Day 3 UK F800

@missybear @stitchincarol with hindsight I see my consumption of crisps , biscuits and other treats has been gradually increasing and got a bit ridiculous for someone who is trying to lose weight I’m aiming to cut back massively

Hoping all is well with @at and we’ll hear soon

Hello can I join please?

A prodigal returned, fell off the wagon over the Christmas break, restating this week. However doing it in stages, cutting out junk first, then carbs later this week. Finding it difficult to stay motivated after Xmas!

Didn’t manage 2nd fast today low energy but did do 16/8 will fast on Thursday now instead. How is everyone else getting on?

Day 4 country West Australia FD 86.4 kgs ( 190.08 lbs) BMI 30.1 ( obese!!!)
NFD day 2 , wasn’t….🙄
I was doing very well until I had a cup of tea – and noticed the stained window Christmas cake on the counter.
One slice became 2 slices became 3…. 😲😱😱
Then controlled lunch became uncontrolled with an added slice of toast…. and so on.
Day 3 was quite controlled UNTIL DH opened a jar of chocolates someone had given him.
The top 3 layers are Jaffas !! I have not had a Jaffa for many years .
Long story short , 1 Jaffa morphed into several , after rolling them on the carpet to see if they behaved like they used to in the cinema!!
Today IS going to be a FD as I am back to work.
Like many others I need to up the exercise component.
@stitchincarol, the dreaded plateau may be the reason for the constant number.
In 2017 when I was doing 5:2 very conscientiously I stayed on the plateau for THREE months !!!!😲 and then fell off the wagon and am back here today….
Do NOT despair .
The number WILL go down if you keep on keeping on.
Do NOT give up. ( apologies for shouting but I would not like anyone to end up as I did/have!!)
@michelinme I do hope you improve soon. Sounds like a nasty virus.
@jibjabba48, welcome back. I think many of us are/ have been prodigals over the years.
@getfitme, I am simply going 1 step at a time, short term goal to lose 2 kgs in January and keep them off.
Seriously, the fat I lose must have a homing device in it – because it keeps coming back!!
@brightonbelle, ditto for me with the treats!!
‘ If not now – when??’ Great mantra for today.
Have a good one all.😁

Day 4 Melbourne, Australia NFD

I think my FD yesterday went from the usual 500 to a FD800. That was because of all the stone fruit I ate. I am not good at holding back when it comes to summer fruit, and I am not worried about that as the fruit season does not last long.

I think my best thing about 5:2 is its flexibility. If I am not able to fast on my usual Monday and Thursday, I just fast on another day. And if I am really feeling stuck with my weight I add in an extra FD.

@funshipfreddie that was an interesting article about the advantages on reducing the amount of carbs we eat. On my FDs I try to either severely limit carbs or avoid them altogether.

@northgeorgia and @michelinme sounds like you are going well on getting rid of the Christmas excess.

Day 4 – UK – FD800

I have been wandering in a food/drink wilderness since mid December 😱 but pressing that important RESET button today so here I am on Day 4 logging on for accountability and to rejoin this marvellous group and yes @funshipfreddie I have happily pulled a spreadsheet together for the challenge and here is the link for those who want to use it
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Swmy3Z2FjUop3nm0xFLTawzIxvTusEQ2XvdWRrgNtv4/edit?usp=sharing

Many apologies to @gardenlily for my lack of commitment in the Decidedly Dangerous December Challenge (as it turned out it was decidedly dangerous for me 🤣) and a big THANK YOU to @michelinme for hosting the first challenge for 2023 🤗 these are for you both 💐💐

Wonderful to see some newbies joining us @aberdonian @tulipcc @committedtothecause @getfitme @dramaqueen6 and @jibjabba48
Welcome back to a long absent old timer rejoining @tlc2 (from back in 2019) and to @missybear who has only be MIA since Aug 🤗

A bit about myself:-
I am a 64y.o. female living with my OH in the beautiful Lake District ⛰ having moved here when I retired in 2013. We have a married daughter who has 4 fur babies – 3 black 🐈‍⬛ and an adorable beagle called Archie 🐶
I started this WOL on my own in January 2016 as I had gained weight during the last couple of years of my working life and was fed up with being overweight and wanted to enjoy my early retirement and get fitter!
I discovered and joined the 30 Day November 2016 Challenge with @back2thefuture – best thing I ever did, as it got me to my maintenance weight and has kept me motivated and on track with this WOL!
This December will be my 6th anniversary in maintenance and I certainly want to reach it still in maintenance!!
Total weight loss = 22kg/3st 7lbs. Height = 164cm
My maintenance weight since then has been around 58kg – I’m fairly fit, doing 5 exercise classes during the week (yoga x2, pilates x 1 and aerobic x2) and I also enjoy walking/hiking on my local fells at least 3 times each week

Well done to those who managed to lose or maintain at the end of our Decidedly Dangerous December Challenge 🏅

I am another who is mightily relieved that the festive season and all the associated food/wine/parties has come to an end – a couple of my walking buddies are joining me from today in cutting back on all the unhealthy foods and definitely on the 🍷🥂 Yesterday I also cleared the house of the Christmas decorations and gave away the unopened tins of biscuits/chocolates to the local food bank so no temptations left in the house!

@stitchincarol – thank you for remembering 🤗 OH results from that mole was unfortunately confirmed as a Melanoma but the good news was that the excision showed clear margins 🙏 however he will have to undergo a second wide excision in February to ensure no local recurrence 🤞 I am afraid I did let the stress of it all get to me and used it as an excuse to allow way too much food and wine to find it’s way into my mouth so I dare not set foot on the scales until I get a couple of FDs under my belt……
@michelinme – hoping that you start to feel a bit better soon
@stitchincarol @brightonbelle @missybear @michelinme and all – me too on the treats becoming habits over the past 3/4 weeks but making a fresh start from today 🤞
@songbirdme – I do hope that your DH’s surgery goes well and that he has a good recovery x
@northgeorgia – I have a feeling that you will find your weight loss mojo this year and have positive start with this challenge

As I woke early and could not get back to sleep I made a pot of tea and logged on to create the spreadsheet and to read all the posts so far and also to write my first post as I hope to contribute more this month!

Sadly no excercise classes since the week before Christmas 🙏 they are restarting next week but so far this week I have at least managed to get out for a daily walk, even in pouring rain!!!
Sunday – short low level 4km as it was ☔️ most of the day
Monday – 8.54km and 465m height gained with 5 friends in glorious sunshine ☀️
Tuesday – 5.5km low level walk done with my regular walking group in pouring rain ☔️
Today I’m meeting with 3 girlfriends around 10am for another walk, one of our regular local hikes, aiming for around 11.5km and 315 m height gained – sadly more ☔️ expected but we will be out there (as we are the four aiming to lose those unwanted lbs/kg that have crept back on ☹️ over the past few weeks)

Pocket List – Day 4 🎯
@at

Today I am definitely reminding myself of my personal motto since losing weight and reaching maintenance:-
“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 4 – Ireland 🇮🇪 – FD

Yay, back on the wagon for 2023. Haven’t caught up with January posts yet but can see there is a good robust group already!!

Thanks all who encouraged me in December when I saw a shock weight gain! As I have been on this road a long while now I have the memory and tips and tricks to get me through, and the thought of not eating today until this afternoon, doing an 18:6 fasting period, does not faze me.

It will and can be done.

Pocket list day 4
@daffodil2010

Day 4 – USA/GA – NFD

Weigh-in: 215 lbs. ZBC by accident this morning. In the middle of the morning storms, while trying to watch the weather, lightning created static and fried my living room TV. Greaaaaaaaaaaaaaat.

OK, well, off to work pttttttttttttttftt.

Day 4 UK FD800

Good to see a few more familiar names back with us 👋@at @daffodil2010

Didn’t you have a big win the last time at the casino @funshipfreddie ? good luck💰💰

Still feeling enthusiastic about my 2 week Fast800 trial , like @northgeorgia I have a trip away booked for early Feb and it would be good if I could actually fit in some clothes ! So big incentive there

Pocket list day 4 💫
@at
@daffodil2010
@tlc2
@brightonbelle

Day 4 – Rural Nebraska, USA – NFD 153.0

Yesterday’s plans were entirely discombobulated! It started when DH arrived at his appointment with the dermatologist (was thinking of you, @at!!) ten minutes early as instructed, and me ten minutes behind, and he got a phone call saying “support staff were unable to be there that day” so he has a new appointment on the 24th. Really? They couldn’t have called sooner than that? So we went out for coffee instead, and I had a latte. Granted, it was skim milk with no other additions, but I was sad to be losing my strict WF. So then I headed to piano lessons, and they all were going well…and then it started snowing much harder than expected. I tried to move the last three lessons (sisters) up and they couldn’t do it, but assured me waiting until next week was fine. So I finished my grocery shopping–and found the most gorgeous steak ever and heavily discounted because it was at its “best by” date. So I headed home, cooked a lovely dinner, and my WF was well and truly scuppered.

And this morning I’m down a pound.

How does that even work??? I’m not complaining, but I’m sure astonished! Tomorrow will also be a bit of a challenge because my students are having a Twelfth Night recital of Christmas music, but I think I’ve figured out how to arrange the refreshments to be WF friendly…we’ll see if I pull it off.

@jibjabba48 Welcome! You are certainly invited to join us; where are you located in this world? Notice that we all put a header at the start of each post; you’ll want to do the same. As to getting started…yup. It can be easy enough because of enthusiasm to start, or it can be hideously tough because of past behavior. One of my favorite quotes is “It’s going to be hard, but hard is not impossible.” Be strong, search deep for your RESOLVE, and you’ll get this!

@michelinme Any better today?

@getfitme Where are you? You still aren’t putting on a header as all the rest of us do.

@songbirdme Will most certainly pray for your DH!

@lilymartin Actually, my astonishment at the number that doesn’t change is that it isn’t going UP the way it usually does. In other words, any day I eat “normally” usually adds a pound. The next day adds a pound. The next day adds a pound. Then I WF and lose it all. Then the cycle begins again. But I’ve been eating and not gaining weight. And yesterday, I ate a bit more than other days and LOST 1.2 pounds. This is a new behavior cycle!!! 🤪 And I’m not troubled by your shouting, but just feeling loved that you’re making sure I don’t give up!

@matpi Homographs??? Okay, what did I say? No idea what you’re referencing. 😉

@funshipfreddie That’s what makes you such a special friend, that you’d never expect a lunch date to go to a casino alone!!

@at Yup, the timing simply had to be worry over your DH’s mole. So glad it’s all being resolved nicely and that you’re back with us!

@dramaqueen6 May I make you a suggestion? Don’t hope it goes well, but promise yourself, then keep that promise the way you would a promise to anyone else. Or, in the words of Yoda: “Do or do not. There is no try.”

@daffodil2010 Awww, WELCOME BACK!! You’ve had a tough go over the past few months, and it’s a joy to have you here again!

@gardenlily Well done on yesterday’s easy FD!

@northgeorgia I saw on the weather last night that you’d be having lots of storms, and already have too much water for more to have anywhere to go…and then, trying to be safe by knowing the weather, your TV gets fried?????? Gah!! I hope the rest of your day is better! At least you had a nice drop on the scales this morning, right?

@tlc2 We’ll all be cheering you on!

@brightonbelle Impressive that you’re doing FD800s consistently; that’ll certainly give you some stellar results!

@jaifaim @snowflake56 @mariaelena @flourbaby @penz … We miss you!!

Okay, time to get started on my day. Decorations are still up and will stay there until Friday, but the rest of the clutter from the kids being home is nearly cleared away, and will be entirely cleared by the time I go to bed tonight!

Have a grand one, everyone!

Hope you are ok?

Day 4 – second post

FD800 completed so didn’t quite manage 500 but it’s a good start to 2023! Well done @getfitme for managing 600.

Hope the rest of the Day 4 pocket list are doing well??

@michelinme I’m interested in the 3 day B2B FD800. How long have you being doing this for?

Day 4 Ohio, US — NFD

A successful day in keeping on target for eating. I also had an acupuncture treatment this afternoon, so I’m taking it a little easier this evening. Here’s a question whose answer I’m always curious about at this time of year: Do you celebrate the Twelfth Day of Christmas? If so, do you celebrate on January 5 or January 6?

@tlc2 Hi! It seems as though, after Dr. M’s book on the Fast 800, most people who do FD800’s here count 800 as a FD. Before his book, many people labelled FD800 as a MFD. But what’s in an abbreviation (apologies to Shakespeare)?

@songbirdme Glad your DH had a good surgery. As he recovers, will he have any physical therapy to help strengthen those muscles?

@michelinme Hope your 60% moves on up to 100% in short order!

Day 5 Melbourne, Australia NFD

Today is a just hanging on day. But I am aiming to keep it together for the rest of the day and be aware of my eating and not let it get too out of hand.

Day 5 – Ireland 🇮🇪 – FD

Yesterday’s first FD of 2023 was ok, but there was a night time glass of Baileys and ice (leftover from Christmas), so planning another FD today. I breezed through the day until lunchtime, once I get my teeth back into the bit I will be good with this 5:2 WOL.

Good to confirm though that there are 2lbs less of me from shock weight of New Years Day 😄

@lilymartin so glad you explained what Jaffa Cakes are in Oz, is they are like Maltesers then? Jaffa Cakes on this side of the world are spongy orange and chocolate biscuits/cakes which would be very difficult to roll on the carpet 😆😆

@matpi we celebrate 12th day on January 6th but it’s called Nollaig na Mban in Gaelic, or Women’s Christmas. The Christmas decorations are taken down, and women have the day off from all household chores and duties (hah, yeah that works), but it’s particularly relevant in rural Ireland.

All going well, my two friends and I will celebrate Women’s Christmas on Friday night with a meal out, all depending on one of the girls not testing positive for Covid, ( her husband has it now).

Have a great Thursday. Good to be back

Pocket list day 5
@daffodil2010

DAY 5 – FD – DORSET

@stitchincarol thank you for those words. I actually had about 200 calories left over which was quite exciting.

@lilymartin. thank you for the explanation, unfortunately, they sound delicious!
@daffodil2010 Womens Christmas sounds a wonderful tradition to keep alive, that should be a tradition everywhere!

Went to gym yesterday and then did a youtube “walking” exercise video this morning. Then off to work, if my aching bones will let me.

Day 5 Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 FD

Together we are stronger 🤗

Pocket List – Day 5 🍏
@jaifaim
@daffodil2010
@funshipfreddie
@dramaqueen6
@missybear

Day 5 – UK – FD800
Looks like a lot of us are all on FDs of some sort or another! My CD day went out the window with a unexpected Granny duty afternoon (pre-school nerves for DGD) and we scoffed maple syrup flapjacks, left-over cheese & tomato turnovers and salted peanuts. I did avoid any supper but even so 🙁

Today was a planned FD – I am definitely joining the ZBC whether on FD or not as I just don’t get hungry in the morning so why feed myself? I am aiming at 800 today and if it comes in less, that’s good. Tomato & Carrot soup for lunch with a thin slice of sourdough, grilled turkey steaks with greens for supper (may add some spicey tomato sauce to pep it up a little) and the usual reserve snack of fruit compote and zero yoghurt if needed.

@stitchincarol – glad your headache disappeared, trying to do hand sewing with a bad head is not a good move. Great news about the downward trend – keep it up (down?)! Also intrigued about the cashew nuts at bedtime – does it really make a difference? I have a dreadful time sleeping through the night, often awake 2 or 3 times and sometimes have to get up, make a cup of herb tea and sit and read for a while. how many do you munch – are they roasted or plain?

@daffodil2010 – love the idea of Women’s Christmas – I mentioned it to DH and he just laughed – said I’d use any excuse to avoid housework – he’ll regret that …

Took our outside lights down yesterday as the batteries need replacing – they were more of a glimmer than a twinkle. Tree and other decs down tomorrow – then comes the big tidy up and clean – ha ha for Women’s Chrismtas day off! Maybe I’ll grab Saturday as a Day Off instead.

Wishing power and resolve to everyone else on a FD – to repeat : if not NOW, then WHEN?

Pocket list Day 5

@jaifaim
@daffodil2010
@funshipfreddie
@dramaqueen6
@missybear
@northgeorgia
@brightonbelle
@michelinme
@stitchincarol
@gardenlily

Day5 USA/HI NFD
Weigh-in today 165Lb. I know it is going to be up/down but slowly downward and that’s ok with me. History has taught me that I do seem to need the daily weigh-in to keep me committed.
@michelinme For many years I have enjoyed acupuncture treatments for various issues (from a number of different doctors) but mostly stress reduction and to quietly refocus. Most recently, treatment has done wonders for decreasing numbness in hands which had been progressing and became very annoying. My doctor tried a different approach as to placement of the needles and it’s made a difference. His training in acupuncture was in Sante Fe and San Diego.
At work today so must run.
If not now – then when? Onward and downward.

Day 5 Ohio, US — FD800

A strange FD: After the acupuncture treatment yesterday for a sinus infection, I slept for 10 hours last night and woke up with searing pain in my sinuses. That kept up until I took a 2 hour nap this afternoon (or should I say, it took me). After I woke up, the sinus pain was gone and I felt really fine. With 12 hours of sleep in the last 24, fasting was easy.

@michelinme My current acupuncturist was trained in China, the previous one in Chinatown in San Francisco. When I was in my mid-thirties I came down with a serious illness and my Western doctors said that I would be confined to bed for the rest of my life and would never be able to return to full-time work. With that prognosis I started to investigate alternative medicine — after all there wasn’t much to lose. I was lucky enough to find a superb acupuncturist and herbalist and little by little I recovered and returned to full-time work. Since then I have regular acupuncture treatments and they have been able to keep me going with some semblance of a normal life. So for me — yes! acupuncture really works!

@stitchincarol In some traditions, days of Christmas = days after Christmas. In those traditions then Epiphany is the twelfth day. Apparently in Elizabethan England the twelfth day of Christmas was January 5, since Shakespeare wrote the play Twelfth Night for that night’s celebration at court. My practice for years has been to keep the holiday decorations up through the night of the 5th, especially the lights so that the three kings can find their way to the nativity scene, and then to put everything away on the 6th, once the kings have arrived. In any case, it’s interesting that there are different traditions and practices for this period.

Pocket list Day 5

@jaifaim
@daffodil2010
@funshipfreddie
@dramaqueen6
@missybear
@northgeorgia
@brightonbelle
@michelinme
@stitchincarol
@gardenlily
@brightonbelle
@matpi

Day 6 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – NFD

PFDS for me, an ’88’ sleep score – & what a pocket list that was?! We really are stronger together 💪 0.7 kg down from the start of the week, so pretty much all the pre-Christmas wiggle-room is back 🚫

@michelinme – my top tip for resisting temptation? Don’t buy it if you’re going to regret eating it. Which is a lot easier if you live alone, & especially if you don’t have kids/grand-kids, I’m sure. Also logging on & sharing the journey with other 5:2-ers – preferably daily – helps with the RESOLVE to stay on course.

I hope all the Thursday fasters had a good result; & if not, there’s always another FD around the corner.

Happy Fr-yay! 🍹 < (mocktail)

Day 6 – USA/GA – NFD

Weigh-in: 213 lbs. Last time I weighed in at this level was December 15. Progress being made, and planning to fast again on Sunday. It is my niece’s birthday on Saturday, and I think we’re celebrating on the day. Mom still feeling under the weather, dad is better but afib is bothering him again. TV arrived. Found out another component got sizzled…so $100 to replace… well, my Vegas money is going before I even get there! eeeek 🙂

Anyway, looking forward to the weekend!

Day 6 Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 NFD

Good FD yesterday and today my good behaviour this week has been rewarded with a 4lbs drop….very motivating 🙂

My top tip for resisting temptation on a FD is to plan in advance exactly what you will eat and drink and keep busy….if hunger pangs strike a mug of marmite tea usually satisfies me. Resisting temptation on NFDs is another matter! I can only reiterate @funshipfreddie and say don’t let temptation cross your threshold. Unfortunately we still have a lot of Christmas leftover temptation in our home and I know there will be moments of ‘resistance is futile’ until it is gone, I am encouraging DH to have more than his fair share but what crosses my lips will have to be mindfully consumed with care to count calories to stay within my TDEE 🤞

We still have our Christmas decorations up and I’m not intending to take them down until Monday, I want to enjoy the cosy glow of the lights over the weekend. Now the question is to 🍷or not to 🍷this evening????

Strength to anyone fasting today. My next FD will be Monday. My task for the weekend is to resist temptation……within reason 😉