D23 CD UK Lake district

Just popping in for accountability. Will post later. Thanks for adding me to the lists

Pocket list day 23
@at FD800
@northgeorgia
@northerndawn 🥚FD
@snowflake56 🥚FD?

ZBC day 23
@penz
@kazoo
@northerndawn
@at
@snowflake56

Exercise day 23
@kazoo
@snowflake56 💃

DTF day 23
@at (DTO)
@flourbaby (DTO)
@northerndawn (DTO)

Have a good day everyone and keep posting.

Day 23, London, UK, NFD,

Like you @basyjames, my LFD ended up being a bog standard 500cal FD, 5pm dizzy spell meant devouring a cheesy tuna salad!!! No problem, gently does it!!!

I wanted to reiterate my point about this forum & specifically, these challenges, I recall when I first started posting that I was on a super long pocket list, probably a Monday morning!! Anyway, on Tuesday I was ashamed to admit that I had ‘failed’ so I posted that it went well and didn’t elaborate (soooo unlike me!!😜), but the guilt set in, I HADN’T had a good FD and who was I kidding anyway …………………. Just myself!!! I had to give myself a good telling off, my fellow challengers don’t know me, they won’t judge me, they’re in the same boat as me, they understand more than anybody else exactly what a struggle this can be🤗. So for me, the anonymity of the challenges make it a ‘safe’ place to be, knowing the support is unconditional!!! Regular posting breeds success💪!!!

@annabelle48, if there was ever a place to whinge & vent our frustrations😤 …………………………. It’s right here!!!

@emma-taylor, I’ve got everything crossed for your trip to Greece, I agree the UK feels a bit like prison😰 right now!!

@penz, your success is inspiring me to keep going, we all have these ups & downs, at the moment you’re up & I’m down, but we’re on the same path so keep climbing💪!!! I’m taking a little breather & I’ll catch-up with you soon🤗!!!

Keep the faith people, we’ve got this!!!! 💪💪💪

USA. Day 23. FD

I haven’t been posting as much as I am currently babysitting my grandson, who is a toddler now and into everything. If I open my computer, he is right there to help (not a good idea!! LOL). He’s not here yet, so I jumped in here. The eating part of this diet this week has been going well. It is hard to overeat when I am constantly attending to my grandson. That helps. It’s the DTF that I am having trouble with, so adding myself to those lists today.Pocket list day 23
@at FD800
@northgeorgia
@northerndawn 🥚FD
@snowflake56 🥚FD?
@ccco

DTF day 23
@at (DTO)
@flourbaby (DTO)
@northerndawn (DTO)
@ccco

Not sure what to do with the ABC and Exercise posts, since I am not on them. Should I just put them there without my name just to be consistent?

Have a great day today!

Day 23 North Canton OH NFD-OMAD

I stepped on the scale today and was happy with the numbers, that is 2 straight weeks in a row of sticking to the plan. I am celebrating baby steps because little drops add up to a lot.

I am not sure why I got in the mindset that my regimen had to be extreme to be effective 🙄 easy and sensible does it. I am with you @flourbaby

@annabelle48 whatever it takes, right now if staying engaged is what you can commit to, then do it; start where you are and use what you have 😀 we are here for you

@ccco extra hugs for your grandson

@i hate lettuce, sending warm thoughts for effective treatment regimens and your quick recovery. More than anything, I am so thankful that you took the steps to get healthier when you did.

Pocket list day 23
@at FD800
@northgeorgia
@northerndawn 🥚FD
@snowflake56 🥚FD?
@ccco

DTF day 23
@at (DTO)
@flourbaby (DTO)
@northerndawn (DTO)
@ccco
@basyjames

ZBC day 23
@penz
@kazoo
@northerndawn
@at
@snowflake56
@northgeorgia
@basyjames

Exercise day 23
@kazoo
@snowflake56
@basyjames

2nd post
@basyjames Our posts crossed….Yours is most complete as I only meant to add myself to the exercise list.
@snowflake56 I have great sympathy for you….I hate having workers inside of my home, and with Covid I can’t imagine how awful that is. I’m glad your husband will be home to deal with them. I told my DH that I have now retired from being in charge of workers, after two major remodels and one septic tank system over the last 3 years. It’s so stressful, and I don’t deal with it well anymore. Or I don’t want to, anyway.

Everyone posting, and trying, is actually doing well; compared to doing nothing, we are all successful and will be better off in the long run.

Day 23 – UK – FD800

Hoping that I am now on the way to holding on to my MOJO and not letting it go AWOL again in a hurry – Today is my 3rd FD800 in a row – not sure if I will manage to continue until the end of the month but will take each day in turn and see what I can achieve?

Looking forward to the sun we should be getting on Friday and the weekend after some dismal grey and drizzly days.

A wonderfully restorative yoga practice last night with 1/2hr of yoga Nidra and this morning’s Yin Yoga practice was a great way to calm and balance the mind and body for the Autumn Equinox 🙏

@northgeorgia – that 242 will surface by the end of the month – stay focused and positive
@emma-taylor – sorry to have missed you out but holding on tight to you too – we can do this!
@annabelle48 – just know that you are not alone struggling this month but hold on tight to the group and we will all come out the other side – life is very strange for a lot of us at the moment and I suspect mentally we are all struggling a bit with that change from our normal 🤗
@northerndawn – so long as we keep getting back to this WOL as we know it works and the support on these forums is amazing
@missybear – I’m like you happily retired and living in a beautiful part of the UK so keep reminding myself how lucky I am – I think I miss socialising – I used to go out for coffee/brunch with friends regularly, attend regular exercise classes (Zoom is not the same 😔) and OH and I enjoyed meals out as well as seeing films, ballet…etc – I’m pretty sure that has played a big part in my current difficulties….
@kazoo – I love cooking as well as going out for good food (missing it so much!!) Yes been to L’Enclume a few times – our favourite! and have also enjoyed The Forest Side, The Old Stamp House and The Gilpin Spice/HRiSHi – we are surrounded by fabulous restaurants serving brilliant food – now my mouth is watering – best drink more water……..
@i-hate-lettuce – Good news re treatable and a positive mindset is so important whilst undergoing stressful treatment – your on line family here will be holding on tight to you and sending our healing thoughts your and Mrs IHL’s way during the next few months 🤗 Stay strong and harness that “inner warthog” to fight the resulting symptoms from your treatment
@ccco – what joy your grandson must bring to you during these difficult times – Enjoy these precious times
@stitchincarol – safe travels, enjoy your trip and stay healthy

Pocket list day 23
@at FD800
@northgeorgia
@northerndawn 🥚FD
@snowflake56 🥚FD?
@ccco

ZBC day 23
@penz
@kazoo
@northerndawn
@at
@snowflake56
@northgeorgia

Exercise day 23
@kazoo
@snowflake56 💃
@northerndawn

DTF day 23
@at (DTO)
@flourbaby (DTO)
@northerndawn (DTO)
@ccco

“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 24, FD, Aus

FD FD FD!!! That is my mantra today as I feel my mojo is heading for the hills.

Day 24 – Lake district UK – NFD

Good morning everyone,

Thanks for all the good wishes and positive vibes, I might not be ‘on many lists’ for a while, but this WOL and this Forum and the Monthly Challenge group make a difference!

@basyjames – “More than anything, I am so thankful that you took the steps to get healthier when you did”

@northerndawn – “Everyone posting, and trying, is actually doing well; compared to doing nothing, we are all successful and will be better off in the long run.”

I picked up the two posts to make my point, in July last year I made the decision to do something about my weight and lifestyle …. boy am I glad I did that now!

I call in every morning, trying to keep things ‘normal’ and not fall off the WOL wagon. I may be sat in the corner quietly looking out of the window, but working on my healthier eating and WOL lifestyle over the last year and a bit has paid dividends and will make a big difference over the coming weeks. So I will continuing ‘posting and trying’ 😉

Looking forward to some discussions with the medics, especially the dietician, so far almost everyone has been a bit surprised that this old guy has (intentionally) managed to lose so much weight.
Then when I start talking about BMR numbers, the way I’m working with this WOL, the fact I tell them what my BMI is and targets etc quite a few are rather surprised at the knowledge I’ve gained.

So a new challenge, but the same basic principles I reckon. Going to get some of the heavier jobs in the garden done over the weekend (you watch it’ll suddenly rain!)
Couple of long walks and some serious bimbling to be done!

Take care all 🙂

D24 CD UK Lake District

Good morning . It was pretty damp day here yesterday. Went for my monthly osteopath appointment in the morning. Hence the quick post and I did mean to post later but just ran out of time. When I got there we talked about how I had been since I last saw her. My body had been good I had no aches, twinges or pains which is very unusual. I then thought ahh it is three weeks since I have been sleeping on the grounding sheet and wondered if this has anything to do with it. I very often feel stiff when I get up in the morning, this has gone. I had an operation on my knee 3 years ago but can still feel it but this has now gone. So something must be happening.

Today I am doing CD (1200 Calories) and going to walk with Leslie. Thanks for adding me to the pocket lists it really does help @snowflake56

@flourbaby I love reading your posts. The way you write them
they are so supportive.

@emma Taylor Enjoy Greece

@northgeorgia My aims for the rest of September is to just stay posting and not worry about the challenges I set myself for September, I have blown them. I have made a list of all I need to do to get back on plan and am just tackling one at a time, one day at a time. The list is too daunting to do it all in one go. October is a new month.

@i hate lettuce. You will get through it with up and downs for both you and Mrs I hate Lettuce. It is good that you have a full diagnosis and that it is treatable. Enjoy your day in the garden.

@ccco send your grandson to me for a holiday, I could do with someone to help me with my IT skills. Enjoy him.

@annabelle Just stay with it. Grow them fingernails and hang on in there.

@basyjames Every little helps. We all set goals and then punish ourself when we don’t reach them. Easy and sensible does it every time.

@stitchincarol The wagon will still be here when you return. Hopefully with more of us on it.

@at Mojo is only on elastic. It does come back just like a boomerang. Good luck with the FD800’s

Carry on posting.

Day 24 UK

Thank you all for your helpful posts, they do really lift the mood.

@ihatelettuce I just love your positive attitude, wise words and sense of humour.

@flourbaby I love reading your posts.

@kazoo I have decided to take a leaf out of your book. I will keep posting and not hide away and give up. September I think is a lost cause……..no that’s negative…….rephrase to a consolidating time for reflection.
The thought of my Mojo being on a piece of elastic makes me 😊😀😀😀

There are so many positive posts re grounding I feel I must explore further.

After so much rain here earlier the sun is out now and the world looks a much better place.

Regular posting breed success is my watchword so will make an effort. Also will start writing foods down, an arduous task but necessary to find out where those pesky calories are going.

Hanging in there.

TTFN

Day 24 MN/USA NFD

@snowflake56 I didn’t finish my 3rd egg FD yesterday, either. I felt quite tired, and foggy headed, and DH wanted grilled T-bone steaks for dinner……which sounded so much better than another couple eggs. I think after a couple days of eggs and mostly protein and fat I had depleted the glycogen in my liver and muscles, and was entering full ketosis. I have done keto in the past, and that’s what it felt like. Some people can go through that transition and feel few effects, but I always feel tired. I have much less ambition to exercise. Over time that becomes less of an issue, but I never really have any bursts of energy when I’m in full ketosis like I do when I have carbohydrates. This effect has increased with age. Just something I’ve noticed. So I think a couple days is a good thing for me, and that’s all I will do in the future.

My roofers were here at 7 am but had to sit in their vehicles for an hour and a half due to heavy rain. Now they are scraping away the old shingles and it’s very noisy. My poor cat has decided to take refuge under a bed in the downstairs, as he did during all our previous remodeling. He gets so stressed out, poor guy, and sheds terribly for a couple days. Hopefully this will only take a couple of days at the most.

Pocket list day 24
@penz
@at FD800 x 4

ZBC day 24
@penz
@kazoo
@northerndawn
@snowflake56
@northgeorgia
@at

Exercise day 24
@kazoo
@northerndawn
@at

DTF day 24
@at (DTO)
@flourbaby (DTO)
@northerndawn (DTO)

Day 24 North Canton OH OMAD
Y’all I have a miracle to report. OH and I have married for 20 years, in all of that time he has always gotten up to use the bathroom at night, and the frequency of his nighttime BR trips have increased as we have gotten older. I am always aware when he gets up, and this awareness vaguely disrupts my sleep, I just learned to live with it because…no choice
Since we started using the grounding sheets, I noticed he only gets up once maybe twice a night, then last night HE DID NOT GET UP AT ALL. This is huge!!! And he was shocked! He said well I guess these dang things work. Ya think!! I am taking my grounding pillowcases with me everywhere I go from now on. DD visited last night, I asked her if she thought the sheets were helping with her anxiety, she said I really have no way of knowing TBH, but I haven’t had a panic attack in a while and I feel calmer, so maybe. I told her to stick with it, cuz it can’t hurt.
@stitchincarol safe travels! We are holding you mentally as well.
@i hate lettuce your positivity warms my heart on this grey morning.
@snowflake56 congratulations on getting back into maintenance. All progress is worth celebrating
@northgeorgia yayy, yayyy, Yayyy!!! So happy for you
In response to your question. Expectations vs commitment. I am learning to make allowances for the changes that are naturally occurring in my body due to the aging process. I can’t lose 5 pounds overnight like I used to, the distribution of my weight has changed, and I can’t sleep well if I overindulge in refined carbs and alcohol. These are all things that were never a problem for me in the past, I am learning to accept the limitations of my current situation while powering towards my goals. Health and Wellness is very important to me, and I am learning to give myself the grace that I need. Slow and steady, take it easy but be smart and accountable with my choices- that is my mantra right now.
@at if we quit, we will be back to where we started. When most of us started we desperately wished we were where we are now. Even when we fall, we are falling with greater insight and knowledge into our situation. We have all learned so much about ourselves and about what we need to do to get better and we will get there if we do not give up.

Pocket list day 24
@penz
@at FD800 x 4

ZBC day 24
@penz
@kazoo
@northerndawn
@snowflake56
@northgeorgia
@at
@basyjames

Exercise day 24
@kazoo
@northerndawn
@at
@basyjames

DTF day 24
@at (DTO)
@flourbaby (DTO)
@northerndawn (DTO)
@basyjames

2nd post

@stitchincarol Your family time and memories together are indeed a treasure. Enjoy. I’d go for the clam pasta, but that’s just me…..you can make up for it when you’re home.

@northgeorgia First, congratulations on that 242 lbs….that is wonderful news!
I’ve been thinking about the commitment vs expectations and I think you are on to what has been one of the true issues with 5:2 and fasting, and weight loss in general, for many people. I know that many people have gotten discouraged as weight loss slows after a month or two of having significant losses at first. Also, as @basyjames discussed, it does get harder to lose weight as we age. Well, there is no escaping the aging process (for most of us without a gazillion dollars to spend on it), so we all inevitably have to deal with the fact we can’t just shed the 5 lbs in a week that we could when young, and such.

I think after the initial big losses, depending on what weight you start at, it is usual to slow down to about a half a pound a week loss. That doesn’t seem like much, but that means you’ve cut out about 1850 cals/week (some say a pound is 3500 cals, some say 3700…..pretty sure for me it’s the higher end).

You can certainly achieve that, and more, from a good couple or three FDs every week, but then you have to be really good and mindful on your NFDs, too, which is something we all struggle with. It’s so easy to think we should be losing because we did 2-3 good FD. We sometimes easily forget the weekend blow-out that we are just fasting to make up for. My egg fasts this week just actually got me into a deficit again, barely, after a lot of Sunday indulgences, including too much chocolate.

This time around, I’m going to make myself pause at 20 lbs lost, and stay there for a couple months. I’ll be in a healthy BMI (though not where I think I want to be). Then I will reassess and see how feasible it really is for me to lose further. I’m not 40 anymore, far from it. So why do I think my goal weight should be close to what I weighed then? Reproductive energy takes a lot of calories….those are calories I no longer use up, so I’d have to omit them by fasting further, or use them through a “lot” of exercise. Just a fact. Neither sounds that pleasant to me, LOL.

I take the journey of @songbirdme as a lesson…..she has been on this forum since spring of 2016, set her maintenance goal at a healthy BMI and has not gotten caught up in trying to get lower and lower. She has been steady, where as I have gone down to a much lower weight, but then became so weary of trying to keep it there that I just “took a break” that lasted years. And I ended up heavier than when I started in 2016. And have done that twice before now. That seems like an unhealthy as well as unwise plan. I will NOT repeat that futile behavior this time. I’ll set and keep more realistic expectations for myself. I have no doubt that is the smart thing to do, and I’ll be happier and healthier for it in the long run.

Day 24 Canada FD

This hasn’t been my finest month but I am going to finish strong:) There definitely is a similar lack of mojo in the group, pandemic fatigue maybe? A good FD today is something I am looking forward to. Hang in there everyone…..

Pocket list day 24
@penz
@at FD800 x 4
@bellyblast

ZBC day 24
@penz
@kazoo
@northerndawn
@snowflake56
@northgeorgia
@at
@basyjames

Exercise day 24
@kazoo
@northerndawn
@at
@basyjames

DTF day 24
@at (DTO)
@flourbaby (DTO)
@northerndawn (DTO)
@basyjames

Day O South Carolina

WOW what a year it has been gain 7lbs 🙁 sure have missed all of you. Going to get back on track starting Oct 1st. This past year has been crazy, my husband is now a 20 month survivor of brain cancer, he is in a clinical Trail at Duke University. We sold our home in Maryland rented a beach house is Surfside Beach South Carolina while our new home was being built a few miles away. Moved in March 2020. Just now feeling settled.

Look forward to getting reacquainted with everyone.

Life is not waiting for the storm to pass, it’s learning how to dance in the rain.

Day 25 – Japan – WFD #76 in 2020

Fasting but I skipped working out today because of rain. Wimpy excuse.

D25 CD UK Lake District

Just a quick post for accountability. The sun is shining here as well @i hate lettuce. Off for a swim in the lake in a short time. Will catch up on post later.

Plans for today Doing a CD today with 1200 calories, join ZBC, and exercise list. Looks like I will have to start them off.

ZBC day 25
@kazoo

Exercise day 25
@kazoo

Keep posting folks.

Day 25, London, UK, NFD,

I don’t seem to have posted yesterday and I’ve no idea why!!!

@northgeorgia, Whoop, Whoop!!!!! Congrats on getting that 242 under your (now tighter) belt!!!

@songbirdme, I agree with @northerndawn, your maintenance is inspiring and have no fear, a BMI of 25 looks good on you!!! I know ‘cause I’ve seen the pictures!!!

Welcome back @diana123, I remember you and the turmoil you were dealing with🙏. So glad to see things have taken a positive path🌞!!!

@penz, I need to sit down and evaluate & plan a realistic goal like you have, the constant falling short of my high expectations is taking it’s toll!!! Did I truly think I could replicate June’s -10lbs, month after month after month😲???? @northgeorgia, my goals & expectations will need to be re-evaluated ASAP!!

I’m not sure wimpy is a word I would use for someone on their 76th WFD @dykask😜!!!!

@i-hate-lettuce OBAD, sounds more like OGOOD to me!!!!🍺😎🍻

Whilst researching a cauliflower soup recipe (I can’t remember where I found the last one which was delicious!!) I stumbled upon the diabetes.org website, not sure why their meal plan consists of 6-7 meals per day!!!! Are people still advocating this outdated concept which, if anything, is a guide to how to spike your insulin!!! Anyone heard of fasting at diabetes.org??????
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/resources-s3/2019-09/7-day-low-carb-meal-planner-update-jan-18.pdf

Seeing this kind of thing only motivates me to continue with 5:2 because I feel as though I know & understand something that many others can’t grasp ……………………………….. we’re not reinventing the wheel people, but to paraphrase one of my favourites …………………….
“If we keep doing what we are doing (low fat, 6 meals/ day, eat less & move more), we’re going to keep getting what we’re getting (fatter, Fatter, FATTER).”

Keep the faith people, I’m preparing to nail October!!!

Day 25 Melb Aust NFD

Like for others, this September has been very “salubrious” as in sumptuous and over the top for me with respect to my eating. Hauling in the reins, and looking for a better October. Just feeling tired all the time, which may be a function of the warming weather here and possible allergens floating around. Oh well, control for September and re-starting for October!!

USA. Day 25. FD

Fasting has become easy since I began babysitting my grandson. He is so physical that he keeps me in constant motion. I’ve lost 5 lbs. this month!! LOL. Maybe I should loan him out to everyone!! Needless to say, I am thrilled.

Adding myself to the lists:

Pocket List Day 25

@ccco

DTF

@ccco
ZBC day 25
@kazoo

Exercise day 25
@kazoo

Have a great day, everyone! 🙂

Day 25 MN/USA NFD

Suppose to be a warm and sunny day……maybe one of the last for awhile, maybe for the summer. I’m planning on being out of doors working around the house and garden most of the day to take advantage of it. The roofers are done (thank goodness) and cleaned up relatively well, but I’ll scour the adjacent lawn for nails and such. The little granddaughters love to go barefoot (instinctive grounding? I wonder…….?). I’m down about 3.5 lbs, which is about where I want to be with another FD or two left for the month. I’m just going to enjoy the day, and the quiet!

Good luck to fasters and everyone, enjoy your Friday!

Day 25 UK

Just checking in to make myself accountable.
Having a serious rethink re goals and planning for next month
In the meantime coasting along and not stressing. No big gains, just the odd 4oz so far.

Keep strong everyone.

Day 25 NFD Murrells Inlet South Carolina

Thanks for the welcome back. I am not starting again until October 1st but I enjoy coming on and reading all the post. Helps to motivate me.

Accept no one’s definition of your life, define yourself.