HM2206 Member

New here! I've been doing 5:2 a few weeks now and I am so happy with it! Finally I have found a way that works well for me. This morning I tried on some old skirts that are too small and I was planning to sell on eBay, but now they fit! There is no better feeling :) Vacation is going to be a little tricky though, but my bf…

Does anyone have tips for good ab exercises that doesn't hurt/use your lower back? I have a slight asymmetry in my back and my lower back always hurt when I try to do ab exercises.

Calories are the only thing that affects my weight loss. I look at the sodium one though. I get bloated so easily, so I try to pay a little attention to it. I might lose but still look 3 months pregnant if I don't....

I use something called "kesam" which is a high protein dairy product - like a very thick greek yoghurt. Similar to "quark" I think. It's 74 kcal and 12 grams of protein per 100 grams. Just add some berries or sweetener, and it's a great snack. I often make sticks of carrots (41 kcal/100g) and make a dip with kesam and…

I checked my iron levels and they're fine. I'll call and ask what else the same blood test checked for. I do feel thirsty a lot, but I am drinking a lot of water.

So I should just get some at the pharmacy? I might start taking fish oil again as well, but there is no practical harm if I have too much?

It's possible I don't eat that much back of my exercise calories, but it's really hard to know exactly how much you burn! I tend to lowball it because I know it's easy to inaccurate the other way around.

I live in Norway and we have very little sunlight this time of year, so I have though of that. I googled foods with vitamin D, and I see salmon and egg yolks popped up, and I am eating quite a bit of that though. I used to take cod liver oil, maybe I should take that up again.

Everyone is different. Some people like to have low cal drinks, like vodka with some diet soda. That doesn't really work for me though. Spirits make me super hungry. I usually stick to wine, and preferably those with a lower sugar content. I count wine as a "treat" (instead of say, chocolate). I find the benefit that you…

I feel you, OP. I do make room for some wine in my calorie budget, but it does take up valuable food-space. I don't know what your "routine" is, but for me wine comes after dinner, like a treat with a movie. If I don't have a glass of wine, I feel like some other snacks. So I actually consume less calories having wine than…

Even if one doesn't qualify for BED, I think most people have had issues with binging at some point. For me, number one is to not keep bad foods in the house. In general, I have very little food in the home. Only exception is the freezer, and it takes too long to defrost anyway. I have a bit of dry goods, but generally…

So sorry for your loss! I lost my dad to cancer at a young age as well. It's normal that you won't focus on 'frivolous' things like diet when times are hard, I would rather focus on how healthy foods and exercise will help your mental health. Maybe spend time with someone close doing activities that are unrelated to food?…

I think dry white wine is better than sweet. Also, the lower alcohol percentage the less calories. I allow myself wine and work it into my calorie budget. It's high enough in calories that you can't drink unlimited - however, when I am exercising and cutting calories it takes much less to make me tipsy anyway, and I feel…

Am following this thread as well. At 5"9, with long legs, I feel like I could get pretty close. To be honest, some of the VS models are a little bit on the skinny side for me, meaning not enough shape or defined waists / butt. The best looking by far IMO is Candice Swanepoel. Her waist is just insane!

One tip I once came across was to train yourself to notice three attractive features on every woman you see. Over time, you will train your mind to see positives more than negatives.

Thanks for all your responses. I actually met with my mother after not haven seen her in a few weeks and she commented that I looked skinny. So I guess it was not my imagination. I have decided not to weigh in again before going on vacation (which is tomorrow) and trust the feedback (my mum is a harsh body critic, so I…

That's probably true. I am okay with some thing being unpredictable, but I feel like weight loss should be one of the more controllable things. Someone once told me that the great thing about the gym is that it's the one relationship where you get out of it what you put in (unlike romantic relationships, in which you may…

Yeah, that's very possible. My mother is the exact same way in regards to her own body, it's always been an issue, but I have never been anorexic or bulemic.

I get all of that, and it was clearly reflected in some comments. Nevertheless, I thought the issue at hand was one most have experienced regardless of weight situtation - "why is the scale not moving". Also, I do think everybody acts from their own starting point. You don't need to be filing for personal bankrupcy for…

I have had BMs, just not big ones. Besides, if there is less food going in, it does make sense that there is less to come out, or is that too a "complete lack of rationality"? Thanks anyway for the "friendly" advice.

[/quote] Wine instead of dinner will likely get the scales to go in the right direction (less food in your belly, more dehydrated). So if all it will take to make you happy is to see those scales move you should be good to go tomorrow! [/quote] I have actually not had very solid BMs recently...I heard flax seed oil can…

Ugh. The other scale is not old either, though. I'm renting out my flat and staying at my parents' place and decided to get a scale here too. I feel like a failure and am drowning my sorrows in wine (in lieu of dinner though). Still got a week until I'm leaving on vacation. Perhaps I can make a difference in the final…

I really do need to get a measuring tape.

Yes I thought about fluctations, but I thought I had though of everything. The scale is brand new - bought yesterday. My period is 10 days from now, so not PMSing yet. No shower, water or food before weighing. Might be sodium, some of the stuff I had yesterday was a little high in sodium...Bothers me that it should account…

Yes I thought that too, but I am numbers person, and I am starting to doubt whether it is real if I don't see it. I know that people tend to get a little 'blind' in regards to their own bodies, and now I am worried that I haven't actually lost anything :/

How much protein should one have though? Is there such a thing as too much? I have heard someone say that protein can be hard to break down. My daily goal is 1,600 calories, with 200 g carbs, 53 g fat and 80 g protein.

Maybe. Lets hope so. I had a "legs and bum" day at the gym yesterday and my bum is really sore today, so I know I got a good workout. I haven't had very large BMs either, maybe I am carrying some food around?

I am 5"9 and now 132 pounds. My thighs are the chubbiest part of me, and have really not changed much. My 60-year-old mum (also slim) has the same thighs. Genetics :( Living in hope though.

I do all these things too - I might have to get a counter to keep track. To my surprise I found out this morning that I have lost 1lb in the past week, which is more than I have set out to. Need to count for fluctuations though, but at least 1600 a day seems to work.

Yeah I guess. And for the vanity pounds - patience. I'm starting to feel leaner, though it takes time at a small deficit. And it costs.