The FastDay Forum

I'm kind of surprised by how many said they carried on with what they did when they were losing. I was really hoping not to have to keep fasting so much. But essentially I have been doing 4:3 or EOD/ADF since I reach goal weight. I don't think I can call it maintaining, since I have gained about 4 kg. But it's stayed at that weight or below so at least I haven't gone any higher. Hmmm... maybe maintaining of a sort. I just wish it wasn't so hard.

@barbarita so do u just go for it, shoveling in thousands of cals (they are there whether u count them or not ) or do u basically eat a meal, then 4 hours later eat another? In which case wouldn't u keep losing weight? You deserve a medal

I don't deserve a medal, because I am only truly hungry like I remember being on 5:2 during the 90 minutes or so before my eating window, and then not continuously, but in waves. In fact if my best laid plans go astray and I have to wait even longer, I may not actually feel hungry when I start eating. Some days I kind of have a big meal and a small one, others I graze. It feels as if I am shovelling in thousands of calories, which is great! but I can't be or I would be gaining quickly. I am not as methodical as many on the Fast-5 groups, and not particularly self-disciplined other than in sticking to the 5 hours.

Congrats @GMH you have worked hard for your achievements again. All the best will be interesting to get your feedback as to what works

@gillymary thanks how are you doing? @barbarita you are disciplined, well done, not a lot could do it

@Maryann I also find 500 cals hard and I tend to over compensate on feed days...because I can. I am going to up my calories to 3x800 to 1000 cals. I feel this will take the feeling of deprivation out and hopefully the feed days will be less feast. It is ABSOLUTELY the psychological side of things for me (apart from feeling a bit hungry). I like 3 days if moderation = 1000 cals to keep me on the straight and narrow but not 3 days of deprivation = 500 cals

After 3 fasts this week if under 1000 cals, I think I did 1x500, 1x650 and can't remember the 3Rd, I lost 600gsm, so will now do 3x1000 or under. I finished d if I have a decent breakfast I'm full for 5 or 6 hours, then a late lunch, throw in a mini protein bar and I am full and come in way under 1000. So will try 3 if these next week. Will report in after.

Like you, GMH, I am a really great 'dieter' but a rubbish maintainer! I have yo-yo dieted for 40 years and last year, when I found 5:2, I really thought that I had found the solution. I maintained for a few months and then autumn came, a few circumstances which made fasting difficult came along, then Christmas! I found myself in the New Year having regained nearly a stone but still lighter than the previous New year - thanks to 5:2. So I jumped on the 5:2 bandwagon again and got back to my target weight by March.

Since then I am (supposedly) in maintenance but tend to lurch from week to week either eating quite sensibly, fasting a couple of days a week or eating nearly everything in sight! I have started weighing daily and my trigger for having a couple of fasts seems to be about four pounds over my target of 147 pounds, although ideally I would like this trigger to be two pounds. I have found that I no longer eat huge bars of chocolate in the evening and have stopped buying cake and biscuits but this could change as Christmas approaches! I don't mind fasting and if it is the price that I have to pay for not having to count calories, daily, for the rest of my life then that is fine by me!

Good luck in your search for your maintenance regime. It may take a little experimentation but I'm sure that you will arrive at one that works for you.