I've done this before, not sure I can do it again?

This topic contains 8 replies, has 4 voices, and was last updated by MaryAnn 9 years, 4 months ago.

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Sarahann

1:07 pm
9 Aug 15
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Hi. I successfully followed the Fast Diet in 2013, and found it worked so well for me; I lost almost 2 stone in 6 months, felt great, and even after I stopped, the weight stayed off for ages. Fast forward 2 years and I’m back at square one, or maybe even square minus one. I’ve put all the weight back plus some more for good measure. I’m 51 next week, and I feel rubbish. None of my clothes fit, every bra I wear feels like a torture device, I feel and look dreadful and need to get myself together.
I can’t understand why I find the prospect of fasting again so daunting, when I’ve done it before and know it works; I think I found it quite tough mentally more than physically, as I love my food so much, and I’m not sure I’m strong enough to do it again!
Any support would be very welcome- by the way I’m 5’6″ and weigh 12 stone 3 lbs and have just bought my first pair of size 16 trousers…help!

annette52

3:01 pm
9 Aug 15
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Hi Sara,
I started in Jan 2013 and shrank over the months, but put on a whopping 10 lb each December when I threw caution to the wind and gave up the 5:2. I too struggled to get back and worried about the fast days(FD), although I knew that I would be fine and not collapse in a heap!
1st January 2015I stood on the scales to find that I was on the way to being the weight that I started at 2 years previously. Very, very depressed at 11 stone 5 lb. I am now 10st 5lb and there is 18 inches less of me.
My top tips are to accept that this is a way of life and you will be doing it forever. Measure your statistics and log them every week with your weight, try on clothes then too.
Find out what your TDEE is from the ‘resources’ part of this page and eat up to that figure on your non fast days(NFD). Just start tomorrow, make sure that you have things to keep you busy and out of the kitchen. Plan what you are going to eat tomorrow.
You can do it for 1 little day..and then another…
We are here with you.

Sarahann

4:11 pm
9 Aug 15
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Thanks for taking the time to reply Annette. I’m so glad I’ve found this forum and I already feel less daunted at the prospect of fasting again.
I can speak from experience as I’ve done this before and I know it works, it really isn’t that tough and the fact I’ve piled the weight back on is solely down to my gluttony!
What I found hard last time on FD’s was not the hunger – that was always manageable, but having nothing to look forward to after a day’s work. Part of my enjoyment of food is looking forward to a delicious dinner or a glass of wine accompanied by cheese and biscuits ( savoury stuff is always my downfall ), and it was hard knowing a meagre meal was all that awaited me!
But I’m determined now to get cracking – and having these forums will be a great help I’m sure. Thanks again x

annette52

4:39 pm
9 Aug 15
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I have always made it a point to eat on a FD food that I love. Aim for protein and leaves. I am not a fan of vegetables although I do make vegetable soup and freeze it in single portions for those chilly days.
My FD approach is to miss breakfast and then wait until lunch time and either eat 100g prawns with salad and then tea is a portion of salmon straight from the freezer and baked in foil with chilli flakes and some peas. Plan what you are going to have and look forward to it.

It isn’t food that makes us fat, but habit. Change the habit and shift the lbs.

Why not write down what you usually eat and then tot up those calories? Information is power as this is a way of life rather than a quick fix. If you know what that glass of wine costs in calories as well as the cheese and biscuits, you can then make choices about how much and how often you will indulge.

Serenity

5:56 pm
9 Aug 15
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Hi Sarahann and annette52. I too did 5:2 a couple of years ago and lost a little (not much to lose but feel too heavy for my height and tight jeans!). Seem to then go off on a tangent trying this and that, forgetting 5:2 and only losing and gaining the same few pounds. I now feel I am in the right frame of mind to start again. Tried 16:8 this week for 5 days (day off yesterday and today). Just dusted off my book and found my old recipes for my first fast day and told my husband to hide the wine. 🙂

Sarahann

6:51 pm
9 Aug 15
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Hi Serenity, thanks for replying! I’m getting motivated by remembering how good I felt and how many people noticed my weight loss. I lent my Fast Diet book to loads of people, as they couldn’t believe it could be that easy to lose weight.
That’s why I’m so disappointed in myself for having piled it all on again…I’ve never been so big, and having long resisted, had to buy a pair of size 16 trousers for work.
Thanks to everyone here, there’s some great advice already and it’s good to know I’m not alone!

MaryAnn

12:41 am
11 Aug 15
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Hi Sarahann, maybe look at some 5:2 recipe books or even just free recipes online. Maybe if you make some new dishes, you’ll be more excited about your evening meal?

Also… don’t assume you’ll ever get to stop fasting (or doing something active to maintain weight once you’ve reached your goal). I reached my goal weight almost 2 years ago, and I still fast 3 times a week just to maintain my weight (or get rid of holiday excess). It’s not this hard for everyone, luckily, but it is really necessary to keep an eye on things regularly. This is the thing the popular press gets most wrong about weight loss/weight loss maintenance.

Good luck!

Sarahann

7:16 am
11 Aug 15
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Hi MaryAnn, thanks for replying. I completed my first fast day yesterday, and feel great today! I’ve always been ambivalent about the sort of food I eat on a fast day, as although I know there are lots of lovely recipes and ideas for meals out there, my natural inclination is to try and stay out of the kitchen and almost disregard food if possible.
Anyway, I feel pleased that I’ve started again on the path to a healthier weight, and am determined to keep it up with all the support and help there is on here! Thanks again.

MaryAnn

6:01 am
12 Aug 15
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TBH I’ve bought a few of the recipe books, but I don’t really use them. I tend to do a stir fry with loads of veg, which I change up to keep things interesting. It’s simple, easy to shop for, and I don’t spend a lot of worrying/obsessing.

The recipes do look good though. haha