Countdown to EASTER!

[tiredwitless]

We’re almost half way through February so marching on through to Easter (5th of April) as we help each other to stay focused on our fasting goals.

Come and join us!! 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.... pirates and dachshunds will pop their heads up, we're in awe of those shredding with Jillian and lifting significant weights (beyond our own!) and impressed when we get our steps in.
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.
So - how do you want the rest of February and March to look for you? Goals for Easter? And 2026? We'll look forward to hearing

I may well have missed someone so please @ people in to the thread but gathered up most I think/hope!

@loveyouradvice
@ProfessorIDareSay
@jadeVS72
@2barbieOrNot2Barbie
@NewYearNewYu
@BonBonDong
@Potterwatch89
@clearingaspace
@Diplop
@Talkinpeace
@2Early4Breakfast
@5humpedcamel

Hello all,

Like others I have had previous success with fasting and find it easy, cheap and that it suits my ‘all or nothing’ style.

Last year was a bit horrible on the family front and I found solace in eating. Unfortunately it didn’t lead to long term happiness!

So here I am, back on message and with about a stone to lose. I’m getting back on track with a 36 hour fast today and then 16/8 from tomorrow.

I used to regularly water fast once a week and would like to get back to that again.

It really makes me feel that I’m in control 😁

I’ve had my first FD in ages (years) today as well @HarmoniousHumbug - how are you getting on? I’m so impressed that you can make 36hrs! I’ve closed the kitchen on 585 which I’m happy with for my first day back

@DameProfessorIDareSay ... it’s SO good to have you on here... I’m glad you’re allowed to exercise again, however gently – hoping that feels a step forward?? And just wondering with your painkillers whether it is possible to do 10:14 or even 11:13 rather than 12:12.... given they are painkillers, I guess it’s a case of experimenting and seeing if it still works.. Even if not, you are still fasting: 12:12 is what many recommend for health (Zoe included I think). So wondering how you can make 12:12 work for you? What are your current thoughts?

Mmm yes @tiredwitless – such a great approach, to think about why we really want to do this. My mind says its about health as I get older... but I know what motivates me most is feeling great, my body gliding down the street and being able to wear all the clothes I want to again. So vanity seems to trump health for me... What clothes have you got that you love wearing – or like @DameProfessorIDareSay are looking forward to acing! Though I’m definitely interested in avoiding dementia, and exploring what works there

Welcome @ThatFairy @HLBug - hows it going? @ThatFairy Though Im someone who thinks you don’t have to be hungry to lose weight – that piling up the veggies and lean protein fills you up and helps you lose weight. My SIL recently said she’s eating more and losing weight – I think it is a good approach
Congrats on first fasting day in ages @HLBug – how’s it been since?

How’s your week been @Ilovefoodandwine – so good to have you on here, and to hear your determination to lose without WLI – 9lbs in just a handful of weeks is wonderfully inspirational!

What great motivation @BonBonDong – holidays, friends, and birthdays are SO motivating ... Wanting to look good for a college reunion is how I lost my first 2.5 stone!!

I agree @HarmoniousHumbug – I love the feeling in control around food that fasting gives me – sometimes it feels so effortless (not always though, and that still catches me by surprise)... but it helps me feel like the "real me" when it's working well, and enables me to feel more confident and powerful in other areas.

Well I seem to be doing my usual up and down since reaching goal weight... Hmm. Tiredness emotions and illhealth all take me into overeating territory – when I feel great, fasting feels SO easy.

I love being at 10.12 and having that wonderful dip of a flat stomach between my hipbones when lying down... no dip at the moment at 11.2....

SW: 14.2
CW: 11.2 - so up 3lbs in 2 weeks (though down 3lbs in last week, from 11.5)
GW: 10.12 by end of March... and through Easter, including chocolate!!

I’m keen to get back to 10.12 and stabilise there as I did in Nov/Dec....That’s my goal for the end of March, but birthday week this week so if I’m at 11.2 next Friday that is a win.

I love how relaxed I feel when at goal weight and how much mental space it frees up.... and I am looking forward to focussing on exercise again as my core health goal for 2026: getting fit and loving getting fit.

What’s your exercise look like for the coming week? Mine relatively modest: lots of walking, 10,000+ steps a day together with weights for my arms twice a day. And I’m going to introduce a bit of power walking as interval training- doing a fast almost breathless 5-10mins every now and then. Small steps .... moving forward...

And yes, I am going to learn to crack that up and down and stay consistently a couple of pounds either side of 10.12: If I manage that this year, that will be a HUGE achievement. My inspiration for the year... to be Enjoying eating for pleasure and for health...

Thanks for thinking of me @loveyouradvice
I’m pleased to report that the painkiller issue will not be an issue for very long as I am booked in for a hip replacement in just over 2 weeks. I have had to go private but feel fortunate to be able to do so as I cannot bear this lack of mobility any longer.

I’m really struggling with the lack of my normal level of exercise and my weight is creeping up week by week; I find it very difficult to eat well when I feel so sluggish and weak.

I’m currently doing a very gentle beginner version of the Shred every other day to maintain some modicum of fitness before my op, and I have given myself this weekend to wallow a bit then start my own version of a 2 week diet bootcamp on Monday to pack in some protein and cut right down on sugar to help me heal well post op.

If everything goes to plan, and I recover as well as last time, I should be firing on all cylinders by around the end of May.

Oh wow @DameProfessorIDareSay - that is QUICK and very very worth it, compared to suffering 2 years of pain and increasing ill-health. I am so glad you have the resources to do it (and so sad the NHS is disintegrating around us).

I'm a bit impressed by the "Gentle Shred" - might you share? GIven I have ME this might be something I could do... I'm keen to build health by exercising within my limits this year.

Enjoy every moment of the weekend wallow - and hope you'll come back on here Monday and share what your 2 week bootcamp looks like. We'll be cheering you on!! You're so right - with a recent op, I increased my protein in the healing weeks afterwards and wish I'd known about this years ago. And just 3 months before you are truly YOU again - that is to celebrate.

How are other's weeks looking? Do you have a plan for food or exercise - and especially for self care??

I'm birthday celebrating with two lovely meals and gentle balancing eating alongside - I've planned OMAD days to hopefully maintain 11.0 now.

It’s this workout @loveyouradvice

https://2lazy4gym.com/2018/06/13/beginner-shred/

Probably still available on DVD via the usual places or second hand. I’m finding it very doable yet still challenging in my current feeble state. I have access to it via Jillian’s app.

I’ll post next week with my meal plans for my self-inflicted ‘boot camp’ 😄

I’ve had a difficult week and not done well at all with eating. Current weight 12.2 arrrgh.. the shame of it!
Have had a cold and also back pain due to a pulled muscle which is the worst thing- it’s gradually getting better but the pain has been destroying my motivation. Work has been bedlam on top of it. Have eaten a lot of chocolate and bread .. also lots of nuts fruit vegetables
It’s the weekend which at least is a break from work and a chance to go for gentle walks.
Trying to keep to 16:8 - grateful I can do that or fairly close each day which prevents descent in to complete lack of control, but it’s not enough. Sorry for the moan. I’m disappointed I’ve not even stayed the same. Im posting to keep it in mind as I am intent on getting back on track with fasting and healthy eating.

One positive thing to report is I’ve recently discovered that I like sauerkraut which is a really good food according to Zoe - fermented, lots of fibre etc and easy to add to a plate. I think when feeling generally rotten it’s good to think about eating more rather than less and focusing on vegetables and protein so I’m with your SIL on that @loveyouradvice (although not losing weight due to chocolate and stress but aspiring to!)

Starting the week with plan to fast till 12 each day , close eating window by 8, and avoid sugar chocolate etc
CW 12 .0
Have a good week everyone!

Thanks @DameProfessorIDareSay ... and look forward to hearing about your bootcamp - does it start today??

@tiredwitless 2lbs down already in just a couple of days - you are SO back on it... your plan for the week sounds powerful. Im delighted you have discovered saurkraut - I aim to have some each day, as well as yogourt and kefir and am convinced it has really helped my gut!

Just bought new jeans in a size down, small wins.

Actually a huge win, not small at all - congrats @NewYearNewYews . Enjoy them!!

I keep telling myself 'trust the process'!

I'm sticking with the plan apart from Sunday which was a bit of a celebration with friends, but nothing's shifting. But I'm sticking with it, and doing 16/8 without overeating in that window. Fingers crossed there's another whoosh soon. I can feel my clothes are much looser though.

SW 70 kg 12 Jan
CW 66.4 kg (still!)
TW 60 kg

Small shift! (I said SHIFT)

SW 70 kg 12 Jan
CW 66.2 kg
TW 60 kg

On day 2 of my self-inflicted pre-op bootcamp here, with the aim of losing a couple of pounds, packing in the protein, vitamins and minerals, keeping well hydrated and gently exercising as much as possible.

Day 1 (yesterday’s) food was:

Breakfast: Half a protein bar (I have to take my painkillers with food)
Lunch: 3 egg omelette with cheese and veggies.
Dinner: Chinese chicken thighs with small portion of rice and loads of veg.
Snack: Half a protein bar (to take painkillers again) and a few coffees.

That came in at 107g protein and 1385 calories. Pretty pleased with that.

I’m going to post every day if I may, for accountability.

Good going @DameProfessorIDareSay Not many days now and you'll have got your operation out the way.

Congrats @DameProfessorIDareSay - posting daily on here when we need to for accountability is FAB!!! You may remember I did so over last two Christmasses. Impressed by protein count and sounds like a very good solution to use the bar to top and tail with painkillers.... and SO good that you'll have this established routine once you have the op

@BonBonDong Loving the fact that your clothes are looser - that is a BIG win!! suggests you may have built some muscle....

I do remember @loveyouradvice and posting for accountability really does work.

Today is day 3 of my pre-op bootcamp.

Day 2 (yesterday’s) food was:
Breakfast: Half a protein bar
Lunch: Tuna, garlic mayo, and mixed salad on a Warburtons protein pitta (I bought these to try them and liked them so they will go on my regular order; fewer calories and more protein than my usual 2 slices of bread).
They are probably classed as UPF (as are the protein bars) but I eat mostly non-UPF so I’ll not fret.
Dinner: Turkey keema and loads of veg.
Snacks: Half a protein bar, a few coffees, and a small pork and pickle pie because I popped into Waitrose and can’t resist them!
That came in at 106g protein and 1355 calories. So still on plan.

Day 4 of my pre-op bootcamp today.

Day 3 (yesterday’s) food was:
Breakfast: Pork and pickle pie (I’m not proud!)
Lunch: Tuna, garlic mayo, and mixed salad on a Warburtons protein pitta again
Dinner: Big ‘fry up’; sausages, bacon, eggs, black pudding.
Snacks: Protein bar, and a few coffees.

That came in at 1765 calories and a whopping 130g of protein.

I am aiming for no more than 1500 cals per day on average, so I’m still on plan. Be happy if I lose some ‘fluff’ but really want to maintain my muscle.

Day 5 of my pre-op bootcamp today.

Day 4 (yesterday’s) food was:

Breakfast: Half a protein bar.
Lunch: Omelette with ‘bottom of the fridge’ veggies and salad.
Dinner: Salmon fillet with ginger, garlic and chilli, tenderstem broccoli and baby potatoes. Delicious.
Snacks: Half a protein bar, last of the pork & pickle pies, and a few coffees.

That came in at 1545 calories and 90g of protein.

An OK day and weight is slightly trending down. More importantly I’m feeling stronger and more flexible thanks to gently increasing exercise.

Had my pre-op checks yesterday and hoping for a clean bill of health. I was weighed and measured of course, and the nurse measured me 2cm higher than the nurse at my GP surgery! I made him do it twice to be sure but this is excellent news! I must have been quite bent with pain at the GP surgery.

I now have slightly better BMI and a few extra calories allowed per day 🙌😁

Another small shift

SW 70 kg 12 Jan
CW 66 kg
TW 60 kg

Flying of on holiday tomorrow. I have packed my willpower!

Have a fabulous time @BonBonDong !

Day 6 of my pre-op bootcamp today.

Day 5 (yesterday’s) food was:
Breakfast: Half a protein bar.
Lunch: Tuna, garlic mayo, and mixed salad on a Warburtons protein pitta
Dinner: Lamb burgers, salad and a few chips
Snacks: Half a protein bar, an orange, and a few coffees.

That came in at 1420 calories and 105g of protein. On plan.

Weight definitely heading down if the scales are to be believed this morning.

Day 7 of my pre-op bootcamp today. (Halfway!)

Day 6 (yesterday’s) food was:

Breakfast: Half a protein bar.
Lunch: Tuna, garlic mayo, and mixed salad on a Warburtons protein pitta
Dinner: Cheesy turkey fajita casserole.

Snacks: Half a protein bar, ice lolly, and a few coffees.

That came in at 1525 calories and 125g of protein. On plan.

Day 8 of my pre-op bootcamp today.

Day 7 (yesterday’s) food was:

Breakfast: Half a protein bar.
Lunch: Cheese and crackers
Dinner: Meat and potato pie, roast carrots, peas
Snacks: Half a protein bar and a few coffees.

That came in at 1400 calories and 90g of protein. On plan.