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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 3

999 replies

Talkinpeace · 19/07/2013 13:03

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?
How do we ensure that we keep ourselves looking great rather than just thin?

Many of us have been maintaining at our original goal weight for a few months, and others are joining all the time.
Obviously, the more the merrier!
It is also worth considering whether a second, leaner target might be achievable.

You'll find the first two maintenance threads and all the main 5:2 threads for posters practicing IF to lose weight here on the Fasting / 5:2 on the diet forum. We're currently on thread no. 23, but there is a new main thread every 2-3 weeks.

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!

PS thanks to Breadandwine (proof that this forum welcomes everybody, not just Mums) for setting up the last thread while my old name that set up the first one was on 'holiday' Grin

OP posts:
Anglaise1 · 01/09/2013 10:31

TIP ATB and B&W thanks so much, I'm sure I'll feel better in time, but it is just hard at the moment! I've joined a local running club and am going to try and find other things to occupy me (other than work and the children which is all I really seem to do!)
And I'll have to go back to the online dating sites which is a really depressing thought:(
No fasting for me at the moment, but good luck to all of you who are. I hope everyone feels motivated for the 'rentrée'!

postmanpatscat · 01/09/2013 14:16

Checking in for a B&W baby update - I see she managed to avoid an August baby! My DD was born the day Diana died, the worst part about it was blanket coverage on tv when we spent five days in the post natal ward - I was bored to tears! Academically, she just got fab grades in her GCSEs and got her first one, A* in maths, in year 9 still aged 13, so not too worried about that side of things. Sixth form next week for further maths, physics and history A Levels.

Anglaise onwards and upwards - I met my DP online and have never been happier. Fingers crossed your Mr Right is out there too.

Weight wise (I remember now - this is a 5:2 maintainers' thread!) I still seem to have it under control. Recently back from two weeks all inclusive and I stayed within 200g of my departing weight, can't argue with that. My BMI is around 19.3 and it started at 24 in February.

frenchfancy · 01/09/2013 14:28

Anglaise ar least the season is nearly over so you will have a bit more time for yourself; you are worth so much more than that;

In terms of weight, I have no idea where I am, the scales are in the bathroom next to the guest bedroom, and mum is here at moment, and we had friends before that so I haven't weighed for a while. Clothes are starting to feel a bit tighter though, which I don't like. I'm going to try and fast next week, but it is hard when we have visitors (TBH my Mum drives me to drink!) . One more week and then I can get back to normal.

Talkinpeace · 01/09/2013 18:24

I know I'm heavier than I need to be in three weeks ... but fasting has started and the gym starts next week - its nice to be able to relax knowing that like getting fit I can 'get lean'
might even brave the scales if I go to the gym tomorrow - that will be fun!
Then again this time last year I was 10st and I'm nowhere near that ...

OP posts:
Breadandwine · 01/09/2013 18:44

Thanks, PPC - she's just reported that she's feeling the odd pain, ATM, quite far apart and short in duration, but regular.

So my wife is getting quite twitchy - even if daughter isn't! Grin

Watch this space!

AmericasTorturedBrow · 01/09/2013 19:37

Oooohgood luck DD of B&W!!!

I feel your pain frenchfancy I have stayed away from the scales after two weeks of not just failing fast but going on utter binges and no exercise at all

Definitely nowhere near my aim for September 11th so new aim, seeing as its in 10days time, fit comfortably into my (US) size 2 shorts (major vanity sizing, dont worry) which I can do up for but they just feel a bit snug. It's been a weekend full of alcohol and cake so barring Wednesday when we're having dinner with friends I'm attempting to not drink or have refined sugar til I leave for UK, and do 3 fasts before then, which is doable I reckon. I'll jump on the scales just before I go....eek!

Breadandwine · 01/09/2013 22:14

Just heard from SIL - DD's now 7cm, in the hospital, and about to enter the birthing pool!

Excited, moi?

Just a bit! Grin

Talkinpeace · 01/09/2013 22:20

Keep the fizzy in the fridge till you've told us though Wink

OP posts:
Breadandwine · 02/09/2013 01:21

Phone call from SIL:

"It's a boy - you've got a grandson! And he's perfect!" Grin

DD is fine apart from a slight tear.

No more details - hasn't been weighed yet.

Had begun a 36 hour fast - now it'll include alcohol!! Grin

Cheers! Wine

Just heard from other GP that the baby is feeding!

We're having a drink together! Grin

Breadandwine · 02/09/2013 03:04

8lbs exactly, with loads of dark hair. It's all good, folks! Grin

AmericasTorturedBrow · 02/09/2013 03:43

Yay congrats B&W!

postmanpatscat · 02/09/2013 06:30

Congrats to your daughter and family b&w Flowers

Laska42 · 02/09/2013 08:01

Yay!congrats B&W and welcome tothenew Most Beautiful Grandson in the World Ever!! Glad it all went welland everyone's fine.

Anglaise1 · 02/09/2013 08:05

Many congratulations on your first grandson B&W!

Laska42 · 02/09/2013 08:32

Anglaise Just to send you ((hugs)) also..He wasnt worth it< but remember you are (oh shit that sounds likea shampoo ad!, but you know what I mean). head up girl forget the tw@t and embrace the new start.. (IIWU i'd have a rest from the on line dating just yet though.. time for yourself first I reckon is a good thing)
.
Do also recommend Mindfulness meditation if you feel like time for a short reflection. Ive been doing an 8 week course (my first foray into this kind of stuff) and have found it really helpful for me in starting to discover how I can change how I 'deal' withstuff and how I let things affect me.. am feeling much more at peace already through small changes of how im viewing things and situations and how I make myself feel though my reactions to them (though in still over fifty , my son is still unemployed, etc etc ..and I still cant do anything to change any of that Smile ) and now intend to carry on with it.

.A Good book to start with if anyone is interested which has the whole course and Cd of guided meditations is 'Mindfulness' by Mark Williams and Danny Penman. but tere are also lots of mindfulness courses around no religion, promise.. but ithink Iam a convert now to meditation...

fasting today.. my 5:2 summer break is now deemed Offficially Over!

I'm 10st 6 this morning.. want to get back to 10st (and may be more later) looking forward to really getting back into the swing of it.

Now I know I dont need it , but sometimes a fresh start demaonds a Re visiting of th plan so anyone bought the 5:2 recipe book? any good?

Anglaise1 · 02/09/2013 12:07

Thanks so much Laska. I bought the Mindfulness book backi in July and started reading it, but for some reason I can't download the audio on my ipad and so I never started with the meditation. I'm really pleased it is working for you and maybe that is the motivation I need to do it. I'm just so scared of thinking too much at the moment about anything and am trying to keep busy to ensure I respect the No Contact rule (he wants to be friends, but I won't get over him if I still have contact with him).
I will give the downloading of the Mindfulness audio another try!

vintage52er · 02/09/2013 15:26

B&W many many congrats on the birth of your Grandson (is there a name yet?) Flowers

Talkinpeace · 02/09/2013 16:12

B&W
Celebratory champagne has no calories you know. Wink

Anglaise
You've got to wash that man right out of your hair.
Cut all contact.
He wants to stay in touch so that he can show off his harem of trophy women.
Do not play his game.
If nothing else you do not want your kids growing up thinking that such delfishness is acceptable.

I started today fasting but then in the middle of our 18 mile family cycle ride we stopped off at Reeves - but I was good and just had a cheese straw, a bite of DDs sausage roll and 1/4 of an eccles cake, washed down with water.

OP posts:
Anglaise1 · 02/09/2013 17:34

TIP
Thanks again for your very wise advice. I've been doing some reading today and have come to the conclusion that he is probably a narcissist. I've never come across one before but his behaviour resembles that outlined in the article. So yes, I've cut all contact by phone/email/sms and blocked him on Facebook so I'm not tempted to see what he is up to!
Pizza van tonight with the kids:)

Laska42 · 02/09/2013 20:40

Ok.... so today's fast isn't going as well as id like, as although i've only had breakfast ( 2 egg courgette omelette) , I have been making sweet and sour courgette pickle today (a day off and dealing with a garden glut ) and also i've been experimenting with making a nut butter ( peanut, almond, cinnamon and chilli as a present for a friend) and so the little tastes along the way ( and not to mention the glass of Wine ive just poured out probably mean i've had more than i should ..

Actually though I really dont like sweet nut butters (or sweet anything really) so it has only been the merest taste.. but heck as for the Wine one does have to celebrate B&W's new addition doesn't one?

This WOE is so great though , considering I have had a complete 'summer off' since 12th July , and have by no means denied myself any of the summer treats , I have only put on 6lbs.. In the past on weight watcher (spit! pah!! to the Devil's diet!! Grin) it probably would have meant that I would have regained all I'd lost, but I'm still well over a stone less than when i started this WOE this time last year.. and that's a real result for me.. as its summer time I usually put weight on ..

Autumn winter and spring I can ( and do mainly) happily live on veggie soup and casseroles and losing is pretty easy .. And so I'm now confident that although I may currently weigh a fair bit more than quite a few you here on maintenance, that this really is a WOE I can do for life .. and yes. if I'm never to be a real skinny Minnie again (and was I ever? perhaps only in my teen slightly anorexic days) I'm still wearing size 10's (2013 sz 10s that is, not 1950s!! so really about sz 12/14s on the old system ) , But at least im getting all the other health benefits and eat what I like most of the time , So what's not to celebrate.. so Once again I bow down to Dr M and you lot who have been so inspirational ..

so.. Heres to not only another great 5:2 year !!..but also of course and ( much more importantly) to the new baby B&W* Wine Grin

catsrus · 02/09/2013 21:39

congratulations to the B&W family Thanks

frenchfancy · 03/09/2013 06:50

Congratulations to B+W and daughter (and presumably SIL)

Back on the wagon today - I was going to fast yesterday but we had bought some lovely artisan bread at a fair on Sunday and had made new jam (blackberry and apple - yum) so breakfast yesterday was essential.

Kids are now back at school which makes things easier, but we still have DM here till Sunday. I managed to hold off the wine last night for the first time in a while Blush so that should make today easier.

mumofcrazynamedkids · 03/09/2013 14:36

hi all, marking place and huge congrats to b&w Flowers Wine Flowers

need to read back, and catch up with everyones news, I've moved north to teh Wirral, staying at bf's which si very snug to say the least, living out of suitcases and desperately hoping something comes on the market to rent soon.

have been binging and not fasting, today was kids first day at new school and supposed to be fast day, but it's gorgeously sunny and the cupboards were full of junk and so I've decided to say sod it and start tomorrow....beach and fish and chips after first day at new school methinks!

luckily scales still packed, but i know I have gained heaps, ahh well, back on the wagon shortly and like ATB I'll have to use clothes as my indicator.

will read all and post again soon. x

Talkinpeace · 03/09/2013 14:59

MOCNK
Yay, well done on moving, even if you are "camping" - you'll spot something coming up quicker when not doing it long distance ....
my next door neighbours house sold so quick it never had a board up and went onto rightmove as SSTC on the first day!

First proper swim in weeks today - hard work but nice to feel all the muscles working.

OP posts:
AmericasTorturedBrow · 03/09/2013 21:28

Congrats on making the move mocnk, hope you find a place to call your own soon.

FD today and I am determined to see it through - having failed all attempts in the last 2-3weeks and the mirror confirms it Hmm