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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.

Original poster

Starting tomorrow - already feeling a bit of a failure, help!

27 replies

VulvaVoom · 21/07/2013 15:35

OK, so I have to do this. DD is 9 months old and I'm around 2.5 stone overweight (and short, so it looks even worse) I feel shit so I do want to do it.

Anyway, decided to start tomorrow, so for last few days have tried to stick to 1200 a day, which is the amount myfitnesspal set me (BTW anyone know how to change this, have tried to find a way, so far no luck)

I have failed miserably and feel that I have eaten fairly heathily, e.g Greek salad for lunch and then a mugshot, weetabix for breakfast yeasterday etc and a gallon of Pimms last night!

So now I'm dreading managing tomorrow, to top it off I'm doing the food shop and will then be indoors as too hot for DD, I will be going mad!

Sorry I've gone on but my main question is, what are the tips and motivations I can use to keep myself on the right track tomorrow, I'm a bit scared I will fail and then think, sod this, eat, feel worse - sure you al know the cycle! :)

Also, am I allowed 2000 a day on NF days??

OP posts:
Topazandpearl · 21/07/2013 17:12

I am starting tomorrow too! I have done it before and it worked really well (but then I went back to my old ways..........). I didn't calorie count on the other days, just ate 'normally' but without all the snacks and rubbish I'd got into the habit of eating. That's my plan this time too. Good luck!

Original poster
VulvaVoom · 21/07/2013 18:14

Nice to hear it works Topaz and good luck to you too! I'm planning to have stir fry veg for tea but other than that I'm a bit stumped Grin

OP posts:
Talkinpeace · 21/07/2013 18:38

OP
reset MFP to maintain your current weight.
dread nothing : if it gets too horrible you can defer by a day
so, using MFP to merely log, not control what you eat
no allowance for any exercise : as that is already inside your TDEE
and yes, MFP will have a hissy fit on fast day. Its a programme, you are a human.

5:2 works
once you accept that YOU are in control
come join the big thread

Original poster
VulvaVoom · 21/07/2013 20:30

Talk thanks so much for your advice, just the pep talk I needed, I will refer to this tomorrow when I'm struggling. Here - have a Wine

I'm going to come on to the main thread too, hoping it will keep me going when it gets tough I may just lurk at first though

OP posts:
Talkinpeace · 22/07/2013 14:54
Grin you'll be fine. just think of what you want to achieve and take it in easy stages
monster54 · 22/07/2013 15:03

Small targets will keep you going.

Tips for fast days are:

Fluid lots of it...
You may find it easier to start with having a small lunch and dinner...
Cut out any sweetners they stimulate your hunger....
Distraction, read a magazine, book, another glass of water...

You can do this and even if you come in at like 800 calories for the day its a start and you can tweak and cut it down further on your next FD!

Good luck!!

formicadinosaur · 22/07/2013 22:26

I'm new to all this too. People talk about the hunger coming and then leaving. So distraction and keeping yourself busy is good until any feelings pass.

What's your TDEE. Mine is about 1700 calories on non fasting days.

My tips are eat a late breakfast about 10.30 or 11. A boiled egg will keep you going longer - protein is far better then wheat. In fact avoid carbs if you can.

Lots of veg and some protein for tea. Fish, seafood or chicken.

Lots of water or herbal teas

Heartleys 10 calorie jelly

formicadinosaur · 22/07/2013 22:35

Oo how was it? Too late for advice sorry

Original poster
VulvaVoom · 23/07/2013 08:25

It was good Formica I managed to come in just under 500 cals and only got a few hunger pains when I went to bed but I genuinely didn't feel that hungry. Not even had breakfast yet this morning as DD is teething badly and a bit miserable but I can't wait for it! Grin

OP posts:
Londonmrss · 23/07/2013 13:05

hi op, I'm in exactly the same position as you- 9 month old dd, 2 stone to 2.5 stone to lose. I did my third fast day yesterday. I an using mfp to count on other days otherwise I reckon I'd go well over a sensible amount. Non fast days are coming in at around 1800 calories.
My best way to motivate myself is to exercise (shred) first thing in the morning. Frankly I don't want to then undo the good work I've done so I stick to it for the rest of the day!

I feel like 2 stone is a huge mountain at the moment but we can do it- we just have to take it 1lb at a time.

Londonmrss · 23/07/2013 13:06

well done for your first fast day by the way! I felt rotten during the first one but the next couple were a bit easier.

formicadinosaur · 23/07/2013 15:37

London what's a shred? I quite like a bit if fitness.

Great to hear it went well vulva. My first few fast days were 600 but Tuesday I managed just under 500 and felt fine. When will your next fast be?

Original poster
VulvaVoom · 23/07/2013 19:47

Doing it again tomorrow - eek! Thinking get it out of the way??

Anyone else feel MORE hungry on NFDs? I know I have today. Trying to teach my brain to see things other than chocolate and cake as a 'treat', so will be using my last bit of milk for a HUGE cup of tea in a minute.

Also, far, far TMI but I went out for lunch (was quite good and picked the most sensible thing I could - Veg Moussaka and rice) but when I got home I had a really upset stomach, only once but had to rush to the loo - is this common? Blush

I'm on just over 1800 cals too London - we seem to have a lot in common!

Sounds like we're all doing well so far. I haven't done any yet exercise though, I will do when it starts raining again

OP posts:
Talkinpeace · 23/07/2013 20:01

Vulva
mixed up bowels in the early weeks are perfectly normal : you are giving your system rather a shock

if you are ravenous on a NFD, go for high protein, high density foods : hard boiled eggs, scrambled eggs, tuna without mayo, chicken, pulses

try to avoid processed carbs

or go for HUGE amounts of vegetables

formica Jillian Michaels 30 day shred : not my scene but many like it

Londonmrss · 23/07/2013 22:52

I like the shred because it's intense and only 20 minutes so easy to fit into a busy day and usually my dd doesn't mind watching me prance around while she's in her jumperoo for 20 minutes. I just do it a few times a week when I don't do any other exercise. Jillian thingy has a tremendously punchable face though.

formicadinosaur · 24/07/2013 17:16

Haha! Exercise presenters usually drive me crazy too. I might look at it on line. Quite exhausted today due to late night but have managed another fast day amazingly. Egg for breakfast. Then remembered that I was due to meet a friend for a picnic so packed salad with an egg. I may go over as its prawn stir fry tonight. Damn and blast!

formicadinosaur · 24/07/2013 17:18

Ps) very happy to talk bowls! I've been ok so far touch wood but I don't know about anyone else.

Original poster
VulvaVoom · 24/07/2013 18:09

Second fast and must admit it's been harder today.

Feel a bit spaced out but holding off dinner for as long as I can bear. Going to have a 1 egg omelette with courgette and tinned mushrooms Hmm and then stuff my face with some Quorn fake bacon rashers - the whole pack is 160 cals.

Might give this Shred a go, is the whole thing free on YouTube does anyone know? I could cope with 20 mins a day I think.

How's everyone else getting on?

OP posts:
Londonmrss · 24/07/2013 19:40

I've decided to do a 4:3 this week. I thought it might be a good way to kick start the whole thing and also it night make next week seem easier by comparison! So this is my second this week and fourth overall. Not sure if that's stupid or not.
So fast day today. Having a yummy veg stir fry for tea. mfp says 350 calories per portion so a bit left over!
anyone else fasting today?

Original poster
VulvaVoom · 25/07/2013 19:58

Copying you London as also going to do a 4:3 this week.

It's strangely addictive isn't it? For something that's quite hard. Well it is for me anyway but I'm starting to realise that I was really overeating.

Had not really considered calorie intake before as have always done SW and I'm finding it quite a shock.

Couldn't believe it when I was looking at the backs of chocolate packs earlier, they were all around 250 cals each, so I decided against it, even on my NFD. Don't know why I'm surprised really, sounds like I've been living in a cave!

OP posts:
Talkinpeace · 25/07/2013 20:43

VulvaVoom
the other really important thing to remember is that fasting is great if you also take steps to ensure that the body that appears from your chrysalis is toned!

Original poster
VulvaVoom · 26/07/2013 09:01

You're so right Talk I haven't commenced my exercise yet but I am going to. I have a cross trainer that's been in the utility room unused for at least a year and a half!

Decided against a FD today in the end, I feel crap about it but I have done 2 this week.

DD woke crying at 5am, which is very unlike her, I then had a tiff with DH as instead of asking if I wanted help/anything for DD, he was on his phone on the internet. If I thought he was sleeping, fine, but awake and not even offering - grrrr!

So, I'm not going to overeat today but felt I needed to be kind to myself have copious amounts of tea/coffee

OP posts:
Londonmrss · 26/07/2013 11:08

Third fast day this week today and have done Shred 4 times a week for the last 2 week's, plus lots of cycling. Feeling a bit tried but that will be because dd hasn't slept through four the last 5 months...
Feel like I've lost a few pounds. Certainly not enough for anyone else to notice, but am feeling better. I'll weigh myself next Tuesday and see.
How's everyone else doing?

Londonmrss · 26/07/2013 11:08

*tired

Londonmrss · 26/07/2013 11:10

no need to feel crap vulva, you've done 2 fasts this week! 5:2, right? Feel good about it. I usually stick to new eating plans for about a week before I just give up but feeling good about sticking with this one for 2 weeks so far. See the positives and all that.