LittleDragon & friends: 2 months in – going strong!

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LittleDragon

3:35 pm
10 Apr 14
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A stone isn’t too much, so I am sure you will achieve your target if you keep on with it.

Well, I think it’s difficult to give advice as I’ve noticed that different things work for different people – some people seem to be able to drop weight without exercising – this is not me. I have learnt that in order to see proper loss, I have to exercise at least twice a week, and stick rigidly to two days of fasting, and not be excessive on normal days. So I suppose from experience, those would be my tips, but at the same time, I am not an expert. Also, quite often, I have seen people say that they don’t see a drop on the scales, but their clothes are fitting better and they are seeing inches drop rather than the weight, so I would recommend also measuring yourself each week to see progress.

The thing is, it will always be better for you to be cutting your calories to give your body a bit of a break, so even if you don’t see initial loss, don’t lose heart. I lost the most amount of weight in my first four weeks, so maybe my body works in a different way, but I did a massive food/exercise change, and was going to the gym to do hour long sessions, whereas I was eating everything in sight before and not working out at all, so it sort of shocked my body into a different lifestyle, whereas I imagine you were pretty active before you embarked on the 5:2, which might explain why it’s taking a little longer.

I am perhaps not the best person to give advice, I’ve only been doing it for about 3 months, and while the weight loss has happened, it’s rather erratic, but I know what is right for my body, and it might not be the same for you as everyone is different.

Sorry I can’t be of more help but those are my rambling thoughts! xx

Shelly27

3:50 pm
10 Apr 14
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Hey LD thank you alot for this. It is actually really great thoughts and glad you shared them. You are right everyone are different. It is brilliant what you have achieved so far with this 5:2 plus like you said exercise is also helping with this. I am going to keep on going and hopefully see results. I havent actually measure myself again since I started which is a good point so I might do that over the weekend.

Either way I do feel alot better since embarking on 5:2 and I have noticed increased energy levels and some of my friends have commented on how fresh I am looking so thats a good sign. Next week I will be sticking to 2 fast days as only managed 1 this week which is not good X

LittleDragon

3:56 pm
10 Apr 14
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No worries, always happy to chat and help where I can. I have had a lot of really good advice and encouragement from people on this forum, and I am really grateful for it!

My best advice to you now is to keep going and don’t give up. You will always be better off doing 5:2 than going back to your old ways – that’s what I think of myself anyway. This is a long term commitment for me for sure. I hope to reach a weight where I am happy though and then do 6:1 to maintain but I have a way to go for now.

Great that you are reaping other benefits from the 5:2 diet – you must have found that your appetite for binging and snacking has also decreased – mine certainly has – when I’m looking at that chocolate bar, I always think about how hard I worked on my fast day, and how much I suffered and not wanting to undo my hard work. And if I have to have a treat, of course sometimes I am not disciplined and I eat everything I can find, but I will, some cases, try and make an effort to eat healthier options, like instead of crisps and tortilla chips, I will have pop chips or baked crisps, and instead of a big bar of chocolate I’ll have a kit kat with two fingers or a fun size chocolate, to reduce the damage… it’s all about balance but of course we all have our moments… food is amazing, no lie about that!

Keep on doing what you’re doing, the first few weeks are the hardest, you are doing great, and definitely measure yourself this weekend! x

lancsken

4:06 pm
10 Apr 14
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Hiya Gang , LD that was a fantastic ramblings everything you say makes sense,
Herma & Kits i am glad i am not the only old fart lol 🙂 it is at this time of day that i find it difficult ,i will look at the reading forum too ,

Keep up the great work all you Thursday Faster’s
I will be back on soon 🙂 ken

kilda

4:10 pm
10 Apr 14
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hi LD – I actually weigh daily but don’t pay it any attention or consider it to “count” except once a week. My weekly weigh day is Friday (morning after my last fast of the week, before breaking the fast). I don’t mention my weigh-in much here because I know so many of us are trying to avoid the scales, so it feels a little like talking about tasty treats when everyone is on a fast day.

I’ve lost a total of 27 lbs as of last Friday. This week the scales are flirting with 170-171 so I suspect tomorrow’s weight will be 170, which would be 30 lbs and a big milestone for me! Last week was a plateau week for me – no movement on either the scales or the tape measure. Nice to see that as of this week the elevator appears to be starting downward again. 🙂

Shelly, I agree with LD that everyone is different, over time you tend to find what works for you. What works for me is 2 fast days a week, plus a third “soft fast day” where I eat about 800 calories. On nonfast days I count calories and stick to my TDEE. I am trying to incorporate more exercise these last few weeks but the first 10 weeks of my 5:2 I did no extra exercise and the pounds still melted off.

I try to focus on eating healthier foods and less on their calorie count. I log all my foods on myfitnesspal and it gives you full nutrition info as well as calories. I try to stay within a calorie budget but I also try to get healthy amounts of vitamins, protein, and fiber.

My 2 best tips:
1. try to choose foods with lots of fiber. It’s pretty hard to eat unhealthy or high calorie while choosing high fiber foods.
2. have a really good treat sometimes, savor it and enjoy it, and don’t feel guilty. We all want to lose weight but pleasure is an important part of life, not to be sacrificed!

Shelly27

4:25 pm
10 Apr 14
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Hey LD thank you so much for the encouragement and like you said it is true everyone on this forum are so helpful and encouraging. I have noticed I dont get as hungry as I used to and I dont tend to pig as much which is really good. I used to get so hungry especially at work and now I can control it. I will defo keep going and I am sure I will see results soon 🙂 XX

Angie090465

4:38 pm
10 Apr 14
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Hi Shelly!

I agree with everybody else input, but i would say hang in there because 3 weeks isnt that long yet.. It took me a month to see the lbs shifting 🙂 you are still doing great and enjoying your food and so you should! That is the beauty of 5.2, i hardly ever count cals on non fast days, just do a rough estimate in my head, and i dont weigh myself very regularly either lol..
You will get there, slowy but surely 🙂 xxx

Shelly27

5:17 pm
10 Apr 14
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Hi Kilda thank you for the really good advise. I tend to use my fitness now and its really good to help track calories. And your right everyone is different and u most defo need a treat now and again. Well done to you on your weight loss that’s amazing!! All these success stories makes me want to carry and keeps me motivated.

Thank you Angie that is so helpful. I will try and not get demotivated and will keep going I have seems positive signs in terms of more energy so that’s good and hopefully the pounds will fall off soon. Hope you had a good day and that your dad is doing well Xx

Angie090465

5:38 pm
10 Apr 14
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Shelly am sure as the others have said you wil be fine,

We all get a bit discouraged every so often, we are only human uh!! Thank you for asking about my dad, he is still having dialysis, its worrying and he might get transferred to a more specialised centre.. Anyway i am so looking foward to seeing him on saturday 🙂 hopefully he will start to improve and go home..

Have a good evening, try not to worry too much because this is a way of life and eating, it takes time and remember the longer it takes the more highly likely it wont come back!!

Take care xxxx

Shelly27

5:52 pm
10 Apr 14
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Hi Angie

I really hope your dad gets better. He is in good hands so he will be fine. He will be sooo happy to see you a brilliant surprise. You must be so eager to see him. I wish him a speedy recovery.

Thank you for your kind words I will stick to this for sure and keep on going and I am so happy to meet all of you awesome people in the process 🙂 xxx dinner time, now im hungry lol x

LittleDragon

5:54 pm
10 Apr 14
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I agree with Shelly – Angie really hope your dad is ok and you get a break from all the difficulties you’ve been having recently, I really feel for you, you’re so kind and encouraging to everyone else, and you’ve been through some tough times and you don’t deserve it! I wish him all the very best and hope you stay strong throughout.

Shelly enjoy that dinner of yours, you deserve it after only eating 2 babybel today!! x

LittleDragon

5:54 pm
10 Apr 14
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Kilda I am absolutely in awe of how well you are doing – I can’t believe it! Well done!!!! You shouldn’t feel like you can’t post your weighing progress, I really like reading about other people’s progress, so please don’t hold back on my account!! xx

Angie090465

7:54 pm
10 Apr 14
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Just wanted to say a big thank you for all the good wishes for my dad..

You are all such a great bunch 🙂 also a big congrats to Kilda, wow,inspiring for everyone!!

Have a good evening fab fasters and roll on tomorrow, take care xxxx

LittleDragon

8:46 pm
10 Apr 14
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Angie, have a lovely evening and hope work goes well tomorrow.

Hope everyone else has a lovely evening too xx

Shelly27

9:28 am
11 Apr 14
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Morning everyone!

LD I really enjoyed my dinner thanks was yummy!

So happy its Friday looking forward to the weekend, heve a good day everyone X

Angie090465

9:55 am
11 Apr 14
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Morning gang!!

hope you are all well and enjoying this lovely sun 🙂 I am so looking forward to seeing my family tomorrow, just hope my little car makes it all the way and back lol, I got European cover though just in case…

have a good day peeps, and to the fasters stay strong, the weekend is just around the corner, yeah!!!!!

take care xxxxxxxx

Shelly27

11:07 am
11 Apr 14
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Hey Angie, I am sure you will have wonderful time with your family tomorrow and you can give your dad a massive hug!! Please keep us posted of how he is doing.

My next fast day is Monday, looking forward to it xx

Angie090465

11:21 am
11 Apr 14
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Awww thank you Shelly 🙂 I will do lol!!
x
lets the hope the weather holds up, have a good fast on Monday!

hope everyone is doing well, take care and enjoy the sun xxxxxx

Hilly66

12:23 pm
11 Apr 14
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Blimey,

I’ve been away for a couple of days and a whole host of things to catch up on!! No Angie the heating engineer didn’t turn into a crazed psychopath!! He let them finish the bunny hutch and disappeared into the distance. House still warm and cosy 🙂

On another note Angie I missed your birthday 🙁 A million belated Birthday wishes to you and a spontaneous rendition of happy birthday (glad you can’t hear it!!!)

Hooray Little D another 3lb gone that’s fabulous – bet you hit your target before your holiday but even if you don’t quite get there you know your clothes are feeling a whole lot better xxx

I have stayed the same this week after my two fasts but am happy with that as am home with the kids and temptation is all around!! Yesterday I put my running shoes back on and did my first job for months!!! Am using Couch to 5K (yet again!) but it breaks you in gently and gradually builds up, perfect for me!!

Am loving being home with all this lovely weather.

Talking of which some of us who are within shouting distance of London suggested meeting up – May is only next month, do any of us fancy meeting the real us?

X

Angie090465

1:26 pm
11 Apr 14
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Thank you Hilly!!

glad the heating engineer turned out to be safe after all lol!! well done on starting the 5k couch 🙂

I know what you mean about loving being home when its sunny and warm like today.. I love walking the dogs,i do 2 miles a day when am not in work…
yes we should defo meet up in London, would be great if we could do it at the Tate where I work? as I commute its the time I am in London, Fridays and weekends, would be lovely to meet up 🙂 what does the others think??

have a lovely day and take care! xxx

Hilly66

2:26 pm
11 Apr 14
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PS to Angie, glad Dad is no worse and even more glad you’re off to see him tomorrow. Sure you’ll feel heaps better when you see him, not to mention the joy of catching up with your family. x

Angie090465

3:21 pm
11 Apr 14
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Thank you so much Hilly xxxxxxxxxxxxx

kilda

5:15 pm
11 Apr 14
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it’s official, 5:2 friends. 13 weeks, 30 lbs. I can’t quite believe it.

I have about 35 to go to my goal.

Angie, so glad you get to see your Dad soon, please keep us posted.

Angie090465

5:45 pm
11 Apr 14
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Kilda a massive well done to you, wow!!

You have done so great, its inspiring and will no doubt inspire others!! Thank you so much for thinking of my dad, all this positive vibes surely will have to have worked 🙂

Have a lovely evening and a fab weekend, you should celebrate because you defo deserve it!!
Take care xxxxxx

Hilly66

7:04 pm
11 Apr 14
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Whoop whoop whoop Kilda, that’s fantastic – how good must you be feeling 🙂

I have about another 22.5lbs to go, would like to have lost a another stone (14lbs) before I go to Finland in August. It’s around 20 weeks, so if my loss continues to be around a 1lb a week it should be doable.

Shelly I have missed your posts and the others have already given you heaps of advice, so don’t feel down hearted just keep at it, you have said yourself you are feeling more lively, the weight will start to come off too, I promise x

Bon voyage Angie x

Angie090465

7:40 pm
11 Apr 14
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Thank you Hilly!!

Have a lovely weekend everyone, it should be a sunny one so enjoy!! Catch up very soon xxxx

LittleDragon

9:56 pm
11 Apr 14
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Angie I hope you are okay and you have a lovely weekend visiting your dad, and safe trip.

Kilda – I cannot believe it, 13 weeks and 30 pounds down, you are truly an inspiration to us all – WELL DONE, you’ve done so well, you deserve to enjoy yourself a little this weekend. Can’t believe you are half way through your goal.

Given Kilda’s fantastic news, shall we all share how far we have come from when we started and how far we want to go?

I’ll go first…

Jan 13th I started and I wanted to lose a stone before May

Today: I am a stone lighter than I was when I started

Target: another 5 pounds to go before my BMI is in the healthy bracket, but would be very happy if I lost another 10 pounds.

Your turn…!

Jenki2

10:27 am
12 Apr 14
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Hi All,

Hope everyone is having a great weekend. I am working at the moment in a dark room listening to lots of people talking so very jealous to read all the posts about the lovely weather and able to go outside!

Angie – hope your journey was ok and your Dad is better. Kilda, that is FANTASTIC!! So impressed, you must be jumping up and down with glee!

Hilly, glad you have survived the heating engineer and Shelly keep strong and keep going.

Well LD – I will share my stats with you. I started on 1st Jan and so far have lost 17lbs. Ideally I would like to lose another stone. My next goal is a wedding when I would like to see the magic 9 on the scale.

So that means 6lbs to go before the beginning of June which is hopefully doable. I have had a bit of a blip recently with holiday and socialising and a lot of travelling for work but determined to get back to it properly next week.

Right best pay a bit more attention to the conference, happy weekends everyone.

Hilly66

1:30 pm
12 Apr 14
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Afternoon everybody 🙂

Feeling virtuous as I have been for my second jog this morning!!

Think I kind of shared my stats already but here we go:-

Started Jan 6th – am now exactly a stone lighter. Have another stone and a half to go to get to the top end of a healthy weight for my height! Like you Jenki my next goal is to see the magic 9 on the scales. 9lbs in my case.

x

Shelly27

6:39 am
13 Apr 14
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Hi Hilly and Jenki thank u both also for the encouragement. My next fast day is tomorrow I am actually looking forward to it.

Angie hope you had a safe flight and are enjoying your time with your family. How’s your dad doing?

I want to also say congratulations to everyone!! U have all done so amazing with 5:2 and its giving me the motivation to carry on.

I also wanted to ask do any of u sometimes feel bloated? Some days I am fine and other days I tend to feel slightly bloated. I have cut down on fizzy drinks and drink more water but I do tend to feel bloated sometimes. Any thoughts would be really helpful? Thanks Xx also hope everyone is having a fab weekend 🙂

LittleDragon

8:24 am
14 Apr 14
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Morning all

How are we today? What a lovely morning. Hooray for sun, and hope it sticks around for the bank holiday.

Angie, you were in my thoughts this weekend, I hope you are ok and your dad is stable. It must have been really nice for him to have you around, and I hope it’s put your worries at ease.

Jenki and Hilly, thanks for sharing your stats, and really well done to you guys on your loss, you’re both doing so well. Are you feeling and looking different? I think it’s starting to show for me, people have started to notice, which is great for a confidence boost.

Hilly I think we are around the same, I have also lost a stone and would like to see the magic number 9 on the scale! My weight has fluctuated a bit over the last few days despite four work outs in the last four days, but since my lowest recorded weight, I need to lose another four pounds to see 9.13 on the scale. Would be really happy to see that before 1st May but I know I need to be realistic! I’m just happy to have already reached my one stone loss before May which was my original target.

Anyway hope everyone has a fab day. I am fasting today, got my green tea and water at the ready and hoping not to suffer too much! xx

Angie090465

9:26 am
14 Apr 14
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Morning everyone

i hope you are all weell and had a good weekend, it has been quite an emotional time for us here, i saw my dad first on saturday afternoon, the look on his face was priceless, he cried but i held it together or i wouldnt have been able to stop! he is very tired due to the dialysis, also there is this worrying problem, he is still unable to urinate so this afternoon the doctors will meet up, he should be transferred to a urology clinic today.
I just wish they would hurry, he so needs the right treatment, i hated seeing him like this.. he looked so small i just wanted to cuddle him all the time but we cant do that because of the tubes and bits he is hooked on…
so this afternoon we should know what the doctors decide,still a waiting game..

thank you to all of you who asked about him, i ant tell you how much i helps..
i hope you all have a good day, good luck fasters, take care and speak soon xxxxxxxxxx

Shelly27

10:02 am
14 Apr 14
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Hi Angie,

Really happy for you that you are with your dad now and really hope he gets well soon. I am sure he will be fine and he is in the right hands. He must have been over the moon to see you. Please keep us posted with any progress xx

JFitzy

10:43 am
14 Apr 14
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Hi everyone hope you all had a fab sunny weekend! I am back on the fasting wagon having had 10 days off (eek!!) On Thursday it will be exactly 7 weeks to go to my holiday so really want to lose that stone by then if possible. That is 2lbs per week which should be possible if I am really good! Also I haven’t been to the gym for 3 weeks so need to get back into my routine. I am always so busy with work from March to May that I never seem to have time.

Angie glad to hear you got to see your Dad. Sounds like he is getting the right treatment and is in good hands.

I am fasting today and having a week free of carbs as I had far too much bread and hummus last week 🙂

When would be a good time for us all to meet up? I was thinking of mid June as I know quite a few people are on holiday so maybe that would be a good time?

Speak soon x

Hilly66

11:19 am
14 Apr 14
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Afternoon everyone,

Angie sounds like quite an emotional time for you bet you really gave your Dad a boost just turning up like that. Poor Dad, that must mean he has a catheter, not pleasant for us girls, even less so for the gents!! Sounds like they’re sorting him out – I feel for you, hospital seems to involve endless hours of waiting to find out what’s happening next!

So Little D and Jenki we are all in a similar position, think you two will hit the magic 9 before me as I have a bit further to go but I will get there (eventually!!)

Like everyone I am noticing a difference, my waist is smaller, hips smaller, legs smaller; curiously though my boobs are resolutely the same!! (OMG I hope they shrink a bit too, otherwise I’ll look ridiculous!!!)

Am fasting today too, going ok so far got a green salad with feta cheese and an egg tonight, probably some Knackerbrod (Swedish crispbread) and a little ham for lunch. Hope it’s going ok for you JFitzy, can be hard getting back on track.

xxx

JFitzy

11:25 am
14 Apr 14
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Thanks Hilly I will be fine. I can be very single minded when I want to be and my lovely summer wardrobe beckons!!

I will be posting my weight on Friday 2 May and then one more posting on 5 June which is the day I go away !!

Have a good fast day everyone 🙂

LittleDragon

1:15 pm
14 Apr 14
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Hello and welcome back JF, good luck with your push towards June, I am sure you will get there. Fancy sharing your stats like myself and others have done so we can share our progress so far?

Glad to have you back! xxx

LittleDragon

1:31 pm
14 Apr 14
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How is everyone’s fast going today? Not sure why but I’ve not felt a single pang of hunger today… and it’s already 2.30. Hope today will continue in the same way. I am waiting on my hunger to kick in before I have lunch.

Also I have discovered my new secret for fast days – Sainsbury’s carbonated no added sugar mango and passion fruit sparkling water. It’s brilliant, really sweet and only 5 calories per serving. I tend to drink a litre of it around lunch time and it staves off hunger for a few hours at least.

JFitzy

1:32 pm
14 Apr 14
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Hi there LD – yes no worries I started on 6 January and at my last weigh in I had lost 12 lbs. I want to be down one more stone by my holiday bringing it to a total of 26 lbs by 5 June. After that I am going to see how I look and feel and if I think I could lose more I will try for another 4-7 lbs.

Hope all is well with your new job and you are back in the groove 🙂

LittleDragon

1:41 pm
14 Apr 14
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Wow, fab JF, you’re doing really well. I wish you all the very best of luck with your next goal to shed another stone before June 5th – I hope you get there!

Meanwhile I am looking forward to my holiday on 1st May but nervous about everything I will be eating. I do however plan to limit the damage with running while I am there, otherwise it will all go to pot.

Glad to see you back on the forum! DId you have a good trip?

JFitzy

1:52 pm
14 Apr 14
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Yes thanks the trip was really successful and the weather was lovely – not too hot. I even managed to catch up with some friends while I was there; one lives in Abu Dhabi so about a 2 hour drive away from Dubai and the other lives in Dubai. Far too much yummy food and wine though so back on track this week for sure.

Where are you going on holiday? 🙂

LittleDragon

2:07 pm
14 Apr 14
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Sounds like a fantastic trip, lovely to be away and get some heat I bet, and the food out there is wonderful.

I am off to the states – far too much fatty food to tempt me! A bit anxious already about my inevitable weight gain!

JFitzy

2:18 pm
14 Apr 14
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Oh you will be fine just enjoy yourself. You can always do 4:3 for a bit when you get back. I was on a roll and now I feel as if it has all been slipping away from me but I am definitely back on it today!! 🙂

Shelly27

2:44 pm
14 Apr 14
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Hi LD and JFitzy I am also fasting today, so far I have eaten 2 babybells and 2 crackers so thats around 150 calories, I am saving the rest of my calories for dinner tonight. I also dont feel that hungry today either and glad its almost 4pm. Looking forward to going home and having a nice and relaxed evening after a very busy weekend. 🙂 I might go for a walk later on depending on how I feel.

Hope you both are having good fast days x

JFitzy

2:49 pm
14 Apr 14
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Hi Shelly hope you have a lovely evening. It is so nice when the weather is like this and it is bright until 8pm!

I must get some BBs as I do like them and I haven’t had them for ages. 🙂

Shelly27

2:55 pm
14 Apr 14
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Hi JFitzy I saw them in tescos the other day and had to buy some, taste good with crackers.

Thank you, enjoy your evening also, yes the weather is lovely ao would be nice to take a walk. Very much looking forward to the easter weekend! Hows your fast day going? 🙂

JFitzy

3:03 pm
14 Apr 14
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Fine thanks Shelly – I have saved all my calories for tonight. I am having a big turkey salad which I am looking forward to! 🙂

Shelly27

3:06 pm
14 Apr 14
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sounds very nice! 🙂

LittleDragon

3:09 pm
14 Apr 14
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Hi ladies

Just jumping in on your conversation. I have sometimes saved my calories for an evening meal and sometimes I have up to 200 of my calories during the day. Today I have eaten a really late lunch to keep me going.

I don’t know whether you guys are acquainted, but I have recently discovered Marks and Spencer “Oriental style tuna salad bites in mooli ribbons” which is basically like a vietnamese spring roll (i.e. with lots of raw veggies and served cold) cut into 6 pieces and served with edamame beans and a sweet dipping sauce. It is so good, and the whole pack including the sauce is a measly 145 calories. If you don’t fancy tuna they also have the same rolls with pork or beef. The pork is 150 calories, the beef is 185. So you can have a whole pack, it’s super healthy and filling and all for around 150-185 calories… I can’t find a link for it on the website but have a look in the sandwiches and salads section next time you’re in M&S for a tasty and really low calorie meal x

JFitzy

3:14 pm
14 Apr 14
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Ooh thanks LD that sounds lovely and a change from my soup which is also 150 calories. I am going into M&S this evening so I will have a look – I love tuna! 🙂