Day 7 Melb Aust TDEE

Today became a TDEE instead of a FD, because of ….. drum roll, @froby79 – panettone! My Italian neighbours gave me one for Christmas, an imported real Italian pannetone. I really, really wasn’t going to eat any, but I did, and it was so nice I ate some more, then some more, in the past few days. The last section I had saved to give to an Italian friend, but she told me this afternoon that she already has a whole panettone at home, and has to lose weight. Well, I couldn’t give her more panettone and sabotage her weight loss, now could I? ( 🙂 ) So I filled up with panettone late afternoon/ evening to end with a TDEE day instead of a FD. Oh well, I live and learn. It’s all gone now.

@michelinme, I am SO impressed with your progress. It’s wonderful. And I’m already lagging behind. But, I will persevere, even if following in footsteps that get further and further away in front of me. I need the motivation, and I appreciate it.

@quebecoise, I know I’m not one to talk, but having indulged early this evening, I have halted the rot by drinking water. In your case, it’s winter, so sip away at plain hot water. Cravings can be halted by fluid intake.

@daffodil2010, good to see you back.

@stitchincarol, safe travels and it will be good to have you back commenting on the forum

@northgeorgia, I hope your father has his surgery today and that it’s a big success.

@mariaelena, It’s not the FDs which are a problem for me re protein, it’s the NFDs when I sometimes go right off track and eat a lot of carbs. I think I have to try to add more animal protein. I’ve tried having extra eggs or cheese, or tofu, and haven’t found that satisfying. Delicious, yes, filling, yes, but not satisfying. I’ll see what I can do. Maybe eggs for brunch, then meat protein with vegetables for dinner.

Good to read of everyone’s progress, @i hate Lettuce, @funshipfreddie, @penz, @lilymartin, @at, and all the wonderful inspiration and encouragement on this forum.

Onward and downwards!

Day 7 – 16:8

Accountability: I did not make the wisest of food choices yesterday, but kept under TDEE so I’ll call it a win. Sometimes my taste buds just insist – as they did yesterday. I have a plan today, and that should make the difference.

@songbirdme – the silicon freezer container does have a top, and that makes storing it in freezer so much easier. But, I’ll need to transfer contents to bags when I cook again, because I only have one. I’ll have to figure out the financial benefit to getting more vs using freezer bags – I know the environmental benefit is on the side of getting extra reusables but that would be an investment that we have not budgeted for – so it can’t be immediate. Always a trade off in these things. But more home cooking lowers my environmental footprint on much less packaging trash, so I do what I can.

It is COLD here! The neighborhood feral cats are very much ensconced in our garage, and seem well, happy and playful. We have a laser pointer toy that they love, and one will come over to greet me with a nose touch to my outstretched finger. What a lovely little joy!

Lots to do today, so I’ll get to it with best wishes to today’s fasters and all.

Day 8 London UK

@stitchincarol! It was you who put me onto ELAB!!! I am eternally grateful. It’s just my thang. I’ve lost quite a lot of weight since I started on November 8th. I’ve gone down a size and a half – all the clothes which were too small or too tight are now too big, or fit fine. I’ve never weighed because the scales are my mortal enemy, but I guess I’ve lost a stone and I’ve got another stone to lose to get to a BMI of 22. I’m not too bothered what I weigh, tbh, so long as I like my body. I appreciate not everybody wants to eat in a small window every day, but I think it’s great! Thanks v much.

Day 8 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – FD

Did I really say I’d do a FD today?! Drat. Okay then… 😳

Pocket List – Day 8 🍋
@funshipfreddie

Day 8 – USA/GA – NFD

Weigh-in: 216 lbs. Good news on my personal health — I’m COVID negative. So, it’s just a really bad cold, as suspected. Yesterday was the worst. I could barely walk around for 30-45 minutes without feeling totally exhausted, then I’d nap for 30 minutes or so each time. This morning I feel marginally better, which has been a change over the past few days! Hoping this will be a good weekend to rest and recuperate.

Take care, everyone!

Day 8 – Rural Nebraska, US -OMAD, perhaps FD800

According to MFP, I ended up at 577 calories yesterday, and that includes a single Mega Oreo. After all the sweets of December and our vacation, it seemed wrong not to get ANYTHING, and the single cookie did the trick. This morning, I was down 2.4 lbs from 146.4 to 144.0.

@northgeorgia Does having a definite day and time help your dad’s spirits any?

@emma-taylor I’ve been beyond delighted that you’ve taken off with ELAB, and thrilled every time you’ve reported your joyous results. Don’t know if I can do it again, although I’m sure considering it; we’ll see.

@daffodil2010 Such a lovely time you painted of your time with DH’s family; thanks for sharing! And to have lost 3.5 lbs is glorious!

@funshipfreddie You made me laugh at your comment about fasting today!

@i-hate-lettuce Well, I didn’t THINK you were planning to do it, but what you said confused me…my family would all assure you I’m always quite clueless at jokes and need them explained! 😜🤣😂🤣😃

@brightonbelle Aren’t too-tight clothes the absolute worst? I’m one driven by the actual number on the scale, but clothes that don’t fit increase the motivation!

Because we left on Christmas Day and got back on Epiphany, my Christmas decorations are all still up. Taking them down and putting them away will be at least a three-hour project, and I love them too much to be eager to start, but I think tomorrow will be the day. I also need to decide on my goals for January’s 5:2 approach…every new year/month activity is a week behind schedule for me.

I’ve actually been faithful to the planking schedule I started in December (10 seconds multiplied by the day of the month, so 80 seconds today), but it’s getting truly tough already. I’m wondering just how realistic it is to add ten seconds each and every day, to arrive at 310 seconds at the end of the month–in other words, to go from 10 seconds on the first, to 5 minutes 10 seconds on the 31st. Thoughts?? Perhaps I’ll break it up and do 1 minute today followed a minute or two later by 20 seconds, and never do more than a minute at a stretch, but all the seconds per day as schedule. That seems a more reasonable approach, yes? Or am I simply being wussy?

Okay, @funshipfreddie, I know what I’m eating tonight, and it qualifies, so I’m officially joining you!

Pocket List – Day 8 🍋
@funshipfreddie
@stitchincarol FD800 or below

Day 8 UK NFD

Checking in for accountability. Yesterday morphed to a NFD but not a blow out. i’d forgotten how much I enjoy Friday evening relaxation of rules when following this WOL. It included my keto Christmas cake, a big bowl of popcorn and a shortbread biscuit – but I really didn’t enjoy the sugar, which is progress.

I slept late this morning and forgot to weigh. It’s been a day of reading and pottering, feeling tired after longer day and in need of a good rest. Today will be NFD, tomorrow a CD ready for Monday’s FD.

@daffodil2010 wonderful to read about your trip to DH’s birth family

@northgeorgia glad it’s only a cold and hope you feel better soon

Have a good weekend.

Day 8 16:8

Ate ok yesterday, some indulgence (oatmeal scotching cookies) but under TDEE as lunch was sautéed onions and baby spinach. Had to finish the baby spinach as it had been around a while, so it was LOTS of spinach.

I wish I could accustom my body to the heavier meal at lunch and the light meal at dinner, but that doesn’t jibe with my mojo (😂) no matter how much/little I eat earlier in the day, my body wants a substantial meal between 4 and 6 pm.

@stitchincarol – not planks, but hula hooping core work so I’ll share my experience in case you find it useful. Sep/Oct I was strict in getting my 15-20 minutes a day in. But it felt like I stalled in progress, ability to do more in length of time or difficulty. Since I’ve restarted in Dec I find that days off help. Oh, not sloth days, I substitute a good walk or Exercycle session, but days that those muscles I’ve been working constantly have a chance to … catch up? I don’t know, but I’m doing approx 15 minutes about 5 days a week and seeing progress both in the waist and in the difficulty I can accomplish. Maybe it is like changing up a diet routine to get past a stall?

@gary1745 WAY TO GO! A great start, and seeing better health markers is a fantastic thing.

@michelleinme I can relate to the pleasure in relaxing into the non Fast days. That is a big reason this WOL works for me.

Oop gotta run

Second post

Hmmm, @betsylee, I wonder who it was then? I’m certain it was someone in Australia (New Zealand??? Two different countries, I know, but from this spot in the universe, they rather blend together, LOL!), and I know it wasn’t @penz or @litprof. Whose name am I forgetting?

I am SO not on the pocket list as of now! I won’t bore you all with a recitation of all the ways in which I’ve cheated, but it’s long. I feel wonderful, however, so I’m chalking this up to the “life” part of WOL.

Tomorrow will be busy taking down the Christmas decorations, so I’ll check in again on Monday!

Day 9 – Lake District UK – NFD

Good morning everyone

Yesterday wasn’t quite a total washout, it stopped raining after lunch, enough time for us both to get out on a MOAM/WOAM walk. Mrs IHL being part of the ‘Smallhousen’ family, does a lot more steps than me, so I have to slow down a little 🙂 But we rattled round the village quite smartly and felt better for it.
At least we got the house jobs done first! We’re determined to get back to daily walks and doing OK so far this year.

@gary1745 – Great start buddy – re recipes, we often follow ‘The Hairy Dieters’ recipes, some great ideas there for reducing the calories in meals but not the flavour, particular favourite, stroganoff 😉

Will look in first thing tomorrow for Monday’s FD ride

Take care all

Day 9 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – NFD

Nailed it – again! The scales aren’t cooperating though, so I’ll be on the usual Monday pocket list again tomorrow.
@stitchincarol – thanks for joining me on the list.

Interesting article from a few days ago re the benefits of exercise:-
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/exercise-weight-loss-new-science-reveals-affects-cell-body-rcna9680

Happy S🌞nday!

Day 9 – UK – FD800

Have been indulging a bit too much of late so aiming to go for 5 x FD800 this week – haven’t dared to step on the scales but my clothes are telling me a definite gain has taken place 😱

When I actually checked MFP I realised that Day 4 and 5 were NFD and nowhere near TDEE 🤭 Day 6 was a FD600 but Day 7 and 8 definitely NFD again! also my exercise levels were lower than normal – only managed 3 exercise classes and 2 walks…….

I have been feeling a bit down, not sure why……..I can’t get OH to go out to a cafe/restaurant….missing our pre pandemic lifestyle…….I do meet with friends but nowhere as much as before……..a lot of mindless eating and more wine than normal is obviously started to be reveal itself in clothes feeling tight……….I definitely need to get my head in a better space so planning on going for 10,000 steps daily as well as my regular exercise classes this week – Monday Broga and Dynamic Yoga – Tues HIP – Wednesday General Yoga – Thursday Pilates – they do say that fresh air and exercise improves your mental health………so here goes……

@daffodil2010 – welcome back – sorry to hear our weather was not kind to you ☔️ we have had a fair bit of the wet stuff recently 🤣 well done on the 3lbs down!!
@jaifaim – lovely to see you back too x
@froby79 @quebecoise – mindless eating in the evening has been my downfall too, especially since the festive season – sadly in my case I’m pretty sure drinking wine has been the cause…..
@funshipfreddie @i-hate-lettuce – wine of any colour including bubbly has been my downfall of late so I’m tagging onto your coat-tails for mental strength to only enjoy a bottle spread out over the weekend
@michelinme – 4lbs gone and inches lost – great job!
@betsylee – reading your post and sound advice to @quebecoise made me realise that I have not been drinking as much water as I used to so starting today I’m back on that 2L target!
@northgeorgia – feeling for you and your family, so distressing to have your dad’s surgery postponed again – 🤞for Monday
@stitchincarol – good to hear that you had a fab 12 days in California – don’t worry about the weight gain as now you are back on the 5:2 WOL you will shed it in no time
Re Planks – a trainer once told me that a 1 minute hold with good form (keeping a straight and rigid torso and neutral spine —like a plank of wood) is what you should aim for and then add variations i.e. include forearm planks for one minute, similar to the original but using the forearms to rest on, then side planks and reverse planks, each for a count of 5 slow breaths and repeat the circuit once or twice – good luck.
@brightonbelle – I’m with @songbirdme in that how the clothes fit is about my most important concern. After my initial weight loss of 22kg/3st 7lbs I also invested in a whole new wardrobe so I won’t go back to gaining and not having these clothes! I record my weight once or twice a month but how my trousers especially fit me is what motivates me, like now, to press a RESET button with this WOL
@mariaelena – spinach always amazes me how small the quantity is once cooked – a big 500gm bag is not much once cooked 🤣

So today as the weather forecast was for a dry morning with no rain until later in the afternoon – I’m a ZBC person, I had a cup of tea then set out for a walk and ended up going to the top of Wansfell Pike and according to my Strava it was just over 8km, 448m and 532calories burned – and my step counter revealed over 12,000 steps taken!!
Back home for a late brunch of 1 small slice sourdough, 2 poached eggs and fresh mashed avocado with another cup of tea and according to MFP a total of 403calories – a large bowl of fresh mushroom soup planned for tonight and drinking lots of water…..

“If I quit now, I will soon be back to where I started. And when I started, I was desperately wishing to be where I am now”

Day 9 – 16:8

Yesterday went fine. One of the feral kitties is now officially my friend and comes to seek head and neck scritches from me. We are planning to clean, reorganize and install permanent cat entrance- I think we now have ‘barn cats’ lol.

@froby79 – I found upon restarting 5:2 that I had to beware my morning coffee on fast days. The caffeine, undiluted by calories hit me that way. Don’t know if that could be your issue, but I halved my coffee of fast days and had a full glass of water BEFORE coffee intake and that helped. Once I had been doing it for a few weeks I was able to go back to regular amount.

@at these are indeed tough times emotionally, don’t be too hard on yourself, and you might try to see if just focusing on one day helps you shift mindset. I just buckle down and work on getting that first fast day of the week success and that can bring my mojo back.

@funshipfreddie I’m a huge fan of incorporating exercise into my WOL, I think, like the article says, it helps in so many ways to make me feel better. Starting small, improving one’s movement: exercising a bit more every day was key for me. I lucked into a hand me down fitness watch and that is such a big help. Good article overall, but I think these articles in general miss that it can be a huge lifestyle change and that busy and stressed people can start small and work up slowly to the recommendations.

@michelleinme your description of your area sounds wonderful. I’ve never seen a fox!

Hello and happy 🌞day to all!

Day 10 – Ireland 🇮🇪 – FD

Decided not to weigh myself today and might leave it until the end of the week, hoping to be pleasantly surprised 👍 Quite a good weekend, though there was a small Crunchie had, and some popcorn, but all in all, we reigned in the dragon.

Today it’s ZBC, then a small salmon and spinach salad for lunch with a few black olives and cucumber and pepper. Dinner is cold roast chicken…may just have that on its own to up the proteins.

DH is hopping about with me every morning now doing our Leslie walk, then straight after that it’s outside for the fresh air MOAM around the village. Delighted DH is doing this with me as both of us can spur each other on.

@i-hate-lettuce,move the Hairy Bikers, we were only watching them last week. Now that they too have lost weight the recipes are good.

@northgeorgia prayers for your father today 🙏

@michelinme I meant to say to you days ago, prayers for your DD and a quick recovery.

Have a great Monday all.

Day 10 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – FD

@penz – 3am?!! I’d be a wreck 😴 I’m putting you back on the list, & hoping you stay there 🤞

I’m writing this on my phone, so anything could happen. My laptop has joined my scales in being stroppy & uncooperative. Mind you, it’s older than dirt & should probably be put out of its misery.

Let’s make this a good one, Monday fasters!🎯

Pocket List – Day 10 🍇
@penz
@daffodil2010
@i-hate-lettuce
@funshipfreddie

Happy Monday to all. Things have thawed out a bit here in Northern Virginia. Trying to make today a FD, I am down a little over a pound since starting last week.
Joining the other fasters today!

Day 10 – FD 500

Pocket List – Day 10 🍇
@penz
@daffodil2010
@i-hate-lettuce
@funshipfreddie
@brightonbelle
@missybear
@mariaelena

Day 10 – USA/GA – NFD

Weigh-in: 214 lbs. My father’s been in surgery for an hour. About four or five more to go before being transferred to recovery. Then, he’ll be transferred to a Cardiac Care Unit this evening. Originally they had said around 6:00 this evening, but as they started a bit later than anticipated, it could be later than that. I’ll provide an update later on.

Dat 10 – FD – Norwich UK

FD today for me too. Today is going better than last week. I have followed the suggestion of drinking water before coffee and in general drinking more water, I have also increased the salt in my veg for lunch.
My veg box has been delivered, I am going to prepare a nice healthy soup for tonight.

@mariaelena very interesting article, I like reading scientific papers (it’s also my job!!)
@northgeorgia warm hugs from me..

Pocket List – Day 10 🍇
@penz
@daffodil2010
@i-hate-lettuce
@funshipfreddie
@brightonbelle
@missybear
@excelsior12309
@at
@michelinme
@stitchincarol
@froby79

Day 10 – second post

My father’s surgery just wrapped up about 15 minutes ago. The surgeon didn’t mention the ablation, but they did the other two procedures and “only” had to do a quadruple bypass. My mother wants to wait until she’s able to see him in an hour or so before I bring her lunch at the hospital.

Day 10 – UK – FD800

Another grey and mizzly day – No Broga class this morning but feeling motivated I set out to do my 10,000 steps and ended with 12,500 and also enjoyed my dynamic yoga class this evening.

My kitchen door is now closed and I’m sitting at just below 800cals!

@2froby79 – finding something to do that helps reduce your stress levels would be helpful – have you thought of some gentle yoga? meditation? even going out for a gentle walk can help our mental approach – none of these need to be a long session 15-30mins might make all the difference
@mariaelena – that’s exactly my mindset for this week day 1 ✅ day 2 ✅ and thank you for sharing that article
@songbirdme – maybe that’s what I need to do – build in something for after dinner in my calorie count for the day!
@daffodil2010 – I have decided the same – will weigh in after my B2B FD800 at the end of this week and hope that the scales show me something I like 🤣
@missybear – thank you for sharing – makes me feel better to know that I’m not alone in feeling like I do – sadly OH does not seem to miss social interactions as much as I do…..
@michelinme – Thank you for adding me to the pocket list – we can do this together – If I feel like giving up I’m going to think of you and find my RESOLVE to keep going
@stitchincarol- thank you – yes it’s amazing how much power our minds have – I’m taking it one day at a time and logging on here for support
@jaifaim – that F word does not exist here – tomorrow is another day…..if you managed not to exceed your TDEE that’s a win x
@northgeorgia – so pleased that your dad survived the first hurdle and sending positive and healing vibes to him and your family during his recovery
@quebecoise – Bad news can break any resolve and sometimes we just need to let go and accept what happened and then move on – J’espère que l’opération et la convalescence de votre ami se passent bien
Je t’envoie des pensées positives 🤗 I’m adding you to the pocket list for support x

Pocket List – Day 10 🍇
@penz
@daffodil2010
@i-hate-lettuce
@funshipfreddie
@brightonbelle
@missybear
@excelsior12309
@at
@michelinme
@stitchincarol
@froby79
@quebecoise

Day 11 – Ireland 🇮🇪 – FD

Yesterday’s FD ended in the evening as DH and I drank some wine and watched “Long Lost Families” on the tv…..we never knew this show existed until recently, and no way would he have been able to handle the emotion if he had not just had his own long lost family moment! But goodness, the show does bring out the happy tears! I had a good cry with my glass of red.

So today will be proper FD, lots of proteins, water, herbal and green teas…..already done a Leslie walk and a brisk walk around the village.

Have a good day all.