Day 11 – Ireland 🇮🇪 – NFD and TGIF

Weigh in; 164.2
So that’s two pounds down from last Friday and nearly 6lbs down since start of January. My DH is down 4lbs too…I didn’t realise it but he has been intermittent fasting during the day, he will have breakfast then nothing for 12 hours until dinner.

I could not do that. That’s why ZBC works for me, but not for him….he says it’s a throwback to his days being a continental truck driver…if he had lunch or a big meal during the driving hours it would make him drowsy, so he just didn’t eat until he had parked up for the night.

Cold morning, frosty, but gorgeous out there.

Long Lost Family update ……My DH’s birth father (who has passed and who he never met), it’s his 32nd anniversary today. DH is going to the grave this morning with flowers and a card from him and his half sister in NZ. So sweet of him.

Then tomorrow his birth Mum, plus his other half sister and brother are arriving over for a week…so there wil be dinner out tomorrow night, but then as I must work all next week I will be able to dial back on al the “visiting” and just let them all get on with it together 😍

Have a good weekend all. I will aim to pop in for accountability. I certainly plan wine and a Katsu chicken curry tonight so hope the scales won’t be too cruel.

Day 11 U.K. FD

I WILL fast today!!!

More later! Just wanted to make the commitment …

Day 11 – UK – NFD
Good day from the sunny Norwich. Very nice surprise on the scale. -0.7 kg from last week (total of 4kg since the beginning of this journey in January).

Yesterday I had food only in the evening after almost 24h since the last meal.. it was not easy at lunch time but after the painful 1h I felt absolutely normal. Any pros or cons on this approach? I’ll try again next time and see the sustainability of the approach!
It’s nice to try different approaches to fasting to see what works best for me

Hugs and kisses 🙂
Roberta

Day 11 – 2nd post

The ACTUAL pocket list is here! (D’oh! Didn’t see @funshipfreddie‘s post above – apologies!)

Pocket List – Day 11 🥕
@litprof
@high5
@babs_b

Day 11-USA-VA 800 day

It is so helpful to me to see everyone pulling together to try to get each other “over the line” on this site!
Today I expected to see no progress, but am actually down a pound from last week, total 3.5 pounds from start in January. So slowwwww but going the right way. I really do have to avoid breads, which I love; I avoid sweets, too, but that is not as hard for me.
Stay focused, everyone!

Second post

@lilymartin – I second that! Such a great way of life but you do actually have to do the fasting piece as well… And I am only on my second fast this year! 😱

@babs_b – thank you for thinking of me and putting me on the pocket list… I did have a mini wobble at about 1245, but I had a miso soup and a coffee and I am on the straight and narrow now!

I must admit I have really really struggled with lunchtimes this year.

It is weird because although I am now doing ZBC every single day of my life(and that is really helping to control my weight) it is not making fasting any easier.

In fact it is making fasting more difficult because my body has got so used to having lunch (i.e. breaking my fast at lunchtime) whereas before if I could get over the breakfast Hump, then I would sail through the rest of the day!!!

Also what is making it difficult for me is that I am working until 7:30 pm and I would like to break my fast at 6 pm!

Luckily today it is Friday and I can definitely break my fast at 6 pm! Psychologically this makes a huge difference to me at lunchtime, as I know that I only have to wait another 4 1/2 hours before I can have something to eat!

I must admit I feel a little bit of a sissy by comparison to everybody else! I see everyone else doing amazing water fasts and all I can manage is a FD700 (and even that is limited by the fact that I need to eat at 6pm!!)

What else is weird is that I am really quite an experienced faster and yet I am encountering so many struggles at the moment, both psychological and physical!

Anyway today I am really in the zone, so that is great news!

second post

I just wanted to get that thing done, but here’s the rest of what I’m thinking about:

Sunday is the Super Bowl, and we’re going over to some friends’ to gather with other friends, so there WILL be food and an over-abundance of it. I’m taking a cucumber-stuffed-with-smoked-salmon thing so there will be at least one low-carb yummy to enjoy.

Monday is Valentine’s Day and this year DH and I are going out, so it won’t be anything resembling my usual FD.

Tuesday is supposed to be a WFD but I’m meeting up with some girlfriends when I’m done teaching piano, and there will be soup, salad, bread, and wine.

sigh

So much for the progress I’m making, because I’m in VERY short supply of will-power and self-control.

My plan is to be somewhat reasonable on Sunday, not worry in the least about Monday because we rarely go out for such a special dinner, and maybe…maybe…maybe tell the gals I’m WF and simply have water while they eat. Can I do that?? Dunno. But I’m thinking I’ll work myself up to it. And that I’ll do a FD tomorrow (Saturday) to help compensate for the abundance of calories on Sunday and Monday.

Yeah, it’s life, and I need to just shrug, but I have so MUCH life, LOL!

Okay, there’s my sad story for you all.

Have a grand one, and, as @flourbaby said:

Although I’m aiming for perfection, I have to remember ………………………..

“Success is the sum of small efforts — repeated day in and day out.”
—Robert Collier

Day 6 – SW UK – FD

Hi all – been very busy with work and some family stresses but just checking in!

Have been sticking to things pretty well and seem to be down 2.5lbs which is heartening. Although I’m not sure if I trust my scales!

Have been going for 500-800 cals every day as a jump start, but on Wednesday converted to a controlled NFD because I ended up at the pub! No regrets.

I am in an extremely busy time at work atm and so bought some AllPlants vegan meals for the freezer which I think I recommend. Not the best things I’ve ever eaten but nice enough and some of them are really low calories (eg 250) without feeling like it so good for fast days when you’re out of energy. Most of the time I’m on proper food and veg I promise!
Hope you’re all keeping well, great to see your inspiring posts.

Day 12 – Ireland 🇮🇪 – NFD

Weigh in: 164
Despite a delicious Katsu curry and red wine I am down another 0.2lbs this morning. Yay.

Terrible rainy morning. Myself and DH will do a Leslie walk now, then there will be breakfast (I like weekend cooked breakfasts), a few chores to do, then we are out to dinner tonight with DH’s family over from the UK, and then not sure how the next few days will go.

As I will be in work however I can be mindful during the day and lightly sociable in the evening albeit early night as work the next day……that’s my plan and hoping that next week will be under the 164 mark.

Have a great day.

Day 12, London, UK, NFD,

Another minefield to navigate today.😫I guess I just need to pull up my big girl pants & get on with it, not panic and not stress too much, I’ll have to strengthen my NFD muscle so I’m not petrified of facing food choices. Now I live with my mum, the cupboards are a carb lovers dream and I could never deny her a biscuit or crumpet or cake, but it does make my life that wee bit harder than before!!

I too have succumbed to the Wordle addiction, it’s getting competitive with my friends to see who does it in less attempts!!!😍 I think @songbirdme & @funshipfreddie (despite passing the buck, I remember!!) have a lot to answer for …………………. Or a big thanks, since I really love it!!🤓🤓 Although there was an American spelling the other day that threw me for quite a while!!!! Honor – Honour

I hope this weekend confirms my position back on the wagon, I need this to become automatic and to love that empty fasted feeling as much as I used to!!🤞🏽🤞🏽

Stay strong folks, we can & we will!!!

“Be present in all things and thankful for all things.” Maya Angelou

Day 12 – Rural Nebraska, USA – CD

Yesterday flew right on past the CD goal into who-knows-where, but I’m determined to do better today. In my eternal quest to reclaim the behavior that kept me at 132 for years, even while birthing babies, I continue to think over what exactly was different then, and I realized yesterday that the snacking I do–I like to call it “appetizers”–while I’m cooking supper would absolutely never have happened when my three kids were little. I was really good about training them when was and when was not appropriate to eat, and an hour before supper? “Oh, no, you’ll spoil your supper!” Plus, I’m sure I’m eating way, way, way too much, so it’s time to return to MFP.

@rootforyou Sounds like you’re living the plan exactly right, and having freezer meals on hand when you just can’t cook is perfect. You might want to change your header to reflect the day of the month when you post, rather than how many days you’ve been started; you’re welcome, however to put your personal day in your post! (This really is helpful, because many of us have gone back to old posts, and if you’re looking for a post by date, you’ll more easily find it.)

Wow, @lilymartin, what an impressive change on your waist!!! Well done! And I’m with you on my leptin no longer living with me…too bad we can’t just buy a bottle of leptin and take one three times a day!

@funshipfreddie Thanks for that. Did you notice, as I did, that it “may” break your fast? And this is a site that says sugarless is less likely, but other things I’ve read say sugar is sugar, whatever version you’re consuming, and they’re all evil. Well, maybe not quite that, LOL, but to that effect. I think you’re right, however, that if that’s what it takes to get through the fast, it’s a reasonable option.

@daffodil2010 Have a grand time with your inlaws! Have you begun calling them that yet? 😍

@flourbaby “I need this to become automatic and to love that empty fasted feeling as much as I used to!!” I sooo look forward to WF days because I know how good I’ll feel. So why can’t I show the same attitude and resolve to the weekends? Because, at this point, I know how BAD I’ll feel. Our brains are truly the most stubborn and independent element of this lifestyle!

@brightonbelle I bet you just adore the improvements you’ve been making, and I too am aiming to be “sensible” today!

I have a zoom meeting this morning, so better get a move on so I’m ready in time.

And the quote I’m hanging on to: Although I’m aiming for perfection, I have to remember ………………………..

“Success is the sum of small efforts — repeated day in and day out.”
—Robert Collier

Day 12 – Ireland – NFD

Hi all, well I have had a read through on posts and there is such a positive vibe here! 🔥
I was as controlled as I could be when I was away but did allow myself to have delicious meals. Particularly a delicious UK curry 😋 & some alcohol even though I am mainly on the dry except special occasions but I’m amazed that since I’ve got back I’ve dropped back to where I was before I left.

I’m definitely on a downward trend now and hoping that it continues 🤞.

Another weekend of sport here both Irish and international (bien fait la France 🇫🇷) which is great as the weather is rubbish. A good early walk and quick swim (it’s cold 😂)and then sat down to enjoy the sport with mum. She has lost interest in most things now and is tired much of the time… but sport is great to watch with her.
@flourbaby I’m not living with mum but am here more than ever and completely understand the carb fuelled cupboard issue. 😠😂 I generally allow myself a few bits and pieces when I’m here but for some reason I have resolve this weekend which I’m amazed about. Oh I hope this will last 🙏

@daffodil2010, it’s incredible how much has changed for you in the past few months having all of this extended family. Just amazing and fantastic that you have more in-laws now and more dates to celebrate.

@lilymartin that really interesting info on ghrelin and leptin… I’m hearing a lot about both at the moment but your explanation made it much clearer. Like you, I can safely say these were not firing correctly for me for most of my life…I feel maybe now they are or maybe being more aware of what they do might help 🤞

I’m another Wordle lover… was very stuck today… but got it in the end! 😥

Hi to everyone else… I hope you are all having a lovely weekend.

Onward and downward ⬇️
We rise by lifting others 💕

Day 13 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – FD

@flourbaby – the American ‘HONOR’ almost stumped me too last week. Although I should be used to those spellings, after spending 8 months on the Carnival Splendor & frequently spotting the Carnival Valor in various ports.

Off to Port Elizabeth today! ✈️ Which was officially renamed ‘Gqeberha’ about a year ago. Most people still call it ‘P.E.’ though, & if you watch this very brief yet amusing YouTube tutorial on how to pronounce Gqeberha, you’ll understand why 🤦‍♂️
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJLmPSdNh-k

Pocket List – Day 13 🍄
@funshipfreddie

Day 13 – UK – FD800

@funshipfreddie @flourbaby – I’m another ‘Wordler’ (is that a thing?) and the American spellings have thrown me too! ‘Humor’ the other day was particularly ironic as I managed to get it after 5 frustrating, prior attempts!

Yesterday ended up as a NFD, lack of sleep on Friday night contributed to that somewhat! Back on a FD800 again today and am definitely going to go for a 3rd week on this pattern.

Going to finish my black coffee and get out the door for a decent walk before the rain hits us here. I’m very much in the ‘no such thing as bad weather, just poorly chosen clothing’ camp but still, I’d rather walk without having to have a hood up the entire way.

Have a lovely Sunday!

Pocket List – Day 13 🍄
@funshipfreddie
@babs_b

Day 13 UK NFD

Lazy day today , will be on the list tomorrow and ready to smash the 2nd half of the month 💪

Day 13 – USA/GA – FD

Weigh-in: 217 lbs. Time to end this insanity and get back to the low 210s/upper 200s again. I completely lost the plot from lunch to dusk yesterday, snacking on whatever I want, whenever I wanted. It’s the heaviest I’ve weighed all month long, and there was no major holiday or gathering involved. I won’t berate myself over this, but here are a few things in reflection I should think about going forward:

1. Water. I need to increase intake. I am avoiding soft drinks most days, but are opting for them more at restaurants. At home, no issue at all — they are not in the house, but I decided Gatorade is OK (and it is great for re-hydration after illness, but NOT as a NFD drink of choice). I have to stop the sneakiness.

2. Snacking chaos. It may be the season for it, but it is horrible, according to Fung et al., to graze all day long when you’re trying to lose weight. Insulin resistance and all that. I need to move the healthier cravings to be part of mealtime.

3. Magically disappearing carbs with extra salt and calories. The excessive amounts of restaurant leftovers, though just a little portion here and a little portion there, probably contain two or three times the number of calories I imagined, and they definitely have more salt than a home-cooked meal. However, when I think about all the meals this weekend, there were some major carbohydrate components: rice, tortillas, pizza dough, noodles, sugary sauces, potatoes, and hamburger buns. If these were minor components of a larger, healthier meal, I don’t think the effect would be so pronounced. But I now think of refined carbohydrates as components that quickly enter your bloodstream, get pulled out of it and stored away, and then leave you feeling hungry (if not hungrier) a few hours later. The more refined carbohydrates in a meal, the more calories you’re going to want to eat later on.

I already know all of these things, but an overindulgence on restaurant food in a week can easily cause disaster. Thankfully, this all was caught in a single NFD weekend stretch, and it is easily fixed. There was only a slight bump upwards, but actions can form habits, so I want to be sure I train myself into the right kind of habits!

So, here I am at the reset button. Two WFDs back to back, starting with today, and another FD later in the week.

Pocket List – Day 13 🍄
@funshipfreddie
@babs_b
@froby79
@northgeorgia

Day 14, London UK, FD 💘

Valentines day, but feeling a bit Meh! I can take it or leave it since received a house plant & bottle of Chenin Blanc one year😱………………. Even you guys know it’s vino ROSSO in my veins😡, same ex once gave me a Steven King book for my birthday ……………………. The 3rd of a trilogy & I hadn’t read parts 1 nor 2!!!😒😒 Thoughtful …………NOT!!! Anyway, it’s just another day, but I must ask the expert, (@funshipfreddie) but does a month have a hump day, if, so, is today it??

Musings over, today WILL be a FD, the run of weekend NFDs are proving tricky to say the least, @jaifaim, keeping mum happy is EVERYTHING these days, so if, at 55kg, she can plough through 2 or 3 packs of biccies a week plus crackers & cheese, daily porridge, soup with buttered bread plus a hearty dinner, I’m all for it!!! Is it possible that being in close proximity means she’s eating a carb mountain and the weight is finding it’s way onto my thighs????😁 What kind of evil magic or wizardry is this????😱🤣🤣

@northgeorgia, to paraphrase Robert Collier, I suppose ……………………….
…….“weight gain is the sum of small portions — repeated day in and day out.” – Flourbaby …….
You know what to do, as we all do, it’s just DOING it that seems tricky, sometimes I catch myself nibbling & have to have a word with myself – “Did you forget what you’re doing, are you mindlessly grazing, is that your OMAD????”😧😧😧

Must dash, I can hear my mum pottering downstairs …………………. No doubt searching for the custard creams!!!🤣🤣🤣

Keep the faith folks, Onwards & Downward!!!

“If something isn’t blatantly impossible, then there must be a way of doing it.” Nicky Winton

Day 14 – Ireland – FD ♥️

I need a good FD today… mum’s Alzheimer’s means that she is always hungry or is at least is always ready to eat… (she never had a huge appetite so this is the disease for sure) she doesn’t always eat much once it’s given to her so it helps with main meals to make sure to eat with her… so my resolve was there and I avoided many of the treats but we ate her favourite dinners/desserts etc. As you say @flourbaby the most important is that they are not stressed and as happy as possible. Mum is very quiet now most of the time so shared moments with good food are important. 💕

Feeling good and hoping this week will be another good one.
Go gently everybody! I’m also not a huge Valentines fan as why just once a year but do like a good red heart ♥️😃

Onward and downward ⬇️
We rise by lifting others 💕

Pocket list Day 14 ♥️

@jaifaim

Day14 UK FD

Fast day and want to have a really good week and achieve my Feb goals and we are half way through !

Pocket list day 14
@jaifaim
@flourbaby
@i-hate-lettuce
@brightonbelle

Day 14 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – NFD

Day 14 UK FD

Weight 182lb. I’m back after an epic week of project work and no posts. Tues-Thurs were exhausting 12 hour days so very little time to do anything at all, but proud of myself for everything achieved, esp event hosting and two talks.
Being at conference isn’t great for fasting but made easier by commuting from home. Weds & Thurs included lunch but healthy options consumed albeit a bit more than I’d usually eat.

I’ve been pretty much sleeping since I got home on Thursday night but still feeling wiped out, struggling to sit up for very long at all. An indulgent weekend of easy food and more sleep, not counting calories but not over-indulging except with popcorn, which is increasingly becoming my nemesis. I feel understandably puffier and weighing in at 2lbs up but tbh really pleased it’s not more.

The trick now is to eat well, drink lots of water and get plenty of rest and sleep over the next few days, rather than resisting rest, pushing myself and reaching for carbs for fuel. I’m aiming for a Mon-Thurs FD800 which set me up so well in January and the beginning of this month. Just two weeks left to try to lose 4lbs – that should focus the mind 🙂

I also didn’t love the publicity photos of me looking so much bigger than 2 years ago. But i’ll hold onto the sense of achievement and use the images for motivation!

Food today will be eggs and baked beans for lunch, then a veg stew or dal from the freezer for early supper, with apple and blueberry compote for pudding. Tomorrow I’ll be batch cooking again, probably dal with butternut squash, sweet potato, swede and red lentils – it feels like comfort food.

Pocket list day 14
@jaifaim
@flourbaby
@i-hate-lettuce
@brightonbelle
@babs_b
@northgeorgia
@michelinme

Day 15, NFD, Aus

Despite going out for dinner last night, I chose healthy options and did not over indulge on the vino.

Hope you’re feeling better soon @stitchincarol.

Day 15 – Ireland – FD

Have to laugh… my red hearts came out as black hearts on the pc yesterday 😂 Says it all really!
Hope you all are well! @brightonbelle I’m with you in focus for the second half of February 💪

@stitchincarol i hope you are feeling better!

Going for another FD today… yesterday’s was not great as came in around 700…

Onward and downward ⬇️
We rise by lifting others 💕

Pocket list Day 15

@jaifaim