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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.

Original poster

16/8 - 2021 thread

631 replies

feliznavidad2 · 03/01/2021 11:18

Anyone else starting afresh in the coming days? I've dabbled in 16/8 in the past but then got a tummy bug and didn't restart.

I'm now the biggest I've been in 10 years and am keen to start taking some action to make me feel healthier and to lose some weight. 👋🏻

Aside from 16/8, I'm going to be reducing my carb intake (although still eating some) and ensuring I eat more fruit and vegetables.

Hello to any others who may be keen to join. I'll be weighing weekly on a Monday and using the Zero app to track my fasts.

OP posts:
PeacheyPeach · 09/01/2021 17:20

@ochonagusochono I've cut back a lot on calories, e.g I have porridge for lunch with mixed seeds and then a meal like chicken breast with butternut squash and roasted veg. Does this sound about right x

OchonAgusOchonO · 09/01/2021 17:37

@PeacheyPeach - all sounds healthy to me. That's what I'm doing as well. Breakfast at lunchtime, some fruit during the afternoon and then a normal dinner. For me, the main thing is cutting out the crap and alcohol. I don't drink a vast quantity but do like a glass of wine (or two) at the weekends.

I did the same the first 2 weeks of December so I wouldn't be too bad after Christmas and lost 3kg in the 2 weeks.

Do you have much to lose? I was 53kg when I weighed myself on Monday. Ideally I'd like to get down to about 50kg but I suspect that might be a bit ambitious post-menopause so would be happy with 54/55kg. I'm only 5ft 2" so it doesn't take a lot for me to look dumpy.

PeacheyPeach · 09/01/2021 18:22

@ochonagusochono I've cut out alcohol for the moment as this makes me as rubbish also!
I've put on 2.5 stone since the start of the first lockdown so I really want to shift it. Ideally another half a stone if I can lose this 2.5 but need to be realistic!!

Original poster
feliznavidad2 · 09/01/2021 20:43

Revelation of today! White tea is quite pleasant (tastes like weak breakfast tea) and is allowed whilst fasting.

OP posts:
Original poster
feliznavidad2 · 09/01/2021 20:45

I need to lose at least 2.5 stone in the short term. And likely a further 2 stone after that.

OP posts:
OchonAgusOchonO · 09/01/2021 21:11

@feliznavidad2

Revelation of today! White tea is quite pleasant (tastes like weak breakfast tea) and is allowed whilst fasting.
White (and green) tea tastes much better if you use water only heated to 70-80C. If you don't have a kettle that does different temperatures, when you see smallish bubbles and it starts to steam.
Original poster
feliznavidad2 · 09/01/2021 21:19

@OchonAgusOchonO thanks! That's really helpful information. I'll start trying it with water that's not properly boiled.

OP posts:
namechange202086 · 09/01/2021 21:27

Today did not go well... I had breakfast, then crisps and birthday cake later...

Tomorrow is a new day Blush

OchonAgusOchonO · 09/01/2021 22:07

@namechange202086 - Tomorrow is a new day

Exactly. I did have some chocolate but managed to convince myself that as it was 70% cocoa that it was a health food.

Welshgal85 · 10/01/2021 00:42

Can I join please? 😊 have started 16:8 this week. Do you all do it every day or a few times a week? Have just done 2 days this week and eaten a lot healthier than I did in December and have lost 3lbs so hopefully that continues! I don’t seem to have much energy to exercise on fast days though so have been exercise on the non fast days!

namechangefail2020 · 10/01/2021 07:41

Do you guys drink English breakfast tea with no milk in the fast? I keep reading black tea is ok but actually black tea is different to English breakfast tea without milk I think. I just had some and regret it

Original poster
feliznavidad2 · 10/01/2021 08:01

@namechangefail2020

Do you guys drink English breakfast tea with no milk in the fast? I keep reading black tea is ok but actually black tea is different to English breakfast tea without milk I think. I just had some and regret it
As far as I know, black tea is just tea without milk (can be Earl grey, English breakfast, Darjeeling, etc).

I tried white tea for the first time last night, ordered it in my Tesco shop and it was lovely, very subtle and drinkable.

OP posts:
Original poster
feliznavidad2 · 10/01/2021 08:02

Welcome @Welshgal85 - I personally am fasting everyday at the moment but I'm also being very relaxed about what I'm eating in my window.

OP posts:
RecipeStealingBitch · 10/01/2021 08:07

Hello! Can I join? I’ve been doing this since 1 Jan! I tripped up last night as I felt strangely sick and hungry to the point of total distraction at 9pm. Plus I needed to take some ibuprofen for an old back injury which has flared up which can’t be taken on an empty stomach. I only had a couple of digestives and a glass of milk and I’m back on the wagon today!

Original poster
feliznavidad2 · 10/01/2021 08:09

Sure, welcome to the thread @RecipeStealingBitch. Smile

When's everyone weighing? Or do people not weigh? I am weighing tomorrow morning, aiming for every Monday.

OP posts:
Glitterb · 10/01/2021 08:17

Tomorrow morning weigh for me! I’ve not weighed myself all week which is rare for me, all in all I’ve found it quite enjoyable and seems to suit me!

namechangefail2020 · 10/01/2021 08:36

@feliznavidad2 Ok great thanks. I just wondered if it was like a version of the herbal teas so glad it's just that. Oh yes I might try white too then.

I'll be weighing tomorrow too. Eek! Actually starving this morning but only have to go until 10 so should make it

RecipeStealingBitch · 10/01/2021 09:13

I’ll weigh tomorrow...I’m hoping to lose 7-10lb, going to try go for quick lunchtime walks if icy conditions allow. I’m either WFH or in the office, and have DC who will be at school/nursery until 3ish so I’ll be all over the place and it can be hard to fit exercise in.

I’ve stuck to 3 healthy meals and the odd non-junky snack - a real contrast to Christmas where I was never more than 6 inches away from a mince pie!

namechange202086 · 10/01/2021 09:15

I think I’ll wait and weigh myself next Friday. Was weighing everyday this week hoping for a miracle which didn’t happen.

Aiming for breaking fast at 1pm with soup and eating 1200 calories today.

OchonAgusOchonO · 10/01/2021 09:18

@namechangefail2020 - Do you guys drink English breakfast tea with no milk in the fast?

You can but it's not really very nice. I drink King of Pu-Ehr, which is a fermented black tea, Oolong, which is half way between green and black tea, or green tea.

If you're drinking green or white tea, make sure you don't use boiling water. Turn the kettle off when you see small bubbles start (70-80C).

namechangefail2020 · 10/01/2021 09:22

@OchonAgusOchonO ooh great advice thank you

OchonAgusOchonO · 10/01/2021 09:23

@feliznavidad2 - I'm weighing tomorrow but I did cheat and weigh myself yesterday. Down 1.5kg, which I'm a bit disappointed with as I've been very strict. Maybe I need to cut out the bread too and just stick to fruit at lunch time.

Logically I know 1.5kg is a decent loss but when I did this in December, I lost 2kg the first week and 1.5 the second so I was hoping for similar this time. I'm assuming loss will get slower as we go on.

TeaAndBisquits · 10/01/2021 10:15

Hi guys! I'd love to jump on this thread too. I'm currently on day 7 of IF 16:8 and feeling good about it. (Definitely seems harder over the weekend than during the week though!)

I'm having breakfast around 12.30-1 and then I'm usually done in the evenings by 8/8.30.

Trying to eat as healthy as possible but I'm not beating myself up over the odd chocolate or biscuit with a tea.

PeacheyPeach · 10/01/2021 13:05

Just having my first coffee of the Day and then will some porridge in a bit. Having a kedgeree for tea later so will be first carbs I've had all week!
I'm not going to weigh myself until end of the month as I know what I'm like. If I feel I've not lost a good amount I will feel like sabotaging it and it all become a big deal!!

Whoateallthechocolate · 10/01/2021 16:40

I had a great day yesterday going for a long walk in the morning which meant I didn't eat until 1.30, avoiding having cake yesterday and even persuading myself that sparkling water was a suitable alternative for gin.
Today has been a complete contrast ... I decided I couldn't resist a nice Sunday breakfast, we're having a roast this evening and I've found myself grazing this afternoon. I think I've expended about 10 calories today as have done nothing other than read, play board games with the DC and watch TV with them. I can't work out if I'm being ridiculously lazy and need to get my arse in gear and go out for a walk or if I should just listen to my body and indulge my laziness. I'm in the fun position of working full time in a job which only gets more hectic in lockdown, DH is in the same position and we have two primary aged DC who are back to home schooling and need quite a bit of support if they are to get anything done. Last week was knackering and no doubt this week and the following ones will be the same.