Oh, I always have some to share, lol, but I’ll restrain myself and post no more than one a week! Except, since you asked - a photo I took today on my way to work

My latest favourite light day concoction: frozen broccoli (gently steamed) with Raman flavor packet (chicken). A lot of sodium, but my home made soups ( generally my other light day food) have very little, so I'm still good!

Yeah, light day here.

So this is a first that I’m happy to report! I had a light day today and it is just before bedtime. And I am not hungry at all! Whether my body is just getting used to a couple of days being very light or I chose wisely in my eating today, I don’t know.

I am becoming convinced, however, that I should just have pretty much a set meal plan for the two light days. Whereas I cannot stand pre-planning meals, generally, it does seem to make all the difference on the light days. And since it is only the light days that I’m planning, I don’t feel so fenced in.

At this point the best I feel on light days is when I have soup and broccoli for lunch and different soup and broccoli for dinner. Add in some protein powder “creamer” in my coffee and I’m done. And this is working fine, but I’m pretty sure I will not ever eat soup or broccoli on non light days!

Hope everyone’s doing well this week! @meghan509 I am with you! It is amazing to realize that this is already December!

@jknight001 I'm sorry to hear of your medical issues! I would definitely take it easy until you recover.

@ryenday that is a great thought about having a fixed menu for light days. I think that's the way to go for me because I can't just "wing it". I think planning also gives me something to look forward to if I can make that day have something special that other days don't have. I definitely need to think about that.

@Meghan509 I'm with you - this week, next week, and the week after are going to be regular weeks. Then the week before Christmas through New Year's I think I am taking a break from 5:2. That doesn't mean I'm going off the deep end, just taking a "diet break". It's more disheartening for me to try to diet and fail then to just agree not to diet and then get back on the horse come January, plus I am usually motivated right after Christmas/New Year's to get back on it.

I have kind of fallen off the wagon with running since I finished Couch to 5K a couple of weeks ago. Even when I've been very fit, I've never been a big fan of running. Spinning is my thing, but the studio I loved closed, and gyms around me are either way too much money, too far away, and/or don't have classes that suit my schedule. I used to have a Spin bike at home but couldn't stand doing it by myself! My husband and I have been trying for a couple of years to figure out how to get a weight set at home to begin heavy lifting, but in the meantime, do any of you have any good ideas for at-home workouts? I think the only thing I've ever done consistently in my life was Leslie Sansone's Walk Away the Pounds (back in the early 2000s), and I suppose I could do that again, but something fresh would be nice. (Please no Jillian Michaels.) I could just do fast walking outside, and I may still do that, but I would still love some suggestions. Thanks in advance!

RBXChas wrote: »

It's more disheartening for me to try to diet and fail then to just agree not to diet and then get back on the horse come January, plus I am usually motivated right after Christmas/New Year's to get back on it.

@RBXChas This is SO true for me! And it has taken me years to understand what it means and how to work it to my advantage. I think your plans for December, therefore, are wise. Mine are similar, I will ‘diet break’ the last two weeks. To me this is: keeping up exercise (but maybe swim only one or two times that week instead of three or four) still doing 5:2 (and 16:8), but relaxing my weekly calorie allotted to my projected maintenance. X-mas eve and day will be freebies for me - anything goes but don’t make yourself sick.

@jknight001 it will be a challenge to ‘keep it cool’ because I host Christmas this year for 12 adults and three teenagers. But honestly I’m looking forward to the Christmas craziness. My mom died a few years ago and I’ve been in a bad place since then. This is really the first Christmas spirit I’ve had since I lost her. I am going to try to enjoy doing all of the Christmasy things - It is not likely that I’ll be hosting again, as the nieces are growing up - they really aren’t so far from having their own families so this ‘tradition’ is probably coming to an end. ... Wow I just reread that paragraph and it sounds kind of depressing – that is not what I want to say at all, I am really full of Christmas spirit and enjoying the season very much this year for the first time in a long time!

And @jknight001 do take it slow! That sounds like quite an ordeal and you probably will be well served to ease back into the swing! Glad you are on the mend!

@RBXChas Home workout: for strength I liked Mark Lauren YAYOG (bodyweight exercise - apps and books) but my disabilities did not let me stick with that program- maybe someday. For cardio, well, it is a bit embarrassing but I am totally in love with my rebounder (mini trampoline). Sometimes my sessions are just jump and play, sometimes I modify Zumba moves I see in you tube videos, and sometimes it is a jumping jack/ marching fest. It always feels like I’m cheating tho, it is too much fun to count as exercise.

I think your spin cycle would be perfect for some Quick HIIT sessions, too.

Also, I think I’m going to try to come up with two basic types of light day meal menus. My Soup and broccoli meal and something else. That way I can stay in control, yet have some choice. I’m going to peruse Meghan’s recipes and see if I can find something that sounds good that I can freeze for reheating like I do with the soups and broccoli meal.

@Meghan509 I admit, I purchased an indulgence or two while X-mas shopping on line. My job is giving us a small amount of financial wiggle room, my weight is down almost 40lbs and I’m pretty happy right now. So, I really wanted that scarf and well fitted shirt I can wear to work! Lol. On the other hand, except for a few necessary purchases like shoes that were not falling apart, I haven’t just splurged on something for myself in ages - so I refuse to feel guilty.

I’m not going to focus on weight loss this December but sure would be glad to see the scale move down too, Meghan!

I also send my greetings to @mamainthekitchen, @Marmitegeoff, and @KateNkognito. Hope y’all are doing well.

Cin Cin a tutti!

Rye

Hey, y'all! Crazy times here! These days between the holidays are... well, let's just say my job is definitely not boring this time of year.
Fasting? What fasting? Part of me wants to just throw it all put the window until after the holidays, but the sensible part says if I want to make my goal, I have to at least maintain. And that means fasting and laying off the chocolates at least a little.
I feel bad that I don't have time to comment to everyone, but I need sleep and I am pretty sure one of the little darlings over shared their germs. Keep up the good work! Happy fasting!

Light day here too! Roasted carrot soup with ginger and cucumber salad for lunch. Raman flavored broccoli and minestrone for dinner.

November gave me 5.2 lb weight loss - less than October but still double the rate I lost per month pre 5:2. I find that pretty shocking, I lost in two months 5:2 the same weight I lost in 5 months regular dieting. Approx the same weekly calories for all those months!

I have 12 lb to lose to make it into Normal BMI for my height. My goal is to get there before end of February- obviously earlier would be good. Still thinking of going on modified Blood Sugar Diet for January. That would be a 5:2 version with potatoes. (Eliminating potatoes from my diet is always hangry making for me, probably my hearty Irish peasant genes kicking in s.). So I’d keep 2 500 cal days and then do Mediterranean +potatoes the other days.

I don’t know what my subsequent goal is, probably to find a happy/maintenance weight. But this goal first!

Have a good fast day, y’all who are fasting today!

My husband forgot it was my light day and started cooking some Chicken Tikka Masala last night. He did remember that I don’t like Curry’s made with cream, however and substituted coconut milk. I had about 280-350 calories left, so I ate the chicken for dinner. Yummy! I will input the recipe into MFP today, but I think it might just make the light day cut if I forego the sauce and rice. (No hardship here, I love the flavorful chicken but don’t need sauce and rice to feel satisfied).

It is DECEMBER! Gagh and YAY - lol I may have a split personality on this one, lol.

Hoping y’all doing well! And that you had a good fast day yesterday for those who fast on Thursdays.

@Meghan509 Do check those inches! Starting up weight training is likely to confuse the scale ( the muscles, b/c they are using more glycogen hold on to water or something) but I bet since you say the clothes feel better and you are getting compliments that the inches will show a better reflection of your progress!

December goals: my weight yesterday was 155lb. I want my end of December weight to be less ( even by only ounces) I want to swim 8 miles, I want to have 8 successful fast days, I want to strength train 8-12 times and I want to get in 12 HIIT exercise sessions. I want to savor the holidays and not sweat the small stuff!

Well, I have reached my first goal of 155. Weighed in at 154.6 (70.12kg ) today! (I am beginning to believe @ryenday and I are 5:2 twins. ) I am sure of that is due to my hospital vacation where they treated me to IV drip pairings with my meds until my intestines started to behave themselves. Either way, I am thrilled! On to my next goal of 145 (65.77kg).

@RBXChas Do they have great spin videos out there on YouTube? The type that make you feel like you are part of the Tour de France or something like that? I was thinking that since you like spinning, being part of an exciting race might get your exercise mojo back. You could even set up a fan to blow the wind in your face! OK, I know I am going overboard here.

@KateNkognito - Since you are in a super busy season, how about some mini-goals for this month? Like 1/2 your usual chocolate count for the day? Or doing 5:1 or 5:.5? I find that when I am overloaded, doing small things keep me in the game until I can do more.

@Marmitegeoff - Nice pic! Is that blue sky I see in England? I too am wondering about the UK's reaction to Prince Harry's choice. Are they put off with an American bride or do they love her? We only know what the press tells us here but sometimes the general population has a different opinion than the press, if you know what I mean. How have you been feeling? Are you back to your normal routine?

@Meghan509 - Love how you are loving your new workout routine. Getting stronger, looking fitter. Losing 70lbs shows your grit and determination. Nothing sadder looking than someone who loses a bunch of weight by losing both fat and muscle. Just a skeleton with lose fitting skin. You will have gorgeous muscles along with your weight loss. Dream Summer 2018. You will be beach ready by then, girlfriend!

@ryenday - Love Indian food. Please post the Chicken Tikki Masala recipe when you have time. You inspire me. Just putting one foot in front of the other, trucking down the weight loss road. Love your specific goals for December. With such thought put into your goals you have a good chance of hitting them.

I am beginning to feel better after my hospital vacation. My tummy pain is slowly going away. I think I will be ready to fast on my regular days next week, Monday and Thursday, as well as restart my exercise routine. My plan for December is to stick as close as I can to 5:2 and my exercise schedule until the 23rd and then take a break between 12/24-1/2. My son doesn't go back to school until the 8th. Would love to have a looong 5:2 vacation but I think that would not be good for me in the end so I will probably wade back in to 5:2 and exercise after the 1st.

Hope y'all have a great weekend! Be kind to yourselves. You are a work in progress.

Hello everyone...just popping in and I see a lot of banner worthy pics. I just added a striking river at dusk landscape from @Foamroller a few days ago, but the leaf and the autumn forest images should fit the banner format (610x200) well. Hopefully we can get them in before the new year. We have an abundance of winter banners from previous years that also set the mood for the season, so it's going to be a tough choice.

If I don't make it back in the next few weeks, have a wonderful holiday season.