Good Morning!

Up at 5AM this Saturday morning and having my first cup of coffee. I woke with a headache and am hoping the coffee fixes the situation. I have to be at the golf course by 7:30 both today and tomorrow. A 2 day tournament ahead of me. Fingers crossed for a good couple days so I don’t let my partner down.

I’m working on getting my head in the right place for a 5:2, low carb, restart. I’m got to get the rest of this weight off. I haven’t been feeling my best for the past week since giving in and eating more carbs and not doing any fasting. It really does make you feel better when you stick to plan.

Safe and happy travels Sherry. I know you’ll have a wonderful time.

Cinque…what are you up to this weekend?

Elizabeth..how is the elimination diet going? I admire your resolve to do something like that. Huzzah!

Ok…off for some breakfast and another cup of coffee. The headache is hanging on 🙁

Hi Cindy and welcome:

The average weight loss for those on 5:2 over time is about a pound a week. So you might expect to lose 16 to 20 pounds in four or five months. You could speed it up a bit by doing 4:3 or even just water fasting on your two diet days each week. Your goal seems realistic.

Here are some tips that might help: https://thefastdiet.co.uk/forums/topic/the-basics-for-newbies-your-questions-answered/

Good Luck!

Salma! This is just what I needed to read this morning. Seeing someone else having success gives me hope for myself. I have no doubt that you will make your birthday weight goal.

I, on the other hand, have managed to pack on 3 lbs in the past week. Sigh…I’m not surprised as I have had a “don’t give a damn” attitude for days now. Today is my first fast day in a long time and I know it’s going to be rough. I haven’t said no to myself for weeks. I’ve played 3 days of golf in a row and this morning am heading to boot camp. That’s going to be rough too! I have got to get myself in line. I’m feeling bloated and pudgy and just blah.

Welcome Cindy. Take it a day at a time. The links Sim provided will point you in the right direction.

Sherry….what a grand adventure you are on! Have a wonderful time.

Time to get this day started. I must prepare to be HUNGRY!!! 😉

Hello, ladies!

Welcome, Cindy! Good luck to you.

Salma, hurray!!! Such wonderful news to hear. I’ve found that once I’m on a roll, things usually fall into place so I have no doubt you will reach your goal.

Lori, you are indeed an inspiration to us with your exercise. You will also get back in the swing with 5:2 but I’m guessing you are quite fit and look great. For me, a bit part of the problem is the flab! I’m not sedentary but I rely too much on walking and light weights and yoga. I need to step it up!

We have had the most gorgeous weather here the past few days. My husband took our daughter and her cousin backpacking and then we went to my inlaws on the lake. The full moon with the solstice is tonight.

The elimination diet is okay….I haven’t lost weight which is a bummer!!!! I have had modified FDs but I haven’t quite wrapped my head around the double wammie of being restricted and having low calories. It’s a bad excuse so maybe the week it will happen and I’ll make a ton of progress! At the moment I’m a pound or two over the transitory low I hit a few weeks ago. On the other hand, I didn’t gain going to my inlaws which is probably a first. My husband was saying how he didn’t feel so great, haha!!

Have a great week, everyone!

Good Morning!

Happy Birthday dear Sherry!! Hope you’re having a fabulous time!

Despite a good 5:2 day on Monday, the scale is up another pound. I shall not go near that horrible device until July 1. For the next week, I’m just going to listen to my body and make good choices most of the time. I’m letting the scale dictate how I feel and I do not like that at all.

2 boot camp sessions in so far this week and another planned for Friday. Going to try for a run/walk tomorrow morning, weather permitting. Tuesday our run/walk had to be cancelled due to a thunder storm and more are predicted for tonight and tomorrow. 🙁

Cinque! Congratulations on your Soup Bar success! I’m sure the people are loving it. I’m sure you’ll streamline the work so that it is not so hard next time. Practice makes perfect!

Hugs to all!

Hello Everyone,

Caterina, I am so sorry you are having such a frustrating, demoralising time. No wonder you had a big binge eat yesterday.

One thing that might make you feel better is to read Simco’s trousers story: https://thefastdiet.co.uk/forums/topic/really-no-weight-loss/

I know that lots of people have this problem and there are many reasons. (So interesting to read how you worked it out Salma).

Fasting has worked easily for me (so far! touch wood and whistle) and I have wondered why. I think there are three things that have made it easy.
One is that I cut out sugar several years ago, and that means I don’t get the cravings and spikes.
The second is that I have found it easy to keep to fast days. This is partly because I have a very quiet life. I can really prioritise fasting.
The third thing is that I have concentrated on making NON fast days really good normal eating days. ie normal portions, delicious healthy food, healthy snacks, but not every day. I’ve been surprised how much mindfulness and practice goes into having a nice normal eating day!

Being in the forums I have been really interested in seeing how everyone has to make their own journey, and many journeys have been more complicated than mine has been. It is a trick to make sure that 5:2 isn’t like a fad diet. That is, concentrate less on deadlines and scales, and more on how you can make it a sustainable way of life.

Hopefully, being on the forums will help. Lots of the things other people say won’t be relevant for you, but some will. (Or something outside will trigger a realisation and then when you tell us about it, it will help someone else!).

Best wishes that tomorrow is a much better day. Hang in there!

Hi Lori, thanks for your good wishes and confidence in our next Soup Bar. I think you are right! I hope it was a good run walk! I love them! If it wasn’t for this horrible me/cfs that is what I would do for fitness. Especially in the Australian bush!
Your days are frustrating too, I hope you find your feet again soon!

Cheers to you Salma! Good points re exercise. I can’t exercise because of illness and 5:2 is working fine!
Have you been able to have a settles time at home? Or are they hurtling you across the world again?

It is the end of my Thursday fast day, and I am off to bed. Best wishes all!

Thank you all for your kind and informative replies. Today was meltdown again, I need to rethink what I am doing and how. I have already dropped one exercise session this week. Tomorrow might be an easier day for me, see how it goes. Will let you know.

It is so very reassuring to hear others’ experiences! Thank you again!

cravings, not carvings! :O

I’ll send you some of our hail and icy winds Salma, to give you a little refresher!
I was awake in the night and listened to this radio show http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/bestpractice/ and the ‘incivility in the workplace’ one made me think of what you are having to deal with. Luckily they said that one thing that can help when work is awful is to make sure your private life is great, and while caring for your parents isn’t in that bag, your family reunion in Corfu should be! So glad your sons are going too!

It was a shock and a worry to hear about the UK decision! I guess we will see what happens next.

It is the day before Fast Day for me. I am making my favourite chicken and mushroom dish. And I am minding my granddaughter overnight, that will be fun.

Caterina did you have a better day? Or not?

Best wishes to everyone

Hi Lori, hasn’t it been quiet!

Hello any Mid Fifties or fellow travellers out there! Pop in and share how things are going!

I had a very busy weekend with grandtot, still trying to do all the follow up from that Soup Bar (yes I am THAT slow) and start planning for the next one. And it is freezing here (comparatively!).
Ate too many nuts last night! So I am not hungry this morning. I will have a sensible eating day (she says hopefully) and an early Fast tomorrow (a day early) as I have a confusingly busy end of the week, and don’t want my fast to suffer!

Have a lovely time with your sister Lori!

Oh, & thank you for the kind birthday wishes! I spent my 53td at Disney Paris! 🎂

Sherry!! What an amazing trip report! I can’t imagine being away from home for that long….how on earth did you pack??? I hope you and your daughter enjoy your 2 weeks in Italy….how could you not? Sounds like you’re doing well on the eating front too.

Salma…so sorry you’ve been sick. Food poisoning is an awful thing. Let us know how you make out at the nutritionist. She should be pleased with your progress.

Cinque, each time you do the soup bar, the follow up will be easier. You’ll get in the groove! Hope your weather moderates soon. Your “freezing” is probably like a Spring day to me! 😉

Off for a run with a friend this morning. Glad I’m meeting her or I would probably say the heck with it and sit here in my chair!

Take care everyone!

Hi there Sherry! How lovely to read your news! I hope you can get the occasional quiet day, they are precious! But what a wonderful time you are all having!

Salma, sending best wishes you are feeling better soon. Let us know how it goes with the nutritionist! I am sure you will get under 80kg even without food poisoning! I hope you have some nice respite from the sizzling weather. Still cold here, but I am getting used to it, and enjoying rugging up!

Thanks to you and Lori for such understanding and kindness about the Soup Bar. We are having a meeting tomorrow to discuss and plan the next two, and it is just lovely how supportive everyone involved in it is.

I will try to do some planning now!

I am Fasting today (Wednesday) and Saturday this week because of so many things on to work around. All organised though. Enjoying today so far!

Best wishes all!

Hi girls, had a lovely day in Sevilla! Just beautiful there with its gorgeous palace & cathedral & orange tree lined streets! Went w/a group of moms & girls for tapas & salads at lunch & waiter rolled his eyes & said we were ordering too much to eat & on his own decided to cut out some things from our order! Good thing he did because it was WAY too much even then! The tapas were bigger portions than we thought! I had an ice cream that I didn’t really need later because another mom was- oh well! I’d done a 35 flight hike up a zig zagging steep ramp to get to a bell tower earlier so I guess I’d earned it. 😉

Elizabeth, I’m the worst person to ask about packing tips, but what has really helped is that. I purchased some netted/canvas type packing cubes on Amazon that have really helped keep us organized- shirts in one, bottoms in another, etc.- especially since we’re on the move every day or two! As it is, I’m thinking of shipping some stuff home before I leave to lighten my expanding (with souvenirs) load!

Just passed the Rock of Gibraltar! So cool! Should be in Costa Del Sol/Malaga soon. Adios!

Good morning everyone,
Sherry it is so good that you have been able to come here and share news. Hooray for the lovely tapas waiter! Seville sounds beautiful. I was in Spain briefly when I was 21. We zapped through Barcelona so quickly I missed all Gaudi’s architecture, but then we had the most wonderful stay at Peniscola, down the coast.

Caterina, I hate that feeling of being scattered and trying to prepare. Deep breaths! Write lists! I hope you can enjoy your time away, and then enjoy coming home to your pets and your place.

I don’t have induction cooking, but the kitchen where we do our Soup Bar has. I find it so frustrating that we have to find different pots! But I know many people love induction stoves.

I’m off to take deep breaths and write lists myself! Then I am having lunch with family. Fast day tomorrow!

Good luck Salma! Stress at work seems to be going around. I can’t get out of my job soon enough. Salma I hope everything works out for you. Take a deep breath and know you’re doing your best.

My sister has arrived! I have to work till 1 or so tomorrow and then I’m free for the weekend.

Have a great time Sherry! What a wonderful trip!

Cinque…good luck with your project. It will all come together I’m sure.

Have a good weekend.

Ahhh! Just lost a long post! 😖 To quickly recap- had 2 nice days in Rome seeing the major sites and then 2 days in Sorrento with visits to Amalfi Coast, Positano and Capri ( saw beautiful blue green grottos-not the blue grotto that most know, but lesser known just as nice by private boat – had a wonderful farmhouse tour including olive oil, mozzarella & pizza making lessons. Then we had a home cooked meal & Italian dancing with everyone taking part- so much fun (especially after a little house made wine & limoncello!).

No such luck that this tour is slower paced- we’re up even earlier each day on this tour, but there’s a lot to see & so an early start is necessary. It’s good too for my lazy daughter who wouldn’t get up each day if it was only me trying to wake her each day!

We’re off to Assissi now & then Venice tomorrow.

Cinque, hope your granddaughter feels better soon! It’s tricky when they’re young & can’t really tell you what is wrong.

Carolina, hope you’re able to pack without stress! The cubes should really help out- give them a try!

Salma, so glad your meeting was successful! Now on to less stressed eating, right? You’ve done so well & come so far!

Lori have a great time w/your sis!

Well, I’d love to say my eating has been going well but it’s been very carb-ish- sometimes there’s nothing else available when the tour makes quick stops but sandwiches or pizza! Oh well- all I can do is try my best! I have had gelato twice though! It was good but somehow not as good as I remember?

Talk to you all soon! 😘

Quick jump on for me!

Salma, don’t lose sight of your goal. I’m sure that’s annoying advice but so often I make progress and then totally lose it.

Cinque, hope you get a good night’s sleep. Your daughter is lucky to have your help!

Lori, have a great time with your sister!!!!

Sherry, we are starting to pack a little…..going to Iceland is complicating things a bit as we’ll need decent jackets. I looked at their weather and it should be in the 50s but there will be no true night, just twilight!!!

We are now adding foods back on the diet. Eggs went fine as far as I can tell but my daughter didn’t feel as well after eating corn and nuts so I’m putting a question mark by them. Of course it could be something else…so frustrating! But it’s great to have eggs. If I could have cheese, I think I could almost do this indefinitely. We’ll add soy next and then gluten and dairy. Sugar will be last, but it’s not a potential problem per se…just increases inflammation etc. Anyway, I was doing really well with weight but lost it a bit with potato chips. Since they’re one of the few indulgences we can have it’s tempting to just keep eating!!!! Also it’s been so muggy I haven’t walked as much as I need to. Must get back on the wagon….less than three weeks until our trip. I don’t want to be a fat American. I want to be a skinny American like Sherry, haha.

Hi girls,

On the way to Verona to see the Romeo & Juliet balcony (fake of course as it is just a made up story ) and then on to Venice and our gondola rides later.

I had a poor night’s sleep. I always let my daughter shower first each night and then i shower so I tend to get to bed later anyhow- well, for whatever reason, she slept like a crazy person, throwing legs, arms, pillows in my direction for most of the night until I finally grew tired of it and separated the twin beds that were pushed together. Ugh!

So of course I’m tired and this adds to what I’m about to say, but have any of you had serious doubts as to how you raised your children because I’m seriously not liking the person I see my daughter becoming! I’m sure traveling with her for over two weeks exacerbates the situation. I’m finding her very immature and self centered, more than I’ve ever noticed. She’s complained a fair amount when I’m sure must kids would love to have been in her place-I know I would have at her age! Anyhow, another mom on the tour had similar complaints of her teen and said people tell her it’s ” just the age”, but I’m not so sure. I have some serious re-thinking to do about how she’s being raised! Thanks for listening to my rant!

Elizabeth, so interesting to hear about the elimination diet! Not sure how I missed the reason you’re on it? Was it for your daughter’s health issues? I’m glad you’re starting your packing early- is it 50’s during the day? What about night? Ha ha on me being a skinny American! Maybe at the beginning of my trip but not feeling that way so much now! 😖😉
Lori, I agree! Why can’t we remember how bad eating too much junk makes us feel before we eat it?! That would solve all our problems! You’ll get it together again as we always seem to- don’t beat yourself up over it ( I’m trying to do the same here!)

Cinque, so sorry about your cold & for your poor little granddaughter too! 😟 Hearing about your struggles with snacking rings a bell with me! It’s. So easy to fall back into bad habits isn’t it? Btw, the bread is good in Italy but not as good as France to me . Of course I never met a thin crust pizza I didn’t like!

Ok, signing off for now! Have a great day all!

Cinque…….I LOVE your response to Sherry. It is right on the money! The teen years are rough, that’s for sure. Hang in there Sherry……you are a great Mom!

Well…..they have hired my replacement!!! Hooray!! She will start on July 25. Now I just have to impart 31 years of knowledge into a bit over 2 months! OY!

Have to go to the dentist after work for my semi-annual cleaning etc. Sure hope they don’t find any problems. Not in the mood for too much probing etc.

Have managed to get my eating back on track from the weekend. Also I’m back to working out as well. Onward we go!

Hugs to you all!

Oh Cinque….so sorry you’re feeling poorly. Make that 2nd pot of coffee and enjoy it. Hope you have time to just rest today too.

Up at my regular early, early time. Going running with a friend at 5:30. I’m quite sore from yesterday’s boot camp workout. OW! Lots of shoulder work with dumbbells.

Time to finish my coffee and head out the door. Not really “feeling” it, but here I go!

Feel better Cinque.

Hello….

Sherry, my daughter is doing the diet for her reflux–to identify problem foods–and I figured I may as well too! I managed to lose a little weight without really fasting but now that we’re adding foods (cashews!!!) I have to get back in the groove. Also, I have to share that my son went to boarding school for his jr/sr year. It took me all of one day to think boarding school was the. best. thing. ever! People always guilted me about it but I think it saved our relationship. It was a STEM school for really bright kids who can also be really REALLY difficult. When he was at home we were always in an adversarial relationship so we ended up talking MORE when he was in boarding school. I’m not saying you should send your daughter to boarding school, but I do understand how you feel!! My daughter has occasional snarky moments but she is a people pleaser and still adores me, haha. I’m hoping we’ll stay friends and I did my time with my son!

I’ll have to pop on later to catch up with everyone else!

Hello…..

The Syrian tragedy is so troubling for everyone involved. As you know, it’s not bringing out the best here either.

Hope the cold improves, Cinque. The boarding school worked because he wanted it and it was perfect for him. We just supported him, but was it ever nice!!

Salma, hope you are recharging!!

Lori, congrats for exercising even though you’re not feeling it. I am not doing so well and the thunderstorms aren’t helping.

Have a nice weekend, all!