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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

OP posts:
Thread gallery
22
Eatriskier · 16/05/2014 20:30

mega strikeout fail!

I was just thinking the same thing. I've found my way for life here I hope . I had an extra round with every meal today (almond croissant with brekkie, some sweets with lunch and some wine now) and it doesn't matter. Friday is my blowout night. And I've had nights far worse than this and survived though it doesn't feel like it the morning after

MyWonderfulMimi · 16/05/2014 21:08

Big Choc / Anglaise Not bad for an oldie Grin. I've walked about 30 miles this week and now I'm dog sitting 2 big dogs for the next 4 days, so lots more long walks - that should keep me fit. I did have a HUGE piece of carrot cake at Westonbirt Arboretum today though.

Breadandwine · 16/05/2014 21:35

Hello, everyone! Nice to see the thread a bit busier. Still having computer problems here – including Safari dropping out unexpectedly, but it's OK ATM!

Some good advice for you on here, Mocnk - all I can do is add some (((hugs))).

Please don’t go away and leave us again!

That applies to anyone else who falls below their own high standards and wants to hide – that’s the very time you need to stay on the thread, ‘fess up and get back on track. Anyone lurking out there this applies to? Cyclist for instance?

Eat, I’ve definitely found my ideal WOL – been eating for England all day including a smoky Thai curry for dinner, and I’ve just made and eaten half of my instant (well, 6 mins) vegan chocolate cake. So I’ve had to let my belt out a bit – but it’ll be back to normal in the morning, no doubt! I’m another who can’t quite believe what this WOL allows you to get away with. Mind you, I’m very strict with my Monday 24 hour fast followed by a low calorie meal, and I no longer eat a regular breakfast, only porridge once a week on a Sunday. And all my dinners, being veggie, are pretty low cal.

My upper arms have become a lot firmer since I’ve been doing press-ups – I’m now up to 10 normal ones followed by 10 xfit ones in each set of 20.

NSV to announce! I was described as ‘muscular’ by a friend earlier this week! Grin

BigChocFrenzy · 16/05/2014 22:54

MN ongoing

Great NSV, B&W After your reports on the exercise thread, especially about pressups and pullups, I expect you'll be getting a lot of admiring looks
Wink
Anglaise That's a major change in body composition, showing real dedication. No wonder you can run so fast.
To hide bony clavicles, you need to build up the adjacent muscle.
I recommend InclinedBenchPress and FrontRaise
I'd end the lifting workout with a set of 10 pressups, for overall upper body muscle and to keep you smiling.
Smile
btw, 12% body fat is near the lower limit of essential fat for a woman, to maintain physiological and menstrual functions.
So, I recommend you don't reduce this further. You are comfortably at the lower end for runners, see sprinters and marathoners in the table.

IF / ADF / 4:3 / 5:2 / 6:1 / 16:8 ~ Maintaining at a healthy weight ~ Chapter 4
IF / ADF / 4:3 / 5:2 / 6:1 / 16:8 ~ Maintaining at a healthy weight ~ Chapter 4
AmericasTorturedBrow · 17/05/2014 05:01

how do you find out your body fat percentage?

Anglaise1 · 17/05/2014 08:17

Thanks for the shoulder exercise tips BigChoc I will try those -although I'm pretty useless at press ups!-
ATB I have some Tanita scales that show body fat percentage and I've also used the Accu measure body fat calipers. I know the scales aren't 100% accurate, so maybe I'm anything up to 14% but I know it has definitely gone down since I started training seriously 4 times a week.
mimi 30 miles a week walking is great. I like my fitbit for measuring activity and I belong to the FastDiet forum fitbitters so you that helps motivate me too. I run around 45 kms a week and walk 30kms a week with the dog on top of normal activity.
B&W congrats on the 'muscular' comment made by your friend!

BigChocFrenzy · 17/05/2014 09:27

ATB This BF-Calculator is the most accurate I know, because it includes the various activity levels within a typical 24 hrs.
However, there is a +/-3% error margin for any calculator or even gym-used calipers.

TalkinPeace · 17/05/2014 10:47

Well that brings me in at 26% - which is bearable for 49 Smile

OP posts:
MyWonderfulMimi · 17/05/2014 13:55

And I'm 26.4, OK for a 62 year old I think.

Anglaise1 · 17/05/2014 14:03

I'm 16% on that calculator, underfat for a 48 year old woman according to the age adjusted chart.

BigChocFrenzy · 17/05/2014 14:09

You are both looking very good, Tip, Mimi HealthyBFatDifferentAges
Smile
Oh dear, I shouldn't post before my morning cocoa !
Of course, the BF calculator doesn't have activity levels. I was thinking of my fav TDEEcalc
Blush

AmericasTorturedBrow · 17/05/2014 15:20

I can't make it work....it says I'm putting in an invalid neck size ??

AmericasTorturedBrow · 17/05/2014 15:23

ooooohhhhhhhhhh yes I'm a dufus - was doing eveyrthing else in cm and neck in inches!

hmmm 21%...room for improvement on a 31yr old I think

AmericasTorturedBrow · 17/05/2014 15:30

2 weeks to go til the ride - haven't had any alcohol for 2 weeks and it's been stupidly easy, maybe cos it's been so hot here? Struggled on everything else so am going for broke for the final two weeks. I'm in a binge mentality at the moment but also don't want to suddenly be dropping weight as I'll need my calorie reserves so one FD a week, otherwise sticking to 18:6 to maintain.

No sugar and vegan as much as poss. I think we only have one social engagement out and that's to a vegan place anyway, I'm now drinking my coffee black - I am away in San Diego riding with a friend this weekend and don't want to force him to go to a vegan joint for dinner so it might have to be vegetarian the next 48hours but then strictly only putting tip top stuff into my body

cheeky link here in case anyone fancies a last min donation to an incredible cause....you can set up monthly payments too which makes it more affordable (I won't be at all offended if you don't want to so please don't be offended by me posting it!)....545 miles in 7 days folks BRING IT ON

AIDS/LifeCycle

Breadandwine · 17/05/2014 20:55

Looking good, everyone - but Anglaise, you can have an extra helping of pudding (or similar! Grin) for a week or two, to get you back up again!

I'm 18.7 - not bad for a 76-yr-old! Wink

ATB I too found giving up alcohol for 2 weeks surprisingly easy. I have, however, on occasion, since starting again, found myself justifying an extra glass of wine - saying to myself, 'Well, I gave up for a fortnight, so I deserve this!' Grin

But I'm still well within my limits, I'm sure.

Good luck with the bike ride - there's a Twitter feed #veganrunchat or similar, for an hour once a week. I think it's Sunday evening, but I'll check that for you. There may well be something there for you. Keep your eye on this thread.

Thanks for the links, BC!

Nettnett · 18/05/2014 07:54

Ooh, I'm 23%, not bad for an old chook one month off sixty!!

BigChocFrenzy · 18/05/2014 17:49

Hunger, Calories, Nutrition
New article published last Friday by Dr Robert Lustig in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) JAMA-article and analysed in the NY-times
He and his colleagues have been theorising that it is not just calorie intake that increases body fat, but junk carbs.
They suggest that quality of diet significantly affects body composition and hunger.

Breadandwine · 18/05/2014 19:39

Thanks, BC - but both those links go straight to the Jama article. I have to confess I didn't understand a word - so a review would be much appreciated!

Thanks, Paul

Laska42 · 18/05/2014 20:44

Hmm. 27.6.. well its still well in the healthy range for my age (56).. Mind you , i come from good stocky framed farming, peasant and and sailor stock .. Cant help me bones.. . im actually feeling pretty slim right now (or I was) , a so im ignoring this as its easy for me to get despondent that I will never be with all you lovely lightweight faerie types ( of course not that i'd ever call you a Faerie B&W Grin...

worse My DH comes in at 11.1! I now officially hate him and am filing for D.I.V.O.R.C.E.

BigChocFrenzy · 18/05/2014 21:34

Oops, sorry B&W NY-Times which explains JAMA article very simply.

BigChocFrenzy · 18/05/2014 21:38

and don't know if you read this Lustig Interview with meal plan and low GI recipes in February NY Times

mumofcrazynamedkids · 19/05/2014 14:01

oh shucks guys! you are such a lovely caring thoughtful lot, thanks for all your many responses, for taking the time and responding to my off topic venting!

Atb can you believe it's been 2 years? good luck for the ride,

I agree TIP that it definitely sounds like London is the place for me, and maybe I'll end up back there at some point, but I also have to think about what's best for the children and our little family, and how much more I can offer them here. Time will tell, but one thing at a time.

I've decided to try and treat myself to some life coaching (from myself...i am trained so i may as well use teh skill) I need more balance and control in all areas of my life, I am going to hit this little bump in the road from all angles!

so firstly I've taken on some help to get me motivated with work, have decided that if i can focus on doing more with my job and feeling better about that then other things will start to fall into place.

so my new "employee" [friend who needed some extra cash and has a medical condition that means she can't work in a regular way] started today, and will do 4-6 hours a week kicking my butt workwise! my desk is tidy already and she has caught up on teh filing and she starts data entry tomorrow!

atb I am going to join in with teh shred, have decided that I need to go to bed at 10.30pm again, so I can get up at 6.30 and do it then.

on friday I decided not to chase teh bf about when we were getting together at the weekend, didn't do my usual informing him of my plans and working out when we were going to see each other, I made other plans for me and dc's and so i heard and saw nothing of him! a conversation will need to be had soon, but it's working towards it's own conclusion.

next week is half term and I have a week off, dc's and i going to lake district to stay in a caravan with best friends from London, this will be our first holiday staying anywhere other than ours or a friends home, we're all excited.

sorry for long self absorbed post, but wanted to put it in writing and thank you all for being there. Thanks

mumofcrazynamedkids · 19/05/2014 14:04

bigchoc just ordered a tape measure, lost mine in the last house move, dreading the results, but will report back on fat percentage soon!

Eatriskier · 19/05/2014 14:05

Survived my Friday night blowout and exceptionally busy weekend in one piece, just. No scale hike either, so only a 16:8 for me today. Don't know what the rest of the week will bring, I'm off on a couple of overnight stays Tuesday and Saturday which may see next week being a week of repentance. Oh well. Hope everyone has had a great weekend.

AmericasTorturedBrow · 19/05/2014 15:05

MOCNK that all sounds really positive and hope you all have a lovely break away.

I had a great 24hours away this weekend, got the train down to San Diego and stayed overnight with a friend who lives a quiet but lovely life in a one up one down bachelor pad. We went for thai vegan food then amazing coffee, up at 8am (a glorious lie in for me) and cycled 50miles with some pretty hardcore and steep climbs, had some incredible vegetarian samosas at his farmers market then spent the afternoon eating ice cream and doing yoga in his garden, hitting up his local coffee shop and playing scrabble then I got the train back to LA. The train is a great coastal route which is beautiful very comfy and double decker - I love travelling by train! I can get to the station easy enough by biking to my nearest metro station then getting the "tube" there.

Was a relaxing insight into what my life sans DH&DC might be like Wink My friend is moving back to the UK in a few months though so I'm going to have to find more friends to visit for quick get aways down south.

Right - off to wake up DH and get our Shred on, if DD will stop whinging long enough for me to do it!

FD today, good luck other fasters