The saga of the crazy cat continues. At 3:15 this morning she jumped down from our bed and started scratching at my chifferobe(tall free standing closet) as is her normal “signal”. I got up, came downstairs and she was no where to be found……sigh. I went back to bed and in about 10 minutes, she was back prancing around the bedroom. The husband got up and came downstairs and she went right to the door and out. I told him that from now on, it’s him that gets up. I don’t know why she does that, it’s not as if she’s afraid of me. I’m the one who typically feeds her, holds her etc. Only at night she runs and hides from me. I think it’s a game…I’m not a fan! I won’t bore you all with cat stories any more. I promise!

I’ve been doing pretty well with my diet this week. I did have a little melt down with hummus and pretzels last evening. I didn’t feel well during the night because of is. Live and learn.

Makica…glad you made it thru the meetings relatively unscathed. Don’t worry about the scale, between extra food and stress, it was bound to happen. The number will go down in short order.

Milena..keep us posted on the dress and the cravat. It’s so interesting to read about what’s happening with everyone.

Salma..good going on being back in the swing. You’ll get back to the exercise routine in due time. Don’t pressure yourself too much.

I was going to go to boot camp this morning, but my hips are so sore from yesterday that I was hobbling when I got out of bed this morning. Not sure what moves caused the extra soreness, but OUCH!

Off to find a bit of breakfast. Have a good day everyone!

And BTW my FD on cold press juice going well although the day is young!

LOL Lori you GLARE at her! Seriously!?

Milena girl don’t keep us up worrying! You left it as the worst cliffhanger possible. We are hungry ladies deprived of wine, chocolate and yummy pastry. Give us the details… dress and all!!!

Hello everyone!

Sorry it’s taken me so long to get back on here! Getting back in the swing of things with a 3 hour time difference (not in the good way) coming back to California has been difficult! Hubby did hold down the fort well though…not too much laundry or mess to come home to! Thankfully, I married the right man!

Girls, I can’t believe it but I’m actually losing weight now. I’m down to 127.6 (about 2 1/2 lbs. down from before I left for Hawaii Oct. 9th)! I’m excited and attribute it possibly to a few things: 1) I got to ratchet down the stress level (you know, the cortisol thing, Salma!) a bit while in Hawaii, despite traveling with my mom for part of the trip and living through flooring installation 2) visiting with the wellness counselor put me back on a path to more mindfulness with regard to what exactly I’m eating-now, I’m eating a lot cleaner and also trying to distress through meditation…still working on that one though! 3) My appetite has been off due to the time change. My body just can’t figure out when it’s time to eat and I’ve lately been eating a mid-day-ish meal and very little at dinner because I’m just not hungry till later and then it’s time for bed so why bother!

Ok, Lori, I believe wanted to know what the wellness counselor suggested for me. I don’t want any of you to think I’m suggesting you go here, but this is what she had to say: Interestingly, I asked the counselor what she thought about intermittent fasting. After looking at some blood work, saliva, and urine analysis I did with a naturopath MD almost a year ago, she said that my adrenals were very taxed (STRESS!) and fasting isn’t the best thing to do in that state because your body is already stressed. She’s good with narrowing the eating window to the 8-10 hours/day. Also suggested with regard to adrenal fatigue issue that I make sure I’m having around 24g of protein per meal, and try for 30g at breakfast. Also, lots of non-starchy veggies and limiting carbs (no sugars) to about 20 per meal. I’ve loosely started to adapt to some of these suggestions, but am nowhere near perfect at this point. I have had to kick the caffeine (adrenal stressor) to the curb. Not that I had that much, but no more caffeinated green tea in morning nor my green coffee bean Bai drink in the afternoon.

Also suggested was a freshly juiced green drink each day (without much if any fruit in it). So, Makica, I’d be interested in your recipe! I’m glad, Makica, that you have the stress over with the BoD’s finally being gone. And, I’m with you, being forced to eat catered or restaurant meals for an extended period of time is awful. Most of the weight I’m sure is sodium related and will resolve within the week with lots of fluid intake!

Cinque, you always seem to have a soup in the pot! You should share some of your wonderful sounding recipes with us! With winter coming in the states, I could use some good soup recipes!

Salma, so glad to hear you’re in better spirits and doing better with FD’s! You go girl!

Milena, hope I too hope the dress was located! Nothing more frustrating than planning on wearing something and it’s nowhere to be found!

All right girls, need to pick up a child to take him to his doctor physical and then fetch the other 3.

Have a great day and talk to you all soon!

Sherry

It sounds like many of you are having successful fasts! Here’s praying the scales show your efforts! 🙂

Hiya!!!

WELL – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday – all fast days – though started today eating breakfast at about 3.30am, just a wee bowl of muesli though.

11.30 – smoking jacket, cravat, mousetashe, butcher’s knife and meat cleaver all arrived – all amazing – and also the black wig – so awful I was thinking of cancelling the dentist and leave the veneer off, what a crone I looked!

No efforts made on the dress front, so I went into the garden – OH asked me what I was doing – I was moving tyres – just trying to make the garden horse proof, was my reply – perhaps, I asked, I should pop to my sisters to borrow one of the horses, but I would have to make the garden horse proof first. As my sisters are in Newcastle he was clueless, until I told him if I was going as Lady Godiva I needed a horse!!!

Straight up to the Loft – up for an hour, though he had found lots of stuff, including a wolfs head which I had never seen before – but had apparently bought when son was at school ????? I left him up there searching for another thirty minutes before I told him I’d actually found the dress in one of the bags he had already chucked down.

Tell me if I’m boring you …………….

In my head the dress was more A line than the tight sheath I was holding, but I put it on – 22 years after the last time. Well, its definitely tight, but zips up – and looked a lot better with the spanx knickers – can’t wear a bra with it, but not a problem as long as I don’t dance – or maybe even walk quickly. Long dress with a sort of sweetheat neckline, but the arms and the top of the dress are black sequined last, the rest plain black stretchy velvet with a split up the back.

Both OH and son (both of whom are not men to ask if your bum looks big in something -if you bum does look big, they will tell you!!) said it looked great!

Looking for long stem roses to cut the heads off, so I can hold them in front of me to hide my tum. And I have just ordered another wig – in the hope a fifty quid wig will look better than a five pound one.

Managed a 497 cal fast day, and will probably eat as little as possible until Saturday night – mainly strangers so what the heck, everyone will be more concerned about their own outfits than anyone elses – problem is we are going to a party in the cul de sac afterwards, and these folk all know me!

Oh Milena…..I just LOVE your posts. I’m sitting here at 4:45AM picturing you in your wig & dress, clutching the headless roses. LOL! Thanks for the morning chuckle!

Sherry, thank you for sharing your Doctor’s input. I have heard that before about fasting being stressful for the adrenals. I look forward to hearing how you’re doing with the new plan.

As for me, the scale continues to go down 2 lbs and then back up 2 lbs. It is getting quite frustrating, especially since I feel thinner and when I look at myself in the mirror, I think I look thinner thru the middle. Sigh…. I have been so good this week with not eating sugar and eating veggies and fruit. Oh well…I have no choice but to keep with the healthy eating and keep chugging along. It is rather heart breaking to be sure the number will be down when you step on the scale and then see the same dreaded number again! I am quite sore this week from boot camp, so I’m hoping a bit of it is fluid retention in my poor sore muscles.

Cinque..enjoy your slow day of behaving like the cat! Have a good nap and a stretch! 😉

Have a great weekend!

Good morning, ladies.

Sherry, wow! I’m sooooo impressed. You’re way ahead of me at this point, but you go girl! I’m still avoiding the scale for at least another week, but I did notice yesterday that a skirt that had developed the nasty habit of creeping up toward my boobs was staying nicely in place at my waist, so I must be losing a bit around my waist, which is where I most need it. Three weeks before my next travel and I’m going to push for a loss like yours.

Lori, it’s precisely the 2 down, 2 up sort of thing that made me decide to only weigh myself after a month. Makica, I’m pretty sure clear soup is part of liquids only, just no cream soups. You and Sherry also inspire me to get back to meditation. I’ve often thought of doing a week long Vipashna (silent) retreat. Haven’t quite gotten up the nerve yet but do let us know how it goes. I used to sit every in silence every morning (I’m a Quaker) but haven’t these last couple of years. But you remind me that it’s good to keep the cortisol down and I need that.

Do wish we had pictures. I’d love to see Milena in “the dress.”

No chance for another full fast day this week as I’m driving a friend to a family funeral today and tomorrow, but like you, Milena, I’m going to try to eat as little as possible. Shouldn’t be hard at the funeral. Minnesota is the home of church dinners and funeral lunches made up pretty much of “hot dishes” (casseroles) and jello.

Have a lovely cat day, Cinque. Love to you all,
MM

Good evening/morning everyone!

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I lost another pound, down to 126.6 (down about 5 since a month ago). I’m amazed to say the least! Why am I now losing after months of up 2, down 2? Not sure exactly! Besides what I said prior I think I can attribute this mostly to the simple facts of not being very hungry/eating much and when I do eat, it’s low carb (mainly a small amount of fruit) and lots of protein, veggies, and some yummy fats like olive oil, nuts, avocado. I kind of sound like I’m doing paleo, but it’s not really intentional…I am allowed around 20 carbs per meal…I’m just listening to what my body wants. I’m so hopeful now that I can reach 120 (or less?!) by Christmas!

Ok, one other thing I’ve been doing (and don’t laugh-especially you Milena! I’m sure you will crack us up with your come-back on this one!) is “dry brushing”. You can google it if interested. Basically, it’s taking a soft bristle bath brush and before you get in the shower, you brush your dry body in fast short strokes from toes to heart and then down from neck to heart. It’s supposed to assist in helping your lymph system detox (dare I say release fats?). I’m putting it out there even though it sounds weird, because that’s what we do here! Say weird things in the hope of helping each other! 😉

MM, I got a visual of your boob-creeping skirt and had to laugh! Glad is migrating downward finally! I really feel in my heart that when you jump on that scale soon that you will have good news! 🙂

So Makica, you’re going on a meditation vacation? Sounds absolutely heavenly! You’ll see, I’m sure, what a benefit a little solo time and stress relief has on your attitude and the weight loss! Have an awesome time!

Milena, how fun going to a costume party! Haven’t been to one of those in ages! When we finally remodel our home, I’ve committed to throwing a big one! It too am laughing at visuals in my brain of you in that get-up. You do have a way of painting pictures with words!

Cinque, so glad you’re having a wonderful time with your daughter and grandchild. Sounds lovely and “chill” as we say here in California…very relaxing! Remember to provide us some of your yummy soup recipes when you are able!

Lori, best of luck with regard to the cat saga. I agree with the others in that a little “tough love” is in order! When I don’t sleep well, it negatively impacts my whole day and they say it slows weight loss! You sound like you’re eating really good stuff (just don’t even buy those darn pretzels and hummus to tempt you!).

Time for bed~ Night all!

Sherry

Hi Sherry

I’ve been dry brushing since I found the brush I bought about 10 years, lurking in the cupboard in February! It’s brilliant, been even helping my legs a little. Make sure you slaver cream all over afterwards, cos when you lose three stone like I have it will stop the skin sagging.

Did y’all notice that? FINALLY, those pesky two pounds gone. And all it took was a five day fast. Bloody hell, my fat really is hanging on, but it’s war and I’m winning!!!!! And jumping around the bedroom!!!!!!!!

Embellished my frock last night, and really pleased, putting a net edging on the hem and inserted a net train into the split at the back. Still to cut it down but actually it’s gorgeous. Also net on the sleeves. Roses getting painted black soon, and then painting me.

So looking forward to seeing the bride!!!! Her wedding dress changes into a halloween dress.

Hi Salma, yes pretty much the same story here. Just starting tomorrow. I thought I’d team it up with the days I do Pilates and during the work week as I have more control over food intake then.
I just turned 54 on Friday and then today saw myself in a full length mirror. I almost died! I sag. But the sag is filled with fat! Horror of horrors. This is it. I will not accept this horrible form.
I already gym and watch what I eat but I remember that years ago I was at my best and sveltist when I fasted most of the time. No not anorexic but I must have been close.
I can’t run like I used to a few years ago because I’m old now and bits of me hurt. But I do do the gym and ride the bikes etc.
Here’s hoping this works! I’ve seen others succeed so that’s what I’m going to do, succeed! So will you!

Hi all
Sherry- well done! Finally those scales are your friend! Interesting to read the food person ideas and also about the dry brushing- not tried that. I do moisturise after my shower each day to stave off dry areas- not sure it will help with sag tho- too late in my case Milena!
Loved the dress description- maybe it’s good our imaginations can run riot and not need a photo.
I am trying to be more careful with my eating think I was trying to not eat too much on non FD days then failing overall as hungry and thinking about food all the time- so now trying to eat bit more but good stuff mostly and upping the veg and fruit. I like soups too, nice and hot and filling now cooler weather coming. Haven’t been on scales- might look next week but don’t want to be discouraged if don’t see a number I like- maybe I should try the once monthly plan?
Onwards, Susie

Dear Lori, my best friend and I suffer from the same – hypothyroidism. We both go to the same doctor – an Endocrinologist that suggested that we self regulate our medication until we feel good. I take 75 mg of Euthyrox on MTTFS and a 100 mg on WS. I fell good when my TSH is 2.5 and my friend when her TSH is 0.4. So it is very individual. We do blood work every 2 moths to see where we are and it has worked for both of us. You just need a supportive doctor and find the dosage that feels best for you.

Salma..congratulations on being jobless! Well, for the next couple months at least! Enjoy your break from the working world.

We had a nice time at the birthday party for my friend who just turned 80. She was totally surprised and, she cried, of course! A good time was had by all. Add to that, I got SO many comments like, “My gosh! You’ve lost a lot of weight!” or “Are you still losing weight?” I had to keep saying that, no, I haven’t lost more weight, as thinking to myself, the scale is actually up this week! So, I guess I’ve lost more fat, but that dang number on the scale continues to go up and down. When I would tell my commenting friends that no I haven’t lost weight recently and that I’d like to lose another 30 lbs or so, they said “WHY?” It made me feel good to know that people think I look good where I am, but at the same time frustrated that the scale doesn’t agree with perception. Does that make sense? I think I’m losing my mind. 😉

One of my friends wants me to take Wednesday afternoon off work to play golf, so I have to check the schedule today and see if it will be possible. The weather is to be really nice and we’d like to take advantage of it.

I’m not sure I’ll be able to stick to the only weigh once a month thing. I guess I’ll try, but the scale will call to me every few days, I’m afraid. We’ll see how it goes.

Off to boot camp in a few minutes. We’re doing cardio boxing this morning. Love hitting the heavy bag at 5:45AM!!!

Have a great day!

Hi lovely people,

Third week and still adjusting and fine tuning my WOL as a member of FA. My scale is up 1 kg – 2.2 lbs. But I shall prevail! Under other circumstances I would have given up! Bit I have all of you and remember how you all had this phase of finding the right measure of FD and NFD and TDEE.

I feel like a member of a secret society or spy organization writing in all of these codes FA, WOL… TDEE LOL

So on we, go all of us down the path to a better way of taking care of our selves.

I will do 3 fast days this week. I leave for the seaside on Saturday and will do my bet to fast at least 2 days while I’m there. Today one meal, chicken soup with a lot of vegetables.

Still doing the loving-kindness meditation so sharing the message I send to all of you every night:

May you be filled with loving-kindness,
May you be well in body and mind,
May you be safe from inner and outer dangers,
May you be truly happy and free.

Love m

Pretty weird Salma!

Lori you are not loosing your mind! Who cares what the scale says the important thing is that you look good and more important if you feel good in your own skin/body.

Love m

Hi all,

My weight started moving again, I’m down 0.6 to 125.8. I haven’t seen this number in 1 year, so I’m very happy.

The rapidly approaching holidays worry me. I’m so regimented right now but come Christmas, I become a baking/cooking feen ??! The hilarious thing is that no one eats like they used to in the good old days! The nieces & nephews are all in their 20’s now & I think ” watching it” and forget about the older relatives- they’re definitely watching it and not eating all the glorious treats I’ve slaved over for days. Oh sure, they all “ooo and ah” at everything & take little careful nibbles but ultimately I’m left with a truckload of food that neither me nor my kids need. I even try freezing the sweets, but as I’m sure you’re all aware, cookies straight out of the freezer are VERY edible! I think it is the Italian in me- you know we DO have to feed the world! God forbid someone leave the table not completely stuffed!

On a different note, I can attest to how wonderful the solo vacation is. I think that any of you who are interested and who can get away, even for a few days will feel better for it! Salma, even though it might only be a month, I’m sure you will reap the benefits of your time off- you’ll see!

Makica, it hasn’t been all that long since your BoD companions left- so extend that loving kindness to yourself! Sometimes I find it takes me up to a week to get rid of the damage done by 1 dinner out! And, as you said, you’re still tweaking your calorie ranges, etc. I’ve never understood the TDEE- for me personally, my number seemed obscenely high & varied depending on what website you looked it up on!

Lori, that is frustrating! I’m sure all that muscle you’ve developed from your many workouts makes your weight on the scale higher, but yet the muscle makes you look thinner! At least it’s a good problem to have people think you weigh less! I’m sure with your ongoing classes that you’re going to find some info to help you out!

Hi to Milena, MM, Cinque, Susie, Kez & anyone else I may have missed!

Time for dinner- Chicken Tikka Masala in the crockpot!

Sherry

Lori, scales are mad, that’s all there is to it!
I am so glad you had a great party for your 80 year old friend.

I wa telling friends I was doing 5:2 and one person was particularly shocked, saying I don’t need to lose any weight. But when I laughed and grabbed the top of my arm in its sleeve and said ‘you can’t see the extra half kilo I am carrying just here!’ She knew.

It seemed that my witchery worked along side Milena’s own skill at getting her husband up to the loft! Did you have fun wearing your dress Milena?

Salma, what a wonderful farewell, a great way to finish a job. I hope you can manage lots of pockets of delicious quiet time in among the things you have to do,
I am usually fairly housebound because of illness (me/cfs) and at first I was so resentful of losing my work and my social life. But gradually I have come to think of it like a little hermitage, and appreciate the small quietness of it. It does make things like 5:2 more focussed, and easier to plan.
I’m a bit more like you, Milena, but without all the travel! – except of course I have travelled now! Home tomorrow to my cat and a quieter life.

Sherry, I hope you can find a way to do all the things you love for Christmas without being overwhelmed by more goodies than needed. It can be so tricky when tradition and emotion are challenged by changing times.

Soozy, good luck with the alternate week weighing, sounds like a sensible idea.
Makica, thank you for sharing that lovely meditation.

Good Morning!

Up early, even though I can’t go to boot camp this morning as I have to be in to work early for a meeting. 🙁 There go my carefully laid plans! I just found out yesterday afternoon about the meeting. So, the plan has changed to going to boot camp Wed, Thurs & Friday. I never go 3 days in a row, so we’ll have to see how I feel. I was pretty beat up after yesterday’s boxing session. I was really beating on that heavy bag!

I had a good eating day yesterday and hope for the same today. I almost stepped on the scale this morning, but managed to avoid it. Still wondering if I’ll be able to stay off for a month?! I have a feeling once a week will be the best I can manage.

I’m all set to play golf with my friend tomorrow! I’ll get off work at 11:30, come home and change, throw the clubs in the car and off I go! Should be a fun afternoon.

I was SO busy at work yesterday that I didn’t even have time to take a proper lunch break. I just ate a banana with some natural peanut butter at my desk. I’m hoping today is less stressful. Some days it seems that all he!! breaks loose and other days are so boring. Oh well…less than a year to go now!

What are you all up to today?

Hi Salma

it is war, isn’t it – fasted yesterday, fasting again today and again on Thursday – weekday non-fast days are difficult, I seem to stay in fast mode. Just a pity I’m good at unravelling the knitting at the weekend! Going teetotal for six weeks, if I can’t have wine with food, I tend to think of food I don’t eat with wine – does that make sense? Pizza – red wine please, and coleslaw – chicken wraps – white wine – lamb – red wine, beef – red wine – salmon or prawns – white wine. Tinned tuna sarndies – tea – soup – water. Its all a bit limiting – lol!!!

Lori, what are you going to do when you retire – I can’t see being able to retire this lifetime – though I do what a lot of folk do in their retirement – will be easier once the mortgage is finished next year, but I spent years building my last business for it to fail when my biggest customer went bust – thankfully didn’t go bankrupt but it took years to come out the other end, during which OHs biggest customer, Tesco, stopped building – ah well, good things come out of bad situations. Took a while to being together 24/7 but OH and I get along well, acutally miss each other if we are apart for a day. And I only occasionally plan his murder!

Saturday went well, tryig to work out how to put up the pics, no-one recognised me, not even the neighbours who hosted the halloween party in the evening. Most got the outfit though I did get a couple of Cher suggestions. Earlier, wedding went well,Bride’s dress was completely over the top, satin, sequins and net,including a tiara and a huge fru fru train – bustier top, ballerina length dress and silver shoes – this woman is nearly 50, and everything was done on a very tight budget. Little bridesmaids were in purple – grown up bridesmaids in black. Sounds awful – but it wasn’t.

She was the most beautiful bride I have ever seen, and the dress was truly amazing, a proper fairytale bride – and she removed the train, added purple wings and became a fairy! Loved the whole day.

Milena I just asked to be your friend Marijana Novakovic

Blummin’ amazing eh? don’t have a photo, does that help, or send me an email – addy is on my profile – well, I’m certainly not the one in the black bikini – I wish I was though – I only have about a dozen friends – so I am either very choosy or johnny no mates! does that help?

Hi Lori and Makica

got them both, thank you!!!

Hi guys,
I want to see too! I just sent you a friend request fro my hubby’s Facebook account since I was to too lazy to ever set one up! It’s Paul Dziuban- please friend him (me)!

Sherry

You all can feel free to friend me too!