Try to just smell it SAMM!! Or better still, send it over here…

Graham, re your knees. Dont overdo the walking, esp hills or stairs until your weight starts to come off. As you mentioned they were already sore, it wouldnt take much to damage them if you overdo weightbearing exercise. Then they could be much worse with permanent damage. You wont believe the difference when you lose some weight though. A year ago I was told I needed new knees, but after losing 14 kgs they are so much better. As with Weemam, I dont like the noodles much, whilst others on here love them! Rinse them well and add lots of flavour, they are a great filler for minimal cals and a natural product.

And Amazon, all this time I thought you were the online retailer!

We knew that, Amazon! 🙂

Hi Fast trackers
Leaving in 8 hours for Sydney, Abu Dhabi and London. I will fast from NZ to Abu Dhabi as aircraft food not delicious. Especially after 36 hours flying.
xx Wiwi

Have a safe trip, Wiwi. I’m now in Sydney on my way home. It was lovely to meet you. Cheers, Bay 🙂

Morning/evening all.

Jojo forgot to mention that she exaggerates, there are no swamps in Richmond Park, just a few small bogs 😉

Sorry your daughter is poorly Jojo. I hope she recovers soon.

My fast went t*ts up yesterday. I was so cold and hungry that I had my FD meal for lunch and then could not stop eating, but that’s the way it goes. I’m not in the mood today either, so I’m going to try to stick to 1,000 calories and start all over again tomorrow. I’ve lost 4st and 4lbs so far so I’m not going to fret over a couple of lost FDs.

For the record, I’m not fond of zero noodles as they don’t taste of anything. They need to be well rinsed and well mixed into something flavourful, and they help fill you up on a FD if you are feeling really hungry.

Mothers Day in the NH, enjoy yourselves Mums, you can fast tomorrow!

Have a good journey Wiwi, looking forward to meeting you next weekend 🙂

Evening/morning all,

I was just browsing some other threads and noticed a couple of interesting links to articles about losing body fat vs losing muscle, worth a read I think: http://www.pacifichealthlabs.com/blog/could-you-be-losing-muscle-instead-of-fat-heres-how-not-to-do-that/
http://www.livestrong.com/article/447634-how-do-i-know-if-im-losing-muscle-mass-vs-fat/
I especially like the opinion that its better to lose slowly to minimize losing muscle! The authors are discussing traditional calorie restriction on a daily basis, but I still think there are some interesting points to think about. Good to also note that higher protein and lower carb is recommended.

Nama, thanks for posting those links.

I’ve read them both and and am happy that as my exercise regime is heavy on cardio vascular and my waist is getting smaller that I’m on the right track. I have also been increasing the proportion of protein I’m eating and lowering the carbs, so I’m pleased that is recommended too.
One thing I wish is that people who write such articles would not recommend DEXA scans for body fat measurements. Despite the fact that it is not a high dose, it is ionising radiation and we all need to keep our exposure to that as low as possible. It is the same as routine health checks that use CT scans. It infuriates me.

Related to radiation but not fasting, when I came back from Cuba and was going through security in Havana airport, the alarm went off when I walked through the gate, and I was directed to stand against a large flat wall like machine. I asked what it was and the person directing me did not speak English but kept directing me to stand against it. I stood my ground and continued to ask, eventually saying the word x-ray.One of the other security staff said yes. I refused on the grounds of having been a classifed worker so she waved me through security! I was thinking about the alternatives to being x-rayed but was determined not to be irradiated. However they had no intention of searching me…..

It isn’t about being fearless, it is about self preservation. I don’t want any unnecessary exposure to radiation. I accepted occupational exposure as part of my job, but I’m not about to submit to any due to over sensitive security equipment. I had no metal in my clothing apart from my bra, and the alarm should not have triggered.

I’ve lost a whopping 15 inches from my waist, and it is now the correct ratio to my height which makes me very happy indeed. My BMI is down from 36.4 to 26.5 which is also a number I like 😛

The numbers cheered me up immensely when contemplating only losing 8lbs since the start of the year and thinking about how much I ate yesterday.

When talking to the security people I was very polite and respectful. They were all women in their 20s, and once they understood what I was saying, were very nice. I don’t think that would happen everywhere in the world……..

SAMM, I see things the same way as you, eat healthy foods as often as possible, exercise, and allow yourself a treat now and then. No point being healthy and miserable and IMO one of the best things in life is sharing a meal with family/friends. Of course, some of us have had to learn this the hard way, but we have all realised what we need to do and are trying our best to get there. It is easy to become obsessed with the goal and not think about the journey, something I think that you have avoided, and I really admire the way you have tackled your situation and worked out a long term plan.
I never thought I would be thin again, but now I know I can not only get there, but stay there for the rest of my life. As a single person, I worried about my future if I was unfit and became immobile and that was what made me do something about my situation. I discovered 5:2 by accident, and I like to think it was fate, as was finding this website and this thread. The benefits of sharing experiences with you and the other wonderful people on this thread cannot be put into words. I am so happy I found every one of you and I know I wouldn’t have got this far alone.
I wonder if Michael realises what he has started?

Hello all. I bought two pairs of trousers size 46″ waist instead of the 50″ I usually get, so it will give me something to aim for in the short term. Went out for a walk and realised halfway round I had forgotten to have any lunch before I set off, though I had had a high carb breakfast so that probably helped. Did about 7 miles altogether but all flat and no hills. Going to have steak tonight with new potatoes and sweetcorn. Fast day tomorrow, I’ll see how the fish for tea goes.

Hello

Lovely profound words Amazon. I feel happy and privileged to have discovered this WOE, this site and this thread.

In a few short weeks I feel supported by people who understand the ups and downs. The way that some days you feel so motivated and disciplined that you think you will conquer this forever, then with no warning it evaporates and you don’t know why.

I’ve had a lovely family dinner with my mum and dad, although missing my girls who are away at university. Followed by a decadent chocolate and strawberry cake I made yesterday. I thoroughly enjoyed a slice but pleased to report that I sent the rest to my sisters as she is having the family for tea and with 2 six foot strapping lads, they will polish it off no problem.

And then we took ourselves out for a brisk walk to help undo the damage. If I can cope with nothing more than a cup of bovril or a fruit re before bed I’ll even have stayed within TDEE.

Thank you for your stories and support

CW

Hi RT,

I lost the plot completely this weekend and have eaten far too much. I don’t regret it as I enjoyed every mouthful, and for some unfathomable reason I needed to do it, but I’m struggling to work out how I ever managed to eat that amount day in, day out because right now I feel sooooo uncomfortable. So much for trying to stick to 1,000 calories today.
At least I know that I’ll never be able to return to that way of eating.

I like the Churchill quote 😛

Morning fellow fasters, to echo RT’s words, wowee this thread has grown “overnight” so to speak 😀

Very early start for me today (I know not as early as RT though) so can’t stop for long. Glanced through the posts. Had a very busy day yesterday, was steno’ing at a dog show all morning, got home around 2pm, as I walked in the door had a phone call, managed a call of nature before friends arrived and after they left I still had some housework to complete and then get dinner ready, do some research then off to bed and, well, here I am 😆

Will try to get back online later but no promises as every time I say I will something happens and I don’t get there.

Ciao for now … AO xx

Stomachs may have shrunk but eyes are still too big!

I had a home made pizza for dinner today. I should have had one on Friday when I first wanted it and I might have avoided the 2 day eating fest that followed. One of these days I’ll learn 😉

I don’t know Kent at all, and have never been to the East coast, so it is now added to my long list of places to go!

Morning all.
Hope your daughter is all better in the morning Jojo.
Top stats Amazon. Remember them when you go back for seconds 😉
Hope that finger is in working order again Nama…I thought of you as I used my mandolin last night 🙁
Hi RT. Churchill’s quote needs to be put in context. He was one of those responsible for the disastrous Gallipoli campaign. The mass slaughter of troops in WW1 was a failure they should have learnt from, but didn’t.
We went to a Rock and Roll market yesterday. Many of the girls were dressed in 50s style and standing to be photographed near old cars (the purple 2 door Valiant was ghastly). Sad thing was, Mr P and I both commented that nobody carried that much fat in the 50s. Really a worry how heavy many young women are.
Mmmmm…looking forward to a water day 🙂 P

Go Amazon Woman! !!

I’m with you on tea instead of soda pop cola.
Many Tea have anti cancer properties, but add the sugar to it and it becomes very acidic.
If sweeten tea I sweeten it with stevia . Mainly because stevia isn’t artificial. But also not acidic.
If looking at the benefits of hydration one thing to be aware of is acidity of your drink. If the ph is closer to that of the ph of plasma. So the green tea with lemon and stevia is very close to a ph of 7.4 . Where as diet soda cola pop or any other soda drink has a ph of below 4. Extremely acidic.

I won’t demonize soda though it has uses. However it is one of the foods like gluten that seem not to carry a human requirement , and may do more harm than good . So I no longer drink the stuff.

Even yesterday at the cheese factory, I asked for water and lemon wedges, always carry mine own stevia packets. Ididnt used to drink tea, but now can’t fathom drinking anything else.

Top work Bay. Portion size is everything!
Enjoy your usual frenetic fast day housecleaning. 🙂 P

Morning/evening all,

Thanks for asking Purple, finger great and back in the pool last week.

Another “Guilty” of overeating this weekend, despite a good fast day on Saturday! Another slow learner in this corner, back to the drawing board! Coffee and water only til dinner, plus a swim in between.

Go Bay! A lovely holiday and happy scales on your return…seems you have learnt this WOL well! Glorious morning in Melbourne too, I just love Autumn.

An SLR5000 Torana you say RT! I am impressed, they were hot! I did have a ride in one once, almost got whiplash! Glad your weekend was fun. I hope you can find Classic Restos, you would enjoy it. Fancy your workmates being jealous (thats what it is) of your Monday morning good humour, poor things.

SAMM I once read “Aim for the moon, even if you miss you will still land among the stars” Love it. Sounds to me like you will land ON the moon. I completely gave up sugar in my tea/coffee years ago when someone told me a method, ie go ‘cold turkey’ one full week, (you wont enjoy a single cup), then have a cup with a lot of sugar in it, it will taste disgusting. It worked and I cant bear any hot drink sweet now. Just simpler.

Weemam, lovely story re the cardigan … your gorgeous DIL will be just as happy as you I am sure.

Graham thats a great idea re smaller pants, you will be surprised how quickly you fit into them, then have to get smaller ones. 5:2 saves money in many ways, but costs a fortune in clothing replacements!!

I agree with the increasing size of our population, esp the younger ones. Its a worry where it will all end up.
Probably a serious epidemic of diabetes for a start. Food manufacturers and Ad agencies are no better than drug peddlers.

Jojo good to hear your daughter is improving. And I gather your son is moving closer than expected? Lovely. We walked in a local park yesterday and there were almost more dogs than people. Nearly pinched one!

Cheers all x

Long before I HAD to give up sugar.
I went on a popular low carb diet.
I hated the taste of artificial sweeteners at that time. But since I had gone cold turkey zero sweet drinks for a few months. Once I had tried the artificial sweeteners again. They no longer tasted artificial , only tasting the sweet .

Now however I only use stevia to sweeten.

Or say I’ll eat an orange that has a lot of juice in it. But I really have to watch my sugars intake or I ave to control my sugars with medications.

It’s my understanding that most cancers thrive on blood sugars, and is why cancer is so prevail ant in diabetics. Typically when planning menus , I only eat fruits on feed days. However of I don’t crave for the fruit I have t been eating it. And to keep from costly spoilage, I’ve began buying only dried fruits. Especially apricots, cherries,blueberries,.

Is typically what I have for lunch on feed Dried fruits and nuts. Also like the brand “paleo wraps for their coconut/turmeric paper wraps.

With work foods like that and all the walking and sprinting. It’s hard to feel as if I’ve caused myself harm dietetically .

Morning/evening all.

Wet this morning but brightening up, so hopefully I won’t get soaked.

I think Wiwi is trying to meet all the fast trackers. We’ll be hearing next that she’s taken a detour to the USA 😉

Back to business today. Off to the gym to burn off at least 500 calories.

Have a good day/evening everyone.