Countdown to Christmas

[ItRainsItPours]

All welcome!

Supportive thread for setting goals including self care and fasting, and chat in between!

Oh my god I don't know what's wrong with me - I start every day thinking I'm going to do a FD and end up eating so much junk it's not even funny. Today I've done the same again and feel so bloated and shite. Have that feeling like I need someone to wire my mouth shut. Can't stop.

Need some inspiration, what can I listen to or read or do to give me a swift kick up the arse and get me back in the zone. Can't carry on like this!!!!

Ps am not due on my period, am probably perimeno, am on Everel patches in case that matters..

@AnnieLewis hi, I haven't been checking in here recently because I'm doing what you just described and am feeling down and a bit ashamed. So this is me saying it here so that you're not alone. Some kind soul will be along with wit, wisdom or both.

@HarpQuartet thanks for the solidarity. Maybe it's something in the weather/stars/planets whatever.

I just have no self control what so ever. It's unreal. Am too scared to get on the scales as well. Feel so bloated even my stretchy waistband was digging in this evening

I've had a big life upheaval (work and family) and don't think I'm adjusting very smoothly. It's not very fun feeling out of control, is it?

Ok, I've just thought of something: I'm exercising regularly, and I've definitely been unhappier/eaten worse. So my current "rock bottom" is better than my worst rock bottom.

Can you think of anything similar to hold onto in your current situation?

I've just been snacking but have now stopped for the night.

I'm drinking a cuppa but have also stopped eating about half an hour ago. That's what I'm doing too - constant grazing

Ok. Another new day. Kids are all at home so a total FD is not realistic - am going to aim for not grazing constantly. Maybe an eating window. I'm usually ok til I start eating. Can go to 11 or 12 no problem at all.
Think I'll do 18/6.
@HarpQuartet how are you feeling this morning?

Absolutely fine! I find that I don't get any hungrier now really which I assume is my body using fat stores. I felt no hungrier at 23 hours than I did at 17/18 hours. E.g. an occasional stomach rumble and looking forward to my dinner but not any gnawing hunger. I was also really distracted by work so that definitely helps.

I've built up to occasional longer fasts though. I remember the first time I did 19 hours I was so hungry.

Sorry you're struggling @AnnieLewis and @HarpQuartet. I found when I was a bit out of control with fasting I started with a minimum of a 12 hour fast and just went from there. I listened to one of Dr Chaterjee's Feel Better Live More podcasts where a doctor said everyone should try to fast for 12 hours to give the digestive system a break. So I started there and slowly built up.

I also find Gin Stephen's Intermittent Fasting Stories podcast really helpful to listen to as it is real people telling their stories of fasting and very easy to listen to.

Hi, I slept well and have regained something of my usual optimistic spirit this morning. Going to a wedding, not likely to be eating until about 2.30pm so I'm taking an emergency banana but, as I'm sure everyone here has found, when you're busy/distracted then any hunger isn't really noticeable.

Wise words and a sobering observation - I don't want to slide into long-term health problems and although the pull of vanity (wanting to fit nicely into my clothes) is strong on a day-to-day basis I'll practise envisioning being fit and healthy into old age too.

And actually I love nuts and Michael Moseley was another almond fan, so yes, emergency almonds are going in my bag, thanks for a good reminder.

Can i join! I need a real kick up the bum! I did the fast 800 after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure I stuck to it and got my bloods back to normal stuck to 5:2 for a while and then bad habits started to creep back in and now I'm as big as i was to start off with and i don't even dare do my bloods. I'm so annoyed at myself! We have the last BBQ of the year tomorrow (in the rain by the looks of it) so i am planning on starting fresh on Monday.

Hi all!

I've been absent for a few weeks but have been fasting during the week, usually 12-8 and been trying for low calorie days.

It's not been easy especially as I go to bed hungry, but sadly it's not made any difference and today I weight 73.8kg which is what I weighed at the start of September. I did go down to 72.8kg on Thursday but promptly shot up and am not sure why as I had a fairly low cal day yday (apple, seafood stick and mayo sandwich (half a table spoon of mayo and sandwich thins), some biltontong, a coconut macaroon and chicken breast with veg for dinner and a Coke Zero). I'm trying to up my protein and fibre. I know seafood sticks are UPF but I love them and they are low calories.

I'm going to keep going as at least I'm maintaining. If I give up now I will no doubt balloon.

I need to do more exercise but honestly compared to how I used to eat I am eating much less these days and cutting portion sizes but to no avail. I am going to need to properly weigh and track everything which was what I was hoping to avoid but after over a year of no progress it's the only way forward.

Welcome @mickandrorty we have all experienced the back slide you describe. I suggest getting on the scales Monday morning to acknowledge your current weight. Then crack on slowly but surely making improvements and before you know it Christmas will be here and you will be a slimmer happier you.

I am having a weird September as currently in the middle of my second period. I will be glad when the peri stage is over and I don’t have to deal with them anymore

@EmbraceTheBeans I like the idea of thinking ahead when we make choices today. I will say though, I have yearly bloods due to a thyroid issue and losing 2 stone through fasting between my last two massively improved everything. We can’t change yesterday, but we enjoy today. We are not promised tomorrow so if you want to walk hand in hand with someone round Marais, get it booked.

@ItRainsItPours that doesn't sound much fun, I don't have periods because I'm on the mini pill but I still get starving around the time my teens get theirs which doesn't seem fair!

It’s not that bad, just a little blip. On the subject of short fat and hairy, I donned a wetsuit for the first time since childhood this year. Had so much fun in the sea and lasted much longer with the dc in the water than previous years.

Would anyone like to commit to a rubbish-free day with me, just for today, Tuesday?

No set rules - my idea of the food I want to avoid might be different from yours - but if it's only for one day, I have faith that I can manage it. And I bet I'll feel better for it tomorrow.

Count me in. Feeling hungry already and still have 4h to opening my eating window.

Similar - luckily I'll be out for a couple of hours soon, and that will almost get me to lunch