Hi All!!
It’s NYE morning for me of course, but you are all (apart from Jade) probably starting your celebrations with a little tipple or two and won’t be logging on here. No matter – you will get to read this at some stage so here’s wishing you all the very best for 2016 in the things that matter – family, friends and health of mind, body and soul. I looked back at the very first pages of this thread last night to see when I had started and I see my first one was on the 6th of February but I had written a few posts before that starting on the 6th of January on other threads. It was a lonely start until CG jumped in and rescued me with her insightful words and caring encouragement and as they say; the rest is history. It is interesting to see the names of those who were very familiar to me at the start but who have dropped off along the way; most without explanation and I wonder how things worked out for them. I also see the names of those who are still here; the old faithfuls and I thank you most sincerely for sticking with this thread and making it the supportive, compassionate, hilarious, warm and loving place that it is today. I also see the newer names who have been loyal and regular posters since joining in here and they have added richness and variety as well. I think we were the first thread to add photos and what a brave and wonderful thing that has been. Not only that, but there is now a WTF reunion to come and hopefully some skyping, where we can connect on an even more personal level…..not to mention the underlying support of emails when posting here might not have been appropriate. A huge thank you to all those who have made those extra layers of communication work…..you know who you are!! 🙂 🙂 We’ve had songs and poems, funny stories and tears, tales of battle and survival…..all touching and inspiring. So, here’s to more of the same for 2016 and even more closeness and friendship. I count my blessings every day when I log on here…..so have a wonderful evening and know that I am raising a glass to you all (even though I’m fasting!!) at midnight and I will be weighing in tomorrow to get myself on the right path again and set the tone for the year ahead. Well done all you brilliant ADers; I hope to meet you all some day but until then feel my arms around you for the biggest, warmest Irish hug {{{{{{{{{{ }}}}}}}}}}

Hi all. Wishing everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR.. it is 11.24 pm in Australia and this is the closest I will get to midnight. Have had a wonderful night with friends but could not last the distance.. Hope 2016 is the best year ever for us all. 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

Hear hear, Fit – what a rousing and lovely start to my day! Doggy, excellent recap of topics the group has shared over the past year – seems there is nothing off limits 🙂 and CG you have such a lyrical way with words, it’s a colorful garden you’ve planted and tended here. I’m honored to be included, what a generous bunch you all are. And sounds as though you could give me a tour of my own country. I feel rather provincial having barely made it to Europe. I got online last night after realizing I had so little clue of Australian politics – a bit different from ours, perhaps more can get done your way. And no orangutans on heads!

Up, thank you for the Oprah quote, much truth there – congrats to your daughter on the new job! Btw, I laughed and got a little dizzy trying to figure out where you were going on holiday – south west something at mid north something in new south wales, I’d end up in the ocean for sure.

SJ, strolling along the wharf on New Year’s Eve sounds beautiful – I hope dinner was as well. Your pumpkin gorgonzola pasta of the previous night sounded divine!

GG and PH, you’ve both had quite a crew with you! How grand – and GG, to sing your dad’s songs made me tear up a little. Lost mine early on but have such fond memories.

Ah, many ups and downs here and around the world, right? I’ll sweep up the detritus of 2015 for everyone, as I’m sitting still in the morning of NYEve, contemplating a FD but CG like you may toss in a shortbread later 🙂 was into the chocolate pecans last night, hmmm need one of those special kicks up the tush to start the new year maybe. Kudos to all for your 5:2 successes this past year and even bigger kudos for nurturing your friendships. May we all have good health and happiness in the coming year and whatever else be able to share a good belly laugh with good friends! Looking forward to an interesting 2016. 🙂 🙂 jade xxxxx

Happy Hogmanay and Happy New Year!!!

Hope you are all a load of losers in 2016!!!!!!

I am off to bed at 9 pm so won’t be seeing in the bells. Though we are leaving at about 4.30 am so will probably see lots of revellers along the roads – if the neighbours let us get to sleep!!

Fridge empty – wine put away until Valentine’s Day and a wee glass of martini before bed, sooo looking forward to travelling the road with you all in 2016, just have to lose the 5 or 6 kilos which seems to have appeared but losing already. And rather pleased to be missing the traditional steak pie on New Year’s day, but hoping to make lots of money this weekend!!

So pleased to have found you all and that you have made me an honarary Aussie! Fit – hope to see you for the reunion, and hopefully can skipe the gathering!

Guid New Year and mony may ye see.

May ye ne’er want a frien’ or a dram to gie him.

When we’re gaun up the hill of fortune, may we ne’er meet a frien’ comin’ doun!

Bliadhna mhath ùr!!!

I wonder if I might join this group/thread. I am just at the beginning of my journey to health and fitness. An Aussie in Victoria, overweight and unfit! I am finding it very hard to be motivated without having someone to be accountable to. Both my husband and I want to do this, me a little more so than him I think. I am 63, 5’1″ or 155 kgs and this morning weighed in at 73.2 kg.
Just caught myself giving a big sigh, where do I start!!!!
I retired from full time work in December 2014, we moved to Victoria in February 2015. You think I would have more time to exercise but it is the reverse for me. I used to walk every morning and then head off to work. Here I probably walk three times a week, sometimes four but it is not enough. I go through moments of determination, saying I will do this, I will do that but never seem to get started.
I want to be healthy, fit, energetic and enjoy life!!!!!

Thank you Countrygal. I have read the book, watched the video and borrowed the FD Recipe Book from the library. I have this open as I type. I have just nipped over and done the BMI/TDEE calculation. I will look at getting My Fitness Pal too. Our diet is not too bad but I suppose lots of people say that. Problem is we eat fairly healthy food but add in a cake or two now and again.
just as an aside – I have ticked the Notify me of replies by email but do not seem to be getting them so having to keep checking if any replies posted.

Hi All!
I too am having a quiet NYE. Younger daughter is gone to meet up with pals in the local village and might need to be collected so OH and I staying sober! Just one toast to 2016 and I’ll be keeping you all in my thoughts and close to my heart. I did another good fast today so I’m hoping the scales will be kind to me in the morning.
Well done CG on being first to weigh in with results….our fearless leader!! Your loss for 2015 is truly remarkable – so here’s to losing the next few kg to reach your goal xx Hoping all stays well in your little paradise with all your furry friends 🙂
GG – thanks for the lovely wishes. I was thinking of you and your dad over the last week and I’m so happy to hear you got to sing his songs with your loved ones. What a wonderful way to remember him xx Wishing you every blessing for the year ahead.
PH – you did well to last until that time, considering all the work you have been doing over the last few weeks. All the best to you and yours.
Gyps – somehow I knew it would be you rolling home from the pub at a disgraceful hour!! 😉 Very Irish that!! Best of luck and health to you and the leprechaun in 2016.
Jade – you fit in so well here that it’s like you’ve been here forever. Looking forward to getting to know you better. Have a wonderful new year xx
Milena – glad to hear that you survived all that awful weather. What part of Scotland did you say you’re from? I understood your scots English and even the Gaelic…it’s very like Irish. Best of luck at the fairs and for 2016 🙂
Geniegal – big welcome to you on this great day to start a new way of life! You have come to the best possible place for support and encouragement and I wish you every success with 5:2 and in general for the coming year.
Thinking of you SJ, UP, Noots, Dawg and all the others whose paths we have crossed this year. Every blessing and good fortune on you all for the coming year. Xxxx

Happy new year team.
A big welcome to you Genie. As otherw have already said, you will find us to be a very supportive and friendly bunch. If you have any queries that are not available in the book one of us may well have the answer. Surprising to me, my weight is still 70. I’d estimated that I’d put on some since I’ve not fasted for a few weeks. I may have to get another family member to check their weight on the scales to see if they are accurate.
It’s a cooler morning here today for which I’m grateful. I don’t really like the hot weather. The new year celebrations went off very quietly in our house as we all went to bed early. I heard the odd fireworks at midnight plus the dogs barking but nothing untoward.
Cheers all and enjoy the day or night wherever you happen to be.

Ooooo we started at the pub early today, before it even got dark – OH’s idea, go for happy hour and miss the crazies – and now we ARE the crazies, back at home nipping the brandy and it’s not even 9 p.m.! I won’t even be able to crawl onto the scale tomorrow, assuming I can find it. I need one of those things they pull cattle onto at the sale barns.
Geni hi and welcome from the person farthest away from Australia yet somehow welcomed by this bunch. Wonderful that you and your husband are committed to better health. You will love this group and the 5:2 plan, stick with it and you’ll feel better and better. I am short also (and getting shorter by the minute), so I know the challenges. My TDEE is pathetically low and no doubt I blasted past it with the lemon drop martinis quite some time ago. 🙂 But I will be back in the saddle next week.
CG good heavens you are down to 74 from 100 kg?! How wonderful, and big gigantic congrats on that. Just awesome.
Fit, it is just New Year’s there right? Happy New Year! I hope your chauffeur services aren’t needed. Congrats on a FD, did I read that right? Goodness you are strong.
PH hope you enjoyed the bagpipes! If your husband has a hangover remedy, please pass it along as I will be needing it soon. Perhaps Gyps as well. 🙂
Cheers to everyone, must rejoin OH now who is quoting something off the internet about planets (?) that I must try to understand. jade xx

Happy New Year all and may 2016 be a great year for us all in the 5:2 department. I can hear the elevator saying Going down…down…down!!! For some of us its a lot to lose for others it’s the last 2 3 4 or 5+ kilos. We’ll work on it together.
Had a quiet NYE down on the wharf but was lovely. We were worried about groups of rowdy yobos down there but apparently they all go up to Perth to the big bashes. Left the families and the oldies there so was a lovely atmosphere. Into bed early after sharing a bottle of wine. Didn’t hear anything after that.

Welcome Jade and welcome Genie. Lovely to have you join us. You’re in for an exciting ride with us lot! Have a great first day of 2016 and do something you love! I’ve done my first one….had a skinny dip in our little pool that’s well hidden!! Was feeezing but was just what I needed after too many wines. Happy New Year to CG Gyps PH GG Dawg UP Milena Fit & anyone I’ve missed as can’t turn the page! SJ xxxx
An exciting wonderful year ahead gang and an exciting reunion coming up YEAH!!!! Can’t wait.

Hi all and welcome Genie. Sadly my weight was back up to 63 kg this morning BUT it has made me even more determined to stick to 5:2 and get below 60 kg as my first goal for 2016. Having a fd as usual on a Friday even though it’s new year’s day! No breakfast, just peppermint tea then milky coffee until a light lunch at 12, works best for me. Been busy tidying the house as my son and family are visiting on Monday. Rain forecast! OH is busy putting together a flat pack bathroom vanity unit we bought yesterday. It’s a challenge but he’s doing well. I can’t help much with my sore thumb but the cast is due to come off on the 6th so I’m hoping for a big improvement in strength after that. Lots more physio needed, I suspect.
Am going to paint my nails this afternoon. It helps to pass the time on a fd and keeps me out of the pantry!
Love to all as we start 2016. X

Up I don t know WTF is going on with my emails to you. ! I’m thinking some gremlin in the works.
My address is

gratjios@icloud.com.

I don’t think we have any pervs, yobs, or other low life on our site to hassle me. If they do I’ll get a spell from Gypsy to ward them off.
Welcome Toady. You are sure to become known as toad. Reminds me of The Wind in the Willows. Really cute name. Stick with us and we’ll be here to guide you.
Up you’ve done really well. It’s fantastic. Just remember team when you are feeling a bit low and the bloody scales just seem to stick in one place. If you’ve only lost 5 kilos say. Go get a 5 kilo bag of rice or whatever and pick it up. It is bulky and heavy. Losing that amount of weight is a great achievement. As our team leader so often says. This is not a sprint it’s a marathon and we are in it for the long haul.
Our nice cool day has turned ot to be hot and sticky. Possibly a thunderstorm in the offing. Hopefully it will bring some rain but we do not need the lightening.
SJ I know you enjoy a good read. I was given ” “The eye of the sheep” by Sofie Laguna. It won the 2015 Miles Franklkn award. It’s very poignant and sad but a very good read and so well written.
XX Doggy

CG – as usual, you speak nothing but wisdom! No more doubt or despair for me!! I’m sure there will be lots more occasions when I slip up or don’t feel I have the self-discipline to stay on or get back on the horse but that’s when I’ll call on my aussie determination and you guys to kick me in the appropriate place and get me back on track!! Life would be very boring if I suddenly found this all too easy!! 🙂 Hope you get back to sleep for another little nap xx
Jade – you are a pet to worry about my D; she stayed with a friend in the village when she was unable to get a taxi and so I didn’t have to go in the frost!! Thank you for having such a big heart. As for your sugar binge; been there myself over the Christmas and felt decidedly unwell but still couldn’t stop. Then saw the scales and felt even worse – but somehow the messages of support and common sense here got to me and I felt strong enough to get back in control with even more determination than ever. So hang on in there and you will get be back on track in no time.
Come on gang – WE CAN DO THIS!!

Hi all! I am a newbie to the forum, and thought it may help with motivation to achieve long term weight loss and weight control more importantly. I am 163cm and 83 kg . Currently size 14 /16. Have to have surgery in February for carpal tunnel and doctor said I need to lose weight. I can lose weight then it creeps back on and a little more cos once I’m piggin out for a few days I can’t regain control.It may take me weeks! Just found out this is the reason I reckon I can’t control; my weight!. Any one else like this?
How many of you weigh and measure yourselves?

Wobbly – welcome to the forum and this way of life (wol). It is a bit daunting when you begin on 5:2 but you need to see this not as a diet but a wol. That is why this method succeeds where others fail….this is doable, flexible, forgiving and has lots of other health benefits apart from weight loss. Remember it is just two days per week and the temptation or treat can always be put off by saying “I can have it tomorrow”. Some days will be easier than others so don’t beat yourself up if you find it hard at times. Other days will fly by and you will be surprised at how easy it us. Don’t forget to drink plenty of water/fluids (non-alcoholic of course!) as sometimes we are actually not hungry but thirsty! Best of luck!!

Hi, I have hopefully sorted the email thing!

No surprises that we get some new members at the start of the new year. Welcome, and stick with us, it is soooo worth it. The first week or two may seem difficult, for me it was only the first week and look through the early pages in this thread for ideas, we were full of them in those days.

Now most of us are old hands who are very happy we discovered this way of life and are sticking with it forever.

And listen especially to our mother hen, CG who always knows the right thing to say and cares a lot about her brood! We are quite a community here.

Well here is something to dampen your appetite! I had to throw out the rest of the xmas pudding, which I alone seem to love, because it was in the old spare fridge in the garage and when I opened it last night a giant cockroach was whizzing around in there. And another seemed to be on the outside of the fridge no doubt trying. So, after recovering from my total freak out, I looked for things that may not have been sealed properly and the pudding did seem to have loose glad wrap…

For those in cooler climates, you probably don’t have this problem and I don’t usually either though this sub tropical climate means that they are actually everywhere! So I guess today will be time for surface sprays and baits in the garage. I was actually about to have some of that pudding and I was so cross but philosophical! It was probably for the best, there was a lot left!

Just started a post and lost the lot! Thank you all for the warm welcome. I am in the Yarra Valley and there were no fireworks here for New Year. We were on a total fire ban so my husband and I had a quiet evening at home.
A little about myself? There is not much to tell I guess. I am a beader, using those pesky little seed beads and just finished a bracelet yesterday. I am just starting to dabble in a little metalwork and hope to become proficient in it. I sell my things at the local market and also at the local information centre where I volunteer two days a week. I’ve worked all my life and with this tree change, which began in February 2015, a whole new life has begun. We want to be fit and healthy to enjoy it!
I calculated my TDEE at 1623 and my BMI is shocking at 30.8. Today I am trying to work out menues for the week. Need to stick to a budget as we are both retired and live on a pension. I did receive a lovely tax return though and we are going to Japan in April. That is our first weight goal as I am determined we will be fit to do a lot of walking and climbing of steps. Have been before in 2011 and know what awaits.
I was surprised to read in the recipe book that low fat foods were required. I have just finished reading about how low fat is not good because they add a lot of sugar and other awful things instead and had gone back to full fat items.
***SIGH***
Anyway I will sit here today and work out what we should have this week and what we will do on our fast days.
CG do you mean not to have breakfast on the two FD’s or the entire time?

UP – one the few advantages of our climate is very few creepy crawlies; no cockroaches, snakes or deadly spiders. I think I’d run a mile if I saw some of the critters ye have over there. Still, I suppose it does away with the problem of what to do with the leftover pudding!
Genie – as long as your calories are below 500 on fast day and under your TDEE on the other days, it doesn’t matter what or when you eat. It can be easier not to eat breakfast on fast days because alot of us find that once we start eating, it can be hard to stop. Also avoiding carbs is good in general but especially on FDs because they use up lots of calories but don’t keep you full for long. A hard boiled egg is a great filler.