Melbourne, Australia – 5:2 6 week challenge!

This topic contains 18 replies, has 5 voices, and was last updated by hankdog77 8 years, 5 months ago.

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cellophane

6:44 am
14 Jun 16
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Hi all,

I’m living in Melbourne and want to start the 5:2 this week or next week and am looking for a team of people who would like to do it alongside me for support and possible walk meet ups. We can communicate on Fitbit or her on the forum would be great too.

I’m a teacher and very busy and have found finally, that my Low Carb diet is leaving me feeling starved for ideas and is harder to keep up with, after a year of keeping off 20kg.

Let me know who’s keen to start and if you want to do the same fast days every week all together? I thought that could be a good idea for motivation.

Cheers,

Sally

bigbooty

8:18 am
14 Jun 16
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Hi cello,

Cant really join in as Im in Adelaide. Im assuming that you lost your weight without doing 5:2 and now want to make sure you keep it off? Just make sure you get your carbs from veggies (and some fruit) and stay away from bread, pasta, rice, SUGAR, potatoes. All those simple carbs spike your insulin which means you stored carbs as fat. Im currently doing 6:1 and most weeks have to “force” myself to eat more just to maintain my weight.

Good luck with the maintenance.

cellophane

10:50 am
14 Jun 16
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Hey thanks,

Join me anyway! I actually have 6 kilos to goal, which I reached over summer and have put on since so your advice is truly welcome!! Wow, that’s amazing, did you make goal?

So you’d say your appetite has reduced significantly? I have cut out sugar a long time ago and eat low carb. I’m starting tomorrow with my partner and we’re going to do two consecutive days in a row and then every week we’ll do Tuesdays and Thursdays fasting and gym (HIIT and yoga) every other day.

Thanks, would be great to hear a bit more about your journey 🙂

C

ANAIDE

4:45 pm
14 Jun 16
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Hello cellophane,

I’m from Brazil, I am Lowcarb almost two years, I fasts in various ways but always without carbohydrates.

Fasting more I adapted was 23: 1 or 24 hours, is to make one meal in the day, I think the best for me, durnte day drink tea, coffee, water … and night dinner around 1000 calories, I almost monday to friday, now here it is winter and the intense cold makes the difficult fast.

Or do 5: 2 but on the second day instead of breakfast I go to lunch there instead of 36 hours fasting is 40 hours.

With Lowcarb diet I lost 20 kg in one year after the second year I went back to gain weight and I gained 5 kg.

I found out fast after I stopped losing weight and started to recover them, now 2 months I lost weight 5 kg and I’m in the previous weight, although weight 105 kg, my goal would be 90 kg where I would be happy, because I have 56 years and lose weight too much skin is left.

I’m doing well this week for intensive on Saturday and Sunday I will travel and be on the anniversary of 79 years of my mother, we are descendants of Italians, lots of good food! And we live in the state of Paraná, is just south, land a lot of barbecue!

Sorry if the writing was bad, Translate Google’s fault.

A Brazilian hug for you !!

cellophane

2:16 am
15 Jun 16
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Hey ANAIDE!!

Thanks for the Brazilian hug for me! Your story sounds like mine with the LCHF journey and the slow gain back of 5kg.

I have started my first fasting day today, I’ve had coffee and 3 hardboiled eggs with hummus. I plan on walking for an hour tonight but nothing too strenuous. How have you gone losing the 5 that you re-gained?

Any advice would be fab!

Cheers,

Cello

ANAIDE

1:49 pm
15 Jun 16
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Hello, I’m losing my weight and fasting, because HIT say that aerobic exercise is not very effective, climb 12 floors of the building where work twice a day, once in the morning when I arrive and again at lunchtime.

When fast day only drink tea, water and coffee, food only at dinner.

After I got Lowcarb, I do not need breakfast, so on days of fasting not yet give a fast 16: 8.

A good day for you, keep in touch.

Nama

2:18 pm
15 Jun 16
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Hi Cellophane,
Welcome to 5:2! Dont be disappointed if your first fasts are difficult, it does get easier. Just remember to drink lots of water, and even have a bit of salt if you get a headache. This helps. A lot of us have miso soup for a change from tea/coffee on fast days, its nice on these cold Melbourne days.

I am in Melbourne too but probably in a different demographic to you – now retired (paeds nurse) and having lost 23kgs am maintaining on a relaxed version of 5:2 I rely on weighing daily and time my fasts around my social eating, ie I ‘compensate’ by fasting after feasting and try to eat mindfully the rest of the time.

I know low carb is effective, but I am not prepared to eat that way forever and simply try to eat lots of veggies, moderate protein (fish, meat or poultry) plus small amounts of carbs on non fast days and weekends. Intermittent fasting has allowed me to control my weight for the first time in my life and my tastes in food have definitely changed in a way I would not have believed. I still enjoy sweet things, but no longer crave them as I used to. I am lucky to be healthy, but excess weight was affecting my knees and hips as I got into my 60’s. Pain from osteoarthritis of my knees was severe and constant. Replacement surgery was advised. However, thanks to fasting and 5:2, I have no pain whatsoever and feel 20 yrs younger! I have taken up swimming (laps) and can walk all day (well almost)! The best bit has been going from size 18 to size 12 jeans!

I started 5:2 in Sept 2014, lost 10kgs by that Xmas then another 10 by the following July. The last few have been very slow, probably because I am less motivated. But I know I will never put the weight back on (as I did 3 times previously using weight watchers). The beauty of it is the versatility. Work out what suits you, fit it in around your life and you wont feel deprived. Keep busy, busy on fast days and remember that being hungry comes in waves, have a drink of water and it will pass. Winter is definitely harder, no fuel to burn to keep us warm, so activity is the key. Your body will soon get used to exercising in a fasted state.

Keep asking questions on this forum, you will learn a lot.
Good luck, cheers.

cellophane

11:09 pm
16 Jun 16
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Hey Nama,

Thanks that’s inspiring. I’m only needing to lose 5.5 kg and I am open to every demographic! I’m 32 and I could use a walking buddy. 🙂

I started yesterday and went really well. Fasting again tomorrow, gym tonight and yoga both days on the weekend (I do strenuous, burn 350 an hour yoga). So, I;ve decided not to weigh. I’m a size 10 and if I’m going to do this longterm I want to stop worrying about 500g here and there. I’m going to do my first recorded weigh in after a month. 🙂

First fast went well, but I probably went over by 100cal.

Tomorrow I’ll do water and tea only.

Thanks for your advice!

Anaide – when you 16:8, what do you mean? Maybe I didn’t watch the documentary!

Nama

2:36 am
17 Jun 16
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Hi Cellophane,

Well done on your first fast, sounds like you are on the right track. Its great that you are getting in control of your weight whilst so young. I have yo yo dieted since I was 16 and have tried them all. Fasting is the only way I have succeeded and I know I will fast regularly forever now.

It sounds like you love your exercise! I think that is wonderful, but when it comes to controlling your weight, what goes in your mouth is far more important. The exercise will make you toned and improve your heart/lung capacity, plus make you feel great. Lots of people tend to overeat thinking they are compensating with exercise. (Not suggesting you do this!!) Sorry if I sound like on a soap box…..

What part of Melbourne are you in? I am in the SE suburbs.
Cheers.

cellophane

3:12 am
17 Jun 16
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Great advice Nama,

Ooh me too I’m in Oakleigh!! 🙂

Yeah, that has been my problem for a while, but I also have been strictly carb free for a year but it’s getting hard as I’m a long term vego. I got sick of eating hard boiled eggs for protein. So I’m looking forward to some balance and a bigger range of food in my diet. I’m also celiac so that makes it difficult for variety. GF foods are full of crap too, so I do a lot of my own cooking.

Love exercise, just getting back into interval running again. 🙂

Cello

Nama

4:04 am
17 Jun 16
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Oh Oakleigh – my favourite Greek cake shops!!! I am just down the road in Rowville cello. Maybe we can meet for a coffee one day….. I am sorry but can’t commit to meeting for regular walks, but more than happy to support you on line. I swim laps at the heated pool (Lifestyle) in Wheelers Hill and walk with my husband now that we are both retired. We also spend a lot of time at our cottage in Jamieson near Mansfield.

This forum is a great tool for support and knowledge, lots of experienced fasters on here. I have made lots of friends from all over the world, have even met several of them. People who have no weight problems just dont get it and lots of them think you are crazy to fast.

I understand your difficulties with a gluten free diet, very restrictive at times. A niece and a good friend are celiac. In fact my nursing friend who is GF was overloading on sugar big time. She is very fit and cycles hundreds of kms a week, so her weight was not an issue, but I always nagged her about her sugar intake. Fortunately she has conquered that now and agrees with me about the sugar demon quietening down if it is not fed! I cant help with vegetarian options, committed carnivore here, sorry. Do you eat seafood? I did make a lovely veggie pasta for my son’s MIL recently (she is a veggie), pumpkin and ricotta cheese (from Taste.com), but the pasta is not what you need at present. Can you substitute slices of veggies for the pasta? My biggest go to food is home made coleslaw. I make a huge batch every week, time consuming but then its a real ‘fast food’ as I eat it every night with variations. Sometimes just with fetta, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes and olives added, sometimes with a piece of salmon on top. Or sometimes I have some veggie patties that IGA sell – Bite Me brand – only 20 cals each and quite tasty. Another faster put me on to them and I always keep them in the fridge, great standby with salad. The coleslaw keeps well in a sealed container without dressing and its so handy to have. I even throw in some chopped nuts when I make it.

You mentioned you are a teacher, what school are you at? Great respect for teachers. I love kids and was a paeds nurse for years but would not have the patience to teach!

hankdog77

4:43 am
17 Jun 16
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Cello,

I’d love to join you in this challenge. I’ve tried before and failed, but I think with a team we can make it through. I’m starting my first fast day tomorrow; when are you starting?

-Hankdog

cellophane

12:03 am
18 Jun 16
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Awesome Hankdog77!!

I’m doing my second fast today too! I’m sticking to fluids until night and I may have two eggs if I’m hungry in the avo.

How are you going so far?

I’m feeling really motivated. I’ve got a vinyasa flow class today so we’ll see how I go exercising and fasting. I think I’ll be fine. 🙂

Lots of water, I need to remind myself. 🙂

Cello

cellophane

12:07 am
18 Jun 16
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Hey Nama,

I love the bite me patties, I buy them all the time. They are one of few that are actually gluten free and vego. There’s not much to choose from. They are pretty healthy too.

I’m at Parkdale. Love it! Fantastic kids and love the school.

On day two of fasting now. Ate my daily calorie expenditure and 20 something calories more. Had quite a bit of bread but no fast food or sugar (apart from the sugar in the carbs obv). We’ll see how I go today. I’m motivated to fast with 400 or under today.

🙂

hankdog77

2:45 pm
20 Jun 16
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Just finished my second fast day yesterday! I decided to try doing it every other day for quicker results.

I was pleasantly surprised that I didn’t feel hungry at work at all; I work in a restaurant, so temptations are all over the place. I’ve also heard that inhaling the alcohols in food when it cooks can decrease the appetite, so maybe that’s why I’m never hungry while cooking.

The trouble I have is towards night, around 11 p.m., when I head to the kitchen for a “snack” that turns into a binge. Any suggestions on how to get to sleep on an empty stomach?

Also, how often are you guys weighing yourselves? I’m afraid to step back on the scale until a few weeks of intermittent fasting.

Nama

3:18 pm
20 Jun 16
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Well done on another successful fast hankdog! The evening munchies have undone many a good fast day, you are not alone! I usually ‘save’ something such as a small serve of berries/yoghurt (berries are best choice for fruit sugar wise) and have a hot drink. I have been doing this almost 2 years (successfully) and still find evenings the hardest; Absolute best is to keep out of the kitchen and keep busy! This may sound weird, but if absolutely know I am going to binge, I avert it with a spoon of peanut butter – keeps the mouth busy and quite filling. Not for everyone though!

Weighing frequency is an individual thing. I have to weigh daily to keep myself honest. I even have a small set of travel scales if I leave home. Obviously the number on the scale is not totally accurate as far as weight lost, lots of things affect it, eg after a fast day there is no food ‘in transit’ so you will always be much lighter….but I find its the only way I can be accountable. Plenty of people dont weigh very often, that suits them. Like everything with 5:2 you need to experiment to find out what works best for you.

And hang around here and ask questions, its a great network.

cellophane

11:05 pm
20 Jun 16
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Great advice! Well done, I’m on my third today as well.

I found the second day much harder than the first but now I’m getting used to it. I am only having liquids today, I found the day I ate anything it was much harder. I’ve got these great asian cup of soups that are all natural and only 36 cal each, and vego and gluten free, which I am. 😛

I had a feed day yesterday that did go haywire, I must confess. I went a bit nuts. I’m now not hungry in the slightest, because I hogged out so much last night. But ladies will all agree that at least a day in every month you feel like you need to eat everything insight. Having been sugar free for a year now, last night was an unusual binge. One I will not allow again for a long while.

I’m fighting off the temptation of weighing until I’ve done a month of fasting intermittently. I’m also doing every second day hankdog77.

Anyway, going well – ish.

Hopefully today and the next few days can make up for last night.

😮

Cello

Nama

11:46 pm
20 Jun 16
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Cello dont beat yourself up over one day of eating – happens to us all. The best thing about 5:2 is we improve our relationship with food, ie it is no longer the ‘bad guy’ Have a day like that, recognise you are human, and move one! And every fast day is different, some are really easy, some not so. I find the easiest ones are when I am occupied and away from food. 18m ago if I walked past a food court at the shops (on a FD), the smells would be so hard to take, even the sausage sizzle at Bunnings! Now, thats rare even on a fast day. I think its all to do with a belief in yourself, plus enjoying being so much smaller!

Fancy you being at Parkdale! I have a niece who used to own the Curves franchise there, plus several friends, you may even teach some of their kids! I lived in Mentone as a kid, was a “Kilbreda Girl”!!! LONG time ago…

Would you mind telling me the name of the soups you buy? I make cauliflower soup and a big bowl of that is only 100 cals, but yours sound great for a fast day when there is no home made stuff….and fewer cals! I am glad you know about the veg patties, a friend in Sydney (from this forum) put me on to them. They are nice hot or cold, but recently I tried putting them in a hot oven (only cos it happened to be on) and they were sensational, crunchy on the outside and melted inside. I usually have them with a mountain of coleslaw plus a tiny bit of chutney.

I am impressed that you two are both doing alternate days. I often do M/W/F and have weekends off if there has been a lot of socialising..

hankdog77

5:32 am
21 Jun 16
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Nama, thanks for the advice and encouragement! I definitely will be needing lots of that on this journey.

Cello, I also had a pretty wild non-fast day. I kept telling myself, “go do your exercise!” but I never did, and I ended up eating too much once again. I’m so ready to conquer this bad relationship with food; are you? Let’s do this thing!

Fasting day begins in half an hour. Time for bed.