Evening All

Goodness me. I’ve just caught up with all you posts. I really don’t know where the last week has gone.

I will check my email after I’ve posted this Thin re coffee.

Welcome newbies.

Interesting read about carbs (which I am reducing) and daily weighing. I am a daily weigher but find it annoying at times when I haven’t budged after a fast day. Fasting today at 59.75 this morning. Annoying because I was in the 58’s last week.

Will check in tomorrow to see how other Monday fasters have gone.
EA
xxxx

Poor Cinque. I had a similar food setback a couple of weeks ago – but now we have the skills to know what to do. I know you’ll be fine. Take it easy. Scroll back and take a look at those Two English Gents that I gave the link for – gorgeous eye candy and they’ll put a smile on your face.

EA, hey, you’re back! Don’t despair, it’s because you don’t have much to lose that it’s a struggle to get the last kilo or so off. Those wretched carbs. Of course we need them for energy but we get so much carbohydrate from veggies that we just don’t need all those processed white carbs – rice, pasta, bread, etc. I resisted this idea for a very long time but it really made a difference when I stopped.

VDU, I’ve asked JJ the site manager to forward my email address to you as I think it will take a bit of working out to organise the coffee venue given that we’re all in different towns. EA, I really hope you can join us, especially as CharliesMum (who’s not posting right now) will come along. CM lives in Freo and is free on Saturday morning but it would need to be quite early as she has another appt. late morning. MissMelsy, are you up for this? Once we get it sorted out behind the scenes, I will post the time and venue so any Perth lurkers can join us.

Hi Southern Hemis-faeries as someone once put it. Have been away where the starchy carbs live, ended up not taking my travel scales. Usually when I do this my true ‘after’ weight appears on the 2nd morning after I’m home. So will see any damage on Thursday’s naked a.m. weigh.

Waving to the newbies WWWWWWW Welcome!

My travel scales went to Turkey and European river cruise last year, and they got passed around the boat to few cabins! Mine are yellow and weigh about 550gms, I had to do a couple of lessons of standing-on-the-travel-scales-technique.

Am going to Melbourne soon. Anyone up for a coffee meet? Cinque, I can come to you or near you, if you’d like to do coffee.

Must go,
Merry

Hi All
My Monday fast went really well and its so much easier not eating til very late afternoon. Ill look into getting travel scales. We are going to Europe for 6 weeks. We are landing in Venice and then going to Slovenia to pick up motorbikes- 2 couples and a single is coming for the motorbike part. I go on the back. We have bikes for 2 weeks and plan to ride in the Dolomites and Dalmatian coast but we dont make a lot of plans before hand. We will probably spend some time in Austria and after returning the bikes we will spend some time in Croatia and wherever we fancy but we do hope to finish off with a cruise in the Greek Islands. I’m not too far out of Melbourne and can maybe catch up on a day I’m not working 🙂

Wow, very impressive Arvee! Well done for staying strong. And it’s all paying off for you. When’s that significant birthday you mention on your profile? Do you plan to continue IF after you lose the 10kg?

Judyf, that sounds like a terrific adventure. If you want the link to the company from where I ordered my travel scales, let me know. Probably not a priority on a motorbike though. I’m excited to think about the three of you meeting up in the Melbourne environs (Merry & Cinque).

VDU, yes, 11ish sounds good.

I’m continuing with my Wednesday semi-fasts for a while – a sort of compromise where I allow myself 2x coffees with milk in the morning but adhere to the fast routine for the remainder of the day. Anyone else fasting today?

Hello everyone,
Judy, it would be lovely to meet you too!
Do you have regular days that you don’t work? Let’s hope they coincide with Merry’s visit to Melbourne. Otherwise we will just have to have another coffee time!
Anyone else that can get to Melbourne for a coffee?

It is Thursday Fast Day for me today. Woke up to a rain watered garden, which is a relief, although I don’t think we got much more than a sprinkle.

Arvee, isn’t it a treat getting to understand our body signals!
Mind you, mine is still signalling me that I had a major stuff up! Hooray for fast day today.

This, cheers for your semi fasts.

Best wishes to everyone for a really good day today!

Hi, all – firstly, Thin, I did send an email to your address that was forwarded to me, ta, and will write a longer one later, but just letting you know so you know to check your inbox 🙂 I’m glad 11 is okay for Saturday, yay. It will be lovely to meet you, and EA if you’re able to come (plus if anyone else crops up in the next couple of days). And it’s good to hear you’ve found some Victorian “playmates” to join you too, Cinque, that’s great. And sorry you’ve had a bit of a setback recently food/weight wise, but you’ve got the tools to get right back on the horse which it sounds like you’re doing admirably and I’m sure it will soon pay off.

My last fast day was Monday, which went well. I did indeed try the Slendier rice, and here’s my report, Thin (or anyone else that may be interested…).
I’d also read they can be very chewy and smell disgusting. True enough it was smelly, but I rinsed it thoroughly and the smell went away, so that was no problem. Secondly, chewy: no, these weren’t at all. I tried a small bit with a small amount of my soup, and it was fine, so added them to the rest (only had half a packet, and haven’t attempted to keep the other half of the packet).

They had no taste really, which was good, as the taste of my soup was enough, and it certainly added bulk to the meal. I felt much, much fuller for having them and didn’t have the hungry feeling into the night that I normally have. I didn’t experience the really bad stomach probs that some people have, thank goodness, but nevertheless I did have a strong awareness of that root sitting heavy in my tummy which was slightly uncomfortable, though by the next day all things were “sorted” and I was fine. It really wasn’t bad, and I can see the efficacy in terms of being full, so may well have them again if I feel I need to do that in particular (if I’m going somewhere where I’m in danger of eating everything in sight from hunger and know there won’t be good options for me, for instance). But probably the heaviness in the stomach has put me off having them much, but do think they serve quite a good purpose in the 5:2 in moderation if your body can cope with it.

Talking of moderation, reading back over the posts I was reading, JudyF, you mentioning about alcohol and others talking about carbs. For myself, I still drink red wine (though not on fast days, for obvious reasons), but in moderation. I really do count the calories and figure a glass or two a couple of times a week seems to be okay for me. We’ve cut our alcohol consumption down a lot actually, on purpose. We weren’t at a worrying stage or anything, but just noticed how a bottle of wine shared together of an evening had become too much of a habit (pre my getting back into 5:2). With that awareness we’ve changed that significantly, and are happier for it. Things can just creep up on you, as in all things, of course. The occasional piece of cake can become a daily routine, etc, and that’s when you start to have problems. And re carbs, same again, I don’t shun them, although have hardly had any bread for 5 weeks, purely because my Ryvita (or Quinoa wraps) option is fewer calories and I’m really enjoying them. But on non-fast days I still eat rice, and sometimes potatoes.

After that last fast I had put on weight on the scales the next day, as I thought I may as that seems to be the pattern, but wasn’t bothered as knew all other indicators going well. Today is another FD for me, and I weighed myself again this morning and as I had predicted for myself (and hoped) that weight gain has now gone down again, plus some extra loss, on the scales and I’m now down to 75.4, so almost 5 kilos lost since beginning 5 weeks or so ago. I’m happy with that. I bought some lovely new jeans a couple of days back. I’m not at my goal weight yet, but I really needed some new ones for now.

Thanks for the links to that pole dancing, Thin. I’ve only seen the first one so far, but he was amazing! The way the men work on the pole in comparison to the women is very interesting. It’s kind of obvious, I suppose, but I really do enjoy seeing their strength moves. The women are really strong too, but clearly the men can do other things that women would struggle with, I’d think. And, yes, Cinque, my daughter is bursting with health, I’m happy to say 🙂 She also eats very well too, though, but will still eat Tim Tams if she feels like it; has a good balance, I think. Thin, it’s really hard to do, isn’t it! I tried on my daughter’s pole that she had in her lounge and couldn’t even get off the floor… so much upper body strength develops as you go along, though.

I hope anyone else fasting today – Cinque, you are, aren’t you? – has a good and successful day.

hi, Thin – yes, sent two emails to your Hotmail address – the one that’s a reference to your husband’s occupation obliquely – if that makes sense 🙂 if you still can’t find an email from me, I’ll just post my email address on here and hope there’s no one lurking that would use it in any way! If I were able to post it and then delete the post that would be good, but I don’t know that that’s possible really.

VDU – please ignore the above – just received the emails now! Thanks.

My fast day wasn’t a total success. I’m blaming my OH who made Anzac biscuits last night while I was out. He has now gone away for the weekend and left some for me. I had been trying to resist them from the time I came home from work but caved in and had one. Oh well I’m not having anymore tonight. Hope your FDs went well VDU and Cinque.

Good morning all. Thought I had better check in. My eyes are still giving me grief, two weeks after the event. Went back to the Dr and am now on cortisone tablets and eye cream. I can’t focus on reading for long without my eyes streaming and becoming very irritated.

I have been reading the posts and all the newbies, sorry I don’t mention you all by name, are all doing a great job at this WOL.

Cinque I too have fallen off the wagon to some degree. Still doing my two FDs but have to admit to finishing off my large Easter egg and tucking into some scones and a small custard tart. I find now that when I have something sweet I need a handful of salted peanuts. Weird isn’t it.

My weight this morning after FD yesterday was 70.3. I am struggling to get past the 69.3 I have seen or maybe I thought I did!!!!!!

Another hiccup to make me head for the bottle and something that’s not good for me. Last night I was alerted to hackers draining my debit card. I am due to go on holidays in about 10 days and that was my spending money. It is now going to takes ages to get it back and to get a replacement card. Being on a pension and bankrupt I don’t have any other cards.

Merry I know your woes were a lot bigger but it sure leaves a bad taste doesn’t it. We also have to catch up sometime.

Anyway keep up the good work everyone and it’s nice to hear some of you are able to meet up and put faces to the posts.

*** Coffee meeting for Perth losers! ***

Sprolo Cafe, 138 Canning Hwy, South Perth, 11am tomorrow, Saturday. Please come and join us, don’t be shy! What have you got to lose? – come and tell us!

Another cool, grey Melbourne morning (nearly noon! eep!). Cuban black bean soup coming to pressure on the stove. Cup of tea at my side. Getting into gear to attack my list of things to do.
I hope your day is a good one, fasting, or non fasting!

Sunny this morning! A beautiful time of year in this part of the Southern Hemisphere!
Cuban Black Bean Soup was a failure. It seems I don’t like ham hocks. Didn’t get into gear yesterday either. Hope I do today! I think I might, I have a bit more oomph.
Best wishes to you all! I hope the Black Swans had a lovely coffee together.
I’m fasting, are you too Thin?
Best wishes to everyone, fast day or normal day!

Hi Sunday Fasters and evryone,

Fast Day for me tomorrow, and planning basa and calamari soup with low carrot, broccoli, and cauliflower..

Sorry not to get back to you yet about coffee in Melbourne. I’ll be based in South Yarra, and at this point Sunday or Monday looking the most possible for me. Probably the Monday might be better Will be back later tonight with more info. I’m remembering we can ask the moderator to pass on our email address?
Merry

Good afternoon
Well done to you Sunday fasters! Today is my weigh-in day and I’ve lost 600 grams for the week. I’m pleased – slowly but surely. I did socialise the last 2 nights with dessert and 2/3 wines both nights. 😄 . Today is a fast day for me, should be easier with me home all day on my own.

Hi Thin, is it true that you are due some HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES today! Cheers to you!
Yes, do keep my email!

Thin, very belated happy birthday. Another milestone reached. Sounds like it was a good day.

My eyes are much better, still a little irritation but manageable. No news on the hacking.

FD for me today, weight this morning 70.1 oh well at least it is consistent and I can’t be truthful and say I haven’t had my indulgences but I’m going easy on myself now. I never imagined being this weight again in my lifetime so that is an achievement. I feel and look good so that is a success in its self.

Yes I could probably lose another 5-10 kgs and if that happens who hoo, I will still do my twoFD’s a week and be mindful but I’m not going to let it control my life.

Have a good day all my fellow 5:2s

Judyf – I’d love to catch up with you! Monday works best for me. Just went back and read you don’t work Wed or Fridays. Tues is out for me. Wed’s are our travel days. Will have to recheck with family members re Friday. I’ll get the moderator to send you my email address. Your trip sounds amazing! Well done on your 5:2 progress. Slowly but surely 5:2 works and it feels like we’ve found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!

Arvee- well done on your progress so far too! Wow, back2backfasts! Well done. I’ve known there were people who did it this way, but I’ve only come close a couple of times by accident, and forgetting to eat till about 3pm. Somehow after a FD, and like lots of others, I just don’t feel very hungry after a FD.

Intesha- So sorry to hear about your eyes. It seems to be taking a while to heal, but it’s good to hear that they are steadily healing. Commiserations to you re the bank account hacking too. We live in an era, now, where we have to learn new ways to protect ourselves, our bank accounts, and our identity. We have now heard of more people roundabout where we live having mail stolen. It’s been particularly bad for someone a block away who was an older person without internet access on his bank accounts. The criminals were able to establish internet access in his name, by doing it over the internet using information on documents stolen from his letterbox. They drained his bank accounts of $60,000. We are continuing to have accounts opened in my husband’s name using the renewed drivers’ licence they stole from our letterbox. These are debit/savings accounts they then use to launder substantial amounts of money through. most of the criminals’ action is done online, and they are quite brazen, continuing to act even though they have been arrested once already and know the police know it’s them. For the newbies, please be aware of what’s happening with your accounts and your mailbox. Drug addicts, particularly ice addicts, take mail without distorting the letterbox door, and onsell it to criminals.

Intesha, I hope this is worked out for you and your funds returned! Re 5:2, I too, have been marking time while all of the scenarios we gone through in the last months have progressed. It is a wonderful thing to be able to stay stable while L life challenges are happening. Well done even though that elusive 400gms have not permanently gone yet. You will get back under that 70.3. You know you can do this now, and done it beautifully. I agree it is a joy amongst the crappy stuff that we’re doing it at a normal weight, looking normal. It’s such a relief!

Thin – A very Happy Birthday for last week!!!

Will catch up with other’s posts soon 🙂

Had soup on my FD last night with mushrooms, cauliflower, calamari (cos it’s so low cal!,) and cut up dried seaweed sheets(nori) in a white miso base. I wonder if it’s the saltiness that makes miso soup such a good FD dinner. A little fruit and plain yoghurt and sugar free jelly as well. And being Anzac day, an Anzac bikkie in there too. That felt weird on a FD.

Onwards and downwards!
Merry

I love love this WOL. It is so,forgiving if you keep to the basics. I no longer dread FDs or feel deprived.

After FD yesterday, drum roll……68.4. So what happened? Who knows. After hovering around the 70 mark since February my body has probably realigned itself and is now hopefully back into the fat burning mode. If I had of been in the house on my own I probably would have been running around like an idiot punching the air. Tomorrow might be a different story but today wow I am so proud of myself.

It can be done all you newbies who might have your doubts but it is all about perseverance even when the going get toughs, isn’t that right a Thin, Cinque, Merry 😀👍🍾💐

Yippee Intesha, what a great result! You’re on your way to a new dress size methinks. Thanks for the birthday wishes Intesha and Merry. Anyone else fasting today?

Gosh, ‘the highlight of the last couple of months’ is a very nice thing to say VDU. But now readers will either be left wondering how they too can get an audience with Thin and Freya OR thinking that poor VDU must lead a rather dull life.

Seriously, very good to hear that you’re back safely and I hope your family celebrations were fun. DD ended up driving south with another student so I was relieved that they could share the driving and provide company for each other, thus eliminating one of the factors, fatigue.

Let us know when you’re heading back and we’ll tentatively plan to meet in Freo next time on a weekday. Good luck for the weigh-in tomorrow. Love reading your chatty posts, it’s as if you’re in the room – especially now I’ve met you!

Hi all,
Asking for a little help – How do I contact the moderator? I can’t seem to find any obvious way to do it.

Judyf- I’m only able to do Monday morning as a definite meetup coffee time, a very slight possibility of Sunday morning.

I’ve arrived in Melbourne, staying with one of my children, and Cinque and I will definitely be meeting up. Sounds like our WA contingent had a great time at theirs!

FD for me tomorrow, and it will include some shopping for something special for my daughter, and I’d love to have a walk around Sth Yarra, where there seem to be some lovely older buildings, and the Botanical Gardens aren’t far away apparently. We had no idea what this suburb is like. You can tell I don’t know Melbourne at all well, lol.

Friday is a family birthday celebration, and a nonFD, and thanks to this amazing WOL or WOE (way of life or way of eating) I can have birthday cake, a special meal etc and still keep on track! That, I never expected before I started 5:2, but I’ve never felt deprived on 5:2. I had those fears of not being able to do Fasting on FDs, and it was wierd for the first FD or 2, then tedious with more calorie counting for the next couple, then something clicked in and it was easy. I love, and I mean love, this way of life!

For those of you who are newbies, Cinque and I have both done 5:2 while being unable to exercise to use up any calories to supplement the Fasting Days and staying under TDEE for the nonFasting Days. Our weight normalisation has all been done by using the 5:2 way of eating, and it’s worked. I weigh daily, and record Monday’s weight, Cinque doesn’t weigh but goes by clothes ‘feel’. My frig is emptier, my food bills have gone down, so this WOL also doesn’t cost you money it saves you money. Let me qualify that. You may spend some money, but it will be 1 book, maybe a 5:2 recipe book, maybe 1 dvd, but mostly it will be new clithes in smaller sizes, new underwear, new swimmers. You may buy brand new, recycled clothing or fish out those favourites you kept from smaller sizes as your weight was going up. One suggestion- if you have more than 1 size to lose don’t buy too many things in the mid sizes because you won’t be in then for too long, before they get too big, even with some alterations.

And just thinking, maybe we should hop around the world again and visit another country’s cuisine for FD and other 5:2 recipes and ingredients. So far we’ve been to Japan and Spain. Any suggestions?

FD tomorrow, wishing all the Thursday fasters a great FD,
Onwards and Downwards from your 5:2 travel agent,
Merry

Great reads ladies. You’ve both done so well especially in the face of your respective difficulties. Intesha, you must be so motivated to keep going now after all those compliments. And I hope you do find a nice companion even if you aren’t necessarily looking.

Completely agree with all your sentiments, Merry and Intesha. I was so happy to get into size 14 and bought too many new clothes that I barely got a chance to wear. Yesterday, while out walking 10kms with OH, we stopped in the city and I found a pair of GRAB jeans 75% off at Myer. It’s possibly a design that’s slightly too clingy for a woman my age but felt so comfy and lured by the $15 price and the size 10 tag, I just had to have them. Without underwear, they look great! Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be a size 10 when I started 5:2. I wish we could organise a clothes bank to hand down our ‘outgrown’ (what’s the opposite of that?) clothes to other 5:2ers.

Exercise has been shown to be effective in maintaining weight loss but virtually ineffective in losing weight. It took me decades of expensive gym memberships to realise that. They’re good for body building, toning, socialising and improving fitness. Of course, exercising is better than sitting on the couch and we all need to move more.

Merry, go to the very bottom of this page to ‘contact us’. You’ll find a form and also the email addresses. To contact JJ, the site admin person, choose the tech@ option. I’m curious how you’ve made contact with Cinque to arrange the coffee though? I hope you all have a fabulous chin wag. Now that we all only have one chin to wag.

I shouldn’t post before I’ve had that second coffee Merry – realised that Cinque had given us her email address when it was too late to amend my post. So the ‘duh’ is all mine.