Jenny's March Fasting Journal

[jennybelle]

I’m on day 2 of fasting in March 2020, and feeling pretty great actually. I just baked cookies with my kids and wasn’t tempted to try even a taste. My goal is to get through the first 7 days, and then will decide if I break it with a small meal and do a second 7 day, or push through to do the full 21 straight through. I have women’s retreat the 27th-29th so I won’t be fasting the entire month, but my goal is to lose at least 20lbs this month. I started at 242, so my goal weight is 222 by April 1. My ultimate goal is 150.

The most difficult part is avoiding social eating and drinking. I managed to do that yesterday, Sunday, when we had company over, and felt a bit sad and like I missed out on mimosas and wine that the friends brought. I need to remember that I am treating myself to this fasting experience, to health, and to the weight loss I’ve always wanted (I’ve been overweight since I was a child). No one batted an eye when I said I was fasting because it’s lent, and lot of people are, so at least I didn’t have to answer any questions or defend my choice to fast.

My husband has been out of work since October, so it’s been very stressful and I’ve gained a lot of weight with emotional eating, even though I had gotten down to 208 (so close to the 100s!). We’ve been going to a food bank too, and the food is not high quality, and a lot of carbs. I think fasting will help a lot.

[Compdude]

Yes. Fasting helps on a limited food budget. One of my staples during my workout phases between prolonged fasts is a Beef and Vegetable stew. Just created a batch with only stew meat, carrots & potatoes . Used onions , garlic and ginger. Also Beyond Bouillon beef bast. Next batch I’ll add tomatoes, corn & peas.

[jennybelle]

Day 3. I feel really good still, although still hungry. I weighed in this morning at 232.8, so I’ve lost nearly 10lbs in 2 days, which confirms that a bunch of the weight gain was water. whew I feel relieved about that. I took a power yoga class this morning that I absolutely love, and can’t wait to be able to do more advanced poses when I’m closer to 150lbs.

I voted and took my kids to the playground at the polling place because it’s 65 degrees out all of the sudden. When we got home we weeded the yard for another hour before going inside. I hope it’s camping weather soon (right now the nights are still too cold), because I miss doing that, and it’s nearly free.

I’m mulling over the idea in my head, that once the 21 days is over, I may extend until I’m under 200, just to take off that chunk of weight all at once. We’ll see. For now, one day at a time, and day 3 is going swimmingly!

Edit: It’s now bedtime with the kids and my husband is out and I’m angry at positively everything. This is quite the mood swing!! Normally, I’d grab a glass of wine and a snack after bedtime to sooth my nerves but obviously, I’m not doing that tonight. I still have another load of laundry to fold so that will keep my hands busy for a little bit. I know I’m stressed about finances and how to pay for life with 2 kids until my husband starts his new job. I was driving for Doordash for a bit, but now our car is leaking coolant so driving it a ton is not really an option since we can’t afford to fix it. Now writing about it, my mad has turned to sad, so that’s probably good, and shows that I can process my emotions instead of eating them.

[Compdude]

Hang in there. I understand where you’re at. In February 2018, I called the Suicide Hotline as I contemplated ending my life due to a business failure. A place where I never thought I’d find myself at since I’m an optimist by nature with a solid track record of overcoming adversity.

Don’t know if this will help, but hopefully will at least put a smile on your face:

[jennybelle]

Thank you Compdude for the reply. Financial stress is so difficult. I’m going to make it through, but all of this still weighs on me.

Today is day 5. I didn’t post yesterday because I was so irritable and mad! I made it through the day, but I didn’t have anything to say that I’d want to remember. Today is better mood-wise, but headachy, physically. I weighed in this morning at 229, so I’ve lost 13lbs in 4 days! Just 7lbs away from goal weight for the month, so that’s motivating. If I hit it early, I’ll make a new goal.

I’ve been watching Yasemin’s videos and they’re so helpful and inspiring, especially when I start feeling like it’s going to take forever to reach my goals. It’s so easy for me to get discouraged when I fast alone, as not part of a challenge. I’m so grateful to be taking part in this group fast!! I need to drop by the dollar store and get some sticky notes, but even though I haven’t done that part, I’m on board in action.

[Nayohme]

Great job!!! Keep it up!

[jennybelle]

Well, I’m finding out that being consistent with journaling is a goal to work on! Today is the morning of day 7. I was hardly able to sleep at all night 5, and then went to bed early (like 9pm) on day 6. I’m down to 226.8. Down 15.2lbs!!

I think partially because of the tiredness, yesterday was such a struggle!! I did eat around 7, 3oz of strip steak, hoping it would be a crutch and I could keep going. Then I ate 3 pieces of my kids’ pizza. To avoid making it any worse, I went to bed.

I downloaded an affirmations app that says things like:

I’m fasting to gift myself health
I’m fasting so I can have what I’ve always wanted.
I deserve the best!
I make choices that move me towards my goals.

Hopefully it will be helpful for the rest of the 14 days, which I will fast.

[jennybelle]

Made it through today, day 8 of the challenge, fully fasted. I’m not weighing this week because I’ll be bloated from my period, but I’ll weigh in after it ends. Daylight saving isn’t any fun for anyone.

[jennybelle]

Sigh. What a waste of a week. More financial troubles. I started a job only to have them close for Covid-19. I made it 3 days in last week and ate the rest of the week when my MIL visited. Not an excuse, it was my choice.

It’s a good thing I was fasting today, because we got the news that my husband’s new job, that he got the offer for in January, has halted all new hires from starting until April 15th at the earliest. I wanted so bad to eat my fears today, but I didn’t. I’d still be scared, but I’d also be getting heavier. I’m so angry that it’s taken this long. I’m angry because he isn’t helping around the house even though he’s been home for 6 months and I’m working 3 part time jobs. I’m sad and scared because I don’t want to go further into debt but that’s the only way I can see to pay our bills. Even if I’m not eating, the rest of the family is, plus mortgage,heat, water, and preschool (which is cancelled but they’re not refunding us). We have an airbnb out of our house but our bookings have cancelled so we won’t get paid for those. I feel physical dread in my gut about all this. I’m not even scared of getting sick, the financial stuff is so big.

Writing about it hasn’t really helped me feel better about it, but at least it’ll help me not eat about it.

[Compdude]

Check out your state and county websites. Things are happening to help people like us out.

Several politicians have latched onto Andrew Yang’s idea of UBI and are advocating sending out checks to Americans that Food Stamps and other safety net programs don’t cover.

Today is my first emotional/stress eating day since I began my program in August 9th of last year. It feels weird but I kinda felt I should indulge as I’ve been losing empathy for my fellow forum members who are struggling with this issue. I’m looking forward to starting my new fast after my last meal this Friday.

The reason for the emotional eating is I got slammed today. I do digital marketing for companies. All my restaurant clients were screaming for social media posts pushing their delivery and new curbside services. My one residential cleaning client was begging for an email blast pushing for a family safety oriented cleaning promotion.

On top of that stress I went to the grocery store for a break and the fear was palpable from all the folks stocking up for hunkering down. I was able to get everything I needed but I saw my store restricting eggs and bread on top of cleaning and paper supplies. Luckily people were well behaved and there wasn’t any fights or yelling.

One of the things I do during times like this is that the first thing I do when I wake up is spend a minute in bed giving thanks for what I have. Sometimes I also do it at the end of the day.

I pray you and your family get through this.

God bless.

[jennybelle]

Thanks for the support. It’s definitely hard to stay calm and level headed, seeing all the hoarding and stores setting limits. Good luck with this week and your following fast.

I weighed in this morning

230.2

So I still need to lose 10.2lbs this month to reach my goal for March. Today is the morning of day 2. Not quitting, so I know I can make it.

[jennybelle]

Yikes. Stress eating is real. Ate 2 left over pork ribs and a pack of nuts. Owning up and starting back.

[sjjazzy]

Acknowledge it then get right back to the goal.

[Compdude]

[jennybelle]

226.0 this morning. Day 2 again. I will fast until April 1 to meet my 222 goal. I can still do this!! I had cold symptoms starting Saturday. I couldn’t sleep at all because of an itchy throat so I finally ate so I could take muscinex, but I haven’t been gaining so I think I did my refeeds right.

It’s hard being home all day with the kids constantly demanding snacks. The weather has gotten rainy and chilly again so we can’t really go outside like we were the first few days of the community shutdown. We’re complying with all the CDC guidelines, staying in, not seeing anyone, but it is stressful.

My goals:
219 by April 1
199 by May 1
184 by June 1

If I can meet these goals, I’ll set new ones. Good luck everyone with their fasting!!

[Compdude]

Welcome back!

[jennybelle]

@Compdude Thank you!! It’s been a rough month, but I’m a fighter.

Down to 224.4 this morning, so I’ve lost 17.6lbs this month! Not too shabby, even if half of it was water. I went to the food bank this morning. They did contact-less pick up, where they just put it in my trunk at the curb. Slim pickings for sure, and no produce this time. I hope this thing doesn’t last much longer, so my husband can start work. Grocery stores are limiting the number of WIC items we can buy at a time, if the stores even have them. It’s not really worth it to even try. The stimulus package, as far as I know, doesn’t help those on unemployment.

It’s rainy here today, so I think I’m going to set up my workout room and do some yoga and meditation. Stay safe!

[Compdude]

Help is on the way. The #2 trillion stimulus package has been agreed to in the Senate. Unfortunately, the checks to the citizens won’t be sent out until May, at the earliest.

[jennybelle]

@Compdude it looks like they’ll extend unemployment, which would be a lifesaver for us. I hope they pass it soon. I can’t believe they’re dragging their feet on this so long.

I weighed in at 222.8 this morning! I’m 0.8lbs away from hitting my March goal of losing 20lbs! Woooo! Also, I did set up my workout room yesterday, and did a power yoga workout by Adriene on youtube for 45 minutes, with minimal interruptions by my kids. I’ve been missing my yoga since the gym closed. I also have an elliptical but I can’t even express how much I hate using it.

I’m having trouble finding any fresh lean protein in stores, so I might have to break my fast on Monday with canned tuna in lettuce wraps, but that’s at least a food I know I won’t binge on.

[Compdude]

There’s more help. This should explain everything:

F.A.Q. on Stimulus Checks, Unemployment and the Coronavirus Bill