Day nine, UK, NFD

0h my God I am such an idiot!!!
Yesterday was such an easy fast day and it was all going really really well until…..

BUZZ WALKED IN!

No, only joking. It was all going so well until I realised that I had totally miscalculated the calories for my dinner!!!!! 🙄🙄

I only had half an hour to make and eat my dinner and so I was rushing doing the calorie calculations and somehow I doubled the amount of cheese that I was meant to be eating!

So instead of eating 700 cal yesterday I ended up eating 925 cal yesterday! Oh my God I am such an idiot! I only realised this at about 9 o’clock at night when I reflected that my dinner had been extremely filling!!! I did leave some of my dinner but even so…

I’m so annoyed because it was such an easy fast day and yesterday would have been such an easy win, but I managed to muck it up! GRRR !
So I have to put myself down as OMAD for yesterday!!!

@penz – I am really sorry that you are finding it tough right now. We all go through these stages (well I certainly do) where you just can’t seem to get back into it….
I don’t know what the answer is…
I also love carbs.
Cake, bread, chocolate, crisps… Bring it on!! 😋

Either way! I bet you look great in that dress anyway.
Sending you a hug …

@freedomfoodgirl – I even wonder whether drs Jason Fung and Michael Mosley find it easy. Does anyone find routine food deprivation easy…? 😀😀😀

The only thing that keeps me going sometimes is knowing that the next morning I’ll feel great!!! And occasionally I might actually lose a pound on the scales!! 🤞😀🤞

@at – absolutely I’m pretty religious about alcohol these days, I can’t believe how much wine I used to drink and get away with it!!!
I’m menopausal now and I just can’t get away with the calories anymore…. 😢

Day 9 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – NFD

Mega PFDS today – and another half-kilo nuked!🥊🎆

@emma-taylor – I haven’t read ‘The Fasting Highway’ yet. I’d just seen the reviews on Amazon, downloaded the free sample & was wondering if anyone here had read it. But now I’ve gone & bought it on your recommendation.

@high5 -🤦‍♂️ oops?! But, easy mistake to make, & 925 cals isn’t exactly a binge! Maybe we need a new acronym? IFD for ‘indulgent fast day’.

@gkw – re tracking calories – I’ve just gotten used to weighing stuff, especially calorie dense foods like cheese & nuts. After a while you can tell how much something weighs just by looking at it, within a gram or two. And if you haven’t tried the MFP app, it really does make things easier because everything is already there in the database. You may just need to tweak the portion size or convert ounces/grams. Having said that, I just realised from you earlier posts that your BMI is already below 21! So I’m not sure that fasting alone will help you to achieve your goal.

@northerndawn – Jason Fung is on dietdoctor.com, along with Dr Andreas Eenfeldt & other low-carb/keto doctors. But his own site is thefastingmethod.com

@foodfreedomgirl – welcome back!

Day 9 – Ireland – CD

Happy Friday everybody, yesterday actually ended up being a FD as I have a family bbq tonight so half way through the day I decided to try keep the calorie deficit low ahead of that… 👍

@penz oops of course it’s just Sydney which is locked down. Glad you hear all is well there for you.

@stitchincarol thanks! It will be a couple of weeks… I’ve already received the scans to the app (amazing technology) but will wait for my doc to come back to me… I couldn’t make head nor tail of them 😂

@basyjames Well done on your good FD. 👏

Welcome back @foodfreedomgirl! Great to have you back 💪

Have a great day everybody!

Onward and downward ⬇️
We rise by lifting others 💕

Day 9 UK NFD

Friday and the sun is shining ☀️ Not seen it for a while here so off for a walk on seafront
Have a good one all

Day 9 OMAD London

@funshipfreddie – I thought you had read it! I read it yesterday in one go and although there were hundreds of typos in the book ( it looked like it hadn’t been proof read at all….) I really liked it, found Graeme inspiring and very genuine, and I think it will help me. I know in my heart of hearts that having cream in my coffee first thing is a stupid thing to do when I’m doing OMAD, so I’m trying to think of a way round that. Maybe have black coffee until my eating window. I feel very well just eating OMAD but I think my weight loss is pretty slow because of the cream. Ho hum.

Hello everyone. Thank you for your replies, I’m grateful for your time sharing your experience and insight. I have finished the 7th week of fasting and feeling good. Occasionally one some fast days (about 2 days really struggling so far), I wanted to eat or stared at my husband’s food while nursing a mug of hot water or a plate full of greens and some eggs….! But I have not caved, that’s a relief.

Mainly I restarted 5:2 (first did it in 2012) is due to peri-menopausal symptoms and also very much want to fit into the clothes in the wardrobe. I have a mixture of dresses that I can’t zip up (horror) and those that I can but somehow have a bulge in the midriff that “kind of kills the line”. So I thought I would do an experiment till Christmas 2021 and now with a new timeline to end of March 2022 when it is my 10th wedding anniversary. That’s not to say I won’t continue 5:2 after that time. I do intend to keep with it as calorie restricting, delayed eating, and whatever we want to call it, should be a lifelong practice as we all know bad habits creep back in very easily.

Thank you for recommending The Obesity Code book, I am going to order a copy on Amazon. I also have the Fast 800 book on the bookshelf. I think for my frame, weight and BMI, 5:2 is probably sufficient to follow. I’m in my mid 40s, 5″1, 49.4kgs (lost 2 kgs since starting), at just below BMI 20.5. I’m Chinese born (not sure if there is a different measurement for BMI?). The belly measured at the navel is quite large for my height and frame, at 32″, hardly fills me with joy!

I have cut out refined carbs (not too strictly as I have occasionally taken desserts, whether at a restaurant or 2-3 dark 70% chocolate squares at home). I was thinking about low carb diet, but I know it is unsustainable for me (as I have tried it before, made me really cranky and made the fasting days even harder to keep). I don’t have to have oats / rye / brown rice / sweet potatoes / fruit etc at every meal, but I do need to have some every day. But what I’m going to try is to incorporate some exercises at home by doing free weight / resistance training. Also I’m going to a Zumba class with two friends this weekend! I have not tried this class before, so am looking forward to it.

I was just saying to my family, trying to lose weight / fat is no fun, and to succeed is to find a style that is sustainable. I’m still learning!! But after 7 weeks, fasting is a little easier and I do find myself looking forward to it, despite sometimes by lunchtime on the fast day I wish the day would go quicker so I could eat and have less hours to be tempted. I have to tweak my thinking that on those two days “my belly fat is being eaten”!!

Thank you @northerndawn. The Victor Hugo quote on your post is so helpful. Perseverance is something I’m learning in many aspects in my life, patience does not come naturally to me and I do fret. Alongside the fasting, my husband and I are training our rescue dog to be left home alone. This is another commitment and discipline but all for a good cause. All our efforts boil down to “take one day at a time”.

It is lovely to share a bit of life on here, thank you for having me in the group!

Day 9 – Rural Nebraska, USA – CD

My FD yesterday was a complete success…sort of. The doubt is that when I went to the fast food place I chose, I used the calories listed on the board to guide me, and I got to realizing AFTER I’d chomped down on every bit of that grilled chicken sandwich, waffle fries, and two packs of sauce, that I’d probably used the wrong number to guide my choice.

Oops.

Oh well, it was still around 800 all totaled, and the scale this morning was down another 4/10 of a pound, so I called it a success since I didn’t overeat on purpose, LOL. @high5 We’re in the same boat, aren’t we? I vote you give yourself some grace for your mistake with the cheese. 😉

I’m so late posting because I crawled out of bed, into gardening clothes, and went straight outside to start weeding, planting late-comers, and water. Except for a one-hour break to do a zoom call with my sisters, I was out there all morning, a total of a bit over four hours. It’s looking good, my calorie count is looking good for the day, and I’m glad to have it done.

Now I’m trying to figure out supper. We have a lovely garden tomato someone gave us, so I think I’m going to do a BLT salad I just found…or maybe I’ll do regular BLTs. Either way, it’ll be a perfect meal for this warm and lovely summer day.

@northerndawn I’m also toying with doing an egg fast next week. There’s nothing on the calendar that would interfere with it, so it’s simply an issue of if I decide it’s worth it. Have you done one before?

@foodfreedomgal Welcome back! You are always welcome here, whenever you choose, and I hope you find a groove that fits you well and gives you great results! And as to using MFP while at the party? Sigh…that didn’t work, LOL!

Ah, but @i-hate-lettuce, you can get just as bad a burn on overcast days as on sunny days…

@funshipfreddie IFD is PERFECT!!!

I’m loving all the chatter. 🥰 Now I’m off to shower and then assess what I need from the grocery store. Have a grand day/evening, everyone!

Day 10 – Lake district UK – NFD

Good morning everyone

Off out early again today, one of Mrs IHL’s fundraisers today, I do the donkey work, putting up the gazebo’s, stalls, fetching and carrying etc and putting away afterwards, at least I feel useful, she is of course ‘supervision’ 😉
Supporting the local cancer foundation where we have both had treatment, the people in the village are incredibly generous and supportive, many who either have had or know someone or family member who have had treatment there, so turn out in droves!

@missybear – @ Basyjames – Yes, Baby gem lettuce, well charred on the BBQ is actually quite nice, despite only the outer leaves being crisp 🙂

Time to go and sort out the village playing field!

Take care all

Day 10 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – NFD

I think 3 FDs is enough for this week. 1.3 kgs down this month & I’m fairly confident I can shift another two to reach my month-end target.

@high5 – well done on completing your 3 x FD’s too! And @basyjames – I’m in awe 🥇

@emma-taylor – I’ve read a few chapters now & yes, it’s definitely one of those DIY self-published jobbies! But still fascinating. As much as I love eating, I just can’t imagine being that addicted to food?! Maybe I’m just fortunate, but I’m not crazy about fast/takeaway food, & about the only thing I’ve ever eaten in the car is a packet of Gummy Bears. And to be that huge?! It must be horrific; when he describes his dread at the thought of getting on a plane…

Have a good weekend everyone! ⛅️ 🌈

Day 10 – Rural Nebraska, USA – CD

Yesterday was going along swimmingly…until we stopped after our dinner out at a grocery store, and we bought DH’s favorite cookies: McVitie’s Digestives. Soooo yummy. And I ate FAR too many of them, sigh. It’s time to recognize them as my favorite cookies as well, and stay away from them!!! 😜 So, in penance, when we got home, I walked up to the gym and walked on the treadmill until I got to 10K steps. It certainly wasn’t enough to offset the cookies (yeah, yeah, “digestives,” but to me, they’re cookies, LOL!) but maybe that little rule will make me think twice the next time I want to eat half a package at one time! 😏

We got almost 3 inches (7½ cm) of rain overnight in a huge storm, so my usual half hour of watering isn’t necessary this morning. We have a wedding to attend this afternoon, but until then I get to work in my sewing room on my current quilt. It’s shaping up to be a lovely day, and I’m hoping the wedding food is boring enough not to tempt me to too much!

@songbirdme This is what caught my eye, and I was thinking of following: https://www.ibreatheimhungry.com/egg-fast-diet-menu-plan-low-carb-keto/#google_vignette

@dvw Welcome back! Sounds like a lovely time and two pounds a small price to pay for the glorious food and drink you enjoyed! Good luck on today’s fast.

Windows are open because it’s still cool, but it’s starting to get muggy. OH! I just looked at the forecast and it’s currently 72/21 and not supposed to get any warmer than that all day. Well THAT’S not a typical July day, LOL! The humidity is typical, however, at 87%. I’m so glad that’s all the warmer it’s supposed to get, because lots of people in Omaha are without power, and at least it’s cool enough they won’t be miserable without AC.

Okay, I could chatter for another ten paragraphs, but it’s time to cease and desist and get on with my day. I’m going to quote @at today:

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

Day 10 – USA/GA – FD

The car is back and sitting pretty in my yard. Nearly $1,400 in repairs, but supposedly the insurance company will reimburse it all. Today’s weigh-in (tried again after grocery shopping) is 225 lbs. I had a TON of salt yesterday. Sprinkled it over lots of chunks of mediocre watermelon, had three tacos from Taco Bell, and two helpings of some stewed fresh vegetables I had converted into an actual stew. So the salt is really holding on. I need to pump the water through me big time today.

I have to look at a calendar to figure out when in the world I can fast this month. Now that the world wants to open back up, every client and partner is ready for an in-person lunch GRRRR. Got to get back down to the 220 line so I can dip below it sometime this month. I’ve been on this odd 5-lb up and down plateau for the past two and a half months.

—
“Why don’t we go to the bathroom?” Megan suddenly suggests, standing up and grabbing Rita’s hand. Rita’s face is still flush from anger. She stands up, still scowling at Buzz, and the two head off towards the bar area.

John quickly downs a glass of water as the server returns with miniature cheese and fruit platters for each of us. As I take a slice of apple, one of the ladies speaks.

“So how do you all know each other?”

“Oh, Aunt Beverly,” John says, “these are just some nice people we met at the restaurant who agreed to help us out for the wedding.”

“Oh yes, John, I know, but I was just wondering more about them. Are you from Triplicity?”

“No,” Wesley says. “We were just on a short vacation to visit the Overlook.”

“Oh, goodness,” Aunt Beverly says. “I am so sorry. Are you sure we’re not ruining your trip?”

“Not at all,” Lola says. “Rita, John, and Megan have been great! We were happy to help out, and they’ve been very generous and kind.”

“Yeah, I wish they’d show me a little generosity,” Buzz says.

“How do you mean?” Aunt Beverly asks.

“A little cash. A little something to get me through the month. I have bills to pay and here they are throwing it all away on food, hotels, decorations, and what not. That doesn’t seem too responsible.”

“It’s not that lavish,” John protests.

“It’s ridiculous. If you want to get married, go to the courthouse and sign the papers. A lot of waste if you ask me.”

“It’s what Rita wanted,” John says.

“Well,” Aunt Beverly says, “yes. A lot of people do overspend on these ceremonies, but I don’t think John and Rita have done too bad. Plus, the honeymoon trip is right here near the Overlook!”

“Yeah, well. I could have used some of that money for my power bill this month.”

“Haven’t you found any work yet?” asks Aunt Beverly. “It seems as if you’ve been looking for a job for a very long time.”

Buzz gets quiet and looks down at the table. “Nothing yet.”

“Poor dear,” Aunt Beverly says. “Maybe I can help you out with…”

“No, Aunt Beverly,” says John.

“But how is he going to find work if they shut off his lights?”

Lola looks at me and shakes her head in disbelief.

—

Pocket list Day 10
@northgeorgia

Day 11 – Ireland – NFD
Day 10 – write off 😆

Hi all well we had the loveliest night on Friday! Lovely family bbq … 👍 special time spent with my siblings and their children. I’m so proud of them all doing so well in these really cr@ppy times 💕. I have felt better🥴 but it was worth it … I might go back on the dry for a while now…that’s a month of good times, holidays and drinks and my body feels it… 🤣. On verra.

@i-hate-lettuce your wife’s fundraiser sounds like a huge success and it sounds like you had our weather which makes such a difference ☀️. Enjoy your relaxing day today!

Have a lovely sporty Sunday everybody! Good luck to England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 later ⚽️!

Onward and downward ⬇️
We rise by lifting others 💕

Day 11, London, UK, NFD ………….. It IS the footy final after-all!!!!!

Bear with me folks, I’m still on the laptop from hell, or perhaps it’s just the laptop from 1886!!!!

@penz, lets have a tiny pow-wow!!! I’m going to suggest you join me on my ‘renewed enthusiasm’ journey, we can’t magically go back in time to last Septembers clothes (I tried, the science is IMPOSSIBLE!!) so it’s not gonna happen even if we fast for 5 days straight!!! We can only keep on keeping on ……………. LIKE WE DID BEFORE!! I’m doing 4:3 for July, Why? Well the mojo is like a teenager sneaking out in the middle of the night, I don’t notice until it’s too late and ½ a choccy fudge cake has been devoured on a FD!!! So I’m going back to basics, MINIMUM 2x 500cal FDs per week minimum, when I say 4:3 I’m allowing for that ‘banned f-word’ FD that, try as I might, just doesn’t happen!! So, 4:3 knowing that 1 FD may or may not happen, if I cock a FD up, I just keep going as normal, no rearranging days to catch up, as at the least it WILL be a 5:2 week. Life is for living, I’m swerving the vino because I have ZERO control (There, I admit it) of course this applies to cheese, bread, choocy fudge cake, did I mention bread?, biscuits and of course wine gums!!!!!

@foodfreedomgirl, Welcome back!!! Yes the ‘Leslie’ I referred to is THAT Leslie! I discovered her last April when I realised lockdown was going to do a number on my waistline (I should have kept an eye on the cheese & wine too!!!) Anyway, she’s got soooo much on YouTube that I have zero excuse for not getting my steps into 5 figures!!!!

@i-hate-lettuce, that little gem is truly a gem of a find, I love it braised with peas ………………… butter is optional, but way, way worth it!!! Shame you had to stash the budgie smugglers (does our international community use the same term??) but we’re due a heatwave any time soon!!

@emma-taylor ………………………… peppermint tea? Breakfast tea with S/S milk won’t break your fast, or even coffee with 25mls S/S milk? Hot water with lemon or grated ginger doesn’t satisfy me, but a nice cup of tea is an acceptable substitute for my usual mocha!!!

@daffodil2010, hope your recovery is going well, don’t skip the weekend posting……………. It’s the only thing that keeps us on track!!!

Stay strong folks, my arm is tired from cranking up this laptop………………I’m off!!!!

Day 11 – Canada 🇨🇦 – FD

Good morning everybody. Yes, yes, yes to a Sunday FD.

@stitchincarol – we got the tail end of the storm, lots of rain but not too much damage.
@missybear – I know what you mean about losing and then gaining the same few pounds. Annoying but at least we’re sticking with it and not giving up. Right?
@ihl – congratulations on a successful fundraiser, well done.
@funshipfreddie – I too will be cheering for the Italian guy! Looking forward to a great match.

Pocket List – Day 11 🍓
@i-hate-lettuce
@funshipfreddie
@dvw

Day 11 – USA/GA – NFD

Weigh-in: barely got to the 222 lb mark. Yay for Saturday FDs! Did the Saturday thing to mimic a 4:3 going into this week; next FD will be tomorrow and then Wednesday. Then might try a Friday just because my nephew’s 12th birthday is a week from today, and I’m not sure if they are celebrating Saturday or Sunday. If I get clarity, I’ll probably shift the FD to either Saturday or Sunday to prepare for the upcoming week.

Now, I just have to eat SENSIBLY on my NFDs like today. I’ve got my short-term TDEE goal of per day calorie reductions for NFDs stuck on the refrigerator, and it really isn’t too bad. Cutting out a couple of soft drinks, for example. I also created a list of phrases to help me think through things, particularly leftovers of low quality, but my favorite is from a Canadian friend I sometimes travel the world with. I would say, “I’m getting hungry,” and she would reply, “do you want a meal?” I remember the way she said it, with a weird inflection on the word “meal” at the end. That kind of shocks me into rethinking how I’m eating. “Are you having a MEAL?” I write on a note on the refrigerator door. I may make that note a little larger!

Have a fantastic day, everyone. Good luck to those fasting today!

Day 11 USA – NFD

Keeping on maintenance, so happy for that. DH is really watching his intake of carbs/ sugars as well as amount of food. Yeah for him!

@stitchincarol and @northerndawn – thanks for your advice about the egg fast. Dawn – I am ever so impressed with your understanding of KETO and liver functions. I wondered if the egg fast might really be too much for either one of us. DH is ever so content to eat his Cheerios and milk in the morning that I have a hard time getting him to have eggs more than twice a week.

@stitchincarol – I am afraid to try to find those coolies! 🙂

@northgeorgia – your putting salt on watermelon reminds me so much of my Southern mother’s tastes. She was born in Talladega AL then moved to Columbus where she met my Daddy at Ft. Benning. That was 1942. Her cooking and tastes were ever so excellent. I try to match her the best I can!

Onward and downward.

Day 12, FD, Aus

How was everyone’s weekend?

Another densely foggy morning here.

Thanks for your kind comments re my social engagement on the weekend. Fortunately, at the last moment, OH agreed with me that he really didn’t feel like going either so we cancelled. Spent the evening in comfy clothes on the couch with the dogs and had a much better time!

I’ll (try and) be your DTF buddy @missybear. I know my vino intake is not helping and I really need to cut back. Pow wow away @flourbaby – your enthusiasm is always contagious. I usually have a Wed evening commitment so I could conceivably do my usual 2 FDs and a light OMAD on Weds. That’s kinda a 4:3 routine.

Retirement plans, @bellyblast, how exciting!

Day 12 pocket list
@penz

Day 12 – Lake district – UK

Good morning everyone

Successful day yesterday, basically a lazy day, didn’t do very much and did it to the best of our ability.
Our friends have returned from their lengthened holiday, full of apologies for the extra weeks gardening duties. But it’s not a problem, they are just brilliant people who are great fun, plus I enjoy being able to help out.

Going for a second FD today, plus a decent walk I think.

Take care all.

Day 12 Pocket List
@penz
@jaifaim
@i-hate-lettuce

Day 12 – Canada 🇨🇦 – NFD

Hello everybody. Had an okay FD yesterday, not quite perfect but that’s okay because there’s always tomorrow. 😊

@northerndawn – thank you for the inspirational post, it’s so important to enjoy and celebrate our achievements.
@high5 – nice to be back into my routine and had a lovely time on the island. Collected a fair amount of beach glass on my long walks. Good for you doing 4:3! You’ll definitely see progress.
@bellyblast – congratulations on your impending retirement, so nice 👍 I stopped working 18 months ago and I’m loving it.
@ihl – impressive doing b2b FD.

Good luck to all the fasters. Take care all.

Day 12 UK FD

Well and truly annoyed with myself, got it in my head yesterday – fasting tomorrow better eat/drink whatever I want today – haven’t done that in ages and it certainly didn’t make me feel better but as we often say , today is a new day the slates wiped clean and I’m hoping to make up for it this week

@funshipfreddie That sounds a bit scary – stay safe

Day 12 – Pocket List
@penz
@jaifaim
@i-hate-lettuce
@high5
@brightonbelle

Day 12, London, UK, FD,

Aiming for a good FD today, <500cals – 2 soups planned but if I manage OMAD it’ll be 1 soup and some added protein. We’ll see how hungry I am at my usual ‘breakfast’ time of 3pm!!

I’m exhausted after last night’s footbal, such a shame, especially for the young ones who now have to deal with undeserved guilt!! All you can ever do is to try your best!!

Day 12 – Pocket List
@penz
@jaifaim
@i-hate-lettuce
@high5
@brightonbelle
@flourbaby

It’s time for me to knuckle down (and mean it!!), here’s to a successful week for us all.

Stay strong everyone.

Day 12 – Ireland 🇮🇪 – FD

Late posting today as I was tired after last night Euro Final (so very sorry England), and as I am not back to work until Wednesday I had me a little Mobday lie in ☺️

So it’s an FD today, I have spinach soup already prepared for dinner, not sure whether to do an OMAD however, or have a salad later to break the fast (I seem to be following your lead today @flourbaby).

I have a few errands to run now so will make up my mind around 3pm, but right now it’s been water and green tea all day so far.

Had a lovely weekend away in the camper, but as its peak holiday season the traffic getting home was terrible. We were unlucky enough to get stuck behind a funeral cortège that de,aged us by an hour, then tailbacks getting through some towns added more time…it took 8 hours to get home, when normally it’s a 5 hour trip. We really missed the motorbike, the freedom to just filter by all the traffic 🏍

Have a great Monday – Lots of us on today’s pocket list