Second post California

@at, we turn our clocks back this weekend. Don’t you think we should set our scales back too? 😁

2nd post

Hi @philtaylor – on MFP you can create your own recipes by inputting the ingredient and the weight/volume and for the app to output the (k)cal value and you can just ignore the bits you don’t want.

@annette52 – not sure what your post is trying to say?? can we help??

@califdreamer – if only……..😉

Well I have got through most of this FD – just enjoyed a bowl of home made spicy chicken and vegetable soup – very tasty and only 185cals – saving a glass of my homemade milk kefir for later if I feel I need it before bed and will still come in below 350cals for the day – I had to work at this FD but feeling good now……

Together We Are Stronger!

@at…..annette52 was responding to my question about psoriasis improving on IF.

Pocket winos: Dr. Oz (TV doctor, health conscious) just had a segment on the health benefits of wine. YES!

But they certainly caution that too much, especially of the sweet wines, can have as many calories as a piece of cake. Here’s a link to the wines he recommended and for which reasons: http://www.doctoroz.com/gallery/best-wines-your-health

Day 3 North Wales NFD

Day 4 Gold Coast, Aus CD

Yesterday was really controlled….until 6pm. I was really hungry and felt really lethargic so didn’t feel like cooking dinner. Blew out on a burger and chips, don’t even want to think about the calories. Oh well! Reset today. I’m working this morning so that will be an easy distraction.

For Kerry Ann,
I started a thread in 2013 about the 5:2 and psoriasis and there were several folk who found that it was reduced or disappeared. I did read something about sugar and skin problems and found that as my diet improved(less of the white stuff) not only did I shrink but my shin got better too. I get the very occasional flare up in my scalp but that is rare and the patches on my legs have been gone now for years.

Day 3 – 🇬🇧- NFD

Fast day went well yesterday! Definitely going in the right direction.

Pocket winos will know the temptations of weekends – resisted tonight but will indulge in moderation tomorrow 🥂

Have a great weekend everyone 😊

I haven’t decided if I’ll do the challenge since it’s already the 3rd but I do have a couple questions:
1) is non-dairy liquid creamer allowed in coffee?
2) I’ve been on 16:8 for the past 7 weeks. I did great until week 6. I’ve lost 7 lbs but can’t get the weight loss to move again. What am I doing wrong?

Could it be the non-dairy creamer I’ve been using?

Day 5 – Japan – NFD 80.5kg (lowest weight before breaking fast)

38 hour fast and it wasn’t hard at all. All the talk about veg boxes makes me hungry for more vegetables. When I’m in China the co-worker I’ll meet there is a vegetarian, so that should be interesting. So I’ll probably end up eating more vegetables and fruits. I don’t think I could cut it long term though as I’m really not into breads very much.

@bert1802 – Sometimes fasts just don’t work out. One has to go with the flow a bit and just try again. I had one time that I just didn’t feel good, broke the fast early, eat a big meal and then just fell back into fasting and fasted for 60 hours. I don’t know what was wrong, but whatever it was the meal seemed to fix it. Actually I think that was the first time I fasted over two days without any calories. I think one of the biggest advantages of fasting is that I can now hear some of my bodies signals that used to be just lost in the noise. I’m slowly learning to listen and trust what my body is telling me. For example I often now just say I feel a little empty when fasting, because it isn’t really hunger. I couple years ago I would have thought it was hunger, but now it clearly feels different than hunger. Sorry this is really vague. Just hang in there and don’t give up the fight!

Day 4, Newcastle UK, NFD

Your post made sense to me @dykask. A little empty feels good – as though the body is saying ‘thank you – this is the perfect state’ vs extremes of hunger or feeling stuffed.

Today is the last day of the best 5:2 week I’ve had in months. My new exercise regime has given me a real boost and in just 3 weeks I’m seeing good results in terms of toning. Going back to basic 5:2, not counting calories on NFDs (whilst being sensible) and deciding to join @StephieS in not weighing until the end of the month has lifted a lot of self-imposed pressure.

@shortstory – the monthly challenges are not a competition – simply a forum to support each other as we get through the month. So please join us, ask as many questions as you like and you’ll receive lots of advice. I’m sure you will have tips for us too. I think I am quite safe in saying that so long as you are including the calories of your coffee creamer in your allotted calorie count for the day, then it is not the cause of your plateau. In fact temporary plateaus are perfectly normal. The body needs time to adjust. Just keep going – this works.

@emma Taylor – I bet you feel euphoric this morning – well done you!

“If you keep going you won’t regret it. If you give up you will”

Perth, Western Australia
I didn’t quite meet my October goal and I went a bit crazy as a result. Talk about well worn habits of self-sabotage.
Days 1, 2 and 3 were all uncontrolled NFDs where I blew my TDEE. Only one week until I need to wear that dress to a wedding.
Day 4 is definitely going to have to be the first of several FD’s this week. Hopefully.

Day 4, Copenhagen, NFD

Blew my TDEE yet again, so going for a third fast day tomorrow.

Day 3 & day 4, both NFD, New Zealand. All good here. Already starting to feel less sugar-crazed and more conscious of what i eat on NFDs.

Day 4, NFD, Germany
Hey everyone! After lots of lovely Sushi and quite too much alcohol last night I was actually much relieved to have decided not to weigh in until the end of the month ;-). Yet I was still satisfied with my NFD. I could withstand all the sweets that were served after dinner and also did not start to binge when I came home at night (that is sometimes a problem after too much alcohol…)
So today I ‘ll go for another nice NFD and I will stick to my bottom lines!
Have a great weekend everyone!

Day 4 UK NFD

Yesterday’s FD went well, even though I had loads of work and ended up going to bed at 2am. Had a nice ready meal (300 cals) for lunch. Rice crackers are now my best friends for lonely and long evenings (along with lots of herbal tea).

Looking forward to my wholemeal toast with avocado, chicken and lemon for breakfast. Oooh and a big mug of coffee.

Thinking of whether or not I should weigh myself today or leave it for next week. Hummm.

Day 4, London, UK, FD

@at, you were just what I needed last night after a couple of glasses of vino, I read your post about that shoulder devil encouraging evening snacking…………………….. I tamed him with ease!!!!!!

@basyjames, I’m feeling cheated, duped, conned, swindled & hoodwinked!!!!!! Why make a bagel when the recommended serving size is ½ a bagel…………………………… no wonder I’m overweight!!!!!! Who eats ½ a bagel?? Just make them ½ the size and my brain would be fooled …….. seriously my brain’s not that clever, but it HATES leaving anything behind!!!!

@abfab5, If I could easily eat at or below TDEE I wouldn’t need 5:2!!!! The brain re-training is continuous, portion control, recommended serving sizes, nutritional calories vs junk calories……………… I’m still learning, but after a little practice you’ll find TDEE is really all you need, the rest is just habit!!! I aim to eat to my goal weight TDEE on NFDs just so that when I get there I’m already prepared.

@aprilsunshine, sometimes, on a NFD the choices made aren’t exactly healthy and you might find yourself well over TDEE. Making healthy, mindful choices and staying within TDEE is what we call a Controlled Day (CD), at the beginning of my journey a NFD was an excuse to eat anything & everything in sight, now, although I still have ‘those’ days, more often than not, they’re CDs.

I hope we’re all staying mindful this weekend, whether fasting or not. Stay strong everyone!!!!!

Apologies for not posting,dad is back in hospital again and it’s very serious he has a bowel blockage and doesn’t want to eat. Has told me he wants to join mum and go, but his body isn’t ready. He is 96 and mentally as sharp as ever, it’s his poor body. He has myoleukemia and ‘prostrate’ cancer sic. He will need 24 hour care now and this means cost which is going to be hard for me to find my share.

My eating has gone to pot no matter how hard I try and my concentration is lost.

Regards

Mari

Day 4 – Ireland 🇮🇪 – NFD

I think the cardio stress test went well yesterday, I was able to finish all levels anyway, no chest pain, although I got puffed quite early on which surprised me as I am a daily walker and don’t have a sedentary job. The nurse was quite non-committal about how I did, just said I did well, but will have to wait for the consultant’s report to go back to my GP. That’s not until 27th Nov 🙄

Treated myself to a spaghetti carbonara and bruschetta for dinner last night, washed down by red wine. Fell asleep in front of the fire after dinner…..not a good look, poor DH said he gave up trying to wake me 😆🍷

It’s going to be another day for little treats, popcorn, wine….but back on track from tomorrow ……until Thursday when we fly out to Valancia in Spain for a long Moto GP finale weekend. 🏁💃🍷

@sbc another Paddy! What’s the craic? It’s a great international community here.

Thank you to everybody who cheered me on getting into the 130’s, too many of you to name check, but seriously, I love this forum for the huge support you all give. 🤗

@rainbowsmile my thoughts and prayers with you

Day 4, NFD, Canada

Woke up to snow on the ground! Way too early for the white stuff,which we rarely see in Vancouver. But is inspiring me to take down my Hallowe’en decorations and think about Christmas . . . I know way too early, but Costco has had the Xmas stuff out since August,geesh.

@mari I feel for you, so hard with aging ill parents. Sending a virtual hug your way.

@miracle, had a lot at the miracle morning material, love it! Thanks for sharing.

I am off to a mead tasting this afternoon,followed by a pub lunch with some old friends. Should be fun, but will be mindful of my food choices and will make this a OMAD to lessen the damage.

Pocket winos, would mead be crossed off your list to imbibe as well? Not trying to to find a loophole for you or tempt anyone,lol.

Day 4 – USA – FD

Blew it yesterday as a FD, so will try again today…@Rainbowsmile, hugs to you!!

Day 4 – McMinnville Oregon USA – NFD
Yikes, I just got on the scales after being away for a few days and they are up. I thought I was being good but probably too much 🍷 and 🍰, or could be water retention from all the salt my friend uses in her cooking.

I’m leaving again today to go to Bend for a photography workshop. I’m nervous as there is snow falling at the pass I travel over. I will try to do more of my own cooking rather than eating out, should help with the scales.

@rainbowsmile – So sorry to hear about your dad. It’s so hard to have them fail. Big hug to you (((((HUG)))))

Day 5 NZ NFD

Not doing so well so far this month. Time to RESET and commit to my goal/s.

Day 4 – Cumbria UK – NFD

Had an excellent FD yesterday (377cals in total) slept really well – Weight this morning 53.7kg 💃happily staying below maintenance weight – Eventually broke my fast with a light brunch out with OH before doing some shopping.

Enjoyed the Rugby (both League and Union) and Cricket (great T20 between NZ and India!) this afternoon – weather a bit miserable here so a good way to spend the afternoon – drinking plenty of hot water with lemon and cups of tea trying very hard not to snack…….for some reason it has been very hard today and I had to exercise that “willpower muscle” a lot trying to keep this little fellow 😈 at bay 😉

So I have logged on now to read the posts and comment to help me stay focused until dinner as I desperately want to have a CD and stay below TDEE – I have a lovely meal planned of spicy marinated lamb leg steak with salad of oven roasted vegetables and a couple of glasses of very nice Rioja 🍷🍷with a small serve 50g of Manchego cheese (no bread/biscuits!) to go with that 2nd glass – if I stick to the plan I will come in below TDEE 😇

@strawberriesandcream – I thought I would share in view of your comment I’ll work hard to save the 2nd half of that bottle of Rioja for tomorrow night hopefully 😉
@bigviking @missybear @emma-taylor – I’m in awe of you guys going for a Dry Winovember – I’ll keep hanging with my pocket winos and only drinking on 4 nights or less each week
@kerry Ann – Thanks for clarifying that – sourdough toast and a sprinkling of feta cheese makes that brunch dish perfect!!! Try it sometime!
@songbirdme – thanks for the link – It is amazing how variable the calories are in different wines, the higher alcohol content the higher the calories 😈 even in non desert wines!!!!!!! Pocket Winos beware
@abfab5 – 2600cals sounds a lot – is that the TDEE for your current weight or for your target weight?? switch or cut down on bread/pasta/rice/potatoes for more vegetables and you will be amazed how full they make you feel and they are good for you and have much less calories too…..Try drinking a glass of water whenever you think you are hungry, wait and see how you feel in 1/2hr.
@shortstory – creamer is fine if you count in as part of your total intake – join us as this is a very supportive and understanding group of folks, all at different stages of their travels in this WOL. You might find this link by @simcoeluv helpful and it might answer a lot of your questions:– https://thefastdiet.co.uk/forums/topic/the-basics-for-newbies-your-questions-answered/
@aprilsunshine – I’m usually fine on my FD but on my NFD that is another story – I have to distract myself on some days more than others not to snack……CD is a controlled day as you aim to stay below your TDEE – NFD is eating to your TDEE or just above hopefully….
@tsubaki – no guilt just press your RESET button tomorrow and onwards you go 🤗
@flourbaby – you are most welcomed – glad my post came at the right time x
@saffy420 – saw the article too – he was talking about his healthy gut diet which aims to improve the diversity of the gut bacteria – Here is the link : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-5048863/How-drop-dress-size-Christmas.html#ixzz4xUCfbhH0
@rainbowsmile – Mari lots of cyber ((((HUGS)))) coming your way – I went through a similar situation with my darling mum 3 years ago when she was 97 – all you can do is be there for him and cherish all the great memories ❤️

For those new to this WOL I thought I would share what I have come to realise during my time following this WOL – that is the 5:2 WOL is a permanent one for me if I wish to maintain the weight loss and the health benefits I have achieved and still be able to enjoy treats that I love such as 🍷🍰🥂 just not every day or in the same quantities that I used to eat/drink before. I have made this my personal motto “If I quit now, I will soon be back to where I started. And when I started, I was desperately wishing to be where I am now” it might help some of you to stay focused too.

To those who are struggling – Be strong and fabulous – Never give up – Everyone has bad days – Pick yourself up and keep going – Firmly press that RESET button and remember that “Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose”

Day 4 NFD AK USA

Yesterday being a NFD I didn’t pay any attention to TDEE or anything like that. I drank one glass of wine too many 😉 and had a little chocolate cake after dinner out with friends. I still feel like I did okay, the majority of the day nutrition was good. Carbs were probably too high. Now that I know the fast days are easy and I have energy for all my normal activities etc. I think I’ll pick just two days a week for CD. If I do 2 FD, 2 CD, and 3 UCNFD (uncontrolled non fast days) I should do very well with the weight loss aspects!

@rainbowsmile…..I’m so sorry you have to go through this with your father but what a blessing for you both that you can be there for him and that you have time to spend with him before he’s gone.

@at…..I will be trying the sourdough/feta combination for sure! That sounds delicious. I would not have that of that combination on my own. Thank you!

@StephieS….so sorry to hear your daughter has psoriasis. It really is a frustrating thing to have to deal with and try to control. It’s just such a mystery.

All of you who do an extra FD to offset a blown TDEE the day before are inspiring me! I’m actually looking forward to my next FD and thinking of adding a third to my week!

I wish I could comment on everyone’s posts, face plants…trips to Spain….dry November…I read them all!

I love my wine as much as the next person but I have to admit that I’m getting tired of how it makes me tired. On the evenings that I don’t indulge I have energy all evening long, right up til bedtime. I think more clearly and I wake up less puffy….and I only drink one glass most evenings. Sometimes a glass and a half.

Maybe the FDs will make it easier to give it up on more days of the week until I”m down to none!

Well, I’m obviously just rambling now (insert eye roll here)

Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend!