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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:
TalkinPeace · 13/01/2014 21:01

Laska
I'm around all next week - insurers coming to look at damaged roof on Tuesday. Text me when you know your timings :-)

OP posts:
Laska42 · 13/01/2014 21:11

will do tip .. right bed now ... and mint tea .. Must be on 800-900 now ( aw.. bum but only myself to blame) so ill call it a 'mini fast' today and have another go tomorrow ..

Tomorrow, (as Scarlett O'Hara says), Is another day !

luciangal1 · 13/01/2014 22:09

Smile TP thanks for the reply, easy when you know! Will post recipe.

BsshBossh · 13/01/2014 22:23

Laska I'm don't measure/weigh my homemade recipes, neither does my mum so if you experiment with the ingredients in previous post: enough liver (diced) for 2 then 1 tsp (I guess) each of grd cumin, coriander, turmeric, garam masala, quarter tsp chilli powder, inch chopped ginger, a few garlic cloves, half onion, bag fresh spinach (frozen works well too), water, oil (could add whole instead of grd garam masala eg cloves, peppercorns, cinnamon, cardamom). Just play around with spice quantities to suit. Salt of course.

I love black pudding too. Claudia Roden or Sam Clark have wonderful morcilla and broad bean stew that DH makes regularly. I love a black pudding and scrambled egg stack on a base of toast with butter and marmalade (at my favourite local breakfast cafe).

Fillybuster · 13/01/2014 22:57

Managed a 30 hour fast, but definitely exceeded 500 cals with my dinner...I've generally stopped counting closely, but even I can tell that a bowl of soup (bought, therefore labelled as coming in at 160 cals), half a pita bread and a bowl of shakshuka (tinned tomatoes, half an onion, scrap of yellow pepper, few chunks of aubergine, 2 egg yolks and a whole egg) is bound to have broken the barrier.

Hey ho, still feeling pretty good. Thank goodness for vanilla chai instead of chocolate for dessert Grin

Went shopping but completely failed to find a new frock for my birthday party this weekend. On the other hand, located 5 pairs of shoes for the various dcs in the sale, plus a new pair of slippers for ds and earmuffs for dd1, so not a total waste of time Hmm

Welcome to the various new faces - this is a lovely corner of MN/5:2 with some truly inspirational and supportive folks :) :) I'm too scared to venture onto the main threads given it's January and there's been tons of press...Might lurk for a bit if I have time tomorrow, but have tons of sympathy for you cuckoo - that's why I mostly stay here, where its safe, warm and dry Grin

AmericasTorturedBrow · 14/01/2014 02:28

Oh cricket you lot have gathered a pace! Good job I'm 8 hours behind so I can catch up when you've all gone to bed and stopped nattering Wink

Welcome to the "quiet corner" of 5:2 everyone

First and most importantly....LIVER CASSEROLE SOUNDS AMAZING! I bloody love liver, and actually my DC do too so that's a great idea, course I'll have to buy it at an exorbitant price from my chicken farmer now that I don't trust chicken anywhere else now but it's so flavoursome I know it'll stretch. Oooh then I can make some down and dirty Cajun rice as well!

Not fasting, mum's last few days with us and leaves weds, depending what we have for lunch I'll fast then but it's likely we'll have an indulgent farewell brunch so Thursday it is, then whichever weekend day I won't be cycling

wildwater · 14/01/2014 13:05

So pleased...stood on scales at the pharmacy yesterday afternoon: 58 kg.

TIP I have reset my goal...now want to drop the last three kilos to get to 'ideal weight' for my height. Some resistance from LL, but slowly does it, as I continue yoga which really is starting to pull everything back together...

Fillybuster · 14/01/2014 14:16

Wildwater amazing! And well done for breaking away from the tyranny of the scales. I'm still weighing myself every morning and evening but look forward to the day I don't feel the need to check twice a every day

wildwater · 14/01/2014 14:30

You will get there. Keep doing healthy 5:2 and everything takes care of itself Grin

BsshBossh · 14/01/2014 15:26

Fantastic wildwater! I know TIP does yoga. I dabble a bit. But can you tell me the benefits for you? Need a bit more inspiration to resume my yoga practice.

Anglaise1 · 14/01/2014 17:03

WW Congrats on the 58 kg! What is your ideal weight for your height?
I don't know if it is possible to break the tyranny of the scales if you want to maintain. Weighing in every morning (whenever possible) is the only way I've ever managed to maintain successfully (coming up for 4 years soon). It is easy to correct if you catch any gain early enough!

Laska42 · 14/01/2014 17:36

Well done! trouble is I'm now feeling fat and a bit of a 'maintenance' thread fraud after al your great results .. ..... am still 67kg after christmas ...and I had gone down to 63 last summer .. Sad

Mind you, I have to remember i was once 87kg (and not too long ago either) .

I'm working on 63kg again though .. will be fasting again tomorrow ..

BsshBossh · 14/01/2014 18:11

I was blissfully unaware my weight had crept up to 15 stones because I never weighed myself as an adult (perhaps once or twice at a gym induction). It was a family photo that made me wake up and buy some scales to weigh myself and confirm my worst fears. So now in maintenance, weekly weigh-ins are mandatory for me.

TalkinPeace · 14/01/2014 18:22

Interestingly at work today, in the next room was a SW group - all morning, dozens of them
They were very proud of the fact that they had a dinner out at a hotel recently for the people who have been going for the whole 15 years the group has been running.
Sorry?
They have been going, and paying, every week for 15 years and some of them are still fat?
And it was interesting to watch them leaving - those carrying the most SW branded food products were those with the furthest to go.

OP posts:
frenchfancy · 14/01/2014 21:18

Laska Don't feel a fraud. I originally had a target of 67kg, I have been as low as 64Kg, but still drift back up to the 67Kg after high days and holidays. I'm ok with that as I'm still "at target". I was pleased to be below 67kg after new year, but inexplicably went up to 67.8 last week; I'm blaming it on the shred. Happily today I'm back to 66.5.

The way I see it maintenance isn't about one number, it is about a range that we try to stay within. Sometimes we will drift outside that range, but as long as we pull ourselves back that's ok. Just don't think "sod it I've blown it I may as well eat" instead think "never mind a couple of fast days will sort that out"

Anglaise1 · 14/01/2014 21:27

TIP Another reason I love 5:2 is it is so easy to do and possibly the cheapest diet ever, in fact you save money because you buy less food.
I have never bought diet or slimline or 0% fat products and happily eat butter.
I have a friend who runs a SW class and makes a fortune from it!
FF yes, a range is best because weight can fluctuate. I still maintain that regular weigh ins are the only way to make sure you aren't going too far out of the range!

EarSlaps · 14/01/2014 21:38

What was I saying about rarely overindulging? I think I jinxed myself! I have scoffed and scoffed, then scoffed some more. I'm trying to use up various things in the kitchen before we have it ripped out (I'll be without a kitchen for three weeks) so I've been baking. Two lemon drizzle cakes, venison pie and some jam tarts. I have of course been sampling them all, plus rather a lot of chocolate too. Oh well, I was at my second lowest ever weight this morning, so as long as I don't carry on like this one blip pig out usually causes no problems.

Fillybuster- I'm a daily weigher too. But (and a big but) it's more out of interest. I like seeing the little fluctuations and I don't get stressed about gaining a couple of pounds, as I know I can get back to where I want to be with a fast or two, or even by just mindful eating for a bit. The only times I've really gained weight are pregnancy/breastfeeding and when I haven't been able to weigh myself.

Tip- to be fair to SW, when people are maintaining they get the classes for free. I bet the food is disgusting too, I'd much rather this WOE and eat real food. Plus this actually works (15 years Hmm).

EarSlaps · 14/01/2014 21:46

Agree about a range FF- my aim is to stay below 9st4 (130lbs). I usually stay around 9st2 or 3. I have gone to 9st0.4 but I'm not upset if I don't see that again. I don't think I'd want to go much below 9st as I think I'd be too gaunt.

SarahWithAFringeOnTop · 14/01/2014 22:27

Was I the only person to notice Laska's lover and bacon? Sounds like an ideal way to spend a lazy Saturday morning... Grin

wildwater · 14/01/2014 23:14

Hola again. To answer previous questions: I am 63 years YOUNG, 5'2" (well, I used to be) and just over a year ago I weighd 83 kg. I now weigh 58kg.

This is the result of a massive lifestyle change - moving countries, huge amounts of walking & mountain-climbing, plus healthy food choices (mostly but far from always) and yoga three times a week.

Yoga is giving me back my lost flexibility, as well as a strengthening my mind & spirit. Actually I have NEVER been this fit, or looked better in clothes, or......well, it's just completely different.

I began 5:2 to get my high blood-pressure & pre-diabetes under control, never dreaming that I would do just that AND lose all the weight I had been dragging around for years.

The best thing a that I am almost certain I will not gain the weight back, because I fully intend to keep fasting. My beloved LL & now actively enjoy
and look forward to our FDs.

My muffin venture is going fantastically well. I sell all I make, every single day, very quickly. Fortunately I am not tempted to eat them. I tell myself I CAN have one tomorrow, if I really want to....such is the joy of 5:2 Grin

EarSlaps · 15/01/2014 07:40

That's a fantastic achievement wildwater. Your new life sounds amazing, you've inspired me to make more of an effort with yoga. I'm only 34 but my hips are very inflexible and I can see that as I get older that might become a problem. I'll start doing the 15 minute flexibility program on my phone app.

Have you put your story on the inspirations thread?

Laska42 · 15/01/2014 08:38

sarah with a fringe . Lover and bacon I agree..Grin (but which to choose first ? Grin
Right I am officially CLOSING this thread
its CLOSED right

We are now Maintaining over here chapter 4 in our ongoing journey to explore new ..
(oh no ive comeover all Star Trek )

Laska42 · 15/01/2014 08:39

Beam me up Scotty....

Laska42 · 15/01/2014 08:41

OOH oo o o o o o o..(sing along )dah dah da da da da da .
um um um um um um O O O O O......
..... WHOOSH!! and we warp drive into a new universe....[http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/fasting_diet/1966154-IF-ADF-4-3-5-2-6-1-16-8-Maintaining-at-a-healthy-weight-Chapter-4 here]]

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