Day 20 – Rural Nebraska, USA- NFD

As soon as I start teaching piano lessons again, in a week or two, depending on the students’ schedules, I’ll get back to at least one regular and real FD each week; for now, I’m truly focused on the mental skills I’m getting from the Wondr program. I haven’t managed yet to listen to much of the videos for this week, as we had to take DH’s car in for scheduled repairs this morning, and that’s thrown off my whole day, LOL!

So, no chatter at all from other than that, as I need to get back at things.

Have a grand one, everyone!

Day 21, London, UK, FD800

Well, there was a bit of babybel snacking yesterday, I’m not sure why, perhaps my fat & protein at 800 cals wasn’t enough(?) More research required! At least I didn’t reach for the toast!!

@northgeorgia, is there a chance you could swerve the carbs and set yourself a task of enjoying these events but ONLY indulge in low carb options? Sticking to meats & cheese and above ground veg, salads etc? If you can’t possibly swerve the actual events, perhaps you can swerve the carbs!!💪🏼💪🏼

@funshipfreddie, I’ll need to have the paintbrush at the ready for Day 1, the very, very last thing I need is an appetite stimulating dining room!!!😨😨😨As for the seagulls, Brighton is the No1 hotspot for seagull attacks ……………………. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=710105619586898 ………………………. Truly savage!!

Yes, it’s a little quiet here today, I’m feeling a little out of sorts, perhaps it’s a worldwide phenomenon! I struggled to get out of bed this morning, I was exhausted after 8hrs sleep!🤔 I went downstairs 1st thing, let Bo-Bo out then jumped in the shower, with limited time I went downstairs in undies & vest, to get Bo-Bo back in for breakfast (sometimes he comes back in to eat then out again for the day, or he stays in if he smells rain!) as I was rinsing my coffee cup I could see a ginger bundle at the end of the garden, thought it was Bo-Bo; then Bo-Bo came sauntering up the path, surprising the snoozing FOX!!!!😱 Well, the fox started chasing, Bo-Bo started running towards the house, I whirled around to get the back door open, clipped the paper recycling bin with my ankle, went down hard on both knees, scrambled up and ran outside still HALF dressed!!😲 The fox ran off and I grabbed Bo-Bo from the top of the fence, he was unhurt, but I was shaking for a good ½ hour afterwards, my poor heart nearly gave out!💞Not to mention the grazed & bloody knees and ankle!! 🩹🤕🩹……………………………. I’m either getting a sling-shot or a BB gun or moving house ………………… 🙄Oh yes!!!😊😊

I can’t believe its only Tuesday, my body thinks it’s Friday!!😬 Maybe the missing/late posts are due to everyone feeling the same!!

“The Pessimist Sees Difficulty In Every Opportunity. The Optimist Sees Opportunity In Every Difficulty.” – Winston Churchill

Day 21 – USA/GA – FD

Weigh-in: 230 lbs. Decided to do FD500s this week instead of WFDs to see if the better stability will help the weight loss get a momentum going into the holiday weekend. I should be able to do 3 FDs in a row this way, too. Here’s to day two.

@flourbaby That’s a thought. In some cases, yes, in other cases, no. For example, next week will likely be a sandwich with chips and a dessert at lunch. I often skip the cookie, can try not to eat as many chips or skip those…but you’re left with a sandwich, and whether that is a chicken filet sandwich, or a healthier chicken salad or turkey and cheese club, it looks horrible to pick the meat out of the bun in that setting (sitting shoulder to shoulder around a short width table). What I can try to do more is if I am forced into a high carb situation, try to balance that out with few to no carbs at the next meal — and avoid snacking that carbs cause a few hours later! Anyway, hope you recover after that horrible fox incident!

Pocket list – day 21
@flourbaby
@excelsior12309
@northgeorgia

Second post

Just for the record, I was terrified of thunder and lightning storms when I first moved to Nebraska in 1986. I’m much better now–but not so much when they’re dramatic. Not when the radar is pure orange right where I am. And I’ve suddenly gone to a Hunger Level 3. Or perhaps I just want to drown my fear in food, you know? As I type, we’re getting large and loud marble-sized hail. This day is going to be hard to get through with any level of peace.

But I interrupted that paragraph to talk to DS32 in Lincoln where the weather isn’t nearly so extreme, and to eat a leftover hamburger patty of about 3 ounces, and now I’m ready to face my afternoon.

Whew!

Day 22, London, UK, FD800

Morning all!

Late on parade and no time to chatter, I’m very busy at work today.

Yesterdays’ FD went well although I woke up exhausted AGAIN this morning!!🥱🥱 Ankle & knees have scabbed over, thank goodness the rain 😜has returned and the shorts have been banished to the back of the wardrobe again, no scabby legs on show for me!!!😉

@stitchincarol & @funshipfreddie, I love love love stormy weather!!! Loud booming thunder & bright dazzling lightning always brings out the Oohs & Aahs🙌🏼 from me, rather than the Aarghs😱!! that you both experience!!🤣

Welcome back @jaifaim, those pesky lbs are proof of what a great time you had😲, now to swap the saddle for the wagon!!!💪🏼

Must dash, stay strong folks!!

“Some people spend their entire lives waiting for the time to be right to make an improvement.” – James Clear

Hi everyone, Coda here dropping in to say hello on Day 22 Northern Ireland

I had a dream last night – mainly of Songbird but it made me think of the monthly challenges and decided to look you up.

Lovely to see some familiar names – I haven’t read through all the posts but my thoughts are with those that have lost friends and loved ones. You truly are an inspiration and you all should be very proud of yourselves.

Life is such a learning curve – I love your introduction @funshipfreddie about mindfulness. I am truly amazed at how the mind works and how we can affect our moods and days purely by the internal communication we have with ourselves.

I am still playing Pickleball and loving it – the club celebrated it’s 5th anniversary and had a member only tournament I and my partner came 2nd in the novice section – what a buzz! They are also having an open tournament at the end of June but I will be in Canada catching up with #4 son.

Wishing you all well Love to all Coda x

Day 22 – Rural Nebraska, USA – NFD – 161.0

It has been months when the only time I have been below 163 was after a WF, so the fact that I’m down to 161 simply by eating only at a hunger level 3 has me quite stoked.

In addition, I’m at that number despite the many, many hours over the last ten days I’ve spent sitting with my laptop working on a huge project, so movement has been extremely minimal, and I still have as many as twenty hours (or more?) before I’ll finish the project. Between that and the storms of Monday night and Tuesday, I have felt as if I was hanging on by a string, so I’m truly proud of how well I’ve held myself in check. I’m excited to see what this hunger level 3 combined with fasting can accomplish; that will happen soon, although probably not yet next week. Depends when I finish this huge project that has a firm deadline, so there’s no extending it.

Thankfully, my cleaning lady comes today, and I work at church tomorrow morning, so I’ll get a bit of a break, and finally some movement, LOL!

@flourbaby Oh, my word! You had to have been terrified with your fox and Bo-Bo incident; I’m so glad it all worked out fine.

@excelsior12309 LOL, your husband with his pellet gun, and mine as well: a squirrel got onto our Oriole feeder so DH was out there persuading said squirrel that the grape jelly is for the birds, not for him. DH was quite annimated telling me the story, as he loves seeing the Oriles in our back yard! 😂

@northgeorgia Have you tried the hunger level 3 approach? Is there any way in which it could help you?

@metatauta Have a grand time meeting that new grandbaby!

@funshipfreddie Well, part of what prompted that second post yesterday was fear that nearly did send me under the bed! DS32 was wonderful at calming me down–once he realized I was calling about the weather and not some horrible health news. Oops! 😁 I think I had an actual panic attack: between the weather and this huge project I’m working on, it was simply too much. But by the time we hung up, I was back to my usual calm and under-control self. There will be more weather, but not likely as extreme as Monday/Tuesday.

Oh, @jaifaim, how disappointing! I was indeed the one who wondered–and hoped!–you wouldn’t actually gain much. Oh well, it was a wonderful time, and you’ll soon dispatch that extra weight, but you’ll still have the great memories!

@flourbaby Yeah, DH is more like you…although not so much with the ugly stuff we had at 5am Monday. That’s probably what generally keeps me calm, is that he’s not in the least troubled, and why I was so terrified at noon on Tuesday, because he was at a meeting.

@merryapple The way you describe storms does indeed sound lovely and fun! 😍

@coda How delightful to hear from you! I was never part of the group when you were still involved, but I’ve heard from many how much they treasured your friendship here!

@ccco Do you have a treatment plan lined up? I’ve been thinking of you…

Have a grand one, everyone!

Day 23 – Rural Nebraska, USA – OMAD – 163.2

Well, so much for that lovely weight yesterday, but I’m entirely certain that my food–like yours, @merryapple–was simply too salty, so I’m retaining water. I have some challenging days ahead of me, however: tonight is dinner out with a couple who are taking us to the same restaurant DH and I went to last Friday, so I’m hoping to repeat the performance of OMAD and going to this restaurant and being lighter tomorrow. 😁👍 Then we have a wedding on Saturday, so the rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner on Friday. For a variety of reasons, I think it will all work out okay that I’ll skip nibbling before both the rehearsal meal and the reception meal, so perhaps it’s not as ominous as it feels, LOL.

Wow, @funshipfreddie! That’s a HUGE number to celebrate!!! And half a million calories??? Wowza. Congratulations!!!! 🎉🎊💪🏼🚫🥳️💐

@northgeorgia Here’s what I wrote a bit back:
The Wondr program (I mentioned it sometime in the last several days) that my insurance company offers started on Monday with 7 or 8 short videos. I have two takeaways from them (beyond the basic “inspiration”): only eat at a 3, and when you feel a 2, that’s when you’re losing weight. To clarify: they compared the various hunger levels we feel to 1, 2, 3 or 4. 1 is not hungry at all–perhaps you just finished a meal. 2 is feeling some interest, but not actually hungry, perhaps merely thirsty. 3 is actual, real hunger. 4 is when you’ve waited too long, and you’re so ravenous, you’ll eat anything in sight. They made the point of not eating by the clock, but eating only when you feel a 3, and no sooner, because when you feel the slight hunger at level 2, that’s when you’re losing weight. I’ve heard hints of that, claims of that, but I think that, for the first time, I actually believe that. Do the rest of you buy into that?
It takes lots of thought to figure out just what you’re feeling, and of course, just because you know you’re not at a 3 doesn’t mean you don’t eat. I started this on May 14, and I’ve eaten too soon twice in those days. What I’ve found is that I find I’m wanting food, and I would normally have gone ahead and satisfied that desire. But now I think about my hunger level and that distracts me from the simiple desire…MOST of the time. A phrase they use a lot is “Protect your 2!” since that’s when we’re losing weight. I hope this helps you!

Wow but we’re all quiet today. I hope those of you who haven’t yet posted are doing wonderfully in being in control of what you do and what you don’t eat!

Have a grand one, everyone!

USA. DAy 23. NFD

I actually am having a NFD today! LOL. I spent the day with friends, so I ate regularly. Then I went to watch my daughter play tennis, after which we had drinks together. So much fun.

Stitchincarol, thank you for thinking about me. I told my doctor that I wanted to see my family in New York City where I come from, so I will be operated on the end of June. In the meantime, I am trying to do everything I usually do. Life goes on, including reading and replying to these posts! :). I hope everyone had a wonderful day!

Day 24 – USA/GA – NFD

Weigh-in: 231 lbs. Umm, yeah that is water bloat. The business lunch was loaded with carbs, then mom and I are left to fend for ourselves this weekend and mostly finished off the leftovers from the reunion. Things should equalize a bit over the next few days, but it being a holiday weekend — hard to say.

My mom’s aunt passed away last night, so it will be a somber weekend.

Day 25 – Ireland – NFD 🚫 ✅ 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🌾.

Hi all! Apologies I’ve been trying to find time to post since earlier this week. First of all super bravo to you @funshipfreddie on 600 days alcohol free! That is truly inspiring and so impressive. 👏🌟👏
I’m mostly AF but am tempted from time to time to taste new drinks and on holidays mostly but really have to applaud you!

I’m finding it difficult to get back into the work groove … but must try to apply myself.. must also get back into my daily posting… it keeps me focused and I tend to fall back to bad habits when I don’t.. And as you say @funshipfreddie there is still some time to make a difference in the last days of May. I am celebrating this weekend with friends as one of the younger ones is 50 today.

Hi @coda and @songbirdme so great to see you both. 👋
@ccco you have been on my mind and I am hoping that you are keeping well and I so admire you right now. Checking in and keeping the focus with your usual routine. There is a candle lighting in Palma cathedral with your name on it (not literally – you can’t write names on the candles 😁 but remembering all my friends who are facing challenges right now).

@stitchincarol the lbs will shift soon enough once I find my focus again and part and parcel of life as me 😂😂 I wouldn’t change anything about the trip for the world. Was really lovely and I’m proud. I am working towards a very long one day cycle in the coming weeks so should be in a good place for that… not training as such but am peddling 🚴‍♀️ as much as I can …
I have too much on right now to adhere to a structured training program but will be grand.
Hi to everyone else and I hope you are all well.

Onward and downward ⬇️
We rise by lifting other 💕

Day 25-No. VA USA-FD800

Still here, have a weekend and Monday off, which is a nice break. May actually get some gardening done

@funshipfreddie, your almost 2 yrs without alcohol are impressive; and in my own case, drastically decreasing the wine at dinnertime over the past three months has really helped me drop some weight, I think. Also, wine sometimes gives me rapid heartbeat for a while, so that is another benefit of avoiding it.

@stitchincarol, I hope your wicked weather has eased up a bit. The Midwest has been hammered lately!

@ccco, I hope you are feeling well and that you know we are all pulling for you here.

@northgeorgia, so sorry to hear about your great aunt.

@jaifaim, I am so impressed with your intense cycling energy!

Have a pleasant weekend, everyone.

Day 25 – USA/GA – NFD

Weigh-in: 230 lbs. Not great, but proof of the post-FD carb bloat on Thursday since I am down over a pound this morning, almost at 229. Honestly, not sure when I will fast again. Was planning on Wednesday/Thursday. Should still happen, although the funeral is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon — all is up in the air. Basically no change in weight over last week, which is better than a huge gain.

Day 27 NZ FD 73.3kg 🏃🏼‍♀️

I’m babysitting Olive, a lovely big black dog, for a friend this week. We went up Mangawhau in the rain and I discovered my (un)trusty walking jacket is showerproof only… I’m back on two dog walks a day!! Westies are definitely slower and easier to tire out!!
@northgeorgia That sounds like a great plan!! And growing your own vegetables 😋
@funshipfreddie Someone’s eating my share of McDonald’s ‘cause I haven’t been in there since I found out they made thick shakes out of chicken fat which was probably 30 years ago!!!! Boo Boo is wise going for quality and simplicity😽
Weirdly I think I’m chasing my tail on the forum today by posting late then early with hardly any posts in between!!!
I hope everyone is making these last few days count by mindful 🤐!!

Steely RESOLVE 💪😇

Pocket List
@merry🍎

Day 27 country west Australia FD 82.0 kgs 180.4 lbs.
Posting, steely resolve, whatever it takes…. those pesky 2 kgs will NOT move. Due mainly to me not fasting enough and overeating on my NFDs. 🙄🙄
I used MyFitnessPal for ages for keeping track of calories but I have stopped and I think my mindless eating has resulted in not losing the weight.
Push to end of May is to lose the 2 kgs and get in to the high 70s.
@funshipfreddie, love your posts re food facts and the word for the fear of peanut butter ( peanut paste in Australia).Who doesn’t love peanut paste ???
But I have reduced my intake of pp a lot ( I used to eat it by the spoonful straight from the jar ) after reading an article by Tom Venuto (American champion natural body builder ) who outlined the number of calories in just a teaspoonful 😱😱😱 and I admit my ‘teaspoonful’ was as generous as Tom said people tend to use !! ( people usually convince themselves that the tablespoon they have is actually a teaspoon.)
@merryapple looks like some of us have been away for a while but coming back for a good push to the end of May 😊
@leniloud I just read your post for the things to do for Mindful May and though not any days left I plan to do some of them. Thanks or the reminder.😇
It is so good to see @coda,@SongbirdMe,@Metatauta etc popping in for a chat.
I can’t believe it is 7 years since I first posted on this forum. 😲
I have not read all the posts for the months but it seems as though some people have been doing it tough so my thoughts are with those folk.🙏💐
@jifaim , sounds like a great holiday.
not sure who said ‘ you can’t outrun a bad diet ‘ which I find also applies to when I exercise but eat more than my TDEE 😢🥵😢
Onward and downward

Day 27-No. VA USA-FD 800

Joining the fasters today, to round out the long weekend. Weight is slowly going down (a few ounces every few days? If I can trust my scales. ). Well, clothes are looser and some are now too loose to wear. So that is a nice feeling. Still some pounds to go. For me, avoiding bread, pasta, and alcohol have probably been the biggest help.
@lilymartin, nice to hear from you. Climb back up on the wagon!
@funshipfreddie, the food facts are so interesting. Hazelnuts (filberts) used to be my favorites when I was a child, but I have never cared for Nutella. But peanut butter in the form of chocolate covered candy–mmm.

Day 27 – Ireland – NFD 🚫 ✅ 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🌾.

Hi all! Just another quick check in – I’ve had a busy weekend with mum.
The cycle in 3 weeks time will be 200kms with my club… there will be varying speeds and I’ll be going gently with the fun crowd as opposed to trying to break any personal bests. 🌟

Ha ha!! Thanks @merryapple – 🚲 – I would love to get out on a bike around Auckland!

Hopping back on the wagon tomorrow with a FD 💪

And I’m very happy to host June if no one else would like to? I won’t be as organised as our @funshipfreddie 🌟🌟🌟 with the wonderful extra fun food facts etc but will take my turn and set it up and see what I can do maybe as added challenge or fun… will see….

Ok doke… have to dash..

Onward and downward ⬇️
We rise by lifting others 💕

Day 27 – Rural Nebraska, USA – NFD – 162.8
Day 26 – 162.0

We had the boys up for dinner last night and had a lovely meal, but my head and gut are suffering from the Aperol Spritz and the red wine. Will I never learn I’m not as young and able to metabolise alcohol as I once was, and no matter how fine I feel when I go to bed, I will NOT feel that fine when I wake up? 🤷🏻‍♀️

Today, we join the three couples who are our dear friends, at the lake cabin of one of them for a lovely afternoon chatting and then eating a glorious meal. Wine will be flowing in abundance, but I’m not likely to want much if any given how I feel, so I suppose that’s one advantage of overindulging yesterday.

This morning, we’ll attend a Memorial Day Service at the Auditorium (for you non-Americans, Roosevelt’s WPA built many auditoriums in small communities back in the 30s, including in our own village, and they’re used for wedding receptions [including the one we attended on Saturday], community meals [including church pancake breakfasts, soup suppers, and the like], graduation parties, retirement parties, and events such as today). Some military person will be here from Offut Air Force Base in Omaha; it’ll be a toss-up if they’re a wonderful and interesting speaker or not. 😉

Okay, just took more Excedrin. 😂😂😂 Hopefully it helps this time!

Day 28 – Ireland – FD 🚫 ✅ 🚶🏽‍♀️ 🌾.

Hopping back on the much needed FD wagon… 🚌

@northgeorgia I’ve done the same recently… sabotaged myself… park it.. that was yesterday – today is a new day 🌅

@stitchincarol hopefully you will feel better today. I’m back to trying to apply the lessons I’ve learned (long ago) with excess sugar etc. Not so much alcohol as have cracked what I can take if I decide to and what I can’t… after 50+ years I’ve learned a little more about my body’s responses.. but have had too much sugary treats recently with travel etc.
@merryapple I hope your post is retrieved by @stitchincarol 🕵️‍♂️

Onward and downward ⬇️
We rise by lifting others 💕

Pocket List Day 28🐌 (slowly slowly…)
@jaifaim