The FastDay Forum

I don't think that any WOE will result in us having perfect bodies, even though we may have reached our target weights.

I have a BMI of 19.6, having last a total of 15 kgs, mostly by following Atkins.

I have lost 2.4 kgs in the last 3 weeks on 5:2, but I know that there will come a time soon when I should slow things down.

I still have a roll of fat round my middle, and cannot get rid of my bingo wings, even though I do arm exercises.

Apparently, there is a hormonal reason why fat gathers under the arms. Even top female athletes have it to some degree, so what hope have WE got?!!

I don't think you can get rid of all the little fat deposits when you are older. Now I've lost 6kgs my hip bones, ribs and shoulder blades are visible so I definitely don't want to lose anymore weight, but I still have fat on my thighs, even with running/walking every day.

Hey How is everyone getting on here on maintenance?

I have been doing 5:2 since February and I have reached my first goal of 78kg. My Girlfriend is starting to think that i am at a weight that I should maintain But I still have a bit of belly and would like to see a little more weight loss - to around 72kg. I feel i am fitter and dont want to stop just yet.

My question is how do you know when to stop trying to lose weight?

A very good question, and I am probably not the best person to advise as I keep dropping below my targets... I can no longer pinch significant fat anywhere so I will be happy to stay where I am at around 61.7kg with a BMI of 19.3 - but this morning I entered a supposed fast day at my lightest yet. Needless to say I have not done 600 cals today.
This sort of BMI will not suit you if you are a strapping young fellow - I am very old and have shrunk somewhat over last few years.

Creaky Pete Old is a state of mind. My friend refers to herself as a very old lady at 76. My mother doesn't think she is old at 90! Me I truly don't think about it at 67.

Hi Legoman,

Well the obvious guide is your BMI, though the 'new BMI' calculator here is probably better if you are significantly taller or shorter than average.

Then there is your 'frame size' to consider. Susan found this calculator based on wrist size. The logic is that if you are 'big boned' a higher weight/BMI would be appropriate.

But arguably more important than either is the waist-height ratio which should be below 0.50 - hopefully you already are? I posted earlier a link to a study which suggested that given the 'right' waist circumference (i.e. WHtR), it seems to be healthier for older people to be heavier, not lighter. But our body shape (apple/pear) is genetically pre-determined. Unless you are very fortunate with your natural body shape I think exercise is the (only?) way to add weight without adding waist (i.e. by building muscle).

Thanks Dominic and CreakyPete for your responses,

I am 5ft 10, and have a pretty standard body shape (although I am a pear shape).
I checked my frame size and I am not in the big frame category.

I don’t check my waist to height ratio but a couple of weeks ago it was around 0.47, I would of thought it’s a little less than that now.

As my BMI is still in the upper end of the healthy range, I will keep on 5:2 but will stop when my BMI gets to around 22.5 – 23 (72kg).

I still have some fat stores that I want to go, I feel as if I should focus less on cardio and more on weights.

It is actually really hard to tell when you should stop losing weight, I just needed to stop and think and have a good luck in the mirror and make a call. When my other half said I should consider stopping or maintaining for a while I had to stop and think. She worries that I am developing an eating disorder – which I am not.

How did you know when you stop and maintain?

Well, in my case I came back from an active holiday in California last year weighing 10stone 4lbs, which also happened to be my weight in the sixth form at school. I felt very fit and well so this was always going to be my first target.
The runup to Xmas and general overeating during the dark evenings found me at 10stone 11lbs, a pound of which I had already lost before starting 5:2.
I went back to target very quickly, had a chat with Carorees about going lower, read Franglaise's posts about low BMI and maintaining and decided to aim for 10 stone exactly. Then at Easter we had a holiday in a hotel with half-board meals and fantastic buffets - and had a bout of Norovirus! When we got home I only weighed 9-11 so rather than deliberately put fat back on this became my maintenance level, and this is working out reasonably well apart from waking up at 134.4lbs yesterday. Am trying to keep some muscles by doing press ups/pull ups/cycling and parkruns. So far so good...
PS: In the Horizon programme Dr Mosley spoke to a CRONie chap about my height and 135lbs - he was considered a bit weird and scrawney. That's me, that is!

How did you know when you stop and maintain?

It really is a personal choice. I had a goal I wanted to get to and did, then I lost a little more weight and then stopped and went on maintenance when family told me I was getting a little too thin. Maybe it would be better to do exercise to reduce your tummy rather than losing more weight, as you might not lose the weight there anyway? I think the older you get the more important it is to have some reserve. I had a very difficult week last week and had no appetite - as a result ended up dropping another 1,5kgs which isn't healthy and if I got ill I would have nothing in reserve.
As long as you are healthy, you can choose where on the 'healthy' BMI scale you feel most comfortable and which weight is the most easy to maintain.

Thanks for your replies,

I hope you are feeling better this week Franglaise.

I am going to really think about how I feel about my weight and monitor it.

I have a feeling that the last place I have weight to lose is my belly – I seem to have lost everywhere but there (best start taking waist measurements).

Also If I end up looking too skinny can always just eat more and get back to this weight.

Thanks for your input and I will keep you all posted on my progress.