Wow Milena Copenhagen sounds amazing! We have been there but only for an afternoon, on the return leg of a coach holiday to Russia. The little mermaid is just that, little.

Well done mammar and Fg, you both seem to be making a good start. How are you doing Dollysue?

I did a 400 calorie fast yesterday, finishing with thin homemade soup at 6pm and I have had nothing to eat since. Just black coffees, loads of water and just tried green tea for the first time, it doesn’t taste of much. I will be having a cup of Bovril for tea while my oh has a fray bentos pie and oven chips! That will be a challenge. Not long till breakfast tomorrow.
Happy fasting!

Well done Mammar and FatGraham! I think a good general rule is to avoid eating if you feel no hunger. You really can’t go wrong there.

Personally, even though I’ve been sticking to the 5:2 and haven’t been the least bit off, my weight has crept up from the lowest it’s been on Saturday morning (yes, even after a fast day). I’m beginning to think that maybe my weight has gone down enough that I need to lower my TDEE again. I thought I was already at goal TDEE, but maybe not (since I have been toying with lowering my goal, a lower TDEE would be in order).

Starting today, I’m lowering my daily calorie intake by 240 (that means I’ll only have four Tablespoons of olive oil per day instead of six). This is only until I see the naturopath again a week from this Friday. I figure in that amount of time it can’t do much harm, and I’ll have some good data for us both when I see him again.

Happy fasting Applepie–my turn tomorrow!

Hi Salma,

If it wasn’t for all the olive oil, I could have a 1000-calorie day. However, given all that oil, it’s barely possible to have actual meals besides. It will be interesting to see what happens when I lower the oil. That will get my daily calorie count below my new TDEE of 1400. I suppose if all else fails I could try throwing in an extra fast day as well–depending on what the naturopath says–but I’m going to stick to 5:2 for the moment. I hope the scales are good to you tomorrow!

Welcome Beanie M! Glad you’re with us and that 5:2 is working for you.

Great going Lori,

Keep up the good work! I’m off to the gym soon myself, and aerials after that. BTW, I just discovered this and was wondering if any Brits have tried this product:

http://www.specialistsupplements.com/mealtime-chocolate

I will run it by the naturopath before ordering (and likely the nutritionist as well), but an entire meal in 102 calories seems great–for fast days or any day when you don’t have time to cook and need complete nutrition. What do you think?

Milena, the olive oil is really good for you. My issue with it is that my TDEE is so low (well I just lowered it by 200 calories), so it’s difficult to eat much else after all the olive oil and psyllium. I hope I do OK cutting out 2 Tablespoons of it (that I did for the first time today). The scales will tell the tale tomorrow, but at least tomorrow is also a fast day.

Staring another Fast day in the face! I have a feeling it may be a difficult one. I’m just feeling a bit hungry now, but it will pass. I just have to remember that lower number on the scale this morning and have a good fast day so I can see an even lower number tomorrow!

Milena…boot camp is HIIT(High Intensity Interval Training). We do a bit of everything…running, jumping jacks, push ups, work with dumbbells etc etc. It is the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but the changes it makes in your body are remarkable. I’ve been doing it for over 2 years and have about 350 sessions completed.

Salma…enjoy your normal eating day. I sure enjoyed mine yesterday! Congrats on a great loss since the beginning of Feb! You have a good couple of weeks until your trip, I’m sure you’ll reach your goal.

Jayne, I’m intrigued by all the olive oil you drink! I take a TB of coconut oil in a cup of coffee on normal days, but don’t use it on fast days because of the high calorie count. On Fast days is the oil the only calories you take in?

I’m enjoying my morning off from exercise. Just sipping coffee and catching up with all of you. Hope you have a wonderful day!

Hi Everyone,

First let me clear up one mystery. At this point I have no food on fast days–just psyllium thrice, the stevia flavouring and natural energy powder I put in my water, and my supplements–no olive oil.

On feast days, until yesterday I had 2 Tablespoons of olive oil thrice daily, but starting yesterday, I’ve cut that to 2 Tablespoons of olive oil twice daily (to cut my TDEE below 1400–my idea, not the naturopath’s–yet)–on food (i.e. sausage, veggies, salad, etc.) and in meal replacement shakes. Not once have I ever just drunk it down (though once or twice when I didn’t have time to have veggies with dinner I have mixed the olive oil in with the psyllium and stevia–but that isn’t something I like to make habitual).

Also, to clarify, I decided to lower the TDEE because I was thinking of lowering my goal weight and I hit a mini-plateau and wanted to see if this could get the scales to start moving downward again. Please also bear in mind that I’m all of 4′ 10″, so can’t have much of a TDEE in the first place–unless I work out like a fiend daily–which I don’t ;-). Alternatively I could throw in an extra fast day, but wanted to hold off on that until my next appointment with the naturopath a week from Friday. It might be interesting to both lower the TDEE AND throw in an extra fast day, but as I’ve said, I’ll wait on that for now. I’m sure the naturopath isn’t going to like that I’ve lowered the olive oil, but I thought it was worth trying briefly.

I hope that makes sense. Also Lori, thanks for clarifying about boot camp. I didn’t realize it was HIIT. I’m currently doing half an hour of HIIT thrice weekly (in addition to strength training and aerials thrice weekly). Like I’ve said before, I’m doing that now because once my new job starts (whenever that is) I’m not sure exactly how often I’ll be able to exercise (but hopefully at least four times weekly). I hope this clarifies things.

Sounds like you had a great trip indeed Milena. I bet you wish they were all like that!

Hi Jayneyw, it was wonderful, looking at the flights now for a return trip, though probably for just two or three days.

Glad you mentioned that you are wee, had me a tad confused when you first explained things, your regime is most interesting. Must say usually when folk start talking – writing – the science, I glaze over. Not good, though just managed to refuse to go for a latte with OH, doable but probably not the best choice on a fast day with only 230 calories left. Though if he asks me again………..

I reckon if a decent rack was invented, it would make the inventor a fortune. Im 5’3″ and a stretch to 5’9″ would be lovely, I would be carrying this weight so much better.

The racks used in tudor times tended to yank arms and legs out of sockets, a bit painful, though i suppose that was the object of the exercise.

And as no one has bothered sorting out childbirth, periods or the menopause, cant see an invention anytime soon.

I have a tablespoonful of coconut oil a day, but just swish it around my gums for 15 minutes, then spit it out. Tried it straight out of the jar instead of warming it to oil, nearly threw up. Havent cooked with it yet though.

How are things jobwise, or is it still on the back burner at the mo?

Travel hopefully

Thanks Milena

I find it better to think of it in half stones. Seems more achievable.

How long have you been on it?

Ginette

Hi All,

Milena, do let us know when you’ll be traveling again. Just FII, so far (at least for this morning) lowering the olive oil doesn’t seem to have helped much, but I will keep trying it for the rest of this week anyway. I think fasting today will really tell the tale though.

Welcome Ginette, and have a great week all!

Hi Milena

My mother became seriously I’ll quite quickly so I had to move her in with me. In 5 years I put on six stone. I think it was the worry. After that I just carried in putting on weight. I missed my 10% weight loss target by 1lb today. This is from year. Before 5:2.

I have another appointment with trainer in 6 weeks. At least I will have done it by then.

He doesn’t really approve of 5:2 although he is pleased I am losing weight. He thinks when I come of of it I will put weight on. I am happy as long as I am losing and I just need to prove him wrong.

Ginette

Hi Applepie, she is! A small city but you cant do it in a day.

I once worked for an american millionaire, ran the office in his factory – bought and sold shire horses too but thats another story!! Anyway, he and is wife went to ‘do’ Europe, bought a huge Harley Davidson, left Monday morning, they were back by Friday, nine countries done, and we were 6 hours from Dover! They did see the Eiffel tower but missed the Louvre! Though I cant talk, once went to Piza and didnt see the leaning tower – but then again was searching for a Saab garage, an altercation with a pot hole in the mont blanc tunnel! No SAAB garages anywhere in Italy, luckily had brainwave and got a wheel shipped from Edinburgh.

Salma, was pondering a blog, the world does 5:2!!! Already started a sitcom, OH’s best mate has a really funny life – well his life is a total disaster, with catastrophies and calamities for light relief – well not very funny at all really, but he relates his tales of woe with a dead pan expression, latest was going into a puddle in a forest, in the wilds of Scotland in a range rover, in snow, in January he jumped out when the water hit the windows, his passengers stayed put, his SOS on the satellite phone was ignored as they thought he was joking! Well, he did see the funny sude, eventually.

Just finished back to back fast, well now finished eating on today’s fast, things you do when a free lunch is on offer! Does anyone fast Saturdays? Jayneyw? Is it even allowed? Thinking about it, already offsetting tomorrows lunch.

Graham, hope you went easy on the mayo, I had lashings, it put on 2.5 kilos in 5 days. Couldn’t possibly have been the wine, there is no fat in wine!!! Hope you enjoyed it.

Travel hopefully ……

Joining in the conversation. See several names from other threads which is nice but also many new/others.
2nd fast day (this go around-have done IF before successfully-that is until stopped!). A little bit of hunger this time compared to Monday. Normal days will be Mon and Thurs but have an event tomorrow with lots of champagne so I want to be able to enjoy! Alos hoping to throw a FD on Saturday in the mix as often as I can.

Today, broke-fast at 2:30pm with a few blueberries and some almond milk. Fish, veggies and some butter (I don’t eat low fat) for dinner.

Hope everyone had a good fast or feed day.

Hi All

I am on my very first second fast, going ok and have been reading all the threads. I have 7 stone to lose feels a bit daunting though but I will get there. Reading what you all are doing has given me real encouragement. Ive got a little emotional writing this but Im heading in the right direction now.

Hi all, Milena, went to make my pastrami sandwiches and discovered I hadn’t got any bread out of the freezer, so had to make do with chicken tikka masala with rice. I’m on a FD and I’m now thinking of chicken tikka masala. Why do I torment myself!

Good Morning!

As predicted, yesterday’s fast was difficult. I ended the day at about 800 calories, but no matter, the scale was still kind. I’m down 3 lbs for the week so far! Feeling fantastic. Today is a 1,000 calorie day and then tomorrow I shall have a treat!

Had an awesome boot camp workout this morning. It will be my last one until Monday, so I have a few rest days in front of me. I may do a couple miles on the treadmill at some point this weekend. I’m so anxious to be able to run outside! I was hopeful that it would be soon, but more snow coming tomorrow. This is the winter that won’t die!!

How is everyone’s week going?

Hi fastdiet115

Yes I am on the other thread with you.

Welcome gooseylucey.

It was my first time on a forum a few weeks ago as well. This forum is full of really supportive people all working towards the same goals weight loss or maintenance.

I am please to say I have finished fasting for that week now, that’s why I like Monday and Wednesday. Thinking of all of you fasting today and hoping you get through it.

I have now swapped butter to low low mature cheese spread as there is more than 300 calories difference between them. I don’t have a lot of either so I suppose it doesn’t matter too much but I think if I can make small savings it will add up.

Good luck to all you Thursday fasters.

Ginette

Good luck to the Thursday fasters. I survived yesterday quite well, ended up at 475 cals after breaking fast at 2:30pm Right now I plan another fast day on Saturday. Tonight is a fun champagne dinner so I know I will go over my calorie target. Playing a round of golf today so will walk as much of the course as I can. I read something on another thread that resonated with me. Something along the lines of not losing focus on the thing you want “most” by focusing on the thing you want “right now”.

Hi All,

Ginette, I don’t know if this available where you are, but since I’m supposed to be off dairy altogether now, I have swapped butter for this buttery spread. It’s quite tasty and 90 calories per Tablespoon.

https://store.nutiva.com/buttery-spread/

It’s available in Canada, so wasn’t sure if that would also be available in the UK.

I just realized that most of the ingredients I’m supposed to be off are in the protein bars I’ve been using up (I’d bought four boxes right before finding out about and going on 5:2). I think they should finally be used up next month, and then I’ll replace them with a considerably lower calorie meal replacement shake–for some reason it seems easier to find shakes that meet my requirements moreso than bars.

Fasting went well yesterday, and my next fast day is Saturday (yes, Saturday). It really helps me to fast on Saturdays since I’m usually less active then (so far, it’s the one day of the week that I don’t exercise).

Ginette, I think you bring up a good point about sugar–any many other objectionable ingredients. Any time you eat out, you don’t know exactly what’s in what you’re getting–calories or otherwise. I won’t say I never eat out (though I certainly haven’t since I’ve been unemployed–except for the holidays), but I find really limiting it helps–especially since I’m working with a relatively low TDEE. Even a little over is really noticeable. Just my 2p.

In other news, to support my 200-calorie per feast day reduction, an easy way to do that for me (without sacrificing any of the feast day 6 Tbsps of olive oil) was to get a lower calorie meal replacement than the 190-calorie one I’ve been using.

To make a long story short, I spent most of yesterday trawling the Web for suitable 90- to 100-calorie replacements, but none of them meet my dietary requirements. I’m really glad I thought to email the rep I know from the company (Garden of Life) that makes what I currently use (Raw Fit). She suggested using 1/2 a serving instead of a whole serving (so I can have two servings per feast day with the same amount of calories I now consume in one).

I looked at the label, and one serving provides 28 grams of protein, so half of that would be more than sufficient. Plus, that’s something I can start doing now (vs. waiting to get new products approved by both the naturopath and nutritionist–which would take until next month). Since I did the research, I will run the new products I found by the naturopath and nutritionist, but in the meantime, I can reduce my calories in a better way while sticking to my restrictions better. I hope that makes sense. If nothing else I’m pleased to have found such a simple solution. Now to find a scoop the right size… I can do it without, but it’s really a pain to measure 3 Tablespoons and half a teaspoon each time I measure. Anyway, just thought I’d share some good news!

Hi
Thank you for your comments it has really given me a boost and a whole different way of looking at my new way of eating. If I lose only 1 lb it would be good. I have had sweeteners,should I stop these on my fast days? I had homemade butternut squash and carrot soup for lunch. Doing ok on may fast today but feeling cold. When you get to a certain weight should you lower your TDEE. Anyway thank you so much for your support.

Hi Guys,

Ginette I’m confused about hidden sugars in a latte, how can there possibly be? It’s made with your choice of Milk and coffee. It must have been a coffee flavoured with one of those syrups you can add?

I drink lots of skinny cappuccinos throughout the week, it’s essentally the same just more coffee less milk than a latte. I couldn’t lose weight if I was having all that extra sugar unknown to me. Plus I know 100% there is NO sugar in my coffee before or after I drink it. Would love some clarification on this if anyone has an explination?

Hope everyone is having a good day/evening. I’m just off to make my dinner after a successful FD. 🙂

Ooooh Salma, you’re a hard woman. Mars bars not allowed?? I’m banging my foot, my face is bright red and I’m feeling really depressed, which is a bit daft as I don’t like mars bars much (Aztecs though, thats another story, but likely I’m safe there, they stopped making Aztecs in the 1970s.)

So I’ll be good, thanks for the advice, not really a sweetie person, except for galaxy bars, magnums and McFlurrys. And of course Godiva chocs – this is FA after all, but I didn’t buy any at the airport this trip.

Of course, as well as having no fat, can’t be sugar in my wine cos I drink dry white wine, cant stand sweet wine!!!

With logic like that not really surprising I’m a heifer!

Good point Jayneyw re calculating at your target TDEE, but I looked at mine and decided it might be a step to far, Im looking at losing a lot, but to work with my ideal weight, the TDEE would be 1345, 336 calories on fast days.

It would mean eating 80% of the amount I would need to maintain at my ideal weight.

Strange to think this as I often eat under 1200 on feast days and I do some fast days water only. Really strange.

I think for me its a matter of taking a horse to water, I can eat more but choose not to, but the thought of a mega restricted number of calories would turn this into a diet, not a journey. And on this journey you have to change, but gradually, so that the change becomes subconscious. Just my take, from the perspective of having a over 136 packs of lurpack (butter) to lose. Thats a lot of butter!

On a brighter note, 36 gone already, so just 100 to go!!!!

travel hopefully……..

Hi Ginstte, looking forward to the day I have lost 36lbs, but its 36 packets of butter, 9 kilos, thats 20 lbs, still 2lbs above last week but Im delighted that I can have a break and pull it all back so quickly. Will be down to 81 kilos by the end of the month. Sorry to confuse.

Comparing it to packs of butter was an eye opener to me, I think we start to lose patience when we lose JUST a pound, or half a pound, but I can ‘see’ a packet of butter in ny mind’s eye. Or a bag of sugar. Makes it all more real. Maybe shoukd be thinking packets of lard, cos that is what is disappearing. Anything that helps really.

I think having kilos, pounds and stones is a tad confusing, I tend to mixed imperial and metric with gay abandon. A kilo is a nice large nunber, 2.2lbs, but half a pound sounds so much more than 200 grams. Though even writing this shows am a nutcase!!!

But then again, in the UK we buy such things as 2 metres of 2″ x 2″. In Ireland you can drive from a 60 kilometre per hour road into a village showing the speed limit is 30 miles per hour. And nobody, at least not the older ones, think this odd. Even my son does his weight in kilos and his height in feet and inches.

Managed to dtay under 1000 calories, partly as the free lunch became a sandwich at half past three, loads of folk wanting valuations, saw some amazing stuff, including one of the best emerald rings Ive ever seen, thoughtvI did well to get to 3.30 after b2b fast.

Long trip to Dunoon today, probably a long wait to give evidence. Been up since 3.30, so might have breakfast en route. Seriously thinking of a fast tomorrow, but going to costa for a latte. Though Sugar programme might have out me off.

Have a great day, everyone, don’t go too mad, probably a feast day for all. Enjiy every mouthful and remember life and 5:2 means never having to drink cheap wine – just the good stuff!!

Travel hopefully…….