The FastDay Forum

As I had expected the festive season was a challenge weight wise. As reported in previous updates I had been able to maintain my weight below target for a few months without any fasting as my appetite and awareness of hunger had been reset by 5:2. In December I had lots of fun and certainly lots to drink. I don't think I ate more than usual at meal times but good wine and Christmas chocolates were my downfall. I did fast on 30 December and enjoyed it as it felt like a detox. On my usual weigh in on Sunday I found that I have gained three pounds and am now one pound over target.

What now? In previous years I would have gained around five or six pounds over Christmas and by now would be feeling depressed about it and would comfort eat during January, compounding the problem. Now I just see it as a blip following a great holiday month and so will start 5:2 again to shift those pesky pounds.

Hopefully I will be able to report a return to maintenance next month.

Best wishes for 2014 to everyone in the forum

Congratulations @Windsinger123
On that tiny gain yes you'll soon be back on maintenance
We do learn as we move along our journey I gained 1kg which was also good for me but I do have to be careful in January with all the chock goodies left so I'm doing back2back fasting today and tomorrow to nip it in the bud as I've still got a very long way to go. Well done

Thanks for the update, windsinger. I agree with Sue; it's a small gain so you'll be back on maintenance in no time

I gained a bit more than that over the holiday, after finally reaching goal weight just before Xmas. I'm back on 4:3 for awhile until I get it back down, then I'll join you on maintenance. It is nice to have a strategy that you know will work! At least you know you can successfully maintain, too.

I agree that we are all on a learning curve! I gained 3kg! over the Christmas/ New Year period but am now back on track( till I go on hols in 10 days).
I feel as long as we return to our routine we'll lose it and be a little better next Christmas at eating more moderately! But I do think even most slim people gain weight over Christmas, so as long as we can lose it again all is well.

Getting back on the slower track to goal is difficult after the Christmas blip period, but reading your posts and links is a huge help. We're all in the same boat: I gained about 3 lbs, I know why, and have called a halt to picking at the left over stores of chocolates, nuts, cookies! Getting back to work routines this week will help me feel well and "cleansed" again!
My anniversary of starting 5:2 is 12th January, and to have kept off the nearly 2 stones excess weight for that length of time is success for me. This also makes me more determined to stay in this WOE which is a good place to be and really, it's not difficult to do routinely without fuss.
best wishes to all 5:2 friends!

[janeg]

I am really noticing the change in attitudes toward weight gain over the festivities.
People are reporting weight gain of a smaller than previous amount and an acceptance of it - I overate/overdrank and enjoyed it!
Now I can do something about it - no beating up, no despair, no hopelessness..almost an optimism of getting back on track and feeling good about it.
Interesting and very encouraging.
PS I haven't weighed and won't until the beginning of Feb so don't know if there's any increase, but this is my usual attitude to the scales. I am back to 4:3ing though

@janeg - an interesting observation and I think you are right. While losing weight, and also while maintaining, it is important to learn how to cope with a one off gain without overreacting and giving up completely.

Thanks everyone for your messages of support