Day 26 Ohio, US — NFD
Day 25 —- NFD (only 11 months til Christmas!)

The NFD’s have gone well. This last week saw increasing malaise that’s usually indicative of something hitting my immune system, but it was too generalized to figure out what was causing it. Until this morning. I have been taking a new herb recommended by my acupuncturist at breakfast and today afterwards I had a “hair-raising” allergic reaction. Literally the hairs all over my body “raised” up and stood at right angles to my skin. That was accompanied by a general over-all itchiness. Since the rest of the breakfast items have been used for a long time with no reaction,that points to the herb as the culprit. I’ll stop the herb for a few days and see what happens.

@suki2 Vegetarian eating has been with me for more than twenty years, although I’ve stayed an ovo-lacto vegetarian and not gone completely over to veganism. For one thing the science on the bioavailability of some vitamins from pure plant sources seems to indicate (at least to me) that some animal products are a necessary part of a healthy diet. (I know that there’s a fair amount of controversy on this point.) For another thing, I like honey too much to give it up completely and also it seems tricky to me to give up leather shoes, what with the snow in the winter and the rain and slushy, muddy weather in the spring in this part of the world.

Here’s a start to the Day 27 pocket list:

@dykask
@caroline esty-akporokah
@matpi

Day 27: Gloucestershire, UK, NFD:

Well….having a day off work yesterday and I ate TWO days worth of food! So I’m 1 kg up. However now I have five days in a row at work (then a whole week off…..) so I hope to undo the damage. I really struggle to control myself at home.
@dykask: I rarely eat meat, simply because I’m more of a vegetable-lover, I suppose. I could never be vegan….I love my dairy for a start. I eat fish too, from time to time.

Day 27 pocket list:

@dykask
@caroline-esty-akporokah
@matpi

Day 27 – NFD – UK 🇬🇧
🚫 ✅🤸‍♂️
Last week of January here we go! 👍👍
Thanks @suki2! Yes I stayed on the dry… lovely wine was served but waking up clearheaded yesterday morning was well worth the sacrifice… it’s funny though that you are nearly apologetic to others when you are not drinking as if you are somehow going to be less fun…
@flourbaby i hope you have that whoosh! I have never experienced it but hopefully will this year… completely understand the frustration with this time in our lives (Hot flushes, feeling weird, etc) … it’s such a pain not knowing what’s around the next corner.. 😳
I’m logging absolutely everything In MFP at the moment and hoping it will make a real difference 🤞
Come on everyone… one more week of good choices will help get us where we want to be 💪

Day 27 – Pocket list
@dykask
@caroline-esty-akporokah
@matpi
@funshipfreddie
@jaifaim

Onward and downward ⬇️
We rise by lifting others 💕

Day 27 – Ireland 🇮🇪 – FD

After the TOM shocker and feeling unwell, and rapidly abandoning my fast last week, at least I start this week at the same as last week…..at least I did not gain.

So it’s my usual monday fast and might do b2b2b this week. I have that retirement party on Friday (where I am giving the speech 😱) then Thursday week I fly to Lanzarote for a week in the sun, so have to be mindful over the next few days.

@jaifaim, I used to get regular whooshes when I started this WOL……oh how I would love one (mind you drinking wine at weekends will NOT a whoosh bring 😄).

Have a great Monday.

Day 27 UK FD

Aiming for a good end to January , usual Monday FD today Yes @ i-hate-lettuce I’m setting aside a couple of hours to do my fantasy 6 nations team Love this competition

Day 27 – Pocket list
@dykask
@caroline-esty-akporokah
@matpi
@funshipfreddie
@jaifaim
@i-hate-lettuce
@brightonbelle

Day 27, London, UK, NFD,

Long post warning!!!

So yesterday turned into a controlled day, somewhere between 8-1000cals, a pack of chestnuts put me over my 800cal target, at least it wasn’t ½ a wheel of brie and a bottle of Malbec!!!!

@jaifaim & @daffodil2010 …………….The whoosh is still real!! Although I’ll probably replace some ‘whooshed’ water, I plan to drown some more dragons with >3L water and add another whoosh by the end of the week ………………… it’s some kind of a plan!!

I had a chat with some friends regarding food combinations that do us NO favours, the whole addictive quality irresistible to rats & humans alike of the 50:50 of fat:sugar(carbs) found in those foods we can’t say NO to after a couple of bites – the cheesecake, the ring donut, the crackers & cheese combo!!! I hate the idea that food manufacturers deliberately produce foods in this combination most likely to be addictive – irresponsible profiteering!!!
The Horizon programme ‘Sugar vs Fat’ raised some questions for me, however I left with 2 things, firstly – eliminating whole food groups is crazy & unnecessary, but overall fat is good, and carbs are too, providing they’re from veg and not processed ………………… simple!!
Secondly – Dr Susan Jebb told the presenters, “It’s astonishing that any of us stay slim in a world like this … you have to exert quite a level of dietary restraint if you’re not going to effectively just sleep-walk into obesity.” …………………………………. Amen, to that!!! Dietary restraint is something I NEVER practised before 5:2, I dieted, but that was dietary torture, followed by sleepwalking! 5:2 means working my willpower muscle, living life inclusive of friends, family, holidays etc. and being mindful that tomorrow I CAN have that blueberry muffin (450cals!!) but perhaps I would get the same pleasure from an enormous prawn & avocado salad, with pickled beetroot & mayo (450cals) and not have to suffer the roaring dragon awakened by that muffin!!!!

Anyway, enough rambling, I’m ending January (surely it was Xmas last week??) on a roll and February will be controlled and my NFDs will be less processed and therefore, less binge-tastic!!

Happy fasting folks!!!

Day 27- Atlanta, Ga- USA- FD

Day 27 second post

@flourbaby – ‘Sleepwalking into obesity’ …. think I’ve been guilty of that and or being blinkered !

Tomorrow, for the first time ever, looking forward to my annual ‘Fasting blood test’ and visit to see the nurse, considerably lighter than last year, BP much improved (this last weeks home readings) and big change in lifestyle.
This might be fun…. for once!

Take care all

Day 28, FD, Aus

Hang in there @michelinme.

Day 28 – Japan – NFD

Water fast went very well. There were a few hours I noticed I was fasting. It wasn’t any worse that just being very busy and realizing hours later you missed a meal. A little hollow feeling and many a tiny dash of heartburn.

I wish the others on the Monday pocket list success!

@caroline-esty-akporokah
@matpi
@funshipfreddie
@jaifaim
@i-hate-lettuce
@brightonbelle
@michelinme
@cccp
@basyjames

Day 28: Gloucestershire, UK, NFD:

@michelinme: Good to see you back…((hugs)) Hope you managed to get the work done!
@matpi: Yes, maybe not a good idea to eat those particular herbs! Glad you’re feeling better.

Well, I’d better not hang around, or I’ll be late for work.
Bye for now xx

Day 28 – Ireland 🇮🇪 – FD

I am finding it hard these days to get into the groove. @basyjames for me it’s like 1step forward, 2 steps back, stay there for ages, then another step forward, two steps back.

Last year when I was whinging about being on the plateau I was 10lbs lighter than I am now and still in my size 10’s (UK size). Now I am on an even higher plateau and size 12’s. ☹️☹️☹️☹️

Most of you know I am generally a positive person, but finding motivation difficult although I dread to think where I would be now if I wasn’t at least trying! I am flailing about trying to settle back to 5:2 but I need a good shot of motivation, something to kickstart, something to make me feel in control again. I will not go down the diet plan route of counting points or counting syncs or whatever else those diet groups like WeightWatchers etc do.

I don’t think I could pull a WFD or even an LFD or even OMAD these days. I need inspiration.

But I promise to keep on coming in here. Once I don’t post, then the dragons have got me.

Pocket list day 28 – let’s try this
@daffodil2010
@penz

Second post..
@daffodil2010 i know you won’t give up as you know how important this WOL is for your mind and body but our minds and bodies are the very things that challenge us at the same time…and don’t estimate how much your body may be changing at the moment and with it, the mind… so go easy on yourself .. you will get there… this is exactly what I’m telling myself at the moment. 💕👍

Day 28, UK, NFD

Sorry I didn’t get a chance to post yesterday, it was my FD and it was successful! yay! 💃 I find it that the longer I’m back the easier it gets, and I am more successful in my FDs 🙂 , and more determined.

@michelinme good to see you back 🙂. Sorry you feel down, and not good health wise, but be kind to yourself, don’t beat yourself up because you fell off the wagon. Just gently come back and carry on. Keep going and things will happen!

@ccco has it been 2 years?? Wow! Time sure flies 😮. Congrats on your little anniversary and persisting with this wol 😀 💐

@daffodil2010 I sympathise, I was exactly like you just until recently, 1 step forward 2 back, not able to stick to anything and feeling more and more down about it, vicious circle. Try and keep going though, because remember, if you stop (like I did for a while) you will do yourself no favours and you will be worse off than you are now, and will have to come back to start from the way back. Don’t be hard on yourself, just keep going …. 🤗

Off to work now, have a great day everyone! 🌞

Edit:
@flourbaby you forgot to include me in that plateau list, I’m one of the biggest plateauist around surely 🐢 , but you are right ….
no one is throwing in any towels around here!! 💪

Day 28 (0 for me) – Sydney AU – NFD

Hi team,

I was part of this group about 3 years ago when living in Durham UK. I lost 22kg in 8 months, kept it off for another 6 then moved back to AU at end of 2017 and have slowly watched it all pile back on, convinced I could pull it back at anytime. But I didn’t. Too busy, travelling too much, too tired, too stressed, blah, blah, blah.

So here I am, almost back where I started, and I need your help.

I just logged in to torture myself with my tracker results from 2017, then saw some of my old posts on these monthly challenge threads. I want that woman back!! Not just because she was physically healthier (and skinnier!), but because she was so motivated and so keen. Then I realised a big part of that was this thread, this community and the accountability to all of you.

So I’d like to be in for February please – and hopefully for a long long time thereafter!

Wishing you all a strong finish for January. 💪

*NMRN

Day 28 Canton OH FD

Its great to be with likeminded people who can relate to what is going on in your life

@daffodil2010 give yourself credit for not throwing in the towel. Like Dory in the movie “Finding Nemo” all we can do is “just keep swimming” because if we do not we will drown. Without knowing and trying this WOL it would probably be a size 16 not a size 12. You are doing right by yourself, even though everything appears to be working against you – TOM, pre-menopause, danged motivation, you’re still hanging in there and that is what matters. Some days are for flying and others are for crawling, this may be your day to crawl, but it’s ok because your flying days are just around the corner and like @i hatelettuce said, we are playing the long game, and we all will be here to celebrate with you when you start flying again.

@notmyrealname welcome back. I can totally relate, I left this forum and lost my mojo, so I came back and I am back in it

We are in it for the long haul folks, keep the faith. We’ve got this.
Pocket list day 28
@daffodil2010
@penz
@i-hate-lettuce
@basyjames

Day 28 UK NFD

@flourbaby yes that dance is all too familiar 1 step forward 2 steps back 🕺but even if the scales aren’t obliging I’m sure you are making a positive change as @i-hate-lettuce said it’s the long game that counts Stick in there the results will show soon I’m sure

@daffodil2010: I share your misery and know myself just what it feels like to slip off the wagon and never quite be able to gain another foothold. The main thing is, at least, to STAY WITH US ON THE FORUM! Try to read motivational books, try, try try. Dr Fung’s books are very good.
@notmyrealname: Good to see you, I can only say to you the same as above. Try NOT to EVER give up.
I too seem to be going back overeating these last few days, gaining weight, losing heart, comfort-eating too much, gaining more weight….etc, etc…sigh!

On a lighter note; @michelinme: WELL DONE…YOU DID IT! It proves it’s possible.
@emerald32: Lightheadedness is often due to lack of water and/or lack of salt.

2nd post

Tears in my eyes reading all the inspirational posts and the empathy from you guys. I need this. Talk in the morning ☺️

Day 29 NFD country West Australia
Day 28 NFD
Day 27 NFD
Day 26 NFD
Not been my finest week due to some unexpected meals with friends and options not great and WON”T power muscle in hibernation.🍷🎂🌮🍫😲
BUT I am not going back to my heaviest so that’s a plus.👍
Sounds like Michelinme , Daffodil2010 and I are in similar situations.
However I KNOW we can do this. One meal at a time people. And don’t beat ourselves up when we fall off the wagon. 😥😫
At present I am held to the wagon by this supportive community and my own body weight!! I was going to say strapped on but realised my current weight is sufficient to keep me there without anything else required. Sad but true!!☹️
So off to make today a better day, less food, more water, and wake up that WON’T power muscle.
Oh and I plan to dance on the plateau rather than simply mooch around on it.
One step forward and 2 steps back is almost a barn dance or a waltz or something!!😀

Hi every body !! Happy New year .
This is my second time trying the IF , I tried 5:2 couple years ago and had ok results, but then for no reason I stopped.
I have decided to start again with 2 meals a day plan and I am determined to to stick with it.
Happy fasting !!!

Day 29 – 2nd Post

Welcome back to the forum @notmyrealname & @alliswell

Day 29 – FD – Ireland
🚫 ✅🤸‍♂️
Hello! I had a good CD yesterday… at one point when I hit in late last night I could have made it a FD….but decided I’d have some food 😂 so just a CD 👍
It’s funny how physiologically if you don’t think you’re doing a FD it’s actually much easier… must remember this today… Although I have blood tests, accupuncture and fitness class tonight so I may switch my FD to tomorrow… I’ll see how I’m going…
@lilymartin – good to see you- was wondering where you were..
Hi @notmyrealname and @alliswell. 👍

Pocket List Day 29:
@jaifaim
@daffodil2010

Onward and downward ⬇️
We rise by lifting others 💕

Day 29 Melb Aust NFD

Have great feelings of empathy with @daffodil2010, @michelinme and others. Feel like I have to climb that mountain yet again. I lost 13 kg last year, and have regained 10 kg over the past several months. Starting to put the brakes on now, as Christmas and January socialising are just about done.

Like @michelinme, have been struggling the past 2-3 weeks with some sort of virus related to stomach pain and overall exhaustion. Have had to take a couple of naps through the day some days just to keep going, and that hasn’t helped my eating – trying to eat to get some energy. I can tell you that it hasn’t worked! Do I, don’t I, go back and see the doc? Not sure what he can do or tell me. It’s not blood pressure – normal at doctor’s and at home, but I’m so tired of feeling so exhausted.

Okay, enough moaning. It’s not as bad as it was, so February will be better. No longer gaining weight, which is good, so now I have to start losing it again. Sympathise with all the “plateau-ers”

Day 29, London, UK, FD

Another FD as I’m at work, I’ve soup for lunch and I’m going to try an omelette for dinner, fingers crossed it stays down!!

Welcome back @notmyrealname, I think you and I started these challenges at about the same time!!! These monthly challenges are the only thing keeping me on the straight & narrow, I step off of the path/ fall off of the wagon from time to time, but I’m always hanging on here, even if it’s by my last fingernail Knowing that it’s a slippery slope gets me back on board!!

Way to go @michelinme & @penz, you’re back on track, now to just keep chugging along!!

Oh, @daffodil2010, it’s inappropriate for me to cry in the office, we’ve got you girl!!!

I’m looking to achieve some NSV’s since the actual ‘S’ (scale) is doing that bouncy-bouncy thing that makes me want to lob it out of the window!!! Last night I did the MO (magnesium oil) on the soles of my feet, I usually don’t need to but over Xmas I gave myself a break and started using deodorant so I think my magnesium levels dropped and the hot flashes don’t help. I only woke up once last night & that was to change PJ’s, recently it’s been at least twice & lots of tossing & turning & duvet on/ duvet off moments!!! Y’all may already know I love, love, love my sleep, so this is a big victory, tonight I’ll add a handful (just the one!) of cashews and maybe I’ll make it through the night??!!

@songbirdme, best place for him, home with you!!! Prayers & healing vibes still heading for Mr. @songbirdme!!

Welcome @alliswell, you’re in the right place, funny how sometimes we stop doing things we should do, for NO apparent reason!!!

@i-hate-lettuce, the brain was slow this morning, lots of scratching my head over the toothless budgie!! Colleagues think I’m teetering on the edge as I switch from being teary eyed to chuckling to myself!!!! I think the anonymity really helps and we’re a good bunch, I’ve seen some back & forth arguing on other forums/topics but since these challenges are on a personal level it’s all about encouraging & gentle advising because at some point we’re gonna need someone to pay it forwards and spread the mojo!!!

To the rugby fans, I suppose in a previous life it would have been as @i-hate-lettuce said he ‘used to see a few beers and a packet of munchy things disappearing!’ , the key to success is to now have a ‘PLAN’ in place and swerve the mindless hand to mouth action …………………………………….. maybe put the drinks and snacks way, way across the other side of the room??!!

Stay strong folks, we’ll end January lighter, if not in body, then in heart, mind and spirit, I’m putting ‘IT’ all behind me too and rolling into February ready to eliminate some dragons as well as some fat!!!