Countdown to NOVEMBER and beginning to think about Christmas goals

[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.

Gosh - I can't believe we're approaching November: Christmas feels rather close. I've added up the weeks - it's just over 11 to Christmas itself, and 10 to "party season". So come and share your hopes and goals for this month - and for Christmas.

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

Look forward to hearing how you're doing at the moment - finding it tough or easy? What do you want this month to look like?

@Bottl
@Clearingaspace
@FastingMum43
@furrysocks
@IDareSay
@Saltedporridge
@StealthSightHound
@tiredwitless
@Herewegoagaintake3

and apologies to any I've missed...

Are your longer fasts starting now or in a bit @StealthSightHound - losing 4kg by spring feels like a fab goal to have.

I'm aiming to lose 3lbs by Christmas - ideally in October, but not worried if it doesnt happen til later. I'm keen to build my strength and flexibility at the mo, from a very low base - I'll look forward to hearing what your personal trainer says @furrysocks. And @tiredwitless exercise snacking, like your squats seem to be what health professionals are focussing on - so I'm trying to build a few more things into my day... including doing some steps when watching TV. I used to do this, and found it quite easy to do an extra 2,000 steps but haven't done it for a while!!

Friday check-in:

I'm feeling both surprised and delighted: I've done an intense first two weeks here in Provence, with cold water swimming twice a day (50 mins, and yes it is just 18 degrees and will get lower!!) and eating in a 4-5 hour window, lots of protein, berries and veg with some dairy and muesli.... And the big sacrifice: cutting my daily "treat" to 1 square of 90pc chocolate, 3 pistachios, 2 almonds and a walnut half.... I normally eat at least double this, enjoying that they're good for my health and utterly delicious. So I'm feeling very chuffed to have lost 5lbs in two weeks, especially given my body was refusing to lose during the summer! And especially given this was my goal for Sept and Oct rolled into one.

SW 14.2
TW 10.12
CW 11.1... a two pound loss this week

With a couple of large meals coming up this week, I'm hoping to stay at 11.1... or even lose another pound.

So where was I.....

From the previous thread:
"I was 66kg on 1st July, 64.6kg on 1st August and 63.8kg this morning, a 0.8kg loss for August, which I am very happy with.
BMI now 24.9, so considered 'normal' ha ha. Not sure what my long term goal will be, but I would like to be in the low 62's by the end of September.

Well I didn't make the low 62's, and with hindsight, given how slowly I am losing, that was rather ambitious, but I have also had a hectic couple of weeks, including some time away where I was not in charge of food.

Pleased to report a small loss though of 0.6kg, taking me to 63.2kg at the end of September. Always better than a gain!
That's 2.8kg (6lbs) in 3 months, which doesn't sound a lot but I can really see the difference.
If I can at least replicate that over the next 3 months I would be delighted to hit Christmas in the low 60kg club!
BMI now 24.7 and I am finally in the 9s (in old money), at 9st 13lbs.
I'll aim for the low 62s again I think for the end of October.

Completed 2 x 30 day shreds, but yet to start a new programme: I think I want to get the Jillian app. Missing my daily fix!

So, as always, out with the dogs every day, new exercise plan to be made this weekend, and my usual eating plan of fast at least 16 hours, 1300 calories Sunday to Thursday and 1800 calories on Friday and Saturday. Been a bit haphazard so far this week, but back on it today.

That's an amazing report for September @loveyouradvice !
So close to your target now. But cold water swimming brrrr! 😨

Thanks for the new thread! I've been MIA and stuffing my face for the last few weeks but going to pull myself together and regain control of the situation.
Tomorrow will be my first FD

Oh wow, trousers and vanity - I find both of these FAR more motivating @StealthSightHound than getting healthier or creating a fit body as I age. Embarrassing, short-sighted (yes, I KNOW which is more important but do I listen to myself?) and actually an amazing power once I recognised it... yup, tapping into that vanity and I bought a second pair of fab trousers and will be looking for a third this Christmas!!

Your olive cords sound truly gorgeous... is there anywhere you can hang them, or leave them, so you spot them regularly, adding to your motivation? I even hung a beautiful dress on the outside of my wardrobe door to just admire it like an artwork, while acting as a gentle reminder of the fun I could have in choosing and enjoying clothes. and ps... don't be so sure that no-one's watching: I've had lots of lovely comments from family and close friends!!

@IDareSay ... I think you are underplaying what you have achieved: 6lbs is fab and seeing the numbers move down - to the 9s!! wow!!! - is a huge achievement... I've just 2lbs to go before I get into the 10s and it's motivating me onwards. I remain in awe of your 2 x 30day shred - far more of an achievement than my cold water swims! Just stunning. And I love that your structured eating plan works so well for you, I find it deeply inspiring. And yup, another 6lbs by Christmas is almost a stone which is incredible.

@Bottl how did your first FD go? And welcome back!! I'm learning (though its been tough) not to chastise myself for the time off track, and to focus on relishing the pride on getting back on it... Hope you can focus on the big step forward you are taking, and know that we are cheering you on.

An aside.. what??? @StealthSightHound how does HRT restore your ability to eat wheat?? Im fascinated... Im definitely wheat sensitive (rather than intolerant) so tend not to eat it unless a very tempting piece of cake or bread comes my way... So deeply intrigued, and recently on HRT myself wondering how it might help. What other benefits does it have? I recently learnt that oral oestrogen helps lower cholesterol, which the gels/creams don't. Such a fascinating world, and another new frontier in medicine, alongside all the gut stuff which I find deeply interesting. Yup even brought our own sauerkraut and kefir to provence!!

Thanks @loveyouradvice . I was planning to fast today but had an awful night's sleep and think I might have picked up the lurgy my childminded children have been coughing and sneezing all over me for 2 weeks.
I'm currently under a blanket on the sofa and wondering whether to have 2 paracetamol or 2 pieces of toast 😬

Oh @Bottl that's rough. Fasting is definitely NOT advised while unwell, as it puts another stress on the body - great for a healthy body but not one that's fighting off infection. Hoping you had some paracetamol and some food! Recover well

Thank you and yes, I opted for toast and paracetamol.
Haven't had much of an appetite but not actively avoiding food.

A quick hello on the new thread! Thanks @loveyouradvice and well done to you on your 5lb loss in 2 weeks, brilliant!
I hope you’re feeling better soon @Bottl and you’ll get back on the fasting wagon soon.
I need to think today about my goals. It’s great that a new month brings a reminder from @loveyouradvice to review what we want this month to look like. I’m terrible at planning but I have started to plan my fasts for the week and I find it much easier to stick to when I know what I’m supposed to be doing each day..
I’m doing ok but emotional stressors tend to throw me off. A bit like being unwell, I understand that that’s ok and it’s just important to get back on it when feeling a bit better again.

Hello, I’ve found you all again, and my goal for this month has to be to stick with plan, not wander off till I can’t even remember what day it is.

This school year involves changes in dropoff and pickup routines, and I’ve been snacking a lot around that because I find change threatening and confusing.

Also birthdays coming up on top of all the other excuses, so planning is my main goal.

Gradually running down the contents of the freezers and focussing on good quality protein, salad, and fruit. No overbuying or impulse buys.

Hello, I'd like to join if thats ok. Have a substantial amount to lose and recently been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. There's some research that suggests fasting is beneficial to manage MS symptoms especially longer fasts because of autophagy so will be trying OMAD as a two birds with one stone approach! Today is my first day and im feeling positive. I only drink water and green tea anyway so dont, at least, have to worry about breaking a milky drink habit

Hello and welcome @Rockfordpeach Hope your first day went well yesterday.

Friday check in: jumped on the scales this morning and whilst they flickered between the much anticipated 62.9 and 63, they settled on 63kg 😁

Still, I have now had sight of the 62's and it has made me more determined to get there! Bang on 9st 13lbs in old money, and BMI 24.6. Slow but sure.

Hello can I join you please?
I have now done 2 weeks / 5 days of 5:2.
I was extremely annoyed yesterday as I weighed in and had put on weight. I couldn't believe it, I was struggling so much but getting through my fast days and then managing mostly under 1500 on nf days, how could I possibly have put on weight? Anyway, this morning I remembered my scales are a bit dodgy and you need to push on them so they zero before you weigh yourself, and I am 2kg down 😂 so glad it has made a difference after all!
@Rockfordpeach sorry to hear about your diagnosis and good luck with the fasting! A friend of my mum's has had MS for decades and she has been up and down in that time but now in her late sixties and doing amazingly- she's got quite into eating the right things (most of the time) and pilates and yoga. I definitely couldn't do OMAD I can barely manage 16:8. Best of luck to you though let us know how it goes!

Thanks for being so welcoming. I managed OMAD yesterday and it was fine but i did feel really sick after I ate. Im thinking I may he better off with 18/6 to start with because i also need to reduce stress while im currently in an MS flare up. Its such a balancing act! Im thinking a small, carb free meal around 2pm would be good. I guess it is trial and error until finding what works best.
Well done on all the good losses and perseverance

Thank you @StealthSightHound I have to keep telling myself "I can do hard things!"

I fall off the wagon fairly often but have found tracking and IF the only things that have worked for me long term, dull though the tracking may be.

I was way over 11 stone when I began, and I am shorter than you. Figuring out my TDEE and being shocked at how few calories I really can consume without gaining was key for me. I hope once I get to a comfortable weight (not sure where that will be yet) I can keep this knowledge in mind. If previous experience is anything to go by, I need to rein things in again pretty quickly when my weight creeps up, not just ignore it and hope for the best!

It has taken me decades to accept I cannot eat as much as some people (especially my DH) and not gain weight. On miserable grey days like today my natural instinct is to eat half a loaf of hot buttered toast, not a veggie omelette, but life's a bitch This is hard, but posting here helps immensely.

To use one of Jillian's favourite phrases @StealthSightHound "you got this".

(Yes I am still 'shredding' away, this time on a 90 day programme where basically Jillian yells at me for 30 minutes every day, it's great 😁)

I completely agree that being surrounded by plentiful food 24 hours a day is very difficult, especially when you consider the addictive (growing evidence of this) nature of some of it. Anecdotal evidence shows the population was much more healthy during rationing (especially in regards to sugar consumption).

I could bore for England on stuff like this...