5:2 / intermittent fasting

[LucyKath2303]

Hi everyone - just wondering if there is a specific forum or group for people on the 5:2 / intermittent fasting plans? Would be good to have some group morale to get through those fast days 😂

[YellowRose55]

Morning LucyKath2303

Welcome to the weight loss forum.

Some of the members here are doing the 5:2 plan so they may reply to your post on this forum.

Take a look at the Welcome Newbie post in the Pinned post section at the right hand side or at the bottom if your on a mobile. Have a look at the nhs 12 week plan, many members have had success following this plan. Use the BMI checker to work out your daily calorie allowance.

Have a look at the Daily Diary which you can find on the Home page in Events. It is where all the members are sharing their daily plans on what they are eating and any exercise they are doing. This thread will give you some ideas on how to start.

Below the Pinned posts are the Topics where members share a range of weight related subjects.

Take your measurements at the start together with a photo so you can see the changes on the days the scales don't move.

We have daily weigh ins so why not come along and join us today. You can find the weigh ins on the Home page in the Events section on the right. Just click on the post in Events and record your start weight and any loss/gain or maintain for the week.

To get the most of the forum be active, share tips, recipes and experiences. Read some of the posts they are very motivating.

Have a good first week.

Rose

[Hidden]

Hi LucyKath. I have been doing the 5:2 for just over three months. I lost 10lb over about 15 weeks (I only want to lose just over a stone altogether). It suits me as a way of life, because now I am retired, I have a lot less routine Day to day. I can be spontaneous and go out for meals with friends or OH (I was a teacher in my previous life). Trouble is I have stalled a bit. After too many Bank Holidays, I have got into the habit of eating too much on my non-fast days, so I am plateauing a bit! I am very good on my fast days though, I don't actually find them difficult. How do you find 5:2?

[LucyKath2303 in reply to Hidden]

Hi trimmerteacher!

I have tried 5:2 before but quite a while ago - and I do remember finding it reasonably easy but had a similar problem that you've just described with not being 'good enough' on non fast days! However I've had a good year or two of easing the pressure on myself of what I should and shouldn't eat to try and re-set some of my 'psychology' about eating, so have been basically been eating whatever I like! I do think that's made this a bit easier as I don't have quite as much of the 'forbidden food' paradox , especially if I know that if I really want something on a fast day I can have it a day or two later! And I'm much more inclined to eat healthier things now I'd say - knowing I won't say no if sometimes I really do just want that piece of cake ! 😂

Have you found any particular tips or recipes to help on the fast days? I work full time and it's not been too difficult this first week but evenings are when I get most hungry / tempted to eat!

[Hidden]

Well my OH (who has to eat whatever I put in front of him!) would probably say we're in a bit of a rut with fast days. I tend to do the same things! I have an Aldi mini fruit pot with 100 g cottage cheese for breakfast, very filling, only 120 cals, then go through to 6pm and we have basa fillets, oven baked with homemade ratatouille, 292 cals according to MFP. The rest is in teas and coffees (and OH has lunch, snacks etc). Occasionally I cook something different for fast days from the Hairy Dieters cook books, but I find if I'm pfaffing about in the kitchen, I am likely to nibble stuff I shouldn't. I find fat days easier if all the food is planned and as far as possible, cooked ahead.

I too tend not to have any foods I consider "forbidden" these days, but I really need to rein myself in on non-fast days, as I am undoing all the good work done on fast days! Case in point - stuck religiously to 500 cal yesterday, today have overeaten by a long way, and it's not even teatime yet!

I did try 5:2 before I gave up work, and found a low fat yogurt (counted calories) and a cup of tea as soon as I got home stopped me ruining a fast day. In fact, I know all the answers 😆 but applying them to myself is the hardest thing! And we go on holiday Tuesday for a week, so I could well find myself back to square one! But the good thing about this forum is that I feel involved here now, and have "friends" and will get back on the wagon as I don't want to let them or myself down.

Good luck, LucyKath. Apologies for the rambling response!

[LucyKath2303 in reply to Hidden]

Not rambling at all it's all very helpful thank you 😊

Totally agree with you that it's good to get some support here to help along the way - and I think planning is definitely the key to success with fast days ! Have a lovely holiday! x