8 Week Christmas Countdown

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posted by Dreamscometrue
on 30 Oct 2023 at 08:44

Hello and welcome

This is the last stage of the Healthy New Me thread that has been running on a two-monthly basis throughout 2023. We like to think of ourselves as being on a bus journey 🚌 heading towards our individual desired health and weight loss goals.

It’s Christmas Day 8 weeks today! So you just have time to fit in a full 8-week BSD or Fast800 programme and finish on Christmas Eve, giving yourself the best Christmas present ever!

Everyone is welcome, even if you have never posted before. Come and have a bit of fun and friendly support whilst shedding those pounds just in time for Christmas.

All aboard!
posted by ClarinetCathy
on 30 Oct 2023 at 09:14

Thanks Dreamscometrue for setting up the last leg of the 2023 journey. I’m sitting on the front seat! Eight weeks is the perfect timing to lose at least 10lb. I need to optimise my health, lose the excess and feel positive about myself.
Today is the first day of a positive new me. I have the tools to do this I just need the mental willpower which has been difficult of late due to my ongoing medical issues but no more excuses- I’m strapped in and determined to optimise my health. Im not happy that I’ve let the side down.
posted by Dreamscometrue
on 30 Oct 2023 at 10:03

Hi Cathy so glad you’re on board for this journey and also catch up with your news on the last thread. It sounds like you’re in a positive frame of mind and receiving good care from people you trust.

I would love to lose 10lb too so let’s really try and do this!! I’d be happy if I manage at least 7lb and disappointed if it’s anything less than 5lb. And I know that it’s all down to me – bar the odd unexplained fluctuation or two.

So here we go 🤞
posted by ClarinetCathy
on 30 Oct 2023 at 10:41

Hi DCT- let’s go for the 10lb challenge! We can definitely do this. It would give us a massive boost and mean that post Christmas we have a head start. What’s not to like about that? Here we go…..
posted by Natalia30
on 30 Oct 2023 at 12:15

Hi all!

I’m super new and clueless!! however this is exactly what I need. Where do I sign or what is the next step?

😉
posted by Dreamscometrue
on 30 Oct 2023 at 17:35

Hi Natalia and welcome!

No need to sign up to anything, just get going with the BSD or Fast 800 diet and post on here whenever you like. We’d love to celebrate your successes with you and also help you through any tricky times.

Are you completely new to this Way of Eating? If so, I’d recommend getting hold of either Michael Mosley’s BSD or Fast 800 diet books which explain the principles behind it and include lots of recipes. That’ll really help you to get going. Also if you are new give us a shout on here and I’m sure you’ll get plenty of tips and advice!

Welcome again, and I hope that this thread will help you to achieve your weight loss goals 😄
posted by mini-me
on 30 Oct 2023 at 18:30

I’m excited to be on the Christmas countdown bus! It worked for me before but then I took my eye off the scales when starting a hectic new job where cake-break is a regular feature. I’d like to invest in a breath tester to know when I am in ketosis, hopefully will find a recommendation here.
posted by 1960smp
on 30 Oct 2023 at 18:58

Hello all fellow bus riders!!
I have had a difficult few weeks pass by so quickly I didn’t realise we are so near to the end of 2023!!
Thanks DCT because this is a timely reminder for me. This journey is worth all the effort, and my focus is now back inline and am cantering it on me for the very foreseeable.
Great to have others on board too.
Rooting for us all to do well….
posted by SueBlue
on 30 Oct 2023 at 19:46

Thanks DCT I’m definitely jumping aboard this bus, especially after completely missing the last one! I was shocked when I logged in before to see my last post was 2 months ago!
I’ve only weighed myself once or twice since then but was pleased to see this morning I’ve lost weight during October – only one kilo but considering I haven’t been trying to lose weight I’ll take that 🙂
Cathy sorry to hear you’re having medical issues. I’ll have to go back and read the posts from the last bus, I hadn’t joined the thread so didn’t get the usual notifications. I hope you are well DCT.
I’ve had some health issues too, but my doctors are working on a treatment plan that will hopefully put RA into remission again, or at least give me some relief.
I’m going to focus on myself and healthy eating for the next 8 weeks so that by the end of the year I’ll at least be a ‘healthier new me’.
Id love to lose 10lb this trip so will try for that but to be honest if I can lose 3.5kg, which is about 7.5 or 8lb I think, I’d be happy with that as I’d be a similar weight then as I was last Christmas, and then in 2024 I can focus on the last 8kg I really want to shed for good!
posted by ADD6605
on 31 Oct 2023 at 07:12

Oops I’ve just realised I’ve posted on the old thread instead of this one.Dawn X
posted by Mariet
on 31 Oct 2023 at 10:12

I’m in! Though I ended the last challenge half a kilo more than when I started ☹️

CC, I’m glad you have such confidence in your surgeon, it makes such a difference to feel you are in safe hands.

Thanks for setting up the thread DCT. I’ll join you and Cathy on the 10lb challenge though I haven’t been to successful lately!
posted by Dreamscometrue
on 1 Nov 2023 at 06:57

Morning all, and welcome on board those who have already joined. And if you’re reading this and thinking about doing a fresh 8-weeker, it’s not too late to start.

MINI-ME you’re in good company. There are a few of us on here who have done it before – often several times – and know it works but life has taken over. So a short sharp 8 weeks in the run up to Christmas will hopefully help! I’ve not used a breath tester personally but am sure someone else on here will have so may be able to help.

1960SMP hope you are ok and that your difficult few weeks are behind you. The thing I love about this WoE is that you can go AWOL for all kinds of reasons but once you are able to refocus you start seeing results again pretty quickly. I’ve been strict and lost 2lb this week : not too excited as I seemed to have got into this 2lb on/off groove recently – but at least it’s a positive step in the right direction.

SUEBLUE great to see you back again! And well done for the weight loss without trying. I hope that your treatment can get your RA under control. MARIET lovely to see you too. I think that there are four of us aiming to lose 10lb on this journey – CATHY, SUEBLUE, MARIET and me so here’s hoping 🤞🤞🤞 How wonderful would it be if we could all be 10lb lighter by Christmas!

DAWN I’m so glad you seem to be able to post again. Long may it continue. And well done for a 2lb loss last journey : a loss is a loss and it’s more than I achieved! I hope that all your family are ok now?

NATALIA how are you doing? Please shout if you need any help or advice.

Hope the rest of the week goes well X
posted by CatDee
on 1 Nov 2023 at 12:38

Hi everyone,
Just back from a week in Croatia, I kicked off my exercise regime with at least 15k steps a day thank god for Kinesiology tape, my knees were playing up. Thanks to this I put on less than half a pound whilst away. Thats got to be a first. Back to the diet again now, I am back to meal planning which I think is a major help in staying on track. I find I am having friends over instead of going out so I can stay on track. They are also enjoying the food which is nice and makes it easier for me. Stir Fry beef tomorrow evening for friends, they get noodles etc and I get cabbage and beansprouts which I love.
Sleeping better now, not sure why, maybe the holiday was what I needed.
Still reminding myself that this is not just another diet but a lifestyle change that is for my long term health and fitness. I hope one day I wont have to remind myself anymore and just be able to live/eat this way without even thinking about it.
Countdown to Christmas is exciting and daunting in equal measure. Just 54 days apparently and that will fly by.
Keep well everyone xx
posted by ADD6605
on 1 Nov 2023 at 15:12

Hi everyone and thanks DCT, I’m pleased to be able to post again though my heart does sink every time I hit the submit button now, half expecting the spam box to come up!Family are ok thanks though f-I-l caught a nasty stomach bug once he was over covid poor soul.I can’t remember which of my posts went through a few weeks ago so I may be repeating myself but we were told by a head injury specialist not long before f-I-l caught Covid that he didn’t think it would ever be possible for him to recover well enough to be able to come home again which is so sad.We are all still trying to get out heads around that, especially M-i-l bless her.
I haven’t done a food plan for this week yet so need to get one done asap as I definitely feel better when I’m more organised.Hope everyone is having a good week so far.Dawn X
posted by Yowzer49
on 1 Nov 2023 at 17:58

Hi folks,running a little late! Im definitely in,im in the zone at the moment. i feel i can do ten pounds,which combined with the weight i already lost on previous challenge,means i will have matched and surpassed the weight of our cat ( a big guy) including his ears,whiskers and tail. Hes so heavy to lift up, its good to get an idea of the heaviness i drop. xxx
Thanks so much to our DCT for setting us up!X
Welcome aboard NATALIA to the best bus ever! Grab a seat!X
DAWN i am so sorry for that sad family news about your FIL. I know the feeling,we are pretty sure now that my sister will never be independent again. Its hard news to take in isnt it X
CATDEE wow how lovely a week in Croatia,and well done on not piling on about five pounds which so often happens on holidays. I love stir fry! Think youve inspired me to have some tonight! X
Hi CCATHY!SUEBLUE!MARIET! and all….hold tight for a 8 week superhealthy ride towards Crimbo!XXXXXX
My birthday next week and DDs so 🙏 for me that i can stay resolute! I can at least do damage limitation by having the teeniest bit of cake 😋xx
posted by ADD6605
on 2 Nov 2023 at 06:47

Thanks Yowzer.Sorry to hear about your sister.Yes it is hard news to hear.
Good idea of yours to compare weight loss to the weight of your cat, I think I will aim to lose the weight of our Shih Tzu before Christmas !!! Not sure how much that is at the minute, I’ll have to weigh her! Dawn X
posted by Nokie
on 2 Nov 2023 at 07:49

Hello everyone thanks Dct for setting thread up sorry I am late onto the bus only got back yesterday from seeing my grandkids ate too many sweets on trick or treat night!!
But I am finally in my 💺 on the bus 🚌 with you all I only lost 2 pound on the last journey so I am going to try the 10 pounds challenge up to Christmas 🎄 i would be so happy to end the year on a good note I will catch up today with all your posts welcome to newbie’s this is a great team
Be in touch soon just going to refresh and have a look at my mm 📚 books
Have a good day everyone hope everyone survived the terrible storm ☔️ last night in England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
Lv nokie 💕
posted by happysnap
on 2 Nov 2023 at 13:44

Thanks for setting up the new thread, DCT.
I haven’t been too active on the last bus, but i’ve actually lost 3.2kg last month so I’m very pleased about that. Hoping for 4-5kg loss this month!
I am combining the BSD with lots of IF and extended fasting, and so far, its working. I seem to have lost my top tire so i’m particularly thrilled about that!
Going to strap myself in, and stay that way all the way up to Christmas!!
posted by Dreamscometrue
on 3 Nov 2023 at 07:50

Welcome on board CATDEE, YOWZER, NOKIE, and HAPPYSNAP. I hope that you achieve all you want to on this thread, despite life’s ups and downs.

There seem to be quite a few of us wanting to lose 10lb on this journey so 🤞we can do it. I’ve lost 2.5lb this week, so wouldn’t it be great if I could do that for the next 3 weeks . . . . I’d be at my goal for this thread well before the end of November! But, more realistically, I’ve set myself a target of around 11b loss per week for the rest of this journey, and if I can stick to that I’ll get there.

When I say “stick to that” I was wondering the other day what are the things that other people find kibosh their weight loss progress? For me the two main things are wine and snacking. This week I’ve laid off both and the pounds are starting to come off. My main flash point is late afternoon, around 5, when I’m back from work/errands/swimming or whatever and finally sit down to chill out for a few minutes. It is built into my nature at that point to get a glass of wine, a bowl of nuts, and watch some light TV. And there’s nothing wrong with that now and again, but for me it’s become a too regular habit that’s not compatible with my weight loss goal. So what I’m trying to do now is sit down with a large class of ice cold water and/or bring forward the evening meal so that there is something to look forward to eating. And bringing forward the meal also works well as it increases the overnight fasting period.

It’d be interesting to know what causes you to veer off course, and what strategies help you to get over it?

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend X
posted by NewKym
on 5 Nov 2023 at 03:41

Hi, I’m new here and just seen this post. Keen to join the bus if not too late?
posted by Denise susan
on 5 Nov 2023 at 08:59

Hi guys recognise many names on this bus. I have been awol this whole year and have seen my weight creep up having celebrated my 60th and 30th WA last month! I tried very hard for the celebrations to focus around experiences not food but with far too many extended family and friends it became a catch up of coffee and then a cake!!
I am celebrating the whole year and have some amazing experiences to look forward to, hot air balloon over Luxor and Aswan, sky dive over the pyramids & zip wire in Wales.

I would also like to join the 10lb clan but as I won’t have scales where I am going I am just going to choose a size 14 dress that I hope to fit into!!
I have been doing this from the start since the Newcastle diet but 2024 is going to be the year I finally get to my ideal weight no excuses final phase.

Good luck everyone I may be at the back of the bus struggling to get internet but will keep up on everyone’s progress
posted by Dreamscometrue
on 5 Nov 2023 at 09:04

Morning all

NEWKYM welcome on board! Of course it’s not too late to join. We still have 7 weeks to go so plenty of time to lose some weight by Christmas. Good luck, and keep posting to let us know how you’re doing.

DENISE SUSAN I remember you! Welcome back. It sounds like you’re having an amazing time and I hope you enjoy every minute. And I hope all of us who are wanting to lose 10lb soon have that to celebrate too!
posted by caronl
on 5 Nov 2023 at 10:36

Hello everyone. Can I be a late joiner too? I’ve been on and off this bus a lot this year. But looking back at my 2023 new year diary entry, I see I have shed 5 kilos in 2023, so there is something good to build on. I suppose the important thing is getting back on the bus when events and life get in the way – and 2023 has been a shocker. So I am in for the next 7 weeks and aiming for a further 4 kilos/9 pounds.

I am thinking about your question, DCT, about what throws us off track. My main issue is stress/comfort eating at the moment. I skip meals because I am not hungry, then snack at silly times of the day. So I shall be watching myself closely.

Wishing us all good healthy eating!
posted by caronl
on 7 Nov 2023 at 10:34

Onto day 3. Pleased to say that I have avoided all snacks, deleted them from my online order, and declined a lemon meringue tartlet this morning. Keep on keeping on… How are the rest of you doing?
posted by Dreamscometrue
on 7 Nov 2023 at 10:46

Hi caronl! Great to have you on board.

Well done for your determination this week. I’m sure you’ll soon start to see some results. And your weight loss for 2023 so far is also brilliant, particularly during difficult times. And I do hope that everything improves for you soon.

My week is ok so far. No further weight loss but I’m hoping to meet my 4lb off target by the end of the week 🤞

Hope everyone else is doing well?
posted by ClarinetCathy
on 9 Nov 2023 at 09:47

I’ve only been half hearted this last week or so but today I am committing myself to being fully on board. I weighed today and I’ve lost 2lb. So, with some fasting and some effort I should hopefully lose another couple of pounds and then I will be back on track. My appt yesterday at Christie has not helped me. They are not able to remove the tumours due to their location as the results could potentially be drastic! His words! Also, they don’t think they’re causing the electric shocks in my ankle so I’m back to square one and seeing the foot and ankle team next week. I’ve now been passed from pillar to post for six months and still have no díagnosis. I’ve been referred to the spinal team but the waiting time is approximately 26 weeks. So- I’m back to square one but at least I don’t have to face abdominal surgery. They’re going to monitor the two abdominal tumours with MRI scans. I actually feel quite positive that I am not facing potential life changing surgery and don’t have to make a decision- they’re inoperable. So I am getting on with my life, my cruise is still on for September next year and I can make a difference by losing a couple of stone before I go. I am not feeling sorry for myself, I will get some neuropathic pain medication sorted and carry on with my life as well as I can. I’ve had coffee and cream for my breakfast this morning which was delicious. I feel like my life has been on hold for the last six months and today I feel positive and ready to get myself back to being Cathy.
I don’t think I’ve left it too late to lose 10lb before Christmas so it’s full steam ahead . Well done to everyone for their commitment to this leg of the journey. We can start decorating the bus soon for Christmas! Keep going everyone. This bus is going to be a lot lighter by the end of this ride.
posted by Dreamscometrue
on 9 Nov 2023 at 21:33

Hi Cathy. So much is going on for you! I’m really glad you don’t have to have the abdominal surgery because I know you were dreading it. And, as you say, the decision is out of your hands and you can get back to being yourself without it hanging over you. I only hope that you get to the spinal team sooner than you think and that they can diagnose and find a way forward for your ankle issue.

Well done for losing 2lb, and you’re right : it’s not too late to achieve your 10lb target for this journey. I weigh daily and have been doing ok this week, though went off piste a bit today so let’s see what the scales think about that tomorrow 🙀 But all we can do is keep on keeping on, and we will get there in the end!!

Hope everyone else is making some progress? Let us know how things are going for you X
posted by Mariet
on 10 Nov 2023 at 00:07

Hi Cathy, good to see that you’re feeling a little more optimistic, I hope you can find some answer for the pains in your foot. A few years ago I had surgery on my palms and fingers for Dupuytren’s disease and for a few months afterwards it felt as if firecrackers were going off at irregular intervals in the middle finger of my left hand. It was awful and I really feel for you.
I am half a kilo down this week and that’s encouraging. I am going on a cruise next April to Tahiti and Hawaii so I’ve got an incentive and a deadline- I am always better with a deadline.
posted by SueBlue
on 10 Nov 2023 at 05:00

Hello all
Cathy I’m glad you are feeling more positive 🙂
Having a positive attitude definitely helps you cope with life I’ve found, especially when you are faced with problems.
I’d had a pretty good week with 1/2kg loss on Monday. Also on Monday I had my 5th covid jab. I wasn’t feeling well afterwards and just thought it was vaccine side effects, but did a COVID test today as I felt really ill last night – and it was positive 🙁
I’m so annoyed as I’ve managed to avoid it so far – I guess I’m lucky in that regard. Hopefully it won’t hit me too hard but it will delay RA treatment as I can’t have those meds while I have an infection.
I’ve ordered an online shop with lots of fresh fruit and veg and hoping healthy eating will help me fight the infection!
Hope everyone else is doing well.
posted by arcticfox
on 11 Nov 2023 at 03:12

Hi everyone,
Thought I might pop onto this thread until the end of the year. I think the 7 week timeframe will be good for keeping me focused and on track. I’m focusing on ADF (or at least as many days as I can manage). Happysnap and JGwen have been cheering me on and helping me over on the fasting thread. I don’t weigh myself anymore due to the huge daily fluctuations I can have in fluid due to lipedema and whether or not I’ve been keeping on top of my lymphatic drainage massage. So I’m trying to go by clothing fit. I also want to improve my mobility ahead of next year’s farming season. I did much better this year than last, but there is still lots of room for improvement. I have until about the end of March before things get really busy again, so 7 weeks here, and then on into the new year. I finished a 30 hour fast tonight so feeling quite pleased. My leggings were threatening to fall down while I was working in the garden today. Not ready to declare an NSV there yet as they may just be stretched out. We’ll see how they fit after they’ve been through the wash!
posted by Yowzer49
on 11 Nov 2023 at 23:33

Welcome ARCTICFOX! Sorry to hear you have lipidema. I was told seven years ago I have lymphoedema,following on from lipodema.
What fun for us! Do you have it in your leg( s) I have it in both legs,right leg slightly worse than left. Can you manage the compression tights? I just cannot get them on,dont have the strength in my arms and arthritis in hands doesnt help. Do you do your own massage? I do but not sure how effectively I do it. I dont really see good results. I have followed several different youtube vids.
Thats good news about your leggings? Hope it is a NSV👍 and that ADF has helped. Irony for me is,I had lost several stones thru low carb and then got the lipo/ lympho diagnosis.
Think I will give ADF a go,have done it in the past,think will do it in run up to christmas! XX
posted by Yowzer49
on 11 Nov 2023 at 23:36

Hi everyone,i hope youre all doing well. Too tired right now to read,will return another day to catch up.
I have lost a stone since we began the previous thread…however just had mine and DDs birthdays so there have been some goodies eaten and drunk! So no doubt that will have caused a blip..but..onwards ond downwards my friends! Love and hugs to all XX
posted by arcticfox
on 12 Nov 2023 at 04:18

Hi Yowzer, sorry to hear you have it too. Yes, I have it primarily in my legs, but with a big of sagging and grainy, painful fat starting in my upper arms now too. I’m lucky not to have any lymphedema yet. I’ve had lipedema on the outside of my hips and upper legs for years. I always wondered why it was so painful to bump into the edge of a desk when I never hit it very hard. But since peri-menopause things have really gone haywire and the lipedema tissue has been expanding rapidly. The latest is that I have horrible lumpy and painful fat forming over my hamstrings. It makes wearing some trousers uncomfortable as they just don’t fit properly. I have been wearing light compression and it does make a difference. I can’t wear it in the heat of summer though. I have been wearing Bioflect leggings as I can buy them online without a prescription. They are pretty easy to get on and off. I’m thinking of trying CzSalus for a bit stronger compression over winter. I am desperately trying to avoid further expansion and progression if I can. This is bad enough! It is almost impossible to get a diagnosis in Canada and there is no possibility of surgery as doctors here don’t think it is a real condition, never mind having the training to even do the surgery. Lots of doctors won’t even give prescriptions for the conservative treatments. There are a couple of ladies who are currently suing their provincial government for lack of care for a condition that is recognized by the World Health Authority, so things could change in a few years. People now pay out of pocket to have surgery in the US or Germany.
I tried the YouTube videos for MLD too, but didn’t get much success until after I went to a massage therapist. Once I understood how light the touch is, then I went back to the videos and got much better results. I go to the massage therapist about once every 6 weeks as I only get 7 appointments covered per year through my work benefits, so I do self-massage in between appointments.
It’s a tough thing to have, but at least we are here and trying to make a difference with our diets!
posted by ADD6605
on 13 Nov 2023 at 06:56

Hi everyone, I’ve had a bit of a disastrous week food wise and have put back on the few pounds I had lost.I need to buckle in to my seat properly otherwise will have another wasted journey🙁 My willpower seems to have totally dissolved, Yowzer please bring on the lettuces!!!!! Dawn X
posted by Dreamscometrue
on 13 Nov 2023 at 08:27

Morning all!

DAWN I hear you. But hopefully those pounds will come off again as quickly as they’ve gone on. If you’re really struggling maybe just try sticking to plan only some days this week eg 5:2 or alternate days? Better than nothing, and could take the pressure off a bit.

SUEBLUE welcome on board and so sorry to hear that Covid has finally caught up with you. Hope you feel better soon, and I’m sure your healthy food planning will help.

MARIET your cruise plans sound lovely. It’s great that both you and CATHY have them to look forward to in 2024. CATHY I hope you are doing ok and that your feet are not too painful.

ARCTICFOX great to see you on here and hope you continue to see NSVs in your clothes. I’m sorry to read about your lipedema and YOWZER your lymphedema. I hope that the massage and stockings are some help. My mother has compression stockings and I know what a nightmare they are to get on.

But YOWZER, a big well done for your stone loss! That’s incredible and I’m really pleased for you. Belated birthday greetings and I hope there was not too much collateral damage!

Hello to everyone else too. How’s it going? Just remember that today is another day and we still have 6 weeks to go before Christmas. So plenty of time to make significant progress.

I’m 3lb down so far this journey, so 7lb to go. I’m a bit behind where I wanted to be by now but really want to make this week count. I discovered my husband watching Michael Mosley’s 21 Day Body Turnaround the other day, so we watched the rest together. It’s a 3 part series following the progress of 5 people who want to lost weight and get fitter in 3 weeks. We both found it inspiring so are going to put a bit more effort in this week 🤞

Hope you all have a good week X
posted by Yowzer49
on 13 Nov 2023 at 14:10

DCT thanks so much for the round up of news! Im feeling rough and no energy to scroll.
SUEBLUE i think i may have covid too. …havent tested yet. They say now not to test until about the third or fourth day as its not showing up on tests til then,now we have more immunity with having jabs and also so many of us now having had at least one bout of covid. Get well soon Sue XX
Oooh two of our gang will be swapping buses for boats! How exciting,girls! XX
CCATHY I feel for you. My daughters in a lot of pain as she has gout..a side effect of the beta blockers shes on for tachycardia..which she got as a result of electric shock in work…its really horrid when something that makes mobility painful. Youre being so brave and very positive,just like she is. 💕xx
ARCTIC thanks for info re stockings. I have only used medi,wd like to get sthing with more compression,as my legs are getting scarily bigger. XX
DAWN and anyone else who needs to be slapped with a wet lettuce,form an orderly queue at the back of the bus! XX
Lve n hugs to all XX
Thought for the day..
~ “We live on a blue planet that circles around a ball of fire next to a moon that moves the sea…
So – always – believe in miracles!”~ 😍XX
posted by Dreamscometrue
on 17 Nov 2023 at 08:01

Morning all. This weekend marks three weeks into our Christmas journey, which means five weeks still to go. So if you’re doing well, just think how much more progress you can make over the next five weeks 😊. And if you’ve taken a bit of a detour, there’s still time to draw the line under that, strap yourself back in, and see a nice bit of loss before Christmas.

I’m now almost 4lb down, so the 10lb weight loss goal is – in theory – do-able. Will just have to do my best to stay on track and see how far I can get. Yet again, I’m overly focused on scales and am not taking measurements : I don’t know why I find that such a faff?! But today I will find an item of clothing that is currently tight and make it my NSV aim to get into it comfortably by Christmas 🤞

YOWZER you said you were feeling rough the other day. How are you now? Did you test for Covid? And SUEBLUE are you over your Covid now?

Hope everyone else is ok and plodding on.

Have a great weekend X
posted by SueBlue
on 17 Nov 2023 at 08:15

Well done on your loss so far DCT 🙂

I wouldn’t say I’m over COVID but definitely over the worst. Ended up being off work all week, just left with a cough, fatigue and numb fingertips of all things. On the plus side, I had very little appetite and when I weighed myself a couple of days ago I had lost 2.5kg since last weigh in (5.5 lb). Now I know some of that would be water weight rather than fat loss, but a loss is a loss! I’m going to capitalise on having reduced appetite by continuing to eat smaller portions now that I’m feeling better. I haven’t been able to exercise, even going for a short walk yesterday I had to stop and rest before coming home. The last time I had fatigue like this was when undergoing chemo for lymphoma.. the other unfortunate side to this is I was unable to begin the new treatment for RA I was scheduled to have, and that will be in the New Year now.

So I’ve decided I’m going to use this as a Reset – I had got into bad habits this year with takeaway foods and lack of meal planning, and exercising less. So now I’m feeling a bit better I’m going to plan some healthy meals and see if I can get my inflammation levels down that way, it has worked in the past.

Have a good weekend all 🙂
posted by arcticfox
on 19 Nov 2023 at 00:10

Hi everyone,
Just a quick check in after a busy and stressful week. I ended up breaking my Wednesday fast at 24 hours and it turned out to be good that I did that. My horses had quite a bad meltdown about something that night and I spent ages outside in the cold with them trying to get them calmed down. One was ok by the next morning, but the other has taken 3 days to go back into his shelter but was going back in there today. Not sure what set them off. Then had a stressful day at work on little sleep, and didn’t get to eat until 1pm as I had predicted, so it really was good that I had eaten the night before because that would have been 42 hours which feels a bit long at this point. Thursday ended up being a 16:8 anyway, so not too bad. Same with Friday, and now I’m back fasting again today. I’m just about at the 24 hour mark. Feeling good if a little hungry. I’m just having a cup of tea and hopefully will make it to 36 hours or perhaps a bit longer. I harvested some tiny broccoli heads from my garden today as they are no longer growing with the low light, so I’m looking forward to having them tomorrow.
posted by Nokie
on 19 Nov 2023 at 09:08

Good morning all😀
I have not been getting any posts for the last couple of weeks every time I tried to log in it threw me out !!
I am just sitting 🪑 here catching up so will try later to answer it might be that a I need a wet 🥬 slap🙈 I really need help I am doing my usual thing of switching from 800 etc but I am still here so will use Sunday to get back on track
Take care everyone
Nokie x😘
posted by ADD6605
on 20 Nov 2023 at 06:32

Hi everyone, hope you all had a good weekend.Have weighed myself this morning and am 2lbs lighter (Yowzer the lettuces have started working🎉hope you are feeling a bit better now, did it turn out to be Covid? ) I had a better week food wise than I have for a while but still could have done much better so that’s my aim this week.Apart from a visit to a Christmas fair coming up on Saturday I should be having a week where it’s easy to stick to a food plan so I’m aiming to set one up on MFP for the coming 7 days.Well done anyone who is managing to stick to their plan and good luck to anyone who is struggling!Dawn X
posted by Dreamscometrue
on 24 Nov 2023 at 10:32

Hi everyone and hope your week has gone well. Just realised that there are recent posts I’ve not replied to : I’ve not been well this week. My. back has been playing up and I also feel like I’ve been fighting off some kind of flu bug, to which my hubby has now fully succumbed!

Net result I’ve gone off plan a bit and regained one of the pounds I’d lost. But I’m still 3lb down so far this journey and determined to pick up the pace again from Monday. There are still 4 weeks to go and I want to see at least the same number of pounds off the bus by then.

SUE I hope you are completely over your Covid and are getting back on track. And YOWZER how are you doing?

Well done DAWN for your recent loss and hope it’s continuing. NOKIE hope you can post again now? Keep going! Even if you just do alternate days or something for now, it could help get you back on track.

ARCTICFOX I hope this week has gone better than last, and that both work and the horses are doing ok?

And hello to everyone else too. CATHY any further news on your treatment? And MARIET, CATDEE, HAPPYSNAP, CARONL, NEW KYM and DENISE SUSAN how are you all doing? Apologies to any other names I’ve missed but sending good vibes your way too!

Have a wonderful weekend X
posted by Yowzer49
on 24 Nov 2023 at 11:14

Hi DCT and all,just popping in to say thankfully I didnt have covid,I think I had the same as what you described DCT as a flu bug,thats a good description – not quite flu but nearly! Hope you both recover quickly DCT and I hope yr back gets better too.
I have lost one stone two lbs,but Im losing my grip a bit,i need slapping with one of my wet lettuces. Still 4 weeks to go tho,so even if i just manage to maintain,I’ll be pleased. Its not often i get a good result on one of our challenges!
Love to all and happy weekend xx💜🌻💜
posted by Dreamscometrue
on 24 Nov 2023 at 11:43

Wowzer YOWZER that’s amazing! Very well done. 👏👏👏. So glad you didn’t have Covid.

Just scrolling back I wanted to give a shout out to some of our early posters too. NATALIA30, MINI ME, SMP1960 how are you all doing?

Off to work now so will catch up later x
posted by ClarinetCathy
on 24 Nov 2023 at 13:46

Hello everyone
Wowser Yowser!!!!! Incredible weight loss – wow you have done so well. Amazing work.
I am struggling mentally more than I realised with recent health events and I seem to be getting bigger and bigger and finding it harder and harder to make inroads! I look and feel terrible. I am hoping that I can snap out of my “what the hell” mindset and I need to. A sure sign of my stress and anxiety is that my voice has been affected and this happened to me once before and a speech therapist told me it was due to stress. I didn’t know stress could affect our voices but she said it’s quite common. I go to bed every night worrying and I wake up feeling terrible. I have coffee for breakfast and try to be sensible but then I eat two crumpets for lunch! Part of me wants to abandon ship until January. I’ve got another MRI scan on Saturday 16th December and I am hoping it finds the needle in the haystack. The last six months hasn’t been easy dealing with electric shocks into my ankle and finding out I have two new nerve tumours on my femoral nerve. I’m hoping the lumbar spine scan will find the culprit causing the electric shocks into my ankle. So, in a nutshell, I’ve lost the plot and am scared to even go on the scale.
I know that life has its ups and downs and this year has been another down year. Maybe I’ll find my mojo in January. I hope so- I’ve got a cruise booked for September with some lovely dresses that will be bulging if I don’t get a grip.
I hate myself for being unable to take control and it’s not like me so I hope I soon can wake up with renewed enthusiasm and determination.
Well done to everyone who is doing well and to those like me who are struggling let’s just do our best hour by hour and day by day.
posted by Yowzer49
on 24 Nov 2023 at 18:22

Hi CCATHY,Im so sorry youre having such a stressful and painful time.
I would suggest not being too hard on yourself at the moment,while at same time practising damage limitation. Eat as healthily as you can,but dont count carbs or cals. It sounds like you have enough going on without worrying about weight loss,so why not just nourish yrself for now,avoid the obvious baddies as often as poss but dont beat yourself up about two crumpets or similar,make sure you eat plenty of good stuff and keep hydrated.
Hope your appt goes well on 16 Dec and you get some answers and then are able to enjoy Christmastime.
Then in the New Year Im guessing we will all be boarding the bus yet again!
You have a big incentive to be cruise-ready by September,so I have every faith you’ll refind your mojo in January!
Sending you love and hugs. I feel for you – its hard when you wake up feeling terrible every day.
Be kind to yourself 🙏💜🌻XX
posted by Nokie
on 24 Nov 2023 at 18:30

Hello Cathy and everyone

I am so sorry you are going through a tough time but as yowzer says you have enough to be going on with just try and be kind to yourself don’t worry about 2 crumpets I had 2 last week felt guilty but hey hoe at least it wasn’t my usual choc bar🤣
I hope everything works out for you stay on the bus if you can this is such a lovely group we Will support you than in the new year our next 🚌 comes along and we will be starting again
I am up and down at moment some days I do better than others
Have a good weekend everyone and keep going
Love and hugs nokie ❤️
posted by arcticfox
on 26 Nov 2023 at 20:27

Hi everyone,
DCT – thanks for your good wishes. Unfortunately this week was very stressful due to work stress, my dad getting another blood clot in his leg (the 2nd of the year) and having to miss work to run him and my mum to medical appointments, then had to deal with an issue created by my new neighbours. But luckily the issue with the neighbours has been resolved for now and at least the horses have been calm this week.
CC – Sorry to hear about your stressful time with all the health worries. I’ve had times where I’ve just had to focus on eating as healthily as I can due to stress. It always feels like I’m letting myself down when I can’t fast or eat the way I would like, but we can only do the best we can at any time. Do you have access to a counsellor or psychologist that you could talk to about your struggles and worries right now? What you are going through is not easy and sometimes it’s nice to have the ear of a third party. Of course, we’re always here for you on this forum, but sometimes it’s not the same as talking to someone in person.
After my long fast last weekend, I had a few false starts again this week. I managed to get to 20 hours on Wednesday, and tried to start a minimum 36 hour fast yesterday, but ended up too hungry and cold, so ate lunch for more of a 16:8. I’ve started again today and I’m hoping to go through to tomorrow morning at least, so we’ll see. I need to do a batch cook of lentil soup at some point though and I have more time today than tomorrow, so I’m not sure how it will go if I’m cooking but not able to eat. I may do it early afternoon rather than right before my usual dinner time so that the association isn’t there.
It’s finally getting to the point where there is less outside work to do. I have some last minute peonies arriving tomorrow, so will have to get them in the ground before the ground freezes for good (looks like that will happen on Wed). Snow is predicted for next weekend. We’ve had such a long fall and while it’s been good for getting the garden in good shape for spring, I’m ready for a break!
I’m hoping to get back into yoga and foam rolling for the winter. Now that I am getting in at least one fast for autophagy per week, I want to start a little experiment with foam rolling and other techniques to see if it will break the painful fibrotic fat tissue down and then hopefully get cleared away through autophagy.
I’m also plastering and sanding in preparation for painting an accent wall in the living room. The whole room needs new paint, actually, but this is the worst wall, so getting it done first should make the rest seem easier. So lots to be getting on with.
I do have some NSVs to report. I am sleeping well. I have less stiffness and soreness in my joints and muscles, especially in the morning. My stomach has shrunk and I can no longer eat big portions at meals. I’m not craving carbs. I may have had a slight reduction in size around my waist and legs, but still too early to tell for sure.
Yowzer – congrats on your amazing loss. I’m sure you can get back on track and have even more success over this last 4 weeks.
Keep on keeping on, everyone. We can do this!
posted by Dreamscometrue
on 27 Nov 2023 at 07:47

Hi everyone

ARCTICFOX glad you’ve had some positives this week despite the ongoing stress. Really pleased to hear about your NSVs – it sounds like lots of good things are beginning to happen there. I’m intrigued about foam rolling btw; I’ve not come across that before! And you sound as busy as ever at home. It’s been pretty cold here (UK) the last couple of days. Nothing like your temperatures I know, but as soon as that cold weather comes my body just seems to want to go into hibernation mode and even the thought of doing something like painting a room would. be a non-starter!

CATHY thank you for posting and being so honest. My heart goes out to you and, like others, I really hope that your 16th Dec appointment helps to move things forward 🤞 Hang in there. As NOKIE and YOWZER have said, don’t beat yourself up about what you are eating or let your weight become another stress factor. Perhaps a compromise at this point Is to just aim to stick to 5:2 or something similar? That way you are still purposefully making progress some of the time, but cutting yourself some much-needed slack the rest. Just remember we are here for you as friends regardless of how your weight loss journey is going. As you said, just take things hour by hour, day by day.

It’s good that many of us have things to look forward to in 2024. I have my daughter’s wedding in March which I’m determined to be under 140lb for. I’d hoped to achieve that this time round, and still hope to get to 142lb by Christmas, but will need to extend things a little further. Actually I’m kind of panicking about early 2024 because I’ve agreed to do some extra hours at the school – which financially makes complete sense – but I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed at still fitting in everything else I already do plus a wedding in the. middle of it all. On the positive side, here’s hoping that the extra activity will help see off those last few pounds!

A busy week coming up here too. Hubby’s flu turned out to be Covid so he’s out of action. Fortunately I tested negative as I have so many errands this week, including taking my mother, friend, and dog to various appointments. Should keep me away from the snacking anyway 😀

Have a good week everyone X
posted by SueBlue
on 27 Nov 2023 at 09:22

Hello all, lovely to read all your updates. I’m finally starting to feel better after COVID, I ended up being unwell for almost 3 weeks – despite having 5 vaccines/boosters!
Now I’m just left with a lingering cough, especially at night, and fatigue. I haven’t weighed myself for about a week, but wouldn’t be surprised if I have put some of the loss I had back on, now my appetite is back. I’m still trying to keep portion sizes smaller though as it’s been nice having my too tight jeans fit again 🙂

Cathy – I agree with everyone’s advice about taking care of yourself. And a good idea DCT to maybe try 5:2. I’m thinking of doing the same myself, as it will fit in better with the usual end of year get togethers and functions.

Yowzer – well done on your loss :). And Arctic Fox I’m impressed with your fasting!

I spent some time in the kitchen today, I made some cinammon stewed apples, had some apples to use up that I’d bought for my daughter and she hadn’t eaten, and I hate waste, so they’ll be nice in my porridge or with yoghurt. Also cooked some left over berries and made compote, again good for overnight oats or porridge. Speaking of overnight oats, when I was ill I spent time online shopping on Amazon (as you do!) and I bought these glass overnight oat containers that came with a spoon attached to the jar. They looked so cute in the image but I was surprised how big they are, each container really holds 2 servings, so a bit big for my usual breakfast. But I think they’ll be good for salads and other foods anyway.

Well it’s almost 8.30pm here and I’m ready for bed! I’ll write a proper update in the next few days… can’t believe that in 4 weeks time it will be Christmas Day! 🎅 🌲 🎁