Day 27 – USA/GA – FD!

Weigh-in: 221 lbs. Basically I’m a pound heavier than this time last year, making 2022 really a plateau-long year. Could be worse. I could be 240 lbs!

But so happy to resume fasting after doing my last FD a week ago today. Will probably skip tomorrow and do another FD on Thursday. I need to be more strategic in 2023. I think the evening meals during the week are my downfall. I would like to convert one or two of my regular NFDs into TRE/2MAD (nothing after 3 pm). There seems to be growing evidence that evening meals have a different effect on the body than meals earlier in the day. Now if I can actually do it. I know Friday – Saturday is out of the question. Also out of the question is slow cooker/Crockpot meals (but honestly, I don’t in practice do those each day).

I’m thinking about my goal weight for this time next year. I really want to be in the 100s. I got to find my determination and watch what’s sneaking into the pantry and refrigerator and how often those things are sneaking into my mouth 🙂

POCKET LIST DAY 27
@gardenlily
@malee57
@northgeorgia

Day 28 Melbourne, Australia CD

I don’t know how it has happened, but my weight is down to 75kg this morning. I’m not complaining about it. Today will be a vegetable and fruit day as I still feel overwhelmed by all the sugar I inhaled over the Christmas period.

@Daffodil2020 best wishes for getting over covid to you and your family.

I hope the cold storm has not been too dangerous for all our US friends.

Day 28 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – FD

I never thought I’d be happy to resume fasting, but I am! First FD since last Wednesday. I’m proud of the fact that I remained AF, but I was reckless with the sugar/snacks. It’ll be interesting to see what the scales say tomorrow morning.

@daffodil2010 – great to hear from you! And so sorry to hear of your health issues with Covid. Wishing you a full recovery & hoping you’ll haul yourself back up on the fasting wagon with us soon 🤗

@northgeorgia – that’s a good way to look at it. No using the ‘f’ word; you’ve just been on a year-long plateau & it’s all ⬇️ – hill from here! I only eat two meals a day every NFD, & maybe a snack of fruit/yogurt in-between. It’s only relatively recently that eating three meals per day became the norm. The Romans believed one mid-day meal was healthy. I’m sure the big food companies would love it if we all moved to hourly snacks, which I think some people are already consuming 😅

@matpi – I don’t think strep is as bad here as it is in Europe & the USA. But one of the friends I stayed with had it recently before I got there. I believe there’s a new super-strain in Europe that is resistant to antibiotics, & several children in the UK have died recently from Strep A related complications. I’ve just been taking painkillers for my throat, but if it’s still sore in a couple of days I think I’ll go & pick up some antibiotics.

Happy Hump Day! 🐫

Pocket List – Day 28 🍒
@malee57 CD
@funshipfreddie

Day 28 UK NFD

Just read the news for the first time in ages , shocked to see the weather conditions in the US , hope our fellow fasters are all safe and well

I’m starting the journey back to normality, I’m planning 2 FDs next week but like @gadenlily I’m going to have a good think about targets,goals for next year .

Going to try and get some gentle exercise in today as I haven’t moved off the sofa for around 3 days 🛋️

Day 28 – Ireland 🇮🇪 – FD

First FD in ages, what with Covid recovery and Christmas……but I stepped gingerly on the scale this morning and registered a shock number that I have not seen since 2013!!

Yes, admitting it now, I saw 171lbs and although I suspected I was heading there, I was truly shocked to see it. Ten years down the drain ☹️

But not going to dwell on that. So far it’s been water and coffee only. Will break my fast around three with some protein, an egg perhaps. Turkey curry for evening meal but NO carbs and NO alcohol. Back to work tomorrow, just for the day, so ZBC and turkey salad already prepared for to tomorrow.

I have done a Leslie walk, (ohhh those kicks and knee lifts twinged my leg muscles but good to get the blood flowing in them again, as I have been lounging around like a cat the last week 😀), stretches and an outdoor power walk…….I mean it this time!!

Thanks all for your kind wishes. Covid has not been kind. But my father is feeling better, and hoping to test negative soon so he can go to my older brothers for NYE. If still positive then all plans are off.

Day28 USA/HI NFD
Weigh in today is back to 166 lb after yesterday’s FD 800 being close to 900. Ended up eating lunch after eye doctor appt. as my eyes took longer time to adjust to bright light after exam. I thought I was ok with sunglasses but then felt I wasn’t safe to drive so stopped and had avo toast in a little coffee shop along the way. Road work and detours in that area gave me a feeling of almost panic attack. Then my planned dinner went off course as I was out of the low carb/calorie healthy noodles I thought were in refrigerator. Oh well I did return to 166 so all’s well that ends well. Will try to keep today’s NFD to 1100 calories or 1200 at most and low carb.
Enjoyed reading everyone’s posts this morning. Sounds like we are all getting ready for jumping into 2023 with goals and commitment! Onward and downward as a team.

Day 28 – Rural Nebraska, USA – WFD

“WHAT??” you ask. A water fast day? Why in the world would you do that while your family is visiting?

Well, what a difference a day makes. DH, SIL and I all started throwing up in the night, and DS26 is also not 100% okay. We’ve surmised we all caught it from the two granddaughters, who’ve had almost-diarrhea for several days–they arrived with it on Sunday, in fact. They’ve otherwise been fine, really, except for the recurring diapers.

So this morning, DD and SIL concluded they should go home early, and DH and I were not inclined to argue with them. 🤪 It was sad to have them leave early, but I’m way too sick to actually care, and in fact am happier with them and our two sons gone and the house silent.

And food? ZERO interest, LOL! WFDs are fairly simply when your body has been behaving the way mine has been!

That’s my update. I’m hoping I’m far better tomorrow. I really do want to read all the posts I’ve missed, but at the moment I simply want a nap.

Hugs, all, and Merry 4th Day of Christmas!

Day 29 country west Australia FD 85.8 kg
I am IN IN IN for Jump start January. Thanks in advance @michelinme.
Sorry to hear so many feeling unwell. Hope you recover quickly.

Day 29 Melbourne, Australia NFD

Almost 6pm so time to stop eating for the day. A small victory today – I was shopping and went round and round the supermarket and looked at the muffins, then the croissants, then the cheese and bacon rolls. And put them all down and came away with only what I needed.

@michelinme thank you for starting us off for the next year.

Day 29 – Rural Nebraska, USA – no idea

Well, what a difference ANOTHER day makes! I was so sick yesterday; spent it almost entirely lying down on the sofa, and the rest of it sitting up on the sofa. Today, I’m almost entirely fine, although I have that “Oooo, I’ve been quite sick!” feeling. Thankfully, the 158.0 of two days ago has been replaced by 153.4. But what will I eat today? Well, no piano lessons in Omaha, and I feel better and am therefore more interested in eating at some point today, so I doubt it will be a WF, but perhaps a FD500. Or perhaps just a CD? I’m treating myself gently, so I’ll figure it out as the day goes on.

@daffodil2010 Oh, I’m so very sorry for all that you and your family have been suffering; do keep us posted, especially on your dad’s progress, and you’ll be in my prayers. And I second what @funshipfreddie said: you are so much more skilled now at 5:2 that, although I sure understand the strong frustration you must feel, I also think you’ll drop the first of it quite quickly, and then be better equipped to continue dropping it. Is your DH planning to lose with you??

@gardenlily What did you mean that Boxing Day was “ACE”? And I’ve been adoring your Christmas facts–fun stuff! As to the magi, what is generally taught in the Bible classes I’ve attended is: 1.) When the Israelites were taken into captivity in Babylon (in OT times), they sang about the prophecy of a Messiah, a King, and that’s where the magi of the area heard the notion, and it was passed down through the generations so that when the star appeared, they followed it. 2.) When Herod heard about “the newborn king” he “was troubled and all Jerusalem with him.” That’s because Herod was incredibly cruel and indifferent to anybody but himself (he killed several of his own sons, and at least one wife), so Jerusalem knew to be on high alert when Herod was troubled. 3.) When the magi appeared and Herod eventually killed the babies of Bethlehem, it was actually those two and younger, not merely infants. Because of that, it’s believed that Mary and Joseph had moved into some permanent home after Jesus’ birth (it does say the magi went “to the house”) and were living there indefinitely at that point. Whatever the truth about the star, there are so many fascinating details to unwrap!

@songbirdme That’s a delightfully heartwarming story about Tommy Armstrong, isn’t it? My family had seen the local news–because of course the story was on all stations here–but I hadn’t so it was fun to read.

@michelinme I too–along with you, @matpi–keep my decorations up through the twelve days of Christmas. Do any others of you, or are you inclined to say “Christmas is over” and be done with the decorations? I actually have not yet written–let alone sent!–my Christmas letter, but I always point out that the rest of the world sends ADVENT cards, and I still have until next Thursday, a week from today, to get my CHRISTMAS cards sent. 😂😂🤪 Sadly, we took very few pictures, so my plan to include a picture of the entire family is impossible. Oh well, I’ll figure out something. And thanks for hosting January; I’ll sure be there!!

@funshipfreddie VERY impressive that you only gained a pound over your Christmas holiday; well done!

The longer I’m awake, the less “well” I’m feeling, and the more weak and wiped out. But that’s not the same as feeling sick, so I’m sure thankful for the improvement. And perhaps I can do something like a FD today without it feeling like torture? We’ll see, but I’m always glad to seize silver linings where I find them, @michelinme!

Have a grand one, everyone!

@at I’m well and truly worried that you haven’t posted since the mole was removed from your OH; is everything okay?

Day 30 country west Australia FD 800
Yesterday’s FD morphed in to a CD but VERY CD soI was happy.
Pleased not to feel so bloated.
@daffodil2010, I put on 4.5 kgs in just over a week over Christmas !!!!!!! due to too much indulgence of food. But knowing how 5:2 work, black on the wagon and 2 CD/FDs have lost 3.5 kgs.
I think it is mostly water weight but I am drinking GALLONS of water which I hd stopped doing for a few weeks.
Anyway it feels good to be back on track.
@gardenlily, loved the Christmas fact, well done 💐
@funshipfreddie, congratulations on the maintenance.👏
@northgeorgia, I hope your mother recovers quickly from Covid 🙏
@stitchincarol, all the best for a speedy recovery. You don’t sound well. 💐
@malee57 well done on the self control 👏👏
Just heard an interesting talk by a biochemist who said her research show that it is best to eat a savoury breakfast, fibre first, fruit last, many fewer carbs and cereal and milk very bad for spiking one’s BSLs.
Very interesting and informative – at 5 am !!!
Headed for a hot one of 38ºC, so off to water the garden before it gets too hot.
Have a good day all.😁

Day 30 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – NFD – Day 91 🚫🍷

Only 9 days away from my 100 day challenge! @gardenlily – I really am a star ⭐️ 😅 Anyone else in for Dry January?

@gardenlily – I’m still new to this area, & haven’t heard of any panto’s being performed this year. But, Cinderella has to be the best of the ones I’ve seen. And of course, Buttons & the Wicked Stepmother are usually the most likeable/hateful characters!

Happy Fri-yay! 🍹

Pocket List – Day 30 🍓
@lilymartin FD800

Day 30 NFD

Yes I’m with you on the tight clothes front @jaifaim ! I am also aware the number is going to be unpleasant on the scales but I’m gearing up for a strong month January 💪

Day 30 – USA/GA – NFD

Weigh-in: 215 lbs. OK, we’re on our way! But probably next FD will be Jan 2 or 3 — we have a tradition in this part of the country to eat collards, black-eyed peas, and cornbread on New Year’s Day (although, collards don’t agree with us, so we’ll have some other green like fresh salad)… Since Tuesday will be my first day back at work, it may be easier to fast on Tuesday and Thursday again next week.

My dad was getting congested. He ran out to get another booster (ok, I didn’t have the heart to tell him it doesn’t work that way — but anyway). I’m about to go down and check on them today.

Plans are going pretty well! I am really motivated for the new year! My thought is to make sure most NFDs don’t get out of hand (yes, going wild for a celebration is to be expected) — it’s important to make good choices and only eat if hungry on most NFDs. I still think a day or two of no suppers on NFDs is a great idea. May be tough to implement on a stressful day, but those are probably the ones that need abstaining from food the most!

I also decided to create a new motivational item for myself. I created a spreadsheet, printed it out, and posted it on my refrigerator. It starts with my highest weight of 2022 and goes down to about 25 lbs under that weight on the front page; on the back it continues about 25 more pounds below that (although I expect I’ll just print out something new before it comes to that). At the top, I list each column: weight in descending order, dates that I hit that weight, the current “record” when I was last that weight, and a column for a “new” final time I hit that maximum weight. I wonder if seeing patterns in front of my face like that might motivate me further…

Have a happy New Year, all!

Day 31 Melbourn, Australia NFD
Day 30 sort of FD

I think I need to actually count calories for a few weeks on my FDs. Or I get serious about only eating vegetables and not too much fruit. Which is difficult with summer fruit around.

@michelinme I agree that it is difficult to look after others when you are feeling unwell yourself. Your mother sounds lucky that she has 2 children able to help her.

@gardenlily that mat sounds complicated and like so much fun for your DGD. You’ll both have a lot of fun playing with it.

@stitchincarol your stomach bug does not sound like it was fun. But you have to look for the silver lining. I rarely get ill enough that I don’t feel like eating. Just ill enough that I am unable to exercise.

Day 31 UK NFD

Thank you for hosting @gardenlily 💐

This month , in fact this year has been terrible for me in terms of weight but I’m determined to change things next year

Thanks to all my fellow fasters for keeping me entertained and educated, see you in 2023 🎉

Day 31 – Rural Nebraska, USA – NFD 153.8

Again, up a few ounces, but I ate quite a bit yesterday, so it’s an excellent weight this morning. And the only alcohol I’ve had since before the stomach flu hit overnight on Tuesday/Wednesday is the brandy I had a few sips of last night to try to soothe my raw throat…it’s either an ugly cold or, I’m wondering, influenza?? Not many symptoms yet other than the throat, a cough all night long, and a nose getting stuffy, so we’ll see how it plays out. Sure makes eating little much easier!

@michelinme So sad for you that your fun time with family ended as abruptly as my own did, but glad along with you that your brother is there to take over and help. And that weight you gained will go away fast, I’m certain! Feel better after a night with no one in the house?

@gardenlily You’ve been a stellar host this month, and your Christmas facts have been a wonderful bonus; thanks so much for stepping up and doing so much in such a busy month! And I have an idea of the work involved for your DGD’s quilted mat; WELL done!

@malee57 “I rarely get ill enough that I don’t feel like eating. Just ill enough that I am unable to exercise” — yup, me too, which is what made this flu such a blessing. As in, if I have to be sick, at least I’m sick enough to quit eating, because there’s very little that makes me quit eating! 🤪

@northgeorgia How fun to have a vacation booked! Planning to see any shows?

See you all in January…amazing how this year has flown by!

Day 31 USA/HI FD

Day 31 USA/HI FD
Quick second post today to add comments.
Weigh-in today 166 lb making December a successful 4 lb drop. I know I had thought about going for a 10 lb loss in one month but now am comfortable with the reality that slow and steady is the way to go.
@gardenlily Thank you for hosting December!