5:2 thread 103: life is short. Fasting makes it feel longer 🤣

[harriethoyle]

Welcome to the continuing thread for those following 5:2 or other forms of IF (Intermittent Fasting) such as 4:3, ADF, etc.

Basically it is 2 very low cal days ("fasts") per week - which need not be consecutive - and eat "normally" to maintain on the other 5 days.
For those who have dieted or maybe overeaten for years, eating "normally"
means roughly the number of calories your body needs to maintain - NOT reduce - its weight (see TDEE calculator below).

IMPORTANT
If you have had past diagnosed Eating Disorders or serious MH problems you should NOT do 5:2 or any other kind of fasting.

JARGON alert
16:8 is a different type of fasting, which can be combined with 5:2.

Daily zero-cal fast for 16 hours and eat within an 8 hour window. To lose weight, this needs a weekly calorie deficit as well

b2b (optional) back-to-back / consecutive fast days, each with an increased allowance of 650 calories instead of 500

BMI (Body Mass Index) healthy range is 18.5 - 24.9 for Caucasians. Upper limit may be 22 for some of Asian origin.

FD = single Fast Day: aim for 500 calories (600 for men or 25% TDEE whichever is higher) or 1000 cals for BF

No alcohol or junk on FDs

Even if you exercise strenuously, do NOT increase FD cals to allow for exercise

MFP = My Fitness Pal, a useful App or website to track food & drink calories

miniFD = MiniFD, tel:850-1000 850-1000 calories, no alcohol or junk

NFD = Non-Fast Day, averages around TDEE

NSV / LSV = Non Scale Victory / LifeStyle (change) Victory, e.g. compliment, smaller waist, clothes size

SV = Scale Victory

TDEE = Total Daily Energy Expenditure, the average number of calories you burn in a day, is calculated from your current weight, height, age, activity level.

Aim to average about this for NFDs.

WOE / WOL = Way Of Eating / Way Of Life. We say this instead of "diet", to emphasise that we must make a permanent change in how we eat, to maintain our new healthy weight long term.

Jump in and say hello!!

Signing in for second FD of the week- anyone with me?

Kitchen closing on 806. I have the most STINKING cold so I’m happy enough that!!

Friday Weigh In for me:

SW 11st 12.8lb
CW 11st 8.08lb
GW 10st 7lb

3lb loss - happy with that! And my work trousers definitely feeling better due to being less bloated.

Today marks the end of a massive work project (which started in late August) so I’m feeling great - the stress is literally melting off me!
Looking forward to going back to a lot more normality on Monday - which will mean a lot more activity as well, as I’ll be able to walk the kids to school again in the morning.

On that basis, I’ve signed up for a Step Bet challenge that starts on Monday - c.£35 “bet” which you win back if you meet all your goals for the duration of the 4 week challenge, plus a share of the “winnings” from those who fail or drop out. I did one last year and it’s amazing how not wanting to lose £35 motivates you to move more!!!

Have you moved over to your MILs yet @harriethoyle?

Oh hang on, that should read CW 11st 09.08lb - 3 lb loss.

Well done @HLBug, 3 pounds is excellent, and sorry to hear about your cold, @harriethoyle . It’s DH’s birthday today and we are going out for dinner tonight. A few cold drinks will no doubt be had, but I won’t go mad. So, for damage limitation, I’m planning a very abstemious day: protein shake for breakfast and yogurt with PB2 and banana for lunch. I’m also playing tennis.

I want to go hard core for a few days next week. I bought a lovely pair of jeans in December, and they were just a little bit tight. My daughter loves them, and thinks I’ll never get into them. I promised her that if they still don’t fit when she next visits, she can have them. Guess what, she’s coming for Mother’s Day! 🤣🤣

Thanks @TeaRose29- I hope you enjoyed going out for dinner on Friday. How far away are you from the jeans fitting?!

I’m checking in for a Monday FD. Have a PT session booked in later and may have a lunchtime nap! Bit anxious about my PT as I injured my back in a session a few weeks ago and am still a bit niggly now, but I’m going to trust that my trainer will be able to work around it.

I’m joining you @HLBug - today for sure possibly tomorrow if not Wednesday

Good morning all! Just had a quick read and see there’s been lots going on @harriethoyle with birthdays and moving to the in-laws! And still you keep on top your WOE and fitness! Amazing. What an inspiration.

I have been quite miserable for a long time. I don’t think I have been to the gym since late November and I haven’t been able to cut back on my eating at all. Quite the opposite as I’ve gained backed 3 of the 10kg I triumphantly lost last year through being almost entirely sedentary, back to back colds and comfort eating. I feel like in fasting, I learned how to understand hunger and respond when I needed to, not just eating for the sake of it/routine. I’ve lost that ability and need to regain it.

I am feeling a little more positive this week owing to a chance conversation with an old colleague from long ago. She’s younger than me ( around 40) and seems to be in full swing menopause. She said her body was devoid of vitamin b12.

I can’t remember why but I started taking a b vitamin complex last year. I think I read somewhere it’s important to take if you stop drinking and were a heavy drinker for a time (that’s me). For some reason, I stopped taking it, though, perhaps because I don’t like taking things like vitamins on an empty stomach. I also don’t like taking them late in the day as I worry they’ll have a stimulant effect (it’s highly likely this is not true and just paranoia).

anyway, I’ve been feeling ever so run down for a long time. Perhaps it’s chronic stress as I’ve had a lot on. Who knows? The GP has not been particularly helpful. I got bloods done recently and everything is normal. I hate it when you’ve clearly got something going on and they’re a bit, “go away.” I’m following up with her next week as I’ve got an additional, prominent, long term issue that really does need treatment. That all being said, back to the vitamins…

so, last week, I started taking b vitamin complex and my multivitamins that were lurking at the back of the kitchen cupboard. After about 5 days, the difference was notable. I can’t overstate how completely different I feel. I’ve come alive!

I don’t have OCD but I like my house to be clean and tidy at all times. It gets me down when it’s not. My house was a total tip: piles of stuff every where, dust every where, just yuck (I kept the bathroom and kitchen hygienic but it felt like mega effort). It’s like it’s had a makeover!!

House sorted, it’s time to get me sorted. Reduced calorie intake is impossible for me when I am off kilter. It cannot be done through tiredness etc.

i am a bit apprehensive to go full 5:2 yet but I think I will try and limit my intake today and see how I get on. I’ve got a do at the beginning of April with lots of people i haven’t seen for years and I’d like to look good. I won’t get my 3kgs back in that time but 3-5 lbs could be a realistic aim.

I will aim to return to the gym at the weekend. Good luck to anyone fasting this week. and thank you so much for keeping the thread going @harriethoyle ; you’re an inspiration.

You're very sweet @SmellyMe - I feel far from an inspiration and, most days, look like I've been dragged through a hedge backwards and feel that way too 😂 So you've cheered me up enormously!!

Sounds like you've been having a tough time yourself - hopefully things are on the up now. I'm fascinated how much better you feel with your b vitamins on the go - I might have to start taking a multivitamin!

Just back from a dog walk and having a fishcake and broc for tea. We're seeing the DSD tomorrow evening so my next fast will be Wednesday which looks busy enough workwise so that will help...

Kitchen closing on 561 - I’ll take that! how did you get on @HLBug ?

Back on Weds I think, will try and be relatively virtuous tomorrow though.

Almost time for a new thread! Anyone got any fasting or speed related puns they want me to use?!

Not sure why my post has been hidden or is taking so long to review!

In summary - kitchen closed on 659 and I’ve introduced kefir and creatine recently and am seeing some improvements.

Here’s to FAST-ening those jeans!!

How close are they to fitting @TeaRose29? Wishing you lots of luck for this weekend!

kitchen closing on 709 for me today. Was struggling when I woke up, but actually today has been pretty busy and I’ve ended the B2B feeling great.

Hahaha love it @TeaRose29 - that'll be the next thread title!

Going to the (temporary) gym for the first time tomorrow - stupidly nervous! I have booked a class to force myself to get over it. Also going to do my second FD for the week. Usual tuna sandwich for lunch and either a fishcake or a naked burrito (Lidl ready meal which I highly recommend) with lots of broccoli for dinner.

5:2 thread 104: Here's to FAST-ening those jeans!! | Mumsnet

NEW THREAD!!

I

Will

Fill

This

Thread

If

I

Can

!!