Day 3 FD London

@snowflake56, and all the other kind people who have wished me well in Paris – I don’t think we’ll be shopping. We seem to have pretty much all we need and Christmas presents for the millions of nieces and nephews consist of vouchers so they can buy what they want. We will probably just be flaneuring ( that’s bound to be spelled wrong) and looking at buildings and galleries ( DH is an architectural historian so we spend A LOT of times looking at buildings…). We usually stay near the Marais and missed Charlie Hebdo and Bataclan by about a week, so we are somewhat sanguine about our Paris trips. Let’s see if we get back in one piece.
Hope all today’s fasters ( and all the other lovely people on here) are having a good day. H

@snowflake56: Interesting question, and sore point. The weight limit for parcels was 25kg, but Royal Mail recently increased it to 30KG!! Luckily few are that heavy, thank goodness. I have a sack trolley in my car boot to use if necessary…they haven’t supplied it, I did!

Day 3, Florida, NFD

Hellooooo old friends and new! I’ve been silently stalking the last few months’ worth of challenges, but life and work got in the way of my active participation. The bad news is, my weight has not changed since mid-year. The good news is, my weight has not changed! I’d been managing about one successful FD per week so if this is what “maintenance” looks like to my body, it’s working. Pretty pleased with that, but I’m not ready for maintenance yet. I’ve got about 10-15kg to shift.

I almost didn’t come back in December – too much of a challenge, I was telling myself. But! That’s exactly why I’m now here. I’m pleased to be back in the fold and looking forward to more actively engaging with you all. The commaderie, support and friendship is irreplaceable.

Quick summary of me: F45, married, dog, around 84kg (me that is, not the dog). I usually like to do a water FD on Mondays and Thursdays, but the last few months of work pattern mean I’ll change to Tues and Thurs (colleagues like to bring in samples of their weekend baking on a Monday – too cruel!). I would also like to do the Dry until Fri. That WILL be a challenge as I very much enjoy my nightly tipple.

Day 3 fast went well – have dinner out tonight but going to try and make strategic choices so I don’t start my second fast day with too many carbs in my system 😉

DAY 3 – UK – FD

Had homemade soup for lunch and a plate of veg for my evening meal. A couple of litres of water and a couple of white coffees. Good day. Scales up a bit. See what tomorrow brings.

How do people post the Pocket List. I can’t seem to copy and paste it and I can’t remeber it to type it. For those on FDs, you’re all safe in my pocket 🙂

USA Day 3 FD

Second Post

Just finished my FD and intend to try a water FD tomorrow!

Welcome back, Penz. We will be rooting for you!

Have a great evening/night!

Day 3, Surrey (UK), FD

Thank you @michelinme for hosting this month, and @basyjames for hosting November. And thank you to everyone who participates in the monthly challenges. You make all the difference.

It’s a bit late in the day to be adding myself to the pocket list, but I’m happy to report a good FD today. My ambition for December is simply to keep on maintaining at 150lb, my goal weight.

A bit about me, I’m F57, 5’7.5″ and have been following this WOE for a year now. I reached my goal after 11 months, and in that time I lost 50lb. That averages out at just over 1lb per week, a slow and steady pace. Now I’m in maintenance, I’m experimenting with various eating patterns to see what suits me best. I did try alternating 5:2 and 6:1, but found I missed fasting on the 6:1 week. At this time I’m continuing with 5:2, but have upped my FD calories to 800. Touch wood, it seems to suit me and my graph is showing a steady line – so I must be doing something right!

I think that like many of us who have been following this WOE, I find the FDs straightforward, but sometimes derail myself on the NFDs. I try to be mindful on NFDs, but we’re all human and I am no exception, so the odd binge does happen! All I can say is, thank goodness for the re-set button and for this forum, because it really does help to keep me accountable.

To all the newbies out there, WELL DONE – you have made the best decision of your life, for your health, your well-being, your families. I really mean that.

To everyone else, never stop keeping on, you KNOW you are worth it!

Hi. I ended up on the pocket list twice at one point. Is someone trying to tell me something….? Thank goodness I’m in bed. I’m ravishing… ( silly joke…).

Day 3, Mountaintop PA USA, CD

I’m happy to report that my 2 year anniversary in mid November saw my maintenance weight holding steady for the past year. 142.4 is 50 pounds lost over 5 years. I am 72 years old and managing my weekly newspaper in Pennsylvania. Married 50 years with 3 children and 6 grandchildren. Walking daily weather permitting is how I started my health program. Added Fitbit 4.5 years ago and Fast 5:2 two years ago.

I am satisfied with smaller portions, eat plenty of fruit, vegetables and protein and a desert now and then.
Cocktails and wine fits into my life. I really don’t obsess about how many calories I’ve eaten.

I recently earned my Earth badge from Fitbit for walking 7,900 miles – the diameter of the earth. Next badge on the horizon is 12,600 miles so that will be awhile.

Overall the Fast 5:2 program and the Fitbit accountability have been a winner for me. Remember we enjoy our lives one day at a time.

I don’t post often but enjoy reading about our forum members experiences. Thank you to the monthly moderators and the regular posters. Stay positive!

DAY 4 – UK – NFD

@northerndawn Happy birthday for yesterday. Seems like you were sensible eating wise and had a good time too.

@jaifaim thank you.

Wishing everyone a great day.

Day 4 – Ireland 🇮🇪 – NFD

Planning on just an OMAD today, a big chilli at lunchtime, because straight after work I have to pick up DH at home then drive 50km to the physiotherapist for a 7pm appointment. No time for eating so! Hopefully there will be some clarity on whether his knee operation will be on track. He certainly can’t go back to work yet as his work involves a lot of heavy lifting and pulling at the airport (he is an aircraft engineer)….so we will see.

We did manage shuffle to the post office yesterday evening which was a big achievement as he did not bring crutches. I linked him and we looked like two people without a care in the world ambling very slowly through our village 😆

Thanks all for your kind wishes @michelinme, @northerndawn, @dingping, @at, @ccco, @annemarilyn, @shinything, @jaifam…and so many more, I do appreciate it. I love this forum for its bouyant attitude and uplifting mentality.

@flourbaby and @michelinme…so I found my food diary from last December and during the week not much difference to now BUT there was a few LFD’s in the mix and quite a few non-alcoholic Friday nights as I had to work 6 days a week then in the Glasshouse. That, plus the extra physical activity I had working in the Glasshouse compared to my desk job now has made me realise I need to be softer on myself. I do a lot of walking when I can but I am desk bound for much of the day.

But, I WILL get back to 125lbs…it’s only a few pounds away….I will aim for Dry Till Fri and a couple of LFDs…and hopefully December will be kind. It’s up to me.

Cold and frosty morning, got to get out now and defrost the car. There was a fabulous crescent moon as I was out for my 6.30am walk this morning, and Jupiter with a halo shining extremely brightly by the moon….that and early birds tweeting in the darkness …I felt very happy with the world. If that’s mindfulness I will take it.

Missing quite a few on this forum….our usual first poster of the day @arelkade for one. Hope you are all ok out there.
Have a great day everyone 🤗

Day 4, London, UK, FD

I need this FD sooooo much. The weekend was a little overindulgent, the house is once again empty of ‘treats’, however, rather than throw stuff away I, AGAIN, used myself as a bin and ate it ALL!!!! I am, not a bin, I am not a bin, I am not a bin!!!!!

@betsylee, welcome to the challenge!!! I quickly discovered braces, belts and safety pins during my journey!!! I skipped a couple of dress sizes without ever buying anything new in that size, because I didn’t stay there very long (except knickers, there’s nothing worse than baggy, saggy, falling to your ankles knickers!!!) However, I did miss out on wearing numerous items already in my wardrobe that hadn’t fitted for a long time and by the time I remembered them, they were too big……………………. It’s a double edged sword this 5:2 malarkey!!!! Also, I dispatched 10lbs in my 1st month so (even though we’re all different) I don’t expect 4kg is too ambitious, but remember a loss is a loss and 1/2lb per week is still 26lbs in a year………………. Who wouldn’t take that????

Welcome back @penz, I hate to think of our missing members as gone completely, so stalking is positively encouraged!!!

The scales have moved in completely the wrong direction this weekend, but unless I’ve grown another limb, it’s got to be water or food in transit, funnily enough I’m not drinking nearly enough (water, I mean!) so my body must be hanging on desperately to what’s already there. I must get back in the water habit, it’s the only way there’s going to be any kind of whoosh this side of Xmas!!!

Here’s hoping todays FD gets me back on track, my mojo seems to be sluggish!!! Onward & Downwards people!!!!

Day 4 USA (Illinois) NFD

Very proud of my LFD yesterday while traveling home. Things were so busy, I didn’t take time to eat with activities and settling in again. I had a cup of my new Marmite tea last evening. It was interesting- likely not something I will want all the time.

Happy to be back to my own scale again this morning, coupled with the LFD yesterday, back at 161.4#. Glad to see that.

@penz -good to see you back again. Glad you’re happy with maintenance!

@missybear – hope and pray your vein treatments are good for you.

@northerndawn – how did I miss your birthday? “Happy birthday, dear Dawn (hear me singing?) happy birthday to YOU!”

Onward and downward.

Day 4 Minnesota, USA FD

Up another pound this morning which makes me up three lbs (1.4 Kg) since last week. Rings still tight. I need a good FD today under 500 and plenty of water to flush out the sodium and fluid retention. I admit to finishing off my baked potato with sour cream last night, which I’d brought home from the night before. Oh, I so love a baked potato with “the works” as they say here. Maybe I will order that as a dessert in the future when I’m treating myself, and no sweet treats. I’m confident I will get back to 153 lbs soon.

@steffieagle Thank you for sharing your success story. It’s very inspiring to me as you’re a bit older and therefore a beacon of encouragement and belief in this WOL for the long term. And it has made me determined to get to the Fitness Center I belong to, as I had stated in my goals for the month, in order to walk a couple miles around the track. Walking has always helped me with weight loss. It really reduces my appetite.

@judyjudes, @songbirdme (yes, I can hear you singing! It’s beautiful!), and @dingping: Thanks for the belated B’day wishes. And dingping, I hope today is a much more relaxing day!

Best of luck to everyone today! I didn’t see a pocket list, but I am definitely fasting today and am in sending vibes of determination to all who are fasting and/or being mindful.

Day 4: Gloucestershire, UK: NFD
The sun SHONE this morning!!!!!!! It seems to have done nothing but rain in these parts for over a week. Unfortunately I hear it’s back to normal tomorrow. Yet another wet delivery in a steamed-up van then.

Good to see maintainers @steffieagle and @beedoo…..show us how it’s done!

Day 4, Florida, NFD

Thanks for all the ‘welcome back’ messages. What a fabulous friendly supportive group you are.

Thanks too for those of you repeating the mantra to drink more water. I had forgotten that!

Day 4 2nd post

Today is the first day that I have felt like I am making progress on the mountain of work that I got buried under; there is light at the end of the tunnel 

@steffieagle, @penz, @beedoo great to see you guys

@bellyblast, I could hardly believe my eyes either, I stepped off and got back on just to be sure. I have been on a plateau for many months now, and even though the scale was not budging my clothes were either loose or fitting better. As has been said before: The scale does not tell the whole story my friends!

@flourbaby definitely water, especially if you lived up to your moniker and indulged in some “flour based items” no judgement here, definitely been there – done that, here’s to your mojo!

@daffodil2010 sending healing vibes in hubby’s direction

@northerndawn happy belated birthday, I am so sorry I missed it

@matpi I would love to have the metabolism of a 5 year old too.

I guess I better get back to the mountain, my deadline keeps a-calling but it was nice to chat even if it was just for a little while.

Day 4 – UK – FD (700cals)

Yesterday ended up as a Water Fast Day (WFD) and I eventually broke my fast around 1130hrs so a 40+hr water fast done. Today was going to be a CD but has ended up around 700cals so I’ll count that as another FD ☺️

Two exercise classes today – high impact pilates in the afternoon followed by another evening yoga class (doing a catchup tonight for the one of the two classes I’m missing out on next week whilst I’m away 😇)

Went shopping this morning with another volunteer for the Christmas afternoon tea we are putting on for the club we volunteer at every Wednesday PM – a successful expedition with a well earned coffee and scone afterwards!

This afternoon I made a coffee and walnut cake for my DD to take to work tomorrow (it’s an early birthday cake to share with her colleagues as it’s her last day at work before some holidays!) I made the coffee buttercream icing for it this evening on my return from yoga and finished the cake nicely for her.

@michelinme – the perils of late night TV – leading to a visit by that well known snack attack dragon 🐉
@ciren2 – be careful on your deliveries especially if early morning ice is still around x
@snowflake56 – I made a Grand Marnier Christmas cake one year and it was delicious – a much lighter fruit cake and like you I’m not partial to icing……
@emma-taylor – Be safe and enjoy Paris – I just love walking around that city – always discover something interesting to look at………
@flyingplanes – when is your 7th anniversary? Happy celebrations !!!
@penz – lovely to have you back with us – definitely good news that your weight has stayed stable! and good on you for not letting the challenge of December put you off – TOGETHER WE ARE STRONGER!
@missybear – hopefully the consultation went well today
@northerndawn – the beauty of this WOE is that you can enjoy special celebrations and not get off track too much as a bad day does not a bad week make ☺️
@fatfingers – nice to see you are still with us and I echo your sentiments about this WOL
@steffieagle – Hello thought we had lost you………wonderful to hear that you celebrated your maintenance anniversary in November and that all is well with you 🤗
@daffodil2010 – hope OH physio appointment went well – shame there is nothing local to you and you have such a drive there
@beedoo – thought you had left us – great to hear from you and especially to hear that all is well and that you are still on the fasting bandwagon and maintaining – happy days!

@arelkade @bert1802 @foodfreedomgirl @lilymartin @merryapple @metatauta @rainbowsmile and others we have been missing – where are you??? hopefully all is well with you and we might hear from you soon – thinking of you all 🤗

Joining the Day 4 Fasters although a bit late in the day
@dykask
@flourbaby
@annemarilyn
@at

One of our previous regulars to these challenges @happymargo (if you are lurking in the background Hello 🤗) used to share these 3 thoughts – so I thought it apt to share them during this difficult Challenge Month of temptations……….
1– “BACK TO 5:2 BASICS”
2– Keep striving for “PROGRESS, NOT PERFECTION”
3– Before putting anything in my pie-hole, ask myself “WILL THIS GET ME CLOSER TO MY GOALS?”

Day 5 – Melbourne AUS – NFD

Hi all, lots of posts to catch up oh but just checking in.

Ate more than intended yesterday, mostly good choices but more sugar than I would have liked (had a terrible sleep the night before which contributed to that I think). Today is a new day!

Hope everyone has a great day!

Day 5 Melbourne Aust, NFD

Going okay, loving reading all the posts. I don’t seem very interested in eating much at all at the moment, which is a bit scary, as I wonder if a major binge is looming!!! Yesterday was a NFD but I probably didn’t eat more than 1000 cals, and today food is still not interesting me. FD tomorrow, and maybe next week I might officially do 3 FDs in the week. The scales are not shifting much yet, after an initial 1.5 kg drop. Patience, patience!!!

@penz, very encouraged to read your post and current weight, as so many others seem lighter than me. I’m at your weight, but a “petite” size and fat, so have to lose much more than you, though.

@northerndawn, great that your response to carbs has changed, hoping for the same, but I can’t see me giving up chocolate.

@steffieagle – inspiring loss of 50 lb. I’m also working with a Fitbit, stated with a ChargeHR, then moved to a FitbitAltaHR when that died, and currently have a ChargeHR2. I like being able to check how much exercise and walking I’ve done; find it keeps me on track with the exercise. Walking, rowing and using a cross-trainer are my preferred cardiac workouts.

@dingping and @flourbaby – I also have a range of clothes in different sizes. I call them my “fatfat” clothes, which I’m just moving down out of now, my “fat” clothes, and my “normal” clothes, which haven’t had an airing for a few years. If I can sustain the 5:2 WOL, I may even go below the normal clothes to what I’d call the “ideal” clothes. My dream, anyway! Then I’d really have to buy some new clothes. Definitely new underwear, however much I lose.

@beedoo – great you’re at maintenance. Years ago I chose to fast once a week, the 6:1 diet, without knowing it as a diet and maintained my weight for a few years – higher than it should have been, but 15 kgs less than now. Now I need to loss all the weight and then get back to maintenance.

As a newbie, I’ve a couple of questions – FD & NFD are obvious and I’ve worked out WFD, but what is a CD? Also, how does a pocket fasting list work? Plus, I’m reading all the posts, but once I get down to the bottom, I can’t remember who posted what to make comments so I’m now resorting to making notes as I go. How do others do it?

day 5, NFD, Melbourne Aust – second post (or third if the first one suddenly shows up)

Struggling with eating at the moment as I just seem to have lost my appetite. It’s concerning as I’m afraid at may all end in a major binge. Yesterday’s NFD I only ate around 1000 cals, and I’m not doing any better today. Then tomorrow is another FD. Suggestions anyone?

Day 5 – Ireland 🇮🇪 – NFD

Although yesterday was not an official FD I did not have time to consume much more than 700 calories and am down a pound 👍

Ha ha, I just quickly checked that first sentence and Spell Checker had changed cals to CAKES!!!! Jeez….700 cakes!!! I spluttered my coffee 😄

Physiotherapist appointment went well. DH asked me to come in with him as he gets a bit of “white coat syndrome” and pretends things are grand and forgets to tell them important symptoms. Anyway, ice and gentle massage and ankle exercise, walking but in short sequence, anytime he feels the dart of pain in the calf (which is every few minutes right now) he is to rest. Another appointment next week. Physio told him that due to the nature of his job DH must make a conservative recovery…could be weeks. But the goal is to have sufficient reason recovery so that knee cartilage surgery goes ahead as scheduled.

Thanks everyone the healing vibes, they are working. 🤗

@at, yes there were not any private physiotherapists near us so we had to drive to Dublin. Oh well.

@annemarilyn I love my morning walks and unless it’s raining
Heavily I try to get out every day. In winter I just walk around my village so it’s streetlights all the way. Once light starts coming back I walk by the local river and in the grounds of the local hotel too….it’s very safe and I see the same people every day, wave at each other etc.

@snowflake56 I laughed at the Dutch emergency of no cheese in the house 😄

Enjoy Wednesday everyone

Holland – day 5 – weight minus 1 pound 😀 – CD

Back on track again, that’s how it feels. No sweets/snacks and one pound less! Happy!!
The Dutch St. Nicolas celebrations are always full of temptations, like marzipan and chocolates, but I’m going to do my very best to avoid the treats.
Keep filling myself up with vegetable soups and crudités, that is my trick.
And not unimporant: eldest daughter announced she is going to be married in spring! I’m going to look great and healthy!

@bellyblast (wonderful alias btw 😄) About the rowing: Yes, I was happy with my splits as well. I really love that rower. Never find it boring. I’ve started to incorporate some hiit in the sequence, which helps even better. (If you like, we could become training partners? 😅)

Good luck everyone on their fast day, if it is now. I might join in one day, but not yet, haha. Too hard for me now… (I’ll stick to the trusty 16:8.)

Till the next post!

Day 5 – Iceland – FD

Just popping in to keep motivated and adding myself to the pocket list, hope to catch up with all the posts this evening 🙂

Have a great day all!

Day 5 Pocket List:
@flourbaby
@borealis

Day 5 USA (Illinois) NFD

Just checking in today — stay strong, wonderful peeps on this magnificent board!

Onward and downward.