5:2 thread 96: Slinking into summer, one FD at a time!

[harriethoyle]

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!

@vivicrocodile

Hi all,

I am going to try 5:2 again.

I had amazing success with it about 7 years ago between my two pregnancies. I ate whatever I wanted on NFDs, literally anything, and a couple of stone just dropped off.

I tried it again a for a few months a couple of years ago and I really struggled. I didn't really lose anything. I didn't count on NFDs, I did count on NFDs, I lowered my calories on NFDs a bit too. Nothing seemed to help. The lack of progress often lead to fuck it days, which obviously didn't help!

This has continued in all attempts of losing weight. I just never seem to get anywhere, or if I do, it's so slow for the amount of effort I'm putting in. 2 or 3 pounds in a couple of months.

Anyway, I'm starting again tomorrow.

My TDEE is just over 2000 calories and I was considering lowering it, but I'm not going to. Im going to aim for 10000 total calories over the other 5 days, rather than 2000 each day. Does that sound ok?

Thanks :)

Hi and welcome! I think that sounds fine.

I'm similar to you. I can't seem to get into a rhythm since having my second but I've accepted that fasting some of the time opposed to not at all is better.

Today was a fuck it day my dc have Covid and these past 10 days I've been in survival mode. Eating junk and late into the night, overeating and snacking mindlessly etc.

Isolation ends tomorrow so I must focus now.

Welcome back @vivicrocodile! Yesterday was definitely a ‘fuck it’ day for me. Came in at 2500 and my TDEE is 1800. I’ll have to claw it back from somewhere else.

I had amazing success six years ago. Even after having another baby I managed to keep it off. But here I am back to the start again. I definitely think age is a factor. It used to be that after a couple of FD my weight dropped easily, but now it’s so slow to come off.

I did a challenge back in April where we had to do 14,000 steps and a 20 min workout everyday which helped move the scales. I definitely need to be more active in my day to day life to get my metabolism up.

Posting here for accountability so that today doesn’t turn out to be another ‘fuck it!’ day!

Hello 👋 @vivicrocodile

I have had my first little SV today. I reached the first weight marker that seems significant. I have some in KG and some in lb's so that there are more of them  - my apps show both.
Still lots to go, but worth celebrating! But just not with cake.

Welcome back @vivicrocodile I’m another returner too!

Yesterday was a good NFD and today I have planned out my FD already. Bookclub tonight and decided to make today a FD so I won’t be tempted by wine. Also meeting a friend with a new baby for coffee this morning and again FD means I can’t have croissants. We go on holiday to Hawaii in just under 3 weeks so using that as motivation to shift a bit of the tummy weight!

Hello all ( again) I am another returner! Went on holiday and did not get back into it - not sure why really since it was working and I was doing ok. So on a fast day today and reading the thread for inspiration and motivation. Am going to attempt a dry November as well so full on health drive! Hello to all and thanks for this thread and all the support.

Welcome returners one and all! I'm doing a mini today, currently on c.550 with a hummus and breadstick snack calling my name did my third day of Jillian Michaels this morning. She is BRUTAL! But feels good to be getting some exercise miles in...

Bloody hell @ harriet! She is brutal!, i now only phone it in at the gym,

I’m 12 days booze free. Tbh I’m not feeling the benefit and the scales aren’t moving any faster for it! Not convinced I’d last the whole of November @Humphriescushion!

Today has turned out to be an unexpected FD. I’ve had 500 cals worth of Kraft’s Cheesy Pasta Can’t think of anything more inappropriate on a FD, other than 500 cals worth of wine!

@Humphriescushion pain is just fear leaving the body! Sweat is your fat crying!! Hahaha. I love her although she's deranged... The app is brilliant, I have to say. Bite size (brutal) work outs are really suiting my work life regime at the moment. Both dogs joined in this morning which wasn't terribly helpful but was very sweet

@MazzleDazzle I've been 5:2 off the booze for over a year now, having been a most days drinker, and I have to say I feel so much better for it. My skin is better, my sleep is marginally less awful and it's much easier to lose weight. So stick with it a while longer...

I went booze free for 3 months at the start of the year and it was in that final
Month that I really noticed a difference in my energy and better sleep and skin

That’s a great achievement Kobani. I can’t imagine ever going three months without a drink!

I’m a most days drinker too harriet. I remember 10 years ago someone telling me they had a glass or two of wine every night and being completely shocked! Now I’d be impressed they could stop at a glass or two.

I blame child number 3. I was a moderate drinker until then!

Did you cut down first harriet or go cold turkey?

Don’t worry @MazzleDazzle I’m def a glass of wine most nights drinker again!

Kitchen closed on 520

Fell into a bowl of hummus - 620!

@MazzleDazzle I cut down from 2 days off to 5 days off without an in between. Once I'd decided it needed to change I just had to get on with it. For the first few weeks I was clucking like a chicken by Wednesday in anticipation of Friday but it slowly got better and now I rarely think of a mid week drink. Some sundays I'm more relaxed but mon-thurs are strict. I find having good soft drinks in is half the battle...

Jillian workout 4 this morning. I AM SO SWEATY.

Bloody love hummus @KobaniDaughters. I had some last night with sesame breadsticks

I'm off the booze until 25 November but honestly it's hard!!
I was drinking most nights I wasn't fasting and I'm not sure it was good for me.
I'm on the dreaded Friday fast if anyone is with me

Kudos for the Friday fast @absolutelyknackeredcow! I find them impossible

Thank you @harriethoyle
It's better now I am doing my sober November !

@harriethoyle food of the gods.

Ah ok - no thanks!

Been doing ok on fast day and glad to be back doing it. Ashamed to say i cracked and had a drink when i was supposed to be doing dry november but going to put it behind me and carry on.

Fasting tomorrow , hope everyone doing ok?

I'm joining you @Humphriescushion

Oh my goodness, WORST night's sleep for a long time. Not over til near midnight then awake 3-5.30 before 6.30 alarm Not at all the start to the week or the fast day I wanted or needed...

Also very bad nights sleep @harriethoyle. I abandoned my fast day and likely going for Tues and Friday this week

Sorry to hear about the rubbish sleep harriet and absolutey - is hard to fast and be exhausted already. Good idea to change days and is one of the ideas i love this way of losing weight.
Not enjoying fast today but am going to stick with it because have things on later in the week so wont suit. Have a bit interview tomorrow and dont want to fast on that day. Should be preparing but am procrastinating badly!