I have a very bad habit of discovering some fabulous diet/fitness/wellness/happiness plan, proclaiming it to the world and then giving you a blank stare next week when you ask me about it. But this is a weight maintenance protocol that I've been following for two months with surprising ease and success.

A British doctor, Michael Mosley, came up with what he calls the 5-2 plan, where you eat like a sane person but without agonizing over calories or carbs for five days a week. The other two days you restrict yourself to 800 calories. I've charted a list of healthful foods and their calorie counts and at the beginning of each 800-calorie day come up with a plan. If I'm under my desired weight, I do one day only, otherwise two days. Dr. Mosley wants you to combine this with some version of fasting. My own definition of "fasting" is more than four hours without a fork. Twelve hours isn't a fast, it's a famine. So I skip this part. His original version of this plan called for 500 calories instead of 800. I'm guessing there were too many reports of adherents fainting and falling in front of speeding cars for that to be viable.

P.S. Don't bother buying any of the good doctor's books; he's somehow managed to parlay an idea that can pretty much be condensed on a 5x7 index card into a book publishing empire. You can find plenty of free information on Pinterest on this topic.

@HoneyBadger302 sounds like you have a very busy weekend coming up. I hope you're able to find some down time for relaxation.
@RobinAlex666 I'm in the same camp as you and the others, tracking is a pain but well worth the effort.
@Antiopelle sorry to hear about your MIL. I hope she gets the help and treatment she'll be needing.
@mandycat_florida sounds like an interesting maintenance plan - and I'm with you on the fasting schedule. I don't know how others do those long fasts.
@SherryRueter I hope your Mom and Dad area able to get your Dad the right care in the right place.

@mandycat_florida I think i had about 8 billion calories between Friday night and sunday night also. I have NOOOOO intention of weighing myself for several days. I really don't see anything GOOD coming out of knowing that number. But yeah, I'm also tightening up the reigns .... I figure I had 8 billion calories so a 333k of 1200 should balance that out nicely.

Meals are all planned in my fitness food app.
Today's are all cooked and prepared.

Just have to put aside time to do tomorrows.

Happy monday yall.

My dad is in worse condition today. Moved to a larger hospital - that should help. I'll sumarize to say "he is in criticle condition".

I succumbed to chick-fil-a on the road trip down to NC and some ice cream. Still lower weight than when I left two weeks ago and still intermittent fasting. Today was my real first day trying to be mindful of my cholesterol so eating more veggies and less meat.

Hubby has a cardiologist/vascular surgeon friend who agreed with my pcp. Given my genetics, it’s unlikely any healthier lifestyle is going to positively impact my levels. So - looks like a statin is in my future. Arrrgh!

New week y’all. We can get this all in check!! 💪💪

Age: 39
SW: 133
GW: 125

Feb 1: 133
Feb 7: 131.8
Feb 14: 130.6

Happy with this weeks loss. However, it’s because now that I’m focusing on protein intake, I CAN’T get all my calories in. I’m always full and feel like I’m forcing myself to eat.😫 For some this would be a great problem to have, but I’m trying to gain muscle mass and it unlikely to happen this way. This week I’m starting to focus a little more on my lifting and less on cardio.

@k8richly Sorry you were under the weather! I know you’d have like to see a loss, but the fact that you didn’t gain while you were sick AND ate Superbowl goodies is a huge win in my book!

@spl8 Good luck with your goals! I’m trying to up my strength training as well.

I've probably posted this long-winded "How to Eat a Ton of Veggies" recipe before. But getting our veggies down in the large amounts many of us try for can be tough. I made a giant batch of this creamless cream soup yesterday which is what reminded me.

I simmer whatever vegetables I have on hand, fresh and/or frozen, in broth until soft. Then I put one-third to one-half in my high speed blender and reduce it to a puree. Set that aside and very briefly pulse the remaining soup before combining it with the puree, seasoning as needed. I freeze the batch in serving sized containers then thaw a serving out as desired and top it with some kind of protein.

You'd be amazed at how quickly the vegetables in your fridge and/or freezer disappear. This soup makes for a very quick lunch or, if you're a weirdo like me, a satisfying cold weather breakfast.

44, F, 5' 7"
GW: 128-135(ish - TBD)
SW 01-2023: 157.6

2/1/23: 153.4
2/8/23: 152.8
2/15/23: 153.2
Trip to Florida went well - other than I failed my 75 Hard challenge on the day we went down there - completely spaced finishing my reading before bed (1.5 pages was all that was left ) despite a couple things to "remind" myself still managed to space on it. So was back to Day 1 the next day.
Oh well, trying to make this a lifestyle anyways, and my why doesn't have an end date in 75 days or even a year, so just more time to build habits and routines and make that mindset shift I so desperately need to make permanent.
My sister did get a killer photo of me though when we got up for a sunrise photo shoot she wanted to do for her travel blog/IG stuff - I love the pic (even though I still have plenty of fat to lose and muscle to build, she got a fantastic shot).

@honeybadger302 that is a fantastic photo! You are where most of women wish they were. I totally "get it" ... I'm there too... just a little more here, and there.... I think media is to blame, never satisfied with the reflection.

@K8Richly I decided to weigh this morning after my workout. I talked to myself in the mirror (a mel robbins thing...) and said stuff like, It really doesn't matter what that number is. I did amazing today, and yesterday and, I can lift really heavy crap! (also this sinus issue i have going on...man o man). It was okay. I'm at 108. wanna be 104 (would be freaky to be 101 again....) but I really enjoy how easily I can mantain 106-108. ITs super simple and flexible. So....maybe...just maybe I'll start working on being strong. Lifting heavy sh***t and just being satisfied that my clothes fit no matter what. And they sell those in a larger size if needed.

Thanks for the Dad advice also. I did call him...now he wants me to visit ... did he forget thats a 13hour drive one way? I'm so tempted to get in the car friday and do it.

@HoneyBadger302 you look phenomenal! And your sister really caught a great photo with your pose and the scenery beyond, just beautiful.
@mandycat_florida the soup sounds good and really easy to put together - I love recipes that are flexible so you can put in anything you happen to have around.
@RobinAlex666 you're so close to your goal - keep up the great work.
@SherryRueter a 13 hour ride is tough, especially if you're going solo. But, happy traveling if you decide to go!!
My yoga instructor told us today that she's moving and next week will be her last week teaching the class . I'm so bummed out, I really love this class, and I just set up a good weekly workout routine around those days. Now I'll have to rearrange everything if I want to take the Wed/Fri classes.
On a happier note, I signed up for a writing workshop and the first class was yesterday. Seems like it's going to be a fun class, and there are only nine of us so we should have some good critique discussions.

@SparkSpringtime69 - How much yoga do you do each week? How long is each session. Moreover.... If I started doing 20ins a 2 days a week.... that would be good, right?


Yup- were headed north. I hope the weather is good for the days we drive. Boss is on board with my plan. Completely not an easy trip. Hoping its just the reset I need for nutrition. I want to keep mindful of the choices I make and do the "eat if hungry" method. Reminds me of my younger self who did the "diet pop diet" where I could have all the diet soda I wanted....Pretty sure I kept food pretty low (below 1200). man, think how horrible that is to one's health!

I am thinking of bringing my insta pot along so I could potentially cook a meal a day also. Not as much eating out that way. And hey, a roast would taste good as well as be really easy. and its below 30 degrees there so left overs could freeze in the car LOL.....

CeeBeeSlim wrote: »

Hi All. Reached a milestone today at 125 lbs. Next one is 120 and will reassess from there.

Congrats! I'm super envious of your victory!

I hope to be able to report a loss also....so far nothing because I have NOT been compliant.

They say that overcoming the struggle during the hard times is when a champion is made. When REAL habits make the difference. When real discipline and strength is found. I hope to find that the next 7 days.

Hope everyone had a good weekend and is rocking on their Monday! Weather was great this weekend, so Saturday was my riding lesson, and Sunday headed to the mountains for some moto-time. Had a nicely spirited ride with a solid little group of older-bolder riders (aka, generally less likely to be dumb), although the "squidbillies" are making an appearance already...
SQUID in the moto world has a couple meanings, but the most common is Stupidly Quick, Underdressed, Imminently Dead (or dumb). Basically, it's riders who waaay over estimate their abilities, are trying to keep up with their buddies/that faster rider, and do not have the skill, experience, or judgement to safely do so. While any rider can be prone to it, or have moments where we fall into that trap, generally the younger male population on sport bikes, or cruiser riders trying to show off for the camera are the most prone to succumb to being a "squid."
Got up this morning and so far doing okay despite a late night last night - will need to make an effort to get to bed at a decent time, but dinner will be easy, so that will help.
Buddy got a couple candid shots yesterday: