Thank you so much for taking up the hosting role for this Motivational March Challenge @penz – I’m definitely in as I want to build on a successful Fab Fasters in February challenge with @basyjames

To all who join the challenge please find attached the link to the spreadsheet if you want to use it – hopefully I have given access to all to edit as they wish
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1k__5m4e_EjUGi8ImKgonS1wDkmy4qJMn5Npq1wekdRI/edit?usp=sharing

“If I quit now, I will soon be back to where I started. And when I started, I was desperately wishing to be where I am now”

@penz – I would also like to join. Thanks very much. 🙂

USA

Thanks you, Penz, for leading us through March! Count me in!

Count me in @penz and thanks for hosting. I’m a 68 year old female. I began 5:2 way back in 2014 with huge success, achieving my goal weight and maintaining at or below for over 5 years. In 2019 I had a health setback and struggled to fast then 2020 happened and the 🍷 got out of control. My March goal is to control the 🍷. Truth be told I’ll be happy if I post daily and remain accountable.

Day 1 – NSW, AU – MFD

Hope I’m not too late to rejoin… I fell off the wagon big time since Christmas and my weight plateaued at 91kg (201lb) but I’m going to try again, I saw results and want to keep going!

I’ll be doing what I call a ‘Loose Fast 800’, where some days I’ll have a CFD and I also like my carbs so it’s not a true 800 as per the book.

Bit about me – 38, F and living in country NSW, Australia. At my heaviest I was 106kg but managed to get that down to my now weight of 91.2kg thanks to 10 weeks of IF & my loose Fast800. I’d like to get down to 70kg at the most, but thanks to covid and the uncertainty of life in general my original plan of getting to that by November this year will probably not happen (Booked in for a Trans Siberian Rail Adventure in December/January but not sure if Aussies will even be allowed to leave by then, so probably have to cancel it) but we’ll wait and see. Doesn’t help matters that my mental health issues are flaring up again after 6 years, that’s what has zapped my motivation and made me crave junk food… hopefully I’ll get that under control too and I will once again like the person I see in the mirror.

Perth, Western Australia, new to fasting, I’m in for the challenge.

I’m in 😊 Weight has crept up and I am turning 40 at the end of this year. Struggling with motivation due to lack of social occasions/summer holiday this year but hoping that this forum and my birthday looming
will help. I’ve have followed FD before and know it works. JBG, Scotland, FD today (day one…… I’ll prob be in bed by 9pm! 😂)

Day 1 UK FD

Morning all I’m 59 married live on the South Coast and we currently have both our sons 23 & 26 living with us

I’ve been losing the same 2 stones most of my life , thought I’d cracked it when I first found 5-2 back in 2016 lost my extra weight and stayed steady for a good few years then whoosh too many holidays, celebrations etc and in a very short space of time put most of it back on I am now nearing my goal weight so for March my goals are 4lb loss and work on belly busting

Day 1 – Lake District UK – FD

Good morning everyone

Very frosty start to the morning, but bright sunshine and the frost disappearing very quickly, going to be a beautiful day, kicking off the march challenge with a FD.

Thanks to @penz for leading the way this month, hope everyone has a good one.

I’m here for this, the next monthly challenge, ‘found’ this group in July 2019 and never looked back! I’m a 65 year old bloke who over the years had put on a lot of weight, but thanks to this WOL have now lost a load, feel and look, a lot better!

Since joining the monthly challenges in July 2019 have lost 60 pounds / 28.6 kg and feel so much better. Prior to joining this group I’d lost 20 pounds / 7.8 kg between 2014 and 2019. BMI down from 40.9 in Sept 2014 to 29.4 today.

I have found the help and encouragement of the members of this group fantastic. The 5:2 WOL really does work, especially with help of my forum friends.

Hobbies, walking, brewing craft beer, baking bread, rugby union (watching these days, my playing days are long over) and gardening.

Aim for the month is maintaining, but that was last months challenge plan and I lost 2 lbs!

Take care all

Pocket list Day 1
@mogaman
@jelbelgil
@brightonbelle
@i-hate-lettuce

Day 1- Glasgow- FD

Hi everyone I’m starting the fast diet for the first time ever today and motivational March seems like a good opportunity to kick start things. I have a stubborn 7 pounds to lose which being a WOCA has not shifted with anything else so here goes. I’ve heard great things about the Fast Diet and have bought the cook book so here goes.
I’m out every day walking my black lab but walking alone isn’t enough. I’m really looking forward to doing this month with you all.
Best wishes.

Day one, UK, OMAD

Hi p thanks so much for hosting

As I enter March I am reflecting on the questions that at BASYJAMES asked…

In January and February I was thinking, can I remember how to do this and will I be successful at doing it?

As I enter March, I am now thinking, yes I can do this and yes I can be successful!

So whilst the novelty has worn off, the good news is that I am entering a month with that lovely feeling of familiarity with the task ahead…

Day 1 USA (Illinois) NFD

I am Gwynne, 72-year-old woman, live with my DH(73) in northwestern Illinois, rolling hills, farm and dairy area. I’m a retired school music teacher, still do private piano lessons and church music. Once we are able to meet again, I will sing with our local Choral Society and work at our children’s museum.

I’m a ‘true original’ having joined @coda in May 2016 for her first challenge. Been on every one since then. Started 5:2 March 2016 at nearly 200# (90kg) and lost 40# down to 72.5kg by January 2017. It’s been pretty much maintenance since then. At my age, a 25BMI keeps most of the wrinkles away. I’m a little more than I want to be right now but mainly happy with 6:1 these days. I do Silver Sneakers 3x a week pretty faithfully.

I’m looking forward to getting to know you newbies. Thank you @penz for hosting this month!

Onward and downward.

PS @at thank you for the spreadsheet. Would you be able to pin the headers? I struggle to fill in the columns with no guide – and keep ending up in someone else’s space! Thank you 🙂

Day 1 – Rural Nebraska, USA – FD500

A little about me: I’m 62, I’m 20-25 lbs away from my goal, but 15 pounds lighter than I was a year ago, so that’s progress. I’m also just getting over covid, and the weariness is astonishing. So saying I’ll exercise and I’ll get so many steps and I’ll do this and I’ll do that–well, maybe I’ll do all that and maybe the weariness will have me collapsed on the sofa.

I was just getting ready to undergo hypnosis to get my will power under control when DH and I both got sick and tested positive, so I’m hoping to undergo hypnosis this week, and hoping it will make a big difference in my motivation, which is strong every morning and essentially non-existent every late-afternoon/evening.

In the middle of all the covid stuff, DH gave up alcohol for Lent…but he didn’t tell me, or invite me to join him. I’m a few days late, but have decided to join him, so am hoping that a combination of hypnosis, a disciplined approach to 5:2, the addition of plenty of exercise (hopefully), and zero alcohol will lead to reaching 143 by Easter morning. Best I can do is try, right?

It’s a delight to see so many new names, and we’re delighted to welcome you all; please chatter away as you feel led to, and know that the moment you show up here, you’re considered a valued member of this group!

@northerndawn, I’m so glad your DS and DDIL are not too horribly sick; interesting about DDIL being O-neg and not being as sick as your DS.

@penz, I have no idea what my motivation is…that’s what’s led to such a stall on me losing any weight since last summer. I think it’s clothes, but most of the clothes in my closet fit me. Except for the jeans/slacks, which are all a bit too tight for complete comfort. So for now, I’m going to focus on those pants feeling better once I’ve lost 5-7 pounds. And, funny story about losing your dog in the fog! So glad he came back to you! Thanks for hosting Motivational March!

Day 1 UK FD

Many thanks to @penz for guiding us through March. My weight loss goal for March is 2 kg, ambitious I know but I need something to aim for.

Good luck to everyone today!

Day 2 North Queensland Australia, TDEE

Hi Everyone, I’d like to join you all on the March challenge.

I’ve been on the 5:2 before, about 6 years ago and did really well, losing 16 kilos to reach my target weight. But, some of that weight has gradually crept up, then suddenly leapt up about 12 months ago. So I’ve been following a low carb diet for about 6 months now and slowly been losing some of the gains. However it’s been slower than when I was on the 5:2 and then I hit a plateau so I’d like to get back on the 5:2.

I’ve not been drinking much alcohol for 6 months but overdid it on the sparkling wine on Saturday and suffered dreadfully for it. I felt really sick and had a day of fully carb loading on Sunday as I was craving all the bad things I’d not had for 6 months and found I had put on 1.5 kilos in a weekend!!!

So, back on the 5:2 for me. I hope motivational March will be a kick start for me.
Look forward to hearing how you are all doing too 🙂

Day 2 – Lake District UK – NFD

Good morning everyone

Another beautiful chilly morning, not a cloud around and the sun burning off the mist, superb. Was just the same yesterday morning so we were out on a good long walk, my main form of exercise! Up through the village and then along to the local farm, they’ve had a busy time, the intake fields have ewes and lambs, all basking in the sun or the lambs playing in groups. At the farm, the inside pens were full of recently lambed ewes and their youngsters, only hours old and yet on their feet and suckling. Only keep them in for a short while especially in the dry weather.
Dropping down from the farm onto the lower fields, spent a few minutes watching buzzards displaying looking to pair up, stood out really well against the blue sky. From there down to the estuary, still a bit early for the returning Ospreys, but won’t be long now. The Herons are starting to gather on the estuary and they’ll be starting nesting in the local woods any time soon.
Love the fact that we can do our exercise, burn the calories and see so much, without having to start the car, all in walking distance of our front door.

Alongside the 5:2 WOL I use walking and counting calories (using the My Fitness Pal APP) the best and easiest way for me. Usually have Monday and Thursday my 2 FD’s, 4 days a week stay around the 15/1600 calories, but don’t worry too much as long as I stay below my Basic Metabolic Rate, which is 1721 calories, my weekly treat, Friday (or Saturday) my ‘day off’ and have pretty much whatever I want. Slow and sure, it’s worked for me.

Take care all.

Day 2 – Ireland – FD
Day 1 – NFD

Hi all!
Thank you @penz for hosting this month and thank you @basyjames for last month 👏
I am back on track ish after a few months away from the challenges… and it feels good to be back 👍

I have to look back to my goals for last year and and see how I’m doing but sitting in the low 160lbs now which feels good… I think I was at 180lbs when I joined the challenges back in 2017…
Still very active but creaking a bit now… think it’s down to auto immune conditions and menopause… but will keep on moving…
Good very long spin 🚴 and walks in my 5km zone this weekend and I’m tired today…
Hayfever has also hit so all in all I’m feeling sorry for myself 😂😂 it always starts around now but I usually have skiing 🎿 to look forward to and distract me 😂🥲
Anyhooooo….
Onward and downward ⬇️
We rise by lifting others 💕

Pocket list day 2
@daffodil2010
@jaifaim

Day 2 Lisbon, Portugal

My first 36 hours of fasting went quite well.
In my plan I had planned to do next fast day on Thursday, but as it is my wife’s birthday and I’m thinking to anticipate the next fast day to tomorrow. Is there a problem where the two fasting days are only one day apart?

Thanks
Nuno

Day 2 UK FD

Successful FD yesterday and aiming to do the same today. As usual at the start of the month I am full of optimism and determination to do well. I just have to find a way to keep that going for the whole month! Experience tells me that posting / reading on the forum every day is the best way to achieve my goal due to the great inspiration and support.
So onwards and downwards and good luck to all fasters today.

Day 2 – Rural Nebraska, USA – CD

Yesterday ended up excellent. I ended up going to the gym with DH, rather than trying to walk with Leslie, which seemed far too ambitious for my limited energy. All I did there was walk on the treadmill–or, should I say, I ambled, I strolled on the treadmill–but 1.7mph was a speed I could maintain so I called it good. Everyone there knew I’d had covid and no one laughed. At least not to my face! 🤣😂😁 Someday, I’ll be back to my usual 3.8+ mph, and until then, I was glad to have been there. We ended up going to Omaha for some long-overdue errands, so I actually ended up getting 8K steps yesterday, the most in a LONG time, and burned 1755 calories. For supper (our OMAD FD500) we had a poke bowl. I’m not certain what the calories were, because the restaurant only provided a range, not exact numbers, but I’m guessing the option I chose ended up between 600 and 700. So, more than planned, but still reasonable, and perhaps even close to 500? Now to pull off such activity and reasonable eating again today!

@penz, I’m so glad you asked @toady about her awful housemate; I meant to ask yesterday, and forgot. @toady I’m so happy for you that Awful Man is gone; YAY for small blessings, eh? And I’m so happy you’re back with us; I missed you!

@reddog Bummer on the excesses of the weekend…I believe that’s what @i-hate-lettuce calls being silly. 😂🤣😂🤣 Good luck with finding your balance within 5:2. I’m not always successful with losing weight with it, because I often eat too much on NFDs, but it has ensured I haven’t gained back the 15# I lost last spring, and I truly see it as something I’ll do the rest of my life. Hopefully you’ll feel the same joy in this WOL as many of us do.

@i-hate-lettuce What a lovely walk I got to enjoy along with you and MrsIHL; thanks for the description!

@jaifaim So glad you’re back with us; I’ve missed you!

@nuno No, it’s not a problem at all to have the FDs only a day apart. In fact, some people like to do them one right after the other. The only problem with that is that it can be a little more difficult to control the eating on NFDs since there are five of them in a row. But when it’s your wife’s birthday, then that’s what you have to do! 🥰

@songbirdme Those leftovers are sometimes the biggest enemies of successful FDs, aren’t they? I’ve gotten far better over the past few years (since our kids all flew the nest) about not making huge portions, and now I’m even getting good about making only enough for the one meal…but it’s been a challenge, and it certainly doesn’t always happen!

I’ve been stalling for weeks, but it’s time now to start the paperwork to do taxes. For you non-Americans, tax day is April 15, and I prefer to be done long before Easter. My guess is that it takes me about twenty hours to do my part of preparing for our accountant, and today I’d like to get three hours in. Wish me luck! I hope the rest of you have far more fun than doing tax paperwork, LOL!

Day 2 North Canton OH FD

Yesterday was a very busy day for me and the waterfast went surprisingly well, no headaches. I also slept like a rock!

After some deliberation, I broke my fast with half an avocado, a baked chicken thigh, an apple and a glass of kombucha. It was a filling meal and I feel great.
One of our bible study partners was feeling down and someone suggested we send her flowers at work, which we did. It is funny how doing something like that blesses both the givers and the receiver. The sun is shining today and it feels like anything is possible.

@mia139 posting and reading on this forum is what got me back on track

@stitchincarol so glad you were able to do so much yesterday, no worries you will be flying on the treadmill in no time

@i hate lettuce what a scenic walk, thank you for sharing

@nuno a lot of solid advice for you, keep in mind that the key to a successful fasting lifestyle is to find what works for you and follow it. Also stay flexible to maintain compliance, a regimen that worked for you in the past may not work at certain times in your life depending on what you have going on.

Pocket list
@daffodil2010
@jaifaim
@songbirdme
@ccco
@basyjames

ZBC
@northgeorgia

DTF
@ccco