Dag you really did have me guessing re Hong carb foods! Yes come summer I’m sure we’ll all find it a lot easier to lose. Anyone who’s having success over winter maybe you can give us some tips?
Serena a big welcome to you. And goodie I have someone else who understands my obsession with the scales! At least I don’t let them control me or get me down any more but I do still weigh almost every day.
Taco don’t worry mine was the same 800gr after my peep into the 69’s! And yes a few foods that I indulged in too. Excess salt in high processed foods usually makes me retain fluid & I did have a tasteless scroll thingy from Brumby’s that I won’t be tempted into buying again. Waste of calories & not enjoyable. Funny used to love them before 5:2.
60th party last night was lovely, lots of interesting conversations with old & new friends. Yes plenty of food but didn’t indulge too much & only a couple of wines so not too bad after all.
Hi CG hope you’re lurking & I’d second Milena’s comment – even if you only post once a week or something to let us know you’re OK. Just a short I’m doing OK or whatever would be great. And if it’s any improvement definitely let us know!! Hope you’re having a better day with less pain & enjoying the sport on the telly.

Well onto a lovely Saturday which was meant to be rainy…..maybe later. For now it’s a bit of gardening. Oh our 7th grandchild is on the way in San Francisco. Labour started today (their 3rd) so waiting for the big news. Amazing how births are different these days with technology. Both son & DIL have their mobile phones either in their hands/next to the bed & pick up every text mssge or email or facebook comment; and they keep everyone updated with comments on FB. I had to laugh with birth no 1 that we were present for. Son was being so good & supportive & rubbing her back etc but behind his back he had his phone & every now & then he’d peep & check for updates! It was so incredible to watch. It was good for DIL too though cos he’d say Oh friend X says Get on & do the job or friend Y says they’re all thinking of you etc. So so different to the isolated experience that I remember. OH slept through the birth of no 2 in the middle of the night (he’d been sent home/nothing happening) and no 3 he was banging on the delivery room door but they were too busy to hear him. I suspect they were too busy having bets on the weight of what the dr had guessed to be a 10lb baby, but wasn’t quite. They all left me straight after the birth & took her to the scales! And then OH got let in.
Have a great weekend all and those who’ve read the link to the article I posted – think about what your body would post about your healthy behaviours/or not today! If you haven’t read it scroll back & have a look. Worth thinking about over a weekend when we tend to indulge either a bit (which is fine) or a whole lot! suejen XXXX

Suejen interesting article, thanks. Felt like quite a few of the first section a couple of times this last week. YY

Hello everyone, I am Northern Rivers girl and I started today. My mum died of cancer in the UK after a 17 week battle, I gained 16 kilos over the course of the time from pure panic being so far away and then eventually being in the UK for the last 4 weeks eating ‘anything’ they had at the hospital or hospice. Mum wouldn’t have wanted me to be sad and overweight so here I am, I need to shift my attitude and got from 80kgs to 64. Any help you can offer would be welcome xxx

Hi CG, remember Im always around in the middle of your night, if you fsncy s chat or just want to know someone is reading your post. Keep taking those baby steps, remember that body of your is brilliant at healing, but it takes time. Google my old faves the Bach Flower remedies – might help!

Hi Missy, good to see you on here, I’m the oddball, English living in Scotland, been racking my brains to find a connection to these lovely prople, but other than I feel comfy around them, hubby has a cousin or two living in Oz, and I think Simon Baker and Hugh Jackman are gorgeous – you might find it hard to call them even tenuous links, but this thread is a nice place to be.

Better go now its midnight and Im up at 4.45 to stand at an antique fair in Newcastle – will think of you all as I go over that mini Sydney harbour bridge, the Tyne Bridge.

Hi Suejen, we have salads in Summer and Winter, then again its just as cold in Summer, so we have porridge, stews and soup all year round! I refuse go eat Strawberries out of season though! And this looks like another year the barbie hasn’t been out! Sigh!

Hi Up, Im really surprised to here about the bad weather and cold you are having. I knew some places in Oz are very hot, but never realised you got cold. Then again I imagine you all think it rains alot in Scotland, whereas the reality is it rains even more than you might imagine -lol!!!

Hope everyone is having a great Sunday!!!

Hello everyone. Welcome Missy. I’m sure you will find that we are a supportive lot and often share our ups and downs, not always to do with weight loss either.
I’ve mentioned this in the past but thought it might help those of us with a bit of the winter blues. I have a bread maker and make my own bread. This morning I carried 5 kilo bag of flour upstairs from the garage. It was very bulky, large and heavy. Now that is only half of the amount of weight I, plus many of you have lost. In my case in seven months. So team this way of eating and way of life does work. Stay positive and just remember it does not always show. Lots of the fat we lose comes from inside the abdominal cavity round our organs. That is very harmful. So we are Aussie Determination and doing so very well. Keep up the good work.
X Dawg

Milena, congratulations on your loss since starting 5 2, I’m a bit of a yo yo at the moment too but I’ll persevere! I hope everything goes well for you and your family, that your son’s operation goes well and that your mother-in-law behaves 🙂 I’m sorry to hear about your cat, it’s so awful and sad when our pets are unwell, they are our family members. You are a wonderful person and very kind to care for her like you do. I’ll keep you in my thoughts and prayers that all goes well.

I’m finding it difficult to catch up 🙁 I’m getting all confused.

CG- I read through your posts and I’m sad to hear that you are still in pain and that you are feeling down because of some nasty kilos that are hanging around. The meds will bloat you and you will retain water, also the lack of movement will aid that retention. As days go by you will start to feel less pain , however, there will be zig zags along the way! Pain is like weight loss, it spikes , then drops! Pain we control with meds, weight we contro with 5 2 , both zigzag, plateau and eventually move. Hang in there CG, we all need your determination and because 5 2 is a way of life, if you cannot do it one day because of illness, party or stress , you jump back on the horse the following week. I noticed that on the 15/07 you felt that ‘you were flying solo’ but if it wasn’t for you, the forum would not be the same. Feel free to post about anything, we are all here to support each other in this WOL- it’s a journey, it will have ups and downs, if we do not discuss our downs we will fail! That is why I have failed so many times before, that is why I am so huge! But not this time. So please post CG, …anyway, how are the boys?

Milena, I love going to antique fairs and even markets, there are treasures to be found from time to time. We have an antique fair in Glebe, it’s great fun, I usually go with a friend very early in the morning and I see a lot of people take thermos filled with soups etc.

I have been having stock cubes in large mugs on my skinny days. They are only around 6 calories. I have miso soup and hard boiled eggs. We have had a very cold winter and the stock cubes help me 🙂

Hi Up, not having junk food at home helps. I have found that I mindlessly open the pantry door to see if there is anything quick and easy that does not require preparation …I’m glad when there’s nothing there 🙂

GG – you are in my prayers 🙂
Gypsy, hope all is ok.
CG – hope today is better 🙂

To everyone-Have a lovely Sunday afternoon and stay warm. To those fasting tomorrow , prepare what you will be having and those of you who need to break the fast or are unwell, just make healthy choices and don’t be harsh on yourself. Remember, Thursday is another fast day. This is a long term solution and not a quick fix, it’s a healthy way of life,
See you all soon 🙂
Xx

Well done Yumyum

weekend fasting always seems odd to me too – and I dont even have a change of schedule, I can do 4:3 ok, as long as I keep Monday snd Thursday days intact.

Tacofox, I love rummaging at the fairs, my favorite is one we go to in
Copenhagen, just booked the next one on October – its a hard job but someone has to do it.

Im just outside Edinburgh, beautiful country and yes, very green, the lack of sun means we really appreciate it when it comes, though this summer has been a bit if a disappointment. Still posponing holiday to France and Italy waiting for a date for son’s op, bright side is we this is third fair in 8 days, doing them for holiday money, hopefully we will have most of it by the end of the day, and theres a chance of losing a stone before we go. Always a bright side. Without clouds there would be no silver linings.

Driving through the rain, almost at the border, so beautiful it makes you want to count all your blessings. Certainly lifts the spirits, dreich as the day is.

Enjoy your day everyone .

Ah I am in Bath at the moment, UK, as thats where my in laws have been and its summer here so no winter blues, the weather has been nice. I am here til the 10th August before I return home. Good to know that you weigh in Fridays, I will also do that, Monday and Thursday fasts, why not. I wont do it tomorrow as I am going away to Babbington House for mums birthday (well we were supposed to go and she would have been 65 but died 2 weeks ago sadly)so we go in her honour.

Look forward to catching up with everyone thanks for welcomes and advice. I did a little walk today as well, so am pretty on target. I am also gluten free (coeliac) and low GI to keep those hashimoto antibodies down.

Cheers
Missy x

Yum yum – glad to hear that you were successful on Saturday:)
CG – hope you are well soon and that in the meantime, you keep on top of those painkillers. To the rest of our lovely team- prepare yourself for tomorrow’s fast. I will sign off now as I must try to make myself beautiful for tomorrow and get ready for a celebratory dinner – good family news 🙂

Team – apologies for being AWOL, had a really busy weekend (and Friday!). Spent quality time my little sewing machine (it’s a really tiny hobby one, that does not stitch anything heavy…), taking in pants and tops  . I discovered that stitching the inside leg (in-seam) in pants seems to really shape the trousers better, rather than just the waist, that leaves the rest of the pant weirdly baggy. Also, taking it inseam hides any stitching faults, whereas stitching on the outside leg… let’s just say I can’t sew a straight line! Having a “shopping fast” for the next three months and not buying any new clothes or shoes, so the alterations…
Taco – thanks for the congrats . Vodka with a Lemon wedge is lesser cal at 45 calories, and red wine 165. More importantly, less sugars in it, so better for lowering insulin levels (apparently lowering insulin should be the aim for anybody trying to lose weight, as insulin is a “fat retaining” hormone, as is increasing Thyroid levels). I really loved all your posts, had a ball reading them.
Hi Milena – hope you had fun fossicking in the antique fairs.
SJ – congratulations on your lovely little grand-daughter! 🙂 How wonderful to have grandbaby 7 arrive! Hope your hip pull/stitch gets better in time for your holiday. Regarding weigh-ins (from your Saturday post?) – I stayed on the stable weight of 72.9 kgs, fourth week now. And your link to the “Bodybook” post was so funny, and so, so true!! Thanks for that!
Upt – looks like your body is telling you rest a little bit lol
Serena, Missyloo – Welcome on board 🙂
YY – hats off for fasting on Saturday 🙂
CG – hope you are healing well. You are in our thoughts. Take care of yourself…
GO Aussie Determination!!! We have feasted, now we will fast, for health, and body image (Body says – she loves me, she really does, she’s giving me a break from all the digestion work!!). Lots of water and fluids as although we may not feel thirsty in cooler weather, we still lose lots of water. Btw, one cause of fluid retention is when we drink too less water; our bodies will then retain it in.

Morning Team ready for a fast day (most if not all of us)? Are you prepped and ready to go, worked out your cals/meals so the tally at the end of the day doesn’t take you by surprise. Nothing worse than thinking you had a good day only to find Uh oh……that was more cals than I thought! Good point Lotus re fluid retention & drinking less – I’m a terror for not drinking in the winter so like you Dawg might put a glass out on the bench. Give OH something to do saying What’s this glass here for all day, you never drink it?!
Body says – she loves me, she really does, she’s giving me a break from all the digestion work!! Lotus what great words to keep us fasting till bedtime.
Yes CG is lurking and reading all your posts so do keep on encouraging & sending hugs. She needs all she can get at the moment.
Thanks for the congrats re our new grand-daughter…very special tho so far away.
Missyloo hope you enjoyed your very special lunch/dinner in honour of your mum. Feel free to swap days whenever you need to, that’s what we love about 5:2.
Have a great fast day team, you KNOW you can do it, you’ve got this. Despite winter or other setbacks we can still stick to our tried and trusted routine. We all have different routines but they work for us & we can trust them. If the scales are not cooperating remember our last 2 P’s: patience & persistence. suejen XXXX

Hi all! I’m a sydney 5:2-er – have done 5’2 last year going from 67kg to 63kg and after an indulgent Europe holiday I’m back upto 68kg! (No regrets, the food was amazing!) 2 successful fasts last week, currently fasting today and will weigh in after my 2nd fast this week!

Welcome SarahMck and C-vann!
SarahM – the Jarrah hot choc is supposed to be only 30 cals or so (if you don’t add milk but stick to hot water) and 70? if you add skimmed milk. I am not fond of hot choc so not added the calories but others have tried this a low-cal sub for the regular hot choc.

Thanks Lotus! I’ve seen it in the shops but never tried it, perhaps I better invest in some. I drank instead sparkling water today with a tiny bit of cordial in it and that really stopped my sweet tooth cravings at bay and only cost me 4 calories 🙂

Hi c_vann and sarah welcome to the aussie determination forum. You’ll find us all a very welcoming and encouraging lot, and we share tips and tricks and what works for us. The Jarrah hot choc is 45 cals made as directed Sarah with 1 cup hot water. Yummy as! I already have one in MFP My Fitness Pal for this evening to curb the sweet cravings. That’s where a lot of us count calories – not all of us every day but certainly fast days FD’s we do. And for other days you need to calculate your TDEE to get your cals allowed – just put TDEE in the search bar at the top to work this out. Not everyone sticks to this, some just eat mindfully on non-fast days and watch portion control. We mostly fast Monday & Thursday & weigh in on a Friday.
Hope you’ve all had a good fast day & have managed despite the weather – it’s bitterly cold here today. Just hang in there a bit longer & your head can hit the pillow with a happy sigh – you MADE it!! And your body will thank you for it. And tomorrow you can have some of that food you were craving for. suejen XXX

Hi everyone,

Suejen – your post this morning was fantastic! Thank you 🙂 CG – hope you are on the mend 🙂 welcome to our newbies 🙂 I have managed ok today, I am at 419 calories I will be going to bed soon as I am scared of falling into temptation 🙂
I had the following today :
lots and lots of black tea -0 cals,
2 vegetable stock cubes-24 calories,
cup-a-soup (croutons creamy mushroom) -121 calories,
Smoked salmon, 50 grams -103 calories
Hard boiled egg- 70 calories
Lite cottage cheese (.5.cup) – 80 calories
Celery – 2 sticks (40 grams) 20 calories

I hope my post helps others 🙂 I might have a strawberry and a cup of tea soon.
Goodnight all 🙂

At least that is the case with me Tacofox, not everyone the same though. I have had a busy weekend and looking forward to my fast tomorrow.

Hi Suejen, the day’s not over yet 🙂 I am still up marking and and may need to go to bed, I don’t want to stuff up so late in the day! I meant night. PS sorry if I’m being selfish with my posting, work has been busy or I’m not as efficient as I need to be – one of the two , lol 🙂 but I do think of you all and read your posts 🙂

Hi All!
It’s so good to be finally able to log on here again and to post. The internet coverage here in Normandy is very poor and slow. It has taken over 30 mins to load this one page and to send my post. I’m way behind on all the news but will try to catch up bit by bit. You have been in my thoughts and I hope ye haven’t forgotten me either!
Just a message or two for now on the main news I have managed to read:
SJ – so delighted to hear about your beautiful new granddaughter. Hope your injury clears up in time for Vietnam.
CG – it sounds like you are struggling at the moment and I am sorry to hear that because you have been a true rock of support to me and I hope you realise how much you have helped others here and made a huge difference to the success of so many people on this thread. Please hang in there and don’t stress about things; life will come right again in its own time. XXXX Big hugs to you (())
GG – I often think of you and your dad. Hope all is as well as it can be for you and yours xx.
Gypsy – Bette Midler was amazing! She looked fantastic (probably some botox to thank for that!). But she also has a great figure and fabulous legs for 69 years of age and could strut her stuff around the stage and get up and down from the floor, no bother!!! Her voice is as good as ever and she sang lots of her old favourites as well as some newer songs. It was a brilliant night!
Up, Lotus, Taco, YY – loved reading all your posts and I hope to catch up properly with ye in future posts.
Welcome to all the newbies and if you stick with this gang, you won’t go far wrong!
Take care, everyone, and I hope I can catch up with all you wonderful ADers again soon xxxxxx