Congrats PVE.

NOW Where’s that soup?

Hello fellow-fasters everywhere:
Emel, AO, RT and comespring in South Australia
Nama in Victoria
Bay in ACT
Purple in NSW
Barata in NZ
Jojo, Smiffy, HappyNow, Amazon, Hermaj, Lizzy, Wee, CW and Tartanlass in UK
Wiwi in France
Applepie in Spain
Ply, SAMM, Lori and HealthCoachB in USA
DJ in Canada;
In case I’ve missed anyone, no offence intended. As RT says: “You know who you are.”

Firstly Purple, I echo others’ congratulations. We all know how hard it must have been at times and now you can bask in the warm glow of your outstanding achievements, while remaining vigilant. Thanks for sharing your journey and also for staying around, like Bay, Smiffy and RT, to keep encouraging the rest of us who still have ‘miles to go’, also quoting Robert Frost, Ply.

RT, thanks for jokes, good for a giggle on such a cold wet day.

AO, so glad to hear your head is now organised. We will reset together.

After yesterday’s post, I did some serious thinking in the shower this morning (a good place for it). I measured my waist and also added thighs and upper arms to the numbers to follow in the Tracker. In addition to planned fasting on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays of the coming weeks, I have also worked out a complete menu for non-FDs, focussing on optimal nutrition. As Nama said, FDs are relatively easy because they are so black and white, it’s the non-FDs that are my undoing. I don’t plan to be seriously Spartan because I wouldn’t be able to keep it up but will clamp down on snacking.

Jojo, hope your hip is gradually improving.

Glad to hear of your improved planting ability Smiffy – one of the less publicised benefits of losing weight. 😉

Take care all and keep up the good work. n xxx

hi everyone
I made veggie soup too. PVE thank you for sharing. So inspiring. Samm I ordered Cristi V. book on Ketones, I am sure enjoying his fasting book. Happy Friday! I am so looking forward to the weekend.. it has been a long week.

P (and Mr P),

Your joint achievement is fantastic, and congratulations on now enjoying life without carrying around (between you) the weight of another person!

I think what stands out for me is not so much that you have continued fasting for two years, but that your non-fast days are just normal people days! You eat the right amount of food for your weights, make healthy nutritious food choices and eat calorific ‘treats’ occasionally and in moderation.

I know Mr P continues to fast to control diabetes, and you fast for health also, but it sounds as if your good habits are so ingrained now that you don’t need the fast days to maintain your weights?

You truly are masters of your own destiny!

Morning/evening all.

Purple and Mr Purple

For those of us still on the weightloss part of the journey, it is encouraging to know that maintenance is just normal life, enjoying our days. good company, good food and wine.

I can’t add anything to what has already been said by everyone regarding your success, and I couldn’t agree more with what you have said about meeting so many new friends around the world.

Jojo, so pleased that yesterday went well, and you must have felt so good when your sisters gave you such a great compliment 😛

Nicky, I write a menu plan, but I’ve not been sticking to it. I think I’m going to put it on the fridge door!

Have a good one fast trackers 🙂

Good morning/evening all

Gosh Wiwi you have been busy! We have heavy clay soil here and with the lack of rain recently it’s impossible to dig. Luckily I dug it all over a few weeks ago, but sowing has been difficult. I have to chisel out small drills and fill with compost – and remember to water! I don’t think I’ve ever had to worry about that at this time of year before!

Jojo, I’m glad the day went well for you – or as well as these things go. How lovely that you met relatives for the first time and all got on well – and received compliments from your sisters. Great!

Purple – many congrats to you and Mr P. Fantastic achievement and truly inspiring. Lurkers take note!

A little over-indulgence last night at a get-together here with four friends. We did a cookery course together over 20 years ago and have stayed in touch ever since. Everyone brings a dish so we have some lovely meals. I made Coq au Vin – not too bad calorie-wise, though I couldn’t resist some Potatoes Dauphinoise and a small portion of Lemon Soufflé. Hopefully not too much damage which can be rectified by a lean day today.

Bad timing, as we’ve got more friends coming to dinner tomorrow evening. It’s Coq au Vin again, as it was easy and can be prepared in advance, with rhubarb (home grown!) orange and ginger meringue pie for dessert.

I shall be fasting all next week at this rate!

Have a good one all

Smiffy x

Hi Fast Trackers

Thanks to you Jojo. This is a successful thread and very important for a good number of us. Happy anniversary.
I have recently read some of the other forum on Fastdiet, but this is the one I like.

Hi Happy and Smiffy
We have the advantage here of having volcanic soil with plenty of fertility. The rainfall is not great here (800mm = 35″), but because this is the south of France, it falls less often and heavily. The main factor however is altitude (3200 feet) so the growing season is really only 6 months. It can snow in May.
So my digging is less laudable as it is easy soil and still very soft.
I love to be in the garden and the well-being from this WOE, combined with mountain air and gardening. Is that heaven?

The cuckoo is happily singing.
xx from the good earth.

Hi everyone. I had forgotten about the thread being a year old, just as Jojo has forgotten that here and Smiffy came to London and we met up 😉

I found this website just as I was about to restart 5:2 after an unplanned and lengthy break that led to me gaining 18lbs of the 42 I had lost. I had struggled on my own as none of my friends understood what I was doing and some thought I was mad! This thread and the people on it have made a huge difference and I can honestly say that I doubt very much I would now be 64lbs lighter without each and every one of you. Special thanks to Jojo for starting this thread and her unswerving support for all of us even when struggling herself

ply, that sounds like a successful shopping trip. If they didn’t have your size in the pink trousers that means there are a better pair waiting for you somewhere else 🙂

Hi Jojo,
It’s OK, I knew I wasn’t omitted deliberately 😛
I’m on pain killers too as I’ve got a sore back. I’ve done a lot of exercise and even more walking this week, and have overdone it. I’ve also been doing spring cleaning and carrying heay stuff around. Nothing too dramatic, just sore and stiff so I thought I would nip it in the bud and medicate and then use my heat pack to soothe it. Tomorrow I’m doing nothing more strenuous than going to the cinema and maybe lifting a glass of wine to my lips 😉

I have no trips planned at present apart from a week in Herefordshire some time in August, although I do have tickets for Queens in mid June and the WTF in November. My best friend and I are trying to organise a week away at the beginning of June but due to various reasons beyond our control it is looking unlikely 🙁

My Scottish friend who I met via a tennis website will be in London next month and I’m looking forward to catching up with her. If we visit Wee, I’ll arrange to see her too as she lives in Glasgow.

Time for some dinner before my eating window closes.

Hello all

It has been a long day. My mother has been taken very ill and I have come to stay with her. We think it was a rogue prawn in a bought sandwich she ate yesterday. The doctor prescribed some pills which seem to be helping but i shall stay until she is on her feet again. Unfortunately we had to cancel the dinner party we were having tomorrow night but luckily most of the food is freezable.

Sarah – I can recommend doing a cookery course. It’s a great way to make new friends and you would be amazed to discover just what you can produce. I took an exam at the end of it, and the pressure was akin to Masterchef, which is a television competition here for amateur chefs. 50 miles is a long way to travel though. I would finish off what I’d cooked on the journey home!

Jojo – fantastic that the thread has being going for a year, and has become the most popular. It has attracted a band of lovely like-minded people and you have kept it together with your enthusiasm, encouragement and upbeat approach, as well as your down to earth honesty in dealing with your personal challenges. I shall raise a glass to you on the 26th – a non-fast day!

Amazon – sorry to hear you are in pain and hope you feel better very soon. That was certainly a lovely weekend in Kew. If you are going to Herefordshire, maybe we could co-ordinate it with a visit from Jojo. I live on the Gloucestershire/Herefordshire border and if she stays with me we could pop across for a fleeting meet-up?

Ply – your meal sounds lovely! Glad you found some flats. I bought some recently, wore them once, and ended up with horrendous blisters on my heels. I’ve tried rubbing soap inside the shoes, which someone recommended, but it hasn’t made any difference. They are really uncomfortable, and I so want to wear them with skinny jeans – something I never in my wildest dreams think I would end up with, but not only do I have some, but they are a UK size 14!

Wiwi – how I envy you that soil, and your beautiful surroundings. Like Happy, we have swallows putting in an early appearance, and a very tame robin has taken to joining me in the veg patch.

Hi to Samm, RT, PVE, Bay, Wee and everyone else. Have a good night/morning.

Smiffy x

Oh dear, Smiffy, I hope your mother has a speedy recovery! Sorry you had to postpone your party as well.
Amazon, I hope you bounce back quickly as well. Who’d’a thunk we would be injured by overdoing exercise??
The Pad Thai with zero noodles was very successful…I have to say it was the best use of zero noodles yet. If some are still reluctant to try them, or try them again, I recommend using them in Asian dishes. Could not even tell they were zero noodles.

Good morning all, and Happy Birthday Nicky. 😆

Smiffy, sorry to hear about your mother. Hope she gets better soon.

We also went to the Dawn Service for Anzac Day, out of bed at 4am, and well rugged up in 6 C clear weather for a lovely simple ceremony of remembrance. Lots of people there for the 100th anniversary.

Ply, looking forward to the hot pink slacks. 😉 I have given up noodles altogether. Every now and again I like some lovely aromatic rice with Asian food, but mostly I just have the vegetables and chicken or fish or prawns on their own.

Cheers, Bay 🙂

Morning All!

Smiffy, I hope your Mum is improving.
And Amazon, I hope the back is less sore? I put mine out before Easter, and only now is it starting to feel strong again.
And jojo, I hope your hip is not troubling you too much!
Oh, and SAMM’s knee…still on the mend?
And everyone else, I hope you’re well!!

I know I’m at maintenance now, but my weight had started to bob annoyingly at the top of my range, so I pulled my finger out this week. I set out to fast on Monday but sabotaged it with a piece of chocolate cake (a friend’s leaving do, I didn’t even want the cake, and it was so sweet it made my teeth hurt, but I ate it…:) ). I tried again on Thursday with more success, and can report a 2lb loss for this week. I feel like a fully paid up member of the group now 🙂

Raining here this morning, and colder than it has been recently. Up early for the chooks’ and cats’ breakfasts, then back to bed with a cup of tea. I’ve just realized that while catching up with the news/ forum etc I have been mostly thinking about what I’m going to eat today (and not only breakfast/ brunch, evening meal too)! Once a constant craver, always a constant craver…?

But might it actually be a good thing to think about food so much?! I’ve just read another article talking about how people that don’t eat breakfast end up consuming more calories because they’ll get really hungry and then make poor food choices. I always choose to break my fast at brunch or lunch, but I know exactly what I’ll be eating then (I’ll have been thinking about it for at least 4 hours!). So today I’m hungry already, but know when I get back from the weekly shop I’ll have eggs on sourdough. I’m already looking forward to it, so the shop breakfast pastries will hold no allure. And I shop with a list so won’t make any spontaneous poor choices.

Or am I trying to justify always thinking about food by thinking there’s a higher purpose/ motive behind it… 🙂

Have a great whatever time of day it is wherever you are!

Oh Amazon you really are clever with emoticons! Enjoy your movie and your wine afterwards.

Quiet Saturday night here, pouring with rain but cosy inside. I have had a lovely day helping with making the invitations for sons wedding later this year, they are turning out really well. Other son very good with computers/design and his girl very creative too. Also watched my football team win well, so all is well with my world!

This morning we walked for two hours with a breakfast break half way – nice way to start the weekend. Big cafe breakfasts really are too big! Having home made soup for dinner to compensate. I am like you Happy, always thinking about the next meal! Especially when not busy…

Congratulations Jojo on such a successful thread, I am sure you are right about it continuing for another year! So many lovely people from all over the world, but all united in our desire to be slimmer and healthier!

Evening fellow fasters 🙂

Almost 9pm here and I have made it through day 1 of my reboot back into 5:2 … using 18:6 or 19:5 each day. Tomorrow will need to be a low cal day (not quite a FD). I’m working on it one day at a time to make sure the head space is right. I have a few containers of frozen low cal (100 cal) veggie soups in the freezer and I will have one for lunch tomorrow followed by a reasonable meal. I’m about to restart MFP with the meals as I’ve slackened off quite a bit there and it will help keep me on track.

I hear you (I think it was PVE but please correct me if I am wrong) re weighing each day and I will recommence this tomorrow, but will leave it for once per day not morning and night. I have managed to keep under 1,100 calories today, but only just again it is a start and I can only on from here.

I also use emoticons from that site but have found I need to remove the first bit in the < > parenthesis and ensure there’s a space at the beginning and end of the second lot of < > parenthesis with my system however I believe that’s not the case with some other systems.

I decided last night that today I needed a day of TOTAL rest as I was still so very, very tired and it has made such a great difference (this is the first I’ve been on the computer since early morning when I just synchronised my FitBit. However I’ve been checking emails through my tablet and/or mobile phone during the day. Watching a bit of Taggart now then off to bed. Feeling much better tonight too with no longer being exhausted so glad I listened to my body!

Smiffy I hope/pray your mother is on the mend, such a worry for you (and her). Jojo I trust you are also listening to your body and allowing it to heal 😀 . SAMM the same as for Jojo. Amazon and Happy I hope your backs are on the improve too.

RT glad you enjoyed the Dawn Service … I enjoyed watching the one from Anzac Cove while keeping warm and toasty in front of the fire 😀 … I also had my silence of remembrance particularly for my dad who served his country (England) and has since passed over.

Love and hugs to you all for helping me get my head back in the right space and hope one day to meet up with as many of you in person as I can manage 😀 . Sorry if I haven’t mentioned you by name but you are all in here and have all contributed in a range of ways.

Hi everyone,
Glad you are feel rested AO, I know I am better when I have down time. This week I have been leaving my house at 7 and not back until 8. I need to be still.
Have some fantastic news it is celebration time.. I made my goal weight today. What do I do now? I know, make more goals.
I am with you Happy I am always thinking about food. I am one week into my challenge of planning food on paper and trying to forget about food and concentrate on what to clean.
Other goals: keep tracking, 5 min of hula hooping per day, and 10,000 steps. I would like to start a push up challenge. I also need to figure out how to build more confidence..and to stop having pity parties for myself. Whats up with that?

Amazon- thank you for pointing out that we need to take one day at a time and should sleep more. My mom has the starting of dementia and I went from daughter to caregiver in the last few months. She is still independent, but the roles have changed and everyone’s gentle approach on this forum to redirect is so helpful and appreciative.

Sarah I think our posts crossed – Congratulations to you too! Fantastic achievement! Sounds like you know exactly what you are doing. Sorry to hear about your Mum, dementia is so insidious. Our loved ones look the same and often even sound the same, its hard to remember and reconcile that they are not.

Today, on the first anniversary of the Fast Trackers thread, I would like to wish you all the very best and congratulate you, Jojo, on starting the ball rolling. By beginning and nurturing this thread, you have brought together an amazing gathering of like-minded folk from many corners of the earth to share ideas, give and receive support and generally have a good chinwag. Thanks Jojo for all the effort you put into the fts… I hope you enjoy this celebration. 😆

Congratulations, and best wishes, to all fts on your journey to better health and a new look. What you have achieved, you can be justifiably proud of. No one else has done it. It has been your own work. Take credit for your self control. It has been worth it.

To celebrate, I submit my dinner menu towards the cyber party. In total (sans vin or mayo) it comes to 316 calories. With wine and mayo, 435.
I would suggest an egg and lettuce (85 cal) or a whole microwaved sweet corn cob (85) at about 2pm to tide you over until the big feast! I hope you enjoy your party. Make sure there is plenty of dancing!!

WARM CAJUN CHICKEN SALAD –230 cals 270 with mayo 🙂

Ingredients: (calories per serving in brackets)
Thin strips of chicken thigh fillets (100g 160)
Cajun seasoning (2 )
Thin strips of brown onion (15)
Shredded lettuce (5)
Red & yellow capsicum/bell pepper cut in thin strips (15)
Celery cut in fine slices (3)
Parsley chopped (3)
Carrot cut into fine strips (15)
Orange rind, peeled from orange and cut into thin strips (15)
Cucumber finely sliced and halved (15) Cherry tomatoes cut in half (15)
Mayonnaise (40 – optional) Spray oil (15 optional)

Method:
Place chicken strips in a bowl and sprinkle liberally with Cajun seasoning. Leave for several hours in fridge
Barbeque chicken quickly on a high heat with a little spray oil if necessary
Sauté onion on barbeque
Arrange pre-cut salad in individual serving bowls or plates while meat is cooking. Layer lettuce, top with other salad ingredients
Spoon a dessertspoon of mayonnaise on top of each bowl of salad (optional). Toss salad slightly
Top salad with hot cooked chicken and garnish with onion
Serve immediately

DESSERT(86): served in a tiny ramekin with a good quality teaspoon
1 tbsn full fat natural yoghurt (homemade preferably) (20)
6-8 blueberries (30)
A sprinkle of natural almond flakes (30)
A dusting of cinnamon (6)

DRINKS:
Ice cold soda water with a sprig of mint or a slice of lime, served in champagne glasses (0) Optional: ice cubes
Espresso – as much as you like
ONLY IF YOU CAN: A chilled glass of exceptional white wine to celebrate the fine successes of the Fast Trackers. (83)

Well done Jojo!
Bon appétit 😉 Purple Vegie Eater

Happy first anniversary to this thread Jojo and all fts.

Thank you Jojo for starting it and, more particularly, by your example, making it the most popular IF thread.

Purple has said it all so eloquently – each person’s achievements have been due to their individual efforts – hard yakka much of the time. Your fellow-travellers have only cheered from the sidelines. Take a bow everyone.

To quote SAMM, keep on keeping on, every day just doing what’s doable. 2nd birthday here we come!

Woops my bad 😳 that slipped past me Nicky happy birthday and who doesn’t like a egg and bacon sanga seriously simple pleasure a taste sensation in fact i really enjoy the odd BLT
bacon lettuce and tomato sanga
enjoy the grandies
RT

Hip hip hooray for the birthday thread! Congratulations for your baby’s milestone, Jojo, and thanks for all the support and guidance provided by you and all the other wonderful posters. It makes fasting fun! 🙂 Well done on the losses, and the poem of encouragement. I hope you have a wonderful holiday in Turkey.

I hope your mum has bounced back, Smiffy. It’s no fun to be suffering from that sort of thing, even when it’s short-lived.

Woo hoo a grand total of 800 cals today so therefore a semi-FD 😀 only ate half a serve of the beef stroganoff and rice but put down 3/4 serve just in case.

Really getting a handle on my head space again thank goodness and thanks to you all too

Great poem Jojo 😀 so glad I decided to “take the plunge” and join you all in here it’s been and is still the best of the best with such wonderful people in here too 😀 .

Smiffy I also love Beef Strog but I was feeling full enough, so I stopped as I started to feel satisfied (otherwise I’d have kept eating which would make me feel bloated). I had 2 dessertspoons of basmati rice (just under half a regular serve) … I made the amount for 4 serves, gave my OH one full serve and took half a serve for myself but still left half of that in the end, lol. But I’ll still count everything as 3/4 serve of everything as that way it allows extra calories just in case. I’m determined to lose at least 1kg (2.2 lb) this week so then I can remove the rest before going away on the 7th. I made the Beef Strog in my Thermomix … the meat was so tender and the flavours were great (I have a 3/4 serve ready to take to work for lunch tomorrow (I just added a little bit to what I’d had left over – there’s still 1 & 1/2 serves left out of 4 serves). OH is going for testing for diabetes tomorrow as during his usual blood works (annual) there was something Dr was not happy with so he’s got to have this fasting test in the morning. He’s agreed that if this shows something wrong he’ll join me on 5:2 (this is why it’s been so hard as he’s not been on board and has been bringing into the house things he knows I love)