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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

Need to get back on the wagon, finding it so tough

7 replies

Moonface12 · 26/07/2025 08:42

Bit of a self-pity post really but looking for some inspiration from others who are on the same journey! Did IF from July-Dec last year and once I settled into it it was great! I felt better, I looked better, I found it quite easy after a while, honestly thought I'd cracked my decades-long cycle of dieting and failing.

But, as ever, I slowly let it slip. Fasting windows got shorter, food choices got worse - and now, after some personal upheaval in March, I'm off the wagon entirely and can't seem to claw it back. I've put back in the 2.5st I had lost, now feel heavy and uncomfortable. Feel very sorry for myself and like it's such a massive uphill battle to get back to where I was (and I was still 3st away from target even there!).

Anyone else managed to get back on track? I feel like I can't do even one fasting day without cracking.

OP posts:
WhiteAndBlack · 26/07/2025 13:02

Give yourself and your body some love and not a punishment. Fasting doesn't seem to work for you and the proof is you put all the weight back.
And it is ok as it is only one of many methods by which you can lose the weight.

Fasting is a way to restrict calories without having to think too much about it. There are many ways to restrict calories. The right one is the one you will keep for life.
Fill your meals with vegetables, plentiful and colourful. Cooked and raw, and then a bit of chicken breast, streamed fish and so on. Instead of depriving your body, nourish it.
Fasting is very easy for some or at some point in life. Right now it is impossible for you. Do something else.

Glimmer1 · 26/07/2025 14:38

I’ve been where you are and in recent months I’ve (re-) lost 3 stone with probably another 2-3 to go. A huge part of the battle for me is getting back into the right headspace to pick myself up and get going again. I can tell you I feel so much better where I am now. You’ve lost it before and you can do it again. The hardest bit for me will always be maintaining and making this my new lifestyle.

Original poster
Moonface12 · 26/07/2025 18:20

Glimmer1 · 26/07/2025 14:38

I’ve been where you are and in recent months I’ve (re-) lost 3 stone with probably another 2-3 to go. A huge part of the battle for me is getting back into the right headspace to pick myself up and get going again. I can tell you I feel so much better where I am now. You’ve lost it before and you can do it again. The hardest bit for me will always be maintaining and making this my new lifestyle.

Are you actually me? That's it exactly. When I was doing it and had gotten over the 'hump' of the first week I felt so much better in my body and energy levels. Its truly the most consistent I have ever managed to be and even though I still had another couple of stone to go I felt more confident in my looks too.

But Christmas detailed everything and now I can't seem to get back into the mindset.

What you said is what I needed to hear - it IS possible to get back there - so thank you! . I think I'll start with smaller fasts - I was doing 20/4 at the height of it and I think I'm being too hard on myself to get back straight into that

OP posts:
Original poster
Moonface12 · 26/07/2025 18:27

WhiteAndBlack · 26/07/2025 13:02

Give yourself and your body some love and not a punishment. Fasting doesn't seem to work for you and the proof is you put all the weight back.
And it is ok as it is only one of many methods by which you can lose the weight.

Fasting is a way to restrict calories without having to think too much about it. There are many ways to restrict calories. The right one is the one you will keep for life.
Fill your meals with vegetables, plentiful and colourful. Cooked and raw, and then a bit of chicken breast, streamed fish and so on. Instead of depriving your body, nourish it.
Fasting is very easy for some or at some point in life. Right now it is impossible for you. Do something else.

I think fasting was working for me, but you're right, I do need to think better about my food choices. I find if I have smaller meals more often ima so hungry and watching the clock for the next one - I can't sustain it for more than a week or so. Fasting worked for me in turning down the food noise (although I would LOVE to try WLI to see how that would be) but I was often overeating in my eating window because I was getting lazy about food prep.

I will come up with some better meal ideas and get back on track with nutrition

OP posts:
Glimmer1 · 26/07/2025 20:55

Moonface12 · 26/07/2025 18:20

Are you actually me? That's it exactly. When I was doing it and had gotten over the 'hump' of the first week I felt so much better in my body and energy levels. Its truly the most consistent I have ever managed to be and even though I still had another couple of stone to go I felt more confident in my looks too.

But Christmas detailed everything and now I can't seem to get back into the mindset.

What you said is what I needed to hear - it IS possible to get back there - so thank you! . I think I'll start with smaller fasts - I was doing 20/4 at the height of it and I think I'm being too hard on myself to get back straight into that

Show quote history

Perhaps you’re me?? I know how easy it is to get derailed and to get swept away, unable to find my footing again. I’m on holiday this week and don’t yet know if I’ll be successful but I’m trying something of a half and half experiment - and not letting go completely so hoping to find it easier to keep going when I’m back. This is where it gets hardest for me. I finished 12 weeks of Fast 800 before this.

Glimmer1 · 26/07/2025 20:56

Moonface12 · 26/07/2025 18:20

Are you actually me? That's it exactly. When I was doing it and had gotten over the 'hump' of the first week I felt so much better in my body and energy levels. Its truly the most consistent I have ever managed to be and even though I still had another couple of stone to go I felt more confident in my looks too.

But Christmas detailed everything and now I can't seem to get back into the mindset.

What you said is what I needed to hear - it IS possible to get back there - so thank you! . I think I'll start with smaller fasts - I was doing 20/4 at the height of it and I think I'm being too hard on myself to get back straight into that

Show quote history

Good luck as you get started again…!

Original poster
Moonface12 · 26/07/2025 22:59

Glimmer1 · 26/07/2025 20:55

Perhaps you’re me?? I know how easy it is to get derailed and to get swept away, unable to find my footing again. I’m on holiday this week and don’t yet know if I’ll be successful but I’m trying something of a half and half experiment - and not letting go completely so hoping to find it easier to keep going when I’m back. This is where it gets hardest for me. I finished 12 weeks of Fast 800 before this.

Show quote history

Wow, 12 weeks? That's impressive - well done you! Good luck with your holiday, it's so easy to get off plan isn't it? I hope you manage to stay on track when you get home

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