Frump to Fab - Sizzling Summer Solstice to Awesome Autumn Equinox

Savvy_sewing

Just a query about the fasting. I thought that it was better to eat earlier in the day, and not so late at night.? So having breakfast is better for you, and then having a bigger meal at lunchtime if its possible, and a smaller/ snack type meal for the evening? Would that not be better for you? Then you are not going to bed with a full stomach etc, the calories will be burned off during the day and then you will have a better start to the day, and have more energy to get you through the morning? I may be wrong but that was what I thought was the optimum way of eating.?

Hope you have a brilliant holiday WW. I am off on the 26th for 13 days. Cant wait. But still cannot think which clothes to take, and as the luggage allowance is only 15kg I think, I am really not sure I am going to be able to take much. Will have to wash and wear I suppose. Capsule wardrobe needed probably. No idea where to begin with that one.
My nails are rather ruined from cleaning the deepfat fryer yesterday. They went rather soft in the hot water and I lost a few of the longer ones. Time to trim them all short and start again. So close to the holidays as well.

faithless

WW have a fab hol.

Bitsy, I would have though mooloo is right, if all you are doing is skipping breakfast, which is what your 8pm-noon fast sounds like -unless you work nights and eat your meals all through the night or something?- then you'd presumably be better off skipping/having a light dinner and having food during the day for energy?
It just doesn't really sound like you're fasting, just skipping breakfast. I regularly skipped breakfast and would have eaten dinner around 7, and that made me fat not thin! Good luck anyway, I'm sure someone who lnows more about diet than me will be along soon.

lessonlearned

Good morning Everyone

I'm doing a mini fast today too.

To be truly accurate I think the term fast is slightly misplaced. A true fast would be nothing except water - the same as if you were preparing your body for surgery.

My understanding of the Horizon programme and the 5:2 regime is that it advocates not a true fast when nothing passes your lips but a calorie reduction - in this case down to about 600 cals - just for that day. You can split the 2 days up, or they can be concurrent. I am trying splitting mine.

I will eat around 200 cals at around 11am and then 400 cals at around 7pm. I tried it last Friday and felt fine, no headaches, dizzy spells or faintness.

As I understand it the 16:8 fast is actually a proper fast, nothing but water and black or green tea for 16 hours and then you can eat during the remaining 8. I think if you are going to fast for 16 hours then 8pm to 12 noon makes good sense.

Re the breakfast rule. I think many people - myself included - find that tucking into a hearty breakfast just makes us even more hungry and makes it very difficult to restrict our food intake throughout the rest of the day.

I know the old maxim is "Breakfast like a King, Lunch Like a Prince and Dine Like a Pauper". Perhaps Bitsy is like me. I just can't do this. If I breakfast like a king then I'm ravenous all day:rotfl:.

I think that probably what really counts is your overall food intake over a period of 24 hours. We know that 1lb of body fat equates to 3500 calories, so if you restrict your calorie intake by 3500 calories over a week, then you should be able to lose 1lb a week. At least that's the theory - whether or not it works for everyone is debatable.

I think that having a cut off point of 8pm shouldn't be too late, many countries eat their evening meal very late.

In Spain they eat at 9 or even 10pm. The Spaniards are always very amused by Brits who want their dinner at 6pm, to them a meal that early would equate with our afternoon tea which for us is usually around 4pm.

The Spaniards have two breakfasts. Something very light when rising and then another at around 11am, followed by a substantial lunch at around 2 to 3pm, a light snack at around 6 or 7pm and then finally a late dinner. Madrillanos (folk who live in Madrid) often don't eat until 11pm.

Everyone is different and I really don't think that there are any hard and fast rules. I think it's trial and error.

A later evening meal helps me with the "evening munchies" and stops night time carb cravings. The only "danger" might be that eating late may disturb sleep patterns. If you try to sleep on a very full tummy you might end up with indigestion. I think you probably need to allow a couple of hours to allow your food to digest before sleeping.

Bitsy - you can only try it and see how it works for you. Good luck and keep us informed...

Today I'm off to Physio and then to see OH later. He is having another "driving lesson" for his powered wheel chair.:rotfl:

I've just completed a "Limited Capability for Work Questionnaire" form for him to send to ATOS. Oh to be a fly on the wall when they receive it - I would love to see their faces when they read it.

"I cannot sit unsupported, I cannot feed, wash or dress myself, I need two or three people to operate a hoist to move me, I am losing control of my bowels and bladder, I cannot speak....., I cannot turn over in bed, someone has to do this for me so I do not develop pressure sores"

I have already told them all this and that he lives in a nursing home...... What larks.;)

lizzie157

Bitsy_Beans wrote: »

So I am giving fasting a go. Except I am not doing the full two days layout, I am fasting for 16 hours, going from 8pm at night to midday. Every day. I just think for me that is more doable........I gguess time will tell. So am sitting here drinking a black tea as I am not sure I can drink black coffee :rotfl: about to go and walk the hound in a moment. Not loads of fabbing going on. Exercise is minimal with the kids being at home. They've really thrown my routine out of whack and it's made me feel all over the shop
Felt exhausted last night, too many late nights over the weekend so went to bed at 10pm and didn't sleep too bad. Gonna do the same for rest of week and save late nights for weekends maybe.

Fabbing that needs doing is nails need a file and a buff. Paint my toe nails and skin feels really oily lately so OCM tonight too.

Hugs all round, have a great day everyone x

Good luck with the fasting. Was going to have my fasting day yesterday but ate too many calories - not the full amount though so not too bad, will have today as a fasting day instead and try again. Have come down with a summer cold though and not really feeling like fabbing at all.
Agree with you about routine when school hols are on. Its been the same here dogwalking aside very little exercising going on.:o

lessonlearned wrote: »

Good morning Everyone

I'm doing a mini fast today too.

To be truly accurate I think the term fast is slightly misplaced. A true fast would be nothing except water - the same as if you were preparing your body for surgery.

My understanding of the Horizon programme and the 5:2 regime is that it advocates not a true fast when nothing passes your lips but a calorie reduction - in this case down to about 600 cals - just for that day. You can split the 2 days up, or they can be concurrent. I am trying splitting mine.

I will eat around 200 cals at around 11am and then 400 cals at around 7pm. I tried it last Friday and felt fine, no headaches, dizzy spells or faintness.

As I understand it the 16:8 fast is actually a proper fast, nothing but water and black or green tea for 16 hours and then you can eat during the remaining 8. I think if you are going to fast for 16 hours then 8pm to 12 noon makes good sense.

Re the breakfast rule. I think many people - myself included - find that tucking into a hearty breakfast just makes us even more hungry and makes it very difficult to restrict our food intake throughout the rest of the day.

I know the old maxim is "Breakfast like a King, Lunch Like a Prince and Dine Like a Pauper". Perhaps Bitsy is like me. I just can't do this. If I breakfast like a king then I'm ravenous all day:rotfl:.

I think that probably what really counts is your overall food intake over a period of 24 hours. We know that 1lb of body fat equates to 3500 calories, so if you restrict your calorie intake by 3500 calories over a week, then you should be able to lose 1lb a week. At least that's the theory - whether or not it works for everyone is debatable.

I think that having a cut off point of 8pm shouldn't be too late, many countries eat their evening meal very late.

In Spain they eat at 9 or even 10pm. The Spaniards are always very amused by Brits who want their dinner at 6pm, to them a meal that early would equate with our afternoon tea which for us is usually around 4pm.

The Spaniards have two breakfasts. Something very light when rising and then another at around 11am, followed by a substantial lunch at around 2 to 3pm, a light snack at around 6 or 7pm and then finally a late dinner. Madrillanos (folk who live in Madrid) often don't eat until 11pm.

Everyone is different and I really don't think that there are any hard and fast rules. I think it's trial and error.

A later evening meal helps me with the "evening munchies" and stops night time carb cravings. The only "danger" might be that eating late may disturb sleep patterns. If you try to sleep on a very full tummy you might end up with indigestion. I think you probably need to allow a couple of hours to allow your food to digest before sleeping.

Bitsy - you can only try it and see how it works for you. Good luck and keep us informed...

Today I'm off to Physio and then to see OH later. He is having another "driving lesson" for his powered wheel chair.:rotfl:

I've just completed a "Limited Capability for Work Questionnaire" form for him to send to ATOS. Oh to be a fly on the wall when they receive it - I would love to see their faces when they read it.

"I cannot sit unsupported, I cannot feed, wash or dress myself, I need two or three people to operate a hoist to move me, I am losing control of my bowels and bladder, I cannot speak....., I cannot turn over in bed, someone has to do this for me so I do not develop pressure sores"

I have already told them all this and that he lives in a nursing home...... What larks.;)

I'm the same with the breakfast, tbh have never really eaten it regularly and once I eat it I keep eating all day. I'm not sure if I've lost anything with the 5:2 diet but I have considerably lowered my snacking/calorie intake over the week so that can't be a bad thing. Am a bit worried about weighing myself though as when I've weighed myself in the past and not got the desired result it justs results in a binge.
Wish I could be a fly on the wall at ATOS too. Shouldn't have to keep repeating things though you've enough on your plate without fighting them at every turn. Watched the programme (Dispatches channel 4) last night, and was expecting it to be a claimant bashing prog, but in fact it pointed out just how useless the jobcentre is. The fact that they set you tasks on how many jobs etc you must apply for, updating your cv etc and then they don't even look at them properly! One man wrote his shopping list to check it out and it wasn't picked up on. Seeing the director of jobcentreplus squirming was a sight to behold. Things were pointed out to her and she tried to make out they were one offs but a former employee disputed it and many of her claimants disputed it too. The main point seemed to be if you want a job stay away from the jobcentre.

Well off to walk the dog see if it makes me feel any better and then off to collect a couple of pet rats for DD2 ( dad won't be pleased!) -she's been warned she must look after them or they'll be out the door so not sur how long we'll have em. Have a good day.

Bitsy_Beans

Prudent wrote: »

Bitsy Beans what is OCM?

OCM is Oil Cleansing Method.

http://www.theoilcleansingmethod.com/

I have combination skin so using degreasers etc on my skin just makes it produce more oil.


Thanks for the comments re the "fasting". I have done some reading up on the subject and I know Just A Girl on the fasting thread does this method. I wasn't sure the two day fast would suit me. And I certainly don't intend on gorging myself at 8pm at night either. I am going to still practice mindful eating, be self defeating to overeat at tea time. We as a family eat our main meal in the evening, always have done but I never go to sleep feeling as though I have eaten a massive meal. We don't eat a starter or pudding, just the main meal.

I have normally eaten breakfast but TBH having breakfast, with a cup of tea has sometimes made me feel even stuffed so am thinking perhaps breakfast isn't for me. And it may well make me eat more as by mid morning I feel the urge to snack. Not felt that at all so far.
Anyway I shall see how it goes. Rest assured if I experience any negative side effects I shall rethink it.

maman

:wave: morning all.

Didn't get on here yesterday (more of that later) so lots of lovely fab chat to think about.

In no particular order:

Sorry I didn't get to wish you Bon Voyage ww, but did think of you. So if you log on then hope you're having a great time in the sun!:)

LL, delighted your sister's party went off well and you enjoyed yourself. I think you and faith (I'm dispensing with the less bit, except for the 4lbs:T) are very brave thinking about Olympic sports. Didn't I hear that one of the showjumping people was well into his fifties and had loads of health issues like needing a hip replacement and a broken back in the past? Maybe some form of riding is possible.

I'm not sure about the fasting/restricted calorie discussion. I can see that keeping your food for later in the day would help because most people are relaxing then and munchies can become a problem. But I can see the argument for needing to burn it off. I suppose while 600 cals isn't much, but if you eat the right things (like I'm going to have a pile of stir fried veg for my lunch) then you don't need to starve. Strangely bitsy I find that 'speciality' teas are easy to drink black. I frequently have Earl Grey when I'm out and when I'm in Turkey I never have milk because that's they way it's done locally. And of course, there's the fact that you can 'eat' your exercise calories. I think that's brilliant. Overall I think what's needed is a plan and stick to it. I don't weigh at home as I know I'd become obsessed. I go by how my smallest jeans feel (and today they're feeling tight:o).

Prudent, It's so depressing when clothes you like don't fit. I'd suggest you pack away the ones you like most/most expensive/classic and just limit yourself to a small wardrobe of things that fit now. Then really go for the weightloss and gradually work down the sizes. Have you got a big target in mind?

mooloo, I didn't find the 15kg too bad for my last holiday (10 days). Generally I come in at about 13kg and leaves some room for any shopping I want to do. Is that just for your stuff? The heaviest things were toiletries, books, shoes and my hairdryer. I can't do without the hairdryer (hotel ones are never good enough for me). I really tried to be sensible with limiting the toiletries by taking small/half empty bottles of things like conditioner and shampoo. I wore my heaviest clothes and shoes (ballet pumps) and then took 2 pairs of sandals, one for pool and one for going out (resort I go to is hilly so heels are a waste of time). I've seriously thought of a Kindle because I can't holiday without books, maybe next year. Fortunately, clothes for sunshine holidays tend to be fairly lightweight.

mrg, I'm on a mission to look after my hair. It can be the most expensive part of fabbing in terms of cut but I think it's worth it. After that, lots of people colour their own but I don't think general care like deep conditioning is that expensive. I buy a deep conditioner but I'm sure LL could recommend something HM and natural.

DH and I had a lovely day out yesterday for our anniversary. Weather wasn't the kindest but not too bad. We went to American Museum in Bath. DH and I met on a course at Bath University so it seemed apt. Had a nice drive through countryside (saw a golden postbox in Bradford-on-Avon for kayak man) then stopped for dinner. Not a very diet friendly dinner, but lovely all the same.:D

Bitsy_Beans

Evening ladies, muggy night tonight :eek:

Well this morning went well without food. Can't say at any point felt overly hungry, did clock watch a bit but think that was more to do with change in routine. Had lunch, fancied a tin of soup and bread. Didnt over eat (but didn't shy away from feeding either) and then about 2 hours after I felt awful. Blood sugar dropped, felt sick and had a headache (and I had plenty to drink all morning). Ended up needing a sweet cup of tea, a banana and paracetamol to make me feel human will give this a go for a couple more days but if it's messing up my blood sugar will have to give this fasting a re think

Maman you heard correct, Nick Skelton is 54 and has had knee and hip replaced and needs his back working on. Besides Zara Phillips he's the only one I knew and that was only because my horsemad childhood friend had posters of him on her wall :rotfl:

Lizzie hope your cold clears up soon xx

Hope you're having a pleasant evening x

fedupandskint

Shred done today for day 8 meaning only 2 more to go and its done!

Not that much of a fab day today however a long dog walk and Shred certainly made me feel better

Shred again tomorrow

maman

fedupandskint wrote: »

Shred done today for day 8 meaning only 2 more to go and its done!

Not that much of a fab day today however a long dog walk and Shred certainly made me feel better

Shred again tomorrow

You're a star:T and I expect your exercise (including the dog walking) must raise your mood too. Well done.

lessonlearned

Hi Everyone

Bitsy - I'm sorry to hear that your attempt at fasting ended with a blinding headache.

Now I don't profess to be a nutritionist or diet expert but I'm wondering if it is not so much the actual fast but what you ate when your broke your fast which caused all the trouble.

You said you had tomato soup (was this tinned or homemade) and bread (was this white or wholemeal).

If you had tinned tomato soup and white bread this may well have upset you - chemicals and preservatives in the tinned soup and white bread on an empty stomach might have just been too much for your system. The fact that two hours later you had to have sweet tea and a banana to make you feel human would suggest that you are having problems with carb cravings.

I know that carbs can cause spikes and troughs with blood sugar levels and this can make you feel pretty awful.

Would you perhaps have been better to break your fast with some protein, say scrambled egg on toast, or an omelette. Protein helps you stay fuller longer and helps avoids fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Just an idea.

Like I said earlier I really think it is trial and error, what suits one person may not suit another. Perhaps your body cannot cope with fasts. If your blood sugar dips easily you might be better to eat more regularly.

I am really trying to listen to my body and work out what suits me best. I now know for certain that any form of wheat just doesn't suit me, not only does it play havoc with my digestive system I too get blinding headaches.

Since reducing my wheat intake I have had fewer headaches and less muscle and joint pain. I'm still struggling with IBS but I think that is because I am rather stressed at the moment.

(OH is still unwell - his ulcerative colitis is not responding to the steroids and it's beginning to look like surgery is his only option - poor sausage).

I am now trying to go completely grain free for a while and see what happens. I will cut out all wheat, oatmeal, and rice as some nutritionists advise, then re-introduce a little at a time and see what I can and cannot tolerate. I seem to be fine with potatoes and starchy root vegetables such as carrots, parsnips etc so can I use those instead so as not to deprive myself of all carbs and maintain a healthy balance.

Today my mini fast has gone quite well - although I have gone over the 600 cals - about 700. I'm not going to worry about an extra 100 cals. No headaches or side effects.

Brunch was a 2-egg mushroom omelette with grilled tomatoes
Dinner was a small portion of chicken breast stirfried with loads of vegetables
Snacks - early am - my normal cholestrol reducing yoghurt drink and some melon
Supper - two water biscuits with a small slither of cheddar cheese

I think that sounds reasonably healthy

I'm trying to do my mini fasts on days when I am mainly home based but today it didn't work out that way - I had to dash around quite a bit so I probably needed extra energy so that's why I upped my calorie intake.

On my non-mini fast days I am going to aim for about 1500 to 1600 cals and just see how I go. My next mini fast will be Thursday.

I unexpectedly caught sight of myself in a mirror today:(I was dressed nicely and well groomed but I have to admit I do look very tired again and yes - I have to be honest - rather plump.

Must try harder....

G'night all X