Joyous January

Day 1 – Rural Nebraska, USA – NFD

Welcome, @ccco, @funshipfreddie, @northgeorgia, @iona72, @excelsior12309, and @brightonbelle Also, @lilymartin mentioned in Dodgy December that she’d be joining us, so I hope to see her–and everyone else–soon.

I’m a 66yo female, a church musician and piano teacher, and DH’s retirement–and thus, mine, to some extent–is happening in May of this year. When I was in my early 20s, my weight had me at a BMI of just under 19, and then I maintained a BMI of 22 until my mid-forties, but it’s been a roller coaster in the last twenty years, gaining and losing the same twenty pounds. I’m currently down ten of them, and plan to lose another twenty for a total loss of thirty, and am fairly confident I’ve finally gained the skills that I’ll maintain the weight loss this time.

I’m on my tablet in a hotel room in Omaha, so I’ll postpone further chatter until I’m home on my laptop, but I look forward to us all learning to be joyous about this journey, rather than a martyr!

Have a grand one, everyone!

Dodgy December 2024 Challenge

Thank you for hosting @at 💐

Joyous January

Day 1-No. VA USA-NFD
Happy New Year to all. I am happy to join up for a Joyous January! Thank you, @funshipfreddie, for hosting December, and to @stitchincarol for guiding us through January.
I am a 74 yr old pediatrician, still in practice (hoping to retire, eventually!!). Have been doing intermittent fasting since starting in 2017, lost a good deal of weight over that year; gained it back when non-compliant and complacent; re-lost the weight March of 2024 and have been maintaining fairly well since then. I still would like to lose a few more pounds. Usually am a zero-breakfast-club member and eat between 11 am and 7 pm most days. I like this WOE and and also really like our group!

Fat Busting Brits!!

Good morning everyone on this New years day . Xxxx

Very quiet here last night no fireworks at all. When I went in the garden with Pip at midnight all quiet in the village. Lots never saw the new year in I am thinking. So very different from years ago.

Feeling tired and back up to 3lbs gain this morning.. Its just going to be an easy day

I have the rest of the prawns left so will repeat last nights dinner. How is everyone else this morning ?

Its absolutely pouring with rain here .. so a later walk for us.

Dave .. sound s like Chloe had a brilliant evening. lol

Page has turned.

Enjoy your day everyone.. any resolutions made. “Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.” Xxxx

Joyous January

Day 0 – USA/OH

Happy New Year from the US! I’d love to be a part of to Joyous January @stitchincarol! I wish you all health, safety,and happiness in 2025.

Hello Southern Hemispherites!!

Happy New Year everyone! Hard to believe we will be quarter of the way through the century at the end of this year.

My weigh in this morning was unexpected. I had been eating cleanly, exercising regularly, but my weight jumped up 1.5 kilos to 114.3kgs. Well, I have a start point for the year. My goal for the year is to be lower than that by the end of the year. I don’t care if it’s 31 kilos or 1 kilo, as long as I’m lower than I am now.

I hope you all had a great New year’s and let’s look forward to a healthy and happy 2025.

Possible hypertension dizziness after eating

My suggestion would be to try and drink more water. You might be like me, I have some problem with keeping water in my body! I am best if I have a couple of big glasses of water between every meal, on top of drinks like cups of tea and having soup as a meal. Digestion uses a lot of water from our body in mucous, digestive juices etc, It is worth a try as drinking extra water is cheap and comparatively easy. Try it for a few days. Good luck.

Fat Busting Brits!!

Happy New Year to everyone, let’s hope it’s a good and healthy one..

I have been out with William and Jacqui, coffee and cakes.. William leaving Thursday so I won’t see him now.

I have been out and bought wool for my school fair.. I have made a baby octopus .. it said 20 mins it took me 3 hours 😂 hoping I get quicker it’s a while since I have crocheted. Very small and fiddly. I might go up a hook size.

Nana..
Lovely to have breaks booked something to look forward to.
William is very sad with the breakup, she has a new flat so it’s definitely over. James was near the Sydney bridge watching the fire works, it’s all cordoned off and he can’t get home so staying at his hotel overnight, in staff rooms,he’s working at 6am.

Hedgehog..
Jacqui took her tree down before me.. hers was a living one and it was getting upset so she took it out into the cold weather, it’s got its colour back.
2 lbs on is good for Xmas soon be off.

Hemmy..
It’s very quiet here, no party’s or fireworks as yet.
Nice to have what you fancy before the healthy eating starts…I really should look at my food too…

Dave..
Enjoy your buffet and drink of beer. I am in bed now…

Jean x

Fat Busting Brits!!

Hemmy we are having a buffet, Chloe’s making the most of it. I bought 4 bottles of beer. On my 3rd one now might have a Bailey’s nearer to midnight. Happy new year everyone.

Joyous January

Looking forward to Joyous January and hearing from you all, it certainly makes the journey more interesting. All the best to everyone for 2025 🎉

Dodgy December 2024 Challenge

Day 31 UK NFD

Thanks for hosting @funshipfreddie , sorry my participation was poor See you all next year 🎆

Dodgy December 2024 Challenge

Day 31 – USA/GA – NFD

Weigh-in: 237 lbs. Well, my 2024 average was 230 lbs, which means I have some work to do in 2025. I plan on January 2 to return to fasting. I don’t think my symptoms are deteriorating with my daily liquids and limes/sour apple treatments. I’m going to have to remember to buy bags of Granny Smith and limes each time a cold comes on.

Possible hypertension dizziness after eating

I am looking for similar advice. Pre fast, I often feel swimmy after breakfast, isn’t unpleasant🙂been tested for diabetes (big in my family) but fine. Doing this to prevent diabetes and general good health. Tough as I hate veg🤣

So, just completed 4 days fast, then into the 800 for 2 weeks to one month (but I go for about 900 to 1000, 800 8s too low for me) then into the 5:2.

Had gentle first meal.of white fish, broccoli & asparagus last night, then this.morning 2 eggs, smoked salmon, spinach and tiny portion of keto bread made with linseed and psyllium, with marmite on. And big dilute.black.coffee, lots of water too before and after.

Specific question is – I know feel swimmy and drunk as fuck! Not unpleasant,real cheapdate 😆Again,not an unusual state for me, doesn’t happen every meal and I have tried to chart themes without success,is random but often.

I have checked and rechecked with doctor and they have nothing to sayand no t3sts.say any issues. I want perspectives on similar experiences, please.

(With respect, please don’t post things like ‘no, I can’t help you, I have never had anything like this’…it is just really annoying!) Thank you and Happy New Year!

Fat Busting Brits!!

Good morning everyone a dull day here. I played well at bowls yesterday. Going shopping soon expect it will be packed out, all the muffins will have gone. I might buy some crusty bread if there is any left. I do like the bread we have, Warburton original seeded batch loaf 😋😋 do be getting it Hemmy or you won’t be giving up bread. I fancy doing stuffed peppers not done them before but they look very appealing.Not decided off I’ll have a drink tonight or not, never had anything Christmas eve.

Joyous January

Day 0 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – NFD

Thank you @stitchincarol! Count me in for Joyous January 🎉

#3 is the December spreadsheet though. Can someone please set one up for January? 🙏 Happy New Year to everyone, & may January bring Joy to all of us 😃

Dodgy December 2024 Challenge

USA Day30 WFD

My FD went sideways when I decided to try out the apple pancake mix my sister bought at a farm in up state New York and gave me for Christmas. That pushed me far away from a FD or a CD, so I decided I would start a WFD beginning this evening at 6 pm and ending tomorrow at 6 pm. Maybe I will make New Year’s Day a WFD, too! I think it’s a good way to end 2024 and start 2025 with a clean slate. I will have no more reasons to eat big meals with the holidays being over, plus the renovation on the inside of my house begins Thursday morning. That will keep me from using a number of rooms inside my house and make it possible for me to cook one meal a day. That should help my fasts for three weeks, when the work will be over.

I did wind up having to buy a new microwave because it cost me more to fix this one than to buy a new one. I won’t get the new one until January 11.

See you all tomorrow!

Dodgy December 2024 Challenge

Day 30 – USA/GA – NFD

Weigh-in: 236 lbs. Just doing CDs as much as possible. I find drinking plenty of water, having soup, and eating apples and limes are very helpful while dealing with this gunk.

Fat Busting Brits!!

Hi Everyone.. Its a chilly day here but at least dry.

So pleased as a pound down this morning.. so just 2lbs gain now. Feeling tired though

My New years resolution is going to be eating properly .I did it after last Christmas and felt so good I am feeling tired .. not eating enough veg.. keep it simple like last year protein and veg and cutting out bread.
My weight is always good now I don’t eat large amounts of anything but its not a healthy diet I am eating. Yay all change from Jan 2nd.

What’s everyone elses resolutions. lol Xx

Kristy Phil and Teddy dog off to Dorset tomorrow for a week its lovely out of season.

Enjoy you day everyone.. Just off out in the garden with Pip then feet up and reading my book Glass of wine. lol

“Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.” Xx

New to 5:2

Vintagerouge, From previous experience, keep a diary, buy a cheap notebook from the Supermarket, enter your stats and your easily achievable goals. Include things like sleep patterns, feelings on fasting days and foods eaten, missed etc. enter each days experiences. Do not knock yourself up if you “ruin” a fast day, just move it to another day because fast days are fluid. Possibly 500 could be too low. Consider Michaels 800 cals per day. Look at Time Restricted Eating. Possibly go 12 hrs between meals. Note what other posters suggest or their experiences but experiment until you find what works best for you. Great strides have been made by Michael and others in the research so keep up to date if you can. Whatever you do stick with the forum, no need to post but look at posters experiences and comments. They have helped me in the past. Goodluck.

New to 5:2

Hello all. I am not really new to the forum but have been “away” for a number of years. I think I joined back around 2015 and as a direct result of this forum and the support of the then posters lost 23lb in 4 months. Sadly !!!! I am back. Due to a variety of health issues, age, Covid, wine, (no women and song due to age) I have had the preverbiable kick up the backside to kickstart my healthy living programme.
Very quickly, (apart from being suave, handsome and sophisticated) I am a grumpy old man, 76 yrs old living in the North East of England. Around a month ago I was stunned to find I weighed 109 kilos, at 5.9 inches tall that was horrifying to me. Coupled with being told I had raised LDL, pre T2 and raised Iron levels you can understand my position. So, I am back on the wagon, looking for your support, kind words of wisdom and experiences gained by being on this forum. I can take the praise and the kicks up the backside for being lazy or negative so do not hesitate on either case. I look forwards to being part of the forum and wish you all a Happy and succesful New year on our downwards trend.

Joyous January

Everyone is welcome to join us! These monthly challenges were started by @coda in May 2016 and have been going strong ever since. Goals can be overwhelming when viewed as a whole. But by breaking them down into small achievable pieces, we are able to stay focused and motivated to accomplish our goals one step at a time in bite-sized monthly challenges.

There are no rules, but as a general guide, here are some tips for any new people:

1. Posting – This is our only true rule: please start each post with the day of the month, where you are, and if you’re on a fast day (FD), non-fast day (NFD) or controlled day (CD). We’re located all over the world and in different time zones so it helps us keep track of which day we’re talking about, who else is fasting with us on a particular day etc. Look at the various posts, and you’ll soon see the pattern, and will learn how useful it is for reading.

2. In your first post, please introduce yourself to the group – this helps us to get to know each other, which is especially helpful for newbies. Perhaps say something about where you started, your journey so far, what you’re aiming for or how you are benefiting from fasting. You might like to include your starting weight or your goals for the month. But you don’t have to – share only what you are comfortable sharing online.

3. Spreadsheet – Here is the link for the December spreadsheet – hopefully I have given access to all to input as they wish:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1OYppJGIWpZqcYoVpMyDVK5cMZEJfGFZsB86NrpwcZXQ/edit?usp=sharing
It’s in alphabetical order by username. If you find it helpful, you can use it to record and track your progress as well as keeping track of how others are doing. It can help with perspective, accountability or planning. And if you need help just ask – there’s always someone happy to help. But you don’t have to use it if you don’t want to. It’s just another tool you can use if you choose.

4. Frequency – Some people post daily, others check in every few days. Some are brief, others are long and chatty. If you’re posting for a second time in the same day please head your post e.g. Day 1 – 2nd Post. Past history shows that posting every day truly does help with motivation for staying on track with your goals, so please don’t feel shy about suddenly posting daily; we love new members!

5. Content of your post– Comments or questions, complaints or celebration – anything you’d like to share with the forum. Recipes, tips, tricks and bright ideas are always welcome. Remember: we all have good days and bad days, days we fall off the wagon or days when we are hanging on by our fingernails, days when our mojo deserts us and days where we feel completely in control. So DON’T GIVE UP – whatever it is, you are not alone!

6. Community – This is a worldwide forum so there’s usually someone online. We all do our best to offer advice, support and solidarity.

7. Pocket lists –A ‘pocket list’ is a list of the names of people who are sharing the same goal on a particular day. It’s great psychological support in mentally keeping that list in our back pocket, knowing we’re not alone. Anyone can join a pocket list or start a pocket list. Typical pocket lists are for a FD but in the past they’ve been used for people doing daily exercise or planks, or DTF (dry till Friday).

8. 5:2 basics – answers to many FAQs plus top tips:
https://thefastdiet.co.uk/forums/topic/the-basics-for-newbies-your-questions-answered/

9. The “rule”. The F word (FAIL) is prohibited!! We all stumble in our journey – it happens. But acknowledge it, think about what you can do next time, and continue. We’re all here to help!

We tend to use a LOT of abbreviations in these posts. Here’s a guide to some of the more frequently used ones:

5:2 – 5 days NFD – 2 days FD

16:8 – 16 hours fast – 8 hours non fast

IF – Intermittent Fasting

ADF – Alternate Day Fasting (FD – NFD – FD – etc)

AF – Alcohol-free

B2B – Back to Back (consecutive FDs)

BMR – Basal metabolic Rate

CFD – Controlled Food Day (a day’s eating comfortably below your TDEE)

DH, DD, DS – Darling Husband, Daughter, Son

DTF – Dry ’til Fri (no wine, beer, etc.)

EE – Emotional Eating (reflex grazing out of a need for instant comfort instead of satisfying hunger)

EFS – Epic Face Stuffing (Definitely due to a faulty OFF button!)

FD – Fast Day (500 cals)

FD800 – Fast Day 800 calories

Hunger Dragon – that dreadful psychological beast that sometimes cannot be satisfied. Some people even name theirs (e.g. @i-hate-lettuce had an inner warthog!)

IF – 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 (incl. tea, coffee, miso, bone broth & water)

LOL – Laughing Out Loud

M/WOAM – Man/Woman on a Mission (courtesy of @i-hate-lettuce)

MFD – Modified Fast Day (800 cals) on the new
Fast800, it’s a FD

MFP – MyFitnessPal – a smartphone app & website that tracks diet & exercise.

NFD – Non Fast Day

OH – Other Half (e.g. spouse/partner)

OMAD – One Meal A Day

PFDS – Post FD Smugness (courtesy of moi!)
Pocket List – Names to “keep in your pocket” for a common goal for the day

TDEE – Total Daily Energy Expenditure (see the ‘how it works’ link on the home page to work out yours)

TRE – Time Restricted Eating

WFD – Water Fast Day (Water only)

WFH – Working From Home

WOL – Way of Life

WOCA – Woman Of a Certain Age
WW – Weekend Warrior (c/- @jaifaim)
ZBC – Zero Breakfast Club

Fat Busting Brits!!

Hi, I am an academic writer, and I help students complete their assignments and dissertations. So if you are struggling while writing your assignments then you can reach out to me anytime. I have four years of experience in the same field, and I assure students of high-quality work and timely delivery of work. So, if you or any of your friends need help someday, you can connect with me.RegardsThomas Brian

Dodgy December 2024 Challenge

Day 30 – Rural Nebraska, USA – NFD – 156.6

I’ve been hovering at the same weight for four days now, so I’m pleased that I’m showing enough “reasonable eating” that I’m not continuing to gain, despite the wine, the cookies, and the good food. And, honestly, as often as not, I consider grabbing a cookie or a piece of candy or whatever and think, “BLEH.” 😂 Protein is what I’m after far more often. 👍

@funshipfreddie Oh, I’m getting lots of help in the kitchen cooking, and DH helps with the dishes, and DS28 even did the dishes all alone at 1am a couple days ago, LOL, so I have no complaints. But I do wish I’ve been working my tail off, as that’s where the bulk of my extra weight settles, LOL! That nativity set is truly stunning!

I’ve read all the rest of the chatter and it all made me smile, either in congratulations or commiseration, and now I’m going to go set up Joyous January, so it will be available soon.

Fat Busting Brits!!

Morning everyone, hope you all enjoyed Christmas. Our family get together breakfast on Christmas Eve was good fun with lots of laughter. Later in the day our daughter whose staying with a friend in Yorkshire face timed us which was nice.Very quiet for us Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
This afternoon we’re going to another family group get together,these are the family members who I went with to Disneyland Paris in 2022.
I weighed myself yesterday and was three pounds up since I last weighed myself before Christmas.
Dave I hope Denise is starting to feel better, and it seems there’s no way she can do jury service.
Hedgehogs we’re going away to Norwich mid January for a short break, even though we’ve been so many times before we still enjoy going. We only have a couple of things that might mean cancelling as OH is waiting to hear an appointment date for an MRI scan on his back and secondly his cousin passed away a couple of weeks before Christmas and a funeral date has still not been made.
Jean I’ve still got my tree and decorations up as I love looking at my tree in the evenings.Has your Grandson returned to Australia now ? Also how is the other one getting on there now ?
Hemmy a long time to be on your own. Sounds like you had a lovely Christmas though.
Happy New Year everyone, we’ll be staying at home, gone are the days when we used to go out on New Year’s Eve and not get home until two or three in the morning and then have to go in to work before it was made a bank holiday.
Nana xxx

Hello Southern Hemispherites!!

Good morning everyone,

I had a very laid back Christmas, joining my daughter’s family in the park near their home in the morning before it got too hot. I brought some little filo pastries, and my daughter had some dips and that was as Christmas feasty as it got.

I did kind of miss the family feast with home made foods, but really they were much more practical. The kids played and played and we chatted and food wasn’t a big deal. I was the only one who had cooked, and the others were much less tired! It was a beautiful morning and made me appreciate their sort of modern Christmas.

It made me think how feasting was such a treat in times when everyday eating didn’t have treats in it.

Hi Thin, when you get some wifi and can read this! I hope the pet sitting is going well.

Lindsay, it sounds like you had the family feast that I can’t help missing a bit. All those lovely food traditions! I hope it was all just wonderful. And woot for going into it lighter!

Yum for chili jam! And ironing!

All power to Mr Lindsay with the garden. And with the Santa gift giving!

Turnabout, thankyou! I hope your Christmas was lovely.

Cali, yes, the dreadful Grampians fire has settled now but it has been devastating for the area. Best wishes to Mr Cali and fingers crossed he is doing so well that you can get back here more.

Gday, it sounds like you and DD had the easy no fuss Christmas like me, and hooray for picking a wonderful treat each. I hope it was a lovely time with your mum. Don’t tricky families take a lot of strategizing to be able to do something simple and nice.

LJoyce, it sounds like you had a lovely Christmas, but are still too busy to catch up here. I hope we get to hear all about it soon.

Anzac hello and welcome home to Australia’s hot summer. I do understand it is a shock and a stress, but I can’t help being a bit glad (or even a lot glad) that you are no longer at that job which was such a strain on your health. I know your skills mean you are pulled into stressful jobs, but I do hope the next one can be a lot easier on you.

Neil, you sound like you have got back to your healthy self! Finally. Hooray, I hope. Cheers for being able to live life how you like it.

Sending best wishes to you all for a really excellent 2025.