Hi Y’all!
Oh my, all this hormone talk! So far so good with me and peri-m symptoms…weight gain has been the only true problem…the rest is mostly vanity and wanting to stay young forever, but I’m getting over it.
Today I’m fasting and working around the house. My energy and focus are excellent, and I’m saving my shake calories for 2pm-6pm…is starts in a few minutes I see.
I went a little overboard yesterday so I’m glad to see me hunger is low today.
So I love reading the different words used in the UK, Australia and NZ and I’m just gonna start asking.
What is a bacon buttie?
Oh, hubby says he is getting irritable and we need to do our shake NOW. Lol. I promised I would make a big batch of protein shake at 2pm bc he is using up lots of energy vacuuming house! Gotta run, hugs to everyone! Shine on!

Hi again everyone,
Am I the only one crazy enough to fast on a Sunday, lol. It is harder….everything in my body says weekends are made for brunch! So I’m definitely using this forum to get my mind off of the slowly passing time. I looked at my clock today thinking it was heading towards 5pm and it was just 1pm! No kidding! Usually Sundays pass so quickly, I highly recommend a fast if you want your Sundays to feel slow. Lol!

A www Patty, I can imagine it would feel sad to have your little Caroline singing next to you for some time and then she’s not there. I never miss adults the way I miss children…they fill up so much space and our hearts. ❤️
So We go back to Columbus every summer to visit grandma, siblings and cousins….we will be going the last week of July. Columbus changes every year. The only city changing faster is here in Austin. Lol. My husband is actually from a small town near the Pennsylvania border. We may get there too.

Well, I guess I’ll get back to my friend’s book… She might quiz me. And it will def take my mind off eating.
Shine on!

Hi Slimnhealthy. A ‘bacon buttie’ is a bacon sandwich, standard trucker fare in the UK and often sold in traditional transport cafes. The authentic version is in white sliced bread and dripping with fat! Very good in winter. Should be washed down with a mug of strong tea.

Yes, I find I’m rushing to google translate sometimes!

Hello ladies!
I’m new to this thread, but I wanted to share my story with you. Some stats about me; I’m 5′ 7″, aged 50, and use HRT patches . Starting weight was 11st 3lbs.
Two & a half years ago, I had a full hysterectomy at the age of 48. I’ve always been quite slim, but had been gaining pounds pre my op, not sure why. I certainly had an increased appetite, I ate more, but I blamed that on my Mirena coil. (No idea if that was the cause, really)
Since my op, the weight has just piled on, none of my clothes fitted, & I was really unhappy. After bursting out of my outfits, I miserably & reluctantly had to buy new clothes. I tried more exercise than usual, it made zero difference. I tried to reduce my eating, but I only lasted a few days, then fell off the wagon.
Soooooooo, eventually, on 7 March this year, I bought the 5:2 book, read it twice, and started fasting. I set myself a challenge: to do the 5:2 for 10 weeks. I did NOT set myself a target weight, because I didn’t want to feel a failure if I missed it. I think ANY weight loss is a success.
Well ladies, I lost 10lbs in 10 weeks, & I am so, so happy. At last, a diet I can do, a diet that works , AND health benefits, too!
Sooooooo, I have signed myself up for a further 10 weeks! I’m now at week 13, total weight loss now 12 and half pounds.
As the weeks go by, I find the fasting gets easier. I know now how to plan a fast day so that there’s the right level of company, work, “me” time, food, & distractions, to get me to bed without cracking.

I’m sharing on here because I’ve told only a couple of people, and I hope it might encourage others.

So gals, let’s keep on, keeping on!!!!!

Hi all
Lorraine, that’s really good to hear about your steady weight loss. Almost a stone is wonderful. I know when I was a stone lighter than I am now I felt so much better but I’m having diffs getting that structure into my life. I have lost 4 lb though in a few weeks but I’ve taken a rather haphazard approach at times. I think that reflects life for me at the moment and I’m going to be slowing down in 3 weeks for my holidays so that might help. Meantime, I’ll try and invest a little time in planning meals and fast days rather than being a bit random. That’s what seems to work from what I’ve read anyway.
So, with the 4lbs lost I’ve 2st 10lb to go. I’m embracing the challenge!! : )
BFN
Laidir

Hi Speedy,
No that doesn’t sound crazy but I would still go see and get those bloods checked.
I had my mum die, fella’s mum die, my mum die a week later, 6mths later my fella died, then 6mths after that his dad died. Ended up dealing with 7 solicitor from all the various Estate issues and one ended up in Court.
I lost 2 stone from not eating after my fella died. My heart rate was 132 for 3 months. My heart ached in every way.
Then after the shock subsided and everyone wanted me to eat – sad really as I was finally an ok weight (the only blessing!) I then gained weight and then all the emotional eating started. I then out on 3 stone.
I’m just started this and am skeptical that I’ll stick to it. Today’s been a really bad day, although I’ve been good-ish.
Anyway my bloods even after ALL of this, and I too dreaded the results, were fine. 🙂 My cholesterol is insane due to inherited cholesterol issues. I can tolerate very high levels indeed. They want me to take statins & I tried but they make me vague so I now blankly refuse. I do need to do ‘something’.
That something is this (for now) … if it works then great.
Remember it IS your choice to do what they advise. They aren’t Gods and they don’t know everything. Go with your gut instinct.
I used a slightly tight belt for a period a long time ago and that had a sort of gastric band effect! 🙂
I to like the idea of tackling the real cause… our brains – it’s all psychological! Control that and you have the reins to go wherever you want. 😀

I found that after a terrific start, I just plateaued. I also found trying to keep track of the calories whilst living in an unfamiliar developing country quite tricky. AND having to fight “I wanna eat!” urges is no fun.

So … on my fast days I now have no food. Just a cup of coffee ☕ in the morning and then nothing but water until the next day.

I don’t get nearly as hungry, apart from a small tantrum from inside about dinner time. I don’t feel weak or dizzy, even though I used to have problems with hypoglycemia. I find it so much easier in so many ways. Even socially; people are much less likely to press food on me.

My results? 15kg / 33lb / 2 stone 5lb and 15cm / 6″ around the waist so far.

Hey,
Fasting again. I may have gone a little overboard yesterday but for me, I’m really hungry starting very early in the day for the first time maybe in my life! I think perhaps the fasting has cured some digestsive inflammation and perhaps my good bacteria are more balanced bc this appetite is very new to me and it feels really good and healthy. I’ve just got to get used to it and feed it some good food instead of a pecan pie.
So djwq, I had the same experience. Eating on fasting days was too hard. Now I just do a protein shake when I’m having that tantrum you spoke of (usually when making kids food) and I find it much easier.
Hey Aurora, sounds like you’ve had some very rough times. My heart goes out to you, I hope you are getting the support you need.
Gotta take kids to Hogwarts camp,, today is potions class, and the art of spells! Lol

I will be a 53 year old yo yo dieter next month. I have always struggled with my weight since having a hysterectomy back in 1997. You name it I have done it to try and keep the weight off. Slimming world was successful all the time I went to group sessions. Now I can only go once in a while the weight is going back on. They don’t like it and neither do i😥
I done a 2 day consecutive fast last week in preparation for going to France over the weekend and t be honest, I have eaten more than planned. I am doing a fast today and again on Thursday, with next week as Monday and Wednesday before going back out again. I don’t think weighing myself at the moment would be a good idea after this weekend.

All advice and help is always great fully received.

Ok. 9:16pm. Upstairs, far away from kitchen, and still have some shake left! Stellar evening!!! I actually took kids for pizza and got 4 oz glass of red snd stayed in my calorie count. Im doing a happy dance. Shuttled kids to Hogwarts camp and then to tap dancing, and all smooth sailing. I feel like im finally getting the hang of fasting days…now to master the up days! 🙄

I just put on my fitbit and im off on my first walk in many months (injury)! Yea!

Hello ladies, looks like a few newbies here. Welcome to the group.

Slimnhealthy, hogwarts camp sounds like a lot of fun. This week my granddaughters and I are having Granny camp. I can’t wait. I’m heading out on Wednesday morning. I plan on stopping in Ohio for Lauren then heading to Indiana right away. However since it’s an 8 hour drive to Ohio I might just spend the night there. 4 hours more to Indiana. So I told my youngest one I might not see her til Thursday. Her mom texted me today to tell me that Sylvie’s not getting out of bed til Thursday. I suppose it’s her version of a “sleep-in” protest. She did get up for breakfast though and was distracted with crafts so she didn’t go back to bed. Some activist she’ll turn out to be! 😃

Lrham, I think that weight training is an excellent way to boost your metabolism. It also helps to increase bone density. I’m a lifter and I love it. I tend to do tougher work-outs on my fasting days for some reason. I just feel so much better. I also walk every day and often ride my bike. I’m also a kayaker. I’ve just put my kayak rack on my car so I can take it with me to Granny camp. I’m probably as excited as the girls are about it. (they’re 6, 7, and 8 yrs old)

I’m probably going to be doing two consecutive fast days this week. Today and tomorrow. Tomorrow will be easy as I’ll be in the car all day. I typically do Mondays and Thursdays but sometimes I just have to be flexible and switch it up.

When I started 5:2 around Christmas time I was also doing Whole 30. That was really helpful in getting me to think about eating nutritious foods. Being a mindful eater is very important and I try to steer clear of junk food even on my non-fast days. I try to keep to at least 80% clean eating. I did have an ice cream cone the other day and even though I love ice cream, it wasn’t worth the calories. 🍦

Have a great week everyone. Patty

Hi everyone! My name is Theo and I’m from New Hampshire; I’m 49 years old and have been trying to drop some poundage for quite some time. I’ve always been a bigger girl but when my 5’3 (in good shoes) frame hit 180 I knew I had to do something. I started with protein shakes for meal replacement and had a bit of success but then I hit a plateau and didn’t move for MONTHS. I found 5:2 after hearing Jimmy Kimmel talk about a similar way of eating and I was hooked; I wish I had found this sooner. I’ve been eating this way for almost 4 weeks and I’m down 5 pounds. It’s taken me almost a year, but I’ve lost a total of 35 pounds and my 50 pound goal seems to be in reach. My weigh in day in on Friday so perhaps there will be some more good news in a few days. I can’t believe how good I feel eating like this!

I recently found out that I will have to have a hysterectomy in August and to be honest with you…I’m so scared that I will regain the weight that I’ve worked so hard to lose. So, I decided that maybe talking to all these lovely people on the forum (Yes, I’ve been stalking the threads…LOL) could help me keep focused. I welcome any tips and stories you may want to share regarding this. LOL

It’s so nice to finally say hello to you all and I’m looking forward to getting to know you.

Hi Everyone!

Welcome Theo. Nice to have an Eastern time zone. I went to school in Boston n took a trip to New Hampshire once with a boyfriend who was from there… Can’t remember much except how terrifying it was to meet a big family on some big occasion.

Anyway, congratulations on 35 pounds!

I’m 5’3″ when I stand really straight so I know exactly what your weight feels like. I have almost exactly the same amount of weight to lose to reach goal (13.5). I got up to 180 with the birth of my second child at age 41. Got that off the next year by starving myself but of course it creeped back to 140+ pretty easily if I didn’t watch every little bite. So I started 5:2 and went Back to Vegan. (I had stopped during pregnancy out of pure blood thirsty desire! Lol) and again I went back down to goal, And my gall bladder that was due for surgery was completely cured. But then we moved to Texas from Ohio and I injured my arm really bad ( couldn’t move it at all, even walking was painful), and so I stopped weighing in after 140 but have been very sedentary and eating my sorrows since last Thanksgiving. It doesn’t help thatbAustin has a ton of sinful vegan options like a vegan ice cream parlor!!

Now, arm has stopped hurting unless I go past a certain range, I can sleep again, and I can start walking. so I decided to reread the fasting books n get inspired. I got So inspired by the health aspects that I am doing every other day now (mostly except on special occasions or right before period when I’m ravished) mainly to see if I can get my health better. And as an extra bonus get back to goal. When I get to goal, I plan to stay on 5:2 for life as I already have had so many amazing health improvements….and I’m a doctor so I’m totally geeked out with the science of fasting!

Don’t be surprised if by fasting that hysterectomy date changes, I’ve seen some pretty significant changes and there are people on this forum who have reversed their hypoglycemia and type 2 diabetes.

I’m fasting at least till dinner today and kids n I are cooking veggies and making beans! I got a new protein shake, Sun Warrior and it’s excellent! Happy day everyone!

SlimmnH, I had baby #2 at 40. He turns 20 in August. Oh my, how did that happen?

Theo
Well, that’s a rare reason for hysterectomy indeed. I guess you could consider this a second opinion but I don’t think your problems will come to an end with hysterectomy as it’s one focus of a bigger internal imbalance. Before I say another word I need to know more, when was the diagnosis? Was it post surgical or what has been the determining causal?

If you don’t mind telling your story, we may all learn something in the process and come out all the more educated.

To be clear, I am not against surgery, but usually regard it as necessary in advanced cancer. Otherwise, I like to look at all options. You don’t drink diet pop do you or do any aspartame products do you? ..as I had a really rare case of fungal infection in a your girl and when we took her off all “diet products” with aspartame, her fungal infection finally cleared. This was after part of her tongue had been removed (not by me). This is why I generally don’t recommend temoval of body parts until we find causal and work more sytemically.

I’d be happy to tell you more if you do not mind telling your story. Otherwise, I don’t want to give bad advise only knowing a little.

OK….I typed it incorrectly; they suspect Adenomyosis not endomycosis. Sorry about the typo. They are unable to give a diagnosis until they actually remove the uterus. I have undergone an ablation about 5 months ago hoping that would help but I’m still in pain for almost 2 weeks every month.

Oops…I forgot. I don’t drink soda (pop, tonic) and I haven’t for a very long time. I even stopped drinking my beloved Capt. Morgans and Coca Cola almost 10 years ago. The carbonation really started bothering me when I approached 40…which I think is weird, but then again…drinking milk now bothers me too. I can handle ice cream and cheese every once in a while (Thank God!) but actually drinking straight milk does a number on my stomach. Stupid aging process. LOL

Wow! Thank you so much for all the info. I will be making some phone calls and seeing what I can find. I think I just accepted the fact that now that these growths were firmly settled in my uterine walls that removal was my only option. Thank you again…sending hugs from NH!

K-lo. I saw that baby #2 at 40 is now 20….. Tell us tired moms that it all turned out well. 😏

Hi all,

What am I doing wrong? A month in and not a gram list, I don’t eat in excess on my non fast days and I exercise a fair amount. Kept to 500 cals religiously on the fast days, was doing ok, but scales not shifting.

Yesterday I tried to fast but had such a violent attack of hunger that I went overboard, takeaway, yogurt with jam, bread and butter… I just could not feel full, no matter how much I ate.

Giving it another go today, first weekday fast, the second is Saturday, but I am getting despondent! Has anyone else felt like this? Thank you for any help you can give me.

Lorraine – perfect words for Caterinacate. Sometimes it’s just persistent efforts and making sure that what you are doing is structured for the long haul!

Caterinacate, the very hungry day could be that the small and slow calorie deficit is finally being noticed by the brain as an impending weight loss….so on those days, I either do modified fasts, stock up on lots of fiber and water, or I give in but have a 300 calorie, 2 protein shake day the next day. You will figure out what works for you. (For me it is also hormones still- don’t know if that’s an issue for you)

Remember that no matter what happens to your weight in the short run, your body is getting healthier in the long run….and that will lead slowly to a healthier weight. I dare say but I have seen it, that sometimes, there is a health problem the body is working on on fasting days and until that healing is complete, the weight isn’t let go of. So just remind yourself every fast day that the body is being healed.

As for non fast days, be sure to journal a week of food intake. It might surprise you that while you aren’t eating in excess, you are eating more concentrated calories. Maybe not, but check it out.

The last thing I will say is that, prior to fasting I was chronically dehydrated. What I mean is that my gut was so unhealthy, that I was not absorbing water properly no matter how much I drank. So after fasting, when my gut began to heal, I actually went up in the scales as my gut healed and I became hydrated. I could tell because my energy was better, my skin better, i had more formed stools, etc etc etc. so watch for health signs and trust the process of healing. Measure your important parts if you need to.

I hope that helps! Keep us posted and we’ll see if we can help you figure it out!

Hey CC! I finally got on the scale after not losing for almost a month and im down! Past a little barrier i havnt been able to breAk

So as GuernseyJ says, keep at it! Well done GJ!!!

Slimhealthy Thanks for the thoughts – appreciated… just tend to ‘help myself’ really but I’m pretty used to that. But I have some good friends and I’ve learn to seek them out when I need to which is really good! 🙂
Theo527 – as with other women here I had my hysterectomy & full ooctomy when I was 36. The only thing I’d say is to try and get a handle on your hormone levels now. They can test for it and it will help you identify the HRT most suited to you (if they suggest this I’d take it …). I am very very sensitive to drugs and only needed 8mg whereas many women go on 200mg per day! It took me nearly 2 years to find the right one but for MOST women this isn’t a problem.
I have had a problem with weight since it but I don’t see that it’s probably related as my life had changed too in some ways. And like many I’ve eaten more than I really needed and also emotionally eaten too! I’m a terrible comfort eater. 🙁

And interesting article here on Adenomyosis :
http://www.webmd.com/women/guide/adenomyosis-symptoms-causes-treatments