swizzly

coops -- LOVE YOU. Thanks. You've been my role model and my friend these many years... <3 LV -- Sounds like a very intense traumatic conversation...that NEEDED to happen! Do not worry about the binge, you had quite the purge beforehand and those do go together... Good on you for being honest and straight with her. i hope she can pull it together...

I love Horizons and we watch it frequently -- I just need to DVR it regularly, cos watching the replays is a nightmare from here (I used to have a VPN tunnel to our UK affiliate, and then I could watch it on the iPad, but they routed everything through Germany now hmph). I will try to find the exercise one now...

LOL...my name has been in my footer all along! Yes, Dee is me... Holy crap, I got busy at work ("busy" = "INSANE") and didn't catch up for a couple of days...SIX new pages of posts! LOL, you guys are having a party without me...but that's okay cos there are so many work parties, I'm just dying to live through the next week and then REEEELLLLLLAAAAAX for a couple of weeks... /takes deep breaths... http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gsoEZSS3edo/UqW8njHEQaI/AAAAAAAAAcg/g3m_TgsczII/s1600/CherryCon-me-today.jpg That is a link to a before/after photo of me. The before is about six months pre-op (and admittedly is a HORRENDOUS photo LOL), and the after was like in March 2013? That skirt and top are a little looser on me now, though I haven't (still!) lost any weight... I am still reading to catch up. xoxoxo

FYI: Thank you for posting that link!!! After all these months doing 5:2, that's the first time I've been able to watch the Horizons episode! It was great!!

GT...listen to me. I'm not undergoing as much current medical stress as you, for sure. Yet I am also in f*cking sh*theaps of stress and I'm OVERWHELMED much of the time. I have found myself forgetting all sorts of things, including whole conversations with colleagues at work, meetings, deliverables. It SUCKS. But I put it down mostly to stress and hope that it will pass. Unless we KNOW otherwise, let's assume you're super stressed and forgetful too. Don't let it 'haunt' you as being more than that -- remember Occam's Razor! When you hear hoofbeats, think horses not zebras... Love you back!! xoxox

Ran across this little article today, thought it might be interesting: http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-10114/8-reasons-why-youre-not-losing-weight.html

Hi you guys. I'm reading everything and thinking of you all, sending hugs in your darker moments, cheering along with you for the happier ones. I've had a hell of a couple months and I thought I'd take it in my stride, cos hey, I always do... I guess I'm surprised by what has turned out to be a bit of the camel's straw, and I'm not managing anything well on almost any front. I'm just about holding it together for work, cos don't they get the best of us, and everything/one else gets what's left? Not much left right now. Gotta get through this... I'm drinking too much wine and eating crap food, either too much or not enough, but not in a systematic 5:2 way at all. Too many work dos still to come, three this week, several more the week after. I'm tired and I want to go home. Thank god for little things like my stupid little fitbit, which is what keeps me going day to day, crazy huh? I never go to the gym anymore, logistically very difficult from the temp location, but I still love hitting those fitbit smilies almost every day. They are the thin line between barely keeping going and just giving over to the dark side. Hugs to all, holidays are mental - I never used to think that, but I'm thinking that now....

MFP tells me about 1500, but I eat usually 1800-2000 to maintain, 1500 to lose (slowly, very slowly LOL).

CGJ: OMG HOT!!! You look soooo good, woman.

Thanks for the love and hugs, it HELPS. :wub: coops -- YAY on the new low!!! You are killing it, I'm so impressed.

Many hugs to you all, lots going on for everyone. The holidays can really do a number on us, not to mention all the other burdens and challenges. GT, I'm totally thinking of you, sweets -- live through this, think about what's possible not about worst cases and keep your protocol going, I totally believe that will help soooo much. <3 I'm thinking of you all and wishing you good Thanksgiving and post Thanksgiving weekends, in the US. I'm not doing well at much right now, including 5:2. Just living in a huge heap of boxes in our temp place and trying not to freak out too much about ALL THE SH*T. There are so many worse things that can happen, but that doesn't seem to be making me feel better at all. I think no matter what we're going through, it is the worst thing ever...because it's us, it's our world and health and peace of mind. It doesn't matter if others are going through worse than us...cos that is THEIR worst thing ever and they are having a very similar experience to ours...of their own. If that makes any sense. Anyhow. Hugs all around...

Seems you've got it sorted cos now I see your passport pix in the footer. :-)

Ha, good timing - someone just posted this link in another thread and it gives a good quick overview... http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/07/29/205845319/two-day-diets-how-mini-fasts-can-help-maximize-weight-loss?ft=1

Congrats, OD!! You have done so well with the 5:2, you are one of my role models for sure. Hi QoC, nice to see you again! The 5:2 is very simple, I've been doing it since June (along with paleo-ish). There are some posts here in the Veterans Forum about it, with some good links to read. If you can't find it, let me know and I can send some via email.

I'm coming right up on three years too...time flies!! You look really great and happy...and your arms make me envious like mad.

CGJ, I'm pretty sure we are twins separated at birth... Also, you always post things that jibe exactly with what I'm thinking, or what I'd say. Trips me out sometimes.

Why? How many are there now? Did you make it up with Cheri?

CGJ, I think you should ditch the boot cuts, they are not the right shape for you. Love the heels and the blue shoes (color pop always good), the black pumps are a bit blah for this type of outfit. I like the long spotted shirt, short jacket (tho a short cardi might be a bit softer and you could bring in some color there too) combo cos it visually lengthens and thins you, as well as being a standard "good disguise" for a long waist. But yeah, heels and skinnies are def your friends. I do see no reason not to wear a casual dress with tights and boots, though. I love the stretch suede boots, they are sexy in a very subtle way. I agree also w coops abt the leather jacket - or anything black or with that neckline, not flattering to the middle age faces like ours. You want something that opens up your neckline, not tightens in around it. Think v-neck or scoop or drapey neckline. Red shirt is cute, just wants different accessorizing somehow...

Here are a few links to check out as a start. http://thefastdiet.co.uk/ http://the5-2dietbook.com/ http://thefastdiet.co.uk/michael-answers-frequently-asked-questions/ The book itself is a quick read and not really necessary because the diet is very simple and you can read all about it online. I've been doing 5:2 fairly regularly since June, it's very sustainable. I believe I look thinner, but I haven't actually lost weight. There are MANY people who've lost a fair bit of weight on it though, so I think I am an outlier. It's definitely worth giving a try!

You never know, OD! My favorite skinnies are from a French supermarket lol. My second favorites are Wit and Wisdom brand, which I ordered online from Nordstrom. Comfy and fit great, super stretchy and mid-rise, so not low riders. Notdstrom have free delivery and returns, so that helps...

{{{{{GT}}}}} Ignore the haters and trolls on the main threads!!! They will drive you mental. It is wayyyyy more about them than it is about you. Don't even waste a moment's thought about it. Sorry to hear about your Pa anniversary coming up. I do understand. Many hugs and much love -- live through this, sweets. <3

I also hate the comments, compliments. Nearly three years out and I still don't like it, especially at work. I always try to manage them graciously and politely, but I also change the subject as soon as I can too. It's just awkward having your body be up for discussion. =\

I think you all know I haven't lost any weight via 5:2. That hasn't changed... Did I post about us being burgled while we were away? We got robbed of a bunch of jewelry (my wedding band) and cash and they slightly trashed our place. We JUST wrapped up that insurance claim, mostly, as of last week. So here's a new tale involving a flood -- which (spoiler alert!) results in us having to quickly move out to...somewhere...at some point very soon...while they completely renovate our apartment -- floors, walls, etc. Luckily, we had a pregnant friend staying with us -- thus she had to get up and use the loo in the wee hours, whereupon she stepped out of the guestroom and into a couple of cm of cold water all over the floor. She awoke me and I tried to wake up and make sense of all the cold water, and the rushing water noise coming from the kitchen, Naturally, I woke the mister up immediately and he came out and quickly found the source and tried to Do Something. BUT...an old pipe had burst -- corroded and worn beyond its ability to cope (can I relate?), it had simply chosen the wee hours of Sunday morning to go un-gently into that good night. It gushed water at pressure into the apartment for a couple of hours at least, while we foolishly slumbered peacefully. The Super was called, and he turned off the water. The fire brigade was called, and they brought a crew and big water-sucking machinery to get the water out. The massive wool carpet completely immersed in water was dragged to the terrace to hopefully dry out and survive... We hoped for the best...but the damage had been done. The inspector today said that we must move out asap so that they can replace walls, floors, etc. For at least two months. With little notice. We're a bit stressed, but are trying to sort it all out via the (at least) two different insurers involved so far... So things are still up in the air. So CROSS ALL YOUR FINGERS!! Especially that we have continuous internet access!!? We're only slightly mental at the moment, but I'm sure we'll have our moments. While you're at it, send good vibes our baby/dog's way, cos he is also not doing ideally well right now either, but we don't know what's wrong with him. Dee xo

Oh no! What happened? :-(

Cathy, I'm so sorry about your husband's job. I know what you mean about a year from now, but that doesn't help in the moment really. Hang in there.