Hi Riana,

I spotted your post on Tuesday evening while looking for support for returning to 5:2. Your post jumped out at me and I connected with it immediately, I thought, I must respond to that but unfortunately didn’t get round to it till now. Your title almost matches my situation, just with the exception that I’m not single. I’m a stay at home mum with 3 young boys.

A staggering reality is, I’m overweight by the same amount as my two year old weighs and he’s heavy! (If you take a look at my profile it will give you a bit of background). Positively, I’m back here now with the right mindset and ready to make that transition from Fat & Frumpy to Fit & Fabulous.

This week I heard someone say “if you want to win? Ask yourself the question, What’s Important Now?” That’s taking the three letters of the word WIN. What’s important for me now is that I successfully complete each day whether it be a fast day or non fast day. I started yesterday with a fast day, and here I am now at the end of a non fast day, both successfully completed. I got back on My Fitness Pal and logged everything, I’ve had plenty of water and I keep reminding myself of the benefits of delayed gratification.

I hope we can support each other along the way. Wednesday is my weigh in day, what’s yours? Thanks for getting the topic started and good luck with your journey.

Xx

Good Morning,

It’s 5am and I’m awake but definitely not by choice. For the first time I put my 7mth and my 2yr old in the same bedroom. They are keeping each other awake, it’s torture.
I read your post and two things stood out for me. How far in advance do you know what shift you’re working? Also if you replace the word “try” with something more accountable, like I will or today I’m going to complete… These will change your mindset to a more positive way of doing things.

If you know well in advance when you have a long shift or a day off, this will be a powerful tool in your quest for progress. If you print off a large calendar just one month at a time and fill in your days off and your 12hr shifts. This will give you a plan and allow you to achieve goals. I got these tips from The Little Voices topic here in the forums.

If you have a bad day, look for any good that happened within that day and praise yourself for that. It’s mind over matter, you will and can do it.

Well done on your fast day, you deserve to feel like Superwoman?. Would you like to share what you ate? I’m doing one tomorrow, I’m going to have porridge with honey at about 7am, then going to hold off till dinner. Dinner is a bit of what’s in the cupboards… There’s a tin of chopped tomatoes, a tin of chickpeas, some bulgar wheat, a red pepper and an onion. If I tweak the weights I could easily come in around the 300 calories mark.

A few months back when I first started doing 5:2, I bought some clothes from a charity shop that were a size smaller. It was a cheap and quick achievement tool. I tried these on each week and took an initial photo. Those first photos weren’t pretty (the tide wouldn’t even take me out!), but very quickly I went from having to wiggle my hips to get into them, to being able to pull them straight up. My next goal was to be able to close the button safely! Unfortunately there was a change in my situation at home and the diet was put in the wardrobe along with the clothes. Thankfully I’m back trying on those clothes again because they helped me see the results quickly, plus I’d do one of my happy dances in front of the mirror. It can only be a positive thing. My blood group is B+, I love that because I always aim to “be positive”

My battery is dying here, so a quick ?to you, I’ll chat to you tomorrow.

Xx

mmm watermelon, something else we have in common. I first tasted it in Cyprus on honeymoon. In the restaurant they had it already prepared for you, just help yourself! Watermelon is only sold whole here in Ireland, it would cost zar87. How much would you get it for?

Your dinner sounded lovely and so adaptable, it’s amazing how you can have a very substantial meal when your’re thrifty with the calories.

Enjoy your day too . xx

Today was a better day, I stuck to my plan of 1500 calories. My usual porridge, some low cal soup, a homemade tortilla pizza, more low cal soup then chicken, veg and bulgar wheat for dinner. I’m delighted with myself for avoiding temptation, honestly it wasn’t easy.

I hope you’re doing well☺

I love it, I absolutely love the positive vibe from your post. If that doesn’t get anyone off the couch I don’t know what will! Did you stick to your plan for the day.? I’m doing a fast day today and is going well too. I weighed myself yesterday and delighted to report I’m down 2lb. That’s a nice start to week 1 for me, I’m very pleased.