AH – I’ve decided to take your advice and track my weight after a fast day. My weight varies so much after non-fast days depending on what I eat or drink. So my post-fast weight last week was 11st 1lb and this week it’s 11st exactly so one pound to Santa.

I’ve been off on maternity leave for the last 7 months but this week I went in for a couple of days to ‘keep in touch’. It was really nice to have loads of compliments about my weight loss. The last time I’d popped in was just before I started 5:2. My baby was 6 weeks old at the time. She is now an above-average sized 6 month old. It seems unbelievable that I’ve lost more than her entire body weight! My colleagues remarked that I looked slimmer than I was before I was before I was pregnant. It’s true – I am. I’m about half way to my goal weight now and it’s really helped motivate me to carry on.

Well done, MaryWW. 1.5 lbs sounds good. I couldn’t hack three fasts this past week. I did manage 2 though, and will try for 3 next week. My weigh-in on Monday.

Hi I’m new to 5.2 but I am starting to fast tomorrow feeling positive to lose 14 lbs by Christmas …. It this achievable ? Thank you

I remembered to check in and I read all the posts!! Very inspiring.

TTA, I just got my bmi below 27 so it was a little disconcerting to hear of your diabetes. I know a lot of factors are involved.

PP, what a good feeling to look better than before pregnancy!! I was like that with my first but I was 40 with my second and never quite recovered…

Maryww…I may try three fasts next week. My husband is out of town so it will be a good opportunity.

Today has been a little odd….it’s raining and we were scurrying around getting my husband to the airport. I snacked a bit more than I meant to. I allow myself some snacking on the weekend so I don’t feel deprived but I have to watch it because I get triggered and can’t stop. So I need to watch that tomorrow.

I bought a skirt this fall that I’ve been wearing a lot. It is fairly form fitting so it will be interesting to watch it as I progress…

I too missed you AH! I was going to post late last night (mums taxi was on pick up duty) and ask if all was OK as it was so unusual not to hear from you. Was going to ask if anyone knew where you were! Then decided to wait till morning and lo and behold you are back! Glad you had a good time and as always an inspiration to us all. Some going on a 4 day golf trip could have just gone and threw caution to the wind but you planned, brought your pedometer and kept our challenge to mind. Maybe to the back of the mind at times lol but still there all the same. Welcome back!

Was reading something which caught my attention – weight loss v fat loss which may be of interest to any but especially those near their goals. While we all have a figure on the scales we would like to achieve. Burning fat and building lean body mass = a body transformation without at times a significant loss on the scales. Body fat reduction is much more important than the number on the scales. If we are looking great in our size 10 or 12 jeans or for men who now are wearing 34 waist trousers once again does it really matter if we are a lb or 2 away from that magic number?

Weighing in at 122.8 lbs this morning. BMI 23.2 . -4.2 lbs since last week. (not as great as it sounds , average -1.9/week over the last 2 weeks.)

This is my story.
For most of my adult life I’ve been between 120 & 125 lbs. Six years ago, after a nightmare 3 months, my husband died. I retreated into comfort eating and by January 2013 I was >175 lbs with a BMI of >33, putting me definitly in the obese category. Body-analysis scales also indicated that I was 50% blubber. 🙁

I did lose some weight slowly in 2013 & 2014, with some yo-yoing, but was still >150 lbs & BMI >28. I have a degenerative neuromuscular condition that limits exercise and mobility, and gives me significant pain, especially during the winter. Summer 2014,in an effort to get out more, I decided to get a dog. (Yes, I did consider a lot more than just that. A dog is for life and her health and happiness must also be considered.) I had to limit her exercise last winter while her bones were developing. That’s recommended to be 5 mins for each month of age. e.g. At 6 months old that was 30 mins of exercise. Despite that last winter was the most painful ever and I didn’t get the usual respite during the spring or summer. At the beginning of August I just couldn’t face another winter like last. I was looking at taking to a mobility scooter permanently or hiring a dog walker. But what if I brought my weight back down to normal?

So from mid August, at slightly over 150 lbs, I embarked on a combination of the 5-2 & 8-hour diets. Sometimes when weight-loss stalled that became the 4-3 & 4-hour diets. I’ve lost almost 28 lbs in 3 months. and am happily in the normal BMI range. Has it worked to improve the pain and mobility? I wont commit to a definite answer till next spring but I have been in less pain and able to actually enjoy the occasional pain-free & pain-killer-free short walkie in the last few weeks.

I’m now looking at the longer-term health benefits of intermittent fasting. My priority is no longer weight-loss. I do want to drop my body-fat percentage by another point or two, build up my core muscle strength gently to protect my bad back, and concentrate on optimum nutrition. A final push before Xmas seemed a good idea. Thats why I signed up for this challenge. But I’ll be happier to see my fat % reduce slightly and improve core muscle tone, than just hit the target 120 lbs.

Long-term its difficult to stick to being too disciplined. Last week I was annoyed with myself mainly because I woke up on Monday morning with a food-hangover and feeling like a stuffed turkey. An extra fast day and a couple of glasses of prune juice to move the excess food along and I’m feeling good again. I have every intention of continuing to have the occasional day where I indulge and tuck into fried food, creamy sauces, cheese-cake and chocolate. As long as its occasional, I’m confident that an extra fast day will compensate.

Milena – keep to the plan and wait for ‘the whoosh’ lol

Fatkat I was having a bit of a hard time and someone on this thread pointed out I sabotaging my effort by over indulging on a Sunday and using my fast day on Monday as a means of compensating. So now I keep to my Tdee on my non fast days which means my actual fast days do make a difference. You may also find the more you get into this you won’t want to over indulge. You know you can but you don’t want too. Well done for making the decision after such difficult circumstances to take charge and losing 28lbs keep going – you and your dog will reap the benefits.

Checking in… Following other posters advice, and using Friday as my official weigh in day for this challenge.
(Nov 1: 121.8 Starting weight)
Fri Nov 6- 121.8… +-0

Lovely catching up on all you posts as I sit eating breakfast in London. I can tell you jet lag works wonders for fasting!! I arrived Saturday morning having had breakfast on the plane (recommend the poached eggs if, like me, you’re lucky enough to be on Air N Z business class)! Didn’t eat again (Yoghurt) til 11:00am yesterday as I was busy walking around, dodging rain showers ? And going to a show. Then while I enjoyed a delicious pie and a pint for a late lunch at 3pm I collapsed jet lagged and unintelligible at 6:30pm without eating again. Of course I woke up at about 4 am.
So all those people who recommended one meal a day while travelling, so far so good. Spending the day with an old friend I’ve not seen for years so fun to be had!!

@keegmom, I’m from the US as well. It’s not sexy enough to be popular here, I don’t think… it’s a long term way of eating, not a quick fix like we all have come to expect is the way it’s “supposed” to be!

Had a disappointing day yesterday where I far exceeded my TDEE after eating out of stress and some mild sadness/loneliness. Today is a fast day, so I’ll probably not see much of a change from Sunday given that. This week I travel for business, so I’ll be doing 2 fasts only. Same thing next week. Thanksgiving week I will definitely get 3 in, though!!

I see that my last post which was my check in for week 1 did not show up!?! I also set my fasting days as goals for this week. So I will do it again.

I lost no weight in the first week – weighing Fridays to be even with the rest of you.

Saturday was the celebration of our 50th Anniversary – all you can eat sushi – had great fun! It is quite confusing to order so made for a great party “warm up” and everyone became comfortable quickly. I tried to stick mainly to sashimi but my son was very handy at eating most of it. Anyway, how did I do it, I did not drink any alcohol and ate only a very small piece of cake. All and all, a great evening (almost worth the 50 years of marriage!!! lol)

Yesterday was my first fast this week.
Today fasting until dinner. Dinner out with family of husband’s good friend who died a few weeks ago) Tuesday – fasting
Wednesday – fasting until Birthday celebration of our first grandchild who meets the adult milestone of her life.
Thursday – fasting

Will post in daily to keep me honest!

Chipmunk, good job fasting while traveling!! It can be hard but I did manage one fast day during our trip to DC–the day driving up. It worked pretty well.

Keegmom–7 pounds!!! Wow. Keep it up.

tkinsley, I was disappointed in my weekend as well. I’m hoping to more than make up for it this week…

Good luck on your travels, Fastinlady.

PJBR–congrats on 50 years…AND on not eating everything during the celebrations.

Coda, I hope to do my first week with three fasts so I”m trying something new as well. Good luck to us both.

I’m proud of myself for checking in and going to the gym immediately after dropping my daughter off at school. I think the secret is putting out clothes the night before so it’s all there staring at you!! Fast day is good so far.

See you tomorrow!

Hi All…am on track. In fact yesterday, I had a total zero calorie day. Just drank water and black tea. Wasn’t hungry.

I’m in mt 34th week of this lifestyle. I think it’s going to be a forever thing XX

Hi AH

Welcome back – glad you are enjoying all that sport in the NZ sunshine! Did your four day golf trip involve a handicap cut??

Ten days into the challenge, four fasts done and a whole pound gone! Santa is welcome to it! I have fourteen fasts remaining on my calendar but I can see some dates where I can fit in some additional as back-to-backs, so …. for the first time in a long while I am feeling very positive and feel I CAN achieve my pledged six pounds. Thank you for your suggestions on planning and positivity – you are such a motivator and we are all so lucky to have you lead us!

Fatkat, thanks for sharing your story with us – I felt so moved! Glad you have taken charge of your life now by making two significant changes – your dog as companion and exercise buddy – and this fasting way of life – embrace them both and they will not let you down! What an incredible amount you have lost in such a small space of time leading you into a healthy BMI, but you are right to give weight loss less focus and concentrate on nutrition and strengthening to assist your mobility. Have you thought about Pilates classes for core strengthening? The gentle stretching exercises it involves particularly suit people with “issues” and if you can attend a class led by a physiotherapist you should be able to get guidance on tailoring your exercises to suit your mobility issues. Good luck to you.

Hi Everyone

Lovely to have so many posts to read each day. I’m away for the weekend but will take my tablet to keep up.

FATKAT: Thank you for sharing your story and for reminding me of the long term benefits of intermittent fasting.

CHIPMUNK: Well done for fasting whilst travelling. Enjoy your time in London.

KEEGMOM: A warm welcome.

PJBR: CONGRATULATIONS! 50 Years…Wow….Amazing!

ROMMY5163: Thank you for the four reasons for fluid retention. I’m familiar with 1 and 4. Ate too many potatoes at the weekend with garlic butter so scales say fluid retention 🙂

EXPAT: First of 3 fast days today and so far zero calories too and not hungry. Almost bedtime so probably won’t eat now, just another herbal tea.

TKINSLEY: YAY to the whoosh 🙂

Have a good week everyone!

Hi folks,

Apologies for my tardiness. I’m not sure what day we’re supposed to be checking in but I’m making my weigh in day Thursday because my final weigh in before Christmas will be a Thursday (Christmas Eve), six weeks to go! I weighed in this morning at 65.8kg, down 1/2 a kilo/1 pound since the start of November. Despite being fairly consistent, I’ve been stuck around this weight for about a month, give or take a pound 🙁

I don’t have time to read everyone’s posts this morning but I hope other people are having more success.

Roomy, thanks for the info on water weight. It is frustrating. At least I know to expect it now.

I missed logging in yesterday but I’m glad to be here today. I had a fast day even though my daughter was out of school for Veterans Day (armistice day). I had a small side salad for lunch and two eggs for supper. The salad was while we were out and about so I’m glad I was able to get something that fit the plan!

I’ve walked and planked and raked leaves so I feel good about that!

I’m going to try another fast Friday. It will be my first 4/3 week so wish me luck!!

Good job everyone!

Soontobesvelt……

Just read your post.. I was stuck at 65kg for the longest time..I began to believe that I would be unable to change… that it was somehow healthy..even though it is obviously not, especially as I look at my belly resting on the top of my thighs like an independent state….. the republic of Fatness! I that is the sensation I hate the most about being overweight… the feeling of my tummy sitting on my lap.

I have just recently had some success. Even tho I didn’t lose weight in Oct.. I did continue to stick to the fast on and off…. even tho I felt like I was getting nowhere. I also reduced bread and pasta, eventually giving it up completely.

This month I’m not doing anything different..apart from not missing any fast days .. and I appear to be losing weight with relative ease.

So keep going thro the bleaklands of apparent pointlessness…. the whoosh awaits you!

Mx

AH – you are forgiven completely – you are entitled to another life you know and perhaps we should be not be so needy. You have us spoilt lol. As long as everything is ok and it is only work getting in the way.

Well done MsMarple for getting to target and then revising it to a lower one! An inspiration to us all! My what a challenge don’t think I could swim 5k good luck on that one!

We all want a Whoosh or two lol! x

Well done everyone, it’s inspiring to read about everyones progress and stories! I’m down from 71.4 to 70.7 so a .7 loss. Only been able to do one fast day this week after having the flu but it’s gone in the right direction which is a relief! Worried I’ll start plateauing but going to stay positive either way 🙂 well done everyone

Oh oh, seem to be on a plateau. This is my third week sitting at 9st 5 1/4 lbs. I have been up and down throughout the week, many thanks to the delicious meringues I have been overdosing on! My birthday today, so the last meringue for lunch, then our fav cafe closes for good. So no more meringues! Then out for dinner tonight which will include the whole nine yards plus wine, but I skipped breakfast, so keeping my calories for later., will see what the scales say tomorrow, then adjust my weekend food accordingly.
Great to see so many new faces on this forum, and see that lots of you are having success. It’s great when you see the numbers go down on the scales, but even when they don’t, good things are happening inside to turn us all into healthier human beings.
We had the high winds and torrential rain from storm Abigail yesterday. We had a snowstorm earlier this morning which had started to settle, now we have brilliant sunshine and blue skies!!! Weird weather to say the least. Envious of all your lovely Southern Hemisphere sunshine. Stay well everyone, and keep up with the fasting, it does work!
Glad you’re back with Us Action. By the way, what was you’re goal for this challenge? Don’t want you slacking now do we?

Hello….I’m at the Dmv waiting to renew my driver’s license….is this a big ordeal outside the US? It’s kind of a joke here…the definition of bureaucracy. At least I’m not eating! I’m on my phone so please excuse the typing. No weigh in as I’m doing a third fast today…fingers crossed. I went to yoga yesterday and hope to walk today if I ever get out of here! Good luck for the weekend everyone! I have a few challenges but I’m hopeful!