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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 · 25/07/2013 13:18

Bssh those are incredible before and after pictures. You definitely don't look your age! Agree with the others, you don't look underweight so no worries about going to a lower BMI.

virginposter · 25/07/2013 13:19

Bsssh I second everything everyone has said - you look fabulous.
Also regarding what Tip said about your collarbones, mine are way more pronounced than yours and I (nor anyone else I know) do not think I am too 'thin' or underweight. I reckon I could go down another 7lbs and may well do so.

mocnk I say 'go for it'. I've just done an unintentional consecutive 2 day plus 16:8 fast and lost 2lbs and gone into the 9sts (consider it a real loss as my tummy is now flat as a board). Sorry tmi but overnight Sunday I spent quite a lot of time on the loo etc etc and therefore didn't want to eat anything to upset myself anymore (horrible griping pains) and so did the fasts with just a large bowl of porridge and soya milk each evening at about 8pm. It's done the trick and yesterday I ate normally (carefully) and also today. Feeling good Grin

BsshBossh · 25/07/2013 16:45

Thank you everyone. It's this thread (and your low BMIs) that's made me shoot for a much lower target. 15 lbs to go then it's serious muscle building time. My body is now my hobby Grin.

Moominsummermadness · 25/07/2013 21:53

Hi all,

Have had a crazily busy week. Had my German friends over last weekend, so was a weekend filled with indulgence. There was rich food and booze a-plenty, so by Sunday evening, I felt sluggish and bloated. I did a fast day on Monday, didn't want to eat Monday night, felt fine on Tuesday, and eventually broke my liquid-only fast on Tuesday evening. NFD yesterday, and a semi-fast day today, ate around 700 kcals, as I went to give blood, and didn't want to pass out! Interestingly, I last attempted to give blood in April, but my iron was too low. I then started this WOE, and my iron levels are good now. So it proves that I am healthier as well as slimmer!

Will weigh in tomorrow. Hoping for 8.11-8.12, my scales broke, so I'm not sure how my posh new scales will differ!

mocnk, sorry about the house. Am sure the house that you are meant to live in will come along soon.

bsssh, you do look amazing. I still need DH to take a picture of me!

Talkinpeace · 26/07/2013 14:49

Blech
Utterly failed on fasting this week ... and I've gone up 4 lb !
Its surprising to see how easy it is to over eat and the body goes 'gimme gimme'
have been good today though.

OP posts:
AmericasTorturedBrow · 26/07/2013 15:20

Morning all

Ugh ridiculous week, I'm refusing to WI as it hasn't been indulgent, I seem to have been on a massive binge since Monday. Even having horrid stomach cramps all Wednesday after a heavy night (no idea why, suspect alcohol and meat combination, think my stomach is becoming more sensitive) I still gorged. Laska very brave of you to start the conversation about binge tendencies, I have hated myself for this behavior this week and the hatred has manifested in eating even more Sad

So, fasting today - my digestive system really needs a break and my tummy isn't quite back to normal. We have a weekend away with friends this weekend but I've agreed to be in charge of the DC and think I won't drink at all to try to combat some
Of the binging.

Bssh you look absolutely fab and seriously well done, what an achievement. I definitely wouldn't say you need to lose anymore but if you wanted to I don't think you'd look scrawny at all. I am 12 years younger than you but I definitely currently look older!

Sorry about the house mocnkSad

catsrus · 26/07/2013 19:59

Well I've eaten healthily today red wine is healthy right? but certainly not fasted. Long long long work day so found myself in a Yo Sushi before train home and ate a LOT. I'm hoping it will mean no cheese on toast when I get home Hmm but I do seem to recall an open bottle of Wine in the kitchen Wink.

I was at the low end of my range ths morning so plenty of wobble room Smile

Talkinpeace · 26/07/2013 20:06

well just had a really healthy supper : picked a courgette in the garden and fried it in garlic and a dash of oil and served with pepper and parmesan on a slice of ham .... will go pick tomatoes and then loganberries for pudding

OP posts:
catsrus · 27/07/2013 11:56

Well I got home and yes - there was Wine Grin

Restorative bagels for breakfast and a lounge-around morning - bliss! Now to get cracking in the garden as its not too hot today :-)

Moominsummermadness · 27/07/2013 13:10

Weighed in this morning on my sparkling new scales, and was 8st10, so happy as the day after a nfd and chinese takeaway last night. Expect to have gained after the weekend, having a boozy night out tonight-my first girlie night out in 20 months!

Talkinpeace · 28/07/2013 15:46

ahhh
the bliss of having all four of us home and chilling
I love my family
must remember to refill the fridge though : with DH and I eating so much less and for various reasons the excuse of taking the kids out for meals
only the condiments shelf is full!

OP posts:
Moominsummermadness · 28/07/2013 16:36

Bleurgh! I feel horrible, hangover from hell. Great night out though.

I've finally uploaded my before and after photos- that's me in the blue skirt in the second picture.

Talkinpeace · 28/07/2013 16:58

moomin
we rest our case that this WOE is the way to look FAB

OP posts:
Moominsummermadness · 28/07/2013 17:54

Thanks TIP!

catsrus · 28/07/2013 19:31

yes - just looked at the photos - well done moomin

BsshBossh · 28/07/2013 19:34

Moomin you look fab!

Breadandwine · 28/07/2013 19:54

Wow!

Moominsummermadness · 28/07/2013 20:46

Thank you all Flowers

BetsyBell · 29/07/2013 08:59

Gorgeous moomin!

Fast day today - possibly last one before holidaying later this week.

Talking of which - I've PMd GreenEggs about looking after the main thread while I'm away but haven't heard back, if anyone else wants to be on standby to put up a new one please PM me :)

Anglaise1 · 29/07/2013 10:44

Fantastic before and after photos Moomin - an excellent ad for 5:2!

mumofcrazynamedkids · 29/07/2013 10:52

moomin you didn't look big in the before pic, but look amazin' in the second, well done you!

mumofcrazynamedkids · 29/07/2013 10:57

Morning, fast day for me, after succesfully slimming down enough for the dress Sat night, my stomach shrunk so much that pretty sure I have eaten under tdee for all of my last 3 NFD's (and that despite eating a highly calorific brie and cranberry M&s sandwich last night for 555 cals and 3 shortbread fingers!)

only prob is period due this week, so not sure what the scales will do, but hoping to see 10 10 or lower by the end of the week.

saw a lovely rental flat on Wirral over weekend, now just waiting to see if ex agrees to let me rent london place and get north for Sept and new school for kids.

mumofcrazynamedkids · 29/07/2013 11:33

americas how did your alcohol free (reduced) weekend go? don't beat yourself up about the bingeing, sometimes we just need to, and we do all do it ! I'm wondering how well I'll do this week, still feeling a little depived after uncustomary extra day fasting and 2 extra half fasts last week, think my head is still thinking I should now be able to eat more and the remaining shortbread biscuits at home in teh cupboard are whispering to me all the way at work....suspect I may need to chuck them to prevent inhaling them tomorrow!

plan is to stock up on yogurt and loads of fresh fruit for me and DC's tomorrow. Day off planned and park day out may need to be changed as rain is forecast all day.

BetsyBell · 29/07/2013 14:16

New thread posting is now sorted! I will not have to interrupt my holiday to post up a new thread Grin

Talkinpeace · 29/07/2013 14:34

Betsy : excellent

not sure how food control will go this week : everybody home and no routines, but did a swim and yoga this morning so feel nearly human.
so long as I stay under 9 stone I can snap back PDQ next term.

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