LOTUS & SJ….. Thanks you for your kind words. Atrial fib/ flutter is when the heat beats very fast or just flutters without emptying all the blood from the atrium. The blood stays in the atrium and can clot.The worse case scenario….which can lead to stroke. I already take asprin as a preventive. I do not qualify for other blood thinners or a procedure which is shocks the heart with an electric current called CARDIOVERSION.. I am having a cardiac echo on 14th April. As I have a thyroid condition this can be one of the causes…..but is mainly brought on by stress.eg my friend’s passing, my Dad of 90yrs being unwell with renal dysfunction. an argument with my Mum because she is being stubbon and selfish about my Dad…. and as you rightly said SJ….just being a women.So I am having me time and I really am going to be fine SERIOUSLY!…. My boss is not happy about it… BUT… I worked all day Monday with it and never let on… that what we Nurses do … GYPSY will attain to that. Thanks again lovlies…..GO GALxxxx

Lotus – You are so right about this WOL opening our eyes & changing perceptions. As a dedicated foodie too, I’m still cooking but have the strength to have (& enjoy) a smaller portion & to resist being a glutton. I’m satisfied (most of the time) with much smaller meals. Surprisingly, it has all come quite naturally & it gets easier the more FDs I do. Gotta love it. CM x

Hi All!
CG – so glad you’re feeling better now and you will be in the best shape possible for your surgery when it comes around.
Lotus – thanks for kind words. I think you’re brilliant for tackling 4:3, especially with temptation so near, but you are strong and determined and you know the results will be worth it!
GG – sorry to hear about heart irregularities – my brother in law has something similar and has to have occasional ‘jump starts’, as we call them, to get his heart into a regular rhythm again. He is used to this now and it doesn’t seem to cause him any problems. Hope you get sorted soon and glad to hear you are taking some ‘me’ time – it’s very very important.
Doit – don’t worry about scales, I’m sure they will tell a very positive tale and enjoy your holidays and make the most of precious time off.
CM – thank you too for kind words, you have your head right now and will continue to go from strength to strength, I’m sure.
Angel – what a great start, keep up the good work!
Weigh-in day for me today and delighted to say I have lost another half kilo and have hit my target weight!!! Think I will keep going for another two kilos so that I have some ‘wriggle room’ for special occasions. Also another 2cm gone off my waist! 🙂 Can’t thank all you amazing people on this thread enough for helping me stay on track and stay with this fantastic WOL. I know I would have given up long ago without your support, encouragement and laughs!! Big hugs to everyone!

That’s just Fantastic Fit!! ( now you are truly “fit” too)!! Buy yourself little a gift ( tiny charm or scarf) to commemorate 🙂 take a photo of now and tack it an old photo, then hang in the wardrobe to remind yourself. Give yourself a biiiiig hug 🙂
I weighed in this morning too team, and happy to report that have lost 800gms this week – current weight 76.0 🙂 woohoo!! Happy that all the self-control paid off…

Hi from across the ditch. A day of first: My first FD today, now 11.30 and not hungry yet, my first talk with you all, and my first game of tennis, well it didn’t look anything like on TV but we did a lot of running after the balls so that’s the important bit.
I love this forum, its so positive.

Hi team. Welcome KiwiB. You have joined the right group here as everyone is very positive and encouraging.
CG I’ve just made your Straganoff recipe. I didn’t have the non dairy yogurt so used light cottage cheese instead. It is very yummy. Thanks for that. I will be making it again. Today I had a Lean Cuisine Malaysian Chicken Laksa soup for brekky. 178 calories and it’s very nice. If you like Asian food, I do. So easy as it is zapped in the microwave for 5 minutes. Now I’m off to cook up another of our teams recipes. Not sure which one yet.
We had a very heavy rain band move through at sparrows today. How good is it to hear the rain pouring down onto the roof when one is reliant on tank water.
Oh CG I feel for you with your cows. It must be hard. It sounds as though your future calves will have a long and happy life in Gippsland.
OK must crack on as I want to watch the cricket this arvo.
Happy FD all.

Hi Everyone,

Well, two fast days in a row was a dismal failure. I got to dinner time and totally lost control. I think that feeling hungry for one day makes me feel powerful and in control but for two days I just feel deprived…I’m fasting today but this time time “it’s for real” and I’ll make it through the day. I think my head was just in the wrong place because I was grumpy at have my days switched. I would have inhaled those donuts if they’d been near me…

This morning I had a meeting at The Pancake Parlor (and no, I didn’t eat anything). At the table behind me was a group of four. The older man in the swish suit spent about 20 minutes talking to his friends about what a difference 5:2 has made in his life. He’d lost so much weight that he was having all his handmade shirts and suits “re-tailored” to fit his new figure.I wanted to turn around and tell him that I’d just started but didn’t have the courage. It was good to hear though. I’m not sure that “re-tailoring” will work for my wardrobe but who knows. Better to nip and tuck fabric than flesh.

GoGirl, are you one of two lovely GoGirls that I know? Initial M or R? Just thought I’d ask!

Cheers,

BD

Hi BD….. My name is Janeen….. You now know 3 lovely people called GO GAL!
Keep doing well on 5:2

The pedicure did wonders ….. I fell asleep while having it done much to the amusement of the nail staff and other clients…..so relaxing ME TIME…..GO GALxxx

Hi all, just back from first leg of the family circuit. Lots of variety, including a couple of days on a cattle property. Routine FD’s got shot to hell on a diet of steak, avocados (trees full!)BBQ and a mixture of booze! But am on track today and still on the 86.5 plateau. (so that’s Excellent! thought it would be MUCH worse!) I have decided there’s no need to rush the goal posts and am savouring just feeling better than I did 9 kilos ago! I feel in control of the flab, with 5:2 as the antidote. So there is no need to give up enjoyable times.
(The “eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we di(et)” motto is perfect! Cool, huh?

GG!I DO RELATE to what you’re saying. Nurses push the pale when it comes to their own mortality, but generally draw the line at genocide! Don’t worry about the boss, you will never be short of a job!

You pretty much know how to fix what ails you and it’s okay to take cave time. just follow the code, (set mind at rest followed by the body!)ie.. block out guilts, it is your prerogative to say “I don’t want anyone to look after me, just the privilege of not looking after anyone else!” ….. and set up your cave accordingly (with adequate supplies and a lock if necessary!)

eg.. Starve a fever, feed a cold. If it’s visibly bent, it’s likely broke. if it’s painful, give it the 0-10 triage and treat. If it’s invisible and interfering with your nervous system it’s called STRESS. Deal with it. If all this fails Get back up opinions. Bloods, systems etc, and DO NOT desist until facts inform or dismiss ALL niggling doubts. Cheers, mate! illegitimus-non-Caborundum!
.
CG Cyclone missed us all and fizzled, No rain our way at all, in fact dirt roads were dry and dusty. I Probably won’t get to back read fully(so much happening!), but have skimmed what I can (before heading off in the other direction to my Southern mob. Thinking I may be away for Easter.
glad you got your pain RX, but hope you have regained safe mobility! (get the kids to stock your wine up and place in easy reach, no point being unstable with no visible cause!)

Welcome to newbies, I’ll be back! Carry on! xxxGypsy

Gypsy! I will take heed to your advice… steps are being taken for my cave (with lock not an option )as my cave man wants to protect and hibernate with me, Thank you for your concern. Have a great trip South and enjoy whatever your fancy….so pleased that Nathan did not cross you…..probably had heard about you LOL and decided not to visit…. thank the stars BUT horrible for others in his path. Hugs on wings flying to you…..GO GAL

Evening all (sounds like something out of The Two Ronnies!!!!! Had an unusual FD today. My niece is visiting from Melbourne and got excited enough to ring me for a beach day because it was going to be over 30deg. Just had a coffee for breakfast, took lots of water and didn’t need another thing till dinnertime. Really needed it by then tho. Made a stirfry with sirloin steak and veg. plus 100gr. Slendier noodles. All up 290 cals and really satisfying. So still enough in the tank for another coffee and snack now. Water was cold at first, summer is moving on, but after a walking slog through the water was warm enough to enjoy it. CG don’t mean to rub it in, just takes longer for cold weather to set in here in the west.

Fit, wonderful news re target weight. You must be feeling amazingly empowered to go for another 2 k’s. Whacko!
Gypsy encouraging to know occasional pig outs aren’t too damaging. Enjoy your trip.
Angel you sound as if you have got a good grip on FD’s and welcome KiwiB

Hi all,Up here. Don’t know if anyone has noticed me missing in action! I have been reading but find myself in some challenging circumstances.
I’ve lost 7 kilos since November and have been happily chugging along with the odd hiccough like most of us. A couple of weeks ago I flew to Melbourne for a long weekend. It started with the Qantas snacks being 600 calories just for afternoon tea. They gave us a big biscuit and a cake. Anyway, the next 4 days continued in that vain with social events and family gatherings. I at least skip the breakfast outings that everybody else did!

So back home, unsurprisingly the scales said 2 k’s up but I was aware that some of that was water weight as I was carb loaded.

Problem is, the next day I flew again to the U.S. 3 different flights to where I am now living for the next few months with my husband. I am now living with the joy of american supermarkets. It takes forever to find unadulterated versions of what I want. Yesterday I wanted a bit of coconut for a sambal to go with curry and had to buy sweetened coconut. Sugar is in everything and everything comes in giant sizes! I don’t have a car and walk (good thing) to the supermarket but no such thing as Bird’s Eye steamed fish and they don’t stock corn thins!!! Not tragic compared to a psychopathic pilot but traumatic for me nonetheless, as my cooking options are limited!
We have been here a week now and I am finally getting over the jet lag and back on track. I have joined a gym for the first time in 2 years and have been going regularly but skipping today as it is pouring rain, a 15 minute walk though it is a little warmer as most days are sub zero temperatures!
On my second fast day in about 2 or more weeks. Jetlag caused me to sleep until lunchtime (I am a bad sufferer) which helped!
But the biggest problem is no scales!!! I need that motivation. The gym has some of that kind where you push the metal bit along the slide. I thought they were meant to be accurate but my husband tells me that these ones are completely hopeless and could go in any direction in accuracy. It is a university gym and they have obviously had issues as there is a sign asking people to reset to zero when they have finished as they “want these ones to last”! I would have thought that that kind were indestructible.
Anyway, I can’t stand out there first thing in the morning having done a wee and being stark naked which we all know is the only way to get the result you want!
Only here for a few months so not keen to buy any as I can’t bring them home. Good news is all the winter sales are on and I bought 3 pairs of boots for the price of 1. Gotta love that no matter what the rest of you is doing, shoes will still fit!
So, who knows where this will all end but I am going to continue on with the fasting and try and eat well the rest of the time.I brought some jeans with me that I can’t even do up, so hopeful was I! And I didn’t have room in my 1 suitcase to carry useless stuff.

Anyway, I am reading everything but probably won’t post much. Best wishes to everybody.

Did I mention that directly underneath my apartment is a place called Insomnia Cookies? They deliver warm cookies til 3am….
Wish me luck!

Up! Hi! Hope you enjoy the rest of your stay there 🙂 I can understand how you feel – had the same culture shook when I travelled to US too 🙂
Have you checked out threads by US members? There are a few and they will probably be able to help you. Also try shopping in ethnic shops. Probably less additives in Asian / middle eastern shops.
Also, maybe invest in a set of cheap scales. Money well spent methinks, if you expense the heartache and tension from thinking you are gaining weight, not to mention undoing the hard work from the last few months…
Insomnia cookies eh? One way to beat fast day sleeplessness, eat cookies at night LOL

Bali! Keep Calm and Carry on Fasting 🙂

Lotus, good advice to Bali to keep calm and carry on fasting … thought I’d break out of a plateau after this week but instead after two fantastic FD’s am up 300 gr. Not sure if it was having steak last night. I have been having a WW’s meal or fish up to now and so hungry this morning I’m afraid if it stands still today I’ll eat it.
KiwiB 500 is a good loss, you are definitely doing ok.
Quite a challenge UP! I often look at US supermarket shelves when they are shown in movies and the choice (sugar laden I suppose) is enormous. Keep walking 🙂
CG it was a perfect day, got to 34deg and water was like silk. Probably won’t have many more now. Bet the water you are getting is very soft too. Do you wash your hair in it sometimes? xxYY

Hi All!
Yum – thanks for kind words. Yes I do feel more in control of my eating and my weight. Had a lovely time out with my OH and two dotie daughters. Found that I ate well but could not finish the meal because I was full by the time I had eaten half of what I ordered (feta salad, lasagne and chips). I’m sure I will go up a little, but it will be easy to go back down again. That’s what’s brilliant about this wol and sets it apart from any other regime or programme. In the past, I would have kept on eating until my plate was empty, no matter how full I felt. Glad you enjoyed your day at the beach – don’t stress about weigh-in, these ups and downs happen us all. The overall trend will be down, you’ll see.
CG – your words of wisdom strike true as usual. Keep warm, enjoy the cricket and may the best team win!
Up – stay in touch as much as you can and we will all do our best to help. I lived in the US for a few months and the only thing that works is to cook from fresh or eat raw as often as possible. Will you be near farmers’ markets or fresh produce stalls?
KiwiB – well done on weight loss, keep it up!
Thanks Bali – well done on your loss, no matter how small, a loss is a loss!! 18.5kg loss so far is incredible 🙂

HI All
Congrats to those who have lost. Especially CG and Bali you’re an inspiration to us all, especially when you don’t lose your aussie determination with plateaus. You prove that it works as so many others do!
Off to Perth for the weekend this morning & a big birthday bash Sat night. Will do my best to a) enjoy myself totally and b) make lots of good, healthy choices at other times to balance it out. Not going to freak out this time about any gain as I’ve proved so many times that 5:2 is so forgiving. We gotta live, love, laugh and enjoy ourselves along this journey don’t we. Aaand have fun. Have a great weekend all will probably post Monday. suejen
PS enjoy a few glasses for yourself over the weekend to celebrate our WOL!!

CG – Big Big Congrats mate!! That is just amaaazing.

Morning ADers
UP – LOL! Enjoy your time in the US, it will be great. Try Amazon for cheap scales, they deliver & often for free. You’ll have lots of choice. Insomnia Cookies – What The!
KiwiB – LOL – “Bali’s lost a whole suitcase”! Great work on your loss, the best is yet to come.
Bali, CG & BD – Yabba Dabba Fabulous!
Yum & Doggie – Stick with it – I think I’m approaching a plateau too. Things slowing down for me.
So, for me I’m down just .1 this week to 66.6 – but at least I didn’t go up, so I’m very happy. Visitors seem to throw out our routine, with wine, nibbles, wine, chips, rice, curry, wine, etc. Anyway, back to normal 5:2ing next week. Beautiful morning here in Perth. Heading down to the river this aftn for a relax & to catch up on some reading – 29C, blue skies, gentle breeze, glass of wine, watching the yachts go by….bliss. Off to do more touristy stuff now. Have a great Friday everyone…and GO THE AUSSIES on Sunday!!
CM xx

You are too cute Gyps 🙂

AD team – I thought I will share info about this soup I am trying (sipping right now), and found it really good taste-wise: its the S & B brand of Miso Soup with Tofu. It has the tofu, Nori and Spring onion etc in it already, as opposed to some that are just Miso Soup base. Found it in Coles, slightly more exxy at $5.00 for a pack of three (the other brands are much cheaper) – but its tasty and has more substance in it. So filling, at only 30 cals 🙂

Another FD done and dusted (almost 🙂 )