This topic contains 1,627 replies, has 93 voices, and was last updated by Fuvvie 8 years, 1 month ago.
Gozo, Malta
Day 4
NFD
Yesterday was a successful fast day. Today I had a coffee with semi skimmed milk and a glass of smoothie 125 calories.
I went with my grandson for a walk to the center of the village to do some errands for about 30 minutes. I came home all sweaty as its a warm day today here.
For lunch it’s chicken leg with red peppers and potatoes and I’ll have something lighter for supper.
Have a great Tuesday everyone. Stay strong. Onwards and downwards.
Bom dia de Portugal,
Day 4 FD
68.7kg
Yesterday was quite a good NFD with porridge for breakfast, ryvita crackers, peanut butter and banana plus berries, grapes and natural yoghurt for lunch. For dinner a quinoa, chicken, brocolli bake. A block of dairy milk for a treat at supper.
Today: 37 minute sweaty cardio workout (Fitness blender) + 2-3k Walk
Thanks @merryme. I’ll keep going and try to make good choices.
HannahWatto
I think you’re way too hard on yourself. You lost 5 kg in September, thats amazing. It shows you can do this. Just take one Day at a time. Today, give it your best, stop. Tomorrow do the same, stop.
Don’t overthink things, try not to weigh yourself too often. If you have a Feast Day, or weekend😉 It is what it is. The next Day start over fresh. You are not sabotaging yourself (even though it feels that way), you are re-educating your body and it won’t get it right first time. So pick yourself up, dust yourself down and make today a good Day. We’ve got your back😘😘
Thanks @hollylj – I have been liquid-only today. I am a bit hungry but it is empowering at the same time. What gets me is that I can lose a few kilos over a few weeks and then put most of it back on over a weekend. I just want to make this sustainable. Thanks
Day 4 London
Well my FD yesterday went awry as I was really hungry for some reason. Not too much over maybe 800 calories in total so today and Thursday will be my FDs this week!
Big swim first thing this morning; bullet proof coffee for breakfast (110 cals), 10 almonds (70 cals), lunch will be some ham (100 cals) and the balance will be a stuffed mushroom with some stir fry with vegetables tonight.
Have a good FD to all who are on it today 🙂
Good Morning from a dry but rather Autumnal Scotland .
Day 4
NFD
Successful fast day yesterday & have just broken my fast with bagel with cream cheese, avocado & Gin & Juniper smoked salmon (yum) and a mug of coffee .
It always amazes me when I go to bed on a fast day I have all these mental pictures of what I’m going to have for breakfast in the morning but when morning comes I can take it or leave it and I’m not absolutely starving when I wake . I’ve been up since six thirty & that’s the first I’ve eaten and that’ll be it until dinner . I always feel so clear headed after a fast day too.
Been off work (as a nurse) with a hand injury and as a result a lot less active . However at DRs today and I’m delighted that I can return to work on modified / non clinical duties initially. Can’t wait ! I’ve missed my team 😊
Did a bit of comfort eating over the weekend after scattering dads ashes in the beautiful place he’d chosen . As I’ve mentioned before my mum & dad ( both remarried but still good friends ) both died recently within weeks of each other ( both in their early 70’s ) having both been ill for only 2 weeks . I had another lengthy absence from work following that so I’m desperate to get back to some kind of new normality as regards family / work routine , increased activity and being more sociable !
Loving all your posts ! Apologies for mine being a bit of a novel . Too much time on my hands but not for much longer 👍🏽
HollyJ, sadly it is true. 80km there and 80km back. Thankfully the train and bus usually does most of the work, the car commute in peak hour isn’t pleasant.
We had a lovely day here today and I was able to get out and go for a walk along the beach. I even managed to do some HIIT bursts 🙂 I’m hopeful that it will stay fine but the weather people say otherwise. It is has been a long winter. Not that I really mind, I don’t enjoy the heat having lived in the NW for over a decade. For those of you not familiar with Australia, the NW of WA is pretty much the outback but I was at least located by the sea. Summer was 4-6 months of consistent temperatures over 38 Celsius, often up to 45, only broken by the advent of cyclones. Thank goodness for air conditioning.
As for 5:2, I forgot how good this WOL is with regards to impacting food choices and consumption. Today I didn’t have the compulsion to eat. I was sated on relatively low intake especially in comparison to what I normally consume. Not as a conscious decision but just that I wasn’t that hungry.
Anyway, good luck to those of you fasting today. Chat tomorrow.
Morning all, USA – Missouri Ozarks, Day 4 – Think I will make it a fasting day as well – yesterday went great.
Fuvvie, Cool Whip is a container of whipped topping used in place of real whipped cream. Very popular in lots and lots of recipes or to just put on top of pudding or ice cream or pie. It is just a brand name, there are lots of store brands as well.
Didn’t eat from 7 p.m. on Sunday until 7 p.m. last night, had a salad and some vegetables from the pork roast I had made on Saturday – carrots, potatoes, onions, celery. Will not eat until 7 tonight, got lots of exercise (bike, treadmill, AbCoaster and weights/resistance) after I came home so that felt good. Drank lots and lots of water yesterday along with my unsweetened tea.
Wishing all a great day.
Hi @sheilybee – my thoughts are with you. Stay strong.
Newcastle UK – Day four – FD
Current weight: forgot to weigh this morning so will do it tomorrow
I last ate around 10pm last night (some sweets)and so far today I’ve had two cups of coffee (with skimmed milk) and water. I will use about 100 calories of milk and that will leave me with 400 calories for something to eat later.
I plan on eating around 5pm and will likely have two eggs with ‘something’ either bread or waffles or similar. I do have a Slimming World frozen meal which is about 400ish calories that I may have instead. I’m at work atm and will have to check that when I get home.
I’ve identified that my ‘danger zone’ is always between 5pm – 10pm so I have to be strong willed around that time of day. It’s too easy to give in and say I’ll fast another day (undoing all the good work achieved that day).
I think my ‘challenge’ for the month is to simply loose weight and do the 5:2 successfully (I only started a week ago). I can then think of introducing other challenges as the month goes by.
Hope all are doing well today 🙂
Australia, Day 4, FD
I fasted 21 hours and then ate 2 good choice meals in the next 7 hours.
That’s so sad ShellyBee, losing both your parents at such a young age and unexpectedly would be very difficult for you. I can only send you hugs and hope you get strength to keep going. Xx
Thanks for the link JFitzy, I’m walloping about here like an aeroplane…that’ll sort my bat wings out!
US, Day 4, NFD….120.3 lbs
Yesterday was a tough fast day. I started out well, and then for no apparent reason, I became so utterly congested that every time I tried to swallow, my ears popped. I felt miserable through the rest of the day and grabbed some consolation snacks. I’m feeling a bit better today, but I may get to the ENT doc later today. Ugh!
On another topic, I made a great “root” soup on Sunday, and we’ve been eating if for days. One large sweet potato, beets, butternut squash…rather high on the veggie carbs but also high in fiber.
Thank you HannahWatto & VioletP for your kind thoughts . I’ll probably feel a lot better once I get back to work and my thoughts are occupied by looking after my patients again .
Just been laughing at myself . Yesterday I had loads of cook books out on a fast day , teasing myself with all the lovely food and all the things I could cook or bake today and drooled over every foodie post on Facebook . Today I can’t decide what I want for tonight’s dinner and don’t feel particularly hungry 😂
Texas, Day 4, NFD
Well, yesterday’s fast was not complete success, but I managed without food till 5 pm, and than start eating (maybe 700 cal). I decided not to beat myself for overeating, and concentrate on eating under TDEE today. Looking forward for the next fasting, and hoping to make it a little bit longer.
I had a nice 2 mile brisk walk with my dog in the morning, and even tried to jog a little bit. Feels good. 🙂
Day 4 USA (Illinois) – NFD
Made it past the “snack table of terror” last evening at our Choral Society social. Oh wow, we have some terrific cooks in our group. There seemed to be more sweets than savory, but the sweets I did sample were just little tidbits. Someone also brought a nice creamy ham spread in celery sticks. That was my suppper along with the Texas caviar (a mixed veggie dip concoction) and my artichoke spinach dip.
GreatLakesUS123 – and other who have chimed in on telling folks. At first (6-7 months ago) I only told my exercise buddies at Curves what I was doing. Some likely thought it was a nutty way to diet. Now that more and more people are seeing me for the first time in a while, I tell everyone. I suggest the book to them and even this forum. Just last evening 2 friends who I had not seen in some months came up to me during the social saying they had noticed my much more slender body. I cannot tell you how good that makes me feel! I am quite a public person, directing a fairly large choir, other community activities, so people have seen me “up front” and now are seeing less of me!
BayGirl – congratulations on your weight loss and making it through those early fasts. I remember thinking it would be an impossible task to just live for that day much less thrive! You GO GIRL!
ColdPizza and Edzeko – great to see you back with us. I’m still trying to lose maybe 2 more pounds then do maintenance. That will be a challenge to make it through the holidays and not gain any back. Your testimonies make me agree these challenges will help.
ShielyBee – so sorry for all your troubles and lack of normalcy. I lost both parents in 2009 within 6 months of each other, but they were 92 and 87. I was glad to have had them as long as I did. Now I am 68, and the thought of living that long reminds me how I need to stay as healthy as possible.
Onward and downward!
Day 4|NFD|Toronto
Fairly successful FD yesterday. Exercise increase in October,so far, has been non-gym non-deliberate but more experiential as I helped a friend with a major urban backyard renovation project(involving concrete breakup, dirt/fill removal and disposal) over the weekend and last night. The reward, so far, was the lowest body fat % reading in 6 weeks with weight consistent to after last FD and a high calorie Sunday. Weight loss is great, and I have weight goals (short and long term) but I know getting my body fat % down will garner great health benefits.
Our Canadian Thanksgiving weekend starts this Friday and there are lots of “caloric mine fields” ahead as family, friends, and social groups all have events planned starting tonight to celebrate the harvest season. The actual holiday is Monday.
Best regards
Day 4 Fla USA NFD thank you to all who gave me some Bulletproof Coffee information I look forward to trying it .Going to get my exercise today moving furniture. I live in a small condo unit in Florida and with Hurricane Matthew coming toward us i have got to get all this outside furniture into an empty apartment so that should give me all the exercise I need for the day.
After my road trip I absolutely loved my fast day on Sunday and was very careful yesterday definitely under my tdee feeling very positive today going to go make some Bulletproof Coffee and I have a light lunch and dinner have a good day everyone great reading everyone’s posts. Really starts my day off well thank you
Thank you Songbirdme !
Sounds like you’ve done amazingly and so close to target . Well done !
I lost 2 1/2 stones doing 5:2 and also going to Curves before and it was the best combination ever . I also became very vocal about 5:2 and motivated a few friends into trying it out . I maintained that loss for over two years doing the odd 6:1 – the weight only crept on when my dad got taken into hospital & I stopped doing that one day a week fast and not going to Curves as much . But I know this works and can be maintained so I’m feeling very positive and raring to get there again !
I was just reading about Texas Caviar the other day – think they said it’s sometimes also called cowboy caviar ? Sounds lovely – I must try 😊
Day 4. Wisconsin. NFD.
Thanks for letting me in to this great group! I see friendly “faces” from past challenges, and looking forward to getting to know more.
I observed something interesting yesterday on my first legitimate FD in about 4 weeks. Of course, I have hunger. But, I also am able to concentrate better in the afternoon, and stay on task. I am not sure if this is a coincidence. I will test it out again on Thursday. Concentration and focus are important in my work, and I really beat myself up when I fail, and become easily distracted. I wonder if there is a bigger connection to food and focus than I realized.
I will let you know. At any rate, feels great to be back on the wagon!
Hi Coda,
Ok I will try posting as often as I can, I am 100% committed though and have managed this WOL before my holidays but as you said joining in on the forum makes you accountable.
Day 4 – FD – I have had a PRET soup,plus I have popcorn and smoked salmon salad for tonight, also going to a Body Attack class which I find easier when fasting. Usually burn 600 cals plus I ran home last night which was 8K.
SW – 61.5kg
CW – Weighing in on Fridays
31 Oct GW – 59/60 kg
23 Dec GW – 57kg
South Florida/USA – today is day 4
I survived my first fast day yesterday – not like i’ve not done it before but it’s been a while. My body acted like a bratty 2 yr old screaming and throwing tantrums – headache and all. Around 9 pm i had a bit of a meltdown and almost starting crying over the number of commercials on tv… 10 commercials in a row… while i am trying not to snack! The audacity!! LOL – i can laugh now but it wasn’t funny last night. 🙂
I started with PiYo Buns workout and then I had a lovely protein shake with spinach and coffee for breakfast = 120 cals and a 3 oz portion of pork with broccoli and shiritaki noodles for dinner for 295 calories. Thank goodness for shiritaki noodles as they are filling – but even though the package says 30 calories, it still feels like cheating!
As ‘painful’ as yesterday was, I’ve never shed 500-700 calories in one workout session… and i can say that NOT eating the extra 500-700 calories is easier than trying to burn 500-700 cals in a workout!!!
So, I’m in!!
Great job everyone! Even those that ‘cheated’ a bit on your fast day – and i will too – 800 cals is still better than 2000 cals any day of the week!!!
Have a FABULOUS day!!!
Day 4 | Ohio, USA | NFD
A mostly successful fast day yesterday. My husband forgot and kindly had a dinner ready of Thai noodles, veggies and tofu when I got home. I ate some of the veggies and tofu but with the sauce, I know it wasn’t super light. Still overall, a good day. Regular day today, but should be fine. (I had some of the noodles for breakfast, yum).
@K- Lo I love root soup in falls! Rutabaga is a good addition too. Did you roast them all first?
@Zella evening snacking can be my downfall too.
Have a good day everyone.
London | Day 4 | NFD
Yesterday’s FD went really well and I can’t believe I only had 60 cals in two cups of broth all day! Does that make it a water fast day?
Had a really busy afternoon though with cycling into town and back and life modelling for two hours, plus the earlier plank workout. By the end of the day I was feeling really rather depleted and today everything hurts! Especially my stomach muscles!
Also, broth is out for me. Those two cups nearly tipped me over my daily sodium allowance and I can definitely feel all the extra water my body is clinging to today! Also, very constipated. Shame really. Will try the extra very low salt version next.
Today’s NFD is going well, although I have to say I now dread the first meal of the day because once the doors open there seems to be no stopping of the food coming in…
Oh well, about to do an hour of cross trainer and a minute of plank, that’ll turn my mind off food 🙂
@greatlakesus123 yes, I tell everyone whenever it comes up. I don’t expect to loose much more weight with 5:2 so there is nothing for me to wait for in that sense. I just feel great about fasting and so am happy to tell people about it 🙂
@misgizmo, I’m in for a group trial on MyFitnessPal. My email is telltanja@gmail.com
@Amna6 how lovely to be so close to your daughters and grandchildren! I live in another country to my mum and sister and sometimes that is hard 😳
@coda what is T5T and MELT, please?
@k-lo, please can I have your miso soup recipe? Love that stuff! Also your root soup sounds lovely ☺
@saltyseabird, I recently gound Arla Protein Quark in Tesco. 140cals for 200g. 13g sugar (that’s less than the amount of sugar in yoghurt pots half the size), but 20g protein! So that’s my go to “snack” now. It feels like a small meal and ties me over for a few hours 👍
@edzeko, what kind of tapes/ videos does Dr Berg record?
@pissupoosa, which meditation retreat are you going to?
@back2thefuture, I know that feeling of wanting to eat as though there will be no more food coming. I, too have never been underfed or was denied any kind of food. I do believe it’s a different emotional cross wire connection, which I feel gets corrected just a little bit with every fast day.
@soniar and JoyT, well done on completing your first fast day! Hope you will enjoy the journey 😊
@ciren2, Congratulations on your 36 hour water fast! Well done!
@hannahwatto, the kilos you loose over a few weeks are not the same as the weight you put on over a weekend. What you loose is fat, what you put on is water and food waste being digested. Maybe a little fat, but that’ll come off as early as your next fast day 😊
@sheilybee, sorry to hear about your parents. How sad. Hopefully following 5:2 you will live to a much healthier, older age!
I’m the same as you on fast mornings, pushing my first meal back as late as possible, not needing anything. Once food has passed my lips I eat quite a lot on NFDs.
@jfitzy, rhank you for the link! Have been trying to find upper arm workouts to do this month 💪
@zelle, well done for recognising your danger zone. I always try and be aware of “triggers”, too. One thing I did was get in the habit of not eating after 8pm. Once you get used to that and it becomes indeed a habit, you will find that cravings do not come up that much in the evenings 😊
Happy going everyone!
Dubai-Day 4-NFD
I have eaten reasonably health today (don’t count calories on NFD)
Spent an hour and a half yesterday playing in the pool with the kids, that’s exercise right! 😀 also went on the elliptical trainer for 30 minutes.
Today I went to play tag archery with the kids for an hour it was brilliant fun even though I couldn’t hit anything I actually aimed at.
I will normally fast on Wednesdays but have family visiting so will fast Thursday this week instead.
Sussex UK Day 4 NFD
Good fast day yesterday and didn’t eat until 12.30 today. I did succumb to two biscuits at a meeting this afternoon and I have eaten some nuts when I got home but still ok.
Thank you HealthyTanja, I will look out for that. When you’re doing low-carb, you realise how many snacks are just crammed with them!
FD tomorrow then OH will make his lovely seafood sauce to have with zughetti – yum!
Keep smiling O&D
SSB
2nd post re bulletproof coffee – hi, it sounds very good and full of healthy fats but I do need to point out that 1tblsp each of butter and coconut oil is about 220 cals (and that’s if you are meticulous about measuring). Healthy fats still have calories – for me 220 cals is a fair lump of my TDEE. Just saying…
SSB
E. Canada day 4 NFD
Checking in early today.
Northern Dawn, thanks for the support. I think the key is to spend a little time, a few hours in advance of any given meal on a FD, to envision what one is going to eat at that meal. In truth I was reasonably happy as I didn’t go nuts, but ate healthily.
HannahWato – second others. Someone, I wish I could recall their name, said that it is all about re-educating our bodies and accepting that we won’t learn the lessons on the first few tries. And there is not just one strategy to be learned, but several. If you like fried chicken, you must ‘design’ a way you can enjoy it, just not too much of it.
Me, a problem I’ve been having is estimating the calories in food I haven’t prepared myself. Today at a independent cafe (not a chain which publishes nutritional data of their products) I split a grilled veggie and goat cheese panini for lunch with a friend. I enjoyed it thoroughly with a large cappuccino. But half of one of this cafe’s paninis was plenty. I found one source that suggests a whole panini is 450 calories, if so I ate 225. The cappuccino I’m guessing was about 70 calories if made with whole milk. I resisted the nacho chips they served with the panini.
But when I got back, I wanted something sweet and couldn’t sell myself on a banana; I wanted that chocolate chip cookie. So, to McD I went (I no longer keep cookies in the house, we buy them a la carte, so to speak) – 3/4 of a choc chip cookie from McD is 120. (Dangerous place, they sell 1 cookie for 0.80 and two for $1.00, so of course one tells oneself it is more ‘sensible’ to buy two.) Another small cappuccino, 50 calories. So, that’s a 470 calorie lunch. I want to establish a pattern I can stick to, so I know I have to make way for such days as today. But with breakfast, I’m up to 650 calories – IF I’ve estimated the calorie counts correctly. I now feel quite full.
But I’m wary – I still want to know if I can trust myself to eat a cookie.
Positive points – 1. I went biking 22 km for exercise.
– 2. I left the second cookie, and the last quarter of the first cookie, in a drawer for later. That’s an improvement, before I would have finished both.
Seattle, WA (US)/Day4/NFD
Will be ending my fast today at around lunch time. It’s been about 40 hours, and I’m feeling good. I’ll probably end up having lunch and then may start the next fast after that. I’ve been careful to fill up on water, and monitor myself (dizziness, etc.). Looking forward to having some food today.
Hi all – UK day 4 nfd
Fast went well yesterday had a small meal in the evening and today not feeling very hungry – brought a small jar of homemade bircher muesli and a smoothie to work with me but so far only had the muesli.
SoniaR – the commitment to the challenge is to post everyday – are you able to do this? You will benefit much more from this challenge if you can.
JoyT – what date in May is your birthday – mine is 24th
Erika45 – I am not long home from our first ever holiday to Portugal (Alvor) we loved it!
SheilyBee – this is the place to post what is on your mind or in your heart – no need for apologies. That was a tough time for you x. Sometimes looking and planning what I can eat once my fast is over is what keeps me going.
Susiecarp – the day of the challenge relates to the day of the month ie day 4 is 4th October.
HTanja – T5T = The 5 Tibetan Rites – look it up on YouTube. MELT in yoga is where you use foam rollers or balls to loosen tight muscles. Also I call just taking cups of broth a liquid fast – if sodium is a problem (in I assume bought broth) why not make your own bone broth. I cook a chicken carcasses left over from Sunday lunch in my pressure cooker with a little bit of cider vinegar. I then add some vegetables but strain it once they are cooked. Not sure how much sodium would be in that but I guess a lot less than shop bought.
Edzeko – nice to have a friendly name back with us.
Off to enjoy my smoothie now. Keep strong everyone – remember tomorrow is another day!
Day 4: Pacific NW USA, thankful that it’s a FD!
Hannah – I agree about trying to develop a sustainable WOL. Last night I felt like my last 5 months of success could come crashing down around my ears if I let a few small slips start an avalanche! But I’m listening to Patti and Holly and Healthy and their re-framing has given me confidence that I CAN find a healthy balance.
Shelley – peace be with you and your family.
Erica – what is a’block’ of dairy milk?
Ciren – congrats on the successful 36 hours! I’m going for the same today.
JFitzy – I did some HIIT on my bike this morning and then tried the arm workout you linked us to, it was easy. I bookmarked it so I can use on a regular basis. Thanks!
itsmyturn – batten down the hatches, stay safe!
MisGizmo – you’re right in your calculations re: fasting vs exercise. Dr Fung agrees with you also and says fasting is what takes the weight off, exercise is for all the other ways you want to be healthy.
It’s great to ‘get to know’ people on this site and when you haven’t ‘seen’ old friends in a while it’s so fun to have them pop back up . Hi Coldpizza and Edzeko!
Salty – yes, about the cals in BPC. My recipe is 2 Tbs of Kerrygold unsalted butter, 1 Tbs of refined coconut oil to 4 cups of French Press single origin coffee (yes, we become coffee snobs here in the rainy NW and I do measure so that adds up to about 330 cal). I drink a third to a half and that adds up to 110-165 cal and OH (who is losing faster than me) drinks the rest. I usually don’t drink BPC on a FD but rather plain iced coffee (as today). BPC is definitely something you should calculate into your total daily calorie expenditure.
Wishes for a good day/night everyone!
Gozo. Malta
healthyTanyia I had one daughter who lived for eight years and a half in London then her husband nd my daughter moved to Malta about a year and a half ago. We visited them in London and they came to Malta during that time they lived in London. I know it’s hard. Just make the most of your meetings with your mum and sister. Take care.
Hello everyone… is it too late for me to join? I have been FD for some time now and despite having a long way to go I made real progress… My dad died suddenly in May and I had a few months off work which then set me back. I’ve returned to work now and also FD 2x per week on Mon days and Thursdays.. so far 3lbs lost since restarting.
I really like the idea of of October Challenge and spurring everyone along, otherwise I feel like I’m doing this alone. Work colleagues and friends are doing various diets which are not for especially when I’m the one with the most to loose. I’m from a caribbean background so telling family I’m fasting like telling them I’m starving myself forever!
NZ NFD Day 5
Not my best NFD but certainly not my worst.
I admire everyone who tracks all the posts they want to reply to and manages to remember names etc by the time they get to their response.
I see so much that inspires me but lose track of it all by now.
I take heart in how many versions of my own story keep appearing, I’m just taking one day at a time and watching the trend hopefully move down.
Day 4 USA NFD
Walked for over one hour this morning (about 3 miles).
My goal is to walk at least 5 mornings a week during October.
So far today, I’ve only had coffee and a mug of miso with hot water. I should turn it into a FD but with our sons still visiting, I feel like I need to have dinner with them. However, will keep low calories. I’ll probably do a 36 hour fast starting Thursday afternoon after they leave. Need to get ready for the weigh in on Saturday morning.
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