Oh, forgot to say, I’m on my 13th fast (alt days) and I’ve tried all sorts of things to make it easier And I think I’ve got it down, sooooo easy now compared to when I started. Practice practice practice. 👍🏻
This topic contains 1,453 replies, has 174 voices, and was last updated by dykask 4 years, 9 months ago.
Hi All 🙂
Today is my NF day and will be until Monday. I like weighing in on Friday’s because I fasted on Monday and Thursday. I was still a little apprehensive getting on that scale this AM though, but I was down 5 lbs!!! Woo!! On my fast day yesterday I tried a different tactic because my broth day was a disaster (too much salt and water retention for the weigh-in the following day). I had my coffee with half and half, hard boiled egg (just the white–only because I’m not a fan of the yolk) after my walk, then just kept drinking water and tea. Around lunch I was getting hungry so I had another hard boiled egg and a big ol carrot. That held off my hunger pains until 3-ish and I wanted to eat my arm!! I decided on low salt sunflower seeds with shells and figured out the calories on myfitness pal–they were SO enjoyable I thought I would cry!! Haha!! Anyway, dinner was a make shift taco salad with some spicy lean ground beef, lettuce….etc..it was very satisfying.
I don’t think I can do a fast day without eating though–I need that so I am just trying to make sure I don’t go over the 500 calories and I track every little bite!! I am a bit more relaxed with tracking my food on NF days than I should be but I try. If I can keep up with 2.5 lbs a week or around that I’m a happy girl. I just have to stay focused and not start trolling the kitchen!!
NYCFaster–Keep with it!! 🙂 Yeah, you drank too much but isn’t that living and enjoying life? This is what this diet is for–we don’t restrict every day in order to live and be happy and it works!! That is so cool that today is 3 weeks of 5:2!!! I am one week behind so it’s fun to have someone in the same boat as me 🙂 I really like your book rewarding thing. I am a huge reader and my thing is to listen to books when I walk so that makes me want to walk and then I have a book I’m reading to take my mind off of food anytime of the day! Usually my walking books are historical fiction because they go on forever and I love the accents! Be strong today–you’ve got this!!
SlimnHealthy–welcome!! I’m glad to hear that fasting is helping you and I’m jazzed to hear you are a doctor!! I have fought doctor’s my whole life (I had JRA until I was 30) trying to get them to listen that food does matter with how you feel. I have all sorts of weird auto-immune stuff but I know that half my issues are probably from what I’m putting in my mouth 😉 I said in a previous post that the healthiest I ever felt was when I had to have maxilofacial surgery at 17 and was wired shut for 8 weeks. That is probably why I don’t want to do just liquid though on FD’s–I like chewing!! It’s great to hear that so many doctors now are really looking at the whole picture of health vs disease! Good luck and welcome to a better time zone!!
Camie6
Camie6!
I didnt want to talk sooo much my first post but now that you said it, I think I would have been diagnosed with JRA as a child, had my mom not fortunately been very bad at taking me to the doctor. At the time I wished she had taken my pain more seriously but now Im grateful. It would flare up and really debilitate me, then it would just go in remission at times like your 17 year old accidental fast! Eventually, I figured out on my own that eating certain things took me down and I started kind of doing my own program. I think i was the only kid in my highschool who never ate McDonalds or drank pop!
So that is why im a different kind of doctor. Ive been there. I know a pill wont cure anything, Im grateful for emergency medicine and interventions to buy us time, but when it comes to chronic conditions, food, water, environment, good relationships, emotional support…that’s where it’s at!Im so happy to hear you found a way out of the labyrth. 🙂 keep up the good work…it gets easier and better health results every week!
CaliRose,
Sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. As others have written don’t concern yourself with fasting right now; you don’t need that burden on top of everything else.
Camie6,
I know what you mean about tracking every little bite. I do two 0 calorie days and two 500-600 calorie days every week, and on my light eating days I find myself licking the plate when I’m done. I want every morsel that I’m entitled to on those days.
Bronx
Hello Everyone, from Minnesota, about 9:30 on Friday night.
I’ve posted a while ago here, but not for a while, as I’m usually on the 42 day challenge forum. But there is something really nice about posting on a forum in the Americas, where time zones are fairly easy to figure out and we respond within those times, usually.
CalliRose, I’m very sorry to hear of your loss. My heart goes out to you, and I want to reassure you that over time your memories of your parents will be cherished more and more; and those memories will, mostly, take the place of the grief that you now feel. God bless you.
Gosh, NYCFaster: If I had tomato and rice soup and chips, I would have had a huge spike in insulin, and whatever other hormone makes a person ravenous! I’d have been starving! I’m not kidding. For some reason, tomato products just make me feel very hungry. I don’t know why, but I’ve read other people saying the same.
Rice is just a starch, like potatoes. Carbs. Tomatoes are carbs. I don’t know what the terra chips are. The thing is, where in that meal is the protein and/or the fat? Truly, I’m just asking. Did you put butter or EVOO on?
Yes, the problem with fatty foods is that the calorie content goes up quickly. But the beauty of fatty and protein foods is that they satiate you…..decrease hunger. It’s just what I experience, as well as others here on the forum, so I’m not judging you or telling you what to do. It may be different for your body. I’m just offering you an option from a different perspective/experience.
SlimnHealthy, what kind of a Doctor are you? Are you a naturopath? That has always interested me. I am a retired BSN, RN. I agree entirely that prescribing a pill is not usually the answer, but, usually the action by physicians. But, ya know, they have to do standard of care to cover their A**e*. Standard of care is prescribe, prescribe. And, let’s face it….there are a huge amount of people that want to pop a pill in the USA. They ask for scripts; they brag to their friends how many scripts they are on and how “bad” their health is. What would you say, a third or 40%, or more?
Camie6, I have really enjoyed your posts, as well as Bronx’s, for some time.
Good luck to you all and I’ll be cheering you on in your progress. I have no doubt that all of you will succeed!
Good Morning all!
Rough night with little one coming to our bed with a red aunt bite that had got swollen in the night.
But a little morning coffee n sunshine starting to make me feel artificially rested. Lol
Northern, I’m a primary care physician, and I keep my license current but I practice with naturopathic medical principles and use mostly lifestyle changes. I do cash only or let patients barter which is why I’ve never made money. If you don’t do insurance, you’d be surprised with how little anyone cares about “standard of care”‘ pharmacy use….as long as I spend lots of time with patients and prescribe conservatively, refer when higher intervention is needed, you get left alone.
My up days have been a little too up lately, but I really think it is because I just started exercising for the first time in a very long time and I’m having a lot of positive health changes…maybe lots of repairing going on. And appetite (rather than cravings) feels like such a sign of youth! So I’m just observing it with no judgment and seeing what happens. This isn’t a race, it’s more like a treasure hunt. I’m trying to uncover the mystery of me, my best health and what I can sustain for the long run.
Happy day everyone…still haven’t had time to go back and read the thread and get to know everyone, havnt had the mental focus this week…soon.❤️
SlimnHealthy and NorthernDawn,
Glad you found this thread and looking forward to reading your posts. Nice to have perspectives from the top and bottom of the country. Slim, was that a fire ant bite you got? We don’t have them where I live but I’ve heard about how nasty those things can be.
NYCFaster,
I pretty much deprive myself of food during the week so I can go nuts on weekends and not gain weight. I don’t know if it’s something I can do long term but I’ve been comfortable eating this way for about the last 8 months or so. I threw out and donated all my “Fat” clothes and being cheap I really don’t want to buy them again. That has been a motive to keep going on this modified version of 5:2.
Bronx
Good Morning, all!
Slimnhealthy, I bet you have a wonderful relationship with your patients. People mostly want to feel that they’ve been heard and their concerns attended to. I’m sure they get that from you.
NYCFaster, thanks for the reply. I understand your perspective entirely, that for you the feeling of depriving yourself would sabotage your ability to stick to 5:2. For me, carbs are like Kryptonite; I just can’t deal with the subsequent cravings I get after eating them. We are a perfect example of how differently people react to food, and why this flexible WOE is so great. It’s a diet we can all mold to our particular needs and still be successful.
Bronx, I kind of do the same thing: I do my fasting very strictly on Mondays and Thursdays so that I can have “normal”, fun weekends.
After an initial loss of about 6 pounds in the first couple weeks, I’ve been losing a little more than a pound a week so far. (About 14 lbs total) If that slows or stops I’ll probably have to consider being more strict on weekend NFDs with calorie amounts. I love that I know it’s always within my control. Several months ago, before I knew about 5:2, I didn’t believe it was possible to feel so in control of my weight, anymore. I just love this diet, and this forum is so helpful and encouraging!
Have a good weekend, everyone!
Hi Everyone!! Wow…where to begin? This is such an amazing forum and I learn so much about…everything!!! I just wish I could wear a pair of those glasses that let’s you see the internet and I read this forum all day just to keep in the game!! Haha!!
SlimnHealthy–I love the treasure hunt analogy–I just wish my map was better! How you practice is amazing and this is what I am going to look for. Because we are new to this area (Santa Barbara County) I just had a physical so I could have a regular doctor to see if I get sick. For my new patient well check appt the cost before insurance was $723–my portion after insurance was $176. My follow-up after insurance is $249. Plus blood tests of $436.36–mammo, colonoscopy and bone density test all covered by insurance. After all this I was told I was perfectly healthy and to ignore my high Hashimoto’s numbers because that’s normal 🙂 Yeee!! And it only cost me $862!! I have heard of some doctor’s here in the valley that are doing what you are doing without involving insurance. I am SO there!! Sorry, about my blast–I just got this bill for the follow up this AM in the mail…very frustrating. For the $862 I could have flown to NYC and had a bagel (YUM!!!!!) for breakfast this AM with NYCFaster.
Ok, back to diet. I understand all the carb/protein talk. I guess I am in both boats. I know and understand all the carb talk and how important protein and healthy fats are. I guess I am a junky for carbs though. Like poor Oprah and that bread commercial…I love bread and a few other things….! I hope in doing this program that I start to get a handle on what it takes to eat a balanced healthy diet and live to enjoy life. I only have about 10lbs now to drop but God almighty they are cemented on!!!
That’s it–I have babbled on again…oy! Enjoy your Saturday whatever you are doing 🙂
Camie6
Camie6, count your blessings, my dear! We have socialised medicine here in New Zealand, and private insurance for my partner and I is totally unaffordable and doesn’t cover anything pre-existing. Hence, I paid $11,000NZD out of pocket for cataract surgery. It was either that or go so blind I wouldn’t be able to drive or work, and wait for the national coverage to pay for it, and I had to wait months to get in. Luckily I decided just to go ahead and get the second eye done and was able to get in two weeks later for that surgery. Glad it’s all behind me and I can see, no glasses or contacts needed! (The ophthalmologist said my “good eye” would have to be worse than my “bad eye” was at the time, and I was having trouble seeing to drive, work on anything with fine detail – which is not good when working as a nurse! ) And there are resources where you are to get everything done in a timely manner. (If you are concerned about your numbers with Hashimotos’s, can you see an endocrinologist?) my partner is in process for a total knee replacement. He has had an orthopaedic consult, X-Ray’s showing marked deterioration of his knee with bone on bone for the last two years, and now has to try using a cane for three weeks, then go back for another consultation! I’ve heard the wait time for surgery is 4 months, but that’s just rumor – it could be much longer. I worked with a woman in another district a few years ago that was in a wheelchair, waited 18 months for a total knee replacement, was on a disability benefit as she was unable to work until aft4r the surgery. So, resources are a bit thin – like I said, be grateful for what you have.
And bread – who can resist? I love making it, kneading the dough, smelling it bake – not to mention eating it! Truly my downfall – a soft, delicious bread. Or cinnamon rolls. Those are to die for so they aren’t made very often! I love to bake but don’t do it very often anymore. I wish I could say I was disciplined enough to leave it alone on fasting days, but nope, bread calls to me. I guess the upside to living here – no good bagels where we are, no delicious spreads, etc. Tried making them once but more effort than I felt like and didn’t turn out that great.
Looking like a mild winter day here, sunny and not too cold, so will take the little dog and go for a walk this afternoon. Tomorrow is a fasting day, but my partner works this afternoon, so our big meal was lunch. Thinking that will be it for me and do 16:8 and a fasting day tomorrow, but an egg for breakfast with my coffee. And going to re-read Krista Varady’s book this evening.
Good fasting days to all who are fasting!
USwoman
USwomsn, i had no idea health resources were so scarce in NZ! Ive only experienced social medicine in france, Germany and mexico and had really good experiences-no wait time. That’s just dreadful!!!!
As for your Hashimotos Cami, you may find it improving the more you fast. It has helped mine. In the meantime, santa B has some great naturopathic physicians, check them out.
My husband is already asleep, gonna head there too, night all!
SlimnHealthy–I have seen a great naturopath in SB–I was just trying to find a doc for my insurance (in case I actually need my insurance). She helps with my bio-identical hormones and has prescribed a gluten free thyroid pill called Nature Throid. The rheumatologist I saw in Ventura wanted me to go gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free and wine-free–just kill me and end it quicker…I don’t like taking meds but the BHT helps me keep from total internal combustion from hot flashes but I’m not sold on the thyroid meds. I don’t notice any difference.. Oh and last blood work had my TPO at 308. Have fun camping Slimnhealthy–we are off to do the same at the beach on Tuesday 🙂
uswoman — wow!! I won’t ever complain about my health insurance. That surgery seems to be the big thing for everyone I know in their 60’s here–but it’s covered. Stay healthy!!! And the bread thing?? Mmmmm. This morning I asked my husband what he would like for Father’s Day dinner since he has been so supportive of my eating habits lately. I said “Anything!”–stupid me…not bread but Macaroni and Cheese!!! Dang!! Today is a NF day and I really am not sure how strong I will be–wish me luck. Thank you also for the tip on Krista Varaday–I’m checking her out next!!
Happy day!!
Camie6
I read Varady s book yesterday
She has done the research for sure…but it outlines every other day and not 2 days per week (she has never researched for 2 days, and can’t find any either). I have been following every other day for 2 full weeks without problems so far. And do feel easier now than at the start for NF days.
In the book though she indicates that while fats are to be used, we don’t have to worry about what we eat on feed days…even carbs! But for a long time I have been following LCHF so it is mixing me up a bit. On feed days I have been eating some breads and even some desserts. I have lost 4 pounds in 2 weeks. Was hoping it would come off quicker than that. I plan to follow the low carb way of eating, but with a more Mediterranean flare…I will eat that way the next couple of weeks and see if these last 20 stubborn pounds will start melting off.
Hi Y’all
Well, I survived my first Texas camping experience.
Eating was fairly balanced for a small vacation. We swam in a beautiful river with 2 falls… And when I started freaking out about the kids swimming in water currents, I meditated rather than eating or drinking wine and it worked like magic, I was in calm alert the rest of the afternoon and could really appreciate the beauty. That’s big for me as I can be neurotic with kids and new “out of my comfort” experiences. I feel proud of my coping choice. ❤️
Hi Y’all
I blew my fast yesterday after making some amazing Vegan Cheesy Millet for my kids with barbecues soy curls and pinto beans. But there are worse ways to blow it…prob didn’t go over 1000 calories so I’m back at it today and will at least fast until 5pm and not go over 1000 calories…that means I’ll have gotten two 24 hour fasts in and still under my TDEE which I think is btwn 2300-2500. So all and all, no one’s bleeding.
Just thought I’d share how even failures work on this.
Have a good day!
Hello everybody! Newbie here! Yesterday was my third fast day and in general it’s going well. In the past I’ve been most successful losing weight with a low-carb diet, but found it hard to keep up since it’s hard to do when you’re traveling or eating on the run. The 5-2 diet should take care of that – if it’s a busy day I’ll either fast entirely and not bother with eating or move my fast day if that’s not an option. Looking forward to losing weight, getting healthy, and reading everyone’s advice!
Hi biancaneve and welcome:
Here are some tips: https://thefastdiet.co.uk/forums/topic/the-basics-for-newbies-your-questions-answered/
Good Luck!
HI all,
SlimnHealthy, saw your post and thought I’d confess. After 14 fasting days over a couple of months, I’ve fallen horribly off the wagon. Since returning from a vacation weeks ago I just have not been able to get back on track, have steadily developed the old eating habits–eating too much and too much of nonhealthy stuff on nonfast days, and this week, for the first time, I actually blew a fast day.
At this point I need a reboot, so I’m going to follow a tried and true green smoothie cleanse for the next 10 days, to quickly shed the pounds I’ve put on and to return my appetite to being fine with fewer calories on the non-fast days. It should provide the transition from excess that I need right now and help set me up for success on 5:2! We shall see….
Another confession here! What is it with this week? The summer solstice, full moon, unsettled atmosphere? 😉 Monday I blew a usual FD, and that’s the first time since starting 5:2 on April 11. Then I tried for one yesterday but only made it until 4 pm. My excuse yesterday was that I was out in the heat working for hours in my garden and just “needed” a refreshing couple glasses of wine. Then my appetite increased (of course), and I “needed” my supper. I’ve got to admit that cheese has been my downfall the last couple of days, also. Lots of it, melted, on crackers or chips, of all things.
Back on the horse today. I’ll complete a FD today if it kills me. If I let it go this week I’m afraid that will set a precedent that will start a spiral of failure. I know myself. For some others maybe you can give yourself a bit of a break before another good FD.
Good Luck Slim, WiP2016, and NYC! This is just a bump in the road!
PS: SlimnHealthy, I wish I had your TDEE! I am nearly 5’7″ and using my goal weight and saying I’m sedentary, mine is about 1490. Did I read that you are 5’3″? You must be using your current weight and also quite active? Good for you! I will be working on that aspect, becoming more active, in the next couple of months. Wish me luck!
SlimnHealthy, lol. That TDEE makes more sense!
As far as hormones causing problems during this week’s FDs, that could really be true for you younger gals. My daughter was due on the 21st, and she was very uncomfortable and crampy with lots of Braxton-Hicks on the solstice, but, alas, no baby yet. I think I’m a little anxious about that, actually, as she had a hard time with her last delivery. Maybe my anxiety has been causing me to comfort-eat this week.
I did complete a good fd yesterday, I’m happy to report. And I feel better about things today.
Bronx, lol. Sometimes it seems *everything* is a reference to food, doesn’t it? 😉
Love the confessions! Knowing that others have their tough times and find a way to get back on track (even when that effort is not easy or foolproof)is very encouraging to me. Lessons in determination, I guess.
I feel much better today. Day One of my transition plan (A 10-day green smoothie cleanse that always works well for me as way to stop unhealthy eating patterns) went well. No temptations today and I’m very much looking forward to getting back on 5:2 when my re-entry plan ends a week from Friday.
Good luck, everyone!
Workinginprogress (this should be all our names), I love the green reboot! Isn’t it incredible how giving the body alive high nutrition, low cal, just sends us back to our original blueprint….or maybe green print! I always try to break my fast with something really high nutrition, low cal for this reason…green juice, plate of raw veggies, green soup, or a superfood protein shake if I know I’m in hormone territory. Well done and best of green days ahead.
Northern Dawn, I had a horrendous first birth…43 hours and an emergency transport for a very unexpected Caesarian. But my second came vaginally on the full moon of July and while not as easily as some of my wide hipped friends who boast about their short births, it went much easier. Afterwards, I told my husband I’d like to go for a 3rd because I felt I was improving at this labor thing and could really get good by the next! Lol. (No we didn’t!)
Went to grocery, a little nervous, with both children and (healing) arm yesterday without husband! It was like an angel was with me. The grocery was having free kids yoga and healthy fruit n kale smoothies after so I got to grocery without wrangling with monkies! When I got them they were all mellowed out! Lol then when we got home, we formed a human relay n got groceries in house- they loved the job!
Now I have tons of veggies to cook soup n greens n crudités plus a pot of beans! I feel a little guilty bc we have had such a good time while husband on business trip. We adore him but I guess it’s just good to mix it up a bit!
So I’m eating today and hoping that eating lots of good food and/or period starting will make next fast day easier. Happy day!
Tomorrow will be my 11th fast – still doing alternate day and eating one meal in the evening of up to 500 calories. The fast days are much easier this week.
Today was eat day and had sushi (so yummy), salad, and home made broth soup with canellini beans. Walked to a bakery and bought a loaf of cheese and garlic sour dough bread that is looking pretty fine…will try not to eat too much of that tonight.
After this week, I plan to do 24 hour fasts 3 days per week, Monday Wednesday and Friday s. The other 4 days I plan to stay at 1500 calories/day but will eat all meals LCHF. So after that loaf of sour dough tonight I will be good!
Just bought some low carb breads online – I enjoy breads, and any I have tried to make at home low carb are just not good. But the ones I get online are quite delicious, and also buy tortilla s etc. I am down 5 pounds in almost 3 weeks of alternate day.
Have great weekend…
In my 9 pcs of sushi there are not many calories – but there was over 80 carbs! and I also just looked at carb count for slice of sour dough (without the cheese) bread and for 1″ slice 12 carbs…I am over 90 for my day of eating, but will be under 1000 calories. Hence my dilemma…
I will just eat LCHF meals next week and see if it makes a difference, with faster weight loss
Thank you ALL so much for your confessions!!! I’ve been incommunicado since Tuesday so I didn’t know we all were having issues–boy! Do I feel better!!!I have been beating myself up all day because Monday I fasted and today I was supposed to but my back went into spasm yesterday afternoon and I’m a mess!! We took our trailer to the beach on Tuesday and eating and drinking was not exactly on point but I knew we were coming back today so I totally was at least going to be good today.
The odd thing about this spasm is its between my shoulder blades and not in my lower back at all–I have never had this happen but it’s hard to breathe and I’m pissed because on Sunday I was going to go down and see my 9 month old grandson. Right now driving 3 hours through LA sounds like torture and I’m not sure I can be super grandma on Monday and babysit all day while mom and dad work!! Waaahhh!!
I’ve taking Advil gel caps and icing and heating my back every 15 minutes. Oh! And my fasting day today?? Nope!! Not happening!!
Again, thank you all for being human and honest!! I feel better and I’m just going to reread the posts here and chill baby chill–with my ice packs 😉
Camie6
So since we are all struggling, Ill share how im trying to regroup.
1) if you have hormones figure out where you are on your cycle and if there is anything to do to help it. I figured I was right at the couple of days i dont sleep well (ahhh and no sleep increases daytime insulin and hunger) so i took something to help with sleep last night (100mg 5HTP) and voila wasnt as hungry today!! Yea!
2) I decided last night that today was going to be an eat day and i was going to eat as many high nutrient things as i could to really boost my nutrition. G-BOMBS – Greens, beans, onions,mushrooms,berries, seeds. And I was going to wash and chop veggies, make lentil oatmeal cookies with my daughter, make a good veggie soup, just boost my nutritional support for the days ahead but not worry about calories or anything today. And guess what? Hunger down!
3) look at psychological – what am i not doing that usually nourishes me! Oh, gee, I havnt meditated or been alone for five minutes since kids have been home this week and hubby on biz trip…so I gave kids extra screen time and gave myself a meditation and some me time…and guess what, hunger down!
So…I have no idea if this will translate better for tomorrow’s fast…I still have that pesky period lurking in a day or two…but ill keep you posted! dont give up! It takes practice. Keep tweeking it.
NYCFaster–I feel your pain!!! I thought today that I was probably going to end this diet just cause I didn’t have the strength for a fast day. And I don’t! But I do like this diet just not when I feel like…this. Try to be strong or just wait until your next fast day!! That’s what I’m doing!! Do the best you can but come on!! We CAN do this!! It may take a bit but we can!! This being over 50 BS is really hard and I am not going to just accept this weight as business as usual.
Workinprogress201–thanks! 😘
Slimnhealthy–I like your pep talk!! At 55 I am not making any hormones but taking Bioidentical Hormone Replacement drugs but I had an idea while not sleeping last night that when I was on birth control pills (4 thousand years ago) I had ten extra lbs of “goosh”–well, now I do again!! Could it be theses hormones?? Please let it be true!!
If that’s the case maybe hot flashes every 15 minutes aren’t so bad…..
Camie 6
I’m back. Now trying to catch up on everything that has to be done here at home and it’s HOT here!
I don’t have a scale in the mountains so that’s on my errand list. I just spent about 2 wks. freaking out about how much weight I was gaining, and combine that with family being in town, party-time, party food and party drinking, and I just pretty much threw the diet out the window. The thing I did do was work at trying to stay within my calorie range for non-fast days, at least. I must not have been that negligent b/c I weighed first thing when we got home and although I haven’t gained anything, I also haven’t lost anything due to taking a hiatus from fasting days, so I’m right where I was when I left. Was going to re-double efforts and fast yesterday but I didn’t feel very good and I just couldn’t muster up the energy. I guess the thing I like best about this plan is feeling free to make choices and I’ve honestly Never felt like that on any other “diet”. This is more like being aware and in control. I haven’t read everyone’s posts yet, but Camie6 and Slimnhealthy, I’m right with you on doing the best I can. Not everyday is perfect and it’s best to listen to your best self and do what you can to keep it working and not give up and quit altogether.
Hormones and menopause are definite game changers. I had low cholesterol, low everything until I went through the “change” and then my body rebelled and my genetics caught up with me and I suddenly had more health issues than I could keep up with. So now it’s definitely in my best interest to get my weight down, (even though my doctors aren’t hounding me about it) and try to trim off some of this belly fat. You have my sympathy Camie6, but I do think the extra weight is probably due to hormones. Not that that’s an excuse, but it is the reality of it. Hang in there.
YES WE CAN (even though we may not feel like it every single day). 🙂 Hang in everyone! I’m soooo glad I’m not alone in this!! Until I read your posts I was feeling like giving it up too, but I’m just going to do what I can until I feel better.
Hi Everyone!
Beautiful sunny morning and my period started so I’m feeling lucky!,, for a good fast that is! Gonna be a 2 protein shake day (the old time fasters on here will tell you that eating is much harder!)
Hubby gets home late tonight and we can have a nice eat say tomorrow.
And I don’t have time to look so maybe I already said this, but gonna say it again! Down a half pound despite weird week!!!! Just keep at it.
Doing the happy dance here in NH! After being very nervous with the weight fluctuations at the beginning of June, I had just started this plan, I am happy to say that I have lost 3 pounds this week! I realize that I won’t see this every week, but I’m awfully happy to see it THIS week.
Hoping you all enjoy the weekend!
Good (late) morning,
Slimnhealthy I’m sorry to hear you had such a difficult first labor. That must have been heartbreakingly disappointing even though it worked out alright. Glad your second was easier, and that is what I’m hoping for, for my daughter. I’m glad you are hanging in there with your fasting and you seem to invent many creative ways of coping with the ups and downs. We can all learn from you. Well done to you!
Camie6, I hope your back is better. Yes, believe me, menopause changes everything about your body. I’ve often told my family I feel like someone has “body-snatched” (the movie) my real body and left me with this alien one. Weight just started adding on; and the tried and true methods I’d always used to stay at desired weight when I was younger no longer worked, at all. If I reduced calories then I became lethargic. If I exercised very much then I became ravenous.
There is a study that Gary Taubes cites in one of his books where they took out the ovaries of female rats to give them early menopause and observed their behavior. Compared to their peers with ovaries, they gained weight, reduced activity, and hoarded food in their nests.
Sounded a little too familiar to me when I read it. 😉
The good news is: this way of eating, way of life, whatever you want to call it, is the one and only thing I’ve tried that seems to be working to not only drop the pounds ( 6.8 kg, or 15 lbs since April 11), but also to help me feel like I am finally back in control. I have a tool that works! It’s not always easy, but it seems easier to me than feeling awful, short of breath, heavy, unwieldy, unbalanced, bloated, embarrassed, frustrated, weak, and depressed by a feeling of powerlessness.
NYC and everyone struggling: just give yourself a break from the diet if you need to. Michael Mosely even says in his book that when you find fasting too difficult just wait until it will work for you.
A week or so off, trying to stay within or below TDEE, will not mean you have failed. It means you have coped with your situation in the best way you can for you, and it will allow you to RESUME the diet when it will fit with your life. No guilt!! Lots of people don’t fast when they travel or go on vacation. I do think anyone struggling should try to reduce refined carbs the day before and the day of a fast to make it easier. Reduce, not necessarily give up. It really makes a difference for me. Eat them as much as you want on feed days, within TDEE.
Sorry for such a long post. I just want to encourage all of you to find a way to be kind to yourselves and continue on 5:2 for the long term, the long view.
Good luck. Hang in there!
Warning!!!!
I’m picky about my Organic protein source and how protein shakes are sweetened. So I do a lot of taste testing.
RawFit protein (garden of life) very high protein for saving but super gritty texture!!!
SunWarrior illumin8 Aztec Chocolate is creamy and nice and low glycemic even if a little lower in protein that Rawfit
Slimnhealthy, I add Garden of Life raw (unsweetened) protein powders to my green smoothies. I get the natural and the raw chocolate flavors. I’ve not noticed any gritty textures, but then I’m not using the RawFit line, just the standard.
I know that SunWarrior has been recommended by others as well, but have not tried it. Good to hear great things about it, it’s helpful to have an alternative.
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We pay tribute to our dear friend and colleague, Dr. Michael Mosley. Michael was an integral part of our lives, […]
Michael is touring Australia this September! Here's a link to dates and tickets. Hope to see you there.
Michael Mosley gives an update for 2019, current research in the field and announces a tour starting in February.
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17 Jun 16