The FastDay Forum

I'm so glad you are joining us @Sassy1! I must admit that when you first mentioned the FODMAP diet, I googled it and I don't quite understand what it is. But I hope it gives you the motivation you are looking for!

Thanks @cblasz!

FODMAP stands for Fermentable Oligo-saccharides, Di-saccharides, Mono-saccharides And Polyols. These are sugars than can be poorly absorbed and may be responsible for IBS. Sucrose and glucose are not a problem but fructose, lactose, such sugars as sorbitol, fructans all can be. These are present in a wide range of fruits and veggies - but lots of veggies and some fruits are fine. And just because you have a problem with one type of sugar does not mean you have a problem with another. So the diet involves excluding all possible foods that can cause a problem, then once symptoms have gone, reintroducing foods one at a time and seeing how you react. Just like you can do with any food intolerance.

As I think I have said, I do know some of the foods already that are likely culprits for me (unfortunately apples, which is a pity as these are my favourite fruit). My IBS symptoms are nowhere as bad as many have, but I must admit I hate the bloating I get (tummy can swell so that I look several months pregnant!!!!). If I can identify all the culprits, then at least I can chose whether or not to have them (I don't think I am prepared to give up apples... there is no other fruit that compares to the crispy cleansing sweetness of an apple).

As I also said, I hope that sticking to this plan will help me more mindful with other things I eat. I can in fact have a small amount of milk chocolate with this diet, but knowing I am not supposed to have more than 3 small squares might help me stick to that! Wheat and rye products have to be excluded - it isn't the gluten but the fructans - so that should stop the indulging in bread and cracker biscuits that I sometimes do (I don't expect I will bother to find a source of bread /cracker from other flours). A glass of wine is allowed.

Anyway, will see how I go. Day 1 was fine!

Sounds good! Good luck with it. Incidentally, I can't eat apples or a number of other raw fruits/vegetables either. It's a cross pollen allergy which makes my lips and mouth swell up. It's not life threatening (i don't think!) but pretty uncomfortable. When I was little I was eating an apple and said to my dad "Don't you hate how your lips itch when you eat apples?" and that's when I learned it didn't happen to everyone! I can eat some things if I heat them in the microwave for 30 seconds or so. I'll do that sometimes with strawberries or raspberries.

Hi @cblasz

That sounds awful - much worse than the reaction (I assume) I have. Is it a fairly rare condition? I certainly haven't heard of it. Is it just trial and error to find the fruits that cause the problem, or is there a known list?

I know you like bananas - what other fruits can you have?

It definitely seemed rare when I was growing up. All my friends used to make fun of me (in a friendly way) about my itchy lips!! But, with social media now and everything I've heard of it a bit more and finally learned that it was the cross pollen allergy. I have terrible hay fever in the spring, so it makes sense.
Here's an article I found on it.
http://acaai.org/allergies/types/food-a ... y-syndrome

It is trial and error. I CAN eat bananas, blueberries, grapes, grapefruit, oranges, melon. That's all I can think of right now!

I do avoid those foods, but occasionally I'll eat a strawberry or something and it's not too bad. If I ate a lot of something, it would be much worse. It is a drag though that I can't have a lot of fruits!

Hi @cblasz

I read the link - wow, be careful! Though it does sound like extreme reactions decrease with age??

The fruits you can eat are very similar to the FODMAP allowed fruits. Interesting.

I understand that food and other intolerances and allergies have become more common over the years. Many reasons are postulated! Your situation would have been unusual when you were young, but now goodness knows how many children in a class have some sort of problem - peanut allergy being the one most publicised of course.

My Sunday weigh-in day seems to have come round very quickly! I have to report no loss for this week but I am not surprised given that I lost quite well last week and only have four pounds to go until I am back to target.

I have been very bad with the exercise this week, having achieved a ridiculously low number of steps on every day but I have been chained to the computer doing paperwork for a variety of committees that I am secretary for, so the low step count is no surprise. I must do better!

I hope that everyone else is doing well on the challenge. Don't forget to check in - even if, like me, you have no success to report! It certainly helps to keep me focussed.

Good job @StowgateResident - no loss is still better than a gain!

I lost almost a pound this week. Yesterday morning it was almost 2 lbs. but I had some snacks and went out to dinner last night. I did also go on a big hike. Hopefully some of the extra pound is water weight. Either way I'm still going in the right direction!

I need to work on getting more exercise during the week. I'm still REALLY busy with the beginning of the school year, so I hope soon I'll settle in to more of a routine and be able to get my walks in every day. I also have to keep working on not overdoing it on the weekend!

I'm happy anyway with my progress so far!

Have a great week everyone!

Down 1.6 pounds this week! Less than I wanted but I will take any loss, because I've tried plenty of other diets that didn't work AT ALL until this one. And 1.6 pounds is something to be proud of, especially when I remind myself that I've lost almost 11 pounds since starting 5:2/4:3 28 days ago!! I'm starting to feel like the old, radiant me!

Just keep on keeping on, everyone! I trust we will all see success during this challenge. We still have 6 weeks, after all. See you next week!

Anything more than a pound a week is great!!

Hello
Seems like other people are making nice progress! Congratulations - that is great!
I'm trying, but I'm so busy with work right now that I just don't have the focus I had during the summer. I haven't been able to fast at all, other than skipping breakfast a few times a week. My main goal is to stay away from sugar. I've done ok with that, had a few bites over the weekend but mostly low carb and no sugar or grains. Today I made a low carb eggplant parm for dinner, and that was delicious and will be a good lunch tomorrow. My weight has been all across the board, little ups and downs, but hopefully I'll get back on track before I gain anything that sticks around!

Hang in there @nycnyc2013! I find that sticking with an eating window every day is easier than fasting. And for me it helps that I'm busy, because once I get to work I don't even have time to eat until lunch! But, it's good you are still trying, no matter what!

May I join in on this challenge? I just signed up on this site after looking for an intermittent fasting support group. I am doing IF at 4:3. Completed the first week on Saturday and on to week#2 now. It would be nice to have a place to report to and going for a first goal at Halloween time would be very good for me. I started beginning of last week at 163 lbs,, this morning at 160.6. I have been bouncing back up a bit after every fast day and then down the next, with an overall trend going downward. Yesterday was a fast day, so scale will likely tick up a bit tomorrow.

What has been the weight loss trend for others? Not too many people seem to be doing 4:3, mostly doing 5:2. I may switch after I get into the 140s. Just taking it one day at a time for now.

Thank you for being here and look forward to giving/receiving support!

Have a strong day!

Kathleen

[Tracieknits]

May I join in on this challenge? I just signed up on this site after looking for an intermittent fasting support group. I am doing IF at 4:3. Completed the first week on Saturday and on to week#2 now. It would be nice to have a place to report to and going for a first goal at Halloween time would be very good for me. I started beginning of last week at 163 lbs,, this morning at 160.6. I have been bouncing back up a bit after every fast day and then down the next, with an overall trend going downward. Yesterday was a fast day, so scale will likely tick up a bit tomorrow.

What has been the weight loss trend for others? Not too many people seem to be doing 4:3, mostly doing 5:2. I may switch after I get into the 140s. Just taking it one day at a time for now.

Thank you for being here and look forward to giving/receiving support!

Have a strong day!

Kathleen

Welcome @AutumnKathleen! Of course you may join. We're happy to have you here

[Tracieknits]

Reporting it - no real change in my weight. 202.4 this morning, which isn't significant. At least it's not significant slightly down instead of not significant slightly up.

We're having pretty good compliance with the low carb, but I have to admit we've been drinking more than we probably should. We shared four bottles of wine last week. The weather has been *amazing* for sitting on our back deck and popping open a lovely bottle. And the news definitely makes one want to drink. Sigh.

I started working for my sister in law, she runs a music merchandising business. I'm doing bookkeeping stuff. So super busy! But doing well nonetheless

we have THREE birthdays this weekend. All being celebrated on Saturday, including my son's 17th birthday. I will have one small slice of cake.