Hi all,

Joined in with you a while back but since then, my 15 year old was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes (I also have a 9 year old daughter with it). It’s been a tough week. At least I’m not resorting to stress eating which would be my usual course!

So many people chatting here! It’s great!

Crush and Cali, where in So Cal are you? I’m in North San Diego County. Btw, in addition to stevia, liquid or powder, I’ve used yacon syrup, which some say also helps you lose weight (see Dr. Oz). It’s made from a South American tuber, like a sweet potato? Anyhow, it has a molasses type taste. I’ve even mixed it with a little real maple extract to make a low glycemic pancake syrup. I make some super yummy almond meal and pumpkin cookies with it too. Only problem is it’s pretty expensive. I’ve gotten it on Amazon and at Whole Foods.

An ugly day of all day May Grey here. Ugh! Drizzle expected tomorrow, Have a good day all.

thank you mulville,
thank you riw66
thank you workinprogress
thank you sherry,I am in Los angeles
thank you all for suggestions
now i am scared of coffee creamer,do you guys put cream in coffee,now i am feeling guilty using it after i heard about the trigylceride effect of the partially hydrogenated oil

K-Lo …hahah I was going to tell you that I saw you had posted it on the 42 day challenge so I went to the link and pinned it from there. 🙂 THANK YOU !

Crush – I understand about the creamer, I use half and half and I know many use real whipping cream (not sure if the triglyceride effect happens with them …but sadly, I’m NOT willing to give up half and half …at least not yet …. ….I don’t use that much and only have it once a day 🙂

I was on half and half and worked myself down to 1%. Coconut oil is yummy in coffee too.
Sherryann having 2 kiddos with diabetes sounds unusual

I forgot to tell everyone I was from upstate New York. About 60 miles from Montreal and really close to Vermont.

bettyboopsy hi-We used to spend vacations with my in-laws in upstate NY, in the beautiful farm land outsideTroy. It’s nice to be reminded of it. We went to Vermont often.
Hi jbsheehy-sorry to hear your posts haven’t been replied to. It sounds like you are doing well losing 18 lbs. I think 3x a week would be difficult, but am thinking of giving it a try.(soon)
I need to get busy preparing a (non-fast) meal for visiting relatives arriving tomorrow.
Onward, everyone!!

Clawus- I lived in Memphis as a kid and I used to love Memphis in May!! Rendezvous was my parents favorite BBQ place- I can understand your desire to stay far away for fear of indulging too much in great bbq.

I have hit a plateau and for the last 3 weeks I’ve gone up a lb and have been unable to pull back down again. I upped my exercise this week and did a 36 hour water only fast and I am at long last deciding to try the HFLC approach as I am feeling like carbs and sugar are preventing my weight loss. I will let you know how it goes.

Bathing suit weather is fast approaching here in Santa Cruz and I am nowhere near ready to prance around in one. I am hoping to shed a few more before the end of the month.

Glad to see so many new people posting! Welcome to all the new ones and I am enjoying reading your posts!

Hello all,
Was nervous to get on the scales this morning. Clothes were feeling looser but the social engagements (two happy hours and a Mother’s Day dinner out with family, over the last 2 weeks ) were adding up! But, despite all that, and some dark chocolate here and there!, I’ve lost a few pounds and am within a pound or so of my target weight of 120!

I am on 5:2 but did add in a third fast day yesterday to compensate for the eating out-I guess that helped! Was surprised how easy it was to fast on a weekend day –so many errands to run, laundry to do, and the oatmeal w/berries stayed with me all day and into the evening. Good to know that I can easily add in a third day on a Saturday when/if I indulge way too much and it will be no problem.

I am soooo loving this eating plan right now!

Hi Bronx
Those nasty little flies will be showing up in a couple of weeks. Luckily I live in a tiny city called Plattsburgh. Not far from Lake Placid in the Adirondack mountains. In the city the flies are not bad.
Good luck to you and everyone on this site. I love all the support.

Hi K-Lo,
I love Lake Luzerne area, Lake George area. I used to ski whiteface mountain, before I blew my knee out.
It’s a nice place. Happy to hear that you still enjoy it.

Hello and Welcome loverochelle,
You might find your first fast day alittle hard, but try to have protein if you can. It will help you throughout the day. Drink plenty of water and anything without calories. Good luck to you! You can do this!

Start tomorrow

loverochelle – I’m originally from Southwest Ohio, just north of Cincinnati. Living New Zealand the past 8 years.
Good luck with your first fast day – it won’t be easy, but promise yourself to stick with it for 2-3 weeks. You will be surprised how fasting becomes easier and “second nature”. Don’t be upset if you wind up cheating a little, or go over your calories the first few times. I does take a little time to get used to it. My partner and I were doing 5:2. I tried 4:3 but just couldn’t do it. We fell off the wagon a few months ago, but got back on about 3 weeks ago, only doing every other day fasting this time, which somehow seems easier to do!

Another big tip – plan your fasting day food, have it measured out and ready to go for your fasting day. The less time I spend in the kitchen, the less likely I am to run into temptation. I often cook something for the next day on my non-fasting day so I only have to pull it out of the fridge and heat it up. I also keep soup frozen and that’s my ‘”go-to” if I need something quick, low calorie and filling.

Ej1196313 sorry you have had a bad week. I agree don’t get on scales. You need them, but not if it will add to the bad feeling right now. Best thing you can do is do the fast day tomorrow. Fasting will remind you that you do have control after all. It is a good eating plan just because you can do anything for one day and then you face the next day.

Fast day for me too. I’ve had my cup of black coffee to wake me up before walking the dog so it’s green tea for the rest of the morning for me.

I bought these 0 calorie flavored sparkling waters this weekend that sounded tasty from reading the labels, but I opened a blackberry water yesterday and it was quite awful! Maybe it’s an acquired taste. I’m hoping the raspberry water is better.

Bronx

Hi everyone! I always read this forum on fast days (Mondays and Thursdays) to help me stay the course, and so thought I’d update on my progress. I started in February, I think, and have lost about a pound a week, with some ups and downs. Now down about 15 pounds total, and I think I’ll try to lose a few more before maintaining. My weight loss has slowed lately, with some upward blips despite sticking to TDEE and fasting, so I think I’m getting to the point where I’d have to drop my TDEE again to keep the losses going. Not sure its worth it to me, as I am close to healthy weight – though I wouldn’t mind feeling more comfortable in shorts this summer. But will keep on keeping on with the 5:2 and see where I land!

The New York Times has a fascinating article today about cancer metabolism, and the possible role of insulin and fasting. You’ve got to read all the way to the end before it gets to the crux of it…but worth the effort.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/15/magazine/warburg-effect-an-old-idea-revived-starve-cancer-to-death.html?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&region=CColumn&module=MostEmailed&version=Full&src=me&WT.nav=MostEmailed&_r=0

Fasting today.

Yesterday went to IHOP at about 2 o-clock (did not eat before that except a piece of communion bread). I enjoy crepes so much! That what I love about this way of eating – nothing is prohibited. And once in a while we can indulge ourselves in whatever we desire. I noticed that I was full with half of the portion, and took the rest home. I ate it during evening. It was really strange feeling; I knew that the kind of food I ate was not officially “healthy”, but did not have my guilt, because the amount I ate during the day was actually close or below my TDEE.

Thanks for the link Mamabean! One of my goals is to improve health with this!

Loverochelle …I know just what you mean, knowing you can have cake tomorrow. It is true. Keep focusing on doing fast days. There are ups and downs. Far more ups I think because of the freedom this gives you. As time goes by you can refine your feed days if need to. Best to you whichever day it is today!

loverochelle (and anyone else!) I would urge you to read Krista Varady’s book “The Every Other Day Diet”, even if you do 5:2. She did the research that Michael Mosely based the 5:2 diet upon. (He essentially “scooped” her work, writing his book before she wrote hers). I found her approach refreshing and reassuring at the same time. I don’t worry about calories on my non-fasting days. I do plan fasting days and keep the calories around 500 but I don’t stress out if I go over nor do I work it out for a snack if I’m under. I’m 60, been doing EOD for three weeks and down 2.9 kg(6.38 lbs) with no extra exercise. (Yes, I know I should but I’m a nurse in a private surgical hospital and absolutely run off our feet last week, plus picked up extra shifts).
I have read Michael Mosleys “Fast Exercise” that has to do with HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) and I was doing that last time when my partner and I were doing 5:2. I’m horrible at exercise but it was easy enough to do, and to fit into my shift rostered insane life. If you have a smart phone, you can download an app that you can customize and it will count down the time for you. It lets you know a few seconds ahead when a change is coming, and I found it really invaluable, instead of trying to watch the clock. There are also strengthening exercises for non-HIIT days.
I might lose a little more if I exercised but since it’s 80% diet, 20% exercise, I try not to stress about it. (Keep in mind, the Eat Less, Move More thing has been disproven. Ask the Biggest Losers about that. It’s hormones – and fasting is the fix.)

Hi all,

I’m new to the forum and intermittent fasting. I’m a woman in my late 20s, 5’2″, and my weight has always stayed steady around 120 to 125, with a low of 115 in my early 20s. That’s heavier than I would prefer, but within a healthy range, so I’ve never really dieted before. I’ve run since high school, and am pretty active with biking and other activities as well. Unfortunately, a foot injury in November combined with a cross country move alone, a new job, and a metabolism that seems to keep getting slower as I get older, I’ve put on some weight in the last 6 months, and I’m now up to 130. My clothes aren’t fitting and I feel tired and sluggish. When you’re so short, an extra 5 to 10 pounds really makes itself known.

Ideally, I’d like to get down to 110, but my short term goal is just to get back to 120. I’ve tried to start intermittent fasting a couple of times over the last few weeks, and I can’t even seem to make it through a day. I’ve always been happy with my relationship with food, as I’ve watched many friends struggle with eating disorders and yo-yo dieting, but now I can’t seem to control myself. I’m fine until 4 or 5 in the afternoon, but once I get home from work, all bets are off. I think part of the problem is that I’ve just moved to a new city and I don’t really know anyone, so I don’t have much to distract myself. I’m giving it another try tomorrow, so, any support/accountability would be greatly appreciated!

Hey all — nice to see this thread active again. I started this WOL on April 11th and have seen a (mostly) steady decline in the scales. I also took others advice and took my measurements and on May 11th took measurements again and am surprised at the progress! Remember, it’s not just the number of the scale that matters (which I have to keep reminding myself). I too like the idea that if I choose not to eat something today (a fast day) I repeat the phrase OVER AND OVER in my head — I can have that tomorrow! — and I usually do! I plan my fast days for sure so that I stay 500 or less …and I don’t stress if I’m slightly over or under.

Bronx — have you tried Propel flavored water? I NEVER used to like flavored water at all (ish!) but there are two favors that propel has that I actually crave now, one is cranberry lime and the other is blueberry pomegranate– I put the bottles in the freezer and take one out every morning and sip on it throughout the morning/afternoon and then I switch over to regular water for the rest of the day.

Coldpizza – funny! I went to IHOP with my OH and daughter this past weekend (haven’t been there in a LONG time) because I love crepes too! There were 4 on the plate, I ate three and was plenty full (what? Me? Crazzyyy!!!) but I loved it! Then I didn’t eat again until dinner which was a salad — all about balance. And I do notice that I don’t seem to need as much food on NFD to feel full — the trick is actually paying attention to what your head is telling you (at least for me!).

Hope everyone has a great day, feed or fast 🙂

RLW,

Thanks, I’ll give Propel a try. I’m having a colonoscopy in 3 weeks and am looking for clear liquid with some type of flavor to get me through the prep day.

Mulville,

I heard a little of Jimmy on Howard Stern yesterday talking about his diet. Howard asked him what he eats on fast days and Jimmy said pickles, lots of pickles.

Bettyboopsy,

I’m glad you’re not giving up after a little set back. We all fall short sometimes but the important thing is to keep going and you’ll make it. Just don’t go too nuts with the fasting to try to make up for it. Slow and steady!

Bronx

Hi, Y’all. I can’t believe how much I have lost. I started in April. I could tell that my clothes were getting loose. My FD was yesterday and these days are getting easier. I also saw Jimmy Kimmel talking about this program. I’m trying to be more flexible with my FD. If there is an event I’m going to and it falls on my FD, I just move it to the next day. I also weigh on the day after my FD. Don’t know if that is cheating. 🙂 Hope everyone has a great day.

Hey Bronx, good luck on your colonoscopy. It saved my husband’s life. While that drink is ugh! We started using a straw. It helps cuts down that taste.

Thanks Bronx for your support. The best of luck on your colonoscopy. It saved my husbands life as well.