everyone for all your support. I have had 2 days of sensible eating now; I need to learn to take it one day at a time and if I fall off one day not think 'That's this week blown then' and pig out for the rest of the week.
I am using My Fitness Pal which to my astonishment is telling me I am not eating enough - it thinks I should be eating about 1600 calories a day but I can't imagine I would lose weight on that. I also need to up my exercise so have dusted off the static bike in the garage though have only done one session so far.
Does anyone have any recommendations for motivating ways to record stuff? I've heard people at school talking about Fitbit and Jawbone but have to confess I have no idea what they are!
Thank you for reminding me of Onward and Downward, I shall try and adopt it as my mantra :-)

[Fran]

Elspeth there is no such word as 'failure' just a mere set back.  I also hadn't thought of you as leaving the group and always knew you were still part of us - absent friends and all that.

I am struggling and am trying hard to get back into healthy eating and it is hard.  I was using My Fitness Pal last year and found it very useful but it did work.  I wish self motivation was something you could buy!!!!  Glad to have you back and even if you do have a bad day then that is the time to come on here and get the support you need.  Good luck.

[Stephanie Fairbrother]

I echo the words of our fellow THC'ers, Elspeth.  Good to have you back contributing and I hope that we can all support, help and motivate each other. Good luck and well done on the first two days!

Sent from my iPad

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Times Health Club" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to timeshealthcl...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.

[Jeannie's]

You have made a really good start Elspeth - well done! As the others have said, you were never really away, just resting! All the best. X

Sent from Jeannie's iPod today!

[Elspeth Scott]

Another good day. Today's exercise was Scottish Country Dancing, which My Fitness Pal doesn't recognise so I decided Dancing general would probably be OK. Your support is so much appreciated.

[Jeannie's]

Glad things are going well Elspeth - well done!

Sent from Jeannie's iPod today!

On 6 Nov 2013, at 22:39, Elspeth Scott <elspet...@gmail.com> wrote:

> Another good day. Today's exercise was Scottish Country Dancing, which My Fitness Pal doesn't recognise so I decided Dancing general would probably be OK. Your support is so much appreciated.
>

[Shaun Finnie]

Nice to hear from you Elspeth.  Just a few observations...

 

• You're not a failure. You're just not. Don't give yourself that permission to stop trying (as I've done so many times).
• This group is like the Marines, the French Foreign Legion or the Masons. Once you're in, you're in. You may not be around for a while but you're always one of us. (cheery wave and hug - "hello again!")
• You're perfectly right when you say that one bad day doesn't blow out the whole week. Rejoice in the days that you were 'good'!
• Don't try to do too much in one go. That's too much to accomplish. Instead, concentrate on one thing (like, no chocolate today or go for a walk three times this week, whatever). Just one. When you've done that and feel pleased with your achievement, add another small target. It's no use saying "I want to weightlift three hundred pounds and them being sad when you can't. But if you try lifting five pounds today, then six pounds tomorrow, who knows where you may end up?

 

Take care of you, and know that we're all here for each other, just as you're here for us.

 

Shaun

[Jules]

Elspeth, I could have wept when I saw the title of the newest thread.  You are so NOT a failure…. please don't think of yourself in those terms.  I wish I could change the thread to something more positive!  

Whatever works for you in terms of writing it down - because it is harder to kid yourself when you write things down…. and do be totally honest.  I am much more disciplined when I write it out - and the WW app works for me.  BUT it could be a pretty notebook and coloured pens if that works.  I have no idea about the wizzy apps, but try them.  It's all experimentation.

Shaun, just wonderful observations and points.  One day at a time, one step at a time.  What works for one won't work for another, but the more I read (and debate) the more I realise that exercise will get you fit and flexible but it correlates very little to weight loss (and the wobbly middle).  It is the food we consume that matters - and drink for that matter too - and it's not just calories in absolute terms, it is what we eat, the quality of food.

Black and white thinking doesn't do us any favours, but it's so hard to break those patterns.  Good, bad, pass, fail, succeed, cock-up….  We are all on an endeavour to be the people we want to be, we just have some dodgy habits to break to set us free, and try to be kind to ourselves.  Guilt, shame, both probably mask emotions for anger, and when internalised, the kick-in habits can raise their tempting heads.  But how can a family sized bar of Dairy Milk be a good thing - or a packet of hobnobs - or a greasy portion of chips - or half a bottle of wine (in my case)?

I've had success with the WW app, even though I wish the exercise would count for more (but I know why it doesn't), but my mistake is that I've had "time off" when I've been away, or when friends are here, so the poorer choice foods come in.  I've realised, yesterday or today even, that I can't kid myself.  I either want to get down to 70kg, or I don't.  If I do then I have to find a way to make the healthy choices day after day.  It takes commitment.  I am staring down the genetic barrel of heart disease, high blood pressure (both of which can be affected by exercise I grant), diabetes and a barrel shape in body type.  I am trying to say to myself that I am worth more than putting stuff in my mouth which advances me to a me I don't want to be so, what's the choice?  Ah, soup instead of a pie, quinoa instead of mash, banana instead of raisins…  Simples?  I wish it bloody was as easy to stick to.

Anyway…. Group hug!  Look forward to hearing about how you're doing, and how you've decided to record your progress onwards and downwards.

[Stephanie Fairbrother]

Well said, Shaun.  I like the feeling that we are all in it together , (even if 'it' is the French Foreign Legion!!) and we can each post when we want/have time/have something to say, but all valued THC members.

I was doing really well, back in the groove and lost 6lbs, but finding it difficult to refind the track after four days away. I, too, will try to focus on not beating myself up over indiscretions and will try to do better from NOW on!!

Heard yesterday that my aunt has been diagnosed with vascular dementia. 69 seems so young... On a more positive note, Alison spent 7hours off the ventilator, which is brilliant. 

Off on a tangent, has anyone seen Philomena yet? Hope to see it next week. Saw Gravity and Parkland in the last week or so. Both good, but certainly wouldn't rave about Gravity as the press have done...although George Clooney was quite watchable;-) Off to see Mary Berry and Mel G, with my daughter on Monday. Sorry, all this should be posted elsewhere....

Sent from my iPad

[CarolB was MNKB]

Shaun, very poignant, and brought tears to my eyes. X

[Elspeth Scott]

Thank you, Shaun and Jules especially and also everyone else for making me feel better.

Food was OK today, but I was in school until 9.15 p.m., so no exercise (apart from more time than usual on my feet, every little helps). I take the point about the title of the thread, perhaps it makes it sound too defeatist. I will see if I can come up with a better title and start a new thread tomorrow.

But for tonight Onwards and Downwards and Sweet Dreams :-)

[Shaun Finnie]

Thank you kindly. As a writer, any reaction is a good result. :-)

-----Original Message-----
From: CarolB was MNKB
Sent: Thursday, November 07, 2013 9:50 PM
To: timeshe...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: I am a failure

[Jules]

Elspeth - don't start a new thread, as the history might be important to you, but I think you can just change the name!  (I think in the edit subject tab).  

Well done on taking care of what you ate - and I'd be just thinking about lying down after such a long day.  What might you do at the weekend to enjoy some exercise?

Is the weekend a danger zone for anyone?  What can we do to stay motivated?

[Cally]

I am not a failure but WHAT HAVE I DONE?!  Today, after being so good I went to the bank in our local village and as I came out a waft of steak and kidney came a long the street from the bakers.  10 minutes later I was home and have an early lunch of pie and a coffee choux thing, Which I will say as delicious.  So I have wrapped my knuckles and am busying round the house and tackling the stairs at every opportunity. What a blip - but repairable.  I don't even eat pies!!   This week I had lost 3lb so I hope some of it stays off.

[Cally]

I missed your writing Shaun, but logged on. Well said. 

[Elspeth Scott]

Cally, I shall remind you of what I so often forget myself - one day at a time, and you've clearly been doing very well.
Jules, I can't see an 'edit tab' option, maybe I need to log in on the desktop rather than the mobile version. But yes, it would be good to keep the history especially because of all the kind and helpful things people have said.

Not a bad day today: I managed to resist the cakes at the coffee morning this morning ( though I have brought a bar of tablet home which is almost certainly not sensible) and eaten sensibly Also discovered that Hati likes eggs when she tried to fight me for the one I was shelling :-). And I did half an hour on the bike when I got home. I'm hoping the weather is decent at the weekend because I would really rather walk.

Only weekend plan so far is Young Embroiderers tomorrow where I will be helping to teach French knitting and crochet and making pompoms! It's the first meeting I've managed to get to this session so I'm looking forward to it.

Onward and Downward!

[Fiona]

Elspeth, you have always been part of this group as far as I'm concerned!  Let's face it, the only reason we're still here is that we haven't made it to the slim size 10 (sorry Shaun) bodies that we're supposed to aspire to.  We are all in it together, whatever our size and shape. I hope you're feeling a bit more positive now - is there someone who will eat the tablet for you???

[Elspeth Scott]

Well, not a bad weekend food wise though not ideal, partly because I was finishing off things like the cheese; having been brought up by a mother who lived through rationing the thought of throwing out good food is anathema.

But I have : sorted, rationalised and listed the contents of the freezer; planned my menus for the week and done the shopping; and cooked and batched one of the healthy meals already. This makes me feel positive but I hope not smug.

I had a look at the thread on the PC but I can't see any way of changing the title of this thread. Perhaps I need to start a new one with a reference back to this one. I don't want to lose the positive supportive messages I got at the beginning, I think they will be very useful when my will power and morale are low.

Thank you everyone, you have helped me to get started again.

[Lesley Martin]

Sounds good Elspeth. Perhaps your new thread could be titled I am NOT a failure!

L

Sent from my iPad
Lesley Martin

[Jules]

Well done Elspeth - let's see if this one in my edit changes the title?

You are a woman in the driving seat and I commend you so much for the turnaround! Go Elspeth!

[Fran]

Elspeth I really wouldn't worry about the title as this reflected how you felt at a particular time.  When you look back at this thread in time to come then you will realise that you were never a failure in the first place but it was what 'motivated' you back into the fold.  You are doing so well and we are all very proud of you.

[Elspeth Scott]

Another session on the static bike today - My Fitness Pal allocates me lots of extra calories for that and then says I'm not eating enough :-/. Graze packs make a good 'treat' at the end of the evening though a lot of mine seem to be savoury and I haven't world out what the best thing to drink with them is (since clearly I'm going to be steering clear of alcohol). The certainly don't go with hot chocolate.

Thank for the support. Onward and Downward!

[CarolB was MNKB]

I wouldn't set to much store by My Fitness Pal. I use it too Elspeth and it always tells me I don't eat enough and I know I do.
I just use it as a general guideline for what I've eaten throughout the day.

[Jules]

Good going Elspeth! I also wouldn't bank the so- say calories from the exercise, but rather focus on the food you eat. And remember a calorie isn't just a calorie as the type of food you eat will have more impact on weight loss than the pure calorie values.

Have you taken measurements with a tape measure or set a pair of 'go to' trousers. That could also motivate when the scales misbehave - as they will.

[Cally]

Why not try elderflowerd cordia, or a ginger beer as a real treat. A few calories but refreshing and to be sipped.  I have the Graze packs too and keep them for hunger pang time at work.

[Elspeth Scott]

Thanks, Cally - cordial is a good idea and I have both elderflower and lemongrass and ginger in the cupboard :-)

I know you'll all be bored with me saying whether or not it's been a good day, but I think it is important in keeping me on track that I know I have to "report in" every night. Today was a good day as far as food went but very very busy and so I didn't get the exercise in.

Oh well, country dancing tomorrow so that should help.

[Jules]

Not bored!

You might get bored of us saying a cheery well done or a hoorah!

Hmmmm.... Didn't think so!

One word - pizza! Oops. Gluten free though. Where is my birch twig as a marathon isn't going to save that! My WW app will surely groan at me!

[Elspeth Scott]

Thanks all. I am going to measure progress by loosening of my waistbands I hope; not sure it's much looser yet but I feel virtuous about my diet and exercise so that is motivating in itself.

Two in-service days now but in these economic conditions they are not providing lunch at the course so I won't have to contend with sandwiches but found myself slightly exercised trying to work out what to take with me - it's in another school so may not have the facilities for heating my soup and I don't have a suitable flask. Looks like carrot and celery then...and maybe my pack of olives from Graze. :-)

[Fran]

Elspeth you are doing so well you are making me feel ashamed.

I need to get out of the habit of eating whenever and whatever I want and back into a sensible routine.  Have lost count of the number of times I've told myself that.  Exercise is going good and even if I say so myself I do work hard at it but let myself down by eating rubbish.

[Elspeth Scott]

Not quite such a good day as it might have been - turned out the school we were in was having a fundraising breakfast for their India project (similar to the Africa ones I have been involved with) so felt I had to show solidarity by participating. BUT I was restrained , and also have not let that derail the rest of the day so feeling quite pleased with myself. Now to fight the "It's Friday so I deserve a treat" mindset tomorrow...

[Elspeth Scott]

Today was better, nothing to knock me off track and I virtuously did a session on the bike in the garage as soon as I got home. Rewarded myself with a G&T and Graze beldi olives while my potato baked...

Weekend is going to be pretty busy, so that should help though I need to concoct a packed lunch for Sunday.

Hope everyone has a good weekend.

Onwards and Downwards!

[Cally]

Good control Elspeth.  I have been baking so it is too easy to nibble. However I have stuck to the same weight for the last few days so over the last 2 weeks I have lost 4lb. I could do better if not surrounded byt food, but at least it is going the right direction or static.  Interestingly we have had very little meat if ay this week - fish and veg so I don't know whether that has been a help. I am trying to reduce the freezer contents and cut down on shopping.  Except I have just sent OH out to get lots of coconut, almonds and other baking ingredients!!  There are church and village do's coming up again...

[Fiona]

Well done Elspeth - you're doing really well.  I think it's easier to lapse when there's no-one else in the house to confront us with our greed!  Maybe we need to get ourselves a couple of inflatable men to guard the fridge ;-)

[Cally]

That sounds a teeny weeney bit kinky Fiona - diversionary tactics?!  I had a chuckle. 

Sadly I goy up this morning and felt fat, and the scales confirmed that I had put on 1lb. It is because I am surrounded by cakes. Ross and I walked to the next village along the beach and met my husband  and we treated Ross to his long-awaited waffle and ivcecrea.  I had a teaspoon for a taste but I declined a portion myself.

[Jean Hunter]

Great will power Cally - you deserve to lose weight! Onwards and downwards!

Sent from Jeannie's iPad

--

[Fran]

Well done Elspeth you do seem to have everything under control.

 

Fiona I liked your idea but I fancy a couple of fireman to guard my fridge - does anyone know any spare ones?

[Elspeth Scott]

You are so right, Fiona - that's partly why this group is so valuable, you are my guardsmen:-)

5lb lost in the last two weeks, so feeling very motivated just now, I need to remember this feeling when the inevitable plateau is reached. I'm having a slight problem in that I did so much batch cooking that the freezer is bursting at the seams and it is making it difficult to find anything but it's a minor annoyance I can love with.

Onwards and downwards!

[Jeannie's]

5lbs is an amazing loss Elspeth! You are certainly motivated and a great start - well done to you. X

Sent from Jeannie's iPod today!

[Lesley Martin]

Fantastic Elspeth - well done! And a freezer stocked with healthy more or less instant meals is great when you come in from work. I certainly find it hard to get motivated to do more than heat something up at the end of the working day. 

[Shaun Finnie]

Thumbs up from Barnsley, Elspeth, well done! 

 

Shaun

 

From: Lesley Martin

Sent: Tuesday, November 19, 2013 9:30 AM

To: Times Health Club

Subject: Re: I am NOT a failure

 

Fantastic Elspeth - well done! And a freezer stocked with healthy more or less instant meals is great when you come in from work. I certainly find it hard to get motivated to do more than heat something up at the end of the working day.

On 19 November 2013 06:06, Jeannie's <hunter...@ymail.com> wrote:

5lbs is an amazing loss Elspeth! You are certainly motivated and a great start - well done to you. X

Sent from Jeannie's iPod today!

On 18 Nov 2013, at 22:31, Elspeth Scott <elspet...@gmail.com> wrote:

> You are so right, Fiona - that's partly why this group is so valuable, you are my guardsmen:-)
>
> 5lb lost in the last two weeks, so feeling very motivated just now, I need to remember this feeling when the inevitable plateau is reached. I'm having a slight problem in that I did so much batch cooking that the freezer is bursting at the seams and it is making it difficult to find anything but it's a minor annoyance I can love with.
>
> Onwards and downwards!
>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Times Health Club" group.

> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to mailto:timeshealthclub%2Bunsu...@googlegroups.com.

> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Times Health Club" group.

To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to mailto:timeshealthclub%2Bunsu...@googlegroups.com.

For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.

[Claire Hawes]

Great going Elspeth - you're really on the way now!

[Stephanie Fairbrother]

Well done Elspeth. Yes, onward and downward!!

Sent from my iPad

[CarolB was MNKB]

Elspeth. Get down here and Batch cook for me, Right Now!!! Hehe i need some wholesome ready meals at hand..
Well done on the 5lbs loss. That's great.

[Elspeth Scott]

Thanks, everyone! I'm keeping my motivation high at the moment by consciously giving myself points when I resist things - like not having biscuits yesterday when offered and bypassing the nibbles at the Twinning AGM tonight. It's maybe a bit petty but the feeling of conscious virtue does seem to help. Of course the difficulty will be keeping that up when I hit the inevitable plateau but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

Need to start planning another couple of meals to portion and freeze; and now I've eaten some of the soup I'll have somewhere to put them :-)

Onwards and Downwards

[glenc]

Well done Elspeth.  I think (for myself) that achievement usually spurs me on.  So...keep on!!!!

[Jules]

Elspeth, you're amazing!  Store up those fantastic feelings of pride, delight and call on them when there's a wobbly time ahead… we all know they lie in shadows and pounce on it.  I'm so impressed, and I'm really enjoying the positivity oozing out of the page.  Small victories every day add up.

[Elspeth Scott]

It's Friday; it's been a long hard week; I'm treating myself to a couple of stem ginger cookies with my mint tea :-)

[Elspeth Scott]

Another 2lb lost this week, so feeling really pleased and motivated about the eating. But I've slipped on the exercise front so a bit down about that. But tomorrow is another - and slightly less busy - day...

[glenc]

Down be down about the exercise Elspeth.  You seem to be doing wonders on the eating front.  Every bit of exercise is an achievement.

[Fiona]

Brilliant Elspeth - half a stone already?  I'm glad you were able to have a couple of cookies as a treat and not finish the whole packet!  When I discovered I had diabetes, I decided to give up cakes and biscuits unless it was a special occasion, or they were particularly good ones (I was thinking of M&S Belgian chocolate biscuits).  In actual fact, I've found it easier just to not have them at all, rather than having to work out if the occasion (or the biscuit) met my criteria.  Having said that, I've just made a wee mini tray-bake thing with oats, coconut, cocoa powder, a couple of chopped up dates and some walnuts, held together with melted Lurpak lightest and soya milk.  Yum - will have a bit for "pudding" tonight.

[Cally]

Elspeth, I take ,y hat off to you!  I think I may end up the same weight as I was when the year began, if noot a wee bit more!  Oh NO!  I am trying to be better; I cannot say good when I caome in hungry and have a iscuit or piece of cake, but it is less than I was.  It would have been better to have my lunch soup but best laid plans and all that...and I had no time to stop.

 

On the positive front I returned to Yoga last night, the first time since July. What a shock it was as I have really stiffened up, and there are a couplf of excercises (like a point of balance one) that I cannot do as too painful.  I shall continue to gently do the others and stretch again. I felt better today already and slightly reenergised. I wanted to see how it affected me before I went to the spine clinic, so though I am not able to do some things that I should it is better than I hoped.  Once I start feeling better I have more strength to resist naughtiness on the food front.

[Elspeth Scott]

Well done on the yoga, Cally. I really must try and find another class - the one I went to folded nearly two years ago and the ones which are local all seem to be daytime but I do miss it. Typically, when I did find one at a suitable time it turned out to be on a Wednesday and clashed with country dancing :-(

Fiona, your tray bake sounds good - care to share the recipe in more detail? (And I managed to stick to two biscuits because they came in a packet of two - I know my lack of willpower!)

[Jules]

Nah, I call that strategic thinking, Elspeth.  You know yourself - hence only a dual packeter.  Genius.

[Fiona]

I'm afraid it's not very scientific Elspeth....

Melt a large dod of butter along with a decent splash of milk until the butter's melted.  Add 3 or 4 chopped dates, a squirt of agave syrup (you could just use a bit of sugar or some artificial sweetener, or maybe a spoonful of honey) and a couple of spoonfuls of cacao powder.  Mix it all together then add a few chopped walnuts, and equal quantities of coconut and porridge oats.  It should be quite a dry and crumbly mix.  Press it into a wee tray (lined with cling film makes it easier to get out if it stays too crumbly) and chill it in the fridge for a few hours.

Sorry I can't be more precise - it's one of these things that you can really do what you want, but go easy on the sugar or whatever you use.  I use agave syrup as it's low GI so it doesn't make my blood glucose spike.

[Elspeth Scott]

Sounds good, Fiona. And I have all of those in the house, maybe I'll experiment at the weekend.