The weekend

Weekends are for fun, not Fasting!

The weekend is not a good time for fasting! Weekends are traditionally about winding down, spending time with your loved ones and having fun. Weekends are when you meet up with your girlfriend for a cup of coffee in town , when you enjoy a romantic date on Saturday evening and a roast dinner with friends on the Sunday. Weekends are not meant to be spent on your computer working and replying to emails because you have become a social outcast!!

Escaping my home existence

Ive decided to rebel against my self imposed existence. No, I wont to succumbing to any solid food, although I have to say that this "lemonade" is starting to become a little boring. (Its terrible for the teeth , leaving a coating that Ive never exoperienced before! Yuk!) I need some fresh air and exercise so Ive arranged to meet a friend in Chester and I could do a brisk speed walk there. Of course we'll no doubt want to go for a "coffee" and I shall treat myself to the indulgence of a peppermint tea! Wonderful!

Received a few invitations including one to watch the rugby in a pub, one for Comedy Club tonite and one for the cinema ...and yes, Im taking the cinema option! At least once I get past the popcorn, Ill be safe with my bottle of water for company!

No real hunger

Actually joking aside , this fast has been SO much easier than I could have ever imagined. I reckon its easier to eat nothing at all than it is to sit down to a roast dinner and eat a small sized portion because thats all I need at the time. I havent yet felt really hungry. Ive experienced occasional yearnings for food but thats not really the same as being truly hungry. Of course, thats probably explained by the fact that I am eating spoonfuls of Maple Syrup (sugar) each day!!

Pocket Money Treats

Earlier today I popped to my local newsagent for a paper. Out of habit I glanced at the rows of Cadburys and Nestle, looking for something to spend my pennies on. The brightly coloured selection draws you in and the delight of spending money has nothing to do with hunger. It reminds me of being a child with pocket money to spend on a treat. It was not so much the treat that appealed to me, I realise now, but the anticipation of receiving a treat. Occasionally in the past Ive given in to the temptation and bought the Galaxy or the packet of Cheese and Onion crisps, to consume immediately of course! I realise now that the satisfaction of this is fleeting compared to the satisfaction of registering a desire and then consciously saying "no" to it.

I can choose to want to eat

If I allow myself, I can easily visualise irish stew or smoked salmon with guacomole or chicken soup with noodles and I can make my mouth water. I can easily persuade myself that I want to eat something , even if Ive just eaten! I realise now that Ive been doing it all my life ! Where there's a social requirement to eat, it's easier to want to eat than to say "no". And so Ive been eating often as a reaction to circumstances rather than through conscious choice. No wonder I weigh more than I expect to weigh!

Losing weight

Talking of losing weight, I'm not. Well I havent actually weighed myself but I still have a bit of a tummy. Its a good job that weightloss isnt my primary objective! Mind you , I was secretely hoping that I would emerge svelte-like and able to sniggle into an old pair of jeans. Still at least four and a half days to go ... My fast officially ends on Wednesday but then Im only really allowed orange juice for at least another couple of days so there s plenty of time for my hips to completely change their shape ! Thank God Im an optimist!!