Thanks UPAGUMTREE I will take note! I am continuing alternate day fasting at the moment as it fits my social non-whirl for the next week.

MARYWW and all of us planking – we are all finding 120 a real challenge to say the least. For a health and safety point of view (we are big on this in NZ!!) lets none of us get back injuries please! I know I can do 120 so anything after that is going to be a bonus. What I am planning on doing is 120 and hold as long as I can but NOT to the point I feel my back caving. As time has progressed it is clear 300 seconds is for a super athlete and I am guessing that is not all of us. Let’s just be safe.

Also MARYWW, please note in NZ we don’t see Starbucks as a coffee shop. It serves coffee flavoured beverages – if you want to drink coffee, come to Wellington and AH and I will show you coffee – right AH?

Who Moved My Cheese? Man, that’s a blast from the past AH.

CODA – we hope the best team will win and we all know which team that is! Don’t we JFITZY????

Does any one else use the tracker on this site? I have been putting my weight each week and waist measurement once a month. I know I have only lost a little the last two weeks but it is still nice to see a downward slope. Also nice to see my starting weight and see there is a little less of me. Every little helps as they say!

Chipmunk, good luck with the alt fasting – I hope you will see a huge difference in a week’s time. Re the planking, I can usually (just!) manage 150 secs (I do regular Pilates) but I always get a sore lower back and my remedy has always been to finish it with a 30 secs “Child’s Pose” to relieve the strain. Interestingly had a Pilates session tonight with a different instructor and she pointed out my back was slightly arched in the plank position – once she pushed my back down a tad I felt such a difference ! Worth a try ??

Coda, I have used the tracker since starting this WOL in January. I have recorded weight and all measurements (apart from neck) weekly, apart from holidays, and am so glad I have done as sometimes when I get downhearted I can review my tracker and marvel at my progress over 8 months – yes, my weight line has zigzagged over these months and to a lesser extent my bust, waist and hips, but the trend is still DOWNWARD overall in all departments! PLUS, the BMI and Waist to Height Ratio tracking is a revelation over the months – I have gone from BMI 26.7 to 23.0 and WtH ratio 0.59 to 0.51. I am one pound short of weight goal now (9 stone) but have decided to strive for another half stone as my WtH ratio is still a tad over the recommended 50%. Recommended weight for my height (5 ft 2) and frame (small) is 8 St 2 but I think that would be too light for my age (65). Hope this helps.

Having a spare afternoon and it being Spring and all, I have just spent a fruitful couple of hours sorting our my wardrobe (that’s closet to you North Americans) and shelves.

It was quite an education – especially the bra cup sizes! how (and where) the weight does creep on. Blouses that gape, trousers that are too tight, one or two gorgeous items bought when I must have been quite a bit slimmer and have never thrown out as I love them and “I’ll fit back into that one day”. Well that day WILL come before the end of the year. This was a motivational exercise!

Here’s what I hope will be a handy hint – I have open shelves in my wardrobe and I have put all of the items I can’t fit into front and centre so I see them every time I open the door. Motivation every morning.

Hope everyone is going along well.

AH I have started a new thread ?

AH did you get my reduction? To keep myself motivated I am going to increase my Gosl for September to 10lbs so 2.5lbs to reduce in 2 weeks. Doable me thinks ?

Well done Nirvana78 you will be zipping those trousers up in no time!

2nd fast day of the week – and feeling good! Has anybody notice their trousers getting longer lol! I think it is because there is less of me around the waist, hips and bum so the length has dropped! Also definitely looser round the zip area and I can feel more material swishing round my legs! Not quite falling down yet but Yeah! Also using the little mind trick of seeing the little monster eating away at the excess when I feel my tummy rumbling and laughing. Mine is a little blue one like you see on those computer games a bit like an ‘e’ that goes along munching everything in its path.

Every step toward your dream today is a step away from your regret tomorrow! Something to keep in mind as the weekend is upon us and we strive towards our goals for the end of the month.

Hi All I have not been following or obviously posting in the thread since Labour Day, as I felt that now that I am at goal, I dont really have much to contribute. I have just spent a very pleasurable 30 minutes catching up with all the posts – I miss you all.

Well done all! Such inspiring posts, so many of them posting success, a few posting set-backs, but if anything I find the set-back posts all the more inspiring in that all of your attitudes about getting back on the horse are so positive. The philosphy, sharing of wisdom, humor, the support – that is what makes this thread such a delight to be part of. I cannot overlook a tip of the hat to AH – a great coach, we have all been so fortunate in our 3 fearless leaders we have had for the past 4 months.

I am sticking to the plank challenge, but methinks I will be hanging around the 120 second mark for some time to come. Eventually I will move forward, but I want to be solid at this time interval first. Nirvana and all others questioning form – yes the key is to keep those abs tight and engaged, but also do the same for your buttocks. This will pretty well guarantee that you stay in good form and that you are not putting undue pressure on your back. Everyone is also correct in saying that if your back is hurting, it is time to stop, evaluate your form, and then trying again later. If you have any possibility of planking in front of a mirror, that is great.

Keep up the fabulous work all and know that I am cheering you on from the sidelines.

Well Action, I’ve let myself down this week, albeit because of lots of surprise family visitors, and feeding them, and overnight stays so long leisurely breakfasts to follow! Ugh! Feel well and truly stuffed, and was so glad to be on a fast day yesterday. I actually gained 3.5 lbs over the last few days! Thankfully this WOE has made most of that disappear, and am now up just 3/4lb on last week. Action, I am going to do another fast day tomorrow to try and unload the last bit and at least get back to where I was. So I will post my result Sunday a.m.
I too use this tracker. It’s great to see the thin blue line keep going in a downward direction. I measure myself at the end of each month. Everything has changed since starting in January, and all is pointing to a more healthy body.
I cleared my wardrobe again last week and emptied another 12 hangers. A friend of mine has just started 5:2 so am giving her some pointers. She is also taking some clothes for her to ‘grow’ into. Great how we can all support each other even in small ways.
DJ – this is where you’re experience comes in. Please keep sharing – it’s great to hear your news, and we all have something to learn from those already reaching goals.
Must away now , meeting family that I haven’t seen for 5 years for lunch. Will try to keep a lid on things and am aiming for a 1000 cal day today. Have a great one. TTL

Hello all,

I’m happy to report another pound to MJR. I finished my third week of fasting (6 total fasts), so I’m celebrating the fact that the fasts are feeling easier now :). I’m now 6 pounds to my goal weight, an all time low for me.

Thanks to everyone for their fun and motivating posts. It’s so nice to have allies in this fasting mission :).

Action, keep cracking the whip! Should I add another pound or 2 to my goal?

Have a good one,
Em

Sorry to say a bit disappointed with myself this week as gained 3/4lb when I weighed Friday morning, though know why. Started off two fasts this week and did really well until the evening and just kept eating and also had some wine – a bit of an off week really. Did keep low calories the rest of week and clothes feel okay, but of course scales show different. Felt like giving up but a new day/week – will draw a line under it and
keep going …

Managed yesterday to stay under 1000 cals, even after lunch out with family. Actually forgot that I had decided to have a third fast day today. Had breakfast, bowl of soup for lunch, then mid afternoon thought oh s–t I shouldn’t be eating yet!!! Made chicken and veg stir fry for dinner followed by berries and yogurt, and guess what, I’m sitting at 493 cals for the day. This has all been done automatically, without even thinking about it! Strange how my eating has changed over the months, and now I can say to myself, if I eat that, I will gain pounds, so I don’t! Reducing weight is much easier since cutting out carbs, and even though I have discovered I have an intolerance to wheat, cutting out all grains, potatoes, pasta, rice, has made life much easier. I don’t miss them either . Hope I can unload the 3/4lb gain tomorrow, and at least be starting the new week where I was last week. We’re away for a week at the end of the month, but will try very hard to still do 5:2. Staying with friends so it should be easy, although the gin and wine might put a spanner in the works!
Hope everyone has a good weekend, whether watching the rugby or not. Weather permitting I will be in the garden. TTL

Well done MaryW! I do believe lifting your bum is cheating – the point is keeping the plank form, but I would not lose any sleep over it particularly if you go straight back to good form and continue the distance. I am seriously impressed. I’ll give 150 a go later today and let you know how I get on.

AH I am logging another 700gms which brings my total for the month up to 1.8kg (4lb) for the month.

While on paper that looks good I am disappointed as I have been alternate day fasting for 12 days now and expected a bigger change. Ten days til the end of the month so I should (WILL) reach my 2.5kg (5.5lb) target.

And although we have the “other” thread I can’t resist. YAY JAPAN!!

Thank you MaryWWriter. A new week so will hopefully squeeze in 2 fast days.

Well done on the plank! 🙂

For all the ones who have had a difficult week or have not done as well as expected – please move on, it is in the past, don’t give up! When you decide not to surrender, that is strength! Resolve to adjust what needs to be done. If you don’t like where you are now then change it! I keep in mind those in this group who have achieved goal or are almost there – I am sure their journey was not without a few bumps or potholes along the way but they stuck to the plan (after all this is a way of eating for life not a quick fix) and they got there! Good luck everyone it is nearly the last week another push – me included!
Anyone else planning sober October?

Hi All

Congratulations on the losses, commiserations on the gains, still time to reverse this before the end of the month.

I am sorry I have been absent, was helping a family member who sprained her knee, she was on crutches and couldn’t carry anything. So I have been up there daily, now just easing off as she is managing most things around the house now. She doesn’t have an Internet connection.

Last week I didn’t lose anything. This week I lost 4 lbs, a lot of this I feel was water retention and as long as the weather stays the same it won’t go back. I suffer badly from this in the summer and find it so difficult to lose then. Last month I only lost a pounds whereas before I have always managed my minimum of 4lbs. This month so far I am doing Ok.

We are going to have an Indian summer in the UK next weekend for about three weeks I hear, the weather will be nice if it happens.

Have a good Sunday.

Ginette

Ms.Marple, have a wonderful time! Your vacation sounds amazing, I’m sure you’ll be rested and ready to join in on the next challenge :).

AC, I’m definitely in for three more fasts this month. I am so hoping I’ll be at a 5 pound loss total, that would be a very successful first month back for me.

I’m thinking about sticking to 12:8 (8 hour feasting window) for these last 10 days in Sept. and see how I manage. My husband makes amazing pancakes, so I may have to fold one day to enjoy breakfast with my family, but other than that, I think it’ll be quite doable. I’m hoping that’ll be a way for me to stick to my TDEE without actually having to count calories.

Lovely fast day so far, 7th one for me this month. I’m so relieved to say that they are getting easier. The “brain fog” in the beginning is worse than the hunger for me. That seems to have lifted now :).

-Em

Yikes Chipmunk, can I blame that one on fasting brain? Or is does that brain slip mean I’m meant to continue on the 5:2 plan without modifications?

Insert embarrassed face emoji 😉

Morning All

Been off the radar for a week or so with new job and plenty keeping me busy! But its been lovely to catch up with all your posts! Amazing work Plankers!! You will all have cores of steel by the end of the month!!
Ms Marple – have a wonderful holiday – im rather jealous! Enjoy the food but I think some great advice from chipmunk there definately celebrate!
I have another 2.5 lbs to add to MBR for this week as well as a whole load of inches! Im in clothes i havent worn for a couple of years (its like having a whole new wardrobe for free!) Getting lots of compliments and have gone from being shy about letting slip that im on 5:2 to positively shouting it from the rooftop!
Sunday I was on a NFD and massively hungover-so had a rare duvet day with all of the trashy food trimmings! I have to say my body reacted terribly,Monday morning I struggled with energy levels and didnt have much to give at my body attack class, id also put on over 2lb – what a shock! Its gone today thank goodness so i believe it was just retained water from salty food but its really opened my eyes! Your body really is only as good as the fuel you put into it! Thankfully I fasted yesterday and have another FD today and I actually wanted to fast! Showing me that it really is a WOL and that I can just draw a line under Sunday and get on with it!!
Would love to loose 1.5lbs this week to give September 10lbs in total so Im more than dedicated for the rest of the week!
Good luck to everyone xx

Hello

I’m pleased to say I can give another 4 lbs to MBR for last week which means I’ve already met my 6 lb target for the month. I was 160 lb at yesterday’s official weigh in. I fasted on Monday and Thursday and did 16:8 on Tuesday and Wednesday. I think what really made the difference was being quite strict on carbs the whole week. It’s also meant I’ve eaten less on my non-fast days. I really shouldn’t have fasted on Thursday as I had a slight cold that seemed to get a lot worse afterwards. I’m feeling much better now so I will fast today and Thursday this week and see if I can give MBR another pound or so.