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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 5

899 replies

TalkinPeace · 21/07/2014 12:22

This thread is for those of us who have been practicing IF (Intermittent Fasting) for quite a while ( it being nearly 2 years since the Michael Mosely TV programme aired ) 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 mix fasts and 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?

More and more 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 four maintenance threads and all the main 5:2 threads for posters practising IF to lose weight here Fasting / 5:2 on the diet forum. We're currently on thread no. 46, 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 even more to the fore, as part of our general health and to help weight loss. BigChocFrenzys thread is here

OP posts:
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BetsyBell · 01/10/2014 18:10

Anglaise's fab almond link

It's in my bookmarks!

AmericasTorturedBrow · 01/10/2014 20:41

welcome Nomen and congrats on your weight loss. 5:2 is a brilliant way to maintain though I do understand your "slightly disordered" thinking about food - to be honest I think it's difficult for there not to be underlying thought processes for all of us, even if we eat healthily now I find it hard to imagine someone who has never been subjected or subjected themselves to worrying about food and weight and calories, but it sounds like you eat a great diet and have a sensible head on your shoulders so I wouldn't worry too much

Sorry about crappy work sed and filly

I'm just feeling physically and emotionally drained today - decided not to do any exercise and instead blitz the house. Though now I'm not cycling to meet DH for a coffee I might drag Shred out instead. Then shower and read a book for 30mins before collecting DS from school

NomenOmen · 02/10/2014 10:12

Thank you for your kind responses and welcome. I'll lurk on the other thread too (I'm more of a lurker than a poster, really), as you suggest, TiP.

Southeast - sorry if I wasn't clear. I don't so much get (uncontrollable) urges to eat junk (though I can't stop once I start on the ice cream... Hmm), but now that I'm at a decent weight and want to maintain, I occasionally think, I'd like an unhealthy snack. Why not? But when I go to see what I can have, I'm not able to 'let go' and just have it, if you see what I mean. It's more a question of trying to break out of the 'denial' part of losing weight. That's why I'm keen on 5:2, as, from what I can see of all the amazingly helpful and inspiring and positive posts from everyone across the different threads, there's not that much actual deprivation. It snaps you out of that mindset, I hope.

Anglaise - 50km a week? That is awesome. I don't think I'll ever run that much, but I would like to get up to running a 10k a week.

Americas... (love your name!!) Thank you for your understanding words. I hope you feel less drained today.

Right - I should be working now, not posting on MN...

MrsFlorrick · 02/10/2014 20:53

Evening everyone.
Been "away" from thread for a little while. I've had a sinus infection for the last 3 weeks (world of pain). Finally relented and got antibiotics on Tuesday so it's on it's way out. Ugh.

Filly hope you've recovered from flu. Yucky. Both the DC are ill and have been off school all week. I'm quietly rocking in a dark corner now.

I've only been managing 1 FD per week. Just felt too crappy to make an effort. No idea where my weights at. Will step on scales tomorrow and see.

Anglaise you are super fit!! Grin Wow. Impressive.

Wanted to post something deep and meaningful but head is too full of snot.
Be back soon.

TalkinPeace · 02/10/2014 20:54

((((( MrsF ))))))
stay warm

OP posts:
BigChocFrenzy · 02/10/2014 23:24

Sending comforting chocolatey vibes to MrsF
Hope that nasty lurgie goes soon
Flowers

BigChocFrenzy · 02/10/2014 23:27

Treat yourself to some almond butter Smile Very healthy and should build up your strength (just don't inhale the whole jar)

Anglaise1 · 03/10/2014 07:07

MrsF hope it goes soon...I got antibiotics the first day for my kidney infection and my goodness, they were effective almost immediately. I hope yours work as well. Fasting shouldn't be a top priority when you are feeling poorly Thanks
I hope the DC get better and go back to school soon, that must be extra pressure you don't need this week!

MrsFlorrick · 03/10/2014 10:57

Grin Thanks Everyone. Bigchoc. If I start on the almond butter the whole jar will go. I can't resist. Well I know what I'm having for lunch now!

The antibiotics are helping but having the DC at home isn't. They are both feeling better so are squabbling and fighting. I may go and hide out with the guinea pigs.

BigChocFrenzy · 03/10/2014 13:34

MrsF I'm glad there is another reprobate who has a tbsp almond butter, licks the spoon .... and suddenly the jar is empty Grin

BigChocFrenzy · 03/10/2014 13:35

but at least the junk Frenzies are no more

AmericasTorturedBrow · 03/10/2014 14:53

I babysat for a friend last night and ate at least a third of a jar of almond butter sitting in their fridge....

TalkinPeace · 06/10/2014 12:32

Has just remembered how hard fasting is on manky days when you have to stay indoors .....

OP posts:
MrsFlorrick · 06/10/2014 17:19

Bigchoc. Grin Indeed. Nut butters are the best.

TIP. Yes. I have had an ultra low carb day rather than an FD. My excuses range from weather to still having another day of amoxicillin to go. Yuck.

Successful though. Provided I can stay out of the kitchen between now and bedtime. Wink

Fillybuster · 06/10/2014 21:34

Wishing you a speedy recovery mrs f Thanks Sinus infections are the absolute pits...

Vaguely recovered my FD mojo today....after a 25 hour no liquid (not even water) fast, spent in a hot synagogue, mostly standing, over the weekend (followed by a bonkers carb overload, so no weight loss there!) it felt remarkably easy to fast again today when I could drink black coffee, water and herbal teas....I did have an itsu miso soup for lunch at 3pm (90 cals) but that's it until now. Spicy eggs (shakshuka) simmering away on the hob. Yum.

I'm about 3lbs away from where I really want to be, with a whole host of meals coming up and (possibly) a week away with the dcs next week, so keen to get a bit closer to target.

Welcome back B&W...I was wondering where you'd got to!

Southeastdweller · 06/10/2014 22:32

Nomen I think I know what you mean now. All I can say is that from experience, 5:2 can help drastically with disordered ways of eating and thinking about food...I'm too tired to think about how or why it does but FWIW my old mantra was 'I can snack on a slice of cake or chocolate bar after work every day because I deserve it' Hmm. Now I have that feeling maybe once a month or so.

Trousers a bit tight at the moment...don't know how much weight I've put on as digital scales are broken at work but I may get weighed at Boots tomorrow. I think maybe two pounds or so...the result of only fasting twice in two weeks. I'll try to skip breakfast tomorrow and will dodge my colleague who I go out for a burrito with most Tuesday lunchtimes.

Breadandwine · 07/10/2014 19:13

Thanks, Filly.

a 25 hour no liquid (not even water) fast, spent in a hot synagogue, mostly standing, over the weekend (followed by a bonkers carb overload, so no weight loss there!) it felt remarkably easy to fast again today when I could drink black coffee, water and herbal teas.

I'll bet it bloody did! Very impressive, nothing at all for that length of time!

Know what you mean about rewarding yourself, SED - I used to think I deserved a bar of chocolate if I did a supermarket shop!

I'm a bit miffed ATM (makes a change from feeling smug) because I've just had a blood test - and the doc's put me on iron tablets! Last time, my haemoglobin was right in the middle. The only thing I've changed that I can think of is that I'm eating a lot less dried apricots. They were a major constituent of my breakfast naans - and now I no longer eat breakfast.

I'm one who has never understood the attraction of nut butters - I've tried, but my enthusiasm wanes very quickly, and the jar starts to collect dust.

I know I should eat more nuts, but apart from adding flaked almonds to my flaxseed 'porridge' I haven't found a way to incorporate them into my diet that suits me.

Anglaise1 · 07/10/2014 20:50

So sorry to hear about your blood test B&W was your haemoglobin very low? My iron supplements seem to be working and I felt much better at tonight's training session with the running club. But I'm not going to do any races in October.
Have you ever taken Spirulina? One of the girls I run with has often had iron problems and she swears by it and takes it regularly to maintain her iron levels. I'm tempted to try as it is a natural solution and I want to carry on doing endurance races some sort of iron supplement will be needed long term.
Can't you eat nuts as a snack by the handful? Or with a drink in the evening? I eat grilled almonds (probably far to many) in this way!

BigChocFrenzy · 08/10/2014 00:02

Sorry to hear that, B&W Did your doc suggest a reason, or did he just dish out pills ?
Was your last iron test before you boosted your exercise ? Strenuous exercise requires more iron (so may be partly my fault ! )
Wink
Yes, boost your dried apricots.
Combine these or other Vit C sources: apple, tomatoes, pomegranates, peaches, dates, bell peppers
with iron sources: spinach, soy / kidney beans, chick peas, almonds, walnuts, sesame seeds, broccoli, baked potato

Suggestions:

  • Bake cake / biscuits with dates and walnuts
  • Add spinach and sesame seeds or roasted nuts to your curry or stirfry
  • Moroccan vegan tajine with chick peas and dried apricots
  • Garnish a savoury dish with yoghurt and pomegranates
  • Dessert: slices of orange sprinkled with roasted nuts and pomegranate

Are you being re-tested in a few weeks ?

MrsFlorrick · 08/10/2014 00:23

B&W. Send your dusty jars of nut butters to meeee GrinGrin

MrsFlorrick · 08/10/2014 00:25

Date and walnut cake with almond flour (drools) Grin I may have to make some just in case my iron levels require a top up. Wink

MrsFlorrick · 08/10/2014 00:27

Thanks for all your wishes for speedy recovery. I have recovered and finished my antibiotics.

It's been a crazy week already. I should squirt in a FD but perhaps I need to let my system recover from the germs and ABs first.

AmericasTorturedBrow · 08/10/2014 00:44

I NEED that date, walnut and almond flour cake recipe pleeeeeeeeease, only because I happen to have all those ingredients in honest

Fasting just not happening here. But also very homesick so I suspect AF is on the way

BigChocFrenzy · 08/10/2014 00:57

< scrambles to clear out B&W's nut butter jars before MrsF wakes up >
Glad you are fit again, MrsF Smile
You don't want those dusty old jars ruing your clothes and cupboards.

BigChocFrenzy · 08/10/2014 01:09

Recipes with almond flour:
Date + walnut Bars , Sugarless Cake with apricots + dates + almonds , Date + walnut Loaf