I haven’t had much chance to update my progress over the last week or so.

It has been a rough couple of weeks – I have been spending a fair bit of time helping to look after the family member who has been so ill. I am so grateful that she is still with us, and of course I would do ANYTHING to help her at the moment…..but I am disabled myself, it has not been easy!

I have managed to keep up the fasting – but have been taming meds which slows everything down for me.

Anyway, the scales on Sunday….

14 September…16 Stone 11 1/2 pounds

I stayed the same….I am determined to see this as a positive! With all the stress I have been under I could easily have resorted to comfort eating …but I didn’t!

Also, I have had a non-scales result…I took a trouser-suit out of the wardrobe and tried it on – to see if it was still too tight……Heeeeee! I have had to take the trousers in! They were way to big!

I went to M&S today and decided to treat myself…to a packet of Roobius, Cocoa Nib and Vanilla Tea….hope it tastes as good as it sounds!

So, on to another week….surely the weight loss will start again soon!

Thanks newme@50…..it has been a rough few weeks!…I am actually feeling surpringly content to stay-the-same weight for a week or so…this is a long-haul weight-loss for me, and I can cope with it slowing for a little …..the NSV really help with this!……so on with the day…I am making a super-low-cal and almost zero-fat spicy butternut soup today – I am restocking the freezer over the next week or so!

Thanks Kosiejelly….yes bad weeks certainly come! I have been so tired this last week. Partly because I have been taking medication which makes me really tired – and partly because I am doing ‘too much’

The Roobius/Cocoa nib/Vanilla tea was rather pleasant! There is a definite cocoa flavour to it….maybe a little too ‘scented’ with the vanilla, but a nice enough cuppa in the afternoon – and no need for a biscuit!

Talking of biscuits…I seem to be beating the biscuit addiction! I am able to keep biscuits on the house…usually ginger nuts and forest-fruit go-aheads….and am happy to NOT eat any for a few days! If I REALLY want a biscuit with my nightime drink – on a non-fast day of course! – then I have one, and can usually stop at just the one (maybe two for the ginger nuts!)……As of yet I am not brave enough…or stupid enough!!!!…to try keeping a pack of chocolate digestives in the house!…or custard creams (always a weakness!)

I am filling up the freezer at the moment…lots of 5:2 friendly stuff. Home made soups, low-fat/cal bolognaise sauce, …all portioned up ready for one….so fasting meals are just a few microwave minutes away in an emergency…..planning is the way to go!

So…..what did the scales say this week?…..

16 stone…..10 and 3/4 pound

It’s a loss! 3/4 of a pound!…a packet and a half of butter!….the scales are moving again!!!!

Plans for this week include thinking about a fasting-friendly porridge breakfast…I’m thinking oats made up with water…and some frozen berries mixed in when it is cooked…

Well…I am still here…just about!

There has been very little time for posting recently. Little time to do much at all really! Much of the time has been spent travelling to and from the hospital – accompanying my lovely relative for tests, tests and yet more tests!…And then there have been my own check-ups which all seem to come at once!

I can’t really complain though…I have a number of medical conditions – one of which landed me in hospital a couple of years ago, and I only found out later just how close I came to not coming out again!….I still visit a clinic for this as an out-patient, and then there a couple of other appointments at the hospital too….and it takes almost all day sometimes!

So, back on topic….dietwise….I have managed to stick to my fasting 2 days a week…and it has been TOUGH some days!

Porridge is a great breakfast in the cold weather…but I still like my breakfast omelette on a fast day sometimes. And veggie bakes are delicious and fast-friendly and comforting now the weather is getting colder!

Non-fasting days are still something of a surprise…like today…non-fasting…and a Sunday…so what shall I have for dinner…backed stuffed chicken breast with roasted Mediterranean veggies!….now, I admit it was absolutely delicious!…but where was the Yorkshire pud?…the creamy mash?…and/or roasties?…and for pudding?…fruit, jelly and home-made joghurt!….again a nice enough pudding, and I scraped the bowl clean…but where is the suet pud?…the pastry?…and the CUSTARD!!!!!….Don’t get me wrong, I still love a roast dinner with all the trimmings, …and I still believe a ‘proper’ pud comes with custard…but increasingly I find I am just as happy to skip them!

Right…now for the weightloss….or sort of!….slight hiccup!…I was a little frustrated when the scales showed no loss….but as it happened I had a GP visit….of course he weighed me…’you are doing well’ he said, ….I just glared at him (I’m not really rude…just Autistic!)….’Really,’ he said, ‘ that’s half a stone off since I last saw you!’….so, I went back home and the next morning demanded that Mum let me use her scales….and had her doublecheck the weight…her scales agree with the GP!….I have decided that my tasks this week will include buying a new battery for my scales!

So my weight?

Somewhere between 16 stone 10 1/2..and 16 stone 7….does it really matter?…I like to know I am losing weight…so I need to sort out my scales…but I DO know there is ‘shrinkage’…my clothes tell me that!…and also, however much I jiggle around on the scales…even if I wear a jumper instead of my tee….even if I weigh myself after a meal (and I have done all of the above at times!)….the scales still stay under 17 stone!!!!….Now for some that might seem a shockingly high weight….but I am squeeing!….next stop will be the scales never again showing 16 stone….no time limit, it happens when it happens…but it WILL happen!

Sunday again!

And I remembered to put my clocks back! I was fasting yesterday…and I had my breakfast at the ‘usual’ time (as if the clocks had NOT changed)…does this mean I had an extra hours fast?

I was at the skin clinic this week….my skin is NOT in a good condition – but the specialist has prescribed some new stuff so we will see how that works….I’m really hoping the new shampoo will do something for my hair – the last lot really dried the hair out……I have to say that I really MISS having baths with lovely scented oils!…I used to love a good hot soak (and would take a book or magazine and make an evening of it!….These days I can no longer get in/out of a bath (and no longer have a bath – I have a wetroom) and no scented products, only the prescribed stuff….still I need to be positive! I can shower as much as I want…and my skin is no longer trying to kill me!

The Christmas editions of magazines are appearing in the shops – and loads of tasty recipes to tempt a foodie! At least 5:2 means I can enjoy some of my favourite treats…..and my German origins mean I do love my Advent treats…We have a tradition of having Advent Sunday coffee mornings, with biscuits…cakes…chocolates…marzipan….and it is only a few more weeks before Advent!….I must be strong!

Actually I have proof of my surprising will-power!….Yesterday morning I realised I had no bread. I went with Mum to the chemist (which is a bus journey away) and then coming back realised the local baker closes at midday on a Saturday. No problem…I bake my own bread (usually but not exclusively using a breadmaker)…So I set up the machine, in with the ingredients…switch on and settle down to other stuff….only to be surrounded shortly after by the tempting smell of fresh bread…fresh, warm, crusty bread…and it was a FASTING day yesterday!!!!!….Not one morsel of the warm bready goodness passed my lips!…I just kept telling myself “I CAN have bread, but not today!” …Mum is coming over shortly to slice it up for me (My dyspraxia means I can’t use a bread knife safely)

Right then…time to record my weight…..

October 26th…….16 stone….8 pounds

16,8!!!!!….A pound and a half off!…3 more packets of butter gone! (or perhaps two rather large and bulky baking potatoes?)….Dare I hope for the 16 and a half stone next week?

Well….this week will begin with visitors from Germany…which means ‘entertaining’….which means food!…and ends with a family birthday…which means….FOOD!!!….I really need to focus on fitting in my two fast days..and enjoying the festivities but not overdoing things….and if I get a weight loss next week so much the better!

abop…thankyou!

Yes 5:2 is fantastic….maybe not always easy – but it is doable and as you say, sustainable.

I love the way it fits into my life…allowing me the family celebrations (within reason!)…and the warming comfort foods like sausage casserole (without the mashed potatoes and dumplings…and using low-fat sausages!)

Well done you on losing weight whilst bringing up a baby…I’m childless myself, but now how temptingly easy it is to finish up the leftovers on children’s’ plates – and to crunch down on a Farley’s Rusk! (surely I’m not the only adult to just adore baby-rusks?!!)- I may not have children but I DO have nephews and nieces….and you are setting your little lad a terrific example for healthy eating – he will grow up with a lovely healthy slim Mum!

Sunday again…and it is Stir-Up Sunday!…one more week to go before Advent – which means one more week before all the goodies start coming thick and fast! Mum has already bought the almonds for marzipan (and walnuts, Dates and Cherries for topping/stuffing the marzipan)….no doubt biscuit recipes will be discussed this week!

One thing I am getting more confident with is ‘being strong’…I know that I only need restrict myself completely on two days a week…on the other 5 days I am able to consider those treats…and I KNOW that I am able to limit myself to ‘just one of my favourites’….So when the marzipan comes around I will eagerly take one of my favourites (bear-paw…a small roll of marzipan half-dipped in bitter chocolate! mmmmm) savour every nibble and then politely refuse another piece!….Nothing is ‘forbidden! I love this way of eating!

Fasting Days this week went well….lots of warming drinks…I have a nice selection of fruit teas – very warming, pleasant, and doesn’t need the biscuit to go with it like ‘normal’ tea does!…Another portion of that sausage casserole went down well yesterday, followed by a sugar-free jelly portion (2 course dinner on a fasting day!…*snicker*)

Lots of embroidery this week…keeping those fingers busy!…And I can’t nibble when doing needlework – I wouldn’t want to smear the fabric!

And the results for this week?….Here we go…..

November 23rd……..16 Stone…..5 1/2 pounds

Yes! There goes another pound! …Bye-bye!…Don’t want to see you again!

So…onwards with another week….which I have just discovered may include a trip to Norwich…which means stopping off for coffee (and cake?!!!)…and visiting Lakeland (Kitchen Porn!!!!!….and so easy to spend way more money than I have!)…and Hotel Chocolat (focus buttonboots….focus!!!)……I will get through this week!!!

Sunday again!

And another busy week.

I had to visit the GP this week. Two of the meds I take are not on my repeat prescription, I have to see the GP every time I need a new supply, and thought I’d get one of them restocked now – rather than to find myself running -out on Christmas Day!…..Of course, the first thing the GP said was ‘hop onto the scales’! Honestly, I swear if I went with a broken arm his first idea would be to check my weight!….His response to my weight was a delight to see! He actually told me he was ‘impressed’!

Then.as the weather is decidedly chilly I pulled out a leisure suit to wear around the house. It is a lovely muted green colour and very soft!…..unfortunately it was new last year…and this year I can barely wear it! The trousers keep falling down and the top simply swamps me….Mum laughed as she watched me try to make a cup of tea one-handed (I needed the other hand to hold up the trousers!)…We are looking to find a smaller-sized suit, and the old one will be given away. (Mum knows someone whose mother is a ‘larger’ lady….and this suit has only been worn a couple of times….)

Lots of delicious and tempting food around this week…but I managed to keep to my two Fasting days….and to restrain myself on non-fast days!…I have indulged – but within reason. It hasn’t been easy – especially when those little German Spiced Biscuits appear – honestly you just can’t stop at one…or two…..

I did a fasting-favourite of baked fish yesterday and added a good dollop of chillies and tomatoes which made a really good and seriously-spicy sauce for the fish….absolutely delicious!

So, what did the scales say?

Sunday 14th December…..16 Stone …..3 1/2 pounds

There goes another pound!

Chicken Curry with Coconut Rice today…and a chocolate from my Christmas box too!…I really love the way I can enjoy good food and still lose weight!

Hallo! And a Happy New Year!

Thanks for the lovely comments!

Well Christmas has been and gone…and very enjoyable it was too! I surprised myself….still did my fasting! 2 days a week apart from Christmas Week when I just managed to fit in one. However, I was not ‘quite’ so strict with my TDEE on non-fast days.

That’s the ‘good’ part of the last few weeks!….Not so good has been the ‘skin’ issues…I was quite ill for a few days…ucky wet rash and a bit of a temperature……still, we have all the stuff we need to deal with these outbreaks!…and the feverish has now gone – although you can still clearly see where the skin was affected!

One lovely thing happened!….Before Christmas I was walking through Marks and Spencers with Mum and we saw a lovely jumper….’not for me’ I thought, ‘not for another year or so!’ …I paused to have another look and Mum came to see it too….I looked at the sizes…they went up to a 22….Mum raised an eyebrow and held it up against me….she suggested I try it on….stupid idea! I wear 5xls from an outsize store!….Mum laughed at that and pointed out I wear 3xl now and they are getting big!….so I grumbled as we went to the fitting room…I don’t think I’ve ever been there before!…I want to pause here and give a big shout-out for M&S…their fitting rooms are amazing! I am disabled and use a walking aid…without a word the assistant directed me to a ‘disabled’ changing room – large enough for me and mum to get into with both our walkers!…and with a decent seat in there…and an emergency pull cord…and coat hangers at a low-height!…little things like that make a huge difference!!!….anyway…back to the jumper…it FIT!!!!…I can wear M&S clothes! (Well okay…..I can wear ONE item…..)….Mum grabbed it off me and wrapped it up for Christmas!

Most of the Christmas Goodies have now been consumed…so back on the plan again….

Weigh-In has been a minor problem…I have a set of Weight-Watcher digital scales….and I think I mentioned changing the battery only a month or so ago…..Well I weighed myself…16 stone 9 1/2…WTF?!!!!….deep breath and try again …without moving the scales…16 stone 4….oooooh I can live with that!….then this morning I got on…16 stone 6 3/4….???!!!!….try again just in case…16 stone 8………..I have no idea what is going on with those scales!

I am first of all going to look at one positive thing….however doolalley those scales are they are not able to show above the 17 stone any more!!!….and I will take a sort of ‘mid-way’ estimate and record an average sort of figure…

I think I weigh something like

16 stone and 6 pounds!

When health and weather permit I will venture in to town and see what the Boots scales say!

New Year ahead…..I don’t like to set ‘targets’ as I am just setting myself up to fail!….(I get disheartened by not attaining them!)….but I will continue to take great delight in my little losses…….and not a target as such, but 52 weeks in a year…say about one pound off a week….well 4 stone is 56 pounds…wouldn’t it be amazing to be about 4 stone lighter by next Christmas?!!!….We shall see!

Thanks Dragonfly!…Hope you enjoy spending your cards later!

This week has flown by pretty quickly! Christmas is all packed away again until Advent (which will be here before we know it!)

Our local newsagents is currently offering all sorts of Christmas chocoatey goodies on half-price-or-less ….AND at the same time they have a twofer on crème eggs!… get’em early before they all go folks – only 12 weeks until Easter!!!….Seriously it is getting so hard to avoid sugary/fatty temptation…for the overweight..the health conscious…and little kids!

I had yet another appointment at the hospital…and yet another change to my meds…Honestly I seem to spend so much time up there recently!

Still…I have managed to fit in my two fast days this week….and get pretty well to my TDEE for the other days…..I had a really delicious Thai-style chicken last night…on a huge pile of green beans….yes I DID think a spoonful or two of sticky rice would have gone down well! But honestly for a fasting meal it was amazing! So satisfying!

Non-Fasting Day today…so I will enjoy one of my delicious chocolates…I had a Hotel Chocolat Christmas Box….and have actually been able to make it last!…No mindlessly inhaling the whole box in one sitting! I KNOW they are not forbidden…(well not 5 days a week!)….so I have the choice whether to indulge – and many days I decide I don’t really want one! (Santa seemed to do a little shopping at Hotel Chocolat this years…chocolates…cocoa-chilli-oil….cocoa-nib-infusions (super on a fast day!)…and a bottle of cocoa gin!!!)

Right then…what did the scales say this morning?

11th January….16 stones and …..3 1/2 pounds

Very pleased with that!….Whatever glitch happened with my weight or scales over Christmas…this is back to what I was at my last-before-holidays weighing…so right back on track!

And onwards with another week…………

Hi wishskinny!….thanks for the kind words!…and well done for getting back on the plan!…you know it works!

I braved the scales at the weekend and am actually pleased with the result….

6th March…hovering around the 16 stone 1 pound mark….maybe 1 1/2

Which means that despite the steroids playing merry-hell with the plan, I am more-or-less where I was!

The weather here is cold enough that warming soups and stews are still really welcome….and they fit nicely into a fast day too!

I had a slight surprise the other week….I was looking at buying a new pair of shoes…and it seems as if my feet have shrunk!…Same style as usual but I seem to need a half size smaller….now if only the tummy, hips, butt and boobs would follow the example of my feet!!!!

Just time for a quick update……I have had a really heavy cold. but am still 5:2ing!

First thing s first…the result of the scales this week….

23 March….16 stones and 1/2 a pound

So between a half pound and a pound off….that is one or two packs of butter!

I know the weight loss is slooooooooooooooow but recently it has been with almost zero exercise!

It is important to remember that there is no such thing as ‘normal’….just ‘normal for me’….I will never get the quick results…but the weight IS shifting…and WILL stay off!

This coming week will have one challenge…I want to try the recipe for my Easter Bread (I do ‘special loaves’ at Easter and Christmas)….Christmas was spiced orange and cranberry and was one of my most popular yet!..For Easter I was thinking of a light bread with dates, walnuts and hot-cross bun spices, and a honey glaze….I really hope I get the recipe right pretty much first time – so I don’t have to bake more loaves to ‘tweak’ the recipe (and then eat all the bread…’cos it’s a shame to waste it!)