Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Fasting / 5:2 diet

Talk about intermittent fasting and 5:2, including what’s worked for others. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

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

984 replies

Breadandwine · 13/04/2013 10:44

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! Grin

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! Grin

OP posts:
TheCyclistist · 14/05/2013 13:01

Thankfully it's not the depths of night here ATB, hope you managed to get back to sleep.

Yeah the toes thing worried me especially when it spread but the Doc said it was just too tight shoes, although the shoes didn't feel too tight. I just put it down to the toes being squeezed when I pushed down when going up hills etc....and as you've been going up plenty of hills recently I wouldn't worry (unless they fall off Grin). It was like you said bloody painful but was better when I slit the side of the shoe (apart from when it rained Angry ).

How's the Fast going Laska, got to admit I've had a few wobbles, BUT luckily I'm coaching tonight albeit in the rain, and if I can get through the next 5 hours or 300 minutes, that sounds easier, I know I'll get through OK as by the time I get home and have my soup, veg and low cal hotpot I'll be too full to go over the 600.

I hope it's going well for all out there, whether you a Faster or Feeder be today Smile

Kellz92 · 14/05/2013 13:07

I just downloaded an app for my ipod for the 5:2 diet. I was going to try see if I could manage xx

BsshBossh · 14/05/2013 18:22

There's an app for 5:2?

I'm fasting today and finding it unusually hard (I blame the rainy, grey weather here). The only thing keeping me going is the thought of some nice food tomorrow - artisan bread, ice cream, pasta for dinner. If I can keep going with today's fast then I can truly enjoy tomorrow without guilt.

I hear you Cyclist and ATB regarding non-fast days. It is my next mission to learn how to manage "eating days" better. I too need to exercise moderation and not give in binge tendencies. I've been revisiting Paul McKenna's golden rules of eating (eg eat only when hungry, stop when satisfied, eat slowly...). Also trying to remember TIP's admonition advice not to snack beween meals. It's the snacking between meals that makes me feel bloated at the end of the day.

Laska42 · 14/05/2013 19:35

Hi all , hope you managed today broand not do cold and wet that you fell into a large hot chocolate when you got in .. .

I'm doing OK (at 7pm as have been off-island all day and just got back to my already prepared prawn stir fry , ( veggies cut that is and ready to go ) so spray oil then 5 mins in the wok and Bobs yer uncle! ) lots of garlic , ginger and chilli .So back tothe low cal high taste formula, cos I know that works for me ..

Annoyed though that today a favourite silver necklace just fell off my neck without me noticing.. Bah..., i've been all over the place so could be anywhere. I hate losing jewellery its like a bit of yourself gone.. oh well, ...

Talkinpeace · 14/05/2013 20:11

Non fasting day today - but I skipped lunch and breakfast so I could pig out on puled pork and aubergine in tortillas and wine for supper.
Tummy was a bit loud mid afternoon but actually only having one meal on work days is not too hard : and as my TDEE is only 1500 when I'm not at the gym it means I can really enjoy supper.

B&W Come and do a bread session here .... www.thearthousesouthampton.co.uk/
then Laska and I will definitely come and any others who are in the area ....

TheCyclistist · 14/05/2013 20:17

Hi sis glad you got through the Fast!! It's gone well today tbh despite feeling pretty hungry for large parts of the day but like Bshbosh said the thought of tomorrow kept me going.
Hope the day went well for everyone out there, and remember if it didn't there's always tomorrow..... Or the day after that Smile

postmanpatscat · 14/05/2013 20:40

I'm not fasting today (or in the foreseeable future) and I'm still freezing, brrr!

Laska sorry to hear about your necklace - I hate losing anything.

I'm presently 2.5lbs under goal weight thanks to last two fasts so I'm not planning to fast again until I've gained a little otherwise I risk being scrawny not slim - there's a fine line! filly I feared the same but in fact am having the opposite problem!

Breadandwine · 14/05/2013 22:42

Tip I'm definitely interested! Like the ethos of the place - right up my street !

My daughter lives in Basingstoke, and we'll be seeing a lot of her soon, since she's 25 weeks (plus one day - not that we're counting! Grin).

I could certainly pop over on a Saturday for a few hours - it's only 30-odd minutes by train.

I'll PM you.

Cyclist The only thing that comes to mind is [Butt butter! That's a new one on me! I like it!] chamois leather. I seem to remember you can get cycling shorts made from this. And I guess when they're worn out you can clean your car with them! Grin

OP posts:
AmericasTorturedBrow · 15/05/2013 05:50

CHAMOIS BUTTER!!! That's what it's called....I can send you some!

feeding day today, all fine and lovely til the last hour whence I have stuffed myself with cheese and crackers, feeling a bit bloated so ginger tea while waiting for the washing to finish then hanging it up and off to bed

Northstarmum · 15/05/2013 07:45

Ooo yes please b&w Southampton would be good :-). Not too far from home or could leave my dcs with their nanny.

TheCyclistist · 15/05/2013 07:52

Thanks for the advice B&W and ATB have purchased 'Udderly Smooth 227g Chamois Anti Chaffing Cream with Shea Butter' on line and will cease all talk of a sore butt from this day on Smile

ellenbrody · 15/05/2013 08:13

tip I may try the 'not eating till dinner on non-fast days' approach. I just can't seem to regulate properly. The old train of thought of "well I was good yesterday, so I can pig out today" is really really hard to shift Angry.

P.s: this talk of chafing butts is not supposed to be funny is it? but is making me smirk anyway

TheCyclistist · 15/05/2013 09:51

Chaffing butts are not a smirking matter ellenbrody Wink

AmericasTorturedBrow · 15/05/2013 14:09

Ugh DDs sleep issues continue, DH currently in China so I'm dealing with all the usual gunbinsof life life with 2 small DC plus packing up and moving house and trying to fit in occasional training rides. I think last night I had 4.5hours of broken sleep. Supposed to be fasting today - must stick to it otherwise the tiredness will inevitably result in carb and sugar overload

mumofcrazynamedkids · 15/05/2013 14:39

americas sounds really tough, so good luck with your fast, but don't stress too much if it goes by the wayside, insufficient sleep, packing and childcare of littlies, maybe a good for the soul nourishing soup of chicken, veg and noodles (with some thai spice?) would help?

do they go to any childcare to give you a break to pack? I know what DC's 'help packing' can look like, and have resolved to only do it when they are not there!

i'm fasting, and so far have already managed to consume 330 cals, so it's going to be a very light broth for supper later to get me back on track.

I managed to allow myself to sabotage Mondays fast, got home, after doing well all day, made soup for supper, but cheese crackers and cold veg snacks for kids, and had half of my soup and just thought sod it, I want cheese and crackers, and then the neighbours phoned (my dd had climbed out her bedroom window and disappeared round there without telling me) to say she had informed them I was having a bad day, had given up on healthy and did I want to come round for wine? well obviously the answer was yes (2 small glasses, followed by a slice of toast later)!

my excuse is I'm dealing with more delays from the people buying my place, so under loads of stress now having to postpone move while we wait for more searches to come back that they applied for late...aagghhh meanwhile the rest of the chain ready and keen to go, as am I.

anyway, i have to practice this quality called patience, that I don;t have much of......I will keep trying. and will attempt to get to the end of todays fast.

ellen i'm with you, I think I need to try and skip first 2 meals on non fast days too, to minimise the damage!

breadandwine thanks so much for teh offer, once the stress has subsided I would love to pick your brains, lets just get me moved first.

laska hope you find your necklace. and thanks for asking, I didn't get my money back from rotten lodger, just hoping karma gets her in the end!

AmericasTorturedBrow · 15/05/2013 15:31

thanks MOCNK, to be honest I think I'll cope better today fasting than not, I have form for ODing on food when excessively tired so a warming broth of noodle soup will evitably turn into a banquet. DS has a "take your child to work" event at DH's work today - obviously DH is in China so I'm going on my own and fasting will ensure I avoid the pizza and cake at least.

BUT some kind of broth for dinner sound lovely, in fact I have a lush fish and tomato soup in the freezer I'll defrost, I don't know exact calories but it'll be under 400 (100 on milk) so that's food sorted today. Brilliant.

House move sounds so stressful, hope it gets better soon - just keep thinking how great it will be when this is all finally over!

Laska42 · 15/05/2013 20:51

so another day fasting , no breakfast , a bowl of l/c tomato and basil soup for a late lunch and went to the cinema after work (took a bottle of water!! wanted salty popcorn but had to make do with sniffing everyone else's! ).

Then have just had a bowl of steamed cabbage mixed with a dessert spoonful of h/m bolognaise sauce and a good shake of Franks , followed by some fresh raspberries and half a square (yes really) of very dark Montezuma Peruvian chocolate.

I wasn't really thinking of fasting today , but when people at work suggested the cinema I though I might as well as then I knew I wouldn't want to eat much getting home later ..

So yes diversions instead of meals . the way to go I feel. I usually fast on Thursdays, and so may do again , but most probably will try and only have the one meal instead ala TiP.. then 'normal Friday and Saturday.) I'd really like to get a few lbs down for my June holiday so I can put it all back on again!!

Interested to read about the chamois butter , it seems that its also good for V dry skin which mine tends to be.ATB you may have caused them to make a few more sales! ..

No sign of my necklace, its gone Sad, but as the maker works locally I went to see her today and she's going to make me another .. She does great stuff here

Talkinpeace · 15/05/2013 21:29

fasted at work today as usual and then had fritata with leftover veg for supper not sure how many calories but ho hum
going out for dinner tomorrow after work in the evening but I get to go to the gym tomorrow.

Laska sorry about the necklace - always hard to lose stuff (other than waist inches)
ATB when mine were littler I used to let them stay up late when DH was away - but they had to be reading in bed
MOCNK house moving is a PITA - you'll get there ...

Laska42 · 15/05/2013 21:31

Yes Please do a bread-y thing in Southampton B&W we can eat the results and talk bread ovens too. . Reminds me to just get my sourdough starter out of the fridge ,, going to have a go at the Danish Rugbrof ( rye bread with rye grain .. this weekend).

If you come over this way I can give you a bit of my sourdough 'baby' (though its more like a child now though , must be at least 7 years old )

Laska42 · 15/05/2013 21:34

Rugbrød here

Laska42 · 16/05/2013 10:13

OK day three in a row fasting for me .. I'm not feeling hungry so that's good but doing 500cals again today ,

Have had mushroom omelette for breakfast and raspberries . It will be more cabbage with a spoonful of h/m bolognaise later..

Day at home, so out in the garden for me !

Laska42 · 16/05/2013 10:25

hmm.... losing waist inches.. TiP well I admit its easier than it used to be on this WOE , though I still cant really bring myself to do sit ups..

However, holiday, holiday, and I'm all vanity these days , ... so ill go get the Evil Jillian out again.. I was doing fine , but seemed to have failed .

But everyone else except ATB has also been a bit quiet about that also .. Anyone still Shredding? .

Oh yes NSV , yesterday . I walked into the 'ladies' at work and caught sight of this rather nice looking lady in the mirror in slim black jeans and close fitting stripy top , and thought she looked rather good.. (then I realised it was actually me. Don't laugh , but that's the first time i haven't looked at myself and seen a fat blob who could do with doing something with herself for well, ever .. Maybe I'm not vain after all , but finally (at 55! ) growing to be happy in my own skin .. and yes its a bit wrinkly , but I actually feel I'm looking OK these days ..

Where's that Dr M?. I could kiss him! (but that wouldn't be too much of a chore though as he's quite kissable anyway !) Smile

mumofcrazynamedkids · 16/05/2013 10:32

morning all, I had a successful fast yesterday, but cross at myself as this morning on automatic pilot i just ate a piece of breakfast cereal bar that I had made (cranberry, raisin, apricot, oats, linseeds, coconut, cashews, toasted almonds), while I was toasting hot cross buns for the kids - I wasn't hungry, and could have made today a fast or at least a half fast.

have now reinforced this being a bad day as I brought a courgette and lime cake into work that I made last night (I was baking one for a friends 40th gift) and had a slice of that too. Oh well, i guess I can regain control and not eat anything else until supper?

really feel in need of a baking day, might do some tomorrow on my day off.

have a good day all and laska good luck with 3 days in a row of fasting, i'm a little envious, but maybe i'll get there next week.

mumofcrazynamedkids · 16/05/2013 10:36

laska i've not shredded, I've been really rubbish, but maybe tomorrow?

mumofcrazynamedkids · 16/05/2013 10:38

one of the guys in my team at work did the insanity workout this morning for the first time, he said it was so tough he was nearly sick, but he was pleased it allowed him to have cake!

anyone carzy enough to do the insanity thing? - TIP?