PS Sorry RT too!

Please continue to spread your gems!

Thanks, Happy

What a wonderful resource from BBC Two. Do you think you could post this link on other threads? It seems for some of us that giving up sugar also has an impact on cholesterol.

Cheers, Bay 🌺🌺

Good morning from The Algarve, I start my thoughts with thank you. This POST has become a strong life-line as I wobble through these first few weeks of reintroducing discipline, commitment and self-love via good eating, exercise and conscious living . I’ve never followed anything online that was not business related before and I find real nourishment in reading your comments. Thank you again.

2016 is the year of change for this household and for me….not that last year moving continents to a new home wasn’t a big enough change to last a few years plus getting married and retiring! ….But this is different, personal…….. life-saving.

For the first time in 45 years I’m not working hard every day. This is NOT a complaint I love working and work=love in my book. I’m not an uneducated teenage single mom trying to survive or building a company or raising a large blended family or caring for my parents or just being TOO ‘busy-busy’ for ANY kind of true self-reflection, assessment or ANY subsequent action directed to my, me, my own health and well-being.

To be 100% honest it feels awkward even myopic to be so introspective and not be SO involved in ‘other things’ beyond my immediate self.
As a young hippy-girl in California I used to meditate, routinely fasted, thought about what went into my mouth, my family’s tummies and kept some kind of spiritual ‘faith in practice, got up very early and walked/hiked/danced/cut firewood whatever and was SOOOO healthy…where did all that go? That thoughtfulness and the freedom that adhering to a ‘discipline’ provides?

So here I am 63 years old, 3-stone overweight with a life weary, wounded, VERY sore body. Creating new life-style rhythms with allowances for interruptions that naturally come with living is the first step, changing REALLY CHANGING bad health habits, (over eating, drinking, sloth, indulgence etc.,) No, no I’m not beating myself up, just looking honestly at my daily actions and how I validate my poor behaviour (now that’s a big can of worms). It’s not like I don’t KNOW better I DO know better. I had my first cup of coffee at 28….sooooo like get a grip dearest Pentimento no more excuses.

I’m buying a side of pork 3.50 euros per kg on the hoof cheaper cleaner healthier then store bought meat. The farmer guys are all excited to sell a pig to a foreigner and a woman foreigner at that! Buuuuuut my dears, gulp, they want me to come for the slaughtering and bring the beer; something tells me this will not be a FD!
Then with my trusty Google Translater in hand I negotiated with an old man that I saw had a large scrap yard as his version of a lawn and he’s gonna to build me a large Smoker/COLD Smoker/BBQ…YES, JESUS YES..! AND we are just now this week planting the early garden, lot’s of green things (the locals are already harvesting Fava beans ‘n such…sigh….)

It’s getting light, sun coming over the hill, walking clothes, water bottle hiking sticks laid out the night before and I’m off with dog. I take my measurements only 1x per month but I sure feel lighter and even smaller already … dog is staring at me very HARD and the birds are singing/calling me to hurry up! Stay strong & if you slip up just start again! love yourself to bits and keep the faith bye for a while.

Hello Fast Trackers
Nicky Emel and Aussie O in South Australia Nama in Victoria Bay in ACT PVE in NSW WiWi & Barata in NZ and Jojo SAMM HappyNow Amazon Herm Lizzy Ply Tartan lass Smiffy Lor_PA CakeyWakey Sarah103 HealthCoachB Tessy pen nib Iona72 Pentimento and Hello World (You All know Who You ARE) 😉
Spanish Computer

A SPANISH Teacher was explaining to her class that in Spanish, unlike English , nouns are designated as either masculine or feminine.

‘House’ for instance, is feminine: ‘la casa.’

‘Pencil,’ however, is masculine: ‘el lapiz.’

A student asked, ‘What gender is ‘computer’?’

Instead of giving the answer, the teacher split the class into two groups, male and female, and asked them to decide for themselves whether computer’ should be a masculine or a feminine noun. Each group was asked to give four reasons for its recommendation.

The men’s group decided that ‘computer’ should definitely be of the feminine gender (‘la computadora’), because:

1. No one but their creator understands their internal logic;

2. The native language they use to communicate with other computers is incomprehensible to everyone else;

3. Even the smallest mistakes are stored in long term memory for possible later retrieval; and

4. As soon as you make a commitment to one, you find yourself spending half your paycheck on accessories for it.

(THIS GETS BETTER!)

The women’s group, however, concluded that computers should be Masculine (‘el computador’), because:
1. In order to do anything with them, you have to turn them on;

2 They have a lot of data but still can’t think for themselves;

3. They are supposed to help you solve problems, but half the time they ARE the problem; and

4. As soon as you commit to one, you realize that if you had waited a little longer, you could have gotten a better model.

The women won.

Have a happy weekend all you beautiful losers 😉
Peace RT

Hello Fast Trackers
Nicky Emel and Aussie O in South Australia Nama in Victoria Bay in ACT PVE in NSW WiWi & Barata in NZ and Jojo SAMM HappyNow Amazon Herm Lizzy Ply Tartan lass Smiffy Lor_PA CakeyWakey Sarah103 HealthCoachB Tessy pen nib Iona72 Pentimento and Hello World (You All know Who You ARE) 😉
Time for some of my updated current strategy still enjoying the challenge and intrigue of Intermittent Fasting 20/4 and not so much the CR with just the evening meal or one LCHF eating occasion and since jumping over to the carb counters and discounting to some degree the calorie counters in the beginning (it was a religion all of its own) never really have to fight and beat the hunger dragon and today not a consideration whatsoever still nailing 10000 steps morning and night before food 20000 steps and now have learned to make and enjoy the bulletproof coffee in the morning.
recipe here
http://www.ruled.me/bulletproof-coffee/
add 2 litres of water until dinner and that fast trackers takes me to a happy place.
“People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they’re not on your road doesn’t mean they’ve gotten lost.”
― Dalai Lama XIV
Peace RT

Hi Everyone,
Jojo, wondering what you thought of The Revenant. We have not seen it yet, but would like to see it, and a few other nominated movies, soon. One of our local theaters shows the Oscar-nominated shorts, both animated and live-action, and we are hoping to see those while they are available as well.

RT, so interesting to read your update. I do like coconut oil, but I love unadulterated coffee more. I don’t have too much hunger until I start eating each day, so I think I will continue my current plan for now. I need to up my steps though – I am barely getting 10,000 each day, although on some days this past week I exceeded.

Nama, I eat when I’m not hungry too. Keeping busy and out of the kitchen is the best. I’ve been trying to spend more time on the upper level of our house lately, which is that much further from the kitchen.

Attended a wonderful yoga class on Thursday night. So glad I have scheduled this class and I’m resolving to continue to attend, no matter how cold and dark it is in the evenings right now, lol.

My fast day went well on Thursday, but yesterday was not that great. Ate more than I planned during the day. Then we went to a play on Friday night (Steel Magnolias at one of our community theaters – a surprisingly good production) which led to wine and a snack after the play, which led to a little more eating when I got home. My weigh-in shows just a half pound down, which means 2 pounds lost in two weeks. I’ll take it though.

Having lunch with a friend today at a restaurant I know well and enjoy, and have my order already planned. Going to the gym to walk the track and use my favorite elliptical later in the day. Will do my own yoga practice this evening.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend. I enjoy and appreciate each and every post. Thanks for being here.

prana

Weighed in at the veterinary scales today: lost only 1-lb still not reaching my passion goal of 2-lbs… I think it’s the lack of right amount of exercise. I’m just not doing enough, period! Turned on some Motown music, way up loud and danced by myself; actually got a bit sweaty AND felt very happy afterwards. Might try that more often, easy plus it exercises and stretches my whole body.

Hi all

So many posts to catch up on! Happy 2016 to you all and welcome Pentimento.

I hope all who are/have been ill are recovering.

Have only read posts up to 3rd January so far but noticed a comment about how I cook my fish in the microwave.

I put fillets of whatever – easier than dealing with the bones, on a piece of baking paper then slice a tomato over the top and sprinkle with a little lemon juice, close up the packet loosely with a double fold and tuck in the ends (en papillote, as our French friends would say) and MW for about 2 minutes, depending on MW power and how much fish. Of course you can add salt and pepper and/or other spices or herbs, but I don’t as the sweetness of the tomato balances out the acidity of the lemon.

It’s now 2 years since I started this WOL and, although I put on 3kg in the Christmas lead up and another 1.5kg while on holiday during January (adopting Jo’s honesty policy), I’m still 14.5kg lighter than 2 years ago. While on leave I have continued with weight training and yoga, as well as lots of gardening and walking. Not as stunning a loss as other stronger-willed members of our happy band but I’m happy because I could well be that amount heavier had it not been for 5:2.

Back to work tomorrow and my first serious fast of the year – no breakfast and a few blueberries and a miso soup sachet during the day, plus many cups of black tea, with a 1-egg mushroom and spring onion omelette and salad for dinner.

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

Good morning all

Have finally caught up on all the posts and welcome newcomers to our happy band of fasters.

First day back at work and first real FD for the year. So far so good, mountain of emails to deal with and at 11.25am only black tea. Instead of planned blueberries, have strawberries instead as they were in danger of going off.

Some of you will remember that my usual FD routine was nothing except water and black tea until 3pm when I join our horticultural staff for afternoon tea and feasted on a hard-boiled egg and low-cal fruit like kiwifruit or berries to last until dinner.

While clearing out cupboards in January I came across a stash of meal substitute sachets from when I tried a program promoted by my health fund called Healthy Weight for Life. I didn’t continue because I found 5:2 instead. However, these things are 100C each and consist of flavoured whey protein supplemented with every imaginable vitamin and mineral needed by humans. Being a ‘waste not want not’ type, I am experimenting with using these up on FDs as I can keep a non-perishable stash in my desk drawer. Will also bear in mind if I’m flagging on non-FDs. We shall see!

OA, am truly sorry to hear of your loss of work. You are such a good tutor, have you thought about advertising in your local area? My daughter is a maths graduate and she is often approached to tutor secondary school students, with nothing but word of mouth for advertising. As you would well know, maths is something many people would like extra help with.

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

Thanks for the sermon RT, we all need reminders!! I so agree with the bit about not needing food, just wanting it! My fast day good so far, apart from a tiny wobble when making my son’s birthday cake for tomorrow – few small licks of the beater just ‘happened’! But managed to stop at that….
Happy Birthday for you tomorrow too Iona, well done on your 5lbs gone.
Great to hear you are back ‘on the wagon’ Nicky – hopefully the break will have helped. Have missed your cheerful posts.
Trying to follow Bay’s lead and avoid sugar/carbs, strictly for a week to test her hypothesis. Sugar everywhere you look! In the supermarket buying cake making ingredients, I picked up a tube of Vanilla Paste today – supposed to be almost as good as pure vanilla bean pods – put it back promptly when I read the ingredients – 47% sugar!! I know one would only use a teaspoon or so, but why pay such an exorbitant price for sugar?
Not sure if I can go without fruit for a week though… perhaps just some berries and canteloupe, low sugar fruits. Tomorrow night will be a challenge – son wants home made chicken schnitzel for his birthday tea – perhaps I will keep some chicken aside for myself and avoid the panko crumbs! Yes, thats a doable plan. No point fasting then blowing it the next day with fried chicken..

Hi Everyone,
Busy day today, finally have a chance to post. Taught my water aerobics class, followed by teaching two senior yoga classes. Didn’t have a chance to work out on my own or walk any great distance though. Planning to get back to the gym early tomorrow morning (my favorite time to work out) since I have no classes to teach tomorrow. Tomorrow is a fast day, and looking forward to the simplicity of knowing exactly what I will or will not eat. Some unexpected social events over the weekend derailed my eating plan a bit, but I got back on track today.

We are expecting snow to start mid-morning tomorrow, but the forecast has changed from lots of snow to less snow. After the gym I plan to make chicken vegetable soup. I love having a few containers of soup waiting in the freezer for quick suppers on cold days. Good luck to everyone tomorrow, fasters and non-fasters alike.
prana

Hi AO
Sorry to hear about your “failed” fast. Did you manage most of the day and then binge? Or never got started?
Have you tried weighing every morning, before any drinks, after a loo break, to get your lowest each day? It really is illuminating to see how much weight varies. Weighing once a week could well mean you miss that low morning. The feedback from daily weighing is surpringly motivating. It is easy to prune off .5kg if seen quickly. Most of us in maintenance use this method to ensure we don’t ever go back to “the old ways”. Give it a go for a couple of weeks. It isn’t obsessional, just sensible. Cheers P 😊

On the subject of weight, and how weighing intermittently isn’t necessarily going to tell you accurately what you weigh…

Trust Me I’m a Doctor last week discussed how you should weigh yourself. It covered the usual (same scales, same place, same time) but suggested weighing daily and then averaging it over the week (or weekly/ monthly).

Weight can vary quite markedly day to day, so the rolling average would be a more accurate description of weight than any individual day’s weight (a snap shot in time which be high/ low on the day).

I’m with P, a firm believer in facing the (scales of) truth head on! And using them to keep me on the straight and narrow.

Re weighing myself. I didn’t even own a set of scales when I began fasting two years ago. First thing, I bought myself a set of scales that tells me BMI and fat, water and weight. I weigh every day. That’s how I learnt about the dramatic effect that sugar and grains have on my weight. Both up and down. I also keep a food diary if I want to discover why I’m putting on weight or not losing it. Cheers, Bay. 🌞🌞

Just watched a NZ program, Is Sugar the New Fat, on SBS. Well worth finding on On Demand, Aussies. Good reinforcement. Cheers P

Hello Everyone,
Congrats Pentimento on a rather successful fast!
Will look for Bayleafoz’s blog. It sounds awesome.
Purple, thanks for mentioning Is Sugar the new Fat. I will look for it. I think there is a documentary on Netflix that might be on this topic that I will look for as well.
Aussie Oma sorry about your failed fast day. I know you will not let that small slip discourage you. So far (just a little over 2 weeks) I have not had a failed fast, but I have had failed TDEE days and they feel so bad. I second Purple’s idea of daily weighing. Although I only record my weight on Saturday, I do weigh every day and it’s interesting to see the highs and lows through the week. (Sometimes I’m literally peeking through my fingers though!) Since I’m looking for a downward trend, I try not to worry about the highs and lows but use them as motivation to continue or improve.

Another motivator for me is delaying eating as long as possible on fast days, and in fact on TDEE days as well. It might seem silly to some, but if I’m not eating yet I feel that I’m winning the battle that day. It feels easy and I feel light. Once I begin eating the real battle begins, as I then have to make more choices or utilize more self-control. I hope that doesn’t sound too weird, lol. I guess I do feel I can express myself on this forum without fear.

Good day so far. Exercised as planned, getting ready to do some cooking soon (chicken soup, beef stew). Lots of black coffee. A couple of cups of green tea. No snow yet, but what a gloomy day. It’s Groundhog Day in the US (sorry, I’m not sure if that’s only something we celebrate here) so gloomy is good actually. Good luck today to everyone. Thanks for being here.

prana

Me too Pent. Savoury foods are definitely my choice. Still doesn’t make it easy to avoid overeating though. 😕

Prana, well done on discovering the food avoidance trick so early. I don’t eat anything until dinner on fast days, and have learnt to delay my first food on normal days too. I just get busy and find I think I’ve had breakfast. So much easier to avoid overeating if you don’t start early. It also seems to reduce the desire to snack.

I lost 30kg back in 2013 by strict 5:2 only. Took a year, but have maintained my healthy weight ever since. I usually do 1 good fast a week, but the other days I eat what I feel like. This usually means no, or late, light breakfast, and 2 meals of very few white starchy foods (love fish and salad). I rarely snack any more. I just don’t feel the need. Drinking lots of water instead of eating, then getting busy is the trick. I don’t feel deprived as I don’t restrict what I eat, just how much, and love being light weight again. Daily weighing keeps me honest.

My husband reversed his insulin dependent diabetes with 5:2. This wol is a no brainer. 😊
Cheers everyone
P

Good morning fast trackers.

Penti, my sympathies! Social eating is my downfall too although I’m completely catholic in my gluttony and can front up up to sweet as well as savoury rubbish.

Praya, I agree about delaying eating for as long as possible. While not denying the empty feeling, I can cope probably all day. I introduced my 3pm snack last year because otherwise I would get home from work and fall off the wagon while preparing dinner.

Purple and RT, good to hear you enjoyed the SBS program on sugar. We recorded it because we watched the 1st ep. of Dr M’s new ABC program instead, which followed Catalyst – a must watch for us science nerds!

Jo, good to hear you are resuming your life and gradually getting your flat back to rights. It’s horrible to come back and find one’s home has been trashed.

Monday’s FD went well and today is half over with no problems so far. MW fish for dinner tonight so can lash out on the quantity and still be under 25% TDEE for the day. Had a bit of a pig-out yesterday as a lunchtime planning meeting had hot pizza! 🙁 🙁 Limited myself to two pieces, with nothing else until a small grilled steak and salad for dinner so not all bad and the scales were still kind this morning.

Haven’t been doing non-b2b fasts long enough to know what to expect after the first non-FD yet. My real benchmark is Monday morning’s weigh-in and how it compares with the previous week’s, although like others I weigh daily.

OH is off on Sunday to WA for a week’s consulting so planning very light eating without the social/family meals responsibility and delaying eating each day for as long as possible, as Purple does.

Happy hump day! n xxx

Hi Nicky.
I find, by separating fast days, it gives me a massive spin off the next day. I usually wake up forgetting it IS an eating day, so it is easy to delay.
Today (a normal day) I ate nothing until 1pm. Not intentionally, but because I realised I didn’t feel hungry, so got stuck into mowing, swimming etc. Lunch was a hard boiled egg, 1 rasher of bacon on a fabulous leafy salad with a glass of wine. Well worth the wait!!!!
I find this wol has taught me to choose which calories are really worth consuming.
My fitness monitor indicates to me that I only burn 1500-1600 cals a day, despite heavy gardening and absolute minimum 10000 steps a day. Mr P, with the same number of steps, and only 10 kg heavier, burns 2000 -2500 cals doing the same exercise. Not fair, but a reality check on how much I can consume without gaining weight. 😕 Always worth considering. That’s why I set my 1/4 TDEE at 350. Cheers P