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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:
vintage52er · 19/12/2013 11:57

Hi everyone.
I haven't been looking at the threads for a few weeks as life got in the way. Have just returned from Nottingham where we had our 'mini' full blown Christmas with dd with way too much indulgence Xmas Blush but clothes still feeling comfortable so the few mini fasts I managed must have helped. Unfortunately it's meals out every day now but I'm hoping by skipping breakfast and lunch on these days, I'll limit the damage.
Why oh why do people kindly keep giving me chocolates? My sister gave me a basket FULL of all my favourites - help!
I think Ill wait until New Year to face the scales and then get stuck into 4:3 until all excess is gone.
Hmmm, it's my birthday in Feb and I'll be 60 (young Laska take note Xmas Smile ) and dd has treated us to Cirque de Soleil and dinner at Royal Albert Hall so it's an overnight stay for us via the train from Cornwall. Hopefully I'll be back to 'normal' by then.
Anyway, sorry about the long post - I either just lurk or ramble on. It's great to see you all still doing so well fellow maintainers.
I wish you all the very best for the Season and many many thanks for being with me on this amazing journey. Hopefully, we will all go into 2014 with continued strength and determination for fasting.

Mary2010xx · 19/12/2013 18:00

I specifically made it clear this Christmas no chocolate and asked each of the children if they wanted chocolate in stockings or not and some are off it and we have to respect that. It's hard enough without people constant foisting it on you...though the children made me take out of the bin the sealed unopened tin of biscuits Tesco gave us free with the order. The demolished them in a day - rubbish, junk food pushed like cocaine on an addict but because it's sugar and carbs it's supposedly okay to push it.

TalkinPeace · 19/12/2013 22:14

I admit I plan to relax and allow some weight gain
but then again I've already done "post Christmas weight loss" at the start of 2013 so am more relaxed about it than many

OP posts:
Anglaise1 · 20/12/2013 07:45

Well said TIP. My philosophy is that if you relax and enjoy Christmas by eating perhaps more than normal you will be very glad and more than ready to get back to the discipline of 5:2 come January! And in a couple of weeks, you aren't going to put on THAT much weight, anyway.
I plan to keep running every other day, but because I enjoy it, not to compensate for potential over eating.

AmericasTorturedBrow · 20/12/2013 14:47

Have to admit to already looking forward to the discipline of 5:2 in a few weeks!

Laska42 · 22/12/2013 08:43

Hi there, am planning a fast today , but fee llike im wavering already .,, and its only 8.30am! but will try on a christmas party outfit or two, that should help me stick to it!

am cleaning and sorting out the house for the onslaught, hten putting up the deccies .. threll be a ton offood around no doubt , but im resistingthetempataion to cook anythig more than broccoli soup today .. (might send DH down the pub for lunch)

but its really nice to have a good long winter brea know.. if the weather wasnt to pigging awful here (huge thunderstorm this morning and its rained solidly for 2 days ) i'd be out for a yomp on the downs today , but hopefully ill be able to do that soon as that ive taken a few days off now and wont be back at work until 6th jan Grin.

Whats everyone got planned for the big meal? We have partridge , but im thinking that instead of the full roast , ill do roasties and a winter salad , perhaps spinach watercress and rocket with oranges and pomegranite.. We like that sort of thing better anyway , .. alsothinking apple studel .( savingthe pud for boxing day when th efolks are over)

excuse any typos - doingthis on my netbook in bed! better get up soon i suppose ..

Anglaise1 · 22/12/2013 10:40

Not fasting today as doing a 10k run this afternoon..but plan on one tomorrow as I would like to lose 2kgs and the fast last week did nothing!
Your Christmas meal sounds delicious Laska - a yummy winter salad is a great idea. I prefer salad too...
Supposed to be getting boat to Portsmouth tomorrow night to spend Christmas with the family in Bath (first time since moving to France 12 yrs ago) but the weather forecast is terrible and I'm worried the ferry will be cancelled. There isn't another boat over until 26th Dec..
Hope everyone elses Christmas preparations are going to plan!

Laska42 · 22/12/2013 17:38

I'm on the Isle of Wight Anglaise . it's calmed down here now ,and has been lovely all afternoon. Hopefully it wont be too rough for you , wave as you go by the St Catherines lighthouse! .

I've had nothing to eat from 6pm last night until just now when I had the broccoli soup .Am really glad i've fasted today .. Tomorrow I start the christmas food shopping and cooking! I'm planning a 'just soup' and vegiges day on the 27th , should be too difficult hopefully..

TalkinPeace · 22/12/2013 18:33

we are doing Goose for Christmas day but our big family meal will be on Saturday
lazy roast chicken today
fasting tomorrow (and I've loads of work to do)

Anglaise wave as you barrel past on your way to Bath. Lovely town.
Laska yup - this weather is getting rather boring .... I've got gardening to do

but then again my extra cat likes being indoors and the long standing cats are not much more adventurous!

OP posts:
Laska42 · 22/12/2013 18:45

Tip here's a TipGrin just in case if you've not done a goose before.

Take the legs off and cook them slowly on a low heat in some goose fat the day before (like Confit, you can add some garlic and herbs like rosemary and thyme too but dont need to salt them ) will take up to 2 hours .. Then do the rest of the carcass fairly quickly a (it will take much less time than you think and you can even have it a bit pink if you like as its not poultry ). . Other wise you'll find the breast meat will dry out before the legs are done. Then when you are tready to eat just heat up the legs in the oven or microwave and use the fat for your spuds..

I've done this several times with goose and its really the best way I find Yum Smile
.

TalkinPeace · 22/12/2013 18:55

ooh, we might try that - have done goose several time before (because the leftovers make FAB chilli and curry)
are doing fish pie for Christmas eve so the oven will be on ....

OP posts:
Breadandwine · 22/12/2013 23:45

Haggis en croute for moi!

The haggis will contain chestnuts, sun-dried tomatoes, chopped walnuts and mushrooms as well as the more traditional lentils, red kidney beans - and porridge oats, of course!

I shall wrap it in a vegan brioche smeared with mushroom pate and pesto. That, with a spicy tomato sauce instead of gravy (Gravy? Pah!) and all the roast trimmings, and I'll be a happy bunny! (Bunnies are vegan, too, see! Xmas Grin)

For afters we have my sister's Xmas pud - which she's now veganised - and Alpro custard! Mmm…

Prior to that, I'm doing a couple of 20:4s, possibly. Certainly one tomorrow - not sure about Tuesday yet.

I am, of course, open to any unexpected temptations - such as a pub lunch, etc.

As Oscar Wilde once said, "I can resist anything except temptation!" Xmas Grin

Have a good one, y'all! WineWineWineWineWineWine

Laska42 · 23/12/2013 11:41

oh heckAnglaise I dont envy you today , hope your ferry runs (thought you may not want it to)

Laska42 · 23/12/2013 11:58

Mmm fish pie... that will be deffo for later on in the week ., ... We will be having turkey schnitzel on christmas eve ..You dip the turkey in garlic egg and lemon juice , then dunk in matzo meal mixed with paprika and herbs .. I always bake mine though.. great with paprika mayo!

Tip i followed Mark Hix's recipe for the goose legs (left u out the cinnamon in mine though , but unlike him i just smothered the whole of the rest of the carcass in bacon and roasted it as normal ...it was fine but as i said was pretty quick - not even an hour i think .. Its here (sorry about it being Country life as a paid-up prole I got mine from the Guardian some years ago Grin)

Yours sounds lovely also B&W i know you had the recipe on your blog.. is the new modification of brioche there?

well all its our 2nd christmas as 5:2ers and we are all still lean and mean! (well 'ish' in my case Grin perhaps ill go start a 'surviving christmas' thread .. (if there isnt one already)

TalkinPeace · 23/12/2013 12:06

B&W
that sounds nom nom nom - speaking as a confirmed carnivore

Anglaise in case you flick onto here before you hit the road - do the A34 / M4 route as the A36 is a wipeout in Salisbury and Wylye valley (according to FB friends)

Laska
shall print that recipe

OP posts:
Laska42 · 23/12/2013 12:45

Hi all, as lots of us (like me) are going into our 2nd season of Christmas on 5:2 I've started a surviving the festive season Hints thread here.. SO Come on you maintainers - we know how we did it , so lets spread the love and do come contribute - (even if its your first 5:2 Christmas) fgrin

Anglaise1 · 23/12/2013 15:10

TIP Thanks for your advice on the roads, will definitely take the A34/M4 route instead of usual A36.
Laska I was sort of in two minds about the journey as I had terrible stomach cramps and diarrhea after my run yesterday and didn't sleep last night.
The ferry is running (it is only the boats from Portsmouth to France have been cancelled) but it is going to be a rough old crossing! Have plenty of time to get to the port this evening, so will take it very slowly on the road up to Caen which is horrible in bad weather too.

Laska42 · 24/12/2013 09:57

Right Christmas cooking for me today.... so if im not back until later on in the week ..

Have a really, really good Christmas everyone ..this has grown into such a supportive and friendly corner of the net and I'm proud to call you all my friends ..

Here'sWine to our achievements since last Christmas when we were all so worried we'd 'lose it' and end up back where we were before 5;2 and here's Wine to the brilliant Dr MM !!

Laska Thanks Xmas Smile xxxx

Fillybuster · 24/12/2013 11:45

I know I don't post frequently enough to qualify as a regular, but still wanted to pop in and wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a fantastic start to the new year, wherever you are.

You are all utterly and completely wonderful, and although I've not (yet) met any of you in person (Laska - a BM visit in the new year now my life is no longer spiralling?) you are all firmly in my heart and thoughts.

Thank you for the love, support and inspiration; for picking me up when it all got too much and for cheering me on when the going was good.

Here's to another year of maintenance! (A year ago, I wouldn't have believed I would ever be saying that with confidence Shock )

Merry Christmas! Xmas Grin

TalkinPeace · 24/12/2013 14:58

Fuillybuster
You are always welcome back to this thread.
Isn't it great to be going into Christmas knowing that any January weight loss will be swift because the year has been steady and positive rather than another year of yoyo

OP posts:
wildwater · 24/12/2013 16:52

Hear hear! Feliz Navidad and merry 5:2 to you all Xmas Grin

wildwater · 24/12/2013 17:39

www.mybodygallery.com/photos-32063-body-shape.htm?StartAt=1#.UrnFKX-9KSN

Hi again everybody! I have just found this link and thought it would be good to share. I have no access to a full length mirror and so have very little idea what I really look like now.

When I put in my details and hit 'go' I was pleasantly surprised: the girls (nobody half as old as I am) in the photos all look trim and fit, which is exactly how I feel.

I never took my measurements before I started, but I did this morning, and I am now 36/26/37, which is fairly classic, I think?

TalkinPeace · 24/12/2013 17:47

WW you are a star - send us some warm southern hemisphere sunshine and enjoy Christmas as a married woman Xmas Wink

OP posts:
Breadandwine · 25/12/2013 07:26

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Off downstairs, now, to join the mayhem which will shortly ensue! Xmas Grin

Fillybuster · 26/12/2013 23:24

Bah humbug! 7lbs up already Shock Blush Shock !! That's what comes of being invited to multiple tea parties (several each day) with lots of friends who are excellent cooks Grin

For someone who doesn't officially celebrate Xmas, I'm clearly having far too much fun Grin

Mini fast tomorrow, I think, and a full one on Monday should help re-set things a bit.

Hope you're all having a wonderful few days :)

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