How did you know when to stop?

[5FullFathoms]

I have lost 4 stone since May last year, going from 13st 11 to 9st 10. I’ve been doing the 5:2 and feel this way of eating is sustainable for me. However, I am having difficulty deciding when to stop. I generally like the way I look now, am a comfortable 10 in most things and have a healthy BMI (albeit at the higher end). I think I could probably maintain this weight. However, I can still heavier than I would ideally like to be. I would ideally like to get down to under 9 stone where my BMI would be 21 or 22. I would also like to be a size 8 again! But I worry that I wouldn’t be able to maintain a lower weight which would be depressing. If I’m honest, I’m also worried about switching from losing weight to maintaining as my weight has always crept up when I’ve done this in the past. Whereas I feel I know how to lose weight!

I would be interested to hear the experiences of others who’ve lost weight. How did you decide you’d done enough?

[CaitlinsYellowSocks]

Do you think you'd look and feel better at a lower weight or is it more that you have the number/dress size in your head as a goal, and don't want to stop until you get there?

I decided to stop when my legs (the biggest part of my body) looked reasonably slim, and I thought that if I lost any more weight from my face I would start looking drawn. This was a BMI of around 21 - it was a few pounds heavier than the goal I had set myself before starting to lose weight.

[5FullFathoms]

I think it’s mainly because I have this number in my head Caitlin. It’s the weight I was as a teenager/early 20s so I’ve always thought of it as my ideal weight I suppose. I do lose weight from the top down though, so while I have prominent collarbones (you can see my ribs when I wear V necks) I still carry some extra weight around my bum and thighs. I don’t really want to start looking gaunt though! And I might if I lose any more from my face. It’s tricky.

[TheChineseChicken]

I guess it depends if you think you could continue 5:2 or eg 6:1 forever. You won't just carry on losing weight, at some point you will plateau but sticking to a regimen like that would at least help you maintain it

[5FullFathoms]

Yes I plan to that Chicken. I find fasting quite easy now so will do the 6:1 indefinitely to maintain.

[meladeso]

Well done! Wow.
I'm sorry to deviate but I can't resist (tell me to sod off if you wish!) as I'm about to start 5:2 for the first time.
I'm 11st 7 and would love to be 9 ish.
I just wondered if you'd share any fast day top tips / meal ideas?
Thanks.

[5FullFathoms]

meladeso I use a lot of recipes in the The Fast Diet book on fast days. But sometimes i’ll have a low cal ready meal or chicken and salad if i’m short on time or inspiration. What has worked for me is being flexible. I usually fast on Mondays and Wednesdays but if I have (for example) a social occasion I want to enjoy, I will swap my fast days around. On some fast days I don’t eat at all, on others I don’t eat all day and have a 500 calories evening meal. Or I might split my 500 calories between lunch and dinner. It depends on what i’m doing/how i’m feeling.

I also make sure that I’m not over eating on my non fast days to compensate. I don’t diet as such on those days but I make an effort to be sensible. So today I knew I was meeting a friend for lunch. I didn’t have breakfast (I often don’t) but I had what I wanted for lunch (burger and chips with lashings of mayo). I’m not hungry now but if I am later, i’ll just have something light - maybe a salad or soup.

[FATEdestiny]

Interesting question.

I started at 17st 8.5 and when I got to my target (BMI 25 - 10st) I promptly set myself another, lower target (8st 11, half my original body weight). I have a wide waist so I'm working on losing body fat around my middle to define my waist.

I don't think of my eating habits as a diet, so I'm not going to go back to how I was eating. This is my new normal. So eventually what I eat won't be a calorie deficit so I'll stop losing. I think it'll just come naturally.

[meladeso]

Thanks @FiveFullFathoms much appreciated. Fingers crossed I can do as well as you have!

[5FullFathoms]

Thanks FATE. Hmm, I quite like the idea of it coming naturally and not being this big thing. People around me are already saying i’ve lost enough and should stop but I could lose nearly another 2 stone and not be underweight. I think i’ll keep going for a bit longer until I get to my ‘ideal’ weight. If I don’t feel right/look too thin, it’s no big deal to go up a few lbs.