5-week fasting countdown to September

[Peae]

Starting on Monday 31 July I'm going to do a five-week accountability thread. Five weeks will get us to Monday 4 September and the start of term. I would be very grateful for company along the way.

Requirements
Every Monday, check-in with:
A measurement from the scales or tape measure.
Your fasting schedule e.g. 16:8 or 5:2 or OMAD.
Progress to date during the challenge, e.g. 1.5lb lost or number of plant-based foods eaten etc.

In between Mondays we can offer support and companionship. Even if I'm the only committing, I'd appreciate some encouragement if you happen to click on the thread.

(This is inspired by the successful thread by @waistchallenge, www.mumsnet.com/talk/weight_loss_chat/4835460-5-week-intermittent-fasting-challenge?page=1).

Didn't realise we couldn't edit posts,

Waist 40"
Hips 47.5"

I'd like to join too. Will post my stats soon x

Welcome new posters.

@tryagaina do you mind sharing a bit about why it didn’t work for you last time and what you’re going to do differently this time? Might help the rest of us!

I cracked this morning and ended my fast early after only 14 hours. I think fasting is easier if I stick to smaller eating windows (yesterday was almost 8).

I’ve lost 5lbs since last Wednesday. I’m doing a longer fast today as I’m out for tea tonight so thought I’d give it a go! Weird if I stop doing anything I start thinking of food whereas when I’m busy I forget I haven’t eaten for 20 hours! Just downloaded an app called Zero to track my fasts!

Anyone have any wins today?

My win is I hit 20k steps - took advantage of the first evening after work when it wasn’t pouring down.

That's great @Peae

I had a win and a loss: in Asda I didn't put a bar of chocolate in the trolley; but at home I did continue to eat even though I was full.

I was remembering something another poster said about being in control of yourself, and it worked for putting the chocolate (which was in my hand) back on the shelf, but not for the meal I'd already started eating.

So I'm filing that in the "there's some information" file, i.e. noticing rather than judging.

Great going @Peae I haven't been too well this week and struggled to even hit my usual 10K a day. However I have stuck to my 16:8 quite easily! Which has been a pleasant surprise. Nervous about the scales on Monday already but whatever they say I am carrying on with this.

As an aside I can already, 5 days in, see skin benefits to drinking more water. I have done low carb in the past and know drinking water makes me look better - however, I need to stick to it!

Weekend ahead. I am hoping that the Monday check-in will help me to stay committed to my plan!

I've been on a nice long walk today, and stuck to my fasting schedule every day so far, feeling quite positive for the weekend too.

So now I'm finding my difficult point.

I work Friday/Saturday evenings in a local bar most weeks. So instead of bed @9/930 it's midnight/1am and then my pup is about 5-6am...that's A LOT OF HOURS AWAKE!!

Ugh. I feel hungry. A tea and 2 pints of water and I miss my lovely weekend breakfast now 😣

4 hours of fasting left and my first struggle day!

I would like to join please!

weighed in on Monday at 75kg and started 16:8 last Thursday so I have been doing it for over a week. I weighed myself this morning and we 74.7kg so I haven't lost much but I'll weigh in again on Monday. My goal is to get to 73kg by September and ultimately 65kg.

so far 16:8 has been ok. It was hard the first few days but I think I'm getting used to it. I have been cheating by having a dash of oat milk in my tea and coffee though and last night I had a protein shake (home made with a scoop of soya powder banana and honey and water) after dinner when I wasn't hungry so maybe I need to cut those out.

I do feel a bit more burpy and I'm not sure if this something that is common with fasting?

@Nugg can you go back to sleep??

Not once I'm up sadly. I could nap in the afternoon easily but don't always have opportunity to. In the week it's easier as I do the morning routine stuff, take the dog out then at my desk and it just flows, I've not given it a thought.

But I still managed today...my fast actually ended at 1130 which felt easier somehow 🤣 maybe that's the way to go at a weekend, when working from 7, start my fast at 7pm and end 11am if I feel the need, carry on if not. Will try it tonight/tomorrow!

I find I get an urge to eat on an evening, partly out of hunger but also emotionally (to relieve boredom, tiredness and/or worry). I’ve started just getting up and going for a walk. Not sure how that’ll work once the nights draw in, but it seems an acceptable strategy for now.

I was going to eat 10-6 today but was stuffed after a hearty breakfast so started my defeat at 12. Waivering now when I know I still have time to eat tea.

Hi all, might join you if that’s ok?

It’s my first time fasting and I’m giving 14:10 a go. Any longer period of fasting will be very challenging to fit around work and family meals etc.

I’m 10st 3lb and would love to lose a stone but if I could do half a stone in five weeks that would be a great start.

I’m aiming for 10am - 8pm as my eating window. I don’t think the mornings will be a problem but always have a chocolate bar with a cup of tea before bedtime (don’t drink so that’s my daily treat) - think I’ll miss that!

Can you not start to eat later? Then have your chocolate bar. I know strict IF people reduce as much sugar as possible but I know lots of people in real life that still eat what they like alongside fasting be it works.

I've eaten out three times this week with various friends. Normally that would ruin any diet pland but it all fitted into my non-fasting windows. Didn't opt for the healthiest things on the menu but this is a long term commitment.

Really craving toast this morning though. Bread makes me bloated and lethargic so why does it have to taste so good?

I find it much easier to keep the fast up in the mornings when I'm in the office. I've spent months struggling with breakfasts and lunches as nothing was appealing to me so I was either eating any old thing or holding out then eating crap as I'd gone too long without eating.

So I'm kind of doing IF. I've been trying to get out for a walk most days and I've returned to the gym three times a week doing weights. I've lost 2kg in a week, but I've a way to go as I'd like to lose two stone more.

Hey all! Hope it's ok if I join late?

I'm 3 months pp and started 5:2 on Tuesday past, weight was 16st3 and I had fast days limiting myself to 500cals on Tuesday and Friday so hopefully will have lost something come tomorrow's weigh in. My long term aim is to get into the healthy BMI range for ttc again (12st10) so quite a way to go yet.

Hopefully this will help me stick to it and stay away from the crisps!

END OF WEEK 1 CHECK-INS

A measurement Xst 5lb
Fasting schedule 16:8 as leeway but on 3 days I did at least 20:4 (one day I did 14:10).
Progress 0lb

It was so tempting to lie about this morning's lack of movement on the scales, because on Friday I was actually 2lb down. But, I really want to be honest with myself about weekends. I think this check-in demonstrates to me that I want to be consistent across the whole week.
This week I will not be buying packets of biscuits and takeaways, just for the week, to see what difference it makes.

END OF WEEK 1 CHECK-IN

83.0kg
-0.6kg from first weigh-in
IF 16:8 usually, with one day off this week for a hen do and two days when I fasted longer.

If it's any consolation, @Peae , I weighed less yesterday too but am taking my cue from your honesty. Onwards and upwards, for which read "downwards". I think your biscuits and takeaways challenge sounds like a good experiment.

End of week one check in

74.1kg
-0.9kg from last week

method is 16:8

@Peae my weight has been really up and down this week and I tend to weight myself after my morning loo trip which usually knocks 0.2kg off lol

@Peae I had a sneaky weigh on Saturday and the opposite was true of me, I hadn't lost an ounce?!

END OF WEEK 1 CHECK IN

A measurement 14st 10lb
Fasting schedule 16:8 but a couple of days were 18:6 as not hungry
Progress -4lb

I'm over the moon. Haven't restricted food as in I've eaten what I fancied. I don't tend to eat unhealthily but on day one I broke my fast with leftover Chinese takeaway 🤷🏼‍♀️ and I've had birthday cake and a yum yum or two 😂

I also drank a bottle of wine over two nights with my ds.

This can absolutely be a lifelong WOE for me, I realise I won't always lose or lose anything like this much but it's definitely making me think about what and when I eat and drink. My skin is clearer, brighter and less lined, I am sleeping better - 7 hours solid last night, I usually get 5 broken hours - and I feel more motivated than on any other weight loss regime I've ever followed!

Week 1
Starting weight: 10st 3lb
Current weight: 10st 1.4lb
Lost this week: 1.4lb
Total lost: 1.4lb

Fasting: 14:10 / 15:9 ish