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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 / ADF / 4:3 / 5:2 / 6:1 / 16:8 ~ Maintaining at a healthy weight ~ Chapter 4

997 replies

TalkinPeace · 13/01/2014 20:40

This thread is for those of us 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 many 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 three maintenance threads and all the main 5:2 threads for posters practicing IF to lose weight here Fasting / 5:2 on the diet forum. We're currently on thread no. 35, but there is a new main thread every 2-3 weeks.

There are three 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!

Since I started the last Maintainers thread the importance of exercise has come to the fore, as part of our general health and to help weight loss. BigChocFrenzys thread is here

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Laska42 · 18/03/2014 22:11

Betsy i'm having a bit of a sushi thing at the moment (and i usually try and restrict carbs,does that count? )

But I do still like a packet of chilli doritos... though its pretty rarely these days... also a (just one,but a good double) gin and f/f tonic on saturdays (hate the slimline stuff)

Right mint tea is made.. so i'm off .. I will try and tell you about my weekend tomorrow lunchtime at work, if i can .. as i have just remembered that i have a friend over for 'dinner' tomorrow evening .

She is doing a 6 week 'stone age detox' [bleugh] where she can only eat pureed carrots and chicken breast (boiled for several hours) for the first 2 weeks but is now also on spinach and salmon..similarily well boiled (FFS!! Shock) I've told her about 5:2, but she wont have it....its .'unnatural' to fast (but not to eat pureed carrot and chicken for 2 weeks it seems )

Ah well, she is bringing her own..and as as she can have no Wine ill be treating it as a fast day, I think.. so will be having my lovely aubergine chick pea and spinach curry .( which im sure will be so much better than what she'll be eating. Grin.)

B&W im feeling really happy with no breakfast now during the week ..(stilll do weekends, butthen we have no lunch ) it was always my absolute 'must' of ameal, so i'm now amazed how easy it is to do without it )

AmericasTorturedBrow · 18/03/2014 22:23

That sounds a ridiculous and frankly depressing way of eating, what exactly is the point??

Lovely catch ups from everyone, will do a proper hello to all when not on the phone but can we have that sardine and chickpea recipe? I'm currently aiming to have 1 non vegan day a week which is normally a NFD but that sounds too good to not try!

Breadandwine · 18/03/2014 23:55

Good for you, TiP! In our house, I clean the stairs infrequently whenever needed (or when my wife decides!)

Hi Papaya, good to see you back - and glad to see this WOL is still working for you.

Lots of 'stuff' coming up for you - all the best with that - and a lot of that will be out of your control. But one thing you know you can control is your weight.

Thanks, Filly! That’s why I love these threads so much – the people on them are the complete opposite.

Glad the weekend went well, Laska - we’ve got the grandchildren coming down shortly – not Oscar, though, although he may make a flying visit.

Speaking of Oscar, I've just uploaded a couple of pics we're rather proud of! Grin

ATB are you on Twitter? There’s a weekly twitter-chat on all things vegan I can give you a link to if you wish.

AmericasTorturedBrow · 19/03/2014 00:45

no actually B&W, well, I am but can't be arsed with it and after my account got repeatedly hacked and I got 6 emails in 3 days from Twitter telling me to change my password, I deleted the app and now just don't bother. I'm thinking a massive career change though and I know it's a brilliant tool for connecting with people so really should get back on it.

I am giving up being dry tonight - I'm knackered and DH is finally feeling a bit better so sleep training begins on Friday. Tomorrow is my day off from the children so even if I have a horrid night I can rest through a red wine fog. Gonna forgo dinner for a big glass of Pinot Wink

Laska42 · 19/03/2014 14:00

oops only 5 mins until my work logs me off the internet (can only access it lunchtimesand have had to go out this one .. so no time to post again .. anyway

Just to say ....Marks and Spencers sushi.... Just dont.... bland and quite frankly just horrid .. Major dissapointment.. after the yo sushi ones I had on sunday and the ones you can get from waitrose . Ihad yesterday .. (I really must learn to make my own Grin )

Having as Film Nite with friend this evening as we cant eat or drink! .. (sushi were my fast day calories so even more major dissapointment ) .
I will answer your posts above (HI all and update you onthe weird detox she is doing and lovel;y Marcus tomorrow (promise).

quick! Hit post before i'm cut off

TalkinPeace · 19/03/2014 14:14

Had another unexpected gym day today : another deferred visit, but got hold of them and its all booked in and under control for tomorrow.

Better get on with my errands though

made a yummy salad today all of leftovers - now to refill the fridge.

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BetsyBell · 19/03/2014 16:26

Laska I would not consider sushi junk food, no Grin - but there's definitely no point eating it unless it's the good stuff (how I feel about most foods now actually!)

Fillybuster · 20/03/2014 12:55

Not doing well on fasting this week - just haven't been able to find a day to make it work :( Yesterday was wfh, ended up inhaling 3 large slices of freshly baked multigrain, 2 of them the addition of large quantities of cheese and home-made chutney (yum!). And at least 6 fruit jelly sweets (I knew I shouldn't open the packet....).

Then off to an evening lecture, so a glass of wine (just one - was driving) and a handful of crisps. Would have been fine if I'd stopped there for the day, but ended up having dinner with dh at 11pm: homemade minestrone with stacks of parmesan and pesto, and a large store-bought garlic bread, followed by a chocolate/caramel gu :( :(

Oddly enough, I was 4lbs up on the scales this morning...Hmm

So of course I should have avoided the massive sport relief cake sale at work - it's on a different floor and I had no reason to go past - but I somehow ended up with a mammoth slice of chocolate/cream cake (it was yummy, but that's not the point). And now off for a work lunch, and due to meet a friend for dinner out tonight....

B*gger.

It's like all my willpower has completely abandoned me. I've been eating tons of junk, even though I know I don't really like it, and generally not managing to control my 'off' switch at all. TiP I need a talking to, please!

On the plus side, I did re-start 30 Day Shred when I was wfh yesterday: aching all over this morning, but managed to squeeze in the first 10 mins of Level 1 before I came ot work this morning (I know, it's only half a day but I knew I wouldn't get another chance today).

catsrus · 20/03/2014 14:04

c'mon filly you can do it gal!!! not quite the same as a Tip talking to I know Grin

I am now back on target weight after a few weeks up in the scary zone on the scales... I think i did so well at Xmas that I got a bit overconfident in my ability to get back on track - still I did have a lovely few weeks of meals out with friends and more over indulgence than at Xmas Blush. Salad days are here again - and I do love a nice jacket potato with cottage cheese and a tasty salad (inc the wild garlic newly picked) and to be able to have a proper dressing with extra virgin olive oil - not the 'fat free' stuff I used to have when I was on a 'diet'.

Some nice nettle soup tonight I think!

Fillybuster · 20/03/2014 15:14
Blush

Thanks cats but it came too late...just back from lasagne (spinach, mushroom, blue cheese) and dessert (poached pear, sable biscuits and parfait) with an old schoolfriend.

I had planned to have the '4 salad' option but they ran out just after we ordered and this was the only veggie option on the menu apart from welsh rarebit. I felt I'd probably had enough cheese on toast after yesterday's fiasco...

So full, the only possible advantage is that I won't eat anything until I go out for dinner this evening....

I can't fast on Fridays or over the weekend, so will need to do a 16:8 tomorrow, then get back on the wagon next week with my first 5:2 rather than 6:1 for quite some time.

Anglaise1 · 20/03/2014 17:41

Congrats on getting back to target, cats. I have salad most nights, winter and summer, I love it.
Filly don't worry, you'll get back into fasting. Think of that holiday at Easter! Fasting isn't always possible especially with work commitments. I'm sure the 4lbs isn't fat, probably just water retention.
I failed my fast today, ate like a pig yesterday evening and felt ravenous today for some reason, so after no breakfast had choc chip cookie at lunchtime and am now laying into the almonds which are full of calories. Blush
Have a stack of gîte ironing to do this evening so I hopefully won't have time (or spare hands) to snack later!

TalkinPeace · 20/03/2014 17:53

Fillybuster
lets be honest though, it was chuffing cold today
I managed to fast today only because the office I was at is in the middle of nowhere and I did not take a packed lunch
note to self, buy bread this evening

but I had a MUG of tea and a handful of cashews when I got home because my tummy was rumbling so much
400 cal supper tonight though

if it helps, you need to have an objective, impersonal reason to keep the weight off
mine is crippling knee pain if I gain : eat or walk is my choice
its pretty simple!

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TalkinPeace · 20/03/2014 17:54

catsrus
its nice to have "proper" ingredients isn't it

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Laska42 · 20/03/2014 22:03

ah proper food ...., my friend who was over last night seems to be doing an extreme version of something called the 'specific carbohydrate diet' , which baisically starts by elimination of all foods all but carrots and chicken and having only pureed food for several weeks. ( she brought her own , but last night ate ....wait f r it .. pureed skinned , deseeded and boiled courgette {shock] plus pureed carrots and spinach and steamed salmon, which she can now have aftre three weeks of doing the 'diet' ..

I cant for the life of me think why she thinks this is doing her good ,but there it is (supposedly its devloped for coelic disease which she doesnt have) . blimey she has lost weight though..(though she claims that is not the point, its for health reasons[ but i think id have rather had me leg amputated as a quicker method to shed the pounds Grin.

Anyway i dont dare tell you what i have eaten today.. .. i seem to have eaten for England too Filly .. have just felt so cold and tired .. there are a lot of bugs going around at work ..I hope im not getting one..

Anyway i was going to tell you about my weekend looking after Marcus , but well you all know what babies are like..lt was fun though and im glad that im getting a chance to be with him . His mum seems very willing that we make it a regular things and its great for my son to get to see him on his own.. we wore him out playing football in the garden ( his first ever go at it im told )

B&W thanks , my son is getting on ok with his job, although its an 'apprenticeship' (aint all young peoples jobs now adays it seems?) he is loving it.... in fact he is on the radio broadcasting right Now!! (Thursday eveing until 10 pm )

Breadandwine · 20/03/2014 22:53

Aw, just missed it! But how exciting - hope it goes well for him!

Anybody seen the pics of Oscar, yet?

Anglaise1 · 21/03/2014 07:00

Oh B&W Oscar is just so cute in those photos!
Laska the thing about fasting is that it is so easy to fit into your life. I just couldn't be bothered with all the effort your friend has to go to for 'specific carb diet' her purée and elimination of food groups. Once the novelty wears out it must be a real PITA. Skipping meals is far easier not to mention much cheaper

frenchfancy · 21/03/2014 08:16

I'm back! Well my body is, my brain seems to be stuck somewhere over the Atlantic.

I've had an absolutely amazing holiday, and haven't worried about my weight at all. I'm not surprised so many Americans are overweight - the portions are enormous. I fasted while travelling yesterday, and this mornings WI has me 2kg up, which is not bad after a fortnight.

I met up with ATB on Venice beach, which was great. She is young, thin and lovely. So nice to put a face to at least one of my friends here.

AmericasTorturedBrow · 21/03/2014 12:21

aw FF you're very sweet - I'm sure I look about ten years older than I am thanks to the sleep deprivation..I've already waxed lyrical about your whole lovely family! Our door is always open

B&W Oscar is delectable, and Laska I'm so pleased for you and DS that Marcus' mum is so forthcoming about building your relationship, you must have managed the whole situation admirably for her to be so trusting, it's great! I know my mum absolutely loves being a Nana and I think she's worried that she inevitably won't have the relationship with my brother's DC that she has with mine (he's a long way off!) just by dint of him being a boy but you've proven that's ridiculous.

That diet your friend is on sounds awful - and long and boring, and yes, a lot of effort! I did the watercress soup diet a few times but even that lasted about two weeks and by the beginning of the second week you were eating mostly normal food again. And I've done juice fasting just to reset a few times - but weeks and weeks of eating like a 6month old?! No thanks!

Successful FD yesterday, used up most of my calories on home made vegan avocado and chocolate cookies Blush

catsrus · 21/03/2014 12:23

I first went to the US in 1975 FF and even then was totally Shock at the portion size - and the concept of doggy bags! we didn't have that in the UK then, if you didn't finish a meal in a restaurant it was thrown away -which means you didn't have chinese for breakfast. The other things that shocked me - doughnuts for breakfast (HUGE ones too, with chocolate on them) and the wide variety of ice cream flavours - we just had the basics back then, vanilla, strawberry, chocolate, mint and raspberry ripple Smile. I experienced my first 'eat as much as you want' buffet in the US too.

Of course it all seemed rather wonderful to me then, as a student, to be able to eat 'well' for very little cost - this was long before I found out about the real costs to our health.

AmericasTorturedBrow · 21/03/2014 12:30

to be honest pretty much everyone I know in LA eats exactly half their lunch and takes the rest home in a box - waiters automatically ask if you want food boxed up if you have anything left on your plate, makes it even cheaper to eat out and is brilliant!

But this is LA - everyone here eats chia seeds or gluten free vegan pancakes for beakfast!

Laska42 · 21/03/2014 13:56

B&W I cant lok at blogs at work it seem but please can you post the link to Oscar's pics again ..

Talking of real yummy and low cal food.. I am making Ottolenghi's turkey and courgette burgers with wasabi guacamole this evening(well the avocado aint that much but its health and very yum .. .

We were amazed when we went to the US ( midwest Milwaukee Chicago and Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa rural areas ) at the food and the size of the people ... especially those we saw at a summer state fair in rural Wisconsin (the 'Cheese' state..)

My son - who was 9 at the time - couldnt believe the 'all you can eat' diners which the family we were staying with (all massive!) liked to frequent .. in one diner he just had 7 desserts ( well we were on holiday and I didnt stop him because i knew it wouldnt last).. and yes in two days he was back to taking one plate of main and one of salad (which he has always loved) and not always dessert.. (Sadly the good habits havent lasted into adulthood though and now he is not eating Mums food.. and he is overweight now.).

Oh yes the US family also liked to stop at a drive in burger or frozen custard place en route to anywhere .. the first time they stopped at Wendys on the way home , i thought it was supposed to be dinner so we joined in , but no, it was just a tea time snack for them!!

Going to a friends 'Steampunk' themed wedding this weekend.. ( gawd know what to wear!) ,,Hopefully the lovely sunny weather we are habving here today will still be here tomorrow .

Have a great weekend y'all!! Grin

Breadandwine · 21/03/2014 16:22

Check my profile, Laska!

frenchfancy · 21/03/2014 17:32

It was certainly interesting to see the differences between different areas, city, Venice beach and Santa Monica were full of thin beautiful people (who no doubt eat chia seeds for breakfast) but Anaheim and Disneyland were another thing altogether. I have never seen such a display of overweight and seriously obese people.

TalkinPeace · 21/03/2014 17:41

Its funny cos I normally go to NYC and Manhattan is pretty slim because people walk everywhere - head out to the poor 'burbs or even up into the rural areas and !!!!
"Mummy, why are the tables so far apart?"
then we saw the waitress Shock
and a kiddies icecream was enough for DH and he luffs icecream

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TalkinPeace · 22/03/2014 22:02

OK, laugh lots chaps and chapesses

LONG day today
booked taxi for dinner
got to restaurant
realised I was still wearing my house slippers
luckily moccasin types
what a twonk am I

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