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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:
Moominsummermadness · 29/07/2013 17:06

Thanks Betsy, Anglaise and Mocnk

Mocnk, I wasn't overweight before I started 5:2, I was just under 10 stone. I was 11 stone 10lb after having DD4 last September, and lost the first bit of weight fairly easily (mainly through breastfeeding!) over about three months, but then my weight loss ground to a halt. I tried using MFP to lose a bit more, but I kept losing and gaining the same four pounds. I then heard about the 5:2 'diet' in April, so decided to give it a go. Admittedly, my main reason for wanting to get down to 9 stone was to be able to fit back in to my work clothes before the end of maternity leave in June. Since hearing more about the health benefits though, I do want to continue, although I'm now (as of this morning) down to 8st 9.5lb.

I really do think now that I need to stop losing, and concentrate on maintaining. I feel great at this weight, but DH, a close friend, and MIL have all commented that they think I'm getting a bit too skinny. I don't want to go underweight, which if I lost another 5lb, I would be. To be totally honest, I'm finding it hard to switch from the 'losing weight' mindset, to the 'maintaining' one. I've decided to try not to have a proper fast day this week, and do a few 16:8s instead. I find it hard eating up to TDEE on non-fast days, but I do tend to go a bit over at weekends, so this should even things out.

Talkinpeace · 29/07/2013 17:16

Moomin
16:8 and family suppers during the summer hols should stop you losing any more Wink

OP posts:
wildwater · 29/07/2013 17:40

Interesting, isn't it? After all those years of yo-yoing, to be at the 'right' place but unsure exactly how to stay there...

I too am being told to not lose more weight, that I'm looking 'gaunt'. I don't think so: I still have a roundness, a softening layer of fat. I can't check my exact weight at the moment (no access to scales) but don't believe I am very far below my 'top' healthy BMI.

The most confronting thing is noticing all my wrinkles. When I was fat, they were all filled out! Now, especially when seen on camera on my iPad, they are comparatively alarming. However I must accept them as part of myself, and since I feel incredibly much healthier at this size...so be it.

As alway, maintenance is the big thing. Previously, the second I ever reached an acceptable weight I immediately started pigging out again. This time - no way!

I am concentrating on eating healthy food. Avoiding 'white' foods as much as possible. No snacking. Either breakfast or lunch - not both.

My biggest (irrational) fear is waking up one morning having regained those lost kilos. I am looking forward to passing the one-year mark, then hopefully this fear will disappear.

Cheers for now (flowers)

AmericasTorturedBrow · 29/07/2013 18:29

I have really overdone it recently and am taking myself in hand - all week have felt pretty rotten and have just binged/comfort eaten my way through and think my body is crying out for a break! So back to 4:3, goin to have one indulgent day a week (this week Wednesday as my uncle is flying in from Canada and takin us out for an expensive meal) but otherwise steer clear of alcohol, processed foods, carbs and meat, just to give my system a break! Loading up on nutrient rich food and getting the whole family back into too (the children basically ate cheesy snacks all weekend). I've just felt physically and mentally so shit and I feel so good when fasting is going well and I actually enjoy the "banned" foods on NFD, this past week I've used them to hate myself even more!

So, change in attitude first of all!

Thanks all for your continued support and inspiration - moomin your pics are great, mocnk I'm failing our challenge a bit but have about 5weeks to go so I'm using your inspirational loss as my main motivator!

More than ever though I think I'm relishing the full on benefits of 5:2 alongside weight loss, I need to give my digestive system a chance to recover. So regardless of FD and NFD I'm going to stick to 16:8 this week

Night away planned with DH in 3 weeks (our first for two years) and I want to be feeling sexy and confident so I enjoy the time with him...

Talkinpeace · 29/07/2013 18:58

my fasting at the moment consists basically of 16:8 every day and 1000 - 1600 calories and then add wine at the weekend
I reckon that should let me stay stable
ish

OP posts:
Laska42 · 29/07/2013 19:40

Hi all you lovely people .. just popping in , haven't fasted much recently (giving myself the summer off ), but am keeping to 650-750ish 2 weekdays a week (sometimes less because my appetite had gone right down since starting this WOE ) and about 1000 for another two - all pretty much low carb} and having fri-sun weekend completely off . but a fair few of those weekend cals (ok and some during the week) are Wine Blush

but im staying about 10.2 -3 right now and feeling ok with that.. But although I dont run 'school terms' anymore as mine are intheir 20s now , im planning on getting right back in in the new term..

Just off for a read back and catch up on everyone and will post again in a bit ..

Anglaise1 · 29/07/2013 19:58

Since I've had my fitbit I've been more flexible about fasting and more concentrated on doing exercise - which I suppose is a good thing? BMI this morning (not after a fast day) was 18.64 and due to other emotional problems I'm worried about under-eating so have knocked fasting on the head for the time being. Some people overeat when worried, but I'm the opposite. Hopefully normal service will be resumed soon...

virginposter · 29/07/2013 23:15

wildwater I know exactly what you mean about the wrinkles, especially on the ipad cameras - yuk! My sister and I regularly use Facetime on ipad but we call it 'walltime' as we can't bear to be seen and therefore point our screens at the wall! The ipad cameras are very harsh and cruel and make us look terrible. Even though we each have a few wrinkles we really don't look so bad in real life and much prefer them to being overweight.
No-one ever died from a wrinkly face Grin

AmericasTorturedBrow · 30/07/2013 07:02

First successful fast of the week completed, feel so much better already. Off to bed, see you all upon the morrow!

postmanpatscat · 30/07/2013 07:23

moomin I'm in a similar situation to you - started in Feb at 10st 1 (BMI 24) with the plan to get under 9st, even if it was by a whisker. 5:2 proved so successful that by May I met my adjusted target of 8st 10. I tried 6:1, I tried 6:1 with no food on the fast day, I tried 13:1 etc. The challenge was to stop weighing, which I had been doing daily, and to stop logging food on MFP. I've done that now, devoured the end of term chocolate gifts with relish (apart from the Ferrero Rocher - bleugh!) and kept to my exercise routine of 3-4 sessions per week.

I settled at around 8st 7, used Ebay to stock up on size 8 summer clothes to replace last summer's size 12s and stopped fasting altogether. However, despite eating plenty I have continued to lose (now 8st 3). Off to Lanzarote soon for 2 weeks all inc so bound to put plenty back on!

Not sure if any of that helps...perhaps my point is that even if you switch to maintaining mode in your head, your body may have other ideas and continue to lose!

BsshBossh · 30/07/2013 08:18

Americas hurrah!

Talkinpeace · 30/07/2013 09:50

Anglaise - look after yourself. You'll be fine. Cheese and olives count as food ....
ATB go for it that girl
postmanpat the main thing DH and I have found is that we keep the fridge MUCH emptier than before - and with DD being 15 she's eating less now. DS is carb monster so that's easy.

OP posts:
BetsyBell · 30/07/2013 11:28

[makes note to self to not have photos taken with the ipad]

Had a good fast day yesterday but an awful awful night's sleep with a succession of child and cat related events thoroughly punctuating the hours between 3 and 7. Today is so far feeling like a bit of a write off but I really have to get sorted with holiday packing and prepping for some building works while we're away.

Kids are being childminded by Mssrs Apple and Nintendo today (although we did manage a trip to the library this morning so that's my 'proper' parenting sorted for the day!)

A new thing though: I no longer want to eat my way through sleep deprivation (aka, how I put on all the weight in the first place).

I do suddenly fancy cheese and olives though... I'll save them for lunch :)

postmanpatscat · 30/07/2013 12:33

TIP our fridge is far from empty...however, most of the space is taken up by beer and wine (I don't drink) and meat (which I don't eat). The dairy-free milk is mine but I never crave that, oddly Hmm

wildwater · 30/07/2013 13:07

Just checking in on this side...but please do check my new thread 'Fasting in Patagonia'.

All going great here. Love reading everybody's stories - becoming friends.

Wish I had discovered 5:2 half a life ago, but better late than never. I just can't imagine going back to my old way of over-eating continuously. (All those wasted years inside the wrong body!)

Cheers.

AmericasTorturedBrow · 30/07/2013 14:09

Betsy it's 6:07am here, DD and I are wrapped up in a duvet in front of the tv having had probably 3hours sleep.

I'm going to try to be inspired by you and also avoid eating my way through the sleep deprivation today. So frustrating though as its my day with DS on Tuesdays and now we'll prob manage nothing beyond a big Lego building session

Talkinpeace · 30/07/2013 14:11

manage nothing beyond a big Lego building session
since when is a massive Lego session a Fail !!!!
LOVE Lego sessions : build the New Mars base and rovers - all of you working on different bits of it ... look up pictures to work from
makes it math, history, science, current affairs, chilling time and silliness all rolled into one
(jealous : DS is too old for such days now)

OP posts:
BetsyBell · 30/07/2013 15:12

A duvet day and big lego session sounds like a great day ATB!

I did eat quite a lot of cheese after my last post Blush, it was lovely though, just an early lunch. Grin

My DSs require no interaction from me these days, except regular feeding of course. They might join in if I started a lego project, but I really can't be bothered today - tiredness is really kicking in now. Sad

AmericasTorturedBrow · 30/07/2013 19:46

I always feel guilty when we stay at home, he has a gym class at 3:15 which I can now actually watch rather than placate DD throughout, then we go for "ice cream" (help yourself frozen yoghurt) before we pick DD up from daycare.

I bought him the I Can Cook cookbook last Christmas so we're trying to get into making something from it together each week - so far I'm letting him choose so it's usually cake and sugar based! Apple Dappies about to come outif the oven and smell so good!! I wasn't going to fast today but I think I might do as I suspect if I decide it's a NFD then I will gorge through the tiredness - starting with the amazing home made pastries DS baked.

Already had a giant red bull at 160 calories though (I know I know, the coffee stall at the supermarket was shut and I was desperate!) but I have yesterday's leftovers in the fridge so actually I can make it a FD without having to even plan. Then early to bed and a lovely NFD planned tomorrow

DS is watching I Can Cook on YouTube for more ideas for next week while I have a cuppa and quick tidy up then LEGO MADNESS here we come! Thanks all

Anglaise1 · 30/07/2013 20:05

postmanpatscat I wish I didn't like wine! TIP* thanks, all will be fine, it is just an ex girlfriend who has re-appeared from the dead in February and thinks my BF will be hers again easily after she finished the relationship 2 years ago...despite the fact that he has rebuilt his life and is happily with someone else now (me).
Betsy I'm not starving, just enjoying cashew nuts, cheese, olives and a glass of red wine in the evening and not a lot in the day, which I suppose counts as a sort of fast, but it's nice enjoying guilt free treats in the evening. Especially cheese and olives.
ATB my son is only 6 but already does lego better than me.

AmericasTorturedBrow · 31/07/2013 02:12

That sounds like my perfect supper Anglaise

Doing bath and bed with DC, have had dinner and last of my food (hopefully Wink) today. Ended up going a bit over because actually I wanted my frozen yoghurt treat with DS but within 500kcals if I just ignore the early morning red bull....

Lunch at an amazing juice and smoothie place planned tomorrow with a friend then expensive dinner out with DH and my uncle, NFD indeed!

BetsyBell · 31/07/2013 13:18

ATB You sound like the best mum ever!

Anglaise Yum, indeed, sounds like my kind of food :)

Holiday tomorrow Grin. House is ready and prepped for building work while we're away, I'm assured it will all be finished for our return Grin Grin. I've even flea-treated the cats so they don't drop flea eggs on the spangly new carpet that will be there!

However, really must finish packing (I hate packing!)

AmericasTorturedBrow · 31/07/2013 14:56

Oh Betsy thanks. I really appreciate that as I feel I fail DC on a daily basis we never do crafty stuff, I shout far too much and they will go days of eying nothing but pasta and pesto!

DD slept through last night (hurrah) but up at 6 so we're snuggled up watching Pocoyo til the boys awake. Have a lovely holiday!

Talkinpeace · 31/07/2013 15:23

ATB
Ignore the tyranny of the 'perfect Moms' : they are mostly lying anyway.
Kids NEED to learn to get bored and amuse themselves

Chilling with a bowl of water and some old kitchen implements kept mine busy for days and days when they were little
lego
sandpits
colouring - unsupervised
staring into space never hurt any kid in the summer

and yup, petso is the spawn of the devil : it only has ALL of the nutrient food groups in it after all, add the hot dogs that my two love and you are sorted

PS the US thing of Summer camps is great - and the camp leaders will never let on to high paying parents how much 'down time' there is Grin

OP posts:
AmericasTorturedBrow · 31/07/2013 15:44

I am totally a believer in the "benign neglect" school of parenting, and am obviously pleased my DC are pretty good at independent play. I suppose I just worry that sometimes I am too neglectful and don't do enough stuff with them. A beach day calls this weekend maybe, and maybe we'll take them to a museum to recompense!

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