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Fasting / 5:2 diet

Talk about intermittent fasting and 5:2, including what’s worked for others. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Original poster

16:8 I need to lose at least 5 stone

314 replies

Whichcatthatcat · 23/01/2022 10:09

Please help me. I've done this diet before, lost a stone or so but gradually put most of it back on.

I'm starting today and need company/ motivation etc.

Anyone want to join me?

OP posts:
SergeiL · 03/05/2022 18:37

Looking back, you do the same hours as I am attempting. I think I will find it easier on days working from home but I am panicking a bit about the 1 or 2 days I need to drive up the motorway. I worry I will get dizzy at the wheel. Have you found dizziness a problem at all?

Orangesandlemons77 · 03/05/2022 18:39

Lynnthesearesexnotgenderpeople · 24/04/2022 14:15

I really want to give this a go. I don't eat anything after dinner anyway so all it would be would be skipping breakfast for me and going straight to lunch. The problem is, psychologically I have to eat something for breakfast, even if its just a couple of mouthfuls - I have suffered driving anxiety in the past and if I skip breakfast I'm worried it will cause a stupid panic attack whilst driving to work. It's completely psychological and I know I can overcome it because I overcame the original anxiety, I've just got to do it. Once I'm at work I'm busy and don't think about it!

I hope it's ok to join...saw this and wanted to mention you could have breakfast and an early dinner tea instead? I am going to try having an eating window 9-5...

Lynnthesearesexnotgenderpeople · 03/05/2022 18:47

Orangesandlemons77 · 03/05/2022 18:39

I hope it's ok to join...saw this and wanted to mention you could have breakfast and an early dinner tea instead? I am going to try having an eating window 9-5...

Show quote history

Funnily enough, and also to follow up to @SergeiL as well, I have been doing this for about a week now and have been fine driving on the motorway! The first day I was a bit worried but was fine, and then after that I have been OK. And I have found that I have just wanted to eat less generally, and definitely not been hungry in the mornings at all.

It suits me great as well, because I am terrible in the mornings and always rushing, so having one less thing to do is really handy!

I kind of lowered what I was eating every morning so that I was down to one mouthful so that I knew I had had something. And then the first couple of days of not having anything, I brought a banana with me so that, in the absolute worst case scenario, I would be able to get off the road and have something to eat immediately. Of course I didn't need it, but it was like a security thing!

Plump82 · 03/05/2022 19:18

I've really fallen off the band wagon and it's really enforced that this is a life style and not just a way to get to my target weight.

SergeiL · 03/05/2022 19:51

Oh @Plump82 your story was inspiring me! Did you fall off the wagon after your birthday!

@Lynnthesearesexnotgenderpeople thanks - that is really reassuring! I think I will take a snack just in case.

@Orangesandlemons77 we can be newbies together!

i am feeling really good - just clicked on the Zero app to start my second fast so thanks to those who have recommended the app.

Original poster
Whichcatthatcat · 03/05/2022 20:06

I do reall find it's a habit.

I find fasting really easy on my 'early' week at work. I leave home at 630, just have a cup of tea before that, and I'm so busy that I don't get to eat till me break at 12 or 1 ish.

But on my 'late' week it's more difficult. I don't leave home till 9am, so the temptation to eat is there in the morning.
Then I don't get home to around 7pm and cooking and eating by 8pm seems like a huge chore.

OP posts:
SergeiL · 03/05/2022 20:13

I just find it really hard to be organised all the time. If we have done a good online shop, I can turn around a quick dinner but if we haven’t got stuff in, that’s when it all goes pear shaped.

The mum taxi-ing is a major challenge too after school and work but I need to stop making excuses!

Rodedooda · 03/05/2022 21:09

Whichcatthatcat · 03/05/2022 20:06

I do reall find it's a habit.

I find fasting really easy on my 'early' week at work. I leave home at 630, just have a cup of tea before that, and I'm so busy that I don't get to eat till me break at 12 or 1 ish.

But on my 'late' week it's more difficult. I don't leave home till 9am, so the temptation to eat is there in the morning.
Then I don't get home to around 7pm and cooking and eating by 8pm seems like a huge chore.

Have you considered ADF for your lates? I thought it all sounded a bit extreme when I was first reading it but I've done a couple days of modified ADF (1 x 500 cal meal) in a 36/40h period and felt absolutely fine. As long as you eat sufficiently well the next day, it should affect your metabolism- similar overall calories just longer fasting periods.

Progress is slow for me but still losing, too many social weekends 😆

Have a listen to the gin Stephen's IF stories podcasts if you're looking for inspiration.

Rodedooda · 03/05/2022 21:11

@Plump82 just start tomorrow with a 12h fast, the next day 15 and you'll be back on track by the weekend!

Plump82 · 03/05/2022 21:37

SergeiL · 03/05/2022 19:51

Oh @Plump82 your story was inspiring me! Did you fall off the wagon after your birthday!

@Lynnthesearesexnotgenderpeople thanks - that is really reassuring! I think I will take a snack just in case.

@Orangesandlemons77 we can be newbies together!

i am feeling really good - just clicked on the Zero app to start my second fast so thanks to those who have recommended the app.

I definitely have. The celebrations are well and truly over so I need to get back on it. I made a big pot of soup as I find that keeps me going.
It's not so much the fasting I'm struggling with but the eating rubbish!

Original poster
Whichcatthatcat · 03/05/2022 22:31

Rodedooda, I could look into that, but I do lates for a whole week (Monday to Friday) so it wouldn't be easy to keep that up. I'll do some reading and have a think.

OP posts:
mathanxiety · 03/05/2022 22:45

This sounds great.

Joining in.

SergeiL · 04/05/2022 09:15

I made it into the office without incident. Coming up to 14 hours. Tummy rumbling but I feel good.

SergeiL · 04/05/2022 09:18

I made it into the office without incident. Coming up to 14 hours. Tummy rumbling but I feel good.

Lynnthesearesexnotgenderpeople · 04/05/2022 17:23

SergeiL · 04/05/2022 09:15

I made it into the office without incident. Coming up to 14 hours. Tummy rumbling but I feel good.

Great, am glad you made it!

The last 2 days I haven't even been that hungry by lunchtime. I think I might actually be able to do this! (Haven't lost any weight yet though! 😆)

SergeiL · 04/05/2022 17:47

It’s weird isn’t it. My tummy was physically rumbling but I didn’t feel hungry. I did start to feel a bit obsessed by the thought of food when the app was getting close to 16! And I did eat bang on time. But even that was in my head really. I do feel this might be achievable for me.

Do you weigh daily?

Original poster
Whichcatthatcat · 04/05/2022 20:41

Well, jts 40 mins into my supposed fast time and I'm eating crisps and won't even get to think about making dinner till ds is in bed at 930.

Not great. My lunch break tomorrow is 12 till 1, so no chance of doing 16 hours.

OP posts:
SergeiL · 04/05/2022 20:51

Argh that’s frustrating. Is your Friday schedule any easier?

I am lucky as I mainly work from home and can eat lunch whenever. As today was an office day and then I had to taxi my youngest around, getting dinner cooked and done by 7.30 which was 8 hours after I started eating, was a major rush. But I just about did it, albeit I ate way too quickly!

SergeiL · 04/05/2022 20:52

I am just reading a book about fasting and they are saying a 12-14 hour fast is still good?

Original poster
Whichcatthatcat · 04/05/2022 20:59

I know I can do it if I'm organised, I just don't have the motivation right now.

Work is so busy, I'm finishing each day with more things to do than I started with. And stuff at home is difficult at the moment too, so I'm just not in the right headspace to do this.
But I will keep posting, or else I'll give up all together.

OP posts:
SergeiL · 04/05/2022 21:24

Sorry to hear that. I feel bad for being smug now. Although I am only on day 2 so I am sure it will all go wrong for me in due course like my usual grand plans!

Rodedooda · 06/05/2022 09:21

@Whichcatthatcat I completely get why not being able to be organised can really hinder fasting. You need to have good food ready and available. And if you've got so many other pressures then it falls to the bottom of the pile.

Keep posting when you can, I plan to still be here!

SergeiL · 06/05/2022 09:39

I wondered if people were still here. I have done well this week and dropped a few pounds (which I suspect is mainly water) but the weekend will be a real test for me. Even when I lost quite a lot of weight a few years back, I have never dieted at the weekend but I really don’t want to break my routine.

Original poster
Whichcatthatcat · 06/05/2022 20:39

Hi all,
I actually managed a 17.5 hour fast from last night to lunch time today.
And ds is with exdh on Sunday so I may get some batch cooking in then, although I may have to go into work to get ahead of next week, so let's wait and see.

How are.you all getting on? Plump, are you back on track?

OP posts:
SergeiL · 07/05/2022 08:32

Well done @Whichcatthatcat

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