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

Fabulous @absolutelyknackeredcow!

I'm fasting tomorrow day 2 of the week and I've realised I have absolutely no need to weigh myself. I'm happy in my shape and my rough weight and I know if I follow this wol I'll stay as I am. After the entirety of my adult life being shaped by my weight and figure I can't tell you how liberating it is not to feel compelled to weigh!

Now, full disclosure we're having a staycation next week, we've fizz and bbqs and laziness planned, so I'll hop on the scales at the end of that to assess the damage and then get myself back on track. But if I could live my life without being a slave to the scales I'd be delighted!

ANYWAY. Brain dump ends! Well done anyone fasting today and see you tomorrow for any fellow fasters

Grumpily logging for a b2b
It's TOTM and I have really bad period pain and had a broken night sleep
I'm going to take it easy and see where I land. 2 x800 more likely
No other day this week possible

Good evening everyone? Please can I join?

I was on the 5:2 boards about 6-7 years ago, when I lost lots of weight. Since then I've shed a husband (amicably!) but gained an out-of-control social life and about 2 stone!

Ideally I would like to lost 3st in total. But would be happy losing 2.

Being familiar with fasting, I'm jumping straight into a B2B, first FD today.

I am VERY active - I exercise every day and it's rare that I do fewer than 20k steps. I have set TDEE to moderate though. But happily this gives me a fair few extra Cal's to play with.

I don't count milk in my coffee, but have a very small splash. I figure that all that exercise has surely got to even out that milk, right?!

I'm another who waits as long as possible to eat, and Ive just had a big pan of chicken stew plus a hard boiled egg. Around 507cals.

I will have a small bowl of Greek yoghurt shortly, then off to bed. Super early bedtimes on FDs are the way to go in my experience.

Exercise today was 50mins Group Fight , 2 long dog walks and Bodypump.

Anyone else fasting today? Hope we're all feeling good 🙂

Welcome @devildeepbluesea - I'm also on a back to back and also a recent returner to shed lock down pounds
That is an incredibly active life ! I thought I was active but Christ

How tall are you

@absolutelyknackeredcow I'm a short arse, only 5'3". But very muscular, as you can imagine, so I do carry the weight reasonably well. But I want shot of it now!

Done and dusted at 614cals today. Bed by 8.30. Benefit of an active lifestyle is I'm too knackered to stay awake in the evening!

Ah ok - I'm nearly six foot so on days I do as much as that I can honestly eat as much as I like !!
Kitchen closed on 558 - I'm knackered so going to throw kids and bed and then follow them
Will join you for another fast tomorrow

@absolutelyknackeredcow good luck for your B2B today.
I just did a sneaky weigh after my first FD, 2.5lb down - despite DOMS which I always get if iI leave more than a few days between pump sessions. But DOMS usually also means I retain water so I'm pretty happy.

Second FD for me too. DD is home from school, we have a Covid test for her this avo 😖 fingers.crossed for a negative.

Feeling ok at6.30am, will I feel the same in 12 hours!

@devildeepbluesea 2.5 lbs down is amazing !
I'm a pound down this am so even closer to target weight!!
Hopefully that will help me get thru today
I'm on an early walk first thing which helps!
Bad news on your daughter so frustrating !!

Thanks! I'm under no illusion that it's anything but water though, but still a nice boost after just one day. I'm hopeful that the first half stone will come off fairly quickly, having said that. Then it'll be 1lb a week for aaaaaages if last time is anything to go by!

Well done on your loss - now that's a proper loss!

@absolutelyknackeredcow how's your FD going? I'll admit I'm feeling tired today. Hungry but not unmanageably so.

Just about to take the dog for walk#2 then at last I get to eat!

Tea is dhal with 2 small chapattis. Then I have 120cal to play with.

I'm ok - on about 250 calories and planning a big salad with eggs hummus later
Maybe an options hot choc
Can't wait to eat tomorrow though

Kitchen closed on 553 for second day of b2b. How are other Tuesday fasters going

B2B ended at about 630 cals. Very tired, teeth cleaned and already in bed! I'm looking forward to being able to eat normally tomorrow - but I know that I won't really be hungry til lunchtime!

Well I've just weighed after my B2B fast. Down 5.25lb!!

Now I do realise most of this is water, my weight loss will slow right down very soon but even so - what a reward for my first 2 fasts!

The real test will be next Wed weigh in mind - after a week of TDEE and another 2 fasts.

Still really chuffed though 🙂

Well done devil!

I’m fasting today for the first time in weeks.

Thanks Maz

After RTFT before posting, I think you may be in Wales, am I right?

Well done devil fabulous work. So great to get that early boost

I'm now just one pound of target weight. Hopefully will get there this time next week.

I'm thinking I might push down beyond that to give me a bit of wiggle room as I try to maintain

I’m in Scotland devil.

Yesterday my planned FD was more like -1000, but it seems to have reset my appetite, so today I’m aiming for 500.

I’ve made bolognaise for dinner. I always think it helps you to stay focussed at work if dinner’s waiting for you at home.

Ah, fair enough Maz - similar Covid rules to us in Wales.

My NFD (with wine, dinner out for father's Day/ went well. And today has been pretty good so far too.

However I've just received the most awful news. My best friend from uni of nearly 30 years is on life support and there is no hope of recovery. They are going to let her go tomorrow. She has two young DC. I'm not really sure what the hell is happening but I've just poured a massive gin.

So sorry about your friend @devildeepbluesea, is it Covid? I recently lost a friend to Covid and everyday is a reminder how fragile and unpredictable life is.

Thanks @Witchone1

No it wasn't Covid. She had a total fluke accident resulting in a bleed on the brain. Utterly tragic. I'm now diving head first into a bottle of wine and I'll worry about 5:2 tomorrow.

So sorry devil.

Sending love @devildeepbluesea

Hello everyone,
First time poster here 👋
I've been reading through and there are so many positive stories.
I feel really despondant as I've done 3 x 500cal fast days this week and my weight hasn't budged. I'm taking mirtazipine, which I suspect may have something to do with it. Am trying to shift the belly weight.
Am 5 ft 8 and weight 9 st 4lb. I'm a healthy weight - I think - but have just the most horrible belly fat.
I exercise - running and yoga - and try to eat sensibly the rest of the time.
Any hellos or general advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all x

Stay strong @devildeepbluesea
This week has been really stressful and inspite of every intention of doing FD today, I have just a huge lunch. How do you guys manage FD on stressful days? I just want to curl up in bed with chips.