ObesityHelp UK and Ireland
Recent Posts
Topic: US Shopping - supplements - Customs
As many of you know with the Dollar value being so low - shopping in the USA is a bargain!
As many of you in the UK may have noticed - almost any product on e.i. Amazon cost the same in pound sterling as in US dollars - meaning a price difference of about 30 percent!
I am not very well off and have to be frugal - but I still want to get the best products and supplements I can afford - buying stuff here in Denmark is incredibly expensive! ad at least 30 percent to the UK prices - so I often buy things in UK - even with shipping costs - I still save a considerable amount of money.
I visit friends and family every year in USA - and I always carry about 60 pounds of weight in stuff extra home with me (I bring an empty suitcase - I wear old clothes and shoes on the way over there and ditch them over there - and wear brand new ones on the way home) . Shoes are a steal in the US - Often they have sales - 2 for the price of one (how often do we see that over here in Europe?) - and the price of one pair is already more than half than I would pay over here! So needless to say I buy at least 4-6 pairs of new shoes every time I go for about 1/3 of the price I would have paid over here. I simply don't understand how a pair of shoes can cost 45 dollars in USA when I have to pay 120-140 dollars for the same pair over here (I sound like a male version of Imelda marcos - don't I?). And don't even get me started on clothes .... It is hard to find clothes of the rack over here - and even I could fit into them at the first place - they would cost 2-3 times as much as I pay over here - At least I will be able to get something on sales over here when I loose weight ... I feel robbed everytime I shop at an online store for "Big guys" - seems like the cost of clothing size 3-4 xl is at least twice as much as clothes for normal sized persons ....
Oh and supplements!!!! Skincare products .... stuff for the medicine cabinet - how people are able to live without stuff like Neosporin, The good Sudafed - when you got a cold - Melatonin - antifungal cream and sprays (I use them preventive after going to a public pool and shared showers) - desinfectant sprays - handsanitizers with aloe and Vit E (has really come in HANDY during this H1N1 epidemic) the list goes on and on ...
Now that I am preparing for WLS I try to find some products and stuff like SF Jell-o gelatin and pudding , SF popsicles, Benefiber, Metamucil, and good Vit. supplements, laxatives, are hard to find and expensive to get over here.
Friends and family in the US are allowed to send products worh less than 70 dollars as a gift
So I often rely on them for shipping stuff - (all medications - even over the counter is however ilegal to import - even supplements like melatonin ...
If I shop anything online in the US and have it shipped over here this is what it will cost me:
100 US dollars worth of products - 20 dollars shipping = 120 dollars
Danish Postal office tax handling fee = 30 dollars
Taxes - 35 percent (of 120 dollars - They even tax the shipping costs!!!!) = 42 dollars
Meaning it costs me ( 20 + 30 + 42 ) 92 dollars to import 100 dollars worth of products from USA!!! Forget about it!!! Much cheaper to order stuff - have it shipped to friends in the US and have them ship it here - as a gift ...
Oh and buying for 20 dollars in the US still cost a 30 dollar Postal office tax handling fee ...
What are the UK Rules for importing stuff from the USA?
Some protein-supplements are reasonable priced in the UK - even shipping to mainland Europe is affordable from this company:
monstersupplements.com/store/frontpage-lang-1.html
This online UK shop also have some nice products suitable for post-op eating : (more than 900
low carb, sugar free, low glycemic products :
www.avidlite.co.uk/index.html
Now I just need to find a good European Online shop to buy suitable - chewable/liquid/sublinual Vitamins and calciums.
Any recommendations for good online shops for products suitable for post op WLS living?
It totally annoys me that I can´t find nectar protein ....
As many of you in the UK may have noticed - almost any product on e.i. Amazon cost the same in pound sterling as in US dollars - meaning a price difference of about 30 percent!
I am not very well off and have to be frugal - but I still want to get the best products and supplements I can afford - buying stuff here in Denmark is incredibly expensive! ad at least 30 percent to the UK prices - so I often buy things in UK - even with shipping costs - I still save a considerable amount of money.
I visit friends and family every year in USA - and I always carry about 60 pounds of weight in stuff extra home with me (I bring an empty suitcase - I wear old clothes and shoes on the way over there and ditch them over there - and wear brand new ones on the way home) . Shoes are a steal in the US - Often they have sales - 2 for the price of one (how often do we see that over here in Europe?) - and the price of one pair is already more than half than I would pay over here! So needless to say I buy at least 4-6 pairs of new shoes every time I go for about 1/3 of the price I would have paid over here. I simply don't understand how a pair of shoes can cost 45 dollars in USA when I have to pay 120-140 dollars for the same pair over here (I sound like a male version of Imelda marcos - don't I?). And don't even get me started on clothes .... It is hard to find clothes of the rack over here - and even I could fit into them at the first place - they would cost 2-3 times as much as I pay over here - At least I will be able to get something on sales over here when I loose weight ... I feel robbed everytime I shop at an online store for "Big guys" - seems like the cost of clothing size 3-4 xl is at least twice as much as clothes for normal sized persons ....
Oh and supplements!!!! Skincare products .... stuff for the medicine cabinet - how people are able to live without stuff like Neosporin, The good Sudafed - when you got a cold - Melatonin - antifungal cream and sprays (I use them preventive after going to a public pool and shared showers) - desinfectant sprays - handsanitizers with aloe and Vit E (has really come in HANDY during this H1N1 epidemic) the list goes on and on ...
Now that I am preparing for WLS I try to find some products and stuff like SF Jell-o gelatin and pudding , SF popsicles, Benefiber, Metamucil, and good Vit. supplements, laxatives, are hard to find and expensive to get over here.
Friends and family in the US are allowed to send products worh less than 70 dollars as a gift
So I often rely on them for shipping stuff - (all medications - even over the counter is however ilegal to import - even supplements like melatonin ...
If I shop anything online in the US and have it shipped over here this is what it will cost me:
100 US dollars worth of products - 20 dollars shipping = 120 dollars
Danish Postal office tax handling fee = 30 dollars
Taxes - 35 percent (of 120 dollars - They even tax the shipping costs!!!!) = 42 dollars
Meaning it costs me ( 20 + 30 + 42 ) 92 dollars to import 100 dollars worth of products from USA!!! Forget about it!!! Much cheaper to order stuff - have it shipped to friends in the US and have them ship it here - as a gift ...
Oh and buying for 20 dollars in the US still cost a 30 dollar Postal office tax handling fee ...
What are the UK Rules for importing stuff from the USA?
Some protein-supplements are reasonable priced in the UK - even shipping to mainland Europe is affordable from this company:
monstersupplements.com/store/frontpage-lang-1.html
This online UK shop also have some nice products suitable for post-op eating : (more than 900
low carb, sugar free, low glycemic products :
www.avidlite.co.uk/index.html
Now I just need to find a good European Online shop to buy suitable - chewable/liquid/sublinual Vitamins and calciums.
Any recommendations for good online shops for products suitable for post op WLS living?
It totally annoys me that I can´t find nectar protein ....
Topic: Welcome and Re-Welcoming you! Whats on for the season?
Hey all!
We now have 47 members on our little board here! That is GREAT NEWS!
The busy holiday season is upon us. I think for many of us this time of year can hold lots of stress and temptation. I also think it can hold lots of hopeful times and chances to start anew.
I would like to hear what your plans are for this season and how you plan on handling stress, social settings and family time.
Some of you are awaiting your upcoming surgeries, and others have long since had your surgery.
Please consider offering your experiences and ways of dealing with such issues. You never know who you can help by sharing. One thing I know for sure-however..you will help yourself by sharing!
This is my first winter Holiday season in England. Things are still pretty new for me. I am planning on writing my food down each day-by using Spark People (an online food journal). I find that in busy times-it really helps to write it down. Otherwise at the end of the day-there is just NO way I can recall what I ate! LOL!
I am also planning on meeting my fluid intake requirements. Now-that doesn't sound glamorous-but dehydration is a monster if you have ever experienced it. Cold weather is a big culprit for this happening.
Last-I plan on coming to the board at LEAST once per week and sharing and seeing what everyone is up to.
Ok-tag-you are IT!!
Thanks to all of you!!
Peace,
T
We now have 47 members on our little board here! That is GREAT NEWS!
The busy holiday season is upon us. I think for many of us this time of year can hold lots of stress and temptation. I also think it can hold lots of hopeful times and chances to start anew.
I would like to hear what your plans are for this season and how you plan on handling stress, social settings and family time.
Some of you are awaiting your upcoming surgeries, and others have long since had your surgery.
Please consider offering your experiences and ways of dealing with such issues. You never know who you can help by sharing. One thing I know for sure-however..you will help yourself by sharing!
This is my first winter Holiday season in England. Things are still pretty new for me. I am planning on writing my food down each day-by using Spark People (an online food journal). I find that in busy times-it really helps to write it down. Otherwise at the end of the day-there is just NO way I can recall what I ate! LOL!
I am also planning on meeting my fluid intake requirements. Now-that doesn't sound glamorous-but dehydration is a monster if you have ever experienced it. Cold weather is a big culprit for this happening.
Last-I plan on coming to the board at LEAST once per week and sharing and seeing what everyone is up to.
Ok-tag-you are IT!!
Thanks to all of you!!
Peace,
T
Topic: RE: Tell us about you!
Hiya Jo!!
So glad to see you here! I am going to run over and read your blog tonight. I LOVE following other folks journeys. I think we have so mu*****ommon and it's a comfort to remember that.
Sounds like your doctor is Ace though, that is wonderful. You must have a million things on your mind with all these changes on their way!
Yes-I certainly did have a shock when I first moved here. The folks were so very kind and friendly to me-I just hadn't realized how lonely I would feel at first. Thank goodness my hubby is a sweet man and helped me to get settled in.
You will find some really great folks on this board-even if it is quiet. I still have loads of hope that it will get jumping some day soon. We have a newlywed or two-and we have a mum-to-be. We have lapband, DS, RNY and even Gaz-who is losing weight on his own-read his story if you haven't!
Welcome and thanks for taking the time to post!!
Hugs,
T
So glad to see you here! I am going to run over and read your blog tonight. I LOVE following other folks journeys. I think we have so mu*****ommon and it's a comfort to remember that.
Sounds like your doctor is Ace though, that is wonderful. You must have a million things on your mind with all these changes on their way!
Yes-I certainly did have a shock when I first moved here. The folks were so very kind and friendly to me-I just hadn't realized how lonely I would feel at first. Thank goodness my hubby is a sweet man and helped me to get settled in.
You will find some really great folks on this board-even if it is quiet. I still have loads of hope that it will get jumping some day soon. We have a newlywed or two-and we have a mum-to-be. We have lapband, DS, RNY and even Gaz-who is losing weight on his own-read his story if you haven't!
Welcome and thanks for taking the time to post!!
Hugs,
T
Topic: RE: Tell us about you!
Hi everyone!
I am Jo, 42, from Leicestershire, living in Missouri, US! I wanted to join in with you all as I am having the RNY at the end of December and I miss England still so very much even after 12 years!! I do not get back to visit as often as I'd like to!
My DH is from San Francisco, was in the US Air Force (when he picked me up!!) stationed in Northants in 1993. We have 3 children. Laura, 23 (from pervious marriage), who is living in Leics. right now, Christopher (14) and Liz (11).
After leaving the UK we moved to Japan for 4 years, then Anchorage Alaska for 4 years then he retired from the AF and we moved here to work for Boeing.
I am lucky to be one of the fortunate ones in the US to have good medical insurance so I opted to get my surgery as I have been overweight since my 20's. My dr is one of the pioneers in this lap rny so I am in good hands but still a little nervous!
I blog on OH when I do anything WLS related so you are more than welcome to drop by my blog on my profile! :)
Nothing else to say except thanks to Therese for noticing my signature and sending me a message to introduce herself! She is probably going through what I went through a few years ago...big time culture shock! I had a hard time when I moved away from England and was very depressed plus I got pregnant with my youngest girl immediately and my hormones really went whacky!!
Anyway less of me now that I have gone on a lot! Nice to meet you all!
xx
I am Jo, 42, from Leicestershire, living in Missouri, US! I wanted to join in with you all as I am having the RNY at the end of December and I miss England still so very much even after 12 years!! I do not get back to visit as often as I'd like to!
My DH is from San Francisco, was in the US Air Force (when he picked me up!!) stationed in Northants in 1993. We have 3 children. Laura, 23 (from pervious marriage), who is living in Leics. right now, Christopher (14) and Liz (11).
After leaving the UK we moved to Japan for 4 years, then Anchorage Alaska for 4 years then he retired from the AF and we moved here to work for Boeing.
I am lucky to be one of the fortunate ones in the US to have good medical insurance so I opted to get my surgery as I have been overweight since my 20's. My dr is one of the pioneers in this lap rny so I am in good hands but still a little nervous!
I blog on OH when I do anything WLS related so you are more than welcome to drop by my blog on my profile! :)
Nothing else to say except thanks to Therese for noticing my signature and sending me a message to introduce herself! She is probably going through what I went through a few years ago...big time culture shock! I had a hard time when I moved away from England and was very depressed plus I got pregnant with my youngest girl immediately and my hormones really went whacky!!
Anyway less of me now that I have gone on a lot! Nice to meet you all!
xx
Jo from UK living in MO!
SW 232/ GW 140/ CW 140!
SW 232/ GW 140/ CW 140!
Topic: Your favourite Online Shopping site??
Hi all!
It's time for another of my "New kid in the UK" posts!
It's getting to be Holiday time and I LOVE to shop online. Being new here-there are MANY sites I am certainly not going to be shopping from-since they are based in the US-POSTAGE-ouch! LOL!
What are some of your favourite online shops? I am looking for fun, reasonable, unique-pretty much anything to check out!
There is this site in the US-it's called Femail Creations. It's a very kitschy place. I am wondering if there is an equivalent here in the UK?
Take a look if you like www.femailcreations.com/ They do ship "most" things to the UK-but still..it's spendy to pay that sort of price to get things. So-if you know of any fun online places like this here in the UK-please let me know.
As I said-I am also looking forward to seeing what your most fav are too! Tell me why you like it as well!!
Cheers!
T
It's time for another of my "New kid in the UK" posts!
It's getting to be Holiday time and I LOVE to shop online. Being new here-there are MANY sites I am certainly not going to be shopping from-since they are based in the US-POSTAGE-ouch! LOL!
What are some of your favourite online shops? I am looking for fun, reasonable, unique-pretty much anything to check out!
There is this site in the US-it's called Femail Creations. It's a very kitschy place. I am wondering if there is an equivalent here in the UK?
Take a look if you like www.femailcreations.com/ They do ship "most" things to the UK-but still..it's spendy to pay that sort of price to get things. So-if you know of any fun online places like this here in the UK-please let me know.
As I said-I am also looking forward to seeing what your most fav are too! Tell me why you like it as well!!
Cheers!
T
Topic: RE: be my friend?
Trevor!
Yay! I am so glad to see you back with us. I think you have loads to add round here and I look forward to your posts.
Being lonely is brutal. It really is. I understand what that feels like, as I spent MANY years in isolation. I still have to work on that tendency, actually.
It's VERY hard for me to meet people. I may seem outgoing-but I am VERY shy in many ways.
Sounds like you and I both need to figure out how we are going to add in a bit of "social" into our schedules.
So-here are a few ideas I have been thinking about for me-add your's if you have some ideas too:
1.Going to the museum and having a look around. Now I KNOW this isn't a very social thing-but at the same time-you are around others without having to really step OUT. It's a good first step.
2. Going to a church service. This can be ANY type of church or any other group where anyone can attend and sit in. You don't have to have any sort of religion or even BELIEVE in anything. The idea is to allow yourself to sit with other folks and just "BE". Just notice what you have in common. It's a lovely thing to be around folks who are just trying to do the right thing. This could also include any group that meets weekly or monthy to help the community in any way.
3. Do soe work with kids. Hey-kids are NON judgemental and almost ALWAYS need someone who has some time for them. If you are feeling crap about yourself-kids can help. THey live in the moment and they see the world in new eyes. You have time on your hands-it's an idea.
Also-do not try and do a BUNCH of stuff at once. One step at a time. Remember-it's your intent that counts. We all have to start somewhere.
So-do you have ideas you can add? I am not kidding when I tell you that my therapist will be awaiting my visit in two weeks to tell her WHAT I have done that is not in my house! LOL!
Glad to see you
Peace,
T
Yay! I am so glad to see you back with us. I think you have loads to add round here and I look forward to your posts.
Being lonely is brutal. It really is. I understand what that feels like, as I spent MANY years in isolation. I still have to work on that tendency, actually.
It's VERY hard for me to meet people. I may seem outgoing-but I am VERY shy in many ways.
Sounds like you and I both need to figure out how we are going to add in a bit of "social" into our schedules.
So-here are a few ideas I have been thinking about for me-add your's if you have some ideas too:
1.Going to the museum and having a look around. Now I KNOW this isn't a very social thing-but at the same time-you are around others without having to really step OUT. It's a good first step.
2. Going to a church service. This can be ANY type of church or any other group where anyone can attend and sit in. You don't have to have any sort of religion or even BELIEVE in anything. The idea is to allow yourself to sit with other folks and just "BE". Just notice what you have in common. It's a lovely thing to be around folks who are just trying to do the right thing. This could also include any group that meets weekly or monthy to help the community in any way.
3. Do soe work with kids. Hey-kids are NON judgemental and almost ALWAYS need someone who has some time for them. If you are feeling crap about yourself-kids can help. THey live in the moment and they see the world in new eyes. You have time on your hands-it's an idea.
Also-do not try and do a BUNCH of stuff at once. One step at a time. Remember-it's your intent that counts. We all have to start somewhere.
So-do you have ideas you can add? I am not kidding when I tell you that my therapist will be awaiting my visit in two weeks to tell her WHAT I have done that is not in my house! LOL!
Glad to see you
Peace,
T
Topic: be my friend?
hi
this is the 2nd time i have visited this group and posted in here.
i hope everyone is coping ok in your daily activities?
ive managed to get my weight down to 15 stone...it took me nearly 12 months to do it...naturally it goes up again each day when i eat too much and then i feel a bit downhearted but i just cut back on what i eat and then it goes down again.
apart from sucess in losing weight, i'm failing when it comes to making friends.
and the lonliness i'm feeling is getting unbearable...i did have a girlfriend but we broke up in august and at the moment my self esteem and confidence is low i dont think i could face socialising at the moment.
and because i suffer from anxiety and am quite shy, i stay at home alot and obviously i feel depressed and bored.
even if i just had someone to go for walks with that would make a difference.
i dont know what to do with myself?
i'm not working at the moment because of my bad nerves, so i have so much time on my hands.
ive taken to going out for long walks in the evening for exercise and to tire myself out so i can sleep at night..but like last night i find myself waking up at 4 in the morning and can't get back to sleep.
i so want to get over this feeling of lonliness and depression and feel happy but its not happening at present.
i really would appreciate a genuine offer of friendship from someone.
thanks for reading.
this is the 2nd time i have visited this group and posted in here.
i hope everyone is coping ok in your daily activities?
ive managed to get my weight down to 15 stone...it took me nearly 12 months to do it...naturally it goes up again each day when i eat too much and then i feel a bit downhearted but i just cut back on what i eat and then it goes down again.
apart from sucess in losing weight, i'm failing when it comes to making friends.
and the lonliness i'm feeling is getting unbearable...i did have a girlfriend but we broke up in august and at the moment my self esteem and confidence is low i dont think i could face socialising at the moment.
and because i suffer from anxiety and am quite shy, i stay at home alot and obviously i feel depressed and bored.
even if i just had someone to go for walks with that would make a difference.
i dont know what to do with myself?
i'm not working at the moment because of my bad nerves, so i have so much time on my hands.
ive taken to going out for long walks in the evening for exercise and to tire myself out so i can sleep at night..but like last night i find myself waking up at 4 in the morning and can't get back to sleep.
i so want to get over this feeling of lonliness and depression and feel happy but its not happening at present.
i really would appreciate a genuine offer of friendship from someone.
thanks for reading.
Topic: RE: A little update on me!!
You are doing perfectly! I am really looking forward to getting to watch your journey progress. We might have to have a virtual baby shower!! How fun!!
Oh and BLESS you for saying I don't look old enough to have a 25 year old son! There is space in the house now-I can move you in and you can tell me that each day!! :) :)
LOL!!
Hugs!
Therese
Oh and BLESS you for saying I don't look old enough to have a 25 year old son! There is space in the house now-I can move you in and you can tell me that each day!! :) :)
LOL!!
Hugs!
Therese
Topic: RE: A little update on me!!
Thanks for the reply!! I have been logging my food, and for the most part am making healthy choices! I am giving in to the odd craving, only because I'd probably go mad otherwise!!
I am not too concerned with my weight gain so far..everyone seems happy with it, my midwife actually said it is less of a gain than what is 'normal' for this stage of pregnancy, but the baby is doing well so they are happy!
It is so hard not to obsess over food now! At first seeing the scales go up was a bit scary, but it is all good, and I'm staying on track and keeping active as best as I can so I'm feeling proud of myself!!
You don't look old enough to have a 25 year old son!! I am 25 next month and I bet my mum wishes she looked like you ( not that she doesn't look great!).
Anyway, hope all is well with you, and best wishes!
Vicky
I am not too concerned with my weight gain so far..everyone seems happy with it, my midwife actually said it is less of a gain than what is 'normal' for this stage of pregnancy, but the baby is doing well so they are happy!
It is so hard not to obsess over food now! At first seeing the scales go up was a bit scary, but it is all good, and I'm staying on track and keeping active as best as I can so I'm feeling proud of myself!!
You don't look old enough to have a 25 year old son!! I am 25 next month and I bet my mum wishes she looked like you ( not that she doesn't look great!).
Anyway, hope all is well with you, and best wishes!
Vicky
Topic: RE: A little update on me!!
Hi Kate!
The tiredness has subsided somewhat thank goodness!! I had a spell of about a month earlier in the pregnancy where I just came home from work and went to bed I was so exhausted! I now see, to have some energy again, although like you said teaching little ones is tiring at the best of times!!
I am so excited about christmas! We haven't actually decided what we're going to do yet! I love christmas with family, but I am thinking it would be nice to be just the two of us this year!!
Hope all is well with you, and that you've recovered from your trip away!!
Vicky
The tiredness has subsided somewhat thank goodness!! I had a spell of about a month earlier in the pregnancy where I just came home from work and went to bed I was so exhausted! I now see, to have some energy again, although like you said teaching little ones is tiring at the best of times!!
I am so excited about christmas! We haven't actually decided what we're going to do yet! I love christmas with family, but I am thinking it would be nice to be just the two of us this year!!
Hope all is well with you, and that you've recovered from your trip away!!
Vicky
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Miss Redd
Group Leader
Kate -True
Group Leader