Kat's Diary – Encouragement needed!

This topic contains 32 replies, has 9 voices, and was last updated by Kat1703 10 years, 10 months ago.

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Kat1703

9:09 am
23 Jan 14
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Hi all – I was posting in another bit of the forum, but not many go there and I’m in need of a bit of reassurance today! Have pasted my diary so far below

10:43 pm
6 Jan 14

I thought I’d start a diary to try and keep myself going!
I’m just about to go to bed after having completed my third fast day. I’ve found that the fast days haven’t actually been too bad – I limit my intake to two slim fast shakes a day and a lot of black decaf coffee and herbal teas! I might change it up later on, but I find not dealing with food at all is the easiest way for me so far 🙂
Age:32
Height: 5’4″
Weight at start: 9st 12lbs
Goal weight: 8st 12lbs
Current weight: 9st 10lbs (as of Friday after two fast days completed)
Current BMI: 23.3
Current body fat: 35%
Waist measurement: At belly button: 33 inches At smallest part of waist: 31 inches
I don’t have a lot to lose so not expecting quick and big results, but a pound loss at this Friday’s weigh in would be nice 🙂 I’m doing quite long fasts (last meal was at 8pm yesterday and I won’t have breakfast until about 9.30am tomorrow when I get into work), so hopefully I’ll see some good results…

10 Jan 14

2nd weigh in today after fast day yesterday:
Weight: 9st 9lb
Weight (on new scales): 9st 8.4lbs
BMI: 22.6
Body fat: 32.5%
Waist measurement at belly button: 32 inches
At smallest part of waist: 30 inches
So, while 1lb loss this week doesn’t seem like much, I am more than happy with the other measurement progress! Woo hoooo!
Now, finally time for breakfast 🙂

17 Jan 14

3rd weigh in today:
Weight: 9st 8.2 lbs
Body fat: 32.6%
At smallest part of waist: 30 inches
At belly button: 32 inches
So, basically no change – a bit disappointing as I stuck to under 500 cals for both fast days but must plough on! Fingers crossed for a better result next week 🙂

Kat1703

22 Jan 14

I’m on my second fast day of the week and I have to say, this week has been the hardest! Maybe it has something to do with going on a 20Km hike last weekend and my first fast day was on a day I had to get up at 4am for work!
Weigh in tomorrow… Fingers crossed for a good result. Would be happy with half a pound, but a pound would be excellent!

Kat1703
8:46 am
23 Jan 14

Disappointing results this week 🙁
Weight: 9st 10.2lbs
Body fat: 33.5%
At smallest part of waist: 30.5 inches
At belly button: 32.5 inches

So 2lbs gain and increases everywhere else! Very disheartening. Was hoping I wouldn’t have to calorie count during the rest of the week as that’s why I started this in the first place, but looks like I’ll have to 🙁
Ah well – onwards and upwards (or downwards, preferably!)

Angie090465

9:43 am
23 Jan 14
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hi Kat

first of all well done on your progress so far, my goal is very similar to yours but not sure if I am ever going to reach it lol!
I am shorter than you at 5’2 and weight at mo is 9’6, I put on a lb since December so not happy with that, but I feel like I am stuck at that weight and my body refuses to go lower!!!

but I am keeping at it, its not easy and I can see why you feel disappointed, but I believe if we keep going things will start shifting, they have to!

hopefully others will be along soon with more suggestions, as for me I may try a day of 16.8, though I am unsure if I can do it 🙁

come on, onwards and downwards 🙂

Kat1703

10:28 am
23 Jan 14
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Thanks Angie! I’m thinking one reason is because I changed one of my fast days this week and hence weigh in day was a day earlier, but thinking I’m just kidding myself!

Will keep ploughing on 🙂

Quick question – what is 16:8?

Angie090465

10:45 am
23 Jan 14
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hi Kat1703!!

sorry I should have explained about 16.8 so apologies!!

its basically eating within those hours windows, ie you skip breakfast and just eat lunch and dinner as normal and no more eating after 8pm, I know of a few people who have tried this method and it seems to work, alongside 5.2…

I want to really go for it but I am one of those who just cant function without breakfast 🙁 so not sure if i’ll be able to pull it off!!

keep us posted and good luck, you’ll be fine 🙂

Kat1703

11:13 am
23 Jan 14
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That sounds interesting! If still no change this week, I’ll give that a go. I don’t eat on fast days any way (just a slim fast shake for lunch and one for dinner), so that sounds manageable!

Angie090465

11:16 am
23 Jan 14
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Wow you are one strong lady Kat 🙂

sounds like 16.8 is right up your street lol!! you could combine with 5.2 and see what happens?

good luck, happy fasting 🙂

strangerachael

12:13 pm
23 Jan 14
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Hi Kat
I am in a similar situation to you, same height, currently 9 st 6lb and wanting to get back to 9 st (as I was on my wedding day, and after the births of my children) so not unrealistic I don’t think. Last Friday, after 2 weeks of 5:2, I hadn’t lost so much as an ounce 🙁 but this week I have upped my exercise and after a fast day today, next weigh-in is tomorrow. I have gone down a notch on my belt today so am feeling hopeful! It’s painstakingly slow when you don’t have much to lose, but I suppose that’s how it should be.

Angie090465

12:22 pm
23 Jan 14
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hi Strangerachael

good luck on your weigh in tomorrow, let us know how you get on!!

but please give it time, don’t be too hard on yourself as 2 weeks isn’t that long, but it will come off!! 🙂

Kat1703

2:43 pm
23 Jan 14
Permalink

Glad to hear I’m not the only one! I had told myself to lower my expectations as I don’t have a lot of weight to lose, but it’s very easy to get disheartened, ha ha.

Just calculated my TDEE which is 1575 – much lower than I thought! So I think doing the 16.8 method alongside 5:2 might help – that way I’m still not counting calories :-)Will start that tomorrow as I had breakfast today!

Good luck with your weigh in tomorrow Strangerachael!

valentine

9:18 pm
23 Jan 14
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Hi Kat, I’m same height and currently 9st 10lb, target is 8st 8lb but at 36 not sure if I’ll get back there or if I’m being over-optimistic! Please don’t be disheartened, I agree with Strangerachael – the loss needs to be slow and steady and your measurements reflect that, good luck and keep at it 🙂

Kat1703

12:40 am
24 Jan 14
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Hi valentine – I know ho you feel about being overly optimistic! I need to remember, I’m 32 not 22!

Must remember to be patient!

Kat1703

10:50 am
24 Jan 14
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Right – I’ve decided to try Angie’s 16:8 suggestion! Haven’t had any breakfast, then will have normal lunch and dinner (before 8pm. Seems pretty do-able!

Downloaded MyFitnessPal app – my goodness, red wine has a lot of calories! Think I may have found the culprit… Shame I work in PR, red wine consumption is almost in the job description, ha ha.

Angie090465

12:20 pm
24 Jan 14
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Hi Kat1703

well done, I gave up on my 16.8 today lol, I normally fast on Fridays but today I cant so I will do tomorrow, Saturday arghhh!!!

you sure are right about he wine, lovely but calorie loaded grrr!!

good luck today though am sure you’ll sail through it 🙂

strangerachael

1:05 pm
24 Jan 14
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Well I’m happy to report that finally, after 3 weeks, I have lost 2lb 🙂

Kat1703

1:39 pm
24 Jan 14
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Hurrah! Well done strangerachael! Happy to hear it’s started paying off for you 🙂

Angie – don’t beat yourself up too much and good luck with tomorrow! I can never fast on weekends – work keeps me distracted!

Just had lunch as first meal of the day (low calorie noodle soup) and having dinner tonight at Strada at 6 – then nothing until lunch tomorrow. Hopefully it’ll push things back in the required direction – downwards 🙂

Stef.

4:03 pm
24 Jan 14
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Hi Kat, well done on your progress!

A little bit of weight fluctuation is quite nomal. If you eat too much salt or sugar it might need to flyid retention. If you are shortly before your period your weight might go up as well.

I have been doing a weird combination of 5:2; 4:3; ADF; calorie counting; 16:8; 23:1… since the 6th of November, depending on my circumstances. It also helps to spice up things when you hit a plateau.

So perhaps adding another fast day might shake things up and get your weight moving in the right direction?

Best of luck,
Stef.

Kat1703

4:18 pm
24 Jan 14
Permalink

Thanks Stef! You’re right – I should try not to read too much into a bit of fluctuation!

Going to try keeping the two fast days do the 16:8 thing on on non-fast days and see how I go. Want to try and avoid adding a third day as it’ll mean I have to do it on Friday or Saturday!

Patience is not one of my virtues, so it’s a good thing stubbornness is 🙂

newbiefaster78

4:38 pm
24 Jan 14
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Good work by all. I’m new to this, and I too, only have about 14lbs, (or one stone, sorry, I’m American…..) to loose. However, if you don’t have much to loose you MUST STAY MOTIVATED and even a teeny loss is still a loss. Also remember how much sodium we eat can affect water retention. Soups are GREAT fast day foods, but they also can keep a bit of water on your too.

Also, I know it’s um, sort of gross to think about, but it depends on your digestive track and how “regular” you are. So if you ate a lot of sodium, and aren’t “regular” before you weigh in that can affect it too. So far I am down 5, and about 9-10lbs to go. Keep on keeping on though,I’m sure you will see the results moving in the right direction really soon. 🙂

Kat1703

6:33 pm
27 Jan 14
Permalink

First fast day of the week and have found renewed motivation! I did the 16:8 thing on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (apart from booze on Friday) and I used MyFitnessPal to see how many calories I’m really consuming – a lot more than I thought, and the main culprit is booze! Without it, I generally stay within 2000 calories – will try and cut it down a bit this week…

Kat1703

8:39 am
31 Jan 14
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5th weigh in today – better results 🙂

Weight: 9st 8.8 lbs
Body fat: 32.7%
At smallest part of waist: 30 inches
At belly button: 31.5 inches

So a 1.4lb loss if my maths is right! Looks like the (slight) moderation in booze and missing breakfast on feast days had a bit of an impact 🙂 I have breakfast the day after fast days, but not on the other feast days.

The loss is painfully slow (all in all 3lbs in 5 weeks), but it sure does do a lot for motivation to see the numbers go in the right direction!!

Angie090465

8:45 am
31 Jan 14
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Well done Kat1703!

a loss is a loss no matter how small, keep going hun 😉

Kat1703

8:50 am
31 Jan 14
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Thanks Angie! Definitely got a little spring in my step today 🙂

Angie090465

9:04 am
31 Jan 14
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🙂 you go girl!!

Kat1703

8:23 am
7 Feb 14
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6th weigh in today – bah.
Weight: 9st 8.6 lbs
Body fat: 32.7%
At smallest part of waist: 30 inches
At belly button: 32.5 inches

Another slightly disappointing measurement day 🙁 Only a negligible 0.0.2lb loss and looks like I’ve inexplicably gained an inch around my tummy. So a very slow 3.4lbs total loss in 6 weeks.

Must. Keep. Going!

simcoeluv

8:37 am
7 Feb 14
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Hi Kat:

You are not very heavy and someone of your size will not normally lose weight fast. Your loss is right in line with what you might expect to lose if you are doing 5:2 correctly. This might help explain what I mean: http://thefastdiet.co.uk/forums/topic/tdee-for-the-curious-or-why-dont-i-lose-weight-faster/

Just be patient (I know it is hard).

Good Luck!

Kat1703

8:46 am
7 Feb 14
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Thanks! That’s a really helpful link 🙂 It’s so hard to stay motivated when you feel like you’re doing all the right things and not much is changing! But, I shall persevere 🙂

MrsCiv

9:02 am
7 Feb 14
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Hi Kat (and everyone else),

My stats are similar to yours and I started on the same day as you. I’m Australian (metric) but living in the UK so I will put down both measures.

5’4 (162cm)
start weight (6 Jan 2014) 9st 4lb (59kg)
last time I checked weight 8st 13.4lb (56.9kg) – lost 4lb or 2.1kg

I haven’t been very good at keeping track though because my scales broke (or ran out or battery) so I haven’t weighed myself in a few weeks. I also went to Paris and had visitors for a week so I had a 2 week break (a few days I fasted for the whole day but ate dinner).

Based on reading the forum I think my initial loss has been high compared to other people who are starting at a low weight, but I did my TDEE at the start and have been having less than 400cal on fast days. I expect that my weight loss has slowed though and since I’ve had a bit of a break this week I’m doing 4:3 just to see how it goes. Today is my 3rd fast this week and I think Friday will be hard for me since I usually go to after work drinks and I will have to miss that tonight. Oh well, there is always next Friday.

Happy Friday everyone 🙂

Kat1703

10:07 am
7 Feb 14
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That’s great progress – getting just under that 9st mark is the goal for me!

I was considering doing 4:3 to jump start things a little – but I just know I’ll buckle on a weekend day and I’m already dangerously close to losing all motivation!

On the bright side – I have noticed that my skin seems a lot brighter these days for some reason and the lifelong circles I’ve had under my eyes seemed to have diminished. So must remember that weight loss isn’t the only thing about this diet!

Kat1703

7:11 am
13 Feb 14
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7th weigh in today – double bah but all my own fault!
Weight: 9st 10.4 lbs
Body fat: 33.5%
At smallest part of waist: 30 inches
At belly button: 31.5 inches
BMI 23

So a 2lbs weight gain – bringing my grand total after 7 weeks to 2lbs loss 🙁 🙁 🙁

But, while I was very good on fast days (only had 300 cals yesterday), it was a week of excess (work parties, lots of booze and eating out), so I shouldn’t really be surprised.

It’s funny – I thought I would find the fast days the most difficult, but it’s the normal days!!! Apparently my TDEE is 1574 calories, which I admit is about 500 cals less than I thought I should be consuming and it’s quite hard to stick to on normal days!

ali43

8:27 am
13 Feb 14
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I know how you feel. I’ve plateaued for three weeks now! I’ve cut out alcohol (Mon – Thurs at least), am low carbing and doing a great deal of exercise. I’ve come to the conclusion that it’ll just take me a little longer because I’m middle aged. I’m going to step away from the scales for a while as I find it so demotivating. The thing that keeps me going with IF are the associated long term health benefits and I do feel better generally. Good luck.

Ali

Kat1703

8:33 am
13 Feb 14
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Yes – this month’s resolution is to cut out booze Mon-Thurs. And like you, I’m considering stepping away from the scales for a bit. Too depressing!

Angie090465

9:18 am
13 Feb 14
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hi Kat1703!

I agree about the scales, I don’t even look at them for weeks on end lol, maybe once in a month and that’s it… numbers will not rule my life, too depressing!!

the problem is they can get addictive if you let them!!

good luck and don’t worry you are still doing good 😉

Kat1703

8:19 am
21 Feb 14
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8th weigh in today – Couldn’t resist the scales, my excuse is I tried a new strategy!
Weight: 9st 8.8 lbs
Body fat: 32.5%
Lost tape measure so can’t measure waist
BMI 22.7

Total loss for week – 1.6lbs

Very happy with that 🙂 This week, I cut down on booze (not totally, but a bit) and did total fasts on both days. So only water, black coffee with sweetener and herbal tea were allowed. I have to say, I found just not thinking about the 500 calories much easier, and on both days after I’ve woken up feeling cleansed, happy and full of energy. I find the hardest time during a total fast day is about 8pm and smelling my boyfriend’s dinner – but stubbornness and herbal tea pull me through.

Now, time for a croissant and fruit 🙂