Graham's Daily Check In

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Tue Oct 01, 2013 8:37 am

12st 10 1/2lb, 44", BMI 27.6, WHtR 65.2%, Body Fat 39%, #

Unable to determine weight or girth before yesterday's fast so I can't look at those figures, but more broadly, these results seem disappointing. I didn't do anything so crazy over the weekend nor yesterday to account for having to work so hard to just stay this overweight (and not getting ever fatter, I presume)

The best thing is that the fasts do feel good, especially when they finish and I have a large, tasty, nutritious one-plate meal without any conflict.

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Thu Oct 03, 2013 7:35 am

Weds 12st 9 3/4lb, 44 1/4", BMI 27.5, WHtR 65.6%, Body Fat 39.7% #
Today 12st 9 1/2lb, 43 7/8", BMI 27.4, WHtR 65%, Body Fat 38.9% # Fasting

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Fri Oct 04, 2013 10:53 am

12st 8 1/2lbs, 44 1/8", BMI 27.3, WHtR 65.4%, Body Fat 39.8%, #

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Sat Oct 05, 2013 9:50 am

12st 8 1/2lbs, 44 1/4", BMI 27.3, WHtR 65.6%, Body Fat 40.1%, #

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Tue Oct 08, 2013 10:35 pm

12st 9 3/4lb, 44", BMI 27.5, WHtR 65.2%, Body Fat 39.2%, #

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Wed Oct 09, 2013 11:51 am

12st 9lb, 44 1/4", BMI 27.4, WHtR 65.6%, Body Fat 39.9%, #

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Sat Oct 12, 2013 9:08 am

12st 8 3/4lb, 44 3/8", BMI 27.3, WHtR 65.7%, Body Fat 40.3%, #

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Sun Oct 13, 2013 5:00 pm

Such a busy week, (SO's move here completed), no time for fasting. Wintry wind and rain, and yesterday 4 hours in a traffic jam, I soothed myself with liquorice all-sorts and Gummi bears, thank goodness it was an S day. Oddly enough, I'd be OK No-S wise if I took up smoking again.....

Smoking is to blame, I suspect, for the poor state of my chest, and why I probably won't be a late-flowering Caruso. (and the doctors blamed it for my heart-attack)

My cat Sam is so sick the vet said to feed him freshly boiled chicken with rice. I ended up eating some chicken myself too, and the experience confirmed my ongoing problem digesting meat. Today I had a Quorn "lamb strips" stir-fried with tomatoes, onions, garlic, paprika and boiled rice with no problems at all.

jw · Post by jw » Sun Oct 13, 2013 7:54 pm

If you haven't had meat for a while, then eat it, it can cause trouble -- your stomach is no longer producing the digestive enzymes needed. I enjoyed quorn on my visits to the UK and was disappointed to find that it isn't available in the US. So enjoy your quorn and don't take up smoking again!

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Mon Oct 14, 2013 2:40 pm

12st 10 1/2lbs, 44 1/4", BMI 27.6, WHtR 65.6%, Body Fat 39.5% Fasting

jw, thanks for stopping by. About my digestive problem, you've got it all backwards.

I stopped eating meat experimentally as I already had a digestive problem, and that, plus reducing my intake of real coffee and resuming regular meditation, fixed it. My recent chicken experience suggests I still have some sort of sensitivity to roasted or fried animal flesh.

I'm thinking, to be thorough, I should try some boiled chicken and see how that goes down, it may be more tolerable than roasted chicken was.

jw · Post by jw » Tue Oct 15, 2013 12:20 am

My mistake, Graham -- I'm sorry, I didn't read back through your posts, just noticed the chicken vs quorn. I had spent a month in the UK about 5 years ago with vegetarian friends who used a lot of quorn, and when I came back and ate meat again, I had some problems digesting it. Your situation is quite different!

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Tue Oct 15, 2013 8:33 am

12st 7 3/4lb, 43 3/4", BMI 27.2, WHtR 64.8%, Body Fat 39.1%, #

These results are a nice surprise. The fast was not unusually demanding, nor the meal following it particularly frugal, yet here I am, below 12st 8lbs for the first time in over a year! (late August 2012)

I am rather unfit though, I've done little to maintain muscle mass, my knee has been a limiting factor. (plus a completist tendency: if I can't do all my isometrics, I don't do any isometrics)

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Wed Oct 16, 2013 8:56 am

12st 8lbs, 44", BMI 27.2 WHtR 65.2%, Body Fat 39.6%, #

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Thu Oct 17, 2013 4:55 pm

Waist 43 7/8", WHtR 65% #

My scale told me I lost 4lbs overnight, (12st 4lb, so I weighed again and it was 12st 3lb) and I just don't trust it. I can't compute BMI or Body Fat%. I'm Fasting anyway.

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Fri Oct 18, 2013 11:29 am

12st 6 1/2lb, 43 5/8", BMI 27, WHtR 64.6%, Body Fat 39.1%, #

Are the scales telling the truth this morning? I'm inclined to believe them, especially alongside the waist measurement. If so, I think this shows a

STRATEGIC BREAKTHROUGH! Crucial, I believe, is the SECOND FAST ON A THURSDAY. I think the Friday N day following the fast allows me to consolidate the weight-loss before heading into the looser S-day regime of the weekend, reducing the likelihood of rebound over-eating.

"One swallow doesn't make a spring", but I'm encouraged, and more hopeful about making progress with the weight/waist than I've been for a long while.

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Sat Oct 19, 2013 9:13 am

12st 6 3/4lb, 43 5/8", BMI 27, WHtR 64.6%, Body Fat 39.1%, #

I had an upset stomach, so took only a little soup, felt much better, had more soup. That counts as a fail, but I don't think I failed at all, yet it wasn't one plate. I'll use orange for this occasion.

I believe the upset stomach to be the consequence of eating an over-large meal on Thursday night post fast. Why? because, to be no-s compliant I had to estimate my need other than by my stomach. I had to estimate, cook, plate - and then the "clear your plate" mechanism kicks in. This is where me and No S are a bad fit. I don't even want to judge food by eye - or not so exactly, or not to limit myself.

Still the conflict is vivid, I fear weight gain and weight loss, I fear deprivation, the emptiness. It is a powerful force.

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Sun Oct 20, 2013 12:24 pm

12st 7lbs, 43 3/4", BMI 27.1, WHtR 64.8%, Body Fat 39.3%

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Mon Oct 21, 2013 10:37 am

12st 9 1/4lb, 43 3/4", BMI 27.4, WHtR 64.8%, Body Fat 38.7%

Not fasting today. I will be pretty busy preparing for a new central heating boiler to be installed tomorrow, but that's not the only reason.

I woke feeling sort of sad about fasting, then later, after I'd decided not to fast, I felt sad about not fasting. (and particularly after seeing the scale!) On another occasion I'd do well to postpone such a decision till after I'd had time to meditate &/or focus on the issue for a few minutes.

Note to self: A PACKET IS NOT A PORTION! 200g of peanuts is at least two portions - or 2 1/2 per UK govt guidelines (they're a legume after all)

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 8:32 am

12st 7 3/4lb, 43 3/4", BMI 27.2, WHtR 64.8%, Body Fat 39.1%, # Fasting

9:40pm. An easy fast, and I did learn from the time before, a smaller meal. I wasn't pleased with it, cooked for self and SO, couldn't get the feel for quantities and ratios, the cooking and seasoning weren't quite as I'd wished. Good enough at any rate, and without the desire for seconds!

Let's see if the tape and scale tell a good tale tomorrow morning.

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Fri Oct 25, 2013 9:27 am

12st 5 3/4lbs, 43 3/4", BMI 26.9, WHtR 64.8%, Body Fat 39.7%, #

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Sat Oct 26, 2013 12:52 pm

12st 5 1/2lbs, 43 7/8", BMI 26.8, WHtR 65%, Body Fat 40%, #

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Tue Oct 29, 2013 9:39 am

12st 6 3/4lbs, 43 7/8" BMI 27, WHtR 65%, Body Fat 39.7%, # Fasting

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 8:08 am

12st 4 3/4lbs, 43 9/16", BMI 26.7, WHtR 64.5%, Body Fat 39.5%, #

A tolerable fast, followed by an almost one-plate meal. I cooked more than I took, then went back and had a bit more, it was within what I'd allowed myself, yet not one plate, and that felt right enough.

I then monitored my sense of wanting and waiting with it for the next hour till I was truly indifferent to food, as I would be after any other meal. I now recall a dream where I idly contemplated smoking a cigarette as an alternative to snacking!

After, what, 7 years? I am still an abstaining addict, not a non-smoker! Damn tobacco and all who profit from it!

On fasting: it seems to be working for me once more, and I feel strange about it. I recognise part of me is afraid of losing weight. In my teens someone told me a story about this young overweight guy who lost loads of weight and was really pleased and then it turned out he had cancer, and died! That story has haunted me for over 40 years now!

I am wondering why I went through a phase when it felt like I just couldn't loose weight - I'd starve off a pound or so, then magically re-acquire it before the next fast. I am pretty certain Thursday is a much better day for the second fast of the week, with an N-day between the fast and the S-days to come.

My last weekend had some horrid moments - I ate a giant bag of crisps even though I didn't enjoy them. I wanted a treat, that was all that was available, they were disappointing, but admitting to the feeling of disappointment with my weekend would have been even harder.

automatedeating · Post by **automatedeating** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 11:35 pm

Hi Graham--I hate that feeling of eating junk and then not even enjoying it! I have started to plan ahead for my weekend treats so I only eat 'planned' junk.

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Thu Oct 31, 2013 7:56 am

12st 5 1/2lb, 43 1/2", BMI 26.8, WHtR 64.4%, Body Fat 39.1% # Fasting

Tuesday and Thursday fasts, for the first time, I believe. Let's see how it goes. Monday was meant to be a fast day, but the stormy weather suggested I might be busy and needing my strength (not actually true, as it happened, but it might have been)

Last night's meal was biggish, but only because I've been missing lunch and trying to get my "5 a day". Doing that in one meal took me over one plate, a conflict of goals. Today again, fasting, I'll probably put 5 different fruit/veg in one meal, and when I do, it will be sizeable.

Automatedeating, thanks for your visit and empathic comments. I visited your check-in but couldn't think of anything relevant to say, so I didn't.

I'm still puzzling over why fasting didn't seem to be working for me any more, yet now it is. Is it my fluid intake perhaps? Or is being vegetarian indirectly cutting my calorie intake? I wish I knew what had changed. If I don't know, how can I be sure I won't go back to fasting and failing? If I don't know what made the difference?

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Fri Nov 01, 2013 7:34 am

12st 5 3/4lb, 43 5/8", BMI 26.9, WHtR 64.6%, Body Fat 39.4%, #

Second fast perhaps too close to the first one? I got into non-stop nibbling last night post fast. I ate no garbage, but clearly enough to actually get bigger/heavier than I was yesterday. Damn.

Only yesterday I was pondering how I'd gone from fasting failure to fasting success, and now I'm back in the muddle and mystery again.

On a brighter note, my knee seems to be improving once again, now isometrics seem to be beneficial. I don't know why they've changed from harmful to helpful, but it seems to be true. I am very pleased to be doing them again, managing my weight without considering muscle mass was never going to be satisfactory.

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Sat Nov 02, 2013 7:18 am

12st 4 3/4lb, 43 3/4", BMI 26.7, WHtR 64.8%, Body Fat 39.9%, #

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Sun Nov 03, 2013 10:17 am

12st 5 1/4lb, 43 1/2", BMI 26.8, WHtR 64.4%, Body Fat 39.2%

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Mon Nov 04, 2013 10:11 am

12st 5 3/4lb, 43 1/2", BMI 26.9, WHtR 64.4%, Body Fat 39.1% Fasting

I am thinking about S days, and the conflict I feel about them. I don't feel I know how to handle them. I was sort of OK on Saturday; that was "home-made pancakes when I want them day". Then I found the sweets SO had bought for trick or treaters despite my opposition - and she'd gone away and left me alone with them!

I didn't have too many, not enough to cause nausea - but they were cheap, plentiful sweets and after a while I knew I was feeling strange inside because of eating them. I wanted a hit of happiness, something extra from my S day opportunity, and on Sunday I seemed to go wrong.

I could have bought chocolates, better ones, Lidl trufles, on Saturday, and found myself saying "No" to that - ambivalent and bothered by the extravagance - but the upshot was Sunday's degradation. I don't know how to buy and own sweets in an OK way, I think I'm ambivalent about pleasure itself.

I think I need to trawl the board for S-day strategies that work for others, see what might work for me: maybe one S-day treat a day, or two, but it's planned or time-restricted or whatever or of restricted overall quantity? Oh, Ice lollies - those worked for me: one a day on 2 S days felt like a treat without being too much to bear.

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 8:35 am

12st 5lb, 43 1/2", BMI 26.8, WHtR 64.4%, Body Fat 39.3%, #

After a run of fasts that seemed to have a pronounced effect without undue discomfort, I'm here: where the effect seems less powerful and perhaps gains are more precarious. SO is back, tidy No S will be harder to achieve.

Assuming my scale is honest I've shed a little since yesterday, but less than the spectacular successes I saw over the last few weeks. This will be another disrupted week: again central heating guys are scheduled, again a thursday will be disrupted, maybe after that I really will have working central heating.

Actually, I think maybe I could attempt a fast on Thursday anyway. Unless there is some major effort suddenly required of me that day, I don't need to be particularly strong.

Imogen Morley · Post by **Imogen Morley** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 8:49 am

I feel as conflicted as you do about S-days. I'm curious: do you keep the three-a-day structure on weekends? This may help. Also, I've made "no seconds of dessert" rule some time ago. After my meals I take what looks like a normal portion, and stop at that, no seconds. If there are multiple treats, I get one portion of each kind. It really works as long as you make it a habit. I came up with this after reading about Wansink's study: http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/h ... -1.1254864
The key is to have a small portion of whatever your crave, and then go do something distracting. If you want more, you need to wait until after your next meal. And we NoSers are good at waiting

Hope it gives you something to think about.

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Wed Nov 06, 2013 10:50 am

12st 4lbs* 43 3/4", BMI 26.6* WHtR 64.8%, Body Fat 40.1%* #

*Scale not showing fractions probably, true weight uncertain. Waist expands if I wait patiently with tape around my middle. Accuracy uncertain.

Thursday fast ruled out by central heating installation plus evening trip to a tango show. I will miss my fast.

I don't know if there's any point in a Friday fast, leading into 2 S days unless I follow some restriction, perhaps such as you, Imogen, have described. On your 3 meals a day question - I try to keep to that on S days too, but don't always manage. Ad hoc pancakes, for example, make breakfast/lunch into one.

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Fri Nov 08, 2013 7:48 am

12st 3 3/4lbs, 43 1/4", BMI 26.6, WHtR 64.1%, Body Fat 39%, # Fasting

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Sat Nov 09, 2013 8:38 am

12st 3 3/4lbs, 43 1/4", BMI 26.6, WHtR 64.1%, Body Fat 39%, #

Well.

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Sun Nov 10, 2013 9:24 am

12st 3 3/4lbs, 43 3/4", BMI 26.6, WHtR 64.8%, Body Fat 40.2%

Big packs of doritos are not a good idea if alone, not much better if 2 but you're the only hungry one.

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Mon Nov 11, 2013 10:16 am

12st 4 3/4lbs, 43 5/8", BMI 26.7, WHtR 64.6%, Body Fat 39.6%, Fasting

I had some nicer treats on Sunday - fish fingers with chips and curry sauce, then, later on, fried bananas with cream. And a few sweets, and a growing resolve not to buy giant bags of crips or corn chips except if I'm going to a party.

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Tue Nov 12, 2013 8:16 am

12st 4 3/4lbs, 43 1/2", BMI 26.7, WHtR 64.4%, Body Fat 39.3%

I am mystified. I did have seconds at my fast ending meal - but nothing outrageous, and it wasn't even my old full-sized plate anyway, and one piece of buttered bread - no, make that three - but from a tiny rustic loaf. Anyway I lost nothing? Really? 1/8" off my waist? that it? for a whole day's fast and all the walking I did too?

Not fair I say, not fair! I have, in the past, had unusually successful fasts, when I shed more than I felt my efforts would achieve, so I could put it down to fluctuations beyond my understanding, still, I'd been hoping to get nearer to 12st 2lbs sometime this week, and that doesn't look so likely now.

Nearly forgot another odd thing: I had this horrible dream: Everton beat Liverpool by some massive margin in the derby match. It felt like the world had gone horribly wrong, Martinez was the guy not Rodgers - very disturbing!

One more thing: today I finally get my knee examined by the joint experts. I want to understand my problems and hope they won't suggest surgery, which I find rather scary. I'm not really sold on the bionic body. One crowned tooth was enough to put me wise to the prosthetic hype. And any operation can kill you.

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Wed Nov 13, 2013 8:40 am

12st 2 3/4lbs, 43 1/2", BMI 26.4, WHtR 64.4%, Body Fat 39.9% #

OK, delayed good news weight-wise - only why is the only fraction I ever see now 3/4 lb? I am suspicious, yet mainly pleased, all goes in the hoped-for direction. I get either no fraction, or 3/4lb, and this has been so for several weeks. I can't remember when I last saw a 1/2" or 1/4" (10 days ago, November 3rd)

On the green/red/yellow thing: I had pasta, brought to the table in a bowl, you helped yourself as you went along. A one-plater would have looked boorish, I get told off by SO for the look of it, she is happier to see me have a little, then check whether I want more, and then if I want it, to have more. It works for her. I didn't go over one virtual plate, yet I'm not one-plating and experiencing the embarassment factor which is supposed to be the point of it.

My knee diagnosis: a torn meniscus, which can be treated but not healed by physiotherapy or surgery, it will never be 100% whatever they do, but it can be improved. I opted to try physio first and see how it goes, even "minor" surgery doesn't sound minor to me.

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Thu Nov 14, 2013 8:26 am

12st 3 1/4lb, 43 3/4", BMI 26.5, WHtR 64.8%, Body Fat 40.4%, # Fasting

automatedeating · Post by **automatedeating** » Fri Nov 15, 2013 2:26 am

So frustrating that I can't convert those stones to pounds in my head...

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Fri Nov 15, 2013 10:39 am

12st 3 3/4lbs, 43 5/8", BMI 26.6, WHtR 64.6%, Body Fat 39.9%, #

Fast ended in monster meal, and then nibbling at bread and cheese. Partly because they were there to hand, but also with a desire not satisfied despite a well-filled plate. Disappointing result, what was all that for? It was a hard fast, when I felt hungry quite persistently during the day, maybe it was too hard?

Otherwise some good: recently resumed regular isometrics beginning to give a pleasing sense of muscle tone, a background pleasure in existence itself.

Hello automatedeating. I like the stones/lbs thing myself, just giving weight in pounds seems incomplete to me. As I'm sure you know, 1 stone = 14 pounds, so 12 stone is 168 pounds, my current weight is 171.75 lbs.

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Sat Nov 16, 2013 8:50 am

12st 3 1/2lb, 43 3/4", BMI 26.5, WHtR 64.8%, Body Fat 40.3%, #

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Sun Nov 17, 2013 9:47 am

12st 3lb, 43 1/2", BMI 26.4, WHtR 64.4%, Body Fat 39.8%

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 9:36 am

12st 4 1/4lb, 43 1/2", BMI 26.6, WHtR 64.1%, Body Fat 38.9%, Fasting

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Tue Nov 19, 2013 9:13 am

12st 4 3/4lb, 43 5/8", BMI 26.7, WHtR 64.6%, Body Fat 39.6%, #

All going pear-shaped. ha ha.

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Wed Nov 20, 2013 9:58 am

12st 3 3/4lb, 43 7/8", BMI 26.6, WHtR 65%, Body Fat 40.5%, #

I am heavier and fatter than Wednesday of last week. Yesterday lunch got crowded out, supper was large, generous, yet still I was mentally questing for something more, a treat or a dessert. I had to wait that out a long time, a bit like smoking cravings when I quit. They were annoyingly persistent. Yet I'm lighter today. Is that what it's going to take?

I note others posting on No S mentioning being comfortable with hunger - but that is before a meal, not after it! Leaving the table less than full is different from leaving the table feeling a nagging dissatisfaction, a restless wondering what more there might be to eat - that feels very addict-like.

I can't find fault with my meal - plentiful varied vegetables, a bean burger topped with cheese - all good. And a slice of buttered bread. Am I to learn to live with post-meal hunger as dancers and models do?

On a brighter note, I'm doing fairly regular isometrics, and continue to feel I'm gaining tone and increasing bodily well-being. I suspect I must have at least some increase in muscle-mass. Aerobic exercise is a trickier issue: my damaged knee is limiting walking and dancing. I might succeed with getting back on my bike. I have also wondered about the notorious shovelglove - but I have low ceilings and wonder if I would have the space for an uninhibited workout.

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Thu Nov 21, 2013 9:37 am

12st 2 3/4lb, 43 1/2", BMI 26.4, WHtR 64.4%, Body Fat 39.9%, #

I have a party to go to tonight, I don't think fasting should precede partying. So I won't. Then tomorrow? Fast then eat then choir practise? Not sure.

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Fri Nov 22, 2013 10:47 am

12st 3 3/4lb, 43 1/2", BMI 26.6, WHtR 64.4%, Body Fat 39.6%, #, Fasting

Knee setback. Friend's dog launched itself at me, caught me sideways on the knee, had a poor night's sleep, I hope it's just a setback, it takes ages to get seen by a specialist unless you go private.

eschano · Post by **eschano** » Fri Nov 22, 2013 2:12 pm

I hope everything will work out with your knee Graham!

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Sat Nov 23, 2013 9:07 am

12st 2 3/4lb, 43 7/16", BMI 26.4, WHtR 64.4%, Body Fat 39.7%, #

Thanks for the kind thought Eschano though i'm not sure what is actually possible. I'm told complete recovery isn't, it's just a choice between different approaches to amelioration. I'm wondering how to have sustainable exercise with this problem. All exercises pose the problem of eventual joint wear, I'm not sure there are any exceptions. I'll work on it though, not giving up yet.

So, an S day - and the challenge, to have the benefit of relaxed rules without paying the penalty for excess. I have ice cream in the freezer! I can make pancakes and eat them all day long!

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Sun Nov 24, 2013 6:31 pm

12st 3 1/2lb, 44", BMI 26.5, WHtR 65.2%, Body Fat 40.9%

Heavier and fatter than last Sunday. I did go to a restaurant on Saturday night but I was quite restrained, I thought. I had a pizza, and a beer.

Maybe I'll do better next week? I wonder. Despite knee problems restricting exercise once more, I'm sticking with the Isometrics and feeling a pleasurable buzz of well-being.

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Mon Nov 25, 2013 1:27 pm

12st 4 1/4lb, 43 1/2", BMI 26.6, WHtR 64.4%, Body Fat 39.5%, Fasting

I am where I was last Monday. I have attended two social gatherings in the past week which may go some way to explain that. However, I think fasting shouldn't directly precede or directly follow S days, or S days as I now have them, fairly loose, anything goes sort of eating.

To address that I'd have to fast Tuesdays and Thursdays, which feels a bit tight., might be a strain. Maybe I'll try it. I'm just thinking about how I ate yesterday and wondering did I eat more than I needed because I knew I'd be fasting today?

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Tue Nov 26, 2013 9:44 am

12st 4 1/2lb, 43 5/8", BMI 26.7, WHtR 64.6%, Body Fat 39.7%,#

???

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Wed Nov 27, 2013 8:43 am

12st 3 3/4lb, 43 5/8", BMI 26.6, WHtR 64.6%, Body Fat 39.9% #

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Thu Nov 28, 2013 8:29 am

12st 3 1/4lb, 43 3/4", BMI 26.5, WHtR 64.8%, Body Fat 40.4%, # Fasting

Plenty to do today: Seeing SO off for 12 days, choir preparation, scenar treatment on my knee, Tomatis phase 2 starts tomorrow. And fasting.

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Fri Nov 29, 2013 8:53 am

12st 3lb, 43 1/2", BMI 26.4, WHtR 64.4%, Body Fat ei.8%, #

The post-fast eating went badly awry. I felt hungry after eating, eventually succumbing to the lure of ice cream in the freezer. Thing is, there was a time when it worked to fast and then eat a big meal, the satisfaction of which kept me to one plate. My current favourite post-fast meal no longer seems guaranteed to produce that effect. Too little protein perhaps? Or too little fat? White rice? Or quorn instead of chicken? Also SO is away so I didn't have the observer effect to shame me over visitng and then re-visitng the freezer.

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Sat Nov 30, 2013 4:44 pm

12st 2 3/4lbs, 43 3/4", BMI 26.4, WHtR 64.8%, Body Fat 40.5%, #

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Sun Dec 01, 2013 9:38 am

12st 3lb, 43 1/2", BMI 26.4, WHtR 64.4%, Body Fat 39.8%

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Mon Dec 02, 2013 10:24 am

12st 3 1/4lb, 43 5/8", BMI 26.6, WHtR 64.6%, Body Fat 39.9%, Fasting

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Tue Dec 03, 2013 9:06 am

12st 3 3/4lb, 43 5/8", BMI 26.6, WHtR 64.6%, Body Fat 39.9%, #

Half a pound gained: not a surpise, really, the post fast meal was sizeable, as much as it took to stop me feeling any desire to eat more than one plate: i.e. stuffed.

The overall impact of these manouvres must be judged over one or two days. On the surface it looks like stalemate, fasting as I do it now, a pointless ordeal. If I eat less post-fast I feel continuing nagging appetite after the meal is finished, and that is the tedious situation fasting was supposed to forestall.

I started fasting because No S alone didn't bring my weight down at all (after about a month of compliance) and for quite a while, the combination worked. Now, after shedding about 10lbs, the strategy seems to be failing. Only now, I'm not sure if I dare stop fasting, for fear of regaining all that I lost. Trapped. Damn.

It isn't just about fasting though: my damaged knee has reduced my ability to exercise, the bike rides and rowing machine use that proved so serviceable in the past are denied me.

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Wed Dec 04, 2013 12:20 pm

12st 2 3/4lb, 43 3/4", BMI 26.4, WHtR 64.8%, Body Fat 40.5%, #

How it currently seems to be working: big post fast meal, no weight lost the next day but reduced appetite so weight lost the day after.

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Fri Dec 06, 2013 10:01 am

12st 2 3/4lb, 43 3/4", BMI 26.4, WHtR 64.8%, Body Fat 40.5%, #

Yesterday I was half a pound heavier but didnt fast as I didn't want to feel tired, and I'm beginning to reconsider my strategy. I think the heavy post-fast eating is straining my digestion, but the anticipation of a generous post-fast meal helps to make the experience bearable.

I've been busy in the middle of the day most days this week and found myself not able to fit in lunch. Might explain today's weight drop. I'm busy with choir matters for the next 10 days and fasting and singing do not go together!

I may fast next week, I may not: with choir rehearsals Monday, Wednesday, Friday, a friend's funeral on Thursday and a special Christmas service on Saturday I don't see how I'd fit that in. SO will be back, so pressure to have "healthy" snacks will be on once more, but so will the embarrassment of being caught eating untimely chocolate or ice-cream.

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Sun Dec 08, 2013 9:06 am

12st 4 1/2lbs, 43 3/4", BMI 26.7, WHtR 64.8%, Body Fat 39.9%

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Mon Dec 09, 2013 10:47 am

12st 6 1/4lbs, 43 3/4", BMI 26.9, WHtR 64.8%, Body Fat 39.5%

So, a week without fasting, then a weekend of middling S-ness and look where I am!

In my mind's eye I see this exercise where you see someone running against this giant rubber band, and the moment they stop trying they're yanked back to where they started. And the elastic is pulling me.

I don't want to fast today because I have choir tonight, must practice during the day, and in my opinion singing and fasting do NOT go well together. Singing is a really demanding, energetic activity and being hungry whilst practicing is a miserable affair.

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Tue Dec 10, 2013 9:15 am

12st 5 1/4lb, 43 5/8", BMI 26.8, WHtR 64.6%, Body Fat 39.5%, #

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Wed Dec 11, 2013 10:31 am

12st 3 1/2lbs, # but I forgot to measure my waist before having a mug of coffee. (it was 43 7/8" when I did measure it!)

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Sat Dec 14, 2013 9:51 am

12st 5 1/2lbs, 43 1/2", BMI 26.8, WHtR 64.4%, Body Fat 39.1%, #

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Mon Dec 16, 2013 10:54 am

12st 5 1/2lbs, 43 1/2", BMI 26.8, WHtR 64.4%, Body Fat 39.1%, Fasting

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Tue Dec 17, 2013 1:11 pm

12st 4 3/4lbs, 43 1/2", BMI 26.7, WHtR 64.4%, Body Fat 39.3%, #

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Wed Dec 18, 2013 10:17 am

12st 3 3/4lb, 43 5/8" (post coffee)

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Thu Dec 19, 2013 3:02 pm

we've got a visitor staying so weighing, measuring and avoiding festive food tempo are all difficult. A party tonight made fasting today a bad idea. Maybe tomorrow.

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 8:24 am

12st 6 1/4lb, 43 3/4", BMI 26.9, WHtR 64,9%, Body Fat 39.5%, #

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Tue Dec 24, 2013 1:21 pm

12st 5 1/2lbs. # Could be worse. Slight cold, choir tonight and tomorrow, food to cook and eat, stormy weather.

MJ7910 · Post by **MJ7910** » Tue Dec 24, 2013 1:35 pm

good luck with the holidays. a difficult time for all of us

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Sun Dec 29, 2013 5:00 pm

12st 8lb, 44 3/8", BMI 27.2, WHtR 65.7%, Body Fat 40.5%

LoriLifts · Post by **LoriLifts** » Thu Jan 02, 2014 12:22 am

Hi Graham,
I walked over from my blog to wish you a Happy, Healthy No S 2014!

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Sat Jan 04, 2014 7:46 am

12st 7lb, 44 1/2", BMI 27.1, WHtR 65.9%, Body Fat 41.1%, #

automatedeating · Post by **automatedeating** » Mon Jan 06, 2014 4:40 am

Happy New Year, Graham!

automatedeating · Post by **automatedeating** » Mon Jan 06, 2014 5:23 am

Hi Graham,

What's the longest amount of time you've done Vanilla NoS since you started (years ago?) You're not very overweight, so maybe 6 months would be a decent go. It'd be easier than what you're doing now (reading about all your fasts always makes me feel like I should go check my pantry for food).

So you might gain a little at first, but I think it might be worth a try!

For some reason I thought you had tried Vanilla NoS for a year or so before trying intermittent fasting.

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Mon Jan 06, 2014 10:52 am

12st 8 3/4lb, 44 9/16", BMI 27.3, WHtR 66%, Body Fat 40.7%, Fasting

Hello Automatedeating. The idea of a 12 month trial of No S may be a good one. I would be interested to know whether vanilla No S would have the sort of beneficial effects on blood chemistry that have been shown with intermittent fasting.

My fasting experience has been very frustrating at times, the upbeat accounts of it tend to be about younger bodies, younger immune systems than mine, yet for all the setbacks, fasting has charm too. Add to that my knee problems which prevent me from doing as much exercise as I might ideally do, and fasting seems to recommend itself.

If you look through BrightAngel's account of her dieting experience you may see that Vanilla No S isn't enough for some people. I think I, having been a fat child, may not easily come to rest at some healthy BMI just using vanilla No S, or not yet. Should I ever resolve the deep issues that may be the drivers of my overeating, perhaps I'll be able to follow your suggestion with success.

automatedeating · Post by **automatedeating** » Mon Jan 06, 2014 1:52 pm

Hi Graham,
I definitely accept that Vanilla NoS is not enough for a lot of people. I really am OK with that and would not try to push someone into it if they are led a different way.

I was just wondering about how IF may actually be stressing your body. IF is great in theory, and wonderful for many in practice. For others, it doesn't work as well. If that is the case, it could actually mean that you could eat a few more calories with Vanilla NoS and actually be weighing the same as you do now. That'd be nice, eh?

But it would have to be an experiment.

What a bummer that your knee prohibits even a rowing machine and a bicycle! I feel for you, that must be frustrating.

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Tue Jan 07, 2014 1:20 pm

12st 6 3/4lb, 44 1/4", BMI 27, WHtR 65.6%, Body Fat 40.6%, #

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Fri Jan 17, 2014 9:47 am

12st 7lb, 43 13/16", BMI 27.1, WHtR 64.9%, Body Fat 39.5%, # Fasting

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Sat Jan 18, 2014 9:57 am

12st 5 3/4lb, 44" BMI 26.9, WHtR 65.2%, Body Fat 40.2%, #

It went quite well for a Friday fast, with a choir rehearsal in the evening. I ate at 6 but with no elaborate cooking, SO had left me 2 home-made veggie burgers. Accompanied by a fried egg and a toasted teacake. Home again I had yoghourt with jam stirred in.

I ate less than usual post fast and could have skipped the yoghourt without distress had it not been offered. I just didn't feel that hungry.

It was poor on the vegetable front, I've only managed 5 a day 25% of this month and I'm wondering if my chest congestion is connected with that. I think I will try harder, without stuffing myself to cram in an extra portion of anything

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Mon Jan 20, 2014 10:02 am

12st 6 3/4lb, 44 1/8", BMI 27, WHtR 65.37 Body Fat 40.3% Fasting

I can't give all the stats because the calculator I use at http://home.fuse.net/clymer/bmi/ and the page it appears on aren't reachable today *. I've emailed it's creator, Jeffrey Clymer, in the hope that he will fix/resurrect it but for now, I'll have to live without it. Or do the calculations myself....

Standalone BMI calculators can be found elsewhere on the net, WHtR is a straightforward (but time-consuming) calculation, the body fat % is something I'd have to look into. It was nice that they were calculated for me, and that they were accompanied by a lot of information about how to interpret the figures once you had them. I would be sorry if that free resource, so kindly provided, were to vanish.

So, I've got 2 figures, but the body fat% calculators elsewhere on the net require more information than I've had to submit to the calculator I've been using. Things like wrist circumference. I may delve into that. One thing that strikes me is how my BMI is only in the overweight category, but my Waist to Height Ratio is interpreted as highly obese/risky on sites I've visited today. Knee issues restrict my exercise options so fasting, which has reported benefits beyond reducing calorific intake, will remain a key part of my weight/waist loss strategy for the time being.

* 5:45 pm Update: Mr Clymer was kind enough to get back to me, saying all appeared fine with the link as far as he could see - and he's right - so long as you aren't using the latest Firefox update. I don't know why but Firefox can't go to that site, though Internet Explorer can. Anyway, panic over. Phew.

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Tue Jan 21, 2014 12:46 pm

12st 6 1/2lb, 44 1/4", BMI 27, WHtR 65.6%, Body Fat 40.6%, #

Mixed impact fast - lighter yet fatter. My fast-ending meal was buffet-style so automatic No S fail. A quorn stir-fry with yoghourt wrapped in genuine nixtamalised corn tortillas. And then later, mince pies with cream. Supply running low, probably for the best.

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Thu Jan 23, 2014 8:36 am

12st 6 1/2lbs, 44", BMI 27, WHtR 65.2%, Body Fat 40%, #

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Sat Jan 25, 2014 9:22 am

12st 5 3/4lbs, 43 7/8", BMI 26.9, WHtR 65%, Body Fat 40% #

First time I ever fasted without weighing/measuring before and after. Just after. I see I am virtually unchanged from this time last Saturday. Again it was a Friday fast with its complications. Thursday fasts abandoned because I have a tango class to go to in the evening and being post-fast doesn't strike me as a good fit.

Post fast choir isn't working that well either, partly because of SO and snacking issues, and alcohol. I'm drinking more. As we sit and watch Mad Men we had a gift bottle of Bailey's to get through, now that's gone we've started on the Advocaat, I'll be glad when it's gone, I'll get back to the occasional bottle of beer and leave it at that. (Mad Men won't last forever either, and I've no intention of watching the Sopranos)

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Sun Jan 26, 2014 7:53 am

12st 6 1/2lbs 44 1/8", BMI 27, WHtR 65.4%, Body Fat 40.3%

Stagnation, how is next week to be any better?

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Mon Jan 27, 2014 11:24 am

12st 6 3/4lb 44" BMI 27, WHtR 65.2%, Body Fat 40%, Fasting

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Tue Jan 28, 2014 8:37 am

12st 5 3/4lb, 44 3/8", BMI 26.9, WHtR 65.7%, Body Fat 41.1%, #

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Wed Jan 29, 2014 9:11 am

12st 4 1/4lb, 44", BMI 26.6, WHtR 65.2%, Body Fat 40.7%, #

Nice surprise. I did eat less than I wanted to yesterday except for my evening meal, but the size of the loss is bigger than I get after most fasts. I won't get too excited, machines can lie.

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Thu Jan 30, 2014 3:15 pm

12st 4 3/4lb, 44", BMI 26.7, WHtR 65.2%, Body Fat 40.5%, #

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 9:35 am

12st 4 3/4lb, 44 1/4", BMI 26.7, WHtR 65.6%, Body Fat 41.1%, # Fasting

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Sat Feb 01, 2014 10:12 am

12st 4 3/4lb, 43 3/4", BMI 26.7, WHtR 64.8%, Body Fat 39.9%, #

An unexpected post-choir birthday wine and snacks undermined my fasting efforts. My weight is disappointing, though the waist consoles me. I'm hung over, the gloom will not lift.

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Sun Feb 02, 2014 9:33 am

12st 5 1/2lb, 44", BMI 26.8, WHtR 65.2%, Body Fat 40.3%

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Mon Feb 03, 2014 4:21 pm

12st 6 3/4lb, 44", BMI 27, WHtR 65.2%, Body Fat 40%, Fasting

Disappointed of course. This is not where I wanted to be today. One hopeful fact: in the last week I did isometrics 3 times, so a little more of that weight might be muscle...

eschano · Post by **eschano** » Tue Feb 04, 2014 10:49 am

Graham wrote: so a little more of that weight might be muscle...

Well done for doing isometrics 3x!

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Tue Feb 04, 2014 1:53 pm

12st 5lb, 43 7/8", BMI 26.8, WHtR 65%, Body Fat 40.2%, #

Another surprise party, buffeting a pasta bake, despite which the numbers offer encouragement.

Eschano, thanks for the appreciation.

Graham · Post by **Graham** » Wed Feb 05, 2014 10:25 am

12st 4 1/2lb, 43 3/4", BMI 26.7, WHtR 64.8%, Body Fat 39.9% #

SO's birthday so I'll be having an S-day evening meal and afternoon snacks at Tango class. How long before I see this weight/waist again?