Day 6……. Florida……….FD
I don’t even know where to start with how life threw me a whole bucket of baseballs all at once. Well, it did and I finally made the decision to take my life back.
A quick glimpse of me I’m a 51 year old tired, fat and extremely hot women. Menopause and I are definitely not getting along.
A couple days ago, a friend on the book of faces posted about starting the fast diet and requesting any information on 5:2
Of course, I sent her to the good doctors documentary.
In this I decided to rewatch it myself, then I fell down a rabbit hole and discovered that losing weight as well as adopting a IF lifestyle would ward me of the menopausal hostility that is plaguing me right now.

With that being said …. Here I am with some new determination.

I finished my first full FD and started my fasting window at 5pm tonight. It just after 9pm now and I’m experiencing my first bought of the belly wanting something. I’m ignoring it…..

Tomorrow, I’ll start my first control day. Actually looking forward to it!

Here is some additional tidbits about me

Hubby and I have been married for 30 years. He is my biggest cheerleader and will join me on any crazy idea that I want to try

I gave birth to two wonderful boys and gain 2 more beautiful kids to my greatest hits list as they have chosen their ride or dies.

I still travel 90% of the time for work and I am diving into the world of healthy eating away from home.

Well, that’s about it….

Thank you again for allowing me back in!
I couldn’t do this without you all

Second post

@bert1802 Love to have you back!! You told some great stories of your adventures!!
We have all been through ups and downs but 5:2 is the BEST way to RESOLVE the excesses🤣
@funshipfreddie Don’t know how I missed you????!!!
Glad to see your mojo is working!!

Cheers!!!

second post. I have just tried to post 3 times without success so will try again later. Apologies if you suddenly see 3 posts the same from me !!

I just read this today about women over 50:

…”Calorie restriction does not mean nutrient restriction. But what researchers have known for years is that the volume of food that we eat matters to our ageing. What we have to do as we age is eat less. Think more like this though… “you don’t need a lot of food, just the right food.”
A tiny bit of light science….

As food is digested, mitochondria in our cells convert calories into energy. A by-product of this process are free-radicals. These are oxidising agents that can deteriorate the body from the inside-out, just as oxidisation forms rust on iron, ultimately destroying it. Excess free radicals can stiffen arteries, increase brain inflammation and give us more wrinkles.As food is digested, mitochondria in our cells convert calories into energy. A by-product of this process are free-radicals. These are oxidising agents that can deteriorate the body from the inside-out, just as oxidisation forms rust on iron, ultimately destroying it. Excess free radicals can stiffen arteries, increase brain inflammation and give us more wrinkles.

And of course as women on Okinawa have shown, regular consumption of sweet potato, turmeric and seaweed helps to minimise the genetic triggers of the production of free radicals without causing hunger

Day 7 – USA/GA – FD

Weigh-in: 239 lbs. I wasn’t a perfect angel yesterday, but was mindful and careful in the evening. I’m only up a pound and change today. Hoping for a good FD. I have a minefield ahead this month starting with a Chamber of Commerce breakfast tomorrow morning, and one in the evening the following week, and vacation at the beach by month’s end.

I think the adage to eat less, eat under TDEE, eat proteins, vegetables, and good calories, will serve me well.

Pocket List – Day 7 🍌
@northgeorgia

2nd Post – Day 7

Pocket List – Day 7 🍌
@northgeorgia
@ccco

Day 8 NZ FD 69.9kg🔺

Beans (bean soup) always cause🔺😉
It will be easy to fast in your new house @stitchingcarol if you haven’t had a chance to unpack any kitchen gear!!!
@northgeorgia Sound advice for all of us!!
@lilymartin I am interested to include seaweed in my diet esp as we have an iodine shortage here but am unfamiliar with cooking it. I have seaweed+salt which I use for fish and it’s delicious. The Outer Hebridians (where my father is from) collected it and used it in soups.
I’m racing to get ready to go walking…

Pocket List
@merry🍎
@molij
@at

Day 7……Florida…….CD

Thank you for the warm welcome, I appreciate it. So, I was looking back at old posts and what not. My very first post was in Nov.2016.
I can’t believe I’ve been on and off this road for nearly 10 years. It was neat to read my ups and downs. It was a really off form of motivation…. That’s for sure!

Today was a control day for me but I did make a few mistakes. Last night I closed down my eating window at 5 at the 16th hour, I ate breakfast about 9. By noon, I was starving.
First mistake eating breakfast….. second may or may not be ending my fast at 16 hours.
I closed my eating window at 4pm today. Yes a bit early but I have a slight problem with after dinner snacking.
I find if I close my feeding window down I don’t snack.
Mind games, it all it is
I’m just going to have find my rut in the road so that I find what works best for me.
Tomorrow, I’m going to do another FD. This might be to soon and to fast but I got to thinking that Mother’s Day is Sunday and I got the kids coming over, so I know they be lot of food and sweets. I plan on this day to be gluttonous. But if I do an FD tomorrow, one Saturday and one again Monday. Maybe Sunday will not hinder my efforts to badly. When I was a 4:3 girl but never on the weekend but Sunday I know could potentially throw me off, so I want to get a head of it.

Well, that my day and thoughts……

Day 8 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – FD

@stitchincarol – glad I could help! 😅 I did waffle a bit yesterday; I was rushing because of the line-dance class. But that’s really how I feel about FDs. And, I mean ‘non-negotiable’ to myself, not other people. If people around you take you seriously & respect you, then they’re not going to give you a hard time, it’s just yourself you’re up against. During my Sunday FD the cookies & cakes always appear during our coffee break when we’re playing cards, but no-one even bothers to offer me food anymore. They wouldn’t dare 🤣
Sometimes people write things on here that surprise me, things that kind of reveal their mindset, & why they struggle more than others. E.g. someone recently mentioned ‘swerving chocolate & apple pie’. On a FD?!! Why would someone even contemplate eating such things if they’re trying to lose weight, never mind having a FD? I hope that doesn’t sound judgemental, and I’m sure it’s tougher if you’re living with someone who’s eating junk all the time. But, let’s get real. 5:2 isn’t a magic bullet, we’ve still got to work at it, whether it’s losing or maintaining.

Interesting info re the shingles vaccine:-
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-14680147/Vaccine-heart-attack-stroke-risk-protection-shingles.html?ito=native_share_article-nativemenubutton

RESOLVE to the Thursday fasters! 💪

Pocket List – Day 8 🥦
@at
@lilymartin
@molij
@merry🍎
@funshipfreddie

Day 8…. UK…. OMAD

Hi all, I fell off the radar at end April – Easter, being away, not being near laptop etc. Did not fall into a chocolate coma thankfully, but have started looking at reducing sugar, to reduce the “feast” volume I have on NFDs. This seems to be working so far. April was a good lesson in how and why I stopped 5:2 yrs ago because of my NFDs and mis-management of these. Clearly there are triggers that I need to remove to be successful.

Anyway, back here and happy to be back… Thanks for setting up Motivated May @jaifaim

Here’s to a good Month 🙂

Day 9 NZ NFD 69.3kg🔻🌋🏃🏼‍♀️

Some mornings I just want porridge, cream and brown sugar!!😋
We all got soaked on our morning walk and missed our regular café coffee to come home for a warm up shower!!! Then I‘m off to look at an art gallery then art auction house then a ceramics fair. Wet day entertainment!!
@anicecupoftea Welcome back!! I’m sure you’ll be able to get your rhythm and mojo back now!! I managed to avoid chocolate Easter bunnies but made sourdough hot cross buns which I was v pleased to share!!
@funshipfreddie I’m like you… I stick to the routine of two FDs same time, same day every week. My friends know which are my FDs so I don’t have to explain why I’m drinking black coffee and not eating freshly baked cheese scones!! If I mess up I can do another FD on Friday…
I can feel your PFDS from here @stitchincarol!!! Well done!!!
@bert1802 Good to hear you’re sorting out a routine that works for you. Hopefully Mother’s Day will not lead you too far off track… Enjoy the day!!
@lilymartin Keep posting and remember you will get a routine going leading to going down hill…!! It’s hard breaking old habits and developing your mojo again. Sending 💪
I’m off to shower and get warm!!
Cheers, everyone!!

Day 9 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – NFD 71.3 kg

@anicecupoftea – good to see you back!

@stitchincarol – sometimes PNFDS feels like more of an accomplishment than PFDS – well done! I could use some of that too, but today I’ll settle for PFDS 😇

@daffodil2010 – so sorry to hear you’ve been unwell?! But, good to hear you’re okay – and congrats on the 6.4 lb down! 💪 🤗

@merryapple – I like the routine of sticking to the same FDs too. My Sunday afternoon card-playing friends are baffled as to why I don’t join them for lunch first, & choose a different FD. But that would mean spending nearly half the day sitting on my butt & making small-talk, & the 3 – 4 hours of card-playing is more than enough!

Gotta run, brunch at Grass Roof today. Happy Fri-yay! 🍹

“Motivation is a fire from within. If someone else tries to light that fire under you, chances are it will burn very briefly.” ~ Stephen R. Covey

Pocket List – Day 9 🍇
@anicecupoftea

Day 9 country west Australia 83.9 kgs Fast Day turned Fest Day.
@Fundshipfreddie, I agree that having a set routine of 2 non-consecutive FDs is ideal for the 5:2 WOL and that is what I did successfully in 2017/18.
Unfortunately I am the chief cook and bottle washer on the farm . I love to cook and often have to provide meals not just for my DH but sometimes other workers who come to the farm.
So when I made the hot apple pie and it was smiling up at me and the smell wafted past it took quite a lot of resolve to let it though to only my DH! 🥵
I now have to be more flexible with FDs . Today second FD started well but then DH asked for a roast so he can have some cold meat for sandwiches on the tractor for the next few days.
How could I refuse….. ?? 🙄 BUT I did have less meat, little fat and few of the new spuds. No dessert. Still Over 800 calories.
@anicecupoftea. I LOVE tea with milk in it but it does add to the calorific intake.
Especially on FDs it is better to try to have less cups of tea or even try weak back tea.
I am back to a teaspoon of Vegemite in a mug of hot water on FDs and currently sipping a peppermint tea. Some of the herbal teas taste quite nice and have zero or only a few calories.
@daffodil2010, I m sorry to hear you have been unwell. Trust you are on the mend. Sending good thoughts across the miles.💐 And congratulations on the 6.4 lbs down – well done!😇

Day 9 – USA/GA – NFD

Weigh-in: 238 lbs. Sounds like Ghrelin is a Gremlin. Next week is looking a little dubious now. Grr…

Day 9 – Rural Nebraska, USA – OMAD NFD

Yesterday’s WF was TOUGH–the hungrier I got, the more I struggled not to nibble this, taste that, but I repeated @funshipfreddie‘s phrase over and over and over: “This WF is non-negotiable.” You all might try that to ward off temptation! And this morning’s weight is 152.6, surprising since I ate so much one day last week, but very thrilling as it’s a two-year low! Perhaps in a couple weeks, it’ll be a norm instead of simply a reflection of how empty I am after a WF?

DH and I are moving two HUGE Christmas cactus plants (among other things) down to the new house today; they’ll be lovely on our front porch. And I’m going to “break in” our new pellet grill/smoker with some chicken thighs, Plus I bought some mac and cheese to heat up, and have a Caesar salad kit. I have limited tools down there to cook with, but it’ll be fun to have this meal, sitting on our new patio chairs.

@anicecupoftea Your post wasn’t there when I started typing yesterday so I didn’t see it until this morning; welcome back! NFDs are absolutely THE hardest part of losing weight on 5-2; you’ll get there!

@merryapple You have such a full social life! DH and I have talked about what we’ll do in retirement, and I doubt we’ll ever manage as many events as you do, but it all sounds delightfully fun.

Good grief, @daffodil2010, what an awful week you’ve had that you even ended up in the hospital. So glad it’s “nothing very serious”…although the “yet” you added made me question your statement. Keep us posted, dear woman, and well done for all you’ve lost so far!

@northgeorgia Whenever I go to conferences with DH, I’m surprised by the number of people who take very little food. For example, when pulled pork sandwiches are served, many, many of the men skip the buns. So my tip for you for next week is to try to watch what the thin people around you eat, and eat exactly the same. Perhaps that will help you limit the damage of all the events you have coming up? Of course, if these are plated meals being handed to you, that’s far more difficult. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Okay, time to get moving. Have a grand one, everyone!

Day 9….. Florida……..🤦🏻‍♀️

Well hidee ho friends!

I’m thinking my problem is me…. I am the problem!
We’re just going to move on and pretend the last two days did not happen!

I’m not going to even dwell on it just know life happened and some eating was done….. Let’s just move on shall we?

Got back from my long week away a bit later than I wanted to but I made it. To say this week wasn’t my finest is saying a whole lot. It was so bad, I reaggranged next week….. so, I could recover!

I back on track, so tomorrow will be an FD for me!
I just wanted to jump on here and let you know I have not fallen. I actually managed to stay on the wagon

Till tomorrow

Day 10 – USA/GA – NFD

Weigh-in: 238 lbs. Although my weight has averaged about the same for the past three weeks, but day over day this past week, I either stayed the same weight or was down a pound, so this could be good news. “Could” because vacation time is coming up. Now, just because it’s vacation and I’ll be enjoying some food and treats, I have to remember that even during those times, it doesn’t mean that mindlessly eating out of lack of routine is on the table.

The breakfast event next week will be easier, but the evening one is plated 🙁

USA. Day 10. FD

Pocket List – Day 10 🥑
@bert1802
@ccco

Hello, all! Hope everyone’s day is going well. I was just reading everyone’s posts. Stitchincarol, sorry about your husband’s vertigo. Hope he feels better real soon. You have much o your plate moving into your lovely new home. I also like your advice for NorthGeorgia about sitting near thin people and watching what they eat. It is amazing how some people just naturally know what to eat. I used to be one of those people. Life stresses in the world we live in today, I think, is part of why so many people indulge in emotional eating. I don’t see that level stress going away anytime soon, so we need to learn to cope.

I do remember the conversation about fermented foods like eating sauer kraut.One of the benefits I recall is gut health. There is quite a bit about it online.

FUNSHIPFREDDIE, I am glad you enjoyed your brunch. Sounds like you have a nice group of friends.

@bert1802, once you find a plan that works for you while doing 5:2, it will be easier to get into a groove. I am doing the DASH diet, which has turned out to be easy for me to do. Giving up sodium was the hardest for me to give up. I was one of those people who was heavy handed with the salt shaker. Now, I dislike added salt and watch my sodium intake in natural foods. I gave up sugar and white flour years ago. The white flour was the hardest to get rid of but now I can’t even eat white bread. My system of eating my meals sometimes varies by day. My son says I eat one meal stretched out over the day and that is actually true. It works for me but without the salt, I feel so much better and my skin looks so good. The skin part was an unexpected bonus of the DASH diet but one I didn’t really believe when I read it. It’s pleasant to know it is true. This system works for me but perhaps not for everyone.

P.S. I have always been a lover of apple pie. Very hard to pass up!!

Day 10……Florida……..FD

Well, I made through the whole day and completed my FD. While the hunger gremlin gnawed at a me all day. I ignored it but found myself totally unmotivated to do anything.
Since I spend most of my day doom scrolling besides getting what I need to get done. I read an article about age and diet. I won’t bore you but as we age we actually need less food. So, we need less fat and carbohydrates but we actually need more enriched foods such as fruit and veg. Then the one thing we definitely need more of is protein.

I eat tons of fruit and veg but reading about needing more protein threw me for a loop. Only because I’m not a meat girl, while I do eat it, it’s not my favorite. Plus, I don’t do beans or legumes. It’s texture thing for both…..

So, after tomorrow’s doing, I’m gonna research other high protein foods.

I hope everyone has fantastic day!

third post. At my desk so it is easy to post.
I just crunched the number on My Fitness Pal as in the ACTUAL amount of food I am eating…😱😱😱
It is a NFD for me today.
But plugging in the ACTUAL amount of food I have had for breakfast , I have already consumed 735 calories of a total TDEE of 1200.
That is just some freshly squeezed juice, 1/2 an apple, 1 piece of toast with butter, a couple of cups of white tea and half a muffin. More than usual but a Mother’s Day breakfast.
Now I have a Mother’s Day lunch to attend …….
Jut shows how the calories can add up fairly quickly.
Mindful, mindful, Mindful May indeed!! 😬

Day 11 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – FD

@bert1802 – I’m not crazy about meat either, but eggs & dairy are good protein sources, I think. Eggs, especially. I eat them every day.

@lilymartin – that’s a terrible breakfast, in my humble opinion 🤔 Pure carbs/sugar. I think most people eating that would be ravenously hungry after a couple of hours. Pretty much zero protein & few nutrients. Fruit juice – your pancreas doesn’t know or care whether it’s freshly squeezed, from a carton or sugar straight from the bowl – it’s all the same. Toast AND half a muffin? An omelette with cheese & tomato, or eggs/bacon & maybe one slice of toast would have been fewer calories. Much healthier, satisfying & your blood sugar wouldn’t be doing somersaults. No breakfast, even better! 😉 As @anicecupoftea said earlier, “I’m limiting carbs and sugar as these seem to drive me to eat more..”

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mums! 💐

Pocket List – Day 11 🥚
@funshipfreddie

Day 12 FD country west Australia 83.9 kgs
@funshipfreddie, yes I agree it was an awful breakfast nutritionally but as I said, Mother’s Day, and prepared for me so I wasn’t going to be churlish and pass it up.😊
And I made the muffins for a combined morning tea so had one to taste. !!
I Usually have half a pear ,1/2 an orange, 1/4 cup of muesli homemade with all the seeds/ uncut steel oats/psyllium husks/LSA etc.
I’m an 80/20 girl. Eating well 80 % of the time and trying to be mindful the other 20 % or , as in yesterday’s breakie, just eating it !! Planning on going to 90/10 as age means eating less, increasing protein ( yes @bert1802 we do need more protein as we age ) and choosing good quality food.
@northgeorgia, good luck with this week’s FDs and NFDs and dinners etc. And well done on the 1 lb down.👏
@anicecupoftea, it’s a win when you don’t overdo it on NFDs. I think that is what we all try/need to control.
I’m back to plugging the numbers on MFP which I haven’t done well or consistently for some time. Quite a shock to see how far over my TDEE I was yesterday by lunch. So no dinner it was.🙄
I am not sure where everybody is this month. Did we scare all those not on holiday away??
Hello!!! Is anyone out there?? Everyone is welcome to just drop by and say hi ! if you don’t want to hang around. We’d love to hear from you.
Pocket list Day 12
@lilymartin
‘Whether you think you can or whether you think you can’t , you’re right.’ Henry Ford

Day 12 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – NFD 71.5 kg

So quiet here? You can almost hear the crickets 🦗

@lilymartin – those are great, low cal protein sources. Although, I wouldn’t personally sacrifice flavour for fewer calories. Egg whites only – yuck. The yolks contain most of the nutrients, & half the protein. And, low-fat milk – double-yuck. I used to use low-fat milk in tea/coffee, but found I was just using more because the milk tasted so watery. I find it’s preferable to eat less food with more flavour, especially on a FD. Lower carb diets generally reduce appetite & lead to lower calorie intake automatically.

“Discipline is choosing between what you want now and what you want most.” ~ Augusta F. Kantra

Pocket List – Day 12 🍋
@merry🍎
@lilymartin
@anicecupoftea

Day 12 – UK – FD800

I have been lurking in the background having some lovely controlled days BUT then some very indulgent ones so going nowhere fast……

We have been so lucky with the weather ☀️☀️ and yet more ☀️☀️

I had another recurrent episode of pain in my right hip and leg started about 2 weeks ago – a bit different to my previous episode of sciatica but have been doing the exercises given to me by the physiotherapist previously and have given up now and have booked a review with her this afternoon 🤞
I’m fine walking or lying flat so have been doing lots of walking and enjoying the lovely sunshine….

Lovely to see @bert1802 back with us – we had missed you and remember that TOGETHER WE ARE STRONGER!!

@anicecupoftea – good to see you back too – I agree about avoiding carbs and sugary foods, they definitely are not my friend – Complex carbohydrates are considered a healthier choice than simple carbohydrates because they provide more sustained energy, have a lower glycemic index, and are typically more nutrient-dense. They also tend to be higher in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, which are important for overall health and well-being.

@daffodil2010 – so sorry to hear you’ve been unwell – hoping the further tests have positive health results for you xx

@funshipfreddie – I agree that when I stuck to regular FDs it certainly appeared to make it a lot easier – sadly I have got out of rhythm with fasting and am paying the price – I desperately am trying……

For all those struggling like myself – I KNOW what worked previously when I initially lost those 3st 7lbs i.e. 2 x regular FD500 every week (sometimes tossing in an extra one to make up for an overindulgent day) Control on my NFDs (logging into MFP) and drinking plenty of water – and at least 4 days of exercise each week – all sounds so simple……..

I decided to look back at my initial weight loss journey – and am amazed that currently I am sitting 7kg (1st and 2 lbs) over where I had initially settled as my happy weight – I have been deluding myself that I only had 7lbs/3.2kg to lose 🙈 – SOMETHING HAS TO CHANGE

I still exercise – yoga, pilates, aerobics and hiking but no regular FDs, MFP is an adhoc tool as opposed to using it regularly and certainly not drinking plenty of water

I must find the motivation to get back on track…..aiming for 3 x FD800 to start the week as I am then driving to Suffolk on Thursday to visit old friends = lots of food and 🍷🥂 and no exercise as such – will aim for a FD when driving back on Tuesday next week

@excelsior12309 – I have added you to the pocket list for today

Pocket List – Day 12 🍋
@merry🍎
@lilymartin
@anicecupoftea
@excelsior12309
@at FD800

Day 12 – Rural Nebraska, USA – NFD

We had a baptism at church yesterday, and a meal to follow, and it was all such glorious food, that I ended up having lots of calories, even though I only took little bits of everything. So I decided I would eat very little later in the day, and actually ended up eating nothing the rest of the day, and I’m down over two pounds this morning–I’m thinking that’s a WHOOSH from my efforts, not an OMAD result. Maybe?? I don know that everytime we go down to the new house, I’m making ten or more trips up and down those stairs, carrying boxes, so that has to be helping!

As to protein in oatmeal, when milk is added, the small amounts of protein in each complement each other and become more impactful than the protein in meat. The three categories that can complement each other are dairy, legumes, and grains, and relying on complementary proteins is what enables vegetarians to get healthy amounts of protein. I was a vegetarian from 1979 to 1985, and have never been so healthy…

Oh, and @northgeorgia, why: “I probably will have to eat something.”???? Especially as a speaker, it would be reasonable to say you simply cannot get up to speak after/before eating. Perhaps one of your tools should be looking for ways to politely decline food.

Okay, off to pack up books and take down bookshelves to move. Tonight is our Mother’s Day celebration since both sons had to work as servers yesterday, a big day at their job.

Have a grand one, everyone!