My lovely boyfriend has been promising me for months that he would write a guest blog post to give some insight into what it's like for him, living with me doing 5:2 - apart from having to eat on his own twice a week! Over a pint last night, he made good his promise:
________________________________________________________
When I was in my teens I'd eat as much as I wanted of what ever I wanted and not put on weight. "Wait until you're in your 20s," I was told.
When I was in my 20s I ate all I wanted, washed it down with as much drink as I wanted and still was able to get the same size clothes as when I was 19. "Ah, but wait until you hit you 30s," I was warned.
Through my 30s I ate American sized portions was less active than in my 20s and still able to wear the t-shirts I had from the 90s. By this time in my life people stopped warning me about pending weight gain.
Through the last 20 years I have had partners that have struggled with weight problems. What I've found challenging time and time again is knowing how to support someone that's going through something I've not been through myself. In each relationship the weight loss is not something I've instigated, at least not consciously. In each case the partner I was with started on their weight loss journey due to discomfort or medical problems.
I've sat and listened to how "x" will be the system that succeeds where "y" failed. I've heard eating plans explained then six months later discredited. I've waited in the car outside diet support groups as my partner went to get weighed. I've bitten my tongue many times when hearing how each and every system hasn't worked.
Dare I say it, 5:2 is different.
Oh sure it's not all sweetness and light but it's not the constant pain that eating plans which rule out certain food groups or reduce daily intake cause. I very much like that we can still go out for a meal or enjoy a delicious Sunday lunch without any compromise or guilt.
Dear reader, just like you I love to read this blog as the ideas and revelations take us closer and closer to goal.
As I mentioned before I personally struggle with how to help someone through something that I haven't been through myself and I appreciate that many of you reading this have suffered or are suffering and I am truly grateful for the support that you give and wish you the best of strength for reaching your own goals.
________________________________________________________
After reading this, we had a discussion about levels of support. When someone is following a more traditional diet plan, it seems important to constantly encourage and celebrate sticking with the effort and achieving (hopefully) the desired weight loss. With 5:2 it's a little different. To me, at least, this now feels like something I do, embedded in my regular lifestyle, a permanent change to how I behave. I have no plans to stop or change my fasting patterns, regardless of my weight.
So, constant praise feels inappropriate - as the lovely bf pointed out, he doesn't congratulate me every day on going to work, or getting the kids to bed at night (although frankly I think both of those deserve medals on occasion). But, we do ask each other daily - how was work? How was your day? And we do celebrate achievements along the way - projects completed, presentations given, recognition gained - even merely the survival of a particularly difficult day.
That is type of support for my 5:2 lifestyle that I appreciate from him and the other lovely people who I lean on - just asking, how did it go? How do you feel? And saying - well done, your efforts are noticed, for just carrying on with everything we do, every day, even when it's just business as usual.
Tuesday 26 November 2013
Wednesday 20 November 2013
Day Thirty and a half: the hunger games
I've been a bit slack on the blogging front for the last week for various reasons, partly just madly busy and partly a little uninspired. Even though I am in between fasts today, I thought I'd take the opportunity to write while I have the chance.
Day 29 was completed without fuss last Thursday, once again going all day without food until a light dinner in the evening. Day 30 started out just fine, but I realised fairly early on that I wouldn't make it all day. Not a problem, I simply revised my approach to include soup for lunch.
Before eating I decided to have a sneaky peak at the scales. It was 2 weeks since I last weighed, and I thought it would be a nice motivator to see my progress. Bad move! I weighed exactly the same as 2 weeks before, down to the ounce. Suddenly, what had already seemed like a slightly more challenging day than of late, turned into a massive effort of will.
I read somewhere recently that losing weight is not a physical challenge as much as a mental one. No kidding. I battled through with the encouragement of friends and supporters and much stubborn gritting of my teeth. (Mostly so I couldn't fit any food in my mouth...)
The Fast Diet people on Facebook ran a competition this week, asking people to write in describing how 5:2 has changed their lives. I thought about entering, but in the middle of dealing with my own mental challenge, I struggled to put together a coherent description. There are many ways my life has changed, but apart from the obvious physical effect, most of the others are mental. I actually feel that the mental changes are almost more significant. If I had to pick one, I'd say it's the change in my attitude to hunger.
Despite going slightly "fast crazy" on Monday, the outcome was that I completed another successful fast day. I coped with the hunger in all the ways I have learned - distraction, mindfulness, seeking support and drinking fluids. My ability to cope with hunger and the utter turnaround in my attitude towards it still amaze me.
Yesterday I finished up working at a conference around 5pm and walked a couple of miles to the station to get the train home. I had eaten sensibly during the day, but was already hungry. There was a time when the thought of holding out from that point to dinner after 7 o'clock would have been unthinkable. Even though I was looking forward to a lovely dinner out, I would have been diving for the nearest fast food place or cafe to pick up fries or pastries or whatever, to tide me over. Even if I wasn't hungry, I would quite often eat substantial snacks at that time of day, to guard against the possibility that I might become hungry later on, before my next meal was due. Actually not just that time of day, although it was a particularly problem for me, but pretty much any time of day between meals.
It seems insane to me now - in fact I'm pretty sure it was insane. But the relief in quitting that behaviour for good is huge. I now know that I can deal with hunger. I know it won't get worse and worse, it will just come and go. I know I won't pass out or collapse with it. The worst consequence might be an embarrassing tummy rumble during a quiet meeting at work. My snacking habit has almost completely disappeared. I no longer worry about missing out on a food experience as I am an expert at delayed gratification - there will always be another meal, another opportunity for a mouth-watering treat. I regularly leave food on my plate. It makes me feel empowered whenever I do.
I had lunch with work colleagues at a lovely restaurant today, where I know from experience that the portions of their delicious food are quite small. I was discussing possible menu choices with the lady next to me, and she remarked that her choice would probably be influenced by what might fill her up the most - in this case the difference between a pasta starter and scallops. I nodded in understanding, but inside I was gleefully cackling to myself - I didn't need to add that into the equation. I could eat exactly the tastiest dish I wanted and be absolutely sure that in the unlikely event that I wasn't full after the meal, I wouldn't care. As it was, of course, I was quite satisfied with the portions provided.
I have other challenges this week. The hip injury which hasn't bothered me much since the summer has flared up with a vengeance today and I can't walk without a great deal of pain. It's a good reminder of my original motivation for losing weight, to get the pressure off my poor joints so I can get some proper treatment for this injury. And it's good for perspective too. This is a long-term strategy for me. I may not have lost any ounces in the last 2 weeks, but I have lost a great deal since I started, and it is staying off. Every week I persist will bring me results over time, and the odds will be ever in my favour!
Day 29 was completed without fuss last Thursday, once again going all day without food until a light dinner in the evening. Day 30 started out just fine, but I realised fairly early on that I wouldn't make it all day. Not a problem, I simply revised my approach to include soup for lunch.
Before eating I decided to have a sneaky peak at the scales. It was 2 weeks since I last weighed, and I thought it would be a nice motivator to see my progress. Bad move! I weighed exactly the same as 2 weeks before, down to the ounce. Suddenly, what had already seemed like a slightly more challenging day than of late, turned into a massive effort of will.
I read somewhere recently that losing weight is not a physical challenge as much as a mental one. No kidding. I battled through with the encouragement of friends and supporters and much stubborn gritting of my teeth. (Mostly so I couldn't fit any food in my mouth...)
The Fast Diet people on Facebook ran a competition this week, asking people to write in describing how 5:2 has changed their lives. I thought about entering, but in the middle of dealing with my own mental challenge, I struggled to put together a coherent description. There are many ways my life has changed, but apart from the obvious physical effect, most of the others are mental. I actually feel that the mental changes are almost more significant. If I had to pick one, I'd say it's the change in my attitude to hunger.
Despite going slightly "fast crazy" on Monday, the outcome was that I completed another successful fast day. I coped with the hunger in all the ways I have learned - distraction, mindfulness, seeking support and drinking fluids. My ability to cope with hunger and the utter turnaround in my attitude towards it still amaze me.
Yesterday I finished up working at a conference around 5pm and walked a couple of miles to the station to get the train home. I had eaten sensibly during the day, but was already hungry. There was a time when the thought of holding out from that point to dinner after 7 o'clock would have been unthinkable. Even though I was looking forward to a lovely dinner out, I would have been diving for the nearest fast food place or cafe to pick up fries or pastries or whatever, to tide me over. Even if I wasn't hungry, I would quite often eat substantial snacks at that time of day, to guard against the possibility that I might become hungry later on, before my next meal was due. Actually not just that time of day, although it was a particularly problem for me, but pretty much any time of day between meals.
It seems insane to me now - in fact I'm pretty sure it was insane. But the relief in quitting that behaviour for good is huge. I now know that I can deal with hunger. I know it won't get worse and worse, it will just come and go. I know I won't pass out or collapse with it. The worst consequence might be an embarrassing tummy rumble during a quiet meeting at work. My snacking habit has almost completely disappeared. I no longer worry about missing out on a food experience as I am an expert at delayed gratification - there will always be another meal, another opportunity for a mouth-watering treat. I regularly leave food on my plate. It makes me feel empowered whenever I do.
I had lunch with work colleagues at a lovely restaurant today, where I know from experience that the portions of their delicious food are quite small. I was discussing possible menu choices with the lady next to me, and she remarked that her choice would probably be influenced by what might fill her up the most - in this case the difference between a pasta starter and scallops. I nodded in understanding, but inside I was gleefully cackling to myself - I didn't need to add that into the equation. I could eat exactly the tastiest dish I wanted and be absolutely sure that in the unlikely event that I wasn't full after the meal, I wouldn't care. As it was, of course, I was quite satisfied with the portions provided.
I have other challenges this week. The hip injury which hasn't bothered me much since the summer has flared up with a vengeance today and I can't walk without a great deal of pain. It's a good reminder of my original motivation for losing weight, to get the pressure off my poor joints so I can get some proper treatment for this injury. And it's good for perspective too. This is a long-term strategy for me. I may not have lost any ounces in the last 2 weeks, but I have lost a great deal since I started, and it is staying off. Every week I persist will bring me results over time, and the odds will be ever in my favour!
Monday 11 November 2013
Day Twenty-eight: the all day fast
It's been a week since my last fast, and I did wonder if it would be harder having had a longer break. The week has been hectic too, with the 2 day trip to New York and then a weekend of sick people in the house - not me thankfully! I was therefore planning to just do whatever it took to get me through the day and back into the groove.
As it turned out, it was once again a very easy fast day. I really didn't feel hungry all day, eventually having a small meal at around 6 o'clock that filled me up completely. I did have a few black coffees during the day, which strictly speaking contain a few calories each, but other than that I went about 21 hours without food. I started the day very sluggish and weary, probably due to delayed jetlag, but have finished it feeling revitalised.
As I understand it, the longer the fast, the greater the health benefits, so I'm hoping to build on today's experience until I can manage a full 24 hour fast. It seems to make me feel energised and positive which is good enough reason on its own to do it. We'll see how it goes on an office day!
As it turned out, it was once again a very easy fast day. I really didn't feel hungry all day, eventually having a small meal at around 6 o'clock that filled me up completely. I did have a few black coffees during the day, which strictly speaking contain a few calories each, but other than that I went about 21 hours without food. I started the day very sluggish and weary, probably due to delayed jetlag, but have finished it feeling revitalised.
As I understand it, the longer the fast, the greater the health benefits, so I'm hoping to build on today's experience until I can manage a full 24 hour fast. It seems to make me feel energised and positive which is good enough reason on its own to do it. We'll see how it goes on an office day!
Thursday 7 November 2013
Day Twenty-seven: the mile high rant
Day 27 was actually Monday, another walk in the park. I wrote this on Tuesday evening and now it's Wednesday night, so a rather belated post but here it is anyway...
I’m currently travelling at a little over 500mph at an altitude of 38,000 feet. I have an unlimited supply of Pouilly Fume, Avici blasting in my Bose headphones (thank-you lovely boyfriend) and another 5 hours flying time until New York. So it seemed like a good time to have that rant about fad diets, and nutritional advice and why I think 5:2 is a good idea.
I’m currently travelling at a little over 500mph at an altitude of 38,000 feet. I have an unlimited supply of Pouilly Fume, Avici blasting in my Bose headphones (thank-you lovely boyfriend) and another 5 hours flying time until New York. So it seemed like a good time to have that rant about fad diets, and nutritional advice and why I think 5:2 is a good idea.
One of the lovely pandas on Facebook posted a link to a
recent article with comments about why 5:2 is just another fad which will fade
away. The comment that particularly struck me, from a Professor of
Nutritionologyish, was that the reason 5:2 was working for some people was because
they were cutting calories, so it was no different to any number of other diets
and therefore doomed to fade away in the long term. Er….? I don’t really understand
the point she was trying to make. It works therefore it will fail?
If you want to lose weight, you need to take in less
calories than you put out. All different diets do is give you strategies for achieving that goal.
There is research that shows that the types of food
you eat are absorbed in different ways by the body, so the same amount of
calories from two different foods may lead to different weight change outcomes.
There is research that shows that eating at different times of day can also
have an effect. However, from personal experience and mountains of anecdotal
evidence, I’m convinced that the factor that has absolutely the biggest impact
on anyone’s weight, is consistent eating habits over a long period of time.
All diets will work to a certain extent. However you choose
to limit your calorie intake, if you are taking in less than you are putting
out you will lose weight. You can do that on an extreme calorie restriction
diet of 500cal a day every day, you can exist on shakes or cabbage soup, you
can count points or sins, you can do Atkins or Paleo or, in fact, 5:2, and lose
weight. You can also do all of the above and completely fail to lose weight, or
have other unhealthy side effects.
What really counts is what you do week after week, month
after month, year after year. The people you see in the media who have lost
huge amounts, who have gone from supersize to ultrafit, have been implementing
their chosen strategies, consistently, over long periods of time.
People who
are “naturally” slim have excellent food and exercise habits. The reason I'm in this state in the first place is due to not wanting to take responsibility for the outcomes of what I eat.
Which brings me to why I think 5:2 is a good idea – it is
sustainable. Over and over I see people writing that they feel they can keep
doing intermittent fasting indefinitely. I personally now find fast days a
breeze most of the time. In fact, I look forward to them. Going more than 4
days without a fast feels very uncomfortable. Yes, the reason I am losing
weight is that I am cutting my overall calorie intake. That’s the whole point!
The part where it becomes brilliant is that I’m cutting
calories in a way that I can keep doing week after week after week, on holiday,
at home, at work, in almost every circumstance, and if I need to take a break
(my business trip this week being an example), I can start again as soon as
possible with relatively little impact. Along the way I am re-setting a
lifetime of poor eating habits, completely changing my attitude to food and
finally finding some peace in my relationship with food.
And the part where it becomes even more brilliant, is that I
get all kinds of other fantastic health benefits along the way. I know that
some health and nutritional professionals don’t think much of the fasting
“fad”, but a growing number of GPs and researchers are supporting it, as they
see the evidence building in their own constituencies.
Yes it is possible to do 5:2 in a very unhealthy way, eating
processed food on fast days and bingeing inbetween. But it’s possible to do
every other diet badly too, and much harder to keep at them week in week out.
5:2 doesn’t require you to cut out any food groups or monitor your intake
obsessively. It does require you to think, carefully, about what you are eating
and how you are dealing with hunger. It does fit in around your other dietary
requirements – vegan? Kosher? Gluten free? Lactose intolerant? No problem.
I think that’s the end of my rant. Only time will tell if
intermittent fasting becomes a generally accepted way of eating in the long
term or if it fades away as the naysayers predict. I have nothing against
people using and promoting other methods, if it works for them – different
things work for different people and individuals need to find what works for
them. I know that for me, this is the most effective method I’ve ever come
across, so I’m sticking to it like glue.
Saturday 2 November 2013
Day Twenty-six: results!
I did the 26th fast on Thursday. Having spent the earlier part of the week on holiday, then driving 200 miles on Wednesday, having 7 meetings booked in at the office was always going to be fun! I made a bit of an error in eating too much at lunchtime (Nero soup and salad, 300kCal) I then found the afternoon to be a real struggle. I came as close to ditching a fast day as I ever had, but managed to push through with an extra apple and some sugar free sweets. I probably went over the 500kCal target but not by much. and I felt fine, if exhausted, by bedtime.
It's been 3 weeks since I last weighed and measured, and the plan was to weigh every 4 weeks. However Dream and I decided to bring it forward by a week this time, for various reasons, one of which for me is that today is exactly 3 months since I started. Given the disappointment of the last weigh-in I was at little apprehensive, but needed to go for it anyway.
And.
Very, very happy me!
The readout on the scales this morning was 101.4kg. This makes a total 3 month loss of 8kg = 17lbs, or 1 stone and 3lbs. I now weigh less than 16 stone - yay me! I haven't done my measurements yet but will update those over the weekend.
Next week I will be travelling overseas for work so am only planning one fast day, but I feel confident that no damage will be done. Next mini-target is to get below 100kg which should be easy before next weigh-in in 4 weeks time.
At this point I'd like to say a public thank-you to my GP for suggesting try 5:2, at a time when a lot of medical folk are dismissing this approach as a fad. I'll probably have a bit of a rant about that another time! And thank-you to everyone who is supporting me, especially the wonderful community of hunger pandas on Facebook.
It's been 3 weeks since I last weighed and measured, and the plan was to weigh every 4 weeks. However Dream and I decided to bring it forward by a week this time, for various reasons, one of which for me is that today is exactly 3 months since I started. Given the disappointment of the last weigh-in I was at little apprehensive, but needed to go for it anyway.
And.
Very, very happy me!
The readout on the scales this morning was 101.4kg. This makes a total 3 month loss of 8kg = 17lbs, or 1 stone and 3lbs. I now weigh less than 16 stone - yay me! I haven't done my measurements yet but will update those over the weekend.
Next week I will be travelling overseas for work so am only planning one fast day, but I feel confident that no damage will be done. Next mini-target is to get below 100kg which should be easy before next weigh-in in 4 weeks time.
At this point I'd like to say a public thank-you to my GP for suggesting try 5:2, at a time when a lot of medical folk are dismissing this approach as a fad. I'll probably have a bit of a rant about that another time! And thank-you to everyone who is supporting me, especially the wonderful community of hunger pandas on Facebook.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)