Day 1 Wales NFD

Hello friends old and new and welcome to September. Lovely to ‘see’ @snowflake56 and @dingping again…..and straight in with a Saturday FD, wishing you both a successful non hungry day.

This will be my 15th month of 5:2 and my 4th month of maintenance, which is going really well. I’ve managed to drop a few pounds since declaring myself at target and feel good for it so I intend to continue with 2 FDs a week for the time being….if I start to get too thin (!!!!!!!) I will switch to 6:1.

Enjoy the weekend everyone, my first FD of the month will be on Monday.

Day 1 Northern NSW, Australia NFD

Coming off yesterday’s FD, I’m doing better than expected. I’d been emotionally eating over previous NFDs and I’ve been focusing on healing the original traumas that prompt me to eat to excess for emotional reasons. Sometimes this feels like descending into a dark hole, though just allowing myself to spend even moments in the dark hole during yesterday’s FD, feels to have been cleansing and healing because I feel unusually free of cravings today. Yea! Cheers, to everyone.

Though I’d originally said I would only be able to post on FDs, I’m going to do my best to post every day. I appreciate the warmth and encouragement I find here.

Minka, I wish you well with healing your traumas, I have some as well, my heart goes out to you~~ journaling and a counselor twice a month has helped me a lot, writing down my dreams has given some valuable info also~~ hang in there!

2nd post

@dingping how lovely to hear from my Saturday’s co-faster, let’s do it together again and shred those extra gained kilos/lbs.

@annemarilyn what a pity, it’s such a beautiful song.

@wrxgirl I hope your legs heals well, how uncomfortable.

@missybear @dingping and I both have husbands working on Saturdays, so we joined up fasting last July before we both stepped out for a while. I’m glad she’s back and joining me today. I will be joining you on the Monday’s fast.

This evening I’ll start skimming the posts from last month to see how everyone has done, I’m sure you all did better than I did.

Day 1 France 🇫🇷 NFD but eating mindfully
62 kg this morning. Goal is to be below 60 at the end of the month.
Went for a 4k walk with hubby this morning and may go for a short jog later. This month i promise to move more!
@wrxgirl Wow what bad luck! Sending healing vibes.

Day 1 USA – NFD

Welcome to all the newbies, and hey there to all us seasoned travelers on the journey.

My 5:2 trip began in March 2016 at about 195 pounds with 200 in sight if I didn’t stop the upward climb. I was 67 years old, so really wanted to get in better shape without showing too many wrinkles. I ended up losing about 35, and have considered myself at maintenance of 160# +/-3# since January 2017. These challenges and people here have been my guiding light. I’ve got nearly a complete new wardrobe (it’s been fun!) but still have excess skin mostly around my middle that at my age won’t dissipate. Oh well.

@annemarilyn – hope you enjoy Chicago! I’m just a little too far away to bop into the city (100 miles west of O’Hare) but hope it is a wonderful time in Chi-town! I got “Perfect Day” at this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wxI4KK9ZYo

@at – love your quote.

@daffodil2010 – thank you so much for taking the helm here!

Onward and downward.

Day 1, Surrey (UK), NFD, 153lbs. 3lbs to target!

Thank you @daffodil2010 for kickstarting the September challenge!

A bit about me: I’m a 57yo female, a little over 5’7″ tall and currently weigh 153lb. My ambition for September is to reach my target of 150lb. I started this WOE back in November 2017, and at that time I weighed around 200lb, so that’s an incredible 47lb lost so far. I can hardly believe it sometimes! I did it purely by following the standard 5:2 advice, i.e. restrict my calorie intake to ~500 cals on 2 fast days, and eating fairly normally – keeping an eye on portion sizes though – on the other 5 days. Other than that, no special foods, eating patterns, or exercise regimes. Having said that, I do believe I have – on the whole – adopted a healthier lifestyle with more, and more varied exercise built in, and greater experimentation with healthier, plant-based menus.

Along the way, I have faced a few trip-ups, which is to be expected. Tempting, carb-laden foods and alcohol are occasional culprits. Last month, after 2 separate holidays in short succession, I managed to gain an alarming 9lb – yes 9lb! – which then whooshed out of me just as quickly a week or so after resuming the 5:2 WOE. This was a new experience for me, but it reassured me that this WOE DOES work, and sometimes you just need to press the re-set button and carry on.

Other than that episode, the underlying trend has been a steady 1-2lb loss per week for the first 6 months, a rate which has slowed to 1-2lb a month for the last 3 months. That’s OK – and to be expected as my new body needs less fuel, so I just need to learn to adjust my portion sizes accordingly. I’m determined to get there, and to get my name in green (maintenance mode) on the spreadsheet!

Welcome to friends old and new this month. For any newbies, don’t hesitate to ask any questions – you’re amongst a friendly group, and there’s bound to be someone who has been there before you, who can help you out. I would just say – this WOE isn’t always easy, but it’s a darn sight easier than trying to restrict calories every day. That WOE isn’t sustainable. This one is. Believe me! Good luck everyone, and I look forward to reading your stories in September!

Memory Jogger updated (thought I would bring it over from August)

IF Intermittent Fasting
WOL Way of Life

FD Fast Day (500 cals)
MFD Modified Fast Day (800 cals)
WFD Water Fast Day (Water only)
CFD Controlled Fast Day (1200 cals)
NFD Non Fast Day
LFD Liquid Fast Day (liquids only)

5:2 5 days NFD:2 days IF
ADF Alternate Day Fast, FD, NFD
DAFD: Day after fast day
16:8 16 hours fast 8 hours non fast
20:4 Warrior 20 hours fast 4 hours window
B2B Back 2 Back (days of FD or WFD)
OMD One Meal a Day usually 23:1 Or 20:4
Feast Day: planned day of eating over TREE
Refeed follow WFD B2B gradual increase in food

DD, DS, DH Darling Daughter,Son, Husband
OH, Other Half
LOL Laughing Out Loud
EFS Epic Face Stuffing
Tortoise Club: for those looking weight very very slowly
Pocket List: put in your pocket list for support
Challenge: gauntlet thrown down for food or exercise
Cruella: those pesky scales
MFP: My Fitness Pal (app)
Fitbit: recording for exercise wrist band

Keto, way of eating that generates Ketones
LC, Low Carb way of eating
LCHF, Low Carb High Fat way of eating
TDEE: Total Daily Energy Expenditure

Mari

@wrxgirl the challenge details are in our lovely @daffodil2010 post opening this thread.

I am not a spreadsheet queen so others can help more than I! The spreadsheet is a Google docs document held in the Google cloud. I found to open it I had to install the Google docs app.

Once you add your info into the doc spreadsheet it gets saved with your info in it. This was easier on my Samsung tablet (android) than my iPad (apple). On the Apple device I found it easier after I installed Google chrome app.

Using the spreadsheet isn’t mandatory although most of us find it very useful for accountability.

If you fast you can add yourself to the pocket list for that day (designed to be in your back pocket) for strength and encouragement.

Hope that helps.

Mari

Day 1 – NFD – NC, USA

Thank you @daffodil2010 for hosting!

I have been absent from the message board for quite a while now but I’m glad to join the September challenge.

Quick background: I started in March at 147lbs and I’ve lost about 20 pounds. I do 2 water FD per week and once I get to 120 or 125 I’m hoping to bring it down to one water fast per week. I have tried the normal way of doing it (500 cal per day on fast days), but eating the smallest thing on my fast days seem to make me way hungrier. I belong to the Tortoise Club: I lose about a quarter of a pound per week on average and about a pound per month. It’s frustrating the slow but it has gotten me this far and I love this way of life regardless.

Welcome to all the new people and I look forward to being on a board a bit more.

Thank you sparklyshoes!

Hey thank you for all this info Rainbowsmile!!! You are very swell!!!!

Day 1 London UK FD

Second post

Just adding myself to picket list – a bit late in the day!

Day 1 FD
@snowflake56
@dingping
@beedoo

Not sure I can add my name to the Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred Challenge @rainbowsmile as I’m going to miss 5-6 days due to a couple of weekends away. Perhaps I can make it up to 30 days by doing a few days where I do it morning and evening?

PS really intrigued about how you’ll adapt it. You are an inspiration taking it on with a broken metatarsal! I only have to think of that if I start feeling lazy!

Day 1, UK, NFD

Hello everyone, old friends and new ones :). Here we go! Beginning of a monthly challenge, always exciting and full of promise 😀

A bit about myself to start with: I am 51 yrs old female, 5.3ft 52,5kg right now, the weight I was at the end of June, before the set back in July. I was 57kg when I started 5:2 in January, so I am definitely a member of our Club Tortoise 🐢 , and a proud one 😎. I don’t want to feel like I’m dieting, and that’s why I chose this WOL, its not restrictive and works really well. And that’s why I prefer loosing weight slowly as I feel like my body has a chance to get used to the new weight and tha new weight becomes normal before loosing any more 🙂

@arelkade its so good to see you posting, I missed your posts 🙂 . Hope you are doing well xx

@dingping welcome back! Good to see you here again 🙂

For some reason I can not post properly as my original post keeps disappearing :/
So this is a continuation:

@beththenew welcome to this WOL 🙂 , its the best thing for weight loss but also for the health so you are doing the right thing. I’d advise anyone who is just starting to stick to the basic 5:2 , eat 1/4 of your TDEE allowance on fast days, and to your TDEE on non fast days. Once you get used to it and train your body you can tweak it and do slightly different things eating wise that might work better, you will see lots of people here do different way of fasting. I personally intend to stick to basics as I think long term and I know that too much restrictions don’t work for me 🙂

@ccco welcome back , I hope you had a nice time 🙂

We can do this people 💪

Day 1 – USA – NFD

Welcome back @snowflake56, @steffieagle, @dingping, @annemarilyn, @emma1202 and @ccco! @fatfingers, this may be your month to get into maintenance, woo hoo! @wrxgirl, welcome and hope you heal quickly!

I started 5:2 and the monthly challenges in Feb. 2017. Since then, I have learned that planning FD food is key; I learned a lot about LCHF and 16:8, so along with 5:2 IF, I lost a total of over 41 lbs and many inches and am now happily in maintenance. I did not abstain from alcohol at all or the occasional pizza, pasta and fried rice, and lost an average of 2 lbs. per month (Tortoise Club). I never felt deprived because of the healthy fats consumed which satiated me. The wonderful people in this forum have cheered me on and been an example of determination, empathy and kindness, which is why I will continue in maintenance with you all. I am a 64 year old, live in the deep South, a transplant from NJ/NY/Chicago, but loving semi-retired life.

Day 1, Mountaintop PA USA, NFD

Great day to start out the new month with a relaxing Labor Day weekend. I did my usual Saturday chores, enjoyed a 2.5 mile walk, more chores and then 9 holes of golf with DH. Tonite is “date night” so we will be enjoying small beef filets, fresh green beans from the garden, a cocktail or two and some wine. I will wear one of my bright “party dresses” in a comfortable smaller than ever size thanks to nearly 2 years of Fast 5:2 and enjoy watching the dusk descend before my solar lights brighten up the colorful flowers next to my front porch.

Just about every day is a CD including LCHF with lots of berries for breakfast atop a protein waffle and reasonable portions of protein and vegetables for dinner. There is room for treats including 72% Cacao bites, just not too much and not every day. The beauty of this WOE is the rhythm of how good it makes us feel. Weight control is a positive side effect but the overall energy and optimism is a huge benefit. Maintenance is so satisfying.

Aiming for two fast days a week again this month. That with walking is my positive program. Good luck to all for this change of seasons month of September.

Day 2 – Japan – NFD

Day 1, Minnesota, USA NFD 2230-ish (CDT)

Hello, Everyone;

I would like to join this challenge, if I may? A bit about myself:

I was one of the original May 2016 challenge participants and took part in 7 challenges after that (I skipped November but did December).

I was very successful doing 5/2. From 168-170, I lost 30 lbs, (or 2 stone, 2 lbs.) or, 13.6 K. About a pound a week, average. I am 5 ft 6.5 inches or 5 and 3/4 in, depending on who’s measuring, so I was happy to be at upper 130’s. BMI was in middle range for height and I think at my age, (almost 62) thats fine.
I did alright for several months in 2017, but then we had several family members become ill, and one needing our care and attention, in particular. It was a trying time, and two of our loved ones passed away. The year was very stressful and instead of coming back to the forum for support, I indulged more and more in comfort foods, as did my OH.

So. With life seemingly on a more even keel, now, I am starting anew to lose about 25 lbs, keep it off into older age, and also become more fit. And, also, to be a model for my dear OH, who has shouldered the largest burden of the past year and has just been told he needs to lose weight, get his blood sugars down, get his blood pressure down, etc., or else.

I think these challenges have evolved so wonderfully! Every one of you seem so supportive and accepting of each other, and not competitive with anyone. It sounds like you are all just trying to do your best for your own selves, each and every one. That is so helpful and nurturing for people who are trying this WOL, and those of us coming back to try again and get it right this time. To sustain.

And it’s such a relief that it’s ok not to have to post every day!! But I will try.

I’ve been lurking for awhile, reading many of the past month’s posts on this thread and others. It seems like such a wonderful, supportive group of people, and I would be thrilled to become a member. I have been inspired and have 4 FD’s under my belt in the last 2 weeks, Thats the most in many months. Thank You!

Hello to Coda, SongBirdMe, Anna6! I wish Ciren2 would come back. I saw her name a couple months ago. I love seeing your posts, old friends.😄

I’m so looking forward to starting anew and getting to know all of you!

“Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It’s the courage to continue that counts.” Winston Churchill

Day 2 NSW Australia NFD

Hi everyone, just checking in.
Thank you @at and @shinything for your kind words.
I’m looking forward to my 1st FD tomorrow – it’s been awhile!
Planning on Monday & Thursday FD’s this month.

I wish all the Dad’s a Happy Father’s Day (celebrated today in Australia)!

Have a lovely Sunday everyone and enjoy whatever you are getting up to. Bye for now!

Day 2 UK NFD
Thanks everyone for the warm welcome back – you are all truly unique and offer wonderful unconditional friendship. Thanks
Very busy yesterday which helped me get through my first FD in months and thanks for the supportive energy @snowflake56 – I did it!!!
Hope your day was successful?

Busy day again today so have only had time to skim the many posts but wishing conrratulations @missybear on getting wed, @coda for the safe arrival of your grandson. Sorry to hear @michelinme that you had a serious health blip in July, pleased to hear you are well recovered now and @rainbowsmile hope those toes heal soon.
Feeling positive.

Ta

Day 2 UK NFD

@beedoo congrats on getting 30DS done yesterday. I won’t be able to do it today until after 8pm tonight when the OH gets home from work. So I shall use you as motivation to get it done when I am tired and crying and sulking because I want to go to bed lol. 💪

Wishing everyone a fab Sunday.

Day 2 Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 NFD

Raining here, hoping it stops soon as there is a dog show in the village this afternoon to raise funds for repairs to the church……there will be cakes to avoid!!!

Aiming for my usual relaxed but healthy food NFD Sunday with limited wine so that tomorrow’s FD isn’t a hungry one.

Sending positive vibes to all in need of some healing energy 🤗 Enjoy Sunday everyone.

Day 2 – NC, USA – NFD

I normaly like to weight everyday but am debating if I should stick to weighing myself only twice a week on the day after FD. Day 1 was a NFD and I woke up at 194.5, half a pound higher than my prior FD weight of 194. Granted that is still 4 pounds down from last Monday at 198.8. However I am new to this WOL and I do want to keep track of each days progress because I am trying to firgured out if 1900 on NFD is too much or too little. I did eat salty foods yesterday so it could just be water retension too.

Planning on FD on Tuesday and Friday next week. My normal days will be Monday and Friday I think but this Monday is a holiday, Labor day.