Day 9 – USA/GA – NFD

Yesterday’s FD was a little tougher. I guess having 4 NFDs in a row awakes the hunger dragon more easily. By 7 p.m., I usually have eaten most of my calories save 100 to 150, but my inner whiny child awoke alongside the hunger dragon. “I don’t wanna eat that; I don’t wanna eat that either…” Fortunately, I had some precooked smaller pieces of baked chicken breast and I did some calculations based on my cravings. My own “cravings” bowl consisted of a little less than 1/4 cup of baked chicken on the bottom of the bowl, a few tiny shavings of “mozzarella” block cheese, a tbsp of unpopped (yielding about 2.5 or 3 cups of popped) popcorn that was stove-popped with a little cooking spray, a light sprinkle of ranch salad dressing dry mix, and a whole kosher dill pickle. I calculated it to be just under 150 calories, and the inner child and hunger dragon calmed down until bedtime.

After several days of plateauing, I was down 1 – 1.5 lbs. this morning.

@penz I have told my family and a few co-workers what I’m doing, and most are supportive — a few commenting that they already see a difference; the others, so far, have just kept quiet. My mom and one co-worker are intrigued and are watching my results; I think they want to join in. I will tell my co-workers it’s my “Hangry” day out of jest, but I don’t really think (nor have been told) that I’m more snippety, although I will confess to feeling a little tired or a bit of a headache (in the case of the latter, I always be sure to catch up on my water intake, and it usually subsides). Others that comment, who are probably not that interested anyway, are just told that I’m trying to lose weight.

@stitchincarol Congratulations on the weight drop! I love it when the numbers go down.

Good luck, everyone!

Day 9 Ire NFD

HELLO, Was ment to fast today but woke up hungry and cranky so decided not today D. That’s the beauty of this 5.2 it’s so flexible. If I was doing WW or Slimming world I would be beating myself up by now. I will do it tomorrow and not feel guilty.
I don’t tell many people what I’m doing because they can be vampires and suck all the positivity you have worked so hard to find right out of you !!!
Best just get the support from you guys and those who understand the 5.2.

Will be back soon. Take care.

Day 9 Canada FD

Yay it’s a FD, number 3 of 9 this month for me. An egg late afternoon and a small chicken salad and I am done 🙂

@penz I don’t broadcast I am fasting, I don’t think many people comprehend it is ok to skip even one meal. I was the same before finding this WOL. @i-hate-lettuce I like your reply and will use it

Good luck fasters. I am hoping to dispact some excess today!!!

Pocket List – Day 9 🍏
@penz
@i-hate-lettuce
@daffodil2010
@mia139
@jaifaim
@flourbaby (LFD)
@bellyblast

Day 9 UK CD

Last night I glimpsed a hint of rib in the mirror for the first time this year. I think perhaps my renewed focus in June is paying dividends. Mojo awakens 🙂

Another busy day and not eaten yet, but lovely supper in the oven and I’ll bank it as a solid CD. I will make a point of eating early lunch and early supper tomorrow ahead of evening meeting so I don’t fall into the OMAD evening routine again. But I’ve drunk more water, made a flask of fresh ginger tea to replace my usual 2nd/3rd black coffees and feeling slightly swamped but good.

@betsylee thank you for keeping tabs 🙂 I got an email from the research symptom tracker app referring me for Covid testing last night, so have spent a chunk of today getting a home test organised for tomorrow. Spoke to my regular GP who is organising chest x-ray and arranged to see me next Thurs to check BP & arrange 24hr ECG +/- 24hr BP. Both need me to have a negative covid result first, which I calculate should just squish in in time. Tho it’s my birthday next week & I really don’t want to spend the day waiting in the x-ray queue.

@matpi not a labyrinth this time. But 13 slow and steady laps of my flat, while listening to a meditation from a priest in covnersation with an artist as they walked through ancient woodland

@penz I had lots of comments and queries at the beginning bc weight loss was quite dramatic and noticeable, particularly the first 9 months going down 3 dress sizes and shedding around 20% of my body weight. They ranged from ‘are you ok?’ to ‘you look amazing!’ and ‘is that safe?’. I remember a fascinating conversation with priest friend about the science and religious history of fasting. My family are always sceptical and think I’m weird whatever I do, but on the whole I think 5:2 has become more known in the last couple of years which helps.

@jaifaim sounds like a fabulous way to open your horizons after long restrictions!

@daffodil2010 keeping everything crossed for you for a wonderful next chapter 🙂

Day 10 – Ireland 🇮🇪 – FD

Once again having problems accessing pages on this forum from my iPad so can’t catch up with yesterday’s goings on. Hope everyone is fine.

No FD for me yesterday, but it is today and tomorrow, a B2B, and then I meet up with my two best girlfriends on Friday night in my friends house for celebratory social distance champagne. Yay, lockdown is receding.

Have a great day and best wishes all you hump day fasters.

2nd post

@penz, this forum is the greatest ally for sure ! Most others, even DH, think it’s a bit weird, but you guys, just KNOW!!

Day 10 – Lake district UK – CFD

Good morning everyone

Great FD again yesterday, another 8 miles walking, 1183 calories burned off, then sitting out in the garden, no wonder I slept well last night, overdosed on fresh air again!

Like many I find the FD’s easy, but the NFD’s have got much better, managed to stop snacking, particularly in an evening. Allowing myself one day a week off has also changed somewhat, a glass or three of whatever I fancy, but the food/snack consumption has dropped off even on my ‘day off’! More likely to find me having a huge breakfast, which will be a big bowl of cereal and loads of fruit!

How things change, grocery shopping online has also helped, not as much temptation! But even when we ventured into our local shop on Monday the treats, big punnet of blueberries, cottage cheese instead of high calorie soft cheeses. Even simple things like potatoes, lifting them fresh in the garden, just enough for the meal for the two of us helps portion control.
Luckily we have an excellent farmer who sells beef and venison direct to the customer. Far better quality and because it is such good produce with excellent flavour the amount needed is a lot less, which certainly helps.

Plus, my morning call into the Monthly Challenge, just keeps the brain ticking over and the motivation going!

Take care all.

Day 10 UK NFD

I’m with the keeping 5:2 to myself camp , that’s why I like this group no judgement just a lot of support . Since lockdown my hubby has joined me on the 2 fast days – the fact he seems to be able to drop weight a lot faster than I can is a little irritating but hey ho Onwards and downwards as we say Just visualising is both on a lovely beach with our lovely beach bodies is inspiration enough 🌴

Day 10, London, UK, NFD

I’m sooooooo looking forward to today’s NFD after yesterday’s 25cal LFD!! I’ve just had my mocha and prepped the veg for my prawn stirfry this afternoon, this evenings dinner is already in the fridge, so I’ll be able to get on with work until the dragon roars, considering the lengthy fast, I’m not particularly hungry, but as we all know, it only takes one tiny, miniscule, microscopic morsel to be consumed for the avalanche to commence!!!!!
I’ve fasted from 7pm Monday evening to 11am today, during that time I’ve had 25 cals in semi-skimmed milk, but I’ve also completed 3 walking classes with Leslie and to be honest, I put a heck of a lot more effort into those three classes than I’ve previously been doing!! When I started 5:2 the big revelation was jumping out of bed the day after a FD full of energy I used to love that feeling!! Now I know why it’s been missing, clearly both my recent FDs and NFDs haven’t been exactly ‘by the book’!!!! Self-sabotage & denial!!!!
@songbirdme, I thoroughly enjoyed the maps of Europe, the beer consumption came as no surprise, when I think of Germany, I think beer!!! 😂 😂 The cheeses were interesting, I have a LOAD more cheese to try in my lifetime, yay!!!!

@penz, I have to agree that the greatest support throughout this journey has been the members of these challenges, nobody ever understood the struggles I was going through with my weight; the rude comments & name calling from family members (mainly my dad & aunts – a different generation!!) throughout my childhood meant they were never on my list of supporters………………. They may love me, but they couldn’t help me!! None of my friends get the fasting ‘thing’ so it’s never discussed, that’s why I’m so grateful for this forum!! I KNOW I can come here and say I did a LFD without fear of judgement!!!!

@funshipfreddie & @penz, I would love to say I wouldn’t wish the fat fairy on anyone, but there are just some people😏 ……………… well, you understand, I never said I was an angel!!!!

I better get back to work, the sir-fry will be calling my name soon.

Stay strong everyone, we’ve got THIS!!!! 💪 💪

Day 10 – Rural Nebraska, USA – NFD

Today is my daughter’s 27th birthday. How in the world did that happen??? She and SIL and DGD live 600 miles away, so no cooking a birthday dinner for her, more’s the pity.

I am, however, getting a pedie today and going out to lunch with three friends. It’s been months and months since we’ve gotten together, so it will be lovely to chatter and catch up. I’ve been working at persuading myself that a salad and an iced tea will be perfect, and I don’t need a juicy burger and a beer. Wish me luck at succeeding in that persuasion, LOL!

My biggest supporter in 5:2 is my husband. He’s the one who talked me into trying it back in 2013; he’d seen the video and liked the health benefits that come from it (he has a BMI of about 20, so weight loss is clearly not needed). In the seven years since then, if he’s focused on a FD, I succeed; if he wants to fall off the wagon, so do I. Mostly, however, he sticks to our Monday/Thursday FD plan and is happy whatever I say we’re eating those days to achieve our OMAD calorie goal. Good man.

@georgia83, a big CONGRATULATIONS on nearing that “no-longer-overweight” benchmark!!
@dee22, congratulations to you for being down another pound!!! I’m going to start using visualization as well; sounds like a great tool.

I wish us all laser focus on our goals today!

Day 10 – USA/GA – FD

Well, after last week’s 4-day NFD block, I decided to move my FD to Thursday this week. But my schedule today is really busy with lots of meetings and tasks to complete at work (compared to fewer planned events on Thursday), and there will be lots of rain and storms all day long, too (compared to drier and sunny air tomorrow). And when I saw my weight this morning jumped right back to where it was all of last week, that was the final straw. If my world is crying out for Wednesday to be a FD, then today will be a FD! I’ll just have to strategize for the 4-day NFD stretch this time around.

Although I did have a heavy lunch yesterday, supper was pretty light. I figure I didn’t get but around six hours of sleep last night, which is not good. However, I do think most of my gain is water retention; it is getting hotter and muggier here.

How long do your plateaus seem to last? I think I’m falling into the standard pattern of “downward steps” instead of constant loss, but don’t have enough data to determine the average length of the leveling off. From the two plateaus I’ve gone through while on 5:2, they seem to be about a week and a half long. In the past, the plateau seems to end with more frequent bouncing back and forth before a “permanent” drop or increase in baseline weight. @judyjudes Keep it up; maybe your weight is about to drop after the frustrating see-saw?

@stitchincarol Have fun today!

@ihatelettuce An 8-mile walk would do me a world of good, too! Great work!

@dee22 I like that visualization technique. I’m going to try that.

So far, I can tame the dragon on FDs, but NFDs tend to be a little sneakier. Particularly the day after! What do you do to prevent accidental binges the day after a FD?

Pocket List – Day 10
@daffodil2010
@snowflake56
@dee22
@northgeorgia

Day 10 North Canton Fast Day

This is day 3 of 5 Day Liquid fast. I have had a cup of coffee with 2 pumps of creamer every day but that is it. This is my longest fast in the lock-down era.

My greatest support system is this forum, I have noticed that compliance is better when I am plugged in

Pocket List – Day 10
@daffodil2010
@snowflake56
@dee22
@northgeorgia
@suki2
@basyjames LFD 3

Day 10, UK, FD

OMG so glad the working day is over, I really struggled today as my energy levels were really low all day despite the caffeine overload. It will be an early night for me, just waiting for the washing machine to finish! Nearly had a moment of weakness when I arrived home from work, however I decided first to have a big mug of tomato soup and another big mug of earl grey and if I was still hungry afterwards I could have tomorrow’s lunch. Luckily stomach and greed have been appeased and I have stayed under 500 cals, success!

Something I learned recently was that this WOL made me realize that meals should be special, instead of taken for granted. Before 5:2 I could eat all meals and treats and not really value them, that’s why I would end up eating 2 or 3 desserts a day and not even feel happy about it. Now I know treats should be celebrated and left for special occasions. Shared with friends or family for example. And savoured.

Also, I think my favourite time of the week is the morning after an FD – I LOVE looking forward to breakfast! Always wake up happier and always end up making it beautiful for me (I will choose the best plate I have in my kitchen, lay it on my table, cook from scratch, scatter mixed seeds over my eggs, or put a dollop of jam on my yogurt, or whatever is inspiring me that day). Does that happen to you too?

@penz to answer the daily question, this group is definitely my one and only supporter. No one is judgmental, everyone is lovely and so helpful and caring, I actually really look forward to the time of the day I get to sit down and type my daily post – it’s a great opportunity to stop and think and relax and catch up with everyone’s path. A little meditation snack 😊

@stitchincarol thank you for congratulating me, it will be great to feel I am on the right track, especially in terms of my health! My creaky knees and my poor back will thank me.

Stay strong everyone x

Day 11 – Ireland 🇮🇪 – FD

Thursday already!!! So today it’s B2B, yesterday’s FD was more 800 but I feel better, slept all night without waking once, I have lost an inch from my waist…I don’t care about the weight at this stage, just want to get off the plateau and weight gain cycle, and you guys will inspire me to do so.

Might even try an LFD next week @flourbaby and @jaifaim….they were always super for me back in the old days of 2017.

@funshipfreddie I am a real stickler for spelling and hate to see incorrect spelling, especially in newspapers or advertisements…..anyhoo if there are incorrect spellings on my posts it’s predictive text or the iPad!!! 😆

@northgeorgia I don’t want to alarm you but I have had plateaus lasting months! Everyone is different

Day 11 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – FD

@northgeorgia – what do I do to prevent accidental binges the day after a FD? I decide what I’m going to eat the day before, & log it in the MFP app – & stick to it!

@daffodil2010 – I’m glad it’s not just me with the incorrect spelling aversion. I can’t help it, & it’s not like I go out of my way to spot them. They just jump out at me, from menus, newspapers, shop windows. It’s been like that since I was at school, after my English (?!) teacher wrote ‘foriegn’ on the blackboard. He didn’t appreciate being corrected by a 12 year old. That was in the ’70’s; but now, in a world with spellcheck…?

@penz – my favourite way to treat myself after a FD is to have lunch at my favourite coffee shop – the ‘Mugg & Bean’. Nearly always poached eggs & avocado on toast, & a cappuccino or two. Unfortunately they’re still closed due to our lockdown regulations. But one day…

Happy fasting, fellow 5:2-ers!

Pocket List – Day 11 🍏
@daffodil2010
@penz
@funshipfreddie

DD List – Day 11 ☕️
@funshipfreddie

Day 11. FD London

How did we nearly get to midsummer? Bearing in mind nothing much is happening…

Anyways, adding myself to the pocket list and the DD list ( can’t remember what DD stands for, but I know what it means…)
My iPad won’t let me join the end of the queue. Very unBritish to barge in at the front. Sorry.

Pocket List – Day 11 🍏
@emma-taylor
@daffodil2010
@penz
@funshipfreddie
@brightonbelle

DD List – Day 11 ☕️
@emma-taylor
@funshipfreddie
@brightonbelle

Day 11 – UK – FD

Hi

Thank you @penz. You’re right! I’ve had a little loss overnight. It’s just so hard. I’ve been trying to get truly under 10 stone for nearly 2 years. I’ve seen it a couple of times but it doesn’t stick. That is down to me not consistently sticking to plan coupled with illness/disability. I’m going to do my best to get truly under 10 stone by the end of the year.

Today is a FD; had a green smoothie for lunch. Chicken and veg for evening meal. Will come in at 650. On the FDs I go lower it adversely affects my sleep, which then has a knock effect on my appetite (Increases) in the coming days.

Stay safe.

Day 11 Canada FD

It’s the 4th out of 9 fast days for me so am super focussed on making it a good one. I have a busy day and that helps. Now I am back in the swing of things I am finding the fd’s give me the ability to clear my mind and give myself some kudos for getting back to a healthier lifestyle.

@michelinme I hope you are feeling stronger each day. I have heard that feeling exhausted is a common symptom, take it easy.
@northgeorgia those scales can bounce around sometimes, hang in there
@basyjames congrats that is an amazing liquid fast
@georgia83 I have an egg for lunch and a salad for dinner on FD’s I savour every mouthful. The first meal after fasting does taste amazing, I love that part of this WOL as well
@emma-taylor I don’t have any sense of time at the moment, feels very strange

@penz my favourite treat for any reason is a massage, not something I feel comfortable doing at the moment. Your question of the day has made me realize I need to find an alternative

Pocket List – Day 11 🍏
@emma-taylor
@daffodil2010
@penz
@funshipfreddie
@brightonbelle
@i-hate-lettuce
@bellyblast

@bellyblast – don’t know if you’ve heard of ASMR – it’s a thing!! Have a look on YouTube for ASMR Suna, although there are tons of these videos. It shows people getting very relaxing facial ( maybe more, not weird anyway) massages which for some reason seem to be a good substitute for the real thing. And great for knocking you out at bedtime. Not boring, I don’t think, just super relaxing. ASMR is something to do with watching very quiet, repetitive tasks. I think! Somebody must know more than me….

Day 11 Oxfordshire, UK CD
Quick check in.
Feeling the cold today.
I tend to treat myself with a pamper session. At the moment I read and soak in the bath. Otherwise a pedicure when they’re allowed.

Day 11 UK CD/FD

Unplanned FD came in at 750 yesterday, which is grand. Busier period ends tomorrow then it’s back to rest & potter for a couple of weeks.

!Not eaten yet today – what is it with these busy days?! – but going to have a v early supper in the next hour and clear soup after my evening meeting if needed.

I had a great early morning meditation which has really set me on a good path for the day. I’d forgotten how much it helps! I’ve got two things to write in the next few hours, one to record & one to deliver at my first online event tomorrow. A week ago I would have thought this is impossible but I’m learning to go really gently and do what i can. Even today’s deadlines looming aren’t stressing me at all.

@bellyblast yes, lots of research coming up now that talks about the ‘long-tail’ experienc eof CV19, with fatigue, breathlessness and all sorts of weird symptoms. If only I’d known that 3 months ago 🙂

@betsylee thank you! Late night last night after coronavrius test, picked up first thing this mornign. Result is 2-5 days so hopefully got it in time for chest x-ray early next week, then GP later on.

Back to the grindstone 🙂

Day 11- USA, FD

@emma-taylor
@daffodil2010
@penz
@funshipfreddie
@brightonbelle
@i-hate-lettuce
@judyjudes
@bellyblast
@snowflake56
@erikaa67

Joining the fasters today and feeling fine – I am pretty used to these days now – although I have been fighting this weird spring bug – horrible headaches, kind of achey and tired are the symptoms, so easy not to eat as I don’t feel well. Kind of frustrating as it’s beautiful outside. This always happens to me when the seasons change – I make it through winter without getting sick and bam, as soon as the season’s change, I get hit. My daughter just had it too.

I like to treat myself to a jacuzzi bath – sometimes with a glass of wine and book along with me. 🙂

Hang in there everyone – weekend is coming. We can eat tomorrow!

Day 11 USA (Illinois) CD

Maintenance going well, especially because DH has not fully regained his appetite and strength after hospital stay with pneumonia. We pray he continues to improve though.

@penz — I am like @georgia83 in that I enjoy a good hearty breakfast after a FD. That often includes sweet roll or Danish (hopefully getting more from Costco this afternoon).

@northgeorgia – I learned from this forum the difference between pants and trousers as I replaced most all of mine as I lost my weight. That was such a nice treat to enjoy buying new ones!

@emma-taylor and @bellyblast – I had to Google ASMR but certainly understand the affinity with Bob Ross and “Joy of Painting.” It was a joy to watch him back in the 80’s and 90’s on our Public Broadcasting channel and his “happy little trees.”

Must also agree with use of spell check and auto-correct (even predictive) in the good and bad of them both. Being a linguaphile, I tend to like and use words that they don’t like… like “linguaphile” shows up as incorrect. Ha ha!

Onward and downward.