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

That's so true @KeepQuietAndCarryOn..my wt is so much dependent on NFDs ..this week the scale didnt move much. Though I expect some stagnant weeks, I am gutted it's happening just before holiday 😂

Logging in for a post euros b2bs.
No gain this am after an indulgent weekend which is good but now have the youngest home from school isolating so this week is not going to be fun

Good morning. Back after 2 weeks of lack of focus. My lovely friend still hasn't been sent on her way, inquest to take place before long.

But, for the next couple of weeks I am back on it. B2B today and tomorrow. Started the morning with Bodypump and a brisk walk. Later I'll walk again and maybe have a little bike ride.

Good luck to all Monday fasters.

Sorry to hear that @devildeepbluesea
I have one child isolating so exercise is going to be pretty limited but hoping the b2b will help with weight loss

Fast day today, I feel it’s going to be a tough one. Going on holiday next week and now kicking myself for not starting sooner as the horrors of the wetsuit are dawning on me. Hopefully it’ll focus my mind this week!

Fast day went well today. Finished up on 508 cals, over 15k steps, body pump and 2 dog walks.

Planning my second FD tomorrow but having learned from my first couple of weeks, I'm going to have breakfast (which is unusual for me) - 0% Greek yoghurt.

Finally my friend's funeral is planned for next Wed.

Kitchen closed on 479 on day 1 of b2b
How have others done?

Closing on 528 here… actually about to eat but not particularly hungry, if I didn’t have it cooking already I think I should’ve tried without. Trying ricotta and tuna in sweet potato jacket and salad… hopefully it won’t set off any hunger.
Next one is Wednesday and then Sunday as I can’t manage any till the following Sunday

Starting day 2 of b2b - small slice of dried toast and cup of tea to start
Who is with me today

Feel complete lack of motivation this week. Was suppose to be on day 1 of b2b but had my breakfast 😔...may be a mini today instead. 🤞

2nd day of B2B going well, haven't had my Greek yoghurt as I didn't feel I needed it.

Done a long walk and a Group Fight session this morning, then I've been busy since then. Just about to do school run, then take DD to drama club / walk the dog again - keeping busy is the secret!!

Treated myself to an M&S Count on Us ready meal for tonight, because I can't be bothered to think of something exciting to cook under 500cals.

Hi everyone. Can I join? I'm only on my second fast so no idea of long term benefits etc, but I'm optimistic. I see that it's not always under 500 calories that people achieve which is a relief. I did 516 my first time and today, based on what I'm expecting to still eat, I think it's going to be about the same. Should I be trying harder to get down to below 500?

Hi everyone! Late check in at 637 for today's b2b. Day 2 tomorrow and a mini on Thursday. Got an extremely robust hen party at the weekend (am a bit frightened!) so if I maintain next Monday I'll be DELIGHTED

Welcome @TiredButDancing! I take 500 as a guideline tbh... a few calories over isn't going to make or break this WOL!

627 for my second day of b2b
Well done the fasters
Do we need a new Thead?

510 for day 2 B2B

Welcome @TiredButDancing! 516 is fine. I'm a member of a couple of 5:2 groups, on which lots of folk say that 800 cals on FDs isn't going to make a huge amount of difference to weight loss.

Personally I stick to 500 - sometimes up to 650cals if I do back to back FDs.

Thanks all. There's no way I'll be doing b2b I think - the only way I survive one day is knowing that it's just ONE day! It's why I think this might work for me (although there are some hormonal issues that might make things trickier) - I can survive one day at a time with a break in the middle!

1.25lb down after my B2B. Considering I had over 2 weeks of overeating and drinking since the last time I weighed I'm happy with that.

I never used to do B2B, Tired. But since restarting I actually find it easier to get them out of the way on Mon/Tue. I'm never busy on those days anyway, so I'm almost never likely to need to move them around. Plus, I could them add in another FD later in the week if I feel the need.

Yes I agree @devildeepbluesea - I always try and get them done in the first half of the week to give myself some wriggle room. Also @TiredButDancing you get 1300 across both days if you b2b which can seem a surprising amount!

Day 2 for me today... woken up starving so I've had a piece of toast. All being well should end on 712 and am going to a new running club tonight so I'll take that if I reach it...

Actually, i can see how 650 would seem like a lot more. I've been a bit surprised how 500 calories is low but not as crazily low and difficult as I'd expected. So an extra 150 to add a bit more protein with dinner and perhaps an additional snack in the afternoon would make a big difference.

NEW THREAD!

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/fasting_diet/4296298-5-2-thread-96-Slinking-into-summer-one-FD-at-a-time?watched=1

I hope I've done it right...