Welcome all to Outstanding October! I am starting a day or two early so we can all have time to get onboard “the Wagon” .
I am taking over from @brightonbelle, who guided us so well through September.
These monthly challenges go back all the way to 2016, when started by @coda. We like to break up our goals into manageable periods, and monthly goals seem do-able to most of us! Of course, everyone is free to set goals at any level, a pound a month, 5 pounds a month…you get the idea.
Here are some of the guiding principles we have used over the years:
1) Posting. Please post something about yourself in your first post of the month. You would normally include the day of the month; where in the world you are (!); and whether the day is a fast day, a non-fast day, etc. We are located world-wide, so it is interesting to know who is on board at any given time.
It is helpful to include some facts about yourself, your fasting journey, your goals, and so on. You may include specific numbers of course, but this is entirely your choice. These facts about yourself and your fasting goals are helpful to anyone joining for the first time.
2) Spreadsheet: We have an available spreadsheet with a separate link, for those who like to track themselves and they can also see the ups and downs of others using the spreadsheet.
Using the spreadsheet is optional. (Asking for assistance in posting the spreadsheet, as I do not have the skills for that!!!)
3) Posting frequency: Most of us feel that daily or every other day posting is helpful in keeping us on the path…but again, that is a personal choice. Sometimes posters drift away and return later in the month–it is OK, all are welcome, members new and old.
4) Content of the post is up to you. Feel free to share aspects of your daily life challenges. This includes health issues, home issues, family issues. These all impact our ability to manage our healthy choices. This is an incredibly supportive group of people with a wide range of life experiences. We all learn from and lean on each other!
5) Pocket list: This is a way of knowing who in the world is fasting on the day you are fasting. It helps to support us. Pocket lists can be started by anyone. They might also be used for issues other than fasting, such as alcohol-free days, or daily exercise goals.
6) 5:2 “Basics”. answers to FAQs and tips for success: https://thefastdiet.co.uk/forums/topic/the-basics-for-newbies-your-questions-answered/
7) We avoid the “F” word: No “Fail” here. Maybe, “Fall off the wagon”, but no “Fail” We are all here to encourage ourselves to get back on track!
8) Lots of abbreviations show up here:
5:2 5 days of not fasting, and 2 days of fasting per week
FD 16-8 16 hrs of fasting, 8 hours of eating window
IF–intermittent fasting
ADF–alternate day fasting
AF–alcohol free
B2B–back to back or consecutive fast days
BMR–basal metabolic rate
CFD–controlled food day, below your TDEE
DH, DD, DS: darling husband, daughter, son–you get the idea
DTF–dry till Friday (no alcohol)
EE–emotional eating
EFS–epic face stuffing (no “off button”)
FD–fast day (500 calories)
FD800– 800 calorie fast day
Hunger Dragon; dreadful psychological beast that sometimes cannot be satisfied.
IFK–intermittent fasting Keto way of eating that generates ketones
KISS: keep it simple, stupid
LC–low carb way of eating
LCHF–low carb, high fat way of eating
LFD–Liquid fast day, such as tea, coffee, broth, etc.
LOL–laughing out loud
M/WOAM –man or woman on a mission (courtesy of @ihatelettuce)
MFD–modified fast day, FD 800
MFP–calorie tracking app, MyFitnessPal
NFD–non fast day
OH–other half, ie, partner, spouse, etc
OMAD –one meal a day eating
PFDS–post fast day smugness
Pocket list–names to keep in your pocket for a common goal that day
TDEE–total daily energy expenditure (link to the homepage will show you how to work out your TDEE based on age, height, weight, sex.)
TRE–time restricted eating
WFD–water fast day, only water that day
WFH–working from home
WOL–way of life.
WOCS–woman of a certain age
WW–weekend warrior
ZBC–zero breakfast club

OK everyone, let’s head out for an Outstanding October!!!
MFD