24, UK, looking to lose 1 or 2 stone – Anyone out there want a fasting buddy?

This topic contains 44 replies, has 10 voices, and was last updated by SmileyBecks 9 years, 6 months ago.

Viewing 45 posts - 1 through 45 (of 45 total)

RootForYou

3:16 pm
13 May 15
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Hi! I’m pretty new to this – started a week ago and I’m liking it so far, 3lbs down. I thought it might be useful to get some support from a forum. I find myself on here on fast days! I have a summer incentive – a family wedding (late July)that I’d love to lose a stone for. Ideally I’d lose a stone beyond that, but I’ve never been that slim so I don’t know how it’ll be!

I’m fasting for two days a week and find it easier to eat my 500 calories at breakfast and lunch and then nothing until breakfast the next day. It’s unusual I know but works for me – I can’t stand being too hungry at work. I’m a copywriter so need my imagination to function! I get through by drinking a river of water and herbal tea and doing yoga and sometimes shopping in the evening (weird but it satisfies my appetite for consumption somehow!) and having a hot bath. How do you take your mind off the hunger?

I HATE discussing my weight with friends and family or my boyfriend as I always get upset – perhaps due to having a very slim twin sister! I’m just slightly outside the normal BMI as I’m tall but would still love to be slimmer. So I would appreciate some fasting buddies I can be open with!

Weedeebs81

5:07 pm
13 May 15
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Hi I’m just new to this too, in fact only joined this site today. I am planning my first fast day on Friday. I go on holiday in 7 weeks and although I do 3 different exercise classes a week and limit myself to 1200 calories each day I’m just not seeing the results I want to see quickly enough so thought I’d give the 5:2 diet a try. I’m not over weight but have put on a stone in the past 8 months which I want to lose again plus a few extra pounds if I can. I just hate the extra weight I’m carrying and need to get in control now before I put on any more. I’m quite strong willed so I’m really hoping I can do this although I can imagine the fast days being extremely difficult. You seem really determined like me to shift the extra weight so hopefully we can help and support each other through this. Wishing you the very best of luck x

Aliza

5:15 pm
13 May 15
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I am really determined also, I want to see myself different, actually, thinner…
But, please don’t starve yourselves, from my experience, you would eat much more after it will all finish and, probably gain as twice as you lost,
Take care.

Weedeebs81

5:26 pm
13 May 15
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Thanks Aliza, I think the fact that you can eat well 5 days and just fast 2 days is what appeals to me. According to the calculations I should be eating 2068 calories a day for the 5 days (which is obviously a lot more than the current 1200 I’m eating just now). I only plan on doing this diet for the next 7 weeks until my holiday (to try and lose some weight quickly) and then I’ll just go back to eating sensibly again after my holiday as well as keeping up my 3 exercise classes each week and then hopefully I’ll maintain a good healthy weight without any crazy diets. Are you doing Herbal life? I have many friends all involved in the herbal life craze and it definitely seems to work for them but I just want to find a less expensive life change as I just cannot justify the price they pay for shakes and vitamins etc it’s just so expensive x

milena

5:54 pm
13 May 15
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Hi.

Rootforyou, sounds like you are already working out how to make this WOL, way of life, work for you. If breakfast works, do it that way. 5:2 is a good framework but we are all individuals, it has to work to suit us individually. Great timeframe as well, this isn’t instant or fast, but it works. A pound a week is average, but when you have a target to aim for, you can do well.

I was reading just a couple of days ago about research on twins, what causes the differences in weights, might be worth googling.

Lots of support and advice on this forum.

Aliza, aren’t you a cup half empty gal???

It is perfectly feasible to eat just 500 calories a day, in fact many on here have much less on fast days, they calculate TDEE, see how to get started, and eat a quarter on fast days. Some people, myself included, eat nothing on either one or both fast days. And the whole point of 5:2 is to to maintain loss, not put it back on, to stay doing 5:2 or 6:1 as maintenance.

As for whether or not it’s good for health, people have fasted for centuries, for the health benefits. Try it before dissing it, you post sounded frankly like spam!! What is herbalife, please only answer that if it costs nowt!

Weedeebs, I think you have found the right place, you don’t HAVE to eat to your allowance, their is a lot of advice about what to eat though, ie wholemeal rather than white bread and pasta, low GI, low carbs. Some great advice. A few of us are doing a bootcamp version of 5:2, the fast beach diet, but it might be best to get the fasting days into your stride, but cut down or cut out sugar, treats (cakes, biscuits, chocolate) and alcohol until your holiday and you might see a difference. Instead of costing money, you could save money, or at least eat better quality food, you will learn to eat less cos you need less food.

Good luck ladies. This isn’t easy but it’s simple, cheap and doesn’t use gimmicks. Choose your foods well, eat well, have patience and be kind to yourselves

Applepie

6:16 pm
13 May 15
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Spam reported

milena

7:04 pm
13 May 15
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Hi Applepie

You reporting me??? Lol, we are of an accord, as they say on Pirates of the Caribbean, done the same thing myself!

RootForYou

9:42 pm
13 May 15
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Thanks for replying everyone! A nice surprise to come back to!

Aliza – Hello – I’m doing this on a shoestring so no supplements/extras for me either so I won’t be trying out Herbalife. That’s another good thing about the fast diet, they don’t try and get you to buy into it too much, as Milena says! I find it manageable to keep to around 500 calories on fast days, but I think that it may be harder if I had kids to cook for. I’m also able to keep the evenings of fast days free so I can just feel a bit weak and tetchy on my own!

Weedeebs – Sounds like you have a great exercise routine! I find I’m put off exercising with others quite easily. I’ll enjoy the gym or running around the park for a few months and then just stop! I’m really enjoying getting stronger with yoga at the moment though. I also think it’s great to have a goal. 1200 sounds quite low for every day to me, but if you’re feeling ok on it then go for it! The human body can deal with more than we realise!

Milena- Hi! Thanks for your support 🙂 When do you do your fasts/ eat your 500? Have you found the fast diet useful? My mum swears bu it. I’m aiming for 1 or 2 pounds a week, but I have a relatively active social life and don’t want to make too much of a change to it because if I do, I know I’ll quit! I’m being more mindful about my choices, but not denying myself a glass of wine here and there! As for the twin stuff, I think the main reason is that she has always been very confident and that led to her becoming a dancer and exercising a lot. I think we actually have the same appetite in some ways, but she is more inclined to burn it off whereas I tend to be much lazier!

By the way, I think the reported spam was maybe because of the herbalife links???

Anyway – nice to meet you all, I have another fast and yoga day coming up tomorrow, when are yours? Wish me luck! x

milena

10:35 pm
13 May 15
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Hi Rootforyou

I reported it as well as Applepie, but saw the second post and thought it warranted a reply. And Applepie knows her stuff! Look for her posts on the threads, wise words from that lady, and some great wine recommendations!

Yes, I have found it useful, was hoping to lose about 4 stone, over two stone away since January, now looking to lose 5 or 6 stone. But as a short old couch potato, 5:2 works best for me under TDEE , which is well under 2000. One pound a week is average, anything else is a bonus, prepared for ups and downs, stops and starts and it works well, patience is certainly a virtue.

RootForYou

8:23 am
14 May 15
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Ah I see – misunderstood the message sorry 🙂 I’ll look out for Applepie!

I’m with you on the patience thing. I really need to stop weighing everyday as it can be very disheartening if anything goes back on, and of course it will, with fluctuations in water and hormonal changes! Fast day today so had substantial 250 calorie breakfast, will have same for lunch and plenty of lemon water in afterwards!

Hope everyone has a good day 🙂

Yoyogirl86

8:50 am
14 May 15
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I’m ellana and I would love to fast with you if u want we can kik

RootForYou

8:56 am
14 May 15
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Hi Ellana – welcome 🙂 what are your goals? I don’t have kik I’m afraid!

milena

9:11 am
14 May 15
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hi Ellana, is kik an acronym?

Root, I weigh nearly every day, I just ignore gains, needs a bit of discipline not to be offput by gains, but I diary my goals, and tick them off as I reach them. They aren’t ticked back on, if you know what I mean. Like an athlete running a fastest time, they dont go quicker every race, but every time a second is lost, its a little victory. Though I dont often compare myself to an athlete.

RootForYou

9:30 am
14 May 15
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I googled kik – it’s a messaging app a bit like whatsapp.

The athlete analogy is great! I have a weight app that I update everyday, it tells you what your weekly loss is on-track to be and whether your calorie intake is up or down etc. In some ways I think it gives me too much info, but at least I can see my progress easily.

Kittypipps

9:49 am
14 May 15
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Hello everyone. I’m new to this and iv decided my 2 fast days are Monday and Thursday. I’d like to have some people to talk to when it gets hard to do and also some meal tips and ideas

milena

10:14 am
14 May 15
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Hi kittypipps, many people do these dsys, including me, best of luck.

Must be lack of food, Root, I had it on my old phone!!! Duh!!!

RootForYou

10:54 am
14 May 15
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Hi Kittypips 🙂 Those are my days too, although sometimes I do Monday instead of Tuesday. As for meal tips… I tryyy and eat just protein and vegetables on fast days but I have ended up with a piece of toast some days if I have no time! Anyone else have any good fast day meals?

Milena – I thought for a bit it meant ‘let’s kick’ like ‘kick back’ and chill out ha 🙂 I do find I’m a bit slow on fast days! But perhaps we all need to slow down now and then – maybe it stops me making rash decisions!

Kittypipps

10:58 am
14 May 15
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But you all find you can function quite well in fast days? I’m worried I’ll pass out or something

RootForYou

11:10 am
14 May 15
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Yeah I thought that too but I felt fine really! I wouldn’t want to do anything too physically or mentally exhausting, but for a normal day it’s completely fine. I feel great the next day and it really makes me realise what it’s like to feel properly hungry. I do get really thirsty and a bit cold so it’s a good day for looking after yourself and having a rest, even if you do have to work!

milena

11:15 am
14 May 15
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lol!

You will be fine. Lots of folk exercise on fast days, some eat nothing at call, just water or other liquids. You may find your energy levels go through the roof. Though you msy get cold and have headaches, if so, try something salty like bovril. Its possibke to go without food completely for dsys or even weeks. Not a recommendation, but an example of fasting. 400-500 calories will, believe it or not, does become easy. Read the articles ln the dite, great info.

NatashaRebecca

11:42 am
14 May 15
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Hi Everyone! I’m new to this too, this is my first week. I’d love a buddy, although I’m not from the UK and I am basically your neighbor across the water! I’m looking to lose 4 stone in total, and I’d like it gone by Next February, when I’ve a holiday booked and I don’t want to look frumpy in a bikini (and I’d actually like to have the confidence to buy and wear one!).

Im feeling very optimistic that this diet will work and I do think I’d like it to be a lifestyle. At the moment I am doing 2 fast days a week, but after doing the first one and finding it wasn’t as hard as I thought, I’m hoping to add a third fast in a months time, once I’m used to fasting twice a week.

Kittypipps

11:50 am
14 May 15
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So on a typical fast day, what do u all eat for breakfast and lunch? I can cope without a dinner but not breakfast or lunch

RootForYou

12:08 pm
14 May 15
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Hello NatashaRebecca! Your goal sounds very manageable, good luck! I think I might up my fast days to three after a few weeks too, it just depends if I can fit it in! How are you finding your fast days?

Kittypipps – I’ve been eating apple, yoghurt, grapes and oats for breakfast as normal and a variety of things for lunch… mainly salad I suppose, with protein, like a boiled egg or chick peas or similar. Supermarket snack sushi is good too in a rush!

NatashaRebecca

12:56 pm
14 May 15
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@kittypipps On my fast days for breakfast I had a muller corner Pud yoghurt in chocolate (not the best choice I admit but it was my first fast day!), for lunch i had salad leaves, a boiled egg and 15ml dressing. Dinner was dry roasted veg. I didn’t feel hungry at all really, and I drank a lot of water!

@rootforyou My first one was fine! I’m planning them for workdays so I’ve no temptations around me because I can only eat what I bring to work, which I prepare the night before. How are you finding yours?

priy_kalhan

4:53 pm
14 May 15
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Hello – I’m 3 weeks into the 5:2 – going okayyy so far! Need to lose a stone before my holiday in 7 weeks – aiming for 18 by end of July so hopefully all will fall in place! – feel like this is the perfect forum for me as I can see a few of us have the same targets!

I am also a Monday/Thursday faster! So fasting today! Picked up some gorgeous broccoli salad from Costco which I have had for lunch and plan on having it for dinner with chicken!

Hope your day is going well! x

RootForYou

10:20 pm
14 May 15
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Hi priy_kalhan 🙂 Yeah it seems like a lots of have similar goals and time frames! I think salad is the best way to go for fasting days. Means you can bulk up on veg so you feel you’ve really eaten something. Since starting this I’m just amazed at how many calories some things have. I’ve calorie counted a bit before, but always forget how much difference a ‘healthy’ cereal bar can make! I’m trying not to get too calories obsessed though 🙂

I fasted today too, and I’m feeling pretty good. Did some yoga when I got home from work which I enjoyed but a few of the more intense moves left me a bit light headed! I also actually cooked a batch of curry for the freezer which sounds crazy but it was actually a nice, simple task to keep me busy and keep my mind off food somehow. And it’ll mean I have a few healthy meals to fall back on over the week.

I’ll be interested to see if I’ve lost any weight tomorrow. I hope I’m not too disheartened if I don’t. I know sometimes it won’t show up straight away, but it’s a boost when it does!

Anyway, I’ll stop rambling. Night everyone! Hope you all had good fast days 🙂

Kittypipps

10:01 pm
15 May 15
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Hi everyone,

Sorry to be boring but does anyone have a good app for the fast days?

RootForYou

2:07 pm
18 May 15
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Do you mean calorie counter apps or motivation apps? I haven’t heard of anything in particular. There is a fast diet app though isn’t there?

priy_kalhan

2:23 pm
18 May 15
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Hi @kittypipps – myfitnesspal is a fantastic app to use for calorie counting…

Kittypipps

8:15 pm
18 May 15
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Yes iv got the my fitness pal for the calorie counting. I’m struggling with this last few hours. Im thinking 95% I’m not leaving this house and 5% I really fancy a hobnob 🙁

priy_kalhan

9:44 am
19 May 15
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@kittypipps – I was also struggling too but so glad it is over! Back to normalised eating today and a HIIT work out this evening!

Kittypipps

10:00 am
19 May 15
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Yesterday was my first ever fasting day and it was harder than I thought but today I feel amazing!! I actually feel healthy. I do need to begin some sort of training regime it’s just difficult when my toddler doesn’t go to bed till 8pm and he’s teething 🙁

priy_kalhan

10:06 am
19 May 15
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@kittypipps – I found my first 4 fasts so difficult particularly when I was at work as my colleagues were always bringing in ‘bad foods’. By the third week – it got easier! – I swear by Peppermint tea on fast days! Fills me up and gets rid of all those unwanted cravings!

RootForYou

10:18 am
19 May 15
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Well done for seeing it through Kittypipps! It does feel great the next day 🙂 Is myfitnesspal free by the way? Also, I’m very impressed you’re doing all this with a teething toddler!

I’ve had an indulgent weekend I’m afraid, including pizza and pasta! But I’m not going to get down about it, or regret it, because I had a lovely time with friends. In other diets this is around the time I might give up a bit, after a ‘set back’. But with this one, besides going beyond the recommended calories (and alcohol possibly!) I haven’t actually ‘failed’ or anything. So today I’m just carrying on with my fasting today as normal.

Now to find that peppermint tea…

priy_kalhan

10:54 am
19 May 15
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@rootforyou MyFitnessPal is free! I too had a weekend like yours. Consuming almost a whole bottle of red before my night out on Friday followed by a greasy chinese at 4am!

Hope your fast day goes well!

Kittypipps

10:57 am
19 May 15
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Roots yes my fitness pal app is a freebee I mainly survived on green tea yesterday and constant telling myself I’m adding 10years on my life ha! Oh wow so your fasting is today? Well keep it up!

RootForYou

4:02 pm
19 May 15
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Yeah I always do Thursday and then I do Mondays or Tuesdays depending on the week. Fasting hasn’t gone too well today – definitely went over my 500 calories, closer to 800 perhaps? But not giving up yet! Maybe I’ll do another day this week to make up for it… and some tough yoga this evening! I doubt I’ll have much of a loss this week unless I really get stuck in later in the week. I blame Tesco – they didn’t have my usual 80 calorie salad so I HAD to buy a 250cal one 😉

RootForYou

4:03 pm
19 May 15
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Maybe I’ll try eating my 500 calories in the evening soon… I live in fear of my stomach rumbling during work meetings though!

Kittypipps

4:34 pm
19 May 15
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Damn tescos!

Or just eat a donut in the morning sometime and nothing else all day?

priy_kalhan

4:49 pm
20 May 15
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Evening,

Just a quick question – when drinking herbal teas do you count the cals? I know Twinings Peppermint tea is 2 calories per bag as per my fitness pal but I am never sure whether to include those in my daily allowance or not?

RootForYou

1:54 pm
21 May 15
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I’m pretty slack on calorie counting. I don’t even count the milk in my 2/3 teas of the day, so I’m not the best person to ask! But I wouldn’t bother personally 🙂 2 cal is nothing!

Fast day today! I’ve had (more for my records than for your interest) apple and blueberries with low-fat yoghurt for breakfast, lettuce, rocket, avocado, cherry tomatoes and cucumber with a little olive oil and balsamic for lunch. Avocado is such a good fasting day food. Really fills you up.

Definitely in need of a fasting day today after an indulgent day yesterday – I found out I didn’t get onto a course I wanted so there was some comfort eating. I so wish I was someone who could deal with disappointment with some yoga or a run, not cheese and chocolate!

RootForYou

1:57 pm
21 May 15
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Kittypips – Damn Tescos indeed! I think they may have actually stopped stocking them. After their profit slide I heard they were going to ‘streamline’ their stock, boo! I should just make my own bloody salads every day but going to Tescos is a chance to get out of the office and breathe!

Hmmmmm morning donuts…

SmileyBecks

6:24 am
23 May 15
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Hi everyone!

Really enjoyed reading this thread today. I too want to lose about a stone before summer. Not got a holiday booked but have a pair of shorts I used to fit in hanging on my wardrobe as inspiration. I’ve done SW for the last 4 years, I originally lost 1 stone for my wedding then put a 1 stone and half back on (married life eh?!)

I did the 5:2 diet about 2 years ago but struggled because of my migraines. I read loads of tips on the site and they seem to have worked. I did my first fast day yesterday and felt great, apart from waking up early this morning absolutely starving!! My regular days are going to be Monday’s and Wednesday’s as I find it easier when I’m at work (keeping busy helps me forget I’m hungry)

Good luck everyone and hope you reach your goals!

RootForYou

8:10 am
27 May 15
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Hi SmileyBecks! Welcome 🙂 Good luck with your goals! Always the summer weddings eh!

So was fasting triggering migraines for you? I suffer from them sometimes but haven’t had one connected to it yet. I sometimes get the odd headache but I know that’s nothing compared to the hideous agony and nausea of a migraine. I’m glad you’ve found a way through! Any tips in case the worst happens?

I’ve been terrible at fasting the past week. It was going well until Thursday. I’d had my 500 cal and then got home to find my boyfriend as cooked. Only mackerel and brown rice so not exactly bad but it kind of triggered a rebellion against the system and I at badly over the weekend. My ability to fast seems very linked to where I am in my cycle. The closer I get to my period, the less patience I have for being hungry or denying myself what I want. I’ll try and pick it up again tomorrow. Can’t bring myself to weigh in yet, I’m so sure I’ve put everything back on.

Has anyone else been as bad as me recently? I’m really going to try and get back to it!

SmileyBecks

3:38 pm
27 May 15
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Hi RootForYou!

Thanks for the welcome 🙂

My usual migraine triggers are stress, too much sleep or not enough sleep and lack of caffeine. I used to get really severe ones but they’ve improved a lot. The last time I tried fasting I had a very stressful job, this is the first time I’ve tried fasting since I switched to a different job (much less stress) and it’s made a massive difference.

The other difference this time is that I’ve drunk loads of water, I have a beaker with a straw that put slices of lemon and lime in and keep refilling throughout the day. I’ve managed 3 litres today. I’ve also counted calories in my milk and had a couple of teas/coffees to keep my caffeine fix lol!! I read on another forum that drinking boullion/oxo to keep salts up is good too but not tried this.

Boyfriend’s eh?! Think they are being helpful lol! Mackerel and brown rice won’t have been the worst thing you could have had, it’s a healthy choice 🙂 I warn my hubby in advance that I’m fasting but it’s so hard not to be swayed!! I’m sure you won’t have done too much damage!

I got weighed last night and lost 2.5lb so last week was worth the effort. It’s spurred me on today even though the guys at work have been munching all day!!

Have a great week everyone!