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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:
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Eatriskier · 28/05/2014 20:21

Wow MrsF - I made sure to look at those after I'd had chocolate. Seems like a good plan. That room looked amazing! And only 2lbs after all that? Bravo

Well done anglaise

Thanks for the food poisoning wishes. Its so nice to eat real food again.

Breadandwine · 28/05/2014 21:09

Blimey, a bit of a flurry on this thread! So here goes, in no particular order:

Well done, ATB, and best wishes for the ride.

Congratulations, Anglaise! We're all doing more than we thought we could, aren't we?

I'll echo the wow, MrsF, what a great holiday - and a lovely result. Just hope all the chocolate was vegan!

Hope you're over the bug, Filly, and enjoy the show.

Glad you're OK again. Eat!

I've just ended a 25-hour LOF. Got off to an early start yesterday, and I've just had water and black coffee today. I slept in a bit, so I didn't have my first drink until I was well over the 16 hour mark.

I broke my fast with a smoky Thai curry and curried wedges - probably about 400 calories. It was so good I went back for second helpings, which I didn't really need - and suffered a sore tummy for an hour or so as a result! I almost had to let my belt out for a bit! Grin

I fancy I'll bulk out the leftover curry and make a pie with it tomorrow night, haven't had one for a while!

Found out yesterday the finger splint I've had to wear after the accident is going to be with me for about 6 weeks - and then 6-8 weeks at night! Means i won't be able to exercise properly for a while, which is a bit of a bummer!

Otherwise, life is good!

Take care everyone! And remember, don't text whilst you're walking! Grin

MrsFlorrick · 29/05/2014 18:49

Eat. Glad you're better!

B&W. sorry not vegan. Won't tell you about all the wonderful local fish I ate out there then Wink

Post hols washing done.

The DC have trashed the house. They are so happy to rediscover their toys they've taken everything out and spread it all over the house. And are now too tired and whiny to be made to tidy up. Guess what I'm doing shortly Hmm

Another neighbour announced she is expecting today. So I was duly quizzed on baby type equipment she will need. Grin I obv tried to foist all my baby plastic tat off on her. Wink

Ugh. Off to tidy up. Hmm

BigChocFrenzy · 29/05/2014 20:11

Welcome back, MrsF Amazing that you only gained 2lb after such a glorious food fest. You must have swum for hours.

Gorgeous choc room pix

BigChocFrenzy · 29/05/2014 20:15

Well done on the half-marathon, Anglaise, a great achievement

AmericasTorturedBrow · 30/05/2014 00:11

oh dear B&W a texting injury?!

I am packed, about to take the DC out for dinner with their friends and their mum who is also doing the ride with me, then another friend is babysitting so DH and I can go out for dinner...one more sleep til I fly to SanFran and three more sleeps til I get back on that bike. Although I think all my friends and family are wishing I was on it now and not still plugging fundraising on facebook (but I'm only $700 shy of $5K!)

EXCITED!

catsrus · 30/05/2014 08:43

The chocolate room did look amazing - but it would be lost on me really as like TiP I'm not really a chocolate person :-) I like it well enough - scoffed a bar of galaxy that was being given out in a local shopping centre the other day - but it was because I was hungry and it didn't really hit the spot. I honestly can't remember the last time I had chocolate before that - probably one of the mints they seems to always give with the bill in Indian restaurants! I'm a bread / chips / good crisps / salty popcorn person, not sweet things on the whole.

I've had a change of working patterns over the last couple of months, less travel which has been bad for my weight - working from home more means less exercise and more opportunities to nibble. I find it easy to go a day without solid food if I'm in one of our offices but not home!

Have had a 5:2 ing friend staying this week - which has made FDs more enjoyable - and she likes my summer FD staple of jacket potato, cottage cheese and a ton of interesting salad :-) need to bring my numbers back down over the next 3-4 weeks as have a big family 85th birthday to go to at the end of June. Want to look amazing AND eat what I like Grin just have 4lbs to lose so that's do-able so long as I make sure I'm out of the house at least 2 days a week. Off to a conference today and hoping that the food is rubbish and not at all tempting as I need to network during lunch!

MrsFlorrick · 30/05/2014 14:18

Looks like I should have taken some photos of the cheese room Wink

I didn't but let me assure you that it was similarly beautiful and full of cheese from around the world. Grin DH was a frequent flyer.

DC are being baby sat today. Grin Yay. Free time. I did loads of clearing out of baby toys and baby clothes. Fab fab fab. Feels good to finally do it.

FD hasn't happened. Planning my usual Sunday FD tho. Should help with the extra 2lbs.

And Jillan is coming out later for a workout. Grin And tonight DH and I are planning wine and film on the telly. Bliss.

Hope your Friday is as productive as mine.

TalkinPeace · 30/05/2014 18:09

Fasting gone to pot this week.
Just had a lovely 24 hours with my sister and her toddlers, tonight have friends coming to stay and tomorrow is a 50th birthday party!
And DD turns 16 next week - scary

OP posts:
MrsFlorrick · 31/05/2014 11:11

TIP Grin me too. Never mind tomorrow is a new day.

The flexibility of 5:2 is one of the reasons it works so well.

Eatriskier · 31/05/2014 14:03

I've not fasted now for a week and a half as the scales have been too low. And now I am really struggling to not eat everything at all times. Its taking a lot more self discipline than normal. Eek. Though am beginning to wonder if I should just eat everything in sight, and then I'll have the weight on in order to fast again and contain my appetite Wink

Anglaise1 · 01/06/2014 17:29

Found out that BF has been up to exactly what he did before he became an ex-boyfriend, seeing ex (she is now sleeping over at his house, apparently he sleeps on the sofa!), probably still chatting up other girls of FB too but he hides his mobile phone from me now so I haven't got the actual proof. Feel so stupid Sad. Fasting won't be a problem this week as no appetite.

TalkinPeace · 01/06/2014 20:25

((((( Anglaise ))))) at least this time its an irritation rather than an utter shock.

Eatriskier
go for more flavoursome : add stilton and spices and stuff to make it easier to savour smaller portions of really nice food.

OP posts:
Eatriskier · 02/06/2014 15:03

Scales back where I like them, so 16:8 today. Already feel much better for having the 16hrs in the bank.

anglaise I can never tell if it's them or us who never learn. Either way, what a pillock he is.

ClockWatchingLady · 02/06/2014 15:14

Hello, can I come and join you please?
I've been doing 6:1 for health (as opposed to weight loss) reasons on and off for a few months. I want to stave off brain decline as long as I can and stop thinking that I can mindlessly stuff Jaffa cakes whenever I like just because I'm not overweight.

Do you find you have the energy and inclination to actually cook by the time you get to the evening on a fast day (like many of you, I think, I save all my calories for evening)? I have poached eggs EVERY SINGLE fast day and it's doing my head in, but it's all I can face making after a day without food (and I'm a pretty crap cook Grin). Do you tend to stick to the same old favourites, too?

Anglaise, just looked upthread a bit, and am sorry you're having a rough time. And the running looks amazing!

catsrus · 02/06/2014 18:11

welcome CWL - I confess that I do stick to favourites depending on the time of year it might be

  • huge vats of veggie stew / curry (freeze meal size portions, sometimes eat more than one Blush)
  • jacket potato, cottage cheese and tons of salad (the current favourite)
  • veggie stir fry with calorie free noodles

With each of them I would do masses of either cooking or chopping so there is not a lot to do at the actual point of hunger - and then eat it up over a few days. I have a mega salad in the fridge ATM, no dressing, lots of greens, herbs, carrot, peppers, mushrooms, cucumber, tomato etc. I only dress the portion I'm about to eat so it keeps for ages - might need to pep it up with an addition of a bit more lettuce.

Eatriskier · 02/06/2014 18:28

clock I tend to stick to staples too. When I was religiously sticking to 500 cals it would be Irish stew, Butternut and lentil soup, Thai noodle soup and peri peri chicken and spicy rice (all precooked so just needed warming). That was after a phase of miracle noodle stir fries and chicken broth.
Now I'm a maintainer it still tends to be staples again - a spicy paste coated chicken breast and couscous stuffed pepper or steak/posh burger with oven cooked chips (both with mountains of salad) or homemade pizza or stir fry. These all fit into dh's 600 allowance.
Oh and if I did get some time to cook on the day there was always my favourite Butternut squash 'pasta' with arriabiata sauce and veggie sausage or a small bit of chorizo.

Eatriskier · 02/06/2014 18:30

OK dimwit check which thread you're posting on. Of course you're a maintainer now. Blush

ClockWatchingLady · 02/06/2014 20:07

Your staples all sound a lot nicer than my staples...

Perhaps I'll try to give some of them a go, cooking in advance.

This evening I'm living more on wild side by scrambling rather than poaching the eggs... with some added veg and spices - woo hoo!

BetsyBell · 03/06/2014 08:09

Hello, I seem to have dropped off this thread. Blush I'm having a conundrum with fasting at the moment and wondered if it rang true with any of you.

My exercise levels have been increased quite a bit in the last few weeks (3 sessions running and upper body strength, 3 sessions TaeKwonDo, press ups and stuff most days) - and it shows physically. I've lost a couple more lbs but increased my muscle percentage - all fantastic things and I'm extremely happy about that. But, recently I've found I'm not feeling great after my second fast of the week (which has been when I'm at my lowest weight), and though it could be one of the many lurgies around manifesting I've come to suspect it's because I'm not eating enough to keep my more muscly body happy. Last week was half term and I only fasted once - and it felt right.

So my new plan is to fast Mondays, not worry too much about sticking to 500 but to keep it (mostly) vegan (give or take an anchovy fillet or 2), do 16:8 on Wed/Thu/Fri and one or both weekend days.

I think my good eating habits are firmly enough entrenched now that I won't go off the rails!

Anglaise What an utter tool that man is. But you and your half marathon running are AMAZING.

I've been running regularly recently, more 'properly' than ever before and I've finally decided to stop being a wimp about going for more than 5k, so I'm now training myself up for 10k. Who knows, in a couple of years I might be brave enough to aim for a HM. I'm excited to find out.

Beautiful photos MrsF.

Anglaise1 · 03/06/2014 08:41

Welcome CWL and thanks to all for your ((())) I feel particularly stupid thinking he had changed. He is a masterful manipulator.
Betsy that's great news about your running, it sounds like you are really enjoying it. I only did 5k runs until I joined my club in September last year, I did my first of many 10k runs in November and my first HM in April. You'd be surprised how fast you progress and I'm sure your first HM will be earlier than in a couple of years. South recommended a book 'Running like a girl' by Alexandre Heminsley which I'm reading and enjoying a lot if you want some extra motivation!
Good luck to everyone fasting this week. I did a 24 hour fast yesterday, probably the only one this week.

BetsyBell · 03/06/2014 08:42

Oh and Tip, I don't know if you remember me complaining of bony chest issues many moons ago, but I can categorically say that a regular press up regime has done the trick, ribby chest now covered with a lovely layer of what must be muscle. Grin

BetsyBell · 03/06/2014 08:44

Anglaise I've created my own little running club with some of my TaeKwonDo buddies - it's very motivational having other people to run with and realising that improvements come quick with regular training. I'll have a look at that book - thanks for the tip :)

MrsFlorrick · 03/06/2014 12:03

Betsy and the muscles. Grin Check you out!

CWL. Welcome. Brew For you.

Managed a mini fast both Sunday and yesterday. So only 1lbs left to lose of my 2lbs holiday flab before I'm back to "normal".

Want to get back to my workouts. Lacking motivating this week. I want to but can't pick myself up off the chair. Pls don't tell Bigchoc or she will be after meWink

I love swimming in the sea and snorkelling so much that going back to a pool is really boring. Also need to restart JM too. Argh.

(Goes off to hunt down motivation).

Fillybuster · 03/06/2014 12:14

Great photo Anglaise - I'm so impressed by your running Grin Less impressed by bf...so sorry he's up to his old tricks again, but hopefully its less awful this time as it's not such a shock? Sending you loads of love ((()))

Welcome CWL :) It's very easy to get into a fast-day rut, isn't it? Obviously the recipes thread is great, but there's also loads of inspiration on here....Laska B&W and TiP post great ideas for low-cal yumminess :)

MrsF hope you're feeling ok? Was concerned after seeing your other thread...

Betsy it definitely sounds as though you've identified the problem - can you believe how far you've come over the past year or so?! Amazing Grin

TiP You have a 16 yr old dd??? Really??? Shock Gosh! Grin

Total fasting fail for 2 weeks - at this rate I shall have to slink off the maintainers thread with my tail between my legs pretty soon. Still somehow managing to hang on around the 9.5/9.6 mark, so just scraping the top end of my 'acceptable' zone, but I do need to get control quite soon. Unfortunately, tonight is the start of the religious festival of Shavuot, also known as 'the cheesecake festival'. Seriously. It's all about eating loads of dairy, and especially cheesecake Grin I have made 2 already...! I made this one with an amaretti biscuit base