Day 21 —NFD

Had a successful LFD yesterday having only water and black coffee. Got hungry very late, too close to bedtime to start eating. Did not think I would get to sleep well with the hunger, but then my cat climbed on my chest/stomach and started purring. Hunger abated and calm peacefulness replaced it. I’ve never seen a study looking at cat purrs as an answer for hunger but 🤔

Fell asleep contemplating the difference between hunger and appetite and concluded this topic needs a deep dive – at least for me the two things are very different.

For most of my life I have been a ZBC member because I have no appetite at all in the mornings. I do get hungry in the mornings occasionally – but would wait for appetite to catch up, or just did not have food handy for the rare a.m. hunger so waited til mid day anyway. Appetite and the promise of the food reward requires my resolve and willpower. Hunger is a very different thing. For me anyway.

So anyway, my day 20 FD was a LFD and will end up being a 40ish hour fast. We’ll just have to see what my body does with it.

Sending good vibes to all, especially anyone doing a FD today!

In case this interests anyone – Not a deep dive but very interesting to me.

Hunger v appetite

https://badgut.org/information-centre/a-z-digestive-topics/hunger-and-appetite/

I’d love to see more nutrition/hormonal information on this topic and wish it were more discussed and distinct in weight loss literature

Because it seems to me that distinction is very important to weight loss and gain. For me anyway.

Day 21 USA – NFD

Doing quite well on maintenance. Glad when OMAD nets me even a little loss.

@stitchincarol – congratulation on keeping your weight down even while gone!

@basyjames – enjoy your time of reconnecting with your sister.

@funshipfreddie – the “Sugar” YouTube from Canada was most informative. Scary. I have always thought that consuming sugar is more addictive than some drugs, and it can be so hard to eliminate in our diets as it does seem to be everywhere,

Onward and downward.

Day 21 Minnesota NFD

Sorry to have been absent a couple of days. Sunday, I rolled over to get out of bed and the room started spinning as if I’d been partying hard a few hours before (unfortunately not, lol). So I’ve been dealing with vertigo for the last couple of days, and the nausea and all that goes with it. Dry crackers and cheese seemed to be the only thing I could hold down.

I’m better today and only feel the dizziness when I turn around or turn my head too quickly. I’m going to take it easy and just eat healthily until I feel my normal self. Getting old is for the brave, that is for sure. I think I remember that @at has this happen every couple of years or so. I have never had this extreme vertigo before, so I hope it will not be recurrent.

I’ll catch up on posts now. I couldn’t read until this morning. That is what I missed most while out of commission, so to speak.

Stay strong, everyone!

@funshipfreddie thanks for that Can sugar documentary link. I watched the first half and will finish it when I get on the Exercycle here in a bit.

@Emma_taylor Palermo! I have always wanted to go to Sicily! (I’ve always wanted a mirror like that too!)

@penz your question – why do we let these slide – is mine too.

@notherndawn Vertigo sounds awful I hope you recover soon!

@stichincarol I’m curious about your name, do you do lots of sewing? As for your question- Where am I from?

Such a simple question but such a complex issue for me.

I am a stranger in a strange land, the customs of the place where I reside (b/c hubs’ job, familial ties & financial inability to relocate) – make me a misfit in areas of culture, values & social mores, habits, manners and civil expectations. I make the best of it and hold on to hope of one day escaping, but I revolt at the thought of claiming it to be home or where I’m from.

My time zone is in the Western Hemisphere and I live nowhere in particular north of the equator. My birthplace was Chicago, USA but I have lived many different places in the Americas, Europe and the UK. My heart is claimed by London and/or Firenze.

I’m afraid I sound aloof or standoffish but I don’t mean to be. It can be disquieting to be so mismatched to one’s locale.

Well, exercise awaits for me. Hoping one and all have a grand day!

Day 22, NFD, Aus

Had a long heavy work day yesterday. I need to find a better switch-off from work than a glass or two of wine which I did yesterday. Working from home means I don’t have the commute home that acts as that transition from work to home life. I know the vino is not the healthiest substitute!

Interesting question, @mariaelena. Is appetite more about anticipation for a particular food, and hunger just a short term immediate “I want food now, any sort of food”! We’re having a restaurant meal at home on the weekend which I am really looking forward to. I’m not hungry right now (also being a ZBC member) but I sure have an appetite for Saturday’s menu! Is that how you see the difference? (And love the image of you being gently lulled into sleep by the meditating sound of a cat’s purr.)

Ah! Just saw the link you posted. Yes, hunger = physiological, appetite=desire. Keeping the distinction in mind is a good reminder of the ‘rule’ to only eat when you’re hungry. Thanks!

Day 22 Melb Aust NFD

Oh, the fast days that never are! Hopefully soon I’ll find my mojo again, but… persevering with being careful and watching what I eat, and thankful to have my weight relatively stable. Now spring is here, it will probably become easier.

Onward and downwards!

Day 22 – UK – FD

I am not at all hungry today and will be busy until mid/late afternoon, so thinking this will be an easy FD.

Tomorrow will be a CD, followed by an OMAD on Friday.

I am out for dinner on Friday night and then have a full-on weekend of consumption scheduled!!!!!!!

@lilymartin – I so agree re water. I do drink quite alot, but on a FD it is never enough and I have been known to abort a FD due to dehydration disguising itself as hunger! You would think I would know better by now, hahaha!

@bellyblast (& others) – I so agree. Fasting in the summer is so much easier!

@dvw – I am going to watch your Robb Report article once I have finished watching @funshipfreddie‘s Russian fasting film (which is really good, albeit a bit scary!)

@caoimhe – I once saw a documentary once about shift workers and jet lag and the effects these have on your health.
They explained how being awake at night makes cortisol levels sky-rocket and so insulin spikes as well.
So you are in for a tough fight against your own body not to eat your way through things when you haven’t slept the night before! They cited this as being a primary reason why so many nurses struggle to lose weight.

@funshipfreddie – your post about your hangover was hilarious. Good on you for fasting, I often feel that I have to eat my way through a hangover. And then guess what…? I feel even worse, haha!

Also@funshipfreddie, thanks for the new post on another sugar film. These films are really keeping me motivated!

@basyjames – have a great trip to cancun!

@dvw – yes, I know – RESTRAINT – it is pretty boring isn’t it? But I’m just focussing on restraint on weekdays only (ie my 2 x NFDs on weekdays).
I’m still going to allow myself anything at weekends…. Otherwise it is too tough and I will lose my mojo.

@mariaelena – thanks for joining us and thank you for all your interesting posts. I’m excited to add your link on Appetite Vs Hunger to my reading list!

@northerndawn – Get Well Soon!

Pocket List Day 22 🍅:
@babs_b
@high5

Day 22 — FD

Food consumption and exercise on target yesterday but went to bed early with sudden onset of overwhelming headache. Don’t know what was up, feeling blah today and headache remains but much more manageable. My appetite is low as typically is on AM, and I don’t anticipate this Fast day will be onerous.

@emma_taylor Italian architecture! Oh how I get romantically transported in time when I’m near it. I swear I get an energy burst when I’m in an old city wanting to walk everywhere and absorb the sights and vibe. I, also, find the Italians very simpatico. I’m enjoying your stay there vicariously!

@penz I love how you articulate things, my cat purring, appetite anticipation etc. I certainly am like you, I can enjoy appetite anticipation of an upcoming special meal or even that perfectly ripe cantaloupe in my refrigerator.

I guess I make a distinction between my appetite for a meal or specific foods (taste?) and the more generalized (stomach based for me) hunger.

On working from home without a commute. A recent podcast I heard (might have been Dr. Mosley’s) suggested replacing the lost commute with a walk – a break outside to reset your mind and body. Perhaps something like that might be the trick?

@babs_b I like your sensible and upbeat attitude! ~8 lb in ~9 weeks is a reasonable goal and your attitude will help! You got this!

@bellyblast I am the opposite. My hearty (veg heavy) winter stew makes 5:2 almost a joy in the cold months. I struggle to eat veg in warm weather and the siren’s call of summer fruit can derail me from fasts so easily.

@stichincarol Please know I thought your question was a fine and friendly inquiry! I’m the complicated one! I think recent kerfuffles with local in-laws have made me far too sensitive. I think sewing, knitting, crocheting etc. are wonderful and must be so satisfying to have such a creative outlet! I have always wished I could sew or crochet (my grandma was a whiz and I still enjoy her Afghans and quilts) but I’m afraid my efforts in such areas are appalling. Grandma used bright and bold colors often in shocking (yet beautiful) contrasts rather than the easily available pastels that are readily available and less to my taste.

Well, it seems a goodly number of us are on a fast day, so sending successful thoughts to all. I am finding current M & W fast day schedule much better than the M & Th fasting I did a few years ago. My mojo seems to stay stronger with the fast days closer together.

Happy thoughts to everyone.

Day 23, FD, Aus

Thanks for your thoughts @lilymartin – I’m in Canberra and didn’t feel anything from the Victoria quake. More concerned about @Bestsylee – are you ok?

You’re so right, @stitchincarol – taking the dogs out would be the perfect transition and I used to often do that when I got home from work. @mariaelena – I see you suggested the same thing! Great minds and all that…

Day 23: pocket list (I have a feeling I’ll need the support today)
@penz

Day 23 Melb Aust FD

Yes, finally! Found my mojo – hoping to actually keep it for the whole day.

@penz, Thanks for thinking of me. My home shuddered, walls and ceiling. I’d just turned on my heating system so my immediate thought was that something had gone wrong with it. No, all okay, “just” an earthquake. Worst I can remember since childhood, and maybe that one wasn’t as bad as this, it was a long time ago. But, overall, all good. Some minor property damage in a few places, no reported injuries, so thankfully okay.

@northgeorgia, yay for crossing that 220 barrier downwards. Now you know it can be done!

Day 23: pocket list
@penz
@betsylee

Day 23 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – FD

@northgeorgia – great job! 💪

Article in today’s UK Mail. We’re trendy?!! 😅

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-10016411/Intermittent-fasting-diet-encouraged-simpler-cutting-calories-doctors-say.html

Day 23:Pocket List 🍒
@penz
@betsylee
@funshipfreddie

Day 23 UK FD

Ah fellow Montalbano fans 👋 Its really fun to visit some of the filming destinations, particularly Punta Secca which is where his house is and Ragusa are my faves , we’ve been fortunate to be there when they were filming a couple of times I’m so envious @emma-taylor Can’t wait to be able to travel again

Anyway back to reality-planning on a good <500 FD today

Day 23:Pocket List 🍒
@penz
@betsylee
@funshipfreddie
@brightonbelle

Day 23 – USA/GA – NFD

Weigh-in: 222.8 (3 lb gain), which is due to the carbs rushing in at meal times yesterday. Did a soft drink at lunch, a birthday cake slice at work, and was given a small leftover portion of fries with a sandwich for supper. So “bloat” is the response this morning. I do have another lunch out to celebrate a co-worker’s birthday today, but I’m trying to steer this ship through the icy waters — accept the inevitable carbs that will pop up here and there, but work on replacing them when possible with healthy fats, protein, and lots of water.

If I’ve broken the 210 barrier once, it’ll happen again, and soon I’ll be basking within them. I’ve got the 100s in sight for next year. ZBC for me today, for sure.

Hope @betsylee and all our folks around Melbourne have little trouble repairing any damages from the quake.

Day 23 second post

Well, it’s evening, and my 350 calorie day has turned into about 750, but hey, much better than nothing. I’ll just call it a FD800, instead 🙂 I’m still very happy, as this is my first FD this month (probably for several months!).

@northgeorgia, some damage from the earthquake, but generally nothing major. One old two-storey building was the worst damaged, not a lo else, some extra cracks in walls, perhaps, and no reports of injuries. We were fortunate that the epicentre was about 200 kms from Melbourne (about 125 miles), or it might have been a different story. Just thankful.

Day 23:Pocket List 🍒
@penz
@betsylee (FD800)
@funshipfreddie
@brightonbelle
@dvw

Day 23 – Rural Nebraska, USA – FD500

Yesterday, the scales actually ended up even lower at 144.2 and this morning, after a generous supper, plenty of slices of cheese and two glasses of wine last night, I was at 144.4. This water fast approach is clearly something my body likes, along with eliminating most refined carbs. HFLC…who knew I’d like it so much. I’m having real hope that I’ll get down to goal weight finally! 🥰💪👍

@northgeorgia So exciting to have broken the barrier on Wednesday morning!

@betsylee Wow, so glad you experienced no damage or injury! I was in a significant earthquake once, and it’s the strangest, awfullest feeling ever.

@funshipfreddie Wow–I’ve NEVER been trendy in my life! 😂🤣😂🤣😂

Awww, @flourbaby, Welcome back! I’ve missed your chatter and I’m so glad you’ve returned to us!

Now to hear again from @at…she’s been silent a long time this time, and I hope she’s just distracted by life and fun adventures.

I’ve been interrupted several times with my typing, so don’t know for certain that it even makes sense, but I need to get to my job, so I’m off, with fingers crossed that there are no typos! Have a grand day, everyone!

Day 23:Pocket List 🍒
@penz
@betsylee (FD800)
@funshipfreddie
@brightonbelle
@dvw
@stitchincarol

second post

@funshipfreddie I finally had time to watch those two videos you posted (on sugar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3ksKkCOgTw and on the science of fasting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sBMl4SU8eU) and I found them fascinating and extremely motivating. I’m loving the results of WF and the video that talked about the wide benefits to water fasts, including to arthritis and cancer, had me slack-jawed and, I must admit, a bit smug, LOL!

It is so ingrained in us that we must eat to be healthy that it’s a hard preconception to overcome. But, as I do my best to eliminate all refined carbs from my diet and combine that with a 40-42 hour water fast each week, and find the weight dropping quite easily, it’s hard to see water fasts as anything but totally wonderful. The last time I was at this weight was at Easter, and I had worked diligently–hard, even–to get there…and then I promptly gained back ten pounds when I couldn’t maintain my diligence.

It’s too soon to know what behavior maintenance will require, but DH and I have another trip October 11-16 which I plan to begin with a water fast until Tuesday evening, and then I’ll simply avoid refined carbs for the rest of the week. Wine will absolutely be present that week, as will cheese and crackers and sausages as appetizers before lovely dinners; as long as I ignore those crackers, and skip the rice and potatoes and bread at dinners, that will certainly give me an idea how my body will react long-term to this approach.

So, any more videos we all ought to be watching??? 😂🤣😂

Day 24 Melb Aust FD800

My FD (turned FD800) went relatively well yesterday, so I thought, why not try for another. Okay so far. Mid-afternoon and I’ve had about 120 calories so far, so about 350 calories chicken/ vegies for tea, followed by a Tartufo gelato, which I’ve discovered to my delight is only 208 calories. Who’d have thought it! I will savour it. That will keep me under 800 calories.

Yes, for all the purists on healthy eating on the forum, be kind. I KNOW the gelato isn’t good for me, but it does stop a feeling of deprivation devolving into a epic face-stuff. I’ll eliminate that indulgence from fast days once I’m more used to them again.

@flourbaby, delighted to see you’re back posting. You and your humour have been greatly missed. Admittedly, my past few months here have had me logging on at the start of the month, never to be seen again for the month, until this month, but still…. really enjoy reading all your comments again. Glad you’ve sold your flat, hope it all goes well living with your mother, bank details welcomed 🙂 Ha Ha!

@michelinme, how’s your new start with 5:2 going? Having seen any recent posts, or maybe I’ve just missed them. All the same, I hope it’s going well. It seems there are a few people making September a real, new start.

@penz, well done for a successful FD. I’m figuring that my 2 FD800 days are about as “good”, and yes, glad not much damage or reported injuries here post earthquake. Mind you, it was probably a minor event to folk who come from Japan or New Zealand, but significant for us.

@stitchincarol, thanks for re-posting the youtube videos that @funshipfreddie posted. I’ve been wanting to watch them, but didn’t want to have to scroll back trying to find them.
It’s great that you’re finding WFDs so effective. That’s something I’d like to have a go at again, but I take a tiny BP medication that sticks to the back of my throat unless I take it with food of some kind, usually a low GI “breakfast biscuit”, which completely messes up the WFD. Maybe I could try taking it with my biscuit in the morning, then sticking to water until the next morning? Maybe? That might actually work. Something to think about, anyway.

Onward and downwards everyone!

Day 24 Pocket List
@betsylee (FD800)

Second post

Sorry, I hope everyone in Oz is ok after this earthquake? I must have somehow missed that in the news.

@brightonbelle }
@emma Taylor } Fellow montalbarno lovers! 😍😍
Lucky you having been there and gone to his favourite haunts! I’m so envious – DH & I must go next autumn! Also to his favourite restaurant! The food sounds amazing!

@emma Taylor – was touched by your description of how warm the people are too ….

Day 24 – Lake district UK – NFD

Good morning everyone

Had my usual Thursday FD yesterday, missed my morning ‘call into the forum’ somehow things are a little hectic at the moment, turn around and the day is gone! It seem to be every day things crop up or manic busy!
The summerhouse project for the garden has been binned, it would have meant losing the greenhouse 🙁 and that gets more use than a summerhouse would. Anyway we have the conservatory and the sheltered decking area outside so already well catered for.

Another hectic couple of weekends, last two fundraisers of the year and then, we’re off on our travels for a couple of weeks in mid October.

@flourbaby – Nice to hear you’re back and thanks for asking, I’m doing incredibly well thank you. Almost a year since the start of treatment, I look back in the diary for ‘this time last year’ and wow …. serious stuff and a bit of scary time, but the medics used their knowledge and skills and here I am, not quite 100% ‘normal’ …. but don’t think I ever have been 😉

Take care all

Day 24 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – NFD

Major PFDS this morning. A new low for 2021; 70.4 kgs, despite last weekend’s peanut binge! 😜

@flourbaby – you were missed! So glad you’re back 🤗

@high5, @betsylee & @stitchincarol – so glad you enjoyed the videos. It’s amazing what you can find on YouTube. Last night I started watching ‘Sugar:The Bitter Truth’ – a presentation given 12 years ago by Dr Robert H Lustig (author of ‘Fat Chance – The hidden truth about sugar, obesity & disease’). I’m only half-way through it; its 90 minutes long & gets quite technical at times. But his passion, humour & extensive knowledge of the subject make it very watchable. It’s been viewed by over 14 million people so far. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM&t=2552s

@emma-taylor – 😂 I know how that feels! It’s mortifying. I remember buying lunch in a cafe in Chile years ago. The first time I ever tried to speak Spanish in public. All I did was ask the waiter if I could pay in dollars; but I was euphoric that he actually understood me! Sometimes it works the other way round though; when you want them to speak the language you’re learning they just want to practise their English on you.

A long weekend here; Heritage Day today. But I’m aiming to be on my best behaviour for the last week of Fresh Start September

Day 24 – USA/GA – NFD

Weigh-in: 222 lbs, but a few ounces lighter over yesterday. Got to run again. Take care, all!

Day 24 second post

@michelinme, of course I meant I “haven’t” seen any recent posts, not “having” – typo

At 11:20 p.m., bedtime, and a second successful FD800. Weigh-in tomorrow morning to find out if there’s been any weight benefit.

Day 24 Pocket List
@betsylee (FD800)

Day 24 – Rural Nebraska, USA – NFD but probably OMAD

Drum roll, please! I blew entirely past the 143s and was 142.8 this morning! The last time I weighed this was in early 2016 when I was on my way back up from 137. The strange thing is, I’m not even terribly excited; more, it’s a feeling of, “Yup, nice results, let’s keep going.” I’m shaking my head at the amazing results of cutting out most refined carbs, and limiting healthy carbs; even DH has broken the 150 barrier and was 149.8 this morning (it’s disgusting when your 6′ DH weighs only 7 pounds more than you do at 5’2″, but over our 32 years of marriage I’ve become accustomed to his natural skinniness).

Tonight I’m making Eggplant Parmigiana with a couple of veggies on the side and the rest of Wednesday’s bottle of wine; we’ll see how the scales react in the morning.

@penz Well done on a successful fast!

@betsylee I would NEVER scold you for the gelato; I know well how the limited sweets can stop the EFS. My opinion is that you were totally successful by staying below 800. 💪🥇 My WFD started by accident and continued by design because Jason Fung in his The Obesity Code talked about how WHEN we eat is truly as important as WHAT we eat, and about how our bodies have a set point that they really want to maintain (which is why so many people regain the weight they lose) and the way to reset that set point is by extended water fasts. He encouraged 18-24 hour water fasts to begin with, and said extending it further was only necessary if you weren’t getting the results you wanted, so I’m certain that doing a morning-to-morning WF would be very helpful. (And, this is the most successful I’ve been in any single month since I rejoined the forum 15 months ago, so it would appear my water fasts really are resetting my set point slowly but surely.)

As we near October, has anyone been thinking about hosting? It can be as simple as setting up the month or as involved as responding to each person’s posts; it’s entirely your call. How about On-target October???? 😂🤣😂🤣 I do like alliteration!

Have a grand one, using all your resolve to achieve your fresh-start goals!