London | Day 1 | NFD

Hello everyone,
Looking forward to an excellent October with you!

Here are my stats:

Start weight: 72.5kg
Goal weight: 71kg

Exercise Goal:
• 1 min plank a day | adding 30 secs each week
• Upper arm exercises yet to be decided on. Any tips anyone?

This is in addition to cycling 16miles/ 25km a day Mo-Fri and 63 mins of crosstrainer on Saturdays.

FD= less than 500 cals twice a week
NFD= normal eating in 12/12 rhythm leaving bigger gaps between meals and practicing mindful eating.

I’m looking forward to the next month and to see what 5:2 brings after a few weeks. I have completed three FDs so far and already feel so well with it. Coming from having counted calories for six month (dropping 12kg) it was hard to not obsess about NFDs but I feel really rather chilled about it now and think it will only get better as I go on and realise with every FD that a bit of hunger is a good thing and stuffing my face for comfort is unnecessary. On FDs I rewire my brain to seek other coping mechanisms. Exciting times!

Happy October everyone 🙂

Tanja

Day 1 USA (Illinois) NFD

Weight: 162.2 pounds (73.6kg)
Goal: 160
Exercise 3x per week (not on FD’s but try to do a power 15 minute walk on FD’s)

My real name is Gwynne. I’m a 68 year old retired school music teacher, singer, choir director, church musician, and private lesson piano teacher. I am also very involved with an emerging children’s museum in our area. Due to circumstances of life, my husband and I are separated right now, so I am living alone. Don’t really mind that….

Menopause was my weight gain reason, and I’ve never put forth the effort to work on it hard enough to really get it off. Just kept putting on a few pounds every year, that is until 5:2 was brought up to me by an Aussie Words With Friends acquaintance. I just love that there are people on this board from all over the world! Probably one of my biggest joys here is learning new words (actually words that are different from how I know them). Just today from Norrie learned “bursary” for what I know as “scholarship,” and last board “courgette” for “zucchini.” I am also a linguaphile.

I have lost 26 pounds since mid-March on 5:2 and could not be happier about it. Originally I had hoped to make this challenge just maintenance, but still have 2 pounds to go for my goal. I have seen 159.8 once on my scale the other day, but we know scales pop up and down on us, all on their own (don’t they?). I haven’t seen 159 for over 10 years.

I look forward to cheering on all of you fellow travelers on this journey! Thanks, Fuvvie (fellow musician) for your efforts on our behalf.

Day 1 US NFD. Beginning weight 136 lbs. 61.689 kg. BMI 33.3. I seriously think something is wrong with me because I am averaging under 1000 calories a day and have not lost any weight in the last 3 weeks.

Day 1. Missouri Ozarks, USA NFD Started 5:2 on September 22nd weighing 153, weigh 149 this morning. Goal is about 145 and to maintain there. Much lower and I start looked “aged”.

Crisp cool day here, planning on making a peanut butter cheesecake pie for a fish fry/birthday party we are attending (and guests at) as it is celebrating the birthdays of my husband and grandson tomorrow. Will be a good test to see if I can eat moderately yet still celebrate. Had a birthday cake/ice cream celebration here last week and didn’t over do. Happy October to you all.

Scotland – Day 1 NFD

Starting weight: 85.4
Oct goal weight: 82
End goal weight 68

I’m going to increase my exercise to 4 x weekly, greatly reduce the wine and eat more healthily on NFD.

Good luck everyone 😀

2nd post. Strarting weight. 194 lbs. Goal to loose the 3 pounds I gained on my toad trip plus another 5 for a total of 8.

Day 1 Taunton UK

NFD

Start weight 65kg
Goal weight 60kg before Christmas.

Exercise Pilates 3x a week.
Static bike HIT 3x per week.
Swimming twice a week.

My plan – get back to basics of 5.2. I’ve started to re-read the Fast Diet, I down loaded the revised edition onto my tablet.
I’m finding so much information that makes so more sense now I’ve been doing 5.2 for 5 months. Also reading the Obesity Code.
Fast days – bone broth plus one small low cal meal in the evening.
Non fast days – to make healthy choices, low carb, good fats, small amount of protein and lots of vegetables. No sugar. No alcohol during the week.

Once thing I’ve found doing this WOE apart from that it really does work!
Is that even though the past 2 months have been a challenge (emotional and holiday), I’ve still managed to lose weight!
On previous diets I would have slipped back into old habits by now.

But I have to say that it has been these challenges, having to post daily.

Being on this journey with so many lovely, supportive, motiating people.

Ciren2 congratulations for getting to target in September!

Good luck to everyone as we begin this new challenge, onwards and down!!!

Lahaina/Hawaii/USA Day 1 NFD
Starting weight 174.2 lbs (79 kg ?)
Goal 168 lbs
Plan on the 5:2 diet
FD 500 calories
NFD LCHF (low carb, high fat)
Adding 16:8 most everyday as I don’t usually eat solid food before 11am
Excercise Daily morning walk 30 to 60 minutes
Thanks to Fuvvie for running this October Challenge and for all the October team members providing one another with the support. This is so valuable. We would be pay big bucks for a personal coach or therapist who probably won’t even be as effective!

Day 1: Pacific NW USA, NFD

Hi Fuvvie! Wow, day 1 and we’re already on page 4! I haven’t quite caught up on the beginning reading but it’s great to hear the distinct rumble of so many voices! We can read anyone’s Profile by clicking on their name in front of their posting so I won’t repeat my background here.

I set a goal of 10 lbs for September and didn’t quite make it so I’m going to go for the same this month because while I didn’t quite make it last month I think I came closer than I would have if I had set the bar lower.

My goals for October are to lose 10 lbs and get into the low 170’s, and to lose 1/2 inch from bust, waist and hips. My exercise goal is to do Koegels as my Gyn recommends (Ha! for me that’s a tougher goal than the HIIT bike and walking I do each day)! I will also follow my PT’s instruction throughout each day for posture control with back, hips and core stabilization and also with my rhomboid muscle exercises. My eating goals are to fast 2-3 days per week, primarily liquid only fasts and to stay blow BMR with LCHF on most NFD’s. I will pay particular daily attention this month to staying hydrated, adding fiber and vinegar to my diet and singing the joys of how lucky we all are to have discovered the 5:2 WOL!

We’re off to the races everyone and the only competition is with our own inner voices!

Australia Day 2 NFD it is a long weekend here so am doing a fair bit of eating but also a lot of exercise so hopefully it will all balance out. Someone was asking about arm exercises. Here is a link to a group of arm exercises on Fitness magazine website. Most need free weights but if you don’t have them the arm dips are something you can do in the house http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/workout/arms/exercises/hot-arms-workout/?page=6

Still Day 1: Pacific NW USA, NFD

Adding to my goals as I sit here and ponder:

In addition to following Dr M’s advise I will also take heed of Dr Fung’s advise to eat nutrient dense meals only when hungry, to not snack between meals, and to not eat processed foods or meal replacements. I have not found a solution to help me get better sleep so that’s a work in progress. (Not particularly pertaining to this web site but I also have a lot of work to do on my mindfulness, my perfectionism especially as it concerns myself and guilt, guilt, guilt that I’m letting someone somewhere down – boy, easier said than done!)

And yes, Fuvvie, I was the one that volunteered to head up November but anyone else feeling a strong desire by that time could certainly jump up and down and get our attention! (From your page 2 post, I’m very content to be mixed up in your mind with Northern if by chance it would help channel some of her wisdom over to my brain!)

Day 1| NFD| Toronto
Wgt today 86.2 kls (jump up after a “silly” NFD)
Goals for October:
1. Continue establishing 5:2 life style
2. Establish a better regular exercise program
3. Oct. 31st Wgt Target 83 kls

Sydney Australia

Day 2 NFD
Sorry Fuvvie, I forgot to tell you yesterday was also a NFD! Yesterday 10318 steps!
Weighed in at 98.7kg this morning.
1.1kgs on yesterday! My parter went fishing and left me to my own devices yesterday. The football grand final was on, and ate everything in sight. Today is the other grand final, there will be people around, so hopefully, I will be more accountable for what I eat. Bring on tomorrow’s FD!

E. Canada day 1/NFD
Start weight: 136
Goal weight, end Oct: 130

Lesson of today: keep almonds or similar healthy snack with one for times spouse is packing doughnuts (like today, when we had a day trip to make)
Healthy snacks okay, doughnuts not okay.

Hi Fuvvie

I sympathise with your feelings about seeing yourself in the video. It’s amazing how our mind likes to trick us (the camera too!). It was seeing myself in a photo recently that was the impetus for me returning to 5:2. I saw another photo last night where I was quite a lot thinner than I am now and was a little terrified at what that meant I looked like now 😕
But, much like yourself, I’m using it as motivation. I have a trip to Cambodia in January, doing health volunteer work, and a) I don’t want to be a sweaty, uncomfortable mess, and b) I’d like to have some photos of full length me that I can be proud to show around, rather than bring them with shame (as has happened in my last half a dozen trips away).
I’ve been reading lurking around some threads, and I hope you’re congratulating yourself on what you’ve achieved this far, knowing you can do it!

Australia Day 2 FD
Weighed in this morning after my week on holidays with no fd’s and too much eating and was very disappointed. Nor totally suprised though didn’t think I would have increased so much. Though I normally only weigh in after fd’s so I’m hoping a large about is food in transit and water weight or something anyway.

Starting weight 69.3 kgs.
I put on almost 3 kgs last week! 😕😣 Fasting today and drinking plenty of water so hoping it might have a big jump tomorrow morning or else I’m way behind. Teo weeks ago I was 66.1 kgs. I think it really showed me how fasting also resets my appetite as I have been over eating while away. I’m planning to learn from this and continue to move forward.

My original goal was to lose 2 kgs this month,but that would still be above where I was even last week. So hoping to get back to where I was then lose at least another kg. If this extra weight doesn’t shift quickly then I’ll still be happy just to lose some again.
Other main goal is to not have another set back like this. I feel like all that hard work was wasted so don’t want to waste any more.
Really want to get back into exercise this week. I’m starting a 12 week exercise plan at home that will hopefully have me looking much better just in time for Christmas!
Good luck everyone and thanks Fuvvie I’m so grateful to be a party of this challenge as I really need the motivation and support.

NZ, Day 2, NFD
Didn’t weigh myself – focusing on healthy clean food & not overeating on NFDs. Will weigh myself tomorrow morning for start of FD.

Did 30min run + 15min walk.

Halfway through daily water intake – need to get sipping!

NorthernDawn – you’re probably right about too bigger weight loss goal. I said 4kg this month & then down to 2kg per Nov & Dec. It’s the NFD days that are my issue & undo FD benefits!!

Great to read everyone’s posts.

Day 2 Italy NFD
Yesterday i sorted out my food cupboards and threw out crisps, biscuits, chocolates all sorts of naughty things that have crept in there while i had house guests. I hate throwing food out but, i am no longer prepared to be a ‘Human dustbin’, eating what my little girl refuses, eating larger portions than i really want to because it would be a shame to waste good food, etc, etc.
I realise that if i have these things in the house i will eat them. So they are GONE. The Slim Christmas Holly would not stuff her face with that rubbish so neither will I.
So happy to see many favourites on this challenge, even though lots seem to be at goal or very nearly there, you are all inspiring. Sad we seemed to have lost dead man walking, i thought he really needed our support.
Planning on fasting tomorrow and having a healthy Day today.

UK Nottingham- Day 2

NFD – starting this challenge with 2 NFDs, so expect the scales to go up before I see a loss. Today it’s 240.8lbs.

I so want to be slim and healthy, go into shops and buy something to wear because actually like it and not because it’s the only thing that fits. I’m only 5ft 2″ so small and FAT!!!

I am trying my hardest to be more active with my fit bit, but this damned medication gives me aching joints and muscles, my mind is in it, but my body just won’t play! That’s the joy of cancer for you.

Sunday lunch today, so lots of veggies and protein, I will get round to putting my measurements on today.

Jayne xx

Hi all uk day 2 nfd

I had one of those moments Fuvvie! I feel so much slimmer so it came as a bit of a shock while at a yoga class to see my reflection in a mirror, not looking at all what I thought I looked like. I realised I had a lot more work to do lol.

Northern dawn totally agree about goals. I think there is the goal we would like! For me I would like to loose 7lbs this month and in an ideal world that seems doable. But realistically I know my body does not shed even weight each week. It may loose nothing for a week or even 2 then a loss, maybe throw in a little gain. It is all adjustment. So while I may like to loose 7 I would not select that as my goal – realistically I would go for half that but I haven’t set a goal of a weight to lose. Due to previous experience my goal is to stick to the plan, I have my calendar printed, my fast days planned and events I know of marked in. If I stick to it then I’ll see what my reward is at end of challenge. Off course we know this from experience having completed challenges before. As long as those who have set challenges can accept even if their goal was not met but they finished the challenge they are still winners. Since I started these challenges the drop out rate from those signing up to those completing was about 50%! So to stick with the challenge, committing to post daily and being here at finish line is an achievement in itself. Wonder if DebbieQ found the same for September!

Grammaspice just a thought for you. Dr Fung advises calorie diets don’t work because while you lose weight initially the body adjusts to the lower calories in, to the expenditure going out. It tries to balance it for you. The blood sugar diet from what I understand is for 8 weeks only eating 800 calories a day. This is to give you a boost a time to reset eating habits. With 5:2 or IF the way I understand it is you fast 2 days but eat up to your TDEE 5 days. This fools the body and your metabolism remains high. Maybe you should increase your calories on a few days. Do you know what your TDEE is OK? I remember being at a slimming class years ago and a girl was almost at goal but couldn’t loose the last few lbs. The leader advised her to go and have a nice meal out and go back to plan – her body let go of the last few lbs and she got to goal. At the end of the day your body will do anything to keep you alive. It will only shed weight when it feels it is safe to do so. Look up Dr Jason Fung on YouTube as some of his talks explain it so well.

Norrie please don’t apologise for a long post – you are a great contributor to these challenges, feel free any time to tell us your experiences.

Hi mytimenow welcome to our challenge. Fuvvie will add you to her spreadsheet – she is our leader for this month and will keep an eye on everyone. Your part is to commit to posting daily. Start with where you are in the world, the day we are on (which coincides with the day of the month) and whether it is a non fast day or a fast day. Look back on some of the posts and you’ll get the idea. If you want to give a starting weight, measurements etc feel free. If you want to set goals feel free, it is up to you.

Essex uk.

I made a huge mistake yesterday. I ate a burger bun. And I feel bloated, uncomfortable and I seem to retain fluid when I eat processed carbs. I struggle to pee and I feel it. I think I’ll pop to a health food shop to see if there is anything I can take to help. Not a good start to the October challenge at all and the scales agree. Right……Draw a line under that start. moving forward today I’ll have a roast chicken dinner. No pud and try to pee. I’ll drink a good amount but hope to get rid of waste too. It really is uncomfortable. A FD tomorrow. I think for the rest of this week I’ll have a super low carbs week to help. 😔.

Hi Fuvvie,
Count me in for the October challenge please😊

Australia, day 2, NFD,
Start weight 65.0kgs (143lbs, 10st 3lbs)
“Goal” for October 63.0kgs (138.6lbs, 9st 12.6lbs)
Final Goal is 62kgs (136.4lbs, 9st 10.4lbs)

Hi October Challengers, good to see you all here from all over the world!

I’ve been a 5:2er for nearly 2yrs. I am a bit of a 5:2 tortoise as I am mobile but unable to exercise. Even so, I have lost 13kgs in the 1st year and in the 2nd year I had several Capital L life things happen at the same time so went into maintenance for 8 months and lost 5kgs in the remainder of the year. I am 3kgs from my final goal weight. I don’t put dates on goals but would absolutely love to get 2 kgs off by the end of October, so I reach my final goal weight in November when we’re going on holiday.

I’ve done the July and August challenges and enjoyed being part of this lovely group. I had to think carefully about it this time as I don’t think I’m going to be able to keep up with reading all the posts. For those who don’t know me I have Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (commonly known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) of 18 yrs duration and put nearly all my weight on after becoming very ill. My life approximates a normal life but I do have definite limitations. I would love to read all the posts but really don’t think I can this month, and will have to keep my posts to mostly just check-ins. I hope everyone’s’ OZk with that. On the plus side I think I’m a good example of the power of 5:2. If someone like me is able to lose weight using this way of life then it’s an amazing programme. I have to stick to the low GI low cal foods and not drink calories, but I’ve still had Christmas, birthdays etc.

Onwards and Downwards,
Merry

Day 2 Dubai
1st FD
I won’t be weighing every day so at the moment I think I will weigh on Sundays and Wednesdays.

No exercise other than a rather long wander around the hyper market.

I need to drink more water so keep having to remind myself.

I am about 1/2 way through the day and so far not struggling have had a bowl of porridge and am about 1/2way through my 500 cal allowance.