Hi there Jade! I must email you the rainbow photos and perhaps you might be able to post them for me. If you look closely you can see there’s actually a double rainbow. Maybe Gyps will be able to tell me why my old photo appeared instead of the ones I thought I had selected. Loving the image of you and your friends with an attack of the giggles….there’s nothing better to restore the spirits! 😂😂 I agree that my mental health has been greatly helped by being part of this thread, which is probably more important than anything else.
So far today we’ve had sunshine, thunder and lightening, heavy rain and hailstones….never a dull moment! Having thought about what I wrote yesterday about our individual triggers and weaknesses, I’m thinking of setting myself a personal challenge to cut out the between meals snacking. You’re already tackling your particular bugbears of grains and sugar and feeling the benefits. Maybe if we each tackled one thing that is hampering our progress, we might get things moving again? What do you think, gals? Anyone want to set themselves a challenge and see what happens?
Best feet forward for the week ahead! ✊💪👍😃💕💚💞🏇

…and again – second rainbow clearer, to the left:

We are all so awesome💪💕🔆✨🎉!
I like your challenge idea, Fit – nothing’s impossible one step at a time. I read something about the idea of constant snacking interfering with appetite control, i.e. it sort of programs the appetite to expect a constant stoking. I have a healthy skepticism of all these theories, but there could be some truth there. For sure, the massive infusion of “sugar” (corn syrup etc.) into all our food nowadays wreaked havoc on my appetite, and cutting down has made a difference. I’ve only cut down on grains because i can eat them regardless of actual hunger🍪🍩🍰🍞 Seriously, I could eat those emojis right off the screen.

I’ll join you on the no snacking wagon (is there room?? I hope the poor horse isn’t pulling it!) – I think I’ve licked (uh oh, dangerous verb choice🍭🍦) the sugar/grain downsizing, so it would be good to pick a new goal to stop snacking. Let’s do it! 👍xxx

Morning all. Fast day beginning!Looking forward to it!

Am going to try and upload a photo I recently took of a double rainbow. The reason I took it was that I was heading out of the supermarket to the car at Rainbow Beach! It is so named because of coloured sands, not rainbows!

Hi gang. Love the idea of a challenge….I’m in. Hope the old horse can manage the load. If guess it’s a draft horse by this stage😉😉😉. Just weighed after my successful fast day yesterday, could not wait till Friday this week as I was disappointed with my last weigh…wait for it I am in the 95’s. A wonderful 95.8 🎉🎉🤗🤗👍👍🎉🎉so hopefully it is downward again from here. we have persevered through thick and thin and now am feeling regenerated with commitment. Today is the beginning of the rest of our lives. And what a great life we all have compared to others in the world. Let’s live it to the full.

Jade. The mental picture I have of giggling oldies made me get the giggles. Just love it. Keep the faith..Ireland here you come!,

Fit. Love the rainbow pictures, stunning Ireland at its best. 🍀🍀🍀 And also love the idea of a house cooling. What a great idea for closure..something like a wake!! 🍻🍾🍾🍷🍸🧀🧀🍫🍫.

UP. And of course Good old OZ has double rainbows too. Great pic. Love the Rainbow Beach area. Your recent adventures makes me look forward to us taking the van to Palm Cove next year for WTF. If our old bodies allow.

Gyps. Just loved chapter eleve. Hattie sure is a wise old bird but with a great sense of humour, and has a wise old OH also with a sense of humour..sparks sure must fly when they are together😘😉🤗🤗

Talking of OH’s mine just called me to tell me he has breakfast ready! Don’t ya just love it. Gotta go. Off to Brisbane today 4-5 hour drive so best get cracking, have breakfast and pack my bag. Calling in at the Osteo on the way for our monthly massage..heaven. 💜💜💜💜💜

Hi everyone. I’m just popping in to say hello. I wonder if any of you got to watch Michael on ” Trust me I’m a doctor. ” it’s on SBS here in Australia. Last show was about weight loss. As a matter of interest, males get into better fat burning mode if they exercise before eating, while females are better when they exercise after a meal. Trials also done on antioxidant so called health drinks. This showed that they are just a waste of money as the body produces its own antioxidants and does not cope well with extra.
I’m still not fasting but do feel as though I’m going to have to make the effort to start again soon as I’m defiantly gaining weight again.
I’ve decided not to join you all on the Facebook site. I may be wrong but just find Facebook too intrusive.
Cheers for now.
Doggy.

Morning Fit 🌅! Well, I didn’t actually start my no-snack pledge till today – so a FD will make it a bit easier☺️ Yesterday I was emotionally hungover I think, and it was a lazy Sunday…so the best I could do was to stay away from the junk. Not that there’s much in the house anymore! OH doesn’t have a sweet tooth, couldn’t care less for cake etc. He does get excited by pie, but then eats one slice and is done, the remaining pie will sit there until hell freezes over. I don’t get it🤔

Yes it’s great to see the thread hopping🐇🐇 CG I hope your power gets restored quickly! But I like your idea of a liquid fast🍸🍸🤗 Wish I could join in THAT challenge….Dawg, why don’t you join in too? Let’s make it a big old party🎉😍
Up- loving the double rainbows!!!🌈🌈- they’re just magical, aren’t they💛💚💙💜
PH- way to go you! Congrats on the downward trend and may it continue💪 – i think I can hear you giggling with happiness😂
Gyps…thinking of you and sending good vibes for floods, mris, potholes, whatever obstacles you may encounter✨💫✨♥️
It’s raining again today, how appropriate for a Monday commute – I’m taking the extra pup down to D so she’s not by herself. SFB gets back this week, so who knows, she may adopt 3-4 more. We do that in our family in times of crisis, just go round up a few sad faces at the pound and bring them home. But there’s plenty of love to go around I guess! Happy fasting all💪♥️xxxx

Lol SFB is a multi-purpose acronym isn’t it! But dogs make everything better🐶💕 Cats will do in a pinch🐱 but give me a puppy and a soft blanket on any rainy day or dark night.😍 And dog walks are the best!

I had to laugh at your email, Fit, re your own trip planning – we definitely share a sisterly connection💚 Nothing definite here yet, i think we’re still waiting for life to return to normal. Whatever normal is😜 – but no way am I going to Ireland without meeting you.

This coffee is sure hitting the spot today. How many hours left, 12? Good thing I’m in the big city today, I can pick up some yummy veggies. Maybe look for that double rainbow if it ever stops rianing👍Yes, I can do this, BRING IT ON. 💪☔️🍆☕️🌈xxx

Well of COURSE we’re not normal – then we wouldn’t be twins! Gosh you do have a fun summer planned 🙂 no need to watch a bunch of men on bicycles.

Today is lasting 48,000 hours and it’s only 2 p.m.! Raining cats and dogs and dreariness. I’ll have to dodge the raindrops AND the sample ladies at Costco – wish me luck. Good luck toughing it out over there! xxx

Oooh, spooky, twin! We crossed! Good luck with the sample dodging, those ladies are evil! 👹👺Grit your teeth and stride right past, Jade….. I know you can do it! ✊💪💕💚

Hi Nicole! Delighted to welcome you here. What a great occasion to be looking forward to, I’m sure you’ll be very successful if you stick with this way of life (wol), we don’t call it a diet. You’re allowed to eat 500 calories today in total. Miso soup is a great idea for lunch and black coffee, green tea and lots of water will see you through. Most of us fast on Mondays and Thursdays and weigh in on Fridays, but we all change things about to suit ourselves whenever we need. It’s a very adaptable wol. Biscuits are a big temptation for me so I only buy weight watchers ones to try and limit the damage. Keep posting and asking questions and we’ll all help as much as we can. Best of luck!

Great attitude, Nicole! Don’t forget to take starting measurements too because sometimes there are changes which don’t show up on the scales. Whereabouts are you from?

Most people fast from after their evening meal of the day before their fast day, eat 500 calories or less on their fast day and then eat normally again from breakfast the day after their fast. For example, after my evening meal on Sunday, I’ve eaten nothing but 500 calories today (Monday) and will start eating normally at breakfast on Tuesday morning. I live in Ireland so I’m a bit out of kilter timewise with my posts, but the principle is the same.

Well, no-one eats in their sleep (unless you have a very unusual talent! 😉😃) so you will be fasting, but that doesn’t count because it’s no different to any other night.

As far as I know, your fasting starts from the time you finish your evening meal the day before your fast until you have your breakfast the day after your fast day. The 500 calories are part of the fasting.

Thank you so much. I’m feeling the pains already and looking at my sons lunch like a hungry dog. 😭😭😭😭 I think support is the best to have while taking a new journey. I would love for it to become my life style and I know I can do it, the first week is the hardest! I can do it 👊💥✊

Totally agree with you. That’s why I’m doing Tuesday and Thursday those are my non busy days. I also should snack small portions healthy like almonds and carrots with hummus etc..sounds like a great plan to me. I’m never hungry in the mornings either, I get more hungry 11-12 so I think I’ve got it easy that way. Another thing I’m wanting to put out there is….I crave chocolate or sugar around my menstrual cycle it gets really intense and I notice I bloat and If I was to weigh myself I’ve gained or stay at the same weight until a week after I drop excess weight or water. Will this effect my cycle fasting?

How insensitive of me!! I do apologize for that. 😶 there is no way I can do water on it’s own lol I’m such a foody BUT! you never know I might see how I go after a couple of weeks. I’m drinking green tea and only had one black coffee (is there a limit to coffee consumption? ) I’m going to weigh myself next Friday and see how I go. 20kgs is AMAZING! Well done 👍 I can’t wait to work out tomorrow looking forward to the next 7months. Thank you for the advice. 😊

Day 2 of the no snacking challenge and I’m feeling good! I know it will make a big difference in helping me to stay below my TDEE and that, in turn, should see some consistent results. How is everyone else getting on with their challenge?
My amazing mil celebrated her 95th birthday today and her mind is as sharp as ever…..a brilliant lady!
Does anyone have any good ideas for how to cook spinach? I know it’s really good for us, but it doesn’t set my taste buds on fire!

Mornin’ CG!
Thanks a million for the spinach recipe….that sounds very tasty, I’ll give it a go and let you know how I get on! 😋
Mini mars bar after dinner, that’s just dessert, isn’t it? I think as long as I’m not constantly snacking between meals then a little treat at the end of dinner is allowed, at least that’s the way I’m working this challenge. 👍💪
It’s good that your handyman is doing his best to get on with a ‘normal’ life. What a dreadful tragedy for him and his family. I’m sure he appreciates the distraction of a practical task.
The morning tea will be a great success, I’m sure….it’s such a good cause and there isn’t a single person these days who hasn’t been affected, directly or indirectly, by cancer. Best of luck keeping up the ladylike image! 😇😄

Hey team, a very late check-in for me today – busy at school plus puttering around D’s, dropping off a few cheery snacks and porch plants and then running minor errands. Did my heart good and I didn’t feel I was hovering as she was at work. 🚁🚫

Right, no snacking…didn’t do so hot today, as all I brought to work was peanuts!! Like a big old 🐘 – what a dummy. Keep forgetting that “planning” P – but proud to say I didn’t attack the vending machine. OH gave me a nice surprise when I got home, he’s taking me out to dinner. Yay, no cooking, because I sure as hell didn’t prepare for that either!

Fit, I’m working hard on the new and improved WTF-Ireland edition. Will have to decide in less than 24 hours! But looking like cozy pub time🍻😍

Up, sounds like you are back with a vengeance! Great job on the FDs💪 And welcome to you Nicole, you’ve already gotten terrific advice, the only thing left is to keep going. It does get a bit easier, especially if you avoid sweets and carbs on the FDs. And if you’re like me, most other days too. But I have a sugar issue, so probably the most un-normal of this bunch.

CG love your quote!! And I too have a lot of husband chores waiting, which are beyond the skill (shhh) of the one I have handy. So I’m in the same boat, looking for a handyman for my house and D’s, both are older and have oh-so-many little defects. That’s houses, not people!😂 Have a good time at the tea, love a great cause♥️♥️ Raise that pinkie high!👑💪

Time to go be wined and dined, it’s no FD here so watch out!!! 🐖🐖🐎🐎 I’ll submit my confession in the morning 😇😈 xxx

Morning all. I was quite good at lunch and only drank mineral water but had a couple of wines last night.

I don’t snack much or have a sweet tooth so that part is easy, but the wine… I am not an alcoholic by a long shot but I do enjoy it. My challenge is to have less. Obviously I don’t drink on fast days but need to pick some other days to skip. Friends coming over tonight, so this won’t be one of them!

Fit, I will have to look for those videos. CG, good to have you back. Very unusual for me to be giving advice instead of you! Jade, I agree. I try and avoid carbs on NFD too!

Aw Fit, happiest of birthdays to your MIL!!🎂😍 Here’s to her continued good health🍷 – and lol I first read your advice to Up as 3 wines per day. Yep, that’ll work just fine.
I watched a few of those clothes-folding videos, looks intriguing! I have drawers of shirts about 9 layers deep and never wear anything beyond the second layer. I may have to try this technique.

No true confessions from dinner, all I can say is that the only carbs were in a glass🤔🙄and were quite tasty. Cheers!😍xx

Hi everyone. Just got back from trip to Brisbane for the funeral..UP. Whereabouts do you live in Bris?
have not started my snacking challenge as I like to snack whilst driving to keep me awake. I had to do all the driving as OH has an upset tendon in his shoulder and can’t left his arm up..so has to rest it for a couple of weeks for the inflammation to go down and hopefully avoid an operation.
Had a nice visit with SIL and a nice few scotches at night!! So back to a fast day tomorrow and of course the snack challenge.

gyps . Read chapter 12 and loved it. Hope the leprechaun,s MRI was Ning of you💕💕💕

Not going to reply to everyone individually as too many posts to answer. UP you sound like you are back being good…well done. Fit congratulations on good FD’s. And snacking🤗🤗🤗 . A comment on the spinach also. OH just steams ours with chopped red onion , add a salt and pepper and then crumbles some feta cheese through it, this also tastes nice.

Welcome Nicole. What a great incentive to join 5.2. We will encourage you all the way. I started last September with the group the encouragement is great. Fast days were hard in the beginning but the more you do the easier it gets…just hang in there.. As someone said protien is the secret. Hard boiled eggs at the ready and I also used to have some cold chicken on hand when I first started. Miso soup is also a good filler now that it is getting colder. There is a recipe on the Aussie Determination Recipe thread , just type it into the search engine at the top of the 5.2 page. There are also some other Recipies From the group too.
Keep asking questions and someone will answer you. Good luck😘😘😘

Starting to get a bit cooler here too so have to get the blankets out for the beds.

A great big hug to everyone ..time to get unpacking the car. 💜💜💜