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!

TIP what an excellent post. It is what I have been thinking this afternoon. I know my BF thinks I'm clever, pretty, funny, sexy, classy and someone he can introduce to anyone and everyone he knows, regardless of where they are from and what they do. That is the reason I'm not giving up. I would like him to be honest, but not sure if that will happen 100%. But if I don't trust him there is no point in continuing. We have both made mistakes (him by straying and me by snooping) and we are talking about everything, even making jokes so I have everything crossed that it will work. Thanks xx

This thread is brilliant - Marjorie Dawes anyone?

We wouldn't get these responses in the Relationships forum, that's for sure: leave the bastard

grrrrr was just about to post and lost connection. thats mobile networks for you. so just quick.

I had a really positive day yesterday , and was made to feel very welcome at my grandsons mothers . (must find something simple to call her) anyway , before it goes again , ill post this .

So feeling v positive about our future relationship and he is still the Most georgeous grandchild inthe world ( just gettingthat in as B&W will be wanting to have to grab the laurels soon

Thats great news laska. WI this morning and I'm at a new low of 65.7kg despite this weeks cheesecake fest. I'm thinking of setting myself a new target of 63.7kg which would put me at 10stone. I'm already well into size 10 though and will have to start looking at size 8s if I lose any more.

Sorry posted on wrong thread

Good morning all.

Managed 2 fasts this week but miserably failed the 3rd again, however at least been able to do plenty of miles on the bike now that last years summer has belatedly arrived.

Glad the day went well for you yesterday Laska, let's hope the relationship continues in the same manner

Great to see you back on the wagon Piebald, I'm continuingly falling off but all it takes is one good Fast to get back in the swing - welcome back

Yes ATB your advice on 'butt cream' was pretty good (if you've recently joined the thread you might want to scan back a while to put that comment into context ) Hope the ride is going well!!!!!!

Anglaise1, hope things eventually resolve themselves in a positive way for you and the kids. In my experience anyone who says 'if you can't trust me then it won't work' ain't worth trusting. What I always tell myself is....no matter how crap things feel now, at some stage in the future I'll be able to look back and view things without the same degree of pain. Be true to yourself whatever path you decide to take now and you'll more than likely take the right decision

Have a great weekend all

Weighed in today. Holding steady. Which is OK because I'm hardly at the gym at the moment and had wine with dinner a couple of times in the week.
But carrot lunches work as a way to 'look' like I'm eating, but actually not.
Cannot wait till July when I can get fit again.

Bsshbossh Too right. But then this thread is about finding inner strength.

Laska glad all was well with Grandson.
Piebald welcome back.
Maintaining current weight (10.1) by still doing 5:2 but not counting my evening meal cals, not snacking during the week and eating what I like on the weekends
Working on toning up floppy bits and it's working!

I've had email proof that the affair has finished - it was complicated but I think things will be OK. I hope so. I've almost got an appetite back. Hit an all time low of 55.5kgs yesterday (and I'm 5'8") so hope to be back soon at 57kgs. I'm sure I'll put it back on this weekend as we are away on a scooter weekend.
Thanks all so much for your advice. I'll keep you posted on whether he behaves in future or not;) this thread and the posters on it is great, and not just for 5:2 maintenance reasons!

Great news Laska!

I'm maintaining still too. But what's really exciting for me is that my body is visibly beginning to change shape (not just size) as I continue with strength training thrice a week and HIIT running twice a week - my body is developing taut, defined muscles just in time for the warmer weather. I am loving how strong I feel and how much energy I have.

My goal now is to build up the weights so that every few weeks I lift heavier and heavier (heavy for me).

Great stuff, Laska, but where are the pics?

ATB hope it's still going well!

Mocnk hope you get your move sorted soon - glad you've still got a job!

vp Bssh Great stuff!

About maintaining, the thing that comes through on this thread is that we're all now in control - not all the time as I proved last night, but whatever fall from grace we suffer, we now know how to get back on track.

Last night: For the past fortnight, I've instituted a NES (no evening snacking) regime - and it's been working well. I just declare after the evening meal that I'm in the zone, and I'm not tempted in the slightest.

But last night, I persuaded myself that, since I was off to work early in the morning, I wouldn't have breakfast. Which meant that I could have a controlled snack last night, some gorgeous veg lasagne leftover from dinner.

So I had a bowl of this, with a glass of wine - and then, fatefully, I had a ginger biscuit, then another - four altogether, followed by four Oaties - each piece of biscuit accompanied either by a knob of marzipan which I found open in the cupboard, or by a piece of dark chocolate!

So, lesson learned, I now know I can't pull the 'not eating breakfast so I'll have a supper' trick any more! I can live with that.

Exactly B&W re we now know how to get back on track. Today I've been grazing and indulging all day ( my perfectly valid excuse? my darling DD's 5th birthday ) but it's okay because, when the partying ends Monday morning (she's my only child and we have cake and parties all weekend!) I resume my fasting and no snacking WOE. Easy!

Whoops, totally failed on Thursday's fast (particularly embarrassing as DH had stuck virtuously to it!) Was partly foiled by not being able to get my usual vat of black coffee in the morning as the coffee bar was temporarily closed , and as a result was tired and grumpy by lunchtime, so when some colleagues suggested we took advantage of the glorious weather and had an impromptu picnic, I caved totally with a hot deli wrap (and it was delicious!) And then it just went downhill...
Obviously I have more of a coffee addiction than I thought. But at least I have learned something from it - if there's any danger of it happening again I will look out my old Thermos flask from the back of the cupboard and take my coffee with me! I refuse to be derailed again [arms folded, humphing smiley!]

I see your point there Sarah even though I'm a mint tea drinker rather than coffee...glass after glass of cold water just wouldn't have the same effect.

6:1 and 3-4 runs per week is working well for me, still at 54kg (original target was 55.3). DP and I are planning to lose a few kgs more in the first 3 weeks of the school hols so we can gain it all back on our all inclusive fortnight in Lanzarote!

Morning everyone, I'm back! I ache everywhere, going to try to get up yoga today so my body doesn't totally seize up and feeling quite spaced out after such an emotional final day on the ride yesterday but it's been good to sleep in a bed, not a tent!

I'm not WI until weds as apparently I'll be holding onto lots of fluid for a few days but interested to see if I've lost any weight. I'll be surprised if I have, I certainly don't feel smaller and I have been eating CONSTANTLY!

It's going to be a bit of an effort to get back into eating like a normal human being and despite thoroughly enjoying having no limits I'm actually looking forward to fasting and regaining some control.

But, amazing experience that I've gone and signed up for again next year!

Fantastic, ATB, very well done! Welcome back.

You must be so pleased - not to say very proud of yourself!

All the best for Wednesday!

ATB
Woo hoo. Well done you.

I don't post on here often but I wanted to say a massive WELL DONE!!! to ATB What an incredible achievement :)

Americas WOOP WOOP!!!!!! well done for you, so impressed, you really are inspirational!

laska I'm so pleased that your grandson's mama was lovely and welcoming, that must be such a huge relief ?

cyclist i'm still struggling with staying on track too, but sounds to me like if you are doing 2 rather than 3 per week, that's still really pretty good?

I had a weekend away (gorgeous sunshine and sailing and stepfathers 70th on the Wirral) and not had a successful fast in a couple of weeks, so planning just 1 for wednesday, I need to get one under my belt and I know that once I have succeeded the next one will be easier.

tonight/tomorrow I am stocking up on salad ingredients though! my daughter adores chicken and mango seedy salad, so that's on the menu for tonight.

flat back on the market with new agents, second viewing today as well as a 4th first, so fingers crossed! have a great week all.

Congrats ATB , well done!

brilliant ATB got any photos?

i've had a busy weekend and have just managed to run on here now so not caught up and will post a proper update tomorrow if i can .

But just quickly here to let you know that I've added a couple of photos of The Most Gorgeous Grandson in the World to my profile as requested (B&W will reply to your pm also tomorrow).

OK, Laska.

Beautiful baby - with a lovely smile. Looks very happy! So glad it went well!

Thanks all, will add a photo or two to my profile when I'm back home near the laptop

Feeling very bereft and empty though

Guess it's the anti-climax, ATB. Reward yourself with some nice treats - choccies, etc Put your feet up and have a good rest, if you can!

Look forward to the pics!