This topic contains 361 replies, has 25 voices, and was last updated by grburgess 8 years, 4 months ago.
Yes, that’s great Mary! I am now at a new low, just by two tenths but it helps. Anne, thanks for your comment, it made me laugh. Both of the brother-in-law’s wives are so active and perfect! PJ, I admire your perseverance, I get frustrated so easily! Mary, I really think it helps all of us when you post.
Have a great long weekend everyone!
Mary, I agree, I worked in a building which had an extended care facility attached. The kitchen did put out good food but still , not to be in control of what you eat and, I am afraid of all that carbohydrate. If I ever go into one, I will lose weight for sure cause I just cannot tolerate all that carbohydrate. Hey! another reason to get rid of this diabetes (if that is possible) so I CAN eat safely in a nursing home. Ha Ha.
Reminds me of a nursing home joke. An old lady resident would go around to the men sitting there, flip her skirt and say, “Super sex!” One old gentleman answered “I’ll take the soup please.”
Great joke PJBR! My parents were both in various nursing/retirement homes. I wish they were still around so I could tell them that joke – they would appreciate it! The worse thing is to be in a wheelchair and you can’t go to the bathroom by yourself.
On a lighter note, my daughter is coming tomorrow for a couple of days; just her and the dog. I’ll probably have dessert and maybe snacks but will try not to over do it. Today is a fast day so I’ll have that out of the way. My son and his girlfriend are planning to come sometime soon too.
Spent most of the day yesterday gardening; think I’ll go and do some more now. It keeps my mind occupied and I like seeing the results. I am facing a somewhat difficult decision. We have an apple tree in front of a section of our deck (south facing, lots of hot sun). It’s huge and provides a lot of shade, for the deck and for my favourite shady garden below. But there are a huge number of applies that fall everywhere and have to be picked up; they’re not really edible and they attract wasps. We’re thinking of removing it and putting in an above ground pool in it’s place (our property is very low and sitting on limestone so we can’t have an in-ground pool). Just the other day I was sitting out there and three cedar waxwings flitted around the branches. We get all sorts of birds. Not only do we have apple blossoms in the spring and beautiful shade but you can feel the oxygen you breathe in from the tree. So this is my dilemma.
Sorry for rambling on – this is not a gardening forum after all! Enjoy your day, fast day or not.
My birthday today. Not fasting. Did fairly well yesterday. My dream of being a whole new person when my husband comes home Saturday won’t happen, but he is not looking for a whole new person…just me (thank god). I will have lost 10 pounds and kept it off for more than minutes or hours. I’ll take that and work on further. Have a good week. Anne
Happy birthday Anne! Sorry I didn’t see it yesterday, I had to move the computer and furniture so my daughter could sleep in my little office. I hope you had a wonderful, relaxing day. Mary, I hope you enjoyed the Blue Jays game.
The pool is mostly for the grown up kids and the grandchildren to come. Still thinking about alternatives.
I have a gift voucher for a spa from people I work with. My daughter made an appointment for both of us to have a pedicure! I’ve never had a pedicure before so it will be interesting.
Lots of calories consumed yesterday and my weight was quick to react. I’m sure it will be bad today too and I’ll definitely be making up for it tomorrow. Have a great day everyone!
Great joke, PJBR! I know, Mary, those places are so depressing no matter how ” nice” they are. My mum was in one for a year before she passed away, downhill slide.
Speaking of downhill slides… well I have gained back a couple of lbs, summer will do that to you. I am not worried about it, but want to get back on track. I have family here right now, they leave on Saturday, so I will go back to the FD way next week, and want to really commit.
I vote for the pool!
xo ET
Mary, that’s great! You are an inspiration! Anne, I’m happy for you to have your husband back at last. Enjoy the rest of your summer.
Thanks everyone for your comments on my tree vs. pool dilemma, I appreciate them! Still working that out but also doing a big renovation on a room right now. Last year we had almost no apples but this year there’s a humungous amount. Thinking of rigging up a tarp to collect the falling apples and channel them into a large container or trailer away from the garden.
I had a lovely visit with my daughter. The pedicure was great – I now have sparkly silver toe nails! Despite some desserts and snacks I’m actually still maintaining the weight so that’s good. Mary, if you have that sweet craving, you might want to consider what my daughter found – Chapmans Super Lolly – chocolate popsicles at 70 calories each.
ET, my mom was also in that kind of nursing home until she died, and, as attractive as they tried to make it, it was depressing. The staff were friendly but seemed more concerned with ticking off their list of daily duties. Once we were visiting in the lounge and a staff member came in and started vacuuming the totally clean carpet while we were trying to talk with my mom and nearly deaf father. I almost got up and told her to get lost but didn’t want to upset my parents. The somewhat positive benefits of being part of the “boomer” generation is that there seems to be a beginning of change with the kind of care we demand, including having our own computers!
I still have about 8 lbs I would like to lose but happy with my progress so far. My daughter commented that she noticed I definitely look thinner. And I feel lighter too.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Hi Mary, Hi Mary, oh yes, there is an echo!
Hmmm…I cannot seem to get back into this diet. I was going to do two days this week, but haven’t stuck to one yet. I was using a method that worked before: not eating until I am hungry, usually around 11 or 12 having something around 200 cals, then planning a 300 cal dinner. What’s happening is I get really hungry by 4 PM, I cave and have a small snack…but then I want a glass of wine….and then dinner is okay but I have already gone over 500 cals. I will make today a fasting day, and see if I can stick to it! I think this has to become a habit, it is harder to jump in and out.
Any suggestions for getting through that afternoon part would be welcome. I need to re-read the book, and maybe use some of their recipes.
Kathcan, your description of a nursing home was spot on. My mother needed more physical care than any of us could give her, so there was no choice, but it was a tough year. The staff were saints though, did everything they could, but everyone knows it’s a “last stop” and that was depressing. I hope I never have to be there- let’s all get thin enough that we stop aging. Ha!
xo ET
Hi MaryWWriter,
this is my first post on this site,Iam 64 and live in UK.I started the 5/2 on May 20th like you I eat breakfast around 8am and supper between 6-7pm. So far I have lost 15lbs in 12wks. 4lbs in the first week and fairly regularly 1lb a week since.Before this as I got older I didn’t seem to have the willpower to stick to a ‘diet’and the lbs gradually crept on.I am finding this amazing and although on some ‘lo-cal’days I struggle a bit I’ve managed to fit it in..I find I stick to a couple of simple evening meals and after a few tryouts much the same breakfast…
This post is in response to your v.first post!!
Oh and I do my fasts on Mondays and Thursdays too…
Hi. Welcome Pamplemoos! I eat half a pamplemoos every morning pretty much. I do take vitamin D and hopefully it doesn’t interfere as I take the vitamin later in the day.
It’s nice to hear from some of the others again too. Anne, that’s great that your husband is joining and supporting you. Mine tries to as well, but has a problem with snacks in the evening. ET when I get that 4:00 urge I usually have a cup of coffee with skim milk. It makes me feel full. Wine is also a difficult thing for me and I’ve found I can eat less so that I can still fit in a glass or two of wine. Usually for dinner on FDs I have some slices of deli turkey and a salad. It is hard to wait for bedtime without having anything else but sometimes a few strawberries or grapes helps. Mary, Chapmans is actually a Canadian company (I understand the UK reference though, have spent a lot of time there and they do say lolly). The Super Lolly may not be in every store though.
I read your blog on aging which resonated with me as I’m sure it does with most of us. Sometimes aging scares me or depresses me. I often tell my husband “I just want 10 years back!” I want to be where I am now (e.g. with the things we have done to improve our house and lives) but 10 years ago because I need more time and I can’t believe I’m in my 60s. But I HAVE changed and part of being this age is that I don’t feel that I have to do heroic things anymore if I don’t want to. In the past I often pushed myself to do everything and now I want the choice to slow down a bit if I feel like it.
I should have added, but I also want the choice to do things I want to as well!! And good for you Mary, not to let the stereotypes of age beat you down and make you afraid to take on anything that interests you. Learning new skills is supposed to help keep your brain fit. I think we are all on this diet and forum because we do still want an active future. So keep up the good work everyone!
Hi Mary
I’m here but not posting, as we are on our trip to Europe escaping the Southern Winter. Congrats on sticking to the fasting regime and on the loss of weight. I have put on a little weight while eating out every day. However, I know I can fast it off when we get home. Presently in Budapest, having a heatwave. 38C today.
Hi to everyone. Love reading about your progress.
Cheers, Bay 🙂
You all are so inspiring! I decided not to wait to jump back in, -it was something about your “back in the saddle” comment, Mary, hehe- so did a fast day on Friday. I was hungry, cranky, and had a headache by the afternoon, but did it anyway. Thank you all for posting your strategies for fasting. That really helped, especially knowing it isn’t always that easy. One thing I did was make a list of errands I needed to run, and went out late-ish in the afternoon to drive around getting them all done. That is my hardest part of the day, and that worked!
So I am fasting again today, and plan to on Thursday again. Some of the weight loss I am reading about here just makes me believe that if we do the diet, it will work.
Mary, I hope you had a wonderful weekend, I will check out your video. Bay good to hear from you, enjoy Budapest! Welcome, Pamplemoos, your story of not being able to stick to traditional diets resonates with me. Anne, I am jealous that your husband us fasting too- that must make it easier! My husband is a pretty good weight, so probably can’t convince him:( And I agree, Kathcan, it is good to remember the real reason for keeping our weight down is to have as active a future as possible!
Have a great start to the week everyone!
xo ET
Hi Everyone!
I’ve just started the diet and I’m on my second fast day today. You’re all so inspiring!
I’m 66 and I’m a Brit living long-term in Japan, single mum, three grown up sons. I’ve been overweight for years and in the last five I managed to get my weight down from 80kgs to 65 (I’m pretty short). My doctor is pushing for five more kilos off and you’d think it would be easy, right? Nothing works. I’m pinning my hopes on this, I’ve had really good reports from friends in the UK so I thought I’d give it a try.
Not really very good at going to the gym or jogging or whatever. I’m a swimmer and a walker basically. Japan is disgustingly hot and humid right now so the pool is the best place to be. I’ll be off after doggy has had his walkies.
Bye for now!
Hi Silversue, nice to hear from you. I was lucky enough to travel to Japan for a week through work and took my daughter, 17 at the time. We were in beautiful Kyoto; it was an experience my daughter and I share that we will never forget!
ET I agree, keeping busy like that helps and shopping/running errands is one of the best ways to pass the time. Anne, thanks for your comments. The nice thing about this group is we are all at the same stage of our journey. Mary, I know what you are going through. My son and his wife were here for a few days and I skipped Monday’s usual FD. I ate more food, snacks, desserts etc. but the difference for me was I ended up feeling very ill and getting the runs in an extreme way. It was like my stomach refused to accept this little deviance from the pattern and rejected everything. That was last night and this morning my weight was back down again, so that’s some compensation I guess!
I decided to do a FD today to make up for Monday and I’ll see if I’m up to doing it again tomorrow because on Friday I’ll be going to my daughter’s for a baby shower they are holding there on Saturday. I’ll try to be good!
Hello Ladies
I am an Australian living in Papua New Guinea. I have been doing 5:2 since Feb this year. Initially, I joined to support my husband in is quest for a lighter and healthier life. We still fast twice a week. My husband has lost 15kgs approx and is still dropping weight. I have lost about 10kgs and I am also still losing although no where near as much as Hubby. I have slowed down lately…probably because my BMI is in normal range whilst his is still overweight.
I like 5:2. It is simple and easy. I don’t really count calories much. We just don’t tend to eat on fast days…maybe a cup of miso broth. On eating days, we eat healthy foods but don’t worry to much about calories. I use quality produce and try to keep foods whole by steering clear of processed stuff. So, it’s been good for us.
I guess what I have learnt is that it’s a slow way to lose weight but the health benefits are excellent. I enjoy the mental sharpness I get from fasting and I believe my memory has improved considerably. I am also happier and more relaxed. I sleep better too.
I have read many threads and I find this one so kind and supportive. I am nearing the age of 60 and honestly, life has never looked brighter. My goal is to continue in this way of life and to extract ourselves out of PNG over the next 2 to 3 years. We plan to live in New Zealand and travel more.
We have 5 children and one lovely son-in-law. No Grand kidlets yet and to be honest, I can’t see any prospective children in the near future. The kids are happy so I am good with whatever gives.
Thank you for your great support here and I hope I can contribute and get to know you better via this thread.
Welcome Expat and Silversue! We are spreading around the world! I totally dived on my fast yesterday…arrgg. Sat with my husband having a glass of wine and lovely conversation about myriad whatevers and and we ended up eating ‘fast food’ and totally ignoring the Fast. Just have to start again. I have never found a fast day easy, but sometimes I can get in the groove and do okay. Have to go in search of the groove again. It’s 50s/70s here in the middle of August…wonderful. Take care. Anne
Mary and PG1…thank you for your welcome.
Mary, I do have plateaus and they can make you wonder why…which is when I remember the other wonderful benefits fasting brings. I understand it gets tough. But you are building a great future for you and your new husband (so nice). It does get easier too!
I weighed myself this morning after my Monday and Thursday fast. Now in the last three weeks, I lost 300g (about .6 of a lb) but this week, I lost 400g (about .9 of a lb) in the one week. So my BMI is now 24.8…top end of normal. Plateaus…it’s all about sticking to the way of life I guess.
I must admit that my hormones are playing up with me at the moment and I do have down days. Biggest thing I try to do is avoid added sugar and hormones can make that hard. In years past, I would bust out anything sweet. Now I find that the fasting has made me far less inclined to eat cakes, chocolate, biscuits…the thought of them is quite off putting. If I want a hit of sweet, I am tempted by banana with greek yogurt and honey. My tastes have really changed. But that has been a gradual process over many months.
I guess I am saying it gets easier the longer you hang in there.
So tomorrow I am going to a party with my husband and am wondering what I can wear as I want to show off the lack of me 🙂
You are all such a lovely group. Hang in there! We can help eachother.
Anne…that is what I like about 5:2. You can drink wine and share a takeaway…and just make it up another day.
Sorry you can struggle…I have really easy days and some tough ones. Which is why I tend not to eat at all on fast days…I find it simpler to think NO FOOD than WHAT SOUND I EAT TODAY and get tempted.
I also consume huge amounts of fluid on fast days…herb teas, water with lemon, sometimes water with a dash of sea salt (stops headaches) or cider vinager. Many times, when you think you are hungry, it’s just thirst.
And if it gets really tough….I go to bed. Tricks my brain into thinking time for sleep. So I read for a bit and pass out.
Whatever works. Hunger doesn’t kill you. Thank the goddess HA HA XXX
Hi have been away over the weekend so no posts!! My fast day today too prairiegrass!! Decided to try going without breakfast(apart from a couple of cups of tea of course!!)Went shopping inc supermarket and survived until I got home…One fried egg in 3 sprays of 1 cal oil on a dry slice of bread-still tasted good oh a dozen bluberries..supper will be a big salad with prawns,follwed by 100g of strawberries..can you tell I’m looking forward to it..Weight loss is really slowing up may just have to be a bit more energetic!! Would love to take off another 6lbs…Hi to everyone..
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