Countdown to May...

[desikated]

Welcome old and new fasters, those on and off the wagon, those losing, gaining or maintaining for a gentle supportive countdown to May thread.

Never started a thread before copying in people so let's hope this works - some previous usernames no longer existed so had to do a cull..

@HarpQuartet

@MademoiselleFrenglish

@jane46b @TheBorderBinLiner @Crazycrazylady @Doughnutcarrotall35 @2Early4BreakfastIn2024 @TerroristToddler

Please tag in anyone else

@ItRainsItPours yeah agree fitting everything in is hard. I normally hate any workout over 20 minutes as it feels like a waste of time.

will definitely check your thread out @loveyouradvice i don’t think I can sign up for prolon right now because there are so many things I want at the moment as I am trying to make more effort with my appearance and it is bloody expensive!!

I did a 45 minute strength bootcamp on les mills. The music was very young, but it was fun and the time went fast (other than dreaded crutches and lunges).

have a lovely Sunday all

Brava @Clearingaspace and everybody putting in the effort to taking care of themselves ❤️ I've just done a 15 minute beginners strength training workout, which was a recommendation on your other thread. I was very good: I didn't "just" empty the dishwasher or "just" reply to a message or "just" anything else, I found the weights and did the flipping workout 🤩

Great work, getting it done @HarpQuartet 🤩

I often put off exercise telling myself I am going to do lots of exercise or gardening instead and 9 times out of 10 I don’t get round to those things either!

Sorry I meant housework or gardening

Congrats @HarpQuartet - which did u do?

This one:

My press-ups were very much modified!

Ooh hello again! I think I missed a few months of the threads. I'm still keeping up with it, mainly 17/18 hours fasting. Nice to be back!

@Catherhino , hello! 17/18 hours is what I can manage on a good day - how are you feeling on it?

Great to have you back @Catherhino - how's it going for you?

Great @HarpQuartet - good to have an additional recommendation tho' might see if I can find a 10 minute one!! I'll let you know how I get on

Hi @Catherhino great to have you back!

@loveyouradvice good luck with workout! Can I ask when are you next doing prolon? Did you have any NSVs at the end of it last time and did it feel much different than say fast 800 for 5 days? Hope you don’t mind me being nosey.

Can someone explain prolon? A quick google tells me you water fast bit add in certain fruit/veg, is that right? I have done the odd 36 hour water fast but would think eating a small amount would lead to hunger.

It's good to be back, thank you to those that have mentioned me! How's it going.... well weight loss since the new year is only approx 5lb BUT I have to keep reminding myself this is NOT a quick fix, this is how I need to live my life in order that I don't continue gradually putting weight on! I'm actually at my lowest weight now in 18 months, so I'm quite happy with where I am. I working out 2/3 times a week and feeling so much better for it. I've not yet dropped a dress size, so that would be nice before my holiday but I'm not stressing over it - it is what it is!

Sounds terrific @Catherhino ... lowest in 18 months is a BIG win, and the fact you're feeling better too is great

Prolon and me. It's 5 days of their products which create a "fasting mimicking diet" - officially £199, but has been 20-25% off for me so far so £150/£160. Yes, pricey and I hesitated for a while but read so much great stuff from people doing it - there's a Facebook page called Fascination where everyone posts which I joined 3 years ago - that I decided to give it a go as an investment in my health. There's loads of research behind it (funded by EC and US gov) and with my knowing that fasting really suits me it felt right for me. So far, it is a leap of faith - 3 or 4 rounds monthly recommended to start for longevity and other health benefits. I'm looking to reduce my cholesterol, so that I dont need to take statins - I'll measure after the 4 rounds. And to improve my health - I have M.E. - and so far I've finished each round feeling with more energy. Longevity - who knows!! - but their research suggests it does: you go into autophagy evening of the 3rd day and lasts through days 4 and 5. Other benefits so far - my skin feels gorgeous!!

Their 5 days of boxes includes 2 soups a day, various nut bars, olives and crackers. Around 750 calories. Essentially high fat and high veggie, with very limited protein. If you DIY, it's basically veggies, olive oil and nuts. I've decided to pay for the first 4 rounds and will probably then mix DIY and paying to do 4 x a year. So not horrendously low, and although I got hungry a couple of times, it wasn't bad and a LOT easier than doing a 5 day water fast. (Their research suggest you get all the benefits of a water fast AND don't lose muscle mass, which you do when water fasting).

ps If anyone decides to do, I can give you lots of tips to make it as easy as pos - I've learnt a lot through doing 2 rounds, and the first was very rough, the second positively enjoyable.

pps A lot of people seem to find it "resets" their eating, as breaks the cycle of cravings etc....

Wow @loveyouradvice it sounds really positive that you end your fast with more energy- funnily enough I had been thinking that after losing weight for an upcoming holiday I want to focus on getting more energy through nutrition - be great to kill two birds with one stone! I would definitely be keen to try a diy version in coming weeks if you want company. For anyone with a health condition like yourself the investment in health and having the scientifically perfected pack makes so much more sense than diy.

@Catherhino this all sounds like you have done so well over the past months! I am getting more and more inspired to become a regular exerciser from this thread!

@Clearingaspace - I'll look forward to hearing how the DIY version goes... it may be worth buying Valter Longo's book the Longevity Diet which spells it out, and discusses all the research in connection with various conditions (cancer, heart, etc)... or I could just copy and PM you the two "how to" pages if helpful...

I do have that book @loveyouradvice and luckily it was the kindle version; I will reread - although I just looked at his 2 week meal plan and thought there is no way I am eating that plan 🤪 I currently have no health issues other than normal for middle aged women stuff, but strokes and cancer are in my family (as for so many of us).

Excellent @Clearingaspace ... no Im definitely NOT doing his two week plan etc, just his 5 day fasting mimicking which is in that book - very simple...

And for anyone who is putting off starting weight/strength training ... don't!!

It's so easy to start with this - literally 5 minutes in your kitchen - he is brilliant and encouraging and geared to all levels, especially beginners... I can already feel the pull in my muscles (in a good way) and am going to do every day....

great your feeling the workout @loveyouradvice i definitely could add some of those in, particularly fancy press-ups using the unit. Tricep dips though 😮 my kids used to do something like that between the counters but there is no way I have enough strength to do that unless I have completely misread the instructions! Getting a bit too rocky montage there.

Just posting to check in. Well done on the strength training all!

I've caught a horrible virus and laid up. Stopped fasting as it felt like really hard work / not great for recovery . Now feeling a big blimp on sofa stuffing my face :( any positive words or experiences of getting through sickness?!

Oh no @desikated i hope you feel better soon. Just look after yourself and don’t worry about fasting for a few days! Hopeful uou shake it off quicker than normal thanks to your efforts so far 🤞

Hey @desikated boo hiss to viruses! Is there anyone around who can make you something home-cooked with lots of nice veggies to help boost your recovery? I'm very impatient when I'm poorly but jolly telly helps e.g. Schitt's Creek or The Vicar of Dibley- is there something you'd enjoy watching a second or third time to cheer you up a bit?