5:2 Thread 95 : Lockdowns are lifting, as are we

[ListeningQuietly]

Welcome to the continuing thread for those following 5:2 or other forms of IF (Intermittent Fasting) such as 4:3, ADF, or daily 16:8 smile

Last thread was here
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/fasting_diet/4128689-5-2-Thread-94-Its-a-New-Year-a-New-Day-and-were-feeling-GOOD

Basically it is 2 very low cal days ("fasts") per week - which need not be consecutive - and eat "normally" to maintain on the other 5 days.

For those who have dieted or maybe overeaten for years, eating "normally"
means roughly the number of calories your body needs to maintain - NOT reduce - its weight (see TDEE calculator below).

IMPORTANT
If you have had past diagnosed Eating Disorders or serious MH problems you should NOT do 5:2 or any other kind of fasting

JARGON alert

16:8 is a different type of fasting, which can be combined with 5:2.
Daily zero-cal fast for 16 hours and eat within an 8 hour window. To lose weight, this needs a weekly calorie deficit as well

b2b (optional) back-to-back / consecutive fast days, each with an increased allowance of 650 calories instead of 500

BMI (Body Mass Index) healthy range is 18.5 - 24.9 for Caucasians. Upper limit may be 22 for some of Asian origin.

FD = single Fast Day: aim for 500 calories (600 for men or 25% TDEE whichever is higher) or 1000 cals for BF
No alcohol or junk on FDs
Even if you exercise strenuously, do NOT increase FD cals to allow for exercise

MFP = My Fitness Pal, a useful App or website to track food & drink calories

miniFD = MiniFD, 850-1000 calories, no alcohol or junk

NFD = Non-Fast Day, averages around TDEE

NSV / LSV = Non Scale Victory / LifeStyle (change) Victory, e.g. compliment, smaller waist, clothes size

SV = Scale Victory

TDEE = Total Daily Energy Expenditure, the average number of calories you burn in a day, is calculated from your current weight, height, age, activity level.
Aim to average about this for NFDs.

WOE / WOL = Way Of Eating / Way Of Life. We say this instead of "diet", to emphasise that we must make a permanent change in how we eat, to maintain our new healthy weight long term.

There is LOTS more information in the header of Thread 93
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/fasting_diet/4057993-5-2-Thread-number-93-Drive-in-the-fasting-lane-to-goal

Jump in and say hello

Hi can I check in?
Started 5:2 on Monday and managed exactly 500 calories on my first fast day. Using nutracheck for counting. BMI currently 26.6.
I did 5:2 once before and it worked really well, lost 1.5st with it. Unfortunately it has all come back with some lockdown extra on top. But I am feeling hopeful!

Welcome @ChubbyCat

Has anyone else found that they gained weight the first week of doing this? I was 65.5 on Monday, fasted Tuesday and Yesterday (under 500 caps yesterday). I ate carefully on Wednesday and not excessively on Monday, but this morning, I am 66.7. Our scapes are generally very accurate and consistent, so feeling a bit down hearted. I know these things aren’t my immediate, but I would have hoped to have at least maintained!

@Equimum I weighed more yesterday than I did on Monday when is started the diet. This morning I weigh slightly less than on Monday, so think our weight fluctuates depending on the time of the day and other things. Maybe check your weight again on Monday at the same time you did last week?

Any fasters joining me today?

16:8 today
Will try to get onto the scales next week - dreading it

Well done to any fasters

Have you all seen the data about the MASSIVE health benefits of brisk walking ?
Walk just too quickly to talk
if you can manage 500 metres you are doing OK
then speed it up a bit
then extend the distance
just walking is amazing for muscle tone and cardio and everything

Managed my Friday FD all by myself, kitchen closed on 486cals after a day full of incredible fresh veggies. Very happy.

Got my second covid jab today so anticipating needing comfort food tomorrow

After no loss last week, I'm down 2 pounds today which means a whole stone since September. Still 3 pounds to go to my target weight and I might get into a smaller size jeans by then.

I've got a work colleague who is doing the same and that has really helped - we're having a race to 10 stone

Can I join?
Previously did 5:2 7 years ago very successfully, laziness and lockdown has seen me gain 2.5 stone (obese bmi category)
I’ve been kidding myself as we’ve not got scales and I wear leggings all the time that I’ve not put on too much... weighed myself today and it was a shock!
Starting tomorrow, will try Thursday or Friday for my second.
Initially the goal is to lose a stone in 6 weeks, not sure it’s possible now I’m 40 but I’m going to give it a damn good go, will be happy with any loss really!
Wish me luck....

@RaraRachael congrats!
@Iwishiwereamillionaire welcome!

Think FD this week for me will be Tues&Thurs or Tues&Fri or maybe B2B Thursday/Friday. Stupidly
Messed it up with physio on the same days so that might not work but today already a right off and DH making tamales on Wednesday got Cinco de Mayo!

Morning all - anyone joining me in a FD today?

Me! Busy day planned to keep me occupied, fingers crossed!

We’re ordering Lebanese for dinner so I’m trying to work out how to make it a FD, might just have to be a low cal day

Hello all - regular 5:2 here - had previously lost quite a lot on it (possibly 2 stone in total).
I need help because with lockdown I have put 1 stone back on and I am keen to lose at least 8 lbs of it. I should stress this is vanity pounds - I'm a healthy BMI and do regular exercise but my preference is to be this weight for clothes and health.
I completely seem to have plateaued - and 5:2 only seems to maintain not lose anymore.
My fast day foods are fixed and under 500 calories but I'm going to move the most calorific to early in the day so I have a long fast into evening. This was previously at about six:
Was going to introduce one of my fast days on a very active day to increase calorie deficit - this is going to kill me but will try.
Will calorie count and weigh food on other days
Could try b2b or 3 FDs a week for a short time if this could boost loss. Other ideas ?

How are you getting on @Iwishiwereamillionaire? I'm feeling pretty strong... ham sandwich for lunch and fishcake for tea after a brows appointment.

@KobaniDaughters could you stick to lean meat and skip the dips and bread?

@absolutelyknackeredcow do a week where you track every single calorie and see if you're wildly over on nfds? If so.you could either add in an extra fd or 16:8 on nfds to get going again?

It’s been a mixed bag so far harriethoyle !
I’m trying not to eat till dinner so this afternoon was tough but I feel ok now... roasting a chicken so I’ll make myself a big chicken salad with watermelon for dessert and an options hot choc later if I need a boost.
Last time I did this I used to do it on office days and it was definitely easier in some ways but now wfh I don’t have to disguise my stomach rumbling!
I must remember to measure myself today as I don’t own scales, so I’ll check my weight only when at mil house to avoid obsessing over the numbers too much.
Nfd I’m going to have to log as I’m an evening snacker! Irritatingly I’ve not drunk alcohol for 3 months and I’ve not lost anything so that’s a shame... but I only had a glass of wine a few times a week, chocolate/ biscuits are clearly my issue!
Roll on bedtime, hopefully I can sleep as I find it tough on fast days.

@harriethoyle am vegan but thinking I can get a few falafel, fattoush and tabbouleh and take a tablespoon of hummus....will prob be around 500 so depends if I can last until dinner. Can always have A miso soup to keep me going

Yeah I often struggle to sleep on FDs @Iwishiwereamillionaire... even worse on day 2 of a b2b! I'm absolutely knackered today though so I don't think that will be a problem tonight.

@KobaniDaughters that sounds sooooo good. I love falafel!

Kitchen closing here on 679 and day 2 of the b2b tomorrow.

Absolutely was not a FD!

B2B planned for Thursday/Friday instead

Hi everyone! Checking in 

Welcome @Iwishiwereamillionaire and @absolutelyknackeredcow

Successful fast day yesterday ending on 455. Today all planned out at 454! Sun is shining, fingers crossed for a good day! Who's with me?

Thanks @ginsparkles - I'm now weighing food on NFD. I'm certain that FD come in at about 450.

Lost 2lbs after FD 1 this week but this is normal. It just goes straight back on though

I'm with you @ginsparkles. Am absolutely starving marvin today. Should come in the same as yesterday because I've got exactly the same menu planned, barring any snaccidents...

I'm also with you @ginsparkles and @harriethoyle. Am only planning today as a FD for this week, but am also starving Marvin so far!

I tested fate.... the weather here is awful! I'm soooooo cold! The yoghurt and cup of tea is making all the difference .... erm not!

We can do this!!!!

Weighing scales are going down post FD and right up after NFD, weekend...just yo-yoing roughing around same number since last 3 weeks..Anyone had similar experience and was able to break this trend?