Day 4, NFD, Aus

Oops – completely missed yesterday. I usually do a FD on Thursdays but I’m not going to kid myself. So much is going on at the moment, that I’m going to let 5:2 slide until my life is back on track. But I’ll stay posting for general accountability and to make sure I don’t completely lose my way.

Loved reading your story about your DH’s family, @daffodil2010. How wonderful for you both (but so sad he’ll never get to meet his father). Sounds like you might have to make a trip Down Under soon, hey? I had to look up the word “dote” (re your description of his grandmother). Google tells me it either means “silly or feeble-minded, especially as a result of old age” or, (informal: Irish) “a sweet or adorable person”. Knowing where you’re from, I am assuming you mean the latter!

I had my hair cut this week – not usually noteworthy, but due to our recent lockdown, it hadn’t been cut in about 4 months! I think she took off 6 inches, and it feels so much better. I had to wear a mask during the hair cut, which makes it hard for the poor hairdresser to cut, especially around the ears. I’m discovering those stray long strands that she missed, but are easily got rid off.

@basyjames – my father had his COVID booster shot and also had a very bad reaction; much worse than the initial vaccination. V glad you’re feeling better now.

How was your resolve yesterday @at?

Day 4 AUS FD800

I’m joining in the November challenge having bowed out of the last couple of months. The looooong east coast lockdown just made it too tough to keep going.

Thanks to @northgeorgia for hosting us this month!

Great to catch up on everyone’s news and progress.

I’m a 52 year old woman who discovered IF at the start of the year, when the combined menopausal and pandemic pounds left me at a higher weight than I’d ever been before.

I’m 5k down from there at this start of this month, with just under 2k to hit goal weight. Hoping to hit goal during this month, but we’ll see. I’d definitely rather lose sustainably than yoyo up and down.

Second Post

@litprof – great to see you here again! Ooh we are nearly the same age (I’m 51) and experiencing the ‘’joys’ of menopausal metabolism slow down 😱😄

Good luck in your FD today

Day 4 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – FD

I totally lost the plot yesterday too, @penz?! Maybe it was a ‘hump day’ thing? Although, as I’m retired that’s probably those most feeble excuse I could come up with. First mistake was not posting; & then I scoffed six squares of dark chocolate instead of the usual 2. Okay, 3. Then I broke my rule of never eating cheese or nuts without weighing them, & had a mini cheese/nut fest! But at least I didn’t open a bottle of anything. Despite being on the wagon, I’ve got a cupboard full of booze, due to stocking up because of our bizarre lockdown rules which sometimes involve outlawing the sale of alcohol. Anyway, I’m back on track today after giving myself a good talking to.

@litprof – welcome back! I was just reading about the little girl being found in western Australia after being missing for 18 days?! Incredible.

Pocket List – Day 4 🍋
@litprof
@daffodil2010
@funshipfreddie

Day 4 – Rural Nebraska, USA – OMAD

I’m down just a bit more this morning, and have lots of enthusiasm to keep going. I think there’s lots of research that shows eating mid-afternoon is better than evening, but my schedule today doesn’t really work for that…but I may be so hungry by then that I can’t bear to wait. We’ll see how I do and when I actually break my fast.

I honestly don’t know where I’ve come by such strong discipline and will-power. I do know that I’ve noticed at church potlucks that other women my age eat far more than I do. Yes, they’re overweight, but they don’t seem to be gaining. I’ve also been aware that my “set point” is no longer 132, given how hard it’s been to get there again. So, with all the knowledge I’ve been gaining by my reading, this seemed like the only approach that had a chance of succeeding in getting me down to 132 or lower, and then keeping me there, all while eating a reasonable amount of food (she says as she’s 64+ hours into a WF 😂). I’ve clearly, finally, after 20 months of trying, losing weight at a steady pace. We’ll see if I manage a new set point, and if I manage to eat a reasonable amount without gaining once I get to my goal weight.

@penz New haircuts are always so lovely!

@songbirdme I’m sure you’ll drop those 5lbs in nothing flat. Where’d you go?

@litprof Welcome back!!

@high5 Well done being so close to goal! And I spewed my coffee, I laughed so hard, when I read “I’m so in awe of you all out there who do B2Bs and B2B2Bs and WFs and WFs x2 and keto and an RBS every single day, but I’m hopelessly flawed and I need my treats 😄😄😄😄”

@daffodil2010 It’s such a delight to read of your mojo and progress!

@funshipfreddie I too heard of the little girl who was found; what joy for her family, and such trauma for her.

@northgeorgia Wow, 215?? SWEET! Salisbury steak is something I’ve known of, but rarely had as a child, and never have made as an adult. Maybe I’ll have to do that some cold winter night! I’m certain DH would love it.

It’s approaching 8am and I’ve been awake for four hours now. Apparently I got so much sleep (and I did) on Tuesday night that the six I got last night were all my body wanted, LOL! I’ll sure be tired by bedtime, I’m sure.

Have a grand one, everyone!

Day 4 – FD 800 again

Yesterday on target.

@penz glad you were able to get your haircut! Still no go where I live (high transmission/ low vax rate, few masks) so it has been home haircuts for 18 months now.

@litprof I have about 5x more to lose than you, but I’m doing the same, determined to stop that yo-yo weight so slowly and sustainably it is! You are doing great!

@dafodil2010 my b2b2b days right now sound much like yours, acronyms and all 😀 except substitute Greek salad with a smattering of feta cheese for beetroot salad. I’ve been making homemade soups all week and my freezer is stocked with no added sugar, no starch delicious quick soups!

@funshipfreddie I think temporarily losing the thread is ‘life happens’ – we accept it and move on, goals in mind. 😀 Cheese and nuts are so devilish for me too, I eyeball most foods but have to keep a sharp scale for those.

@high5 – you are SO CLOSE! How exciting. I support and agree with your decision to have a ‘mojo recharging day’. I try to judge myself on my choices on a weekly basis for similar reason. Sometimes I have to indulge. And that is why I’m on this healthy eating journey, so when I indulge, it is not turning down an unhealthy path, it is just living.

@basyjames the Circadian Code book sounds fascinating. My library doesn’t carry it so I will make you my proxy! I really do most those things, so good to know. My sleep difficulties are WOCA night sweats wakening me, and I’m fresh out of ideas. As the weather turns coolth (😉) into cold I will be doing better b/c we keep the night temp in the 60’s so when I get a night sweat I usually merely need to put covers aside for a few minutes to cool down. I also find fasting and 5:2 much easier in the cool weather, maybe because I get better sleep in the cold? 🤔

@northgeorgia !! Outstanding weigh-in! You are certainly inspiring me to keep moving in the right direction.

@stitchincarol I also have seen research saying afternoon eating is probably healthier and better for weight loss than evening. But that is not the way of our modern social and work schedules. Or, may I add, lifetime habits. So I content myself to no post dinner snacks unless it is a special occasion. And I limit the number of special occasions to two a month. 🤷‍♀️ I just approach everything with the attitude I can’t be perfect and do everything ’right’ so I’m gonna live the healthiest life I can while being ME. —— You have been having the colds while doing WF days? Hoping your recent day is the indication you are through with that!

My late mom’s best friend is in ICU with breakthrough Covid. Margaret has been a lifelong presence and her 90th birthday is next week. Please hold good thoughts for this lovely cheery caring and fabulous woman. The family asked for video greetings and 👍 there was a lovely minute of Margaret on my recently recovered wedding video. I recorded a message, then added every photo of Margaret I had (including one of her at my mom and papa’s wedding) and capped it off with the footage of her goofing with my papa and her brother in front of the church at my wedding. Technically it was quite a challenge to do but every moment of making it was with a full heart and love. So glad I had the wedding footage because she is wonderful in that small clip and it made my greeting something different and I hope special.

Warm and strong thoughts to all!

Pocket List – Day 4 🍋
@litprof
@daffodil2010
@funshipfreddie
@mariaelena

Day 4 USA – Illinois – NFD

Yesterday’s FD ended up a little more than a normal one as we went to a local movie special night where 2 retired history professors talk about a classic movie. Last night was “Monty Python & the Holy Grail” – ate too much popcorn I could not avoid. Still lost 2 pounds and that’s good.

@litprof – glad to see you back. Yes, those menopause pounds got me too back when. “Where did this tummy fat come from?” was my mantra.

@northgeorgia – congrats on your Braves! I still remember when they were in Milwaukee, not far from my Chicagoland home at the time, and we would sing the Star Spangled Banner ending “and the home of the Braves.” Happy for your losses and control too.

@high5 – yeah for your goals!! Menopause… an awful condition to happen to metabolism.

@stitchincarol – we were in Kansas City for a fall trip that included the Monday Night Football game of the Chiefs. We have only been to a handful of pro games, and Mahomes is my fantasy football quarterback. Weather wasn’t the best for fall trees, but it was still a good trip.

@daffodil2010 – 2 FD’s? Wow. Good for you!

@basyjames – great to see you. I need to see about that Circadian Code book. Sounds most interesting.

@mariaelena – I have enjoyed spaghetti squash with regular sauce as a carb substitute. Also, I use cauliflower instead of potatoes quite often – mashed or cubed to have “Mock Potato Salad.” Prayers for your friend Margaret.

Onward and downward.

@basyjames – I am going to Wal-Mart tomorrow for some stuff so I will look for Banza. I presume it would be with the other pasta in that aisle? Thanks for the recommendation!

Day 5, U.K. – FD

Great news, my mojo is here and fully intact,phew!

Definitely the right call yesterday. I had a lovely day abd actually was pretty much keto all day with the exception of my three squares of 85% dark chocolate !

Ate super-healthily all day except a sneaky little packet of crisps (potato chips) before dinner 😈😀😀😀

Gotta run, looking forward to catching up with you all later xx

Day 5 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – NFD

No damage done after Tuesday’s mini-binge. In fact I’m still a kilo down from the start of the month; sometimes there seems to be no rhyme or reason as to what the scales tell you.

@northgeorgia – well done on reaching that 11 year low! 💪 🥇 and to @stitchincarol for your new-found mojo! 🏋️‍♀️

@daffodil2010 – nowt?! I thought that was a Yorkshire/northern English expression? Irish too?

another birthday lunch to attend; have a great day everyone

Pocket List – Day 5 🍒
@high5

Day 5 – Rural Nebraska, USA – OMAD 1000

Yesterday was not spot on. I actually managed to go 73 hours before I broke my WF, and had to grocery shop right before I broke it, and that was my undoing. So, about an ounce of the blue cheese I bought to make the dressing for tonight’s salad, four swallows of wine, and an entire avocado were my splurges in addition to the prescribed meal–but I still have four avocadoes that are getting too ripe and I didn’t want to waste it. Supper was a skillet dish (also from Eat Like a Bear, from the digital cookbook I bought from her) of 12 oz cauliflower and 6 oz ground beef along with some beef broth and some seasonings. It was yummy, and the scale this morning was only up four ounces.

Hey, and I discovered something new to me. I woke up a bit before 5am yesterday (which is WAY early for me) and never got back to sleep, and was SO sleepy all day–like was going to need a nap sleepy–right up until I ate my meal around four o’clock. Then I was wide awake until after ten. Was that a fluke, or is that typical with WF? Strange!

@basyjames I just read all your comments: you are such a wonderful and skilled cheer leader!

@mariaelena Just to clarify, getting miserably cold has always been typical for me during cold months when doing usual FD500s, but I HAVEN’T noticed any particular cold with my WFDs over the past four weeks, despite the weather getting cooler and cooler. Well, colder and colder, LOL. I’m thankful for that, as being so cold is the hardest part to tolerate and ignore. And what a wonderful thing you did for Margaret; prayers for her.

As to substitutes for carbs, I just saw this mozzarella cheese/egg yolk substitute yesterday morning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrwMKkyU14k It begins at the 0:50 point. Thanks, @basyjames, for the tip about Banza!

@songbirdme Easy on, easy off for at least two of your five, eh? Nice! Kansas City is such a lovely town to tourist around in; I’m glad you two had so much fun!

@penz If I could, I’d pull you close to me so we could share my discipline; I truly feel as if I have enough to cover your cravings as well!

@high5 Well done on treating yourself yesterday, but not going nuts!

@daffodil2010 I smiled to read you’re 5’2″ as I am also now that I’ve lost two of the inches I used to be. That sure explains why clothes that used to look lovely at this weight are still too tight! Have fun tonight!

@brightonbelle Well done on that great weigh-in this morning!

@northgeorgia Good job on a solid choice yesterday, despite the less-solid choices in the evening. Every victory counts!

@emma-taylor Welcome back! What’s your plan? Have you thought it through? Have you looked at http://www.eatlikeabear.com?

I got about fifteen new books of organ music yesterday, so I need to index them and then go play then; that will be fun! And the three trees in front of our house dropped loads of their leaves on Tuesday, so I’m going to go rake some of them. DH’s pickup is in the shop, so we don’t have it to carry the leaves to the village leaf-dump, but I’ll figure out something, or simply use plastic bags. The truck is sure easier, however!

So off I go; have a grand one, everyone!

Day 5 USA – OMAD

I played piano this afternoon for our local Church Women United gathering. It was hard to pass up, but I didn’t have any of their lovely smelling soup or desserts. Did drink a glass of apple cider, but saving calories for dinner out at our fave Italian restaurant.

@basyjames – my WalMart didn’t have Banza brand, but they did have lentil or chick pea made pasta called “Lensi” – label says it is a product of Italy! Different shapes. I got the “spaghetti” version that says it also can include soy. Hope it tastes good. I like to add Italian sausage to a jar of sauce. I used to make my own red sauce when the kids were home, but with just the 2 of us, a jar of Prego is just fine.

@stitchincarol – *15* new organ books?! Wow. Enjoy yourself! I am happy if I get one or two new piano books. I have most of a collection “What can I play on Sunday?” books, 2-month books arranged by Carol Tournquist. It comes in a complete year that I wish I had seen first. They take minimal practice which is nice for me!

@mariaelena – I have roasted a head of cauliflower too in a crock pot and find it quite good as a ‘normal’ vegetable. No, hardly a good potato.

Onward and downward.

Day 6, U.K. – NFD

ME: “Right Scales, I’ve been exceptionally well behaved this week, including 3xFDs, 1xZBC, no sugar (except 6 squares of 85% dark choc), mostly keto, no alcohol etc etc etc…..”

SCALES: “Meh…”

@daffodil2010 – Think I can identify with your scales situation!!!!!!!

@funshipfreddie – You’re seeing the underside of the same coin! Congratulations!

Guess the scales aren’t as ‘elastic’ as we expect them to be, huh?!

@brightonbelle – YAY for your mojo!

@emma Taylor – welcome back! 🤗
We’ve had some nice frosty mornings and beautiful blue skies recently but suspect nothing compares with the beauty and climate of Sicily!

@northgeorgia – Go you! You’re really on fire right now, great stuff!!!

Re recipes for carb substitutes, I don’t know whether we have Spaghetti Squash in the U.K.?! (Does anyone know?)

But I’ve recently discovered that oven-baked-then-cooled ordinary squash is an absolutely DELICIOUS addition to a salad! Goes really well in particular with bitter veg like chicory.

For years I’ve always skipped over savoury recipes calling for a teaspoon of sugar or honey, but I plan to start experimenting with substituting baked squash! Does anyone have any experience of this???

Happy weekend everyone and see you on Monday 😘

Day 6 UK NFD

@high5 I occasionally see spaghetti squash at waitrose but not on a regular basis on the few occasions I’ve cooked it I thought it was ok but I think it’s mainly the novelty of the cooked squash vaguely resembling spaghetti , I tend to spiralise courgette if I need an alternative

Anyway all going fairly well in my attempts for a controlled weekend , just need to stay on track until Monday FD 🤞

Have a good Saturday all

Day 6 USA – NFD

College football Saturday is me today. Might eat leftovers brought home from last night’s dinner or might cook something to eat while watching TV. Between games, we need to do some fall yard work. Hopefully can get most of it done today.

@mariaelena – Kittens are really so fun! I bet you enjoy watching them.

Onward and downward.

Day 7 – Ireland 🇮🇪 – NFD

@stitchincarol going to look now at that eat like a bear link……my weekend plans of OMAD have not happened, I was out for dinner with DH and wine last night……so today I am going to gear up and plan for the week ahead

@high5 yes, our scales must be syncing with each other n

@mariaelena love the kittens romping free in the wild ☺️

Day 7 – NFD

I ate well yesterday, not too much, but I did not eat my requisite veggies. Some days I just don’t want to. A big green salad is on the menu for dinner, so I don’t do that two days in a row.

We tackled the to do list with gusto, but lots more to do. Isn’t that always the case. Lol

Enjoying a ‘quiet’ morning with my coffee and my sunbeam seaking cats. Quiet is in quotes because lots of neighborhood noise for early on a Sunday: train horns, barking dogs, workers on the neighbors home milling about and yelling. Somehow all that outdoor activity and noise makes my living room feel cozier.

The weather right now is my favourite, sunny and cool enough that long pants and a sweater are necessary, a hat is welcome, but gloves and an overcoat are not yet needed. I have not yet smelled the wood burning in neighborhood fireplaces, but that won’t be too long in coming.

Well the filters on the heater won’t change themselves and DH is calling for my assistance, so I wish you all a great day!

Day 7 – Rural Nebraska, USA – NFD/OMAD

I caved on Friday night, eating the salad I was supposed to eat, but also a dozen Ritz crackers each loaded with a chile fig jam. sigh I think there were other naughties that went into my mouth, but I don’t remember. Yesterday was nearly perfect, but the damage on Friday was enough to put me a full four pounds up this morning, so I did the unthinkable and skipped brunch after church, just sitting with DH and DS25 while they ate. Tonight we’re doing a supper together and it’ll be reasonably low-carb, so I’m saving all my calories/carbs for it and tomorrow I’ll start fresh.

@songbirdme Yeah, I’m having serious second thoughts about getting so many new books. Suffice it to say, I have an addiction: Over the almost fifty years I’ve been an organist, I’ve collected ten feet of books, if I were to simply pile them on top of each other, LOL! One of the new books, however, had the perfect prelude AND the perfect postlude for today, so one of them is already “broken in” and that’s why I continue to buy more music because there are always new nuggets to find. Well done you on swerving the soup and dessert the other day! That’s serious “sticking to your guns”!

@northgeorgia Nice plan for Thanksgiving week, and excellent work to be planning ahead like that. I’ll do my WF on Tuesday as I have piano lessons that day, but I’m not sure what else I’ll do–I haven’t yet thought it through, so thanks for the nudge you’ve given me!

Okay, that’s all my chatter for now; see you all tomorrow!

Day 8 – Ireland 🇮🇪 – FD

ZBC for the working week, very light lunch of a green salad, sprouts and turnip with a slice of chicken for dinner, then tomorrow I will start the Eat Like ABear regime which is essentially an OMAD. This week WILL work.

Oh what a day yesterday was. After my post, DH and I were doing Sunday pottering stuff, me transplanting my spring cabbage, him fixing the community ride on mower….when he gets a phone call from somebody who is a friend of a friend of his on Facebook. This chap has the same surname as DH’s late father, so he had reached out to him a week ago. This guy is actually DH’s first cousin!

Well, suffice to say, we now know about DH’s Dad, he went to New Zealand, not Aus, there is a daughter over there, he died tragically in 1990 in NZ, his ashes were brought home by his friend and scattered into the family plot, and myself and DH went out yesterday afternoon to that grave and laid flowers, lit a candle, said a prayer.

Later that evening DH was speaking to his uncle, his late fathers older brother, and it was such a sweet poignancy call for both men. They had known about DH being adopted, and wondered where he was. Plans to meet up for a cup of tea and a chat.

Long lost families. It’s such an emotional time, but wonderful times too.

Day 8 UK FD

First time in ages I can feel happy about my weekend consumption- not totally without treats but definitely a move in the right direction, Good FD today then move forward

Wow @daffodil2010 The story continues 💕

Pocket list for day 8 🪴
@daffodil2010
@babs_b
@brightonbelle

Day 8 – AU (I’m in the Top End for those who were curious) – FD

Hi all,

I’ve not made it back to this space for over a week. This is the first time I’ve ever been part of an online forum/group. I’m not very good at it! 😬
It’s lovely see see how friendly and supportive this space is. Wonderful. Good people. What an inspiration in itself.
I am feeling good. I managed 4:3 last week (better than I hoped) and have had another good fast day today. Fingers crossed it keeps going. My experience tells me if I can manage it for three weeks it becomes less of an issue from there. And, if I do have a tough day, I can give myself a break because I know that the pattern is there and I’ll be fine on the following FD again.

Have any of you watched Michael Mosley’s ‘Australia’s Health Revolution’? It’s on SBS. That’s motivational too.

I’m continuing to improve since surgery and am being a good, compliant physio patient. It’s the only exercise I can do for now! Gotta make the best of it!

Wishing you all strength and resolve for this week.

Day 8 – FD 500

@babs_b the canal atmosphere sounds so soothing! How lovely! The subtle smells of autumn always bring me a quiet happiness. Do you take your walks along the canal?

@daffodil2010 How beautiful for your husband! My brother’s wife was adopted and she also sought out and has had a wonderful experience (and wrote a book about it) with her birth relatives. I love to hear it! One of my adopted brothers chose to reach out to his birth mother, unfortunately that did not go so well, so I am very aware that a good experience is not guaranteed in these cases, so it is wonderful how well it is going for your DH!

@brightonbelle Great going on the weekend! It sounds like everything will fall into place for the week. And, yes, treats are sensible, imo because lifelong abstinence from treats is neither sustainable or enjoyable – IMO. My goal is to get to a maintenance plan (when I lose this extra stone of weight) that includes partaking of and enjoying treats sensibly. So, some type of fasting will probably be a lifetime course for me.

@northgeorgia I’ve been considering making the month of December a maintenance month – to allow for the extra celebratory nature of the month and fine baked goods that accompany that month for me. My ‘scheduled’ 500 fast days are Monday’s and Wednesdays and the Calendar this year should make that doable in December without missing out. My exercise component has been a bit hit and miss in October and Nov (due to an illness and right now, pulled knotted shoulder/arm muscles) so I’m hoping to clear that up and keep regular workout regime in December. I’m at roughly 1/2 way to goal weight since I started in August, so a maintenance month might be a sensible decision and good learning experience.

@stitchincarol I admire your talents so much! Piano and needlework are out of my ability range and I think both are so wonderful. As the song goes ‘If I had a million dollars 🎶’ … well, *I* would buy a player piano and loads of scrolls for it and sit with my morning coffee under a beautiful quilt and watch and listen to it play! 😀

I’m hoping everyone is doing fantastic today, I awoke with my arm/shoulder feeling so much better than it has in a week and a happy but somewhat restless mood so I think I have to figure out something active to do today, I’m (unusually, lol) not in the mood for sloth.

Pocket list for day 8 🪴
@daffodil2010
@babs_b
@brightonbelle
@funshipfreddie
@mariaelena

2nd Post – Day 8

Pocket list for day 8 🪴
@daffodil2010
@babs_b
@brightonbelle
@funshipfreddie
@stitchincarol
@mariaelena
@facek