IF, 4:3, 5:2 - Maintaining a healthy weight - Chapter 2

[Breadandwine]

This thread is for those who have been practicing IF (Intermittent Fasting) for quite a while and are now at or nearing their target healthy weight. It's also for anyone who is doing it for the health benefits alone.

How do we experience fasts and balance a stable food intake while having little or no weight to lose?

How do we ensure that this WOL keeps us at the healthy weight long term rather than revert to yoyo games?

Several of us have been stable at our goal weight for a few months, now, and others are joining all the time. Obviously, the more the merrier!

Here is the current main thread for posters practicing IF to lose weight.

There are two other associated threads:
This one, which is an absolute goldmine of Tips and Links on how to practice IF, and the research behind it.

And here is a treasure trove of 5:2 recipes, mostly low calorie for fasting days, but there are also recipes for when you want to treat yourself. And, now we're maintaining, we'll need more of these!

[Bordercollielover]

...and how is Lihuen's name pronounced? It looks like a beautiful name.

[Breadandwine]

Hi WW

You travel across the Andes to Chile by bus, we mooch up the M5 to see SIL and family. They're all adventures in the great scheme of things - it's just that yours seems a touch more glamorous than mine! Not jealous in the slightest!

But who is Lihuen? And why is she (he?) going back to NZ? Is s/he going to stay there? Study there? Holiday?

You see what you've done, don't you? Your post has raised many more questions than answers!

Sorry you can't manage to start a blog yet - hope you get it sorted soon.

Yours (waiting with bated breath!) B&W

Where do the words go when you are typing away but then the words aren't appearing on the screen?

Surely you've heard of Black Holes?

[wildwater]

Thanks everybody. Just finishing a fast day...didn't eat anything from one night to the next. Guess that's a 22 hour fast. Then we had some soup, salad and oven-baked meat. Just a small amount, and no seconds.

Well, I always did want to live in Iceland, or somewhere else very cold, and now I have my wish! Fortunately it's also clear and fine right now - the valley standing out like one of We are hoping this holds so we can travel with Lihuen across the Andes by bus to Chile, to put him on is plane home to NZ (rather than him having to negotiate transfers and a nine-hour wait in transit in Santiago...)

Where do the words go when you are typing away but then the words aren't appearing on the screen?

Cheers for now

[BetsyBell]

Why thank you and a little too.

[Breadandwine]

BB What an inspiration you are (as is Tip) - not sure about the 'before' pic, but the 'after' speaks for itself!

[Talkinpeace]

Yo! Betsy. IMPRESSED

[BetsyBell]

Thanks b&w, mocnk! Before and after photos now up! The before shot was from a load of photos I had no idea existed, unfortunately no standing one to compare properly but you get the idea...

[mumofcrazynamedkids]

betsy whoop whoop, congrats on the official move, would love to see some pics, although like you I have always been incredibly camera shy, so very few photo's but there is one terrible one from when my son was 6 weeks old....I'll have to try and get a digital copy (as poor me it was taken when my brother was visiting from Canada and my Mum wanted a whole family photo, so now it's on her living room wall!!! )

My brother is back at Christmas though and both me and the other brother, (as well as my mum) have all lost weight, so will be good to have an updated family shot!

wildwater you adventure sounds amazing and it's great that 5:2 feels just as easy to do there as here.

[Breadandwine]

I'll second that, Tip!

Can't get on with FB, although I've tried...

And glad to see you officially over here, BB! [thumbsup]

[Talkinpeace]

wildwater FB mesing up yesterday .... lets make the last 25 posts on theis thread about your INCREDIBLE adventure ...

[BetsyBell]

wildwater Thank you for posting on here even though it's probably quite tricky! Very interesting to hear your adventures :)

I just seen some photos of myself from yesterday and I've decided to officially switch over to being a bona fide maintainer

Might do a before and after if I can find a suitable 'before' (tended to be camera shy at my largest...)

[wildwater]

Hi again...have just re-instated my Facebook page (from years ago). Thought I'd never use it again, but now it appears to be the easiest and best way to keep up with lots of people.

I don't want to go entirely 'public', but if any of you out there really want to know what I'm up to - and see some photos - then please go to 'gina blanshard' on facebook and send a request to be my friend! (Don't know if you can identify yourself as a Mumsnet-friend, or not!)

[wildwater]

Hi again from the wilds of Patagonia!

I have spent many frustrating hours trying to get my blog up & running...only to realise it will NEVER work from here unless I get a new Argentine sim-card for my iPad - which is working perfectly well on wi-fi, so I don't really want to go to that expense...(if anybody out there knows another way I am all ears).

Anyway, 5:2 is more important here than anything else I may be doing!

I am finding it no harder to fast here than it was before. I have grown used to not snacking, and feeling empty no longer scares me.

What does scare me is looking at my face on iPad 'face-time' and seeing all my wrinkles, now there is no fat there to fill them out! It feels like Oscar Wilde's "Picture of Dorian Grey"...people used to think I was years younger than I am but no longer, I fear! (And buckets of Botox doesn't appeal.....)

Re people's reaction to (my) significant weight loss. Normal-size people are pleased and delighted. Those who are overweight themselves seem to be extremely confronted...in fact are unable to say one word (this has happened several times).

Although I am only just into my healthy BMI I have had lots of people tell me to lose no more. LL says I should put a 'few' kilos back on! Well - I really don't want to, and hope to go under 60kg. (I remember being shocked when somebody on this forum said categorically that NOBODY under 5'3" should EVER weigh over 60kg, but now think they are probably right).

New eating patterns: no breakfast, as it doesn't get light at the moment until nearly 9am, and the household remains in bed! Possibly a couple of crackers with vegemite and a slice of the local soft cheese...

Lunch might be the main meal of the day...meat or lentils with salad and bread. If we have a big lunch, dinner might be soup, or leftovers from lunch.

People here tend to be lean & healthy and don't eat much 'rubbish'. A good way to follow...although they also swallow a fair amount of dulche de leche (caramelised condensed milk) and throw masses of salt on everything!

Great to be able to check into this forum from here...thanks to you all for sharing ideas & experiences.

[Talkinpeace]

I've just brought thread 3 live
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/fasting_diet/1806567-IF-4-3-5-2-Maintaining-a-healthy-weight-Chapter-3
as we'll need it by the end of today and I'd rather check such things before wine

[BsshBossh]

Thanks for your commentsguys. This week I've dropped 3 lbs so two fingers up to the negative people .

Off on a week's break to the Suffolk coast today so I will be more flexible about eating and fasting - throwing in a few mini fasts / skipping the odd meal here and there if circumstances permit. Fancy doing a few coastal runs/power walks though so am packing my running gear.

[Anglaise1]

Bssh I've had negative comments from my parents, but that is all. However my DD (age 12) and BF have also said I should put on a couple of kilos as I look a bit 'seche' (dry) and I listen to them. Saw a very good friend from the UK recently and she said I looked good but definitely shouldn't lose any more weight. Not that I want to! Often negative comments are jealous comments from people who would love to lost weight themselves, so don't worry.
For your computer, have you tried Microsoft Security Essentials? It is much lighter and just as effective as Mcaffee as an anti virus.

[Breadandwine]

I've been told by well-meaning friends and family over the past 8 months that I'm too thin and I need to put on weight.

I point out all the physical benefits I feel I get from fasting - my increase in energy and feeling of well-being among them. Not to mention my BMI of around 22.

If they persist I tell them to get lost!

These last few nights, on NFDs, I've been having the odd pint of cold stout before retiring, knowing that I'll probably have to get up at least once in the night, but figuring it's worth it. Luckily for me this doesn't turn on my hunger switch - but I'm well aware that the slightest nibble will!

Cheers,

[Talkinpeace]

Bsshbossh
that is because in pre "industrial food" days, plump meant successful at providing for ones family
in europe and the US that has worn off, but not yet in the "developing world"
but interestingly now among the people round here (who are over 90% white) thin is upper class and fat is lower class
and it will get more so

I realised than in the US for the last 20 years there have been few middle sized people : they were either thin or fat
the UK is heading the same way

[BsshBossh]

laska not sure if it applies to all middle class Indian circles but in my family and friend circle plump is seen not necessarily as ideal but certainly the norm so normal = status quo = a good thing. Although if you look at images of ideal women in Indian culture they tend to be plump.

[Talkinpeace]

I've been having HUGE wifi dip outs today : but I know the reason (thanks DH)

I did an extra mini gym session this evening - as you do - but have been grazing white currants from the garden this evening!

[Laska42]

Grr I am having real computer problems here on the net ... there seems to be a huge laps between me pointing my mouse and it registering.. its driving me nuts.. Are any of you computer bids ? Could it be because im using Firefox? (ive always preferred it , believing you get less phishing and viruses. ) I think ill have to do a scan and defrag .. any other thoughts? I have fast broadband and windows and mcafee up to date and am not connected to anything else

[Laska42]

Bssh ive only had good comments , though I have had a few 'backhanders' when they have seem me eating bread cake etc on eating days also people telling me that fasting just doesn't work long term and im runining my health .. , well each to their own , it worksf or me .. and several people at work persist with lighterlife etc, and yo yo games whilst telling me that they 'just couldnt do what i do as its 'so unhealthy'

Ah well as they say, you can lead a horse to water.... we know so just stick with it girl.. Do you think its cultural? Are Asian (which I now assume you are, but hadn't known before) 'plumper' women generally considered more attractive?

i've not fasted all week.. Actually I dont feel bad about that.. im still the same weight and (have been counting) I haven't eaten more than about 800 /900 cals any day.. I just haven't been that hungry in this lovely weather , and when i have eaten its all been eggs. chicken or or prawns,garden salads or soft fruit .. but i may have drunkabout an extra 300 cals also each day in white [wine).

cats how did the gym induction go? you've inspired me , ive been around 3 leisure centre /clubs tone zones now and am in the process of mulling over whether to go for the one nearest work ( which i get a staff concession on , but the pool is closed until September) or the one nearest home ,which is more expensive but does things like spinning classes , but the pool doesnt have a deep end (oh and is a holiday village so is v bust during the summer with visiting families and kids)

[Talkinpeace]

as I said on the big thread,

I only accept such comments from people thinner and fitter than me -
mainly my yoga teachers and a good (incredibly lean) friend from the gym.

thing is the more toned you are, the better you look slim : compare Elle McPherson with Victoria Beckham

[AmericasTorturedBrow]

Also, Bssh your cousin's comment is unbelievably rude, sounds a lot like jealousy as opposed to concern. Ignore ignore ignore

[AmericasTorturedBrow]

Bssh I haven't had you ARE too thin but the comments of "you're fine now, don't lose more" etc have started...annoying and untrue!

NFD but struggling with appetite and bloating easily so I'm having full fat milk in my coffee with a side of yoghurt covered raisins to up the calories - never thought I'd say that! I'm clearly in a good week motivation wise so just making the most of it