The FastDay Forum

I just can't get my mojo back for fasting. I went away to the Alpine ranges for 9 days and the day before I went I was fasting but failed first time ever and caved by lunchtime, disappointed there.
Now I'm home and melting in the heat, I just dont have the brain for anything let alone fasting.
Its in my mind, but I keep talking myself out of it, saying just eat healthy, yeah, right!!

I was there just not that long ago and had licked it, and finally settled without issues, was a breeze, but lots of yummy things have happened since then, and I just dont want to go without eating for that long. Fasting is more of mind issue than physical issue. I could have started yesterday and or today, but no.

Back in mid December I would go to bed at night and only eat 400/500 cals the next day starting at around 4pm. Mon/ Thurs.

This is a struggle only I can fix, but can sure be here to hear what you might say to me.

thanks for reading and advising.

zamale

Hi - nice to see you back.

You know all there is to know about 5:2. You know it is up to you to do it or not. I'm sure you will make the right choice for you at this point in time.

Good Luck, regardless of your choice!

Is there a day you can get on your own when you can be selfish and manage your own routine? They are always my best fast days. Give yourself some space zamale. You will get back to it.

I know I will be fine when it happens, but right now, the desire is not with me. Hoping it strikes next week, fingers crossed.

Thanks I appreciate your words of encouragement. I am better at fasting, when I dont have lots going on.

Hi zamale

I know how you feel! I have also had trouble fasting this year, for what sound like similar reasons.

I have managed one or two successful fasts, but the others I have sabotaged with eating thru the evening. I am trying to fast today, so far so good. I am hoping that the fact that I have put on a kg or so over my goal weight will help me stick with the fast, cos I can tell I am heavier (in the tummy) and I don't like it.

So what is happening with your weight? Can you use that as a motivator??

Would keeping a food diary, or daily weighing, help? I am trying both...

I think it is hard to fast on these hot days. I alternate between black tea, water, fruit tea, coffee etc - hanging out as long as I can for the evening meal. Perhaps save 50-100 cals for chocolate or something equivalent to have later in the evening before bed - knowing you can have that may help not eat anything else between a 350-400 cal meal and then.

Talk to family or someone you are comfortable with (not just us!!) about your struggle and enlist their help. I just spoke to my teenage son about the issue and he has says it is just a phase and will pass. That is very supportive for him!

As the others have said, I am sure you will be able to draw on your experience with this WOL and find your mojo again.

Thinking of you!
Best wishes

@Sassy1 Thankyou for your post, and I am sorry you struggle with this too.
Initially what weight needed to come off me did and I was happy but then I plateaud and I have really stayed there. I tend to want to think my body wants me this way, but my mind doesn't. I dont know, but I also eat for appetite rather than hunger. I dont know the answers and I dont really want to over think this either.
But I do know I will get back there, but just not right now, some thinking goes in before the plunge. I looked at the photos of me at a waterfall, and I liked my form, but to go for less weight is a struggle and I am not happy in that place. I will sort this out.

I won't weigh myself either, learnt that lesson a long time ago, it does my head in and if its not good news, I can sink into depression and get obsessed.

Thanks for the choccy tip, I bought the six pack of choccy snack serves from Aldi and two or three pieces may do on a fast evening.

I wishing you success in shedding that kilo over your goal.

I know we can both do this, but that moment that says 'yes' has to smack me on the head first.
You did great getting to goal weight and you can do it again. I think christmas and holidays muck things up for some folks on here, but we will get there.

Thanks @zamale for your support too!

I understand why you prefer not to weigh - I have to steel myself to deal with the increases, even a lack of decrease. But I am doing the daily weigh to try to understand how my body works and sort out what will be best for maintenance.

It sounds like you are happy with your shape now? If that is the case, then giving yourself a break from fasting, knowing that you will go back, seems a reasonable thing to do.

I have just had a Spanish omelette for dinner - filling, and 300cals. Will also have a small amount of fresh berries and good quality no fat yoghurt (no added sugar or sweeteners) - 100 cals - and allow myself one small piece of choccie with my cuppa - and hopefully I will not succumb to any other foods today.

I am very please with what I have achieved thru 5:2 and am pretty happy with how I look now (apart from the tummy!). So, yes, we can both do this.

Thanks again for your encouragement.

[carieoates]

Hello Zamale. I was wondering how you were. How about doing 16.8 just till you get sorted. I had about 4 weeks of that whilst recovering over Xmas and it was fine.

Yes me too! It's possibly that Famine Reaction monster raising it's collective heads, meaning we need to ease back and eat real food every day for a week or two while our bodies verify there is no famine so no need to scream at fasting.
After that give 16/8 a turn for another couple of weeks to show the brain in your gut that it's still ok, then try a full fast in a months time. You'll be ready then.
Good luck and fret ye not hen, all shall be well :0)

I'm liking the idea of 16/8 till I get sorted with fasting, thanks guys. I think holidays and festive times are really tricky, they upset my fasting rythym, but would never do without those joys in life either, just have to deal with it.
I really really love this community and feel privileged to be here and part of it. I know people at the gym, two in mind doing this wol and they only have a Dr Mosley book. I dont know how they do it They even estimate their cals in food, they are not net savvy, guess I'm lucky.

Thank you for supporting me.

The answer, Zamale, will appear one day, probably when you least expect it. Stressing about it won't help, so have a few days off, perhaps some 16/8, some nice healthy food and no calorie counting AT ALL!!
Do let us know how you get on xx

All the best, it is hard after a break but very possible. Just remember those good fast days. You might find some of your 16:8 days morph into a fully fledged 5:2 day anyway. You can do it. Agree withPFT eat healthy while you wait to find your mojo

[janeg]

Pick a strategy and commit to it. Take control.
Sounds as though you like the idea of 16:8. Choose to do that and choose how long you will do it for. Add in what you do at the gym and have managed to keep going. Identify that as a positive thing in your healthy life challenge.
You can do it !
Let us know how it's going and if I need to stand by with the wet fish...

It seems January has been a real struggle for some. I've been fasting ok but it's the other days that are the problem.
Maybe next year we should go straight to February and miss January as I don't think janegs wet fish is going to cope with us all.
All the best Zamale.

Do something Z..anything..
anything that keeps you on the straight ( ish ) and narrow ( ish) until you feel more up to 5:2 ..
If this is a difficult time for you, be kind to yourself til you feel happier

Sending big hugaloos...we all know how you feel,we all get what someone here called the Inner Whinge! Dont let the Inner Whinge make you binge! Pleeeaze! X