Lose 2 lb per week – join Jojo in this quest

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HappyNow

4:14 pm
11 Sep 15
Permalink

Jo,

Everybody’s weight varies within and between days. Why it should depress anyone to understand their body’s natural variations is beyond me.

Personally, I think it would be a mistake to stop weighing as regularly.

I fail to see how weighing once a week would be any more or less discouraging than weighing daily. If your weekly weigh in had been yesterday, and you had been 1lb up, you would have had a whole week until the next weigh-in, beating yourself with birch twigs, thinking you’d ‘failed’ for the week. Instead of which you had the nice surprise this morning of finding the 1lb gone again. Weigh daily to see what’s going on, record the lowest weight for the week as your weight.

I think you’ll find that most of the successful maintainers weigh themselves daily and use that knowledge (it’s power!) to guide their eating that day. A bit heavier, eat a bit less; a bit lighter, eat a bit more. Weight maintenance isn’t all about the two fast days, it’s also about (micro-) managing input and output. And you can only really do that if you understand what your weight’s doing.

While I’m on a (metaphorical 🙂 ) roll… I know there are a few people on the forum who also avoid weighing after periods of more excessive eating until they’ve done a few fasts. I haven’t said previously, but I don’t think sticking your head in the sand ostrich-style is constructive. If you’re going to overeat, have the courage to see what the ‘damage’ is, and maybe next time, armed with that knowledge, you’ll be more restrained. If you want to stop yoyoing and start maintaining, you have to get a grip somewhere! Of course if you’re happy to be an overeater and battle your weight all your life, well, no need to try and change habits!

And when I say ‘you’, I mean ‘one’, so don’t take this personally!

And here endeth today’s lecture…

Amazon

6:12 pm
11 Sep 15
Permalink

Time to give my soap box an airing,

I don’t weigh myself every day because despite having a very good knowledge of bodily functions and the resulting fluctuations, it depresses me if the number is higher than last time. If I’ve been over indulging I don’t need the scales to tell me I’ve gained weight as I can feel it. The point is and it is something that has been discussed on numerous occasions, we all have to find our own way to losing the weight and keeping it off and whether we weigh every day or not is neither here nor there, the important thing is sticking to the eating plan and accepting that if we over indulge we risk undoing some of our good work.
When I reach my goal it is my intention to weigh myself daily for a while in order to get an idea of how often I’ll need to fast to maintain my weight as IMO it will be a useful tool in the transition from weight loss to maintenance

RougeTrader

8:27 pm
11 Sep 15
Permalink

Hello Fast Trackers
Nicky Emel comespring and Aussie O in South Australia Nama in Victoria Bay in ACT PVE in NSW WiWi in France & Barata in NZ and Jojo SAMM HappyNow Amazon Herm Lizzy Ply Tartan lass Smiffy Lor_PA CakeyWakey Sarah103 HealthCoachB and Hello World (You All know Who You ARE) 😉
Interesting comments in relation to this WOL Happy and Amazon soapbox and lectures with birch twigs and ostrich moves 😉 loving the vibe my fast friends seems to me that whilst everyone has the best of intentions I am astonished at how much eating out dining out friends drop by unexpected dinner engagements neighbours swing by with a wheel barrow full of treats lunch engagements etc the Northerners have and then trying to manoeuvre around the better eating options as best as you can is bloody hard work and no reward for effort on the scales of truth but the reality is in the centre of one’s self do we really expect it? Or perhaps are just hopeful 💡 Time to join in the concept of bursting through the goal weight finishing line and bow smile and wave to the crowd and the gold medal goes to us and then we are set. Is crap just simply keep on keeping on and continue to do the doable. If I drink beer and eat cheese and onion crinkle cut smiths chips whilst watching a pressure finals game of AFL football whilst coaching from the couch I EXPECT TO HAVE WEIGHT GAIN. I am also with Happy that I want the knowledge so I know which levers to pull or buttons to push I want to own the power and use it. No need to IMO change a thing and this mysterious place everyone wants to be living at “maintainer place “ is very over rated indeed find your spot in the healthy weight range don’t change a thing from the journey of getting there and live a long life in good health.
Time to get my walk on a stunning day ahead 26 degrees and 29 tomorrow now that’s what I’m talking about time to find my shorts 😆

Peace RT

Amazon

8:42 pm
11 Sep 15
Permalink

Hi RT,

I’m already thinking that I’ll need to continue with 5:2 when I get to goal as try as I might, I cannot get rid of my greedy gene 😉

I love the fact that we are all doing variations on a theme in order to get to the same place, thin and happy, and that we can all put forward our somewhat different views which only go to show that there are a multitude of ways to skin a cat.

I hope you enjoy your walk as much as I did mine ?

HappyNow

9:01 pm
11 Sep 15
Permalink

Hi Amazon,

The crux of the matter is really whether or not one can be disciplined in the absence of regular weighing (reality check).

If one doesn’t count calories, has a tenuous grasp on portion sizes, has a life long tendency to over indulge, and doesn’t weigh frequently, then I question how ‘one’ expects to maintain let alone lose weight. Results generally depend on monitoring.

Obviously as an individual you’re disciplined, and have found what works for you. As I say, it was a more general comment based on observations, not specific to any individual.

HappyNow

9:05 pm
11 Sep 15
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And as the servant to several cats, I’ve been asked if we could instead refer to ‘more than one way to skin a dog’ 🙂

bayleafoz

10:16 pm
11 Sep 15
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Hi RT

Good news re the children and grandchildren. Glad you had a good Fathers Day. 😉

Nama, Have a happy weekend in Hobart. Lovely sunny weather here 21 C.

Hi all fasters,

I’ve been away for six weeks and took myself off all lists. I missed the camaraderie and the encouragement from you all. 😆

I agree with RT and Happy in that there is no magic place called Maintenance. Whatever has worked for you in losing weight is what will work for the future. Just keep on keeping on!

During the six weeks away, I ate what I wanted and drank a small amount each day. I did not fast at all. I ate bread and / or croissant nearly every day. That was enough for me to gain 3 kg in weight and to put 7 cm on to my waist. All the weight went on to my stomach and front.

Since getting home, I have fasted one day, eaten no white foods or alcohol, and 1 kg has already gone.

There is no magic formula! Just persistence and knowledge of what works for an individual body. For me that means no nibbling between meals and drinking lots of water, and very limited white foods. Two alcohol free days a week. I weigh each day so that I have the knowledge of what to do. Good luck!

Cheers, Bay 🙂

RougeTrader

10:38 pm
11 Sep 15
Permalink

Hello Fast Trackers
Nicky Emel comespring and Aussie O in South Australia Nama in Victoria Bay in ACT PVE in NSW WiWi in France & Barata in NZ and Jojo SAMM HappyNow Amazon Herm Lizzy Ply Tartan lass Smiffy Lor_PA CakeyWakey Sarah103 HealthCoachB and Hello World (You All know Who You ARE) 😉
Glorious outside Amazon there is a paddock of I think 3-4 month old black angus (cattle) about 15 to 20 of them who have decided to follow me along the fence line as I walk past in my neon hi vis vest and matching nike runners 😆 who are very happy to have some company funny to see them run off and jump and kick and play very zen like right now..
“Inner peace is the key: if you have inner peace, the external problems do not affect your deep sense of peace and tranquility…without this inner peace, no matter how comfortable your life is materially, you may still be worried, disturbed, or unhappy because of circumstances.”
― Dalai Lama XIV

Peace RT

HappyNow

10:52 pm
11 Sep 15
Permalink

RT, I know it’s not very English 🙂 but do we have to just confine ourselves to bowing smiling and waving when we burst through the goal weight finishing line? It’s been 16 months now, and I reckon I’ve done a few victory laps…And perhaps a bit of jumping up and down dancing running and grinning….

RougeTrader

11:27 pm
11 Sep 15
Permalink

Gday Bay I missed that post good to have you back on team jojo and yes very happy times in the family thank-you..Oh Happy you know for a pom your a bloody good sort 😉 i like the way you think and of course jumping up and down dancing running and grinning is not optional it is mandatory and most definitely well deserved
The more you like yourself, the less you are like anyone else, which makes you unique.
Walt Disney

RT

jojo58

8:07 am
12 Sep 15
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Good Morning Fast Trackers,
Well the concert last night was great, excellent singer. He did his best to get amongst the crowd but the stage and the lighting( non existent spot lights) switches had been locked up in a room upstairs. No one paid a lighting man so dark front of stage. Honestly! Community Hall Comittee decision. But the boy did a very good Michael Buble impression and sang for two hours. We only got to dance for about 15 minutes which was a shame.
Re weighing or not ‘discussion’, I have been in favour of daily weighing in the past, knowledge is power as they say. Recently I have become dispirited with system because I am not ‘in control’ .
Long term dieting ( fasting)is exhausting on the mind, body and soul. We all need to relax on occasion and feel ‘free’ to choose what we want not what we ‘should’ have to achieve the body beautiful. One of the keys to sucessful dieters is the emotional support of loved ones. If you don’t have that you are treading a different and sometimes self destructive path with no one to help you get on track. For some of us this thread is our link to fulfill that need. We need honest and supportive encouragement. That is usually available here.
Welcome back Bay, good to hear from you, hope your trip was good. The weight gain on trips goes quickly when you get back to WOL we have all come to accept as the only way forward.
I am back to basics for a last push before my birthday, a new ‘low’ would be a great present. I have asked for some travel scales as a present.
RT- I think you may find retirements offer you more of an opportunity to socialise, so much better when you don’t have to get up for work in the morning. Actually I finding staying home more of a problem than eating out these days(apart from the dreaded ‘buffet’ ) these always seem to be a recipe for disaster, best avoided.
Enjoy your weekend and keep walking( or running), you know it helps.

Amazon

9:59 am
12 Sep 15
Permalink

Morning/evening all,

Happy, I was putting my tuppence worth in and not referring to anyone in particular either. I agree that not weighing is for some a form of denial. I have found something that works for me and am really happy with that.
Jojo, I agree that we should all feel free to choose to do it our way because otherwise we would feeel shackled and it would be so much harder than it is already.

Happy, I would prefer to skin a dog but Jojo, Smiffy and AO might not like it 😉

I came to this website as I needed support when returning to 5:2 after losing 3 stones and them regaining nearly half of it. My best friend was unable to give me support when I first started due to her personal circumstances but since I restarted she has been great, but as someone who has never been overweight she doesn’t understand as much as those who are in the same situation as me. My brother was very supportive too, and gave me great advice when I joined the gym. It is his support and encouragement that is keeping me going despite all the problems I’ve had sticking to it since he died in May.
I can come to this site any time of the day or night and say whatever I need to and know that one or more of you will respond with advice, support or a joke (you know who you are!)and it never fails to help.

Welcome back Bay ?

Have a goodone everybody ?

NickyF

12:39 pm
12 Sep 15
Permalink

Hi everyone: good morning to those on the other side of the world, good evening to my fellow Antipodeans.

Welcome home Bay.

Intersting discussion on different approaches to weighing. Jo, Amazon and Happy, heartily endorse your views on finding our own version of this WOL. Our psychologies and physiologies all so different. Some plough on alone, others need support of others travelling the same journey. This thread is my sanity saver and feel that I have come to know my ‘penfriends’ quite well.

RT, just finished watching exciting win by your and OH’s beloved footy team. Maybe one or two packets of cheese and onion crinkle cut Smiths best, consumed with something liquid?

Had a lovely but long day at the Royal Adelaide Show yesterday with the family, lots of walking in beautiful weather. Looked at wonderful handcraft, cooking and horticulture exhibits – focus on local food producers, including primary produce, not surprising really as it is an agricultural and horticultural show. We are so lucky to have such an abundance of locally grown clean wholesome food.

Another fine mild day today which I intended to spend in the garden. However cheap tomatoes and apples at the greengrocers prompted the observation from OH that our supply of home-made tomato sauce was critically low. The sauce needed 1.2 boxes of tomatoes and half the box of apples. Chutney would use up some of the surplus tomatoes and apples then bottled the rest of the tomato passata. So much for gardening! The kitchen smells wonderful though.

Another lovely day tomorrow so will spend some time gardening.

Enjoy what remains of the weekend dear friends. n xxx

HappyNow

2:03 pm
12 Sep 15
Permalink

Of course people must find their own way but they should also question why they do what they do, listen to the experience/knowledge of others, learn lessons and adapt.

To me, support is not only about emotional support, but also about having the knowledge and tools to succeed. When I phone IT for support, I don’t expect them to listen to my tales of woe except in respect of IT problems; what I want and expect is for them to fix my computer problem and thereby support/enable my working.

This forum offers a variety of support. Yes, there’s emotional support here but more importantly, for me, there is sharing of ideas, knowledge and experience, i.e. the tools to succeed.

Jo, you say you are going to give up daily weighing as it’s dispiriting. The problem is not the scales, it is that you are not losing weight. If you stop weighing daily, you will still not be losing weight; you just won’t have a daily reminder that you are not losing weight.

If you do want to lose more weight, you need to take back that control that you’ve lost. You have now admitted that you’ve been guessing at calories and not counting. Starting to calorie count again would therefore be a more constructive way of regaining control than stopping weighing.

I know RT is king of quotes, but…
If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change – Wayne Dyer.

The scales are not your enemy.

jojo58

7:12 pm
12 Sep 15
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Hey All,
Never a truer word Happy, kick me when I am down why don’t you! By the way I am losing weight honey, now at 6 stone 3 lbs down in under 2 years. I don’t lose every week but I get there. 2 stones to go before I get to maintenance.

But seriously I am taking all advice. FitnessPal in action today. Back on track again.

On a different subject I made red currant ice cream( for a friend) today. Using up my garden produce and Stevia with double cream. I had one spoonful to taste. It is really georgeous. One for you Weemam.

RougeTrader

8:21 pm
12 Sep 15
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Hi Nicky what a game what a win that was a cracking match of high stakes high quality AFL finals footy the last 5 minutes was a ripper an emotional win for everyone. Note I did not dehydrate I can assure I kept the amber fluids up for the entire game 😉
Peace RT

HappyNow

8:31 pm
12 Sep 15
Permalink

Jo,

It really isn’t about kicking you when you’re down! I’m sorry you feel that way. But you’re struggling with this last push to get to goal. No point pretending otherwise.

I know you lose weight, in fit and starts, and when you aren’t losing you’re maintaining. And that is brilliant. And yes, you’ve lost a huge amount of weight, and no one is suggesting that is not an amazing achievement.

But is it going to help you now if we all pretend you aren’t struggling?

With me, what you see is what you get. I guess that makes me a bit like marmite (which I love 🙂 ), some people hate me, some don’t! But you can expect, and you will always get, my honest opinion.

I know I didn’t have as much to lose as some, but don’t for a minute think that I didn’t have the same issues with food. Who knows, if 5:2 hadn’t come along when it did I might have been 60lbs overweight instead of 30.

And remember, I’m already at goal so if I wasn’t supportive of you, I wouldn’t be here at all!

I make no apologies (except I’m sorry if I upset you!), but I will not be a sycophant 🙂

jojo58

10:03 pm
12 Sep 15
Permalink

Not upset Happy, I know your style and heartily approve.

What you see is what you get

Some of us Southerners are not as soft as you think, not that easily offended. My issues with food have been established over 35 years, probably from childhood if I am honest, but due to my activity levels the weight didn’t pile on before I hit mid 20’s. Food is my vice and like any addiction it takes a lot of beating. I am winning the battle and will be here until I reach goal.

Keep giving me a kick up the backside, I usually need it. Seriously I enjoy your straight talking. We can all make excuses for our failures but in the end we just have to take control and change our lifestyles, in my case 100%. My last treat has now been ‘ put aside’, I have eaten my last cheese and onion crisp’ . No more until goal is reached. I will make vegetable crisps if desperate, slightly better choice and more effort so I am less likely to do it.

Keep fasting friends, we will all join Happy, RT, Purple and Weemam one day. I am wondering if Ply is maintaining yet? I know Smiffy has under a stone to go.
NickyF – The Royal Adelaide show sounds fabulous. Adelaide is my 2nd port of call after NZ South Island. My tickets arrive next week, so exciting.

ply24mp

11:26 pm
12 Sep 15
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Ply is happily maintaining, more or less! I have remained an avid reader of the thread, just got out of the habit of posting. It was a very busy summer, and my boys (29 and 25) have been at home since July. Quite a different lifestyle for us empty-nesters! Love having them with us, but their stuff is everywhere! The lack of usual tidiness stresses me out a bit! You might recall that my hubby works at night, so I am used to a lot (too much actually) of alone time. Well, I could use an evening!! Younger son is moving tomorrow ?, and older son in a few more weeks. I will miss them terribly.
School started two weeks ago, Girls on the Run this week, and I am teaching a course which starts the following week. Great gym time this summer, and I have been there at 5 am most days since school started.
Love reading everyone’s posts, and I add my silent support across the oceans! Love the way we can tell it and hear it like it is! (I call it tough love)
Tough and true love to all of you! And please don’t cull me from the herd, RT!

NickyF

11:27 pm
12 Sep 15
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Good morning all from mild sunny Adelaide Hills.

Happy, love your straight talk. Truth delivered with kindness – who could ask for more?

Jo, when you send your itinerary to Nama, can you please copy me in? That way I can plan to be available if you should wish to meet. In hindsight I too have always had an eating problem (always hungry!) but didn’t recognize it as such until I came to this WOL. Also certain the only reason it didn’t result in me being the size of a house until my knees OA slowed me down was that I was so active. Such a pity I’m a slow learner! 🙁 However, am slowly mending my ways but know that IF will always need to be part of my life – grateful forever to Dr M.

RT, good to hear you’re paying attention to dehydration! 😉

Looking forward to the cricket decider tonight. Will be able to watch the first innings before bedtime.

Happy Sunday all. n xxx

Tessy

3:35 am
13 Sep 15
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Hello everyone, I love this thread, you are all amazing to me. I’m a fasting toddler really compared to you guys and I learn so much from your posts, especially perhaps your tough talks. These give me pause for thought and help me find my own path. You are way ahead of me weightloss wise, and some of you in particular who have similar health issues have been particularly inspiring and essential in my belief that this WOL could work for me health wise. So thank you. My observation about weighing is this, I have never weighed myself daily, because I used to tell myself I didn’t want to become obsessed by my weight. Well I wish I had been more obsessed by it, cos unattended it just grew and grew 🙁 encouraged by Happy, Nama and Barata when I first started FD I now try to weigh myself most days. Sometimes it frightens me – that is good – sometimes it annoys me, but most of all it has taught me to trust this WOL cos I am losing not gaining, slowly but surely. That is a great gift for me because I have never felt confident in any diet, always felt that if I binge and over eat one day it signals the beginning of the end and then food anarchy sets in! So weighing most days has calmed this WTF attitude. Thank goodness 🙂 Jojo I think you are amazing and inspiring, and I absolutely know you will reach your goal, because you are one determined woman x

jojo58

6:33 am
13 Sep 15
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Good Morning All,
Hi Tessy, sounds like you have a working plan, good for you. Nicky F, I will definitely send you an itinerary. May try to sort my date/place list out today. Leave 5 th Oct.
Great to hear from you Ply, how did I miss you getting to goal? Crazy! Maybe I just forgot it? Wouldn’t surprize me! Must work harder on improving my memory. I do try, I do activities daily like playing cards and learning lists but it doesn’t seem to help much. I rely heavily on my phone ‘reminders’ to avoid forgetting appointments. I am so jealous of your running group, this is on my ambition list, still at the walking stage. I tried running earlier this summer, then broke two ribs( separate accident) which put pay to that game. I do try to run a little on gym equipment but really prefer to be outside. Need to bite that bullet and start jogging on my daily walk.
It won’t be today though, I woke up at 7am very light headed, my visit to the ‘girls’ room was interesting I was rolling about like I was at sea. I am guessing something has happened ‘inner ear’ wise. Safely back in bed. When my daughter is awake I will try to get downstairs, probably on all fours. Very strange. No temperature or pain although stomach feeling pretty weak and even typing is making me feel a bit sick so signing off.

Amazon

8:59 am
13 Sep 15
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Morning/evening all

Jojo, hope it is nothing too serious and you feel better soon.

Ply, good to hear from you and pleased for you that you’ve reached goal.

I didn’t sleep well last night and my back and hip are painful this morning.
I’m going to look into some private treatment this week.

Have a good one everybody ?

NickyF

10:30 pm
13 Sep 15
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Good morning all

Jo, hope you are feeling better soon. Dizziness is horrible, especially if you have to negotiate stairs.

… and Amazon, sorry to hear your back and hip still keeping you awake. How long the night seems when sleep doesn’t come due to pain. Hope you find some relief soon.

Tessy, glad to hear things are going well. A good thing about this WOL is that we all set our own pace and keep doing the doable. We can learn from each others tricks and strategies but there is no competition with others.

A few definitions:
BEAUTY PARLOUR – A place where women curl up and dye.
CHICKENS – The only animal you eat before they are born and after they are dead.
COMMITTEE – A body that keeps minutes and wastes hours.
DUST – Mud with the juice squeezed out.
EGOTIST – Someone who is usually me-deep in conversation.
HANDKERCHIEF – Cold Storage.
INFLATION – Cutting money in half without damaging the paper.
MOSQUITO – An insect that makes you like flies better.
POLITICAL CORRECTNESS – A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority.
SECRET – A story you tell to one person at a time.
SKELETON – A bunch of bones with the person scraped off.
TOOTHACHE – The pain that drives you to extraction.
TOMORROW – One of the greatest labour saving devices of today.
YAWN – An honest opinion openly expressed.
WRINKLES – Something other people have….similar to my character lines.
OLD – I very quietly confided to my friend that I was having an Affair. She turned to me and asked, “Are you having it catered for ?”

“It is only when you see a mosquito landing on your testicles that you realize there must be a better way to solve problems than with violence.”
Lao-Tsu.

Nothing much to report except that at least I haven’t gained anything, despite very poor fasting last week. On the plus side, as well as the usual weekend jobs, did some gardening, made tomato sauce, chutney and pickled some new season asparagus. Glad to come to work for a rest! 😉

Happy Monday all. n xxx

weemam

10:50 pm
13 Sep 15
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Nicky loved the jokes pal . made me laugh out loud .

jojo I had an inner ear infection once and fainted 3 times . really horrible feeling . I hope you feel better soon and please be careful until your balance is a bit better .

I have always weighed daily . It used to upset me If I had put a pound on but now it just makes me be careful.

I have put a couple of pounds on after my weekend BUt it doesn’t get me down now as I know a couple of fasts will put it right.
In the past if I had slipped i would get so down and just keep on eating . now I just think . By this time next week or even the next I will be back to normal .

When we arrived at my friends she was so pleased to see us and couldn’t get over how well and how slim I was . she kept asking me about 5.2. She asked if it were the weight loss or the fasting that had made such a difference . I said both BUT thinking about it then said I think the fasting has made the difference mostly with the RA. She was amazed that I was knitting again and teaching myself to crochet too .
i could not have done this without the support of all you lovely people . as RT says ” you know who you are .

Love ALL of you to bits

Wee xxxxxxxxxxxx

RougeTrader

12:01 am
14 Sep 15
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Hello Fast Trackers
Nicky Emel comespring and Aussie O in South Australia Nama in Victoria Bay in ACT PVE in NSW WiWi in France & Barata in NZ and Jojo SAMM HappyNow Amazon Herm Lizzy Ply Tartan lass Smiffy Lor_PA CakeyWakey Sarah103 HealthCoachB and Hello World (You All know Who You ARE) 😉
Nicky that is a beautiful thing funny funny funny stuff right there certainly be looking for a better way to solve problems than with violence. 😆 Monday people lets get our fast on have a happy day
Peace RT

Amazon

8:17 am
14 Sep 15
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Morning/evening all

Wet and warm here today ?

I hope all is well with everyone. Jojo, I hope you are feeling better.
Wee, did you have a good time?

Monday fast here I come!

Have a good one everybody ?

jojo58

8:24 am
14 Sep 15
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Good Morning All,
Still a bit woosy today but upright at least, such a weird day yesterday. Got mobile evetually yesterday but had to move very carefully and slowly all day. Standing for long was not an option without nausea. Got out of most chores and family waited on me hand a foot. Watched the first series of ‘Game of Thones’ violent stuff but exciting, now to watch the rest. Still taking it easy as not quite right yet. I have employed a local lad to dig out the roots and stumps of my jungle I cleared last week. Gets the job done at least, I don’t want another jungle in three months. Things still seem to be growing a meter a week down here. Weather brightening up here so it should make digging a better job. My finger is only just beginning to heal, it’s been a long haul on my dog bite, deep wounds are a bugger.
Not fasting today but keeping it light, porridge, soup and prawn stir fry today.
Weemam- glad to hear you are out there spreading the news about the health benefits of fasting.
Nicky – loved the jokes
Amazon- yep I go private too, it’s the only way in this area, 9 month wait for every specialist. I don’t know what I will do when I am not getting work related medical cover from my husbands job. He has never used it but I seem to use it every couple of years.

Amazon

9:42 am
14 Sep 15
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Hi Jojo,

It’s ironic that after working in the NHS for over forty years I’m forced into paying for treatment. I have requested that my GP sends an urgent rather than routine referral, so I’m investigating osteopaths and physiotherapists but will wait a few more days before booking an appointment.

I have an old book by the late Callan Pinkney that is aimed at those of us with back problems. It contains stretches for back pain and spasm and exercises for strength and flexibility. I did the series of stretches this morning plus some exercises which are a mix of some of her suggestions, Pilates and those given to me by the physiotherapist last time I had this problem. I’m aiming to do them every morning for the time being and see if it helps. I’m also sporting an ice pack as it is as effective as ibuprofen but without the side effects.
I’m giving the gym a miss today and will go tomorrow instead. The weather appears to be brightening up so I’ll go for a walk.
Glad you are on the mend, take it easy and you’ll be back to normal in no time ?

jojo58

10:34 am
14 Sep 15
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Good luck with the back treatment Amazon, the gym break is probably a good idea. I found three times per week gym works worked best. Anymore and I would get back aches. So you vary your swim stroke? That may help.

Feeling ok and just managed a short drive and dog walk. Seem to have an uncomfortable neck now probably due to not moving it much yesterday. I falling apart, no doubt about it. Think I will get my blood pressure checked today just to be on the safe side.

Have a great day everyone

Iona72

10:08 pm
14 Sep 15
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Hi everyone, hope Monday was a good fast day for those who planned it. I kept hearing RT in my head “let’s get our fast on” and it kept me on track, so thanks!
I have just caught up on the last few days of post and can take something from the discussion about weighing every day. If I don’t do it, things slip out of control but I do identify with all the associated emotions Jojo mentions. I heartily agree with Tessy that this is the only diet that feels like it is sustainable and it works, and for that reason I don’t mind that it works very slowly for me. I have found the routine of 2 fast days so much easier than I anticipated at the start and feel I can make it a WOL.

Nama

1:32 am
15 Sep 15
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I’m back!! Hi all, have missed our chats over my long weekend away. Wifi issues last night and by the time I got connected and read all the posts, I was too tired to post myself!
The weekend in Hobart was really lovely. I am a ‘white knuckled’ flyer, (being Sept 11 didn’t help) but my friend I travelled with is even worse, so I was distracted from my own fear by distracting her! We packed a fair bit in. Saturday we sailed on the Derwent River for a lunch cruise in a Tall Ship captained by a very interesting transvestite/cross dresser (seriously, ‘he’ had a french manicure, eye make up and long hair) who was charming and very informative. He runs a charity that enables young people to go to sea and gain sailing hours if they are studying at the Marine Academy in Launceston. There was even a ships cat, Trim, who knew who to come to for a share of the chicken we had for lunch! Weather was glorious and it was very relaxing and fascinating to see the huge sails being unfurled. I was hoping to see Johnny Depp, but he didn’t show. Sunday we hired a car and explored the countryside around Hobart. Very lucky with glorious sunshine, it was so picturesque. Frolicking lambs everywhere and so green! We visited an old restored mill and bought some freshly milled flour for breadmaking. Lovely group dinners out Friday and Saturday (12 of us went) I had previously checked web sites and googled menus, so was able to make good choices. I find this really helpful if dining out in a group, as I am always talking too much to concentrate properly and its great to plan ahead and then relax.
Hope I haven’t bored you with my stories! Welcome home Bay, tell us a bit about your adventures please…
Lovely to read all the weekend ‘news’ here and glad you are feeling better Jojo. I hope you get some relief for your back and hip soon Amazon. Happy for you with the footy results RT, I did check a TV in a bar in Hobart for scores!
I failed my Monday fast yesterday as we stopped at a Chocolaterie (gift buying!) in the Yarra Valley on the way to Jamieson – they have big vats of freebie chocolate buttons as you enter the shop! So I decided not to stress but fast Tuesday instead – viola! Planning to garden all day today after a walk, so should be safe today! As you say RT, all the bits of the rubix cube have to be aligned to succeed.
Have a lovely day all xx

RougeTrader

3:39 am
15 Sep 15
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Hello Fast Trackers
Nicky Emel comespring and Aussie O in South Australia Nama in Victoria Bay in ACT PVE in NSW WiWi in France & Barata in NZ and Jojo SAMM HappyNow Amazon Herm Lizzy Ply Tartan lass Smiffy Lor_PA CakeyWakey Sarah103 HealthCoachB and Hello World (You All know Who You ARE) 😉
Hi team I for one really love those catch phrase dot points
mine and a lot of others from here like:
PB
Do the doable
Keep on Keeping
Let’s get our fast on
Let’s get our walk on
Shed load of water
Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day.
Jim Rohn

Have a good day every one
Peace RT

jojo58

7:10 am
15 Sep 15
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Good Morning Friends,
All good in my world today, balance restored. Fast Day for me.
Iona72- yes it’s true, fasting is now our WOL, no other choices seem attractive.

Nama – your trip sounds great, a real blast. We have ‘The Great Turk’ a big ship which visits Ramsgate( local deep Harbour)every year for several weeks. It can be hired as a restaurant for groups and I have heard that it is ‘fine dining’ but not sampled it yet. They take a young crew on board too, must be a great experience. One of my ex boyfriends signed on to a round the world crew on a big sailing ship. It cost about £10,000 for 6 months, he loved it. Only one problem, his then( much younger girlfriend) presented him with a baby boy on his return, he was in his mid forties with two grown up children, bit of a shock. He didn’t go to sea again just to seed, ha ha much like the rest of us albiet with a smile and not too many regrets.

Bit fed up with this persistent rain as I have much gardening to get on with and I keep having to take cover as its too risky with power tools, slippery underfoot. Serious tools for serious cutting back. Next project an enormous Holly Tree that has seen better days, half its trunk got taken out by a storm last year, very sad object. But if I take down the other half it will come back nicely next year.

My friends, who I made the red currant ice cream for, were wild about it, even giving some to a local restaurant owner, he now wants the recipe. It was very good. He is not sure about using Stevia instead of sugar though. I will need to plant another red currant bush as my old one didn’t make it when I cut down the jungle last week.

More decluttering for me today, can’t believe how much I have accumulated over my lifetime.
Have a great day everyone.

HappyNow

7:12 am
15 Sep 15
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Nama,

Your trip sounds really interesting, especially the tall ship. Sorry you didn’t quite get Johnny Depp, but I am imagining Cpn Jack Sparrow (eye make up and long hair…)!

Amazon,

I hope the stretches and exercises give you some relief. I used to do mine religiously, but now I tend to forget until I feel a twinge.

Well I’ve had a very busy weekend with barely a moment to read the forum let alone post. I also took yesterday off for a walk with friends. Luckily the weather was kind and the rain held off. Got to see a lot of countryside that you never would from the roads, although it’s quite funny that we walked for 5 hours (22km) and ended up somewhere that we could have driven to in half an hour!

Amazon

8:04 am
15 Sep 15
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Morning/evening all,

Dull and damp this morning.
FD went well yesterday as I spent many hours in front
of the laptop while a support techician was searching for and removing viruses and din’t even get to the kitchen for long enough to make tea. He finally finished at 1.20am so I had a very late night. My back feels a bit better today but is still very stiff so stretches and excercises and maybe a walk if it stops raining are on the agenda, and the gym is off until tomorrow.

I’m going to fast again today as I’m in the mood and may as well make the most of it.

Nama, it sounds like a fab weekend. I spent six days in Tasmania on a tour and thoroughly enjoyed myself. It is a beautiful place. I stayed in Hobart the night before the tour started and another after it ended and I really liked it. I stayed in a hotel that overlooked the marina with views of the mountains from the other side and it was beautiful.
Talking of holly, there is an old saying that if there are lots of berries on it we are in store for a hard winter. When we were in Kew on Saturday we noticed that the hollies were laden with berries. Get your thermals out!!!
Jojo, you’ll miss some of it you lucky woman.
Iona, it does get easier with time but it can be difficult to be patient, so it is good to hear that you are getting to grips with fasting. It won’t always be straighforward but once it becomes a WOL you won’t get stressed if a pastry or a bag of chips occasionally trip you up.

Have a good one everybody ?

pen nib

9:28 am
15 Sep 15
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Good to read all the encouraging stories!
To put you in the picture I began my 5:2 journey in February this year and have now lost 3 of the 6 stone I need to lose before I reach my goal weight. I find it good to regularly give myself a proverbial ‘pat on the back’ so you’ll see my comments usually containing tips that have worked well for me
I live in the Scottish Borders by the way so I find it fascinating to read about Southern Hemisphere weather!
I weigh myself after every fast day and find it so rewarding to see that another pound has dropped off!! Makes the whole thing feel ‘do-able’!
Saving up for a meal out works well too by treating it like a fast day with lots of water with may be some melon cucumber or strawberries which are v low cal – but then eating what I like at the meal when desert and a glass of wine can be enjoyed without any guilt!!

Nama

1:07 am
16 Sep 15
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Good Morning from beautiful, blue sky & daffodils, Jamieson! Feels so good to be alive in Spring, with the garden waking up. Daffodils, irises, grape hyacinths and camellias everywhere and roses starting to shoot, nature is truly amazing. Watch those holly berries carefully up there in the North, I don’t envy you a cold winter. We have just had our worst for over 100 yrs, but it still would not compare to yours!

Well done on your loss so far pen nib, great work! That is an impressive loss in 7 months. Dont panic if it slows down (it probably will) and dont give up!

Amazon you are very widely travelled if you have been down to Hobart! It is lovely isn’t it? I had been to Launceston several times but never to Hobart. Husband regularly goes for work (often goes to CSIRO and the Marine Research Centre on the harbour where you stayed) so is reluctant to go for holidays. But I am determined to get him there now – to take our car across on the ferry and explore the whole island.

Yesterdays fast was easy whilst gardening, dinner was fine, but the peanut butter jumped out of the cupboard and partly sabotaged my day in the evening! Evenings seem harder up here because I tend to watch more tv than at home, so the brain immediately starts whispering to me that I am still hungry, that meal could not possibly satisfy anyone. At home in Melbourne our house is much bigger. Husband loves to watch a movie in the evening but I often ‘potter’ and do my own thing, so food is not a distraction. However our cottage here is smaller and its often cooler, so we light the fire and sit!! So that is my new challenge – to manage evenings better while I am at Jamieson. Perhaps plan for some fruit and just leave the peanut butter in Melb!!

RougeTrader

1:19 am
16 Sep 15
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Hello Fast Trackers
Nicky Emel comespring and Aussie O in South Australia Nama in Victoria Bay in ACT PVE in NSW WiWi in France & Barata in NZ and Jojo SAMM HappyNow Amazon Herm Lizzy Ply Tartan lass Smiffy Lor_PA CakeyWakey Sarah103 HealthCoachB and Hello World (You All know Who You ARE) 😉
Happy Hump Day fast friends
Eat Fast & Live Longer

“Our objective on a fast day is to achieve as long a fasting window as possible”

“It is easier to avoid eating than to stop eating once started”

“No food tastes as good as being slim feels”

‘Everything will be alright in the end so if it is not alright it is not the end.’

On a fast day refrain restrain divert and distract. Before you know it, you’ve retrained your brain and hunger’s off the menu.
Peace RT

Amazon

7:37 am
16 Sep 15
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Morning/evening all

Nama, I prefer cold to wet any time so have no problems with cold winters.
Lots of rain forecast here over the next few days which is a bit of a nuisance but good for the garden ?
It is getting a bit chilly early mornings and evenings and I need to wear a dressing gown or cardigan, and the jacket is now out of the wardrobe. Winter is just around the corner.

I was out for most of the day yesterday and fasting didn’t work out, but I only had 1100 calories so I’m very happy with that. FD today and off to the gym soon.

Have a good one everybody ?

RougeTrader

10:06 pm
16 Sep 15
Permalink

Hello Fast Trackers
Nicky Emel comespring and Aussie O in South Australia Nama in Victoria Bay in ACT PVE in NSW WiWi in France & Barata in NZ and Jojo SAMM HappyNow Amazon Herm Lizzy Ply Tartan lass Smiffy Lor_PA CakeyWakey Sarah103 HealthCoachB and Hello World (You All know Who You ARE) 😉
Good morning all fast friends around the world I am feeling very happy today and glad to be in the race..
The Human Race
Thursday lets get our fast on keep on keeping on do the doable
Family life is full of major and minor crises — the ups and downs of health, success and failure in career, marriage, and divorce — and all kinds of characters. It is tied to places and events and histories. With all of these felt details, life etches itself into memory and personality. It’s difficult to imagine anything more nourishing to the soul.
— Thomas Moore

Peace RT

Nama

10:12 pm
16 Sep 15
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And Peace right back at you RT! The world needs more chirpy people like you!
We are going home from Jamieson today via Yarrawonga – like that name you folks in the North? Sis-in-law has just moved there and wants us to see her new house. Skipping breakfast in preparation for lunch with them. Will be driving again at dinner time, so maybe a fast can be incorporated??
The sun is still shining – magic!
Have a wonderful day/night all, happy fasting!

jojo58

12:48 am
17 Sep 15
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Good morning Fast Trackers,
As you see I am making up for my neglect of the forum yesterday by starting ultra early today. As you have probably gathered I was run off my feet. Balance issues are still raising their ugly head and I still didn’t get around to getting my blood pressure checked. Must do it tomorrow. Had my Physio doing acupuncture again today, excruciatingly but making progress, off all painkillers this last week. Before I started acupuncture and physio exercises I was on them daily and very lucky to get three hours sleep at night.
I have spent most of the day clearing out my bedroom but still a long way to go. Got rid of lots of costume jewellery to the Charity Shop. It was the paperwork sorting and shredding that took all my time. Boring. Didn’t fast today as I still am not feeling great, maybe tomorrow. Made some squash, chilli, turnip, potato and chilli soup, phew it was hot, quite made my eyes water.
Pen nib – well done you – it has taken me 2 years to lose over 6 stone, no will power, at least not consistently. I am very impressed, keep up the good work. Weeman is another sucessful Scot, losing a huge amount very quickly. I think Tartanlass reached goal too but my memory is pretty grim at present. My progress is slow at the moment just not focussed on the goal, but eating healthily and mostly sensibly.
Amazon- I am still planning on another few days of summer before I go. Remember I will be coming back in the depths of winter, mid Jan, Brrrhh.
RT- you always seem to be a ‘glass half full person’ – good for you!
Nama – Where is Yarrawonga? Your trip sound brilliant.
Happynow- 5 hour walk is pretty spectacular, how many steps is that?
Time for some sleep, hopefully dreamless because I had nightmares last night.

pen nib

7:02 am
17 Sep 15
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Thanks for the positive comments jojo – I’m finding that sticking to the plan and counting Cals all the time helps me to keep my goal in sight! I’m also able to vary what I eat with confidence!
Had a ‘near miss’ yesterday when I realised I was within 100 Cals of my daily ‘non fast’ allowance and I hadn’t had any ‘tea’. Using I’ve ‘my fitness pal’ app is a lifesaver here!
The jump in Cals total was explained by my enjoying some homemade rhubarb crumble (weighed fortunately so I was able to calculate the Cals) earlier in the day
So what I did was finish the day with some low calorie veg that filled me up and plenty of water and contented myself that I’d had enough! Give me a real boost to ‘achieve’!
Today is a fast day and on these occasions I treat myself to a frozen ‘ready meal’ and I’ve got a quantity of delicious summer berries in the fridge – by calculating exactly how many strawberries blueberries and raspberries I can eat on top of the ready meal kcal labeled amount I can really enjoy a scrumptious combination and regard it as a reward! It’s v psychological isn’t it!

HappyNow

7:24 am
17 Sep 15
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Hi Jo,

Sorry to hear your balance is still off. Good news on being in less pain and off the painkillers recently. Long may that last!

I just googled steps to kms, and I would have done perhaps 28000 steps on the walk. I had a little bit of stiffness in my hips the next day, but I’ve got a very good pair of walking boots so no foot problems.

Funnily enough I haven’t been out for a constitutional since… Best have a walk today though or I won’t actually average 10000 steps per day over the week!

Amazon,
I think you’ve hexed me! I’m now waiting for a phone engineer and IT support… They ain’t staying til 1.20 though.

Amazon

7:54 am
17 Sep 15
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Morning/evening all

The sunshine has returned and the forecast is dry and fine today.
My FD yesterday went well despite the fact that I was housebound in the afternoon due to a mini monsoon!
I am out for a family lunch today and as we aren’t meeting until 1.30 it’ll be easy make it my only meal today. I seem to do better following ADF as if I have two consecutive non fast days I eat too much. I’m sure that I’ll get that sorted out at some stage but for the time being I’m managing to fit ADF around my social life. I went to the gym yesterday and got through the afternoon without needing a snack or a whey protein shake which is progress.

Happy, I hope your IT issues have been solved. I am so relieved to be able to click on any link and not be redirected to somewhere I don’t want to go.

Have a good day/evening everybody ?

jojo58

7:55 am
17 Sep 15
Permalink

Spam reported

Good Morning All,

Wet and miserable here but off to walk the dogs anyway with wellies and waterproofs. I don’t really mind the drizzly conditions, better ‘ windy’ which almosts take me out to sea some days on my promenade or cliff top walk.

I am not fasting today but hopefully tomorrow. Good luck to all those who are! It is definitely harder when the weather is cold and miserable. Any ideas on how to disassociate climate and fasting?

Have a good lunch out Amazon

Amazon

7:58 am
17 Sep 15
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Hi Jojo,

Thanks, I’m going out with my SiL, younger niece and nephew 😛

I don’t find it more difficult to fast, but if I get cold it is very difficult to warm up again. I now wear extra clothes on cold days if I’m fasting. Keeping warm was about the only thing all that flab was useful for and I can mange without it 😉

RougeTrader

8:09 am
17 Sep 15
Permalink

Hello Fast Trackers
Nicky Emel comespring and Aussie O in South Australia Nama in Victoria Bay in ACT PVE in NSW WiWi in France & Barata in NZ and Jojo SAMM HappyNow Amazon Herm Lizzy Ply Tartan lass Smiffy Lor_PA CakeyWakey Sarah103 HealthCoachB and Hello World (You All know Who You ARE) 😉
Thanks team I like to be up even if I’m not as positive anything is better than negative nothing 😆
A lovely light beautiful warm afternoon here with blue sky and sunshine today yes indeed a great day for a walk out in the country 😉 and now back from my 6km walk this fast day has been zero cal lots a black tea and coffee green tea a shed load of water and a zero coke when I got home really rather chuffed with myself I have a chicken broccoli and red pepper stir fry to cook up all the prep work done before I headed out so just a matter of putting it together. Living the Dream on this WOL.
In order to carry a positive action we must develop here a positive vision.
Dalai Lama

Massive game of AFL tomorrow night
Weflyasone
Go Crows

Peace RT

HappyNow

8:20 am
17 Sep 15
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Ha ha! Well we’re having a lovely week of warm sunshine, albeit with cold autumnal mornings. Not a drop of rain in sight. Makes a change for it to be better here than down south 🙂