Day 3, VA, USA, FD B2B2B2B
Day 2, VA, USA, FD

So the day before yesterday I did not drink enough water, that means stepping on the scale yesterday morning did not show much of a loss. Drinking more water today, or at least trying. I know I didn’t drink enough b/c 1. I only refilled my canister ONCE. (I should be refilling it at least twice and I also didn’t have a cup of water before bed. I also know I didn’t drink enough water b/c my lips were dry (I don’t use chapstick on purpose, I mean unless I’m in Denver where the air is SUPER dry) I try to let my lips be a reminder that I need to drink water. *I’ve noticed when I drink enough water my lips are not dry.

Ok enough of a water rant.

Having Broth with 2 cut up carrots tonight. Simple and I love it. Calories are easy to count 30 for broth 20ish for each carrot (they were smallish carrots) 70 calories total.

Had a very simple salad for lunch. Beet greens, turnip greens, and spinach. Squeeze of lemon, dash of salt, and .25 oz of grated hard cheese. Which would prob top me out at about 50 calories for the whole thing.

@ccco – I’m trying and staying focused. Thank you for the shout out I appreciate it!

@penz – well, my reply to the “starve” comment is… that research has shown that no one starves in a day OR even 7 days. *There is a saying “The body can go 3 minutes without air, 3 days without water, and 3 weeks without food” So the human body can go up to 21 days without food! Yup 21 days. If we can go so long without food, I have a feeling we were actually made to probably not eat EVERY DAY. Maybe Every other day or every few days is more than likely our natural human rhythm. AND like you said “it works” – I also like that “I feel better” when I have FDs. Like I feel freer and lighter and like I have some sense of willpower in my bones dang it! Rock on Penz!

@lilymartin – lets dream together! I’m still not at my goal (and then maintenance *which I can tell is the real test of this WOL) so I’ll still be there hanging on to the wagon hoping the hell I can keep my grip. Its not always easy to do FDs but they sure make me feel better and lighter AND my lab results came back with flying colours heck yeah!

@matpi – Trying to figure out if you made a typo or being sarcastic about a HOT 25 degrees F (14 C) = which I think would be still about 57F which still wouldn’t be hot in my book. My guess is leaning toward you are being sarcastic.

@betsylee – seriously a pop up of doughnuts! WTF? My only saving grace “might” be that I would say in my head “they are probably crappy doughnuts and not fresh” Thats what I would say and then TRY to run the other way. However, we do have a traveling doughnut truck here in Richmond and they are the BEST FRESH out the fried goodness after being druged through glaze doughnut around town. I avoid the places that – that truck is at… hence no days would be FDs!

Pocket list Day 3
@neilithicman
@lilymartin
@i-hate-lettuce
@funshipfreddie
@ccco
@bellyblast
@rabbette B2B2B2B

Day 4 CD country west Australia
Whoop de doooooo!!!!!!!
yesterday’s b2b went really well. Have reset the hunger signals – only took 3 days.
The good news is that the scales are showing 2.5 kg loss in 3 days and I don’t care that it’s probably mostly water.
The scales are finally heading south.
The bad news is that it simply shows what a glutton I had become in the past 2 years.
May as well call a spade a spade or in this case – a glutton a glutton. Sad but true.😔
@rabbette looking forward to holding your hand, holding on to our hats and seatbelts on for a wild, bouncy, bone shakin’ ride! ( I have a picture of us as cowgirls on the wagon tearing along at breakneck speed bouncing along over very rocky terrain, just like in the Westerns!! Very visual person here.)
@songbirdme, oh dear. Your predicament re water in the basement sounds awful. It’s too dry here in Aus to even imagine so much water. Hope you get it dry.
Have a Good Friday/ fast day/ non-fast day/ controlled day/ friend day/ whatever day. Just hope it’s good.😁

Day 3 Ohio, US — MFD
Day — NFD (65 bites)

The MFD has gone well. Just finished watching a DVD of Gilbert and Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore performed by the Australian Opera Company. Anthony Warlow plays the Captain. It’s a brilliant performance and in my books it’s the definitive version of this operetta.

@rabbette That was 25F <<<above>>> the average temperature, so for a total of 94F (34C). Tonight it’s supposed to get down into the low to mid 50’s. These days we need the air conditioner on during the day and the heat on at night!

@songbirdme Sorry to hear about the leakage problems with the water. For me the concerns about what nefarious things the weather could do to the house was the most nerve-wracking part of home owning. I’m really enjoying renting right now.

@lilymartin Congrats on getting the scales to move in the right direction! I was ecstatic over mine moving properly last week after staying steady for 3 weeks. Maybe they should make a movie “How to Train Your Scales.” 🙂

Have a great end of the work week all!

Day 4 Melb Aust FD (still day 3 in most parts of the world!)

Hi everyone, great posting!

Good to see the accountability flowing, so keep it up @ccco, @metatauta, @brightonbelle, @therealwil78 and @TLC3

@flourbaby and @rabbette, yeah, having a pop-up doughnut store is a pain, especially as they are all of yummy, different and fresh.

@flourbaby, good to have an aim for 70 kg – me too (though for me it’s only half the journey!)

@i hate lettuce, good that you’re aware of both your MR and TDEE. Obviously for you, counting calories is important. I hope the weigh-in goes well.

@neilithicman, you’re showing good consistent weight loss, so well done. Lucky you not to have the discouraging hormone swings many others on the thread have to deal with.

@tlc2, good that your first FD went well, plus you’ve actually made the step to go to the gym.

@mia139, welcome back to this WOL, so let’s make this month count.

@lilymartin, Aren’t accidental FDs great! No pain, but hopefully good gain. Really chuckled over your fat fairy comments.

@penz, great the B2B FDs went well, and that the piece of office birthday cake was small. We’ll be rooting for you to get down to 80 kg.

@songbirdme, well done on your accidental FD, and hope the basement dries out soon.

@wacm, hope your internal clock settles quickly so you feel better. We have that on the Aussie east coast this coming weekend.

@snowflake56, great, another good CD. Keep up the good work.

@ciren2, you have some very good health reasons to be on the WOL. The weight will shift down again.

@FUNFHIPFREDDIE, have you survived your FD?

@suresh3101, good CD for day 2; hope the day 3 FD is going well.

@yo-yo Fletch, one swallow does not make a summer, and one EFS day does not equal a failure. You’ll work out the NFDs. Good luck with your FD2.

@yvonneb, good luck with your FD, and great that you’re enjoying the callinetics.

@bellyblast, good luck with the FD. So, not carbs? Maybe just natural body shape when carrying extra kilos? My weight’s mainly on hips and thighs, so my backside sticks out more when I’m fatter. Sigh!

@rabbette, B2B2B? Well done you! Hope you’re remembering the water, and I agree, there’s such a good feeling of self-control when a FD is achieved.

@lilymartin, great that the scales are moving down, down, down – long may it continue!

@dykask, yes, it is indeed harder to exercise when a person is heavier. Walking more is a good start, but 70% at least of weight loss comes from food. The advantage of exercise is the improvement in shape with tighter muscles.

@matpi, also love the Gilbert and Sullivan operas. They’re always good for a laugh. Notice you’re keeping those bites down, even on NFDs

@rafiki44, hope the work crisis settles quickly.

Onward and downwards everyone!

Day 4: Gloucestershire, UK, NFD:

Weight stable. Hard, busy time at work. The mail is going up as the dreaded Christmas post approaches! Lots of parcels, not great weather. We forge ahead….
@lilymartin: Your news is good….I can tell you are feeling great.
@dykask: Our water fasting inspiration!

Morning everyone Day 4 UK …. NFD

Weigh in morning…. great start to the day… NEW LOW … now a total of 17 lbs lost.

Going to stop weighing every day! After last Friday weigh in lost a couple of pounds over weekend and got back to pre holiday low weight, then nothing happened all week, FD yesterday and then this morning, success. Actual loss.. 3lbs since last Friday.

Only way I can do this is, record all calories taken in, even if overestimated (OH is very good at helping with this, she likes the results!) walks every day, at pace get the heart rate up. Certainly eating sensible sized portions, reduced alcohol intake, but not given up the odd glass of red! Feeling good and changing shape!

Have a great weekend everyone and good luck anyone on FD …. Take care

Day 4 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – CD

FD went well yesterday. For me lunchtime is the toughest part, around 11:30pm when I normally eat my first meal on NFDs. After that it’s all downhill, and a matter of staying occupied until 6pm.

So today I’m going for a CD so I can indulge a little more over the weekend. I really don’t get ravenously hungry anymore on fast days. I’m sure our fasting ability is like a muscle, and gets stronger the more we use it. It’s certainly a skill anyway, which improves over time.

@yo-yo – living up to your name with an unscheduled EFS?! I hope yesterday went better. Nothing wrong with an EFS, but not a good idea on a FD.😜 No, throwing in the towel is not an option. You can do this! Did you plan ahead what you were going to eat, and when? That’s half the battle for me. I seem to arrive at the chocolate aisle whenever I’m in a supermarket, and spend time arguing with myself. But if I do succumb, I buy only the smallest bar, one of those little 35g ones. Any other ‘treats’ are fruit or raw nuts. There are a lot of things I just don’t buy, so even if I do go a bit mad, whatever is in the kitchen won’t do too much damage.

@matpi – I love Gilbert and Sullivan! I was in a production of ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ when I was at college in the ’70s. It was quite possibly one of the happiest weeks of my life. I still listen to the overture occasionally.

Good luck Friday fasters, and let’s rock October! 🍏

Pocket List – Day 4
@dykask
@betsylee
@snowflake56
@emma-taylor

Day 4 Melb Aust FD second post

Managed more a CD than an FD today, but …. better than it could have been. And NO doughnuts! 🙂

@snowflake56, you are really starring. A FD today, and at 1265 cals, I’d call yesterday a CD, not a NFD. I hope the scales reward you for your diligence.

@ciren2, good to hear from you. I can imagine that the mail build-up towards Christmas can be a real challenge, especially if you have to transport a lot of parcels.

@emma Taylor, Good luck with your FD today. How’s the Zumba going? Could you tell me the name of Jason Fung’s book, please? I’ve only read the Micheal Mosley ones, and looked at Jason Fung’s presentations on Youtube.

@i hate lettuce, 3 lb in a week; you’re doing well. If calorie counting is what you need to do – whatever works!

@funshipfreddie, enjoy your CD, and I agree, planning your eating ahead, especially on FDs is a great way to help control the eating.

@suresh3101, hope today’s FD goes well. Just an extra bowl of rice yesterday probably means it was a CD, so still reduced calories – no punishment, please! It seems that educating one’s OH about this WOL can take patience, though.

So, good progress so far this month everyone. Keep up the good work.

Day 4, VA, USA, FD B2Bx5

Well its been a slow fast this week, meaning slow decrease on the scales. I haven’t been walking as much due to the Toe – which I had x-rays and it is fractured. Dr says 4-6 weeks and keep it immobilized.

I’m looking forward to today being a FD usually I’m ready for some kind of heartier meal by today, but I’ve got a lot to do and I’m happy to just indulge in my salad at lunch and soup for dinner.

On a side note I found this by Dr Fung video which discusses the starvation mode myth and several other things that were backed up by studies. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIuj-oMN-Fk

@lilymartin – I’m very visual too and that is some great imagery! We’ll keep each other on the wagon no matter how many bumps we hit!

@dykask – oh my I just looked at my body fat % and was like oh!! I’m a little far from 15% I then looked up the % for both men and women and women are about 10% higher than men. So then I looked and it seems I’m right on target. Good luck with widdling that percentage down.

@matpi – ah yes then 94 degrees would be HOT! Its hot here too but for Ohio that is a bit steamy! What! AC in the Day, Heat at night! I’d just be cold at night (or use an electric blanket)

@betsylee – getting better with the water.

@songbirdme – Here in VA most places do not have a basement b/c of potential flooding of the said basement. Some folks who do have them use this thing called a Sump Pump. Everyone who has gotten one says they don’t know how they lived without it before. Not sure how it works b/c I’ve not had a basement here in VA.

@i hate lettuce – great job on your new low -17 down yay!

@funshipfreddie – oooo you mentioned chocolate. One way I find keeping my chocolate intake to a small portion is to get 100% cacao. Its usually near baking as most folks don’t eat it pure. But it has no sugar AND I find I get satisfied with that one tiny square! Which means more for other days!.

@suresh3101 – there are great benefits to fasting and tell your wife you will not faint. Especially from one day of Fasting. Your wife may benefit from watching the video link I posted above.

Pocket list
@betsylee
@dykask WFD
@snowflake56
@bellyblast
@rabbette B2Bx5

Day 5 – New Zealand – NFD

Yay, first day of my holiday and I sept in until 11am. What a luxury.

I’ve got my first game of tennis of the season today so I’m really looking forward to that, considering I’m 40 kilos lighter than last season I should be able to get around the court a bit faster (yes, fasting makes you faster)

We’re leaving for our holiday tomorrow so I’ll probably be maintaining radio silence for a week, but I’m planning on taking my scales with me so I don’t miss my regular Wednesday weigh-in.

Have a great day everyone and a nice easy fast for those of you fasting today.

Day 4 USA (Illinois) NFD

Gave my every-8-week pint of blood today, so had to eat and drink regular meals all day. Quite unusual to eat 3 squares.

Basement is drying out, thank the Lord. We have a sump pump that has stopped working @rabbette and really miss it. No water is supplying it, which means the tiling is clogged or broken somewhere . A real pain.

Hope to read and catch up on more posts soon.

Onward and downward.

Day 5: Gloucestershire, UK, NFD:
Just a quick “hello” before work.

@betsylee: Yay for no doughnuts!
@rabbette: Sorry to hear about your poor toe….
@songbirdme: Oh dear….water in the house where it shouldn’t be. What a nightmare.

Day 5 – Lake district UK – NFD

Morning everyone,

Amongst many things I like about 5:2 apart from it works for me, is the flexibility.

FD’s I manage OK, but couldn’t manage water only, a step too far. But the rest of the week I stay under my BMR (currently 1921) with maybe an odd exception ie holidays.

Yesterday (I’m a terror for keeping notes)
Calories in 1725 which is 196 under BMR ….. this includes, a couple of rum and cokes last night AND a packet of crisps …. luckily my OH helps enormously, we cook (a lot) so healthy and calorie counted food is now constant!
BUT … 5:2 allows a little indulgence followed by careful days and FD’s

Going to be an interesting week, strange this morning not leaping on scales, got to keep off them until Friday!

World Cup Rugby time …. Have a good one those on FD’s take care all.

Day 5 Canada NFD

A quick check in to wish you all a great day. No fasting for me this weekend but will keep 16:8 and MFD going!

Day 6 – New Zealand – NFD

I’m heading off for a holiday for the next week so I may be off the grid for a while. Fast days are going to be a challenge. Luckily it’s a NFD when we’re travelling, because a long drive usually means fast food rather than fast day 😕

Day 6, Emden Germany, NFD

stayed just under 1330 cals yesterday but didn’t make the best choices but it’s fine.

@dingping lovely to hear from you on a Saturday! I agree on Richard Booth’s legacy, for booklovers booktowns are heaven. The Dutch booktown we used to go to a lot is in decline. It did great when it started but a lot of shops have closed up and some shops still exist but only sell online. How exciting to be a MOG, so much planning to do nowadays. Will your house play a role in this, I imagine a large garden party filled with beautiful dressed guests like in “Four Weddings and a Funeral”. Just try to eat sensible, that can be hard enough if you’re not in the right mindset. With the upcoming wedding I know you will be back on track on time. I’d love to hop over the Channel for a visit but don’t see it happen in the near future. Friends offered to take care of the cat but I don’t want to leave him alone for too long. Hope you pop in again soon, take care and feel hugged. xxx

Have a nice day everyone!

Day 6, London, UK, NFD,

I’ve been MIA for a couple of days, 2 lovely OMAD meals out, although the vino & cocktails were flowing a little too easily for my liking!! I’m putting it behind me and moving swiftly on!!!

I can’t believe the 1st week of the challenge is almost over!!! I must finish this month completing perfect 500cal FDs and below goal weight TDEE NFDs!!! It’s ‘finger-out’ time!!! @betsylee, I’m using 70kg as my October goal, I suppose my ultimate goal depends on how I (and my creaky knees!!) feel, so maybe 140lbs/ 63kgs, we’ll see, eventually!

Something someone said on another thread which rang true and I need to remember, is this ……………………. “several years of 5:2 have persuaded me that losing weight is not difficult, so I got too casual. Time to start again!” …………………………………
I don’t like it, but it’s true, so back on the wagon and proper 5:2 from now on!!! I’m with you @funshipfreddie, I’m about to rock October!!!

Roll on week 2, I’m aiming for -2lbs per week and that’s that; no excuses or amputations!!!

Day 6: Gloucestershire, UK, NFD:

Bright and breezy day, just been spoilt by the neighbours burning plastic in their garden. Had to get the washing in and shut the windows!
Done two decent dog-walks today, so far. The dog gets lucky on my days’ off….as DH is pretty crippled while awaiting his new knee……sometime in six months.

Have a good day, all xx

Day 7 Melb Aust (but really only day 6, as it’s just 1 a.m. here) NFD
Day 6 NFD

Had a great weigh-in yesterday morning, 0.7 kg down, and the eating promptly went haywire for the weekend -sigh! Back on the wagon again. Just signing in at the end of a busy weekend, will catch up properly in another 12 hours or so.

Glad to see good progress and the quality of perseverance being exercised. Don’t give up. I had the pleasure of sorting out my summer clothes last week, and allocated several items for the op shop because they are now too big. It’s a good feeling.

Will catch up on comments soon. Have a more controlled weekend than mine!!! We’re all in this together. 🙂

Day 7: Gloucestershire, UK, NFD:

Ready for work, and I hear the rain outside in the dark. How I wish I could stay indoors!

@dykask, you will succeed today, I’m sure. How is your son getting on at Princeton?

Day 7 UK FD

Been away for the weekend with several family members so a bit of a food and wine fest but back on track today!

Day 7 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – FD

The first week has gone well for me, I think. Been to gym and done yoga almost every day. Kept to my fast days. Wasn’t too reckless over the weekend. I’ll find out when I weigh myself tomorrow. Let’s make today a good one 🍏

Pocket List – Day Seven
@dykask WFD
@snowflake56
@i-hate-lettuce
@mia139
@funshipfreddie

Day 7, London, UK, NFD

I’m aiming for a CD today, I’ve planned this week’s meals and I’ll stick to the plan rather than yo-yoing from good food days to bad food days.

@emma taylor, it’s a weird turn around for me, when I was a teenager and my family would mention my eating habits & weight gain (they favoured the ‘tough love’ approach ………………………….. it still hurts!) I would hide my eating from them to avoid the hurtful comments, now 30+ years later I’m hiding my fasting from them to avoid the ‘starving yourself’ comments and eating with them so I don’t hurt their feelings. It’s ridiculous that I’m putting others’ feelings ahead of my own, although, OH got on board fairly quickly 2 years ago after I explained I didn’t need him acting like a sulky toddler who couldn’t possibly manage to eat 2 meals per week on his own!!!!

Welcome to the challenge @granada293, I find daily posting the only thing that keeps me accountable, I can’t imagine where I would be without the monthly challenges …………………….. sleepwalking into obesity, no doubt!!! On NFDs I try to stay below my goal weight TDEE, which should educate me on what a ‘normal’ days intake is, so 1500cals (current TDEE or that random number of 2000cals give me a false sense of security!!) and stick to the initial 500cal limit on FDs. It works for me!! Good luck!!

@ciren2, good to see you back with us, no rain here ……………….. yet, just the most amazing red sunrise at 6-ish, I thought there was a fire somewhere with the bright red glow through the curtains!!!

I’m off to cook some salmon for tomorrows salad, preparation will be key this week. Onward & downwards folks!!

Day 7 UK NFD

Hello just on my way back from a long weekend of celebrating Couldn’t log on as hotel was a WiFi blackspot Will fast tomorrow and aiming for a good week as off to Sicily next Monday Have a good week all x

Day 7 Melb Aust NFD

Not doing as well as I’d hoped, so am taking some words from others to heart; we all learn together.

@at, good words to start with – let’s all dance in the rain of life!

@bellyblast, good idea to eat midday soup, then go straight out to walk, away from temptation! Hope the 16:8 and MFD worked for the weekend.

@rabbette, ouch! Fractured toe – poor you. Very frustrating for a yoga teacher. Good that you’re paying more attention to the water intake. I couldn’t face 100% cacao – like @funshipfreddie, find it too bitter. Couldn’t even come at 78% like he does!

@emma Taylor, Thanks for the name of the Jason Fung book. I’ll try to get hold of it. Oops re the sausages that wrecked the FD. By the way, why don’t you just set your FDs beforehand and make sure your OH knows when they are, so he can’t sabotage you with unhappy faces.

@neilithicman, hope the tennis went well, and enjoy your holidays.

@dykask, even a 500 cal FD is good, if your usual WFDs don’t appeal at the moment. Great to get the 10000 steps and 125 floors in. I agree, 70% diet, 30% exercise may be a bit low on the diet side – couldn’t remember the actual figures I’ve read, so erred on the side of caution.

@songbirdme, good the basement is drying out, especially with the help of the fire, and that you’re holding your own in controlling the eating.

@snowflake56, I was surprised at your goal TDEE, it sounds a bit low – are you looking up the TDEE as being sedentary? As a lightly active, aged 70 female, 154 cm and weighing 52 kg, my TDEE will be 1336, and I’m sure your weight goal isn’t as low as mine. Maybe re-calculate it? Well, anyway, it’s good that you’re staying under the 1330, and had a 700 calorie day 7.

@ciren2, hello to you, too. Glad you’re persevering with us. Please be careful in the rain. I remember how sick you were last winter.

@funshipfreddie, glad you’re enjoying the rugby world cup, as is @i hate lettuce. I hope the scales have reflected all your hard work this past week by being kind to you.

@i hate lettuce, watch the crisps, hmm? They are so addictive. Hope Monday’s FD is going well.

@dingping, it was lovely to read your post – please pop in every now and again, and welcome; we love to hear form you. If sensible eating for a time is what you need, then that’s the best way for you to go.

@rafiki44, Hope the uncle visit hasn’t been too disastrous for your eating. Good that you prepared by doing extra exercise first.

@matpi, I really admire your diligence with your counting. I couldn’t do it, but it obviously works well for you.

@flourbaby, good control with your 2 OMAD outings, and I’m with you about taking the rest of October seriously with this WOL. Good to plan your week’s eating.

@mia139, hold your own today, after the weekend, and really get back on track. That’s what I’m telling myself, too, though for me it’s from Tuesday, not Monday.

@granada293, welcome to the October forum. We’re glad that you can join us, and good luck with your FDs.

@brightonbelle, good luck with your day 8 FD.

Well, it’s really day 8 where I am, already; another late night. I’ll make sure I sleep longer in the morning. Everyone please look also at your sleep patterns. It’s much harder to control eating if you don’t get enough sleep.

So, eat sensibly and sleep well, everyone! 🙂