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

[quote Adultingdecisions]@frustratedwiththepandemic

I don’t eat a single calorie until about 8pm when I have my only meal of the day, I then save about 150 calories to have some Greek yogurt and berries as late as I possibly can so I spend the evening eating and don’t go to bed hungry. I appreciate that won’t work for everyone though and some need to eat earlier in the day. I found if I ate a small lunch it just made me even hungrier.[/quote]
Hardcore! Don't think I could manage till 8pm without eating at all!

@ChubbyCat

I weighed myself this morning, down 7 lbs since I first dared stepping on the scale post-lockdowns on April 21st. I'm really pleased, I started 5:2 in May and had a whole week off last week. Aiming for a slow and steady weight loss rathe than a quick fix.

@frustratedwiththepandemic I usually save some of the calories until 7-8 pm, and then have something with protein like eggs and have an early night to avoid further temptations.

This is inspiring! I've just finished my first week of 5:2 so it's great to hear of your weight loss!

I really struggle with boredom eating, usually in the afternoon or evening. Got to get on top of that. Interesting to hear how some of you spread the fasting over the day.

I lost another 2 lbs this week so have reached my initial target. Going to do a 6:1 for the next few weeks to see if I can get to my original happy weight from years ago.

Diet day today after my first weekend away since August. Kind of feels like I actually need to detox after all that prosecco, barbecues and sun!
Good luck to all Monday dieters!

Well done @RaraRachael! That's very inspiring.

Morning fellow fasters! Signing in for day one of the week - not sure if I'm going to do the usual b2b or today and Thursday. My hay fever is AWFUL at the moment and it's making me feel so grim so I'm hoping that won't impact on fasting... Good luck Monday fasters!

I lost 4lbs this week!! I'm a bit shocked as I wasn't really expecting the 5:2 to work, but it clearly does! I just need to keep this momentum going. Another 500kcal day today.

I'm guessing "b2b" means doing two fast days back to back? I'm new to all the lingo!

Hello, after a weekend feast, I'm back for 1st day of b2b FD. Yes, b2b is back to back 2 days fasting @KatherineOfGaunt...Nice to see, most of us getting results , big or small.
I have a holiday coming up in July and planning to wear shorts after ages 😂

@Witchone1 My goal is to be able to wear skirts/dresses in hot weather without leggings or some sort of 'anti-chafing' shorts underneath. Not sure if this is realistic but something to aim for anyway!

@Witchone1 joining you on a b2b- day 1.
Yes two in a row @KatherineOfGaunt - very hard work but possible for experienced fasters! Well done on the loss

Hi Monday fasters. The heat is making it easy today for me. So far just a green salad at lunch and loads of water. Just had an espresso to get me to this evening. Will have an omelette and vegetables or salad.

Well done @RaraRachael!

Ending at 512 today.. dinner was salmon , courgette noodle and cucumber salad!
We can do it @chubbycat. ...It's getting so hot for leggings and jeans.

Well done everyone - kitchen closed on day 1 of b2b on 427
Heat also makes it easier

Well done @witchone1! I had baked salmon, boiled egg and tomatoes for dinner, 472 calories for today. Usually I go slightly over but haven't been to the supermarket yet after a weekend away so not much to eat in the house!

Kitchen closed on 519... today was busy which made it easier!

Morning everyone and well done on the Monday fasts!

Weighed myself this morning and am the same weight as when I restarted this WOE last week, I know it’s only been a week/two fasts but I hoped to have lost at least half a lb…. It’s inspired me to fast again today though!

I would have fasted yesterday but was at work in the office for the first time in several months and didn’t want hunger to deal with as well. WFH today so back on it!

Back to happy weight after FD and a few under TDEE days following half term laxness.

Checking in on day 2 of my b2b.
Very busy work day so hoping it will fly by

Those of you who do b2b fasting do you still only fast two days per week? Or do you do two days b2b and then one more separately so 3 FDs per week?

I do 2 plus I aim for a 250 TDEE deficit on 3 other days. This allows me to relax on the weekend and still lose.
Does that make sense? Others do a mini on another day or a third but I only have vanity pounds to lose (and just 3 more lbs) but if you wanted to lose a lot fast three would be a good way of doing it

Thanks @absolutelyknackeredcow I may look into that. I haven't been desperate to lose weight quickly but the hot weather has made me miss the days when I was skinny (more than a decade ago, pre-kids and hubby!) and could just wear a miniskirt or short dress with flip-flops with no issues. Never gonna happen again I know, too old for it anyway, but a bit less chub rub would be amazing.

Kitchen closed on day two of b2b at 530

OMG !!! I found a stretch mark in my now slightly diminished double chin!! didn't think that's even possible !!! 😭 please share any magic cream for stretch mark around face 😂
Done at 500cal. I find 2nd FD harder in b2b but it's better to get it done for the week.

Not a stealth post but motivation - another pound and a bit down after my B2B ( I generally weigh after my second fast day off the week).
ONLY 1.9 lbs to GO

Wow, so close, @absolutelyknackeredcow! I bet that's going to be an amazing feeling!

Finished a 500 day on 671. But over, but I did a water workout class and was starving afterwards. Oops!