Happy Friday everyone, although when you’re not working one day is the same as the next.

Two pieces of good news this morning. Weight after FD 69.7 and have had an email from Visa, all my money has been credited back into my account, hallelujah.

VDU I’m sorry it was remiss of me not to say how devastating it must be to lose a baby know matter how small. It’s all the expectations that lead up to it that make it so sad.

Cinque I need structure and purpose in my life and 5:2 gives me that because I have to conciously think about what I am going to eat and put on my shopping list. On previous FD’s I would watch the clock to see when I could have something which usually was a protein shake about 2.30 but lately I am finding I don’t have anything until 3 or 4 especially if I keep myself busy.

Winter does want to make you eat more but then when I was in the UK at Xmas and temps where in the minus I somehow managed and came back after 7 weeks only having put on 800gms.

I read somewhere that if you keep your body in a cold state you burn brown fat which is good for weight loss. So maybe we shouldn’t be sitting on our heaters. I’m sure someone has further comments!!!!!

Good morning all, hope any lurkers in Tassie are OK,

Intesha- fantastic! So happy for you that you’re back under 70, and especially that your money has been returned! Excellent result on both counts. Must be a big weight off your mind getting it back. What an awesome thing it is that we’ve learned in 5:2, that we can do the things we love in life and still have a WOL that let’s us stay in control of our weight.

I think Intesha has nailed it for me and my reason for really liking 5:2. I like that certain level of discipline that’s required and the feeling that I’m in control of my weight. Part of that is that there are so many parts of my body and health that I have had to cede control to ME/CFS, and 5:2 has given me back some more control over my body and future.

Emotional eating has played a nasty little bit of my week. To compensate I did 20:4 day on Wednesday, a nonFD, and reduced my calories somewhat. On FD yesterday I did my usual nothing till 6pm and then had a bit over, probably 700cals. This morning I am back down to 65.6kg, down a kg.

Cinque – you know so many unusual foods. I’ll gave to Google muhullabia and dosa. How did you learn about these? Freekah is another thing I see on posts around the forum.

Thin, the ‘good English breakfast’ seems to have struck again, this time on No Sugar Farm. I’ll have to see if I can watch it on some delayed telecast. I don’t know how they can eat so much fatty stuff all at once. My OH once spent 2 weeks around that breakfast and didn’t have it once. Black pudding isn’t on his menu of edibles either, but it was part of my childhood so doesn’t bother me. I think his brother had the fryup once, then gave it a miss. On the show did they have the usually obligatory baked beans as well? You could do home made beans without the sugar in the canned ones. It always ammazes me to see people order the Big Breakfast in cafes, or the amount they eat from hotel buffet breakfasts.

Off to my exercise physiologist today. Will try remember the waist measurement thing today.

Onwards and Downwards ,
Merry

Hi Thin and Intesha and Cinque

Great posts. 🎉🎉🎉

I’ve been AWOL for the last little while, am in Brisbane with my mum. I’ve been reading all the posts with interest, and it does appear that we can come across as abrupt or lacking nuance when posting on a site. As you say, basically we are here to support and be supported in whatever road we choose that involves intermittent fasting 5:2.

Thin, You asked about sugar withdrawals. I didn’t watch past the first 10 minutes of the show last night, so cannot comment. However, I felt they had chosen true sugarholics, and that not all of them were motivated to eat less sugar. And therefore it could be painful, as it takes great mental strength to give up sugar.

When I went sugar free for Lent last year, it was a major challenge that I wanted to take. To see if I could. For the first 3 days I had a hard time, vague head, irritable, lethargy, a feeling of wanting something all the time. I just gritted my teeth and toughed it out mentally. I went cold turkey, no fruit, no dried fruit, no wine, no artificial sweeteners, and no sugar of any kind. When I woke on the 4 th morning, it was as if a cloud had lifted and the physical symptoms had been replaced by good feelings. 40 days is a long time, so by around half way I added back one piece of fruit a day. Raw nuts, carrot and celery were my snacks, and almonds tasted as sweet as a dessert does normally. It does change your taste buds.

So I think of myself as a sugar addict, and every now and again I practice withdrawal. 😬😬 I watch what I eat on a daily basis, and if I find myself having something sweet each day, I break the habit. I do believe that dessert other than fruit should only be eaten once a week. I find that very hard some days, but the less sugar I eat, the less I want sweet things. The more sugar I eat, the more sweet things I want. I don’t believe I will ever change, but will monitor my sugar consumption all of my life.

Cheers, Bay 🌺🌺

Good evening I am very tired, but there is a lot I want to write!

Intesha Hooray, hooray for your two pieces of good news!
I like the 5:2 structure too.
Also, I’ve noticed the cat has got fat with the extra food she has been eating in the cold! Cut back! Taken note for myself! 😉

Thin, I think we recognised the same UK celebrity, lol.
When I cut out sugar I was so sick. It was like an ongoing worst hangover. After a couple of days of sugar free it lifted. So I was the opposite of getting withdrawal headaches etc.
I didn’t even have a high sugar diet, although when I look back there was the constant sprinkle of sugar on my porridge, dried fruit in muesli, or a spread of (homemade) marmalade on my toast. A little sugar in my tea. A biscuit or cake or chocolate several times a week. An occasional dessert. And fruit every day.
The sugar also set off those intolerable cravings and I was eating too much, trying not to, and to eat healthy, but it was intolerable.

I did find it interesting that they took the participants off fruit for the first week. (A good idea I thought!)

Merry, I hope your appt with the exercise physio was a good one.
It is true I know a lot of unusual foods. All those hundreds of recipe books I read, but also a big learning curve when I moved to Darebin. Lots of Asian groceries full of products I had never seen before, and Middle Eastern and Indian stores where I could discover new things! And I still keep finding out things I have never heard of before. I know of freekah, but I have never tried it. I’d love to though!

Lovely to read your post Bayleaf!
I also find my tastes have changed so much. I feel like I have such sweetness in my life with the sweeter vegetables, but they are low enough sugar not to set me off. Hooray!

Vego, so glad that your splurge week didn’t do too much damage! Good luck with your busy days!

Good morning,
I am having a very slow morning after an interrupted night. My son in law is on some new medication that interacted badly and he had a seizure last night. He seems fine, but has to stop the medications, of course, and also mustn’t drive for three months just in case.

That means I am just having my morning coffee but the morning is almost gone!

It is interesting with the sugar Thin. For most people, just cutting down added sugar seems to be all they need to stop the sugar cravings and feel a lot healthier. I think I am unusual with fruit effecting me so badly. In theory, the fibre in the fruit means it is broken down more slowly and is not likely to cause the sugar spike. But it definitely has to be off my list. I can tolerate a small amount of berries, or watermelon (but they are sooo easy to overdo!).

When I decided to cut out sugar I realised I had no idea what the sugar levels of natural products were. I searched hard and came up with this:

“I used this site http://www.dietaryfiberfood.com/sugar-content.php
that has taken data from the United States Department of Agriculture and arranged it into order of sugar content (instead of alphabetical order). Most of the list is processed foods I have never heard of and would never eat, so I copied down the fruits and veggies and a few other things that interested me.
(I ended up approximating some things, and changing them to their Australian terms etc, so please go to the original for accuracy.)
Grams of sugar per 100g
100g – 37.5g Very High Sugar
Sugar, honey, dates, maple syrup, raisins, dried apples, dried apricots, dried figs, dried tomatoes
37.4g – 18.6g
Rhubarb cooked with sugar, hoisin sauce, prunes, plums
18.6g – 10.5g Medium Sugar
Grapes, mangoes, canned apple pie filling, cherries, bananas, croissants(!), apple juice, canned apricots, tangerines, milo drink
10.4g – 6.6g
Canned tomatoes, apples, plums, oranges, apricots, grapefruit juice, baked sweet potato, orange juice, peaches, beets, nectarines, melons, pistachios, sweet wine(!), yoghurt, grapefruit, nashis, eclair with custard filling and chocolate icing (!)
6.5g – 4.1g Low Sugar
Coconut meat, watermelon, miso, bread, paw paw, boiled sweet potato, canned beets(!), milk, cashews, potato chips, parsnips, strawberries, peanuts, peas, yoghurt, carrots, onions, blackeyed beans, raspberries, canned tomatoes, red peppers, macadamias,
4.1g – 2.6g
Feta, shiitake mushrooms, carrots, white corn, pecans, tomatillo, cabbage, cornchips, pine nuts, yellow corn, green peppers, eggplant, soybeans, turnips,
2.6g – 0g
Fresh tomatoes, walnuts, buckwheat flour, zucchini, lemon, avocadoes, onions, brazil nuts, pumpkin seeds, radishes, scones, brussel sprouts, chives, cottage cheese, mushrooms, broccoli, potatoes, cauliflower, cucumber, lima beans, swiss cheese, asparagus, pita bread, beans, lettuce, eggs, pumpkin, garlic, unsweetened chocolate for baking(!), tofu, seaweed, mozzarella, beet greens, cheddar, oats, chicken, coffee, cornstarch, fish, ham, butter, oil, rice, salt, tea.”

(I think their yoghurt must have added sugar, and so must one of their tinned tomatoes!) It is pretty well impossible to cut out all sugar, but sticking to the lower levels has worked for me.

Hi Judy, glad to hear from you and that you’re continuing your active social life while achieving some mindful eating and drinking. You had nothing to do with causing any angst.

Thanks for the sugary list Cinque. Fasting hasn’t improved my memory but I’m thinking you’ve given that to me before – I copied and pasted it then so I’ll go back and see if that’s the same list. That’s horrid about your SIL. I hope his medication gets sorted soon.

Oops! If only I could remember what I have posted and where! Fasting hasn’t improved my memory either!

Except this little bit!

I am minding my little granddaughter tonight and as we were watching In The Night Garden I remembered Merry asking about Tomblevus, Macca Pacca and UpsyDaisy! So a belated Yes! She loves them. 🙂

My son in law is fine, thanks Judy. And while they do some more tests to be on the safe side, it seems that stopping the meds that caused it will stop it happening again. Everyone is so tired in that house, so I have taken little tot to let my daughter sleep through. She’s asleep now, and I will be soon!

Fast day tomorrow!

Mmmm, it tastes as if I’m eating a Terry’s Chocolate Orange. Not really, but there are hints of it. Now, where’s that storm?

Your drink sounds amazing Thin! I’d like to try it!

I love the licorice root tea Judy! I get the roots from the Asian grocery so it is a lot cheaper. I have had a couple of drinks today!

You sound like a wonderful entertainer Judy. Congratulations on a better week! Hope it is a lovely fast day tomorrow!

I thought my granddaughter had got over her habit of waking up at 3am and not going back to sleep for an hour… but no. So once I dropped her home I have had as slow a day as I could!

I’m just getting my miso soup on, I’m hungry and a bit irritable. Glad that Fast Day is just one day! (at a time).

Cheers all!

Lovely to hear from everyone and to learn what an easy FD you’ve been having. VDU, we didn’t get any rain until this evening and it’s just a slow, steady rain. I was expecting a storm.

I’m on my third tea with that choc orange tea bag, I’m keen to try the others now. Those little taste treats can have a big impact on a FD. My dinner seemed enormous, another Slendier dish with chicken, lemongrass, chilli, coriander, fish sauce, lime juice, etc.

Cinque, when Judy mentioned licorice tea, I knew there was someone here that liked it but thought it had been coastcat (no longer posting). Hoping you will get a great night’s sleep tonight and Judy, that you will have fun with your friends and still be able to file a good report with us tomorrow!

VDU, despite emailing you, I feel I must register my sadness about your daughter’s miscarriage here for fear of being the only one seeming not to care. And, as for absentee posts, you don’t miss much do you? I did make mention of having had a seizure due to being administered an inappropriate dose of BP medication years ago but immediately deleted it in favour of emailing Cinque directly.

So what’s your glass work, VDU? Is it stained glass or glass blowing or something else entirely? I made the lead light windows when we extended our house to match the originals. It was a large project for a beginner but very satisfying. Years later, I tried a bit of copper foiling (I think that was its name) but it never took off and all my glass is in the shed. What luxury to have a workshop each.

So another FD draws to a close. I’m hoping for an especially good weigh in tomorrow as my 3 non-FDs were all under 60kgs. All the best to the Monday fasters.

How do you make the cauliflower rice Merry? I’ve known of it from these pages but never learned how it’s done. I’m assuming it’s pulsed and then what? Cauliflower is just such a terrific food.

I found the Madame Flavour tea at Coles along with all the Twinings varieties so I’m sure Woolworths, etc have it. Aldi arrived in WA this week so it’s no longer a duopoly. I haven’t been yet because I don’t like crowds and thought I’d let the opening week pass. Their pamphlet advertised that they sell washing machines among other things which makes me think of Walmart. (I haven’t been there either but we’ve all seen the photos of the shoppers that circulate in emails, he he.)

Good morning, all. I hope you got the good weigh in you were hoping for, Thin! I’m glad Judyf you haven’t gained, and I must admit “as long as I haven’t gained” was my mantra also this past week when I knew I was splurging a little… or in the case of one day, quite a lot.

This morning I was well chuffed. Down to 72.5 and fitting into an old pair of jeans that I keep thinking I should throw away but can’t bring myself to, as when my body is fairly slim they look really nice. Today they’re looking damn good, even though I say so myself… nice start to the day!

Thanks, Thin, again re my daughter. I will reply to your email properly when I get a moment too. It’s on my list of things to do…. and thanks, Thin and Merry also re my studio. Yes, it’s great to have it all so organised and I love my little “woman cave” every bit as much as my OH loves his “man cave” (and I’m most appreciative he built it for me, I must say). It’s neither leadlighting nor glass blowing actually, Thin. I have tried leadlighting and have a couple of things I made that I really like, but to get to that point was hard going and needed heaps of help from the teacher. I discovered it wasn’t my thing as it wasn’t enjoyable for me, and far too precise.

The teacher happened to mention fusing and slumping in a kiln, and how that’s not nearly so precise, and my interest was piqued. I did a workshop with her in that and fell in love with it instantly, so that’s what I do. I make bowls of different types and sizes, candle holders, little necklaces, all sorts of things really that can be slumped or fused. I own a couple of kilns, one of which isn’t in action because of its electricity requirements. The other more recent one you can just plug in to the normal electricity. It’s not quite so big, but it’s good enough, for now anyway. When I pull back on work whenever I deem I can, my aim is to get a website organised and really try and sell more in the glass area. Currently I just do it for presents, our use, and occasionally some commissioned work from various people that come into my orbit. It really fulfils a creative need.

If you don’t want your glass that’s in the shed I may be interested in buying it off you to use for slumping at least, if you were interested in that? I’d have to see what you had and whether I could use it, but even though you can’t predict you could fuse it (you need special type of glass to be sure it will fuse together, though normal glass often will too, you just can’t be sure). But it could be slumped onto textured moulds to take on texture and also slumped okay. But maybe you’re not done with yet anyway, though I know you’re not a hoarder so maybe you want to get rid of it… anyway, will discuss when next we meet 🙂

All that food you were talking about, Merry, sounds really yummy. I know there are so many things you can do that are healthy and less calories if you seek these things out and give it the time and effort. My daughter and I went on a raw food kick a few years back. We managed to be totally “raw” for a week, and for the rest of the month or 2 we were raw during the day, and had a cooked meal in the evening (but still something healthy). We didn’t sustain it after that, but it was very interesting. I heard about using cauli to process to be like a rice substitute then. I’ve been meaning to incorporate it into my FDs I must admit, and just haven’t bothered as yet.

By the way, mentioning freekah the other day, I’m having that in my spicy lentil soup now. It’s actually a packet mix that’s made of up freekah, beans and lentils. It tastes pretty much how just the lentils did in a way, but I’m assuming it’s good for me, and all up the soup is very tasty anyway, so no complaints!

Ah, so you deleted that post, Thin, eh. No wonder I couldn’t see it again! What a nasty experience for you and well done in sorting out why it happened. I’m a bit like you in that regard, only see a doctor if I really have to, and give more natural methods of healing a good go first before reverting to pharmaceutical medicines. I’m not a fanatic – I will take Panadol, and such like. But there have been a few things I’ve cured myself of in the past using apple cider vinegar (swear by that stuff), colloidal silver – that sort of thing.

Back to work for moi…. hope your FD going well today, Merry. Us Sunday fast dayers can bask in the post-FD glow (or something like that anyway!)

Thanks, Thin, but I probably wouldn’t look much difference to your eyes. I’m just glad to have my clothes fitting better – amen to that, I think everyone who has lost weight would say.

You must be very creative yourself to have made the windows, and that really is quite a skill, leadlighting. You know hanging on to something I wouldn’t regard myself as hoarding, to me that’s just sensible, but I do remember our conversation about it and your thoughts 🙂 I’m definitely in the “hoarding” camp, hehe. And absolutely, you’d never find the exact matching glass again, that’s for sure.

You’re right I did talk about the possible OT training idea, but that idea seems to have passed for now. When I get fed up with typing for a living I start thinking of all sorts of alternatives, but this really does suit my day to day lifestyle, I think, in lots of ways. There’s been a recent change in the company also that suits me well, I must say, so I’m hoping things are going to be a bit more pleasant for us now in one particular area!

Right, back to work again. I’m not very focused today I must say…

And, yes, indeed, there’s a wealth of food knowledge on here, that’s for sure.

Hello from NZ. I have just discovered this website and joined the forum. I am fed up with being overweight particularly after trying on swimwear (OMG what a sight). I feel so motivated after reading peoples stories and hope to be adding my own successes soon. I was wondering whether it is better to run the fasting days together or seperate i.e. Mon & Wed?

Welcome, Georgiesmum. My last push to try 5:2 again a couple of months ago now – or 10 weeks, I’m not sure, I’ve lost track – was clothes shopping also. I knew I had to get back onto it, but the clothes were the things that tipped me over the edge, so I can totally relate!

I read somewhere (I think in the 5:2 book) that separating the days is recommended as the most effective way. The reasons for that I’m not sure, but I find for myself (and from what others have said on here) knowing you’ve only got to have a bit of possible discomfort on one day at a time really helps, and that tomorrow the fast is broken, where back to back seems a little relentless. I also think in terms of fat getting burnt off that non-fasting time in between serves its purpose too in some biological way that I can’t prove, but just feel to be so. Having said that, it’s really what works for you. There was a lady on this forum that did them back to back and preferred that to get it out of the way for the week in one hit.

Well done on making a start. There are some very supportive people here to try and encourage and help you 🙂

Thin, not sure that “happy” is exactly how I’d describe it re work, but yeah, content enough, I suppose. It’s really the flexibility around it that makes me happy, so fair enough, happy will do! I’ve just written you an email, by the way.

Cinque, yes, I’m intrigued by the “soup bar” too – what is that, do tell!

Now on with my working day – happy fasting for anyone who is!

Hi all and welcome georgiesmum. You’ve certainly picked the right forum to follow. There is a wealth of information from all the contributors and plenty of ups and downs.

After my FD last Thursday and weighing in at 69.7 I managed to maintain that for the next 4 days. Monday had a total blow out as I had Mum home and I made a salmon quiche, lemon & coconut pudding and added ice cream to the mix and a glass of bubbly for good measure.Luckily Tuesday was an FD, weight 70.7 but this morning was 69.5.

Mum has been so good the past few months that it lulls you into a false sense of everything is alright but unfortunately she turned on Dad and I. Accused both of us of not caring about her and why couldn’t I look after her as obviously Dad was being very well looked after. She didn’t kiss my Dad goodbye and when I took her back to the nursing home she didn’t want me to come in with her. Obviously I did but she just walked past me and didn’t say a word. I know it’s the dementia but Dad was so upset and it does hurt.

Of course she didn’t remember anything the next day. It’s hard on Dad, he has always been such a strong, take no prisoners sort of person and to see him in tears breaks my heart.

Anyway I am in a better place after losing all this weight. This morning I bought a size 12 pair of jacquard pants. Tried 14 on first as I am still trying to get my head around this new body. I am so proud of myself for sticking with this WOL.

Thanks Thin. No special occasion I just like to bring her home on special days Easter etc. as it was a long weekend here and I usually wash her hair on Mondays I thought it would be good to get her out of the home.

I said to Dad we have to remember that it’s not Mum and she would be appalled at what she says.

It’s just so hard to watch them both and I have no support. My brother has no idea and just goes his merry way. Doesn’t even ring up to see how Dad is. Oh well life just goes on.

That’s so hard. I’m happy you can respond by buying new pants instead of mainlining cheesecake. Hurray for that.

Snap Merry, our posts came out together. And well said.

Hey Thin WWWWW. (waving)

Adding my welcome again georgiesmum as I think you may have missed my welcome post above. As before, ask us anything – we don’t know everything but, between us, there is always someone who has gone before you. We have discovered that we are all quite different and have found as many different ways to make this work for us. Think of it not so much as a diet but a new way of eating for life.

Hi Merry, hurray for the gadgets that we take for granted. On the other hand, maybe that’s why some of us got ourselves up to the weight we did? Trying to live more like our grannies did wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing (notwithstanding your own special circumstances, of course).

I’ve been working in the garden taking advantage of the lovely warm sunshine. I just came in for my tea treat and have only now realised that the time for my first FD feeding passed 40 minutes ago. It’s great how we can keep the hunger at bay with distraction.

Don’t apologise, I just didn’t want you to think I was ignoring you! A small glitch in the system means a post sometimes doesn’t appear until after you’ve posted your own message. Then you miss it. You can also write a diatribe (like I tend to do) and lose the whole thing because you apparently weren’t logged in when you know you were. Looking forward to hearing all about your progress.

Intesha, when you say DVA, which part of DVA or which organisation has DVA nominated? Was it a local service provider DVA put you on to or someone from DVA itself?

Wow, aren’t you clever Cinque! What a lovely project. And, as I’m in the west and you’re all in bed now, I can be the first to post Happy Birthday wishes for when you wake up in the morning. I hope you have a fabulous day – no cake for you then?

Hello Merry, Not all veterans have a gold card. Their problems have to be related to the war . My father fought for years to get a gold card on the grounds that all his problems were smoking related and they were given cigarettes in their NAFI packs and he had never smoked before that. Some veterans have a white card and that entitles them to assistance directly related to their disability. It’s the poor cousin of the Gold Card. Overseas veterans can sometimes qualify for an orange card which only helps with medication. If you live in Qld and don’t have DVA entitlements, you can still get help through HACC funded services to get rails through Home Assist where you pay for the rails but they pay for the labour. You have to have a health benefits card to qualify for home assist if my memory serves me correctly. You can get OT assessment through Community Health. It has been changing over the past 2 years since I gave up working on an ACAT but our local care group still does home assessments. DVA has lots of help sheets for veterans on their web site. There is the aged care gateway now although I’ve heard it’s a bit of a bollocks. Have I totally confused you? Good luck and I hope all goes well. We will be having the OT going through here shortly for a home assessment for my mother-in-law who broke her hip 3 weeks ago and is in rehab. Couple that with dementia and short term memory of a minute, and one is very grateful for sites like this to help maintain sanity and keep an eye on personal goals. I have been following your thread and determined Aussies for weeks now but couldn’t help but climb aboard on this one. Cheers, Fuvvie

Good morning everyone,

Happy Birthday to you Cinque!!! Have a wonderful day!

Intesha – I take my hat off to you. You have been through so much. I hope your Dad is feeling somewhat better now. We have promised our children we will not put them through this. We have had 1 parent who had their care preplanned before Alzheimers hit, and 2 who refused to make any plans, to just act in a crisis. Of course, acting in a crisis means, with Alzheimers, non- recognition there is a crisis, and total non-recognition that in that crisis it’s not them doing the acting but it unleashes a whirlwind in other people’s lives when it could have been just a bad storm. If that makes sense. Some recent research showed that if the aged person preplans then they are much happier in their last years. Those who don’t preplan end up more bitter and angry. It has certainly proved the same for us.

Fuvvie – hi, and thank you for your kindness in passing on that information. Yes, he has a DVA gold card. Up to this point he’s refused services. Tells the Drs, yes, yes, yes, walks out the door and says to us I’m not doing that, or cancels anything straight away, although functionally he can do almost nothing. He is now a danger to himself and others, and is going down a psychiatric path of Alzheimers. You’re right, it’s a challenge maintaining our own sanity and is a definite conscious task while looking after these very old ones with such a nasty condition. We have to really look after our own health, and part of that is 5:2. So good that you are looking after yourself as well, and have been hanging out here too.

FD for me today,
Onwards and downwards everyone,
Merry