The FastDay Forum

Hi all,

I've been doing the 5:2 WOE for about 4/5 weeks (also did it on /off in 2012) yet this week just can't seem to manage it. I think the combination of being off work (I'm a teacher and it's the 2 week Easter break) and cold weather (which I've dealt with in a previous thread) have meant that my willpower has been low. The holidays are my time to catch up with friends and that usually involves food and wine. Plus this week I've just found it really difficult and each day I've allocated as a fast day I've caved in around 3pm out of boredom, a better offer from friends or just too cold and grumpy to continue. I won't be doing it next week as I have more fun with friends planned and a conference - there's no way I'm missing out on the 'free' meals and wine at that!
Anyone else had periods like this and how did you push through it?

[janeg]

*slaps Jenny about the head with a wet fish*
How can you be a failure? You're socialising, having fun, well earned down time and have things to look forward to.
So, you've had a blip when it comes to the eating part of your life. Next week is looking difficult, so give it a break. The days you've started off, you've got to 3 in the afternoon so that's probably more than 12 hours since you've eaten- a mini fast! especially if you've been eating sensibly.
Why not think about aiming for a couple of mini fasts/low cal days next week? You'll get a bit of restriction and have a wee bit of control back. If they go all day- a fast has happened, if not, you'll still have achieved a lower cal/mini fast. Success!
And then, when you're back in your routine of school etc it'll be easy to slot back in to the groove.
Let us know how you get on and enjoy your down time!

You feel like you've failed because you haven't stuck to your plans. Amend your plans to not include holiday time as fasting periods or stick to your fasts.

Don't do what you're currently doing, which is setting yourself up to fail and giving yourself a stick to beat yourself with(??).

Think about what you eat as well to tinker with the feeling bad on fast days. It took me about 10 weeks of ADF to now feel the same on fast days as feed days. Apparently, reading elsewhere, you need to be fat-adapted, ie used to living on your fat to be comfortable doing IF. So lower carb or whatever works for you, we're all different.

Thank you both.

I think you are right and I should not beat myself up too much about this. Yesterday I had a fairly low cal day and tend to eat quite a healthy diet anyway. Once I am back at work and in my normal routine it should be a little easier. Once the cold weather eases off I'm hoping my appetite will too.

You can't have everything. It's easy for me to fast as I don't know anyone to socialise with where I live now but even I've changed from ADF to 4:3 so I can do stuff at the weekends.

Think long-term, there's a long term literally ahead, have and enjoy your holidays!

Thanks. I think the feeling of failure is also partly because I was just getting to a point where the fast days were becoming much easier with no headaches. Then I go and ruin it all by caving in. I'll get back on it when I return to work and plan to continue until June when I'll have a mini break for my holiday - there's no way I'm fasting in Italy! haha.

I may well be calling for support , retired on Thursday from busy job , still feels unreal and really worried may turn to eating when bored - am looking to find some volunteer work but may take a while! ! !

[janeg]

call away, Nickyanne! Congratulations on your retirement! Hope you enjoy it.

I made the mistake of reading the "Joy of Not Working" on my honeymoon...

Structure, purpose and community is what work gives you, finding the same in retirement helps and you'll find it great!

If only all failures were like you! Sorry, darling, but I can't see the fail in having fun during the holidays!!!
Do whatever pleases you, take a break from fasting if that is included and then get on with it when you feel like it.

BBTO53, I must say that I've been following your advice without knowing it. I chose to eat oatmeal on my fast days because it is good with my stomach but I just realised that it is also a comfort food for me. So perhaps it is working both ways. Although when summer decides to arrive, I would love to switch to yoghurt with oatmeal and fruit. We'll see...

Nickyanne, congrats on your retirement! I'm sure you will find lots of fun things to do on your free time!

I put my oatmeal in a banana smoothie...it's very comforting!

Hmmmm... I never made a smoothie. How do you do that? Assuming that I can use any fruit, since I don't like bananas...

Get a stick blender, put whatever you like in a jug, whizz up. Bananas are good as they are mushy, hard things don't blend well.

http://www.smoothieweb.com/

I don't follow recipes but here you go for ideas.