Day 7 – USA (Illinois) – NFD

Have to be careful on my DAFD (DayAfterFD) but was very happy about yesterday. It has turned very cold here, though, so drinking hot tea and Miso soup yesterday giving me about 450 calories. Likely will break my fast with lunch and do a 16:8.

@lilymartin – how fun that you are singing for the elderly! I used to routinely do some nursing home visits and sing for them… I need to get back in that rotation, maybe as a New Year’s resolution. I’ve managed to learn how to sing while I play piano for myself, and routinely I tell everyone I’m not perfect and one or the other will have mistakes!

@bert1802 – no fun those cold meds. I remember taking some Tylenol Sinus at school, and it left me incredibly irritated! I wanted to murder this one boy who was mis-behaving…. Good thing the principal stopped by for a visit at that moment, and I was able to pass the boy off to him. Ah the joys of Middle School students. And you are so right that those of us on maintenance need to listen to our bodies. Isn’t NOT doing that what put us overweight?!

Thanks to all who took the survey. I am sure our input was very valuable.

Hugs to anyone in California. May you all be safe!

Onward and downward.

@songbirdme thought of you last night, when we attended a concert. They sang the most beautiful song I’ve ever heard called “Evening Rise”. Do you know it? I’m trying to play it on the piano.

Sending love to everyone!

@songbirdme and @snowflake56 and all those who love hearing great voices – Sadly Dmitri Hvorostovsky has died recently aged 55 after suffering from brain cancer – amazing sound!

Hvorostovsky & Kaufmann – Pearl Fishers duet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2MwnHpLV48

Day 7 – USA – NFD

Second post: @markie99, you brought back memories…we used to go to Lake Delton for mini-vakays in a dog-friendly hotel…it was in the 50s in late August in the a.m. Thought about retiring there, but just not the kind of weather we wanted after living in Chicago, lol!

Day 7 – SW WA NFD

Will try to keep it liquid during the day and then moderately enjoy the last class of the 1/4 party with adult ESL class.

Have a wonderful Thursday!

Together we are stronger!

Day 7 – Washington NFD 4:3

Yesterday was rough, I felt awful all day & did not fast…thought I might be getting sick; started the day feeling bad & much better today.

Working towards a successful FD tomorrow!

Day 7 Akron OH FD
stay strong people

Day 7 Sunny Mexico
NFD
I had planned on having my second fast day but didn’t want to pass on lunch on the beach.. will now do a Friday fast!
Happy Thursday!

Day 7 UK NFD

Thank you for all your responses yesterday when I asked if anyone else felt down when they began this WOL or on FD in particular. It helped helped SO much to hear your experience and encouragement and I’m hugely grateful.

I think the lack of daylight is a big thing for me, as well as lack of sunshine, post-viral fatigue for over a month, health and relationship issues with family and friends – and especially not sleeping well. I’m going to start by tackling sleep, but remember to drink plenty of water and come back to the gratitude journal idea too. Thank you for the reminders and ideas – I feel connected, and inspired to dive in and work with it rather than run away or bury it under a mountain of chocolate, cheese or beer!

Day 6 was actually a really well controlled day full of lovely food and lots of learning. I was surprised to realise I’d come in at just on 1000 calories which feels really good. Still only beginning to learn about how many calories in things and feel as tho i’m exploring in a whole new country!

I made some great white bean pate for tomorrow and defrosted some lentil & root veg stew to add tofu and blend into soup. Today I did some good food shopping – noticing changes already, and I was already a pretty healthy vegetarian. Beginning to recognise that in some ways i’m going back to the way I shopped and cooked 25 years ago when I had more time and energy – funny to rediscover myself in this process alongside learning new stuff.

I researched recipes for healthy(ier) mincemeat to put in my homemade gluten-free/low carb mincepies and am v excited to try that one. It will sit beautifully alongside the homemade gf/no added sugar port-and-lemon christmas pudding I made at the weekend. I’ve never thought to make either before, and that’s nearly my traditional Christmassy food done! Except I might make a healthy/ier cake and/or some gingerbread to offer to guests….

Today was going to be FD but it contained a working lunch followed by 2hr meeting and a farewell thing. I skipped breakfast and had a couple of really healthy salads for lunch (=400 calories) but during the meeting ate 450 calories’ worth of chocolate crispie things, and then a clementine. O well, I’m not beating myself up and will fast tomorrow. For supper tonight I’m going to have something with eggs and maybe rice to line myself up nicely for tomorrow’s fasting. And get an early night!

Onwards & downwards! Thank you again x

@snowflake56 – no, I had not known “EvenngRise” but found several renditions of it on YouTube, including one suitable for melody bells or boomwhakers (a school-used instrument group) that would give you the notes for your piano playing. It really is lovely! Haunting! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJNqua_Plm0 I would love hearing it on Native American Indian flute too.

@at – I see Dimitri passed away just a couple weeks ago. An amazing voice,and the Bizet duet was amazing.

@markie99 – for me, FD’s are notoriously cold, even in summer. I drink hot beverages too and use my rice bag hot pack for hands or wherever. (I live just into Illinois south of Monroe, WI, and we got the same cold front and dusting of snow.)

Speaking of those bags, I just made 5 of them that utilized 10 pounds of rice for a Christmas auction next week. Just carrying them up from my sewing machine in the basement made me wonder how in the world did I carry around those 35# more that I’ve lost?! Wow…

Day 7 – USA – FD
Second Post: @metatauta, glad my post brought back memories of Lake Delton and the WI Dells. We live in SE WI, so not too far from there. Lake Delton suffered a terrible fate back in 2008 (it emptied because of a serious road erosion) but has actually recovered very well and is back in use. The WI Dells is still a beautiful place, and is known for indoor waterparks. BTW, we love Chicago. Cold weather, but wonderful and cultured city. Where in the US are you?

Day 8 – Japan – FD 83.8kg

I must have really drank a lot yesterday! (Water, coffee)

Anyway this is FD #12 of year 2 (I think)

Day 7 NFD/CD Oregon USA

Yesterday ended up being a total overboard TDEE.
Aiming for control today and moving FD to tomorrow due to a commitment tonight.

Really need the weekend to push a hard reset though I think.
Been way to easy to overdo on the NFD’s.

Luckily the sunshine has been out here (unusual for us at this time of year) and it’s bright (but cold).

On my work computer so no emojis…
May your holidays be blessed and your pounds be less.

Day 8, Norway…FD

Well, it wasnt a definite FD yesterday…but cant have been to far off…was down 0.5kg anyways, so that made my friday morning.

Today will most likely be a natural FD, as im working in the office from 6.40-15.00, and then straight to work #2, from 15.30-22.30…no time to eat i guess, and a lot of walking and lifting at the elderly center. A good end of the week, i feel like every day has been a halfway-FD….oh well, the scales go in the right direction.

Have a good day and week end everybody.

Pocket list of fasters for today:
*feel free to add your name is you are fasting today, the more the merrier:*

@miraclelou
@maayyaa

Day 8 – Ireland 🇮🇪 – CD

At a new low on my 5:2 journey, 137.2, with about 8 or 9lbs more to go. Definitely have climbed down off November Mount Plateau. But the party season is now starting!

It will be controlled today. Less than 1000 calories. I have a chicken, butter bean, peppers, mushrooms, turmeric and Chinese 5 spice thingie already cooked for tonight’s dinner. NO wine tonight. I have to work tomorrow and DH is working tonight anyway so I will look forward to a drop of wine tomorrow.

And then Sunday is my Christmas treat at the spa with the girls…no holds barred!🍾
See @bert1802, I am giving myself an early Christmas gift ☺️

Boo, it’s snowing outside and wind chill -5C…and no sign of my heated insoles. I have 5 thermal layers on my torso, merino wool socks plus merino fleece tights on my feet and legs….please let my feet stay warm 😬

Happy Friday everyone

Day 8 Newcastle UK FD.
This will be the third fast day of the week. Hoping for a good weight loss by Sunday

Day 8, London, UK, FD (maybe a <1000 cal CD),

@rainbowsmile, I’m so glad you checked in, the grieving process is a long & arduous road, but you’ll keep trudging on and when your dad pops into your mind, you’ll smile or cry or laugh. I’m still doing all of the above, and I guess I always will, but the pain is dulling gradually. Merry Xmas Mari, and remember, staying below TDEE is better than above!!!! (((xxx)))

Another FD, maybe. I’m out for dinner tomorrow, so I’ll keep today as either a FD or a well below TDEE CD. It should be ok as I’ll be off to pilates soon, then shopping, cleaning, etc, etc, etc.

To those struggling, it might be worth sticking to basic 5:2, leave the B2B2Bs and LFDs for another day!!!! Let’s have a controlled run up to the temptation of Xmas!!!

Day 8, Newcastle UK, NFD

“What a difference a week (without wine) makes lalalalalalala!”

@anna6 & @mjmj – sounds like bliss – sunshine and lovely food.
@emma Taylor – I’m with you and other pocket dry winos. Doing well so far.
Hahaha @flourbaby – yes, an image of the first glass not touching the sides did float through my mind as I typed those words. However, my tip is for how to cope in company 🙂
@mari84 – on the bright side – hopefully you should all be well for Christmas x
Fantastic news about your friend @at – prayers that her treatment continues well.
Hello @snowflake56 – great to see you popping in to say hello. Hope all is well with you.
@metatauta – since last Wednesday’s ‘Sauvignon Blanc’ episode I have had 2 halfs of beer at the pub on two separate occasions. I really, really, enjoyed and savoured them. So much more enjoyable than mindlessly swigging wine in the house every night. Good for you doing well too.
How’s your B2B going @markie99? I really like B2B’s – especially on a Monday/Tuesday to get the week off to a good start.
@rainbowsmile – Mari – thanks for keeping in touch and totally understand how you are feeling right now. You’re doing really well to stay within TDEE. Sending a big hug. Take care and look forward to hearing from you in due course x
Great progress @daffodil2010 – you are helping strengthen my resolve to achieve my December and January goals.
Your idea of YouTube videos of the rabbits is a great idea @fatrabbit. Strangely we have blue sky and bright sunshine up in the North East. I think snow is forecast though.
@quebecoise – how you doing partner??? We can do this.

So I’ve saved this until last. My Christmas Day no wine strategy:
I have offered to be driver for my Dad and Brother & Partner who are having their dinner at my niece’s home.

“Your life does not get better by chance. It get’s better by change.”

day 8 FD, Ashburn, USA
planning on fasting with coffee(2-3 cups) during the day and maybe have a light meal in the evening if I feel hungry.

Day 8 UK FD

I had a bit of a blow out last night & ate the tub of spare biscuits & chocolate crispy things I’d brought home from meeting -I’d brought them home to take to a lunch for homeless refugees on Sunday. Now not only have I eaten an extra and unnecessary 1000 calories but I’ll need to make or buy something to take with me. And then cope with people being grateful while I feel like an imposter – double whammy!

So that was my first week of this WOL and it wasn’t boring!
I’ve lost 1kg (yay) and begun to interrogate both food and feelings.
I’ve been really down and lost and had moments of finding myself.
I’ve begun to learn about calories, explored and experimented with making things, and been encouraged and inspired by complete strangers.

Today will be about lots of hot & cold drinks, white bean pate and carrots for lunch, and lentil, tofu and vegetable stew/soup for supper. And keeping busy with a bit more structure.

Pocket List for today

@miraclelou
@maayyaa
@stevetoontaxidriver
@flourbaby
@bert1802
@blissfulforever
@michelinme

Sorry for that long post up there, Folks. I did go back & remove a bunch of work-stress info. Everyone with a job, especially over the holiday season, faces added stress. No need to compound that by reading someone else’s tales of woe! 😜 Besides, I’ve got plans on how to handle it.

All that said, this past week was not a total wash, I managed to stick to either 16:8 or just 2 meals each day. So still, a tiny bit of progress was made!

Start weight = 156
Week # 1 = 155.4
Week # 2 = 154.6
Week # 3 = 154.2

Day 8 USA (Illinois) – NFD

Yesterday went quite well, stayed under TDEE on a DAFD for which I am happy.

@happymargo – wow, those WERE a lot of “no-no’s!” Just manage couple or you will never again be HAPPY!

Exercise at Silver Sneakers today then supper with friends at Olive Garden. They have terrific salad, so will try not to over-eat on any entree! Oh… there will be wine I bet, but will just go with one glass.

Onward and downward!

LOL, @songbirdme – so I’d end up being just Plain Margo or Hungry Margo instead?

Think I’ll take your advice & back my foot off that gas pedal a bit. Ease up on the No’s. Select a few key rules & then just enjoy the 5:2 WOL. 👍🏼

PS: Silver Sneakers sounds fun. They have that at our gym too…. wonder if I have to wait another 15 + years before they’ll let me in. Hmm. 🤔. Is there an age limit?

@happymargo – remember that saying, ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’. This is exactly the right place to offload. I think we all have at some time or another. Glad it worked and you feel much better. xx

Day 8 – Massachusetts – FD

Yesterday’s nfd went okay – brought brown rice for the free Thai food and maintained control over how much I ate. However, ate more of my dinner than intended (not the worst, was healthy). I also did eat two chocolate squares (50 cal each! Darn you, chocolate) but stopped at that.

Good news is that today’s a FD! I threw this extra one in this week to make up for Monday’s cheestatrophy.

I also figured out what I’m giving myself this month – I just signed up for next semester of classes in swimming at the Y! Now I’m going to level 3 and I’m very excited! 😆

Added myself to pocket list today

—Pocket List Day 8–

@miraclelou
@maayyaa
@stevetoontaxidriver
@flourbaby
@bert1802
@blissfulforever
@michelinme
@leggit

Just keep swimming 🏊‍♀️