Day 3 UK CD

Yesterday’s CD went awry with wildrice & cheese. Don’t eat when tired, go to sleep earlier. I know this stuff.

Definitely puffier today but beginning to feel a glimmer of wellness. Had a lovely day today resting, reading and gently pottering, watching the birds and catching up with some social emails. Even thinking about a panel I’m doing next week, and actually starting to plan writing – something that’s been stuck since I got sick in early March. Small steps…

I had baked beans and scrambled egss for late brunch and will have either wild rice pudding with the leftover rice or baked apple later. Fruit & veg supplies nearly run down before deliveries tomorrow/Friday. But eating consciously, drinking more water and keeping food diary – tick. Small steps towards this months goals 🙂

@at happy birthday to you! 🙂
@songbirdme glad to hear DH tested negative. Hope he is better soon x

Day 3, London, UK, CD

It’s a late one from me!!

Happy Birthday 🥂 @at, have a fabulous day and remember EVERYTHING 🥂 is Zero-calorie today!!!! No doubt you’ll receive a special B’day song from your fellow maintainer & our resident songstress @songbirdme ……………….. especially after such good news for Mr. @songbirdme, no doubt the songbird has been singing since the results!!! Still thinking of you guys 🙏 sending healing vibes your way xx

@penz in answer to your question, there’s this body-con dress in the back of the wardrobe with the tags still attached, it’s quite possible that those dresses aren’t made for your average human woman that God made, but it’s a target!!!!

Welcome @northgeorgia, we all come to the same conclusion, the sooner, the better ……………………” be more wary of not overdoing it on my NFD” 😂 😳 The beauty of this WOL is that it is just that, a WOL, you’re never on it or off it you’re just living it and like life in general it has its ups and downs, I’m definitely a lifer since there really is no alternative ………………………. At least, not one where I don’t spend loads of money, feel deprived, demonise food until I crack & binge, feel excluded from family celebrations or where I throw in the towel and my self-esteem plummets as my weight rises!!!!

Good thinking @matpi, that medicine ball will also help keep the hand out of the snack bowl!!! Mindless hand to mouth action is a problem for many of us!!

Keep the faith people, June is OUR month to succeed!!!!!!

Whatever happened to @simcoeluv??????????

“Kindness begins with the understanding that we all struggle.” – Charles Glassman

Day 3, UK, NFD

So yesterday’s dinner ended up being crisps and a bit of chocolate instead of the salad and veggie quiche i had mentally planned ahead. I think i was pretty tired and couldnt get myself to cook it. Note to self: Meal prep ahead is really something I should work on to avoid these weakness moments.

NFD today and mainly staying healthy: overnight oats for breakfast and tofu and salad for lunch. Happy that I finally found tofu that actually tastes decent and has a more meaty texture, i think its called tofoo or something. Also had apple as a snack, beef burger (no bun!) with avocado salad and a slice of cheese for dinner. Movie night with OH so possibly (oh who are we kidding? definitely!) having a choc cake slice later.

Looking forward to an FD tomorrow! FD salad prepared and ready for me to take to work.

Keep positive everyone! And happy birthday @at ! Thank you for adding me to the spreadsheet 😘

Day 3 USA (Illinois) CD

It’s nice to see more Americans around here — welcome @northgeorgia @stitchincarol @erikaa67 and @breakfromcookies — I am in NW Illinois about 15 miles south of Monroe, WI so your neighbor.

And to all you newbies, this forum’s participants are the best way possible to lose weight.And in my case, maintain my loss.

DH still in hospital, trying a new antibiotic. He doesn’t feel awful, just lonely with me at home not able to visit.

Onward and downward.

Day 4, Emden Germany, FD

yesterday’s CD went well, I had ~1000 cals. I feel well so I’m going for a FD today.

I’m also missing the great advice from @simcoeluv, he knew what he was talking about! I hope he’s fine.

@songbirdme I’m glad to hear your DH doesn’t feel too bad. I hope he’ll be home soon.

@shinything let’s just hope they’ll all fledge as they’re supposed to do.

@penz “Snowflake” comes from a lovely story by Paul Gallico.

@jaifaim I’m missing your posts, I hope you’re fine.

Day 4 pocket list
@penz
@mia139 (there’s no escape!)
@snowflake56

DD list:
@penz

Have a nice day everyone!

Day 4 – UK – FD

I was surprised to find my weight up a lb. I’ve eaten really well & healthy. I’ve had some pain meds in recent days and they do tend to bloat me so I’m putting it down to that. Hopefully by the weekend I’ll be back down again.

Planning on having a miso soup and omelette today. Comes in at around 400 cals, then 100 cals in drinks (milk in tea & coffee).

Take care, stay safe x.

Day 4 – Lake District UK- FD

Good morning everyone,

Going to make it another FD today, think I need it after the weekend!

One of the benefits of this early hot spell is not only are the flowery things in the garden doing well, the herbs, potatoes, strawberries and tomatoes are early! The herbs always thrive, but they are rampant this year, cutting huge bunches for neighbours, great when you throw some on the bbq at the last minute as well (the herbs not the neighbours)
We started picking the tomatoes, both red and yellow varieties at weekend as well as the strawberries, lovely when they come off the plants and eaten within minutes. I also started off potatoes in the greenhouse which are grown in sacks so they can be moved outside, the first earlies are ready for this weekend, another treat, straight out of the bag, quick rinse off and straight into a pan of boiling water, they just melt.

I’m really committed to this WOL now! Have to be, Mrs IHL and I cleared the wardrobes recently, yesterday took 5 bags from ‘the den’ to a drop off for the charity shop!

@betsylee – miss the jacket, really don’t miss the weight 🙂

@penz – my handle, dead easy, my mothers idea of a salad was a big pile of lettuce, with a tomato on top, not many little boys idea of food, even in the 1960’s. Actually I don’t hate lettuce, just don’t like the soggy soft stuff. Before we moved to our present home I used to grow several varieties of lettuce, Cos lettuce, variety Balloon was my favourite, cut fresh, several leaves on homemade bread made a brilliant sandwich!

Take care all

Day 4 pocket list
@penz
@mia139
@snowflake56
@i-hate-lettuce
@betsylee
@judyjudes

DD list:
@penz

Day 4 Ire NFD

Good morning, am focused today on keeping busy. This lockdown makes days run into each other and disappear. Then I’m wondering what did I do this week ? Strange times indeed. I think people are becoming too complacent now about social distancing and we are in danger of another surge in numbers. It is hard to stay home and we are missing our lives before Covid but I’m hanging in there , the alternative is too risky . When it’s over I’ll emerge with weight gone wearing that jacket that used to be too small 😉.
Thanks for the support. I’m off to chase the cats !!

Day 4 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – FD

@at – Happy Birthday! 🎂 💐🎊🎈🎁 Not sure which day it is though..?

@penz – my handle was actually Carnival Cruise Lines’ mascot when I was working on the ships. ‘Fun Ship Freddy’ was a sort of cartoon character, red, white & blue, with a funnel-shaped head. He would walk around the ship occasionally, waving to people, & you could have a photo taken with him. In reality it was one of the dancers in a suit. He even had his own Facebook page; but I believe he’s also ‘retired’ now.

Pocket List – Day 4 🍏
@penz
@mia139
@snowflake56
@i-hate-lettuce
@betsylee
@judyjudes
@funshipfreddie

DD List ☕️
@penz
@suki2
@funshipfreddie

Day 4 UK FD

Glad you had a good birthday @at – think I forgot to post yesterday

My user name is one I regularly use online after being caught out once using a rather rude one not realising it would be visible !

Pocket List – Day 4 🍏
@penz
@mia139
@snowflake56
@i-hate-lettuce
@betsylee
@judyjudes
@funshipfreddie
@at
@brightonbelle

DD List ☕️
@penz
@suki2
@funshipfreddie
@brightonbelle

Day 4 – Switzerland – FD800

It’s raining and it’s cloudy and colder… life (and fasting) is so much easier when sunny 🙁

Anyway, on my FD (800 cal) today, up to now had 2 coffees with milk and broccoli soup for lunch. That means I have a little over 500 cal left for dinner. Happy to be done fasting for the week after today – I prefer my usual monday/thursday fast routine with 2 days in between FDs. But next week I will have to do monday/wednesday because of the upcoming long weekend…seigh.

I weighed myself yesterday post-FD and was very happy to see another half kg gone, yay! I will probably be a similar weight after today, normally there is just one drop per week.

@penz: my handle is really nothing, I had to come up with one and didn’t have a good idea. Beck has to do with my first name and 100 doesn’t mean anything, I never weighed 100kg or planned to be 100 pounds ore lose 100 pounds or anything. So quite boring actually – but it was really interesting reading about your handles 🙂

Next week I’m going back to the office – just one day per week, but it feels like a big change! Will be nice to have some change of scenery (sorry for my english, that sounds weird)

Take care!

Pocket List – Day 4 🍏
@penz
@mia139
@snowflake56
@i-hate-lettuce
@betsylee
@judyjudes
@funshipfreddie
@at
@brightonbelle
@saffy420
@beck100

Day 4 FD London

Joining the pocket list – which is trickier than it should be on my iPad, Easier to join at the top for some reason. My handle is just a fake name I made up. Obviously not very creative….
Very glad to be dry till Fri – it makes all the difference. And I really like following my FD by waiting as long as possible the following day to eat. It’s easier than doing it on a FD, I find.

Pocket List – Day 4 🍏
@emma-taylor
@penz
@mia139
@snowflake56
@i-hate-lettuce
@betsylee
@judyjudes
@funshipfreddie
@at
@brightonbelle
@saffy420
@beck100
@breakfromcookies

Day 4 Canada FD

@northgeorgia congrats on the drop, I think the body reacts in all sorts of ways including plateaus
@michelinme your gentle day sounds ideal, small steps are important sometimes
@breakfromcookies this WOL is definitely a journey, I know because I sometimes wander sideways 🙂 Your graduation ceremony sounds very inventive, good luck
@beck100 Yay!!!!
@at it sounds like you had a perfect iso birthday
@saffy420 I have probably embraced the covid casual too much, stepping up and improving my grooming and having a haircut in a few weeks. Not interested in new clothes though

@penz my name comes from the annoying way my weight always lands on my tum, if I had super powers I would blast it away.

Pocket List – Day 4 🍏
@emma-taylor
@penz
@mia139
@snowflake56
@i-hate-lettuce
@betsylee
@judyjudes
@funshipfreddie
@at
@brightonbelle
@saffy420
@beck100
@breakfromcookies
@stitchincarol
@bellyblast

2nd post

I’m getting a bit hungry and cold, will defrost chicken broth to get warm. I love the daily questions and loved reading about everyone’s handles.

@betsylee thanks, I’m doing well at the moment but I always do at the start of the month. This month I’m trying to do well the whole month.

@flourbaby I seem to have missed that but I don’t read every post on this site.

@songbirdme that’s really good news!

Day 4, UK, FD

So far so good, just about to have my meal of chickpeas, which will be around 300cal. Fruit later and that should be it 🙂

@penz to answer your question: on the day when I sign up for this forum I could not focus and was easily distracted all day, jumping from one thing to the other. Like when you start something but than you get distracted by a shiny thing 😂

Day 4 pocket list
@penz
@mia139 (there’s no escape!)
@snowflake56
@judyjudes
@i-hate-lettuce
@funshipfreddie
@at
@brightonbelle
@saffy420
@beck100
@breakfromcookies
@@emma-taylor
@stitchincarol
@bellyblast
@michelinme

DD List ☕️
@penz
@suki2
@funshipfreddie
@brightonbelle

We have a nice strong pocket list today 💪

Day 4 – Ireland – NFD

Hi all, I’m sorry that I have been MIA since the start of this month…

I hope you are all well!

I’m looking after mum and dad this week along with working from home (in their home – not ideal…) so it has been challenging but… as I always say.. I wouldn’t change it for the world but I am pretty wrecked.. I head back to my home tomorrow so will rest then. There is so much to do here between medication, food, dressing, and little sleep etc. that I just have not had time to catch up or read posts… but I’m back now and hope to continue reading and posting daily from tomorrow 👍

So starting this month at 166.5 which was only .5lb down on start of May weight.. but I have shrunk a little and have had some nice compliments in the past two weeks so will not worry about the weight.. also, I watched an Instagram post by Joe Wicks where he reiterated how we must not get hung up on the whole weight loss generally and focus on improved mood, etc, as looking at the scales can really affect us in a very detrimental way. It struck a chord so I’m going to focus only on the June 30 reading and not weigh too frequently along the way…

@penz, thanks for hosting June and for your great daily questions which keep the interaction going on the forum…👏
So in answer to some of your questions.. and I can’t remember the order… here goes:

I had two pairs of really cool trousers/jeans that I fit into in 2001 before I was diagnosed with an auto immune disease which meant years of steroids and other meds and I’m back in both of those now..
I also had a fabulous funky Karen Millen trouser suit which is just gorgeous but I’m not back into that yet.. I don’t know if I ever will!!

The most surprising thing about this WOL is that I always thought I couldn’t last more than four or five hours without food…I was known to always have some sweets or chocolate on me if I was out on a trip or a hike or whatever.. this has been a huge lesson for me to learn.

My goal for June is to lose 2lbs and to stay on the dry in the main.. in terms of the auto immune disease Sugar is really not good for me and alcohol is worse so I only drink where there is a celebration like a birthday etc. so for some Zoom calls I will have a drink but it’s rare now..

My moniker Jaifaim (J’ai Faim) is a play on words as I am a French speaker so “J’ai faim” means “I’m hungry” but also stands for Just Another Intermittent Fast And I’ll Maintain… I’ve never actually got to maintenance but one day I will 💪 … and I’m always hungry… it’s my default setting…

Happy belated birthday wishes @at!!!🎉

@snowflake56 thanks for thinking of me.. just when you came back I went missing 😂… I’m glad we are both back now.. on the right track.

Onward and downward ⬇️
We rise by lifting others 💕

Day 5 NFD. Yay! It’s Friday. Beers are in the fridge, ready for tonight. And yes, @penz, I know it’s a stupid made up name. I should’ve been able to come up with something better!!! My real name is Hazel, which seems to really date me, because there are very few Hazels under the age of about 55. Except Julia Roberts daughter, I think, who is called Hazel. Maybe it’s having a moment….I have a niece called Holly, and I always think we have lovely pagan names.
Have a great Friday everybody. H

Day 5, Emden Germany, NFD

@michelinme please take care!

@jaifaim glad to have you with us!

@at I’m not able to get to the spreadsheet. I have to go to gmail and when I enter it says you have to give me permission to get access to the spreadsheet.

I’m afraid I’m not very good at defeating the hunger dragon, I mostly eat somthing small. When it came yesterday I had a small bowl of chicken broth, that helped.

Have a nice day everyone!

Day 5 – Lake district – NFD

Good morning everyone

Another big pocket list yesterday, we’re going to need deeper pockets and a bigger wagon! Hope it was successful for everyone.

Weigh in day for me today, despite a rather enjoyable food and drinkfest last weekend, bbq and drinks with friends, the 3 B2BFD’s worked well, no loss this week, but no gain either!
I think thats why I really like this WOL. As long as you jump straight back ‘on the 5:2 wagon’ afterwards you’re OK, just make sure the time spent ‘on the 5:2 wagon’ is longer than on the BBQ and Bacchus bus!

Spent an hour at our local plant nursery yesterday, bit of a treat, we picked out some plants to fill in a gap or two (OK had to make a gap or two as well) and make some splashes of colour where it was needed. Like many, we’ve spent more time in the garden than ever, so might as well make it even better! Our visitors hadn’t seen the garden this year and were rather taken with my efforts, which is rather nice.

@penz – I refer to the dragon as my ‘Inner Warthog’
Everyone knows what a Warthog is like, not a pleasant sort at all, if I think of myself as my ‘Inner Warthog’ face down in a trough of food and a vat of wine, totally out of control, it’s not a nice picture. But if I let him out of the cage occasionally, have him on a leash and under control he can just about behave!
I don’t find a dragon as unpleasant as a warthog, think Pete’s Dragon? However, it works for me, along with calling in here every morning, my daily dose of inspiration.

Take care all

Day 5 – UK – NFD

Yesterday’s FD went ok, a little over but not by much. Will trim what I have today to compensate.

Weight down which is positive.

I’ve been reading Dr Michael Greger’s book How Not To Die (there is also a cook book and a free app ‘Daily Dozen’). Interesting stuff. The app has a daily dozen of actions and 21 tweaks to do to achieve & maintain health & well being. One of which is weigh yourself twice a day. This I have never done but thought I’d give it a try. I can see the value of this for me. And you always drop weight overnight which puts me in a motivated frame of mind. Amongst the other actions he advocates for are Intermittent Fasting, staying hydrated & drinking Green Tea. Anyone else read his stuff? What’s your thoughts?

Take care, stay safe.

Day 5 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – NFD

I enjoyed reading all the explanations behind everyone’s handles. And it was odd to learn some real names! Jackie, you will always be Daffodil to me!

@dee22 – keeping my fingers 🤞 for you; hoping you find something soon.

Yesterday was a bit of a toughy by midday, probably because of the extra steps/exercise I’ve been clocking up. But I stuck it out, & only ate after 6pm. I guess my stubborn nature comes in useful for something!

So to answer today’s question, I guess that’s how I keep the hunger dragon/inner warthog at bay on FDs. Once I’ve made up my mind it’s a fast day, that’s it. Nothing will change my mind. I honestly can’t ever remember throwing in the towel on a FD. Sometimes I also use a technique I learned from the author Gillian Riley. I read her smoking cessation book years ago (highly recommended), and she’s also written at least one book on weight loss. She uses CBT, ie cognitive behaviour therapy. It’s not so easy to explain in a couple of sentences; but it’s the opposite of the way most people are advised to deal with cravings, whether it’s food or nicotine. Instead of distracting yourself, brushing your teeth, keeping busy etc, you focus on the craving/hunger. Where is it located? How does it feel? And you go over what she calls the ‘Outline’ in your mind, reminding yourself of your choices. You accept the craving/hunger, rather than wanting it to go away. Of course, eventually it does go away; but accepting it is the key. I know that all sounds quite simplistic, & it may not work for everyone. But I haven’t touched a cigarette for nearly 15 years, & I’ve yet to blow a fast day!

Having said all that, I’m really looking forward to a dop or three tonight! (‘Dop’ is South African for ‘drink’)

Go for it, Friday Fasters!

Pocket List – Day 5 🍓
@dykask WFD
@dee22

Day 5 UK CD

Successful FD yesterday, making 2 for the week. Weighed in this morning still at 158 but I’m in this for the long haul.

Looking back at the tracker today I was last at this weight & size back in March 2018, a mere 4 months into my 5:2 career! That’s a kick to stay on the waggon if anything was needed, because this works.

@penz my go to with beating the hunger or temptation is to remind myself why I’m doing this – most easily done with something written out and stuck on the wall! And in the moment, it’s to drink a glass of cold fizzy water and remind myself I can eat it another day.

Thank you @penz @snowflake56 @songbirdme for well-wishes. Feeling pretty wiped & shaken today but going v gently and mindfully. Time toground myself & do what I know works – stretching, meditation, drinking plenty of water, eating healthily, sleeping well, minimising stress – and get the testing organised.

Looking forward to a relaxing weekend of reading, resting and pottering in the garden again. Tomatoes to tie up, sunflowers to repot and calendula to plant out – and all so much easier in cooler weather 🙂

Day 5 Oxfordshire, UK CD

Aiming for a CD today. Possibly alcohol free too. I’m not sure yet.
It was so nice to see my mum in person yesterday. We’ve been chatting over the internet and on the phone most days, but its not quite the same. Her early stages of dementia have not been helped by the lockdown. So some difficult conversations ahead.

@at – belated happy birthday.
@michelinme – sorry to hear how awful you felt. Hopefully its nothing serious. Look after yourself, be gentle.
@penz – thanks for the encouragement. Its feels as though I’m off the plateau. (don’t want to speak too soon).Aiming for a focused weekend so as not to sabotage myself.

Defeating the hunger dragon isn’t easy for me, so I definitely use distraction. I keep myself busy in a room that’s not the kitchen and I drink a lot of water. Sometimes hot water.
The hunger dragon is different to an inner warthog for me. The IW is when I mindlessly eat, such as snacks and biscuits.
I now try and adopt the phrase ‘everything in moderation’.
Have a great day.

Day 5, UK NFD

The scales were kind this morning, showing a 2lb loss this week. I tend to weigh myself daily but only note my weight once I’ve seen it at least twice – in my mind that means it’s likely to stick. Absolutely no science attached to that, it’s funny the mind games we play with ourselves to get by.

Today I’ve factored in a couple of glasses of wine to get to my TDEE. I find it useful to plan my days on MFP in advance so I know where I’m going and also if I start to astray (as I did last Fri) then I know where I can cut down.

Our favourite restaurant in Chester opened last week for takeaway. So we’re treating ourselves tomorrow – I’ve ordered tartiflette as a starter, god knows how I’ll account for that on MFP, it’s probably the most calorific thing in the world, but so good. I’m really looking forward to it.

@songbirdme glad to hear your DH is home. You must be so relieved.
@daffodil2010, happy birthday for tomorrow. My real name also dates me, Carol, apparently last year not a single baby was named Carol in the UK, so it’s also dying out.
@dee22, good luck with the job hunting, it’s doubly difficult at the moment. I was out of work from mid December to May – so I know how you must be feeling.

Happy Friday everyone.