Day 9 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – NFD 🚫🍷

I thought I’d be one of the later posters today?! I guess not 🤔

@northgeorgia – congrats on the new low! That 217 is just around the corner 🎯

@songbirdme – such a pity you didn’t get to see Penzance?! I love ‘Pirates of Penzance’. I was a pirate for a few days in ’79. By that I don’t mean I plundered any cargo ships; I was in a college production. I knew every song inside out. I still listen to the overture sometimes, & it always puts me in a great mood.

@mariaelena – thanks for the encouragement. I didn’t think I was drinking so much either; but it was definitely dragging me down. I was averaging around 3 drinks per day. I would deliberately put off having the first drink until after dinner, because once I’d had that drink, well, I don’t have an ‘off’ switch’. Good luck with those in-laws. Sometimes just being blatantly rude works wonders 😈

Have a good weekend everyone! ⛅️ 🌈

Day 9 – Rural Nebraska, NE – NFD

Despite what felt like a huge meal last night, the scale didn’t shoot up, so that was lovely. (Not that I thought I’d gain actual pounds, but only that the sheer quantity would still sit inside me.) I still feel quite stuffed, so my goal for the day is minimal food. And, honestly, I “hope” I can pull it off. I don’t put up with such namby-pamby phrases from myself Mon-Thurs, but the weekends are so different in my mind, that resolve is nearly unknown. I’ll work on that as I go about my day, trying to build resolve and determination.

Eldest DS turns 30 next week while we’re in upstate New York, so we’re celebrating next Sunday. He’s requested quite the menu, so I’m working hard at being all prepared before we leave so all I have to do is shop for the ingredients. Thankfully, youngest DS will be cooking with me, and that will make it far easier.

@funshipfreddie I’m with you in astonishment that the board is so quiet today. I too have been in musicals and dramas over the years; fun times. I was actually also sort of in Pirates, and WAS a pirate, for my very first dance recital back in 1966 or so, although the fact that our costumes were for “Pirates of Penzance” is absolutely all I remember of it! 🤣😂

@songbirdme Good luck to your ILLINI; with Michigan as our opponent, we’re a bit nervous…but if we can only play as well as we played last week, we actually have a chance!

Okay, I’m off to be productive; I may manage to check in later.

Day 9 — NFD

Yesterday on target.

@funshipfreddie I find it difficult to stop at one drink (cocktail/wine/cider) when I drink with dinner. The more flavourful sipping digestif type drinks, I am better able to stop at one. But if I drink too late in the evening I seem to pay for it for the next 18+ hours. As I age, the effects are more pronounced so I believe I will be all the better for this scheduled time out.

As for the in-laws, got a reprieve this weekend but not for the next two. I’m defenseless against them, they have that ability to say something “innocent” in a saccharine sweet voice and cut like a knife. I swear when they do that I can see a cartoon thought bubble above their heads with a huge eye roll 🙄 emoji. Like, “wow, all you are eating is salad, you are dieting again?” If said in a different tone, with a different emphasis and facial expression (like if my sister said that to me, it could be taken as innocuous, neutral or positive). But if I reply to the tone, emphasis or subtext, I’m “attacking them for no reason”. My clothing, interests, eating, family and beliefs are all equally berated in this manner, and I feel helpless to respond at all. But I’ll bear up, I always have. My young nieces provide a good buffer, and I’ll do my best to sit/ spend my time with them and leave the adult socializing to my DH. Basta! I’m rambling again.

@stichincarol Like you I ease up on weekends. But I’m off for yearly bloodwork Monday AM so I’m having a paranoidly strict weekend. Paranoid because nothing in the past has been of particular concern in my bloodwork – yet I still worry. Lol at myself.

Trying to change up my exercise for today and maybe tomorrow. Some sore muscles are needing time to recuperate. So off for brisk, boring neighborhood walking. Got my podcast loaded, so hopefully time will pass quickly!

Good thoughts to all.

@stitchincarol — watching your Cornhuskers having a rough time with Michigan. I’m a bit torn … would be happy for Nebraska if they could win a tough one at home all for YOU, but did I ever mention of our 4 kids #1 and #3 went to Illinois (who played horribly today against Wisconsin… 🥲 even at Homecoming…) but #2 & #4 went to Michigan for their terrific musical theater program. So my feelings right now at halftime have to lie with the Go Blue kiddos. 🏈 💙💛

Day 10 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – NFD 🚫🍷

@emma-taylor – I’m green with envy 💚

See y’all on the pocket list tomorrow

Happy S🌞nday!

@brightonbelle – amazing. I’m sure you’ll have a great time. Every time I see your name I think of all the times we go to Brighton and have fun. It’s one of my favourite places….

Day 10 – USA/GA – NFD

Weigh-in: 220 lbs. I was not Fung-minded at all yesterday. Started off well, but then decided to make the Halloween treat bags for co-workers and my niece, nephew, and a few other kids. I came across a few candies where the glue didn’t seal off the wrapper at the factory, so of course I had to eat those — oops, then I started carb craving — had a processed frozen meal for lunch, and gobbled up two bowls of cereal at night. No no no. Satisfying a craving that has been nagging for a few days is one thing. Abandoning my body to the sugar demon is wrong.

I think I’ll have a good egg and turkey bacon breakfast this morning and get some chores done. Then I’ll prepare some real food for later. Stay strong!

@stitchincarol Yes, I need to seriously up my water intake today. I’m thinking this cold or whatever I had also includes some tummy bug component — have some occasional upper abdomen pain like acid reflex/indigestion and a little back pain on Friday. So I may well be a bit dehydrated!

@at Yes, and although I’m back at 220, this is the first 220 weigh-in on a Sunday that’s been preceded by two NFDs, so I feel like I’m getting things under control and headed in the right direction 🙂

Second post

Starting point for my sleep/weight/health connections research.

https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-040119-094412

Particularly interesting :

“ The circadian timing system may also serve as a critical link between sleep and metabolism. Circadian timing both influences and is influenced by the metabolic state of cells and organisms. Cellular energy metabolism at the molecular level is linked directly to the molecular circadian clock (88, 89). At the behavioral level, food can entrain the circadian timing system, and eating at an inappropriate circadian phase promotes weight gain and obesity in both animals and humans (6, 9, 88). Thus, restricting feeding/eating times within the appropriate circadian phase can both prevent obesity and result in weight loss (47, 59).”

There are a lot of pseudoscience articles out there and I’m looking for some more in-depth info, anything interesting I come across I will keep sharing if there is interest.

Day 10 – Rural Nebraska, USA – NFD

Yesterday was a decent FD and the scale rewarded me with 143.0 this morning, so was delighted with that. We’ve had quiche, fresh blueberries and OJ for brunch and will work on our leftovers for supper, and that will hopefully leave our fridge empty since tomorrow will be a WFD for me, and we leave the house around two.

Thanks for all the thoughts on how to approach decent eating while gone without actually feeling as if I’m depriving myself of anything. 🤣😂🤣 I’ll simply have to do my best and call that good.

@songbirdme We were all thrilled with Nebraska’s performance last night: TWENTY-TWO points in the 3rd quarter is nothing shy of excellence. And losing by three points is disappointing, but not the embarrassment other losses have been, so it’s all good. And I well understand your loyalty to Michigan. Don’t share it, but accept it, LOL!

Have a great one, everyone!

Day 11 – Ireland 🇮🇪 – FD

Quick check in. So tired today. We travelled 500 km almost non stop on the motorbike yesterday and while I am happy that it caused me no bother at all, so my recovery is complete, the miles have taken its toll on my energy levels.

Poor DH was also out on Saturday ( it’s a rally thing where you collect points on the motorbike and closing date soon) and he clocked up 1200km this weekend. Both of us shattered today.

Have a great Monday – Hopefully all will be ok.

Day 11 – UK – FD

Morning all, I hope everyone’s well. I had a weekend of NFDs (no change there) but I don’t feel like they were ‘tooooo’ bad…. she says surreptitiously, while trying to forget all the chocolatey cakey things she ate…. 👀. But all in all, I only had 2 glasses of wine the entire weekend and didn’t eat a takeaway or go out for dinner so that’s something right?!

This week is going to be a little trickier – I’m staying with my dad from tomorrow until Friday and also have a big client meeting during the week too so just planning how I’ll make it work with the FDs. Needless to say today is definitely a FD!

A little observation – I ate a bit more dairy last week (I had a flat white on a NFD, a little bit of cheese here and there, more than enough chocolate etc) and my face has erupted in spots worse than I ever had them as a teenager so I think it’s safe to say dairy isn’t really agreeing with me at the moment. @Daffoldil2010 I’m joining you on the 80% plant based plan! I hope you manage to get a good rest today.

@penz I always wake up hungry after EFS! It’s like my stomach’s been stretched and is crying out for more to fill it up! (Non scientific ‘fact’ for you there 😂). The good thing is that I find it passes with a stern talking to myself and a good cup of tea because it’s not actual hunger. Shows how easy it is to slip into eating a bit more and more regularly though!

@Marinaelena – I echo what @penz said about the in-laws. Sending strength, keeping checking in here when you’re feeling frustrated / need to let off some steam.

@stitchincarol – great on the 143! Sounds like we’re in similar situations re being able to plan this week. My thinking is it’s just one week in our lives so doing the best is definitely good. Easy on easy off, as they say.

Have a great day!

Pocket List – Day 11 🎯
@penz
@daffodil2010
@funshipfreddie
@babs_b

Day 11 Shouldn’t put OMAD because it’s not true at the moment…
Sicily.

@Daffofil2010, I’ve just been reading your old posts because I wanted to know more about your 80:20 plants based diet, and I noticed your DH’s mum is due to come to Ireland in October. Is that still a plan? I hope it all goes well. Should be exciting.

Day 11 – Rural Nebraska, USA – WFD

Since I won’t have a built-in WFD tomorrow, I’m going to do it today as we prepare to leave and then fly to upstate New York; it’ll be a bit more challenging, but a healthy dose of RESOLVE should see me through and, although I won’t have a scale to prove it, my body should be more or less back to its pre-Sunday-EFS weight. 😔 ‘Nuff said. At least I slept seven straight hours without stirring; that feels lovely!

@penz I’m here with you!

@daffodil2010 It’s never crossed my mind that riding a motorcycle can be exhausting, but I can see how that’s so! Hopefully you’re fully rested by tomorrow morning.

@babs_b I sure hope you’re right about easy on/easy off after this week, but vacation weeks don’t always turn out that way for me, sadly. The friends we’re vacationing with are not dessert eaters, however, nor are they snackers, so that should help tremendously. And, in the end, it’s life, and its only one week. I’ll be thinking of you this week!

Okay, off to finish tidying, washing up, etc–on top of traveling, our cleaning lady is coming while we’re gone! 😂🤣😂

Pocket List – Day 11 🎯
@penz
@daffodil2010
@funshipfreddie
@babs_b
@brightonbelle
@northgeorgia
@stitchincarol WF

Day 11 — FD800

Yesterday on track.

Doing an 800 fast instead of a 500 today because I had an unplanned FD500 on Saturday.

@songbirdme your comment about the Baking show made me chuckle, in my home my husband is the baker and fancy cook, I’m the competent everyday meal cook so I look to HIM when we watch that. We both agree he might be able to make something as yummy, but it would take far longer and never look as beautiful.

@penz, @at and @babs_b thank you. The in-law situation is sticky and my upbringing/religion/mores being quite different from theirs has become an obvious problem since we live so close now. Or it always was, and I was intentionally oblivious. I try to focus on the wonderful family members, my DH’s brother and his daughters, but it is impossible to just completely tune the rest out. And the fact that I had to cancel my October trip to see my father is probably adding to my current frustration- so I need to remember that.

@stichincarol I say Enjoy! I’m a firm believer that holiday vacations are the time to indulge. Not to go full gluttony – but the right time and place to live life and enjoy pleasures one may not in regular daily life.

I’m going to close with the pocket list but repeat the wonderful and inspiring quote @at closed with. Happy thoughts to all, and a toast my mother used to give to you on holidays: Cin Cin a tutti! (Sloppily translates to Everyone Enjoy!)

Pocket List – Day 11 🎯
@penz
@daffodil2010
@funshipfreddie
@babs_b
@brightonbelle
@northgeorgia
@stitchincarol
@at
@mariaelena

“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”

Day 12, NFD, Aus

Successful FD yesterday, thank you fellow pocket listers! How did you all go?

Day 12 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – NFD

@penz – a successful FD for me too! 69.7 kgs today 🎯

@mariaelena, @daffodil2010 – funny how we’re all so different. I’m NEVER in the mood for crisps/chips or crackers and biscuits. Never buy them. But one of my lunchtime spots always serve the cappuccino with a small cookie on the side, & 90% of the time I can’t resist. I’m sure if I had them in the kitchen it would be a different story, but I guess for me it’s ‘out of sight, out of mind’. Although, a wise man once said, “whoever said ‘out of sight, out of mind’ never had a spider disappear in their bedroom” 😳

Day 12 — NFD

Yesterday’s 800 day came in at ~830, but that included 3 8oz glasses of unsweetened Almond milk (~90 cal) to get my calcium (something I do everyday except WF or F500 days) so I’m happy with that.

Bloodwork came in first thing this morning. I always worry so, but every marker they checked is within normal range, so I have something to celebrate! No one about my age that I know has 0 daily prescription meds and I’m working hard to keep myself in that unfortunately rare category. Now if by next year’s check-up (can’t do it by next weeks checkup -lol) I could ditch the check mark in the overweight category that would be terrific.

@Dafodil2010 I am vicariously enjoying your fish and chips with you! I got the taste for chips with vinegar when I lived in London and somehow it never tastes quite so good the few places I’ve had it on this side of the pond! I also miss the Tandoori restaurants that abound in London. I’ve gone to many an Indian restaurant in Canada and the US, and while some have been excellent, none seem to specialize in Tandoori or do those dishes quite right.

@funshipfreddie & Dafodil2010 – For about 10 yrs of my life an off brand Vespa type scooter 🛵 was my primary mode of transportation. There is nothing I’ve done/had (except maybe being on a boat) that can compete with that ‘joyous, all is right with the world’ feeling I got, hair blowing in the wind, riding at sunset at the end of a beautiful day. Yes, this was in the days before mandatory helmet laws.

@funshipfreddie your ‘out of site, out of mind’ spider example had me spit-take my coffee! LOL, it is a good way to start the day with a big unanticipated laugh, thank you!

Sending good thoughts to everyone, I have a happy contented vibe today so I’m off to be productive 😀

Day 12, London, UK, FD

Late on parade ………….. Again!!😬

I’m getting a FD under my belt this week, even if it kills me!!!😂

Actually, my workdays have always been relatively easy FDs, too busy to think about food, too lazy to get up & go get some from the downstairs kitchen anyway!!!🙄 The mediocre attempts to successfully complete a FD end here, I managed a FD at home for the 1st time during lockdown #1 and it was tricky, but I didn’t have a choice. Now, I know what awaits me if I cock up any workday FDs & I know it’ll be so much harder to fast at home, possible, but difficult …………….. the choice is mine alone!💪🏼💪🏼

So it’s soup for lunch & soup for dinner, coming in at 398cals ………………………. Don’t you just love the vast amounts of dragon slaying filling water in soup??😍 My analytical head says there are enough cals for a slice of bread for dipping, but my inner halo polisher KNOWS that path is super slippery and ends in an entire loaf of bread, a bottle of vino & most likely a chocolate fudge cake!!!! There’s no such thing as carbs in moderation when your name is ‘FLOURbaby’🤣🤣

I’ve skimmed recent posts, but I promise to do better in responding individually tomorrow!🙏🏼

Keep the faith folks …………………..

“A river cuts through rock, not because of its power, but because of its persistence.”
— James N. Watkins

Day 12 – second post

Well, I had to leave work at 10 a.m. Stomach virus. I tried to find things to help soothe it today, even if high carb. Maybe tomorrow will be a better day.

Day 13, London, UK, FD

Normal service has been resumed …………………. I’m posting with my fellow early bird @daffodil2010!!!

Yesterday was a relatively good FD, I was so busy at work I didn’t have my lunch-soup so only had my dinner-soup (and a sneaky couple of crackers as I prepped my mums bedtime snack😬) Definitely below the 500cal mark, so I’m patting myself on the back! I’m not quite feeling the PFDS yet, it’s far to early on this new journey for that!!!
Anyway, I’ll be banking another FD today💪🏼, I may as well since I’m at work & busy enough not to be constantly thinking about food, so it’s a B2B and possibly a B2B2B as tomorrow is my final work day for the week. We’ll see🤷🏼‍♀️

There seem to be a couple of dicky tummies around, I hope it settles down for you both or just use the opportunity for a true WFD!! Silver lining⛅ & all that jazz!!!

I hope my fellow AF/Sober Octoberites are feeling the (immediate) benefits as much as I am!! Who knew that sluggish morning head wasn’t normal!!!🤣🤣 I jest of course, but truly, I know booze is a poison, but I suppose it’s in the same box as the other poison, sugar, which we can’t say NO to😩😩.

I’m hoping October will be my turn around month, getting back on track, staying focussed & posting & fasting, perhaps November will be when Leslie reappears in my life!!!🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️

Keep the faith folks, we’ve got this!!!!

Day 13 USA – OMAD

Hope everyone is doing well enough. I’m doing okay in maintenance.

@northgeorgia – so sorry the stomach bug has hit you. Ugh. I hate those! May you heal soon.

Onward and downward.

Day 13 UK NFD

Sounds to be going well for you abstainers out there ⛔️🍸I can do mon-thurs relatively easily , I might have to try a dry weekend too 🤔

Happy 🐫day all See you for the Thursday FD list

Day 14, FD, Aus

I’m taking tomorrow off work so it feels a little like a Friday. But! It really is Thursday and that’s my second FD of the week so I will stick with it. Channelling last month’s RESOLVE!

Day 14 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – FD

@mariaelena – my dysfunctional alarm clock is also feline; the most contrary cat who ever lived!

@daffodil2010 – yes, Allen Carr’s book is ‘Easy Way to Control Alcohol’. I read it a couple of years ago & stopped for almost 7 months; so I can’t say the book didn’t work. Apparently Jason Vale is an ex-pupil of Allen Carr & the books are remarkably similar, but reading Carr’s book didn’t feel like a chore. I think the best book on the subject is ‘This Naked Mind’, by Annie Grace & I may read it again.

It’s a scorcher here today. 10 am & already 36C?! 😰

Let’s make it a good one, Thursday fasters! 🎯

Pocket List – Day 14 🍋
@penz
@funshipfreddie

Day 14 Melb Aust NFD

Just dropping in to say “Hi!” Persevering here in our Melbourne lockdown. Weight inching off by painful degrees, but better than up.

“Out damned weight, out I say” (with apologies to Macbeth! 🙂 )