4-week fasting countdown to October

[Peae]

Starting on Friday 8th September, I'm going to do a four-week accountability thread. Four weeks will get us to Friday 6 October. After a plodding September, I would be very grateful for company along the way.

Requirements
Every Friday, 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 Fridays we can offer support and companionship. (Previous thread is at www.mumsnet.com/talk/fasting_diet/4860120-5-week-fasting-countdown-to-september?page=1).

A measurement 13st6
Fasting schedule 13 - 16 hour fasts
"Progress" 1lb on

After giving myself permission to do 12:12 I actually was managing fine and did a 13hr fast on Monday followed by longer ones up to 16 hours. My new job means that a 40 minute drive has been replaced by a 40 minute walk. And all week I've stayed the same - 13st5lb. So last night, fed up with all of my efforts for the last few weeks, and no weight loss, I had takeaway (hence the gain this morning).

I think I need to go to a much smaller window than 8 hours.

Hi @Peae and others.

I've fasted an average of 17 hours this week and have maintained the same weight (been there for about a month).

I'm finding it really hard to make changes to my diet beyond when I eat. I think my brain is stuck.

Except, now I come to think about it, I don't binge like I used to. That's happened slowly (maybe over a year). I still overeat sometimes but it's less extreme.

Maybe change is just going to happen very slowly.

@Peae just for fun, do you listen to anything while you're walking to work and back? I've been listening to Mick Herron's Slough House series and various comedy and drama on BBC Sounds.

Week 1 check in!!

thanks @Peae for thread!

fasting schedule - 18:6
starting weight 10-7
weight week 1(today); 10-6
activity: 10k steps minimum plus 5 small workouts a week
this thread goal; 10-3
eventual goal; 9-10

Hey @HarpQuartet I'm glad it's not just me :( I'd say I'm similar - less unhealthy eating habits, but just not seeing the movement on the scales.

I enjoy walking because I love listening to audio books and podcasts!

(FFS "fewer").

@Peae and a grammar fan too :-)

September Week 2 weigh in
Starting weight (1 August): 10st 3lb
Current weight: 9st 7lb
Lost this week: 2.4lb
Goal weight: 9st 3lb

Fasting: 14:10 / 15:9 ish. Not super strict but basic rules are a), late breakfast, b) no mid-morning snack, c) no eating after dinner, d) 1400 cals max.

tbh I think it’s the calorie counting that’s doing it, rather than any magic benefit of the fasting period. But having a smaller window to eat in sure makes it easier to stick to my calories.

I had a gain last week but that’s come off this week, not really sure why, bodies are random!

Week 1 weigh in
Starting weight (1 August): 11st 6lb
Starting weight for this thread: 10st 9.7lb
Week 1 weight: 10st 9.3lb

Goal weight: 9st 7lb

Fasting schedule: 16:8ish

I've found my appetite has really decreased and I'm quite into the swing of it now. Have got a bit of a plateau but still a small loss this week so I'll take it!

I also love a podcast/ audiobook. Currently enjoying the private eye podcast with Helen Lewis.

Hello

week 1 weigh in on Friday - 73.1kg
fasting schedule -16:8
aiming for less than 1500 cals a day.

I started fasting in august when my starting weight was about 75kg so I've lost about 2kg so far but it's been very up and down!

I did the 5:2 diet this time ten years ago and the weight just fell off which with the benefit of hindsight was probably not the best idea. I want this to be a permanent lifestyle change with proper healthy eating habits and I'm happy to slowly lose the weight.

end goal is 65kg

I had a complete sulk and tantrum around Friday. "Fell off the waggon". But today I've been back on it. 16:8 and, crucially, zero chocolate/cake/biscuits. Fingers crossed for some shift this Friday.

WEEK TWO CHECK-INS

Starting weight (1 August): 10st 3lb
Current weight: 9st 5.8lb
Lost this week: 1.2lb
Goal weight: 9st 3lb

Been away with work this week which made it tricky to stay on track, there was a day with lots of cake! So pleased to still have a loss.

Starting weight- 13st 6lbs
Current weight- 12st 2.6lbs
Target- 11st

Gain of 0.8lbs today but I haven't been strictly on plan this week with a chippy dinner one night and then some prosecco last night. Away this weekend so expecting another gain/maintain next week. Still pleased with the progress and happy that this is fitting into my life and my eating habits have definitely changed.

Plan- 17:7, usually having my last meal by 4pm/5pm and not eating until early lunch the next day. Occasionally 1 meal day.

Week 2 weigh in
Starting weight (1 August): 11st 6lb
Starting weight for this thread: 10st 9.7lb
Week 1 weight: 10st 9.3lb
Week 2 weight: 10st 9lb

Goal weight: 9st 7lb

Fasting schedule: 16:8ish

Only a tiny loss this week. I've stuck with the plan so I think it's a bit of a plateau. Will just keep sticking with it and hopefully things will start to shift again in the next few weeks.

Week 2 weigh in

starting weight in August 75kg
weight today 72.5kg

total loss so far of 2.5kg

goal is 65kg

I've mainly been doing 16:8 and trying to stick to 1500 cals although I have had days when I have gone over this. Equally, I've had a day here and there where I have only had one meal so it's balanced out.

I feel much better eating a tad less than I usually do although I'm still prone to binge eating so need to try and tackle that.

all in all, I'm pleased with the loss so far and will keep going in the hope that I can make this way of eating a permanent lifestyle change!

Well, after my tantrum on Saturday I have been re-motivated ever since. At least 16:8 fasts and the biggest news is zero sugar (biscuits, chocolate, cake etc.). This is a big deal for me to achieve this. It also means my diet is about 90% non-UPF.
The scales moved! Obviously, they went back up to 5lb for this morning’s weigh-in.

A measurement 13st5
Fasting schedule 15 - 17 hour fasts
Progress 1lb off and six days straight with no sugar.

Week 2 weigh in! Sorry I missed yesterday but was out thurs night and forgot yesterday - weighed in thurs

fasting schedule - 18:6
starting weight 10-7
weight week 1(); 10-6
Weight week 2 - 10-5
activity: 10k steps minimum plus 5 small workouts a week
this thread goal; 10-3
eventual goal; 9-10

Hi everyone (sorry late reporting) and good effort on the UPF and sugar, @Peae v impressed! I think I'm right in saying everyone is making progress.

I also have news that has made me happy: after about a month, the scales have moved, and in the right direction!

Starting weight: 81.9kg
Weight today: 81.1kg (-0.8kg)

Goal for this month: 79.9kg, admittedly looking unlikely with a week to go. I'm ok with slow and steady though, as long as I'm not feeling resentful or like I'm missing out - that's when I'm likely to give up.

Ultimate goal 68kg, but I'd be delighted with 74kg and ecstatic with 72kg.

Method: IF 16:8, often a longer fast.

Help, I'm so hungry. Eaten one meal today hoping for a loss tomorrow. Anyone else about for some solidarity??

Hi @violetcuriosity am I too late for a chat? Perhaps you had a cup of tea and went to bed, which would have been my strategy

I've brushed my teeth and come to bed 🙌🏻 really hoping for a loss in the morning. Thanks for checking in, see you first thing 😃

Nighty night x

Bah, I know it's weigh-in day but I've gone back up a bit and don't want to join in. I'm tuning in well to the relationship between mood, food and weight, so that's good though. I hope others will be celebrating.

WEEK 3 CHECK-INS!

Starting weight (1 August): 10st 3lb
Current weight: 9st 4.8lb
Lost this week: 1lb
Goal weight: 9st 3lb

Getting there… slowly but slowly!