Welcome to the July challenge! Winter, summer, mid-year. Wherever you are, challenge yourself this month. For some that challenge may be as simple as logging in once a day, aiming to lose a few kilos or pounds, or staying in maintenance. It’s entirely up to you!
For the newbies, the following might look like a lot of information. But it is just that information. No rules in this forum!
The monthly challenges were started by @coda in May 2016 and have been going ever since…
These monthly forums are full of wonderful supportive people from around the world. If you have a question, a tip, or need a mental pick me up, this is the place to come. And you can join at any time.
I’ve copied the general guidance from previous months’ forums – it’s tried and true!
How to start your daily post?
Start your daily post with the day of the month, where you are and if you’re on a fast day (FD); a non-fast day (NFD) or a controlled day (CD) – (e.g. for 1st of Jun it would go something like “Day 1 –UK – FD” for me.) We use the day of the month, rather than how many days you’ve been on this 5:2 pathway, because it helps keep track of those of us on different sides of the international date line. If you want to post again on the same day, people usually start it with “2nd post”. But again, there are no rules.
Can I stay anonymous?
Of course you can! But if you want to, give a quick introduction about yourself in your first post– mostly for the benefit of the newbies. You can share as much or as little as you want. Some people like the anonymity of this forum so feel free to share as much as you are comfortable with…A brief blurb about your journey so far and what you aim get from this way of life (WOL). Also if you wish, your starting weight and any other measurements (waist, hip, bust etc) you aim to keep track of throughout the month.
What’s the spreadsheet all about?
The wonderful @at will soon upload the monthly spreadsheet. Entirely up to you whether you wish to use it – it can help you track progress, and see how others are doing for some mutual support. I don’t use it myself – it’s completely up to you!
What do I have to post?
Anything you want! You can add any comments/questions/moans/whinges/triumphs… or anything you feel like you want to share with the rest of the forum. We all have good days and bad days, days we fall off the wagon and days when we hang in there for dear life………so if you want to share it – post it. Some people read the forum but never post anything. That’s completely ok too.
Recipes, tips, tricks and questions can also be shared – most of us are logged on at one time or another and can clarify things, offer advice, support etc when needed – this is the great thing about this international forum, there’s always someone online.
What is a pocket list?
Over the course of these monthly challenges, there have been small groups doing their own mini-challenges. Over the months, there have been pocket lists for FDs, doing planks, doing toilet squats and so forth. I propose a prohibition list for those who want to refrain from imbibing alcohol Mon – Thurs. Those who wish to participant put their name down on a ‘pocket list’. The pocket list can be printed off and kept in your pocket as a physical reminder of who else is sharing the same goal as you for that day. Or it can just be a mental trick to remember that you’re not alone.
For those of you who are new, if you are copying the pocket list on FDs on your phone or a tablet these steps might help:
You should hold your finger on the first line you want to copy e.g. “day 1 -pocket..” and the select option will display. You should then see a “start” selection marker and an “end” selection marker…drag the “end” selection marker to the end of the list and choose Copy..
It’s best to start the selection on standard text rather than people’s names/links as they are links and you will automatically be linked to their profile..it can be a little frustrating…
But I still have questions!
5:2 basics – answers from @simcoeluv who used come on and answer queries newbies had to many FAQs plus top tips:
https://thefastdiet.co.uk/forums/topic/the-basics-for-newbies-your-questions-answered/
And what’s with all these abbreviations?
Here’s the wonderful list of abbreviations used throughout this challenge and added to on an ongoing basis:16:8: 16 hours fast 8 hours non fast
5:2 5 days NFD:2 days IF
ADF: Alternate Day Fast, FD, NFD
B2B: Back to Back (days of FD or WFD)
CFD: Controlled Fast Day (1200 cals)
DH,DD, DS: Darling Husband Daughter, Son
EFS: Epic Face Stuffing (we’ve all had one of those days!)
FD: Fast Day (500 cals)
Hunger Dragon: that dreadful psychological beast that sometimes cannot be satisfied. Some people even name theirs (eg inner warthog!)
IF: Intermittent Fasting
Keto: way of eating that generates Ketones
LC: Low Carb way of eating
LCHF: Low Carb High Fat way of eating
LOL: Laughing Out Loud
M/WOAM: Man/Woman on a Mission (courtesy of @i-hate-lettuce)
MFD: Modified Fast Day (800 cals) on the new Fast800, it’s a FD
NFD: Non Fast Day
OH: Other Half (eg spouse/partner)
OMAD: One meal a Day
PFDS: post FD smugness (courtesy of @penz)
TDEE: Total Daily Energy Expenditure (see the ‘how it works’ link on the home page to work out yours)
TRE: Time Restricted Eating
WFD: Water Fast Day (Water only)
WOL: Way of Life
I look forward to seeing you on line, old names and new. You’re all welcome. It’s going to be a great month!
2:37 pm
28 Jun 20