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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

4-week fasting countdown to the New Year

235 replies

HarpQuartet · 03/12/2023 07:21

Welcome all, this a thread for Intermittent Fasters who want a weekly check-in on Fridays. Chat and insights between the check-ins are welcome too, share as little or as much as you like. I weigh myself in between, others don’t, some of us are in kg, some in stones, it’s all good.

Here is a roll call for those who may wish to continue with accountability, encouragement, sharing your wisdom, wins, or woes. All are very welcome plus of course anyone new who'd like to join us. Sincere apologies to anyone I’ve inadvertently missed out; and if your name’s here but you’re not planning to join this thread, then wishing you well.

@Fouramclub
@pottypotamus
@trainplane
@TheShellBeach
@Clearingaspace
@putthehamsterbackinitscage
@MegBusset (hope you are still on your happy plateau)
@iwantavuvezela
@Clearingaspace
@Blackeyeliner
@Thereyougo10
@bluejay5
@gettingolderbutcooler
@Scentorii
@BackSeatDriving (would you like to continue stiffening your resolve? Such a good phrase)
@Sonnet
@Catherhino
@loveyouradvice welcome to the December thread!

OP posts:
StealthOps · 29/12/2023 15:51

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at poster's request.

Peae · 29/12/2023 16:18

Well, my Zoe Nutrition results have come through and although I've just skimmed them, it's pretty interesting. I've decided to spend time reading through them this weekend, and start my four month plan on the 1st. I had a go at logging a breakfast at the hotel and it was very illuminating! Generally I would allow myself a rasher of bacon or a sausage or a hash brownie and think that just a taste couldn't do much harm and it's not everyday you have a hotel breakfast. Reader, I was wrong. I ended up with a plate of baked beans, mushrooms, grilled tomato and an egg. But it didn't feel like a chore. I didn't want a full English or Coco Pops or Nutella on toast (or all of the above) which is what I'd have had this time last year.

I just came on to say that I was doing the NY Times Spelling Bee game and tried the word "Peae" and took a second to realise why it was telling me it's not a word 😁

Brilliant!

Clearingaspace · 30/12/2023 08:40

I am so interested in Zoe @Peae enjoy reading your results this weekend. Seems like it will help you to make sustainable changes. Bacon always seems more tempting than the reality when you eat it!

Peae · 30/12/2023 08:59

I sometimes fry off a pack of bacon and eat that as a meal 😬.

Fouramclub · 30/12/2023 12:58

Hello all!

I haven't really weighed myself or kept track of my eating since the week before Christmas as I've been wrangling the kids, hosting and just being a bit lazy but I have enjoyed your updates and the supportive messages here!

at the start of the month I weighed 73.8kg

in the middle of the month, and after a heavy cold, I weighed 72.4kg

after the Christmas frenzy I weigh 73.6kg so overall a minor loss of 0.2kg which I'm happy with given how much I've eaten. I've tried to stick to fast hours over most of Christmas but the calorie intake has sky rocketed so a small loss is good, even if I weighed less in the middle of the month.

What I have noticed this year (and I think this is all due to having been doing 16:8 since August) is as follows:

  • I can't eat as much as I used to. Genuinely, I used to have 3 full meals a day as well as snacks and chocolates over the Christmas period. Constantly. Now I feel full after grazing.
  • I can't tolerate rich food covered in cream and butter. I smothered this years roast and trimmings in butter as per tradition and it didn't taste or feel good as it used to (guests enjoyed it though so it wasn't just my cooking 🤣)
  • I didn't enjoy my leftover sandwich and this made me feel sad as in my opinion it's the best thing about Christmas.
  • I'm craving lighter options like salads, sushi and soup.
  • I don't feel enthusiastic about takeaway or eating out anymore. I just feel like if the food isn't going to blow me away, it's not worth the calories (or the money blood he'll prices these days) and I'd be perfectly happy with something I can make at home.
  • I eat better when the kids are in school as i am constantly eating their leftovers
  • my mum's cooking is still amazing and I'm so glad I haven't gone off this 😁

despite going off food a bit I've still been eating like a glutton as I don't think I have an off switch when food is laid out at a table and I'm socialising.

Also, certain foods are kryptonite. For me it's this spreadable plastic cheese that isn't really cheese. I successfully ignore it in the supermarket so never have it in the house but I went to stay with my parents my dad buys truck loads of the stuff and I just went into a frenzy polishing off two tubs with about two packs of pitta bread 😬

i hope you all had a great Christmas and have an excellent new year! I don't make resolutions usually but I'm making an exception this year and giving up crisps. Let's see how long this lasts!

Peae · 30/12/2023 15:28

I enjoyed reading those reflections @Fouramclub :)

I have eaten very well today (practising with my Zoe app, which scores your food) and now wondering what to do about a "last" takeaway I was going to eat tonight. I weighed myself this morning and I have stayed the same, 13st 8lb. I have been to the gym this afternoon and really enjoyed it. I know I won't stay this motivated forever, but at the moment I can't remember the last time I felt so focused. I keep picturing myself in a montage from a transformation video this time next year 😆.

Will be starting the next thread soon as Harp has returned the baton to me and I have a beach holiday booked for February!

Original poster
HarpQuartet · 30/12/2023 17:25

Thanks @Peae

I want a Rocky montage! Mine will start with me unable to weave in and out of the busy streets of London and just missing a train as a result, then at the end of the montage I'm slithering through the crowds like a greased-up greyhound, making my train with ease and nary a drop of sweat.

@Fouramclub that's very sweet about loving your mum's cooking 😍

OP posts:
Clearingaspace · 30/12/2023 18:21

@Fouramclub sounds like a really lovely Christmas. Weirdly I was going to fast this eve instead of dinner but I was having an unheard of craving for chicken soup!

@Peae tbh just bacon isn’t that bad as a meal - at least urs low carb! It’s the pancakes, maple syrup and scrambled eggs that I would like with mine that’s my problem!

thanks for this thread and look forward to seeing you all on the next one!

Peae · 30/12/2023 19:59

Yay to being like greased-up greyhounds!

(I decided against takeaway, but did go out for an early drink. I was going to have lime and soda which is my usual tipple when I'm aiming to be good. Zoe gave that a terrible 0. So I had a small glass of red wine (65) and a handful of mixed nuts (which dragged it up to a 79!).

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