Hi All!
MoM – you are definitely on your way to losing those 5kg. It’s a great idea to use the tracker here and will be a big incentive to keep going to your goal.
FB – amazing stats! Brilliant loss too this weigh-in; imagine your next one will be in the 60’s…woohoo!!! You sure are living up to your name 🙂
GG – 10kgs is incredible; well done and you are so right about sticking with this through all the ups, downs and plateaus because it really works! Happy birthday too; not sure if my timing is off with the time difference but you know I have the best of intentions! Enjoy and live life to the full….we only get the one! 🙂 xxxx
YY – you certainly have a lot on your plate at the moment, but you do what you have to do and 5:2 will be waiting for you when you’re ready. Meanwhile, you know how to make good choices; so go easy on yourself and take care. Keep showing the scales who’s boss; you’re in control!!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend everybody. We can do it!!!!!! 🙂

JenMic- did you catch him? Hope all is settled for you.We have all hit the pantry at some stage …cooking chocolate is so satisfying. Take care…. hugs

Yum Yum -So sorry to hear all of your woes of late. Please look after yourself with good food and long rests between hospital visits ,which can be tiring on thee best of us. We will be here to read and be a sounding board if you need to download. I feel for your little grandson…. Pneumonia is so uncomfortable for a child .Thoughts and love are with you HUGS…..GO GALXXXXX

Hi all, I have heard about those parrots, so funny. Well, I don’t seem to be able to lose but at least I am staying stable I think so keeping the 8 kilos off that I have lost since November. I would really like to lose another 2 before I revisit my goal. Might not happen until I am back in Oz though!

You have to love american sizes. In Oz, I was a 14 who managed to get down to a 12. Yesterday, I bought some cheap pants to get me through the next little while. One was a 10 but one was an 8! Hilarious. I am so not an 8 and have never been in my whole life even when slender. But it makes you feel good!

G’day all UP so great to hear that you’re managing with all your difficulties to maintain your weight. Even if you could just do that while in the US it would have to be considered a win. Know it’s not what you wanted but it would be such an achievement. Up wear those size 8’s and feel damn good about it girl!!
YumYum thinking of you with all that’s going on. Just hang in there & eat well when you can & when it’s all settled down 5:2 will get you back in line never fear.
Gogal Happy, happy birthday and a happy 10 kilos tossed out the door ready for your big celebrations!! Yeah!
Gypsy tis very funny to see those drunk birds, we used to see them in Alice Springs when we lived there – hilarious they were. Good company for you I reckon!
Well having quiet days hanging around the house waiting for those all important customers/art buyers to come visiting. With one more week to go still I will be glad when it’s all over. Not being busy doesn’t help with getting hungries and nibbling, simply because you’re a bit bored. But haven’t done too badly.
Enjoy your weekend all and our run of NFD’s. Really enjoyed my glass of wine tonight. Just swapped from whites which I enjoy over summer to reds…and it was beautiful. One more to enjoy tomorrow before it’s back to 5:2. suejen

Hello everyone. Gypsy I’m still chuckling about those alcoholic parrots. I wonder if their radar goes a bit iffy when they’ve been on the turps.
Up yes the American sizes are good for the moral. I found the same in Canada and bought quite a few very nice tops etc and the prices are not too OTT. I’m wait to be able to fit into them again but know it WILL happen.
My weekend of pigging out continues as hubby and I are about to head off for some fish and chips. Not to worry. FD again tomorrow and I have some of CG’s zucchini stroganoff in the freezer so ready for that.
Well done team and enjoy your weekend.
Cheers Doggy

Forgot to mention, Fit, thanks for the yoohooo, really made my day 🙂

CG you posted my thoughts exactly – come Friday feel like I’m let out of school. But yes no time for regrets just enjoyment. So I’ve already taken your words to heart but think I need to put the brakes on today as the scales tell me a story I don’t wanna hear. But as you say tomorrow will fix it all…….we hope. Love the zags but don’t like the zigs!
But it’s funny as looking back at my graph I could almost have predicted that it was time for a zig – seems to follow a bit of a pattern. However as we all know the trend is still downward. Sometimes I think the problem with our journey (certainly this is true for myself) is the pressure or unrealistic expectations we put on ourselves. You know….must lose a kilo or 1/2 a kilo this week, must lose weight every week, if not weight then cm’s or clothes fit better…..or whatever. But hey guys there are enough of us on here now that have lost very significant amounts of weight to KNOW that this WOL works. We have the proof! And I’m sure that each of those ladies/gents would tell us that it’s a zigzag journey with perfect days, good days, bad days, in-between days, out of control days, and days or weeks off due to various factors.
So….let’s take the pressure off, chill a little, give ourselves some breathing space to be normal….not perfect on this journey. And every day that we have a successful FD or stick to our TDEE or eat less than we would have before this WOL is a WIN in my books….so long as the overall trend is down. Enough philosophising for today!
CG thanks for your words…yes got a new book off my shelf & a coffee on the go ready for another day. And fabulous news OH has sold one large painting which covers all our costs for this event. Anything else is a bonus. Beautiful sunny day here too might help. Have a great day all…and if you treat yourself too much just be forgiving and thankful for a FD tomorrow. suejen XX

Woke up this morning and decided I Definitely want a smaller plate 🙂 Thankyou for all the encouragement everyone, after a breakfast of English muffin with butter and marmalade jam decided enough faffing around and indulging, making better choices starting with lunch. No doubt about toasted things being comfort food and CG, toast extra yummy at night!

GG, happy, happy birthday. Enjoy your day and the week ahead.

Planning to get into some soup making as I will have to stay home while I look after cough boy. Poor baby. At least our weather is gorgeous at the moment with balmy sunny days around 26-27 so may take him out for short runs (in the car) which I’m still running in. Haven’t had time to really enjoy it yet.

Lotus loving the LaZuppa soups. My favourite is South American Style Chicken and corn and at 23 cals base can add Slendier noodles and even some chicken to make it a satisfying lunch/dinner for FD. Nice n spicy!!!! YY xx

Deep wisdom, CG. And touching sentiment, our tipsy biker (and feathered friends 🙂 ). I must humbly mention that I am the Kiwi here, Gypsy.

I think this weekend is a blow-out, but who cares? FT tomorrow, to take care of the excessed.

Welcome, Girl-on-a-mission, you will get all the support and encouragement you need here. But may I endorse the thoughts above – start with 5:2, get used to this before you push yourself too hard and risk giving up. The beauty of this WOE (way of eating) is that there is never a failure, just another opportunity tomorrow. And because it is so sustainable most of us see it as being the way of the rest of our lives. Good luck with it. 🙂

Well the day ended with OH saying Well we’ve worked so hard how about I take you out to the wine bar that does pizza/1/2 carafe wine specials before 6pm? and of course I protested and said Ooh no dear, can’t do that with 5:2. Like hek I did I said OK give me 2 mins and I’m ready! So had a lovely pizza to share & our 1/2 carafe of wine & loved every bit of it, and the relaxation….and getting out of the house, when we’ve been so glued to it every day.
Did better today with the nibbles out & only had a couple of nuts & one biccy. Also went for a walk while it was quiet – another reason I think for the gain in weight (too much sitting around).
So we have 2 days off now before the last haul of 6 days to finish off the event. Have loved meeting people from all over & chatting to them about OH’s work. Had some great kids in who’ve been super interested & super confident asking questions of the artist & telling him which ones are their favourites. Being a teacher I loved this side of things. A few rode their bikes around with parents to the different studios.
Yes Fit we’re all human and fall by the wayside at times, but the difference with 5:2 is that we just get up on the horse & go again…..with no need for guilt or
bashing ourselves up. It’s just life …and it’s meant to be lived to the full!!!!!!!!! And Fit of course you have to celebrate with your baby going back to college. Just think…what will you remember in 5 year’s time – your sticking to your diet or a wonderful night out with family celebrating around food???
Welcome GoaM and I’d echo everyone else, start with 500 cals and on 2 separate days. Michael Mosely found it just too hard to do 2 days in a row so it’s likely that you will too. No good setting yourself up for failure at the start. You want to have a successful beginning so you will be motivated and positive!
Wow Barata so many similar stories of blowouts over the weekend. But I honestly don’t think it matters so long as you can get back to your FD tomorrow, get back into the swing of things. And for most of us Mondays are pretty automatic by now.
GG/CG/FB what day do you actually meet????? Any way we could get a photo or something of you all? Would LOVE to see that! I find it so exciting and sure everyone else does too. Even if you can’t do a photo you’re NOT allowed to have so much fun that you forget to post and tell us all about it….that’s an order from Madam Shecretaree! And don’t you forget it. We need a blow by blow account of it all.
Have a great FD tomorrow for most of you. Plan and prepare and your day will be over before you know it. Keep up those hot drinks. Oh found a really nice tea. It’s a “Madame Flavour” brand Lemongrass, lime and ginger Tissane (pyramid teabags). I don’t usually buy these as they’re more expensive but OH said it’s the nicest tea he’s had & I agree. Can’t remember where I bought it though but probably our gourmet shop or the health shop or possibly the supermarket?! Worth looking out for if you like lemongrass. Super happy with our 5:2 WOL ….but…….that may also be the wine talking too.
Thx to those who mentioned the art sales. Yes very happy with that. OH has only gone into art full-time since he retired so pretty happy with it all. Lots of avenues to explore after the open studio event that will keep me busy. And plenty of contacts to add to our lists. Enjoy your FD’s everyone knowing that you’re in control. suejen

Fatbuster and Barata on your weight loss 🙂 MOMayhem, I had just managed to survive but I had a massive pig out yesterday and today ! I have been really bad 🙁 and anyway, I know we newbies will get there, we have so much support 🙂 Suejen, well done on your weight loss , you were very strong to resist the nibblies available at the art gallery opening , I would have eaten them all up. MOMayhem, sorry you had to work on Saturday but I am glad to hear your energy levels were up, I must admit I felt a tad that way too, GG , your weight loss is great! Congratulations. All the best for tomorrow team 🙂 I’m off to boil eggs for work tomorrow 🙂 I’ll see you all tomorrow evening:
My starting stats are /were as follow:
Weight -90.1kg
Neck – 39 cm
Waist 108cm
Hips 114 cm
Bust 115 cm ( I may be a bit bigger as I think I may have held the tape measure a tad too tight but it’s too cold to start again) ps Dad had a lovely B’day ) goodnight all xx

….bugga….lost the plot…. sorry Barata,,, where did I stash lotus then???

Anyway, I send u all good thoughts, me and the parrots had a damn fine weekend!
So impressed with your support of hubby’s art venture Suejen, bet he is too! It’s nice to be with people who follow their dreams and win. So special when they come in pairs! You’re his muse, whether you know it or not, man does not succeed if woman hasn’t got his back!

Taco, now you get the ghist of it. We rise and fall, together. And have a giggle when good intentions go slightly down hill, but we don’t bottom out or turn tail and give up. Great Sunday ladies. sleep well. xx gyps

Good morning all

Haven’t been around will read back over next couple of days.

I am learning that weight loss is not just about food it our whole lives. I made a huge life changing decision last week to leave my partner of 8 years. I packed up a few things and my 13 year daughter and have moved too a friends house. We are looking to rent a much bigger home in the next short while. Life is too short for living in a home that has so much anxiety, depression and stress. I feel so much better even after a few days. We are still talking and he is very upset but a little understanding of my decisions. Financial payout figures are being discussed.

So been off the radar.

Holding at 19.3kg gone though.

I think the rest will start to fall off now as my life turns around for a much happier stronger and fitter life awaits.

Take care everyone.

Hi Bali – so sorry to hear your news but I am full of admiration for your bravery to make such a courageous and life-changing decision. I wish you and your daughter every happiness for the future. I am sure that with less stress and anxiety in your life, you will go from strength to strength.

Morning all,

Busy weekend spent really not achieving much, Sat & Sunday night I blew it big time (darn you chocolate & cider for being so tempting) but today is a new day.

FD today – at work this morning but off home soon have 2 sick kidlets at home today. so far I’ve had 2 coffees (instant with a dash of milk) and a bottle of water. Not hungry really. have planned soup and a slice of bread for lunch and chicken stir-fry with zoodles for dinner for me.

if I cant be bothered with lunch then I will just have meatballs with zoodles (similar to the kids dinner of spag & meatballs tonight)

anyway off to do some more work before the boss gets back and I can go home.

hope everyone had a great weekend.

cheers M.O.M

🙂

Hi all, I’m back at work and so far so good! Hanging in there, I’ll respond to all this evening 😉 I hope all is well with you all ::) ps I kept three little snacks from today’s lunch for tomorrow . I had my egg and two miso soups so far . Lots of tea too 🙂

Hi all, I am having a good FD so far. Back to exercising (only moderate, old lady stuff, but it’s does help) only green tea until 2.30 lunch, decided on tinned salmon and salad. Just love the heightened taste of food now!

Bali, It is never easy and rarely a sudden decision to end a relationship, You know you needed to do it, you’ve paid the price already in years you can’t reclaim. (got 2 divorces under my belt, totalling 37 yrs) of trying to make a wrong fit, right. So don’t look back and just take one day at a time. It’s okay to be happy it’s done and look forward to a new adventure. Get that bod trim and healthy and go for it! We are all here to sound off to. Luck to you.

Doggie, will look up your recipes, thanks! and I guess you got the calorie/energy thing sorted, I think of it as a measurement of the energy one needs to expend to use it (the food!) THUS HIGH CALORIE FOOD stays in your body as fat! unless you either cut it down or exercise it off. I confess to having the old and new wts and measurement scales all mixed in my head (as to visualizing amounts) I tend to still think in lbs and ounces, feet and inches, etc and when it comes to ‘kilojoules’ vs calories I have to use a calculator.

As to the problem of constipation, it’s a big subject (as you know) terms like ‘spastic colon’ open up a different can of worms to the usual. Perhaps it needs diagnosing properly. You know the drill. So by your post it sounds like you have tried all the home remedies and maybe it’s time to see a gastroenterologist? And I would go so far as to say make that a Colo-rectal surgeon, who does specific tests on how food moves through your bod, from belly to bum! (forget GP’S when it comes to difinitives, except to demand a referral and NOT just get fobbed off with fybogel!)

In line with best practice ideals I’d have to suggest A) Clarify the cause and B) Find the corrective measure, be it ?diet , structural or neural .

Having said that, I do have some theories on the grey areas that seem to mystify the (male dominated) ‘specialists’ of women’s anatomy when it’s not just a straight forward chop and change! Or a pill can’t fix it.

I have some life evaluations that may be of interest to others as well, since bowels become an issue as one gets older (usually). but it is going to make this a very long post. So I may do it in sections (Huh?) if crap is the topic of choice for a Monday evening’s fasting therapy??? Lol…

So, doggy, lettuce first clarify the term ‘Spastic colon’. Was it diagnosed as such ? (which should have also come with management strategies) or is it just terminology, you or a doc suggested might cover the symptoms? To clarify, I got the following explanation from a Mayo Clinic blurb:
(quote)
Spastic colon is another term for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a common disorder characterized by abdominal cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation and or diarrhoea.
The term “spastic colon” describes the increase in spontaneous contractions (motility) of muscles in the small and large intestines associated with IBS. These contractions are sometimes called spasms. However, because IBS may also be associated with decreased motility, the term spastic colon isn’t always accurate.
The cause and severity of IBS varies from person to person. Treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms, and may include changing your diet, increasing physical activity, reducing stress, and taking anticholinergic or anti-diarrheal medications. (Unquote)

So that’s a pretty broad spectrum – can go either way and shouldn’t be dropped loosely on a patient., but highlights the need for a more definitive diagnosis. If you relate to the symptoms, treatment needs to be tailored to them. (so I can’t give a blanket cure all opinion).

On the other hand (Libra dictates there always is one..) on the principle of God helping those who help themselves, You could begin to sort it yourself by noting what causes the symptoms and alter a behaviour or treat a symptom as it arises.
1. For instance, you know your own body, So is it anxiety? (nervous system or emotional) or anything to do with getting uptight over stuff that gives you an ’upset stomack’?
Suggestions— Try to sort it , communicate your worries, or use relaxation therapy, or see the doc about an anti-cholinergic .
NB. If you are already taking medication, research the side effects of same and eliminate medication induced constipation (anything with codein in it will slow bowel function and most antidepressants will as well)
2. Is it diet related? What bungs you up or gives you the bloats? Eliminate same.
3. Is it a prolapsed problem?
4. Ha! Stay tuned for my learned opinion on that kettle of fish! …….

Hello wonderful AD’S…….This will be my last post until I return from MEXICO!
Melbourne is now 24hrs away. 6am fight out of Sydney on the Wednesday 22nd to meet FB in the afternoon…. cannot wait. Thursday 23rd CG arrives and that will be totally amazing ! We are staying at the same motel… look out mini bar!Thursday who knows,Friday Meeting Andrew to celebrate FB’S birthday..LONG LUNCH that will be a total blast with us all together …Photo’s will be a must and they will be posted for you all to see what we are like… the slimmer healthy us!
BALI- You are a strong confident women…so sad is your relationship’s end….these decisions do not come easy ,it takes it’s toll on us as we have to weigh up the negitives and positives as to why we can no longer stay.New challenges will be ahead. The future will be brighter You must put yourself 1st and the the ultimate wellbeing of your daughter. The emotions will be of grief and loss BUT each day the sun will shine and warm you. My sincere love and hugs WE ARE HERE IF YOU NEED US .
GIRL ON A MISSION- You have read this already ….. Your plan is extremely extreme. Take it easy.Fast and have 500cals on those days. you have so little weight to lose. Unfortunately you will be destined to fail and put the kgs back on sooner if you follow your strategy… You have 8 weeks before your trip aim for a loss of .5 to a kilo each week which is the healthy way.Please heed the advice and let us advise and guide you. We are all still learning ourselves , most are 6mths into 5:2 and believe me, between us all we have tried most things. Good luck
SUEJEN- lots of congrats to you and your OH on the exibition. And your strength at food temptation,
Well enough from me Sorry to the other members I have not mentioned esp GYPSY
Thank you all for your birthday wishes for yesterday . It was a fabulous day my OH ticked all the boxes with a beautiful resturant choice… Ummmmm magic !!!!
One of the us will post with our mischief from Melbourne BE STRONG WITH YOUR AUSSIE DETERMINATION love and hugs……GO GALxxxxx