What a horrible night! I’M feeling classically British…complaining about the weather no matter what it is. It was amazing yesterday, but essentially too hot for me and it just adds another reason to my joy at heading back home to cooler climes today. I think I may be the only person who loves Scotland for the weather, but seriously, it’s quite high up there on my list. Of course, if it rains next week when we’re camping, I’ll get back to complaining like a normal person!

Of course,the other reason to love going back is to get a measure of self-control back. I’M really looking forward to a FD tomorrow, and hope to get at least one more in before we head off again. And of course, it’ll be good to see the man…assuming he’s tidied up a bit for our home-coming. The boy is desperate to see him. Grandma is lovely…but this year he’s really become his daddy’s boy!

So as I head north I’M hoping my weight get back to heading south. See you when I get to the other side…of the border.

Mx

Hi Mino

Are you near me? I live in as south as you can get. Even today temperatures are 24 and no sun yet. Enjoy being back home, although travelling in this heat is not good.

Hi Jean

I think that one of the reasons (apart from the magnums, wine and treats) is that we are all probably retaining water. My ankles are a bit swollen. I’m off to get my hair done and visit some elderly friends, they expect me to call in when I get my hair done as it is just around the corner.

I have fruit splits in the freezer, not many now, I find them more refreshing that magnums in this weather and also a lot less calories and price as well.

Blood pressure still good 146/82 so I’m happy with that.

Hi all

Hot again here in Dorset although sun is struggling to come through.

Weight is up a lb from last weigh in so I have 2 days left to claw it back so at least I arrive on Friday morning with staying the same….although ideally a loss!

Was going to do a strict 1200 day today but that hasn’t happened..lol

Its the village show and festival this Saturday and I’m intending to enter a home made loaf so today I made one just to check if it’s ok. Now, freshly baked bread with butter….a weakness…

Last night I had 2 long cool drinks…mojitos…and I had ice cream…andrghh

Right it’s 2pm and I’m having no more food until dinner, after 7. Just fluids.

I need to read over your posts and catch up but hope everyone is OK.

I had a phone call this morning from the hospital calling me in to see consultant which is quick as I only had procedure on Monday and that was normal! I’m guessing just a cancellation rather than anything else but at least I can see what he thinks next steps are.

Catch everyone later.

Kay x

Keeptrying, my high cholesterol is familial too. But more important than the total number is ratio of LDL to HDL or HDL to total. Has the total gone up because the good stuff or the bad stuff has gone up? Is your doctor worried?

Additionally, your triglyceride level is also important, as are markers of inflammation, such as c-reative protein. Cholesterol is only one indicator, and there are lots of critics of that theory of cardiac health too.

Hi

I’m very new to this and have just registered on this site. I have had a quick read through this thread and you all seem really encouraging and caring so I’m quite looking forward to being an active member of this group. I am exploring different fitness and healthy eating regimes at the moment, I have just read a book called the gut makeover and have following what that suggests and have noticed that I have lost weight, which is obviously really encouraging 🙂 but the book does explain that its not a weight loss programme its a health book and the weight loss is merely a side effect of being healthier. So I am looking for something that’s a little more intentional with weight loss which is how I ended up here. I am exploring the 5:2 diet with the intention of starting it relatively soon (I have a few events coming up which will make it very hard to follow) To get me started I was wondering if anyone would be willing to share with me what you eat/drink on your fast days?

Thank you in advance for your help and your willingness to read my rambles 🙂

Hi all

Sorry for posting so late in the day but we have been out for the day… we went to Glossop to look at the caravan shop and drove home over the hills it was lovely except for my hay fever!

KT I too have familial high cholesterol I just keep popping the pills as I had a mini stroke years ago so although my cholesterol is actually very low now 3.2 I still need to keep taking the statins. …

Josh welcome to the group we are indeed very supportive If you need help or advice just shout out… we all do our own way of 52 but if you keep below your tdee and fadt 2 days a week you neon go far wrong.

Sorry have to fly still lots to do, hope you are all doing ok

Audrey

Hi keep:

No need to cry. Two things.

First, there is cholesterol in every cell in your body. You would die without all of that cholesterol. When you go on a diet and lose a lot of weight as you have, the cholesterol in the shrinking fat cells enters the blood stream and raises overall cholesterol levels. It usually goes down to whatever is normal for you after weight loss stops.

Second, even if you have high cholesterol levels because your liver is making a lot of it (it is so necessary for life the body actually makes it so you won’t die) lots and lots of research shows that the older you are, the more total cholesterol you have, the longer you live. And vice versa. So having a lot of cholesterol is not bad, especially if you are approaching or in your 60s. And even if you are younger, if you lower your cholesterol levels your risk of death rises.

I’ve posted this information several times on this and other sites with references, but just thought I’d quickly pop in and try to make you feel better. Keep on keeping on! You are doing great, and your life is not in danger from your current cholesterol levels!

Good Luck!

oh what brilliant people you are – really, I am so very thankful for your responses right now

for info the level was 7 – I think – so not catastrophic – as my gp pointed out it is lower than his!!

I am in menopause and I know that once that happens, women’s protective factors are reduced/gone

simcoeluv – actually yes – my gp said similar to you about us needing chol. and our bodies making it and that we cannot avoid it etc

I think my stupid mental health issues and binge eating disorder make everything just feel so intolerable

and although I have lost the weight it is literally a challenge with every single meal, every day
and it feels like its all nothing now

so I have had chocolate – and will probably have more
but my care coordinator said just have it today and its ok

phew
I feel better for having turned to you all

thank you again
xx

Josh..

Welcome to our corner we are a chatty bunch.

We all have been doing the 5.2 awhile so we have lots of information which may help and can pass on to you.

We (and hubby) usually do Monday and Thursday with a weekly weigh in Friday morning straight out of bed. Everybody on here do different fast days so different weigh in days.

I do not change our FDs ( fast day) as it upsets my mind set, I go out and meet up or have visitors on NFDs (non fast day)….I tell everybody I am busy!

I have a mixed fruit for breakfast eg. strawberries, melon, blueberries, peach, Apple, whatever I fancy and in season also half a grapefruit. It comes in at about 120 calories depending which fruit I have in.

Hubby has porridge or muesli no sugar.

Dinner on the evening…large mixed salad with 4 oz or 100g of chicken, ham, fish, prawns, tuna or chop pork or lamb.

Through the day about 5 cups of tea or coffee.

Buy the book and follow what it says…… as we on here have been on 5.2 a long time we have tweaked it to suit our selves. Sometimes not so strict as we should be but it’s a way of life and we are all slowly loosing weight.

Use Myfitnesspal app…to count your calories which help at the beginning with portion control.

Measure your neck and waist every month … weigh weekly same day and keep a log.

Good luck come and join us when all your social events are finished and feel you can start. Hope this helps you start.

Jean

Hi all,

Quick post just to say hi!

KT…dont feel too down….I dont know much about cholesterol but others will be able to point you in the right direction. You have done so well with your weight, so just focus on that for now. I know its easier said than done as I get dispondant when my weight drops but my fat % remains very high, but I try to ignore it and hope it will catch up eventually.

Josh…welcome to the crowd 🙂 Im quite new here but they are a friendly supportive bunch with lots of good advice between them, so look forward to seeing you start your journey.

Ive lost track with where people are, with the travelling around etc so hope you are all ok, especially now its a little bit cooler! Although Im still hoping for more sun to sit out in 🙂

Im back to the hospital in the morning, but I dont expect to be any wiser. I think all the tests have now been done so Im going to have to just live with it and manage it.
Im all confused this week….I usually fast on a Thursday, prior to Fridays weigh in but this week I was planning to fast on Friday as its the village show/festival and I want a free off diet day so unsure what to do now..
I cant do 2 400 cals days back to back but my weight is up on last week and the last couple of days have been too relaxed and I need to go back to counting the cals to gain that control back. And I need a kick!!! LOL. Im away next Thursday so it would be good to do what I can before then.

Catch you all tomorrow
Kay x

Hi KT

I just found this extract, It is just confirming what Simco says:

Weight Loss May Raise Cholesterol Temporarily

Although research indicates that weight loss will lower cholesterol, some people may experience a rise in cholesterol as they lose weight, because as weight is lost, fat stores shrink. The fat and cholesterol normally stored in fatty tissue have nowhere to go but the bloodstream, causing a rise in cholesterol. This effect is not permanent and cholesterol levels will drop as your weight stabilizes. Medications used to to treat high cholesterol, such as Z-hydroxy-Z-Coa reductase inhibitors, are not effective in controlling cholesterol when it comes from fatty tissue stores.

I hope this helps.

Also this article

http://www.wheatbellyblog.com/2012/06/i-lost-weight-and-my-cholesterol-went-up/

Interestingly it also says that it can cause raised blood pressure. Not a worry unless blood pressure is considered high I image.

Just carry on as you are losing weight gradually. Xx

Hi KT

Yes I am hoping the same, also about blood pressure. Let’s hope in a years time things will be different although I will still be losing weight weight for another couple of years if I ever get to target. I must say that I also never imagined I could lose 5 stone so I shall see what comes, 2/4lbs a month are fine for me.

As your doctor says check again in a year to see what it is, do you have much more to lose?

Morning Again,

BT are having problems with wifi so should be back to normal later. We are ok at the moment.

Just got back from hospital, everything is improving slowly and he is discharged. If the pain comes back severe go to GP to be referred back to specialist or 999. Some other things we have to watch out for.

He has to start swimming after physio to strengthen back and legs when he feels up to it. Loose some weight!…it might get him more serious with the 5.2.

Starting to get sorted for our weekend away, off early about 9.30 in the morning back Monday pm. I won’t know what wifi I will have but will try and do a quick log in.

Kay..
It’s hard to be on track when in and out of hospital, just try to do what you can if you miss a fast it will pan out in the week.

All for now

Jean x

Hi Jean

Good that he had been discharged and that you will have company when swimming, maybe it will encourage him back on the right track and you will change those magnums to something else, remember ice cream on its own is far less calorific and is still a treat. I know magnums are delicious. I still have to try the raspberry ones, I have only had about four in a year and that is because Pam used to buy them.

I hope losing weight helps his back, you also have the perfect excuse to be good when you go out with friends.

Hi KT

I have about another 4 stone to lose, maybe a little more so we can do it together, slowly and surely. You know that you will control this eating, you also know that when you are in control you stress less. I too suffer from stress but so far I have managed to keep eating in control apart from the odd day here and there. An odd day doesn’t matter it is the ready that follow that make the difference. Back on that wagon and set off at a walk.

My week has been. Funny old week, not eating because of the heat, it may get back to normal now the weather has cooled. I am very frustrated I can’t finish that decoration yet as well.

I have a lazy afternoon as a friend is coming, last time before get summer break away in the caravan. I then don’t see her for another 8 weeks so time to start pottering around, still plenty to do.

Hi Audrey

How are you, a bit quiet today xx

Hi Keeptrying,

3 stone in 8 weeks?? I think theyre having a lend of you. That equates to 5.25 pounds per week. or 0.75 pounds per day. Lets assume you don’t eat for 8 weeks (possible under medical supervision), to lose that much weight you would need to be burning 3200 calories worth of fat each day. Not possible in my opinion.

Slow and steady wins the race.

Hi Audrey

Glad you are OK

Hi Bigbooty

I know that KT started at the beginning of the year, January and she says here that she has lost two and a half stone. That is a much lower average. People with a lot to lose tend to lose a lot at first and then slow down. So I make that 28 weeks still a great loss but achievable.

Hi Bigbooty…….A question for you..

Should we be having full fat milk instead of semi?

Your thoughts on slim line tonic to full version…I only have very occasionally, holidays and hot weather.

Salad cream, Mayo …light or full version…you would possibly say no to both but a tablespoon on a salad.

As you go for full versions the calories go up, then it confuses the head as you are counting calories!

I have changed the best I can to eat high fat and low carbs but above is difficult to get my thoughts around it.

Thanks

Jean

K-Lo..

It’s so misleading when all these years we have done one thing now they tell us different.

X

Ginette..

It is you read one thing then another both conflicting..

I try and eat unprocessed as I can…a bit like our grandma’s did…going back a bit for us now..lol

There are some things you do to make it easier for yourselves and have some tins in the larder but I do like to know what goes into things so make things from scratch and freeze for later. I like butter although like you a bit of a smear.

I love baking but that has gone by the wayside now..I make scones with less sugar that’s the best I do…it’s sad really. I have just said shall I make some buns up to take away..his reply was we shouldn’t be eating them…so no I won’t.

We are going to a cricket match tonight giving the grandson a bit of support and a natter with daughter, while he plays….three hours I think.

Hope your afternoon went well with your friend. September you said to finish decorating!!

Looks a pleasant evening.

Jean X

thanks ginette xx

all I can say – is what people report on the blood sugar diet

for me fasting became impossible because it has had a disastrous affect on my reflux
which only now – touch wood – after 3 months – has begun to calm down some days

what I do know is that trying to ‘burn’ all your weight off by massive amounts of exercise is virtually impossible for most people untenable

anyhow

I muddle on
and right now
I am back to needing to binge – desperately
that is the trial of having binge eating disorder, rather than just a tendency to over eat

and yes – apart from my few berries at breakfast – I have over the past 3 weeks had no sugar, no sweet foods, no other fruits or juices
nothing
and for the past 3 months I have stopped grains/root veg/rice/pasta/bread

but food for me = fear
meals and cooking = fear and distress
and even when I have had good weeks it has NEVER EVER been easy
(please please don’t anyone feel like I am saying you all have it easy because that is not what I mean at all)

sorry I am going on

but as my gp says – what works easily for some people will not necessarily for others

otherwise people who ate the same and exercised the same would look the same!!

ha ha ginette – loving it when its ‘baked’ !!!! me too

Hi all

KT….keep talking to us and hopefully you will find your way again. You have done so well so far, remember that!

Ginette
Hope your visitor has arrived and you are having a rest from the decorating!

Jean
Good that Steve has been discharged. Hope that he continues to get better.

Hope everyone else is ok.

I had quite a good chat with the consultant and he wants me to see one of his team (gastro-enterology) for guidance on what the next steps are in managing what he is calling my dysfunctional bowel disorder…lol. Just means they dont know whats causing the symptoms but its nothing bad!
It may be connected with my brain not getting/giving the right signals – apparantly there is a connection between gut health and the brain – I will have to do some reading. I also wonder if its my anti-depressants, so Im going to check with my GP about changing them, although that fills me with dread as Ive been there before.

So…Ive fasted today and havent eaten anything yet so I may as well sit it out and make it into a full fast of fluids only!
I was all set up to get back into my Gillian Michaels workouts but couldnt find the level 3 workout on utube, which is where Ive been following the others from. Its not worth buying them as I only wanted to try them for this month. After spending ages trying to find it, I gave up and then ended up doing nothing! Well Ive done a bit of housework etc.

I will go out on my bike tomorrow and get some HIIT in. Im not sure what tomorrow will be yet, maybe a low day of 800. Saturday is a free day of counting nothing and Sunday is a 400 cal fast.

Right thats enough rambling….I have some stuff to do then Im going to watch some tv, a first in ages!

Kay

H Kay

Glad that is nothing to worry too much about. Changing medication can be problematic, have you looked up side effects of what you are on?

Here in a link to video for level 3 workout

http://www.boom.pk/video/5245/jillian-michaels-30-day-shred-workout-level-3

KT

I really hope you get it under control soon. Xx

Hi Booty

I know your intentions are well meant, I do agree about sugar having no nutritional content, I have it in a restricted way, I used to eat mostly cards, pasta, baked potatoes etc. No much meat lots of bread sometimes more than 4 slices a day, it was wholemeal though. Now 2 is my limit and most days I have one thick slice of granary. Two or three days I don’t have any so very much reduced. I like Skyr youghurt as this is thick and reduced sugar.

Like you I don’t like full fat milk I occasionally have semi skimmed but mostly skimmed.

I was surprised to see the sugar in a youghurt I had one a couple of months ago at Pams and there was about 5 spoonfuls in a 150gm tub. I looked up ice cream and I found quite a few of these were much lower. So strangely ice cream is better. I rarely have ice cream but I like it as a treat, must be about 6 weeks since I had one. I rarely eat milk chocolate as I find it hard to stop, I have 4 squares of plain cooking chocolate, it hits the spot but I can limit it. I have this about three times a week.

My diet is much healthier, much more fruit and veg, hardly ever a ready meal, maybe once every couple of months. I cook from scratch and then freeze into portions, so I have my own “ready meals”

Off to bed now.

Bigbooty..

Tonic is a mixer which you would have with gin.

A bit like zero sugar coke… Or zero sugar fizzy drinks with sachrine in..I know it gives sugar spikes!

Thanks for our reply