This topic contains 34,890 replies, has 402 voices, and was last updated by hedgehogs 2 hours, 3 minutes ago.
Hi Plainy and welcome,
I stick to the calories that my fitness pal gives me, I know you said you used that before, I find that the forum tdee is too high.
Hope this helps.
Not going to mums now she is worried she is on for snow at the weekend, so am going week on Sunday instead!
Great to hear from you milena
Am doing a liquid only this Monday if you feel up to it….
Keep in touch everyone
Audrey
personally, vero, I don’t mind if Dr Mosley makes some money out of this – if it helps people
and I don’t think he has said anywhere that you can ‘eat your face off’ on whatever you like, (I realise you didn’t say that) as all of us know some foods are better for us than others! (sadly đ )
also I think this way of eating was originally for health benefits – blood sugar/fats etc, rather than losing weight – but since many of us are finding it a useful way to lose weight – then naturally we also have to watch what we eat the rest of the time
I am happy this site is here – and free – and that there is a tracker when we can keep track of how we are doing – free
yes I bought the book, but I have already saved way more than that – not eating piles of ……..
Actually, Keeptrying, I don’t mind either if he makes some cash, but I wish that fasting two days a week was all we needed to lose weight. I went on total fast for those two days (0 calories) and kept it up for about 6 weeks but didn’t really lose more than about a kilo. I don’t pig out, but have a glass of wine and perhaps a bread roll quite regularly during the week. It just doesn’t seem to give dramatic results on me.
Hi Plainy and a very big welcome to you.
Wow how exciting having your wedding to look forward to. You can do so well with this way of life.
We have all tried the other quick fix and longer term diets but like yourself put the weight back on. Its too boring for a start.
I can honestly say very few of my friends know I am on 5/2. It slots in so well with socialising. You can pick your fast days to suit you.
It is not a quick fix .. but you will steadily lose and keep that weight off… if a few pounds are gained so easily back in control with the fasts.
We have big successful losers here .. Ginette who originally inspired me to join this thread with her very caring informative posts.. Audrey and Milena are brilliant at back to back and Liquid days.
You can do this Plainy we will be here to help you along the way.
Just get stuck in give it a go get them lbs gone. Lots of us do a Monday fast so will be joining you. Xx
sorry vero, I think I was a bit abrupt to you
I am not in a very good place (mentally) at the moment
I totally agree that it would be wonderful to just lose weight by fasting 2 days and changing nothing else
although I think if I was eating what I do in binges, the fast days would be much much harder to stick to
It also depends how much you have to lose, I have LOTS, so desperately hoping to shift some of it.
I have had a good loss over this first month but don’t think anything will be gone this week as I have fallen into some bingeing times – although nothing like the worst possible.
I just wish I wasn’t so frightened of food
Hi Vero
Sorry you are disappointed with this way of life. Do you mean you have only been doing it for 6 weeks.
I know lots of people including myself lost a good amount the first few weeks .. think I lost 4lb the first week then it tapered off to 1-2lb a week.
Others if I recall correctly .. Milena I think said it took her a few weeks to get into it.
Re the fast days 2 x500. I found in the beginning after a F Day I would eat things like fish and chips … McDonalds … now I am finding those things don’t hold the same appeal … but that did take time. Not a quick fix. My stomach has shrunk.
My sweet tooth again was really bad. On a non fast day I would head start to our local shop for a big bakery style pastry. Now I never give it a thought and lots of things seem far to big and bulky now… and far too sweet.
Give it a go … lots of support here .. Stay with Us Vero. Xx
Hi KT
I think in a while you will lose that being frightened of food feeling. Xx
I remember just thinking on FD days what I could eat the next day that was either sweet or junky. Always on my mind. It does change though .. just keep doing what you are doing. Don’t beat yourself up if its a bad day. It gets sooo much easier with time and your tastes will change and stomach will shrink.
After saying that… we all still have binge days one way or another but if we look back not a patch on how we used to be before 5-2. Popping on here for a few words daily helps too. There is always someone who has experienced or is experiencing how you/we feel.
You are a star. Xx
Wow thank you all for both welcoming me and also making me feel welcome! I honestly can’t wait to start and over the next three days I’m going to try and be like a sponge and soak up as much information as possible to guide me through my first few steps on this journey! If anyone would like to recommend any other great threads on here that would be great!
hemmy, you are a star too, and thank you for being so kind
I do sometimes think about ‘bingeing’ foods on fast days, but mostly I am just terrified of touching cake, or chocolate as it is almost impossible to stop
I have not had chocolate since I began this ‘diet’, but I don’t want to give it up completely, but it scares me
my head just messes everything up
Lynda – I am on a fd tomorrow, too, and I may be attempting it at home unless i can face going out
not sure how it will be, if i am at home all day
Hi Plainy
No I am the same as you. I can’t just eat 2 biscuits. The answer is not to buy them. If I have rich tea, which are not very interesting I can stop at 3 or 4. The only thing that stops me wanting these types of foods is exercise. Apparently it satisfies the same sense that chocolate etc does. I have mentioned here before that I sat at work for a few hours with an open tub of quality street which had been given to the staff, I was exercising and I really didn’t have any (much to everybody’s amazement). I was on my own so I could have gone to town on them.
In My fitness pal. Set your goal as your target weight, write how much you would like to lose a week and it will set a relistic figure for you. If you do your TDEE it is what you need on a daily basis. This is why it is high it stands for Total Daily Energy Ependiture. I find my fitness Pal much better and also achievable when I haven’t got the munchies.
Hi Vero
No I don’t believe for one minute that Michael Mosley was ever in it for the money. He is a doctor and tried it initially to improve his own health as his father died from diabetes related complications. When he says to eat normally he is talking about people who have normal eating and drinking habits not those who are overeating, binging and drinking to excess. You can eat what you like WITHIN REASON.
I have three fast days as I can’t conquer eating all of the wring foods on non fast days at the moment. I go through periods where I can. If I overeat or exceed calories by eating the wrong foods on a regular basis, I know that I won’t won’t lose. The very best I can hope for if to stay the same. Sometimes I also gain a little until I get back in control. The answer lies within ourselves and we can only blame ourselves if I am meant to eat 2000 calories a day to maintain and I eat 3000 calories a day even with doing the fast days I don’t expect to stay the same.
There are many people in here who eat normally but have occasional treats and it works, it also works for me if I can keep these treats occasional. So in my opinion the answer to your question is you are cynical.
Try it keeping within your calorie limits and having the odd treat, you may be surprised. Count calories if you are really eating in excess and want to know where you are going wrong. I know this sounds boring but it really will help.
I wish you luck and I will be interested to hear how you get on.
Ginette
Lynda, I think if I still lived at home with hub, it would be much easier for me as I would have lots of space to ‘get away’ and do other things
being in a small one bed flat, I now have nowhere to go, and don’t even have stairs to pop up and down each of the many times I need the loo!!
its not an excuse, and actually when I lived with him, well, it was not easy!
Hi KT
Well said, yes even at the price of a book we have all probably saved money and improved our health, I also think that maybe it has improved our lives if we are still here. We are both going through an overindulgent patch it seems. Maybe we need to work together to progress. Remember staying the same is fine it will happen from time to time. If you go backwards one week try and correct it the next. I think that it will change in time and start to come off again. Don’t get disheartened as that will only make you eat more.
Hi Audrey
Nice to see that you are around. No snow threatened in the south although a bit chilly and definetly blowy!!
Hi Vero
I have just read your post here, sorry I was reading your first one over tha page when I posted. I have watched so many of Micheal programmes and research I obviously feel a bit protective and just know that his research is good.
Have you counted calories? It’s worth trying as if you are sticking to the calorie allowance (look at my fitness pal) you should be losing. Try fir a couple more weeks and if you don’t lose maybe go to your doctor to see if there is an underlying reason that you are not losing. At the surgeries there is often a health trainer that can help. This is all free and worth trying.
Hi Hemmy
Yes it is surprising how our tastes change over a few weeks. But sadly also change back after a few weeks of eating badly. I am struggling to get back in control since my break. I will get there but in a way it is like starting again.
Hi Lynda
Yes me, soup ready to go for tomorrow.
Hi Vet
Never too late and you are very welcome. There is lots of advice to be had if you need it. Do you have a lot to lose?
Ginette
Evening everyone hope your all well. Sorry not been posting for a while things have been a little hectic. It was my fasting day today which was fine. Got through the whole day on only 2 cups of tea and sugar free squash. Had a small porting of chicken with rice for dinner but the problem is that I still feel hungry. Trying to distract myself long enough to fall asleep. Hoping to God that this gets easier. Going on holiday in May so really need to lose at least a stone :- (
Hello all. I have been doing 5:2 for just over a year, started last Jan and have lost just over 4 stone. This has been the easiest diet ever because if you overeat one day or have one binge you haven’t blown the week! Just carry on the next day. With other diets I always felt that once I’d “cheated” I had failed. This is a way of eating that hopefully can be continued forever! I have read your posts and feel that I know you all so will join in if that’s ok.
Wow dag, 4 stones is mighty impressive.
If you have indeed read our posts then you know all are welcome here, pull up a chair, get a brew and join in with the conversations. ..
Welcome to all our new people and if you are lurking in the background wondering if you should join us or not, come on in! The more the merrier. Together we are stronger
Audrey
Thank you Audrey.
Yes it was a lot to lose. I look and more importantly feel so much better. I have a few pounds left to lose which I gained over xmas and my birthday. I have struggled since xmas though, I either diet or overeat. No middle ground! Had a good fast day today but these are the easy days as others say, it’s the non fast days that are tricky at the moment.
Dag
I too have been on this wol for almost a year. I have lost almost 2 stone, with another 2 to go…
It has also been difficult for me since late last year I seem to have somewhat lost my mojo… but I am ever hopeful that it will return, I lost 2.5 lbs last week to regain 1 lb this week. However I am determined not to give in.
It’s nice to meet you, it seems we have a lot in common, ginette and milena have also been here for a year also.
Audrey
Yay yay… A brilliant welcome to Vet and Dag.
Just listen to our friends Gine and Aud and you wont go far wrong.
The main thing and most important is this is all trial and error for us all.
In my humble opinion I think the main thing is to have food you like and are comfortable with.
We are doing this long term … life time so it needs to suit us.
The key for me is the words…. I can have that tomorrow, Just having to get that 500 day over… feels so much easier.
Thing is to have what you fancy .. the next day whatever. Soon that will be a thing of the past. Taste changes. A lapse yes… now and again we are all human. Lol
Hi Shaz .. well done on todays fast Xx
Guys we can all do this … we just need to pull together … as Aud says ” Together we are stronger”. Xx
Hi everyone and welcome Plainy, Vet and dag! I’m sure you will find everyone on here very welcoming and helpful. đ
Had a fast day today, about 400 cals, and feeling quite bright which is great.
Managed to watch the Micheal Mosley programe for the first time on youtube and to be honest it’s totally blown me away! I knew that this wol was supposed to help with health, but WOW! It’s just made me more determined to stick with it – if it manages to do half the things that he’s hoping for then I’m in it for life. Feel as though I’ve had my ‘Road to Damascus’ moment, and if I feel my willpower slipping I’ll just think about all those new brain cells that are regenerating. đ New Mind, New Body – can’t be bad LOL
Thanks for all your support, it’s helps to remember that we are not alone. xx
Ok this is my third time.
It didn’t like the link I was posting.
Hi Shaziii
Don’t despair it does get easier as Audrey says.
Hi Dag
You have done brilliantly. Come and join us and share your tips. You will inspire others and show them that it can be done. I agree this is the best way to lose weight.
Like you I am struggling since Christmas. It’s all or nothing. Fast days are as good as gold, it is the others that I struggle with. I am either very good or very bad. I have to find some middle ground soon. I took a few weeks off before Christmas and this seems to have done it. I have lost some of the weight gained but I need to lose it all again by Easter which is earlier this year.
Hi Coffee
Yes that programme is truly inspiring, I was trying to post the link for people that haven’t seen it but I kept losing posts. I shall post the link below if I can.
Ginette
Good morning friends hope all is well with you and yours.
What a beautiful day yesterday … hoping it continues today. Feeling so much better with this flu thing. Rest is obviously the best cure.
Dag you really have done and are doing brilliantly. What an inspiration you are. That is a good years work I would say.
When you started did you have a Sweet tooth.. savoury … portions .. Alcohol what do you think contributed most. lol as we all know mine was wine. Lovely to have you here. Xx
Well done Coffee on your FD yesterday … Yes it is a good feeling when you have achieved it. Taking control back. We can all do this together… So much easier Xx
Hi everyone else… who Is fasting today. Don’t forget … tomorrow is another day when we can eat that treat… enjoy it with no guilt. Just 24 little hours.
Brit lovelies…Being happy doesn’t mean that everything needs to be perfect.
It means that we have at last decided to look beyond imperfections. Xx
Morning All
Three days and counting till I join you all on this way of life! I can’t actually wait! I’m excited to have my first fast day on Monday!, a strange week to start as I have three kids on half term and my eldest has a birthday, so there will be temptations around, looking at the schedule I’m going to do a Monday and Friday fast day simply because that looks best with what’s planned! You guys that have been on long term do you alternate days or stick to the same two every week?
Dag what a inspiration those are amazing results and to hear you have stuck to it relatively easily is a massive bonus! Ginette I find that about chocolate and exercise fascinating and it actually rings true with me, when I’m on it and hitting the gym my eating seems to naturally go well, so although I can’t go the gym as I’m recovering from wrist surgery I can certainly go walking! Hope everyone has a great day whether your fasting or eating
Morning Plainy
My husband works 4 on 4 off shifts so I usually end up doing either a 5 3 or a 6 2…. sometimes like today I just do an extra fast because it fits into the food we are having that day. I find it easy to fast all day, it’s when I start to eat it’s a problem I find it hard to stop.
A lot of people do Monday so you will have a lot of company, I too will join you….
Have a good weekend, enjoy the children, they grow up before you know it….
Audrey
Hi Plainy
I’m glad I’m not the only one who is well affected by exercise. Mine wasn’t the gym though but exercise at home. Tennis and Wii fit at the time, both Wii games. I started off at about 5/10 minutes a time but it was addictive and I kept going back to it. This was just right a challenge in the way of having to beat the game. I lost a couple of stone as well. I wasn’t dieting either. Sadly I played tennis for hours and got an acute knee sprain and ended up out of action and off of work for weeks. I still love the tennis but will only try about once in a while and the minute a twinge comes back I stop.
I can remember thinking how clever the makers were to use most of the muscles in the body with different exercises. Sadly the new version of this game doesn’t really improve it much. I now (when I am in the right frame of mind) really enjoy Exerbeat. This is another game that has many different exercises on it.
I started fasting on a Friday I think. I know I thought that if I wait until Monday I would put it off. I stick to the same days every week, unless there is a special occasion.
Hi Hemmy
I’m so pleased that you are feeling better. It does take a while though so take it easy for a bit longer. Yes I’m fasting today.
Hi Audrey
What is river cobbler a fish I imagine? Have a good fast day there are a few of us fasting today.
Ginette
Ginette
Hi All
Some advice please. I’d like to add pearl barley into a soup mix. I have never used this before in anything. The liquid content is 800ml the vegetables are 500gram. I always blend it. I read that pearl barley is numeral tasting and makes the soup creamy. So a couple of questions here.
Firstly how much to add in tablespoons or grams. Secondly should I soak it first (soup maker takes 21 minutes to make soup) I am worried about spoiling the soup so any advice appreciated.
Many thanks
Ginette
I think that you need to have rather more exciting food to look forward to on a FD. What do you like to eat that is protein and leaves? You could have steak with vegetables for example. I really like fish, so often have a salmon fillet sprinkled with some chilli flakes and then baked in a foil parcel-have that with peas, or a salad or prawns and salad is another favourite of mine. You sound so sad, try a handful of nuts right now. I like raw carrots on a FD as a snack,they are sweet and filling.
Any help?
have had a Satsuma, and 1 biscuit
yes I agree it should be something nice, and the stupid thing is that probably most of the DINNER meals I eat are less or around 500cal anyway
but in my head I should be having as little as possible on these days
I was having ham with salad – not really a lover of salads, especially because they seem to go through me in less than 30 minutes!!
I thought I would do something different, but a bowl of chewy stirfry just didn’t cut it, especially because there was no meat
I love salmon, I cook it in lemon juice and try to have it every week now
I don’t really like nuts, nor raw veg
I really WOULD like to down a packet of chocolate digestives, and could so easily – and would if I had any
also I have done nothing all day, except the washing
didn’t go to mh unit as angry with them too, so had to fast at home
just everything feels rubbish at the moment, sorry,
but I do appreciate your advice
I guess I look at the salmon fillet which is almost half the 500cal, and it panics me
I have so much weight to lose I so desperately don’t want to be this big but it is beginning to tumble down around me
I really DO need to plan meals, although I planned this tonight and its all gone wrong
I am frightened of having the full 500cal on fd’s, so many seem to have none, which feels impossible
maybe I should just have 500cal of biscuits – hmmmmmmm
I think that you have 2 choices here and now. Forget the fast day today and eat, or keep going. Only you can decide. There is no one judging you if you ditch it now. I have done it several times myself.
BUT you need to plan your meals for 7 days. I feel the panic and I want to help, but will need to feed my hoard very soon and then I will be back. While I am gone, make a list of what you like to eat that is protein, and generally what you do and don’t like to eat for your meals. I am sure that we can come up with meals that you will enjoy and that are good for you as you shrink.
What is mh unit?
Dinner almost ready, got to go…back in a while.
Annette
mh unit is mental health – am not a very ‘sane’ individual ha ha!!!!
bless you
please don’t feel you have to plan with me, I should be able to do this alone!!!!, although clearly not hmmmm
I think one sticking point is just the fear of not wanting to use all 500cal, and also how quickly things like a drop of skimmed milk in tea, and the odd piece of fruit, seem to add up.
I AM going to get through today, even if it means taping my mouth up!
so
I love chicken, pork, ham, salmon, indeed most meat
but I hate ‘hot’ or spicy foods
have just found a recipe for a sweet/sour pork dish, that I used to make, and love, and it says it is only 250cals per portion so I may make that next week
hope you have enjoyed your meal xx
Hi KT
I agree with Annette you need to vary your fast day meals. I have had a fast day today and I had smoked river cobbler, boiled new potatoes, with lots of mixed vegetables for my meal. I have also had stewed rhubarb with yogurt as a pudding.
You are allowed 500 kcals, when you look around its amazing how much food you can eat if you want to for 500 or under. Do you use my fitness pal? I find that really useful to count my calories.
Yes some if us do just have liquid days, but that is our personal choice it’s just easier for me some days to do that than cook, also I do find it very hard to stop eating once I start, and not eating at all is easy for me!
We are all here because we want to lose weight you are not alone. ..
Audrey
First of all, this is not a diet but a way of life. You will need a ‘bank’ of meals that you can rely on, we all do. A ham salad is never going to enthuse me either! Think about what you like(that isn’t biscuits!) and then we can come up with some ideas.
You sound over whelmed at the moment and I wonder if mh unit is mental health? Don’t panic. Do you have any support? I understand that losing a lot of weight can be daunting(I have lost 3 stone) but I think that the trick is to pick very small and achievable goals, such as 1 fast day. I wouldn’t dream of having nothing at all on a fast day, but everyone is different. For those that want to do it, then fine. You and I don’t and that is fine too. One isn’t better than the other, just different.
I think that the key for you will be to find 500 calories that you enjoy for a fast day and to look at what you might enjoy on non fast days that will also help you to lose weight too. Have you tried to find out what your TDEE is? It is under ‘resources’ then ‘BMI calculator’. If you fill that it in then that gives you a figure to aim for on the non fast days.
Thank you all for the lovely welcome.
When I started this eating plan I was addicted to crisps, cake and wine. I would happily have a bottle of wine and eat a few bags of crisps at least 3 times a week. I have had to give up the crisps completely as once I start I cannot stop. They are my drug! I have a glass of wine or two now occasionally, and although I often fancy a glass, it is often disappointing when I have one. I no longer eat potatoes, rice or bread very often but have meat, fish and lots of veg. This was a struggle at first but now that I am not eating all the junk my tastes have changed and food tastes so much nicer.
KT
Don’t be afraid to eat all of your 500 calories on a fast day. Just think how many calories you would eat if you were not trying to fast. Probably be 3 or 4 times as much, so even if you go over it’s still a reduction overall. Do try and have some protein as that’s what fills you up for longer. An omelette perhaps with mushrooms or tomatoes or any veg. You could have baked beans with it if you like them. Then Have some melon and blueberries or raspberries, they are very low calorie. And if all else fails, go to bed! The morning comes that much quicker!
I think perhaps our posts crossed as some of your questions I answered above.
yes I get very overwhelmed, very quickly,
I do have mh support, but they cant be there all the time, helping with every little thing, can they. They are supporting the eating as best they can.
Yes I worked out my bmr and tdee, and I think I eat well under my tdee most days – unless I binge of course!
It may seem strange to you, but just reading your words
“I wouldnât dream of having nothing at all on a fast day, but everyone is different. For those that want to do it, then fine. You and I donât and that is fine too. One isnât better than the other, just different.”
they help so much, give me permission to eat more of fd’s
my mh makes me get very tangled up and to think very black and white especially when I get upset
so having you say its ok, helps a lot
KT, have a go at menu planning for the next 7 days. Choose things that you enjoy eating for a FD and keep an eye at what you are consuming on a non fast day(NFD). Try avoiding the sweet stuff, you will feel much much better with less in your diet, your tastes will change and you will lose that desire the scoff all of those biscuits. Note that I don’t say ‘give up’ or ‘banned’, I merely avoid it. I do eat biscuits and cake now and again, but find that like dag, they are not as fabulous as I imagined…so I eat them less. Win win.
If it is a bit much for you, then make smaller steps. You are not alone, we are here.
Morning all, I’m very excited about my start and first fast day on Monday, feel focused and ready to go! Feel I have a strong plan for both types of days and want to incorporate my daily walks as well!, going to try and eat pretty clean to start with at least, I feel well up for it!
However this is where I’m at today! Already eaten six biscuits before 8 am, this is my battle! I’m either on it or completely off it, this is my world, And has been for as long as I can remember! Exercise and diet on point or a binging pig of the highest piggyness! I find myself almost knowing I will succeed and lose weight but do you all think it will help me change my way of life??? I dearly hope so!!! the times I have shifted 2-3-4 stone is well into double figures but every time it’s gone back on! I’m approaching 40 and no I can’t keep doing this! I pray for a lifestyle change! Although my health is ok for a 19st plus guy I can’t keep beating the odds with the amount of sugar I pile into myself!
A very mixed up Plainy this morning!
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1:52 pm
11 Feb 16