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!

I'm starting a b2b today too as DH is at Christmas events tonight and tomorrow which makes FD's easier.
Had some soup for lunch and have eggs pencilled in for tea. Not wildly exciting, but tasty.

I had a weekend of indulgence so I'm a bit unwilling to hop on the scales

Two cups of tea and a miso

Feeling ok as work has been so busy that it has been manageable

Kitchen closed on590

How are my Monday fasters getting on ?

Well done absolutelyknackered!

Today was an easy one. Hip, hip, hooray!

As I was walking round the supermarket today though part of me thought ‘Fuck it, just eat all the cheese!’ and I did pile plenty of treats in the trolley, but I haven’t opened any of them. My lips are sealed!

Aiming for a b2b tomorrow, but we’ll see. Usually I try to get in as many FDs in the run up to Christmas as possible, but this year DH is away with work. He’s leaving next week and I won’t see him until mid-January. Doesn’t seem worth it fasting when he’s here and eating on my own when he’s gone!

Well done @absolutelyknackeredcow and nice to have you joining us @Solderingon!

Kitchen closed at 528 yesterday, was surprisingly easy, mainly because work is really so i didn't have time to think about food. Also didn't get a chance to go out for a run, will try and find the time for that today.

*work is really busy

Morning gang! First day of my b2b today. Pondering doing a third on Thursday or Friday just as pre-Christmas insurance planning fail means I have no thins in though so I'll just have to buy a low calorie sandwich or soup today and limit tea time cals 🤞

@harriethoyle are you considering doing three days in a row this week? I think I will do a third day on Thursday this and perhaps next week as well and then take a break over Xmas. Will start again in the new year to shed off some of the extra calories I will no doubt be consuming. Might throw in a dry January as well for good measure.

@EatYourFive I did it a few weeks ago and it wasn't horrendous... equally i'm travelling to my husband's on Friday so a good day to fast because airport food is so awful and expensive I usually just take a packed tea! I think I'll see how I'm feeling Thursday and take it from there.

Hello all
Waiting for my tea - should land at about 650 which is not bad for day 2 of b2b.
I'm going to fast next week and then possibly do a back to back the following week but from the 23rd I'm off so will be very feasty

Kitchen closing here on 679 (because of my poor lunch planning!) but will claw some cals back tomorrow. Thins purchased for my packed lunches for the rest of the week..!

Well done @absolutelyknackeredcow!

Well done @harriethoyle
I'm hoping for a bit of a loss tomorrow and hoping to get into a strong position ahead of Xmas

Same @absolutelyknackeredcow - I'm working until 21st December so I'm going to keep normal fasting regime going until then, then take 21st - 4th Jan off before resuming that first week back. Might try and work in some intermittent fasting days to limit of the damage!

Kitchen closing at just under 500. We'll done everyone!
I'm going to be off work for 2.5 weeks over the Christmas period and not expecting to manage much fasting during that time. Going to do another FD on Thursday and hopefully another 3 days next week.
Fasting has been surprisingly easy this week but didn't manage my lunch time exercise because it's been raining and miserable. Going to try and fit in a small run tomorrow before work.

@EatYourFive well done! I find outside exercise REALLY challenging this time of year. I'm inside workouts all the way. Definitely a fair weather runner!

Please can I join too? I have had success in the past with 5:2, and with 16:8 and lower carbs.
However, recently my eating habits have become shocking -I ate a WHOLE chocolate orange yesterday- no sharing!
I was going to wait until after Christmas, but am not feeling good about my body full of sugar and my bloating tummy.
Time to get a grip!
Today I am motivated- can I resist my sugar cravings??

Morning @Buntyforgirls welcome aboard! I'm fasting today if you need a virtual buddy. I have to say I do not judge you at all for eating a whole chocolate orange. They're bloody delicious!

@Buntyforgirls welcome! Just wanted to say eating a whole chocolate orange is no big deal if you are a chocoholic like me! I'm terrible with chocolate, if I have any I just have to have it all. Trying to abstain completely now until Christmas and not buying any as I know if I have it in the house I can't resist it! Have you tried dark chocolate? Some people say it helps with the cravings but isn't as addictive.

Thank you for the welcome!
Made sensible and healthy choices so far- about 150 calories- but starting to feel the hunger...

@EatYourFive I can also eat a lot of dark chocolate...! Like you, I just don't have it in the house! Currently on c.180 cals and bleddy starving... home by 5.45 or so and tea is going STRAIGHT in the oven!

Kitchen closing on 559 calories, which I'm delighted with. @Buntyforgirls how was your first day?

@harriethoyle I am the same when it comes to dark chocolate, doesn't slow me down one bit! I just can't have any in the house at all. I have to say my choc/sugar cravings have improved a lot in the last 3-4 weeks that I have been fasting again. Still doesn't mean I can have any chocolate in the house though!

Well done you today, good work! I think I have will do a FD3 for this week tomorrow to prepare for Christmas!

Well done the Wednesday fasters
Slight drop from me this am - not as much as I hoped.
My focus is maintaining until after Xmas. I'm at target weight so I can't really moan