Day 5 on LCD: bile duct trouble

Low calories diets can cause problem with the gall bladder, create rocks and in my case, smasms in the bile duct. I had it for a coupleof days,more or less. Today it was increasing. Therefore I had 100 grams of shrimps and the pain vanished.
The weight loss has been fantastic, since last saturday and after only four days on the LCD-shakes I have lost 5,4 kilos, 1,3 since yesterday!

Day 4 on LCD: many temptations

Friday night, and the worst days of the start of this low calorie diet is over, I guess...
I have been to a Chinese All-you-can-eat-restaurant with my son and watched him eating.
It's hard trying not to think at food all the time as a compulsive over eater. I am so used to it.
But in one way this will give me some mental rest. It's also great not to have to shop, cook and do the dishes. I have shakes for at least a month. I have noticed a gain of energy and have been moving around a little bit more. My son and I went to see Us tonight. Scary!
Today's golden outfit was great success at work. So also the weight loss, -1,4 kilo!

Day 3 on LCD: nauseated

So happy day three is over! Today I have not felt so good. Hungry and nauseated. I watched Shanti and Annis eat dounuts and Shanti had a pizza.When people ask me how long I will continue on the low calorie diet I can't answer. Three month? One month? Time will tell!
Weightloss: 1,2 kg this morning 

Day 2 on LCD: hungry with headache

I started get hungry at 7.30 AM. I use to take my first LCD shake at 10, but today I couldn't wait.
I have felt hunger on and off the whole day. The smell of garlic bread and pizza out in the street hasn't made it easier. But I did stick to my plan. I know from former experience of low calorie diet, the first days are worst. It will be better soon!

Day 1 on LCD: I survived!

 Take a good look at my face! Within a month the chin will be reduced.Weight reduction usually starts being visible in my face. From the look of today's picture you can see I'm quite satisfied. The first days on low calorie diet can be hard. Hunger, headache, dizziness, cravings. I had non. Everything went on smooth. Despite of the last meal yesterday that actually ended up in the dust bin after a bites. I couldn't eat the cheez Doodles. I felt to motivated and had my mind set on this challenge.
On the bus to the hospital I had this angle guarding over me. I made a visit at the stroke rehab fully aware of that without major life style changes I will end up there my self as a patient.
I made the first step today in another direction. I feel proud and content!

Last meal before escaping "death row"

My friend Johan called tonight to pick me up.
-What are you doing, he asked.
-I'm eating a pizza.
-How good is that when you will go on the low calorie diet tomorrow?
He was puzzled. Called in to help me pick up the huge box of  LCD drink mix I ordered arriving to the supermarket this morning.
Even more stunned got Johan when I declared I needed some Cheez Doodles for my last night before dieting.
-It's like you´re on death row, he said associating to my last meal.
I froze in the middle of the snack section. That is indeed my death row. Overweight and unhealthy food will lead to my dead.
Tomorrow will be day one in one of many attempts to diet.

Monthly weight loss goal times 2 reached in 6 days!

Last Friday Natasha and I decided to have a goal: one kilo in one month.
Since Saturday I have lost 2.2 kilos!
Everyday you have hundred of choices to make.
At the coffee break at work you can take the French chocolate cake or go for the fruit salad.
I made the salad as an alternative and am now rewarded.
I add some rules to our "one kilo goal". When reached, you have to lose the next kilo within 30 days.

Sometimes it snows in April...

The winter of northern Sweden is very long.

Sometimes it snows in April as my favorite artist Prince wrote. RIP.

It can even snow in June.

Midsummer Night a few years ago it was 4 C in the night.

Our summer is short and unpredictable.

You better book a journey to the south of Europe to ensure to get some sun.

I have 42 days of vacation this year.

I'll have some weeks in June, I hope and the rest in August/September.

Do you have some suggestions  where i should spend my days off?

Reset and restart

I have this huge urge of throwing things out of my house. Not a everyday feeling for me. I rather save the stuff "for later". "In case..."
It might come together with the "reset and restart" Natasha and I agreed about Friday.
The ButterflyBattle begins, year 2. I'm eager to release the load, the extra kilos, get space in my house and a free mind. Freedom!

For everyone who knows me, there are no news shrimps are my number one food. I also love soups.

 It requires a lot of planning staying on the right track to weight loss. You always have to have something at home to eat, healthy and tasty, not to fall back into old bad, habits.
The sugar in my cupboards go in the trash now. I don't add sugar to any food since the first of January 2014. This mean I don't bake. No need for flour sugar in my cupboards.
Pancakes and waffles are the only allowed treats in the contract signed with my oldest son.
Natasha is now on her way back to Petrozavodsk, a 15 hour bus ride. She will blog again when she's back in Russia.

And the winner is...

... Natasha!

She looks absolutely fabulous after her 14 kilo weight loss in the ButterflyBattle!
Congratulation Natasha and Russia!

But it's not over yet!
During today's meeting in Haparanda/Torneå, northern Sweden/Finland we have decided to keep on with the struggle against  our over weight together
We take small steps and put a goal: minimum of one kilo a month.
Next time we hopefully meet is in May 2017 in Karelia, Russia.
This year we only had some hours together in spite of wonderful Pia's effort for me to get a seat at the Barents Press meeting.
Please follow the ButterflyBattle here on our blog! We are so grateful for all our readers from all over the world.

Lot's of nice pictures from today will come up the next days.

Here is Natasha with her award, a picture from the new photo collection by IKEA. The motive will motivate further weight loss!

11. Новый Андрей / The New Andrew

У меня есть товарищ, очень хороший человек. Он много пьет. И не только воды. Время от времени он пытается завязать с алкоголем. Прилагает все усилия и декларирует на весь город: «Перед вами Новый Андрей, который не пьет, не курит и не матерится». Мы все очень смеемся над этой фразой, она становится нарицательной. Новый Андрей как символ перемен, как попытка в тысячный раз изменить свои плохие привычки. Как Андрей выясняет свои отношения с водкой, я всю жизнь спорю с едой. И тоже время от времени хочу сказать «Перед вами новая Наталья». После почти что 90 дней программы я чувствую перемены. Итог я подведу после завершения всех 100 дней. Но уже сейчас могу сказать точно – после 21 апреля этот блог не закончится. Мы с Евой Марией продолжим дуэль и наблюдения за собой. Это дисциплинирует и помогает собраться. Если говорить о том, что полезного дал эксперимент со стодневкой, то пока предварительно могу объявить: писать каждый день и переводить на английский – это уже большой прорыв для меня. Как бы сильно ни устала – прилипай задницей к стулу и пиши. Это дисциплинирует и вводит ежедневную необходимость письма в состав крови. А это как раз главное, что хотелось бы прокачать. Конечно, сбросить вес не мешало бы. Но я думаю в последнее время, а так ли сильно мне нужна эта прекрасная фигура? Мне нужно здоровье, тонус и влезать в любимые вещи. Остальное мне не важно. Мне не нужен 46 размер одежды, мне не нужно худеть до 60 кг. Достаточно весить хотя бы 80 – и я буду конфеткой. Я соревнуюсь сама с собой и немного с Новым Андреем. Мне принципиально нужно не болеть, быть дисциплинированной, навести порядок в доме и в голове. А сколько я буду весить – меня уже практически не беспокоит. Я занимаюсь спортом 4 раза в неделю, 2 раза в неделю – йогой и стараюсь питаться правильно. Хотя все еще даю сбой. Надеюсь, когда хорошие привычки войдут в меня окончательно, все будет улучшаться автоматически.
А воскресенье как финал недели я научилась делать итоговым, очистительным, релаксирующим. Перезагрузки стали нормой. И на пороге понедельника я чувствую новые силы и Новую Наталью. Она вот-вот позвонит в дверь.

The New Andrew

I have a friend, a very good man. He drinks a lot. Not only water. From time to time he is trying to get off the alcohol. To make every effort and declares: "Here is a new Andrew, who does not drink, does not smoke and does not use bad words." We all laugh at this phrase, it is becoming a household word. New Andrew as a symbol of change, as an attempt for the thousandth time to change bad habits. As Andrew finds his relationship with vodka, all my life I argue with a meal. From time to time I say, "This is the new Natalia." After almost 90 days of the program, I feel change. Bottom line, I’ii let down after all the 100 days. But now I can say for sure - after April 21 This blog is not finished. We will continue with Eva Marie. This discipline helps to gather. If we talk about what a useful experiment with a given 100 days, it is pre-declare can: write every day and translated into English - this is a big breakthrough for me. As much as any tired - ass stick to the chair and write. This discipline is administered me and must to become myself. This is the main thing that I would like to do it. Of course, to lose weight is good. But I think in recent years, do I need this fine figure? I need health, skin tone and get into my favorite dresses. The rest I do not care. I do not need 46 clothing size, I do not need to lose weight to 60 kg. It is enough to weigh at least 80 - and I'll be candy. I compete with myself and with little new Andrew. I basically do not have to be sick, to be disciplined, to restore order in the house and in the head. And how much I weigh – doesn’t metter. I work out 4 times a week, 2 times a week - yoga and try to eat right. Although still give failure. Hopefully, when the good habits come into me completely, it will be improved automatically.

I used to do clean Sunday, reboot Sunday and relaxing Sunday. Reboots have become the norm. On the threshold of Monday I feel new strength and New Natalia. She will knock on the door soon.

12. Звезда рок-н-ролла должна умереть / Rock star must die

Мой бывший муж присоединился к большинству, ушел по ту сторону реальности, говоря земным языком – умер. И хотя мы уже 4 года не живем вместе, мне жаль, что закончилась целая эпоха, ушел великий человек, талантливый музыкант. А еще пьяница и дебошир. Жить с ним было весело и опасно. И вот эра Лео закончилась в физическом смысле, теперь он перешел в виртуальный мир. И нам всем в наследство осталось много музыки и видео с концертов.
Странно называть вечеринкой поминки по своему бывшему мужу. Но это были рок-поминки с джем-сейшн и выступлениями богемы. Это была сумасшедшая тусовка, где все плакали, смеялись, целовались, вспоминали неприличные истории про Лео. И это была одна из лучших вечеринок года. Спасибо, Лео, как обычно всех собрал. Теперь будешь приглядывать за нами сверху. Покойся с миром, мой бывший.

Rock 'n' roll star must die

My ex-husband has joined the majority, gone beyond reality, speaking simple - dead. Although we don’t live together, I'm sorry, that era of him is over, left a great man, a talented musician. And the drunk and rowdy. Living with him was fun and dangerous. The era of Leo in the physical sense is ended, and now he moved to the virtual world. All of us got the inheritance a lot of music and videos from the concerts.

It is strange to call a wake for ex-husband “the party”. But it was a wake-rock with jam sessions and performances of bohemia. It was a crazy get-together where everyone was crying, laughing, kissing, indecent remembered stories about Leo. And it was one of the best parties of the year. Thank you, Leo, as usual all gathered. Now you will watch over us from above. Rest in peace, my ex.

13. Жизнь коротка / Life is short

Когда понимаешь, что жизнь коротка? Когда встречаешься с друзьями и ровесниками на похоронах чаще, чем на свадьбах и днях рождения. Говорят, ничто так не пробуждает желание жить, как смерть кого-то из близких или друзей. Смерть моего бывшего мужа оказала на меня философское воздействие. Я всерьез задумалась, как много мне самой осталось. И успела ли я сделать то, что считаю своим главным призванием. Все тренинги по женским практикам, все фитнес-занятия, здоровое питание, йога, позитивное мышление – это декоративные вещи на пути к главному. Я всегда любила и хотела писать. И я всю жизнь пишу. Но то, что писательство – мой путь, поняла не сразу. Сначала писала много для журналистики. Потом сократила объем письма почти на 90 процентов, чтобы оставить то, что реально хочу писать сама, а не что требует повестка дня. Конъюнктура и литература – вещи не совместные.
Писательство делает тебя наблюдательным. Особенно ты наблюдаешь во время массовых ритуалов. Например, похороны. Когда приходишь и смотришь театрализованное действо, в котором каждому отведена своя роль, кто-то открывает дверь в траурный зал и кричит: «Уважаемые родственники, прощайтесь быстрее». Кто-то работает водителем похоронного кортежа и не умеет сочувствовать, разучился. У него таких процессий несколько в день. Изо дня в день. Он устал. Он выгорел. Я сижу у него в кабине и плачу навзрыд. А он даже словом не обмолвился. У него нет добрых слов для горюющих – они давно кончились.
Ты приезжаешь в деревню, которую город выбрал своим местом захоронения людей. Он сбрасывает деревне тела. И деревня понимает, раз кто-то сделал кладбище главным градообразующим предприятием их населенного пункта, значит надо адаптироваться к рынку. И в этой деревне все вывески только о памятниках, могильных плитах, оградках, скамейках. Деревня приспособилась к смерти. Оказывается к этому можно привыкнуть. И жить на фоне мертвых. Обслуживая мертвых.
От ужаса, что смерть рядом, я все утро писала. А вдруг не успею. Вспомнилась история из книги Энн Ламотт «Птица за птицей». Автор все время боялась попасть под машину и умереть и не успеть закончить тот набросок, который у нее остался на столе недописанным. Вот и я боюсь. Пойду еще чего-нибудь допишу.

When you realize that life is short? When you meet with your friends and peers at a funeral more frequently than at weddings or birthday party. People say there is nothing that arouses the desire to live, as the death of someone from relatives or friends. The death of my ex-husband had an impact on me philosophical. I began to think how much I did in my life. What about the main thing?

All training sessions on women's practices, all fitness classes, healthy eating, yoga, positive thinking - a fine thing on the way to the main. I have always loved and wanted to write. And all my life I'm writing. But what writing, I understood just now. First, I write a lot of journalism. But it so casually.
Vanity and literature - things are not common.

Writing makes you observant. Especially you watch during the mass ritual. For example, the funeral. When you come and watch theatrical performance in which everyone has a role, someone opens the door to the memorial hall and shouted: "Dear family, forgive quickly." Someone works as a driver of a funeral cortege, and is not able to sympathize, unlearned. In such processes it in a few days. From day to day. He was tired. He burned. I sit in his cabin and cry sobbing. He keeps silence. He has no kind words for grieving – all kind words were over.

From fear that death is near, I wrote all morning. What if I don’t have time? I remembered a story from the book of Anne Lamotte ‘’Bird by bird ". Author all the time afraid to get hit by a car and die and don’t have time to finish the sketch, which she had left unfinished on the table. That's what I'm afraid of. I go for something else I will add to my novels.

26. Танцуй, пока никто не видит / Dance when no one is watching

В который раз я пытаюсь зажечь огни малого города – и все кончается неожиданно. Я тут собиралась на вечеринку в один клуб. Как вспомнила, кто туда ходит постоянно, как мне не нравится этот человек – сразу передумала. Посмотрела, что еще идет по субботам в городе – нашла. Уже платье погладила, каблуки наточила. Потом вспомнила, что администратор этого клуба – высокомерная старая сучка, которая не считает журналистов людьми и всегда об этом говорит. Ну, думаю, не подарю я свой субботний вечер этому клубу, чтобы они потом мое неудачное фото выложили с подписью – даже ветеран ночной жизни Наташа Е. пыталась танцевать этой ночью. В общем, перебирала я клубы в голове не меньше часа. А потом взяла камеру с работы, взяла новый штатив и пошла гулять по ночному городу вместе с дочкой. На фоне пьяных подростков с пивом в руке мы смотрелись как эльфы. Не встретили ни одного полицейского, который должен был бы следить за порядком и за нарушением закона –алкоголь в публичном месте, да еще и подростки. Ну а мы и без полиции хорошо провели ночь. Повторили трюк известной девушки Зап, которая записывает по всему миру ролики в режиме «Танцуй, пока никто не смотрит». Конечно, у нее это называется спонтанный танец, и он танцуется почти на подсознательном уровне. Мы же дурачились. Мне вообще лишь бы посмеяться в любом месте, как красотке Зап потанцевать.
В итоге у меня получилась вечеринка на весь город. И с очень хорошим бекграундом. Не так ли? Почаще гуляйте. Почаще фотографируйте себя и друзей. Кстати, кто помнит книгу «Биохимия счастья», о которой я писала. Так вот, так утверждается, что фотографирование вырабатывает в организме гормоны счастья не меньше, чем вкусная еда.

Dance when no one is watching

Time after time I try to light the lights of a small city - and it ends suddenly. I've been going to a party at a club. As remembered who go there all the time, I do not like this person - just changed my plan. Looked that is still going on Saturday in the city - I have found. Already I stroked my best dress, sharpened my high hills. Then remembered that the administrator of the club - the arrogant old bitch who doesn’t like the journalists and always talking about it. Well, I guess I will not spend my Saturday on  this club (I know they then posted the photo with the caption - even veteran nightlife Natasha E. tried to dance tonight). In general, I fingered the clubs in the head at least an hour. And then I took a camera from work, took a new tripod and went for a walk through the city together with her daughter. Against the background of drunken teenagers with beer in hand we looked like elves. We not met a single policeman who was supposed to keep order and violation of the law - alkogol in a public place, and drunk teenagers. Well, we have no police and had a good night. Repeated known stunt girl Zap, which records all over the world videos in the style "Dance until no one is watching." Of course, it is called “the spontaneous dance” and she danced almost on a subconscious level. We made it just for fun. I do just to make fun anywhere, like beauty Zap make dance.

As a result, I got a party for the whole city. And with very good background. Is not it? Often walk. More often take photos of yourself and friends. By the way, does anyone remember the book "Biochemistry of happiness", which I wrote? So, as it states photography produces body hormones of happiness no less than the great food. Don’t forget it.

Basketball stars assists in the ButterflyBattle

Finally someone got me to jump!
Christoffer Ryan,  to the right, showed me how to make lay ups and Nikita Meshcheriakov, Belarus, how to make a cross over behind my back. The two professional basketball players from BC Luleå, one of the best teams in Sweden, made my day. They had an activity for kids and I sneaked in on my second day as 49-year-old. No gain, no pain. My muscles are aching and I want more physical activity. Tennis is on my wish list! Maybe Björn Borg is willing to give me a lesson...

I made it! One month on the South Beach Diet! No bread, no potatoes, no spaghetti.
A lot of chicken, fish, shrimps and veggies. The mirror shows the good result. I skip the scale and carry on.

The 18th of February memorial day of Mr Bad Bastard

For many years the 18 of February was a special day for me. It marked the beginning of a relationship. Today it feels more like memorial day of something bad like the outbreak of the second world war. It's good to have a day to contemplate  every year over how you don't want to live your life. No lies, no manipulation, no self destructive life style. When you are in the middle of it it's hard to realize how bad another person can have impact of you. When I look back I can hardly understand how I could deal with all of it. I was there but of course it affected me. In the last months of this sad relationship I quickly put on a lot of weight. I tried to suppress my feelings by eating. When the nightmare was over I lost as much .
 I promise and swear I will never end up again with a person not treating me right, supporting me, telling me nice things, acting as a a good friend. I will never sleep with the enemy again. There are so many nice guys around. People lifting me up, people that cares.
How could Iever care for for Mr Bad Bastard. What a waist of time!
 I celebrate my new life being grateful I have so many nice collegues.

Sweden vs Russia in the fat battle

In a little more than two month Natasha arrives in Luleå, Sweden for the annual Barents Press Meeting. We met a couple of years ago in Apatity at the journalist gathering. It's so nice to gather with colleagues from Norway, Finland, Russia and Sweden.
It's also great Natasha and I found this great way to communicate with each other and the world. This blog is read by people all over the world.
The problem with over weight is connecting us. I know I won't get rid of all my extra kilos until April the 21st. The struggle will continue. In one year and two weeks I'll turn 50. More than half of my life I have been over weight. I am fed up with it. With the motivation I have at the moment I am sure I will reach closer to my goal this year. I have a very strong will and I will focus. Nothing can stop me!

Love that matters

Of all the greetings on Valentines Day the one from my sons beats everything.
I feel sorry for all mothers not being blessed with a son. On the other hand I don't know the happiness of having a daughter. 
The love from a son is something special and in my case I have the pleasure times three.
One of them was about to celebrate Valentines Day and his girlfriend with a stay in a suite at Luleås nicest hotel The Savoy in Luleå. As the girlfriend was working late he let me relax in the gigantic bathtub and the sauna before the love birds arrival.
Week three of the South Beach Diet is on and will continue on phase 1 all February.
Thank's to Natashas countdown I know it's 66 days left until we meet in Luleå.
My friends telling me this blog is nice to read because you get a chance to get to know the Russian way of living. For me I had a bunch of new facebook friends thanks to my Russian sister. The readers of our blog are to the most part Russians and I hope you will get some glimpses of the Sweden as well! Thank you all for checking us out!

Chilling out with chili on Valentines Day

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Last night there was a huge, expensive fire work over my garden. I have never ever been so close to a launch site. I imagined it was all to celebrate the Swedish Butterfly's success with her South Beach Diet..

For two weeks I have been strictly sticking to the meal plan. A lot of fish, sea food, chicken. No bad carbs, no rice, no bread, no spaghetti. You can't imagine how sweet a bell pepper taste after almost no sugar. I have enjoyed my meals a lot and hardly had any hunger at all. You have small protein rich snacks during the day, like a chunk of cheese or a lovely chocolate ricotta pudding made from cacao powder. According to the founder of the South Beach Diet, Dr Agaston, you should stay in this phase for two weeks, you can prolong it for another week or two. I will. Due to my bad relation to the scale, which makes me eating more if used too often, I can't give you any numbers of result. When I look into the mirror I can see the change. My clothes are looser and the shoulders are skinnier!

One of the most fantastic discoveries during the last forth night is the impact chili have on me.
On the seventh day craving started and on the eight I was about to kill for a piece of bread...
I went to Thai restaurant and ordered a Shrimp soup. Hot! The food is usually adapted to the Swedish standards. This soup was not... I was out of breath trying to eat one of the hottest food I ever had in my life. It took half an hour, and the craving was gone!
During the last week I mad my own soup at home trying to copy the Thai restaurant. I never got the same heat but I managed to domesticate the cravings!

Valentine, who are you? I have noticed some attempts to hit me with your arrows lately.
Sorry I am so busy with my life, work and this diet. Please get back later!
 

98. Двигай телом / Move your body

Сегодня у меня спортивный день. И это не означает, что я буду заниматься спортом. Я и так 4 раза в неделю преподаю аэробику и фитнес в собственной группе «100» кг красоты. Это означает, что я буду повышать качество своего спорта. Мне нужно сделать перезагрузку своих уроков. Посмотреть другие видео в интернете, сходить к другому фитнес-инструктору. Мои девочки должны заниматься у тренера с высокой квалификацией. А то всякое бывает. Поскольку спорт не является моей профессией, я иногда делаю одну и ту же программу на целый месяц. И моим девочкам это быстро надоедает. Нужно собраться с силами и повысить собственную квалификацию резким усилием.
План такой. 1. Разобрать видеоурок по фитболу и выучить новые элементы.
2. Провести собственное занятие на высшем уровне.
3. Сходить на занятие другого тренера
Ну и конечно: правильное питание. С собой у меня уже готова коробочка с творогом, мясом и яйцами. А движения мне хватает. Вчера в Петрозаводске была такая сильная метель, что город проснулся в огромных сугробах снега. Поскольку город остался беж мера – никто не чистит улицы и дороги. Транспортный коллапс у нас. Люди передвигаются как за Полярным кругом – по пояс в снегу, преодолевая стихию. Вот и я поплыву вверх по улице Ленина, потеряю при этом не менее 1000 калорий. Спасибо, природа. Спасибо, бандиты из Петросовета. Хоть какая-то от вас есть польза для толстой Наташи.

Today I have a sports day. And it does not mean only do sport. I've already 4 times a week my aerobics and fitness lessons for my own group "100 kg of beauty’’. This means that I will improve the quality of my sport. I need to reboot my lessons. See more videos on the Internet, go to the lesson of another fitness instructor. My girls have to right have a coach with high qualifications. Sport is not my profession, that’s why sometimes I did the same program for a month. And my girls are bored. I must to be better trainer.

The plan is. 1. Watch the video and learn new elements for my lessons.

2. Carry out my training at the highest level.

3. Visit the lesson another coach

And of course: good nutrition. I have a ready box with cottage cheese, meat and eggs. Just in case besides GYM I have enough movement. Yesterday in Petrozavodsk has been such a strong storm, the city woke up in huge drifts of snow. Since we live without mayor - no one cleans the streets and roads. Traffic jams here. People move like near the Arctic Circle - waist-deep in the snow, breaking the waves. That's what I'll swim up the Lenin’s street, losing at least 1,000 calories. Thanks, nature. Thank you, gangsters from the city deputies department. You help me lose weight at least.