This topic contains 2,339 replies, has 109 voices, and was last updated by back2thefuture 3 years, 9 months ago.
UK day 20 – Not normally this late signing in. NFD but a good one…one of my house guests turns out to be a dietician specialising in low carb unprocessed foods and gut health – so she took me shopping and helped me pick a whole load of good foods and she’s going to teach me who to cook while she is here. VERY happy!
Day 20 Minnesota, USA NFD
Hello all! I thought I’d complete yesterday’s fast day doing just liquids but instead I had an anchovy salad with a few veggies and 1 tsp of EVOO. Still under 300 cal. I woke up hungry around 3 am and couldn’t return to sleep for awhile, but eventually I did, and woke up without hunger. It’s an official weigh-in day for me and I’m very happy to say I have lost about a pound and a half this week. AND I saw a number on the scale that I haven’t seen in about 3 years! I’m so thrilled with the possibilities this Fast Diet holds for my future! So, I’ve lost about 6 lbs since May 1.
HappyMargo I think that’s a great idea to write down all the positive affirmations we’ve read on these forums, and especially Coda’s pearls of wisdom! I’m going to put them up on my mirror as well.
Cizzy, Melilotus, and everyone going through your closets: it’s the best feeling ever to fit into clothes comfortably, isn’t it? I have to admit that I haven’t found any clothes a size down that I can fit into yet. But my current size is very comfortable now, and fitting nicely, even somewhat loosely.
I must have been stuffing the 11-12 lbs Ive lost since April into my pants as if into a sausage casing. Boy, that must have looked nice! (NOT)! I was obviously into some serious self-denial!
My goals remain to learn all I can about this WOL, and to progress downwards in weight and upwards in health. And to be persistent and positive regardless of the number on the scale or the speed with which weight loss happens. Thanks Coda and everyone for your posts.
Good morning from South Australia Day 21
ABC1 I love English sweets as well especially licorice allsorts
Quebecoise The kayak trip sounds wonderful have a great time.
Cizzy I have a Mum with the same symptoms and like you I have the same motivation. I think with the 5:2 WOL we will be much healthier and avoid Diabetes 2 altogether.
Melilotus That is a great link and so true. I am going to up my fitness and my attitude.
I had a family double birthday celebration last night at a Chinese restaurant and came home quite overwhelmed with how much I had eaten. I am having an unplanned 16 hour fast just to give my body some time to sort it’s way through all the different courses and the champagne. It has been 12 hours now and I still feel so full.
I hope everyone has a great 5:2 day
Australia Day 21 NFD – what a day yesterday! I was up early baking for the. Competition and three out of five entries were shockers! Oh well. Had a celebration lunch with the local branch of the Country Women’s Association. I live in the city but love what CWA stands for and all their great efforts raising education scholarships for under-privileged kids. Will have a 30 minute walk today and then yoga. Good food choices today to see if I can break that weekend curse! Have a good weekend all!
Day 20 NFD here in Utah, USA. Busy day, but ate pretty well.
The next day after a FD is probably my hardest since I know I can finally eat! Granola for breakfast, had an egg sandwich, and chicken noodle casserole is for supper. I had to make something I knew the granddaughters would eat (I’m doing some babysitting while here – the girls are 11 and 8).
Didn’t have too much time to read other posts, so hopefully I will get time to do so tomorrow!
Australia – Day 21 – 21 days to go of challenge 🙂 Half way!!
Hello. An early start this morning taking my oldest to his first hockey game. He did really well, which was great. My middle son is playing tomorrow. At least it is after 10. It was 5*c this morning!
Today is a non fasting day. Yesterdays fast went well. I was really hungry last night, spent the night reading other peoples weight loss stories trying to get my mind off it. Normally I’m not hungry after a fasting day, but today I am hungry!!
Fasts – 10 Non fasts – 11
Australia, day 21, nonFD
Yesterday was a family funeral a few hours away, so a long day travelling there and back, with an emotional time in between. On nonFDs I don’t eat till after 12 noon, which started with an apple and some cherry tomatoes in the car. Before 5:2 I would never have thought of eating tiny tomatoes as a snack, but here we get little ones called grape tomatoes which are lovely eaten on their own, and portable in a little container, so 1 day opening the fridge to look for something to eat, cursing myself for being weak ( you know how that goes) I say the little box and thought Ok, they have few calories I’ll give them a try before I totally blow it, and it worked. I’ve been eating them as a snack or when faced with the munchies ever since. I’ve even taken them where I’ve known others would be eating and I’ve sat with my little tomaoes and some times a boiled agg as well.
There was no wake as our aunt had requested a simple funeral with no wake. It meant not being somewhere where there was a lot of food with a lot of calories. However, some of us went to a local club and had a little mini-wake, catching up with seldom seen family as you do. We had a few nuts, and I had 1 drink, then sparkling water. The trip there and back meant eating 2 meals out, but I was able to get a chicken salad with sauce on the side, and just had a tiny bit of the sauce, and a toasted ham cheese and tomato sandwich at a maccas. Going the other way. Bread’s not good for me as I react, but I can get away with it once every blue moon, and this was it. Rest day today.
Interesting reading about apples. I usually have a small piece of fruit after the main meal of the day, often an apple We get the little ones from Aldi that are destined for school lunch boxes. Often fruit these days seems to be quite large here, so we’ve taken to buying the packs of smaller fruit meant for schoolchildren. Rockmelon (cantaloupe) is a standby at our house, as are strawberries when they are in season. Both are low cal, and 2 of my favourites anyway. My OH(other half) is sort of on 5:2, but comes a goes a bit, and has lost about 7kgs( x by 2.2 = 15 1/2 lbs, a bit over a 1 stone). If we can only get bigger fruit we often have half each.
This is getting long. When I get over tired I can’t keep things concise LOL
Well done to everyone staying with the challenge – you’re well over hurdle no 1! Congratulations on your losses and to the newbies, well done on your learning journey with 5:2. As you go on you may even feel like you have found the holy grail, or the pot at the end of the rainbow!
Onwards and downwards
Merry
(named after Merry in LOTR)
Switzerland – Day 21 – NFD : half way there day!
Using today as my weighing-in day as tomorrow is a bit all-over-the-place:
May 1 – 89.5kg
May 8 – 88.9kg
May 15 – 88.8kg
May 21 – 88.7kg (0.8kg loss from start)
Pleased that my freak 91kg reading after I got back from camping seems to have evaporated as I really did think I was being ‘sensible’. But back with all the weighing and measuring and logging on MFP. This is what works for me. In the future I’d love to imagine that I could stick within my TDEE without having to count calories, but this will take a lot of training!
Merry – well done with those great food choices!
France Day 21 nfd
I am in a quandary. I weigh every day when I wake up. Since May 16th I have had the same weight every day, despite two fast days in that period. Each day I weigh 71.7. This makes no sense whatsoever and I am really concerned.
The scales have a new battery, but I think maybe although they perform consistently, they have to be inaccurate. The alternative is that I have an awful lot of dinner stuck inside of me!
On the fast days I eat nothing until the evening meal. I drink tea and water. The meal is one savoury course followed by an apple or sometimes also half a cup of blue berries if I can get them. Last night my meal was a dish made from onion,aubergine, chickpeas, and tomatoes. I had a normal portion with four half walnuts. This is not excessive.
I think I am going to have to buy more scales. I cannot stand this not knowing. I could fade away, not knowing if it is the scales that are wrong.
I have heard of the concept of a plateau, but I thought that alternating fast days with none fast days, in any order, was meant to break that cycle. It is also odd that I am exactly the same weight at each weigh in. Not even 0.1 of a kilogram difference daily.
I read an article last night that told me I had the BMI of 25.2 and that I did not need to slim any more. But I have muffin tops. A sort of persistent roll at the waist, and bulges around my bra at the back which I want to shed. I think that was the British NHS site I was reading. Although I have size twelve pants, my tops are still size fourteen and sixteen to conceal the bulges.
Honestly you would think that my recalcitrant scales were conspiring against me with the writers of that darned BMI chart.
Hi ABC1,
Get your husband to get on the scales or put a heavy object on them to check just in case they are “broken”. I suspect not but you never know. Reaching a plateau is common. Your metabolic rate has slowed to match your reduced intake. You need to shock your system to start the loss again. Try and do a complete water fast for one day. DO IT!! You almost go a complete day without eating so its just a few hours more. Try one water fast and one 500 cal fast for a few weeks. It will kick you off the plateau and start your weight loss again.
Minols– I would love a house guest like that! What a lovely gift to receive: knowledge of how to cook healthfully. Take notes! We’d love to hear any nuggets of wisdom.
My younger brother is an excellent cook & we pick up new food prep ideas every time we visit him. Especially with grilling & smoking foods. Past trip I got pointers on homemade broccoli-cheddar soup. Need to try it out at my house… think even my husband would eat it (he’s very picky re: vegetables, but even he might like this soup.) Maybe on Sunday I’ll give it a whirl.
UK day 21 just a quick check in cos in a café with the family. When things are quieter next
T week and I’ve had a few more lessons …and I have a decent keyboard under my fingers, I’ll try to write up some of what she teaches me. She has referef to ‘101 low crab recipes that taste really good’… or some search like that in line… sorry to be vague byt should probably just have stuck with checking in!
US, Day 21…..good morning from Newark Airport from where i will be flying to Ft Lauderdale FL to visit my one surviving aunt who is 96. NFD yesterday. Picked up salmon on the way home for family plus one son’s friend. Found younger son with two more friends…one a vegetarian. Canned chick peas and black bean pasta at the ready! Salmon on the grill in miso mirim ginger glaze and salad. A few bottles of wine. Good to go!!
Day 21, Wisconsin, USA.
NFD. I have given myself permission to loosen the reins one night a week. I have chosen Fridays. I am not going crazy. Just enjoying a bit of junk food (hot dog) along with my family, and one non sugary cocktail after a long week at work. So far, my body seems to forgive these indulgences. My cocktail included club soda, a shot of vodka, and a lot of frozen berries. I enjoyed this.
I plan to walk 15,000 steps today, and do 30 pull ups. I also am making final preparations for my son’s graduation party next Saturday. Planning for more than 200 people. I am in way over my head on this.
ABC1…please look for that thread Coda mentions. It helps you realize plateaus are to be expected. We cannot let it derail our great efforts. All our bodies are different. Fat reduction will happen over time, but not always at a logical pace…is my understanding. It can be so frustrating. I know first hand.
Thanks for your help with my plateau everyone.
I do not ever buy packet food, or pre-made food; I make it all myself. I certainly am not eating too much, but consider maybe if this is a plateau, it is because I have been eating too little.
This morning I have had half a yoghourt with a couple of dessert spoons of muesli for breakfast. I will eat a poached egg with spinach for lunch with one small slice of wholegrain toasted, and then eat another portion of the spicy aubergine & chickpea dish with four walnut halves for supper. I will also eat an apple, there were no blue berries in the market!
The web site I mentioned that states I am already at my ideal weight is http://www.smartbmicalculator.com Check if you agree with their smart bmi chart for your own statistics? It also said, rather discouragingly, that at my age my weight does not matter as much as when I was younger. I am 66. I still inhabit this body!
When I had an artificial sphincter implanted to control my bowel, the doc had laughed at me when I had asked if it would make my tummy look big. He was washing his hands with his back to me, and joked to his students, “What does it matter, at her age?”
Overall I have lost 14 lbs since April 12th, but usually the weight loss has been one or two points daily.
US SE DAY 21 – NFD
Smaller loss this week (1.6 lbs) but it is still down so I’m happy. As time goes on the loss gets smaller each week but I agree with others, I really need to stop focusing so much on the number but establishing this as a way of life where ultimately I will get to my goal.
NorthernDawn – you made me laugh. I think we all suffer with the magic mirror syndrome sometimes 🙂
ABC1…I am enraged on your behalf regarding the remarks of that dope of a surgeon. He is a fool, making those kind of thoughtless remarks to his patient. It is unkind, and also shows him.lacking as a professional. I am sorry.
I hope I live to 100; I hope on my last day I am still trying to make the most of what I have been given.
Day 21, NFD in Utah, USA.
With daughters and granddaughters, supposed to walk in a 5K fundraiser today. It’s raining pretty steady, so it might be a sloppy kind of walk! I don’t have a clue how many steps that is, and I have never walked a 5K before, so this will be interesting! Having an English muffin for breakfast so to have some carbs. Who knows how hungry I will be for lunch!
California, day #21. FD.
I lost 3 Kg/7 lbs since May 1 and I’m very happy with this result.
To celebrate I’m going for a hike in Silverado Canyon.
This is funny, about working out:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K60xHx836T0
Pacific NW USA: Day 21 NFD
Measure and weigh day: down 4.6 lbs! Waist down 1 inch, hips no change from beginning. I’m hoping this is not still mostly water weight going down. Clothes still feel the same, haven’t chucked any, yet. I will see this as my “cup half full”. Waiting for NorthernDawn’s feeling of pants getting comfortable – hope it’s right around the corner.
FD went well yesterday but woke after only 5 hours of sleep feeling empty and low energy. (BTW – I feel totally embarrassed to admit my insensitivity when I have complained about occasional days when I can’t peel myself off the couch when there are those who are steadfastly dealing with true CFS. Sorry and my admiration goes to you because I only have a small glimpse of what you deal with.)
ABC1 – I hate doctors who start out “at your age…”. There are no rules for anyone’s age (I watched that link shared recently about that amazing 90 year old man). Sure, there are actuarial tables but those are only good for insurance company gamblers not for person-to-person interactions which you should be getting from a health professional. I saved this post about plateaus in my reading list. Sounds to me like you’re doing everything right but maybe this will be a confirmation https://thefastdiet.co.uk/forums/topic/on-plateaus/
K-Lo – still laughing about your Scarlett re-phrase
I look forward to what our next 3 weeks give (and take) from us!
Day 21– Colorado, USA
Just weighed in, back down to my pre-vacation weight! WooHoo!
Glad to have those extra lbs. back off. Now onwards & downwards again!
Put on a pair of my skinny jeans to run errands today. My sweet husband says I’m looking great & should feel proud of my progress. Awww! (He’s doing well too, lost nearly 2 stone!)
Day 21 California, USA. This is to be a NFD but I may change to a FD. I ate to much food yesterday and still feeling uncomfortable. I took my mom out to a nice lunch and ate well. Then my husband wanted to go out for dinner and I should have stopped with the soup but didn’t. I don’t know if it was the wine, great jazz music or just wanting to clean my plate, but I managed to shove more food down than necessary. I wasn’t hungry. I couldn’t take home the extra food since we were going to a show afterwards, and I didn’t want to waste it. I need to get over that mindset.
Wishing everyone a great Day 21!!
UK day 21 and have been putting off posting today, especially after reading through the posts since I last looked. Yesterday was supposedly a FD and all went well until the evening, when I really crashed off the fasting horse. It was like an out of body experience, I was practically hoovering food up with my mouth. I could see it happening but I couldn’t stop it and worse (is it worse?) I didn’t want to. It wasn’t pretty. So, confession over. I weighed myself this morning and I’m 400g down for the week which is great. I guess I’m just worried that for some reason I am sabotaging myself. I tried on a pair of trousers as well today which were too tight and now fit well, which was a boost. Also went to the National Gallery to see the Delacroix exhibition with some dear friends, which was nourishing in a different way. Still can’t help feeling a bit demoralised. Oh well, this too shall pass. Thank you everyone for your determination and humour. ABC1 that doctor needs a smack. Preferably from an older woman.
UK day 21 and have been putting off posting today, especially after reading through the posts since I last looked. Yesterday was supposedly a FD and all went well until the evening, when I really crashed off the fasting horse. It was like an out of body experience, I was practically hoovering food up with my mouth. I could see it happening but I couldn’t stop it and worse (is it worse?) I didn’t want to. It wasn’t pretty. So, confession over. I weighed myself this morning and I’m 400g down for the week which is great. I guess I’m just worried that for some reason I am sabotaging myself. I tried on a pair of trousers as well today which were too tight and now fit well, which was a boost. Also went to the National Gallery to see the Delacroix exhibition with some dear friends, which was nourishing in a different way. Still can’t help feeling a bit demoralised. Oh well, this too shall pass. Thank you everyone for your determination and humour. ABC1 that doctor needs a smack. Preferably from an older woman.
Cizzy2– I feel your pain on over-eating in restaurants. The servings are so large (and tasty!) that it’s tough to stop at satisfied. I feel so guilty wasting that (expensive) food. Especially if there’s wine involved!
My best approach to restaurant meals is sticking to the appetizer/ starter choices. When eating out with girlfriends, we like to order just starters & share around the table.
When out with my husband, we’ll try to share one appetizer/ starter. Then only order one dinner to split… Only works if we’re in the mood for the same flavors though. 😉
Day 21 Cornwall UK. NF day. I think I’ve stayed under TDEE, not counting calories on nf days, it just wont be possible long term and I plan this to be for life! I’m 68 and been a serial dieter for the majority of my life! Next Fastday will be Monday. Tomorrow should be ok to stick to TDEE.
Hope everyone has had a good weekend and good luck for the week ahead.
ABC That Dr was totally out of order, of course it matters how our bodies look whatever age we are!
Good morning from South Australia Day 22
So many great posts to read.
ABC I think your scales are dodgy. To test this stand on them as you usually do. Now stand on them again holding something heavy ie a bowl of fruit or a bucket of water and they should go up. Now stand on them a third time as you did the first time. Is your weight still the same or are they now showing your new weight? Give it a try before spending money on new scales. Also try to change the battery if you can work it out, it took me ages but I finally did it. A smack for the doctor from me as well.
K-Lo what is a 3 season house I have never heard the term before?
I have decided to join friends on a camping trip to the ancient Flinders Ranges inspired by the interesting activities of you all in your different countries.I can do with an adventure as well.
I think I will need a good FD before my Wednesday weigh in this week. I feel I have eaten too much. Today is a NFD but I am going to try and eat healthy.
All the best and onwards and downwards
Pacific NW USA: end of day 21 NFD
Eating LC/HF when hungry today. Walked with hubby up till 5600 steps when rain, thunder and lightening drove us home. Still a fun walk because spring grass, leaves and flowers are such intense colors when all wet.
Did a little more reading on subject of weight loss plateaus. Dr. Westman has a medical perspective which was interesting http://www.dietdoctor.com/how-to-break-weight-loss-plateau.
ABC1 – if after testing your scales you find it wasn’t a technology problem this may give some more insight, in fact I think I heard about the dietdoctor.com web site from you so you may have already listened to this web cast.
There’s another very interesting section on that same web site comparing the carb load of various veggies, fruits, grains, nuts and alcohol drinks. Hubby and I found new info about the foods we eat and thought were low or high carb and they aren’t (it’s all relative of course). http://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/vegetables
Happy trails, everyone!
You must be logged in to reply.
8:02 pm
20 May 16