The FastDay Forum

Hi guys.
I was wondering how many of us have young children/babies, and how that fits in with the 5:2 way. Im mum to a very bubbly 11month old girl and sometimes feel bad not eating meals with her. How is everyone else finding it?
Spider

Hi, mine are much older - 15 and 18 - but I'm keeping them unaware of this by eating very small amounts with them as necessary. Other people don't seem to notice what quantity you're eating as long as you're there! I bet you could eat token bites with your little girl and she'd be happy. None of my family or friends have picked up on my fasting days yet.

Even though I'm convinced this is a natural and healthy way to live, I'm still hesitant to introduce any eating-related concerns into teenagers' heads. Maybe I'm wrong.

Good luck!

Hi Spiderhand

My children are 5 and 10 and they haven't really noticed to be honest. The comment that has been made is how much water I've started to drink!!!

If a fast day falls on a weekend/school holiday, I very rarely eat breakfast, just have a cup of tea at the table with kids. Lunch, I have a stock/bovril drink and a SF Jelly with them and then I have a normal dinner and so our routine isn't that different.

If it suits you, just have a hot drink when she's eating so she doesn't miss Mum when having her meals.

11 months, what a lovely age, if she hasn't already she'll be up on her feet soon and you'll have some lovely times running around after her

Krissie x

Mine are 6 and 4 yrs and they don't notice. I mostly fast during the day when I am at work and save my cals for the evening when I am sitting down with them. I sometimes have different foods to them anyway (they are anti - veg but we are working on it lol) so they don't really question it.

Mine are 12 and 6 and haven't noticed either - I don't eat breakfast with them as I prefer to eat after going for a run before work, they eat lunch at school and in the evening I eat with them, although it might be something different. I think they notice far less with this sort of diet rather than one where you are constantly eating different food. At least with the 5:2 it is only 2 days a week!

My children are 12 and 7. They both know I'm on this plan, on fast days I sit and drink black coffee with them at breakfast time, and eat a healthy dinner with them in the evening (they too are anti-veg, but so was I till I was about 30!).

The only impact this has had on them is on my first fast day, my 12 year old suggested that this may not be the plan for me, as I was soooo stressed and moody, but I've been absolutely fine since

I've an 8 year old daughter and a 5 year old son. I've always been open with them about my weight and even allow them (in the privacy of the home) to use the word fat in connection with me. I fear them getting ideas into their head about their figures as they're both slim, fit and healthy (and they're just kids!) but I truly fear them going through the decades of being overweight I have (I was slim at their age!).

I've found it surprisingly easy to cook their dinners on fast days and haven't even been tempted to eat with them but I do insist they finish their plates more than I used to to avoid tempting leftovers and they've had to learn to not offer me biscuits and so on

My 5 year old boy is delighted as Mummy has told him I'll be more able to play football with him soon as the weight drops off....

James

I wouldn't feel guilty about not eating with your daughter for only 2 days a week. As long as you are sitting with her and talking/interacting during her meal times she won't notice you aren't eating with her. She will get her time to mimic your eating on the 5 days you are eating. There are plenty of families who never sit down to a meal together for varying reasons.

Us mums tend to feel guilty over everything! She'll thank you in the long run if you are lighter, fitter, healthier and live longer!!!!

My children are 14 and 10 and very aware that hubby and I are on this lifestyle journey.

Have a 7yr old and a 5yr old and they haven't noticed. Always eat evening meal with them..other meals are a bit hit and miss at the best of times.
Generally do fasts during the week, so they wouldn't see me have breakfast or lunch anyway.