Good evening all,
What a busy day. I have just been food shopping after badminton. We had a new player tonight and he was very, very good. Better to play with him than against him that’s for sure. Still managed to win some games though. Also ballroom fitness was easy today, oh God, that means stepping it up to the advanced class on Fridays. It’s not the physical work I dread it’s remembering all the steps. Help – what foods are good for improving memory?

Steps today 14, 135 – short because the dog walk was cut short due to my dog ripping his dressing off, little s###. I had to carry him back to the car, he was squirming the whole way but I couldn’t get any dirt in the open wound, he still has his stitches in.

Yogalates was very strong today, we had a new teacher, bloody fit bendy one, but I enjoyed it, wonder if my back will be ok tomorrow.

Cancelled my bowls tonight as dog sitting, he is so freaked by me leaving him now, it’s a total pain.

Yummy dinner tonight, two lamb chops, mash, peas, corn and asparagus followed by peaches and custard. Didn’t count the calories – what the hell I needed some red meat, potatoes and veg – it was great.

I won a bowl of fruit in a raffle I entered at the choir event, if only it had been a week at a luxury health farm!

Weather not great today, sadly. Our Sports day is not looking good at the moment.

Found a new dress for my 40’s night in my wardrobe, one I bought two years ago, still with tags because it was ridiculously small, looks great now – happy days. I am planning on taking in most of my dresses and skirts but won’t waist my time on trousers. Another retirement job.

Ply – I do not want to hear the word ‘treat’ until you are 7 pounds lighter….. OK?
Your plans sound great – but have a weekly target not 7 weeks. Agree about 24 hour fast, it is a bugger. My ex husband sounds just like your partner – starves most of every day and eats mostly junk food but he is piling it on now in his 50s – beware.
1600 is too high for a dieter – sorry but you may need to bring it down especially with quite a low body weight – I don’t go over 1200 most non fast days – forget the charts- do what works. Are you eating too much fibre or not enough?

SAMM – that job is going to kill you, but you will have a nice slim coffin. I don’t think we even have tinned pumpkin in this country, never seen it.

Fran – go girl – how many steps?

Deelite – what daily calorie count are you working to with you very active lifestyle? Or are you not counting just eating healthily.

I am going to be in the 13 stones by the end of this week, decision made, 3.5 pounds to lose. I really want to hit 13 st 9 lbs minimum by the end of this month. I am thinking of skipping breakfast on non fast days, what do you think? Then early lunch at 12 soup plus small amount of protein and fruit.

I have also decided to add in another swim per week, my arms( now flabby) need to work harder, rest of my body seems ok at the moment, no stretch marks or sagging skin, thank goodness, still loads of stomach fat but waist shrinking daily.

Good morning Fast trackers,
Well this thread has been active, it’s 7 am here and I am writing this instead of eating breakfast.

Ply – I agree with you 100%, it’s not all about the calories. If you want to lose 2.5 lbs and can eat high fibre, low carb, low fat, low sugar, high water consumption, you will lose it in one week easily. I firmly believe in fresh not processed food, digests easier and travels through the body quicker with better results. Fish including seafood( beware of farmed fish, highly toxic and salmon is the error many dieters make) and veg work better than any other proteins. 90 % of my diet includes fish and veg, eggs are my second choice, then cottage cheese. Rarely have red meat but still like it occasionally. Fruit is great but berries work better than apples and bananas. Sorry but alcohol is a no no for me, liquid sugar- it’s a fact. Nobody should need to have a drink, that signifies addiction, I find it is wasted use of calories – it is your mindset that will determine whether you succeed.

I mainly stick to 1200ish by healthy eating but I eat according to what my hunger is telling me. I stop when full not when the plate is empty, I eat from a tea plate, I have more if I want/ need it. I don’t count calories but record on fitness pal the next day so I know where I am at. This stop me having more than
I need because of having calories left over (which must be used).

I am losing 2 lb plus per week without difficulty provided I follow this formulae. I also don’t think it is about exercise but I think it’s important for toning and well being. I actually loose more by not doing exercise, it’s a fact that I have tested many times. I believe that exercise is the diet key we need to help us continue on the diet, endorphines I suppose. Currently I take vitamins and odd supplements which I believe help. Medications are definately a negative and can undo any work, but sadly for some they are necessary.

Most importantly keep changing exercise routines, foodstuffs and have fun with friends. It definately is mind over math, intelligent use of your calories working on your own unique plan for eating healthily. We all make diet mistakes on this thread but sympathy is not helpful. New ideas are helpful to avoid future mistakes. Plan your snack in advance usually nuts or fruit.

Wow what a rant

Sim – you can lose 2 lb, get out of your mathematical mindset – positive thinking!

Good morning fast trackers,
You will not believe it but I lost weight in a non fast day( a first for me). Another half a pound down. The result is overslept today, madness I never do that, didn’t even hear the alarm. Had to rush to work, just as well I wasn’t planning on breakfast.
Had a big lunch today, thought I probably needed it ( soup and toast) slippery slope that bread eating, must be more disciplined.
Indian meal tonight, I will have to avoid the naan bread.
Fran – all sounds great.
LUVTCOOK – thanks for your understanding about the recipes, some of us are weak willed( well I am anyway)
Ply – how is it going

Hi All,
I feel I have let myself down tonight, probably lost my chance of losing 3.5 lbs this week.
So much for my good intentions I have just returned ‘sheepishly’ from my book club Indian meal, I did not resist anything, especially the peshwari naan and onion barghee, unfortunately – it all smelt fantastic and tasted incredible. Only drank water and tea though, so not all bad. Thank goodness tomorrow is a fast day.

I have a very sociable weekend coming up, out Friday, Saturday and Sunday so I am going to need to step up the discipline and steps to counter the food. Aiming for 15,000 steps each day. Two dog walks 4,000 each, daily bowls 3500, shopping 1,500 housework 2000. Exercise ball tv watching 1000 for an hour.

Heaven help me !
I need a good telling off Ply, keep on my case, tough love is the order of the day now.

Ply,
Hearing you loud and clear. But there are no leaders here, it’s a team, all stumbling along trying to be super heros( well diet wise). No scales till post Monday fast I promise. Sports Day today so I will keep on my feet all morning. Walking with dog pm, only one still able to walk far other hasn’t had stitched removed yet.

Focussing on ‘quick gain, quick loss’

I know one very high calorie meal can undo two days work, tragic but true. Simply will need to avoid Indian Restaurants for the duration or take the consequences. I have proved that control is not an option when faced with the irresistible.

Deelite – I agree, social event are a cross to bear but also a test of your control level, determined to take my medicine and ensure it is not a three day binge, wearing tight clothes with no room to expand(of course they could split) wouldn’t be the first time I have ripped a seam. We really do need to stay off the damn scales, don’t we? Are you joining me for ‘no weigh’ July challenge? A whole month – my daughter said she will take my scales away – seriously I cannot be trusted – but imagine the result if seeing a 7 lb drop in one weigh, got to be worth it.

Thanks guys, I will keep in touch and on track, I can do it, I will do it.

Good luck Ply, let me know if you win your challenge.

You are all fantastic. Off to sports day now. I don’t Finnish school until 22nd July, lucky you

Hi Amzta,
Have a great holiday in Mexico, I envy you both the holiday and the flat stomach but my time will come.
Ply – well done you, glad you are flying the flag., glad to see you proved that you could lose 2.5 lbs in a week, I have done 4 so knew you could manage it, complete confidence in you.
There is a problem with enjoying the special times, I have so many events to attend, I will never succeed if I relax at them. It’s sad but true. I can probably relax one day a week at most, I usually make that on Sunday. We have a barbecue this Sunday, probably the worst of all temptations. I am going to make salad and bring fresh fish to grill. There will also be birthday cake, so ?I am going to make it, chocolate because I don’t like that. Best laid plans – we will see?
My fast is going well today, avoided a bacon butty(sandwich) from the beach cafe after Sports Day on the beach. (god I really wanted one, the smell)

I have been analysing my diet this week and have noticed that I have been slipping in lots of ways, not drinking enough water, not drinking fruit but ordinary tea with milk, eating breakfast biscuits( although calorie counted). It is definately time for refocusing my effort and I have decided to add another fast tomorrow with a weigh in Sat. You never know I might be able to hit my 3.5 goal after all – watch this spot!

Off to do my 6500 step balance before it tips it down here, this weather is crazy, sun, cloud, rain, wind all in the same hour, you never know what to wear.

Deelite – it’s all the little things you need to watch, they add up and undermine your efforts. I hope you meet your goal, good luck. My son learnt to juggle and ride a uni cycle, looks easier than it actually is, the rest of us got many a bruise trying. But the key to juggling is to start with very lightweight scarves(chiffon), even I can do it with them.

Chat later guys

Hi All,
On 13,442 steps but not done yet, off bowling later(10 pin), should bump it up to 15,000. Been very good food wise and trying to catch up on my water allowance, should get the last pint drunk before bedtime.

Amzta – talking of wobbly bellies – my new trampet arrived today – I can assure you I have a generous wobble factor during my exercise session. Hopefully it will go in the next six months.

Strange
I have found it very difficult to get out of bed in the morning this week, not usual for me, usually I leap out when the alarm goes off. Anyone else had this problem? Could it be lack of carbs?

Just as well I gave up having breakfast this week because I would not have had time to eat anything, literally wash and dressing time only.

Ply – have to agree this audacious little country (England)definately took liberties abroad but has learned it’s lesson and now keeps it head down(on the whole). My roots are Irish, paternal Grandmother, a real character of 4ft 3 ins who had 16 children including two sets of twins and one set of triplets. She married an Englishman when she was 16 and ended up living in England. She considered herself very lucky to live in London instead of her very poor homeland(sad isn’t it, preferring 3 square meals in smoggy old London compared to her beautiful country of green valleys). Employment is a powerful motive to change your location.

Hope all your fasts went well today, looking forward to my extra fast tomorrow.