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!

Hi, Tip I'm at BMI 19.5 now, 8.13 last weigh in and am 5.7. I lost another pound this week and didn't want to as I think I've now lost a tad too much. I'm small framed too, but still - beginning to look slightly drawn, i think. Indulgent weekend planned, and have begun well by stuffing myself today! Working out how much I can eat and still maintain.

Just worked it out 54kg is BMI of 19.6 for me, I think that's probably ideal.

I think frame size has a lot to do with things. My BMI is 18.7 (5'8" and 56kgs). I definitely don't want to go any lower as my ribs show a little. But I feel really good I don't think I look too drawn.

I agree - and all these bouncing around 11stone I thought I had a bigger frame, actually my fingers properly overlap around my wrist! So at 5'9" and 9.5stone I reckon a couple more lbs from the right places and I look fine (and feel great)

The weight crept back up so I'm on weightloss rather than maintaining ATM but aiming for 9stone to have wriggle room to bounce back up a few lbs as I adjust to maintenance but would put me at BMI 18.6

I'm definitely aiming to stick at just below 9 stone. 8 stone something is good! I've posted a photo of me now, as opposed to last year at BMI of just under 21.

Anglaise you look fabulous; your current weight definitely suits you and you don't look drawn at all.

I'm borderline medium/large framed but even I'm inspired by you all aiming for lower BMIs and I can see that the mirror will be my friend in this last stage of weightloss - I'll keep going as I can see I'd look better leaner.

Anglaise you look great!

Sorry I meant all these YEARS

anglaise you look fab, point proven!

anglaise you look great - and yes, your build would look lardy at BMI23

is that your silly man in the bottom pic - the one who needs to really realise how lucky he is

I met up with my oldest friend today and she's 8 lb lighter than me and I know - from when we were both 19 - I need to hit her level
then again she's not had kids!

Thanks everyone! I was happy when I lost a stone a few years ago and stayed at 62kgs, but I think it was Mimi Spencer who was about the same height and weight as me who used 5:2 to drop to a low BMI who inspired me to try for a lower weight. It is only my parents who think I'm too thin now but that's probably normal. Bssh and ATB I don't think you will be disappointed with lower BMIs.
TIP yes, that is my Frenchman - things are fine now. I'm very pleased I took the advice on this thread and made a go of things with him, we have a lot of fun together. Good luck with your 8lbs althougb you look great in your photos already!

I think parents will always worry about their children, particularly daughters, getting "too thin". Mines only 19mo and I'm already worried about how to bring her up to be healthy not skinny - part of my reasons for trying to change my own attitude towards food and myself is to be a better role model

DD is 15. She's trying to lose weight at the moment - but I make the point that there is a HUGE difference between scrawny and lean/toned
she gets

Bleugh,, unintentional fast all weekend.. has been vomit city for me here (if thats not TMI..) Cant think what could have caused that but it wasn't nice...

But I shakeley got on the scales this morning thinking surely something good must have come out of it and I'm 2lbs UP!? so whats all that about ?..

But actually I dont care right now..

But why oh why , do you always feel better just in time to go back to work on a Monday (and having wasted the whole gorgeous sunny weekend mainly lying in a darkened room? )

((((Laska))))
That will all be water : your system trying to rehdrate itself. Drink LOTS, eat yoghurt and you'll be fine.

yoghurt ...good idea TiP I feel like i could eat something calming and soothing now .. have some lovely Dorset sheeps milk natural yog in the fridge

I'm starting the 8 week mindfulness course on Tuesday , mainly meditation training it seems. .. This will be interesting , I read some of the book on holiday , but decided that it needs a teacher . Also I think ill go back to yoga.

I see the Dr MM Horizon programme I was waiting for on Mindfulness aired last week and I missed it , but its still on I player so will try and catch up with it tomorrow .. Did anyone see it?

Mindfulness is interesting : my Yoga teacher is really into it and does bits with us.

Also, this article was fascinating today ....
www.newscientist.com/article/mg21929252.200-vagus-thinking-meditate-your-way-to-better-health.html

Hi all,

Sorry for being absent for a while, things have been manic. It's DD1's last week of primary school, so loads of school-related things going on (she was fab as a witch in Macbeth last week!), and very busy getting house ready for German friends coming over to stay for a few days on Thursday. Have been decorating, working long days, and looking after my four girls somehow!

Am maintaining at around 8.11-8.12, so very happy. Am just under 5ft 7. Will try to post some before and after pics later, if I get the chance! Tip and Anglaise, you look fab.

Doing 2 consecutive 5:2s today and tomorrow, as it will be an indulgent rest of the week! Have a buffet at work on Weds too.

Hope you feel ok soon, laska.

laska also bananas great for settling tummys! hope you feel better soon.

I had a great weekend, didn't eat too much, heat definitely helps with not eating, although the desire to drink lots of fruity and alcoholic cocktails has not subsided, but I mostly resisted, white wine Fri night with one bag of crisps for dinner and raspberry mojitos and white wine sat night with a small chicken salad and gooseberry and elderflower fool.

yesterday I broke my fast at 4.30 with 2 ribs and a mixed bean salad, but then came back from funfair with children at 9 and ate jam on toast with them, but still won't be over my TDEE, so all good.

((( Laska ))) Black tea is also good. Hope you are feeling a bit better?

Poor Laska so typical that it happens over a weekend!

I'm starting to read up on meditation for children actually, and have found a free meditation place round the corner from me. Think it'd be something good to connect with DC and theyre both such balls of energy it wouldn't be a bad hung to teach them how to slow down - also DS and I wind each other up in the holidays do thought it might w good for our relationship long term (yes, he's only 4!)

WI today and 1lb down from last week, I think I'm goin over my TDEE so going to mfp everything this week. 3 fasts planned and 16:8 the other days as I have a friend stayin next week so will only fit in 2 fasts max

Hope everyone's enjoying the sunshine?

5:2 does funny things, doesn't it? Or maybe I just notice the changes more...I find that my weight can sometimes drop suddenly, even after a bit of a binge, and yet other days, even after a fast, I can be a couple of lbs up.

Amazingly, it only took 2 fasts and a bit of personal stress to get me back to 9.2...quite amazing that I can fluctuate my nearly 8lbs

On my side, I may need a bit of hand-holding over the next few weeks - and it's not even related to my mother or family stuff.

Work has been a bit of a nightmare over the past few months: I started a new job in December, which was always going to be challenging (very full time, senior, loads of responsibility etc) but in an organisation proud of its 'family friendly' credentials. I was open about my personal commitments at interview, and understood that I would be able to be flexible in order to make it work. Sadly, the manager I joined was not involved in my recruitment (due to internal changes), clearly never took to me, right from the beginning, and has now created such an intolerable situation that I handed in my notice, by email, yesterday (Sunday). In short, she is opening an HR 'case' against me because (she says) she has evidence that my behaviour doesn't conform to the expected standards....not work/deliverables (which have been fine) but 'behaviour'. As far as I can tell, this boils down to a difficult phone call with a design agency the week of my mum's diagnosis in which I got quite frustrated (and for which I subsequently apologised) and pissing off a member of our exec a few weeks ago by asking (politely) that they desist from using their blackberry very visibly in the middle of the room during a high profile customer event, when they were hosting a bunch of CEOs.

It's probably indicative of the state of the manager relationship that I've not received anything from her (phone call, email etc) yet today....

Oops, sorry for the hijack. Just finding it all a bit tough....

((((Fillybuster))))) we are the sounding board ....

Filly what an awful situation. Are there any colleagues (especially at a senior level) that can vouch for you?

Filly, dont worry were all friends here .. Ive just typed all of the below and have read your post again and see you have handed in your notice.. have they accepted it?

So what i originally wrote may not be of any use o now .. but if they havent and you are still employed and want to try again please read the rest of this below

......................
I'm a union rep.. so I may be able to help a bit ,

Does your organisation have a union ? if so are you a member ?

if not sign up .. ( though some unions wont take on a case until you have been for 3 months exceptions can be made )

Once you've had your talk if it cant be resolved , then you may need to try mediation. they cant sack you without good reason, and you are entitled to representation whether unionised or not. If your workplace doesn't have a union , you can still use the services of a mediator . , best places to look are Acas website or contact your local Law centre or CAB here is a good start point and here, You can find out more about Acas mediators and whether they can help with your situation by contacting 08457 38 37 36

Though your HR department should be able to access on for you if they are at all organised and any use,

If its a small non-unionisied company , then your best bet is to try ACAS or your local law centre first ,

(((hugs))) also filly . I do feel for you , I did the same with my last job , before decamping to the IOW .. it was the best paid job I'd ever had and what id wanted to do for ages , but after a successful first year they employed the boss from hell to be my manager , she didn't have as much experience as me so set out to undermine everything I did , and seemed to be jealous of everything I was or had (i8nc my house - ex council!- child and boyfriend.
She made my life such hell I eventually walked .. but it was the best thing I ever did.. I got married to my LTP afterwards and moved here , and although life isn't idyllic and ill never earn what id id there over here , its just so much better ..

Sometimes unexpected good results can come out of bad situations..
xxxx