The FastDay Forum

Well, I used to be a teacher, and I have a teacher daughter. Does that count?
I've been here for nearly 4 years, fasting since March 2013. I lost about 20 pounds in about 10 months, and have for the most part kept it off. Even after all these years of not being overweight, I am still marveling at the power of fasting. And I still usually smile at myself in the mirror...
I did 5:2 for the weight loss, and try to do 6:1 now. I'm not disciplined enough. Even though I don't gain weight when not fasting, I really want to keep it up for the other, unproven benefits. Keeping dementia at bay is one, as it seems to run in my family.
I'm glad to see people hanging in here, as I think this forum is a great fasting aid. (Talking to YOU, @Carieoates
wendy

Yo! I'm Jane and have been IF since just before the forum was launched . I'm a moderator too and not here nearly enough- sorry about that.
I did 4:3 for ages and lost a whack , then moved home (Scotland) from the Middle East and embarked on a rather chaotic lifestyle which can make fasting quite hard going.
Needless to say, some of the excess has gone back on. I'm still giving it a go back and forth and usually manage at least one fast a week. Must try harder. Have embarked on the C25K programme and finished it and try (lots of trying in this post) to get out 3 times a week for at least half an hour.
IF works for me and I love the discipline of it, just finding it more awkward to fit in with running- I'm a bit feart (wary) of trying to run fasted ie first thing or on a fast day . Working on it though.
Next couple of weeks could be very erratic as I'm working in San Francisco and determined to try and keep some structure going.
Just need to get a grip on the excessive sweet tooth that has appeared just now. Jelly babies are my downfall.
Good to see stayers, returners and newbies on this thread

welcome back @JaneG!! I hope you have a great time in SanFrancisco

Hi all! I'm Mary Ann. I'm a lecturer, about to start back like so many here.

I lost about 50 lbs doing 4:3 and did a reasonable job of keeping within a weight range for over 3 years, but gained a shocking amount late spring and summer. For maintenance, I was still doing 4:3, but just wasn't so strict on fast days. I thought publicly shaming myself here would get me back on track this summer, but it still hasn't really happened. I guess my head wasn't in the right place. Hopefully it will be soon.

Things I'm trying now: being stricter on fast days (really keeping to 400-500 Cals), trying to be alcohol free at least 4 days a week, cutting out most highly processed food, exercising more, and passing on all (or most) of the free food that makes the rounds this time of year. These should all be doable, since I've done them before. Like Harry and the patronus.

Hi @janeg, do try to do the running on a fast day - it should be doable! I almost always do my exercise for the day before I eat., and that exercise can be quite strenuous at times. Including on fast days (not that I do those very often any more...find them too hard now...). A 5km run should be fine on an empty tummy, just keep hydrated before and after. Have a (small) high protein snack after if you need. Moderate exercise can help defer hunger too.

@Maryann, I sympathise! I wish you well in sticking to your resolutions, it can be harder a second time. I managed fast days easily for 2-3 years, now I can only rarely stick to low cals. Hopefully you will be able to do better!

I will introduce myself as I am new here.
Father of 2 lovely kids. Mid 30's. Happily married, stress free life in Queensland, Australia.

Healthy and fit but could do with losing a few kg.
Originally had very high cholesterol. But with the help of lipidor and diet change I dropped from combined cholestorol of 10.4 to 4 in 3 months.
I think one of the main contributes was my healthy diet. Really, I was in training mode and based on diet advice from fitness sources and my own guesses I had it wrong for cholesterol. I was training each day then eating 4 eggs and spinach for breaky. Resulting in 2 cartons of eggs a week. Turns out a big no-no for cholestorol.

So now i am still training but focusing no fresh food rather then bothering with tailoring diet to suit specific requirements.
Just general health, a bit of weight loss and general feeling good.

I have done 3 fast days so far. First one I snacked 30-60calories during the day then ate about 1000 that night due to hunger.
Second I ate nothing till dinner then ate about the same.

Third I will do a little bit better and onwards from there.

So hi from me. Be good chatting with you all. Some great success stories on here that I have read, some from names above me in the list. So good job everyone.

Interesting about the eggs. I had thought it was now a myth that eggs were bad for blood cholesterol levels so I did a bit of reading. It is the quantity that is the issue! Which I should have realized. 4 a day is a lot... Same goes for any food that has trans or saturated fats - too much of those foods can be a problem.

The Heart Foundation says that about one egg a day on average is okay, but there are some websites that say more is okay. And some people are more sensitive to dietary cholesterol than others. So I have learnt a little more...

Oops! Late on parade!
I'm Caro, almost the first forum member and moderator after Moogie set it up in 2013. I did 5:2 for 8 months then switched to 16:8 combined with a low carb and still eat this way. Lost 40kg but gained back 4kg but still fit into my (new) clothes, so not too worried as the regain has stabilised.
Currently studying for a Postgraduate Diploma in Nutritional Therapy at Worcester University and acting as a Nutrition Coach for Ways of Eating and Fixing Dad.

My studies have expanded on my knowledge enormously and I'm discovering all kinds of new info. One is that cholesterol in food is nothing to worry about: it is such a vital component of our bodies that we would die immediately without it, and because of this, our bodies make it, thus cholesterol in food has no impact on the amount of cholesterol in our bodies. Cholesterol is a protein that carries lipids (fats) around the body and there are some links between certain lipid types and health: namely high density lipoprotein (often erroneously called good cholesterol) for which higher levels appear to be beneficial (although artificially raising them with drugs has failed to confer any benefit) and triglycerides for which lower levels are beneficial. The food that has the greatest impact on triglycerides and HDL is carbs and sugar. Bottom line is: eat as many eggs as you like it won't affect your cholesterol level, nor does saturated fat or meat.

Super busy so very rarely manage to pop by. Sorry bout that. Will try harder...
Byeeee

Sorry, rather late to this Roll Call but I have been away on holiday.

I am Valerie, a retired primary headteacher, now aged 68 and living in South Lincolnshire in the UK. I have been a member of this forum since January 2013, when I first saw Michael Mosley's programme about the 5:2 Way of Eating (WOE). I was about to start my annual post-Christmas diet which involved strict calorie counting and recording every morsel which I ate or drank but instead I plunged into 5:2 and reached my target of 147 pounds without ever counting a calorie!

There have been 'blips' along the way and I always gain weight when I go away from home - which usually comes off when I get back to 5:2 - but I love the way that I have not had to give up any of the high-calorie foods that I enjoy. A few fasts seem a very small price to pay for a WOE which has seen me, more or less, maintain my weight for the best part of four years after forty plus years of yo-yo dieting.

Unlike many on the forum, I have not gone, low-carb, low sugar, low fat but I have given up breakfast (what a relief that was!) but am lucky that 'straight' 5:2 has worked for me. My biggest problem is that I am extremely exercise averse despite knowing that it would be good for me! I live in hope that one day I will discover a form of exercise that i actually enjoy!

This forum is one of the best things that has happened for me and it is noticeable that the occasions on which I have regained some of my lost weight, coincides with my absence from it. I have seen many people come, and go, over the years, so I hope that everyone will continue to post and drop in, even if it is only from time to time! We need to be here to support each other.

Hi everybody. I'm back after being absent for some several months. I recognise some names on here and plenty of newbies.

I've not reached my goal weight of 80kg but came close about two years ago at 85kg.

Now I'm back up to 92 so I would like to get back to under 90kg as soon as possible.

I'm from Melbourne Australia - love to go to water aerobics but admit the walking has been slack of late.

I have three granddaughters and a grandson is due in a couple of weeks.

I look forward to being back on here again - to lose on the scales and be a happy and healthier Maggie.

Hello hello, from Sydney Australia, been in the forum for years... still doing well.

I do 4:3 and moderate carbs and 5 day veggo.

I'm Lili and I live in Leicestershire in the middle of the UK. After seeing the original Michael Mosely programme I dithered for a while and started 5:2 in November 2012. I was also an early member of the forum. I have had a lifelong weight problem and have been quite severely hypothyroid for more than 20 years. I have always done basic 5:2, fasting on Mondays and Wednesdays. I have never stopped except for holidays . 5:2 suits me because it means that I don't have to completely give up alcohol and sweets which probably accounts for my slow weight loss but means I can stick at it long term.
I have lost about 50lb most of it in the first 2 years. The last couple of years has seen a net loss of 1-2 lb. I usually slowly lose in the first half of the year then put some back on over summer holidays and Christmas. I have just returned from 3 1/2 weeks in the USA and today is my 1st fast for 4 weeks - my tracker bears witness!
For the last couple of years I have stuck to 400 calories on my fast days as that is about a 1/4 of my TDEE - I am not very tall and am quite old! I still count my calories strictly on a fast day,weighing most of my food, and write them down in a book.
In the last year or so I have become more aware of my microbiome so I take pre and pro biotics and I think they help with fasting. This year I have also become a fan of fermented foods. I have a glass of kefir ( made with skimmed milk) on my non fast days and find it satisfying enough that I no longer eat breakfast. I am presently coaxing my grains back to life after abandoning them for so long. I also make kimchi and have some for lunch most days. Constipation has been a big problem for me on 5:2 but this regime seems to have cracked it.
When at home I do look at the forum most days but don't contribute much I am afraid. I don't join in with the challenges as I just like to potter on in my own way with no pressure but I do like following the threads. I will try harder in future.

Maggieewing wrote: Hi everybody. I'm back after being absent for some several months. I recognise some names on here and plenty of newbies.

I've not reached my goal weight of 80kg but came close about two years ago at 85kg.

Now I'm back up to 92 so I would like to get back to under 90kg as soon as possible.

I'm from Melbourne Australia - love to go to water aerobics but admit the walking has been slack of late.

I have three granddaughters and a grandson is due in a couple of weeks.

I look forward to being back on here again - to lose on the scales and be a happy and healthier Maggie.

Oooh I was so happy to see your name pop up under new accounts for approval!! Welcome back Maggie!

So wonderful to see returning faces

Juliana.Rivers wrote: Hello hello, from Sydney Australia, been in the forum for years... still doing well.

I do 4:3 and moderate carbs and 5 day veggo.

Hi Juliana

Please refer to the forum rules about extended fasting
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Still here after 4.5 years as well, currently on 5:2 hiatus for 3 months while acting as caregiver to family member. who is progressing well. I was very worried that my weight would zoooooom up but it really hasn't, up and down 2-5 lbs depending how my activity level goes. I expect to resume 5:2 Oct 1.