Day 4 FD St. Louis USA

Wasn’t sure if I was going to fast today or not but decided to go for it. It’s my regular fast day and I’d like to stay on the schedule. It’s 5 AM or a little later by now and I’ve been up for several hours. Actually didn’t sleep much at all because of coughing. I may have to give in and bring up my doctor today. It’s been a week and this is not sleeping is just too difficult to function well. Thank you for those of you who offered kind words of support. Feeling like I’m a little whiny but that’s what happens when I don’t get enough sleep. Thank you too for the reminders about not giving into the carb cravings. So easy to go down that road once you start.

pocketeers:
@lilymartin
@fraub
@lou Belles
@schatziii
@missymay
@chumi
@pippapah
@annnursekirk
@happymargo
@jarbia
@brightonbelle
@shera10000
@flourbaby
@johnnyr
@belfastsink
@yolina
@sirisan

Day 4 – NFD

On track – exercise too, feeling v motivated! Keeping busy & hydrated definitely a winning combination 😊

Day 4 FD , 30 mins of boxing… Absolutely exhausted!!!

Day 4 – Perth, W.Aust – NFD

Well it seems I’m mostly back on track and with a FD due tomorrow, should be back to where I started the week, phew.

MAY we all be strong, resilient, resourceful and aMAYzing.

Day 3- Montreal- NFD
Day 4 – “. “. – FD

Day 4 – Cumbria UK – ?FD/NFD

Not sure if today will be FD or not – was planning on doing one tomorrow but have not eaten as yet today and feel like fasting at the moment…….will see how the day goes and confirm later @pissupoosa

Been to my “Happy Hour” aerobic class this morning, then back home to catch up with some housework unfortunately! (HATE housework with a vengeance!) Resting now with a nice cup of tea sitting out in the garden – glorious day up here in Cumbria – sunshine and warm………bliss. Time for a catch up with the forum as yesterday was a busy day – Pilates Healthy Back Workshop in the morning and volunteering afternoon – did not get back home until nearly 6pm so it ended up being a good NFD I think!!!

@tillysmum – not seen the film and was unaware of it until my friend lent me the book – not sure how I missed that…..
@sunshineaus – you do what you feel like – I often do 1 x Fluid only FD with very low cals (skimmed milk in tea) and other days I stay under 500cals – either is good and does no harm – Obviously the less you eat the quicker you will lose weight – the important thing is not to go mad on your NFD – good luck with this WOL
@skinnylove – My OH loves Skyrr for it’s high protein content – he is very slim and extremely fit fell runner – I make my own Kefir and love it – have a glass morning and evening
@lynzm – saw your Day 4 post, if it’s any consolation we’ve all been there and done that and don’t seem to learn from feeling so rubbish afterwards but on this WOL tomorrow is another day – have a lovely weekend away – enjoy
@goldensun – hope the first FD since March when well – so sorry that you put on almost all that you lost! Stay strong and you know you can do it – having done it before – I find that in order to maintain and not worry too much about my NFD I need to still do 2 x FD each week!
@flourbaby – hope you recover soon from than nasty cold but as you say there might be a bright side if not the healthiest way to go forward 😉
@fivetwofan5252 – WELCOME on board – it’s a lively forum with lots on board so does take some time to read the posts and get to know people but it is provides great support and motivation
@coda – Hello – good to see you sounding so much stronger and positive – great to hear the weight is going in the right direction! Enjoy your weekend in Galway, such a lovely harbour city on Ireland’s west coast
@lany36 – onward and downward as @songbirdme says
@johnnyr – Not an expert here but have been maintaining successfully since beginning of Dec 2016 – I do 2x FDs a week still (one of which is very low calorie -skimmed milk in tea, my only calories) and the other usually under 500cals – I don’t calorie count on my NFD but follow 16:8 eating window – no breakfast and small snack at lunchtime and have a healthy meal at night with a glass or two of wine on 3 or 4 days!!! I weigh weekly after my 2nd FD and I’m happy if my weight fluctuates 1kg around my target – if it’s at the higher end I will do an extra FD the next week i.e. 4:3 – THIS IS A WOL!
@happymargo – maybe your OH needs to read the book so he understands – just saw @coda‘s reply to you great advice
@bert1802 – that darn hole…….pick yourself up and dust off and off you go……Hope the visit home to your mum goes
@ciren2 – Don’t be hard on yourself – you are achieving 20+hr Fasts on some days – that is a success – why don’t you try just doing 16:8 or 20:4 days and planning a healthy meal (low carb, high protein and lots of veg/salad) for when you eat for a couple of weeks instead of pushing for a FD and see what happens to your weight – then try to build in only 1 FD for the week…….Hugs my friend and stay strong
@sirisan – hope you do feel better soon
@jarbia – have a lovely week in Cornwall – great place to visit – so much to see and do – Cornish Pasties, fish and chips and Ice-cream all allowed just not everyday….😉
@strawberriesandcream – you might be wi-fi free but hope you are having a fabulous birthday 🥂

It’s been great to finally catch up with all the posts – just cannot reply to all but feeling very inspired by all your stories – so much sharing and support on this forum from our global 5:2 family TOGETHER WE ARE DEFINITELY STRONGER

“Decide what you want, decide what you are willing to exchange for it. Establish your priorities and go to work.” ~H. L. Hunt

Day 4 – USA (Illinois) – NFD

Interesting to read how others are doing, especially those of us in maintenance. I generally do 6:1 with the 6 being very controlled, often 16:8 but not all. I enjoy making and eating a healthy, fairly large breakfast, especially following a FD. Keeping to TDEE is a challenge some days at 1,790 set by MFP. Yesterday’s FD was right under 600 calories. I eat an apple mid-day (really helps me with regularity – eat one every day) then a salad with some protein at supper. Last night it was a tin of sardines that I really enjoy. Also put them on some Triscuits. Worked outside a lot finally with the rain done for now, also got in a good 20 minute power walk. I think that helps me on a FD.

@at – enjoyed reading about your maintenance regimen, especially how you work in wine!
@strawberriesandcream – happy birthday to you!

Onward and downward!

Day 4 Chicago, Illinois USA – NFD

Day 4 – MT USA – NFD

Finished my second and last fast day of the week which always makes me happy! I did great, went all day with no food and had a ~400 cal dinner at about 7. No Diet Coke! I fast M/W and I always say I’m going to go nuts on Thursday and eat everything in sight but when Thursday comes I’m not very interested in doing that. I don’t use TDEE or count calories or limit myself in any way on NFD. But, I typically will not eat a lot and even a normal sized meal makes me feel uncomfortably full. I’m usually back to eating like a champ on Sunday, though 🙂 And thus the cycle begins again.

We’ll see how my weight holds up over the weekend – I was 141 ish on Monday morning, 139.9 (woot!) on Tues AM, and 139.3 on Wed AM – it feels SO good to be under 140, hoping to crack a new low of 138.something after next week’s fasts.

Day 4 – USA – NFD

I hate to say it, but when I read of someone else’s FD becoming a NFD, I’m a little relieved; how sad! Anyway, @pissupoosa, please mark down Day 3 as a NFD. I lost the motivation to stick to 500 calories late in the afternoon; went up to 627 calories and then said “what the heck” and got to 800 something and ended up around my TDEE. Got to get my mind around a plan; thought I would have learned my lesson from April, when I saw how I was getting sloppy.

Day 4 US FD 3rd day of b4b
@strawberriesandcream ✨Happy Birthday!✨🍰🥂✨✨🎉Wish we could be there with you on The Mediterranean Cruise for your Birthday!….No Really😊 Looking forward to hearing from you when you get back!✨😀✨
@maisie1 I am with you on that. I like remember and like what @chubbybiker said, “If I don’t start eating, I won’t keep eating.” My choice is, Am I going to stick to small portions of specific things (food) to help my health? Or not? I choose to help my health.✨😀😊
@missymay ✨HaPpy FaStiNg! ✨✨Wishing you well!✨
@steve-toon-taxi-driver I hope warm coffee helps in the freezing ❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️temps. Did you mean May or April for the question about weighing?
I agree with @fivetwofan5252 ‘s Plea! Please everyone give yourselves credit for the steps your taking for the NFD’s and the FD’s.✨Either way you are steps closer to better health and well being than if you hadn’t tried at all. ✨✨Love yourself for who you are now.✨✨Do what will help you stay healthy longer!✨✨
@johnnyr kudos to you for your ability to stay active and keep strong during your FD’s. I’m not there yet. Although I’d like to, when my leg is healed enough to support me in more activity.
@debster251 & @lilymartin When my left leg heals from the broken Tibia at the knee. I’ll be able to give that hula hoop a try! I remember how much fun it was, when I was 10 yrs old. That doesn’t mean I can do it now.😂But I’d like to try.😃
@chumi Be kind to yourself. FD’s are FD’s don’t judge your FD’s😄
@bert1802 I know you don’t have access to internet during the day, but I hope your day is going well!✨
@allie123 Good luck on your initial 3rd FD of b3b.😊😀✨
@scs Thank-you for sharing your Good advice for traveling. I will share your advice again. “Simple is best when traveling. Stick to big salads, stir frys & fish. Don’t stress – just try to be mindful & drink your water!” I will remember that in June, we will be traveling for about 2.5 weeks. To WV, then to NC driving, then to San Diego, CA, US on a ✈️ plane.
@technicole ✨Congrats on completing your b2b!
@happymargo Great visualization process!✨ I similarly have been asking myself since March to get ready for the wedding in May. When having to make a decision about food. “Will this get me closer to my goal!” Thank-You for sharing that!
✨✨Be Gentle with yourself.😊Success takes time.✨✨

Today’s pocket list
@annnursekirk
@happymargo
@jarbia
@brightonbelle
@shera10000
@flourbaby 3rd of b2b2b
@okeydokey 3rd of b4b
@lilymartin
@fraub
@lou Belles
@schatziii
@missymay
@chumi
@pippapah
@annnursekirk
@happymargo
@johnnyr
@belfastsink
@at
@yolina
@basyjames 1st b2b
@allie123 3rd of b3b
@steffieagle
@fatrabbit
@sirisan
@happymargo
@emel1962
@therealwil78
@rachel
@mogaman

✨Keep trying one day at a time.✨
✨✨We are Stronger Together!✨✨

What keeps me going through the fast day is that I don’t want to waste the suffering I’ve experienced up to that point. So for example, if I lived with the hunger for 10 hours, I get even more motivated not to blow it because then I’ve done the first difficult 10 hours for nothing. By the time I get to 7:30 PM (the absolute worst, hardest time for me on a FD) I’m at my most motivated. For poker players, at that point I’m “pot committed”.
I seem to remember from the last time that after a few months of this, it gets way easier.

Want to wish strawberriesandcream a Happy Birthday – may your day be as lovely as your name.

Ciren2, what about promising yourself a small reward for each successful day? Then something a little larger [IDK, say, a pair of earrings :)] for 5 successful days? Just a thought.

@stawberriesandcream – happy birthday x

@ciren2 – really take some time off from trying and feeling you are not getting anywhere and stressing about not getting anywhere – its a vicious circle. BTW it is not repeated failure as long as you stay with us, you are just doing what we always advise – keep on keeping on. Once again you are being too hard on yourself. As suggested previously take some time out and have a week of NFD’s (controlled not just throw caution to the wind) plan what you are going to have up to your TDEE. Something nice that floats your boat. Tell us what you are planning. Share with us what you are eating that is throwing you off course. What if you make a pact you have to share everything you eat with us – would that make you think twice?

@ciren2 when I found myself back on the addictive circle of sugar and carbs recently I knew I had to get off this roundabout. I started taking a good multi vitamin and an amino acid called L-Glutamine which can help stop sugar cravings and then with a bit of determination I took it in baby steps if I can get through the morning, I can get through the afternoon, and I looked forward to my fast day meal. If I got through Monday I can get through Tuesday. When I was in a shop today at lunchtime I looked at a chocolate bar and thought – well it is my NFD I could have it but then the million dollar question popped into my head and though no thanks why risk starting that roller coaster over again. At the moment I feel great – off course that is not to say I won’t have a nose dive later on this month but when I feel like this I will make the most of it. I can help carry ones along when I am feeling strong and in turn when I need a helping hand you guys are there for me. So let us help you along till you get strong again – just stop beating your self up or I will come over and give you a big hug!

Day 4, Germany, NFD

@strawberriesandcream happy birthday!

Day 4 – UAE – FD
Day 3 – UAE – NFD

Today’s pocket list – Day 4
@annnursekirk
@happymargo
@jarbia
@brightonbelle
@shera10000
@flourbaby 3rd of b2b2b
@okeydokey 3rd of b4b
@lilymartin
@fraub
@lou Belles
@schatziii
@missymay
@chumi
@pippapah
@annnursekirk
@happymargo
@johnnyr
@belfastsink
@at
@yolina
@basyjames 1st b2b
@allie123 3rd of b3b
@steffieagle
@fatrabbit
@sirisan
@happymargo
@emel1962
@therealwil78
@rachel
@mogaman
@taraga

2nd post
Regarding willpower and susceptibility to over eating or obsessing over food, Susan Peirce Thompson Ph.D and Bright line eating is well worth a read (website or book). I believe she has nailed it. She explains, what I imagine most of us have wondered about and beaten ourselves up about, why intelligent, hard working, capable people all over the world with different lifestyles can control and commit to something but feel unable to do so when it comes to eating. Worth a look. I’ve found it inspirational.

Day 3 NFD and Day 4 FD

Madison, WI, USA

I am sorry. I did not post yesterday. I was consumed by work stress.

Yesterday was meant to be a NFD. The only up side of work stress, was that I was too busy to eat much.

Today is a FD, and maybe I built up more of a deficit than I am used to yesterday, because I’m not having an easy time of it.

I look forward to digging into these posts more this weekend, and catching up on all the insight shared. 🙂

This is my second FD since starting on Tuesday. It’s VERY hard. I used to skip breakfast regularly –in fact, I was just remembering this morning that in high school I never ate breakfast, would have a vending-machine bag of Doritos and a Diet Coke for lunch, a small amount of whatever dinner with my parents and then spend the rest of the evening eating pieces of buttered toast–sometimes 6 or 7 before bed. Not ideal, but it felt normal then. Very strange to look back on after so many decades.

Second post

@maisie1 I checked and watched the video. It was interesting.

@strawberriesandcream Happy birthday 🙂

@lola907 Congrats for this quick weight loss after your first fast! After three to four days fasting it will be much easier. Also, I hope tomorrow everything goes well for u 🙂

Day 4 – SW WA USA – FD 4 or 4

Having internet issues.

Hopefully this will post.

Enjoying2nd day in a row of sunshine after the 2nd wettest winter in the area in 75 years. I’m so sorry for the flooding in St. Louis, MO and more.

@jmh44 – some more ideas for your travels – perhaps making the travel day a FD; on other days shortening eating window might help, 16:8 for example. Above all enjoy & be flexible. That’s the beauty of 5:2.

@chumi – your 10-12 squares of cocolate made me think of myself. That”s a tough one. I work on being controlled in my consumption of dark chocolate but it does get away on me at times.

Day 4 | Northamptonshire, UK | FD

I usually do my fasts on Mondays and Fridays but I will be having an early birthday celebration tomorrow so had a fast day today instead. I found it harder than my previous ones since restarting 5:2 but remember this happening before a few weeks in so will soldier on 🙂

@lola907 yes if you can post each day it helps keep you accountable. Remember newbies to state the day (same as date of month ie day 4 = 4th May) state your location in the world and not like a member who gave me quite a laugh when I realised what she was doing. She was indeed telling us where she was, in a chair etc. Sorry to whoever it was but you brightened that day for me.

@maisie1 I’ll look that website up thanks.