December 13: Fasting until tomorow morning ( 36-40 hours). I’m currently at 21h fasted. I’ve reduced my fasting days slightly, and I think my body is in maintenance. Which is not awful…and I don’t want to ever stop loving fasting, but every other day is a bit too much right now, after almost a YEAR!! I do need to adjust my eating so that I do lose the last 10lbs! This is in the works.

@rabbette: I’m so glad you are back! Yay!

Congrats on the 4 day pre-Thanksgiving fast. Wonderful.

I get it–I never got into the traditional Thankgiving or Christmas food either. I ususally just make up my own stuff! I’m sorry to say, but canned string beans sound rather pathetic… This said, I do have my own “pathetic” holiday meals that come from childhood that still taste good–like canned peas! lol But only in a potato salad.

Hovering between 129-131 is amazing! Congratulations!!

The motivational skirt IS the floor length one! I will send you pics via the app! I now also have 3 pairs of fancy motivational jeans. All zip up, but all give me a muffin top. But wow, so close!!

The raw veggies addiction is real! I just bought cauliflower, broccoli, bell peppers, cucumbers (finally went from $3.49 per one English cucumber to 99 cents!), turnips (I’m in love with raw turnips!), celery, carrots and my favourite apples, of course. SO looking forward to the veggie feast tomorrow. That’s really all I want, with hummus and maybe some other dips, but plain is awesme as well.

The under 165lb weight has not stayed, but I’m okay with this, as I know it is coming. I’m hovering 165-168lb.

I like your idea of just a keto DAY, instead of a keto week. I think my body and mind should be able to do this.

I am really inspired with how you are super motivated! Whereas when my weight loss slowed down close to the goal, I relaxed my fasting schedules and settled into maintenance lol. Please go ahead and kick my still fat butt!!! I still have fat to lose!!!

I haven’t developed my love for fast days in a row…I feel really great at 36-40h. I should consciously try a longer fast. Otherwise I set myself up for 36hours, and if I overshoot and reach 40-44, I feel like I achieved enough.

My biggest issue is missing food, not the hunger. So I know this is very mental, all in my head, and there is room for improvement.

@basyjames: Hi there, welcome! This sounds like a really nice and gradual plan to get to ADF and autophagy. Totally doable. Knowing the benefits of autophagy is really motivating for me–for example I’m now at almost 24h fasted and feeling the munchies, but 500 calories is not an option (based on how I set myself up for today).

I’ll look forward to your daily accountability posts, especially now I feel like I need a bit of extra motivation. It’s been almost a year–I started fasting in January. I’m practically at my goal weight. It is so easy to just relax into this and ignore the last 15lbs. However I do want to lose those last 15lb–I’ll be so happy in the spring when I start running more with my lower weight. Plus a completely flat tummy is feasible and so close! I have all the reasons to stop hovering at around 168lb and just GO for 155.

@rabbette:Oh no, YOU are not allowed to relax! You are my motivation to go ALL THE WAY!!! lol

However it does seem that psychologically I needed a bit of a break–not from fasting, this is still my favourite, but from “losing weight.” If I maintain until the end of December, I think I will be ready to lose more starting January 1st–nothing like a January 1st for a kick in the butt.

I had two eating days in a row and I also have a cold–nothing major, but just feeling under the weather. In retrospect I should really, really stop eating things I don’t fully enjoy. Like some random icecream? If it isn’t my favorite creme caramel, it is not even tasty. I’m getting there, though.

I’m fasting until tomorrow morning, will break the fast at around 38 hours.

I haven’t stepped on the scale in several days, and the last two weigh-ins were 167 and 168. I hope tomorrow I’ll hover around there as well, though who knows with TTOM lurking.

December 19: ending my 40h fast in half an hour. 166lb this morning! Very happy about it after two eating days prior to this fast, and after several days of really high calories in the last 7 days or so. I think that TOM week is to blame, and some really nice desserts that I at least enjoyed. So all in all, 166? YAY!!

@rabbette: This is the best quote ever, “We tend to banter on about veggies and pants that almost fit.” !!! The BEST!!!

We have to make a pact about no sucky ice cream. Gosh, like totally. Why was I even eating it??

I’m still learning that it is okay not to eat certain things or skip a meal.

I shall see how today evolves–I should simply eat less today.
Looking forward to veggies and fruits and also bacon and eggs for breakfast.

I’m still a bit sick with the cold–I don’t feel like eating, but I feel a bit weak and out of it.

December 23: I’m still sick. It’s been one of the worst colds since forever. But I’m also a wimp when it comes to colds.

I had 2 or 3 eating days in a row–this should tell you about my mental state haha. I have no clue if it was 2 or 3 and I don’t even feel like looking it up on the app. All I know that I thought I should be eating fruits and veggies and tea with honey, and I did eat. I regret eating–it was chaotic and I didn’t enjoy it, due to being sick.

I’m fasting until tomorrow afternoon–it will be 40 hours. Since eating didn’t help, maybe fasting will. It’s been 7 days and I’m done with this experience!

December 26. 166.5lb. Am breaking the fast at 40h at a Christmas party haha. Still no appetite due to cold so I think there is no danger of eating too much.

December 27: Fasting to either 18h or to 40, to be determined!

Still no appetite, but the house is full of goodies and I’m entertaining my sick self with detective shows and tea, but thinking whether I shouldn’t add some yummies. Though logically I should save the yummies until I feel better so that I actually enjoy them haha. But why do I feel like chewing? I can’t even smell / taste properly!

What I would want is roasted beets and squash, but hubby won’t make those for me (he’s done lots of cooking while I’ve been sick, so I get him wanting to rest) and I’m still feeling weak to get up and cook. I did make family breakfast, but went to bed right after, as I want to make sure I feel better tomorrow for a planned outing.

@rabbette: It is all water weight–mine fluctuates a lot like this too, and I think that’s normal. I’m sure you clothes fit the same.

My “calmer” won’t happen until January, as I have some kids’ birthdays coming up still in December, and it still feels hectic. I get what you are saying, and I can’t wait for “calmer.”

December 30.The last 3 days were all 18h fasts and boy do I feel ready for a 40h one if not longer! I also feel emotionally ready to start making an effort to lose the last 15-18lb. GW149!! I’ve maintained for about 4 months, and I think all systems are a go for the last stretch.

I still have a bit of the cold, but I’m also looking forward to running more when I am feeling 100% well. I’ve been missing running and the weather has been really good (well, good for winter running, I mean haha). But due to being sick and some other commitments before my running was on hold. It’s been about 6 weeks break, and I know I will need to start slowly, but I’m excited to be back to where I was by April–I started running last April.

January 1. The holidays weren’t my thing–173lb and feeling bleh. Definitely back in track and motivated, though. I hope it is mostly water weight and I’ll be back to 168 and then I can start counting true progress from there.

I restarted my weight tracking up today for the new weight loss game and a fresh start. I went for a short run–only 15 min but didn’t want to push it after being sick for over 2 weeks.

I had my OMAD after a 39h fast and started a new 39-40h fast right away.

Honestly, I don’t like Christmas. Some family birthdays also fall between Xmas and New Years and it is all stressful. I was sick and stressed out and miserable and ate too much out almost out of soote5, without even enjoying my food. I am always depressed over Xmas, even if I really try to fight it. Maybe next year I’ll do better. I am relieved it is over and it is January. Going for a run definitely helped.

I took some motivational photos in my too-tight jeans and my goal for them to fit perfect by April.

149gw–I am half thinking to start a new username and a new thread lol

Even with the current gain I do feel that 165 was achieved this year.

January 3: 172, which is 1 lb down from the last fast, so I’m happy with the progress, but I won’t lie–frustrating that I caused this to happen the way I did. 5lb gain in a week? Insane! I’m being kind to myself, though. Things happen and I’m moving on.

I’m at 41h fasted and I have zero hunger, so I have decided to continue with the fast at least until evening. I had a cup of tea and a cup of coffee and the trick for me now is not to succumb to wanting something in my mouth just for the texture of it.

If I feel the same in the evening, i.e. no hunger, I really should fight the temptation to eat for no reason and I should continue the fast. I should only eat when hungry. It would be logical to extend the fast until Saturday morning, 60 h.

Since I have been struggling with the emotional side of fasting in the last weeks, I’m likely to write it all up here several times a day, to take my mind of mindless eating. It helps to just put it all out.

I’m focusing on the benefits of fasting for my body and soul. My body is clearly telling me that I should fast.

January 3, 48 hours. Now I’m feeling it–a bit hungry. Luckily it is almost time for me to go to bed, an early bed time would be nice. I have been stressed and going to bed at 3am which hasn’t been working super well haha. An early bedtime will be a great re-set. I’m cooking still, to make sure my family has food when I’m away tomorrow. This is both distracting and tempting! I’m entertaining myself with planning for all the foods that I’ll pack for myself for tomorrow.

Roasted squash. Tuna salad with eggs, potatoes and pickles. Sauted cabbage. Tomato and feta salad. Red cabbage, apple and carrot salad with cashews. Celery sticks with almond butter. All of those will be really small portions and I will have a great variety to satisfy me.

It is tempting to just be done at 48h, but then I would not be having so much fun tomorrow. I also haven’t gone to bed on “empty” for a while, and I do sleep so much better when empty. And if I eat now, even if this is a longer than typical fast, I won’t be as proud tomorrow.

I had a pinch of pink salt and am drinking more tea.

January 5: Yesterday could have been an OMAD but I decided to treat myself in the evening and I had more salads and also some cookies and chocolate. Still super proud of my almost 60h fast!

I didn’t step on the scale this morning as I rushed to go for a run! I ran just over 3 miles and it felt really great.

I’m fasting today and am at 18 hours. I’ve been drinking lots of tea, but the yesterday’s salads are calling me. I haven’t decided yet whether this would be a shorter (18-20h) or a regular 36h fast. I noticed that when I don’t make a really firm decision about a longer fast, I end up doing a shorter fast.

I’m feeling a bit hungry and the food is tempting.

I need to find a way to stay committed to the longer fast and break it tomorrow morning.

One idea is to have a mini food reward. For breakfast tomorrow I’m going to have coffee with rye toast, cream cheese and lox, and a soft boiled egg. If I eat the same now, I won’t enjoy it as much. If I wait until tomorrow, this would be such a perfect start of the day!

January 6th: Yesterday my mental trick didn’t work and I broke my fast a 20hours and had my OMAD. It was lots of food, including desert. Today I was tempted to break my fast at 20h again, but I was more successful and I’m all set to break my fast tomorrow morning, at at least 36 hours. I feel accomplished. Now I’m just feeling the usual evening munchies, which are manageable and I know will go away very soon.

Earlier, though, I was hungry for a couple of hours, but then black tea did help. For a bit I almost convinced myself that if I only had celery, carrots and apples (and that was what I was craving!) it could be a modified under 500 calories day. But then I gave up on that idea, and I’m glad I did. I will start tomorrow with celery, apples and carrots!

@rabbette: so good to see an update from you. And so awesome you were away from your computer for the holidays. I feel being away from the devices makes my brain relax lol

I make my own bone broth in my Instant Pot, but I’m sure it has way more calories than storebought. But hopefully more nutrition as well! And so delicious.

Thank you for thinking about me, the cold is finally GONE.

I love thrift store finds like this! Awesome! I took a photo in my too-tight jeans, and I hope to look great in them very soon. This motivates me on days like this. Yesterday though–not sure what happened. I was set to fast, and I did my usual tricks and was feeling well overall, and yet something inside me convinced me break it. No regrets, as long as this doesn’t become a habit.

January 17: I’m fasting until tomorrow morning (36 hours). Yesterday was a pretty good eating day again. I didn’t count calories, I had some treats, but I didn’t over-eat, and that’s my goal. I’m back on track these last 2 eating days and it feels great.

I’m proud of myself today! I had a stressful day, and it was VERY tempting to do a 20h fast / OMAD. I was craving veggies and I started rationalizing that I could just have a carrot and an apple and some celery and it would be a low calorie day. But I realized I wasn’t truly hungry–just upset, and restless. I convinced myself to have my veggies tomorrow. I’m so glad I didn’t break my fast.

This is my third true alternate day fast with 2 pretty good eating days in between, and I’m feeling accomplished. I feel that with the right attitude I will lose what I gained quite quickly and will continue to lose weight to my goal. That’s a good feeling to be oouot of the slump.

January 24. 173 lb. I just finished a 44h fast this morning and had 2 eggs, some bacon, coffee with milk, and my fill of carrots, apples and bananas.

This week was mostly OMADs, but I am pleased as I wasn’t overeating.

Yesterday I went for a 2 miles run at 24 h fasted and it felt great and empowering.

I started January at 173lb. I think I then gained more and now lost it and I am back at 173 haha. A bit disappointed, but also very grateful for catching this early, for learning my lesson, and for fasting life style.

162 by March 8!! That’s a very serious goal as I will be presenting on stage and I want to look great! I think with my new motivation and with my body being over the slump, this is a realistic goal.

@
Rabbette: How are you feeling?

Bone broths are so healing!

January 29. I’m at 24h of a 38h fast that I will break tomorrow.
The last two days in a row were eating days–life just happened.

I’m trying not to be disappointed and I’m looking at this positively. I’m getting myself together for a productive February. I’m on track. All is good.

The fact that I gained 5lb is frustrating, but I haven’t gained more and I’m going to lose it and some. Maybe my body needed a bit of stasis.