Restarted 27th August week 1

Ok, so I have fasted on and off since my last entry, and it has, become so natural I don't notice I am doing it.

33 today and always try to set myself a challenge, so...

6 days a week fast from last evening meal to next day evening meal.

Fit 1250 calories into one meal.

Try and get my daily quota of nutrients into that meal.

Allow 3 coffees without sugar throughout the day.

Lots of water.

Here I go!!

Week 24

Certainly has been patchy for a, few weeks...not as 'on it'. One does, have to remember though, that this is for life, and I don't want to be, regimented at all.

I am currently developing my own plan to help others with a more natural way of losing weight, and, more importantly, keeping it off. It really is all about the power of the brain.

The no more diet plan group on facebook, if you would like to keep up to date. :-) 

Week 23- no diet plan

Not much change last week. Still fasting daily 15-18 hours, and have one day not doing.

Today I measured and weighed, 5 lb loss since last month, and 3"from my waist!

Week 22

I am going to be measuring, weighing, and photographing on the 22nd!!

The no diet plan works!!

Week 21

Mega busy so have not been able to find the time to update you all.

Things have changed a lot for me now, so much so, that I forget to update my blog, because what I do is natural!

I over-ate this weekend, and, when I say over ate, I mean I had a full on binge. Do you know what though, the old me would have given up after crap I consumed over the weekend, the new me remembered the, feeling during, and after, the cost, and the, fact it may have been necessary. Nobody can go through a journey like this one and not have a hiccup or 10 along the way.

I have also adapted fasting to fit in more comfortably with my life.

48 hours turned into 24, and 24 had turned into mostly 16 every day. I eat my last meal, finishing at 6pm and don't then eat until at least 10am. If my body does not ask for food at 10, i continue the fast. Today I had a, large lunch finishing at 1pm. I have not eaten since.

A tip I would give to anyone, is that this is a journey of discovery-don't be too rigid!

I now no longer drink. Never would I have thought I'd give that up!!

Keep it going!! :-)  :-)  :-) 

WEEK 20 continued

Mega proud!

1 hour none stop fc swim, managed 90.

1 hour walking up hill leaflet dropping.

5 reps of 30 squats

3 reps of 30 sec planks

11 reps 10 sec crunches

20 hour fast.

Starting to feel new muscle now!

I have also discovered that the more exercise I do the less I eat. Not because I don't want to waste the effort, but because I forget???

Come on! I want out of these, size 20s!!

WEEK 20

So, a new idea keeping my journey fresh. I would encourage everyone to shake up their fasting regimes as much as possible. Don't let your body get used to anything too long, or become bored!

24 hour fast Sunday afternoon through Monday afternoon. No eating after 6pm Monday to Friday until 10 am the following day resulting in 16 hour daily fast with 8 hour eating window... (subject to changing eating window, I shall let you know week 21).

Saturday is the only exception, though No alcohol, no takeaways, or dairy Chocolate!

Remember though to only eat food you truly enjoy, even if you do
t-total others!

Sound boring? It may, but I do so love challenges!

EXERCISE:

Plank challenge every night, 150 squats throughout the  day, 1 hour swim Monday to Friday lunch time and 1 hour evening swim Tues, Weds, and Friday.

Water bottle straight up to laptop for work time, and bed by 11pm. Rigid or what.

I WILL RESPECT MY MIND, BODY, AND SOUL!!

If only I could remember to keep track of my food intake with MyFitnessPal too!! Super control!! ;-) 

Week 19

Jiggling things up. Sunday didn't happen, so Tuesday is!

I am realising more and more more how flexible my fasting is! Still loving it.

On going

I have 2lb to go to 4 stone loss, in 18 weeks.

some days I want to eat everything in sight, some days I don't. If I weighed every week, I may find I even put on at some stages, but I don't because it's not about weekly weight goals for me, but about changing the way I think about food and eat forever. This way of thinking is me, for life. I am still learning, and it is a journey, but not one that I go through via faddy diets, but a regime that is sustainable.

I don't have anything I'm not 'allowed' but recognise those things that don't do my body any good, and I'd rather do without.

Week 18

Started my fast earlier today 1pm, means I will have a 5 hour eating window when I finish Monday.

Have let things slip a little the last week. Back on track today. :-)

Week 17

Didn't go too well, ended at 10th hour.

WEEK 17

As you all know, fasting is now for 24 hours rather than 48.

I am considering incorporating 2 24 hour fasts into one week, Sunday to Monday, and then Wednesday to Thursday. The joy of fasting is that because it is for life, I can change it about to suit my week socially. I would normally start fasting after my dinner, around 5pm on a Sunday for 24 hours, but yesterday I went to a friends house and to watch a movie, and we had popcorn, so I started my fast at around 10 last night. When I finish tonight, I will probably have a hot chocolate before bed, but won't eat anything until breakfast at the earliest. Recently though I don't eat breakfast, or anything after 5pm in the evening, so I may not even eat then.

Fasting has been a journey for me, and one which I can tweak (guilt free) along the way. It has also taught me, that when you have a blow out, it doesn't mean all your efforts are wasted! One blowout will not put on nearly 4 stone!

Talking of weight, to date, I have lost 3 stone 10lbs. I have broken through my plateau of 17.9, and am now 16.11. I am shocked that I am now in the 16s! I enjoy measuring too, because it gives a better all round measurement.

I exercise a lot more now than I did. I swim every day but the weekends, squat nearly every day, do planks, and try to generally be more active.

I have noticed that there are days where I want to eat all day, and days I am not interested in food at all, so I just go with how I am feeling, and it tends to balance it out!

What I have noticed though, is when I was 20.6, I looked at others at 16 stone and wished I could be like that ''I'd be happy at 16 stone'' I thought! Things have changed now I am there. To me, my body shows signs of needing A LOT more hard work, determination, and patience to get to my goal. At the moment, I think I would be happy to be 12 stone again, and I have not been there since I was 12! But, will I get to 12 stone, and it not be enough? 4 stone 11 to go, and I will find out. I wish I KNEW exactly how long it will take to get to that. I know I have done shed the first nearly 4 stone with ease, but I am sure this next half is going to get tough!

Anyway, just so all my followers know, I am still going strong, and it is ok to tweak!

Keeping going

Week 16

Another 6lb off, and two inches off thighs.

I seem to be developing a dislike to normally enjoyable foods/drinks.

I normally enjoy a bottle of red a week, and usually in one sitting, but sometimes split between two days... No can do of late.

Also, I have changed my swimming technique somewhat. From BS 100 an hour to FC 80 an hour. I now intend to work further on my FC technique, to gain speed, and tone up legs and thighs.

Fasting is now 24 hours per week on a, Sunday, and at least 14 daily (week days mon-thursday). I stop eating after my evening meal, at the, latest 6pm, and don't eat again until the earliest 9 am.

While Saturday tends to be my day off, I noticed this week that I felt sluggish not doing anything, and  eating crap. Before bed I did 4 sets of planks, and throughout the day, 115 squats. I am continually trying to push my limitations, keeping my exercise regime as interesting as possible.

Week 15

Get me!

I must confess, after much research, and listening to my body, I now only have a 24 hour fast. I am debating whether or not I fast 24 hours, and start another 24 fast after a break. What I am doing moreso now, is simply not eating after I eat dinner in the evening.

My exercise regime is excellent. I try to fit as much exercise into my day. If I'm doing nothing, a few squats, a bit of dancing here and there to get my body moving wont hurt.

I also out Paul Mckennas rules into practise, eating only when hungry, eating consciously, stopping when full, and drinking water. I find that this, teamed with fasting and not weighing myself is certainly a more sustainable way to keep myself in check.  :-) 

Week 14

Not really much to report. For the last couple of weeks I seem to have favoured a 24 hour fast, but psychologically, I still say I fast for 48 hours because, when I make 24 I still feel satisfied, though if I was to do 24 hour fasts regularly, and only got to 16, I think i'd be gutted.

I suppose the reason I continue to update this blog, is because many of you will want to know of my ups and downs, how long I lasted, and changes I made along the way.

So far, I have noticed, that although this, may not be the same for everyone, I find that I overeat on my none fast days. I don't overeat to the extent I once did by any means, but I still get to the stage where I feel ill due to overeating. How will I overcome this? I have decided to reintroduce an old friend... Dr Paul Mckenna. I have ordered his book from the library, and intend to put his methods back into practice!

Lets hope this in hand with fasting and swimming, will move me from this eternal plateu! :-)

WEEK 13

As George Bernard Shaw would say, progress is not possible without change. I have had two weeks of nil weight loss. I know what I am doing wrong, and I plan to have a refresher this week, remember why I am doing this. I will do this by planning my time when I come off fasting, to discourage overeating. I have also written out a weight loss prediction table to see exactly where I am and where I could be.

Week 12

Managed 24 hours, away from home.

Week 11

Yesterday, day 1, week 11, I started feeling full of energy despite being full of a cold. Today I feel much the same. I have started to experience hunger this week more than when I started and Yesterday I had a barley cup at the 24 hour mark and 28 hour, which isn't what I intended to do. I really believe a fast should be water only and I will strive to do this next week.

I have a goal to reach now, my 33rd birthday. 20 weeks, and a possible 40lb loss. :-)

FASTING FOR LIFE!

As promised

I always said if I Ever felt unwell, I would finish my fasting early. Today I feel only what could be described as jittery. Shaking inside. So, I finish my fast 4 and a half hours early.

Week 10

So proud I have gotten this far. Just now, at 7:40pm, for the first time EVER I wanted to finish my fast early, not because I feel ill, or have listened to my body, but because my mood is low and I can't be bothered. That's it. So, I took a deep breath, and told myself that I always do this when I am close to the three stone mark. Now I feel empowered because I fought through my emotions and decided tomorrow lunch time isn't far off.

I have noticed though, and learned this week, that my fast is better starting after a hearty meal. This week I started after a light lunch- and now I'm feeling it!

Hot water for me, and it will soon.be lunch time tomorrow, where I WILL have a light meal to wake up madam! ;-)

EASY BODYBUILDING OVEN FRIED CHICKEN

Yummy!!

The journey so far...

FASTING/HEALTH UPDATE.

Yesterday I finished fasting week 9. Although I wouldn't say I am noticing my body looking slimmer, I have certainly noticed some changes that I thought I would share with you all. (While I should be studying, I feel this is really important to document). 

I started swimming in November last year. While I swam ever day, I was still eating what I liked and probably just maintained a weight of 20.6, or replaced some of the fat stores with muscle. My weight didn't change much. 

In July, while on holiday, I caught (I say caught as I don't have a tv at home) an amazing documentary with Dr.Michael Mosely on BBC, When I returned home, I announced to my friends (they will remember I have a tendency of doing this) that I was starting to fast. I lasted a few hours. 

January this year, more and more about the potential health benefits of fasting started to surface, and I seemed to acquire friends on facebook who inspired me (Laura Wilkes). I decided to try again. 

This time, I planned at the beginning of the week, on Monday, that I would fast on Sunday after dinner. Each day was a count down to the start. I went in to it believing it would be hard, I would get headaches, feel faint, feel sick, feel uncomfortably hungry. I studied not only the effects, but what I should be doing during a fast, and knew I should drink plenty of water. Since January, I have learned so much, and have had around three fasts that have finished early. I am now building muscle, the tops of my arms are shaped now, and the bingo wings are certainly improving. 

My skin is much improved. I have a condition called Hidradenitis suppurativa. One of the ways to treat this is, by swimming, so it may not just be down to fasting. But, my skin has really calmed down, and the flare ups are a lot less these days! 

Anxiety/ depression. I wouldn't say I was depressed before, but I certainly had issues with my moods. Again, this is a lot down to the exercise. It is my medication. I would really highly recommend this to anyone who has issues with their moods. 

You know everyone says, make sure you are not thirsty as hunger and thirst present very similarly? Well, fasting forces you to do this. While fasting, on the rare occasion my body does ask for food, I almost see the arms of hunger being bashed down by the water and throw down my neck- drowning it! I feel, this practical experiment, if you like, makes it a lot easier to define hunger on none fasting days. So, where before I would have eaten, I now listen to my body, and don't just go straight for food. Also, I don't think of food in the way I used to, and I have noticed that I only overeat when I am in a 'mood'. Not any more though! I find comfort in a nice cup of coffee (trying to find it somewhere else). 

Having a break from food allows me to think about what foods I would like to eat when the fast finishes, and the foods are not what you would expect. I enjoy things like feta, olives, peanut butter, and meat. My chocolate addiction is none existent. I can go weeks and not have any at all. In fact, It isn't just a love for chocolate, but sugar. I will much on dried fruit occasionally, but I have turned my cravings to meat. 

If I was to give anyone any tips on how to fast, here is what they would be- 

1. Go with your body. This is most important because, our bodies are designed to signal when action is needed. (Though reprogramming the body may take some time). Relax, breathe, LISTEN. 

2. Drink lots of water. Feel hungry? Drink! 

3. Keep a mood diary. I have only just started to do this, but I wish I had done this earlier. I notice, when I fast, I go a little quiet, relaxed, slowed down, and when the fast finishes, I bounce from the walls. (You will notice this on Wednesdays!). 

4. Remember this is not a punishment, this is to give your body a weekly rest. You do not fail if you finish early. This is NOT a diet, but a way of life. This is also one of the bug bears I have with Michael Moselys book. But, I suppose ''Fasting way of life'' is not as appealing to the market as ''Fasting diet'' when it comes to selling lots of books. 

I am on a journey, and there will be plenty more to add to this. Since fasting, I have taken on a healthier eating lifestyle, because I WANT to, not because I am on a diet. I do not want to fill my body with crap, I imagine it going in, the goodness, the vitamins making their way to my organs, my skin, my hair, my nails etc. My choices are my own to make. I read up on things, study them, read case studies. If I wouldn't let my children eat the way I used to, why should I? 

I am now even more positive than I was before, loving life, and the fact I could live in to my 100s!! Wow- the thought of that!! It is in my control. I love life- I love the variety that I bring into it, and I love that the universe is opening so many doors for me. 

I have started thinking, if I just ran everywhere, like you say, back from nursery, back from school, to the shops, it all goes toward weight loss!! I NEED some trainers- that is my excuse for not doing. When I go to the park with the kids now, I am more mobile. I don't slump on the bench with my mobile, we take the ball, I go up and down the slide, we run circuits around the bowling field. We make up our own games that may not be in the park.. e.g trying to roll the ball from one bench to another. Timing ourselves around the bowling green. They actually ask if they can go outside the park where the swings are, they find it boring! I think we use that as a cool down from exercise! Lol. Exercise has changed my life around! At last, I am doing what I promised I would when Jacob was born!!!
Now, I have twittered on long enough! I could write a book! 

I also want to add, that without the support of 'intermittent fasting freaks' group on facebook, friends, and family, I would not be where I am today! You have all listened, even if you do not agree with what I am doing, you have all commented on progress photographs, and this is what spurs me on!!

Week 9

Ok, so weight loss has gone quiet for a while...

Week nine and my 48 hour fast has started at half 1.

End week 8

I am very pleased to say I took my own advice and finished my fast early after feeling a little down in the dumps. It was a cup of coffee, with milk. Next week I plan to start taking bcca and try pushing my strength a little further, which, probably means I will need to further my knowledge of technique.

Week 8

Yes, still going! No weight loss to report this week. But last week was pretty good so I am happy with that. I am.really feeling my.muscle building now. This makes me very.excited. I have reverted back to my Sunday-Tuesday fast as it worked best for me. I can't stress enough how this way of eating has to be measured by how you FEEL. If you feel bad... End the fast. The worst I felt was very hungry and that was when I fasted over the weekend.

What fasting does for me.

I have noticed something lately. You know when people say 'recognise the difference between hunger and thirst because they are similar'? Well, fasting forces you to do this in practise. When I am not fasting, I listen more to my body. Have I also mentioned that I can't stuff myself any more? I get full... And I hate the feeling of fullness to the extent of nausea, so I stop before I go too far! Also, before, I seemed to always be able to MAKE time to eat. Now, I am so busy exercising, I don't have the time to think about food. I am finding enjoyment in other things, that bring greater joy. Exercise, studying, research, playing mad with my kids, reading in the bath.... One day... You will see my before and after photos next to each other and you will be inspired to do the same. This blog may start about fasting, and how it is transforming my life, but it will hopefully show people that it is NOT unhealthy, and doctors will back it! Watch this space!!! :-))

Getting there..

Ongoing...

2.7 stone later.....

Yummy!

Changing the way I eat for good. Making the right choices!

It's coming off my face now!

I am feeling my face slimming now!

Week 7

I decided to Shift back to Sunday start as it works better for me. What I need to remember though is that on a Tuesday, when my fast ends, I should eat something light. My weight has not shifted this week as I have had a couple of blow outs with alcohol. Keeping myself occupied usually makes my fasting days breeze by. I am looking forward to getting back to my normal fasting routine, and hopefully, by my birthday in August I will have a fantastic photo to update you all with!

Two stone off

And this photograph truly depressed me! You know when you feel radiant? Full of energy, slim... And then something like this screams "YOU ARE STILL FAT!".

Yummy dinner

I know I don't normally post what I eat. I thought it would give you an idea though of what I do eat now and how my results are effected by food intake.

Week 6

Week 6??? I didn't think I was capable of reaching 6 hours!!
Yes, starting fasting was initially about control I have to admit, but now, there are so many other benefits!


Yesterday, day 1 of week 6, I was a little hungry towards the end of the day, and went to bed feeling hungry, but when I woke this morning I am buzzing and of energy. I feel so invigorated, and want to jump, run, and get lots of fresh air.

2 stone 2 lbs since I started!

This is still very much my life now. If I had any tips for anyone who wants to fast, whether it be 48 hours or less, listen to your body- that's it!! Your body is designed in such a way that it sends signals which you then have the choice to act on. For example, I do feel hungry, and I drink water, this stops hunger in it's tracks. If water was not to work, I would finish the fast early. I would not continue. So looking out for signals is the best tip I could give you!

Week 5 day 2

I shook it up a bit this week. I am still researching the whole exercise/fasted debate, and in the mean time have changed my weekly fasting days to a Saturday and Sunday when I don't exercise the way I do through the week.

This is where I wish I had charted my swimming. Since I started fasting, I seem to have acquired more energy, which is one of the benefits fasters report. I swim 5 days a week between 90 and 100 lengths an hour. On a Tuesday (when my fasting usually finishes) I swim in the evening as well as the afternoon.

Week 6, I may change my days again ...you find something that works well for you!!

Another top tip is find a good group, face to face or on Facebook. I am a member of 'Intermittent Fasting Freaks' on Facebook. The support I have received there has been fabulous! This being a controversial lifestyle, not everybody agrees with it, some may even insist you have an eating disorder!

I understand any eating habit has the potential of becoming an eating disorder to some, though I believe I am psychologically in tune, enough to know if I was taking that path and to stop it occurring.

Helpful links

http://www.nhs.uk/news/2013/01January/Pages/Does-the-5-2-intermittent-fasting-diet-work.aspx

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=da2pc3vMkSc&feature=player_embedded&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Ffeature%3Dplayer_embedded%26v%3Dda2pc3vMkSc

http://homefitnessmanual.com/dieting-for-fat-loss/can-a-leptin-reset-help-you-reach-your-diet-goals/

http://youtu.be/rhObSu7y2_A

http://www.drsarasolomon.com/intermittent-fasting-fasted-training-anabolic-or-catabolic/

http://www.muscleandstrength.com/articles/basics-intermittent-fasting

http://www.drsarasolomon.com/stop-overcomplicating-fat-loss/

http://breakingmuscle.com/nutrition/build-lean-muscle-intermittent-fasting-carb-and-calorie-cycling

http://www.muscleandstrength.com/articles/basics-intermittent-fasting

http://bradpilon.com/weight-loss/can-you-build-muscle-while-doing-intermittent-fasting/

http://nyti.ms/WsA5jZ

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110403090259.htm

Week 5 day 1

Ok, I know you would normally expect to start with week 1, but I really did not think I had the ability to ' hack it' this long. 5 weeks on, and sticking with it is not an issue at all. This is me, for life!

I have started this blog as I want to inspire others like me. At some point I will add some links to the science of this very controversial way of eating, but for now, I wish to share with you the many benefits I have experienced!

Firstly, my starting weight was 20.6. I didn't weigh myself regularly because I really did not feel it would work. How wrong can you be! Now, 5 weeks later, I am 18.4. Now, this is not the ONLY reason I am fasting, there are many more benefits which, once I am at a healthy weight, will become so much more distinctive.

Week 1-3 was definitely a learning process for me. After finishing my fast, I would eat a normal (for me) sized meal. The problem here was that I felt so full I just wanted to go to bed. It seems feeling full, to discomfort had become normal for me. Why would someone WANT to feel this way? So now, I take a leaf out of the amazing Mr Paul Mckennas book, and stop when I am full.

Water is a huge help when it comes fasting. I recall an advert for acid indigestion tablets,  you see the medication pushing the acid back down the throat. This is the best way I can describe the effect water has on hunger. You take a swig . . . And away it goes, albeit temporarily. I have also noticed that on.my none fasting days I drink more as I recognise more the difference between hunger and thirst!

One more major is that I.now find tge possibility I have intollerences to certain food types. My stomach, apart from occasional hunger, feels amazingly peaceful when not fasting, and on feed days I.notice a huge difference in my Errr 'bodily functions'.

This is an introduction, and I hope that my daily posts will encourage those of you who have made the steps to change their lives forever, and those of you who are researching the potential benefits!

Keep fasting!! :-))