Day 7 USA (Illinois) NFD

Doing fine but busy — hope to read and post more later.

Onward and downward.

Day 7 UK feast day

Yesterday’s CD turned into a bit of a feast, after the day’s delicious salads were rounded off with baked camembert and a few glasses of sauvignon blanc.

Got up early today and went swimming, first time in more than a decade. Amazed to manage it at all, but did 20 lengths of a 33m pool – followed by vegetarian cooked breakfast. Less of a blowout, more of a conscious choice. Feeling pretty wonderful, yay for holidays.

Love the sound of your curry @fatrabbit. Do you begin by frying in coconut oil?

Wishing a happy weekend to all xx

Dykask, there are many ways to do planks and counting minutes is not the most difficult. I have been doing planks with my personal trainer and I do some while I am moving parts of my body. Currently, I have been doing one where I am moving one leg over the other while I am in plank position. You do one leg and then the other. It’s not time oriented but rather you county how many times you can cross each leg over. There are so many ways to do it. As per increasing muscle mass, as with any exercise, when it’s challenging you can do it every other day. The off day your muscles repair themselves. When the muscles repair is also how and when they strengthen. It is amazing how quickly you get stronger doing this! Good luck all you plankers!

Day 7 – USA – NFD

Good FD yesterday, 493 cals. For me, the key to keeping FDs to 500 cals. is planning, planning, planning. As long as I have a few choices of foods that will combine to 500 cals., I’m able to do it successfully. Weight is still 160.2, but I expect to have a whoosh in a day or two. That has been my body’s pattern and I’m grateful to have recognized it.

Day 7: Gloucestershire, UK: NFD

Day 7 UK NFD

My fast day was much easier yesterday and I came in at under 500 cals.

It was weigh in today and despite over indulging over the Easter bank hol I am pleased to report that I am 3 Ibs down. Wahooo! 😁

I also really enjoyed my workout today and I am pleased to have returned to my exercise after a week off visiting family.

Feeling very positive 😁

Day 7 – SW WA USA – NFD

Think I’m still in a celebratory mode eating-wise as I finish out spring break. Will get back on track with a proper FD on Monday.

Need to get out to the Farmers’ Market for fresh veggies this morning. We have a wind & rain event also @redrockgirl302. Want to get done with errands before strong winds are predicted. It’s already pretty wild out there!

Enjoy the weekend forum friends!

Day 7, Surrey (UK), NFD, Fast Strength Day (FSD)

I’m not being deterred by this plateau. I’m NOT! I’m keeping on keeping on with 5:2 AND increased exercise/ movement. This morning, I tried out my ‘fast strength’ routine. This is what I did in half an hour:

1. A jog around the block to warm up
2. 10 jumping jacks
3. 10 sit-ups
4. 10 reverse curls
5. 10 modified press-ups (on my knees, dipping as low as I could)
6. A plank for 20 seconds
7. 10 tricep dips
8. Wall squat for 10 seconds – thighs parallel to the ground
9. Repeated 2-8 above twice more. Held last plank for 30 seconds.

It shows that it IS possible to fit exercise in to my life, as long as I make the effort to create a space in my schedule. There’s no excuse not to, really.

Yesterday I did a LOT of walking around. My hubby and I were visiting Cambridge. We went to a concert in the evening and decided to do a day’s sightseeing as well. In fact the only time I was seated was when in the car, eating dinner, and during the concert itself. That still amounted to 6 hours of sitting, but was a big improvement on my usual sitting habits.

It’s good to hear what you are all doing, exercise-wise. Well done especially to the plankers! @toddybear – I will be thinking of you on your training run tomorrow. I think you will beat me to your target!

Have a good evening everyone. Don’t let those wretched scales grind you down!

Day 8…NSW Australia…FD
8.10am Sunday
Hi everyone
Just checking in. Trying to shake off a head cold – don’t like being unwell!
Enjoy whatever you are getting up to and bye for now!

Day 5 Sarasota, Florida CD
Day 6 NFD
Day 7 NFD I’ve been posting in April but my posts don’t seem to be appearing. I need the accountability with a lot of company and restaurant eating. I haven’t needed FD’s in a couple of months, just CD’s because I was well below my goal weight. I see the Dr Monday and find out where I stand now. I’d like to have a FD soon! I’ll get on track for sure when my last company leaves Tuesday. Wishing everyone well worldwide! 🌍

Day 8, Emden Germany, FD

Day 8 – Dubai – FD#3
Just checking in. Thanks for the info about planks @ccco.

“Three months from now, you’ll thank yourself.”

Day 8 UK FD

Aiming for FD today but will see how it goes. Feeling very hungry already and not even 10 am! Must stay strong and hopefully the scales will reward tomorrow!

Day 8 Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 NFD

Day 8 Devon, UK Feast Day

Finished yesterday with a wonderful vegetable curry – parsnip, carrot, sprout, cauliflower and spinach – with a couple of spoons of wild rice on the side. I’d forgotten how delicious curry can be – thank you for the inspiration @fatrabbit. An epsom salt bath, an early night and almost 10 hrs sleep – feeling rested and a genuine sense of well-being for the first time in ages, incipient cold is present but not yucky after sleep, air, loads of cinnamon tea and water.

Last full holiday day today, and due to go out for lunch at a beach cafe down the coast. I’ll make healthy choices, and enjoy my last day here. Just time for an hour of yoga & meditation before we head off.

I’ve not done half the things I brought to do & I’ve probably put on weight. But I’ve really enjoyed being with my friend, sleeping, stretching my body and relaxing – and eaten an epic amount of vegetables! That’s what holidays are for – new perspective comes from mindful restoration 🙂

Day 8 Newcastle UK NFD 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
Family meal out with wife sisters and Dad so I’ll just enjoy the day.
Put weight on over the Easter period which I expected back on track on Monday. Although I’ve put weight on I still feel I’ve got my weight under control and have done for over a year now.

Day 8 – London – NFD
Managed a good CD yesterday.

Day 8-Spain- FD
3 fast days , 3 controlled days (CD) & 1 non-fasting day (NFD) when I had a meal out & wine 🙂
3lbs lost … yaay … & I now weigh now 167 lbs
14 more to go to my first goal of 153 lbs
Practiced yoga for 1 hour 3 times during the week… & walked too…
Second-week for me

Plank Pocket List – please copy and add your name if you want to join us for April 💪
@cornish-jane
@rainbowsmile with extra
@snowflake56
@summerbug
@at
@toddybear
@kerryn73
@ccco
@flourbaby
@hyacinth plus extra 😱
@catch87 plus extra!

Extras build up to 100 setups (crunches) and 100 squats

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Congratulations to everyone persisting with the challenge, it’s a toughie.

If planks are hurting your back one cause is because tummy and back muscles are weaker than they should be. When doing planks you must hold those stomach muscles in to protect the back, otherwise the back takes the strain. That means bottom should be down. The back is flat at all times. You can add pelvic floor clenches at the same time which encourages tummy and discourages back.

Tummy muscles can be exercised twice a day, back muscles tire and need rest. Split the plank into smaller challenges and rest between. If it’s ultra hard see if you can borrow an inflatable ball. Another alternative is to do a half plank with knees on the floor, but don’t raise your feet.

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If doing crunches and back hurts, stop. This is because posture is wrong, keep back flat on the floor, knees bent and raise head and shoulders. Don’t put hands behind head as it will stretch neck and put stress on upper back.

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Squats are great when you can get knees 90° with thighs parrell to the floor. If struggling hold hands in prayer position under chin. Clench tummy. Squats are for lower abs and also lift the butt.

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If in any doubt stop and get advice on posture, it’s better to do a few in the correct posture than loads in the wrong one.

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The above was told to me by my body pump instructor, I bribed her with a large cappuccino.

Mari

Day 8, London, UK, NFD,

Fridays’ weight is holding steady after 2 NFDs …………….. fingers firmly crossed!!!! I’m staying mindful and I think the benefits of Arid April are kicking in as the NFD choices have been pretty good!!!

@steve toon taxi driver, funny how our mindset changes, a little weight gain doesn’t mean you’re going to throw in the towel or panic because you messed up your diet!!! Because now you know a FD or two will fix that easily and you’re not on a diet anyway!!!!

So, I haven’t heard much from my fellow Arid April(ers) @bigviking & @jaifaim ……………………….. I hope you guys are hanging in there and not waking up in that hangover haze we’re all too familiar with!!!!

@fatrabbit, any good bunny stories or piggie stories to share??? I only ask because your foody posts are making me drool!!!! Off to prepare a bag of sprouts for dinner…………. Hhmmm; I’ve no idea why????

@coda, I hope you’re taking a little ‘me’ time and practising some well-deserved self-care, we’re here when you’re ready!!!!

I need to drown some dragons today, I’m so dehydrated. With wine consumption at zero, my water should have gone up, alas laziness prevailed and refilling the water bottle has proved a monumental task!!!! LOL!!!!

Stay strong people!!!!

@Strawberriesandcream, you make me laugh; willpower of a gnat…I like that!! The good thing, for me, is that at least I don’t struggle with alcohol, as I can’t stand the taste!
No. it’s the eating that’s my problem….especially my sweet tooth.

Day 8 – Ireland 🇮🇪 – NFD
Day 7 – Ireland 🇮🇪 – NFD

My plans and resolutions for a controlled weekend fell completely apart on Friday afternoon. There was a shocking shouting match at work between the boss and a colleague that me and my teenage coworkers were witness to….it really upset everyone. My colleague walked from the job. I have never in my entire working life seen anything like it.

So wine was popped Friday evening and basically I have been snacking and nibbling ever since.

Back to work tomorrow and it will be interesting to see what the prevailing mood of the boss will be like.

RESET tomorrow for sure

Day 8, Gozo Malta, nfd

Ate Chinese food and a piece of cheesecake for lunch.

This evening will have something light.

Tomorrow is a fast day for me.

Have a great day everyone, onwards and downwards 👍.

Made it first 500 of the week 🙂, all good, marmite drink kept me through the end of the day, thanks for that tip.

Day 9 – Japan – FD 82.8kg (#23 in 2018)

Weight up, I’ll blame it on doing taxes this last weekend. I have to file both in Japan and the US.

Today I’ve only done one 2 minute plank so far …