Day 16,Germany, FD
Tomorrow I will meet 2 good friends – and I have never sat with them without drinking wine… Don’t know whether I will stay strong…
So far the dry January went really well!

Day 17 – ?
Day 16 – CD
Day 15 – NFD – arrived late evening to Melbourne
Day 14 – NFD Flight out from Manchester to Melbourne via Hong Kong

Day 13 was a successful FD (403cals) and did not break my fast until lunch the next day on the plane around 1pm

Arrived here safely and a great flight with Cathay Pacific with a brief stop over in Hong Kong – brilliant sunrise greeted our arrival there! and it was 18degrees when I landed in Melbourne at 2230hrs!

Surprising not feeling too jet lagged – so lovely to see my sister again – Niece no 2 and her OH joined us for a family dinner last night and today (Day 17 already started in Australia!!) we are driving to Lakes Entrance where Niece no 1 lives and her wedding will take place there on Saturday……We are staying until Monday when we head back to Melbourne.

Arranging to meet up with various friends after the wedding as I will have 2 weeks left before heading back to the UK.

Spoke to DD and OH on waking up this morning and it is freezing and snowing again in Cumbria, whilst I had a lovely first day here yesterday, beautiful sunshine and a light breeze temperatures up to just below 30 degrees – perfect!

5:2 lifestyle wise – only ate once on each leg of the flight over and just went over TDEE! Yesterday I managed a 16:8 day, just to TDEE, despite indulging in some bubbly and a gorgeous red with BBQ steaks! Aiming to follow 16:8 days whilst I’m here but not sure if I will manage to fit in any FDs but should be able to do CDs……..

I haven’t had time to catch up with reading the posts but hope everyone is doing great and enjoying life, we are over halfway into the challenge now but still time to make a difference – TOGETHER WE ARE STRONGER

I managed to do my plank challenge yesterday and will try to complete it again this morning before we set off on the long drive to L.E. – hope my fellow plank challengers are going strong?

@daffodil2010 – Thank you for leading us into the February challenge – will definitely be signing up! You and I may both need the support after our travels and indulgences!!!!!

“Feeling healthy and feeling good about yourself is not a luxury – it’s an absolute necessity!”

Day 16 UK CD

After yesterday’s FD, weighed in at 76.6kg or 169lbs. Delighted to be below 170lbs, my goal for January! I know it’ll prob be a bounce weight that I need to hit twice but it’s lovely to see it for the first time in over a year!

Goodness I drank a LOT of water during FD yesterday – discovering new bladder capacity I never knew I had! I used to think I drank loads of water at 2litres/day, now it’s gone up to at least 2.5 litres Every Day, not just FD. But also noticed that my skin feels softer and I’m looking healthier so I’ll take it.

I’m finding that counting calories really helps me to know what I’m eating on NFDs and sustains consisten weight loss. I’m still doing the weigh & calculate but it’s becoming automatic and is so much easier than it was the first couple of weeks. I remember calorie amounts for lots of my regular food, and it’s getting much easier to calculate as I cook.

Also finding it really helpful to do a little baking ahead for my carbs, ATM a loaf of bread and a cake per week. Makes such a difference to have them ready to hand and to know what’s in them, how many calories etc. It’s a great way to keep an eye on my weekly carb consumption too – I tell myself that’s my weekly loaf and when it’s gone…

On Saturday I made a yummy low carb/sugar-free/gluten-free beetroot banana & cacao cake with almond flour & coconut flour. It’s only 135 calories/slice and makes a delcious FD pudding with greek yoghurt, or NFD teatime treat 🙂

@daffodil2010 loving your travelogue, thank you!

@basyjames thanks so much for your ideas about joint pain. It led me to a whole pile of research last night and I learnt so much helpful stuff. Amazing to read that IF is being trialed as a non-drug treatment for some types of arthritis – who knew?! And SO good to understand a little more about IF and the immune system. With all I’ve read, it’s no wonder that this seems to suit me.

Woke up really tired and grumpy today, but managed to prioritise self-care and slip in some gentle yoga and meditation ahead of the full day. Also held gently but fast to a boundary earlier on, which made me feel much better. Slowly slowly.

Today my trousers felt too big for the first time! Just over 9lbs gone, my bloated stomach is going down and I can feel my fat suit shrinking. My brain is better-focused i can feel a bit more energy and my mood has lifted. This is about so much more than weight loss, but that helps!

Day 16, Surrey, NFD

All going well so far. Weight just – fractionally – under 13st this morning, after yesterday’s FD. Re-educating my palate will take time and persistence though. Like many others here, I can feel the evening snack dragon lurking! A couple of almonds and walnuts + lashings of water seem to have done the trick, for tonight anyway.

Did anyone see ‘Diet Secrets and How to lose Weight’ on Channel 5 this evening? It featured the 5:2 diet. I was shocked to hear it being described as a crash diet!!! Some positive comments were made about the benefits of intermittent fasting though.

Day 17, NFD
Away with work, so no opportunity to check on weight. FD yesterday went well and cold is improving. Expect today won’t be terribly controlled, but at least I have Dry January!

Hi everyone
Day 17, NSW Australia, CFD
Enjoy your day

I too was livid that they referred to it as a crash diet when showed that the person should be eating a Mediterranean diet the other 5! How is 800 cals 2 days a week a crash diet when they said that a crash diet was 800 cals 7 days a week?!

Day 17, Newcastle UK, NFD

My cauliflower steaks (first time I’ve tried them) were delicious. I had pre-roasted them last week so after defrosting I applied some tomato puree, sliced tomatoes and slices of halloumi. Baked in casserole for 30 mins and removed lid for the last 10 mins to brown the halloumi. Where I went wrong was eating both, followed by two slices of lemon cake and some nuts bringing me in around 1200 cals (this included all my teas and coffees). Not exactly a fast day then, apart from I only ate at one meal. The scales are not shifting but I’m feeling thinner and clothes fitting well.

I had to look up copyright laws before sharing the lemon cake recipe. Apparently so long as I don’t copy the recipe and method word for word – and credit the author – I’m fine. So here goes.

By Sarah Flower, Low-Carb, Slow Cooker – ISBN 978-1-4721-3957-3

Cream 60g butter with 100g full fat cream cheese and 100g Truvia or similar. Add zest of 2 large lemons along with 120g ground almonds/almond flour and 30g cocnut flour, 4 eggs and 1 tspn baking powder.

My large slow cooker is oval shaped and my 1lb loaf shaped silicon thing fitted in perfectly and made it easy to cut into 8 slices at 236 cals each. After heating the slow cooker, I placed it in the slow cooker and poured in boiling water to half way up the sides. Then baked on high for 2 hours and when it was firm to touch I squeezed all the juice from one lemon over the cake and left for another 10-15 mins. I then took it out and cooled down completely before carefully turning it out so avoid it breaking up.

Sarah Flower’s book is full of lovely recipes including low carb lemon curd with which to make Lemon Cheesecake. Her egg custard is great too – as was the Cajun Chicken Casserole I made at the weekend.

Wonderful story about your new dream home @basyjames – so exciting!
@daffodil2010 – you are so generous giving us such a detailed description of your vacation – it sounds amazing.
@lindasue – a James Taylor fan???
Good to hear you arrived safely @at. Your quote is particularly resonating with me right now.
@michelinme – Please share your beetroot, banana and cacao cake recipe – I’m sure you mentioned it the other week too and I already bought cacao powder as I had bananas needing using up. The bananas are currently frozen in chunks and I can buy beetroot today.
@dykask – our UK winter has been long, cold and damp although we have blue sky today for a change. And snow.
Got that recorded to watch @fatfingers.

Well done to all my fellow Dry Januarians – doesn’t it feel great! Keep on keeping on.

“The secret of change is to focus all your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” – Socrates

Day 17, London, UK, FD (2nd of B2B2B),

Yesterdays FD came in at a whopping 69 calories!!! 2 coffees down then soooo busy with meetings. I got home jumped in the shower washed hair, blow dried, faffed around a bit getting clothing & smoothie ingredients ready for today and turned around a couple of times, only to find it was 8pm and the kitchen was closed!!! So telly then bed, slept like a log and bounced out of bed this morning!!!!

@strawberriesandcream, in my head I’m reinforcing the idea of LCHF for the holiday, the real question is whether I can be mindful with the booze, bread & cake!!!! My mums condition is very slow progressing, we caught it very early on, but my dad’s passing last July caused a bigger decline than usual, but, she’s still loving life, grandkids and new kitten (particularly the new kitten)!!!

@daffodil2010, thanks for a wonderfully descriptive post yesterday ………………….. I was right there with you!!!!

@shiny thing, you need a ‘The Kitchen is Now Closed’ sign to stick on the door too, mine is on the cupboard containing the nuts & is working a treat, I’ve told myself I’ll eat the sign before I eat anything else!!!!

@michelinme, I neeeed that cake recipe!!! Congrats on the droopy pants too!!!

Thanks for the recipe @strawberriesandcream, I might make it in ramekins because If I make a loaf I’ll only cut it into 2 pieces and call it a portion!!!!

I must say, if I’d been on a crash diet for over a year I would be vapour by now!!!!!

We have soooo GOT this!!!!

Day 17, South Wales, NFD

Sorry not to have posted for a while – winter cold and too much work…
Just catching up on all the posts!

Day 17 – Peru 🇵🇪 – NFD

It’s our last day in Peru. We fly back to Europe tonight, 12 hour flight to Amsterdam then connection to Dublin. Arrival home Thursday night 😬 and I hear it’s snowing 😲.

So we are going to enjoy the 24c heat here in this part if the South Pacific today. A walk along the cliff tops, some shopping, enjoy the ritzy Miraflores area of Lima one last time.

Pope Francis is arriving in Lima today at the start of a few days in Peru. The journey from the airport is chaotic with traffic as usual BUT the messy hoardings at roadsides have been spruced up with Papal flags and posters welcoming Papa Francisco 😊. Would love to catch a glimpse of him in Peru. We saw him in St Peters Square in Rome in 2016 and it was almost a rock star moment 😁

I have not done planks in a couple of days so will get to it this morning. Will eat lightly today. We have treated ourselves to business class for the flight home so will thoroughly enjoy the champagne, the food and wine, the lie flat seats. No planking on the plane though 😆

Talk to you next in Europe, in winter ❄️, in Ireland 🇮🇪

2nd post

After the latest catastrophe to hit California – the mudslides – it was lovely to see a cat being reunited with its people on the news this morning. The rescue people had tracked its paw prints for over a week and eventually climbed through a 2nd floor window to find it there. A real boost for its people. My love and prayers to all affected.

@flourbaby – you will do what feels right on holiday and if that means indulging for just one week, then that’s the right thing for you. Afterall, we keep saying one of the great things about this WOL is its flexibility. No way would I want to live my life without the occasional treat of cake and lovely bread.

@daffodil2010 – safe journey home and wrap up well when you arrive!

Day 17 USA (Illinois) NFD

Still keeping at maintenance. I seem to change how I am doing NFD’s keeping them CD. Aren’t those days always our nemesis? I see many people here enjoy our FD’s with their control. We need to keep in control all our days. It’s a learning process.

Busy day today for me, but it does include a spaghetti supper fund raiser for the local high school show choir. Fund raisers always seem to include lots of carbs cuz they are cheap to serve! I’ll do my best to still have control as pasta is something I can always pass up. But I’ll have to eat some of it!

Onward and downward.

Hi folks I hope you’re all well and losing big time 🙂

So… I’ve not been on the forum for a while. My fasting has been in fits and starts for the past 6 – 7 months and I’m feeling a little heavier than I’d like. I did try a couple of times towards the end of last year but those ended in failure. so I thought I’d make a fresh start in Jan/Feb when the last morsels of Xmas and New Year treats have all but disappeared (been eaten).

I’f I weigh myself tomorrow, please can I join in? I really need the accountability you guys bring to this.

Cheers for now.

Day 17, Gozo, Malta, fd

Bert1802 I hope you get well soon. I’ve been there recently. Take care.

Daffodil bon voyage. I hope you see our wonderful Pope.

I ate a piece of Christmas fruit cake with a cup of coffee this afternoon.

Tomorrow I’ll be extra careful and have a cd.

Onwards and downwards, have a lovely Wednesday everyone.

Day 17, Rocky Mountains, US, FD 800 cals

Day 17 -Ireland – FD

Finding this FD tough today but will struggle on 😀… Will be worth it.
Over half way through dry sugar free January! Hurrah!
Welcome @johnnyr.
Onward and downward!

Day 17 – SW WA USA – FD (800)

Posting later in the day but finally caught up with the great posts!

@daffodil2010 – enjoy the last moments in Peru then bon voyage! Have so loved your word pictures you’ve painted. I printed off a couple of posts to share with my son this weekend as we work out some details of our forthcoming trip.

@johnnyr – welcome back! We’re still here to encourage each other on the journey!

@bert1802 – ah shucks! Sorry the flu got you but glad you’ve got good care with your sweet hubby.
It’s amazing how there are folks sick in a variety of places. Those “bugs” don’t care about time zones.

Together we are stronger!

Day 17, USA, Missouri Ozarks, FD

Hello everybody, everything is going well food/water/exercise-wise.

Totally exhausted from work (only work three days a week and was off Monday due to severe weather so I had to cram all the work into two days ! ) Accomplished a lot but I am realllly tired.

Will catch up on posts tomorrow.

To your health, all.

Day 18, FD
Still away with work, so no idae what my weight is. Probably a good thing following last night’s Thai meal. I stayed on the Dry Wagon though!

The cold is still with me. Stupid sinuses keep waking me up. 3-4 hours sleep per night is starting to get a bit weary…

Have a great day everyone!

So I just thought I would share this really great app I found today. I find I can not stop weighing in every day which affects my whole mood for the day of course. This week my weight has really gone up and down. Anyway with this app it works out what your moving average is instead, based on the daily weight you put in. The app is called Happy Scale. It also can break your weight you are wanting to loose into ten milestones. As you work towards each one it tells what percentage you need to complete the milestone and how much more you need to loose to get there.
It is no wonder they call it Happy Scale. My mood is so much better today! My moving average is actually 400 grams below my last official weigh in day.

Day 18 Belfast FD

I lost a post yesterday. I have been going through my photos and came across a photo of me about three years ago. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Double chins and a big fat belly…..Proof, even if the scales and smaller clothes aren’t enough, that this WOL works.
@at – have wonderful family time.
Safe travels home @daffodil2010 and enjoy that champagne!
@bert1802 – get well soon
Welcome back @johnnyr
@rainbowsmile – at a size 10 I think that revenge bod is nearly there! You’re a winner!

**If you’re fasting today, add your name to the list**

@bigviking
@maayyaa
@debster251

Keep your eyes on the prize!