oops, I wasnt clear, was referring to Salmas fast day, will go bsck and read your post now, had internet probs all day, havent read everything – will do now!!

Hi Jayneyw, i think we were posting at the same time, hence the misunderstanding. I was just trying to say that if a fast day wobbles, or even if it crashes and burns, its still a success, because its still doing something positive. If your fast day calories are 400 and you managed 600,1100 or 950, still a success, youve just moved out of the fast lane into the slow lane, if you end up in the crawler lane, or even rest in the layby awhile, its still the same journey – and the old bangers among us might take some time to get to the end.

Sometimes you need to concentrate on the driving, sometimes you can relax and just put on the cruise control, you will need the odd push, and sometimes youll have to push someone else along.

Travel hopefully……

Hi Lori, another cat gal – Ive just the one and she has always been a house cat, sleeps all night.

I used to breed, by eight weeks all the kittens knew bedtime, would climb into their pen at 11 pm with mum and all other cats, not a sound till breakfast – good job as they didn’t leave til 13 or 14 weeks, and some never left.

Glad gou remembered the old banger stuff, Ive just posted more of the same! Well I am a petrol head in a house of petrol heads.

Did you see my post on Melissa Dream? Been using it for two or three weeks, its really working, and now I am just taking it every other night. Lemon balm and camomile.

Might be worth a shot?

Using a tablet and I get lots of typos or wrong predictive text, has to write ‘shot’ three times, kept coming out with an i instead of an o,

Great attitude, I think we just need a great attitude, it will move mountains – mountains of fat!!

Welcome Annechristine

Trouble with research is it seems every time research suggests something other research suggests the opposite!

Do what works for you, create your own research! Lol, A lot of 5:2ers are actually 4:2ers, I was going to do 4:3 think week, but due to food poisoning its so far becoming a 2:5, not something I would plan or advise but at the moment I’m not eating very much at all. And right now feeling really good.

Impressed yet again, another exerciser. You all amaze me! I was aiming to join you when I reach 12 stone – but youve shamed me, got son to dig out weights, decided to tone my arms, i now believe rather than hope that I will be thin or at least thinnish, I so sure I’m planning to wear something short sleeved or sleeveless. Small steps eh?

Hi Salma Holland and Barrett

In a couple of months when you get that first stone of, and perhaps some of the second, we will be laughing about how the first few pounds were the blummin klingons!

Hi Milena,

I completely agree with you that even if you don’t quite stick to the plan, if you’ve done your best then that was as much as you could do at any time. However, I must say that with the plan I’m on from the naturopath (see here if you’d like https://thefastdiet.co.uk/forums/topic/first-dayweek/) and exercising six times weekly (at least since 10-1), I’m quite chuffed with the results. I’m not saying I will keep this up indefinitely, though as long as I can would be good. I also know that this won’t work for everyone, but for those exercisers out there, perhaps it might be something to consider to increase the results.

I completely understand the slow and steady wins the race, and that’s all well and fine. However, even though I likely have many, many years left, I can’t help but feel like I’m running out of time, and the sooner I reach my goal, the longer I’ll be healthy–and perhaps the longer I’ll be around, who knows (barring getting hit by a lorry or something of course ;-)–just a thought.

Good Morning All!

Up way too early again as the cat wanted her breakfast. 🙁 I see a nap in my future. I’m doing 16:8 today, but it’s going to be a long morning until my eating window opens at 11. I’ll have a TB of coconut oil in a cup of coffee in a bit to try to hold me until lunch.

I should go to boot camp this morning as there are sessions at 8, 9 & 10, but I don’t see it happening. Saturdays are for “me” and boot camp sessions are part of my work week, if that makes sense. My husband works a part-time job(he’s retired) and will be leaving at 6:30 this morning, so I’ll have the whole day ahead of me.

There is one thing I’ve been thinking about doing. I want to take all the jewelry that I don’t wear and sell the gold chains etc and maybe have a new ring designed with the stones that are in old settings. I’ll have to give this place I have in mind a call and see if they do in house design work. Hmmm…I’ll have to think about it. It’s cold out and I could just be content to stay here under my warm blanket!

Well, time for another cup of coffee. Hope you all enjoy your Saturday!

Hi Jayney

you are our resident sports car, we wouldnt expect to find you in the laybys,
we need you to shout encouragement while you are on the road and from the finish line.We need our supercar pals. But if we ever find you in a laybay, we will all get behind you and give you a good push on your way!!!

New job??? great news!!!!!!!!

Monthly birthday cake? I had forgotten about that, so many years since I have worked with anyone else. I will instigate “same day of the month as my birthday” cake, just a wee one!

Hello All

Please forgive me if this post ends up appearing twice – I clicked something and my whole post vanished into the ether.

I have been following this topic since I started 2 weeks ago. I have drawn so much inspiration from it that I have decided to stop lurking and join in.

I’m 57 and am post-menopausal. Menopause wasn’t too bad, except for the night sweats – sometimes I would have to get up in the middle of the night to change the sheets as they were so drenched!

I had been very happy with my weight, but 2 years ago I injured my knee. I went from being a vigorous excerciser (long distance running) to being almost a couch potato. It’s now 2 years and 20 lbs later and I have now become determined to lose it, rather than moan about it.

I am working on a 4:3 ratio at the moment, fasting on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. I struggled enormously the 1st week – eating at least 100 calories over on fast days, and eating above my TDEE on feast days. The second week has been much better, I am staying within the correct calorie range for fasting and non fasting days. I am still struggling greatly with fast days though. I am so crabby by the time I leave work and this week I found myself yelling at my cat – her favorite place to sit is on my keyboard when I am trying to use the computer. I felt so awful afterwards. I have never yelled at her before and it broke my heart when I saw her cowering away. Never again!

Even with all the struggling through the first week, I was stunned and amazed after a weighed in this morning, I have lost an unbelievable 6 lbs! I am now waiting for the other shoe to drop as I am sure my body won’t do this forever, but it has really motivated me and hardened my resolve to stick with this.

Exercise isn’t in the cards at the moment, not because of the knee but because I live in Montreal. It has been a brutal winter, we are finally coming to the end of a six week spell of -25 C with a windchill of -35 on some days! I am so happy this is over and am looking forward to finally being able to get out and walk. I have purchased a Fitbit and it is already motivating me to move more – I can’t wait to get up to 10,000 steps consistently.

Well this intro is getting pretty lengthy so I will bring it to a close. Glad to read that all the sickies are starting to feel better! Looking forward to the encouragement from the group and the pick me up when the inevitable happens and I hit a plateau. By the way, just call me DJ. The name was already taken when I joined up and I just panicked!

Aw Jayney, how nice of you to say!

Welcome DJ, well I’m the resident non-exerciser, but I am good at egging the others on, andI do go for occasional walks. Salma though is inspiring me to try the gym but until my butt is respectable enough for the gym, Ill just have to remain Kim Kardashian’s butt double.

5:2 working fine though – almost at the 20 lbs, but still 50 or more to go.

Well done on the loss, I think many of us were eating way above maintenace before 5:2, so 100 off fast is a huge drop and brilliant. You’re making it work for you!!

Travel hopefully….

Wouldnt dream of telling you to shut up, especially when you are talking sense. And I agree. My son is waiting for me.

Hanging head in shame. Keep giving me these pep talks!

But I am walking faster, and Ive even done it in the wind rain and snow!!!

Oh help, I’m not even convincing myself!

Doing lots of walking on my break next week.

I used to be sports mad, was on every school team, did loads of gym work, ran a marathon when I was 28.

I blame the dicky knees.

Anyway, Im weightlifting. Still got 60 lbs of spare, doesnt that count?? lol!

Oh my…so much for my “plan” for the day. All I did was eat and sit. Sigh…. tomorrow is another day. The husband and I have promised each other that we will go out for a run/walk tomorrow morning. Just hope the sides of the roads and sidewalks are not too icy. I always have my treadmill to fall back on, but I’m really getting the itch to get outside!

Promising myself a better eating day tomorrow. A nice 1000 calorie day would not hurt after my up, up and away day today!

Hi all
I am on the other side of the world so I have been waiting for it to cool down to exercise! It is a sunny 28 degrees Celsius here so I need to exercise before 6am if I want to go outside. When I am stuck indoors I use my bike- some great research from the university of New South Wales (Australia) got great results from 8:12 interval training. So you go really hard for 8seconds then slow for 12- it works well on the bike because the timer is right in front of you. I say this milena because I have disliked exercise all my life and if I am going to do it I want it to be effective!

Hi Annechristine,

I do High Intensity Training (HIT) and High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) on days when I’m not doing strength training. Once a week I take a 30-minute class in that (and do thirty minutes on my own twice a week besides)–it’s tough, but I agree, it works really well. The HIIT I do on my own includes a three minute warm up, and then eight rounds of 20 seconds as hard as I can go, with 10 seconds’ rest. After the eighth round, I cool down for two minutes. I generally end my strength training routine with that. I never thought I’d be working out six times a week, but at the moment it works for me, and I must say I really like the results.

Hey Lori_PA, I’ve had days like that–but very few since starting 5:2. More power to you for getting back on the wagon. All the best to you all in our valiant struggles.

Hey Salma,

If nothing else, at least I’m good for a laugh, am I right?

Applepie, here in Seattle we have farmer’s markets in different neighborhoods (for example, the farmer’s market in Fremont is today–Sundays, the one in my neighborhood–Queen Anne–is usually on Wednesdays). Other neighborhoods have these as well, where farmers around the Seattle area bring their goods (everything from fresh veggies to honey and handmade soaps, etc.) to the city to sell directly to customers.

I must say I don’t support them as I’d like to–mainly because I don’t like to cook, so tend to get pre-washed veggies in a bag that I can just dump into a microwave dish, put olive oil and/or buttery spread on, and microwave. However, they are there and are well-supported by the community generally, so just thought I’d mention it.

Also to Lori, I meant to mention yesterday that late last year, before I even heard of 5:2 I had a ring sized larger because I was having trouble removing it after a good workout at the gym (when my fingers tend to swell). Now that ring is on the loose side, and I’m regretting having enlarged it. I only mention this because you might want to take that into consideration when you figure out what size of ring to get. I’m sure as we all trim down, the same will happen to you, so this is just a thought, but you might put some consideration into when you get your ring made (i.e. how close you are to your goal), otherwise you might need to have it resized when you are at your goal. Just a thought.

Enjoy your day/night everyone!

Hi all

Salma – we are of an accord (very hard to find an occasion to use that prase – Pirates of the Caribean if you were wondering where you have heard it) – and I think we should be kind – being self conscious can be so draining, and I think we are missing out on a lot for it – but – we will get there, we all know each others darkest secret, our weight, and our wanting to be lighter. We WILL GET THERE! It won’t be tomorrow – unlikely its going to be this side of Christmas for many of us – and on this journey halfway there would be more that we would dare dream of. But we can help each other on the journey. I’m so proud that you even get to the gym – and remember, there will be folk there self-conscious of their skinny ribs and flat backsides!. So don’t enjoy it – just don’t expect to – endure it, but endure it for you! Heck, if it was easy I would be there! Imagine coming to us with tales of your achievements. I am behind you – pushing you on – and I need to know that you can do it – I’m still on the outside peering in the window!!! Go gal!!!!

Janeyw, I would love to bungie and to skydive – a secret bucket wish – but I don’t have the guts.

The jump – not a problem! Telling the bloke about to strap me in what my weight is? No, no and thrice no – I am too cowardly! But to answer your question, has to be empty – otherwise if you puck up it can only go one way – Newton’s law – it will be some mega bird splat! On the other had bird splat is luckly – so someone might thank you.

Applepie, sooo jealous – waiting for the summer and for the Scottish raspberries – apparently our weather is well suited – just hope I don’t come back as a raspberry in the next life, is all! The must be real miseryguts.

Lori and Annechristine, trying to build up a little sympathy for your predicaments. The hottest day every recorded in Scotland was 26F – we do have hot days in the bonnie land – some years as many as 3 or 4 of them – though if it hits 15 degrees we ditch the winter clouts and don the shorts! I had to laugh at your remark about it being so cold, I know (saying in a very Prunella Scales as Sybil in Fawlty Towers voice) hot here too today, think it got to 4 degrees, I think, the ice on the thermometer makes it a tad hard to read.

Anyway, IFA, you will be pleased to know I am pulling my weight in the foodie department – sausages and poached egg tonight – Gloucester Old Spot and Toulouse sausages – very gourmet – I discover that my food bill is so low that I can now afford to shop at Waitrose.

Salma – all prepped for trip – 5 days in all. A couple of changes of tees, spare jumper and spare jeans, three sets of undies (well brought up, always an extra pair of knickers) pretty much enough for 2 days, there is a washing machine in the apartment – so will travel with a tiny holdall and a largish handbag. Holdal is for OH’s stuff and my jeans. Tiny bottles with enough – to the millimetre – toiletries. I are pro travellers, though why I take my entire wardrobe, 3 suitcases of books, enough toiletries to open a small Boots (largest chemist and toiletries shops in UK for you internationals) enough food for 4 weeks AND very often the kitchen sink, when we go away on summer hols in the people carrier for a fortnight, is something I ponder every time I unpack on return. This years we are going in the wee two seater, I am fairly confident I can get my handbag to fit in its boot, as long as I don’t actually put anything IN the handbag, so now I’m find I’m pondering once again what to pack, this time for a three week holiday. I presume a spare pair of knickers and a credit card with a very high max will do it?

Now now you losers (isn’t it great that loser is suddenly a compliment?), deep breaths and throw yourselves into a week of hard work in those gyms. If you go over your food limits, forgive yourselves, if you go under, MAKE A NOTE – build up a bank of goody two shoes days for the off days. You know I am behind you all!

“Little do ye know your own blessedness; for to travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive, and the true success is to labour.”

Hi Salma,

I really have no desire to put anyone to shame–least of all you. However, in answer to your questions if you were doing aerial dancing and are now into high intensity and various other forms of exercise, when did you get the time to put weight on? I only started exercising six times a week when I started 5:2. Before that, I was only exercising four times a week, not fasting at all, and likely eating well over my TDEE since I didn’t even know what it was; and more importantly, how?? When you’re less than 1.5 meters tall (4 feet 10 inches), being over 50 and post-menopausal doesn’t help. In fact, it’s really easy for me to put on weight–which is why I’m toying with the idea of going below my goal and then coming up to an ideal weight–to be determined by what weight facilitates my flying.

Milena, I was rather tongue-in-cheek regarding the skydiving and bungee jumping. I have only tried bungee jumping once (in London, as a matter of fact, in front of the Salvador Dali Museum). I was missing my aerials on holiday and thought I’d give it a go. I’m glad I did it and have no regrets, but have no desire to do it again particularly. It just wasn’t as much fun as I’d hoped it would be, and certainly nothing like aerials.

Also, I want to make something clear here. Just for the record, I wouldn’t say I particularly enjoy my time in the gym. Thrice a week it is merely a warm-up for the aerial work I do–which I enjoy almost beyond imagining. Working out and warming up at the gym is the price I pay for being able to fly with less chance of injury. The other three times I work out half an hour each day and do the HIT or HIIT. Again, I don’t particularly enjoy that, but I really enjoy how I feel when I’m done–I feel like I’ve really accomplished something at that point–especially on day six of the week–and watching the scales go down is indescribably amazing! Just FYI.

Hi Salma

Woooooohooooooo!!!!!

Engine well warmed up now, humming nicely, out of the low gears and speeding along.

The best news, I know what it means to you.

Lori, first day of Spring in a couple of weeks, and bad winters are followed by great Summers, lots of sunny golf days, so much to look forward to.

Jayneyw, you are our wee star! But we KNOW it isn’t easy for you, just as its not easy for the rest of us. But frankly I, and I’m sure others, are gobsmacked by you. (Gobsmacked – huge compliment) Aerial work, not exactly sure what it means, but I’ve an idea. It’s a well known fact that elephants can’t jump. Apparently they can’t have all feet off the ground. I’m an elephant. Secretly hoping to turn into Dumbo.

I do hope our British droll humour is translating into Amercan English. I’m a quarter into an 80lb weight loss, so baby steps for me, but if I get there – and I’ve only just realised that yes, it is possible, I’ll be flying with you, heck I’ll be so happy my feet won’t touch the ground again.

Congrats on the loss Applepie! You are doing SO great!

Where did you move from? Were you in the States before moving to Spain? We’ll never move away from family here, but it’ll be nice to be able to pick up and go for a few weeks or a month. Fingers crossed!

I was just out running some errands on my lunch hour and it is beautiful! Talk about Spring fever!! It is 50F, which is 10C I think. Feels fabulous!

2PM so I only have about 3 hours of my Fast to go. I’ll have a big green salad for dinner with some good protein. Drinking some sparkling water now to get me thru the rest of the day.

Hope you’re all having a good one!

Hi all

What a loong fastday – can’t wait for it to end. Especially considering I am finding fasting ok.

OH, as you know, has joined me and it is sooo easy for him, bacon butties, lattes galore, though he has stopped buying cakes and puds. And, if I dare ask if he wants a grape, refuses because HE is taking this seriously.

Well he started today with 3 weetabix and a load of milk, then I mentioned he had only 300 for the rest of the day. He has never shut up, you would think he was dying of starvation. I had half a slice of bread at 4, so gave him other half, it was like feeding the starving. Roast chicken stir fry for dinner. Even that hasn’t quietened him.

He is off to weigh himself now, thinks he may be at target – blummin’ hope so!!!

Walked today in sunshine, rain , sleet and snow, in a very cold March wind. A typical dreich day in Scotland. I should have a medal for staying out in it for an hour.

Can’t imagine retiring, can’t afford to, but I work for myself, from home, I’m my own man and love what I do. The world is changing, I don’t earn the amount I was earning 20 years ago, but I don’t spend much. And I can live all day in Jim jams if I wish, I sometimes get dressed for my walk , and get undressed as soon as I come in.

Spain sounds very relaxing, we would like to move to France, but probably will end up in South of England.

Travel hopefully everyone!!!

Hi All,
Lori PA we moved here from rainy Manchester, England. Current weather forecast is 20 degrees today, 25 tomorrow, that’s beach weather!! That will be interesting trying on last years bikinis. Where are you? sorry if you have already said.

milena can’t our OH’s be annoying? mine was actually trying to gain weight last week as he had gone slightly below his ideal weight, but he lost another 4lbs!! It does make you wonder about these Spanish scales??

Annechristine, Queensland sounds very different from Scotland. Do you live on the coast? we just head for the beach when it gets really hot. Yes, the 3 days fasting worked for me, plus I am automatically making better choices on “normal” days (apart from the odd kebab and chips haha!) If only I did this years ago, my skin would have been a bit more flexible.

Janeyw I don’t fancy the idea of apparatus, I think I will stick to running on the spot when no one is watching.

Salma one of the best things that happened to me was being made redundant from my comfortable, well paid, office job. My husband and I started our own company, he did maintenance, small building work etc and we both did care / cleaning work. And the rest is history as they say. Making money for yourself is much more satisfying than making it for someone else.

I would definitely recommend Spanish scales, I seem to have lost another 1.5 pounds after just one fast day 🙂

Happy fasting everyone!!

Good morning all!

Applepie, I am in Pennsylvania, USA. Just trying to survive this horrible winter! Yesterday was beautiful so it gives us hope.

I had a good fast day yesterday, but the scale only crept down 2/10ths of a pound. Sigh…..gone are the days when I can drop 5 lbs in a week just by cutting down! Menopause and a sluggish thyroid have taken care of that!

Nothing to do but keep on trying.

Hitting the treadmill in a little while. Get that boring workout over with. I thought about doing it after work, but I know I’ll be happy when it’s over. Best to do it this morning.

Have a great day!