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!

[ellenbrody]

smile ha ha, made me giggle!

Thanks for the welcome! Just about to have dinner (salad) and I've enough cals left for 3 cuppas with milk and an apple.

[Bordercollielover]

Scripsi that's interesting re the insoluble fibre calories. Presumably these calories just pass through the body unused? That must mean that it would be possible to eat considerably more of some foods if using a U.S calorie counter.........

[Talkinpeace]

BCL / scripsi
New Scientist has been picking up on research that is showing that a lot of calorie information on food packets is grossly misleading : there are various ways to calculate the calories in a processed food .... guess which one the makers tend to use

[Fillybuster]

Thanks for the new thread B&W ...I love love love trifle, but am not an enormous fan of alpro (except, of course after a meat meal, when I can't have dairy and it makes all the difference to a baked apple...). But so lovely to hear the scan update...how exciting :) :) Hijack away, when the subject is so lovely :)

Another fast done...I regained 9.6 at the end of last week, and amazingly finished the weekend not quite at 9.7, so I now believe I will make it to genuine 'final' target weight (9.3-9.5) some point soon...at which point it will be down to Evil Jillian for final perfection.

Not sure I'll be able to maintain the full loss on 6:1, so need to figure out next steps.

Right off to bed. Welcome ellen and smile and scripsi

[Talkinpeace]

Fasted yesterday, DH fasting today : two weeks without it and his tummy had started playing up again ....
Chinese for supper tonight though!

[Breadandwine]

Thanks, mocnk and Filly - my wife has already begun collecting baby stuff, while I've been googling train sets for newborns!

Blimey I was joking - but google has come back with 30M results!

I am enjoying BreadandWine's recipes at the moment! I made the ratatouille pie over the weekend. Everyone loved it. Thanks for the feedback, scripsi

[Breadandwine]

Going for a 48-hour fast, ATM - 22 hours in and feeling great!

I can only do this because my wife has gone to visit relatives. She already thinks I don't eat enough and I'm getting too thin, despite the fact that I've been a steady weight for the past 6 months!

Which means I can now fulfil a longstanding ambition - to fast completely for a while. While my wife is here, I haven't been able to go without my evening

[ellenbrody]

b&w step away from the Hornby stuff! Are you sure your 'buzzing' isn't all the caffeine!!

[Breadandwine]

b&w step away from the Hornby stuff! Are you sure your 'buzzing' isn't all the caffeine!!

Ha, ha! Could be, ellenbrody - but I've had the same high when I've drunk only water.

BTW, I'm dropping hints about Ellen - the name of my favourite auntie - for my new grandchild, should it turn out to be a girl!

[scripsi]

b&w good luck with your long fast!

TiP, BCL yes I have been looking through some science journals. I do see how insoluble fibre calories might not be counted: anyway it helps me understand why MyFitnessPal often has multiple entries with different calorie counts for identical foods, and it gives me even more encouragement to keep with high fibre foods on fast days.

[TheCyclistist]

Calories that don't count.............sounds good to me

Well 2nd Fast day of the week completed and glad to be back on the wagon. Feeling great at the moment, but it's frightening how quick the weight can go on I think I learnt some less than healthy habits doing 4:3 last year so working at trying to eliminate some of my mistakes this time around.

That's a mammoth Fast you're taking on there B&W, but why??? How many Fasts are you usually doing in a week, will you now not Fast until next weekend or are you doing another Fast this week?

How's the Novel coming along Laska, do you find it easier or harder to do the writing when you're Fasting. And how was London over the weekend?

Have a great day all!!!!!!

[catsrus]

I've discovered something interesting about my eating 'needs' - well interesting to me anyway . On days I work from home I have tended to do the whole "huge pot of veggie stew" trick when I was actively trying to lose weight. now I'm on maintenance my patterns are very different. I'm doing a restricted calorie fast just one day a week, some other days I'm doing a no-food fast until my evening meal - which might be a meal out or an unrestricted meal at home.

I've found the actual doing without food very easy when I'm at work - but always struggled on working from home days. I'm now finding that a couple of slices of wholemeal toast with 3 scrambled eggs for breakfast does actually set me up for the day, so I can skip lunch and have a sensible evening meal.

So far so good on the maintenance front - I am maintaining about 3-4 lbs higher than I would like, but it may be that that's what's sustainable given my lifestyle. I'm still in size 10 jeans so not complaining .

The sun has run away again here - but monday was glorious and we're finally thinking salads!

[mumofcrazynamedkids]

Morning all, second fast day of the week, and an internet shopping delivery tonight that will finally allow me to make the aubergine curry, but in reality will be eating that Friday now, and i'm thinking of throwing in a half day fast Fri to try and make some progress......I seem to do an awful lot of planning of half day fasts, but very little success so far, but I have a drinks for a friends book launch on Fri eve, and a big 40th party with food and drink Sat night.

breadandwine wow 48 hours, so you will just eat at the end of 48 hours rather than at the end of 24 hours? if you don't mind me commenting, it does sound a little unnecessary, and could it be dangerous for your health, in short terms, I guess I mean fainting, and then associated injury? anyway, take care and I hope you get to find out what you are trying to discover.......there are many ways to seek highs, not all of them sensible! then again i'm definitely not always sensible

[Breadandwine]

Cyclist - no, that's it for this week. I'll go back to 6:1 and a bit next week.

My main motivation for a long fast is that I want to know how long it will take before I feel hungry. I've no intention of doing this long-term. And so far - just over 40 hours - there's no sign of hunger at all. I overdid the coffee yesterday - I got bored with it in the end - so I'm sticking to water today.

When you think about it, this long a fast must have been a fairly regular occurrence for our ancestors, chasing after all that prey! Feel sorry for them - at least I know where my next meal is coming from - my freezer being stuffed with pizza and Chelsea buns!

Thanks for your concern, mocnk, I'm not doing it for the high - that's just incidental.

Be interesting to see if there's any effect on my exercise level, shortly - I don't expect any.

Cheers, B&W

[mumofcrazynamedkids]

cats i agree, I find fasting much easier at work than at home, so always plan for fasting then, which in part as I only work 3 days, is why i only manage 2 fasts per week.

Once I move and won't be working immediately i wonder how I will manage, but think I'll have more time to cook and prepare more delicious fast food, generally being more organised, plus I'll have my bf closer by, and if I can prepare fast day food for him to eat then it will give me an incentive. I'm much better at doing things with others, which is why this thread has alwasy been so good.

I popped back onto the main board this week, and it's so great and inspiring to see how many people are doing so well.

[mumofcrazynamedkids]

B&W just read this and now not as worried you're going to pass out and knock yourself out without your wife around to find you.....sorry can't help mothering everyone!

year without food

[mumofcrazynamedkids]

just pre-ordered mimi's recipe book for my kindle, out 2nd May. As it's a WOE for life (i've just converted another person at work) I may as well have some tips for spicing things up on fast days, although I haven't minded eating virtually the same food up til now, I'm sure I'll get bored in time.

[virginposter]

B&W I think your fast is inspiring especially for maintainers. I can see why you'd want to experiment occasionally as it's always interesting to push yourself sometimes. I'm wondering if perhaps you may find this new found knowledge of yourself useful, say, after excess i.e. Xmas and Easter or other times when you may have let this woe lapse a little?

[Talkinpeace]

blech - came down with a stinking cold yesterday and feeling really bloated so will just stick with cups of tea and suppers till I feel better.

[AmericasTorturedBrow]

Good point about post indulgence periods!

I have jacked in the 3 day juice cleanse I was going to do, I was starving and ratty - as soon as I ate something (a raw carrot!) I felt better, I do like doing a juice day once a week, but not really interested in the cleanse thing for now, I'll stick to ADF ta very much!

Got me thinking about the long fast though B&W and generally how as this is a WOE now how to shake it up occasionally to keep it interesting. I probably won't try anything like that til my bike ride is over and in fact can probably only realistically do 4:3 not ADF anyway as I need to eat constantly on the bigger rides and if I don't eat regularly the next day I seem to then binge for days after. Doing 70miles this Saturday and really have to keep up at least one long ride like that a week. Eeek, only about 6 weeks to go!

[Laska42]

hi all, well i've not managed a proper fast all week , but was getting pretty near it sundae and yesterday, (though both days were ruined by a bottle of wine and i've had some more tonight ) .

Please can I impose on you?

TBH I?ve had a dreadful week and as we are ?friends' here I hope you don?t mind if I tell you (though perhaps it should be on AIBU instead..) ill try and be as unbiased as I can.. Its ok if you'd rather skip this .and I dont need you to answer. . But I do need to get it out somewhere..

You might remember that I told you that my 3mth old grandson's mother (MOG) and my son had split up a few months into the pregnancy.. We don?t really know why, as they had been together a couple of years , but before they were living together and did seem to be getting on really well and we had welcomed her into the family etc.(she spent the last two Christmases with us and lots of other times ) .

But when she became pregnant she suddenly moved back to the mainland and got herself installed in a council mother and baby unit . (Despite the fact they had a flat here and friends and support and I know my son didn?t want her to go ) .

But I do also know that my son (who is quite frankly a pretty immature 22yr old) was,shall we say ,?shell shocked' about the consequences of his non-protective actions ( being an utter total divot)and that he wasn?t so keen on being a father then . Also,that MOG was pretty obviously wanting a baby beforehand ( which I definitely hadn?t clocked, though DH had ). Also, previously she had been estranged from her mother for some time with whom she had a difficult relationship having been thrown out at 16 into a hostel (I find out now) .
Anyway, it seem s that MOGs own mother did the arranging for her to go into the M&B unit and also on the way did her best to estrange her from my son by accusing him of stealing the flat deposit money (which we had paid her back when MOG left incidentally) and various other things. Also now there is a grandchild its like the previous estrangement had never happened. All very dodgy.

But the baby was born and we?ve got to see him a few times, the MOG still seemed friendly and willing that we should be a part of the baby?s life and we thought that we can live with a ?opposite ? grandparent family who are, lets say, a little difficult.

A few weeks ago the MOG announced her engagement to someone else, who it seems has been around for most of the pregnancy (although there is no suggestion that the baby is his). So you can see where this is all going Eh? Well, we were a bit concerned, but he seems a decent enough chap, and has a medical job and a house etc and seems to be happy to take both of them on (whereas my son is unemployed) ..and the MOG still seemed v keen that we should all be part of the baby?s life.

Well on Sunday ,it was my grandson's naming ceremony (which MOG invited us to a couple of weeks ago when she was here with us -we have still tried hard to keep her as part of the family, inviting her over and buying things for the baby etc ). Now ,we weren?t expecting baby to have my sons surname (and he didn?t ,but not new Bf name either) and we knew new Bf would be there and had decided we could all cope with that (inc my son, who is a good lad, really, if a bit daft, and does wants what?s best for his son ). And we?d asked MOG beforehand what the ceremony ( secular)would be and if we were expected to do anything. No, but we were definitely invited and encouraged to go.

So we go .. (its long way but that?s not so important). Me , my husband and my son ( my husband is not my sons dad but has been around since my son was small)

But when we got there it was just so upsetting. And i can sayt hat honestly I have never felt so humiliated in my life .

Remember, we were specifically invited. ..

We were totally ignored by her whole family, she hardly said hello we weren?t introduced to anyone. No one would talk to us . The new Bf did the ?father? speech (we had expected that and were prepared beforehand ) . But it was hard listening to the celebrant talking about how Marcus had a loving family and two parents and a loving extended family to look after him , when his real dad was there and ignored (but we had expected that might happen). But our side of extended family were not even acknowledged as even being in the room

.. But the worse thing was having been told that there was nothing we need to prepare, the other grandparents (mum stepdad and her real dad) and all of her family were invited to give a dedication speech . But the babys actual father and us as grandparents we were not even asked to say anything. (Ok i might not have wanted to , but it felt like a huge slap in the face)

My son was completely blanked ( except by the new bf who did give him the baby to hold after the ceremony so obviously was embarrassed ) Her mother and stepfather didn?t even acknowledge us. Neither did any of the rest of her family or friends except her dad who did come to say hello

The only bright light was MOGs grandmother who (bless her) came and sought me out after and said that she thought that it was wrong. But I can tell you I was so upset. And now I just don?t know what to do,

I just hope y that MOG never has to sit and see her own son humiliated like that . I just came home and cried .and have felt totally crap ever since. We?ve heard nothing, no thanks for coming or the gift or anything , and MOG is moving away to be with BF in a week or so , so we wont even know she her address But now of course I hardly feel I can say anything in case I dont get to see my grandson again .

MOG said to me at one point after the ceremony ?I think you are blanking me? (I was trying not to cry in front of everyone) and I said to her ? ?its a very hard call, you have made on us today? but I don?t think she understood what I was saying. But it was all I could say. But I just can?t understand why they treated us like that .


We weren?t even offered a cup of tea.
Thanks for reading.. I dont need you to say anything, but did need to get it off my chest .

I know we have legal options.. but i do hope we don?t have to go for them,

Sorry, this a diet board isn?t it ?

[Laska42]

I was so proud of my son though. He acted like a real man. Dignified and determined to go and to be seen to be there. Though he has told me since that he felt like crying too.

[Laska42]

oh yes, and Marcus bawled loudly all through the dedication ceremony an speeches , but when the BF gave him to my son to he just straight away fell asleep in his arms.. that was quite strange . Maybe he knew something.. _(butat least him yelling meant that we couldn't hear all the terrible doggerel)

(ok so now IABU, but who cares )

[Laska42]

more I should have an early night .

[Talkinpeace]

((((((Laska)))))))
It sounds all horribly mixed up and probably a power kick between MOG and her Mum.
Sadly your son will never be a "father figure" to his son.
Same as my father is not a "father figure" to me. But he is my Dad - I've had multiple dads over the years.
Your son needs to reinvent himself as a sort of uncle. And you and your DH as your Grandson's extra grandparent by the seaside. (I had 8 grandparents at one stage - it works).
Maintain the communication with MOGs boyfriend - as he sounds the sanest of the lot .... and find a cordial reality to go forward.
But not for a week or two.

TBH I'd suggest a thankyou card for inviting you (even though you do not mean it) with some pictures of you and a request that she stays in touch for her son's sake.