So, after a long hiatus, I. AM. BACK!  Since I last fasted, I have joined a couple of gyms (one for cardio, one for classes - long story) and have started working out with a personal trainer.  I've also been back on my fitbit hardcore (took a break from that while I was in Kenya too).  I'm doing my best to get close to my steps goal every day but the eating and the drinking haven't been at all consistent.  So, I figured it's time to get back on this train.  

Today, I had a Starkist Tuna Kit (230 cals) and 1/2 cup of fresh raspberries.  Not really sure what the future holds for dinner but, likely to involve tilapia and some fresh veggies.  

My biggest weakness?  Coconut cashews from Trader Joe's.  They are kind of Samoa-y and all kinds of delicious.  

Anyway, stay tuned on progress as I embark on this fasting journey yet again!

So, I am down about 4lbs since Monday.  Again with the yo-yo but, what was cool was I was down AFTER a non-fasting day.  Of course, yesterday, I didn't go crazy on my off day.  I had a lowfat breakfast sandwich and coffee.  For lunch I had a grilled cheese with spinach salad as my side and then a Trader Joe's flatbread for dinner. And, I had a softball game last night.  It was SOOOOOO humid outside, it felt like we were playing in the rainforest. And, I'd taken a muscle relaxer for my back and had the worst cotton mouth and found myself to be fairly worn out during the game (which isn't really normal).  Again, this was NOT on a fasting day so, I found that pretty interesting. I wasn't as organized for this fasting day as I have been in the past so, I had to wing it on breakfast which wasn't easy.  I had two hard-boiled eggs, a piece of string cheese and some leftover snow peas.  Jealous? Tonight, I plan to get some sashimi from our local sushi place and perhaps some steamed vegetables. 
I have family coming into town (my favorite nephew in the whole wide world) and then we're spending the weekend with more family for a birthday celebration which means, yes. Eating, drinking and being merry.  I moved my usual Thursday fasting day to today so, I could take my nephew to some of his favorite Atlanta restaurants and actually enjoy myself as well.  We'll probably end up at The Vortex or Fox Bros.  

And, I meant to say...as much as I sang the praises of Gorton's "Simply Bake" tilapia, I thought I would branch out and try the salmon as my dinner on Monday night (1st fasting day of this week).  

It was awful.  Dry.  Very fishy tasting.  I couldn't even eat it.  It, and the other fillet (I went ahead and cooked them both) were promptly thrown in the trash. Which pains me because I paid $8.59 for them but, not even that could get me to eat them. Ewww. If you see the below in the store, BEWARE!  But, as I said - the tilapia is delicious and definitely worth a try.  At 120 calories a fillet, it fits very nicely into the 5:2 diet plan for fasting days.  

So, today I am a bit frustrated as I am definitely seeing a pattern develop.  After fasting days, weight goes down.  After days off, weight goes up.  Shocking?  Not so much but, I do want to see the numbers trend down and not yo-yo around.  Again - I know I need to make a more concerted effort to eat smarter on my off days and work exercise into the mix but, I wish the numbers would trend down (even if at a snail's pace) and stay there.  I think I am going to reread the book to refresh my memory...it has been almost 4 weeks since I've started.  Crazy.

A few things...
My weight is down which is normally is after a fasting day.  I am currently 28% of the way to my overall weight loss goal.  I'm 50% of the weigh to my pre-pregnancy weight so, that's also very encouraging.   I made the shrimp/pasta dish last night and it was delicious.  Of course, I wanted to eat more than the 250 calorie serving but, that's not surprising.  I added some chopped vidalia onion (about 3/4 cup) and some chopped tomato (medium-sized). I'd say that using fresh dill is a good move. I forget how flavorful that can be.  What's funny is, my husband wasn't hungry when I ate but he helped himself when I went to my softball game and he said it was really good.  So, I have a feeling I'll be making that again.  I tried to include a link in my original post and was unsuccessful. Let me see if this works.

Spinach pasta salad with shrimp.

Speaking of softball, the outfield was pretty drenched last night due to all of the rain we've been getting (our games the last 2 weeks were cancelled because of it) and I slipped going for a ball and really screwed up my back.  I'm not sure what the "damage" is but, I know that I am in a LOT of pain.  It will certainly put a damper on my whole workout plan (let alone the rest of the softball season).  I am heading to the doctor this afternoon and I am hopeful for some meds that will make me feel better.  I am also thinking, I've got to get yoga on the menu.  The last time I had a back injury (years ago - the result of a car wreck) doing yoga helped me more than going to a chiropractor.  Fingers crossed.

So, this is officially Day 5.  I've seen my body fat percentage go down as well as weight over the last two weeks but, today it went back up.  Likely for a number of reasons - mainly that, on my off days, I think I need to be a bit more careful.  I was thinking this morning that I may try this moving forward...on days immediately after fasting days (Tuesdays & Fridays) I will live it up so to speak.  But, on the other 3 non-fasting days, I need to be smarter about my choices.  And, I am still struggling to work exercise into the mix and I've really got to find a way to get around that.  I did enjoy my "brunch" this morning.  I had a couple of medium sized tomatoes (44 cals) with 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar (14 cals) and some kosher salt, 1/2 cup raspberries (43 cals) a hard boiled egg (78 cals) and a piece of baby bell cheese (70 cals).  I haven't tried the lowfat version of the baby bells but, on the calorie counting days, I suppose I should try.  Also, I've got to think through dinner tonight.  I found a delicious recipe on Pinterest for a shrimp pasta that I may give a try (it looks delicious, right?) 

I am a bit over the tilapia for now. And, just noting that you can search Pinterest for recipes - I tried "5:2" and "FastDiet".  Not all of them are great but, I am on a mission.  I'm adding the ones that look good to my new "5:2" board.  I'll be sure to report on how good (or bad) they are as I get a chance to try them.

Today is DEFINITELY one of the tougher ones.  I am going to chalk it up to switching days and throwing off my groove.  The fact that I had an 8am meeting this morning didn't help either.  This feels like the longest work day EVER!  

So, it's been a while since I've written.  At least, it feels like it.  I shifted my schedule this week to allow for a work lunch yesterday.  I had a veggie scramble for my brunch today. Two eggs, sauteed snow peas and asparagus and a baby bell cheese.  It was delicious but, I have to say, I am really hungry.  There's a slight chance that I may be going to Africa for a photo shoot for work so, I went to get my yellow fever shot and ended up getting the pills I need to take for Typhoid as well.  Not sure if that has anything to do with how I feel today. OR, it could just be because I had an extra day of eating normal before fasting again. Either way, I am feeling it.

I still haven't mastered the art of making a more concerted effort to get working out into the mix.  I have the means to do it at home, I just need to motivate.  It's hard for a lot of reasons.  Want to play with Vincent before he goes to bed.  Then, once he's in bed, I find that I just want to drink a glass of wine and spend time with my husband.  I think the only way I'll make it work will be to knock it out in the morning.  Obviously, that will require my actually getting up early enough.  I wanted to try it this morning.  I didn't try all that hard. Perhaps tomorrow will work better knowing that I won't have to fast during the day.  

Nearing the end of the day...definitely looking forward to a few days of eating normally again.  Today was a day when I really could have used a glass (or three) of wine but, I abstained.  One thing I definitely noticed being home all day - it's pretty amazing how much crap I'll eat just because I am in the kitchen.  A handful of this, a piece of that.  I stuck to the fasting but was just hyper aware of it and had to remind myself each time.  It was funny to me that (knowing I am dieting) I would think "oh, I can eat that banana - it's healthy!"  But, it's calories and doesn't fit into the "menu" for the day.  So - I didn't partake but, I can see how doing this may impact what I eat on my off days.  For now, I haven't really been holding back but, that's partially because the FastDiet book said that this will actually "work better" if I don't.  

I'm halfway through day 3 at this point and it's particularly challenging because I am home with a sick little man.  Normally, while fixing lunch for him, I'd have a bite or two of what I am making for him and I had to remind myself not to do that.  Further, I'm reminded of why it would suck to do this diet if you work from home - it's just hard to have food at your fingertips the entire day.  

For lunch, I had two eggs scrambled with some sauteed veggies - a mix of green beans, asparagus and snow peas, with a bit of havarti cheese grated over them.  What's interesting (at least to me) is that LoseIt shows that a large, hard-boiled egg is 70 calories but, a large, scrambled egg is 102.  Assuming that you cook the scrambled egg with something fat/calorie free, shouldn't it be the same amount of calories?  Anyway, I am counting the eggs as 70 each.  That's what I had budgeted for.  

Dinner will be that same tilapia I've had the other two fasting nights.  And, more sauteed veggies.  Everything tastes delicious and is as filling as 250 calories can be.  

So, progress, thus far, has been great.  Since last week, I am down 3lbs and .4% in body fat.  I have a long way to go but it's nice to see results this early.  I haven't had any luck with the gym membership just yet.  I checked out the one close to work and it's $140 a month which is steep for me.  I may need to just suck it up and figure out a way to work visits to the local YMCA (where I am current a member) back into the mix.  I've been slackin' when it comes to exercise and that needs to change.

I'm feeling pretty hungry right now and it will get worse when my husband gets back with his takeout chicken fingers.  Grrrrrr.  I'm going to make a cup of tea and get a big glass of water and think about the breakfast sandwich and delicious cup of coffee I'll be consuming in the morning - which will be here before I know it.

And, American Ninja Warrior just came on.  If that show isn't motivating, I don't know what is!

Almost through with the 2nd day of fasting.  Late this afternoon was rough but, I made it!  Another thing worth noting - totally random and I didn't realize it until I was talking to family earlier - but, I definitely felt a cold coming on last week.  It was a gradual feeling...you know, stuff nose one day.  Sinus-pain the next.  It could be a coincidence but, after the first fasting day - all the symptoms disappeared.  Like I said - I didn't even think about it until someone said "how's that cold coming along?"  And I had completely forgotten about it.  Potential benefit of the fasting?  I mean...do they say feed a cold? Or starve it?  I think the "starving" it worked.  

The other thing I need to get better about is working out.  The problem is, when you have a little guy at home, you have to do what you can to spend any time you can with him.  He goes to bed each night by 7 so, by the time I get home from work...anyway.  There's a super nice gym close to my office that I am going to check out in the hopes that I could potentially work out there before work a few days a week.  If I can get back into a regular gym routine, I feel like I will really start to see some results AND get to test out the theory that I'll actually have some energy on the fasting days.  As I seem to like to say a lot..."we shall see!"

Today - way more challenging than last Thursday.  I'm hungry and thinking about snacking. While I am abstaining, it's definitely harder than it was last week.  Normally, I'd just grab a Peppermint Pattie from the chocolate stash or perhaps some dried seaweed chips (they're delicious but definitely an acquired taste).  I think I may need to take break in lieu of a lunch break and take a walk and clear my head.

Just had my brunch meal - salmon, crackers, tomatoes.  I still feel a bit hungry this morning but, again, it could just mean I am thirsty and not actually hungry.  Either way, it sucks to think that I won't be eating again until 6pm this evening.  More challenging today than I thought.  That said, it is nice to think that, as early as tomorrow, the fasting will end.  

Today is Fast Day #2.  Because last Thursday went so well, I have decided that I'll follow that same menu to see if it works as well.  Over the weekend, I ate like I normally would. Somewhat healthy, somewhat fun.  I made a pointed effort to get back on the fitbit train on Saturday by taking a long walk in the morning. I attempted to do the same yesterday but had to cut it short.  So far, I feel fine this morning (even after consuming an early dinner yesterday).  I am drinking a LaCroix and am about to get some hot tea.  For the record, Lipton makes what they call "Pyramid Teas".  They have a Vanilla Caramel flavored black tea that I have really enjoyed.  The diet says to try to mix things up when it comes to your beverages and I have to say, I'd never had that kind of tea before.  I've really enjoyed it.  

It's now 8:15ish on Friday morning.  I have had a cup of coffee but I haven't had breakfast just yet as I am going to grab some with some colleagues at 9:30.  I am about to dig into a banana but, I officially have had nothing but water since 6pm last night and I feel fine.  I did have some issues getting to sleep last night but, I think it was as much because I had a lot on my mind as it was the change in my diet.  I got on the scale this morning and was down 2lbs from yesterday.  My goal isn't to see that much weight loss that quickly but, it's still nice to see the scale move in the other direction.  Body fat percentage hadn't changed but, I know it all takes time.   I'm looking forward to my breakfast sandwich, I'm not going to lie.Now I am curious to see how I eat when I am not restricted this weekend.  I'm going to do my best to keep track in LoseIt so I can see.  

So, I did have a bit of a headache after dinner while heading to the game.  I'm convinced it's because I needed more water because once I starting drinking some, it went away.  I'm about to crawl into bed and, while my game was cancelled, I was actually challenged more by the fact that I went to the bar with my teammates and, while they drank beer and ate chicken wings, I sat and drank my water.  Fully knowing that, as soon as tomorrow morning, I could eat like a normal human being again.  Made it through Day 1 virtually unscathed. Onward and upward to the weekend.  I'll post any positive results along the way but, it's likely to be Monday (Fast Day 2) before I write again.

About to have my last meal for the 1st fasting day - it actually smells delicious.  Gorton's Simply Bake seasoned tilapia - only 120 calories a fillet.  I also steamed some snow peas and asparagus in the microwave and added a tsp of olive oil, a pinch of kosher salt and a couple squeezes of lime juice.  Oh...and I couldn't resist adding some Sriacha.  Cause.  Yum!

And, I haven't been starving all day.  I felt a bit of a hunger pang on my commute home but, otherwise (and pending any feelings of starvation post softball game) it's not so bad.  

It will be interesting to see if/how fast the lbs come off and the waistband shrinks.  My ultimate goal?  40lbs.  HA!  We'll see if it happens.

So, I am within 2 hours of dinner time and I actually feel ok.  I've had another cup of tea and another La Croix.  The only thing I wish the fasting days accounted for was shitty days at work.  Screw food.  All I can thinking about is consuming a bottle of wine.  Ha!

All in all, though, I have a feeling that this could be pretty easy to do over the longterm, even when the newness wears off.  The fasting days will just take a bit of pre-planning as I won't be able to run out of the house in a hurry and just grab anything.  And, the food court would likely be challenging as well.  

Anyway, we'll see how dinner goes.  

Just had what I will call "brunch" and it was actually really good.  I feel pretty satisfied at this point.  The tough(est) part will be lunch time, when everyone starts gathering.  And, Thursdays are Food Truck days across the street from the office.  It's a hard thing to say no to but, I will figure it out.  Also, the nice thing about the diet is that you can adjust your fast days so, I can always shift it to a Mon/Wed or Mon/Fri thing but, I will typically try to avoid any weekend days.  Being around the house and the food within it makes snacking very difficult to avoid.  We'll see how I am feeling a few hours from now, knowing that I won't be eating again until 6pm or so this evening.  

I have a softball game tonight so, I'll have to "just say no" to beer - during the game and afterwards at the bar.  Past research has shown that people actually experience a boost of energy during their fasts and that working out or exercising shouldn't be an issue.  Again...we'll see how tonight goes.  

Until 6, I'll be loading up on soda water (LaCroix, Pink Grapefruit, YUM!) and hot tea/black coffee.  Don't be too envious!

Today is my first day trying the FastDiet.  It's been 13 months since I've had Vincent and it's time to try to incorporate a lifestyle that will allow me to shrink while I improve other aspects of my health and, hell, maybe even extend my life a bit.  I was skimming through Facebook and saw NPR did a post about the FastDiet and it got my attention.  I personally think it should be called the Fasting Diet because I read "FastDiet" and thought lose weight fast.  Anyway, I bought the book, read it and I am going for it.  I wanted to journal my thoughts about it someplace so, here we go.

The nice thing about the diet is that you only fast two days of the week.  The other 5 days, you can pretty much eat what you'd like.  I have been looking forward to today more out of curiosity than anything else.  Would I be starving?  Would I want to eat everything in sight?  

Oddly enough, I am fine.  Of course, it's only 8:30 so, that may change in a bit but, for now, I have an iced down club soda and a cup of hot tea close by.  My "lunch" will be eaten at around 10ish this morning and will consist of 3ozs of  smoked salmon, 5 crackers, 10 grape tomatoes and 1oz of light cream cheese.  I haven't quite thought through dinner yet but, it's likely to involve some baked tilapia and lots of veggies steamed and tossed in a bit of olive oil.  Oh, the excitement.  

I am tracking everything - weight, BMI, fat percentage and my food via Fitbit.com and LoseIt.com.  I am really hoping that I can make this into a lifestyle and get to my goal weight and maintain it over the longhaul.  But, I have hoped that for most diets I have gone on.  I am not sure if this will be any different.  We.  Shall.  See.