Well done, Madam Secretary – it’s good to be reminded of where everyone hails from. Thank you!
This topic contains 14,766 replies, has 323 voices, and was last updated by Countrygal1 2 years, 8 months ago.
Hi All, just tried skimming pages – keeping a lookout for photos also. Terrific photos btw and now my eyes are crossing so thought I’d call it quits for tonight. Can’t remember all I read but being offline for a couple of weeks means I just get to pick the ‘eyes’ out of some.
CG, your photo is lovely so glad you have a date set for the op. Will be keeping the 25th in mind.
Up, wow! Love the clothes and sandals too. Think you’d better leave the scales packed away til after you are home and enjoy the last bit of your trip/holiday.
Lotus and FB so pretty. Ah to be young again :-).
Fit enjoy your cheery posts, sorry you aren’t really in summer mode yet. Weather is really screwball all round at the moment. Here on the West Coast we are having a really warm start to winter as in minimums anywhere from 9 – 13 deg. C and days are around 22-23. Even a couple of 25 deg. days coming up and still needing to run the air conditioner when out in the car. Whacko.
I’m sure it has something to do with weird viruses going around. Had the dreaded lurgie for a couple of weeks so just let everything slide. Good now though apart from left over cough.
TTFN YY xx
YY – good to hear from you and sorry that you have been unwell. Those awful viruses have been doing the rounds over here for the last few months and many people have been suffering with a lingering cough too. I hope you are completely better soon. I agree that the weather worldwide is totally haywire and some people still say that global warming doesn’t exist!!! Take care xx
Can anyone join in here? I am an Aussie hailing from northwest/New England NSW, 69 years old, wife of 50 years, mother to 3, grandmother to 8. I have been on this website before, posting in a thread for Southern Hemisphereites and have now found this forum as well. Is it OK to take part in both? I fell off the wagon early last year when hubby was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma and I could not focus on my weight loss until now…I am now heavier than I have ever been :-(. I had a successful fast day yesterday and felt very pleased with myself. I really like this way of eating and hope I can hang in there long term this time around (have had a few half hearted non successful attempts during the past 18 months) If this is a closed forum please someone let me know, otherwise I would love to join in here as well as in the other thread…the more support the better right?
Hi Madame Secretary
thank you for including me!
I can’t remember who renamed my wee cat Lazereth, but she is on he up and up again – I’ve been feeding her by hand, pretty sure blood is ok for a carnivore, but its becoming a tad dangerous! It is so funny to see her trying to feed herself, I’m tempted to allow her, she does a complete summersault across the top of the bowl. But today she managed to drink from her bowl without drowning. Having had a stroke apparently blood clots are breaking off, affecting eyesight and balance.
Of course we are having Summer here – boiling some parts of the UK, high winds and rain here. Usual summer weather.
Having done the fast beach diet for six weeks and lost 12 lbs, just had a week off and put two pounds back on – sooo enjoyable, net 35 lbs off so far.
Combining 5:2 and 19:5 for a few weeks, though seriously thinking the best thing might be just one meal a day instead. Any thoughts on this welcome.
Hi All
Winter is a struggle – how did everyone else do it last year? Have had a total week of off this planet – very little exercise, too much chocolate etc etc. Interesting to say that the weight seems to reset itself to around what I have lost – hovering but if I continue along with the mindless eating will increase quickly.
A little over soups at present.
Thanks guys (loved the photos).
Hi Jaybee – this is definitely not a closed forum; I’m from Ireland and they even let me in! 😉 So, you’re more than welcome here and we will all try to help and support you as you restart your 5:2 journey. I don’t think there’s a problem posting on two forums if you can keep up with all the action! I’m very sorry to hear about your husband’s health problems, but you have made a good start with your first fast successfully done – so you have taken the first step and you’re on your way. Keep in touch and share as much or as little as you like. If you look back over the last ten or so pages here, you will see some inspiring before and after photos of the lovely ladies in this group and hopefully, this will give you the strength and determination to keep going.
Thanks for the nice mention, CG; I don’t feel the day is really right until I see your posts, whether morning or evening. Enjoy you day and the garden xxx
Looks like lots of posts are crossing just now, great minds think alike!
Milena – that’s a fantastic loss and you certainly deserved to live it up a little after doing the FBD.
Jenmic – good to hear from you again. You’re right about the mindless eating, it just creeps up on you so you are wise to take control and keep on track. Best of luck!
Milena, well done!
CG, so excited for you. It is only when you lose your health that you realise just how much you took it for granted. I hope this really helps you to come back!
Jaybee, welcome. Totally understandable weight gain. Hopefully you will find us helpful!
Re winter, I can finally chip in with something as you may all recall that my time in North America has been cold!!!
I have no fab advice though! I never ate salad as a meal but did try to eat salads as a side a lot. Soup makes for a good lunch. I agree about porridge, Fit.
I think avoiding the stodge and just going plain meat, fish or chicken with veg is the key. Don’t have temptation in the house, try not to overdose on carbs and use that same old aussie determination that got you all this far!
Welcome Jaybee. It’s always nice to have new members. I’m sure that every one of us has fallen off the wagon at some stage. We are here to share our ups and downs. Both pertaing to food and emotionally.
Last night we had the neighbours round for dinner. We seldom have desserts as a matter of course but as its was guests I though I’d put myself out a bit. I served up ice cream ( well know Aussie brand) with strawberries and hot chocolate sauce. Well my taste buds have certainly changed as I found the ice cream far too sweet. I’d always enjoyed it in the past. I’m also finding that I automatically serve up smaller portions now.
It’s a chilly, very windy day here. Poor long weekenders are mostly stuck indoors. Oh yes Melbourne with its four seasons in one day. I worked there for many years and do miss it at times.
Madam secretary – thanks for doing the names and places again. Maybe those who’s names don’t appear might like to add theirs. – or not if you prefer to remain incognito.
Enjoy the rest of the day. FD again tomorrow.
Morning. Nice to have two ‘newbies’ – welcome. JB we are in the same age bracket but you have been doing it tough with your OH’s cancer. Good to have some online support for those days that get you down :-).
CG I didn’t even try to go to the doctor for just that reason and anyway, it was all around me and no-one was getting any help from meds. Just have to tough it out.
Just checked out my tracker and don’t know what I gained the past few weeks as I forgot to weigh before doing FDs last week but after Thursday FD was only up 200 grams. I just put 5:2 on the back burner and ate what I wanted and when. Appetite wasn’t good anyway so it didn’t matter much.
JenMic if you check back on posts you will find Lotus gives ideas about warm veg. salads with feta cheese. Might help if you are over soups.
Have a lovely Sunday everyone. YY xx
BTW Madam Secretary, Sue I’m Jan for your records.
Afternoon all, Have been rushing around, cleaning the house etc for I ‘m Sydney bound tomorrow. I have been soooo busy that I have turned today into a FD. Hope you are enjoying your long weekend.
A REALLY BIG WELCOME TO OUR NEW TEAM MEMBERS!!! JB and welcome back JENMAC
YUM- glad your back and are feeling better.
MELINA- well done on your fabulous loss!
MADAM SECRETARY – thanks for the update. LOTUS has agreed to be MISTRESS OF TOURISM *****if you all feel ok with this. As our reunion is possibly Sydney next year… LOTUS has her finger very close to the pulse in finding accommodation…. the place that is central to many things in Sydney is DARLING HARBOUR.We will see
Tomorrow being a public holiday in Australia are you all having a FD or leaving it to Tuesday?
What ever your plan use the 4P’s and enjoy.We are employing OUR AUSSIE DETERMINATION so well because WE CAN DO IT!!!!…..GO GAL <3 xxxxxxxxxx
JB you are very welcome here, and yes support makes all the difference for sure. So hang around here & you’ll be encouraged to keep on going. Great that you had a successful FD yesterday – is’t it a great feeling getting into bed knowing that you succeeded. Luvit!
JenMic good to see you back. Yes winter is a whole different ball game. I can certainly vouch for one thing & that’s CG’s drink of Jarrah lite hot choc at the end of the day at only 47 cals, but it gives you the sweet/hot hit you need to end the day, rather than munching mindlessly on stuff. I used to grab handfuls of nuts in the evening & boy do they add the calories up! I still have my hardboiled egg for both breakfast & lunch (but warmed up these days) as I find protein is the thing that keeps me full. Then I’ve got enough left to have either a stew/casserole/stirfry with a protein & lots of vegies for dinner, either fish/chicken/beef/pork etc. Apart from that I still swear by my vegemite drink (1 tsp in hot water) to fill me up any time I need it for just 10 cals (though usually only once a day when I most need it). Seems to keep me going more than a herbal tea or a coffee esp in winter.
I think now winter is here we all just have to get smarter & REALLY plan and prepare well as to what will fill us up & keep us warm, but also fit within our 500 limit. Using MFP is the way to go for sure as we venture into perhaps new types of foods that we’re not so sure of the portion size or calorie amounts.
Another thought is that perhaps we should be thinking more along the lines of reserving more cals for our dinners than we did over summer, so we can have a more generous portion to fill us up on a cold night. Anyway let’s keep on sharing what works for us & we’ll get through it as a team with good losses! suejen XXX
GG have a good time in Sydney & hope your unplanned FD went well. Busy works well for a FD doesn’t it!
Hi All!
CG – we’re all feeling the excitement building as the day for your op draws near and we’re keeping fingers and everything else crossed for the best possible outcome. Your strength and positivity in this and every other aspect of life are a great example to us all.
Up – hope you’re enjoying your travels and getting to share some fab experiences with your OH.
Doggy – agree about changing taste buds, but unfortunately for me, I haven’t gone off sweet things so much as gained a taste for savoury things such as cheese…..not good for calorie control! 🙁 As for falling off the wagon, I’ve done that so often I feel like a yo-yo!! Good job I’m still well padded enough to bounce!! 🙂
YY – you are right to concentrate on getting better, being ill is not a time for fasting and your slight gain is nothing. Hope you’re fully better soon.
GG – have a great time in Sydney. I love getting stuck into housework when I’m in the mood….distracted from eating, working off calories and you end up with a sparkling, neat house – win/win! Woohoo 🙂
SJ – lots of brilliant advice and you’re right about the hot drinks really helping in the cold weather. BTW, for your records my name is Aideen.
Sunday morning for me and it’s warm(ish!!) and sunny!!!! 😆
HI Team thinking about winter strategies so I’ve added 2 of my favourite winter warmer, filler-upper recipes to our recipe thread. One is for a Sausage Casserole (could easily be made vegetarian) and this one fills me up every time I have it – no problem. And the other is for Creamy Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes so a cauliflower substitute for mashed potatoes. It’s very yummy & you really wouldn’t know the difference. Fabulous with any type of a stew/slow cooker meal or as a side with a grill. Different calorie options available depending on how big/small a serve you can fit into your day. suejen XX
More to come when I’ve thought about it! We all need to get sneaky with our calories I reckon!!
Hi Countrygal
Ive done exactly the same – just felt like a break, in reality ‘normal’ eating as used to be for me – though didn’t end us quite as bad as pre 5:2. Wine and more wine, crisps (haven’t had crisps this year. Ice cream, lattes, new potatoes. Just a couple of wee cakes and no biscuits though. I was wondering about the re-feeding aspect. More concerned will I get back into the groove, so aiming for 19-5 and much more exercise. Good luck!!!
CG I feel sure that your break will do you good in the long run. Truly I mean it. You’ve been so self-controlled but I feel you needed a break. And yes you’ll be back into 5:2 no probs AND any weight you gained will just drop off this week. Twill be good for you to see the scales move CG. And then you may see another loss after that, after the shock your system has had. So no guilt, no dramas and back into the groove again. Milena you too…..have a break & then get back into action. And don’t be concerned….you know what to do! XX
Plateaus are so frustrating…looking back at my own tracker, I was stuck for six weeks and felt like giving up but checking in here kept me on track especially you, CG, with your can-do attitude and buckets of determination. I know you will keep on trying different options until you find what gets things going for you. You’re right that your little blowout is just like the holidays and breaks that other have taken and who knows, it might get things going again. I know you might feel like the black sheep, but we’ve all done it and the good news is we’ve come out the other side – so persevere! At least, you got to enjoy some self indulgence for a change and now you can get stuck in again. You can do it! We’re all learning from each other and will pull each other through. XXXX
Milena – it can be tough to get back on the horse after a lapse, but you showed amazing self-control to do the FBD, so you will be back on track in no time!
Yes, I think you can get a food hangover!!! Very good description…I think I had one the other weekend 🙁 ;not a nice feeling but maybe a good lesson to learn about how much our systems have been changing on the inside if not so much on the outside! You will be fine, CG, I have total faith in you. You’re only human and allowed the odd slip just like the rest of us. Take care; I’d offer a hug but I bet your tummy doesn’t even feel like a cyber squeeze!! Xxxx
Good morning everyone. I do not know anyone well enough yet to make replies to specific posts except to say to countrygal that I loved your last post above about it being only one day etc. That is very motivational and supportive, thank you! I am going well only on my third day into this and I know I will experience the same things you all have as the motivation weakens (I know this from MANY previous experiences!!). I will keep countygals words in my head and on a print out on my fridge to fall back on when times get tough. Have a good day everyone.
Hi fellow AD’s. It is a vile day here in the Roaring Fourties latitudes. Gale force wind, horizontal rain. Not nice at all. Also I have cabin fever. For the past few days I’ve had a swollen knee and it makes walking difficult. I don’t recall injuring it. I put it down to growing older and part of the rich tapestry of life.
As I live regional Australia I’ve found it difficult to find some of the low calorie products that many of the 5:2 recipes require. I’ve just found a site called Low Carb Central where I’ve been able to order online some shiitake noodles that are supposed to be almost zero calories and very low fat. I’m sure they stock Miso paste plus the Shiitake mushrooms too. My OH did some shopping for me but I’ve discovered what were supposed to be the low carb noodles are really rice noodles and not low carb at all. I’ll use them up in place of pasta for NFD. I’m looking forward to some of Lotus recipe Red lentil Dahl for lunch and probably Miso soup for supper.
Enjoy your day team. Oh yes and global warming is here, these awful winds usually occur in August. Wake up those who still believe that the earth is flat and that we definitely need to reduce our carbon omissions.
CG on reflection I tend to agree with you. I also use chilli from a jar plus some things from
Gourmet Garden as in their Thai, ginger and coriander. A also use the mixed herbs. I too live far from a major shopping area and some of the so called fresh fruit and veg is disgusting. I’ve recently started using Heinz Stewm Fresh mixed frozen veg. There is no wastage. I often get the guilts as a find all sorts of curled up and dying veg in the bottom of my fridge. It’s very convenient and is about 96 calories per serve. I wasn’t born in Australia but soon became a Vegimite convert. Think it probably has too much salt but then one only has a little bit. I noticed that you too enjoy Brie cheese. I just love it and could happily polish off a ptk of salty bikkies with a round of Brie or Camembert. Yum. Pity about the calories though but a treat every now and then is needed.
Doggy & CG boy we sure have the brie in common…along with cheese in general. Though I must say I’ve never polished off one myself I think only because I like to know that it’ll still be there for another go tomorrow!
And agree CG most of what I eat is fresh and I cook almost all my meals from scratch but the garlic is just one added step I can do without. Doggy do like the sound of your frozen veg packet with no waste & totally concur with the wilting stuff at the bottom of the crisper. I’ve been working on that this year & trying to use up more veg – especially the produce from our garden, but it is hard to keep up with it when it comes all at once. Have some beetroot roasting in the oven right now & will dice & freeze them for summer salads. Don’t use it much now. Next is the second lemon crop to deal with, but might give a lot away this time as still have plenty from the last crop (our tree has 2 types grafted on so a summer & a winter crop).
Well I too ate plenty over the weekend so the scales tell me, so looking forward to a FD today. I think it’s sorta funny….apart from non-local friends who haven’t seen me in a while, locally I had the FIRST person ask me yesterday IF I had lost weight & did I mean to!! CG it’s a bit like you commented way back, I mean how much weight does one need to lose before people notice? I reckon nearly 12 kilos should be noticeable!! But never mind I’ll have the last laugh. I ditched my good pair of black pants yesterday – too baggy & too big in the waist. May just be the style as they were a 14 but can’t see me fitting into a 12 yet. We’ll see…may wait a while.
Enjoy your FD team and know that it’s doing you a whole lotta good! suejen XXX
Hi All!
FD just starting for me and have to be focussed this week because I have my fancy ball to go to on Friday…can’t decide what to wear. It’s black tie for men but ladies can wear cocktail dress or full length. I have a black and grey cocktail dress with sleeves, very dressy; and I have a long dark blue, one-shouldered dress which has no sleeves. My dilemma is; I would love to wear a long dress as the opportunities to do so are very rare but my wobbly arms are not a very pretty sight. If I wear a wrap or shawl, it will have to come off eventually because there will be dancing; besides it would ruin the one shouldered effect. Sorry for long ramble…but any thoughts gals?
JB – glad you’re enjoying the recipes, there are lots of great ideas there and you’re right about CG and her words of wisdom, we all benefit from her well-timed reminders.
Doggy – I sympathize with you on the weather front; we had gale force winds last week which ripped my brother’s gazebo right out of the ground and mangled it, it was bolted to his patio slabs and the wind pulled them up too! However, things have settled down this week and it looks like we might get some sun for the next few days. Here’s hoping 🙂
We eat alot of fresh fruit and veg, but also use chopped frozen veg as they are very convenient, there’s less waste and the goodness has been preserved by being frozen so quickly so no worries and no guilt!
SJ – I’m sure this is just the start of many comments and compliments on your weight loss. I know I’m reluctant to comment on other’s weight loss because I’m afraid it could be due to illness or the person might think I’m saying they were really fat before and I wouldn’t want to offend anyone. It’s hard to get it right, so I usually just say they look great/well/young etc without referring to weight and leave it up to them to mention weight loss if they want.
CG – hope your fast day went well and that you’re over the blowout of the weekend. I’m sure you tackled it with your usual aussie determination and gutsiness! 🙂 Your ideas on adapting clothes as we change size and shape are very practical and inventive – we’re all transitioning so there’s no point in wasting money buying new clothes until we’re nearer our goals.
Have a great week everyone and post when you can….it’s lovely to hear what you’re all getting up to. Off to do lots of housework to occupy me on my FD; my usual strategy to keep my mind (and body!) away from food. Take care all! 🙂
Hi Fit
go for the one shoulder, we regret the things we cannot do.
A little fake tan always help, do it a few days before. A statement piece on your wrist will draw eyes away, or a dusting of sparkle on your shoulder.
If you have a bust the men wont even see your arms, and the women will all think yours are better than theirs, we all have the worst view of our own arms.
So go for it!
And you still hsve a week to start lifting those baked bean tins!!!!
Hi there CG, thanks for advice. I know the type of cardie you mean but I don’t think one would sit right on a one-shouldered dress. Never mind, I’ll try both on and get my daughter’s opinion…nothing like the next generation for telling you like it is!!! 😉 I knew you would rise to the challenge of the FD, well done!
Milena – thank you too, had to laugh at thoughts of me maniacally lifting tins of beans between now and Friday 😆 but the suggestion of a little subtle fake tan is a good one. I’m afraid I have no ‘assets’ to distract from the arms! Boohoo 😥 Plenty to think about though with accessories etc xx
Milena, great advice for Fit!
Fit, if you want to wear the one shoulder one, act confident and you will pull it off! If you think that you will feel uncomfortable in it on the night and can’t do that, wear the other one.
Feel good about yourself either way and have a great night!
Another day of flights for me. After a weekend in Montreal we are off to Helsinki and will have dinner with my cousin when we arrive before getting on a ferry to Russia tomorrow. Wish me luck with the food!
Oh wow Up! What an exciting time you’re having…. a real globetrotter! Of course I wish you luck with the food but I think it’s far more important to lap up all these experiences and make the most of them. I hope you’re taking loads of pictures to treasure when you get back home. Thanks for the advice; I agree that confidence and feeling comfortable are the keys to choosing the outfit regardless of which one it is. Take care on your travels xx
Wow CG you sure are up and about early! You are right to be proud of yourself; you are so good at finding the positive in everything and life never seems to get you down for long. You’re a treasure. It’s 10pm here and it’s as bright as the middle of the day as we approach our longest day of the year, the 21st. Coming to the end of my FD and finished at 534 cals, as near as I can calculate it. I never seem to stay below the 500. I always look around on MFP for the best figures I can find for the dishes I’ve eaten 😳 …..maybe that’s why I never seem to lose very much, I’m probably eating far more cals than I think 🙁
You must be logged in to reply.
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.
in Welcome to The Fast Diet and Exercise forums • updated 4 hours, 29 minutes ago by Turnabout
in Welcome to The Fast Diet and Exercise forums • updated 6 hours, 39 minutes ago by Merryapple
in Weight loss • updated 7 hours, 3 minutes ago by hedgehogs
1:36 pm
6 Jun 15