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

[TalkinPeace]

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

First ever total FD fail for me :( :( Even worse as a work weekend in Berlin left me at 9.8.5 this morning, so well out of comfort zone.

Was at an agency all morning who produced naice sandwiches and posh crisps for lunch, and even though I knew I didn't need any of it, before I knew it I had eaten 2 large sarnies and a bag of crisps :(

Bugger. I have so many social/work commitments this week that Wednesday is now my only chance, and I hate fasting when wfh!

Maybe it's time to dig out Shred again for me, too. Horse-riding once a week is utterly wonderful but doesn't meet my exercise/toning requirements on its own.

Filly When I go OTT with food I always log what I have (guesstimate if necessary), sometimes it's not as bad as you think and often you can manage a mini fast instead.

MOCNK Glad you had a good weekend and know where you are going. Since I got back together with my BF I've been a lot more cool about things. I have my running club activity which has really helped my confidence and things are a lot better than before. I hope you work things out one way or another with yours and most importantly have a great holiday next week in the Lake District.
Not fasting this week, weight still 57kgs and don't want to risk losing anymore before my 22kms on Sunday (my part of the marathon I'm running in 'duo' with a friend at Mont St Michel). Need to start carb loading today in preparation, and drink lots of water.

Makes me feel a bit sick just thinking about running 22km! I'm trying to shred every day before my ride now and am determined to kick start running training immediately after - we ride up one hill on Sunday and cycled past this runner who looked like he was gliding, his form was incredible.

I really want to do a tri next year!

ATB I don't know how you can manage riding 545 miles in 7 days...each to their own and it is amazing what you can do when you try (and train)! When I started running I thought 5k would be all I could do, then I did a 10k, then half marathons, and I'll do a marathon within the next 12 months - it is my '50 year' target so I need to do it before November 2015. And to do a 10k in under 45 minutes.
A tri sounds fun, apart from the swimming, which I can do but which I hate (so boring going up and down with nothing interesting to see or hear). Cycling and running no problem, I just love outdoor sports, even in the wind, cold and rain - although I suppose in California you don't have to worry about those conditions too much!
Exercise is so good for your head as well as your body. And not a problem when fasting either.

Suffering a spot of food poisoning here . Have two bratty toddlers and no energy, and seem to be stuck to eating white foods. In good news though, my binge just beforehand has been instantly wiped out...

Quick hello from the Maldives.

Eatriskier. Sorry to hear of food poisoning. Hope you feel better v soon!

DC are napping and DH is splashing around chasing fish so it's my turn to sit in the villa and watch the weans.

It's hot and blazing sunshine. Only two rainstorms have been at night. So much for the rainy season.....

DD and are were attacked by an angry egg laying Titan Trigger fish this morning. It bit a chunk off my fin. Lucky it was the fin and not DD!!
She wasn't worried at all and just said it was a naughty fish.

Back to the UK next week (weeps). And I've been a total and an utter glutton so back to strict 5:2 again! The chocolate room has had far too many visits and I wouldn't be surprised if I've gained circa 10lbs. Once home I will post photo of chocolate room

Food has been far too amazing here. One good thing is that DH and I have been too tired to drink. Keeps the wine calories off and saves money (wine is very very expensive here. Circa US$100 for cheapest bottle).

OOOOHHH MrsFlorrick only a lot jealous.
Please bring back some decent weather with you : and pop lots of pics on FB so DH can get Natural History envy ;-)

(((( Eatriskier ))) Plenty of yoghurt and milk and soft cheese (like cottage cheese)

MrsF That is a totally cruel post. It looks fantastic and a place I always wanted to go to when I dived. I am so . Glad you're enjoying yourself (and the chocolate room!).

Hello everyone.

Anglaise I totally agree and an awe of you, really hope I manage to build up the motivation to train for a tri because I would quite like to get to the point of enjoying running

Not really managing to fast at the mo but Shredding every day, getting last bits of cycling in, not drinking - fasting will begin in earnest again post ride

((({Hugs}))) to Eat . The 5:2 mantra - drink lots of water. Have a bit of dry toast if you can manage that.

MrsF Lovely place but I'm over chocolate room and curious to see photos of it.

For attn of ATB - or any insomniacs on this side of the pond!

From Twitter:

Plant-Based Running Community with Q&A Chats every Sunday night @ 9PM (EST)

Look for #vegrunchat.

Earliest start to my fast day for a while. Ate the last mouthful of dinner at 6.08, so I should get a 24 hour LOF in easily.

Much needed after my discovery of molasses Oaties this week!

oof - am stuffed.
Made one of my mean 'leftovers frittatas' tonight but put a LOAD of Chorizo in to give it a kick. Nom nom.

leftover frittata here too though veggie ....
ive been working hard on election and have spent quite a few days just sitting around .. mainly on soup, ( mints and fruit also ) ....
scales havent moved either way

hello all - I'm not fasting but doing a three day veg cleanse - it's my own invention, I'm not keen on juice cleanses as I'm fucking hungry on them and I'm not convinced that by not having the fiber but keeping the sugar you're doing very much, but I do need to give my system a cleanse through while still eating enough ahead of the ride so sticking to raw vegetables....just made two raw veg soups which were DELICIOUS...one courgette and basil, the other spicey carrot and ginger. Made them with warm water as I prefer my soups a bit warm than tepid. It's only lunchtime though so I'm sure I'll be hungry later....in which case I have avocado and sugarsnap peas to snack on the curb the sweet tooth

B&W I really need to get back on twitter ad understand how the twitter chat things work...

Not fasting here either, still at minimum weight thanks to half marathon (well, 22kms so a bit more) I did on Sunday and the training I have been doing. I didn't really carb load for the race and felt fine, just drank water during the race as I don't like the idea of gels and glucose that were offered. ATB I hope your training is going well. Do you have to try and eat more the week before the race in preparation?

Anglaise. Wow on marathon. I'm always impressed with those who have that sort of stamina.

Back in wet and chilly UK. Working up towards a FD tomorrow.

Despite chocolate room, cheese room and ice cream rooms open from 7am till 8pm (as much as you like whenever you like), I've only gained 2.1lbs!

I've checked and double checked. 15 nights (and days) of utter gluttony (frenzying) and only 2.1lbs

That said, I did snorkle the reef ring and outer drop off on the island 3 to 4 times a day every day in very strong currents.

Island is large for Maldives at 1.5km long and 0.5km wide. its part of the outer barrier reef of the Baa Atoll so there was a 0.3km part of the reef you couldnt dive or snorkle as it was the outer barrier and the currents would rip you into the Indian Ocean.

I guess that if you really work out hard, you can scoff serious amounts of food without a problem.

Still I am amazed. The breakfasts were epic and I usually had pancakes or omelette and several pastries and fruit. Dinner were mostly 5 course affairs. Still I didnt have many lunches as breakfasts were so filling and late.

I am having to be very careful now that I am not doing all that physical work so back to 2 FDs per week (to account for weekend blowouts).

Bigchoc. Photos of choc room attached

Anglaise. Wow on marathon. I'm always impressed with those who have that sort of stamina.

Back in wet and chilly UK. Working up towards a FD tomorrow.

Despite chocolate room, cheese room and ice cream rooms open from 7am till 8pm (as much as you like whenever you like), I've only gained 2.1lbs!

I've checked and double checked. 15 nights (and days) of utter gluttony (frenzying) and only 2.1lbs

That said, I did snorkle the reef ring and outer drop off on the island 3 to 4 times a day every day in very strong currents.

Island is large for Maldives at 1.5km long and 0.5km wide. its part of the outer barrier reef of the Baa Atoll so there was a 0.3km part of the reef you couldnt dive or snorkle as it was the outer barrier and the currents would rip you into the Indian Ocean.

I guess that if you really work out hard, you can scoff serious amounts of food without a problem.

Still I am amazed. The breakfasts were epic and I usually had pancakes or omelette and several pastries and fruit. Dinner were mostly 5 course affairs. Still I didnt have many lunches as breakfasts were so filling and late.

I am having to be very careful now that I am not doing all that physical work so back to 2 FDs per week (to account for weekend blowouts).

Bigchoc. Photos of choc room attached

Trying again!

Sorry multiple postings of choc pics.
How to ruin a diet thread (hangs head in shame).

I suspect Bigchoc has nipped to the local harbour and onto the nearest boat and is making her way to the choc room as I write

Anyway back to post hols laundry amageddon....

I'm not a chocolate fan, but that room looks AMAZING

wow MrsF that is incredible you managed to only put on 2lbs, well done you!

Yay Anglaise huge congrats on the half...are you planning a full? Or is it back to rest before the next knee stuff?

I don't really believe in a week's carb loading in all honesty. My bike got shipped on Sunday but I also don't really believe in resting the week before, I feel like my muscles will get lazy and then the first day on the bike will HURT! And it's not a race, just distance cycling, so I feel like I just need to be on good form to sustain seven days of cycling. So, trying to just be mega healthy because when we get to SF there'll be a party friday night then out for dinner Saturday night etc. I'm doing Shred every morning to keep my muscles tuned up as well.

SO EXCITED!!!

Wow, well, that's a heck of a way to come back onto the thread MrsF Way to go! That chocolate room looks immense...it's not often I'm grateful that a holiday in the Maldives is out of reach, but there's no way I'd return only 2lbs up from that!!

ATB Hope it goes well: I am seriously in awe of you at the moment!

Funny tummy here, as well. Spent a couple of days last week being seriously ill, in the sort of way that (thankfully) I very rarely have been since having children: head spinning, unable to stand, not keeping anything down and so on...I'll spare you the full details, but it really wasn't very pretty. On the one hand, it was a great way to shed the additional lbs that have been piling on recently, on the other, it wasn't much fun.

And annoyingly, it's only taken a day or so of back-to-normal slightly-uncontrolled eating (for example, quiche for lunch and Indian takeaway for dinner - no snacks/chocolate etc) for it to go back on very quickly. Wasn't planning a FD today but actually the Indian didn't agree too well with me (must not be quite as over the bug as I thought!) so keeping clear of all food until this evening.

Off to see Paloma Faith tonight :) Very excited: we saw her at Somerset House last summer and she totally rocked. So having dinner at Made in Camden first - as long as I control the bread intake, it shouldn't be much over 500 cals.

Anyone seen MOCNK lately? She's gone all quiet again...

Laska, stick at it :) You're back on the wagon and doing soooo well :)

MrsF I never thought I'd end up running more than 5kms but it is amazing what you can do when you try! The choc room photos are fab.
Filly I think MOCNK is on holiday in the Lakes District this week with her kids and friends, so that is probably why she hasn't posted. Enjoy Paloma tonight, she must be fantastic live!
ATB yes, you're probably right, not a race but as long as you are healthy then that will keep you going. Good luck! A friend of mine did a 6 hour run last weekend, clocked up 63kms in the end, far more impressive than my race. I'd have been bored stiff as it was on circuits of 3,5kms around a canal. I like a change of scenery.
A marathon is on the cards now though, I really want to do one in the next year. A half isn't enough now...this is the official photo of me crossing the finish line on Sunday (the club shirt has to be one of the worst ever, reminiscent of Superman)