Welcome to this Super October Challenge – Did you know that every year, October ends on the same day as February. So yes, in 2022, February ended on a Monday and so will October.
The monthly challenge was started by @coda in May 2016 and has been growing strong and successfully ever since. Our goals can be overwhelming when viewed as a whole. But by breaking them down into small achievable pieces (monthly challenges), you’ll be able to stay focused and motivated to accomplish your goal one step at a time in bite-sized monthly challenges. Here’s how it works:
1. In your first post, introduce yourself to the group – helps us to get to know each other, especially helpful for newbies. Perhaps say something about where you started, journey so far, what you’re aiming for or how you are benefiting from fasting. You might like to include your starting weight or your goals for the month. But you don’t have to – share only what you are comfortable sharing.
2. Posting – This is the ‘HOW TO POST’ bit.. Start each post with the day of the month, where you are, and if you’re on a fast day (FD), non-fast day (NFD) or controlled day (CD). We’re all over the world and in different time zones so it helps us keep track of which day we’re talking about, who else is fasting with us on a particular day etc. For example, I’ll start my post (on 1 October) with “Day 1 – UK – FD” …. that’s if I am on a FAST DAY (FD)
alternatively for someone else it might be “Day 1 – Monday – Ohio USA – NFD”… if they are on a Non-Fast Day (NFD)
3. Spreadsheet – It’s in alphabetical order by username. If you find it helpful, you can use it to record and track your progress as well as keeping track of how others are doing. It can help with perspective, accountability or planning. And if you need help just ask – there’s always someone happy to help. But you don’t have to use it if you don’t want to. It’s just another tool you can use if you choose. Here is the link:-
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tKPPboEuy13Uzl0TWNw0GSivNYzB31ZjQwT4bRAuhRc/edit?usp=sharing
4. Frequency – Some people post daily, others check in every few days. Some are brief, others are long and chatty. If you’re posting for a second time in the same day please head your post eg Day 1 second post.
5. Content of your post– Comments or questions, complaints or celebration – anything you’d like to share with the forum. Recipes, tips, tricks and bright ideas are always welcome. Remember: we all have good days and bad days, days we fall off the wagon or days when we are hanging on by our fingernails, days when our mojo deserts us and days where we feel completely in control. So DON’T GIVE UP – whatever it is, you are not alone!
6. Community – This is a worldwide forum so there’s usually someone online. We all do our best to offer advice, support and solidarity.
7. Pocket lists –A ‘pocket list’ is a list of the names of people who are sharing the same goal on a particular day. It’s great psychological support in mentally keeping that list in our back pocket, knowing we’re not alone. Anyone can join a pocket list or start a pocket list. Typical pocket lists are for FD but in the past they’ve been used for people doing daily exercise or planks, or DTF (dry till Friday).
8. 5:2 basics – answers to many FAQs plus top tips:
https://thefastdiet.co.uk/forums/topic/the-basics-for-newbies-your-questions-answered/
As this month’s host, I will try to read every post. Apologies, however, if I miss a question or fail to comment on a post. If I miss it, I know someone else will step in. That’s what’s great about our little community.
And by way of translation, we use a LOT of abbreviations. Here’s a guide to some of the more frequently used ones:
ABBREVIATION LIST – useful for those new to the challenges
Common abbreviations used throughout this challenge and added to on an ongoing basis:
16:8 – 16 hours fast 8 hours non fast
5:2 – 5 days NFD + 2 days FD (IF)
ADF – Alternate Day Fasting (FD – NFD – FD – etc. etc. etc.…….)
atl – All time low
B2B – Back to Back (consecutive FDs)
BMR – Basal metabolic Rate
CFD – Controlled Fast Day (a FD below your goal weight TDEE, whatever that is!!!)
DH, DD, DS, SIL, DIL – Darling Husband, Daughter, Son, SON-IN-LAW, DAUGHTER-IN-LAW
DTF – Dry ‘Til Fri (for those limiting the booze to weekend only ………….. & aiming for sainthood!!!!)
EE – Emotional Eating (reflex grazing out of a need for instant comfort instead of satisfying hunger)
EFS – Epic Face Stuffing (we’ve all had one of those days. Definitely due to a faulty OFF button!)
FD – Fast Day (500 cals)
FDW – Fast Day – Wasn’t!
HUNGER DRAGON – that dreadful psychological beast that sometimes cannot be satisfied. Some people even name theirs (e.g. @i-hate-lettuce has an INNER WARTHOG!)
IF – Intermittent Fasting
IRL – In real life
Keto – way of eating that generates Ketones
K.I.S.S. – Keep It Simple Stupid!!!………………or Sexy!!!
LOCA – Lady of a Certain Age
LC – Low Carb way of eating
LCHF – Low Carb High Fat way of eating
LFD – Liquid Fast Day (incl. tea, coffee, miso, bone broth & water)
LOL – Laughing Out Loud
M/WOAM – Man/Woman on a Mission (courtesy of @i-hate-lettuce)
MFD – Modified Fast Day (800 cals) on the new Fast800, it’s a FD
NFD – Non Fast Day
OH – Other Half (eg spouse/partner)
OMAD – One Meal A Day
PFDS – Post FD Smugness (courtesy of @penz)
TDEE – Total Daily Energy Expenditure (see the ‘how it works’ link on the home page to work out yours)
TRE – Time Restricted Eating
WFD – Water Fast Day (Water only)
WFH – Working From Home ……………….. Covid-19 enforced!!!
WHOOSH – after being on plateau for a while then suddenly WHOOSH the scales drop inexplicably
WOL – Way of Life
WOCA – Women Of a Certain Age
ZBC – Zero Breakfast Club
My personal motto since losing weight and reaching maintenance has been “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”
2:13 pm
30 Sep 22