The FastDay Forum

Wow! I saw this post yesterday but I didn't have time to read all the pages. I had to search to find it now because it had fallen off the main page. I've read it all now. I miss how it used to be too and I agree about lots that has been said. I miss seeing people's weight loss next to their profile. That was really inspiring. I also miss how the blogs used to be more visible. I think people do read them, but it's not so integral to the main forum page. A Summer Challenge is very good for people who live in the Northern Hemisphere but it's not summer where I am so perhaps I have to start our own Winter Challenge. The interesting point for those of us who are in our third year of fasting and are gaining weight: how common is this? I am stuck there. I have only gained about 3 kg but I never did get below 'overweight' in my BMI. Is it about being over 60? Is it about our bodies adjusting to 5:2 and refusing to lose any more weight and even gaining it? What's it all about? I love new people and their enthusiasm and I'd love them to feel able to post more and start topics, even thought it may have been all been said before. Let's say it again and say it differently and to a different crowd. I must admit that I get a bit slack at welcoming new people. I am here every day but I don't post everyday. I might set a small goal to do that.

I wonder what thats all about @sallyo...i guess 5:2 is still relatively new concept as a WOE for most of us,so this thing where people have lost and maintained and now finding theyre gaining a little,could not have been predicted
..i wonder if MM has any answers to that - i hope he is looking into it..i am still far from goal so by the time i reach my target,perhaps there will be answers and solutions.
I hope so,coz you peeps who have done so well deserve to be able to continue to enjoy your success without a downside.x

Yes it has been quiet, I normally have a quick look each day, but have been really busy so havent posted that much. Hopefully when I get back from Holidays I will have more time. In the meantime keep things going while Im away please my wonder fellow fasters.

@Sallyo, I've gained even though I still fast a lot (though my worst gains are on holidays). I'm sure it's because I overdo it on non-fast days. My TDEE is just so low now...

[carorees]

The interesting point for those of us who are in our third year of fasting and are gaining weight: how common is this? I am stuck there. I have only gained about 3 kg but I never did get below 'overweight' in my BMI. Is it about being over 60? Is it about our bodies adjusting to 5:2 and refusing to lose any more weight and even gaining it? What's it all about?

Have you read the articles on what happens to our metabolism when we lose weight? https://www.fastday.com/fasting/what-ha ... se-weight/

I think that fasting does not stop all these changes from happening though it may reduce some of them. I suspect also that, while we can reduce insulin resistance through fasting, the increase in insulin resistance as we age is not halted and also that there is the issue of our body's set point or range which we may go below during fasting but there is some rebound. Barbara Berkley in her Refuse to Regain blog/site (http://www.refusetoregain.com/2015/02/s ... tions.html) says

If you have lost weight and are maintaining a weight of around 15% less than what you originally weighed, you are a superstar. This is true even if you originally lost 20% or more of your heaviest weight. Perfect maintenance is tough and rare. But excellent maintenance is something to be very much celebrated.

So it would be interesting to know how many 5:2ers are maintaining (say) a 15% lower body weight than they started after previously having originally lost (say) 20%?

My own stats are that I lost a max of 40% and am maintaining (so far) at 38.6% and am in my third year of IF and second year of maintenance.

I began initially at 80kgs, fasted down to at best 69kgs, have gently risen back to 76kgs on June 1st.
I've joined PFT Summer Challenge and that has really concentrated my mind to count calories and record all intake daily as well as 16:8 fasting.
So far I'm down 1.3kgs this week :0)
The great thing is I now understand more about nutrients, have an ability to fast without hunger and know that this forum keeps me real.
So thank you everyone, I owe it all to you \O/ x

So it would be interesting to know how many 5:2ers are maintaining (say) a 15% lower body weight than they started after previously having originally lost (say) 20%?

My own stats are that I lost a max of 40% and am maintaining (so far) at 38.6% and am in my third year of IF and second year of maintenance.

Hi @carorees interesting question. Sorry to say that I do not qualify (lost only 16%, currently maintaining easily at 15%). Perhaps we should set up a topic specially on this issue in either the maintenance or the NERDY section and keep reminding members in the monthly maintenance sections to keep posting their results.

Hi, I' m new. I just started the 5:2 diet Monday.
I'm fasting on Mondays on Thursdays.
I don't have a lot of weight to loose, but it seems that I have a lot of fat. I have an underactive thyroid which is no helping.
I hope to loose 4/5 kilos for my wedding the 8 ok August.
Monday was all right, just had a little headache Tuesday, and today it's just getting worst....my head is just killing me.
I don't know how to add a signature.....
PS : sorry for my English..I'm French so tough tough !!

[janeg]

Bonjour @Soophhie!
Here's hoping your post doesn't get lost in this thread! You may want to pop into the new here thread and say hello there too!
You can add a signature by going into the user control panel.
Well done on your first fast. Headaches can be caused by dehydration, caffeine withdrawal or low electolytes. The advise is to drink plenty, don't cut back on tea or coffee too much ( include milk and sugar in your calorie count) and try a stock cube/ bullion drink if you are flagging.
Do remember to measure everywhere as the tape measure can be much more encouraging then the scales!
Join in with the fasting today thread for companionship and trawl through the site for lots of info.
Bon chance : clover:

Thanks Janeg !!
I think you are right, I need a good coffee !
Thanks for you rs nice welcome, that's help a lot.

Hello and welcome @soophie!

Getting married on the 8th August - that's very exciting, congratulations!!

There are a few brides-to-be on this forum. When you get time, have a good look at all the threads. It might be an idea to copy what you wrote above & put it into the "introduce yourself" thread - so that you can be properly welcomed....as your arrival might be lost in this thread....The more you read, the more you will understand how this all works....but if you have any questions, please just ask!

Many apologies for being unable to write this in French - my schooldays were long ago!

Good luck with your weightloss!

[Tracieknits]

Wow - so many great posts.

I just checked my percentages, and I'm still at a 17.6% loss, which is respectable, down from a low of 19.4%

I flat-out mostly haven't been fasting. I don't know what's wrong with me. I often do eating windows, but I don't often fast. I was fasting well in February and March, but sometimes eating too much on feed days, so I lost very little of what I had regained in December. I have also been battling thyroid issues from December through April. But last month, my thryoid finally started doing what it was supposed to do and now I have medication getting me to the proper level - here's hoping it stays there!!

I honestly think much of that is excuses. I've just been feeling so much diet fatigue. I tried alternate day fasting for a week and a half, and it mentally exhausted me. I'm so bleeping tired of thinking about it, monitoring when and what I eat, and judging every darn thing I put in my mouth. So I've just restarted reading "Don't Go Hungry For Life" by Dr. Amanda Sainsbury Salis and I think I need to restart journaling, finish rereading that book and try to get to a healthier mental place.

Today's focus - being active and getting my exercise in. I have been consistently good about this for two months now and I'm quite pleased with myself for that. My speed and endurance are both improved. Too bad it's only my dog who is showing really visible weight loss >.< She needed to lose about 3 or 4 pounds and I believe she's done it.

Welcome @Soophie ..i think others have already told you what you need to know as a beginner,so i' ll just add that i too have an underactive thyroid but have found i lose quite well..as long as youre on enough medication,there 's no reason why you shouldnt really..tho i think many of us arent on the correct dosage as the blood tests ( in the uk anyway) arent accurate enough.
Have a good look around the forum for tips,advice and support - you'll find them in abundance here!
And well done on yr grasp of English..i would struggle with my Schoolgirl French to keep up a dialogue on here! X

[Tracieknits]

Hi, I' m new. I just started the 5:2 diet Monday.
I'm fasting on Mondays on Thursdays.
I don't have a lot of weight to loose, but it seems that I have a lot of fat. I have an underactive thyroid which is no helping.
I hope to loose 4/5 kilos for my wedding the 8 ok August.
Monday was all right, just had a little headache Tuesday, and today it's just getting worst....my head is just killing me.
I don't know how to add a signature.....
PS : sorry for my English..I'm French so tough tough !!

Welcome to the Forum! I just realized I meant to welcome you, got distracted and forgot >.< Bienvenue au forum! Votre anglais est tellement mieux que mon francais. Vous ecrivez tres bien Je regrette, mais je ne sais pas comment on ustiliser les accents sur un clavier americain Et aussi, j'abbats votre belle langue. Peut etre c'est meillure que nous parlons en anglais

Most people find the headaches go away after the first week or two of fasting. It helps me if I drink more water and more espresso.

[carorees]

I just checked my percentages, and I'm still at a 17.6% loss, which is respectable, down from a low of 19.4%

I flat-out mostly haven't been fasting. I don't know what's wrong with me. I often do eating windows, but I don't often fast. I was fasting well in February and March, but sometimes eating too much on feed days, so I lost very little of what I had regained in December. I have also been battling thyroid issues from December through April. But last month, my thryoid finally started doing what it was supposed to do and now I have medication getting me to the proper level - here's hoping it stays there!!

I honestly think much of that is excuses. I've just been feeling so much diet fatigue. I tried alternate day fasting for a week and a half, and it mentally exhausted me. I'm so bleeping tired of thinking about it, monitoring when and what I eat, and judging every darn thing I put in my mouth. So I've just restarted reading "Don't Go Hungry For Life" by Dr. Amanda Sainsbury Salis and I think I need to restart journaling, finish rereading that book and try to get to a healthier mental place.

Today's focus - being active and getting my exercise in. I have been consistently good about this for two months now and I'm quite pleased with myself for that. My speed and endurance are both improved. Too bad it's only my dog who is showing really visible weight loss >.< She needed to lose about 3 or 4 pounds and I believe she's done it.

If you are using an eating window, then you have been fasting! I lost about a third of my total weight loss just doing 16:8 so don't beat yourself up. If the eating window suits you better that's fine. There is some theoretical benefit to using eating windows for thyroid problems as too long fasting or too low cals can reduce thyroid activity. Also eating during daylight hours has a theoretical benefit for thyroid stimulation. Alternating low carb with carb refeeds may also work so you could try two low carb days rather than two standard 500 cal fast days and then use an eating window but eat normally on the other days? Anything that fires you up with enthusiasm would be worth trying, so think about different ways of approaching your way of eating based on what you now know about fasting, carbs, hunger-directed eating etc etc.

And most of all, congratulate yourself on the weight loss you have maintained...considering your thyroid problems you have done brilliantly!