A very good morning from sunny Wellington!

Hope Penguinchick & Graham are keeping cool in England. 32’c is no fun for a country/ city that is not equipped for it.

Alex, hope your Friday fast day went well.

Last fast day on Friday went ok. But ate too much calories during weekend. So a weight gain of 300g. I need to face reality and don’t want to blame on water retention etc anymore.

So I have asked my daughter to design me a lite body building and eating program for NFD. After plateauing for months I need to try something different. I hope I can manage better within a structure eating program.

Found some interesting documentaries for inspiration: Barkley Marathon and Cross Fit world championships. After watching them I found the step class was like a walk in the park. At yesterday step class, I was one of the very few who could complete the highest intensity workout. I was completely out of breath at the end of the class. But so happy that I’m fitter than people years younger than me.

Fasting today and it will go well.

Have a lovely day everyone!

Hey all,

Hope you’re having a good one if fasting today (Al), and don’t worry about the weekend, you’ll get it off soon enough, remember DON’T QUIT!

I must admit during this heat, I’ve been unable to do my HIIT workouts, I have managed a little yoga with my kids in the evenings, but I have done a lot of gardening (mostly cutting back weeds, I’m not remotely green fingered!), so that’s pretty energetic activity, I’m certainly sore like I’ve done a workout! I have managed to drop 1/2lb since my ranting last week, so something good came from my anger/disgust at myself as I had a couple of restrictive days during the weekend. I also have very little food in the house, as the kids are at my sisters for a couple of days with their cousins, so I didn’t go shopping and packed them off with all the naughty food, to share with their cousins!
It’s a bit cooler in the south today, so if my current headache abates, I will try to do some pilates/yoga later.

Good luck with your body building/eating Phoenix, that would probably be a good thing if it helps you control better and great that your daughter can help too!

I’m on NFD today/tomorrow, then fasting Thursday, but very busy, so might not be able to chat again for a few days, so good luck all for a successful week of FD’s/NFD’s – we’re stronger by helping each other, keep it going, stay strong and don’t quit!

Happy Tuesday to you all xx

On leave yesterday. Lots of running around thus didn’t check in.

Penguinchick, good on you to persevere with exercises during the heat wave. I think you will experience a loss of a few kgs from water retention when the weather gets cooler.

Alex, I love both the Queen and Adam Lambert! Enjoy the concert.

Graham, hope you are doing well.

NFD went ok yesterday. Researching on lite body building exercises & food intake. A bit worried about the amount of food recommended. I need to reduce it somehow otherwise I may put on weight.

Another NFD today and it should be reasonably easy. Working in an office during weekdays give me good structure to manage calories intake. My problem is always the weekend ….

Checking out the gym downstairs (we are very lucky the building owner provides a gym) today to see how to utilize the equipment at lunch break.

Have a lovely Wednesday everyone!

Hi Alex, there are lots of research debating whether diet drinks are ok or bad. I avoid full soda, cordial, fruit juice etc (because of their high calories) but have been drinking diet soda/drink all my life without any known ill effect. I limit to no more than 1 glass a day, usually no more than 5 glasses a week.

I also use natural or artificial sweeteners in my coffee.

One reason (I think) why artificial sweetener is discouraged is because when we taste food (sweet drink), then our bodies don’t receive the expected calories, we will mark
up insulin (or another chemical). So I consume artificially sweeten drink with food. Or use natural sweeteners as they have some calories.

Yesterday NFD went ok. Didn’t have time to research gym equipment downstairs, due to a longish external meeting.

Fasting today, and will book an one hour massage for later today.

Have a happy Thursday everyone!

So sorry to hear about your illness Penguinchick. One recipe you may want to try is chicken, vege & brown rice soup. Simmer them for about 45 minutes so everything is soft, then eat them at the temperature that suit you. Hope you will get better soon.

Interested to know diet soda can cause dental problem. May be another option is to use soda machine with plain water fuse with lemon etc. For me I’ve actively reduced diet soda, by drinking water first then see whether I still want the soda. May consider the soda machine option, or just buy plain soda water.

Yesterday fast day went well. The Tuina (Chinese massage) was quite painful. Probably due to higher intensity exercises lately that caused some problems – I’m 53 after all. But I felt very good after that.

NFD today. Hope to investigate gym equipment today.

Have a wonderful Friday everyone!

Good on you Alex, for doing a long walk in such heat. I managed to attend both Zumba and step classes over the weekend. But need to do more during the week.

NFDs went ok last few days and got back to normal plateau weight (around 70kg) this morning. Still not organised re lite body building exercise and diets (for NFD) yet.

I found more documentaries on ultra marathon including the one about Courtney Dauwalter. What an amazing young women.

It’s freezing this morning in Wellington/New Zealand with snow falling up and down the country. Have a wonderful Monday everyone!

Too relaxed on fast day yesterday. Went ok till around 3pm & started eating vege crisps. I must stop buying these treats.

A slight weight loss this morning and I hope to be more discipline today (NFD).

Working late tonight so have time to investigate the gym downstairs today.

Another chilly morning in Wellington/New Zealand. Hope all the ski fields fill up with nice snow.

Have a lovely Tuesday everyone!

Success! Just completed a planned workout at the gym downstairs of my office. I’ve been trying to do this at lunch time with no luck. So I thought I will try it first thing in the morning (I’m at work before 7am anyway). I plan to do this every morning during week days.

Fasting today and I feel very positive.

Warmish and sunny day today in Wellington. Hope you all have an enjoyably day.

Hey all!

Well done Phoenix! Good work there, you go girl! 😉 Alex, hope you feel better soon, it’s horrid to feel bloaty/sick and icky at any point, wishing you well and hope your FD helps a little. I had a bit of a bad tummy last week with the antibiotics/painkillers and my FD helped to settle that down quite well, though I did drink a lot of water, which also helped.
I’m worried about Graham as well, but I think he mentioned it’s really busy for him with guests, so perhaps that’s why he’s not posted? If you are having lots of fun Graham, go for it! If you’re lurking and needing a boost, we’re here for you!
That said – I’m off on hols for a week, I’m having to juggle my FD’s about a bit, as we’re climbing a mountain 😮 That’ll be interesting! I’m sure your Rockies are wonderful Al, but I’m not a fan of heights, so I’m a bit nervous lol!
I didn’t lose anything this week after my weigh in, but not gained either… I’m going to have a chilled week and enjoy my holiday/family, then get back to the hard work when I’m back. I won’t have access to any pc/electronics, as we’re not taking anything with us, so I won’t be able to post.
Have a good week and hope you all stay well, happy, hydrated and focused! Sending good thoughts for you all, see you when I return! xx

Did zumba and step at weekends, and did a lower body work out this morning at work gym. I’m now struggling walking up and down the stairs. I was a bit sore over the weekend too. Good to find the muscles are working.

No change in Weigh in last 7 days. I’m ok with that. I was not disciplined eating wise last week. The plans to do more exercises distracted me so will need to re-focus.

Have a wonderful Monday everyone!

Hit the gym this morning again, despite the body was quite sore all over. I felt good afterwards though, as always.

Fasting went reasonably ok yesterday despite I’ve eaten more like 800c.

NFD today and today is Friday – Hooray!

Have a lovely day everyone!

Didn’t do zumba or step last weekend due to busy schedule. Accompanied daughter to watch a body building competition. All the competitors look so amazing – they must have worked very hard to tone their bodies.

I’ve decided to relax last weekend – husband went to a ski trip. Resulted in my weigh in this morning remains unchanged. I’m not worried. Will re-adjust after the one week holiday in the Cooks Island this coming Saturday.

Did upper body workout this morning in work gym, and ready for the fasting today.

Super cold this morning in Wellington (-2’c), and it will be sunny and beautiful. Thinking of you all and hope you have a lovely day.

Warmer this morning at 9’c and completed a whole body workout this morning.

Yesterday fast day went ok. Probably consumed closer to 800c.

Husband wanted to try Keto diet, so will do some research about meal plan for him. I won’t join him however, 5:2 is working for me and I may use body building diet to guide my meal pan.

NFD today and it should go well.

Have a wonderful day everyone!

Welcome back Penguinchick. It was odd your Monday’s post only shows up today.

Glad to know your trip went well. Sounds like you have conquered the fear of height.

Completed the lower body workout this morning. The gym workout is getting easier and quicker, now I have done the routines a few times. I get to the gym at around 7am, and back to the office at 8am. Still have time for coffee and do a post before starting work.

Planning/packing (I’m very bad in packing) for the week long trip to the Cooks Island this Saturday. It’s about 3-4 hours flight from Auckland, and Auckland is about one hour flight from Wellington. We look forward to the warmer weather (around 24-26’c maximum).

NFD today and hope you all have a lovely day!

Welcome back Alex! Great effort to exercise when the weather is warm.

We turned the fan on in the work gym this morning and the temperature was 10’c outside. Can’t imagine how hot the gym will be during summer.

The soreness means our muscles are working hard – a good thing! This is what I tell myself anyway.

Fasting today – last one before going away for holiday.

Have a wonderful Thursday everyone!

Hi all,

Hope you have a lovely holiday Phoenix, I’ve never been to the Cook Islands, but have heard great things about the beauty of them! Enjoy! Good work on the workouts too, you’re doing great! I must get back into workouts, I’ve been a slacker!
FD for me today, just about to go to bed and I’m feeling the hunger… I can eat tomorrow! I’ll try and be good! I’m well under 500 calories atm, by about 70/80, so I will have a small glass of warm milk before I sleep, anything small to stop the rumbles, I’ve been really good today, so don’t want to spoil it.
Welcome back Alex too and again, well done on the cardio/workouts, it all helps, even if you think it’s not enough, it’s better than nothing at all 🙂

I’ve got a morning hike planned with the kids, so I’m going to be up early and do around 7 miles with them – they walk around 5 miles every weekend anyway, so a couple more won’t harm them and it’ll do us all good (me especially!).
Have a great week/end, I’m pretty busy and it’s a public holiday here on Monday, so I may have to switch my FD’s next week, as we’re going to a family birthday party!

Night all and hope you’re doing well too Graham!

Hi all, I’m back from Rarotonga. Got home at 11pm last night.

My weight seems to remain the same – thank goodness. I mainly lazed around or working on a lap top – work and helping daughter’s accounting assignment. The most active exercise was a few snorkels in the beautiful lagoon. Food wise it was ok. I didn’t over eat – got others to help out if lunch/dinner portions are too big. But I didn’t eat as much fruit and vege (due to lack of supply) as planned.

We suffered from severe sleep deprivation due to many roosters crowing throughout the night within one meter of the cottage (a holiday home among the locals) we stayed. Also there were wondering dogs barking throughout the night too. Fortunately we found resorts for our daughter and her boy friend to stay for the last 4 nights, and they at least got some sleep.

The weather was beautiful at 22-26’c, lovely lagoon and beaches, very nice people and the cottage is very well equipped and within 50 meters to a lovely beach. If I go back again I’ll ensure staying at a place with much less noise.

So here I am at work, with a brain that only 50% functioning. The auditors are here so need to be at work today.

Well done Penguinchick on your hard fast and exercise. Happy belated birthday Alex and well done on your exercise too.

Not fasting today but will start getting into the routine tomorrow.

Have a lovely Monday everyone!

Hey guys,

Glad you had a fab sleep Phoenix, it’s always such a healer for the mind and the body! Well done on the workout too, go you! 😉
If you could add some protein instead of fruit after your hunger hits, like chicken breast or a couple of eggs, that would also reduce massively the sugar intake – which turns to fat, whereas the protein would be to build muscle and is also much more filling short term… just a small suggestion, if it’s at all helpful? Another brilliant source of low fat, high protein is a 0% fat greek yogurt, which I find really filling, you could add a handful of berries (blue or red) to sate the need for sugar perhaps? Hope that’s a little helpful, I don’t mean to suggest you shouldn’t eat any fruit! 😀

As for my FD/weigh in – NO movement again, despite a seriously severe FD and then yesterday I went and climbed another huge hill near Wales, well two hills… almost 2 hours of climbing/hiking, less than 1k cals yesterday after my hard FD and still nothing off… I know it can ebb and flow, but really?! 😮
My husband has done supremely well, he’s now doing hardcore weight training and has banished all bread/carbs for 4 weeks, while he builds muscle, so I’m going to ditch the carbs too, that might be where my weight isn’t budging, I’m going to try adding more protein as a filler, as I’m doing more Pilates/weights (we have a full set of weights at home now), then I’ll add my walking back in each day after the kids are back in school tomorrow.
It does get a bit disheartening when you stick to the routine and nothing moves for more than a month, I sympathise Al, some of my holiday NFD’s have been less than good, but I’ve been good on my FD’s: I’m clearly not a body that can cheat, ever!

Go Phoenix, I’m cheering you on for those last 6 kgs! 😉 Well done you!

Have a great day everyone, I’m off to do some Pilates!