I have the flu :-((

NEmum, let me know if you want to meet up when you come to Lymington.

I hope it is a short, mild flu Blaise! Take it as easy as you can!

I had a nice third Fast Day for the week: that’s what happens when you do your first one on a Sunday!

Ginette, I have stevia growing in the garden. I add a small leaf to my cup of tea as I like the little bit of added sweetness. I will try rhubarb with it! I do miss fruit (if you can put rhubarb in that category). I have been wanting to try a Lamb and Rhubarb Stew I found a recipe for (Persian) just to taste it again!

Good day 🙂

Cinque

What a great idea, where did you get the plant? Is it easy to grow? I like the thought of natural sweetners!

I have made myself some rhubarb and set it into blackcurrant jelly for a change, it seems ok but I can’t try it until later when I break this fast…..

Milena glad to see you back on here, we can talk cross threaded again to confuse people! Hehe

Keep in touch ladies, together we are stronger

Audrey

Thanks cinque

Will have a look on Internet and see if I can get some for next summer to plant here. That’s if it will tolerate the crewe weather. Hehe

Audrey

goodness, NEmum, I laughed out loud at it!!! Did I seem offended? And as I laughed out load at the patdy and Edina ditty, thought to share it.

Just realised though, you still doing sober october? The second two weeks are easier. I always buy something nice with the money Ive saved.

Just took the corrosive comment perhaps too personally, which didnt come from you.

Anyway, Im absolutely fine, had a great break in Denmark, all the extra fasting beforehand, with much help from Audrey, didnt result in even an ounce lost, but counter balanced all the food and drink I had while away, as not sn ounce gained. Wonder how often we give up when its not working straight away? Its a good lesson.

So back where I was at the beginning of the month, next trip January , hopefully we can all knock doors out of windows, weight wise, before Christmas.

Hi Audrey

I’m STILL 13 lbs short of my initial target weight, still trying to work out why I picked 53 lbs, maybe that is my healthy BMI??? – so we are definitely on the same journey – got through yesterday but did miss my clear soup stock.

Have a chicken to roast for tonight – no free range chickens in Aldi so bought one from Lidl, anyone get them regularly? – last one we bought was from Sainsbury’s, over 50% dearer than Aldi but in my opinion 100% nicer. But OH refuses to spend over nine pounds on a chicken.

I’ll be able to make my stock tomorrow so a liquid is on!!!

I think we would both be daft to try to get to that 16lbs you need by Christmas!!!! No need for pressure and its probably not doable!!

So are we on to try then????????????? lol!!!!

They do say if you think you can or you think you can’t – you will succeed – so worth a try, I think!

Hi gals, im 58y and have been doing the 5\2 fasting for over 18months I know its well over a year anyway.When I first started I lost 20 lb or 6 kg and my husband lost way more than that.But then I got sick with acid reflux and gained it back.i stayed doing the 2 days a week fast mon\thur but the weight wont shift.in all that time I have only lost 2\3 kg or 4\6 lb.It seems like my body has got used to the fast.It just don’t want to shift. Mean while my husbands weight has come down to normal.I do have a low thyroid and on whole thyroid 120 mg.Any one got any idear how to get my body to shift more weight.

Hi Kelee,
I’m the same age as you (but with different health problems!).
How frustrating it must be for you.
I guess the Pollyanna view is that without 5:2 you might be many kilos heavier.
I hope you find a strategy that works. Lots of good wishes to you. It makes every day a battle, so all power to you.

Other people, Can I ask about the liquid fasts? What are they all about?

All good things

Hi Pea Jay

it was, I usually put on 4 or 5 pounds – I do go off the rails!!!! As a way of life, overeating and staying the same is a victory, overall calories over a period were fine.

Keelee, welcome. I’m 58 too, a lot of us youngsters (ha ha!) on here. I don’t have thyroid either but I’ve just had my gall bladder out and one of the doctors suggested the problems may have lead to my weight gain over the last ten years, at least in part. Read up on this, gall bladder problems are more common in fat flatulant females in their 40s. Of course the usual answer is that obesity causes any and all related problems, however, it does make sense that other problems could cause obesity. Only problem now is I’ve just swapped problems, having no gall bladder may mean it is difficult to lose weight and keep it off.

So I’m trying to have patience, and the belief it WILL come off if I do enough – hard part of course is what is enough. The liquid fasts with Audrey seem to be working, and adding extra fast days too, but we’ll know better over a few months.

I’ve done this for a while, but I haven’t really done much to maximise my calories, ie I have mayo and oil, and gulp when I see the impact of a tablespoonful of mayo on a fast day, but still use it. I need to eat better within limited calories. I often have eight or ten veg a day, but I’ve always done that. One thing I have found is soup, though its only chicken soup at the moment. Very filling stuff though, more filling with lumps of veg rather than blitzing it – and the clear stock is great on a liquid day. I need to increase my repertoire of soups and I suspect stews might be a good option too, heavy on veg, light on meat, but cooked for hours, especially in colder weather. Shop bought soup is nowhere near as filling, and full of sugar.

Ignore husbands, mine had a few pounds to lose, did it easily – and is keeping it steady with bacon, sausage and pastries as a staple diet on the days I don’t cook!

So my advice is rethink, and keep rethinking what is good to eat, and move things around – and have patience, a pound a month (or 2lb every 2 months) is still a dress size in a year. And I must remember to keep taking my own advice!

Thinking of doing some of the stuff out of 50 shades of grey!

Haven’t read any of the books, but I reckon I’m an amazing masochist, have just been with OH to Sainsbury’s to get his goodies! Danish pastries and scones tonight. Must be mad! There he was, discussing the merits of the bakery items which had been reduced.

Strangely, I wouldn’t eat much of what he buys even on a non-fast day.

BTW Veronica, Hellmans on special offer – both full fat and reduced fat – wouldn’t touch the reduced though.

Audrey, had a look at the jellies, I think about 100 calories a wee pot.

I reckon the same amount of made up jelly cubes with 50g of raspberries, more than in the pots at the shops, would be under 40 calories, so what on earth do they put in it? Would a little fruit juice, gelatin and fruit work? Must try. Or – 3am this morning was watching Masterchef Australia – they made a lovely chocolate mousse by heating whipping cream, to just under boiling if you want to try it – then just pour it into a bowl of chocolate pieces. Whisk until chocolate is melted and stick in the fridge. Then give it another whip until doubled in size and its ready. Who’d have thought it could be that easy.

Note to self: go to bed instead of watching cookery programmes! And stop giving folk recipes with chocolate and cream as the only ingredients!

Veggies in the stock now, we will have soup tonight!!! Might have some at midnight! I think I can do a bowl then, and still work with around 400 calories, with a few bowls tomorrow.

Chips and mayo on Wednesday!!!!! Perhaps.

Milena, hartleys do sugar free jellies in sachets it little crystals in they are 9 kcal per serving! Very tasty too…

Keelee now you have found us no matter how remote you feel you will never be alone. … we are a very friendly bunch of ladies you are welcome to chip in anytime…..

3 fast days down and 3lb gone 1.5 kilo for you Keelee! I know I will probably put some back on but if I can keep 2lb off I will be over the moon!

Have a good day ladies, I am off to Dr to try to sort the thyroid and dodgy knees out!

Audrey

Well, I’m on day 5 of the flu and beginning to feel slightly more human, although still spiking temperatures every night and coughing for England! So, won’t be fasting this week. However I’ve had very little appetite this week so have lost a pound without even trying, so that’s a bonus 🙂

KeeLee, are you in the States? (I’m assuming we get people from all over here.) I lived in the States for a year, and my daughter often visits (work-related).

All ladies, I am pretty sure I learned from one post that there was another who was from the U.S. Who was that please? Today I cannot find current posts on this thread. Pea Jay

KeeLee
I see almond milk with no sugar or vanilla added is 50 cal. per 8 oz. This is a brand called “Almond Dream” Same brand with vanilla or sugar added is 80 cal per 8 oz. Hope this is a timely help. I know nothing about pea protein. Pea Jay

To you lovely ladies of a certain age,Do you watch what you eat during the non fasting days and if you don’t do you still lose weight.Also which time of day or day is the best time to weigh your self.

KeeLee… I tend to weigh and record my weight morning after a fast. It is my, lowest and it gives me a psychological boost. I record on the calendar what days we actually fast as well.

This summer we had 5 WKS in Europe and I let myself snack between meals. We didn’t fast. I came back 6 lbs heavier. The first lb was off as soon as we had a fast day, but on 5:2 it has taken me from Aug 10 until Oct 22 to return to weight Before the trip.

I like it most because we can adjust social life around it and also I lost fat, not muscle mass. I exercise regularly. I did before beginning 5:2.

Pea Jay

AAAARRRGHH
I had a really good fast last Sunday following a good week where I lost 3lb and was going to do another fast today but this morning the scales said I had put on nearly half a stone in a week, no, no, no way. How? I have no idea how, I thought I’d eaten well, and I’ve been active too. This losing weight thing is a total mystery to me. Needless to say I have sought solace in a piece of cheesecake and will fast tomorrow.

NEmum

NEmum

give the scales and kick and tell it to behave itself!!!

Ignore it for a week – the scales hate that – and then go on again – I promise you they will behave themselves – sometimes scales just get too big for their boots!

Keelee

Hi – I seem to be giving lots of advice re scales.

Weigh as often as you like – only thing is ignore anything you are not happy with, record losses only, anything else is the pesky scales playing with you!

works for me!!!

Morning everyone! Milena I love your scales advice!

by gum purple – you are the renoir of picture painters!!!!

and what a good idea (though looking in mirror occasionally might have the same effect for me!!!)

love it!!!

And you are spot on about self esteem!

Audrey – hi!! We will have to play tag this week – I have a pork shoulder for my pulled pork sarnies tomorrow night, some frozen ciabatta (cos it was reduced the other day) mushrooms, onions and coleslaw. And some Cava in the fridge. Have asked for Jurassic World to watch while we eat but there is a huge storm coming, so I think perhaps no one will go out and we will be inclined to have a duvet day – especially as I can have a duvet day AND work – otherwise known as a duvet day for the self employed!!!!

Planning a liquid on Sunday and a normal fast on Monday. Always willing to add a fast day on the back of a pig out – in the past the pig out was followed by a normal day. Imagine being able to eat this stuff AND lose weight – what a fabulous way of life!!!

Milena,

I will join you for a change. ….liquid only Sunday and Monday feast it is then. …Ian is at work tonight and x factor is on……total bliss for me I can have some chocolate now and perhaps a wee dram?

Purple pretty good advice

Nemum are you o.k. ?

Good luck to everyone have a great weekend

Keep in touch, together we are stronger ladies. …

Audrey

Joining the Conversation after a Long Long time. Does 5:2 Help ? Of Course it does. Just need to stick to t with conviction. Must admit that I let loose
for 3 months. But you ladies have motivated me back. Tomorrow is a fast day with a little cardio (1/2 Hour).
To Echo someones’ Words – Together We are Stronger ladies.
Glad to be in your company.

Hello ladies. Welcome back Janaravi…. Hope you benefit from the ladies on this thread. I agree, 5:2 is great. It is just being disciplined for one day at a time. Mostly we can work around social engagements too. That makes me really see it as a life style and not anything like a diet where food consumes my mind.

I was off 5:2 for 5 weeks this summer and I was not disciplined about my eating. I gained 6 lbs. the first lb came off nearly immediately. I followed 5:2 nearly 3 months and now have the scales tipping where they were before 5 week vacation. That is good news! I did no more than do 5:2 again and return to my work out and PT.

Earlier ‘Purple Veggie Eater’ said something I totally agree with…”Record the lower weights only and weigh often. Scales have nothing to do with weight but everything to do about self esteem.”

The best to you on 5:2. Pea Jay

Hi All,
Thank you all so much for all your scales advice, I would just like to say it was a very small piece of cheesecake I found solace in, NEdad makes the best ones. I was just a little shocked at my 6lb weight gain. I shall indeed ignore the bad and only note the losses. Onward and upwards.

NEfamily went on a fab 3 hour walk yesterday only 15 drive from our house and up into some gorgeous hills. Blew away some cobwebs and it must have shifted some calories.

Ginette
Where are you? You OK? Email me x

NEmum