The FastDay Forum

I had some bad news at work. My contract isn't being renewed, so I only have 1year left here. I was more or less blind sided by this news because people in a similar situation to mine were renewed recently. Anyway... It's put me in a bad place emotionally. I'm only about 4kg from goal, and was less than 3kg from goal recently, but now I've hit a plateau. Or I'm not losing because of muscle repair from running after a long break. Whatever. I'm not losing. And worse, while my fast days are fine (except a recent chewing gum obsession), I'm slipping into old bad habits on non fast days. Like eating because I feel sorry for myself. Eating when I'm not hungry. Eating crap when I should eat healthier. At least I'm not gaining (fluctuating only so far, I guess). Still... I need to sort out my non fast days. At first I thought a bit of low carbing was the answer, but maybe I just need to stop snacking and start eating healthier on nf days. And when I'm feeling sorry for myself, find a non-caloric treat.

I feel like I jinxed myself by posting about maintenance plans here while still so far from goal.

Ugh. I hate my life right now.

Aw sorry to hear you are feeling glum. Those pesky last couple of kgs are a proverbial pain to shed. All the best things will work out something much better likely to b,e in store for you

Oh dear MaryAnn, what bad news about work

You're possibly going to hate me for saying this, but you must do your best to see it as an oppourtunity rather than the disaster it must feel like. I lost my job a few years ago & tried my hand at being self-employed for a short while until I fell over my current job which is better than I could ever have dreamed of

Try not to let this undo all the good work you've done with your weight, let your new reduced weight give you the confidence you're going to need to go out there & beat the world

Hi MaryAnn

Sorry to hear your news. I feel for you. On a positive note, you have 1 year to plan your next move. I know it will work out for you.

As for the weight. I am in a similar position. I was stuck with 5 lb to go to my goal. I suck, I gained, I lost, stuck then.... Lost 2 lb. I now have 3 to go. I now think 'so what' it will come off, just a matter of time and any way I am on this for life.

If you have a week or two of eating unhealthy, don't worry. Just get back into it when you are ready.

I wish you all the best and as I have already said I know things will work out for you.

Lesley

Good morning MaryAnn,

What a blow about your contract, no wonder everything else has gone a little bit haywire since but I agree with Annie on this one, it can be the opportunity to change things in your life and a year is a long time to sort things out. Don't worry about your weight, you are eating healthily and that is important so just be kind to yourself for a while until you get back on track after this emotional setback and good luck, do keep us posted,

Ballerina x

Maryann what a bummer. No wonder you're stalled. Endorse all that's said above. At least you are not gaining. But it doesn't help with the immediate feelings you have ... I would say just give yourself time, and you have already said yourself what you need to watch re diet. And a uear is a long time - just think where you were a year ago! And do come on here to let your frustrations out, everybody here to help.

Oh sorry to hear about your news. For those of us who have been through it, it is strangely empowering once you go through the stages of shock, anger, grief etc etc. if you need to eat more to get through this phase, then eat, but it will add to your burden and then you will end up blaming them for your weight gain as well as losing your job. The silver lining is that you have a year to plan your future as others have said. Embrace it. You are about to learn a lot about yourself. Good luck and keep us posted.

Just wanted to add my voice in support, MaryAnn. Sorry you're feeling so low - I've been there. Like some of the others said, hang on to the positives if you can -

- You have a year to plan your next adventure
- Your fast days are going well
- You're in good company on Plateau Land!

Maybe try low carb for a bit just to eating patterns back on track? So much of unhealthy eating seems to involve white carbs!

I also wondered whether you could manage a short break - maybe a weekend at a friends? Sometimes a change of scene works wonders.

And finally here's a link to another thread with some bracing advice from GMH which I thought just hits the spot -

5-2-diet-chat-f6/for-those-struggling-t7998.html

Good luck!

I so agree with what has been said above that often these things happen and in the future you will look back and think what a stroke of luck. However that doesn't help how you feel now so I would definitely try the non food treats to cheer yourself up otherwise it will just add to your general feeling of meh! I also jinxed myself by thinking of maintenance a little too early so now I am having to pull my socks up and carry on a bit longer. Best wishes however you deal with it

I have nothing to add apart from my support and a hug.
If this means you will have to leave Japan, throw your energy into planning all the things you haven't got around to doing there yet. And be kind to yourself

Hugs from me too.... it is easy to lose control of your eating when there are other major changes in life. All you can do it take one day at a time and try your hardest. We are all here to support you if and when required x

こんばんわマリアン、now I have to break into English. Look, you're nearly there. It's all been said. Very distressing job situation and no wonder your weight has stalled. Give yourself a break. It's all ok. When you get through this emotional turmoil, when your body gets used to its new weight, you will lose more weight. Meanwhile you have achieved a healthy weight. I hope your job situation soon sorts itself out. Obviously you have skills and talents and something will turn up. Meanwhile be kind to yourself. Hugs. がんばて

I can only echo what everyone has said. I know it's easier said than done, but try not to get so downhearted that you end up undoing all the good you've done so far. Use your year wisely and keep on track. As you know, with this forum you are not alone on your journey. Something better will turn up for you...just you see

Hi MaryAnn
Just want to add a massive hug to all the supportive messages here (((((((((((((((((())))))))))))))))))))
In a way you've helped a lot of people here,well youve helped me,coz i've noticed that a few people are struggling right now with 5:2, i know i am,so you speaking out feels like a gift for us all.
The positive messages left here for you from our wonderful fellow fasters i can take on board too,specially Shachat's link to GMH's words,which are so inspiring and are helping me re focus...I guess we all need that at times
I know this is a bad time for you and youre scared and shocked and fed up just now, so go very easy on yrself....even if you cant manage 5:2 for now or 16:8, please keep a handle on all things foodwise as in twelve months time when you are embarking on something new ( or even before then,who knows what opportunity may come up)you' ll want to still have that at target healthy figure to take with you into new ventures! X

Maryann that's awful news for you to deal with
However you've not jinxed youself at all what you have done is admitted that your bad habits are returning so Well done on that one, were both about the 6 month stage which is aparently a plateau time and i've recently returned from a holiday that i'm sure gave the mix-up i needed
Low carb is a good idea on all days for a while just to kickstart your weightloss also reread the book or the bubbles at top of forum page then maybe 4:3 doing the fasts as if they were the very first ones ( we were very careful at start all of us ) obvisouly reduce the crap or better still cutout for just a few weeks
You know all these things will work because weve done them all before, you have the tools to do the job so get stuck in !!!
Come-on we will do this together you and me
I'm repairing a holiday damage of 5kg now down to 4kg plus i want to reach my interim goal before christmas, so theres another challenge for you thats the deadline to go for not only you but me also Sue.

this very important document has been witnessed by many loyal members on this forum and is now binding !!!!!