Good Morning!

Salma…I think your fasting plan sounds like a good one. My eating window is usually something like 1-7, but I often close it by 6, especially during the week. If you find adding in fast days is too much, just stick to the window approach. We are all an experiment of 1.

I’m determined to stick to my window today. Yesterday was a total disaster. Funny though, when I looked at myself in the mirror last night, I could see AB muscles that looked new to me. Also feel thin this morning, which is odd. I’m going to ride this thin feeling all the way thru my fasting window this morning. I have read that it helps to have a “re-feeding” day. I guess mine was yesterday! LOL!

My cat has stationed herself on my lap and I’m forced to turn sideways in order to type on my laptop. She will be quite upset when I have to get up to go to my washer, which is currently spinning away. She has her own little house, a perch by the window and the whole sofa, but she chooses to lay on my lap. I have a fuzzy blanket over my legs and I think that is what she likes.

Cinque, you asked if the eating window is meant to be ongoing. Yes, this is going to be the way I eat most of the time. I think it has other good health implications besides weight loss. More and more studies are being done….lots of interesting reading out there about fasting.

Well, if I can dislodge this cat, I must make another cup of coffee and tend my washer. We’re having Thanksgiving leftovers for dinner tonight, so that will be easy. Tomorrow night I have a Christmas party with my golfing girlfriends to go to. But first, I have to make breakfast for 4 or 5 hungry hunters at 5AM before they head out deer hunting. What fun! I’m hoping to get them out the door in time for me to still make it to boot camp.

I’ll check in on you all later!

Hi Salma, good wishes for today ????? including for going dairy free!

Hi girls! Ok, so you really need to read this article from Dr. Mercola that I just received in my emails: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2015/11/29/slow-down-diet.aspx?e_cid=20151129Z1_DNL_art_1&utm_source=dnl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art1&utm_campaign=20151129Z1&et_cid=DM91579&et_rid=1234654396 under the section “Why Intermittent Fasting Might Not Work For Some People” they discuss how beneficial restricting eating to the 6-8 hour window is to jumpstart the metabolism, especially for those of us over 35 who probably are insulin resistant. Also doesn’t work for some due to approaching it from a place of fear or anxiety which causes the body to raise cortisol & insulin levels! Also in a different article within this discussion, they talk about how bad it is to eat the majority of calories late in the day-that’s what Sumo wrestlers did to gain weight! Super interesting- you really should read the whole article if you can!

Lori, I too find that just one day of overindulging doesn’t make the tummy pooch out too much- it’s when you keep going for another two- three! So nipping it in the bud early, you should be fine!

Milena sooner or later I just know another kitty will find its way to your lap! ?

Yes, Makcia, our FDA is a pain in the ar*e as Milena puts it! Can things like that be expedited in your country? You have a great attitude with regard to the cancer! I’m sure your “ladies” are much firmer & perkier than most of ours on this thread! With regard to the caregivers, each state has different requirements. California just started requiring licensing of all home care agencies. Basically it’s just a money grab by the state, as we are required to pay $5k/year/franchise to be licensed and we already follow or exceed most of the requirements. Lots of extra paperwork & redtape. On the positive end, one can only hope it puts the bad homecare agencies out of business. Our caregivers undergo ongoing training, and most take special dementia training classes.

Salma, what about subbing almond, coconut, cashew, etc. milk for dairy milk in your coffee? They also have special creamers made of these things.

Cinque, I looked up those muffins & they look good! Wondering if I can sub almond flour for the grain flour and feta for the cottage cheese?

Time to make dinner. Let me know any of your thoughts on that article if you get a chance to read it!

Good night!

Cinque the sweet potato muffins sound great and yummy. Too bad no sweet potatoes around this part of the world.
I am puzzled if you are allergic to cats how come you let your cat sleep with you in your bed? That must be some love between the two of you.

I hear you about the sugar it is so easy to get hooked on and tough to let go…

Sherry what a great article! I think I am a fast eater that does not meditation her food and that I should try and have my window earlier in the day but that would be very complicated because of my work schedule. Thanks this is an eye opener. And I have no solution for the stress, I do yoga, I meditate I tend to laugh a lot… There must be an answer. Quit my job and go to the Carbines and open a little bar on the beach!

If Salma puts those alternatives to milk she will be opening her window for eating. So maybe the morning coffee totally black with a little Stevia and then in the window some of those yummy substitutes. I put coconut oil into my coffee sometimes when I need extra energy.

I am keeping inside my window from 1 pm to 6 pm. Lost 1.5 kg. But that can be just water. Lets see what the 4 week experiment says.

Have a great day lovelies,
m

Happy Monday!

I’m late checking in today as my morning routine was totally disrupted by the start of deer hunting season. I was making pancakes & bacon at 4:30 this morning for 4 hunters. I got them out the door by 5:15 so I could get ready for boot camp. I only do that on the first day of the season, other days they are on their own!

I had such a lazy weekend. Inactivity & eating……a lethal combination.

Makica…hope you’re starting to feel better by now. The flu is no fun, that’s for sure!

I have a Christmas party to go to tonight and am wondering how I will stay awake! The cat woke us at 3 this morning and then we got up at 4:15. I won’t get home till 9 tonight. I’ll be ready for my bed, that’s for sure. It will be nice to see my friends at the party, but on a Monday?? Sigh……..

Just opened my window at Noon and it will be stretched tonight till around 8 because of the party. Oh well……no worries.

Time for me to head out for my lunch break. I already ate, so will just run some errands.

Take care everyone!

Hi Lynnee and welcome:

You don’t say how much you have lost in 2 weeks. The average weight loss is a little less than a pound a week, and any losses are not consistent. That means you could lose two pounds this week, not lose any for the next two weeks and then lose a pound. You have to get used to it.

You might check out the “Really No Weight Loss” link in this thread (as well as the remainder of the links) to see the pattern described: https://thefastdiet.co.uk/forums/topic/the-basics-for-newbies-your-questions-answered/

There is also a link explaining why some who start to exercise sometimes don’t lose the amount of weight they are expecting to lose.

Good Luck!

Morning peeps! It is a lovely morning here, cool and sunny.

Salma so glad to hear from you and that all went well! Best wishes all the recovery goes smoothly! Nice to see that Fast Days slot in so nicely with it all!

Sherry I think those muffins would be great the way you suggest. The egg should keep them all together!
You asked for feedback on that article. I read it and wasn’t convinced that it was very good science, and then looked up Dr Mercola and became even more skeptical. However I do think it is worth considering how much we enjoy things, and to do our best to love and appreciate our bodies, our food and the activity we do, and be without stress.

Welcome Lynjee, It sounds like you lost more than 1/2 a pound in each of the first two weeks you did 5:2, and 1/2 a pound in the third one. This sounds like great weight loss! Remember this is a long term health strategy, give yourself time.

Makica so sorry you have to do without sweet potato!
Re the cats, I am allergic to some cats more than others. A vet explained it is something in their saliva, which then gets all over their fur, as they lick it. Some cats have more, and stressed cats are worse. When my old cat died I really noticed how my allergies lessened. But I am also allergic to a lot of other things, even hot weather and tiredness!
When this cat came to me I didn’t see an increase in my allergies, but it is hard to tell, so I am not categorical (Categorical, ha!). I kept her out of my bedroom for a while, but then relaxed that rule.
Yes, hooray for antihistamines!

Lori your life is so busy! Christmas is a hard time for eating properly, and it seems that hunting on top of it just makes it crazy. Plus if that toffee is still in the house, it must be almost impossible. Sending you lots of good wishes for a lovely eating window today!

A lovely post Milena.
Makica, we don’t have bank holidays, but we have Boxing Day, the day after Christmas, best known in Australia for the Boxing Day Cricket Match! But apparently the name comes from the Christmas Boxes given to servants and tradespeople the day after Christmas. I bet they deserved them!

Keep warm all you winter bunnies. It is a lovely day here, so if your weather isn’t pleasing, pop on down! 23c degrees top, sunny with the slightest breeze. Come and have a coffee!

Salma, so happy all went well with the surgery! Thanks for checking in and letting us know, as you were in my thoughts today! ?

Lori, my hubby is a former dear hunter (grew up in Michigan) so I know how extreme these guys can be! Heck, mine went hunting (and got a buck) on our honeymoon! Thank goodness the other week of our two week trip was spent in Jamaica! Hoping your guy was successful, though I can’t help it, I still feel sorry for the deer!

Milena, looking forward to you riding our a*ses till the holidays! In fact, I’m doing a week cleanse starting this Wednesday. Doing it mostly for the health benefits but if I lose a few that would be great too! Spending the day tomorrow making bone broth (whole organic chickens and the chicken feet too- supposed to be really good for healing your gut (from the collagen in them- I know, eeuuwww!), and juicing, etc. Besides drinking the broth and juice, you eat healthy veggies & protein. For me, I gotta mix things up sometimes.

Makica & Cinque, yes I agree re: that article. The most important take away is that we need to stop, breathe deeply and slowly and mindfully enjoy our food. If the mind is stressed/ rushed then the food possibly isn’t properly assimilated?

Hi to MM and Susie too if you’re around!

? Hugs,

Sherry

Hi all- good FD yest, normal today as am out with ‘the girls’ later, about 20 of us pre Xmas do in local pub.
FD tomorrow. Didn’t track much at the w/e but feeling hopeful anyway.
Salma, glad your surgery went ok, recover soon.
Sherry- are you following a ‘plan’ for the cleanse or doing your own thing? Colleague swears by juicing for losing weight, don’t think I could manage that for more than a day or so.
Milena- is this a busy time for you with the jewellery? We had a sale of silver jewellery from Nepal at work yesterday, they come every Dec and the proceeds go back to the women in Nepal. I didn’t buy this time but have before, its simple stuff but nice for a change.
Hello to others,
Susie

Salma so happy that it all went well. I am not too good post anesthesia, I feel very nauseated I hope this is not the case with you. Is there anybody to help you? Assist you until you get better? There is a beautiful healing meditation where you visualize a healing temple with a luminous grand healer giving you healing energy. It is even better when you visualize him as a hot, attractive guy. LOL but anyway the whole experience is very soothing and relaxing. The theory behind it is that we have all the power to heal ourselves within us.

Lori hope you had a great time at the party last night. And you are a busy girl with all that is going on around you. The invitations are poring in here too, don’t know what will I do with our eating window!

Milena dear sister, separated at birth, I am going to take this seriously and do the karma cleansing meditation for all of you from now on.

I know some of you must think I am a bit crazy (which I totally am) but taking into consideration what I do, my extensive schooling and a very down to earth attitude toward every day life you must be wondering what the hell is she talking about all these meditations and karma, mantras….

Well during my days at the University in the US my roommate was a doctor, my best friend in life, from India. He introduced me to meditation as a stress relief tool. Then when I was stuck in a moment in my life he thought me a mantra fro overcoming obstacles. I tried and everything fell into place, all the obstacles gone. I don’t really care if it is a placebo effect or the energy of the mantra did it, it worked. Right? Who am I to question a 2500 year tradition. Then came a time when I was very short on money. During our dictators rule the inflation was over 3.000.000% at moments. I had 4 kids and would do anything to be able to put food on their table so then I got a abundance mantra from my friend and it worked again. I got a new job for a foreign company, was paid i foreign currency and had enough to live a normal life. Chanting a mantra is just like meditation. You focus either on your breath or on the sounds of the mantra.

The mantra I am doing these days is the ultimate mantra of compassion and loving kindness that if done right clears the karma, not only yours but of everybody you touch. So my dears if I get it right we need to gather somewhere beautiful in the world and clear all the shit from our pasts. I am not a Buddhist but I believe in Cosmic or Universal justice. It all comes back to us in one form or another. And most of the time we do something, hurt somebody often unknowingly, because of our confusion, anger, hurt, pain and fear. But enough for one day. I must have bored you to death.

And to ad to the reason we are all here I lost 0.7 kg – 1.5 pounds this week sticking to my window and fasting for 2 days.

And Milena if Christmas is not a time for fasting I support your decision. The 3rd of January sounds like a great day to continue our road on the quest for leaner and meaner bodies.

Lori and Milena explained all the boxing and banking stuff and now I am an informed person. This is a joke here because one of our Presidents was not informed about a huge intervention in apprehending the former dictator and sending him to the Hague Tribunal.

Cinque so glad you can handle your allergies with your cat. I imagine it i not easy with your condition. But a pet is such a precious thing in our lives. It brings joy and unconditional love. I think I wrote the words of one of the loving kindness prayers – May you be joyful, may your happiness increase, may the causes for your good fortune, joy and happiness continue to grow.

Sherry I hope your cleansing goes well. It sound very healthy. And doable. Keep us posted. Cheering here for you.

My flu is not letting go. I am still bedridden. Everything hurts from lying all the time. But in no time will i get my pom-poms and start cheering again, I am just not sure if I can get into my cheerleading outfit I never had btw. 😉

Milena you have some stories. Really should think of writing a book. I will be your publisher, free of charge. Just for the fun of it.

Love ya beautiful people, sty safe and healthy.

m

Hi Salma

if its working, lots of hugs to wrap around you today!!! Look after yourself well.

Been up all night looking for two pair of earrings, I used to blame the cats (and they were usually guilty) I think they are still up to their mischief!!! Either that or payback from my mum for not going to her funeral – though I did tell everyone she wanted to be buried not cremated – so she is probably breathing fire on the siblings who didn’t listen!

Finally gave up at 6am and looked on ebay, vintage used earrings so not much hope – but I found one pair and told the seller my plight, to ask her to send them to my customer – she gave me a third off!!! And some advice on managing sales, what a lovely person, really perked me up!

Have severe tinnitus at the moment, almost certainly due to this cold, I have a symphony in my right ear earlier – and the whole orchestra only knew one note!!!

Coughing madly now, but being well looked after – though I must admit I to miss spending time alone, its a rare thing these days.

Have a good day, back to the grindstone for me! And I need to put the pork in the oven!

Hi Makica

hugs to you too – at least I can close to you without worrying about catching something cos I already have it – dunno about a book but I have a comedy series and two sitcoms in my head – plan is to have some time off in the Summer and get started – I did a course on film writing, but I thought it might be easier to put my ideas under the nose of the guy who did Love Actually and the Vicar of Dibley – bet there is a long queue to do that! No idea why I think I can write owt funny – I’m the unfunniest person I know – though I do have a really black sense of humour! Problem is I find my black humour much funnier than others do!

But if you publish me, I’ll write a book!! Wow, what a thought!

I’m feeling a little guilty that all the other wounded soldiers are fasting, and its the 1st of December – if I had the energy I would do something about this guilt – just not anytime today!

I love this busy forum!!

I have to admit that I’ve never tried the meditation or visualization or any of that. I’m open to it, just haven’t the foggiest notion how to go about it. My mind is continually whirling, so not sure how successful I’d be at shutting it off for meditation!

I took a header at boot camp this morning. We were doing “Kongs”, picture hopping like a frog, hands on ground, bring legs up to meet hands and keep going, like a big old gorilla(hence the name). Anyway, I was racing one of the guys(I beat him!) and when I got to the end, I tried to stand up with too much momentum behind me and ended up doing a military roll. LOL! I popped up unhurt because we have a mat floor and I tucked my shoulder under and rolled. I also credit the years of training for me coming out of it unscathed. I’m glad it wasn’t being recorded. Not my most graceful moment!

Rainy, dreary day here. Supposed to be this way for the next couple days. Makes me get sleepy in the afternoon! I’m waiting for my end of the month paperwork so I can get started on reports etc. We have auditors coming this Thursday. I’m glad this is the last time I have to deal with auditors. This week is the pre-audit and then they come back at the end of January for the full audit. We are very careful that everything balances each month, so it’s never a problem. It’s just a matter of gathering all the reports etc that they want to look at.

Enough of my rambling. My stomach is growling and I need more coffee.

Hugs all around!

Ninja! ROFL!

I probably looked more like Humpty Dumpty doing that roll! 😉

Ah yes…….bad me. You are correct. I’m going with Ninja….I look good in black!

Hi all,

Such a supportive, lovely group you all are!

Salma, so glad you are on the mend and able to take some guilt free R&R! The only thing I liked a out all my IVF tries was that I got to lay around on my bum ( I was only supposed to get up for quick showers- suppose they thought the implanted embryo would slide out! ?) for 2-3 days watching movies, reading magazines and getting meals brought to me in bed by my husband!

Makica, you poor girl! Are you trying any natural remedies or at least some good old fashioned chicken soup to help with the flu? Yes, I agree with Lori- you need to give those of us with monkey brains that are going nonstop some easygoing meditation techniques!

Yes, we’ve all told Miss Milena that she needs to be a stand up comic, but writing a funny book or TV series would do also!

Lori, so funny that you’re like me and don’t really want those hunters to be successful! My hubby tried for years to get me to eat “Bambi”, but I always refused. He claimed the deer in Michigan ate off the farm fields so didn’t taste wild- um, no thank you just the same!

Having a tough time buckling down today and making that broth with the chicken + chicken feet ?! Going to throw all the ingredients in a crockpot & let it cook low & slow all night.

Susie, I’m doing a plan my wellness coach gave me- basically eating really clean healing/healthy foods for a week.

Today was rough for two of our kitties (plug your ears Cinque & Milena!). We had to get the male & female brother & sister fixed before they started having little inbreds! First it was had to catch them because they knew so something was up, then they howled the whole way to the vet and crapped in the pet carrier from fear causing our van to smell terrible the whole way there! It sounds so stupid, but I feel bad getting the female fixed… Maybe I’m thinking about how hard it was for me to have babies & now I’m taking that away from her- I know, I’m an idiot! We had to do this though because otherwise they start wandering, looking for a date and then don’t come home at night and get eaten by one of the many coyotes we have out here!

Ok, now on to those chicken feet…. Wish me luck!

oh – one last thing – you may never want to hear a young cat in heat – wailing banshees is a good description – and some pee all over the place – mine never did – and boy would definitely pee – and it smells awful. You dodged a bullet!

Oh re: your injured cat, we had a cat who got an injury- don’t know how- where his leg must have been yanked really bad- or caught it on something ( maybe a coyote’s teeth?). Anyhow, vets didn’t know what was wrong exactly & because the cat was dragging the foot, said we had to amputate because he’d wear the foot raw & it would get infected-we decided not to & even though he didn’t have feeling in it, he learned to balance on his toe, walking with a bit of a hitch in his hip. Lived a couple more years after that then dissapeared. Just goes to show, with animals you never know!

Good morning from this part of the world / time zone. I am on the slow mend. Still not fit for duty. But I need to go to the hairdressers because my scalp is in a mega itching phase. Good thing it is just around the corner. I could wash it myself but then I have to dry it and as it is a lions mane it would exert too much energy which I don’t.

Salma I hope everything is going well with you.

Milena and Sherry I am learning a lot if I have a cat one day. I neutered both of my dogs. Now the female is having problems with not being able to keep control of her bladder. We have tried everything. She is in diapers now most of the time and she has some years to live. The vet says it happens with ta lot of neutered bitches. So sad. Animals are clean, they don’t soil their home, at least not on purpose. Although I had a Basset Hound that would punish us with pooping in the middle of the living room. But Basset are not dogs they are Bassets. That is what the instruction manual that comes with them says.

Cirque hope you rest well. Kudos on the food project. Be kind to yourself.

So my magnificent ladies of to get my scalp taken care of. See you soon Ninja beauties,

M

Hello ladies. Wow, what an active forum this has been. I wish I had time to speak to every entry, but, it is a work day.

Cinque, I have the same problem with allergies. Mine manifests itself in hives. After years of suffering and no help from local doctors, I saw an allergist at Mayo. Turns out I’m very allergic to oak, birch, maple and dogs. Yikes! I live in the woods and have 2 dogs. The dogs are poodles, so don’t shed, but I do notice I’m better when I’m away. The trees I can’t do much about, though it’s given me permission to not do yard work (yeah!). A steady diet of antihistamines and a super duty air filter seem to be doing the trick, though I worry that should things get any worse I might have to part with at least one dog, which would break my heart.

Salma and Makica, so glad to hear you are feeling better. And Milena, best wishes for a short cold as well. I have similar deer stories, here in the woods of Minnesota. They are lovely creatures, but do have a disconcerting habit of jumping out right in front of your car. As does other wildlife. So far I’ve been lucky and not hit anything larger than a pheasant, which actually hit me (it hit the side of my car, so I feel I am not to blame).

I had a good fast day Monday. Tried to also fast yesterday, but found myself both ravenous and blue by evening, so let myself have a glass of wine and wee bit of ice cream. I’ll aim again for fasting on Thursday. Haven’t faced the scale yet, but did put a belt on yesterday that felt loose. Of course, it’s elastic so might have just stretched out.

Sherry, I’m afraid I’m with Lori. Don’t think I could face the chicken feet, though I know they’re a delicacy in China.

Love to all,
MM

Hi Makica

knew there was something in that brain of mine somewhere – what is the ‘everything’ that you have tried, let me know, message me if you prefer, I have a couple of ideas, and if you have gone down those roads, will have a word with my vet!

So you are the sister blessed with the lucious locks!!!!

I’m baby hair prone to rat tails, but must admit as I love my hair, poker straight and a good cut and colour and I’m blessed – its a grand compliment when folk I’ve known for twenty years say they thought the colour was natural.

A good hairdresser really is worth his weight in gold!!

Hi everyone, I am getting better but very slowly.
Chickens soup is made from all parts of the chicken and that is why it is so healthy. The chicken bones are said to contain some kind of natural antibiotic and that is why it is so good to have it when you are sick. And my dear ladies you must remember your grandmothers throwing in the neck and the head and all sorts of thing… bat wings. No? you don’t. Then I have to seeing my grannies background… hmmm

Salma just plow on. We are stronger than the rock of Gibraltar .

MM you don’t eat the feet, just doing the broth. It is good. Trust me.

Lori so happy your cat is sleeping in. And some time of for a Ninja is good. Your muscles have to repair.

Sherry I would love some of your soup. Will have to ask my housekeeper to make some for me.

Milena you have so many people here on your production team that there is no excuse for not trying. I promise a crazy victory dance for every page you write. I will film it and post on FB!

Love ya bunch of angels,
m