Sassy1 wrote:
Have you thought about why you "let" yourself eat more than you needed over the last year? And what you could do to not let this happen in future? (Assuming you don't want to use 5:2 as a permanent antidote to overeating...)
It's an interesting question. I was quite good at maintaining by doing one fast a week but over the last 12-18 months these fasting days were not like the fasting days I did during the first two years, so a few extra calories here and there, and the light days were not as light as they were in 2014-15.
I've always liked snacks in between meals; a piece of fruit, some almonds, muesli bar, pieces of dark chocolate, crackers with dips, cheese, etc. By themselves not too much in calories but over the last month I would pack several of them in my bag to take to work and they'd all be gone by the end of the day. Early on in my 5:2 days I would decline any cake or biscuits at work but not these last 12-18 months. Snacking in the evening has not been a problem for me but even that became more of a habit.
I need daily weighing and the tracker to keep me in line but I even stopped filling in the latter. @Sassy1, do you think weighing would help you with shifting some weight, just as an extra/temporary incentive? If I had to rely on my clothes alone I wouldn't have picked the initial extra 2kg I gained (the extra 4kg I definitely notice).
Here is my 2018 plan: I'll be fasting the first day of the working week (usually Monday, except for public holidays) and my regular day off (Thursday). I'll continue with weight training at the gym on Tuesday and Thursday, and have a personal training session on Saturdays. I already walk the dog most mornings for about 3km and I cycle to work. Although that sounds sufficient I think I need to add some more cardio to my gym sessions. I'd been running with the dog about twice a week but one of my knees had started to swell after each run so I gave that up but I will slowly re-introduce that on a thread mill at the gym.
One trick that works for me in not snacking at night is to brush my teeth after dinner as wine and cheese don't mix with toothpaste.
I only need a small disincentive not to pour another glass so this tends to work for me.
A pity that you're not fasting on the same days as I always find the forum to be of great help. Thankfully, a few of my colleagues want to get back to 5:2 again so it helps when you're not the only one 'trying to be good'.
It's good to be back