Good morning everyone,

Well, my Islander friend isn’t coming after all. That’s the way it goes with this illness.
When we were sorting things out earlier I warned him that he couldn’t count on my cooking, Sherry!
With just me here it is a hotchpotch of trying not to have food that will go off while I am having fast days, bits and pieces in the freezer that I don’t know whether he would like or not, and I didn’t want to stress about cooking things when I don’t know what his tastes are and any dietary restrictions (most people with CFS seem to have some!)
However, I will try and get an idea of what he likes and then I can plan to have good food to share next time (just in case stress about food added to him feeling like he couldn’t make it this time).

Susie, I am so grateful for the internet when I am unable to be very sociable in ‘real’ life. It is such a treat to chat with people you have things in common with, or are going through something together. I used to post a lot on the Jamie Oliver forum, when it was active and vibrant. It has quietened, but I have quite a few friends from it on facebook now, and it, and this, gives me a lovely feeling of being in the world, and getting insight from all over the world.

So thanks guys! You are precious to me!

Susie, condolences for the death of your friend. It is a powerful reminder of how short and precious life is, when we get closer to the other end, and when our extended groups of friends becomes that bit smaller.

Good luck with having a nice, smooth time of being able to fast well, and get the non fast days working well too. 5:2 can be simple, but there is so much in the way our world is organised (or not organised) that make it tricky. Especially interruptions and stresses!
Someone on the forums called 5:2 ‘intelligent and honest’. Doesn’t that hit the mark! I think that is why it is worth holding onto when the rest of life is buffeting us around. Best wishes for your juicy/soup fastdays!

Lori I hope it has been a good day. Inspite of their ups and downs the scales do seems to be showing how impressively you are doing! I hope that ugly weather is not too destructive!

Best wishes all!

Cinque, sorry your visitor had to cry off, shame to miss it, hope you can rearrange soon.
Sherry, lol at your kids scrapping in a dr waiting room! You will look back and laugh too but just now- not so much! Hope the leg is ok when it’s checked by specialist. Maybe it swelled after he was on it a lot? We expect our bodies to bounce back after injury, maybe it needs a little rest time.
We were out with all boys plus WAGs on sat night, nice to take a moment and watch the banter between them all and listen to the WAG chatter, we are lucky they get on tho they are all different. The two older ones are going for a day out with younger one in London next month, nice they see each other independently from us sometimes.
Lori, your workouts sound amazing, not surprising you need a rest now and again, I try to eat lower carb on the 5 days, doesn’t always work as I do like a glass of wine or two, which turns straight to sugar.
Off to face the scales today at slimming group, didn’t go last week. Today they have asked everyone to take a dish to share, I have made smoked salmon mousse and have a bag of chopped veggie sticks to dip.

WAGs Wives and Girlfriends! (and not Western Australian Genealogical Society)
Thanks google.

Hello!

Ok, so reading that you guys (Susie and Cinque) are lol about my two older ones beating on each other in the dr. waiting room started to make me laugh too (looking at it from your perspective!)! Like my mom always says, “You could enjoy them so much more when they’re growing up if they didn’t act like such idiots most of the time!”

Luckily I got those breakfast casseroles made (though I was up past 10pm doing it!) last night and baked this morning. Bible study was good-nice to hear other moms complaining about their control issues (you mean I’m not the only one?)

Cinque, glad to hear I’m not the only one who doesn’t get all the abbreviations people use on these chat sites! I’m sure everyone but me knew what “OH” is!

I wanted to take a walk after the bible study ended around 11:30 but it is boiling HOT out here in Southern California! Mid-80’s F for February is almost unheard of! Hoping it cools off this evening and I can convince the hubby to go walking with me.

I’m mid-way through my 3rd fast day. I think my fasts are a little over the 500 cal limit, and they’re basically my cleanse protocol. I had plain eggs fried in coconut oil and chicken bone broth with spinach for breakfast and had a little fruit at the meeting. Lunch and dinner will be broth with chicken and cabbage.

Have a good day all! 🙂

Hi Everyone
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY SALMA AND THE MID FIFTIES THREAD!

Hi Lori, I’m glad you have your nutrition certificate and can keep an eye on yourself! Aren’t you powering along!
Ooh birthday coming up! Lovely!

I’m rather pleased to hear the boss has a whipped puppy demeanor.

Sherry… Superwoman!
I hope it cools down for you. It is quite cool here, but so humid I am in shorts and a singlet. (Not the typical Australian stubby shorts and blue singlet! http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy128/sharncareel/Aussie.jpg Pretty floral cullottes and a black top with a little beading across the neck!)
Rather unusual weather for us too, it is usually hot and humid or cool and dry.

Ever since you were trying to work out OH, I have been calling it ‘Other Husband’ 😉

Hey Milena, how is it all going?

Ha! Just clicked on said attachment and now realize it was a joke! You crazy girl you! 🙂

I wish I looked like the girl in the singlet top too!

End of the day here. I got quite a lot done! Yay!

Where’s that finish line??????

Another old fast day tomorrow!

Good Morning All!

Salma!! So good to see a post from you and I’m happy that you are heading home soon and can get back to normal. Travel safe!

Oh my cinque…those singlet tops show every detail, don’t they? I’m too self conscious about my muffin top for something that tight. My muffin top is considerably smaller than it was, but something that tight would make me feel like a sausage! Not to mention, my upper arms are a bit big. WOW, I’m just a mass of insecurities! 😉 So it goes.

Enjoying my morning off boot camp. My cat has started wanting lap time in the morning, so I’m balancing my laptop on the arm of my chair to make room for her. She’s becoming quite the love bug lately.

I’ve got to eat a bit more today, so think I’ll pop out for lunch and find a nice big salad. I haven’t had a veggie since the weekend. I have a friend on another board who eats nothing but meat and a little cheese. Never any vegetables etc. I don’t think I could do that long term, as I get hungry for a salad at least once a week. I took a dose of calcium, magnesium & Vit C powder in water this morning to give myself a boost.

Well…onward. Have a great day everyone!

Hi ladies!

Cinque, who sells that particular singlet top? I might want to get one (though I for sure will look nothing like the model!). When I googled that style both here and in Australia, all I saw were tops that looked like a traditional tank or racer back tank. Btw, what type of cat was Miso again? I have a calico female that’s a little love bug too. I have 3 males also, one of which is a fairly aloof tiger stripe…the other two, a white one with black ears and tail (chubby and, unlike most cats, likes his big belly rubbed! and a grey, Russian blue looking only with white feet(he’s very chatty, like a Siamese).

Susie, I bet your old work mates are jealous of you that you got away from the rat race and they’re still in it! Congrats again to be living with more ease now! So nice all of your family like each other and get together!

Lori, can’t imagine how your low carb friend isn’t constipated eating that way! I’d die without my almost daily HUGE salads! How’s the weight loss going?

I’m easing off my 3 days of fasting with a semi-fast of similar foods but adding in that big salad and vinegar/oil dressing. The scale showed a big loss this morning but I don’t trust it…think it’s one of those flukes that get you excited and then the next morning you’ve gained a lot of it back!

I’ve been on the phone today trying to get my Europe tour with my daughter and the Spanish class nailed down. There’s some optional tours I’m thinking of doing, ie.: when we’re at the Costa del Sol, Spain, you can take a side trip to Morocco and ride camels, go to the bazaar, etc. I think that would be so interesting and fun! Has anyone here been there? I also want to add some time when the tour ends to go to Italy with my daughter since I love it so much and want her to experience it. What I don’t love is figuring out all the transportation from city to city and carting our luggage everywhere. Unlike in Europe, and maybe the East Coast U.S., we don’t use mass transportation much in California. Everyone pretty much drives everywhere!

Ok, off to bake a buckwheat potato bread. I usually just make quick breads but this time I’m doing the full blown yeast bread variety. Wish me luck!

Good Morning!

Darn scale is stuck and I’m still at 7 lbs down since January 1. Sigh…..

Our cold snap has started. It is 15F and will only get to the 20’s. Over the weekend we will go below zero at night. -17C ? or something crazy like that? Really, really hate this. After the cold they are saying we will get a big snow storm next week. Winter is rearing it’s ugly head!

Nothing special going on today. Just work and then home. Oh…I do have to run and buy some chocolates for the husband for Valentine’s Day. He always sends me flowers, so if I would forget his favorite chocolates, I’d feel terrible. He gets off easy as he sends me one bouquet of flowers to cover both my birthday(13th) and Valentine’s Day(14th)! 😉

Ok…time to finish up my coffee and get ready for boot camp. Have a great day!

Oh Cinque..you have a fun weekend coming up. Lots of laughs and smiles, I’m thinking.

Well, even though the scale didn’t move this morning, I had a “non scale victory”. When I got to the studio, the trainer came up to me and said “I’ve been meaning to tell you that you are looking fantastic. I don’t know what you’re doing, but keep it up!” I appreciated her comments after that disappointing weigh in!

When I ventured out this morning it was snowing like crazy! Just enough to make the roads VERY slick. Now the sun is shining. Such weather!

Good evening everyone (morning Cinque)!

Just finished dinner of roasted asparagus and Mexican Chilequilas (for those that aren’t familiar, it’s kind of like a Mexican frittata: basic recipe=eggs, broken tortilla chips, salsa and cheese cooked in the oven and then topped with guacamole & sour cream if desired). Super yummy! First time I had it was over 20 years ago at a B&B in Sedona, Arizona and have love it ever since.

Cinque, thanks for looking up the top. The ones you found are cute but I really loved the thinner straps on the original…oh well! How fun to have a visit from your family to look forward to! Is your granddaughter talking much yet? What is her name? That age is so cute- they find wonder in everything!

Lori, sometimes I find once I’ve lost a good amount of weight that my body needs to sit there for a while and adjust to the new level before it can move again. I’d be happy about it because to me it signifies that the loss is “solidifying” and will stick! Soon the scale will move again. And you can’t beat that your trainer gave you that wonderful compliment! 🙂

MM, thanks for the advice re: Morocco. Didn’t think about having to be careful about the food! We are just doing a one day tour/camel ride/bazaar and lunch. Hoping since it’s an arranged tour that the food is safe! I’m guessing it will be OK since it’s some place the tour goes to all the time and they wouldn’t want any bad reviews!? Maybe I should avoid the fresh veg/fruit just to be safe? And, when traveling, I always drink only bottled water of course!

So, as expected, that stellar number I saw on the scale yesterday had disappeared as of this morning’s weigh in, but I’m still down 2-3 lbs from last weekend and hoping it sticks. I’m going to try to squeeze in at least 2 more days of my cleanse/fast before I leave for Hawaii in a week.

Busy day of pilates, grocery shopping, running back to the kids’ school to drop off the Valentine’s cookies they were supposed to bring for their party at school today (they celebrate early because they’re off Fri.-Monday for President’s day long weekend) but left in the back of the car, home to unload groceries & eat lunch, then back to pick up two of the four and head to Target for a birthday gift, etc., then back home to cook dinner. Whew! Exhausting! You’d think I’d be losing weigh hand over fist from all the running around I do! 😉

Well, good night or good morning depending on where you abide! Hugs! Sherry

Hi Salma & fellow 50+ Although I do lead a fairly active life ,(I’m a PE teacher and I have 2_dogs) I have this horrible roll!of fat around my middle ,a real mutton top which is embarrassing. I’ve dabbled with this diet before although not seriously but have bought the book and intend to Fast on Mondays & Wednesday’s.My question is is the Fast for 24 hrs? If yes,can I start it after my evening mealthe night before ,sleep through the 8 night hrs and continue through the day only eating 500 calories until the next evening meal?

MM, I haven’t gone mad, I got my threads mixed up! That sentence about your crazy dog belonged to someone else! My apologies!

Hello, my name is Mandy but my username is me taking the opportunity to see something a little more inspirational every time I log in here! Please feel free to use either. I’m 50, I live in Widnes, England and the love of my life is my eight year old grandson.

This is my second go at 5:2. The first time I tried it I did lose weight, but fell off the wagon for a variety of reasons. This time, I am much better prepared and utterly determined to stick with it. I’m also going to be doing Fast Exercise along with the change in diet to chivvy things along a bit.

I work nights, too, so I’ll be reading all the threads I can find on how to work the plan into those shifts.

Well, I’m off to peruse the forum so enjoy whatever you’re doing xx

Good Morning!

I reported the above post so hopefully it will be gone soon.

Slept in till 5:30 this morning! WOW! What a treat. My sister is here and we have no plans to go out in the cold until time for dinner tonight. We’ll just enjoy hanging out and talking.

Cinque…sounds like you’re having a lovely time with Josie! How sweet. It’s a great age when they’re just starting to talk.

Sherry…back to Hawaii? Sigh….What a wonderful thing to be able to “pop” over there from time to time. Enjoy the time with your friends.

Welcome Rosie & Mandy! It’s a great little group we have here. I’ve got to get back on the fasting wagon as I let myself go this week and have no loss to show for it. So, stick to low carb and 2 500 calorie days for me next week. Good luck!

Well, back to my coffee. Have a lovely day!

Hi ladies,

A lazy day around here. I got rid of 3 of the 4 on play dates today and the older one, being 15, pretty much hides in her room, so it’s like I’ve got no kids to worry about today!

Took a nice walk with the hubby and twins this morning, made my pumpkin protein pancakes, and now just thinking about packing for Hawaii (yes Lori, I’m going again, (sigh), someone has to do it!) 😉 The hilarious (and sad) thing is, I never really unpacked from the last time I was there in January because when I got home, I had no time with the hubby still there and me solo parenting. I have no excuse for after he got back other than that there just always seemed to be something else that needed getting done! Any how, my laziness should pay off in that I just have to sort through the stuff already there a bit and zip it up to go!

Happy official birthday Lori! Hope it’s a wonderful one with your sister visiting!

Cinque, I love the naming tradition! Can Josie say “grandma” or something like it yet? How was the yummy pasta bake you were making for your daughter? My cats always disappear when we have company…definitely freaks them out. Especially little kids who move quickly and talk/yell loudly….You can just see the look in their eyes…”we’re outta here!”

Welcome Mandy! Here’s wishing you much success this go-around! As they say, practice makes perfect! I’m sure adding the exercise will help tremendously too!

Ok, I’m off now to pretend I’m going to organize that suitcase. It’s a hard task for those of us with ADD!

Toodles!

Sherry

Hi everyone,

Not so pleasant a day here. Woke up with a UTI. I’m prone to them but haven’t had one in 3 yrs by taking a natural remedy called D-Mannose and cranberry extract. Well, for some reason it didn’t work this time. Maybe because I was test tasting (perhaps too much?) some sugar free recipes yesterday, making quite a few to hold over my kids (diabetic one in particular of course can’t have sugar)-even though they’re sugar free, they contain “sugar alcohols” and sugar isn’t good when you’re prone to UTI’s. So, lesson learned!

Haven’t eaten much as a result, so an unintentional fast day it is! The only semi-good thing to come out of this day!

Happy Valentine’s Day to one & all!

Good Morning!

Monday again!?! The weekends do fly by. I had a lovely birthday dinner…a petite filet mignon, broiled scallops, broccoli with lemon dill sauce and a nice salad. For dessert my sister and I shared a decadent slice of coconut cream pie. Oh my! The husband surprised us with chocolate covered strawberries for a bit more dessert. I got on the scale this morning and it says the same as Friday, so hopefully I won’t have a delayed reaction and see the scale pop up a couple pounds in the next few days.

Sherry…so sorry that you have a UTI. I’ve only ever had one, but it sure was miserable. Get well soon.

Salma..hope to see you pop in here more often as you get back “in the groove”.

Cinque…do you still have company?

The post that I reported was just someone posting a link for some miracle weight loss product. Admin removed it quickly.

Another cold start to our day, but it is supposed to moderate later this week. The weekend was terribly cold. I only ventured out to go to dinner Saturday night. Other than that, I was inside under my warm blanket!

Now to finish my coffee and get ready for boot camp. Another week has begun!

Good morning! I still have company. I’ve been on grandma duty since 5:30 this morning. Much more fun that a UTI! Look after yourselves dear ones!

I’ve got a meeting in a couple of hours that could be important for my project. Fingers crossed I can concentrate! And come across as a competent and impressive woman! (some chance 😉 )

Lori, what a lovely birthday celebration. And you were nicely skinnier than last year?

Hello to both your dogs MM!
Sorry to hear of the loss of your second father. But what a treat to know such a good man. It sounds like he, and his wife, had a wonderful farewell.
Good luck doing a bit of 5:2 again until you are ready for another try at maintenance. It fascinates me as I wonder how I will do it…. in a couple of months hopefully.

It is a VERY cold summer day here. Only 15 at the moment. 15 centigrade though, thank goodness! You’d better all come over and warm up!

Susie I tried a chocolate last night, my daughter had some Guylian Shells. Too sweet! I had one bite and let her finish it. Haven’t I changed????!!!!!

Must go
Best wishes to you all.

Good Morning!

Salma…what a lovely post! No worries about that gain. Look at you, you came back and had a great fast day straightaway! I look forward to the coming year as we all march toward our goals!

After yesterday’s fast, the scale finally popped down to a new number! Only by a few tenth’s mind, but down! We have terribly icy roads this morning, so no boot camp for me. I’m not crazy…not going to risk an accident to go exercise. Besides, the furball on my lap prefers that I stay right here. 😉

Susie…hope your weigh in was a good one. Do pop in and give us the good news!

Sherry…glad you’re feeling better and MM…hope you are as well. You know, there are so many “things” that can happen to us to make us feel poorly, isn’t it a miracle when we have a day where we feel well? Let’s embrace those days!

Cinque..hope your meeting was a smashing success! Can’t wait to hear a report from you.

Ok…enough of my rambling. Have a lovely day.

Hi girls,

So good to see you back here in full swing, Salma! Yes, the positive here is you do weigh less now than you did last year this time! We will all be here to cheer you on to getting back to 82 kg and beyond! I have a good feeling about this year for all of us! WE WILL REACH OUR GOALS!

I agree Lori, you really appreciate those days that you feel well after feeling really crappy! Congrats on the scale nudging downward! See, you’re starting to break loose!

Speaking of which, my pilates (knock on wood…we “knock” here in the U.S., you guys “touch” wood!) really does seem to be helping my back. It’s actually been a blessing having my normal pilates instructor guy gone teaching at a retreat in Spain because the woman who he has helping out in his stead is a fireball from New Jersey who kicks my butt (in all the best ways!). I really feel I’ve gotten so much stronger in the ‘ol core working with her. I think when I return from Hawaii I’m going to see the guy instructor once a week and the woman once a week. I’d really like to see her twice a week (she’s better and cheaper) but she’s a full 20-25 minute drive away-I think I can bear it once a week. If there’s anything I know about myself it’s that if it’s too hard to get to the exercise, I won’t stick with it.

I’m going to try to maintain these gains in core strength by going to pilates classes while in Hawaii. I think I may have mentioned that I’m also going to take a beginner’s tai chi class at a park across from our condo near the beach. I’m excited about that since I’m not a good meditator and this is like moving meditation.

Cinque! You were in my prayers for a successful meeting and I had a good feeling about it! And look! A positive first step! I’m so excited for you and wishing you the best as this hopefully moves along! Wish you could post a pic of cute little Josie!

Today was a successful eating day despite eating two meals out. Had a breakfast get together with friends during which I ate half a feta and veggie omelet and a bit of fruit. Lunch on the run was a cabbage, lettuce, salsa, guacamole, chicken salad from a healthy Mexican place. For dinner I made Greek turkey burgers, on buns for the kids, and for me, in a salad with feta, lettuce and tomatoes with a yummy lemon vinegarette.

Time to clean the kitchen, make kids’ lunches, do a load of laundry, shower and bed! Night all!