Hello again all fasters!
I love reading all the posts about individual journeys and what you do to manage the fast and non-fast days in the week.

Emmy – I agree with Bodycombat that MFP is a good tool for logging your food and exercise and I don’t think I would have been as dedicated without it.
If it weren’t for seeing the numbers come down I would sneak things in here and there without realising how many calories were in them. I am an IT boff and I like data and graphs so that worked for me. 🙂

I log my intake on non-fast days too so I know how much there are in my ‘treats’. I try not to feel guilty though and usually add some more exercise to a week with higher calorie non-fast days to balance it out.

I would say try different things and see what works for you. The MFP kind of apps maybe aren’t for everyone but it’s worth a try. Maybe a wipeboard or blackboard in the kitchen to record measurements/weight etc? Some people are very visual so maybe a photo of yourself on the fridge from when you were smaller/lighter/healthier will help?

All the best of luck everyone – it’s fast day for me today and I’ve had my prawn and noodle salad for lunch. Looking forward to a small portion of veggie lasagna tonight.
Take care
Lotta x

Thanks for the advice! I have done MFP in the past and I know that it does help. I was hoping to not have to worry about counting calories while doing 5:2, but we’ll see. Fast day tomorrow, I’d love to hear how people keep busy. I laid around on my couch feeling sorry for myself on Monday ;).

Hey everyone,

I haven’t posted in a while, but have been keeping up with all your posts and some amazing results on here, and not just for weight, so that’s great to see.

My loss is going reeeeealllly slowly but this morning, I have finally gone just the tiniest sliver under 12. My weigh has always fluctuated from 12 to 12 and a half, so I was only going to get excited once I went under the 12. So, today, after 4 weeks, we have a result – albeit tiny!

Interested to see the comment about water/excercise/no weight loss. I spin 3 times a week and sweat massively (ew!) so am hoping that’s why the loss has been so slow.

Very used to fast days now. I don’t try and over think and analyse them – I just have my banana, porridge and beans on toast, and get on with it. My big battle now is to tame the 5 days!

9 weeks til Xmas TODAY…so not long to go. I know a lot of you are fasting today – so have a good day. Think NOT of the food but of the gorgeous you at the end of it…..xx

Hi, I’m a new person on this forum. I’m 50 yrs old, weigh 11 stone 3 and 5 foot 4 inches, sorry about the imperial! Oh and I’m female and think im heading for the menopause. I would like to lose weight to reach about 9 St 9 which I have been in the past and felt comfortable. I’m logging everything on mfp and have noted that my tdee is 1554 cals. I have, for the last three days, been eating 1250 cals and have lost a pound! That’s wonderful but I am terrified of doing a fast. It’s like someone jumping off the diving board and hesitating for hours over it. I keep saying to myself just jump, it won’t kill you or hurt you! I am planning to take that jump tomorrow and would plan my other fast day as a Monday. I’m always interested and grateful for any advise but know this ‘block’ is down to me to just get on with it, how cowardly is that?! I have been reading lots of entries here and ‘get’ the fact that it should be a slow process, that your body needs time to adjust and measuring is important. Is it possible that someone could ‘hold my hand’ when I jump? Pathetic I know, but I could do with the support. I’m not expecting miracles from this, but to be comfortable with my weight and more importantly, my relationship with food is a real goal. Thank you.

Oh thank you for responding, I’m sort of excited or curious about not eating ( just the 500) tomorrow, but the fear thing is daft I know, what’s the worst that can happen, headache and hunger? I’m usually quite a strong person and find it interesting that this fills me with fear! Anyway I’m going to do the fast tomorrow and hug my iPad all day checking into the forum for support! I don’t know what to eat tomorrow but do like the idea of soup which does fill me up and there’s so many great low cal recipes out there, I’ll be spoilt for choice. I might be frightened that I might actually succeed at this, mmmm interesting thought, I’ll ponder on that!

Oh yes that’s a great thought to help, that I can eat tomorrow. I think as food has been my best friend, too close a friend, hence the weight, I feel I’m leaving my best friend, but yes, to say I’ll see my ‘friend’ tomorrow is a good bit of advise. I’m terrible with the water thing too and cordial albeit weak would do nicely. Heck, hold on a minute, I might be looking forward to this. Thank you very much indeed.

Just starting my fast day here in the US…

So, I lost 3 lbs. the day after my first fast and was shocked to see that I hadn’t gained them back today. I’m really beginning to believe the whole water retaining exercise thing, as I didn’t exercise this week. However, I have a weekend full of exercise and Halloween parties ahead, so it’ll be interesting to see my weigh-in this coming Monday.

Congrats to all that made it through today! I’m sure I’ll be checking in later to help me get though evening.

Hi, all-

Checking in from NY. I love that you guys are mostly from the UK or Oz- with your cute lingo like Brekky. I dream of going Down Under one day, but I can never get farther than Hawaii, hah!
So, today will be my third fast day. Finjane, just jump in! And do your best. This is not a race, it is a regimen that will take getting used to. But I would MUCH rather have 2 days where I have to use will power, than try to do it day after day, it’s easier. Just think you can eat what you want TOMORROW.You won’t die from drinking unsweetened tea for 8 hrs, or not having that cookie. And you will probably not overeat on your feeding days. I have lost over 2 lbs in the first week, and I already feel better in my clothes.

I also got this great app, mynetdiary. As long as you plug in your food without cheating, it works out calories, nutrition, your exercise, etc. I am finding this a great tool to help me. They also have articles on foods.
Wish me well on my fast day, Thursday!
A

Second fast day of the week is coming to an end now and I’m looking for a few hours of evening entertainment to get me through those danger snacky hours before bed. Some people on here have asked what we all do on fast days to keep from slipping up. I’m usually fine through the day, it’s just after dinner that I find difficult. Today I got up at 8, did an hours work then went to the gym. I tried one of those new Barre classes which was interesting. Slow but probably good on a fast day as it doesn’t take much energy. Then 5km run on the treadmill followed by a little more work before going to meet another self employed friend for ‘lunch’ . I go to this particular place if I ever need to eat out on fast days as I know they use small eggs and thin rye bread which only works out to about 170kcal. After lunch I went for a 60 minute massage then bought some small food storage boxes on the way home. Once home I spent the afternoon sorting out my pantry and putting everything into little labeled boxes. My cupboards now look like Nigella’s!
For dinner I had a 340kcal ready meal, butternut squash risotto. I’m moving from London to Melbourne next week and am going to miss the variety of low kcal ready meals we have here. Never thought I’d say that as I usually love cooking. Cooking on fast days though is a little uninspiring and my barmix recently broke 🙁

‘Hugs’ to Finjane and all others fasting today. I managed it yesterday. Yay, but now have a headache. Not yay. Oh well….

Hello to everyone
Weighed in yesterday, down another 1.4 lbs for a grand total of 14.4 lbs since Sep 3……..not bad I am very pleased!!

I have found that I need to drink plenty of water on fasting days to avoid the headaches. Fasting once again today before the weekend.

Hope all the fasters today have great success.
Take care

Hello All!
Well stepped rather gingerly on the scales this morning (after two bottles of wine last night,shared with hubby,not two to myself!)
And….I’ve lost another 1 and a half pounds!!!!!
No exercise yesterday,at work so no snacking either and lamb casserole for dinner with parsnip and carrot mash.
Weather here in South West Ireland abso foul,grey all around!
Will get dogs out later I hope,no I will its not fair on them if I dont.
Off to hoover and dust now!
Love
Lucy xx

Morning All!
Well its a Bank hoilday here so wont be fasting (& our gym is closed tonight as well).
Will be going to a Mass & Blessing of the Sick with yummy stuff afterwards,hopefully I will resist!
I’ll just stay out of the kitchen lol
Will go to gym tomorrow morning & fast tomorrow.
Really hope I wont have done too much damage weekend wise.
Love
Lucy xx

Hi everybody! Fasting this Monday here in the U.S. I had a great morning, but now I feel a little run-down. I did just have a protein bar for lunch (180 cal), so hopefully the energy will kick in soon. I plan on a frozen meal (320 cal) tonight. This plan worked for me last week. I was able to maintain a 3 lb. weight loss with my first week fasting. This was a surprise since I had quite an indulgent weekend. I only have about 10 lbs. to lose in total, so I’m wondering if I will meet this goal by Christmas. It will amaze me since I haven’t been able to move these 10 lbs. for 5 years. I’m sure I won’t lose as much as last week, but anything each week at this point will be great.

I love how I felt the day after the fast last week. It was like my body had a fresh start – I’m going to use that to get me through the day! Good luck to those fasting today!

Hope you all doing well. I had a good first week, found the first fast day quite challenging but got organised better and the second fast was better, didn’t have that starved feeling. I lost 5lbs which is a real motivator to keep going. At the weekend, I made 2 pots of low cal soup so have it in portions in the freezer. Today is my first fast day this week…..have been out+about all morning so looking forward to my soup…pumpin, carrot, leek+celery which I made with a gluten free veg sock cube and a good pinch of cumin. It’s fat free as I used a few squirts of oil to saute the veg before adding the stock. I’m going to do my kettlebell dvd later.

It’s 8 weeks until Christmas and I’ve taken the plunge to start 5:2 this week. I am fasting today (Tuesday) and it has been really helpful to read around the forums to find out how people manage fast days. What I have taken from all that I have read (instead of working!) is that the most important thing to do is what works best for you. I had an evening meal last night and so don’t plan to eat until this evening, although I am not sure I will last until then the way I am feeling right now (it’s nearly “lunch time” and I haven’t eaten breakfast, so my body is telling me that I need to eat!). I am reassured to read that this feeling will pass and that distraction is a good way to deal with it, hence my posting on this forum!

So, I hope it’s ok to join you all on the path to Christmas. That’s my first milestone anyway. I am 169cm and weigh around 11stone 13lbs. For a BMI of 25 I need to weigh 11stone 3lbs. It has been more than 10 years since I weighed that. It’s almost as if I have an internal set point below which I cannot go (for reasons I have yet to work out). That set point is 11stone 8lbs. It would be amazing to reach 11stone 5lb by Christmas (i.e. 1lb a week). I am in this for the long term and for all the health benefits, not just the weight loss.

Hi Chappettes,

Thanks for all your encouragement. It’s wonderful to be in the company of so many brave inspired slimmers.

Had my fasting day yesterday 8am. 1 boiled egg, 5 mini nairns oatcakes (19 cals each and delish) nothing for lunch,lots of water and tea, a coffee at 5.30pm. and home at 8pm. for chicken breast salad…loads of lettuce, cucumber, and half an avocado. then 1 square of Lidl dark choc with crunch caramel and I STILL lost 2lbs overnight. Amaaazing.

2 boiled eggs today and 5 mini oatcakes, pizza express salad with chicken , no bread and a diert tonic an dice , then more chick salad after some pho broth from COOK who makes low cal pots of soup. (134 cals)

Apparently if you have an under active thyroid you should avoid gluten so gave up bread (V.sadly) in July. Since then I have lost 12 lbs . The thyroid pills have made an immense difference. I have just started the 5:2 yesterday on top of cutting down on carbs.

Like Barniesmum, one has to really try hard to ignore the hunger pangs and distract with something else. The more you do it, the better you feel. A glass of water with ice helps a lot whenever you feel desperate. AND does you good.On the 5:2 again tomorrow as working til 9.30pm. on Thursday so will be too hungry to cope then.

Huge birthday party on Saturday …will have to avoid croute of boeuf en croute and choc cake. !!

Hi all, Flying Pony, can you tell me more about underactive thyroid and gluten? My thyroid has been on the ‘low’ side of normal all my life. Never low enough to be given meds. Would love to learn more.

I think I ate less yesterday than I would normally on a non fast day, so am happy about that. I and I’m sure all of us, must remember to be kind to ourselves when we over do it. I love this journey and am finding I am now able to look at what, why and when I eat from a little bit more of a distance and that in itself is awesome. Cheers all and have a great day wherever you are. x Reldz

Well done abop.

Great job Abop & Barniesmom! I lost 3 lbs. last week too, it feels great! I don’t expect to lose as much this week, but I’m hoping to Iose 1.5 lbs.

I’m so glad I’m still here. I usually quit any kind of diet within a few days. There seems to be so many benefits from this way of eating that’s propelling me forward. I love what Marelda said about how 5:2 helps to see how you eat from a distance. I definitely feel that way too, it’s like I’m more in control.

I want to go strong with 5:2 til Christmas & then hoping to be at maintenance level. I do feel slimmer already! Good job to those who have finished their fasting week!

Oh Ellie bad luck losing your text. Hope you’re losing weight as easily lol. Will look forward to reading your update.

Emilyashen, well done you. I think we started this at the same time so it will be interesting to see where we are at Christmas.

Happy weekend all.

Hello All & well done all you losers!
& welcome all newbies!
I’m stuck at 9st 11 and a half pounds.
Prob because of the foul weather here,warm & wet or as the locals say “soft”.
I havent been going out every morning for dog walk only every other day plus the three nights at gym but I feel I need 5 morning walks to actually lose weight.
Still I’m at the milestone of being below 10 stone.
Love
Lucy

Well done Lucy, you must be delighted to be under the 10 stone threshold (that’s my goal too). How much more before you’re at goal weight and switch to maintenance?

Muffin, 7 lbs is certainly doable. Let’s stay focused on this goal before Christmas.

Barniesmum and abop, well done, you’re doing great.

A number of us are close to the Christmas goal of 14 lbs loss that we started in September, and for those who aren’t that far along, there’s still another 7 weeks, we can all do it.

Onwards and downwards,
Ellie

Well done Moulin! A big clean out is always a good place to begin in my book. 🙂
Well, I’ve just weighed my self and have lost 8lb during the last 5 weeks. It’s weird, I’ve felt like it plateaued (I weigh everyday) but looking at the cold hard facts has set me straight. I would love to lose another 10lb before Christmas, but will certainly be happy with a pound a week. 🙂
Happy FD to all you Monday fasters, and remember, those with waning motivation because its ‘too slow’ or ‘not working’, just hang in there!!!
Em xx

Good luck newme, I tend to do a fast on Monday and Wednesday and a partial one on a Friday where I just have lunch and tea. Take a day at a time and if one day doesn’t go to plan try to make the next a bit lighter and don’t give up it will be worth it.