Get the Yorkshire puds on 😋😋😋. I’m having chilli tonight not homemade though. Feeling peckish now. So looking forward to my tea. Just took Chloe out for the second walk. She’s having her food now We have to wait until she gets in her bed then give it to her.Lady muck 😂😂.
Day 2 – Rural Nebraska, USA – NFD – 157.4
FRIDAY:🚶🏻♀️➡️🚶🏻♀️➡️
I did NOT drop a pound this week, which makes me sad. On the other hand, I ate far, far, FAR too many Halloween candies last Sunday (and am proud to say I haven’t had a single one since, and now they’re gone, whew!💪) and my dinner last night was possibly salty enough to lead to some water retention, so who knows. The good news is that my stomach is significantly flatter than it was when I was hovering around 163-165, and I have a pair of jeans to wear that are comfortable, and I’m not poured into them, so I’m enjoying the journey, not simply waiting with impatience to arrive at my goal weight.
When we got to Lincoln yesterday afternoon, we drove past three houses that we found on Zillow and despite the lovely sunny day, they were all three far too dark with shade trees everywhere. Then we drove around another area and think it has potential. It’s a daunting search. Dinner was lovely, and DH and I both ignored the call of an appetizer and even a soup or salad, and simply enjoyed our plated dinner. My duck confit was beyond glorious, but I only managed to eat half of it, if that, so I’ll have a lovely leftover dinner tonight, or perhaps share it with DH for lulnch. My resolve is to make this day very minimal, to help nudge that scale down a pound.
@lona72 17 pounds since June??? Wow. Just wow. I have no doubt you’ll manage to lose another five in November! How many more pounds total are you aiming to lose?
@merryapple Nope, no significant hills where I live. Well, four blocks from me there is indeed a bit of an incline…🤣 And the problem is that if you want to walk “out in the country” (away from the village), it only takes three or four blocks to get there, but thenn you’re off of a pavement and on gravel roads, and I really dislike walking on gravel. I’ve done it in the past, but truly disliked it then and still do. I’m hoping the house we move to next year for retirement is close to a walking trail or a park. I’ve been so impressed at your commitment and consistency in walking; you’re doing great, and perhaps I’ll soon be doing great. (OH! And fun trivia about our gym fees: the high school has a great weight gym for the kids, and the school board opened it up to the community, the only caveat being that, if you’re there during school hours and the kids are, too, you have to let the kids have what they need. And our gym fee? $30. For both of us. For the YEAR! 😁🤣🥰 But DH is the only one who actually goes there…)
@funshipfreddie Yeah, when I’m standing all day cooking (like for Thanksgiving, when it’s pretty literally all day), my Fitbit doesn’t record any significant acknowledgement of how exhausting it is. 🤷🏻♀️ I’ll bet you’ll be very glad to get home to Boo Boo.
Oh, and for my age group, I’m supposed to be able to get to 30 seconds in the “Flamingo Challenge” and got to 40 seconds. How about the rest of you?
@at Your butternut and barley salad sounds absolutely lovely.
I made a sweater for me, starting in July 2023, that I knit back and forth with DH’s Fair Isle, but didn’t bother to finish it last May when I realized I wouldn’t be able to wear it anyway in the heat of the summer. So I’ve pulled that out and am going to finish it now that cold weather is upon us. Then, having received the additional Jamieson yarn I ordered, I’ll pick up stitches for the second sleeve on DH’s Fair Isle. Some day, that will be finished. Truly. Although it often feels like an impossible dream, LOL! So after some organ practicing at church this morning, today will be all about football and knitting…sounds like a perfect November Saturday afternoon!
Have a grand one, everyone!
Afternoon All..
Quite mild here the last few days have been very nice walking…
I don’t know why but feel shattered I have had a couple of hours sleep hope I sleep tonight..
I think my eyes are making me tired, I was looking for my glasses and I had them on!!! Blurry on or off!
Half a dish of food has been eaten over night hopefully by one of my cats, just been over nothing touched in 5 hours… the daughter will be home this evening.. I am glad.
Dave..
Good idea to freeze portions even for you if Denise doesn’t like it…
Roast beef for me tonight it’s going in shortly I have just got my roasties ready…
Hope everyone’s day is going well..
Jean x
Day 2 – UK – NFD OMAD
We had a wonderful meal out yesterday evening to celebrate our 44th – The food at the restaurant was all about subtlety and understatement but absolutely sublime on the tastebuds – It was a taster menu and small course after small course never failed to excite…..Thank you for your good wishes 🤗
Today I am fasting until this evening and having a OMAD, like yesterday, as it’s a friend’s 70th birthday and she is having a party at her house…..36 friends invited and we are all bringing a plate of either savoury or dessert ….
I am making a Roasted Butternut squash & barley salad with balsamic vinaigrette – it also has tenderstem broccoli, red onion, sun-dried tomatoes, capers, olives, pumpkin seeds and basil in it….
@stitchincarol – thank you for your lovely words…we can have a successful No Nonsense November
@flourbaby – your November resolutions are definitely possible – you have encouraged me to see that anything is possible if you set your mind to it and have strong resolve – together we can do this!
“If I quit now, I will soon be back to where I started. and when I started, I was desperately wishing to be where I am now”
Day 2 – USA/GA – NFD
Weigh-in: 234 lbs. Ugh, I feel the sneezing and chest congestion returning. What in the world??
Day 2 – Ireland – CD 🚫 ✅ 🚶🏽♀️ 🌾
Just a check in… have a great Saturday everyone. Will check in later 🤞.
Onward and downward ⬇️
We rise by lifting others 💕
Denise will definitely not like it,she doesn’t like spicy food. I’ll make enough for 4 servings and freeze 3 of them unless my son wants one. I’ll leave out the garlic,I could possibly eat it but it stinks. When I was at work a lad used to have it all the time and even though garlic pills,we made him sit on his own away from everyone 😝.A cloudy day here but still not that cold. Soon be winter though.
Cinque, Suzy, I do now remember being very tired on fast days when starting 5:2 – often falling asleep at 8pm on the couch. When I was a very small child, I was a particularly fussy eater and my parents were concerned that I wasn’t eating enough. The family GP reassured them that it was fine because I slept a lot. As I grew older, mealtimes became a battleground and many of the associated rules such as ‘finishing everything on the plate’ and ‘not wasting food’ were instilled in me for life. It took most of my adulthood to end my unhealthy relationship with food and its control over me. Thanks to 5:2.
Neil, I find the body can absorb these blow outs once in a while. All part of the ‘feast and famine’ phenomenon. Have fun with the Diwali celebrations. Is it possible to make an excuse about having a dodgy stomach but say that it looks so delicious that you’ll ‘take a little something for later’ – so you haven’t refused the hospitality but can eat it over several days? Personally, I would never eat to satisfy someone else’s needs but I absolutely empathise with how and why this happens. Good luck.
GDSA, it sounds like you are building me a moat after all. Seriously, that sounds like a huge expense with so much destruction to your years of hard work. Hopefully, the damage will be minimal both to the pocket and to the land.
We are now in the sardine can, aka winter mooring. It’s a very small wharf and we already knew most of the boaters here which makes being squished into tight quarters slightly less claustrophobic. The people are really lovely but I still feel the sense of doom I always get when entering these places. On our last day of freedom we saw a roe deer, a pair of herons and a kingfisher. Now our only view is across the basin through the front window. I keep telling myself that we chose this life, we’re warm, safe and have little to complain about. I think we just need some blue sky. Our neighbours are off to Kruger and Cape Town tomorrow but I’m so disenchanted with travel, I can’t find the motivation to plan anything. 1st world problems, eh? I don’t expect any sympathy, I’m just having a moan.
Speaking of people with actual problems, a close family friend was in Valencia during that devastating flood. She didn’t see a drop of rain. Such terrible destruction and disbelief.
Day 2 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – NFD
Great to see so many posts already! Welcome to the November Challenge – @excelsior12309, @at, @brightonbelle, @flourbaby, @jaifaim & @penz.
@flourbaby – your November resolutions are a tall order?! Sending you oodles of resolve 💪
@stitchincarol – interesting info re walking – stopping & starting as opposed to a longer stretch. I’ve also heard that just standing as opposed to sitting burns more calories, but I don’t think it’s a significant amount.
@merryapple – my friends here in Gonubie have always had at least 3 dogs. And they love their walkies 🐶 But the new addition/miniature donkey is more than a handful. He’s obsessed with food & just wants to play all the time. But he’s scared of water. When we’re out with him, he won’t even walk through the little streams of water that form when the tide’s coming in. We don’t know what he experienced during the first year of his life. I think he’s going to need some proper training or he’ll drive everyone nuts. Lots of animals have been abandoned here during the last few years, for financial reasons I imagine. Many people can’t afford to feed themselves here, let alone pets. I read up on Travis Scott. What a piece of work?! America say you can keep him right there 😅
Going home in a couple of hours 🏡 I haven’t been too badly behaved, apart from eating my weight in cottage pie last night 🐷 And I clocked up close to 14,000 steps yesterday. First November FD for me tomorrow, so I’ll weigh myself on Monday morning. Ignorance is bliss 😊
How long can you stand on one leg?
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-14026273/Scientists-worked-long-stand-one-leg-age-fare.html
Noteworthy November Fact:-
November’s name has remained unchanged since the ancient Roman calendar, which was in use until 45 BC. This first Roman calendar was only made up of ten months, with November being the ninth month. November actually translates rather appropriately into “ninth month” in Latin. When the Julian calendar was adopted in 45 BC, two new months were added, which pushed November back to the 11th month. Despite its change in position, November was never renamed.
Have a good weekend everyone 🌤🌈
Today I am skipping breakfast and possibly lunch in an effort to see some movement with the tape measure or the scales. Planning to repeat this again tomorrow and hopefully that will nudge a change.
Term starts again next week, so currently redecorating and sorting out stuff. Plenty to keep me busy today and tomorrow.*
How is everyone doing?
Day 2 NZ NFD 69.6kg 🏃🏼♀️
I made one handed treacle scones for afternoon tea for the dog walking gang then we walked down to our local dog friendly burger place. Had a burger with truffle mayo, beer and shared chips then came home and ate another scone as you do… I missed breakfast and for lunch made cauliflower, cheese, mustard, Worcestershire sauce soup and sourdough. Thanks for the prompt @flourbaby!! -4lbs is a Ab Fab drop🥇Please pat yourself on your back!! Could you consider walking the building stairs so you don’t have to be outside???
Happy wedding anniversary @at. I’m looking forward to your menu debrief!!!
@jaifaim Your catch up will be rather more last month’s news of the world rather than BBC news😂 and hopefully more enjoyable if not a little Seinfeld…
@iona72 How much alcohol is 14 units? I’m curious esp with the silly season coming up!!
@stitchincarol I guess you don’t have hills to walk up and down where you live?? I started with walking streets until I got my fitness up for the big hill. It’s a great feeling not paying gymn fees!!
@excelsior12309 We have Guy Fawkes coming up and people are starting to let off crackers… I remember laughing with amusement at your comment about Virginians letting of guns for July 4th!! They probably would if they could here…
@molij That’s fantastic to hear!! And you have time to sew your dress!!
@brightonbelle Great to hear yoga is working for you!!
@funshipfreddie You sound like you’re about to find out about the joys of walking dogs🤣 Boo Boo will incensed when you get back. Prepare yourself!!
Have a good day!!
Be a Weekend Warrior 💪
Day 2, NFD, Aus
Hello everyone! Great to be back for another month.
I live in Canberra, with DH and two dogs. I’m on leave from work for a year and am seriously considering early retirement. I am enjoying it far too much! My FDs are usually Mondays and Thursdays.
Hedgehog..
It’s tricky Jacqui has got a zoom training meeting, on Tuesday… after my 2 hour appointment I might have to wait another 2 hours to be collected. She can’t get into her diary in Texas all her times are jumbled up with the time zone. I looked at getting a taxi its £45, I paid Fay £50 the other day for time and petrol.
I hate to be dependent on people but I can’t drive after the appointment.
Hemmy…
Well done on the pound off I stayed the same, I was a pound down, then I had a blow out.. my fault but well needed.
Still no sign of the cats.. a few hard biscuits eaten like yesterday but not many… the daughters back tomorrow pm hoping they come back for her.
Dave..
Nice to get your recipe in the pot hope Denise likes it.
Have a good weekend all..
Jean x
Day 1 – Ireland – CD 🚫 ✅ 🚶🏽♀️ 🌾
158.5lbs
Hello everyone! I’m here for No Nonsense November – thank you @funshipfreddie and also thanks to @at for the spreadsheet and happy anniversary! I’m sure it will be a delectable dinner date!! Cannot wait to hear all about it.
See you all tomorrow! Still hoping to read back over your posts as I have missed lots of news.
Onward and downward ⬇️
We rise by lifting others 💕
Good evening I think your right Hemmy winter is around the corner.I got all my spices this afternoon from Sainsbury’s, also got the mince dip been make my chilli whenever I want, probably next week. Four legs is by my side as usual. I let her off the lead and she just walks by my side until we get home then she waits in the doorstep for me
Day 1 – NE England IF 16:8
I managed Halloween without any treats even thought we have quite a lot left over. Not sure what I will do with that? I don’t really want my girls to eat it either.
I have been posting on this site for a number of years but I’m new to the monthly challenges.
62F, retired for 3 years, thought I was fit and healthy until June when I was advised I am Pre-diabetic. It was such a shock to me as I thought I ate sensibly and I have always been active. However – closer examination of my diet identified far too many carbs. Since then I’ve lost 17 pounds, and I too, am determined never to put them back on again. My plan is Intermittent Fasting, usually 16:8 but some days a little longer, LCHF, lots of water and 4 alcohol free days per week and then sticking to the Govt. guidelines of 14 units or less per week. My goal is to lose 5 pounds again this month.
Looking forward to chatting with you all and seeing how we all smash it in November!!💪
Good afternoon everyone.. Xxxx
It a a very dark day here ..you feel winter is in the air now. Mind you two days never seem the same..
A longer walk than planned as we met up with MaryAnn and Lorna Wes and Freddie.. the 3 dogs get on well together. .
Only just having lunch as I came back late then and made up meat sauce for lasagne … It s a Gary Rhodes recipe I made years ago.
I have lost a pound this week .. so 2 to go.
H H well done on your loss .. Xx
Dave… So pleased to hear Denise is improving.
Sym..Its always a worry feeding other people s animals.
Better get on… I want to hoover upstairs before going in the garden with Pip.
Its more important what we eat …rather than how much we eat.
Day 1 – Rural Nebraska, USA – NFD – 155.6
I made it through Halloween with nary a slip-up…and, truly, found it simple. As I was sitting on the sofa when the day was over, and the bowl of Halloween candy was a mere 11 feet away from me, I kept trying to figure out how it wasn’t the least tempting, while in past years I felt incapable of not having piece after piece. It’s all mind-set, right?
I bought sushi at Sam’s yesterday (do you all know that big-box store?), so that will be lunch, then it’s out to dinner at a lovely restaurant tonight. I’ve been reviewing all the possible resolutions I could make for No Nonsense November–and it’s the no nonsense part of the name that’s holding me back, because it feels like nonsense to say “I won’t ever, not once, snack between lunch and supper.” Uh-huh. So what CAN I resolve to do–or, better, refrain from doing?
In that vein, I read an interesting article the other day. I have no link to share, but the point was, if your goal is to burn the maximum number of calories while gaining the benefits of walking, it’s better to take an hour to walk 5K steps than to do so in 30 minutes, because, if you take longer to walk those steps, that means you’re starting and stopping, and it’s in the starting again that you burn the most calories. Why? Because once you have started walking, your body settles into an efficient burning of calories and you burn fewer. So I took that to mean it’s better to take, for example, three 10-minute walks than one 30-minute walk…right? And 10-minute walks feel doable.
But. The whole time I’ve been typing that and editing it for clarity, I’ve been arguing with myself whether or not I can, should, and want to commit to that. And I’ve concluded I can, should, and want to. So, for November–no nonsense, you know–I commit to 15 10-minute walks per week. That’s 3 on each of 5 days. I’d rather make it 12 total, but I keep remembering “no nonsense,” so I’m sticking to 15. And, if I choose, I can do 6 on one day and reduce the total on other days. That feels like a huge goal as I consider the icy streets and cold weather that’s approaching, but I’m reminding myself not to be such a gloomy wuss, so that’s the commitment I’m making. And if I want, I can walk in place indoors, a la Leslie Sansone.
So for November, I commit to WF on T/Th and 15 10-minute walks per week. My goal is to severely limit snacking, but I’m not making it specific part of my November goals because I don’t want too large a list of goals: I want this to be achievable and feel good. And to get the ball rolling, I stopped typing for ten minutes to do the first of my walks. 👍
I started October at a slightly inflated 162.0 even though at the beginning of September, I was 160.4. So with today’s 155.4, I’m down 5lbs in two months; not impressive, but to indulge in a coloquialism, better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick, LOL! And it’s DOWN, and for that, I’m thrilled.
@lona72 I laughed when I read your post. Yeah, I TOO would like to lose 5 pounds in November, although there’s no “again” to it, LOL! I’m impressed that you’ve managed to do so; that’s some serious determination.
@merryapple Well done on having a grand time but not going overboard at the Japanese restaurant, but I really laughed at the image of “chopsticks in the wrong hand”…yeah, that would slow down anyone!
@funshipfreddie What a fun image to think of walking three dogs at the beach/river on a lovely spring day!
@excelsior12309 Excellent quote, and proves the truth of so many of us struggling to find mojo at different points…with no mojo, losing weight and controlling our eating simply doesn’t matter as much as whatever behavior is tempting us. Yup.
@northgeorgia How’d you do on Halloween?
@at You will always be the person who most represents this forum to me, as you were the most “like me” (age, height, weight) when I first joined back in…2016? 2017?…and it’s lovely to hear from you. Happy anniversary!
@molij Wow, what a journey it’s been for you since summer! I’m so glad the operation appears to have been totally successful. ❤️ I too am a 5-2er for life, because it simply fits with how I’ve always preferred to eat…but, yup, there are times when enthusiasm for food and drink outweighs good judgment. So here we are, and down we go, eh?
@flourbaby I love reading your posts–just sayin’. Could you do my thing of walking for ten minutes at a time, even in your office building? I’ll bet it would be fairly easy to reach your 7K goal that way, and then you could avoid the bleak, cold dark evenings in London–which, you are right, do NOT sound pleasant! And the rest of your plan sounds daunting, but you can do ANYTHING for 30 days, right?
Okay, time to get at it. Have a grand one, everyone!
Day 1 Pocket List 🍁
@excelsior12309 FD800
@at OMAD until lovely anniversary dinner
Day 1, London, UK, NFD
I’ve snuck under the radar & I’m here for Day 1 ………………….. just!! Thank you @funshipfreddie for hosting us challengers, I’m pulling my finger out this month, there WILL be NO-NONSENSE!!
I was MIA for the last few days of October, I felt a bit despondent about my -4lbs when I swerved those tasty antioxidants @funshipfreddie mentioned!!!🤤🤤 Well, 87% swerved, there were 4 days of excuse after excuse after excuse!!! The results did not match the effort I put in, so I’ve reassessed, been honest about my choices and re-jigged my plan.
This month WILL be 100% dry, and from Day 3 it will be FD800’s with limited dairy, I think the full fat Greek yoghurt last month was excessive and despite the vino banishment, the Gruyere, Comte & Cheddar consumption was too high……………who knew you didn’t HAVE to have crackers & wine to enjoy cheese??!
Anyway, this month’s aims
• 2-3L water per day
• Dairy max 2x/week
• Min 7k steps daily – this will be tricky in the bleak, cold, dark evenings in London!
• FD800 with focus on low carb satiating choices.
• AF ……………. Even for my 2 brothers and partners B’days at the end of the month!!😰😰
• Shed 8lbs this month. As I have a BIG number😩 to lose, there’s no reason not to be successful if I JUST ….. FOLLOW ….. THE …… PLAN!!!💪🏼💪🏼
I wont promise to post over the weekend as I often don’t even turn the laptop on!! So, more power to the weekend fasters, we’ve got this!!!
“Don’t wait. The time will never be just right.” -Napoleon Hill
Day 1 North Wales NFD
Thank you for hosting @funshipfreddie I joined this forum quite a few years ago and had considerable success. My name is Gail and I am 68, a mother of 2 daughters, a stepson and I have 6 grandchildren. I live in North Wales. My youngest daughter is getting married in 13 months and I want to lose some weight for that and to improve my general health and fitness.
I am very disappointed in myself for allowing the weight to creep up again. I used to tell myself that the 5.2 was a way of life and I believe it is, but I fell off the wagon. I am feeling strong and determined and I know that I can do this 💪. I rejoined the forum in June and lost weight but I had to bow out in September and October after a scan diagnosed a mass on my right ovary. After a very stressful couple of months I finally had my operation three weeks ago. The surgery went very well and although I haven’t had the histology results yet the specialist has said he could see no sign of cancer. To say I am relieved would be an understatement. I told you all some months ago that I wanted to move closer to my children and grandchildren. After this scare it has made me want that even more. Once I have fully recovered from the surgery in about 3 months we are going to put the house on the market.
Thanking you all in advance for your support this month and your support over the last two months❤️
Day 1 – UK – NFD
After a successful FD600 yesterday I weighed in at 64kg for the start of this challenge, 0.2kg below where I was for the start of the October Challenge – can’t complain about that as October was not a good 5:2 month for me
Thanks @funshipfreddie for taking up the baton to lead this No Nonsense November Challenge
A little bit about me – 66 and retired to the Lake District in 2013 and loving life here – Been 5:2-ing since 2016 – lost 22kg and found the lifestyle so easy until the last 2 years, since when I have struggled and have slowly been gaining some of that weight back…… Currently not happy at 64kgs and desperately wanting to get below 60kg once more!
Must not forget that my personal motto is “If I quit now, I will soon be back to where I started. and when I started, I was desperately wishing to be where I am now”
Had a lovely 5.5mile walk with my walking group this morning and only had tea afterwards giving the biscuits a big miss……Today is our 44th Wedding Anniversary – we are out tonight for a celebratory meal, so aiming to fast until then……
Afternoon!
Forgot to post yesterday…
Jean- tricky for Jacqui to get time off work, I’m so lucky to be able to run mum about any time. No trick or treaters here, it was very quiet outside. Hope the cats come in for their food…
Hemmy- hope you find more things at the charity shops next week! No Lidl shops near us but we do go to Aldi sometimes, it’s cheaper but do always end up going to Tesco’s afterwards as we can’t get everything in Aldi! Nothing exciting cooked last night, hubby had a tuna & cheese baguette with salad, I had the tuna & cheese! I used mozzarella slices, melt them a little & fold into parcels with tuna inside 😋 Tonight I’ll do Chinese style orange chicken for hubby & a tofu stir fry for me…
Dave- good Denise is walking a bit more, can she get upstairs? And she cooked dinner, a night off for you!
It was lovely here & felt very energetic so did lots of cleaning, some gardening & a short workout!
Half a pound down this week…still enjoying keto & no carb cravings, hope it continues 🤞
Took mum to get her ears syringed again, she was fretting about it & moaning about how unlucky she is to have trouble with her ears, so we stopped at a bakery on the way home to get her an almond croissant to cheer her up 😂 Sorted her Amazon account for her, she keeps getting put on Prime & not realising, has been paying for it for a few months! Then took her to a garden centre to get winter pansies, have been asking her if she wants to go for weeks & she’d said no, then today she said she really needs to get some & would I take her soon 🤦
She’s been wearing the same clothes all week, which is not like her…
Day 1 UK NFD
Thanks for guiding us @funshipfreddie
Me – 63F living on south coast of England with DH Been on these challenges since the beginning, and had varying degrees of success, currently around 10-15 lbs higher than I’d like to be . Determined to get to my goal soon but reminding myself weight is not the only measure,starting to feel stronger and more flexible thanks to my daily yoga so as we say onwards and downward – off out for Lunch today with DS30 and his GF so just looking to make sensible choices
Day 1 – USA/GA – NFD
Weigh-in: 235 lbs. Should have a few good days next week for fasting.
Day 1-No. VA USA- FD 800
Hello to all. I am ready to start No-nonense November with you all. I am a pediatrician, in practice still, though would like to retire eventually, (age 74). Work 4 1/2 days per week in my office. Started IF in 2016-17 and lost 23#, but due to failure of maintenance, regained that and more over the next few years. Re-started in March 2024 and have lost 22# and have another 7 or so I would like to lose.
I think our group is supportive, educational, and amusing! I will add to @funshipfreddie‘s quotes, one from a psychology professor in college who began each lecture on human behavior with: “We do what is most important (to us)first”. If watching our intake and weight is more important than eating a tempting snack, we will do that first, in other words.
Glad I’m not the only one. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Me too!!! I hadn’t thought about it as a way of concentrating, but you might be right. Very comforting. Like food is. 😏
I did suck my thumb until I was about ten. I think it helped me to concentrate. When I did my degree I sucked Mintoes for the same reason. The kids were small and they called them ‘swotting sweets’.
I always fancy something when I start things like my writing or preparing for poetry group. Daft!
Mmmm…thumb sucking! Now that’s weight reducing 😄😄
Down to 132.2, but it’s been hard. We’ve been out for too many meals, catching up with friends. I have been disciplined though, no starters or desserts. I had a couple of days when I was just so hungry last week.
Now we have Cadbury’s snack packs in the house, as we didn’t have many trick or treaters last night. The treat size are more dangerous for me – tempting on the ‘it’s only …’ scale.
Fight it. Slug some water. Perhaps I should revert to sucking my thumb! 🤣🤣
Day 1 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – NFD
@northgeorgia, @iona72 & @merryapple = Welcome to ‘No-Nonsense November’.
About me:- David, 62, originally from Manchester, England. Retired & living in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Been 5:2-ing/IF-ing since 2014. I joined the Challenges in 2018. I do basic 5:2, having around 600 – 700 cals on FDs – one evening meal – and I have an eating window of around 12 noon to 8 pm on NFDs. I recently started following LCHF too, which really works for keeping hunger at bay most of the time, even on FDs.
It’s a gorgeous, sunny spring day here, & we’re just about to take the three mutts down to the river/beach.
Wishing everyone a successful November Challenge! 🎯💪
“Life is like photography – we use the negatives to develop” ~ Unknown
Day 1 NZ NFD No Nonsense!! 68.9kg
I was pleased with myself regarding y’day’s FD & dinner. I went to a Japanese ‘tapas’ style restaurant. Beforehand I had 2 glasses of bubbles and 1 cracker. There is nothing like chopsticks in the wrong hand to slow down eating!!😅 And being out with three hungry males!!
👋@molij Delighted you’re through surgery and are back with us!! You will still be in recovery mode so be gentle with yourself!! Great that you can focus on the future and get back to your sewing!!😘
@stitchincarol That is a smart plan to consider the NFDs as ‘maintenance’ days alongside the two fasting days!! I need to think this way too!!
@iona72 That’s a big loss for the month!! Well done!!
I would also like to downsize in part because I have a big garden- well forest, but all the town houses and apartments seem to be multi level because it is cheaper for developers to divide buildings up vertically not horizontally… l would consider moving from my one level family home to a one level townhouse with enough garden for a dog, like my friends, but there is very little on the market that fits this description…
I’m not quite ready for a resthome apartment 🤣🤣🤣
@funshipfreddie Your introduction is hilarious. Who knew that November’s special days are all about baking… We have Movember 🥸 for fundraising for men’s health…
Your trip sounds lovely even with your chat bot 🤖 companion!!
Intro – me, 66, reg nurse with a FA degree. I look after my DH’s art archive / estate. My Westie went off to heaven earlier in the year🥹. I bike and walk for exercise, I’ve lost 24kg so far, my BP is 70/46, P=60, need to recheck my cholesterol which was up for both LDL and HDL, and I feel the cold now!! 5:2 has been a lifesaver for me and this wee community ☺️. I’m nearly at maintenance which will present me with a new set of problems to resolve!! I am committed to NEVER putting that excess weight back on💪😀
Welcome back everyone for yet another opportunity for a reset, refocus and reform😅 in the run up to the Christmas month…
Hi Funf 😂
Do you think the ulcers could be the cause of the reflux, or visa versa? Hopefully treating them might make things a bit easier for you.
My willpower to say no is going to be tested tonight. I won’t be drinking because tonight is Diwali, and I’ll be driving to a couple of places we’ve been invited to for the Diwali celebrations. They always involve copious amounts of Diwali sweets, and hosts who get insulted if you refuse to eat your bodyweight in snacks.
Have a good one everyone
Good morning everyone,
Cool and grey here.
Suzy, reading your post saying how tired you are feeling on fast days I am trying to remember the tips people have given for that over the years. I think my main one is to have good soup because a good broth will be full of the electrolytes we need, which help us hydrate well. Plus heaps of micronutrients.
The other thing is if 500cal days are too tiring, but 800cal days work, then try that because ‘easy and ‘sustainable’ trumps ‘a little bit more quickly’.
I am another one who loves fruit trees! I hope you can have some one day!
The Portuguese festival sounds fun and yummy!
And I might chase up the British detective series, my favourite reading genre. Is it D.I. Hilary Greene?
Thin, hooray for working out why your fast day was such a hungry one. I hope you are adjusting now.
Gday, oh dear the drains. I hope it all goes well.
How well you summed up your difficult last couple of years. You managed a dreadful time so well. You really deserve a good run now, if only the universe worked that way!
I had an endoscopy yesterday (got to stand on the hospital scales, I am 54kg thanks 5:2, down from 86kg!). They found a couple of peptic ulcers so I will be keen to talk to my doctor about it.
Neil, woot! You are powering along.
Ofcourse you are right, I was studying German. Yours sincerely, Funf.
😀
Day -1, NE England
I’m in too, would like to drop 5 pounds again in November.
Morning all, fast day No. 2 went well, flat white at morning tea, cup of soup at lunchtime, scrambled eggs and salad at dinner time. Total of around 600 calories. If I can manage that again today, I should be ok to start bumping the calories back up to my normal 1800-2200 a day.
Gday, that sucks. If I’m going to drop $20k on the house, I want it to be something you can see. Our bathroom reno cost $20k, but at the end of it we got a flash new bathroom. There’s quite a bit that needs to be done on our house. We’re tossing up whether to cough up the money to take care of it, or just live with it for a couple of years, take a hit on the sale price of the house, and leave it for the next owners to deal with.
Quacka, keep up the good work, I’m sure you’ll get there soon.
Have a good one everyone
Day 31 NE England IF 16:8
YAY~ I made my October goal…..just ~ 145 (and three quarters) absolutely delighted!!
@excelsior12309 thanks for hosting, I’ve really enjoyed being with you all and will continue next month with @funshipfreddie.
@stitchincarol yes house hunting can be very draining, I think we are going to abandon the idea until next year and see how we feel.
@jaifaim we too have suffered loss this year, both family and friends. Hope you are coping.
@merry🍎 thank you for your kind words, looking forward to engaging with you all in November
@brightonbelle and @northgeorgia hope you see a number you like for the end of Oct weigh in!
Quacka thank you for your kind words. Mr GDay passed unexpectedly in June 2022 of a cardiac arrest. I spent the following 18 months managing grief, dealing with the will which should have been straightforward but the law and lawyers made it not so straightforward, a nightmare situation with Mr GDays rental property cause by a storm and then a tenant from hell.
Also in this time Miss GDays mental health declined and I had no option but to remove her from school to be home schooled. Mr GDay passed a coupe of days after I had launched my home business so that was put on hold as it all became too much to deal with.
I did seek professional help to work through my grief and the stress but I wasn’t able to maintain my healthy eating and routines so on piled 10kg. While I wasn’t happy about the weight gain I accepted it as just part of the process of grief and stress at that time. It’s only recently that I’ve felt I’m in the right headspace to get back to my healthy eating and routines and knock off the extra kilos.
Evening All…
I am feeding two neighbours cats they keep running away from me.. they have had no food today.. I might have to leave it on the step…they won’t come in the house..
Hemmy…
You always seem to get more for your money from Aldi and Lidl although I go to Tesco on the things I can’t buy at the others.
A lovely mild day for us.. it’s a bit noisy out with Halloween tonight..
Dave..
Glad Denise is feeling a bit better and moving a bit. It’s so hard for her.
Jean x
Good evening, had a chicken stew for tea, Denise made it. She’s walking about very slowly but it’s good to see her up on her feet. She may make it too Spanish lessons next week.
Good afternoon everyone.. Xxxx
It was lovely in the sunshine this morning but its now turning cold.
A busy day yesterday I went to Bicester to the Post office to pay bills .. and decided to do a big shop at Lidl . I have been shopping at Tesco for a while but I must admit Lidl was soo much cheaper.
Checked the charity shops but nothing .. I am going to Leamington Spa on Monday with Chris.. we thought a good idea to get out and about before the weather changes.
It s the 4th day with just 3 meals a day.. I bought lots of nice fruit yesterday and nuts. Just drinking tonic with lemon in the evening. I think I slept better than for a while.
Dave … You are really into your cooking .. when they enjoy it I think men are brilliant cooks.
H H … What are you cooking up today. I bet the fritters were tasty. Our local bakery sometimes make cauliflower cheese pasties .. soo tasty,
Sym… Its annoying getting these appointments at different places.. Its stressful enough going to them. without them being changed.
Enjoy your evening everyone. We are what we eat. Xxxx
Day 31 – Rural Nebraska, USA – WFD
Yesterday was a massive hunger day, and I mostly behaved in terms of sweets–and skipped any alcohol at all–but I sure ate LOTS, so today’s WF has lots of food to dispatch. But for the first time in nearly two weeks (or actually longer?) I slept through the night, so I’m feeling good this morning and fully equipped to deal with any hunger that may pop up. 😁😇
@merryapple Well done on achieving your 2kg goal; the closer you get to goal weight, the harder it is to drop, and when your accident is added in, that loss equates to stellar food choices! And, nope, haven’t heard of Travis Scott; I hope the aftermath of his concert had no violence!
@lona72 We’ve been viewing houses on Zillow, and aren’t finding much that’s truly appealing either…it’s TOUGH to find a house you love, isn’t it?
@jaifaim Well done on an excellent LFD, nice loss, and I hope you slept as well as I did! Isn’t it funny how some people with dementia are so content and pleasant while others are just grumpy? I’ve told my kids that if I turn into the latter kind when I get old, that they are to scold me into kindness, LOL. As to old habits that are interferring with your food-discipline, I always find straightening my spine–if not physically, then mentally–helps restore the inner strength I need to stick to my food decisions and not go off track. The trick is remembering to straighten it, LOL!
@excelsior12309 I too love my soda machine, and often add a splash of lime. I hope the results of your husband’s tests are what you are hoping for–good news, or a solid plan of action, or whatever is good.
@brightonbelle I too am waiting for tomorrow to report my October loss–today is, after all, still October, LOL!
@funshipfreddie Bummer on the chewed-up readers! And barking off and on all night long? They need one of those collars to gently zap the dog. Although I never did manage to commit to one for our own dog who barked way too much… I laughed at your description of your neighbor who talked for 90 minutes straight. I have a friend who does that, and despite being known as a woman who talks a lot (not a surprise to anyone here, right?), I often cannot get a word in. Hopefully it was pleasant enough chatter even though unceasing.
@excelsior12309 You did a stellar job hosting, thanks so much!
@funshipfreddie I’m looking forward to No Nonsense November, and following through on the title!
Pocket List – Day 31 🎃
@northgeorgia
@merry🍎
@excelsior12309 FD800
@brightonbelle
@stitchincarol WFD
Have a grand one, everyone, and may you have exactly however many trick-or-treaters you need to make your evening smile-worthy!
Day 31 🕸 – South Africa 🇿🇦 – NFD 🎃
Yesterday’s ‘CD’ never happened. For various reasons, starting with a Wimpy brunch around 1 pm. It was all downhill from there. No idea what I weigh, & I won’t know til Sunday 🤷♂️ No FD for me today either. My friends have a new dog, Foster. +/- 12 months old, but already the size of a small donkey. I’d been here not even 30 minutes, & he decided my new reading glasses were a chew-toy & destroyed them. Luckily they were the fairly cheap, non-prescription variety. Then he barked on & off for most of the night. I’m starting to figure out why he was abandoned by his previous owners 🤯
@penz – ‘Do or do not – there is no try’ 😜
@excelsior12309 – thank you for being our gracious host 💐
@merryapple – it is a nice drive, a coastal route over a lot of rivers/bridges & some spectacular scenery. I dropped a neighbour & his yappy dog Sparky off at his cousin’s place in Bushman’s River, which is sort of the half-way point between home & East London. He never stopped talking for 90 minutes, & my ears were ringing by the time I said goodbye to him. I’ll be collecting him on the way back on Saturday. I didn’t see any wildlife, apart from a few sheep & goats. Sometimes there are monkeys too.
Happy Halloween, Happy Diwali – Hope to ‘see’ everyone during ‘No-Nonsense November’.
Pocket List – Day 31 🎃
@northgeorgia
@merry🍎
@excelsior12309 FD800
@brightonbelle
Day 31 UK FD
I’ve been pretty good for a week , scales have been nudging downwards then this morning up 2lb!!! – I know it’s probably just a fluctuation but very annoying so I’m holding out until tomorrow to register my end of month weight.
Thanks for hosting @excelsior12309 👏
See you all in November 🎃
Pocket List
@funshipfreddie
@northgeorgia
@merry🍎
@excelsior12309
@brightonbelle
Hi again💓
I’m sorry for the late response.
I started exploring more about eating disorders and intermittent fasting, and I realized that fasting is primarily about balanced living and well-being, with weight loss coming as a secondary effect. Finding a middle ground was essential for me because my disorder had left me feeling exhausted and dissatisfied.
It was crucial for me to stop obsessing over every calorie and ingredient, but as someone with an eating disorder, I knew I couldn’t just let go of control completely. When I began using the app I mentioned earlier, I found the “photo your meal” feature, which became a real discovery for me: I could photograph my food, and the app would provide information about the dish. This allowed me to release my need to count calories while staying informed about what I was eating. I was also inspired by other users’ stories, showing how intermittent fasting positively influenced their lives and health.
To summarize, mindfulness in each action, understanding my own challenges, and the positive experiences of others helped me develop a more harmonious relationship with food and my body.
What would I suggest based on my experience? I’m not an expert, but here’s what I’ve learned:
Don’t see intermittent fasting as a quick way to lose weight. If you aim only to lose weight, it’s easy to slip back into old eating habits and lose any progress. It’s a lifestyle that gives your body a break from constant digestion, leading to better health and natural weight balance.
For those in the active phase of an eating disorder, intermittent fasting may not be the right choice yet. It can lead to binge eating during eating hours or complete restriction out of “competitive interest.” It’s better to undergo treatment first and only then, if you feel ready, try this new approach to eating.
Avoid being overly strict with intermittent fasting. It’s not a challenge or competition; it’s a way of eating. Show love and kindness to yourself, even if you “break the rules” sometimes. Intermittent fasting is about flexibility and respecting your body, not rigid constraints. Allow yourself to enjoy it and forgive any small deviations.
Thank you for sharing this journey with me!
Morning All..
A lovely walk with Natalie and Oreo.. quite mild out very pleasant..
Feeding my neighbours cats only saw one this morning, they have 2. She says don’t worry they come and go, no cat flap if they are out they out or in they are in… I think both out at the moment.
Jacqui will take me to hospital I might have to wait for collection as she and two staff are on a computer course. She won’t know the time till Monday, she’s paid £400 so she must do it.
Dave..
The pot will be useful, I love mine it cooks a chicken lovely and moist. Low, long and slow .
Hedgehog…
I was annoyed but it’s how it is, a new app apparently! Jacqui will take me.
Wild life area sounds nice, what did Xena think of goats? Charlie chases them although our two baby goats are getting big now they will probably turn on him 😂
Jean x
Day 31 – USA/GA – FD
Weigh-in: 236 lbs. Looking forward to starting AND ending November nicely, after the disaster that was the start of this month 🙂
Pocket List
@funshipfreddie
@northgeorgia
@merry🍎
@excelsior12309
Day 0 – GA/USA
Count me in. I want to get back into the 220s for November, despite Thanksgiving lurking at the end of the month.
2nd post NZ
Apologies @iona72 I accidentally missed you off my final post… It’s lovely to have you with us and hear this is working for you. See you next month!!
@jaifaim Well done on your weight loss
It must be comforting to know your darling mother is content despite quietly losing touch with her world… And sad to think about the loss of your dear friends. If we could gaze into a crystal ball and see what life had in store for us we might not get out of bed… Sending hugs 🤗
Day 31-No. VA USA-FD 800
I did not succeed in a good fast day yesterday, so today it is. We are on the road for a medical appointment for my husband today, so fasting is not hard. Lots of fluids will help. I have a soda machine, so I can make up some seltzer water, which I like. (no sweetener).
@jaifaim, I agree that this time of year is the time when my weight tends to rise, so vigilance is key. I think we will help each other here, as long as we show up once in a while!
@penz, I must have been “not in the mood” yesterday! I really tumbled off the wagon!
@iona72, I need some of your determination for No-nonsese November.
@funshipfreddie, I hope your travels are going well.
@brightonbelle, looking forward to hearing from you in November. And @missybear and @michelinme, I hope your days away are restful and restorative.
@merryapple, I have heard that coke has solvent properties. MMMM. I never drink it, actually, except in GI emergencies if no electrolyte drinks are available. You know, your list of “absent friends” reminded me of @maui, whom we have heard little of in months. I hope things are OK there.
@northgeorgia, dodge the candy! You can do it!
Have a good day, all, and see you in November!
We pay tribute to our dear friend and colleague, Dr. Michael Mosley. Michael was an integral part of our lives, […]
Michael is touring Australia this September! Here's a link to dates and tickets. Hope to see you there.
Michael Mosley gives an update for 2019, current research in the field and announces a tour starting in February.
in Welcome to The Fast Diet and Exercise forums • updated 37 seconds ago by Merryapple
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