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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.

4-week fasting countdown to November

85 replies

Peae · 08/10/2023 20:50

Newbies or returners - please join us! We're here for accountability and encouragement.

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.

Week 1 Friday 13th November
Week 2 Friday 20th November
Week 3 Friday 27th November
Week 4 Friday 3rd November

Previous thread https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/fasting_diet/4889031-4-week-fasting-countdown-to-october?

Page 3 | 4-week fasting countdown to October | Mumsnet

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 Sept...

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/fasting_diet/4889031-4-week-fasting-countdown-to-october?page=3&reply=129727532

OP posts:
Peae · 08/10/2023 20:51

My goals until Friday are to be consistent with my 0 sugar. I really do feel better without it and I think total abstinence is the only thing that works for me. I also need to accept that a 16:8 approach is not leading to weightloss, so I'm going to add in some longer fasts.

OP posts:
Loubelle70 · 08/10/2023 20:53

Im in. Xxx

Fouramclub · 08/10/2023 21:04

Thanks for setting this up! I'm in!

LucyWardrobe · 08/10/2023 21:08

I'm in! Thanks for the new thread Smile

HarpQuartet · 08/10/2023 21:17

Present! Thank you @Peae , onwards and upwards.

Thereyougo10 · 08/10/2023 21:27

Am in.

MegBusset · 08/10/2023 23:07

I’m in! Thanks @Peae. My goal for this month is to get to under 9st and then find a way to maintain there.

HarpQuartet · 11/10/2023 08:43

Just a little "note to self". I've been doing updates in my head to spare you the tedium of it, but here's a summary:

Monday and Tuesday, listened to a meditation about having a good relationship with food; will probably listen to something like this every day for a while. Basically I use food as treats instead of nourishment, but since I genuinely enjoy healthy food, and like cooking, it's a puzzle why I would turn to UPF instead so often. Well actually of course it's not a puzzle - lots of strong reasons why - more like an association I am questioning.

Both days broke my fast with sliced apple and peanut butter instead of toast and peanut butter. This is a good swap for me. Soup, bread, cheese, yoghurt for lunch. Stir fry for one dinner, curry for the other. Portion sizes just right.

Even better if I'd been having lunch at home instead of at work on Monday: I was feeling quite full and would have left some food at home, but at work it was easier to finish it rather than have it commented on (perfectly innocently - my colleagues are lovely).

I wonder how many people with food problems would be helped in their progress if we just had someone to talk to about it, fifteen minutes a day. Paying attention in a spirit of kindness is helping me. I know I'm only two/three days in, and typically I run out of steam and slip back into old habits on about day four or five, but if I feel that happening I'll do another long-winded post about it here 😁

Absolutely no need to reply, or even read. This can be an occasional therapy space. But if anyone else would benefit from getting their thoughts out, I'll be here to "listen".

coffeecupslinedup · 11/10/2023 15:04

Hi all! I'm in too- total Newbie. Small intro:

I'm a 35 year old mum of two. I work in academia (teaching), just about to start back at work after my second DC. I have an old terrier (Lucy) and a very supportive husband.

I've been overweight or binge eating most of my life. I hate the way it makes me feel and I've been trying to fix the way I feel about food for the last 5 years and I've made a lot of progress. I now feel like I don't let being big 'ruin my life' but it does make me feel a bit crap. I like running but it's been harder to get back into after DC2, but I've got a PT working out twice a week with them to get stronger and heal my core. I allow treats to myself because I was never allowed/shamed fro wanting them as a child tbh, and I use sweets as a crutch, a little dopamine hit to get through the day.

I don't want to cut sugar out completely. I want to allow myself to have things but not to just eat sugar all day. I want to be a good role model for my kids.

So far I've been doing 16:8 and it's hard but I like it. I'm also not eating much sugar until after dinner, where I allow myself treats. It's important for me to have freedom to eat as many as I want, but I find when I fast I don't tend to binge? anyone found this?

I'm actually just currently overweight (I'm only 5ft2!).

Current weight 67 kg.
Goal weight: around 61 kg.
Would absolutely love to wear a pretty dress for Christmas!
Hope this hasn't been too boring, looking forward to seeing everyone's updates.

coffeecupslinedup · 12/10/2023 09:16

@HarpQuartet I loved your post and really relate. That self compassion or 'spirit of kindness' and paying attention to why it is that you have to eat sugar is sooo important. I do think the dopamine rush is important for me, as well as an element of 'self care' after a day where I'm serving others, to treat myself seems like that act of kindness. But then I wake up bloated at miserable an dit doesn't feel like a treat at all. Anyways DM me if you want a food relationship buddy. No pressure though!

iwantavuvezela · 12/10/2023 09:20

I would love to join - I am thinking of doing OMAD for 2 days a week (will not eat until around 6.00/7pm and then just have the meal - although I do have tea and coffee during the day and water) and then for 4 days eating healthily (30 plants a day, low carb, low sugar) and have one free day a week.

I have given up alcohol for the last 6 weeks, am exercising quite regularly but have found the the weight has not shifted, but since doing OMAD for the last week finally seen a small shift downwards .... so would love to join the group

Peae · 12/10/2023 20:19

Welcome newbies, and thank you to people sharing their stories and experiences. I do not hold much hope for my scales tomorrow morning, but I have done well with sugar and UPF.

OP posts:
Peae · 12/10/2023 20:20

WEEK ONE CHECK-INS FRIDAY 13 OCTOBER!

OP posts:
MegBusset · 13/10/2023 07:35

Starting weight (1 August): 10st 3lb
Current weight: 9st 1.8lb
Lost this week: 1.2lb
Goal weight: 9st

Loubelle70 · 13/10/2023 07:42

Starting weight 9st.7 (oct 6th)
Loss this week 1lb
Target weight 8st 4lb

HarpQuartet · 13/10/2023 14:41

@coffeecupslinedup that's a lovely offer to buddy up and I'll say YES PLEASE! I have a few days in a row with a lot on but I will DM you when I get a little chunk of time :-) thank you

HarpQuartet · 13/10/2023 14:44

Hello @Peae and fellow IF-ers.

This morning I weighed in at 82.5kg. I'm typically fasting 17 hours and eating less in the way of sugar and processed food than usual, although just now I've had a good handful of mini Celebrations chocs – one of those curious things where I enjoyed the first two or three, then kept going for a bit for reasons I am exploring!

violetcuriosity · 13/10/2023 14:49

Starting weight- 13st 1lbs
Today's weight- 12st 0.2lbs
Target- 11st

Gain of 0.6lbs today but I did go away last weekend. Onwards and upwards!

Peae · 13/10/2023 16:25

hello @HarpQuartet and all!

I’ve put a pound on 🙄.

OP posts:
Fouramclub · 13/10/2023 19:37

Starting weight in August - 75kg

weight today -72.3kg

Goal - 67kg

short term goal - 71kg by November!

@HarpQuartet your post really resonates. I enjoy healthy food and when I go through a period of not having UPF I find I don't enjoy it and doesn't actually taste good but I still turn to it for ease/comfort etc. it doesn't help that shops are just full of UPF so it's the first thing I want to grab after a busy day.

the one UPF I can't do without is a Coke Zero. I know I shouldn't but it helps keep me full throughout the day and gives me a boost throughout the day. I know I need to give it up (not for weight loss, just for cutting out UPF) but I just can't seem to let it go!!

Peae · 14/10/2023 20:11

I'm struggling folks. I have been losing and gaining the same three pounds for months now. I know I need to stay clear of sugar and 'beige carbs', manage it for a few days and then crash out. I also worry about how much coke I drink, but can't imagine life without it.

I've dealt with a lot of lifestyle factors - changed from a terrible work situation to a much, much better one and let go of an unhelpful relationship (not DP, he's great). But I'm still relying on food emotionally.

I know the science, I've read all of the books, I've focused on health etc. etc. but I think I'm ready to give in and just be fat and unhealthy :( I don't think I'll ever regain my pre-perimenopausal body.

OP posts:
MegBusset · 14/10/2023 21:28

@Peae 💐

Sorry things have been tough. There’s no shame in realising that you’re not in the right head space at the moment for this journey. It sounds like you’ve made some really positive changes in your life and that’s a great thing x

Peae · 14/10/2023 21:36

I can't give up. I'm literally eating myself to an early death from diabetes or dementia.

I have just done a meal plan (getting in from work hungry and tired is something I can address). And like I said a few days ago, 16 hour fast is not enough. So hopefully, the combination of a longer fast and some planned whole food meals I'll enjoy will help.
Perhaps I could just aim for achieving this for three days a week initially?

OP posts:
HarpQuartet · 14/10/2023 21:38

Aaah @Peae I really hear you!!! Let's never give up on ourselves. Yes yes yes to three days, infinitely better than zero days.

HarpQuartet · 14/10/2023 22:01

@Peae would you consider doing couch to 5k with me? Absolutely no pressure - might not appeal at all - but if you do it then I'll do it with you