Countdown to AUGUST

[loveyouradvice]

All are welcome!

We’re a friendly group that uses Fasting in one form or another to lose weight or maintain our weight loss. We all have our ups and downs, and welcome insights from others and laughter along the way.

Summer's here so let's enjoy getting our bodies ready for August, whatever that means to each of us!

Fridays are our informal day for weighing-in (optional) and reflecting on the week – often with ideas for self-care and new goals for the coming week.

We cheer each other on, and commiserate when things don't go to plan.
If you’re new to this group, do introduce yourself and share your hopes and plans.

Some of us find daily posting helpful for accountability - others just pop in every now and then

Hello to our regulars and those who joined us on the last thread
@Clearingaspace
@Mull
@IDareSay
@tiredwitless
@conflictednow
@LumpySpaceCow
@kittenhug
@EATmum
@jayni149
@xSoFarSoGoodx
@2Early4Breakfast
@2Early4Breakfast2025

Hope I've caught everyone - please add any you notice I've missed!!

Clothes less snug and 6lbs down (that's almost half a stone) sounds like a win to me @FatLarrysBanned . I so don't understand the rationale of when I lose fast and when I lose slow - but I do know that increasing protein, decreasing carbs and some shorter eating windows once or twice a week (1-4 hours) seem to help me.

And I try to remind myself a loss is a loss and THAT is significant in a world in which we have so easily gained and kept weight on... Losses are to be celebrated, especially when embedded in learning a new way of eating and beginning to embrace that as our norm

@IDareSay - great opener - Fridays are challenging, sometimes in a good way. I'm so with you, if I eat well but have a couple of indulgent days they cancel out all the good work. I've realised I just need to accept my body wants to keep the weight and I need to really convince it not too. I look forward to hearing the results of your pondering - I love that word!

Have a good weekend everyone!

I'm aiming to eat healthily but already recognising I have eaten too much dark chocolate and nuts with the Saturday newspapers - and that's okay - I'm having a short eating window, smoked tofu salad and mushroom soup for lunch and some fish before closing it around 4 or 5 pm. Tomorrow I will be more reserved - less chocolate, more veg!!

How are your weekend's looking?

Hi all
Checking in to keep myself on track.
I had a break at the weekend and ate lots including carbs as part of a family celebration. Stayed on 16:8 each day anyway but I know that’s not enough for me to lose weight and can easily gain. I’ve not controlled well what I’ve eaten over last couple of days culminating in eating lots of bread with butter yesterday :( and that was after a full healthy meal. I just really badly wanted some of the bread - it was a walnut and fig specialty bread that I bought because DH likes it.. Naturally he hadn’t eaten any of it.
So I ate about 7 slices until I felt really uncomfortably full.
In the moment I just let my desire to eat it override everything else, all my reasons for wanting to lose weight.
Well I have to get back on the wagon. My main motivation is prevention of dementia which my Dad died from and some other family members also suffer from. I can reduce my chances of it if I optimize my health and that means being a healthy weight. I’ve also found out that high blood pressure increases risk of hearing loss - also runs in my family- and diet and over weight can cause high blood pressure so yet another reason to optimize weight and lifestyle.
It feels like hard work today but I’m planning a short eating window from 5pm to 8pm and two small meals concentrating on veg and protein.
Good luck to everyone with your fasting and eating goals today.

I'll check in properly later but have just had my meeting with Jillian so I can tick that off for today. 8 days in and doing ok.

End of July check in, 1lb down. When I think back to my 20’s, could lose more than a 1lb a week if I wanted to. Still 1 is better than 0. Maybe I should worry about toning the tummy more, but it’s my oldest daughter’s wedding next year and would love a nice silhouette!
How is everyone else doing? Xx

Hope the 'oscopy went as well as can be expected @hellotomrw If you think a couple of low cal days with only liquids might help, then as long as you are getting protein in then why not? Sometimes not having to think about food at all is very relaxing.

Did you try some Trip @LumpySpaceCow ? Any good? Hope the working out is still going well.

From everything I have read low carb is necessary to become fat adapted @tiredwitless Never managed it for a long period myself, love my bread, rice, and potatoes occasionally.

How are things going @Saltedporridge ? I find writing everything down really helpful too (and I have a lot of notebooks so it helps with decluttering too...)

I think 'building the fasting muscle' is key @tiredwitless and I am certainly finding it is almost effortless now. Almost! I still find myself watching the clock now and again, but if I'm busy I don't notice the time at all.

'Power Over Food' sounds great @loveyouradvice Did you do the Prolon thingy? Maybe I need to try something along those lines to get me below this 'sticky' weight...

Welcome @DogPawsMudFur great user name! Sounds like my life when the weather is bad 😁The improved sleep is a welcome bonus on 16:8, I agree. I also enjoy the lack of heartburn.

6lbs in just over 3 weeks is a great result @FatLarrysBanned Someone is bound to notice soon 🤓(once they put their specs on).

Agree 1lb off is always better than zero so we should all celebrate our wins, whatever they may be @conflictednow

Now I have caught up with everyone I had better post my own progress!

Thoughts on my 'Friday problem'...

I 99% retired last year (I say 99% as I still do a tiny bit here and there for my old boss, but only because I want to and I could stop at any time). My work was very full on and could be 7 days a week, but tended to be quieter at the weekend as 'the office' was closed; it's hard to describe 🤐

Consequently, Friday evening was a 'phew, that's a hell of a week over with, time for some wine/snacks/cake/whatever now it's not a school night', and I am still not out of that mindset (DH much the same). Perhaps I never will be, or perhaps it will eventually sink in that weekends are not needed to decompress, but meanwhile this needs managing.

My plan is to stick to at least 16:8 every day, which I am in the habit of now, and just be a little less strict on food and drink on Fridays and Saturdays. I have set myself limits of 1300 calories Sunday to Thursday, and 1800 on Friday and Saturday. By my calculations that should allow me to lose somewhere around 300g (just over 1/2lb) per week, 1.2kg per month (2 to 3lbs), which I would be happy with, and also build sensible habits for the long term.

So, since last Sunday I have averaged 1330 cals per day and had at least 70g protein per day, which I'm happy with. I'm going to stop tracking carbs for now just to keep things simple.

On the exercise front, I have finished part 1 of 30 Day Shred; 10 days! Onto part 2 tomorrow for the next 10 days. Someone on the Shred thread has reported some water retention due to muscles repairing that falls away at the end of the programme, so if my weight is still a bit sticky I'll bear that in mind.

Anyway, thanks for reading if you have got this far! I'll try to remember to weigh tomorrow (but not going to measure again until I finish 'shredding'!)

Checking in at the end of my second week. I've been pretty good. I've never fasted less than 16 hours and I've kept up the water drinking although it's a bit of a struggle.

I weighed myself this morning and it's a win: 2.3lbs off.

Total loss 7.3lbs.

It feels good to have got rid of the first half stone - only another 2 stone to go :)

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

That's brilliant @Saltedporridge

I weighed in this morning at 65.5kg so a 0.2kg loss since last week. A whole pound lost so far in July! Fingers crossed for a little bit more before the end of the month.

However, even though I haven't measured, I can see and feel I am definitely smaller. It is much easier to do up my sports bras than it was pre-Jillian, so some boob and back fat has gone, and I can clearly see a smaller tummy and waist. So maybe there is something in this water retention as muscles build theory (at least I hope there is). And I have 1800 calories to look forward to today 🤗

Wish me luck as I head into Jillian level 2 in a minute...😯

@IDareSay - Good luck with Jillian! Level two is impressive :)

Hi!
Thanks for the mention @IDareSay and I can relate to your 2nd post- I am no where near retirement but am very much in that mindset of being so bust and working hard during the week, I just let go over the weekend! I think your plan sounds really achievable in terms of calorie counting but being a bit more relaxed at the weekend.
I haven't had chance to try the Trip - I stuck with water which I was proud of!
I am still fasting 16:8 and eating well during the eating period but need to get back to calorie counting - going to do similar to you and spread over the week with more at the weekend. I have just been so busy this week with work, kids etc. I just haven't had chance to really think about food or check in.
My weight is static which is fine! On a plus finished one Caroline Girvan programme and started another - it is good but has nearly wiped me out!!!
I go on holiday in a week so know that things will be a bit different there - I will still fast but will be eating and drinking more. Will be back on it as soon as I get back though!
I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Good morning all, happy Saturday!

Brilliant to hear about all your progress, love reading everyone's updates, the good, the bad and the ugly.

Just checking in to record that as of this morning I have officially lost half a stone. Has taken me 33 days. 🤦🏻‍♀️

Now 11st 2lb (still 5'6"...)

My goal was to be 10 stone something by 1st August, so I don't think I'll reach that now, but I'm still pleased with the direction of travel.

Treating myself to a couple of hours at the spa today. 🧖🏻‍♀️

Yes @IDareSay I did do Prolon – I do it for long-term health benefits but each time I seem to lose 3-6lbs of which around 3 stay off if I eat as I plan to. More significant this time is that I found I was gently eating more than I normally do, and finding it harder to resist temptation, and it seems to act as a “reset” so I am hoping I can go back to my more normal way of eating while losing weight. If you do decide to do it, it is darn expensive full price - I'll check if my 20% off code is still working and PM it to you if you don't find one of your own.

So my plan for the next 3 weeks, before I go on holiday, is to eat in 6-8 hour windows with two days a week when I eat around 500 calories in a one hour window. This has worked for me in the past and is the easiest and most delicious way of losing weight for me, so fingers crossed that it helps me move towards 11.5 (my next interim goal and where I feel good in all my clothes). And I'll continue my focus on high protein, low carb and loads of veggies.

I so get the recalibration of your mindset @IDareSay , with the expectation of feasting and making merry on Fridays. Your plan sounds like a good one and Mega Congrats on first 10 days of Shred – seriously impressive. I hope you are feeling darn proud of yourself.

Hey hey @Saltedporridge that first half stone off is a major landmark! Hope you enjoy celebrating it!

And @FatLarrysBanned your first official half stone too. A great step forward – and you are so close to the 10’s. You’ll get there soon

@tiredwitless - Prevention of dementia is a big one for me too, as my Mum got it relatively young. What are your main strategies??

@Mull How are you doing? We miss you....

Gently reminding myself that I am regaining my Power Over Food. Second day post Prolon and I've already noticed myself going back for 4ths of our gorgeous stewed garden plums. It's been a bumper crop this year and they are SO good. Not the worst of sins as we cook without sugar but still!! I'm going to keep reminding myself each meal that I have power over food and tell my DH how I've done with that each day.

SW 14.2
TW 10.12
CW 11.9 so 5lbs off this week with Prolon: It'll be interesting to see if it stays off, or if a couple of pounds of water weight pop back on.

And reminding myself that just 6 weeks ago I was happily stable at around 11.4... it is beckoning me. I can get back there!

What are others goals or plans for the week? And non-food luxuries and treats as we celebrate looking after our bodies so well?

I'm hoping for more sunshine so I can lie outside and read after I've finished my days work ... and I am indulging in fairly regular Jo Malone rose baths, rather than just keeping it for special occasions. Deeply enjoyable!

My plan for the week is:
To stick to my calorie limit and eating window (1300 from today until Thursday, 1800 Friday and Saturday, 6 to 8 hour window).
To keep my daily appointment with Jillian.
To walk with the dogs every day (it's forecast to remain hot and humid here so these are ambles rather than vigorous walks, but it all adds up).
To weigh and measure on Thursday as it's the last day of the month

Hi all
not doing so well recently - hit a bread and butter and cheese downward spiral last week and had to reset this week to 16:8 daily. 16:8 feels not too hard though so have stuck to it last three days, and given up trying to be rigidly low carb for now.. and won’t try 36+ hour fasts again for a while, as they just send me a bit crazy with a kind of panic/hunger where I can’t stop thinking about food and eating - after I finish the fast being worse than during, oddly.
i seem to do better with a gentler approach. So plan is to continue 16:8 through the weekend and keep busy and get a walk in at least once a day.
current weight is 12.2 - had hoped for better but it’s down a pound from
beginning of the month so going in the right direction at least.
@loveyouradvice
my plan for minimizing dementia risk is to get my weight down; keep my cholesterol down - it’s good right now but I’m on two drugs for it; look after my hearing; and keep working on sleep - fasting helps with this. One thing I’m not doing much about is friendships and socializing as with work and growing family I’ve just not given it much focus- want to change this but very little spare time. Aiming to minimize sugar too, and mostly do avoid the worst of it! Sounds like a lot but with variable success. And these things all help me feel better now.. as well as reducing risks for the future hopefully. Interested in your ideas on this? .. and anyone else’s.

Checking in for the last day of the month stats:

01.07.25 11.6
31.07.25 11.2

4lb down. Not bad, have mainly stuck to eating windows and been in a calorie deficit most days. Also had a a couple of meals out and not gone crazy and straight back on plan the next day.

DD turns 15 this weekend so we are heading up from deepest, darkest Devon to see Wicked in the West End. I will be able to keep to my eating window, but I already know I'm going to go over my calories and I will enjoy Every Single One of them 😋😂

Friday sign in.

This was the infamous week 3 of Fast 800 when things seem to stall so I was relieved to lose 1.2lbs.

SW - 155.4lbs
Today - 146.9lbs
Weight loss so far - 8.5lbs

Non scales bonus - since I started, I've lost 2 inches from bust, underbust, waist and hips! The excess seems to be coming off completely evenly.

This coming week, I'm taking a very elderly/unwell relative on holiday, so no access to scales and it will be tricky to eat 'on plan'. I can and will keep up the fasting, water drinking and small portions, but I'm going to have to be a bit more flexible on what I eat. Fingers crossed this won't derail the weight loss.

I'm feeling very positive at the moment - hopefully another 2 stones off by Christmas. :)

Have a great weekend, everyone.

My plan for the week was:
To stick to my calorie limit and eating window (1300 from today until Thursday, 1800 Friday and Saturday, 6 to 8 hour window).
Done. Averaged 1620 last Friday and Saturday and 1257 Sunday to Thursday.

To keep my daily appointment with Jillian.
Done, now on L2 D9 tomorrow!

To walk with the dogs every day (it's forecast to remain hot and humid here so these are ambles rather than vigorous walks, but it all adds up).
Done, at least 2 miles every day so far.

To weigh and measure on Thursday as it's the last day of the month.
Made more sense to me to do it this morning, so the scores on the doors are:
I was 66kg on 1st July and today weighed in at 64.6kg, a 1.4kg (3lb loss) and I'm pleased with that.
I wanted to get 2cm off my waist, which I did if I breathed in but realistically I have definitely lost 1cm. However, I have lost 2cm from my under bust measurement (I can see that's back fat beginning to go), 1cm from full bust, and an amazing 4cm from the measurement at my bellybutton (so between waist and hips iyswim). Also 2cm off each arm at fattest part.

So, goals for August; little bit tricky as I go on holiday in two weeks, so I'm going to say I will be happy to see any loss at all in both weight and measurements. I have 12 more days of Jillian to do before I go and it's only a short break so hoping not to do too much damage!

Goals for next week are the same calorie and exercise wise.

Keep onwards and downwards everyone

Hello gorgeous people - Here for my Friday check-in, a day late!

SW 14.2
TW 10.12
CW 11.10 so 1lb up from last week which is okay, since I did Prolon the previous week.

And reminding myself that just 7 weeks ago I was happily stable at around 11.4 and genuinely could see much less pudge around my hips and belly: that's where it seems to come on and go off fast. Though losing it again this time is definitely not as fast as before - I just need to accept that this is how it is, and know that....I can get back there!

I'm tuning into My Power over Food, and noticing when I make conscious and unconscious choices... I'm going to dial that up even higher this week and see where it takes me.

I'll set up an August countdown later today - but do feel free anyone to do it.. we've just flexed in the past. I enjoy doing it but as you can see I'm not totally reliable for doing it on time

Wow re Jillian @IDareSay - that's seriously impressive!! As is the rest of your month's update. And keeping those 3lbs off in a month you're off on hols will be a fab achievement. What are your eating and exercise plans while you're away??

@tiredwitless It's so great to learn what works for our bodies and minds best - the gentle way is probably more healthy too! A great approach on the dementia risk - very much like mine! And I'm enjoying that "spending more time with friends" is something to do that's good for my health, rather than just an indulgence. Like you, I'm not giving it as much time and space as I would like and am looking for ingenious ways to expand it over coming months - I realise how much pleasure I get from just sending people texts/whatsapps and the occasional phone chat

Congrats on the 4lbs @FatLarrysBanned - and hope that Wicked was a big success, and that you enjoyed every single mouthful of the celebrations

That's fab @Saltedporridge Great that you've completed week 3 of Fast800 and lost TWO INCHES in so many places - Im guesing you're getting back on Fast800, once you're back from holiday?? Enjoy those precious moments: elderly relatives are to be relished especially given we don't know how long we'll have them in our lives. And Yes, those 2 stone off by Christmas are beckoning you forward!!!. It'll be such an achievement.

New thread started... https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/fasting_diet/5384853-countdown-to-september... See you there!! xx