coops

I usually fast on Mon and Ths, but I decided to fast today because I am on holiday for the next three days, and I knew it would be hard to keep it up tomorrow on the road. So far so good... Weds are tricky as they are staff meeting day, and there are always treats... luckily, today there were none so it was easy enough to stay on plan. I should clock in at around 540 by bedtime. How is your day gals?

less than 300 calories at 7pm!

half way through today's fast and it has gone well... salad with a table spoon of tuna pasta... stuffed after that to be honest. for tea I will have porridge made with Water - sounds horrible but tastes good for around 140 cals. happy days!

half way through today's fast and it has gone well... salad with a table spoon of tuna pasta... stuffed after that to be honest. for tea I will have porridge made with Water - sounds horrible but tastes good for around 140 cals. happy days!

I'm in for Monday - again, I will smash it! Gotta get to the low end of my bounce and under if this bloody body cooperates...lol... but like I said, I ain't gonna stress over it anymore. Got enough stress here at the mo without that pesky scale adding to it!
Oh and yey for Cardiff!!

Okay ladies, I'm going to try and commit to checking in here at LEAST once a week! With our crazy schedules and being gone 10+ hours a day for work, then lump another 3 hours for sports on top of that at least 3 nights a week...gah! No wonder I don't have time to sit here and visit, but I NEED this so I plan to carve out time for it at least once a week!
I definitely NEED a reboot. SO I'm down with what Georgia posted. I'll repaste it here for anyone who missed:
1. Commit to 5:2 week. REAL fast days
2. Set a Reasonable goal you want to reach/achieve. Even if just to get back on track.
3. Weigh in each week. Other group does Friday. So whatever y'all decide.
4. Be connected and help motivate each other in the next month toward healthy eating and lifestyle.
And I think Sept 22 is a great day to start so COUNT ME IN! I have GOT to get some of this regain weight off. It just keeps slowly creeping the wrong way and even after all the years of nutritional counseling, and dieting, and then having surgery, and on and on and on, you would *think* that taking it back off would be intuitive, but why is it so fricking fracking hard??? But I know 5:2 worked for me in the past, and I liked how I felt when I was actively doing the 5:2. So that is a good place for me to start.
Coops I missed you too! Thanks for saying that. Your daughter is just beautiful...you continue to inspire me my friend!
Kelly, I wish you the best of luck with the job search. It's SO easy to get down on yourself ...trust me I looked for a job for the whole 18 months that I went back to school and NOTHING, ZERO, NADA, until I found this job. It's HARD work looking for work. I hope the bookshop is IT for ya!
Kim, I'm so so so sorry about your mom. I can't begin to imagine the huge hole that leaves in your life. It's never easy stuff and I'm sorry I missed it and wasn't here for you but I'm glad there were others here to lean on.
Sheryl, I have totally missed out on the dating deal for you...who is Theo (just a recap please!) With all the dating, I wonder if you like dating so much or you really would like to settle down with that one special person? Not to be nosy, but I'm just curious if it's the thrill of dating or if you want that end result of something permanent? You don't have to answer, I'm just thinking out loud.
Florinda, speaking of dating, AWESOME way to see the new city, you are clever! I think I missed the boyfriend deal? He was no good? Glad you are getting out there, and hoping you eventually find that special person too! And no acid at all for me...ever. Just lucky but I think it is a big problem that you should not ignore.
Sarah, missed you girl...have you been able to get back to working out since plastics? YOU ARE SO SKINNY!!! Congrats on the plastics, you look fab!!!
Denise, sorry I missed the whole Bill thing too...is that on or off? Sorry to make everyone recap!
Dee...please come back and talk to us. Sometimes just talking it out helps. I'm sorry you are going through a miserable time. We are here for you (at least once a week. ) I'm having a miserable time with my weight, but my life is in a good spot. So I can see how having trouble in life, + trouble with weight can = misery. Hang in there please!!!
Wanda? Are you around?

Georgia, thanks for the reboot challenge. I NEED IT SO BADLY!!!!

Yes! Robbie Williams - the other love of my life...lol.. British singer and basically the sexiest man ever! lol

Florinda.... I am LOVING the profile pic!!!! So, glad you like the bits and bobs... glad you rec'd them all in one piece! Each time you have a 'brew' think of me...lol xx

I'm in Kim...defo back on the 5:2 wagon.
I'm doing something called the clean9 - it is a detox programme that is going wild over here... a lot of people have had great success with it for weight loss and then it has kinda re-booted them and they continued to eat clean healthy food.< /p>
So, after reading a lot and talking to some friends who had done it I thought I would give it a go.
Basically it is some aloe gel - tastes vile - and a range of Vitamins that you take daily; first two days are just liquid days and the following days are low cal with a shake. I'm not saying it will set the world on fire, and I have lost a few pounds (still in my bounce range) but the biggest benefit I have found is that my hot flushes are twice daily instead if twice hourly. I have not had monster flushes through the night and have slept really well over the last week. It is a great feeling to sleep through and not wake every hour or two covered in sweat!
I think it has rebooted my sleeve too - as when I do eat a meal, I can't finish it! My sleeve feels tighter, which is always a good thing.
So I am ready and focused to get the 5:2 back in and under control... and whether I lose weight or not doesn't really matter at the moment as I like the way I feel!

Thinking of you today, Kim! And yes, hitting 5/2 Hard. Have for last two or three weeks and I've managed to drop back down by 6 pounds over a three week period but boy, I'm having a hard time having better NON fast days. Not eating crap but too high in calories some weekends so I wind up re losing the same pounds for the first three days of the week! Gonna try to watch it this weekend.
 
As for acid, YES! I am experiencing it much stronger right now. Some days none but others feels like a knot in my throat and chest burning. I have a script for Prilosec doc said he recommends EVERYONE take a low dose daily but I haven't ever had to until now. Should probably start using it regularly for a while. I def don't want to develop issues.
 
Glad to hear from you, Chimera and others. Like y'all, sometimes I just sit back and read but I depend on you all for support and friendship.

I was up by 8 pounds from were I want to be (bottom of my bounce range) and have really hit the 5:2 on fast days and trying to be pretty good on reg days. I have managed to drop over 2 pounds and am now only 6 from my goal. Yes Virginia, the 5:2 can work.
I have been feeling some acid, I think my body is still pissed off at me for eating like a chocolate brownie loving piggy the other day....I must have had 7 of them... Chocolate in excess always is the culprit  with acid for me. A little is ok..... 
Kelly, and Sar, DO hang out here with us, even if you feel like crap, I know when i feel like crap I have a tendency to stay away too, but these girls are pure GOLD. If one of us does not understand, the next one will, and we are here for you! That goes or you too Sheila!
 
We are putting my moms ashes in the ground today. lunch after.... so glad I did a good 5:2 yesterday! 

Sorry Sarah, I forgot..dgl licorice is what I took last spring when eating made me nauseous...now I can eat anything again!
Kelly, when you struggle is exactly the time you should be posting. I went through this with the band....feeling kind of failed so undeserving of support...don't go down that path!
So good to hear from so many of you.
Hell week...I didn't get home from work till 10pm...dying.

Hi guys!
 
Sorry I have been MIA - this has been a challenging summer, I think it took two months to heal from the shock of what went down at my former teaching institution - still feel like I am healing, but feel much better. I am used to being unemployed during the summer - but since fall is here I am have applied for unemployment - something ballsy for an adjunct instructor to do - seeing as my department broke the collective bargaining agreement to force teacher into taking early retirement I figured I would apply for it.
It is demoralizing applying for jobs - something I don't think I have had to do since I moved to NYC in the early 90's. No one calls back - even for gigs that are a perfect fit - its easy to get pretty bummed out, but I figure that keeping a positive outlook is a very precious resource so I have been really trying...
 
With that said - being just over 2 years out I have tested the limits with how much utter crap I can eat since May and the scale is up by 15 lbs...Sleeved hubby has been doing the same thing - both so stressed about money, so he is up too. One very good thing is that I have been walking 3-5 times a week with one of my best girlfriends - walked 4 miles yesterday and got 6.5 miles today. I have started to limit the coffee to just a cup from the french press - and am drinking plain Water - no artificial sweeteners. I had a good fast day yesterday, as well as today - if anything I am finding myself going overboard - not wanting to eat anything.
 
My goal is to get my rump back on track and slay the carb monster - this is day two and Hi my name is Kelly and I am most definitely an addict
 
I haven't been to the board much - honestly I thought I had broken my sleeve - have felt little to no restriction so I felt like I shouldn't even bother to post. So working on getting back - no more Cookies or pastry like things - the funny thing is - I didn't even like food like this when I was really big - but I sure seem to now.
 
Florinda hope it goes well with your artist pal - you should pm his name I might know him - the Seattle art scene is not huge.
 
Thanks for saying you missed me Kim  
 
I should go join the challenge.

fast day for me today... I am gonna smash it! =]

I have had a reply from Alex and he confirms that our group is still private, even on the new app.

'Williams?'

I roasted a chicken last night, using MtAoFC, Julia Child will never steer you wrong . Today I will make a stock from the chicken carcass and the vegetables. Here I am, drinking my morning coffee .....

Thank you Coops!! I have the loving spoon on my keys, the charm on my phone, the mug pad near my favorite seat, the lotion on my face, the tea in my cupboard! I am so SO thrilled, it made settling in so special, feeling the friendship across the pond <3

Dee- good to see you are still around - we ned to hear you! x

I'm in Kim...defo back on the 5:2 wagon.
I'm doing something called the clean9 - it is a detox programme that is going wild over here... a lot of people have had great success with it for weight loss and then it has kinda re-booted them and they continued to eat clean healthy food.< /p>
So, after reading a lot and talking to some friends who had done it I thought I would give it a go.
Basically it is some aloe gel - tastes vile - and a range of Vitamins that you take daily; first two days are just liquid days and the following days are low cal with a shake. I'm not saying it will set the world on fire, and I have lost a few pounds (still in my bounce range) but the biggest benefit I have found is that my hot flushes are twice daily instead if twice hourly. I have not had monster flushes through the night and have slept really well over the last week. It is a great feeling to sleep through and not wake every hour or two covered in sweat!
I think it has rebooted my sleeve too - as when I do eat a meal, I can't finish it! My sleeve feels tighter, which is always a good thing.
So I am ready and focused to get the 5:2 back in and under control... and whether I lose weight or not doesn't really matter at the moment as I like the way I feel!

Do we need to send a message to Alex? He assured me in the past that it was private.I wasn't aware that there was a new ap and people are having issues.
I need to commit to exercise because I am a nervous wreck without it. I can't take those SSRI's for depression and anxiety but I really need to . When I do cardio every day, my anxiety is better controlled. For the first few hours in the morning, I feel so nervous and anxious, it's very upsetting.
Maybe they have come out with something new since i last tried. I know a lot of those medications cause weight gain, as well. Sheesh, why does life have to be so complicated?
When you think about it, everyone in our group is stressed out. Florinda has the state bothering her, Dee is really down, Sheryl is out of sorts, Sheila is trying to get used to being a mom and working full time, I am a nervous wreck for no reason at all that I know of, etc. What has being overweight most of our lives done to us all mentally?

Back much better but have not restarted exercise yet! Need to restart 5:2 and even more need you ladies encouragement.
It has been very quiet here but I have been pleased to have seen some members who have not been around for a while.
The new app I feel is quite poor and the whole site is quite quiet. I more often use my ipad than my laptop as that is my new set up but as this 'secret forum ' just shows up on participated I'm not too sure how secret it is is.
Glad to hear from Sheila, I thought it was work that was keeping her away.
OK ladies let's have a big push on 5:2 between now and Christmas, I certainly need it.
We need to log in more often to keep ourselves accountable. I really need you guys to get myself on the straight and narrow.

Challenge. I joined the Halloween Challenge so let's do a 5:2 Halloween Challenge ourselves!
 
1. Commit to 5:2 week. REAL fast days
2. Set a Reasonable goal you want to reach/achieve. Even if just to get back on track.
3. Weigh in each week. Other group does Friday. So whatever y'all decide.
4. Be connected and help motivate each other in the next month toward healthy eating and lifestyle.

I'm in Kim...defo back on the 5:2 wagon.
I'm doing something called the clean9 - it is a detox programme that is going wild over here... a lot of people have had great success with it for weight loss and then it has kinda re-booted them and they continued to eat clean healthy food.< /p>
So, after reading a lot and talking to some friends who had done it I thought I would give it a go.
Basically it is some aloe gel - tastes vile - and a range of Vitamins that you take daily; first two days are just liquid days and the following days are low cal with a shake. I'm not saying it will set the world on fire, and I have lost a few pounds (still in my bounce range) but the biggest benefit I have found is that my hot flushes are twice daily instead if twice hourly. I have not had monster flushes through the night and have slept really well over the last week. It is a great feeling to sleep through and not wake every hour or two covered in sweat!
I think it has rebooted my sleeve too - as when I do eat a meal, I can't finish it! My sleeve feels tighter, which is always a good thing.
So I am ready and focused to get the 5:2 back in and under control... and whether I lose weight or not doesn't really matter at the moment as I like the way I feel!

Sheryl, I totally understand your sensitivity to these anti depressants. I've tried them all. They make me feel like I stuck my finger in a light socket. The doctor said "this one is very well tolerated by most people. " I had every single one of the side effects listed that were possible. Nausea, insomnia, headache, nervousness, and profuse sweating.
I think you should meet Theo for a drink of something and let him be a friend to you. Tell him that's all you want right now.
I think I am going to go to a Crosby Stills and Nash concert with Bill. He's been seeing a counselor and saying things he's never said before. I think we can date. I just don't think we can be as close as he wants to be. He smothers me and I can't take it. Same with this Jim guy I met dancing. I want him in my life as a friend, even though he wants more. He's willing to settle for friendship.
I feel totally fat too. I have started a new habit. Drinking. I never drink much, but it's extra calories. It happens when you go out. I shouldn't drink because of liver issues. I've discovered if I eat total crap, and don't eat any good food, I don't gain. One day I had chips and ice cream and other total crap and the healthiest thing I had that day was Greek Yogurt. I lost 2 lbs that day. weird. Bad, Bad eating habits creeping back in.
I wish all of us lived close together so we could get together and just shoot the breeze

Sheryl, I totally get what you say about feeling lethargic and feeling 'fat' even though we clearly aren't!! I think it might just be a mind set that we haven't overcome yet ?
This week I have been following a detox programme and the bloating I had has almost gone... feeling better for no caffiene and sugar ... also my hot flashes are not so intense. Not sure if it will help shift any weight but having the flashes reduced feels soooo good!
I too haven't done any exercise for too long - my plan of getting my butt in the gym hasn't started yet - even though I am organised so far!
Keep your chin up m'love!
How is everyone else... we've been a bit quiet here... looks like we are living life!
Hugs from across the pond my lovely friends x