Hi Thin, in relation to the article I was thinking of how Dr. M maintains in similar way as you do by utilizing both 6:1 and 5:2 as maintenance tools. This sounds healthy as it can be so easy for me to think that I’ve ‘arrived’ when I reach my goal weight/size/shape and could be so easy to leave the program and perhaps feel that I no longer need it. You and Dr. M. underscore the significance of viewing this truly as a WOL (way of life). Also, it is easy for me to put Dr. M on a pedestal! I love reading that he’s just like me! …Has cravings, needs to develop and follow strategies to help him maintain!

I searched out the article because I just wanted to find something where Dr. M stated that he was still practicing a form of IF and hadn’t decided that it was no longer needed or relevant in the advent of the 8 Week Blood Sugar Diet! I guess I’d wondered since Dr. M. hadn’t made any reference to 5:2 or IF during the ‘Insight’ show with Jenny Brockie that aired earlier in the year.

I was elated this morning to find myself weighing less than I did after my last FD and that I’ve broken into the 59 kg range! So fostering more awareness and care, consciousness with NFD eating is helping, making a difference.

Wow Thin, 8 km! I’m envious! A couple or few weeks ago I felt extra energetic so lashed out and did one of the 3 mile Leslie Sansone walking routines on Youtube and have barely exercised since! It is as if my my energy reserves were all used up in 45 minutes and has taken me a couple weeks or so to build them back up again!

As far as having moved down into the 50s, I’m just into them at 59.8 kg this morning! I was thinking of trying on those pants again, though I’d tried them a couple of days ago. At that point I was pleasantly surprised to be able to actually zip them up half way, though decided I’d wait till tomorrow post FD to try them again! …So I’m getting there. I’m sure I was able to wear those when I weighed 59.8 kg last time, last decade! …But back then I had much more muscle mass and a lot less padding around the middle. I’m 3.5 cm narrower at the belly button since starting 5:2, so the padding has decreased though is still more than the 85 cm that Dr. M. cites as upper limit of healthy.

The Madame Flavour choc and orange herbal tea sounds delicious! I’ve seen Madame Flavour varieties at Coles and will have to see if they have that one! Yum!

Hi Thin & Lael, I enjoyed that article on Dr M too and good to know he still relies on 5:2. I’ve not read anything extensive on the BSD but imagined it was mainly directed at those with a major blood sugar problem? I believe you can be overweight but not have a blood sugar problem (me) so perhaps the 2 issues require different approaches?

It stands to reason that this WOE needs to be something you can sustain for life – if you went back to old habits, the weight would eventually find its way back. I’m so encouraged by all the success stories I read here and on the 5:2 and 16:8 Facebook groups. Thanks for letting me join in.

Congratulations Lael on getting into the 50’s! That’s a great milestone getting in to the next ‘decade’.

8km is a great walk Thin! How long does that take you?

Gearing up for another FD tomorrow and actually looking forward to it. Have prepared my lunch and planned dinner so hopefully no slip ups.

I’ve seen Andi S say something about don’t do (…) or you’ll down regulate your metabolism – is that don’t eat too few calories on NFD’s? I’ve definitely not eaten to my TDEE on any day since I’ve started this and hope I’m not doing something that will sabotage my weight loss.

Sleep well everyone.

Well done Merry 64.4 for me on my official weigh day so down 900. Fast day Monday and Thursday for me this week. Merry were we the same weight last week as well.

Well done Merry and Dianna.

Metabolism is a complex thing. A few weeks ago, I mentioned a book I was reading called “10% Human” by Alanna Collen. Lael, Cinque, Merry, Nap, I think you’d be fascinated. Not only does it suggest that all diseases begin in the gut, it explains studies being undertaken that have the potential to turn ‘calories in/calories out’ on its head. It talks about how our gut microbiota enhance our ability to extract calories – and because our personal colonies of bacteria in the large intestine are highly individual, it challenges the long-held belief that a certain food yields a precise calorific value. Say a slice of bread has a standard conversion to yield 100 calories but, due to its microbiota, a human absorbs 102 calories from that slice of bread. This might not seem like much but using a specific example, a 2% extra calorie intake over ten years could potentially result in 19 kgs weight gain (in the case of a 5′ 4″ woman weighing 62kg with a healthy BMI consuming 2000 cals and who actually absorbs an extra 40 cals per day).

Lael, I measure round the belly button since it’s always in the same place. It’s not pretty.

Great news about the Rodney Clark pants. Not sure about the gravy analogy though! I didn’t quite make it to under 60 this morning, in fact I’m right on 60kg. Still happy and ready for a week of mindful eating.

Sorry about Rose’s driving test Cinque. My daughter passed on the 3rd go. She’s not used to failing things but the items she failed on taught her valid lessons and she will never repeat those mistakes. I consider her a very safe driver now. What’s the plan for the hospital dash? I have a feeling it will involve you!

Beth, I think that 8km took about 90 mins, more of a stroll really. I didn’t incorporate any HIT while I was under the weather.

I knew if I tried to explain it in my own words, someone would pounce to correct me. Peter Turnbaugh’s experiments challenge the long-held belief of a food item holding a fixed calorie value. He claims that an overweight person with different gut microbiota may absorb more calories than the standard calculation. I’m not claiming to have any answers, I’m just suggesting the book as interesting reading for posters like Beth asking about metabolism and for those living with chronic illness.

Hi Thin

I just wanted to write and support you. I always get into trouble when I try to use my own words. There are two books well worth reading. Gut by Giulia Enders gives a clear lay persons guide to the intestinal tract and all its functions. Wheat Belly is another book that details why certain foods have different impacts on us. I found them both very helpful, as is Jason Fung’s blog and The Obesity Code.

All books by medicos and all very helpful.

Cheers to you all, Bay🌺🌺

Oh, well done Merry, you have come such a long way I am so happy for you. Not long to go now?!

My weigh in this week was much the same so I revisited MFP (My Fitness Pal) and got out the weighing scales again and have switched back to 16:8, my gosh it is so easy and quick for those horrible old habits to creep back in!! Hadn’t realized how lax I had become, but feeling much better now, daily weigh in varies by a whole kilo most days, either up or down!! but never much less by the time I get to Monday morning!! Am certainly having difficulty focusing this time and don’t seem to be quite as actively busy but am sticking at it, determined to be down to 75kgs by the end of this month, then back on track for another mini goal by Xmas.

Happy fast day to all out there, my next FD is Friday this week as out on a trip weds/Thurs.

Cheers, Turn

Thanks Bay, it’s always good to see your posts here. Thanks too for the book recommendations (and I know you have recommended one of those before). How’s everything going for you? Are you back on track after your long holiday?

Merry, you’re a star! What achievements you’ve made.

Cinque, I hope you enjoy that (maybe) final cooking session on Sunday before the new person arrives.

Turnabout, stick with us. You can do it. Where’s Intesha? And a few others have gone AWOL, Judy, Dan, Nap ….. I hope we will hear from you all again when you’ve time.

Did you get the forecast snow last week?

Hi all! I’m just checking in quickly! I haven’t had time to read everyone’s posts since I was out all day, though will catch up on them since I don’t want to miss anything!

Turns out I’m fasting tomorrow since it is an easier and shorter day at TAFE!

Cheers!

Well done Merry, Dianna and everyone for continuing to lead the way and show newbies like me how it’s done!

So exciting Merry to be so close to your goal, and the lure of the fave trousers fitting is a great motivator! I did the same thing recently with a favourite dress. I’m wearing a 16 now but bought it in a 12 for next winter! How’s that for positive thinking! It was on sale for $29 so that was good too.

I’m glad to say my weight loss graph continues in a downward trend! 78.8kg this morning and it’s fast day today. That means I’ve lost the equivalent of 9 packs of butter!! I find those 250g packages of butter a very visual way to see results.

79kg was my first goal so that’s done 😊 I’ll change my goal to 75kg in the tracker now.

I’m sorry some of the people on this thread have been absent for a while, I hope it’s not because some newbies have joined?

I keep hearing Jason Fung being mentioned so better read up on him!

Happy fast day to anyone fasting today.

Hi forum friends. I’m still here but have been fighting a few demons lately. Questioning the meaning of life….. Still did my FDs which two years ago would have been unheard of, once I went off the rails that was it. I did do a lot of mindless eating on the other days and watched the weight gradually creep back up into the 70kgs but just couldn’t get my mind sorted. I hate feeling like this but things just get on top of me at times.

I think I’m now back on track and after my FD yesterday weighed in at 68.1 this morning. I’ve started my diet diary again and tracking everything I eat.

Congratulations Merry, you too have dealt with some pretty awful stuff and come out the other side as an inspiration.

For all the newbies, take heart that no matter how hard it seems at times that this way of life is so doable if you are determined to keep getting back on the horse. It is also very forgiving when we have our dummy spits.

Hi!

Just poking my head in briefly as I work on my last TAFE assignment for my course, it’s quite a comprehensive task so I may not be around quite as much until it’s finished!

Thin, I think the whole gut microbiome is fascinating and I do see the study of it as disruptive technology and fertile ground for turning established ideas on their heads. In my thyroid group, many like me found that their autoimmune condition improved when they improved gut flora, so I embrace the potential. I’ll check out those books!

Welcome Michaela! Great to have another Kiwi! …Hey, Hagar are you still there?

Intesha, I’m glad you’re back! I missed you!

Merry, I’m excited reading of your zipping up those favorite ‘goal post’ slacks! Isn’t it exhilarating newly fitting into a best-loved garment!?!

Turn, I love bicycle riding! Would be fun to join you!

Cinque, that you and your daughter work together in the kitchen to prepare a whole week of nourishing meals sounds really good. How wonderful to share that time with your daughter and then also have a full week of meals ready and waiting so that they only need to be heated up! …On the news they showed that dense cloud swirl over the lower part of the continent and Tasmania, hope you are staying dry and warm. It must be quite wet for your kitty to only venture out for short periods!

Beth, I love the analogy of the packages of butter, since it too is fat, like what we are shedding! You’re on a roll with the 2.3 kg loss in 2.5 weeks!

Dianna, happy fasting for tomorrow!

Hi everyone
Gosh its so hard to keep up with all the comments on here but thank you for all the encouragement.
To the newbies I can so recommend FD its awesome changed my life. Just needing to keep track of that mindless eating that has come back with life stresses.
Remember though its not just about the weight loss but also other health benefits which for me has meant the knee pain I had disappeared, my asthma is so much better and I rarely seem to get sick.
I missed the post from Cinque about meal prep but its so worth doing stuff like that takes your mind off the food.
FD tomorrow yay – loving eating my rainbow Buddha bowls on those days – lots of color and they fill me up.

Intesha, I know what it’s like to let your life control you so much that all the bad habits that you tried so hard to rid they all come flooding back. Please let us know if we can help you in anyway.

I was diagnosed with clinical depression when I was 18 years old & they think I had it way before that too. Every time something gets too hard I fall off the wagon. Last year I lost 19kgs with the help of this diet & my Mum but sadly life got too hard & I gave into everything. Thinking that I was ALWAYS hungry.
I am now a home owner so I am very careful with my budget & what foods I buy for our meals. Yes we have treats but other than that it is good solid meal foundations. LOTS of veggies & little meat so its just for flavour these days. I know that this will be hard for me as I am very much a Mummy’s girl & don’t cope being away from her for too long (i secretly think she loves it that way) but whenever I am feeling down or sad all I have to do is pick up the phone & she knows what to do straight away. So I am hoping this is the best change for me & that I can truly stick at it this time around for the better.

Congratulations Intesha! A whole kilogram drop in a week is wonderful and I agree about the water! Shedding water weight is still related to the liver releasing fat.

I was thinking this week what high respect I have for anyone who is practicing this WOL (way of life). I agree it isn’t easy and takes a lot of focus, commitment and faith. However, it has been so worth it for me!

I got a heap of test results this week and did a happy dance in the doctor’s office when he reported the improvement in my blood sugar, HDL up, LDL and triglycerides down!

Michaela, your FD menu plan sounds really good! Good to see your hydration schedule! I’ve had FDs (fast days) where I forget to drink enough fluids, so your schedule looks like a helpful reminder!

Aw awesome Lael. I am glad that it helped someone.

Feeling pretty ick today. Have had a horrible bout of my IBS. Woke up in total agony. So didn’t go to the gym but I am determined to go tonight after work & stay in the routine.

Hello everyone,

Well done Intesha, you’ve had great results on the scale this week!

Good fast day Wednesday but only dropped 100g. It’s amazing how much that scale can lift or deflate your mood! I reminded myself not to be discouraged and that I’ve read plenty of stories on forums of people whose weight loss plateaued or stalled, sometimes for a couple of months at a time. I fasted Mon & Wed and will probably do Saturday as well to hopefully boost the 3 week loss closer to 3kg.

I read an interesting comment from one of the admins on the 16:8 diet Australia Facebook page – she said it’s less about the calories you consume on FD’s, and more about the length of your fasting window that makes the difference to your weight loss (and health benefits)

This particular lady does 16:8 every day and a 23:1 once a week and lost 13kg in 14 weeks. She said she doesn’t really count calories anymore since she went low carb. It certainly made me think a little differently about the fast days, and the benefits of 16:8 every day if it can be done. It really goes against all the conventional diet recommendations we’ve been hearing for years doesn’t it? Especially the ‘eat 5 smaller meals spread throughout the day’ regime and the ‘breakfast like a king’ notion. No wonder we’ve all found it so hard using the ‘old’ methods.

We came down to Sydney yesterday for some tests and stayed overnight. Had a lovely dinner last night with 5 of my school friends (+ husbands) who I’ve known for 39 years! Fun night with lots & lots of laughs. Did not overeat I’m happy to say and did not touch the pre-dinner cheese & crackers (amazing for me as that’s my weakness) or the pavlova or post dinner chocolates. This way of life is definitely making me make smarter choices on the nfd’s and truthfully, it’s not making me feel deprived (as most diets always have).

However, am not completely virtuous as I shared a potato scallop yesterday at lunch when my OH had fish & chips. I had my fave sushi instead, the little inside out rolls with tuna & avocado ~ yummmmm. I love living in the country but I do miss the variety of food options I had in the city.

We’re off to do one of my favourite things this morning (and something I really miss about living in the city) the FARMERS MARKET!!! Odd isn’t it that living in the country there’s a complete lack of farmers markets. (I actually think Coles & Woolies have some deal with the council that prevents farmers markets setting up in town 😡 )

When I lived in the city I used to go the farmers market every week, I love them. All that fresh produce and gourmet bits & pieces and treats! So, breakfast & shopping there, a stop at the wholesale butcher, a couple more tests and than off home via a work colleagues wedding ceremony this afternoon!

Have a great day everyone.
Beth

Cinque: Bout still going on unfortunately. I want to curl up under my desk at this stage. Yes my mum is an amazing woman & wouldn’t change her or our relationship for the world. She is actually ‘Hilary4’ on this forum.

I enjoyed your post Beth. There are increasingly more challenges being made to our conventional thinking. Food manufacturers have a lot to answer for. Last night, there was a programme on SBS entitled, ‘Why Are We Getting So Fat?’. Quite interesting. Aussie viewers can watch it on SBS on demand. Interest in gut bacteria is gaining more momentum.

I agree with your thinking on increasing the fasting window. This makes sense to me in terms of the less tangibles like cell repair. I will still be strictly adhering to quarter TDEE on FDs consumed within a 6 hour window. We’re all different so we have to find out what works for us as individuals. Two years on and I’m still a work in progress. 5:2 in maintenance sees me continuing to lose weight which I don’t want (I never thought I’d find myself saying that!). 6:1 sees my weight slowly creeping up towards the FD and today I’m only 100gm from my ‘trigger weight’. Trigger weight means an immediate fast day. The other problem with 6:1 for me is that there are too many days between FDs for it to be beneficial in re-setting portion control and to remember mindful eating.

Hi Thin
helpme mentioned she had signed on here and found this thread – said I should check in again. I’ve just checked out the faecal transplants – I had never heard of them. First reaction is “ick” but it makes some sense. She was a Caesarean birth and the current research is showing that these babies miss out on exposure to Mum’s gut flora by not passing through the birth canal. With the rise in C-sections in the Western world, it goes some way to explain the rise in auto-immune-type gut problems.

Hi Thin,

I am determined more than ever this time & I am now a home owner so sadly I don’t have Mum’s support under the same roof anymore. But she gets a lot of phone calls which I am sure she gets sick of hearing about me haha.
Thank you for the reference but usually I only have a flare up if I have eaten too much dairy or white bread.

Hilary4 – I do not need to know that information about my birth!!!

Have a lovely weekend.
Michaela

Beth I found your post very interesting. What we all have to remember is that we didn’t put the weight on overnight so we can’t expect to lose it overnight. It’s a slow process getting rid of it and 5:2, 16:8, or whatever we follow is for the rest of our lives so it has to fit into our lives without us feeling deprived of anything.

I have had several plateaus over the 18 months and even though I know my body is adjusting on the inside it is still hard when you don’t see any loss on the scales. I weigh myself morning and night and now realise what a difference even 8 hours can make so I try to be kind to myself now and don’t sweat the small stuff.

When I was at my heaviest 18 years ago I weighed 105kg, over the years it went down but I found it hard to get under 80, now at 68 I can’t believe it’s me or that I shed that amount of weight. I’m horrified when I see photos of me back then. I was going through a marriage breakup and I ate and drank to compensate. I think,Dr M should be knighted for his contribution to IF. It is so forgiving if followed 99% of the time.

Yes Thin I am feeling much better and now looking forward to that 65kg which seems very close now. Your journey is inspiring and keeps me on track.

My cholesterol has gone sky high again but the Dr knows it was because of my binge eating. She hasn’t put me on any tablets this time but has told me to watch what I eat and come back in 6 months. So it just goes to show how quickly things can happen otherwise I am very healthy.