Merry & Thin, I didn’t go back for seconds of dessert, I didn’t even have firsts as Christmas day the dessert was pavlova and boxing day it was plum pudding. I don’t like either of these. I really wish I could say that this was the end of the story. Given my expanding waistline I’m sure you’ve already guessed that I more than made up for the lack of dessert.
On christmas day my nephew brought along the home-made confectionery that we always have for christmas. (Remember I’d passed the task on to him this year to avoid me eating it?) I think I ate about 10 pieces of it after lunch, while everyone else was having pavlova.
On boxing day my cousin pointed out the crystal bowl of Haighes chocolates on the table when I refused pudding. If I’d found a runny centred chocolate first I might have stopped after one (not keen unless it’s caramel). Unfortunately I found the turkish delight (which I adore) and I ate quite a few of those. I actually had to get up from the table to stop myself going back for more.

So don’t feel too bad for having 2 serves of pudding – even saying no to pudding doesn’t guarantee you stay away from the sweet treats.

On a positive note, I have actually managed to have a very controlled NFD today. I just had dinner today – a vegetable fritata. I might have a handful of cherries for dessert. Tomorrow is a FD.

I hope everyone’s post-christmas diets are going as planned.

Thanks to all of you for posting your challenges this month. It’s very easy to assume that you are the only one having a tough time when in fact the majority of us are having difficulties sticking to plan.

My B2B WFD’s are successfully completed. Day one was tough because of the carb cravings set up by four days of unrestricted eating. Day two was much easier.

I’m pleased that I hit a new low of 161.6 lbs 73.5 Kg @ 5’10”.

The carb cravings and joint inflammation I experienced from unrestricted eating is pushing me to make better food choices.

The 2 day water fast is a good start to my next self experiment, following the plant paradox eating plan on NFD’s. Mostly veggies with the exclusion of all grains, fruits, pulses and nightshades. No cow dairy products. Pastured eggs, goat & sheep cheese, small fish and shellfish for protein. Plenty of avocado, gee, olives and coconut for fat. Sweet potatoes and other resistant starches. Fortunately I love all of these foods! FD’s will continue to be water fasts.

Ljoyce, although I like beans, peas and lentils it’s not a big deal for me. I’m far more upset by not having tomatoes and eggplant. I will eat them but only when they are in season locally and without seeds and skins as that is where most of the lectins are.

I will also eat a bit of bread. I’m a very good baker and I will make sourdough baguette with organic white flour and natural yeast

TAL, just breaking even this month is a big win!

Califdreamer, great job, I predict you will hit your goal. Thin jeans are the bomb!

Drinking is not a big temptation for me. I enjoy a glass of wine with dinner occasionally and a G&T in the heat of the summer. Although when I want to eat, two glasses of wine gives me permission to go nuts! Fortunately thats a rare occurance.

We got out of the house last night, went a mile down the hill and discovered no one else had any snow. We went to our usual place (the one with the log fires etc) and both had the Dexter beef, red wine and shallot pie, which was excellent but is showing on the scales this morning.

Westwings, I confirm they have Buttybach on tap, although with the pie I had Dortmunder Union.

Diverdog, you don’t have a weight problem – that looks like a BMI of about 23!

LJoyce. On a good day I can control dark chocolate. These were milk Chocolate oranges and Cadbury’s Roses. I don’t even really like Roses. About 20 years ago I was very fond of Chocolate Oranges, which the family remember so they buy them for me. They have not noticed that it is about that long since I actually bought one myself. We have been to Mallorca, but not for many years. We have got into the comfortable habit of going to Portugal, sometimes the mainland but more frequently Madeira. We will be in Madeira again very soon and later in the year we are going to Berlin. I was there when the wall came down – walking along the killing zone between what had been the two Berlins was weird. I haven’t been back since, it will be interesting to see more of the old east.

Thinatlast. The concept of trigger weight is interesting. I have always had one, which over the 5:2 experience has steadily reduced. It doesn’t show on the scales, it is the weight at which my back starts to complain.

Everyone seems to be doing well 🙂

I’ve been more disciplined this Christmas and although I know I’ve eaten more than I should, it has been much less than in previous years. I suspect that the most likely outcome will be that I weigh the same as on Dec 1st rather than record a loss.
I’ve not weighed myself yet and am hoping to avoid doing so until I’ve got a couple of FDs done and dusted but I’m struggling with that due to a cold virus, something that always makes me ravenously hungry.

It’s 7 weeks to the day until I go on holiday so I have a new goal to aim for which should keep me on track.

Thin, My theory holds true – It’s still mid 20s here, but from Wednesday we have temps in the 30s forecast. I think I started looking west for an idea of future temperature when growing up in the Riverland. Whatever weather Adelaide was having we usually got a day later (but with less rain and a bit more heat). In that era the ABC was our sole source of weather forecasts and they didn’t give future forecasts for country towns other than the next day. Only the cites got temp estimates for several days. So you had to guess if you lived in a rural area. I’ve always noticed number patterns and I saw that the weather patterns didn’t just move east from Adelaide they mostly moved east from Perth. So I’ve been watching that ever since. I must admit I pay little attention to what’s happening to the weather up north as it so rarely has an effect on Adelaide. We do occasionally get a cold change that comes up through the Bight from Antarctica, but that’s not very common. Although you really notice it when it happens – quite a chill factor.
Enjoy your FD. Hope the AirB&B neighbours are quiet this weekend.

Amazon, hope you get over the cold soon. Think about your holiday, that should cheer you up. Very please to hear that you are on track for no weight gain over December – that always feels like a minor miracle to me – being someone who’s always usually gained weight in December.

NFD today, although just cups of tea so far. I need to use some kefir so I’m planning a large kefir, fruit and psyllium smoothie to break my fast when I feel hungry.
I’m really glad I did the 2 FDs and one CD after christmas. Those extra 4cms were finally gone from my waist this morning, so I can stop stressing. I will probably do yet another FD tomorrow so I can get back into my normal 5:2 rhythm with my preferred Sunday FD. I also have a lunch out Monday so can’t fast then and I hate getting to Tues or Wens before I do my first FD – I start to panic that I won’t fit in two FDs.

My neighbour called in for a cuppa this morning and brought me a piece of panforte. I have added it to the container of treats that are hidden at the back of the fridge out of sight. I don’t want to eat any more “extras” this month – I’ve had more than my fair share of treat foods already.

Amazon and diverdog, hope both of you start to feel better. Have you ever tried a Neti Pot for a stuffed up nose? I use one the first sign of a cold and it seems to help. My doctor even agreed when I mentioned it once that it’s a good thing. My OH won’t touch it, thinks they’re weird. But my DS and I swear by them.

Maintaining during Dec is definitely a win. I think that depriving ourselves too often can backfire too. The beauty of 5:2 is that we can go overboard sometimes. We just can’t do it everyday. I think everyone here is doing a great job.

Agree with everyone that dark chocolate is easier to control than milk chocolate. And cream filled chocolates aren’t a favorite. I love carmel filled ones. Or nuts.

Thanks Merry, by boxing day I was feeling a bit worried, but the last few days my usual mental strength seemed to poke its head up again, just when I needed it.
Dive home safe. Highways are dangerous places this time of year.
Very glad to hear you are catching up with some of the other old timers – hope they are both going well.
I’m also glad the cups of tea instead of food works well for you too. My FDs would completely fall apart without that trick.

Cali – I agree with your deprivation comment. I think there is only so much of it that we can do until we rebel. And I think that threshold is lower at a time of year like christmas. Those messages about it being a time of feasting and indulgence are quite ingrained. At least they are for me.

I’m nearing the end of my last NFD for the year. I intended it to be a perfectly normal day but I have still eaten less than usual. So far I had three pots of tea, a handful of cherries and a smoothie made from kefir, a pear, psyllium, cinnamon, a little stevia and lot of ice. It ended up more like soft icecream that I had to eat with a spoon. Dinner will be a rissole and a half serve of vegetable gratin.
Tomorrow will be my final FD for the year. It will also mark the end of my first year on 5:2 as I started it on 1st January 2017.
I’m pretty pleased with the progress I’ve made this year. It’s definitely felt like I was pedaling backwards at times, but overall I know I’ve made real progress with my eating, with fasting and my food choices.

Thankyou all for your support and stories through December. I find that the mutual support on this forum has been critical to helping me make better choices.

I feel much better today, no sinus headache, chills, or body aches. I am still congested and I guess it will take another day or two to clear my lungs.

B2B water fast and two days of eating on the plant paradox program has duplicated my observation of reduced pain in my right AC joint. It has been sore and stiff every morning for a year. Today, it feels normal.

CalifDreamer, I have used a neti pot when I lived on the east coast and suffered from broad leaf tree allergies. I’ll have to pick up another one for occasional use here in Nevada.

Amazon & Diverdog I’m glad you are both feeling better today.
Wow Amazon, I don’t know anyone who’s been to Ecuador. Please post some info on your travels when you go.

Well done merry, getting the exact weight right down to the decimal point is pretty impressive.

I haven’t weighed yet, I’m leaving that until tomorrow morning. I did take measurements this morning and my waist 1cm smaller than it was a month ago and my tight jeans fit today, so I’m fairly confident that my weight is ok. I am still having some inflammation issues – which I keep tabs on by measuring my knees periodically – they are each about 2cm bigger at present. Unfortunately the inflammation has an impact on my scale weight. Knowing that my body measurements are where they should be is reassuring, as I know that whatever I weigh tomorrow, it’s unlikely to include any more body fat than I had a month ago.

Today is my final FD for 2017. I am not going out tonight, so no drinks and snacks to tempt me.

However quiet or merry it will be, I hope you all have a nice new year’s eve.

LJ, I had always thought you’d been here on 5:2 for a couple of years. Maybe it’s because you had been losing weight for a while before coming here. You also have so many great 5:2 tips and info. I had to look up “rissole” the other day when you mentioned it. I hadn’t heard of it before. The recipes I found are somewhat similar to our meatloaf, but with more vegetables. I like the size and the idea of cooking them on top of the stove in a pan with some cooking spray. They would cook quickly and be easy to store, freeze and thaw. I bet they would also be good with minced turkey. I’m going to make some later this week. Have you used them for FD meals?

Thin, you could always start a Siily Season Alumni group to replace this one. 😁

Cali, if you are thinking I’ve been here a long time, it’s probably because I post too much! But you are right my weight loss journey covers about 5 years and started well before I came to 5:2 a year ago.
A rissole as I know it, is similar to the beef patty in a burger, although usually a bit thicker and usually including a lot more than just minced beef. Most Australians just call them burgers these days, but my mum made rissoles not burgers and as mine are based on her recipe (with less fat and more veg) I still insist on calling them rissoles. My mum always cooked them in a frying pan, unless it was for a BBQ in which case my dad cooked on the BBQ along with the chops and sausages. When I make them, I usually do so in bulk. I use my oven with both the bottom element and the top grill (broil) element on. I oil a large enamel baking tray and cook them on high heat at the very top of the oven just under the grill element so that they get nice and brown. I find this a lot less work than flipping them in batches in a frying pan. I use the same mixture for making meatballs too, although I’ve never used it for meatloaf because I’ve never made meatloaf. Over the years I’ve gradually reduced the minced beef and increases the minced/grated veg that I include. They were very popular in the 50s-70s and every family seemed to have their own recipe. Some were crumbed but my mum didn’t do that and neither do I. I’ve seen some really old recipes for rissoles that use leftover cooked roast meat that was minced up and turned into rissoles by binding them together with breadcrumbs and egg – this version has never appealed to me.
I’m sure you could use turkey instead of beef – I’ve not tried it as minced turkey isn’t a commonly available here. I’ve tried using lamb and chicken, but I do actually prefer beef in my standard recipe.

Amazon, you sound rather well traveled, I’m in awe as I’m still at the stage of making future travel plans rather than actually doing the traveling.

It may still be 2017 here, but I have just seen an impressive Australian firework display on TV. Have a good 2018 everyone.

Hi everyone & a very HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all.
Just weighed in & measured – 200gm gone since 1 December, overall down 900gm since 1 October. Didn’t lose 1 kg for the challenge, though I’m happy with a loss.
Hope you all enjoy today & look forward to catching up on other 5:2 forums.
It’s currently 9am on 1 January 2018 where I live.
Bye for now xx

Happy new year.

It was D-Day for the scales. I weighed 78.2kg this morning, which is 0.1kg lower than 1st December. I’m rather glad now that I was so strict in the post christmas week – in the last 5 days I did 3 FDs and the other two NFDs were below my TDEE. While I’m no fan of alternate day fasting I don’t regret doing it as it means I’m starting the new year with no weight gain to deal. That’s a big improvement on last year when I was

My December pledges were:
– I will do at least 2 FD each week.
– I will only add a third FD when necessary and sensible – to avoid any corresponding binge behaviour.
– I will not stress about food, I will enjoy all celebrations and social occasions mindfully.
– I will plan ahead where possible so that meal preparation is easier.
– I will be active whenever possible, but as a minimum I commit to exercising at least 3 times each week.

On reflection, I did not eat mindfully and overate often on NFDs. Consequently I mostly did 3 FDs per week because. I completely forgot about the exercise commitment, and averaged twice a week only. I did plan ahead and main meals went to plan, it was the confectionery, biscuits etc that were my downfall.

The biggest thing I struggled with this month was an inherent belief that I was entitled to indulge in the christmas season. When I refused treats I felt deprived. Amazingly my thinking switched back to its normal mode the moment christmas was over. I’m now back to not believing I’m entitled to every treat I can see. That’s an enormous relief, because it’s the power of my thinking that always has the most impact on my eating.

In conclusion I’ve done much better than last year, but there’s room for improvement for next year. I need to work on mindful eating – so that I can eat one piece of confectionery slowly and savour it, rather than scoffing ten pieces quickly and still wanting more.

I’m so impressed by the number of people who have maintained or lost weight through December, your own progress helped inspire the rest of us – Cali, Arelkade, Merry, Diverdog, Thin, Amazon…

Thankyou Thin for hosting this it provided very necessary support in the most challenging month of the year.

Have a great 2018 everyone.

Happy New Year!

I’m so glad to read how well so many have maintained and/or have progressed over the past challenging holiday month. Thank you Thin for again inviting us to join you on this challenge! Well done, LJ, Merry, Arelk and any others I missed. And Diverdog, hope you are feeling better soon, though the cold sounds difficult, great the scales are showing numbers worth celebrating!

Since I haven’t written since before we left for holiday travels to Melbourne, I’ll write a not so brief ‘catch up’!

Last I wrote I’d been anticipating a ‘customer’ Christmas party. This was a work day for me which meant joining in on a Christmas lunch with our company customers. I prepared for this by fasting the day before the lunch and actually planned to break the fast with the lunch served for the party. I did this and it worked well! I was able to skip the decorative chocolate ‘favors’ and bread roll and butter adorning each place at the table as we each took our seats. My first bites breaking the pre-function fast were bites of turkey, ham and roast vegetables. Later I joined in with eating the dessert served, which was Pavlova. This fasting strategy went very well and even though the sweetness of the Pavlova normally would leave me wanting for more sweet, in this instance, it didn’t! Yea! I thought so much of this fast the day before a sit down feast that I again attempted it on Christmas Eve.

I say ‘attempt’ because it was a plan fraught with impediments and difficulty from the start! My planned Christmas Eve FD started with a 4 am rising time to ready ourselves to catch the plane to Melbourne. I’d only had a few hours sleep the night before that 4 am start due to last minute packing tasks I kept thinking of completing! Though I wasn’t at all hungry when we left the house at 5:30 am, by the time we reached our lunch destination at about 2 pm I was ravenous so did start to eat FD calories, though by dinner, I was even hungrier and knew I’d require more calories than what was left in the FD bank just to sleep well that night! So, at that point I aborted my effort and rightly so. Health issues still at times hover and threaten and can be fully triggered, if I’m too cavalier! Triggering of health issues would have meant no holiday for me, but instead fatigue and dragging myself around. No fun at all.

I knew I probably wouldn’t be able to fit another FD into the travel equation, so for the duration of our travels I did skip some breakfasts when possible, which did help in the overall calorie count tally! However, it didn’t help that much!

Mr. M and his family (unbeknownst to each other) gave me as Christmas gifts, boxes of elegant dark chocolates of various types. They are all aware that dark chocolate is the only variety I like or will eat.

After unwrapping one of the boxes from Mr. M. I reflected on a conversation he and I had a few days prior to Christmas when I was perusing a label in the supermarket deciding to buy plain rather than a flavoured yogurt exclaiming that flavored would equate to more than the 5 gram sugar serving restriction that I use as rule of thumb to prevent blood sugar spikes. Mr. M promptly interjected, ‘Yes, but surely treats are healthy once in awhile!?!’ I replied, ‘I’m better off without treats! They just spike my blood sugar and trigger cravings!’ to which Mr. M. looked utterly crestfallen.

So, for better or worse, that’s what happened. I consumed the fine dark chocolate treats and vowed that they be fully consumed by the time we boarded the plane home! Mr. M. helped a some, though only a little since he reminded me that he prefers milk chocolate! Admittedly, I did enjoy them and they did trigger cravings. Yes, I did indulge those cravings along the days of travels with a visit with Mr. M. to Zumbo’s where we picked a couple of creations, neither of which were as memorable as last year’s ‘Raspberry Cube’! On another day shopping with a friend, we walked past Zumbo’s though did aspire to delicacies at French Pattiserie ‘Laurent’ where we each chose a ‘Monte Carlo’ because I was still on a dark chocolate rage! However, in a different mood, I would have chosen the ‘Rubis’!

Amidst all the indulging, I was and am still able to fit into all my clothes with room to spare and just after consuming the ‘Monte Carlo’ I even pulled off a Boxing Day sale purchase of a ‘David Lawrence’ formal dress size 10, from David Jones, which I will wear to a wedding in Monterey, California in April! I’d been trying on size 12 frocks and my lady friend who accompanied me really liked this particular dress style, which had sold out in size 12. My friend coaxed me into giving the size 10 a try on anyway, and it fit (still does) perfectly and so I went ahead and bought it!

We are now back home and I’m not surprised that with all my extra holiday indulgences, I weighed in 1 kg heavier than planned! Instead of the 58.1 or less, to which I committed as a goal, today on New Years Day, I weighed in at 59.1.

It’s okay though! I’m celebrating New Years Day by fasting! …And it does feel good! As Merry often says, ‘Onward and Downward’!

Hi everyone,

It seems that everyone has coped well this past month which is excellent.
I had hoped to lose a couple of pounds but am the same weight as Dec 1st and for me that is a good result and probably the first time in my adult life I’ve not gained weight over the festive season.

I’ve started the new year with a FD and have some roasted squash soup lined up for dinner. I’m planning on getting rid of a few more pounds before my trip so will be working hard at controlling NFDs which have so often been my downfall.

Thin,

Botswana, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Madagascar, Namibia, Swaziland, Lesotho, Mozambique, South Africa,Tunisia and Morocco 🙂

Well done Ww, congratulations!⭐️

Keep on the 5:2 path and you’ll have a great year. Happy New Year to you and have a happy and healthy 5:2 year this year.

Onwards and Downwards,
And if you fall off the horse get back on.
Merry