Day 1 USA/HI NFD
Day 2 FD800
@northgeorgia
I join all here in your 5:2 support group with prayers for you and all your family. Even though we’ve never met in person, it feels like you are a dear and treasured friend. I am so sorry for all you must be experiencing with the unexpected loss of your father.

I am another one signing in late! Almost 7pm here with Day 2 accidentally becoming a FD800. After a busy morning with only coffee and water, I rushed off for some self care … pedicure/manicure followed by acupuncture. Now back home and had a mug of soup and even if I decide on a salad, total calories will be under 800.

As of yesterday, DH was admitted to the at home support care with Hospice. It’s been very busy with nurses, social worker, caregiver aid, chaplain, PT and OT arriving yesterday and today. Plus medications, wheelchair and shower chair all delivered to our front door. The Hospice program really knows how to make things fall into place quickly. This is a special support program for 90 days, not traditional Hospice. Hopefully he will get stronger with the support and sign off the program.
Wishing everyone a great day or evening around the globe.

Day 3 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – NFD

Friday morning PFDS 😃 I only managed 8000 steps, but weight’s still the same as Tuesday morning 🎯

@snowflake – re my new place – yes! Very real. I love the house & the complex. I’ve met only very nice people there so far. I’m like a kid on Christmas Day 😅 But there’s a lot to do before I move in 🏡

@stitchincarol – I was actually awake before 4 am the other day?! And then 5:30 am the day after. Just the sheer excitement of the new place, & thinking about what I need to do before I move in. But I’ve started making lists to try to switch my brain off, & I actually slept until after 7 am this morning. 😴

@stitchincarol, @daffodil2010 – I don’t think I’ve ever seen ready-boiled eggs here either? I laughed at your reaction to cabbage & bacon 😅 I don’t suppose you’ve ever heard of ‘Toad in the Hole’? Probably better-known in the north of England https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toad_in_the_hole Or Bubble & Squeak? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bubble_and_squeak

@stitchincarol – Two desserts?! 😱 I’m just wondering about the ‘complete abstinence is easier than perfect moderation’ theory. Maybe it would’ve been easier to just deny yourself the first dessert? Just tell yourself no sugar/desserts until you reach a certain goal 🤔 It certainly works for me – so far – with my ‘no alcohol’ rule.

@lilymartin – wow?! That was a looong day?! 😵 And wrestling with sheep every day?! Definitely no gym membership necessary for you! 🐑

@penz – why did I move to SA? I came here in 1987. I’d been working in a casino in Manchester for barely a year. I was working 3 double-shifts per week + 2 regular ones, & was always broke; the pay was so bad. But I loved the job. And one day I saw an ad in the local paper; a new casino had opened outside Pretoria, they needed staff, & were coming to Manchester & London to interview potential recruits. And I just thought, ‘why not?’. I was in SA two months later. I never planned to stay, & I knew next-to-nothing about the country before I came here. But here I am?! I went back to the UK 3 times in the 90’s – once for a wedding, & twice to visit family. But then my parents & younger sibling moved to New Zealand in ’99. You always think of your parents’ place as home, but after they moved to NZ… I dunno, I don’t think I could live in the UK now.

@michelinme – welcome back! 🤗

A couple of articles from today’s UK Mail:-
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-11812585/How-tell-youre-really-overweight-NOT-checking-BMI.html

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-11814313/Weight-loss-coach-shares-four-tips-quickly-dropping-pounds.html#comments

Happy Fri-yay y’all! 🍹

Pocket List – Day 3 🥕
@malee57

Day 3 UK NFD

Jeans – that’s my short term goal , I have a pair I want to wear for my Rome trip in 16 days so you’ve spurred me on @dramaqueen6 💪

The suns out – although it’s pretty cold so I’m wrapping up and off for a long walk in an effort to get back in the swing of things- I’ll have a good read of the posts this aft 👋

Day 3 – Rural Nebraska, USA – NFD – 150.0 – 1min plank ✅

The last time I was 150-point-anything was in early February, so I was SO pleased to see this number. Have I found the necessary combination for me to feel not-deprived and my body to agree to let go of pounds? 🤞🏼

So, again, I pledge to all of you: not a bite into my mouth until 1:30 when I’ll have some sort of protein (probably eggs or the last avocado). Again nothing until 3:30 when I have an orange, probably–that part I don’t pledge. Then dinner.

I’m numb with shock and thrilled to giggles–both–at the sudden movement of weight loss. Not eating until 1:30 and then only eating protein is a small price to pay for success!

@ccco Ahh, you’re bemoaning only 2lbs lost in February, but I lost nothing, so it’s all perspective. 🤣😉

@brightonbelle An extraction?? Not even a crown?? I suppose the root was so infected and that’s why? You poor thing!! Hopefully it’s all FAR improved shortly! Are you seeing the no food yesterday as a silver lining?

@michelinme So glad to see you back, and too fun that I posted right when you ALMOST got here, LOL! Your time away at the monastery sounds glorious, and your plan for March sounds perfect. So glad to have you back!

@lilymartin My goodness, but you have STAMINA!! Those are long days you’re describing and I’m in awe. I hope you get some rest time this weekend! And I was thinking the same thing about how unnecessary a gym is in your world, LOL! And SLUBBERDEGULLION??? Wherever did you find that word? Priceless!!

@malee57 Well done you for getting in your swims! And I smiled that you zoom on Friday nights with your sisters; my sisters and I zoom on Friday mornings, and have since May 2020–one of the lovely outcomes of Covid being that we all learned about the use of Zoom! ❤️

@maui Well done on the accidental FD yesterday even while getting some important self-care for yourself. And I can imagine what a whirlwind your home has been with all the people/equipment.

@northgeorgia I read lots of British novels, so do indeed know of Toad in the Hole and Bubble and Squeak, although I’ve not had them. But Nagi from RecipeTin Eats just put out a Toad in the Hole recipe that I’m planning to make at some point! As to two desserts and the question of denying them, I’ve certainly considered that, regularly and seriously. But having given up alcohol for Lent, it feels too hard a push to give up sugar as well, all while not eating until 1:30. And I have to say: I truly usually skip dessert, or have only a small bit, but the dessert I had two of was Scotcheroos. Know them? It’s Rice Krispies Treats with peanut butter in them (making them much denser), and a chocolate ganache of some sort on top. HEAVENLY and beyond my power to resist.

@dramaqueen6 How lovely that your slim jeans fit now!!!

@lilygarden Enjoy your sewing day!

@northgeorgia I’m thinking of you and your family, and praying for comfort and peace. Your mom must be absolutely devastated. How long were they married?

After all the commotion of what to say to our dinner guests tonight, they had to cancel yesterday because she’s quite sick with a sinus infection. So I called other friends and said, “I’m so disappointed they’re not coming because I was looking forward to cooking, so, please!! Let me cook for you!” And they’re coming. The menu is slightly different (long story) but even simpler than the original, and these are such close friends that there’s no worrying about that we’re not drinking, LOL, and I’ll tell them when they get here and ask. It will be a lovely evening.

So now I need to go make dessert (while my will power to resist nibbling is strongest) and do other things to start preparations. Should be an absolutely lovely day, with even the weather cooperating with sunshine and relative warmth of 50F/10C.

Have a grand one, everyone!

Day 3 USA/HI NFD
Weigh-in this morning still at 159 lb . I seem to be be stuck at 159 but I am ok with it. So so happy to be out of the 160’s!
Speech Therapist coming this morning and then I am off to fill in at the art gallery this morning. DS53 is still here and ok with watching his dad while I work today. I do enjoy going to work as it gives me many interesting conversations with delightful people from many places…. all enjoying the art. Very much like this wonderful group! That said, I must get up and prepare for the day. I enjoyed everyone’s posts. My goal is to get my brain calm and focused enough to make more direct comments. Right now it’s very hard to focus and keep everything straight but I do feel such great energy from everyone here. Thank you!!

Day 4 Melbourne, Australia NFD

Yesterday’s FD was not. I did not go overboard too much, and I mostly stuck to fruit and vegies. But cheese and bikkies at 11pm is not usually recommended as a way to finish the day. Today is a new day and I will try not to eat until at least midday. I am feeling like I have lost my mojo a bit so am posting to try to stay accountable.

@at you’re getting lots of walking in. Walking always makes me feel good. And walking in nature is like a magic pill some days. Currently I have plantar fasciitis which means I can’t walk as much as I would like to. But there are other forms of exercise that I enjoy too.

Have a good day everyone.

Day 3 – Ireland – CD 🚫🚶🏼‍♀️✅

Just a quick post as it has been a particularly busy day.

Bobbing up again it seems… ⚖️ .

Thinking of you @northgeorgia💕

Onward and downward ⬇️
We rise by lifting others 💕

USA. Day 3

Maui, that celebration will be wonderful! I envy your 20 lb. loss. Congratulations!

The best I can see for today is that I kept within my allotted calorie amount for the day. I hope very much to see some good results by next Friday. Right now I seem to be losing and gaining back and then losing again the same few pounds. I have got to break that pattern.

For those of you who are still awake, I hope you had a wonderful day!

Day 3 UK NFD

Super quick post for accountability! Look forward to catching up with posts tomorrow

Day 4 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – NFD

More frustration & a wasted afternoon yesterday, trying to sort out the electricity account for the new place. That was the second place I’ve been to this week. But at least I’ve found out what the problem is. Long story short, the two sisters I bought the house from left the account in their late father’s name. I don’t really know why that’s such a big deal, but anyway; I have to go to yet another office on Monday. Maybe it’ll be third time lucky.. 🤯

It wasn’t a totally wasted day though. I went to my storage unit in the morning. It was odd seeing my forlorn furniture etc still sitting there after 7 months. I fished out a ladder, a couple of fold-up chairs & DIY stuff so I can make a start on the painting next week.

@stitchincarol – Sounds like a plan? It’ll be interesting to see how much of a difference the shorter eating window & no alcohol makes this month 🎯

@maui – 158?!! Way to go! 🥳️ 🎉

Have a good weekend everyone 🌤 🌈

Day 4 UK NFD

Not a great start to March but not disastrous either, and now is the time to pay attention with a wonderful 27 days left!

I’m SO tired after this full on week post retreat, but have made it to Saturday and a sort-off day off, dragging myself through chores this morning. I’ve noticed my eating mindfully, sleeping well, drinking water etc all slipped as I got more tired and my week felt really squished from Monday onwards!SOme of it was unfortunate timing and post-break concertina, but I’m going to plan diary things differently, look at balance and boundaries and start to think about what I can drop for a healthier, more sustainable life. Sometimes eating is about circumstances as much as it is intention.

Today’s goal – get bread baked and papers/laptop packed up for community lunch/meeting, write my parts for the church service, wash my hair and get to bed as early as possible – 7pm and 12 hours sounds great to me!

@jaifaim I stayed at the lovely https://mucknellabbey.org.uk/

Wishing you all a good weekend, whatever shape it is x

Day 4 – Rural Nebraska, USA – NFD – 152.6 – 1min plank ✅

Well, the 150.0 of yesterday morning was fleeting, but despite numerous temptations, I stuck to my pledge and didn’t eat until 1:30, and then ate nothing extra until 4:30 as I was cooking dinner. Dinner was lovely, our friends were a joy to see and we laughed the whole evening, and I am so glad we could get together.

Here’s the strange thing: I have a pounding headache. If I’d had wine last night, I’d be sure this headache and slight nausea was because “I clearly drank too much last night!” Huh! Since I can’t blame the wine, what’s given me such a headache, that’s just like many other headaches after a lovely dinner party? Is it simply too much food? I often cook a meal like that for DH and myself, so it’s not the style of the food, but I never–for just the two of us–have an appetizer, main course, and dessert. I can’t honestly say I’m glad I have a headache, but a small part of me is glad, just so that I can realize I didn’t need to blame the wine all those other times. Perhaps some of them, but not all! 😂🤣 Any words of wisdom from you all as to the cause??

Oh, and on the subject of us not drinking and our guests drinking: I didn’t tell them ahead of time because why would I; when they got here and found out, they were interested and asked questions about how often we do that even as they shrugged and happily enjoyed their wine, and I enjoyed a blissful sniff of the wine from her glass, at which we all laughed. There was nothing weird or uncomfortable because they are that good of friends. That’s probably the root of why I was worried about the other couple, because we’re not nearly as close to them, and because I’m certain it wouldn’t have been that easy and comfortable.

@ccco I certainly understand your impatience for progress to happen faster, but being kind to yourself is–I think–part of not getting discouraged and falling off the wagon. Maybe? At any rate, 2lbs is 2lbs! 😉👍💪🏻💐

@maui I truly feel it’s nothing short of miraculous that you’re still at 159–rather than gaining–and that you’re able to focus on limiting your calories; well, well done! How long will DS53 be able to stay? Is he the other-island son, or the states-side son?

@at Oh, YUM: spelt pasta with crab sauce??? Do you have a link for that? YUM. I’m always envious of your walking, and yet, even when weather would allow me, I don’t do it…I’m working on finding the motivation, rather than merely empty envy. How tough was it not to have wine on Friday night?

@malee57 Aww, plantar fasciitis is awful; we had a big conversation about that a year or more ago when @daffodil2010 had it; many of us are familiar with its pain. As to your minimal mojo, something I find useful to to promise/pledge what I will and won’t do. Don’t go over board with extravagant promises/pledges, but how about if you promise us you won’t eat after __pm tonight? Just one night. Think that might help?

@merryapple Your Friday sounds absolutely divine! How was Saturday night’s dinner?

@maui Oh, YAY!!!!! 158 is a stellar accomplishment!!! 💪🏻❤️👍✅

@jaifaim You are not all that far behind me, so we can track each other’s progress toward the next “decade” of weight. ❤️👍💪🏻✅ (I’m channeling @linda.b whom I miss, and I’m sure everyone else does!)

@funshipfreddie Okay, I’m wondering if I’ve missed something. Is the house completely yours, escrow is closed, and you have the keys??? When you made your comment a few days ago, I thought you were simply getting close, not that it was complete. Either way, I’m sure you’re excited!

@gardenlily Aww, sorry about your “nibbilitus” striking yesterday. Always frustrating when we have such good intentions, and lose our focus and our RESOLVE. Have fun with your DGD!

@michelinme Truer words were never spoken: “Sometimes eating is about circumstances as much as it is intention.” And I’m fascinated that you have parts to write for the church service; how come? What parts? Enjoy your quietish day today!

<<Okay, I just emerged from a rabbit hole of exploring the website, and ending up at the website of the artwork of Mike Moyers, whose art graces the sermon for the 1st Sunday in Lent. His stuff is gorgeous.>>

Okay, time to start my day in earnest. Once again, I pledge not to eat until 1:30 when I’ll have two eggs, and then I won’t eat again until at least 3:30 when I don’t know what I’ll eat, LOL. And an extra pledge today: IF I have any of last night’s dessert (pecan pie bars) I will only have half of one. I PROMISE.

Have a grand one, everyone!

Day 4 – UK – TDEE

Quick check in for accountability – busy but good fun day with friends

Day 4 Second Post

I’m so pleased. I didn’t eat until 1:40 (forgot to notice it was 1:30 LOL), and ate only one egg. Was gone doing stuff until 4:00 when I decided to go ahead and eat supper. I wasn’t particularly hungry, but I’ve learned that if I eat a hearty meal early, before I’m hugely hungry, I fill up faster and am content not to eat later (or at least it often happens that way). So I had a big bowl of soup, two pieces of bread with butter (therein lay the bulk of my calorie🤷🏻‍♀️) and called it good. And then I started dreaming of dessert. I gave in and had a fourth of a piece (they were already cut, so honesty was unavoidable).

But? I WANTED AN ENTIRE PIECE.

I lasted until 5:50 when I had another fourth (bringing me up to the half I promised was all I’d eat), and focused on how my stomach felt over the next fifteen minutes.

It only took five and I knew I wanted no more. I was ever so slightly nauseous and was done. (It’s good but is RICH.)

And I haven’t had a thing since. YAY! Success on this day!

I won’t likely post tomorrow because it’s a busy one with a baby shower in the afternoon, so I wanted to share tonight while my enthusiasm was making me smug! 😉💪🏻😇👍😂

I wish for you all an equally joyful and successful day!

Day 5 – Ireland – CD 🚫🚶🏼‍♀️✅

@northgeorgia – thinking of you 💕

Thanks @stitchincarol! I’m definitely getting into the 150s so might see you there although…. You may be through to the next decade by then.

Keeping the faith @ccco!! ✨ I’ve been feeling so rubbish recently that exercise and diet is the only thing I can really control at the moment so… I’m focussed… won’t always have good days but the intention is there. ✨

@malee57 that sounds like the perfect setup for you and your sister. Your day making soap sounds lovely – it must be great to get back to something you love doing.

@michelinme what a lovely place to just “be”. I’m inspired to try find something for me here along those lines.

@merryapple can I just say how much respect and admiration i have for you following on your DHs exhibitions and conversations.. it must be a very difficult time for you although how fabulous to be able to celebrate his incredible work. 💕

Lovely to see you @at and glad you had a fun day! I’m
Off for a good hike now with a good friend. Coffee but no cake will be had 🤩

Oh @gardenlily – the dreaded nibbilitis- great word! Do you know “itis” at the end of a word generally means inflammation so an “inflammation of nibbles 😂😂😂 “ yep I know the feeling but last thing at night is the worst… so near…

Happy FD @funshipfreddie! That was young! Mind you you – the best time to make life changing decisions… less fear and procrastination 😂

Onward and downward ⬇️

We rise by lifting others 💕

USA. Day 5. FS

Just spent a very physical weekend with my little grandson. I am exhausted, not to mention a bit of arthritic pain, but I believe I probably burnt off a few necessary calories!!

I have read everyone’s posts, even though I can’t always respond to everyone. Despite, I truly thank you all for responding to my few frustrated posts. I need that. Last year was a very stressful year. I started out with my brother passing away suddenly, moved on to my getting Covid at this funeral, tossing 14 lbs. (which I certainly didn’t regret!), and then finally giving in to all that stress, putting back on those 14 lbs. (and then some), from finally succumbing to all that stress! I feel like I am starting all over again!! Anyway, I will manage and persevere!

I hope everyone is having a great weekend! 🙂

Day 5 – UK – NFD

A very enjoyable family Sunday….so ready for a FD tomorrow 🤣

Day 6 Pocket List
🍎🍏
@merryapple
@at
@michelinme
@funshipfreddie

Day 6 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – NFD

Monday morning PFDS! It’s so nice to start a week with one FD out of the way. It’s all downhill from here. I threw my back out – again?! – on Saturday morning. It’s so annoying & the pain/muscle spasms are excruciating. Nothing to be done except to give it time. And they advise you to keep moving rather than rest, to speed up the recovery. So I went out yesterday & bought 20 litres of paint (4 colours) & then took down the grotty curtain rails in the bedrooms & got a few other jobs done. Anyway, my back seems to be on the mend; it took me only 2 minutes to get out of bed this morning, as opposed to 5 minutes yesterday 😒

@penz – yes, South Africa is home, for sure. Even when I went working on the ships I kept my base in Durban. I’d go off for 7 or 8 months, but I always came back to SA for a couple of months after each contract. I can identify with this poem, which the author dedicated to Nelson Mandela:-

Africa smiled a little
When you left.
“We know you,” Africa said,
“We have seen and watched you,
We can learn to live without you,
But we know we needn’t yet.”

And Africa smiled a little
When you left
“You cannot leave Africa,” Africa said.
“It is always with you,
There inside your head.”

And Africa smiled a little.
“Our rivers run in currents
In the swirl of your thumbprints;
Our drumbeats
Counting out your pulse,
Our coastline,
The silhouette of your soul.”

So Africa smiled a little
When you left
“We are in you,”Africa said.
“You have not left us, yet.” ~ Bridget Dore

Pocket List – Day 6 🍒
@malee57
@merryapple
@penz

Day 6 – Dorset – FD

Morning all, quite cold outside!

@malee57 – my massage lady (not the polishing skin type of massage lady) who I go to because my achilles is so painful, said Plantar Facitis is cause by your calf muscles and your shins tightening up ! Same for the achilles. I do an exercise which seems to have worked. If you have stairs, just have your front third of your foot on the stair and lower your heels then raise your heels do this for up to 50 reps a day. (I do 20 in the morning then another 20 in the afternoon and then do another 10 reps before I go to bed).

I completely lost any self control at the weekend, so its back to the correct way of eating today!

Pocket List Day 6
@malee57
@merryapple
@penz
@gardenlily
@dramaqueen6

Have a lovely day

Day 6 – Leicester UK – NFD
Week 2 weigh in: 70.9kg, down 0.7kg this week and down 1.3kgs overall

Got to love slow steady progress…..I have a week off from work so starting with a NFD today, hopefully my FD tomorrow will go well – I will have to keep myself busy……

Day 6 – UK – FD800

Alcohol free Lent going well…..So far the only change I have noticed is that my sleep pattern has improved for the better 😴 and perhaps I have more control of what I’m eating but nothing to show in my weight yet…..

@lilymartin – loving the new words being added to my vocabulary – one that I love is “Reverie” the state of being lost in your own thoughts; a daydream – French origin….and another that stuck with me is “Zephyr” a calm, gentle breeze – stems from the name Zephyrus, the Greek god of the west wind. Re your post this morning…so many names from the distant and not so distant past…..I do hope they are all keeping on and doing well too 🤗
@funshipfreddie – sounds like you have lived in SA for the majority of your live – BTW lovely poem you shared – I only lived for 13 years in my birth country – 9 years in Australia and since then in the UK…..my DD was born here so I suppose UK is “home” now

Coffee afternoon with the girls and a yoga class this evening – hoping to stay on track for a good FD800

Pocket List – Day 6 🍒
@malee57
@merryapple
@penz
@gardenlily
@brightonbelle
@jaifaim
@at

I am motivated to keep striving to get under that 60kg mark once more – “If I quit now, I will soon be back to where I started. And when I started, I was desperately wishing to be where I am now”

Day 6, Germany, FD800
Day 5, FD800
Day 4, NFD

With friends in the house, I just couldn’t find the time to post.

@stitchincarol Don’t dispair, if you stick to the plan, the weight has to come off!

@funshipfreddie I hope your back is well again and you start renovating your new place. Thanks for the interesting articles. What a lovely poem.

@jaifaim We seem to have 10 different kinds of geese here, the most common are Barnacle, White-fronted, Greylags, Pink-footed, Canada and Brent geese. I just love them and as they pair for life, I could never eat one.

@lilymartin As @jaifaim I also often think about forum members of the past. @dingping my fellow Saturday faster, @ciren2 our postwoman, @rabbette the yoga teacher from Virginia, @fatrabbit and her rabbit and guinea pig sanctuary, @debster251 from Dublin, @shinything and the eagles, @beedoo and her small son in London, @okeydokey and her DH @fordprefect, @steffieagle and her newspaper and @simcoeluv who helped me a lot when I started and so many others. It would be nice if we knew they’re doing well. I guess @flourbaby is busy caring for her mother.

Pocket List – Day 6 🍒
@malee57
@merryapple
@penz
@gardenlily
@brightonbelle
@jaifaim
@at
@snowflake56 FD800

Have nice day everyone!