July 2021 Challenge

This topic contains 421 replies, has 31 voices, and was last updated by  NorthGeorgia 2 years, 7 months ago.

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  • Day 6 – Canada 🇨🇦 – NFD

    Good morning everybody. Just a quick post before a long drive.

    @stitchincarol – thanks, i still can’t believe I’m moving!. I have an apartment lined up for August/ September – might be kind of nice to not have any grass to mow 😊
    @high5 – like you I still have about 4 or 5 lbs to go, it’s slow going. Hoping to drop 2 this month but not worrying about it until I get back from my mini vacation. Do you have a plan for the month?

    Take care all.

    Day 6, London, UK, FD,

    2 lengthy hospital visits for my mum yesterday and I couldn’t find a wheelchair for love nor money, so she was forced to walk the hospital corridors, of which there are MANY, leaning heavily on me for support. I wanted to cry because she was trying her best, but it was sooooo very hard😢.
    Anyway, on the way home she fancied a treat, so a portion of chips🍟 was what we opted for & she loved it🤗 & the marathon walk was soon forgotten!! 🙏

    @i-hate-lettuce, I really wanted your post to read “clearly it was because I was wearing my mankini” 😜I’m very disappointed!!! Although I’m glad you’re saving the budgie smugglers for your very private back garden😀!!!

    @stitchincarol, no luck with the house at the moment, the market has been a bit crazy, definitely a sellers’ market. So, I’ve pressed pause and will move in with my mum 💜 until next Spring, I expect!

    @northgeorgia, my goodness that sound terrifying!!! A spontaneously exploding sunroof isn’t a phrase I want to hear again, ever!!!! 😱 I’m glad you were uninjured, scary😲!!!

    Feeling positive for the week ahead (although it’s nearly hump day!) and certainly looking forward to todays’ FD …………………….. Uurgh, just remembered I didn’t take the prawns out of the freezer for my prawn salad😱………………………….. tuna salad it is then!!! 👍 👍
    Stay strong folks,

    “Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” – John R. Woode

    Day 6 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – FD

    @northgeorgia – that must have given you such a fright?! But fortunately no injuries. My car got written off at the end of December, after some plonker drove into the back of me. No-one was hurt, & it seemed like the perfect way to end 2020 🙄

    @basyjames & @stitchincarol – thank you!

    Not in the mood for another FD so soon, but I’m doing it anyway. A cheese omelette & veggies for this evening’s meal, I think. Not very exciting, but it’ll do the job, & I always feel eggs are the perfect FD food 🥚

    Pocket List – Day 6 🍒
    @litprof
    @flourbaby
    @funshipfreddie

    Day 6 – USA/GA – FD

    Not only a FD, felt queasy this morning because of all the non-sense and runaround I know is ahead in trying to get the sunroof replaced in a reasonable amount of time (another tropical storm is headed this way; yay, wind and water). Going to stay out of work a few hours until I can get some answers (what’s the point, when my nerves are wracked! lol!) Anyway, no one is answering the phone before 9 a.m., so just got to take the time to sip water, restore my breathing, and focus.

    @funshipfreddie Oh, I know about that, too. Because of COVID, we are still awaiting the settlement of when someone destroyed our car while on vacation two years ago — plowed into the back of us at a traffic light. My mom was in the backseat and suffered shoulder, neck, and head pain which has continued somewhat to this day. I have had the worst luck these past few years of no-fault incidents happening to me!

    Weigh-in: 223 lbs. Time to get started…

    Day 6 – UK – CD

    Had a good FD600 yesterday so feeling positive today!

    Weather forecast had been for rain but managed my group walk of 6km without any rain and even sat outside for a coffee and catch up with the others afterwards!

    Cooking a Hot and Sour Curried Cod Pie from Calum Franklin for dinner tonight and will serve it with steamed broccoli tossed in a little butter and sprinkled with toasted almonds as he recommends – my portion will be all told under 600cals – he has some interesting recipes if anyone is interested here is a link to some of his recipes – I have his cookbook and have tried several of his recipes already!
    https://www.theguardian.com/food/2020/oct/10/calum-franklin-pie-recipes-moroccan-filo-chickpea-curried-cod-carrot-onion-hazelnut-tatin-keema-spiced-cottage-pie

    @basyjames – seems to be a trend for a few of us to have indulgent weekends and then press a RESET with a Monday FD 😁 Hope the new luggage arrived safely and lived up to expectations!
    @northgeorgia – great to see your stories have resumed and new characters joining!
    @stitchincarol – hope you have pressed your RESET button today as wished and loved your comment “DH has promised–PROMISED–to help me with self-control and to do DTF with me”
    @bellyblast – we have an old pair of digital scales which weighs me 0.6kg less than my new fancy ones that pairs with my I-Phone – which to trust 🤣
    @northgeorgia – that must have been scary……glad to hear you were unharmed 🤗
    @high5 – Some 5 years into this WOL and I still don’t understand why some FD are so easy and others are a real struggle……
    @daffodil2010 – good idea to see a specialist regarding your foot as it has been going on for a bit and so annoying as the pain is intermittent
    @flourbaby – amazing power a portion of chips🍟 has 🤣 Glad your mum was OK!

    For those asking I don’t think there is any fear of the our monthly challenges being shutdown but June was somewhat quiet so I think we wondered if the interest was still there……we are 24 active participants so far this month – and there are a couple of names added to the spreadsheet but no comments as yet from the individuals @anna and @ilita – don’t be shy and join us if you feel up to commenting 🤗

    Right I’m off to prep dinner as I have a 1630 High Impact Pilates class booked as well…….

    Remember that “If you keep going you won’t regret it. If you give up you will.”

    Day 6 – Rural Nebraska, USA – FD

    Another fun day yesterday, too much food and drink again, but not as much too much, if that makes sense, LOL. Today’s a FD and I have to drive to Omaha to teach a piano lesson, and then I have a dental appointment for a crown, so it should actually be easy to fast!

    Wow, @northgeorgia, what an awful experience! To happen at any point would be bad enough, but to happen while driving must have been momentarily terrifying! So glad you didn’t get any glass on you!

    @i-hate-lettuce A friend and neighbor watered my plants while we were gone for those ten days, and somehow her water was better than my water, LOL, because everything looked WONDERFUL when we got home. What a blessing she was to us, and what a blessing you are to your own neighbors!

    @high5 Nope, not me. Either @northgeorgia or @northerndawn, if my memory serves me correctly. I do find, however, that the fewer carbs I have the day before a FD, the easier it is to fast, and I generally have NO carbs on a FD. So hope your back is completely fine by Thursday, as you’re hoping!

    @daffodil2010 I’m sure you’re right that 3 years of 5:2 has been helpful for your health, even if it hasn’t moved the scale; after all, that was the original point of 5:2, was an improvement in health.

    @litprof Seriously??? Four FDs in a row??? That was my initial response. And then I heard a quiet voice inside me say, “Well, you used to do FD500, FD800, FD800, FD500 every single Mon-Thurs and think nothing of it. Hmmm…I’ve really fallen away from what used to be my norm! Good luck with it, and I’m going to hold you up in my mind as a stellar example of what I need to reclaim!

    Oh, @flourbaby, I could just see your mom leaning on you and struggling through those LONG hallways! How soon do you move in with your mom? And do tell about your tuna salad, and how you would have done a prawn salad; they both sound lovely.

    @at About that promise DH made: about two hours later, he asked, “What was that promise I made to you??” LOL! I reminded him and he said, “Oh, yeah, okay.” Hmmm…let’s hope he’s better at upholding the promise than he is at remembering the promise!! 🤣 And GREAT quote.

    One thing that has really changed over the past three or four weeks is that I’ve suddenly been sleeping very, very well! I sure hope it’s not related to how much I’ve been eating/drinking, because even though I’ve loved sleeping so well, good sleep is not worth the added weight and the sluggish belly.

    Okay, time to begin my day. I hope your day/evening goes exactly as you mean it to go!

    Pocket List – Day 6 🍒
    @litprof
    @flourbaby
    @funshipfreddie
    @northgeorgia
    @stitchincarol

    Day 6 North canton OH FD -10 days to beach vacay

    Yesterday was a very relaxing day for the entire family. It was a much needed day of R & R, now begins the final push before we head to Cancun next weekend.

    @stitchincarol as @at said there was some panic that there would not be enough posting to sustain the group, we only had 6 pages of posts for the whole of June, but I see that our fears were misplaced as we are well on our way in July. Yay, kudos on overcoming “I don’t want to”. That is a win

    I am so glad to see so many old friends back and new ones as well.

    It has also been my experience that posting keeps me on the straight and narrow, just reading everyone’s experiences and struggles helps.

    @EmmaTaylor what a victory with the jeans Woot Woot!!!

    @funshipfreddie your car experience embodied 2020 perfectly

    @i hate lettuce we missed your bimbling ways and yes, what a journey you have had over the last couple of years. I continue to be so thankful for what you have overcome

    @daffodil2010 hang in there, and take one day at a time. I am glad that you are seeing the doctor for that foot.

    @high5 congrats on making it through a hard fast day. Every time I have a difficult fast day, the scale rewards my diligence by shifting lower

    @northgeorgia What !!!!! I cannot even imagine. I did not know that was possible. I am so glad that you were not hurt.

    Lately I have been feeling thankful for the practice of fasting and appreciating the positive changes it has brought about in my life. Having tried every diet known to man and womankind, to have something so simple and inexpensive that helps me maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle has been a game changer for my family.
    After so many years of resisting, OH finally joined me this year to mindfully follow OMAD as his fasting practice. He has had great results, 20 pounds lost so far and his BP has gone from an average of 145/90 to 116/70. I am very thankful indeed.

    Every day that I am able to fast is gift that I am bestowing on my body and my family, this mindset has made it possible for me to view fasting not as an inconvenience but as a precious ally in my quest for a healthy lifestyle

    Pocket List – Day 6 🍒
    @litprof
    @flourbaby
    @funshipfreddie
    @northgeorgia
    @stitchincarol
    @basyjames

    Day 6 USA FD 800

    Yesterday’s attempt at a CD was dismal, to say the least. Today I am joining @litprof with 4 (at least) FD800’s to make up for a long weekend of too many calories daily.

    It is gently raining here, and that is such a beautiful sound! Everything here was parched, the lawns turning brown, and people tired of the heat and drought. Lovely temp today, albeit still humid, but that’s ok. I’m trying to get out for a walk between showers in a bit.

    @high5 – I believe it was me who said that white rice is like sugar to me. Not quite kryptonite, but, hmm, maybe that’s an accurate description after all. In any case, it leads to more carb cravings. As @stitchincarol has said, I also find FD’s easier if I limit carbs the day before, and eat very few on the day of a FD.

    @flourbaby, it seems you are so busy with helping to care for your mom. I think you are wise to pause in your quest to find a home for you both. If moving in with your mother is doable, then it sounds like a really practical thing to do while waiting for the housing market to normalize. Also, thanks for that link to ibreathimhungry.com I always forget about her blog, even though I’ve used several of her recipes over the years. I believe I might try her egg-fast menu for the next several days. I expect to not feel so well after doing that for a couple days, but it really gets things moving in the right direction.

    @daffodil2010 – I agree with others it is time to get some professional advice about that foot. In the meantime, do take it easy on it, as Leslie can be a bit hard on knees, ankles and feet in general.

    @basyjames – Well said about the benefits of fasting and this forum! And I’m getting excited for your beach vacation, too! I can’t wait to hear about it when you return.

    As for “closing” the forum down, well, no, I doubt that will happen, but as @daffodil2010 pointed out the other day, (which got that discussion going)some other forums become quiet with “tumbleweeds”. And she pointed out that Dr. Moseley’s activities, tours, etc haven’t been updated since 2019.

    If you compare the top 50 most popular topics on this forum, the challenges have been slowly becoming less active, with almost none of them occurring since March and June of 2019- the last two, I think, that made it into the top 50. We have gone from over 3000 posts a challenge to less than 350 posts/challenge. I just feel that if we keep our forum active and vibrant, it will continue to be moderated by JJ, and will be here for the benefit of all of us.

    Good luck to all.

    Day 7 AUS FD800

    Today is day 3 of the great reset. I’m not standing on those scales until my measurements deflate a bit, it would be too demoralising. But I have to say, I’ve cleaned up my diet since the start of the month, and am now back on the IF train, and even after a few days of that feel so much more clear headed and lighter mentally as well as physically.

    @stitchincarol I don’t find multi FD800s that hard. Often the first few days the hunger dragons rumble a bit during fasting times, but it helps reduce my overall appetite, and I eat huge servings of veggies and salad during meals on those days, so I don’t feel low energy or deprived. I’m not sure I could manage the traditional FD500 or OMAD though!

    Good this plan is so flexible, and we can adapt as needed.

    Day 7, OMAD, Aus

    Hello all – not much to say today but checking in to help keep me on track.

    Waiting for @funshipfreddie to sign in with his usual Wednesday greeting.

    Day 6 – second post

    Well, I ended up staying out of work all day. I’m glad I did. An in-office visit to the insurance agent calmed my nerves. One glass replacement company at corporate claimed they could do the repair, then hours later (3 pm) called me back to say they couldn’t. Fortunately, my insurance will allow me to get reimbursed if I just take it to the dealership and bring back the paid in full invoice. They’re ordering a new sunroof tonight, and I’ll drive down for a 7 am appointment the day after tomorrow. Hopefully, all will go well!

    In other news, the fasting went really great today! The early morning nausea caused by my frazzled nerves kind of drove home how wonderful it was to not be eating normally today! LOL

    Day 7 – Lake district UK – NFD

    Good morning everyone

    Quick call in this morning, delivery imminent, still getting groceries delivered, habit Mrs IHL has kept on with. Still visits local store and butchers etc but the ‘usual’ store items are delivered.

    @litprof … very true, the 5:2 WOL is flexible, so you can have the occasional treat or the odd EFSD, but as long as you keep things within reason, throw in a couple or 3 FD’s and any damage done can quickly be sorted. I always reckoned that a 2 week holiday needed a good couple of weeks being a little strict would undo 2 weeks of holiday over indulgence.

    Take care all

    Day seven, UK, FD

    @funshiofreddie – I’m not in the mood for a FD either, but it makes me think of the title of that book:
    “Feel the fear and do it anyway” – Obviously I’m not frightened of the fast day (😀) just not particularly inclined this morning to go all day without food! 😭

    But I said to myself at the beginning of the week that I was going to do 3XFD and so I will… I really need to shift these last 4 pounds and currently they are not budging!!!!

    @dvw – yes we are still in the same boat except that I don’t have a lovely trip planned like you… Have a wonderful time! 😊
    No I do not really have a specific plan apart from that I will “keep on keeping on…” This means 3XFD per week and try to make the NFD weekdays into CDs. Relax a little bit at the weekend but only if going out for meals et cetera…
    Whether I will be able to stick to this saintly regime I have no idea but I’m going to try!!

    Hats off to all of you that do multiple fast days consecutively… I really cannot think of anything worse and I think you are all amazing!

    @at – I think that we have a great group going and some regulars and some newbies, so I hope that we can keep it going forever!!!
    In fact I just realised that whilst I have drifted on and off this forum for many years but only during 2021 have I come to learn the importance of checking in every day!

    Maybe it is just because I’m getting older and now it is harder to shift the weight/keep the weight off than it used to be…

    Pocket list day 7:
    @penz
    @high5 (@fivetwofan5252)

    Day 7 – Ireland 🇮🇪 – CD

    I was going to say FD but it probably will be in the realms of controlled day, due to the lovely fact that my darling Dad is coming to visit me today with one of my brothers, and I am making a simple cream of chicken soup and assorted sandwiches on wholemeal bread for lunch….so I will have to eat something with the boys. ☺️

    So looking forward to seeing Dad, I haven’t seen him in the flesh since February, he was supposed to stay over at Easter but I had to cancel him as that was when I started to be sick. A big HUG is due the man today ☺️

    I can see a slight decrease in my weight, feeling fitter and healthier, more exercise is helping strengthen muscles, and looking forward to getting the pesky foot problem assessed and hopefully diagnosed and treated soon.

    @flourbaby, oh your poor Mum, the thought of having to walk through those long corridors. I feel for you, same issue happened with my Dad having to struggle on crutches through multiple corridors on a hospital visit…….so glad the chips perked your Mum up.

    @northerndawn having 24 active participants this month is great, the momentum has certainly stepped up in July 👍

    I have a few things to do before Dad arrives at lunchtime. DH and I are going away to County Kerry on the southwest coast of Ireland tomorrow just for two nights. It’s a little treat to celebrate recovery. We are going in our camper van and have a place booked on the Ring of Kerry overlooking the stunning Atlantic coastline. So now I must ensure van is stocked, water topped up, etc.and DH can do the heavy lifting of the bike rack when he gets home tonight.

    We plan to depart early so I may be offline for a couple of days, but know that I am with you guys.

    Happy Hump Day 🐪, but we have missed you every Wednesday @funshipfreddie precisely because of this 😄

    Day 7 UK NFD

    Quick check in, will catch up on posts later , in honour of the recently returned @funshipfreddie Happy 🐫 day all xx

    Day 7 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – NFD

    @high5 – I didn’t just feel the fear, I grabbed it by the neck & slapped it silly! And was rewarded with a half-kilo drop on the scales this morning. Really looking forward to lunch today though.

    @basyjames – interesting to hear of your DH’s progress & the huge difference a 20 lb drop has made to his health! The BP drop alone – I doubt any drug could make such an improvement so quickly. Doctors should be shouting the benefits of fasting from the rooftops; but very few ever will because there’s no money in it for them or the drug companies.

    @daffodil2010 – enjoy lunch with your Dad; that chicken soup & sarnies sounds good! 😋

    Happy Hump Day! 🐫 🐪

    Day 7 – Ireland – FD

    Hi all,
    Fasting today for tests to try work out what the niggly pain in my side is down to… typically it’s not too bad now…
    And of course no probs for us seasoned fasters to fast in these situations 💪

    Great to see so many people posting

    @flourbaby – I’m thinking of you! we are definitely treading the same path at the moment with hospital visits and care for our mums.. both ladies seems so stoic! My mums favourite tea is chips too at the moment 🍟 … she would never have gone to the chipper but now it’s a real treat. My mum often looks for dad too…it can be upsetting but she does love to talk about him. Dad’s first anniversary is next month and so it will be a difficult time 💕

    My god @at… your meals just sound so delicious! I’ve lost all interest in cooking at the moment… I was never that talented a cook but had been enjoying making new dishes earlier in lockdown…to be honest I think I have general apathy at the moment and am trying to sort that out … it’s hard.

    @dvw and @high5 I have the same goal.. 5-6 lbs and I should be happy then.. I’ve drifted back up from touching that gold 160 number recently…

    @basyjames and others who are planning for your holidays! 🏖enjoy!!!! it’s so grey and horrible here – I can only dream..

    Right off into scan…. Good luck today all.

    Onward and downward ⬇️
    We rise by lifting others 💕

    Day 7 Pocket List
    @litprof – FD800
    @jaifaim

    Day 7 North Canton OH WFD 2, 9 days to beach vacation

    @northerndawn I also gave up white rice some time ago because of the cravings it triggers for me, and the horrible headaches I get on fast days. Thanks for the good vibes re: my vacation, I can’t wait to share how it goes.

    @flourbaby thanks for that recipe, I will be trying it this weekend. I am also a huge fan of her blog, thanks for the reminder. I am so glad you and your mom have each other

    @litprof I agree multi-day fast days are much easier if you are psychologically ready for them because you can get in a rhythm, once you knuckle through the first day- your ghrelin and leptin levels off, and then it’s pretty smooth sailing for the rest. Its a feeling like no other; like a really weird high and the sleep is amazing once I get past the first night, by night 3 I usually can’t sleep past 5am, so my day begins earlier and productivity is through the roof.

    @northgeorgia great news about the repairs to your car. How terrifying and stressful

    Day 7 Pocket List
    @litprof – FD800
    @jaifaim
    @basyjames WFD2

    Day 7 – USA/GA – NFD

    Weigh-in: 220 lbs. Just finished my morning oatmeal and getting ready to drive my old car, which I had donated as a “local Sunday riding car” to my parents. I have to remember: no backup camera, blind spot monitor, parking guides LOL

    I have to be at the dealership at 7 a.m. tomorrow, so I’ll be waking up about 4:45 a.m. to get into Atlanta traffic. My FD program is disrupted for the week. I better go NFD tomorrow, too. Friday? Mmmm… Fridays are tougher than Saturdays for me, so probably Saturday for my next one. That should help because I could only find Monday and Wednesday or Thursday to do next week as FDs. As more in-person meetings start back, it’s going to be a new challenge figuring out my FDs — especially if the meetings include dinners or luncheons, or if they require a long commute. We’ll play it by ear.

    The dinner consisted of a set menu, so no there were no worries about ordering something too expensive. On the other side of the windows, we hear a siren and notice an ambulance with its flashing lights go down the highway. Soft music is playing in the background while we are served the salad.

    “Rabbit food?” Buzz says, raising an eyebrow.

    “Just eat your bread,” Megan says. “This isn’t the whole meal.”

    “I hope not! I need more than lettuce to get me through this ordeal.”

    Rita glares at him, whereupon Buzz turns a beet red color.

    “What do you mean, ‘ordeal?'” Rita says, the fury in her voice rising.

    John pats Rita on her arm, in a vain attempt to soothe over the situation.

    “What in the world?” Wesley whispers at me.

    Good luck to those on the pocket lists today.

    Day 7 Canada NFD

    Good FD yesterday 😊
    Off to work. Have a great day everyone!!

    Day 7 – Rural Nebraska, USA – FD800

    Yesterday’s FD felt as if I were WAY overeating. It was somewhat easy, and yet not, if that makes sense. When I added up all the calories on MFP, I was startled to find I was only at 610. Given how awful my mouth felt as the anesthesia wore off after my new crown, I called that a total success.

    Today, I’m shooting for FD800. I’m going to ease into it, but I think it’s time I return to FD500-FD800-FD800-FD500 on Mon-Thur as often as I’m able. I’m sick to death of this returned weight, and want it GONE, and then more besides. My cleaning lady comes this afternoon, so that will keep me from nibbling at least until she’s gone at 3:30. She would laugh to know she’s helping me control my food consumption!

    @northgeorgia I hope the new roof is indeed at the dealership and ready to install on Thursday morning!

    @daffodil2010 How lovely to have your dad and a brother visiting today! Have a lovely day, and then a lovely time away to County Kerry!

    Okay, off to finish putting away vacation stuff so surfaces are ready to clean. Have a grand day, everyone!

    Day 7 Pocket List
    @penz
    @high5
    @litprof – FD800
    @jaifaim
    @basyjames WFD2
    @stitchincarol – FD800

    DTF
    @stitchincarol – anyone else??

    Day 7 MN/USA FD800

    Feeling much better after a successful day yesterday, and looking forward to 3 more FD800s this week. I love the feeling of being back in control, lighter (scales were down this morning) and the optimism that comes with having a plan and sticking to it.

    @daffodil2010 – Enjoy your visit from your dad, and what sounds like a wonderful little holiday to the southwest coast this weekend.

    @northgeorgia – Best of luck with the car repairs. I hope it goes smoothly for you. Getting up at 3:45 am though…..ugh! So sorry for you having to do that.

    @stitchincarol – I hope that your mouth is recovering from your dental appointment. I’m aiming for three more FD800’s this week, but if I could throw in a FD500 I’d be thrilled.

    Best of luck to all.

    Day 7 Pocket List
    @penz
    @high5
    @litprof – FD800
    @jaifaim
    @basyjames WFD2
    @stitchincarol – FD800
    @northerndawn FD800 (2nd of 4)

    DTF
    @stitchincarol – anyone else??
    @northerndawn – Dry July

    Second Post

    @jaifaim – Good luck with your scan; I hope you get some answers, and your symptoms continue to improve. 🤞🤗

    Hello. Found some of you are doing FD800, I’m considering this rather than FD500 twice a week in the winter. I wonder if this would work.

    My question is: in the colder months I find a typical FD500 is very hard going as I feel so cold, even indoors. Do you think it is good a idea to switch to 4 x FD800 a week, leaving the other 3 days not counting calories?

    My goal is to lose the belly fat (I don’t have much weight to lose. My aim is to lose 4 kgs in weight which I have already lost 2kgs. Weighing after fasts confirmed this recently, but the 5 inches are so hard to shift, they don’t seem to be moving!!). I am cutting out refined sugar in my normal diet and reduce the portion size especially the carbohydrates. I have occasionally taken desserts when eating out, but not always, anyhow I cook most meals myself. At home, my dessert on the eating days are 2-3 squares of dark chocolate and snack on fruit. In the warmer months, it is easier to achieve these practices but in the winter it is challenging hence I’m thinking of switching the fasting model. But I don’t want to put the weight/inches back on by the switching. What do you think?

    second post

    @gkw most of us experience that feeling of being cold when we fast as well. It’s very uncomfortable and I can empathize.

    You are on the right track with cutting out refined sugar if you are trying to shrink belly fat, with regards to 4 FD800 and then not tracking what you eat on the other 3, I guess it could work since you do not have that much to lose. Everyone is different and trial and error is the only way to figure out what will work for you.

    My OH refuses to track calories, its a deal breaker for him – and so far he has found success with OMAD. I used to be an avid calorie counter, now I just focus on eating within my window and that seems to be working ok.

    Long story short, I think you could mindfully try it and see what happens. If you are trying to lose inches, you could also try strength training which will help shrink those inches for you 👍🏾👍🏾.

    Thank you for replying. I will try this in the colder months. Meanwhile sticking to 5:2 weekly, it is now my 7th week and second fast of the week tomorrow.

    When you said “strength training”, did you mean weight training using weights or bodyweight resistance training? I will try to incorporate those in. I really don’t like exercises, at the moment I walk and do housework but nothing else.

    Belly fat is sooooo hard to lose, don’t know how many months will pass before these inches go. I was hoping by Christmas this year (and I started on 25th May) but am unsure about this, or by end of March 2022 as that’s my 10th wedding anniversary.

    Day 7 USA = CD

    For years I have tried to get DH to control his sugar intake which of course leads to more cravings. He’s tried to cut back on some of his serious snacking (90% of which were sugary treats) but has not been able to lose some stubborn 8-10 pounds. He said he wanted to try doing FD’s, but I told him I think that is too serious a change all at once. We are going to try Phase 1 of South Beach Diet for maybe a week. It won’t hurt me at all, and ought to seriously help him. Phase 1 is Low/No Carbs and I always do make sure we have moderate fats.

    I’m curious if you all think this is a fair beginning for him? I think after several days of no sugars, then he could consider a FD.

    @gkw – many of us are with you at feeling seriously cold on FD’s. Hot liquids (Miso soup, tea) do help me as well as hot packs for hands, feet, body size ones for bed. My DH also really wants to lose belly fat, and yes, it is hard to target. We also know exercise is good, don’t really like it, but are convinced we must do some for health.

    @stitchincarol – you will certainly be back in the groove of 5:2 very soon. So glad you had a great vacay.

    @northgeorgia – I wondered just why a sunroof glass would suddenly explode?! Both of our cars have sunroofs, and a previous one did have to get glass replaced (kids were young enough and someone sat on it) so I know it can be done. So glad you were not injured!

    England football team has just gone ahead of Denmark — hope they can win and then beat Italy! 🇬🇧 Son Christopher has gone to Paris for a month to concentrate a bit on EuroDisney for his Disney Travel Planner business. If anyone is interested in his services, please do contact him. Feel free to “name drop” SongBirdMe or “Mom” to him. https://wishful-thinking.com/home/about/

    Onward and downward.

    Day 7 OMAD London

    Hi. Just been back up to Yorkshire, to lovely York, to see my sister. Had a slightly weird lunch of lots of cheese and salamis and cured meat. Too much food, so I brought some home in a doggy bag. But a big difference these days is that I never feel guilty about diverging from the OMAD plan. It’s just not helpful so I’ve decided not to do it, and it really helps. I have double cream in my morning coffee every day, because I really like it and I’ve decided I’d miss it if I didn’t have it. So that takes all the pressure off. Oooh. Sorry. England have just won. Hurray. Happy hump day all.

    Day 8, FD, Aus

    Yesterday’s planned OMAD did not happen. I’m not sure today’s FD will either. My mojo must have snuck into Sydney where it is now subject to stay at home lockdown orders. I need it back with me!

    Nice to see another new name. Welcome @gkw. I take it you’re somewhere in the Southern Hemisphere if you’re talking about the colder months. It got down to minus 5.7 C here overnight. Fasting on top of those temperatures is a real challenge!

    Day 8 Lake district UK – FD

    Good morning everyone

    At home day today, bright sunshine and a nice warm start, going to be in the garden (not working) day today, top up the tan and a BBQ.
    BBQ and Fasting Day, easy, coffee breakfast, lunchtime, tons of roast veggies on the BBQ, no alcohol …. well maybe one 300ml taster bottle 😉
    Evening meal, remainder of the leftover veggies from lunchtime with green salad 🙂

    Take care all

    Pocket list day 8
    @penz
    @i-hate-lettuce

    Day 8 – UK – FD
    Day 7 – NFD

    Sorry I missed posting yesterday – a busy one starting with 90mins of yoga, coffee by the lake, an afternoon of volunteering, dinner and not forgetting the football!

    A little bit of overindulgence yesterday which included some wine with dinner and a very delicious dark venezuelan chocolate ice cream afterwards……and my planned CD turned into a well over TDEE one…….

    Today is a new day and a FD – I have an aerobics class at 9am and will finish the day with a pilates session this evening so hoping to stick to a 500cal day for a change 🤞 must remember to drink lots of water 💦

    @jaifaim – I love cooking and love experimenting and luckily OH is happy to go along and sample my experiments 🤣 Hope the scan explains the cause of your intermittent pain x
    @gkw – I find that refined carbs and alcohol don’t help in reducing my waistline…..if I cut back on both I always notice a difference – something to think about?? and yes I find that FD800 are certainly more doable in winter and drinking lots of hot water flavoured with ginger and lemon very helpful
    @emma-taylor – York is such a beautiful city and lots to explore
    @i-hate-lettuce – thanks for starting the pocket list – loving the sound of your FD!

    Right off to get organised so I can get to my 9am class in time!

    Pocket list day 8
    @penz
    @i-hate-lettuce
    @at

    “I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination”

    Day 8 – Ireland – CD

    Hi all, well I had a very busy day yesterday but that meant that I stuck to a good fast day. Well done on the footy! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 I don’t really follow it anymore but am very happy for you and I like your team. 🎉

    @daffodil2010 I hope you enjoyed your lunch with your lovely dad… precious times.. 💕I’m sure you enjoyed that hug 🤗 and enjoy Kerry!

    @stitchincarol I could really do with a cleaning lady now 😃 I’m just so fed up with cleaning my house all the time… I think living and working at home just means there is so much more to do… or maybe I just don’t finish anything properly but grrr… wish it could magically tidy itself 🤣

    @penz sorry to hear you are back in lockdown over there! Everything had been going so well there? I did wonder the same @gkw where are you located?

    @songbirdme – that’s fab for your son! I’d love to get back to my beautiful Paris… I miss it a lot.

    Thanks @northerndawn! I’m hoping that they can work out what is causing the pain… not too sore but it’s there and distracting me… 🤞

    Have a great day everybody!

    Onward and downward ⬇️
    We rise by lifting others 💕

    Day 8, UK, FD-700

    Well done @funshipfreddie for grabbing the fasting by the horns and slapping it around!
    Wish that had been me! I was not so stellar yesterday and I gave in! Just wasn’t feeling the love. I had a CD+ZBC instead….

    But now here I am starting another FD !!! But I feel much more in the zone today, phew.

    @northgeorgia – I am loving loathing Buzz !!!

    Pocket list day 8
    @penz
    @i-hate-lettuce
    @at
    @high5

    Day 8 Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 FD

    Today is a FD but I’m not in the mood but I need to keep the routine going so checking in for accountability!

    Pocket list day 8
    @penz
    @i-hate-lettuce
    @at
    @high5
    @missybear

    Together we are stronger 🤗

    Day 8 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – FD

    Well done England!! (my country of birth) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🏆

    Has anyone read ‘The Fasting Highway’? – by Australian Graeme Currie? “A motivational story from Australia that follows one man’s incredible 60 kg (132 pound) weight loss by living an intermittent fasting lifestyle that you can do too.”

    @gkw – a couple of things I would suggest; don’t snack on fruit! At least perhaps, not until you reach your goal. One piece maybe as a dessert. If you’re not counting calories on NFDs, then you could be undoing your FD progress. Sugar is sugar as far as your pancreas is concerned, whether it’s refined or fructose. I know counting calories is a pain; but I made little progress last year until I started counting the NFD calories. And an app like myfitnesspal can make it virtually hassle-free once you get used to it. Jason Fung tells us in ‘The Obesity Code’ “just don’t snack!”, “snacks are often little more than thinly disguised desserts” & “simply ask yourself this question. Are you really hungry or just bored? Keep snacks completely out of sight. If you have a snack habit, replace that habit with one that is less destructive to your health.Perhaps a cup of green tea in the afternoon should be your new habit. There’s a simple answer to the question of what to eat at snack time. Nothing. Don’t eat snacks. Period. Simplify your life”. As you may have guessed, I’m a big Jason Fung fan. But I do like a snack sometimes 😜

    @missybear – c’mon now, we’ve got this! 💪

    Pocket List – Day 8
    @penz
    @i-hate-lettuce
    @at
    @high5
    @missybear
    @funshipfreddie FD # 3 😳

    Day 8, London, UK, FD

    I missed posting yesterday & I’m not happy about breaking my July plan so early on in the challenge!!! It wasn’t my fault though, my laptop is refusing to switch on, continuously rebooting and spouting some nonsense about a disk!!!

    I’ve brought it to work today to dump on the IT guys’ desk, it was that or the nearest skip!!! Here’s hoping he understands it better than I. Anyway, I’m on an ancient back-up laptop that has never seen an emoji!! So, this will be short and sweet.

    @daffodil2010, I hope the hug was so long your dad started to squirm in your grasp!!! My mum always ends up patting me on the head, as though to signal ‘That’s enough’!!!

    I’ll be having that long anticipated prawn/avocado salad for my OMAD, following in your footsteps @emma-taylor, yesterday was a cheese/charcuterie/pickle feast, definitely tasty & HFLC thank goodness!!! Ity’ll make today’s FD that bit easier.

    Stay strong folks, I’m off to find the cranking handle to power up this laptop!!! (insert laughing emoji here!!!)

    Day 8 – USA/GA – NFD

    Weigh-in: 223 lbs. Mostly water gain; and a lot of that went away after weighing and after my morning oatmeal LOL –oops TMI!

    Hoping to keep it under control today, in all senses of the word 🙂 About to leave out for the repair job, so fingers crossed!

    Good luck to those on the pocket list today, and see you soon!

    2nd Post

    Pocket List – Day 8
    @penz
    @i-hate-lettuce
    @at
    @high5
    @missybear
    @funshipfreddie FD # 3 😳
    @flourbaby

    Hello everyone, thank you for replying / posting. I like reading the banter on this group. I’m in the UK, was thinking ahead of the colder months. I was feeling cold on Tuesday and was thinking ahead.

    Re: tracking calories. I have tried to but always gave up because I don’t cook by recipes. I’d add this and that in a dish that I’m making (whatever fresh ingredients in the fridge at the time) and I find calculating the portions tricky. How do you do it? I must admit I do like to snack, although my choices now have been restricted.

    On a typical eating day, my meals look a bit like this:

    Breakfast – no added sugar muesli (has plenty of nuts, seeds and some raisins) with semi skimmed milk. OR Porridge made with milk and water, raisins or fresh blueberries OR Greek style kefir with berries and chia seeds.

    Lunch – leftovers from the night before (or easy things like cream cheese and smoked salmon on rye crispbreads or seeded oatcakes)

    Dinner – I cook a lot, so it could be roasted salmon with asparagus, cherry tomatoes, baked sweet potato in its skin. Mostly there are lots of veggies and protein with a small amount of brown rice or sweet potato or butternut squash.

    Snacks – not daily salted peanuts or raw unsalted nuts, fresh fruit (generally berries and cherries), occasionally apple / banana / orange. 2-3 squares of dark chocolate. Tea with semi skimmed milk.

    DISCLAIMER – OF COURSE I have a takeaway from time to time but irregularly.

    I’m trying hard to remove the refined carbs in my diet. I love to cook so when we have family and friends over, I normally make a dessert but haven’t made one for a while now. When we eat out, which is about twice a month on Sundays, I might take a dessert but not always. I don’t drink, not that I don’t like it but because it doesn’t agree with me! I get flushed very quickly, heart palpitations and feeling cold (strangely).

    It is so frustrating as I’m happy with my weight for my height, but the belly is the real headache. I used to be an avid gym user over 10 years ago but gave up. Am staring at the free weights at the corner of the room as I’m typing now!! I’ll look up some resistance / strength training exercises, maybe this is the trick as I have tried to eat less and eat well for years, still the waistline doesn’t change. Perhaps exercise is the missing link here.

    I’m fasting today (second of the week) and planning to not eat anything until (early) dinner time.

    Day 8 UK FD

    I sympathise @gkw I’m in a similar situation , I feel if I stay on track my belly is reducing slooowly but it’s tough going I feel significant factors for me are my age and the fact I drink – I’m (mostly ) in the DTF club and have cut back at the weekends but feel there has to be a balance ?,I do exercise a fair bit but no magic results I’m afraid – I’m not putting a time limit on it I’ll just keep on trying

    Day 8 – Rural Nebraska, USA – FD500

    Yesterday ended up just a bit over 1,000 calories instead of the 800 I had planned, mostly because I planned poorly, not realizing how many calories were in each thing I intended to eat. Lesson learned: enter food into MFP BEFORE eating! But, I came home from vacation at 157.4, was 160.0 on Monday morning after our indulgences and quantities on Sunday (and Saturday, and Friday…) and this morning? 153.0 Such a glorious sight! I know it’s not a real weight, just reflective of how little I’ve eaten for two days, but I also know it’s moving me toward that as a real weight, and I’m doing some halo-polishing here that I’ve controlled my eating for two days, and skipped all alcohol. Now I’m curious to see what a true FD will accomplish for tomorrow morning’s scale number!

    And with that, I must race out the door to work; I’ll hopefully catch up with posts later. Have a good one, everyone!

    Day 8 North canton OH Waterfast day 3. Beach vacation is 8 days away!

    Quick post for accountability as my cup runneth over today.

    Pocket List – Day 8
    @penz
    @i-hate-lettuce
    @at
    @high5
    @missybear
    @funshipfreddie FD # 3 😳
    @flourbaby
    @basyjames WFD3

    Day 8 OMAD London

    Just reading The Fasting Highway, @ Funshipfreddie, on your recommendation. Really enjoying it. I’m on a long train journey ( back from Eastbourne) so I might finish it this evening. Well worth reading.

    Day 8 USA FD800 or CD with Keto

    Feeling very good after 9 hours of sleep last night. This, even though a couple of very loud Hoot Owls were annoyingly and loudly calling to each other until about 1230 am. As a result I arose quite late, but so well rested! Another FD800 with very low carb or keto (less than 20 gm carbs) is planned for today. The overall plan is to get into keto first, then do an egg fast for 3-5 days. I’m already down 2.5 lbs since Monday. Water weight, yes, but it still feels good. Sometimes I need to change things up in order to feel focused and motivated.

    @songbirdme – I think you are wise to ease your DH off of excessive carbs with foods he will like. You want to “sell” the lower carb/limited sugar lifestyle, not make him feel suddenly deprived. Let us know how that ongoing process goes.

    @i-hate-lettuce – I hope you’ve enjoyed your afternoon lazing in the garden and working on your tan.

    @penz – I hope you had a good FD or at least under TDEE today. Don’t be too hard on yourself. As @emma-taylor has pointed out, self recrimination and guilt is not productive.

    @at – I’m always appreciative of your diplomatic and enlightened advice to everyone.

    @missybear – Hang in there, and “cudo”s for checking in.

    @funshipfreddie – Thanks to you as well for sharing your insights. I agree everyone should read Dr. Jason Fung’s books and go to his website. thedietdoctor.com isn’t it?

    @stitchincarol – Well deserved halo polishing! Well done! 😇Good luck on the FD500.

    @gkw – Welcome! I will write a second post later to respond as best I can to some of your thoughts.

    @michelinme – I hope you are doing alright? Take good care of yourself.

    Best of luck to all!

    Second post

    Home now from little office job.

    @i-hate-lettuce What a great idea for a FD meal, to grill bunches of veggies! I’ll have to figure out how to make that work in our lives.

    @jaifaim Yeah, I LOVE having someone come clean, because not only is it clean, but it forces me to completely tidy, something that’s too easy to let slide without a deadline to deal with the clutter. And this cleaning lady is worth her weight in gold, because she’s that good. I’m disappointed not to hear results from your scan yesterday; when will you know something?

    @gkw I’d accept an invitation to your home for dinner any time you choose to issue one! Your meals sound absolutely lovely. Of course, that same statement goes for @at and many, many others on this list also. We all love to cook, I think!

    I’m trying to figure out what to do about my FD meal. I have a doctor’s appointment in Omaha (40 minutes away) at 4:30. Eat before? That makes it too hard to get through the evening without snacking. Eat when I get home? That’s way too late for my comfort. Eat out in Omaha immediately following my appointment? That’s fraught with potential for over-eating, but there’s a chain with rather healthy food (Panera, for those who know the US chains), so I think it will be reasonably safe, and no beer to be had there, so no temptation in that direction! 🤣😂🤣 And the Bing cherries in the kitchen are calling my name, but I’m determined to ignore them…wish me luck!!

    Pocket List – Day 8
    @penz
    @i-hate-lettuce
    @at
    @high5
    @missybear
    @funshipfreddie FD # 3 😳
    @flourbaby
    @basyjames WFD3
    @stitchincarol

    Second Post

    @gkw – First, welcome to the forums and the challenge! You have already received so much good information.

    I would say you have some challenges in losing your waistline, as you are petite at 5’1″, and it sounds like you are somewhat “apple shaped” as they say. Have you always been? Also, the hormonal fluctuations you are going through at your age do NOT make things easy!

    It does sound like you may be keeping your insulin levels up throughout the day by snacking, and some of the foods you listed on other threads are carb heavy, even if “natural”. The body still turns starches into sugar. The higher the carbs, the higher the insulin, the harder to lose that visceral and belly fat.

    Fructose from fruits doesn’t raise blood sugars as much as sucrose (that’s table sugar which is a mix between glucoses and fructose), but all fructose first goes to the liver to be metabolized. This, however, is hard on the liver, which is ultimately responsible for fat metabolism. So we really want to keep our livers healthy! If you have a lot of fructose in your diet, and other carbs, it can cause Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). Alcohol is really a kind of fructose, which is one of the reasons why it is so hard on the liver, and causes Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (AFLD).

    You would gain more insight if you were to read “The Obesity Code” by Dr. Jason Fung, and the Fast 800 by Dr. Mosely, who started the 5:2 Diet and this forum. AS well as all of his books, really, and resources on the web.

    The other suggestion from others, that I totally agree with, is that you keep track of and “count” your calories for a couple of weeks at least. The My Fitness Pal free app takes a bit of getting use to but works great. You probably underestimate your calorie intake if you haven’t been keeping track, and if you aren’t weighing/measuring……I have been doing this off and on for years, and as soon as I don’t track intake for a couple months and then start again, I am always surprised at how lenient I’ve become with portion size and calorie intake. As for figuring out recipes, you can always add things separately, or estimate on the generous side if creating a recipe in MFP. Having some kind of general idea is still better than nothing. If only for a couple weeks or so. I guess it just depends on how badly you want to lose the weight and inches. There is also http://www.fatsecret.com for calorie counting.

    This way of life is not effortless, but it is the best and least disruptive way to shed the extra pounds and improve overall health that I have ever found.

    Best of luck! Glad to have you here with us.

    Day 8 Canada CD

    Sorry late check in, one of those busy mornings!
    @gkw I have one of those annoying bellies as well, would love to know what works for you…. actually @at has me thinking now about the alcohol and carbs, so much good advice on the forum.

    Day 8 USA

    I hope you all don’t mind if I just full fledge jump back in here and add myself to the spreadsheet and act like I know what I’m doing 🙂

    I fasted with you all years ago, and have even tried to join again a few times, but flaked out after a few days. I had such great success back in 2018 and loved the fasting life and the support here, but was sidelined by life and haven’t quite found my groove yet.

    I haven’t yet gone through the month’s log, though I do recognize a few name from the past, that’s fun!

    I am doing a daily 20/4 except Saturdays that are 16/8. I love the freedom with fasting and indulging daily, I just need to get through a few tough days or weeks to get back into the habit. Big weight loss goal for this month, but that’s because I’m coming off of bad eating and bloating and the holiday here in the states. Water weight be gone and then I’ll set more reasonable goals from there. 🙂

    Day 9, NFD, Aus

    Thanks for putting me on yesterday’s pocket list @IHL, but it didn’t help. I ended up with a normal eating day including a glass or two of vino. Dunno why. I’m up about 5kg from around September last year when I was relishing in the feeling of being able to fit into old clothes again. We’ve got a function to go to this weekend and I only have one suitable dress to wear, and I feel like it’s being trotted out far too often (“Oh, she’s wearing THAT again!’) And rather than using these depressing feelings to motivate me to stick with 5:2, it just drives me to the carbs. Grrr!!! [Thanks for the kind words @northerndawn.]

    You are so right, @at, reducing carbs and alcohol are the key to success. I know this. I KNOW this!

    Hi @jaifaim – we’re ok in Canberra, but Sydney is in lockdown. (Where my mojo seems to have moved to.)

    Oh no, @flourbaby! A post from you with no emoji in sight!!

    Hope that repair job went smoothly @northgeorgia.

    Welcome back @foodfreedomgirl! Stick with it – you know it works!

    Have a great weekend everyone.

    Day 9, Second post.

    Just ready the first page of the month catching up. A few random comments, just for fun:

    @flourbaby – for your walking goal you mentioned Leslie or…. is that Leslie Sansone’s walk away the pounds dvd’s by chance? I did those several years ago and have fond memories!

    @BasyjamesI – love your description of creating a deficit now and doing the workouts now to enjoy the vaca! I am sick and tired of being “good” on holiday and vacation and binging after. boo! I need to just enjoy the special worth-it moments. -And right now that means working hard waiting for them! 🙂

    @high5 – good to hear you found your rhythm with fasting again. I did it successfully and enjoyably a few years ago, but haven’t stuck with it long enough over the past couple to find mine again. I was beginning to wonder if there was hope for it being natural again…

    @stichincarol – “using MFP–WHILE AT THE PARTY-” Ahh, yes. I laughed, I sighed, I can relate!

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