Wondering if this is right for me - history of disordered eating

[icepole]

I am intrigued by this way of eating but am wondering if it is a good idea for me. I have a history of eating disorders and so a bit of me is attracted to the fasting because it reminds me of old behaviours that weren't very good for me. Since my last relapse after my son was born 6 years ago I have steered clear of all diets and kept my weight down with exercise. Last year I became ill with CFS and although I do yoga the high impact exercise is off the table for the time being and I am about half a stone or so over weight.

Perhaps this could be good for me though? I am afraid of my hunger, maybe this would be a way to engage with it meaningfully? Or am I kidding myself?

Would love to hear your thoughts on this.

I would stay well away from it if I were you. Whilst the health benefits that are claimed for this diet are impressive, from what I've seen people post here, as well as my own experience (I tried it briefly) it can lead to an obsession with calories and calorie counting.

I think for anyone with a history of disordered eating this could be disastrous.

If you're only half a stone over-weight, then it won't take you long to shift that amount through more sensible eating and some exercise that you can manage.

icepole I can't speak from any experience of disordered eating but just want to say that 5:2 doesn't necessarily lead to obsession with calorie counting - certainly not for me (I don't count calories at all) and not for many posters on the main 5:2 thread chat either. 5:2 has enabled me to get in touch with true hunger for the first time since childhood.

I'll go ask posters on the big chat thread if there's anyone who can advise you better though...

Yes, be careful with this. I found that I became obsessed with putting everything on My Fitness Pal and cut down calories on the days that I was meant to be eating properly. I am pretty sure that if I had carried on I would have been on my way to an eating disorder. If you have a predisposition to that way of thinking I would give it a wide berth.

I suffered with issues surrounding food initially it started with a day fasting a week, and led to me eating maybe twice a week, and even then bare minimal. I ended up very underweight at 16, I was literally skin and bone and living off vitamin tablets, I steer clear of fasting as I know I easily get obsessed with losing weight and wont purchase a pair of scales, cos I know I would get obsessed weighing myself again.

No, steer clear. The original authors don't recommend for those who have suffered eating disorders - certainly I've avoided it for this reason.

Ps what about low carb or paleo?

Hi, a pal on the 5:2 thread flagged up your query.

Anyone with EDs is advised not to do 5:2 or any form of IF, unless under professional supervision. They are among the few people for whom this WOE can bring health problems.

I agree with other folk that you can shift 7 lb safely by other methods.
Try cutting out junk food, treats or desserts (if any) and adding low impact exercise that you can do safely, e.g. maybe spin / cycling, brisk walking especially on an incline, resistance training.

If you are worried your ED is returning, then just try to maintain your current weight for a while and consult your GP on how to lose.

Best wishes for your success.

Another vote for the fact that you need to get you head into the right place and your body will follow.
5:2 is great for those who can cope with the stop start.
It does NOT suit those who cannot.

Having been reading weight loss threads on this site and others - and done a fair bit of general reading up over the last 18 months
and routinely reading the science press for leisure for 30 years

what I would strongly suggest is that you do a mood / food diary
not on MFP because
it will be about what mood you were in when you felt hungry / not hungry
it will include what foods you choose to eat in different moods
as then you have a better chance of getting your brain to revisit why you have used food as your control system

as all eating disorders come down to a disconnect between need / want / control
and clearing your head will make your body happier as a lucky side effect.

Good luck with it and keep us posted

Thank you, I sort of knew it wasn't wise really, I was drawn to it for the wrong reasons probably. I like the idea of no carb but find it very hard to do for some reason. My diet isn't awful I don't think, but I could do with cutting out chocolate! Try to kid myself because it is dark chocolate, I have a very sweet tooth.