Day 26 UK CD
Day 27 UK NFD
Day 28 UK CD

Not managed to fast over the weekend tho kept eating mostly really well. Made cake on Saturday for community gathering and ate lots of ganache – but it was made with avocado and cacao 🙂 Out to lunch on Sunday and had salads, half a glass of prosecco then back to water. My biggest blowout this last week has been homemade popcorn.

I’m feeling puffy and sluggish – and in lots of pain today. Had to take more meds and go back to bed, spent most the day resting bc I couldn’t do anything else. I’ve got up for the evening, now having a bath and going back to bed.

It’s a very quiet end to a quiet month here, with several regulars away on holidays. Do we have a host for July?

@basyjames well done on your b2b WFD last week – me who was asking. It sounds as tho you’ve really got this for your pre-holiday prep
@daffodil2010 hope the recovery is continuing well

Second post

@michelinme – So very sorry to hear that you are having pain. I hope it abates soon. I hope your bath eased the inflammation. I am going to host July, but I hope you will be able to respond to posts, as you are usually good at doing that. No pressure, though. Just take care of yourself, first and foremost.

Day 29, NFD, Aus

Good FD yesterday and I even when out at lunch time for some exercise (in addition to my comparative low key dog walks). Feeling virtuous.

Thanks for offering to host next month @northerndawn. That’s good work to identify what has worked for you in the past – sounds like the making of a plan and goals for July.

Keep posting everyone! It’s great for accountability – yours and mine – for entertainment, inspiration, and a sense of camaraderie.

Day 29 – Ireland 🇮🇪 – NFD

It’s DH’s birthday today so I am going to cook a nice fish dish and there will be a small amount of cake and wine later, but as its a “school night” for him with an early start, it will be civilised.

I had a good FD yesterday, however my tum was also in a bad way which perversely helped the FD. I had cut my painkillers down to just once a day however I think now they are doing a number on me, so I have cut them altogether. I don’t actually have much pain now anyway, thankfully.

I am going out in my car now for the first time since the op, just a toddle to buy supplies for tonight birthday meal. Every day I get stronger.

I concur with @penz et al that the forum is super quiet. It has been actually for quite a while, and over the years it has gone steadily quieter, even M. Moseley doesn’t have any latest updates….do you guys still see the thing about his trip to Australia in 2019 in the “featured topics”?

However, it’s a good place to come on and be accountable, and I like having it as part of my daily routine. I really hope we can continue…….back in 2013 I was part of a forum for the Dukan Diet and at first it was like this one, lots of posters, great tips, great banter…..slowly people dropped out, then I did, and now there is tumbleweed drifting through that forum…….maybe it’s the lifecycle of forums?

Goodness, so dramatic.

Thank you so much @northerndawn for hosting July, it’s so much appreciated.
@michelinme I hope you feel better soon.
@at you really are a super woman with all the exercise you do, well done!
@songbirdme hope your DH’s jab went ok

Have a lovely Tuesday everyone. I am finding myself happy that I have lovely warm sunny weather while I am recovering so lolling about the garden on a sun lounger and a good book is the perfect way to spend the day ☺️

Day 29, UK, NFD

Yesterday was a good fast day.

I managed to last until 8pm with no food at all, except 20 calories’ worth of red chicory leaves at 5pm. Really pleased with myself.

Think I had a lot of glycogen stored in my liver and muscles from all the feasting during the weekend!!

I was mega-hungry during the night and starving this morning which is really unusual for me. It seems the closer I get to 800 calories on a FD, the hungrier I am! Hmmm…

I am feeling a lot better after Monday’s FD – I’ve lost the weekend bloat!

Planning two more FDs this week – Wednesday and Friday.

@northerndawn – 2 X thank yous from me!
– First of all, I loved your post about how you keep yourself on the ‘straight & narrow!’ I have cut and pasted it into a sticky note on my screen! Thanks – super-inspirational.
– Secondly, thanks so much for hosting next month! I’ll be there!

Catch y’all tomorrow for another FD!

Day 29, London, UK, NFD,

There’s a sausage & avocado sandwich waiting patiently on the corner of my desk😱 ……………………. I guess I’ll eat it😜!!! But it will be a very low calorie tomato soup for dinner!!😇

Yes, yes, yes, it’s been super quiet here, perhaps returning to ‘normality’ has been a bit more, well ……………. challenging!!!😂

I’m making a vow to myself to post every single day of the July challenge, thanks for hosting @northerndawn, you’re a 🌟, and your list of what works resonated 100% with me!!!

July is definitely a finger out month, the only issue I have with 5:2 or fasting in any way is similar to FOMO, ……………… I fast and fast and fall in love with the better sleep, the empty tummy feeling, the jewellry slipping off wrists & fingers, the emergence of COLLARBONES! ABS! CHEEKBONES!, the shifting holes on my belt, the BRAND NEW wardrobe ……………. the singular finger hand gesture to Alzheimers, Parkinsons etc🙏!!!
Then for some unknown reason, despite the fact that at least 3 days per week don’t have to be FDs, I start missing FDs (there’s only 2!!!), binging on carbs like they’re restricted or on the “banned” list (there isn’t one!) and finishing things rather than saving for later just in case ‘later’ falls on a FD and the temptation would be too much (I know, I know, break the habit & just bin it!!!).
Anyway, this WOL is totally sustainable, I can have whatever I want, maybe just tomorrow, but I CAN have it.

Roll on July, I love Love LOVE this WOL, it’s the only thing that ever worked without me avoiding friends, family, restaurants and having talk myself off of the ‘ledge’ daily to avoid a biscuit!!!!

I just need to tattoo “I 💜 5:2″ somewhere on my body lest I forget just how bloomin’ good this has been & will continue to be for me!!!!

I can do this, we can do this, posting is always the key to my success, so what could be simpler ……………. 5:2 & daily posting?? Done!!!

“If we keep doing what we are doing, we’re going to keep getting what we’re getting.” – Unknown

Therefore, looking forwards …………….

“I didn’t get there by wishing for it or hoping for it, but by working for it.” – Estée Lauder

Second post

@flourbaby I second everything that you said. Bravo my lady!!!

Day 29 UK CD

Finally remembered to weigh myself this morning and still at Friday’s low of 173lb, 5lb down on the month. A WAY to go but that’s a solid start and looks like it’s bankable.

I’m a bit short of food in the house just now – forgot to stock up on protein and veg box due tomorrow. It’s been grey, cool and wet for a few days which has turned my mind from salads to warming things, but feeling slightly off food.

I had a long sleep but still tired, pain has dialled down but burning joints seem to be an ongoing feature of my long covid. Time to check in with GP again and get a review. But I’ve managed to get some stuff done today – a zoom meeting late morning and another late afternoon, some papers out for meeting tomorrow and mother-bubble for tea. We talked a bit about family history, the cost of utilities and growing plants. Small things but a big connection.

Thank you for health wishes. It’s a long haul & some days are easier than others. Luckily I’ve been used to living with disabling conditions for the last 20 years but it’s hard to get my head around the new symptoms and patterns, working out restrictions and finding possibilities. Off for another epsom salts bath with wimbledon and early night.

@northerndawn thank you for hosting July challenge. I love your long posts 🙂
@at thank you for hosting June – you have been a lovely host, setting off to a great start, here when needed, and popping in with timely encouragement and reminders to keep on track!

Day 30, FD, Aus

End of the month already?? Half the year gone? Seems hard to believe.

Ending the month with a FD as we’re going out for dinner tomorrow on a day when I usually fast.

Yes, @daffodil2010 – the 2019 Australia trip is still showing up for me too in the “featured topics” section. So dated! But it’s good to see many stalwarts are still here on the forum.

@northgeorgia: what’s happening with Lola and co? Haven’t seen them in a while. Hope they make an appearance in July.

Sausage and avocado?!? Yum! My mental taste buds are on fire, @flourbaby! (And I assume you mean the English sausage, not the American meaning?) And don’t forget the emergence of hip bones!

Great results this month @michelinme, well done.

Thank you for hosting @at! You didn’t seem “absent” at all.

Looking forward to seeing you all again in July.

Day 30 pocket list (I think I’ll need the company)
@penz
@fivetwofan5252 – no, I mean @high5!!! (GREAT new handle!)

Day 30 – USA/GA – NFD

June 1 weigh-in: 223 lbs. Today’s weigh-in: 223 lbs. Ah, the “lost” month. July will be different. I’m feeling determined!

—
“It’s been a while,” Lola says.

“Since what?” I look at her inquisitively.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been asked to be a bridesmaid. Of course, the last thing I expected was for a total stranger to ask me while on vacation in the mountains.”

I look around the restaurant. It was very well-appointed, with its linen napkins and velour-covered menus. A waiter refills the glass stemware next to my plate with cool water.

I glance at the empty spaces and ask, “I wonder where John, Rita, and the rest of their crew are?”

“Probably still at the venue sorting things out,” Wesley says over sips of water.

“Well, I sure hope they get here soon. I’m hungry,” I say. “But it’s probably not right to order until everyone arrives.”

Wesley nods, setting the glass down. “Mmm. And we know they’re paying. Have you seen the prices here?”

Lola rolls her eyes and suddenly waves to a small group next to Rita at the entrance. They begin their walk over with the host to our table, and I begin to feel a little anxious. Meeting strangers is one thing. Meeting their friends and family members during such an important day in their lives is another matter. Especially the odd ones. I don’t know what to expect.

—

Happy fasting, everyone. See you in July!

Day 30 USA – NFD

I ate well over my TDE yesterday, but that often happens for me on a DayAfterFastDay. Today will be better

@at – thank you so much for leading us this month. Now ON TO JULY! I look forward to it as continuing with this group could not be better.

@high5 – yes! Great new handle, and right, not the mouthful of all your 5-2’s of before!

Onward and downward.

Day 30 UK CD

Delighted to be an extra lb down this morning. I won’t bank it but save one for my official July start/weekly Friday weigh day. Can’t believe i’ve FINALLY got some mojo and oomph and making progress! Now to build momentum…

Didn’t sleep well last night, still v tired & plenty of pain. I’m delighted not to be going out this week until Saturday when my women’s group have a trip to the coast to visit one of our number. Leaving at 8.30 and back around 7pm makes for a v long day out but lovely to see the sea and spend time in person rather than online.

Today’s gone well! I took the morning off to rest and potter gently, then do some research for the weekend. My fortnightly fruit & veg box arrived which is cause for rejoicing – aubergine, courgette, cauliflower, cucumber, avocados, tiny new potatoes, onions, cabbage, lettuce, something else, flat white peaches, honeydew melon, green pears and gooseberries – YUM!! I think that’ll be a few meals, a batch cooked dal, plenty of salads and fresh fruit each day.

This afternoon I chaired a conference planning meeting on zoom which was excellent – everyone in good form and creative thinking together. Then stewarded online service and led a small reflection group afterwards. I’m just abou to potter & catch up with wimbledon then jump in the bath. Epsom salt baths seem to take the edge off really well.

@at thank you again for being a great host! It’s about quality not quantity and you do it so well 🙂
@high5 i love your new name – like @basyjames i’m delighted not to be typing out the old one again 😀
@daffodil2010, @jaifaim and other friends who’ve been away or gone quiet – hope all’s well and look forward to seeing you in the next challenge xx

Many thanks @at for hosting June, onwards to July.