Oh Cinque, I found it, it looks like a great show! I can’t wait to watch it
I just put the title in the search window here and it goes to a link that opens the special.
This topic contains 5,051 replies, has 218 voices, and was last updated by vendor 3 years, 7 months ago.
Salutations all!
I’m settling in to the routine at last. It’s not so different than the 16:8 I’ve been doing with the exception of serious calorie control on two days. That is, I must confess, a weak area with me. I am used to having a pretty good meal after fasting for 16 hours. I’m dealing with it by going to bed earlier. I’m not a good sleeper but the colder it is, the better I do. And it’s about to get seriously cold here!
Anyway, I think I need to ease up a bit and not get so hung up on the numbers. That seems to work better for me.
Take care. P
For your encouragement. I am 57 and weighed in at about 401 lbs with high blood pressure, and having knee problems, working out about 1 1/2 hours a day and not getting anywhere with my weight. Trying to loose 200 lbs. After 1 month and one week on The Fast Diet have lost 13.2 lbs.. After loosing 5 lbs the first week my Dr. said it was to fast, so I have increased the 600 calorie max to compensate and still have lost a total of 13 lbs.. My workout is 1 mile on the elliptical for a warm up and weight training. This has been the first diet that I think is sustainable for me I am greatly encouraged. I would suggest finding some emotional reasons to do this. Such as things you would like to do, that you cannot do now, short term goals, and write them down and post them where you can see them on a regular basis. One of mine is: I am retiring in 3 years and I want to be able to enjoy a healthy life of retirement. I am looking forward to the new me. Good luck!
Hello All, My goodness, step away for a month and I return to such a huge swelling of new participants. Welcome all. I havent managed to read through any of September posts, but will catch up slowly but surely.
Havent felt that I have much to contribute, as many of you know, I have been at goal (less actually) for over a month. I have had many health challenges the past month that have for good or for bad, killed my appetite. I am now working back to a proper diet. When I succeed, I plan to follow a 6:1 maintenance plan. I hope I am still welcome here, despite having reached goal. This is a wonderful group of people and I miss you all. Take care and will type more soon.
Hi everyone, this post has really helped me as I fit into the “mid fifties trying to lose weight…again”
I have just completed my 3rd week and to my utter amazement I have found I have lost 6 pounds. I think 5:2 is going to be something I can stick to…hurrah!
Only have 31lb to go 🙂
It’s great to read all the success stories on the forums, wish I had got started months ago when I first watched the horizon programme!
Hi Martin, I completely agree about the sustainability of 5:2! It is such a relief to find it!
It sounds like the new you is running down the track to meet you! Great progress!
Yep, that is it Opal! There is good insight and info in the program, I thought. Dr Mosley has a little article he wrote in response to it that you can click on from the front page on this site.
2Blackdogs, isn’t it good to work out how to make the diet suit: what meals when, scales or not, measuring or not, toast or not! I’m like you, tweaking it as I go but getting more and more into a rhythm.
Have a good evening everyone! A good night. And a good morrow!
Ooo posts went up while I was writing!
Hi DJ, lovely to hear from someone who reached their goal! Sorry to hear of your health problems though, good wishes to you.
Hi Granny2ten, What a wonderful start! I am two months in and going well, but without scales, so I only know my clothes are getting looser!
Are you granny to ten? I am grandma to one! And she has just turned one year old.
HI DJ
missed you! And of course you have to stay, that is two at goal now, and I rather think that is the main point, to get us all to goal!
Sorry to hear things have not been too good lately, I hope that you are on the upturn, take care and look after yourself.
So how do you feel to be at target????? I was reading my tracker last night and my original target, shown on there, was 48 lbs, no idea now why, and its a lot lower now, but I realised that I am well into the last stone of that target – so there is hope for us all – we just need you to keep us on the road, you are there so can yell at us to call us all home!
Welcome Martin, wise words, and I see you will be with us for the long haul, you are in good company – a good first loss, I wouldn’t worry about how much, some lose a lot at first – I lost nowt in the first three weeks so not all of us! – but once you are settled in it should be steadily down, with a few ups just to keep you on the ball, I always compare it to snakes and ladders, some tall ladders, some short ones, some wee snakes and a few long ones. Men seem to lose at a quicker rate, and those of us with a significant amount to lose seem to stride along for a while.
Hi Granny, and welcome to you too – 31 lbs is extremely doable. Some great support here, makes the journey easier, and its nice to have company from people who are helpful and who don’t judge.
Well, still bumping along, so far this week one proper fast, one normal day and two semi-fasts – yesterday would have been good except for 5 digestive biscuits – oh the siren call of McVities – at least they were plain, not chocolate. So another try today – one bowl of soup left – would recommend to everyone to make soup – so much lower in calories than shop bought soups.
Where is Salma – is it this month or next that you leave your job? Blackdog, it does get easier – ok, it gets bloody harder some weeks, but overall it DOES get easier!! lol!
MM,Sherry, Opal, Cinque, Janey and everyone else, have a great day, soon be the weekend!!!
Travel hopefully ………………
Hi, Salma,
Hope you’re doing well! Starting next week..I’m 56 and in a job that, in every aspect, equals weight gain. Sleep researchers tell me “once you develop disease, like diabetes, [even if you get a different schedule] there’s no cure.” Scary, so trying to drop weight to help reduce risk of developing disease!!
Good luck to everyone here!
Hi XLDiva, Oh dear, shift work! I read your profile to understand what this job might be, and what a job! Thankyou for that great work! You don’t deserve to get fat and unhealthy as a result!
I really hope you can make 5:2 a good part of your daily life. It will be really interesting to see how it fits in. You will get lots of support here, so make sure you keep us up to date as you go.
We will be cheering you on!
Hi Diva
was discussing 5:2 with a nurse in hospital the other week, people kept coming in and asking if I was fasting – so weird, anyway she said it is well known shift workers weigh 20% more, true judging by the number of overweight young nurses.
I work from home, being within 10 feet of the fridge would be less of a problem if OH didnt fill it with goodies, worse still he comes home with all the bargains from sainsburys or marks, we have pain au chocolat, croissants, scones and teacakes in the kitchen every day. I usually avoid them – usually, ad Im losing in spite of the hurdles, hooe you do too.
Was hoping for a decent fast day today, after a couple of semi fasts though both of those days started out as fasts. 200 cals by dinner, so going great guns, except OH decided on a DVD and snacks of samosas, duck rolls and onion barjees, with coronation coleslaw!
And a shoulder of pork bought as well, pulled pork and ciabatta rolls for tomorrow. Bugger, with caramalised onion and slaw. Looks like Sunday and Monday will be fast days, and Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday!!!
Must say the pulled pork will be worth the sacrifice.
Salma, the newbies here might not realise this is the FA – foodies anonymous – thread, so of course will report how well the roasting goes, and if I have everyone drooling, then my job is done.
Isnt 5:2 brill, nothing forbidden – though nowadays its just one roll served as an open sandwich. Moderation iin all things. Well, except caramilised onions – lol!!!!!!!
Hi, Cinque and Milena, thanks for the support! I recently read about a study that showed mice, when fed off their circadian rhythm, gained weight even if they weren’t eating more calories than normal! I’m planning my fast days for my two overnight shifts, hoping to offset that.
Oh, heavens, pain au chocolat?!!?? We had a woman firefighter from France (yes, came all the way to New Hampshire, USA to get a job fighting fire) and she had bread and chocolate for breakfast. She’s also 20!!!
Well, tonight’s for dancing at Bollywood After Dark, at a club. Been decades since I’ve been to a club to dance but I’m old enough to throw caution to the wind and just throw down and burn some calories!!!!!
P.S. I teach a Bollywood/Bhangra fusion workout so I have an idea what I’m in for, lol!
I will definitely stay in touch. And just FYI. I’m cooking my original recipe Chicken Parmigiana fra Diavlo for dinner tomorrow night with malbec in the sauce and lots of Zinfandel to go with the meal. I think Sunday will be tacos made with grilled pork I marinated in ginger, jalapeños and Serrano’s, with garlic and sesame ginger dressing.
I’m no stranger to loving food!!!?
Hi Milena, Cinque, XLDiva ( great name!) , Minnesota Miss, Granny, DJ, Martin, BlackDog and everyone on the pages before this….have a great weekend! I am trying the High Intensity exercise that Michael talks about…. just short bursts of hard aerobics alternating with slower,,,, When I was ” skinny” I did 45-60 mins aerobics, and an hour of weights and stretching. For gds sake that was too much 🙂
SO lets see if this makes a diff… I do notice the weight seems to have stayed off despite not being so diligent at 500 cals on fast days. I am at going on week 6, having more fun with this.
Good luck everyone!
Hi all & welcome to the new folks!
Will only be able to pop in and out for a while. Hubby on the business trip I mentioned, and with 4 kids, time is a luxury I don’t have much of these days.
Eating plan going well enough. Aiming very hard to lose 3-4 lbs. in the next 3 weeks.
DJ, I do hope you stick around and continue to offer your advice/wisdom having reached goal! I’m so happy for you and Jayney that you’ve gotten there! Hoping your health issues are resolved soon too!
Granny and Martin, congrats on your losses. Best of luck in the weeks ahead!
XL, you definitely sound like you know how to have fun…You go girl!
MM, how’s the week going since regrouping after your birthday? I hope well. You and I both have our goals to reach by mid October, so let’s make a pact to DO IT! 🙂
Hi to Opal, Cinque, Milena & Salma who is still mysteriously MIA!
Will try to keep in touch as much possible while hubby is gone.
Good luck all & have a great weekend!
I have hesitated to go on about food. I spent the day making chunky tomato sauce from our garden. I’ve got the freezer full of sauce now. Home-made chicken stock on the horizon. I think it may be some sort of curse to love to cook and eat and to need to lose weight. I allow myself one really good thing on the weekend now. Risotto or pizza or crusty French bread. On and on it goes. I love to bake bread and by some cruel twist of fate, carbs make me gain weight out of all proportion. Pasta making is nirvana. Sigh.
Good luck with the exercise Opal. I’ve got a knee support and new shoes and will start serious walking tomorrow. I’ve missed that but it was too painful after my injury. Maybe the knee support will do the trick!
Milena, I’m lucky that my husband (at last) has decided he needs to eat less and more healthily. So, that means he’s no longer bringing things I cannot resist into the house. I may finally get somewhere with this reduction scheme.
Good luck to everyone. Health and happiness!
Hi 2black dogs! Sorry to have forgotten to mention you in last post! Kids are in bed and I have a moment.
Don’t worry about going on about food. It’s always on my mind too unfortunately. I think a lot of us are in the same boat or we wouldn’t have weight to lose. I can relate…I LOVE to cook too! It is soothing to me when I’m stressed. I just bought a book called “50 Ways to Sooth Yourself Without Food”. Hoping it gives me some good ideas. I’m sure one of them is mediation, which I keep meaning to try harder to do (I have what they call “monkey brain” which makes it a tad difficult) 😉
I also love feeding others (and myself!). I made a mean risotto three nights ago, and love to bake though hate to do it because I will eat it all! I wish I had a solution! My hubby is pretty good with regard to the junk food though he does love his chips. The kids are more of a problem. Having their food around calls to me. I try to buy/make healthy stuff for them, but you still need to have their cookies and chips…they are kids after all! Just keep plugging away the best we can, right?
Doing just what you/we are doing, putting it down here on the thread is helpful too! Good luck to us all! 🙂
Sherry
Hello everyone,
It is nice to read about the beautiful cooking that people are doing here. I am finding that Fasting leads to eating less generally, I am putting even more attention on making good meals. Quality rather than quantity!
I want to Fast tomorrow and I haven’t got a soup made, and my pantry is rather bare. But I think I will make a lightly spiced green soup with spinach and herbs from my garden and peas from the freezer. A little milk to make it creamy!
It is morning here and I am drinking coffee. Miso the cat is curled up on her favourite chair, and the sun is shining out side. That is a good start. Today is not a Fast Day but I will eat a smaller amount than usual: three small meals, no snacks. I have to balance out all the cuppas with milk in that I have on Fast days! And it still seems a generous amount compared to a Fast Day!
Best wishes to all of you. What is your day like?
Cinque, I love reading your little posts…they always seem so “zen-like”. I find them very calming as you seem to be at peace :). Your green soup sounds yummy and so fresh with veggies straight out of the garden! I’ve made a green soup before from a recipe that the actress Kirstie Alley created. You can look it up if interested, but it is A LOT of work with tons of green veggies going into it. It’s more like a winter afternoon project!
Not much going on hereabouts. The relentless HEAT is back with a vengeance (sigh). Other than a dip in the pool, we pretty much hide inside with the air on!
Today is a fast day for me and so far so good. Just a light muffin earlier and dinner will be an egg & salsa burrito and a salad, and then a frozen cherry/almond milk smoothie for dessert.
Best wishes to all for a great start to the week ahead!
Hi All
I am back from my hols and getting back on track today- first day back to work. Weighed in- put on of course but accept that and now ready to restart. Today and weds FD days and we are having soup for evening meal- hubby joining in on that too so that helps even though weight drops off him and sticks to me. So one marmite drink and 2 portions SF jelly in lunch bag and one carton of soup each in fridge, think its about 250 cals so have some left for an apple or a yog if desperate.
Sounds like most of you are doing well and your posts are very motivating.
Susie
Thanks Sherryann, I think I am most zen in the morning! This end of the day I’m more of a splat. Hmm, and trying to get ready for Fast Day tomorrow!
Thank goodness it is mild Spring weather here at the moment. I wilt in the heat. My sympathies. Do you get cool nights?
Hi Susie, I hope it was a great holiday! And a great Fast Day.
I looked up Kirstie Alley’s soup http://www.food.com/recipe/kirstie-alleys-green-soup-415078 and it is very much the direction I wanted to take the recipe I am basing mine on : http://kahakaikitchen.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/green-soup-indian-spiced-creamy-pea.html. It will be somewhere between the two!
Hi All, recently started on this train ride and have had great results so far, 9 lb in 3 weeks! Do have a lot to loose but so encouraged. Was really persuaded to try it due to all that lovely science in the book, but also because Im a bit of an all or nothing girl.
Hope to share all your secrets, frustrations and general experiences on this forum…
Hi all! Welcome Pam64, XL, Granny and any other newbies! Welcome home, Susie. Hope you had a lovely holiday.
Cinque, we’re fasting together today. I’m overrun by tomatoes, so made fresh tomato soup yesterday. It was lovely and would have made for a light dinner, except I picked up garlic naan from our local naan bakery. It was warm and smelled so delightful that I ate two of them! Sigh. On the bright side, I did cycle ten miles and garden for an hour, so I hope not too much damage was done. Today, no breakfast or lunch and then just the soup and some fruit. Local apples are coming in.
Sherry, Wednesday marks the solstice, but I’m afraid I won’t make our goal. I’m aiming now for the October 9 date as my chance to get rid of that hateful 3 on the scale. This week, fasting today and wondering when the next day will be. Friday would be good except I’m giving a talk in the great metropolis of Bismark Saturday and just noticed there is a dinner Friday evening. Still might try for at least a half-fast day that day, as it’s easy to fast while traveling. I hope your heat lets up. I just read that a friend of mine from Berkeley lost his home in the Valley fire. Terrible news. I love California so much and pray the drought lets up this winter. How is the “50 ways” book?
2Blackdogs, I’m with you. I love fresh bread and pasta. We now have two artisan bakeries here in mid-Minnesota. That may go part way to explain my weight gain of the past few years. 🙂 I sometimes call these extra pounds my “gypsies” because they come and go a lot and tend to invite their cousins and their cousins cousins to visit. I’ve been saying the only way I may get them to move might be to shut all the taverns and bakeries. Who wrote “A loaf of bread, a jug of wine . . .”? I could live on them.
Time to get back to work. Good luck to anyone who is fasting today.
MM
I read a lot about weight loss, stress, sedentary work because I write a column for a professional organization for emergency dispatchers. Recent study shows that when mice are fed off their circadian rhythm, they gain weight. I’ve decided to do my two fast days consecutively, the “days” I work my overnight shifts each week.
Does anyone fast two consecutive days? In my favor, I’ll be sleeping during the day most of the second day so I’m not concerned about being awake and hungry. And I can’t leave the building or even go very far from dispatch while all the firefighters are sleeping so I’ll only have access to food I bring.
Timing of meals will be odd as I work 12 hour shifts. But I’m ready to leap, Thurs/Fri this week my first fast days. Planning/cooking day for all four work days is today after I run my sled dog! Hook him to my bicycle, pedal like crazy…he runs like the wind!
Have a great week everyone!
Hi Pam
great loss! We certainly share our frustrations, I remember writing about ‘the night of the long knives’ – hubby had asked for my fast day staple, veg stirfry, on a non-fast night – after weeks and weeks of veggies, I went into the kitchen and murdered the lot!
Your had to be there, but I amused the folk here with my description of the veggies shaking with fear!!
Blackdogs – this is the foodie thread!!! Salma christened us Foodies Anonymous – the rules are, if you have something amazing to eat, you HAVE to tell us about it! Diva – recipe please – and also an idea of what to wear – thinking of outfits for a wedding on haloween day – not sure thought I could subject the world to my belly!
Always good to hear of fast day food, and healthy eating too, but I will put up my recipe for beef wellington at Christmas – was considering not making it this year but we only have it at Christmas (may rethink the 700g of butter in the puff pastry though- but might not, cos there is no sugar in the dish).
The only other rule to remember is life is too short for cheap wine!!
Love what you are doing Cinque!! I’m going to grow stuff next year!
Well done Opal – I do like hearing from folk who do exercise – missing Janey so much – btw Janey if you are reading this someone but aerial stuff on my facebook – blummin’ heck!!! – my exercise is whistling at all the effort. Fitbit going back on next week, restarting the walking, leaving gym for another few weeks.
MM – I think I have those gypsies as well, I actually plan on having gorgeous bread – otherwise I can’t pass the baker!
Well, yacked enough, off to watch Great British Menu now – masochism being my middle name – have a great week!
“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 Friends! Fast day today…. counted in my soy creamer in my coffee ( ugh black coffee makes me nauseous ) and hummus in a salad, so about 200-250 cals for dinner. I forgot all about soup! It was mentioned here and then Cinque posted those recipes! I am going to take elements of each and make a good veggie soup. Sadly its 90 degrees here in Florida, no fall in the air except the sky has a lighter blue. Sun sets earlier, which means mosquitos are out at dusk…. otherwise I would take walks! But those little beasts love me. Already have bites on me from just bringing in groceries the other evening.
Oh I am complaining too much. So yes, a good spicy veggie soup. But why oh why did you mention good wine milena 🙂 I am teasing you …. because I do love my good red wines! This has been a challenge but good for me to go off wine 2 days a week. I still find myself eating too much on my eating days but I am gonna try not to worry , and just do better each day as it comes.
Oh and my little local gym is closing! There goes my big success at high intensity training! I have to look for another gym . I work at home and dont want to exercise at home as well. I would never leave! LOL
Saturday night for a party I made a really good Thai red curry with veggies and tofu, in the crock pot! Tons of great recipe ideas on line and basically garlic ,ginger, onions, cabbage, bamboo shoots, mushrooms, sliced baked tofu, peas, carrots, red curry paste, hot spices, and coconut milk. Simmered on high for 4 hours and it was really good! As good as some of the Thai places! It was a hit at the party. Gained all those pounds back because I had a ton of the left overs the next day. Coconut milk is not low cal. hahaha….. But like we all keep telling each other, this is a way of life, not a hard diet. We are supposed to live and enjoy life too and learn along the way.
Drinking my wah wah and gonna start chopping veggies for the soup…I can have wine tomorrow, I can have wine tomorrow, I can have wine tomorrow….etc…. *wink*
Good morning everyone!
MM, we have crossed the dateline and so I think we are fasting together right now! (I bet you are asleep though?)
Yesterday got so busy I didn’t make the soup. And I think today is going to be even busier, so plan 2 is in place and I will have a small bowl of moong dal with salad leaves. Today will be the first Fast Day I haven’t had soup in the evening. Panic!!! Freak out!!!
No just joking I am a resilient person and I can cope!
Hi XLDiva, Two consecutive days makes great sense with your lifestyle. I haven’t tried it (because I get through the tricky bits of Fast Days saying “It’s only one day, it’s only one day!) but I know lots of people find it works for them.
I’ll be keen to hear how it goes!
Wow, hello to your sled dog! What is his name? I hope you have had a good cook up!
PS For the foodies: The dal I am eating is another Madhur Jaffrey recipe, and the delicate moong dal (they are the inside bits of mung beans) are soaked and steamed and lightly spiced. They end up more like a bowl of soft grains. It makes a lovely light meal. (Made a few days ago, so it’s probably just as well I finish it up today).
Oh my goodness! Where is everyone? I had to go back two days ago to find an entry? I have of course been AWOL because I’m the sole parent of 4 right now with my husband away on business. To say I’m a tad exhausted is an understatement!
There’s no exciting recipes going on in my house right now with the limited time…more frozen pizzas, tacos, etc. than I care to mention. ;).
MM, I wish I could be more motivating for us right now, but I just don’t have it in me! I’m just doing the best I can with my eating…some days I succeed and others not so much. Hoping you are moving along in the right direction. As you know, I leave for HI on October 9th. Right now my 70 year old mother who’s going with me looks better in a bikini than me (I sincerely kid you not!) and she wants to spend lots of time on the beach! So sorry for your friend’s loss in the fire in Northern California. We are so far spared here in San Diego. Usually that’s not the case and everything all around me is always burning up this time of year (knock on wood). I live in a rural area covered by sage brush which is great tinder for fires so we are always shaking in our boots come Fall time.
Susie, glad your home! Since you like chia recipes, a quick one for you:
1/4 c steel cut oats
1/2 c almond/cashew or other milk
1 TBSP chia seeds
1-2 packets stevia
Cinnamon to taste
Dash of freshly ground nutmeg if desired.
Stir all up well and refrigerate overnight in closed container. In the morning add blueberries (blackberries and bananas are also good) and chopped nuts of choice.
Hi to all the other gals and guys on this thread. Usually I like to comment back to most of you, but forgive me for being worn out.
Good night!
Sherry
Hi all
Sherry- thanks for recipe I do a similar thing with yoghurt too, this week I am trying not to have breakfast on work days- I LIKE breakfast but when I have it, it sets me up to keep,eating so today I am taking the oat/ chia/ yog/ fruit combo to work and will eat it for lunch, yum.
Done my 2 FDs tho sweet- just wondering whether to get on scales to see lowest weight or wait until Monday as a more realistic measure- this Monday was hideous after my hols – 6 up from last weigh in, but can’t complain I suppose- it was my choice to eat and drink all holiday. Suppose it was lucky we walked miles or it could have been worse!
Anyway, I am back for the long haul now- these weeks coming up to Xmas will be tough once the holiday foods start coming out so we need to stay strong on non fast days too.
I notice Milena is doing liquids only, 2 days except dinner on 2nd day, sounds tough but I could do that if I didn’t have to cook for DH- he is happy to do soups for evening meal to help me on FD days so that is our plan for now, if it doesn’t work then I might have to think again. Makes me mad that weight will just drop off DH but sticks to me like glue! Oh well- onwards!
Susie
Good morning to you all.
Yesterday was my birthday and I went off the rails in a spectacular way. Cheese fondue anyone? Champagne etc. It was fun but to say I’m feeling over indulged would be an understatement. Today I’m going to fast and that should fix me up.
Sherry, I don’t know how you manage to handle four little humans by yourself!
Hope everyone is having a fabulous week. Pam
Morning all!
Waiting for the pope’s address to congress to begin. Today is my second fast of the week. They go pretty easily on my teaching days. Like a few of you, I’ve discovered soup works pretty well–I fast all day and then have a big bowl of soup and some fruit and crunchy veggies for dinner. I made a great tomato soup out of about ten tomatoes from the garden and earlier this week, kale and bean soup. I added sausage yesterday for a non-fast dinner. Tonight I’ll finish the tomato.
Sherry, go easy on yourself. While you’re single parenting I would think it would be almost impossible to fast as well. I find the fasting takes energy and if I’m in a low mood or feeling stressed it’s just one more thing, and one thing I can let go. I’m staying off our friend the scale till the October 9 date but trying hard to get two fast days in each week. Then I don’t worry about what I eat on the other days.
Pam, happy birthday! I went off the rails for a week around my birthday earlier this month, so I hope you packed most of your celebrating into one day. Fondue! Yum! I haven’t made it in ages, but definitely want to once the weather gets cooler.
Opal, I share your weakness for the red wine. I, too, think it’s good to have two days a week on the wagon. A friend told me her doctor said a glass or two at night was ok so long as she had a few days in the week without. Fasting gives me something to say to the bottle in the fridge when it starts to sing it’s siren song.
Good luck to today’s fasters. Does anyone else find that the first fast of the week (Monday or Tuesday) is easy to get in and easy to do but the second much harder?
MM
A quick hello to everyone!
Belated Happy Birthday Wishes 2Black! I hope you have a very nice post feast Fast!
Hi MM, I woke up hearing about the Pope’s speech. He does say good things!
Best wishes for a nice Fasty time leading up up to Christmas Susie. Yay for soups!
Cheers to you and your 4 Sherryann! All power to you and best wishes for unbroken nights and few scraps through the day!
An exhausted quick “hi” to you all!
Salma, glad to see you’re back. Was worried about you! Hope all is OK with the parents. Not to pry, but did they move into an assisted living facility? I have a business that provides care for seniors in their own homes, so just curious.
Susie, yes, I’ve seen similar recipes using yogurt! Yummy any way you do it! Easy on easy off with the holiday weight! I’m sure you’ll have most if not all of that weight off after 1-2 weeks of fasts!
Happy belated 2BD! If you’re going to go off the rails, at least you’ve done it well! Nothing worse than going off the rails with food that wasn’t worth it! As for the four little humans, nowadays they’re more like monsters! Today was particularly stressful. Really though, I am blessed to have them, particularly at my age!
MM, I understand the wanting to stay off the scale. I think, however, I’m going to brave it tomorrow…wish me luck! It’s generally no surprise these days, I just seem to keep gaining and losing the same 2 lbs.! It would be glorious though if we could both enter the 120’s before our date of Oct. 9th.
Thank you Cinque and you other ladies for your well wishes during my challenging time alone with the little angels!
Off for a shower and bed!
Hi all
Happy late btd Pam- sounds like it was a good one! Think you have it right- with this way of eating we should be able to have the odd splurge day as well as sensible days on the 5 and the 2 should keep it all under control.
DH and I are trying to stay alcohol free for M- W , we go out on Thursdays for dinner then Friday is a thank goodness it’s fizzy Friday at last time as we get to the end of the work week. Later we are popping in on a friend’s btd tea- she is 60 and I will have cake but not a big ‘pig out’ so ok with that.
SherryAnn I am hoping it will be ‘quick on, quick off’ for the holiday weight- I did weigh yesterday and am down. Know some / most of that is water but still enough to keep me motivated, along with the colleague at work who is a real inspiration, having lost about 30lbs doing 5:2.
Salma, sorry you are having stress- dealing with elderly parents is tough and I do think you have to remember to look after yourself too. The fasting will still be here when you are ready.
Happy w/e, Susie
Hello to All!
Happy Friday, not something that often applies to me, the rotating schedule, you know. But after my overnight shift tonight I go to days off. My first fast day is today…er..night, as I did sleep all day.
Kicking it off with egg, portobello and tomatoes. Lots of herb tea for the long hours until 5am tomorrow!
Hope everyone is well and your daily stressors, especially with children, are letting up. A close friend of mine home schools her four girls, ages 22mos to 13 years. That looks like a three ring circus but with more chaos to me, lol! Bless all of you with children!
Well, the cats are circling like sharks so I Best sign off and feed them. Kenney and Nixie, and Storm is the dog. He’s staying nout of their way til they’re fed, the little savages scare him!
Have a lovely weekend!
Hi girls,
Very bleary-eyed this afternoon. I felt a bit like you XLDiva! I was up all night with my daughter’s blood sugars going like a rollercoaster. Tried to catch up this afternoon with a two hour nap, but felt worse after I got up. I’m not a good napper! I can’t imagine homeschooling my 4! I’d go flipping nuts! I need that break during the day. More power to your friend for doing so!
So I fasted yesterday and the day prior and couldn’t weigh this morning (my preferred method) before taking kids to school and eating so don’t know how effective the fasts were. Today on my eating plan I’m eating a fair amount of fats which fills me up so much I can’t eat much (a good thing I guess). I had my chia/steel cut oats/almond milk/nuts/blueberry bowl this morning and then a cashew milkshake around lunch and am stuffed. For any of you who may enjoy my healthy-ish recipes, here’s the one for the milkshake. It sounds weird, but tastes totally like a regular ice creamy milkshake!
Cashew Milkshake
1/2 cup raw unsalted cashews that have been soaked in water for 1 hour
1 cup almond or cashew milk
1 cup crushed ice cubes
pure vanilla extract to taste ( I used at least a tablespoon, but I love vanilla)
1 Tablespoon coconut sugar or stevia to taste
If you want to make it chocolate, add cacao powder to taste
Blend all well and add a dollop of whipped cream if desired.
1-2 servings depending on how big you like ’em!
Have a wonderful weekend all. I will try to check in during the weekend if possible
Sherry
Hi, SherryAnn and Salma and everyone!
Just in from my overnight shift followed by “zombie grocery shopping.”. I can identify my fellow overnighters, we all have a sort of stunned look on our faces and eyes nearly glazed over!
I read a study that showed meditating is better than napping, even for beginners. And no, full lotus position not required, just sitting comfy with eyes closed and using the method of counting breaths in and out will do. I tell the people who come to my presentation about dispatcher health and wellness that I will teach them to meditate in 5 minutes. And I do!?
So, twelve hours with no emergency calls makes for a dull night. The firefighters get to sleep and I’m up alone. But..also means nothing burned and no one hurt themselves or anyone else too badly. And gave me time to plan dinners this weekend.
Tonight a parsley stuffed thyme roasted chicken with baked potatoes and corn. A little brie on some toasted baguette first and wine!
Tomorrow night a large sea scallop each with bacon as a starter, then 3-4 oz of beef pan seared on a grilled portobello mushroom with bleu cheese and rosemary in it, garlic roasted potatoes, and broccoli. With wine! Chardonnay tonight and a nice red tomorrow. I”ll make a small batch of chicken soup from the leftovers for in the week, too.
I also got to watch Neil Gaiman’s movie “MirrorMask” which was brilliant but, as much of his work, was oddly beautiful yet nightmarish at the same time.
And the fast went well. I ate last at 4am Friday morning, then didn’t eat again until 5pm Friday after getting up, then ate at about 2am this morning for a total of 527calories in 24 hours. Not much hunger but I have to confess that I did a modified medical fast last year which was 4 shakes and a 400 calorie meal each day for four weeks, then we added back another meal each of the next two weeks. Lost a lot of weight but when I went to this horrid schedule and back to 1400 calories a day of food, well…gained it all back.
By all calculations that should be about half of what I’d need to maintain my current weight. I guess Dr. Atkins was right when he said all the rules get thrown out the window if you’re in menopause!
Alright well. I’ve certainly talked your ears off by now! But I’m happy to see an active and supportive group, thank you! Once I take a nap I’m going to take the sled dog bikejoring so he can have a good run. While I pedal like crazy behind him unless it’s downhill, vthen I hang on the brakes almost the whole way, he really digs in for speed downhill and it’s a tad scary!! He’s still young enough to go like mad and I can see how much he loves it…and having been bred for it, he’s a beautiful machine to admire when he runs.
Going face down in the bed, now. Have a lovely weekend!!!
Kids back to school tomorrow Sherryann? Or is there another week? I am thinking of you!
Congrats on a great first fast XLDiva! Give it a couple of months and see what it does to you! I hope you get a great sleep and a wonderful run with your sled dog.
I finally have enough concentration to say Hi, I have been recovering from a big day Friday – and need to lie down again now. See you tomorrow!
PS I made the green soup last night. Not quite delicious enough for my taste, but edible! I am going to have some more now and will see if I can tweak it!
🙂
Happy Sunday all!
Just fed the kids brunch, a baked cinnamon raisin bread, egg, and apple strata with bacon on the side. I have to get out soon and run errands. I need some new athletic shoes as my back is starting to hurt more and I think the shoes might be the culprit. You always hear you should change them out every 6 mo’s or so but I seem to wear them out more quickly.
XL, wish you lived on my coast so you could coach me in meditation too! I need it. Just remembering to try to do it is half the battle for me! Your meals make my mouth water…YUM! I agree, menopause is the pits! To me it feels like some alien took over your body and you just keep wondering, “Ok, what’s next?!” So, when it’s snowing, do you hitch your dog to a sled and take him out? That sounds like awesome fun!
Cinque, the kids are back in school Monday. Hubby will be home late Friday after having been gone 2 1/2 weeks. I am counting the days! The worst of it was yesterday before the 3 younger one’s soccer games. A big screaming fight broke out over who had who’s soccer socks. As a result we were almost late to the game. Also, my oldest daughter slept in and forgot to grab me to hitch a ride after taking kids to their game to drop her off at school for a Saturday field trip with her American Sign Language class to go to an amusement park for “Deaf Day”. So, because of her laziness and the crazy sock battle (which made me entirely forget her trip), I left without her and she didn’t get to go. I felt bad, but it was really her fault. She didn’t get up/remind me. She’s almost 15 and needs to learn that mom can’t do everything for her; she needs to accept some personal responsibility. There…I’m now stepping off my soap box!
Well, the weight is currently at the lower end of my 2lb up and down roller coaster, but I do feel I look thinner. So, maybe it’s inches lost before pounds right now for me…who knows? Just keep plugging away I guess!
Let’s all have a great week ahead! 🙂
Sherry
Hi Salma
keep the faith, I’ve had a week of very little, including a liquid day of 50 calories, not lost an ounce, but it will come! So I’ve had a lovely weeked with pulled port and tuna pasta, it might come off this week, if not, I’ll try again next week.
In spite of this 5 lb down on the month. No logic to this at all, so we have to just keep on keeping on!! Copenhagen a week on Thursday, I’m planning to do better than previous visits, calorie-wise.
Have a good week everyone, and welcome to all the new folk!
Oh Sherryann, 15 year old girls. Brllllblnbbbbbrrrrllllbbbb! That’s the only way I can express it! When mine was that age I couldn’t believe we would ever have a good relationship again! And three younger soccer ones too!
Cheers for surviving!
Isn’t the lack of logic between scales and eating behavior fascinating Milena. I think they must be in a slightly different universe and there is some bizarre lag in what they show.
Good luck with your 10 days Salma, but remember to be kind to yourself.
I think 5:2 is a good ratio for me. I have slipped in an extra Fast Day a couple of times, but 5:2 does seem to work best because it is easy and manageable to fit into my life in an ongoing way. It is every two or three weeks that I realise I have lost a bit of weight, so that is probably quite slow, but I am just so happy to be going in the right direction, and I feel so much healthier.
Oh, no,no Salma!! You must have some calories in the morning to kick off your day, especially protein! No wonder you’re faint from hunger, Dear Woman! Don’t make it so Spartan you’re faint, please? I cannot imagine hoping without sustenance, even 300 calories, at the start of my day, I’d just be climbing the walls for ANYTHING to eat!
And it’s very true that deprivation will trigger a binge. Slow and steady wins the race, you must give yourself good nutrition and tasty food to sustain you through those fast days. Please do take good care of yourself. The only reason I’m trying this is because it’s 5:2 and not continuous or alternate days. Honestly, I know from experience continuous isn’t sustainable and alternate days would be like shooting myself in the foot…on NFDs I’d binge on chocolate and cake!!!
OK, sorry to lecture but I just want you to be successful and comfortable. I do not believe that those two states are mutually exclusive.
Hang in there, big hugs!
Oh! Did the beautiful eclipse of the moon occur in your hemispheres? My husband and mom called to remind us and the children and I ran out in our pajamas and flip flops searching for the moon. Initially we couldn’t find it but then realized it must be in the eastern sky…we had to hike up a hill behind our house to see it peaking over the ridge of another hill. Gorgeous reddish-orange hue! Isn’t God’s artistry just amazing?!
Salma & Cinque, thank you for your words of encouragement! I will SURVIVE!
Salma, I know how frustrating it is when the weigh just won’t budge. I also just hope you don’t wear yourself out (remember your wisdom of the “plain vanilla 5:2?). Maybe like Milena you could modify it to include more “semi-fast” days to push things along? Or mix it up with the foods maybe? Sometimes I try a day or two of eating simply, just veggies, fruit, protein. Anything that’s different from the norm to get things moving. Best of luck!
Made the kids a yummy casserole of polenta, mixed cheeses, spicy sausage, scallions, garlic, milk and eggs…kind of breakfast for dinner!
Time to tuck them all in and then shower and bed. Night all!
Hi all
FD for me today- anyone else?
XL – I am with Salma- I used to always eat breakfast but lately I have found it better not to, seems to wake up my appetite, so I have coffee only until midday, when I have ‘ lunch’ of bovril drink and SF jelly and save the cals for evening meal. Whatever works I suppose.
I did weigh on the morning after my 2nd FD and was down, water weight I know so plan to weigh today as well for an accurate gauge- my colleague who lost 30lbs on this weighed every 2 weeks so she could actually see a loss each time, it went slowly but steadily for her.
Susie
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Michael Mosley gives an update for 2019, current research in the field and announces a tour starting in February.
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