Well, tonight I had the not so great restaurant experience many have been having lately too! Over-salted French fries fried in duck fat, roasted (which wasn’t roasted & barely cooked/hard) cauliflower with Manchego cheese, and roasted chicken (which was good) atop chunky, bland goat cheese polenta (I like it smooth/creamy, but was informed by the restaurant owner that his chef “Likes to add interest” by making it chunky?!).The dessert was a hot brownie straight from the oven with gelato on top…now that was GOOD! Just wish I didn’t (but glad I did) have to share it with three other people!

Yes, we are all out of sorts! I think summer kind of does that to you…we are out of our normal routines, going to parties, on vacations, dinners out, etc. more. It just throws you off.

Fast day for me tomorrow (a 4:3 week – I need it!). I agree, let’s do our best with that 20%!

Sherry

Morning everyone!

Enjoying in sunny weather here, just back from a morning run!
Yesterday was a total write off, as went out after work Friday for some drinks, ignored all the warning signs of course, drinking on empty stomach, hot and long day etc..suffice to say paid for my sins, by being as sick as a parrot yesterday, and confined to my “sick bed”, while most normal people were frolicking around on the beach. The only upside of this was an enforced FD, nothing passed my lips, until 8pm, and then only water…:(

Have not been near the scales, as despite 3 FD’s this week, has been up and down hormonally, need to give myself a stern talking to. Milena, like you I’m going to try to keep my FD cals lower, more like 400 for the 3 FD’s let’s see, 7 more FD’s til holidays, the swim suit awaits.

Sherryann, agreed about the food out, I’m so often disappointed..rarely eat out, btw there are some really nice recipes if you look online for Deliciously Ella, I’d like the try to strawberry and coconut cream tarts…

Salma, don’t despair, we’ve all had those weeks, sure it will pick up. I’m having to “re-frame” my goal. Have another 1 stone 2 Ibs to go, but not inspired, will get there, I think going on holiday will help me, as need to re-charge batteries

Not sure if the sleep is cos of this WOL, or just peri/menopuase. I have on and off sleep patterns, and can see on the fitbit, they are worse around PMT time. For what it’s worth, summer does seem to be worse for quality zzz’s, maybe black out curtains would be the answer! also I live by the coast hence loud and noisy seagulls form May to October. Meditation does work, but like anything else needs commitment, sometimes I’m good other times I just let it go.

Hi to all, have a great day and happy fasting plans for the week ahead! stay strong

Wow ladies, it has been a very, very busy week on this thread. Just finished catching up – olive oil debates, tits leaning every which way but Sunday (just for the record, I call mine floor-gazers, long gone are the glory days when they were star-gazers and now with the weight loss they resemble rocks in socks 🙁 ). Nicola, welcome!

I am also very intrigued with the olive oil idea and am interested in trying it out when everyone else does – I am such a lemming. I have been scoping out psyllium as well after Janey kindly answered all my questions.

I am in the same boat as many others on this thread – the fasting success has been kind of mehh for most of July and a bit into August. Last week was a bit better, but still didn’t manage my full-fledged 4:3 that I was aiming for – too much running around and too many late nights working for the festival. I was successful last Thursday, so hoping to push through the rest of the day today to make it at least a 5:2 week. So far so good, 1 cup of raspberries, 1 cup of blueberries and 3/4 cup of 2% greek yoghurt. Dinner is a big salad with a small crumble of feta cheese and then hopefully I can keep my tummy quiet with cups of tea for the rest of the night. For distraction, I have signed up for a couple of MOOC courses, so about to tackle week one and two of “The Modern and Post-Modern”. Have a great start to the week everyone and strength and resolve to all those fasting today or tomorrow.

Hi Sherryann,

You’re not driving me crazy. I’m in the States and know you are too, so you should be able to get this if you want it, and possibly our Canuk friends as well, but I’m not sure about the rest of the Commonwealth folks. At any rate, here is what I use:

http://www.supersup.com/now-foods-psyllium-apple-12-oz-powder-340-g-733739059208

If you read the dosage on the label it says 1 Tablespoon (yes, US Tablespoon) per serving, so that’s what I use. I also add one stevia packet to sweeten it up a bit, and it actually tastes OK. When I was still trimming down I had three servings per day (one before each meal). Now that I’m on maintenance that’s been reduced to two (before breakfast and dinner). Just FYI, that equates to three jars a month while you’re trimming down (because you need more than two). I trimmed off 2.9 pounds my first week and averaged between 1-2 pounds a week most weeks until I got within about ten pounds of goal. That was when I started the 4:3 to coax my body into keeping up the good work–and it worked. I hope this is helpful. Please let me know if you have any more questions, though it might be a while before I can answer them.

Jayney

BTW Jayney, I was just thinking that it’s weird that you have any intestinal issues given all the fiber and olive oil you take in? Again, interested in what your practitioner has to say about it.

Sherry

with you this week, Salma. Still not properly back in the groove myself. FD day today, and Im ready for it, then off to my cat sit tomorrow, outting my chin down o do 5:2 and lots of work.

Its been a very stressful couple of week, workwise, but its over. Feeling very tired, got none of my durecell bunny about me. Knee getting better so Ill ease back into walking – at least the walks will be new and the view over in Argyll is beautiful.

New day, new leaf, and I’ve set myself a 2 lb target to the 20th, when Im back home. We can do this Salma, and if we can do this once, we can do this 20 times. And if we can do this twenty times, we’ll be near the finishing line.

Have a great week Salma, and everyone else.

Hi all
A bit of inspiration- it has been calculated that every 1lb you are overweight knocks 36 days off your life, so keep on with this WOL. According to Israeli doctors a new way to check your weight is to measure the circumference of your neck. If it is less than 34cm (13 and a half inches)you are not overweight!!
Ginette and NE Mum I think Swimming is so helpful. I have always swam even at my heaviest and so has my friend. No-one takes any notice and if they do that’s their problem. janeyW well done on your weight loss. Lovely to hear about success.
Salma and Milena good idea to get back to basics. That is what works I think.
My son came overy yesterday and spent the whole day with me. That was such a treat I can tell you. Normally he comes with his wife which is lovely but it was nice to have him to myself for once. Of course I cooked for him but I tried not to have too much.
I am fasting today and have just managed to get through the luch hour with just a cup of camomile. Yippee.
Keep strong everyone.
TopsyT

That pound I lost? It found me (minus 0.2 lbs). And today’s weigh in was after a fast day yesterday (granted I’d gone to dinner the prior night).The ‘ol one step forward two steps back. I know I have to remember that this is a way of life and be patient, but I’m having a hard time getting any strong momentum that will propel me forward to continue with this. I’m hoping things will change for the better once life normalizes a bit in a couple of weeks when the kids are in school. Just depressing…

Hi Sherry

Haha! Ignoring the rules, I see. Slight upwards don’t count!!!!! You could weigh yourself 3 times in a day, eat nowt, visit the loo twice and put on a pound each weigh in.

Im deeply suspicious God is a man!

If he was a she, this wouldnt happen.

Come to think of it, if he was a she, there would be no war, no famine, no cruelty to animals, and we wouldn’t get fat!

Oh well, chins tucked in everyone, I think this week is going to be a bumpy ride.

(Thinking now -all men would understand women, look like Brad Pitt, admit we are better drivers and treat us like goddesses – babies would be found under gooseberry bushes and breasts would stay pert!)

Hey, Sherry, I’m with you. At least you had the nerve to step on the scale. After another aborted fast day, the scale and I stared at each other and I chickened out one more time. I am fasting today, however, and so far so good.

Summer is just a much harder time to manage things. I think we will find it much easier come September. Still, let’s keep trying to see that magic 2 on the scale by the end of the month.

MM

Salma, well I was too chicken to get on the scale, but I did finally get out the tape measure. Haven’t measured myself in years. Let’s just say it wasn’t a good experience. Every measurement was about 2″ more than I was expecting, the waist about 4″. Yikes! On the other hand, guess my clothes have been telling me that . . .

Anyway it was a great motivator to keep up the fast today. I’m thinking about trying for 4:3 these next two weeks to sort of jump start things, but then thinking back on your earlier post and Milena’s and wondering if I shouldn’t just try to do plain old 5:2, and really stick with it. Given the track record of the last two weeks I think I’ll be happy to accomplish 5:2.

My new short term goal is to be under 130 by my birthday in September and to have lost most of those extra inches by Christmas. Time to realize this is going to take awhile. Sigh.

MM

Good morning, all. I made it through a successful fast day yesterday of about 400 calories. Am stretching it out this morning and not really hungry. Perhaps I will make today my second of the week and have them done.

Salma, I think you are right. Slow and steady wins the race. At my weight and TDEE I figure it will take three fast days to drop a pound. Two pounds every three weeks seems woefully slow, but there you have it. It will still get me to my goal by Christmas.

I envy those of you who are finding clothes that are too big in your closet. Mine is unhappily full of lovely clothes that are too small.

Good luck to all fasters today.

MM

Hi Gals,

Thank you to all for your upbeat and funny (Milena, you crack me up!) comments with regard to my gain! Yes, Milena, I need the full rules! I’m at the end of a successful fast day today and with the crazy week I have ahead, am trying to figure when I can do the next one- hopefully before I take off for the weekend with my daughter.

MM, I haven’t done the math you have but I’m probably right there with you on the 3 lbs a month course once it’s all figured out (will have to check it out).

Great attitude Beldy, and you’re still looking better than you would have had you not started this program! Btw, I love a sarong/pareo around the waist that you just slip down as you slip into the pool if you’re self conscious ! ;).

Yes, patience and kindness toward ourselves is the course we should steer towards as we continue along with this WOL. It’s funny how we can be generous in this regard with others but no so much toward ourselves sometimes!

Sherry

Way to go Salma, MM, BB and Sherry! Good work. Sherry you are correct, we need to be as kind to ourselves as we are to others. I have been beating myself up all morning about my lost contest I had last night with a pile of perogies. Count was perogies: 1, Debbie: 0. The only saving grace was that I did a ton of exercise yesterday. I managed a 5K run and also tried out a Body Pump class which is a 1 hour barbell workout. The average calorie burn for this class is supposed to be around 600. All I know is that today there are muscles in my body protesting that I never knew existed!
Today I will be trying out a stretching class, hope that helps.

FD for me today, to make up for the perogie pigout. So far so good, but it is only 8:15 in the morning here :-). Have a great day all and strength to everyone fasting today/tomorrow.

Hi all, I’m early fifties and put stone and half on but looking to start the 5:2 to see if I can lose the weight.

P. S. Today 8/12/15 is my #2 FD. FROM 2 pm to 2pm So far so good…

Hi everyone! Happy Mid-Week! Welcome new ladies, Trendy and Opal Shine! As you can see we are mostly the “slow and steady” group! We will all eventually get to our goals if we just keep plugging away!

Well, thankfully I lost the weight I gained. I’m down to 132.0 even. Since I didn’t weigh the first week I started (chicken syndrome), I’m guessing I’m down 2-3 lbs. since starting this WOL at the end of July. If I continue on the 3 lbs. a month rate I will be where I want to be by the holidays and that sounds just fine to me! 🙂

MM, I will have a difficult weekend coming up (going to the Little Italy area of San Diego, so lots of pasta and gelato may be absent mindedly flying into my mouth ;O! ) but I’m still gunning with you to get below 130 by month’s end.

DJ, I forgot to congratulate you on being almost at your goal weight! So happy for you! Do you mind divulging how much you lost and how long it took you?

Like MM, I’m envious of all you who can do the tough workouts (I used to be and want to be there again if I get this back issue fixed!)! Great job!

Sherry

Sigh……stopped for an ice cream treat on my way back to work after lunch. That has probably dashed all hopes for a loss this week, but oh well, it was delicious! 😉

I got recognition and a little gift certificate at boot camp this morning for completion of 400 sessions. They are very good at encouraging us! I’m looking forward to my day off of exercise tomorrow. I’ll be walking the golf course Saturday and Sunday, so need tomorrow to “recharge”.

I’m sure I didn’t lose any pounds this week, but I seem smaller some how. One of the guys I work with just said to me “You’re wasting away to nothing!” I said “Hardly!” The boot camp trainer took a picture of me this morning for my 400th and put it on his Facebook page. When I looked at it, I thought how small my shoulders look! Although I wish they would have told me to suck my gut in more! LOL!

Hope you’re all having a good week!

Hello All Sherry, It has taken me almost 7 months to get close to goal. The ridiculous part is that it only took a little over 3 months to lose 22 lbs, but so far almost 4 months for the last 5 or so! In reflection, it really isn’t all that ridiculous – the first months I was very strict with myself and abided by FD’s completely and was usually eating about 200 – 300 calories below TDEE (I just wasn’t hungry) and cut out all bread, pasta, and other processed carbs. That was the secret I think. However, as the weight came down I started getting complacent and became pretty careless. This week has been really discouraging in that I have had one of my bouts of severe insomnia and sleep deprivation = increased food intake, especially carbs as my body is looking for energy from somewhere else. I am back to where I began late in July at 127.5 lbs.

Oh well, to quote Salma and several others, time to regroup and re-frame. I tried some Melatonin last night and it seemed to have helped. I also received my shipment of zero noodles I had ordered so I am well set for a good FD today. I am also starting to track my calorie intake again.

Welcome to our new comers, please don’t let this little moan of mine put you off. I have achieved a great deal, and fit back into almost all of my clothes, so slow and steady really does win the race.

Congrats Lori on your 400th. That is a true accomplishment! How many times a week to you go to boot camp?

Take care everyone and I’m stealing a line from someone in another thread… May the fast be with you 🙂

Hi DJ, this is just a setback. I know you know that, but I’m with you. Please know that you will get this done and surpass your goal in time. I believe in you.

Welcome Opal Shine, I’m not sure what you mean by eat normally the other five days. What I (and others on this forum) did when I was reducing was to use the TDEE for my GOAL weight. That way I didn’t have to keep adjusting it as I trimmed down. A lot of people don’t count calories. Personally, I’m 4’10”, so if I DON’T count calories I turn into a human balloon. That’s just me. I’ve made up meal cards I use with my physical planner (yes, I still use one of those). I just sat down and made up a bunch of them. Now I switch them out each day, so I don’t have to think about how many calories I’m having in a day. I just eat what it says on the card for each meal. Again, this is just my system. If any part or all of this works for you, please feel free to use it.

Jayney

Hi ladies,

Just back from a weekend away with my oldest daughter. Of course I ate “way” too much to “weigh” this week- Oh well, it (life) happens! This week the kids start back in school so my life becomes more normal and I will get some much needed “me” time back so things should get easier on the eating/exercise front.

DJ, great job, and you will bounce back from your little set back- you’ve come so far! I’m with you on the insomnia. Thinking I should look into bio-identical hormone replacement (heard it’s the lack of progesterone as we age that causes sleeplessness). Anyone tried that?

I’ll be fasting with you on Monday Opal! So far I’ve been just eating mindfully on non-fast days; sometimes I really don’t have much of an appetite after a day of fasting. I do want to start following my TDEE though.

Salma, happy to hear you are getting back on track!

Milena, you have been suspiciously silent! Where are you?

MM, you are my “let’s get under 130 this month partner”! How are you doing? I’m sure my successes last week were undone by this weekend’s risotto and gelato (not to mention the fondue restaurant where if you’re not dipping things in cheese sauce, you’re dipping them in dark chocolate-sigh-!). I’m hoping we can re-group and get it done this month! Are you with me? :). Isn’t your conference coming up soon?

Have a good day tomorrow all, especially all of us “fasters”!

Sherry

Oh dear…too many posts! A tad overwhelming…

I’m another mid-50 person…who never had a weight problem at all until I moved from Canada to Holland for my Dutch husband about the same time I went into peri-menopause. Too much stress on the body I guess and my hormonal levels went wonky.

On top of that, I went on Sertraline three years ago for work burnout and I ballooned. So, in a dozen years, I’ve gained about 30 kgs. I’m 5’5″ and 93.8 kg and just want to break 60.

I’ve always had “child-bearing hips” with a teeny waist, so not having one at all has just freaked me out. Fortunately, I still have low-normal blood pressure, lots of good cholesterol and normal blood sugar levels, so for me, it’s mostly vanity.

And the fact that I need to get back into the work force again and have to compete with those cute young things! I need all the help I can get! 🙂

So greetings to everybody! Just had my first fast day breakfast…yum (not)…lol

Also want to report that I’m back to plain old vanilla 5:2. The eating window thing just left me too tired & grumpy! I think I’ll do better with just 2 500 calorie days and 5 “normal” days. If I don’t lose, I don’t lose. I really have diet fatigue right now.

I will focus on a healthy lifestyle and do my best to work in 2 500 calorie days a week.

Have a great day!

Hi Mm and everyone else!

Ive fallen in love, with a gorgeous boy Im sitting for, truth be told, I think he has fallen for me, or at least he has fallen for my dressing gown.

Beautiful and quite young mackerel tabby called Alfie, his pal Sid got chucked off the bed at 2am, I was hanging out of the edge with no duvet, so chucked them all out, Sid went missing and had me up all night waiting for him to come home. Forget how much of a handful cats can be.

Weather gorgeous, at least for Scotland, so have taken a holiday, abandoned fasting and being so far off the wagon, it may be hard to find, much less get back on!!!! Suspect no holiday next month as son’s op is on the 4th, may not be able to abandon him as his right hand will be out of action. Interesting that a few bottles of wine and missing just a couple of fast days can be disasterous – 3lbs so far, but the rest has been wonderful. Strange, but actually looking forward to, even craving, a fast day!!

Two more days, a couple of bottles of wine, and some of the best scallops and fish you can find! Then back to the grindstone.

Of course the 3lb gain doesn’t count, only mentioning as it seems to go on REALLY quickly,will let you know the final damage, be interesting tosee how long it takes to come off though.

Have a great week, everyone!!!!