Hi Michael,
My wife has lost 1.5 stones doing IF and is loving it, but I feel a little deflated I am not seeing weight loss. I will get my bloods tested to see if cholesterol has fallen (incidentally my BP has gone from ELEVATED to COMPLETELY NORMAL) but it would be fantastic to lose some weight too. Any thoughts gratefully appreciated. I await your book with some excitement.
I am surprised that you aren’t losing weight and I wonder if on your non fast days you should try a higher protein – lower carb approach (lots of stuff on this in the book). You should also try to identify if there is something in your diet that is particularly calorie rich. Typically it will be drink (alcoholic or fruit juice or lattes) as you can drink a lot more calories than you can eat without ever getting satiated.
Thanks for the response. I drink lots of fruit juice so will watch that and with your book will give it a determined go starting next week.
109 Comments
1:58 pm
11 Jan 13
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I’m a Type 2 diabetic and am trying to lose weight to reduce insulin resistance. I take metformin to reduce gluconeogenesis, however, even after fasting for 36 hours (2 sleeps and one working day) I still have blood sugar readings that indicate normal blood sugar range and that I’m not in any form of ketosis (I’m looking for evidence that I’m in dietry ketosis to know I’m burning fat).
I’ve now been doing 5:2 for 3 weeks and so far have not lost any weight and I’m beginning to wonder if my liver’s determination to keep pumping out sugar is inhibiting fat burning. I eat a low carb diet most of the time I’m not fasting (some days are very low). Am I at risk of gluconeogenesis taking place by burning muscle instead of fat, which could ultimately make resitance worse as I’ll lose metabolically active tissue. Any advice?
6:19 pm
13 Jan 13
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My daughter is 32 and was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis 6 years ago. Will this diet help her to “repair” She does not need to loose weight.Please help, I am desperate to help her in anyway I can.Thank you
5:44 pm
15 Jan 13
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Jeanette CLegg – I’m not sure anyone could answer your question. A lot of the effects are only being studied on the general population just now, and even then the studies are fairly small scale. I haven’t found anything pertaining to MS. There is some thinking that in some cases MS is related to circulatory issues of the brain, so improvements to the vascular system may indeed help. However, I believe that the vascular link is not for all MS cases and is currently subject to ongoing research (search for CCSVI).
Whilst not always supportive on unproven approaches any changes to diet should be done in discussion with at least her GP so that some monitoring can be done on any effects. I’m not a medical doctor, but have a number of friends with MS. Sorry I can’t be more help, but I didn’t like the thought of your comment remaining unanswered when you are clearly desperate for alternative avenues.
3:34 pm
17 Jan 13
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Stephen Ward – I’m not an expert at this, but I think your body will maintain “normal” glucose levels at all times, even if you are in ketosis. (Unless you have recently eaten carbs and have raised glucose levels of course. You won’t be burning any fat in this case.) As I understand it, it’s not black and white, glucose or fat, it’s a grey scale, so your body might be generating 80% of it’s energy from glucose or just 30% or whatever, as long as glucose levels aren’t raised. So if you have normal glucose levels you are probably burning more fat than normal because of your reduced calorie intake, but you may or may not be in ketosis.
3:35 pm
17 Jan 13
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Jeanette Clegg – see my comment at http://thefastdiet.co.uk/intermittent-fasting-and-exercise/#comment-116
11:42 am
20 Jan 13
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I’m stuck too. Been following 5/2 since October and have lost around 10 lb – but could easily lose that again. Was sticking before Christmas, put on a bit over the holiday and started again right afterwards. Now back to where I was. Had not been exercising much for the last few years but have now added static bike most days (building that up, now at 20 mins). Had been having 3 meals on my 2 days but have moved to breakfast and dinner. Still no shift. Any advice or ideas?
Thanks
10:08 am
21 Jan 13
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Maybe try lunch and dinner, which gives you a longer gap without food? (from dinner the night before until lunch). Or if you can manage it, save all your cals for dinner. I changed to that after a couple of months and felt it gave me a boost. Plus I get to have a really good sized meal for 400-500 cals!
12:18 pm
22 Jan 13
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Just wondering whether anyone has heard anything about eating a low carb, high protein diet on non fast days and whether it has any effect or otherwise? Going to weigh myself for the first time tomorrow to see if there has been any change.
2:45 pm
22 Jan 13
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I started the Fast Diet yesterday and feel amazed that it was so easy. I don’t feel hungry today and still have plenty of energy. Because I have a couple of stone to lose before summer, I have decided to try eating mainly protein on non fast days. I have tried most diets in the last 40 years but am optomistic that this diet could be the answer to my prayers. It would be fantastic to finally stop the yo yo diet habit. At 65 I am keen to keep my weight under control. The added health benefits are reason enough to fast a couple of days a week, I feel excited to have found something that has the ability to slow the ageing process. I am cynical after years of falling off the wagon on yet another new diet! But am ready to give this my all.
11:06 pm
26 Jan 13
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I have been onthe Fast Diet for approx 6 weeks. Only did 1 day fasting over xmas for 2 weeks and am not losing any significant weight. An average fasting day is:
Fat free Yogurt (100 calories) for breakfast, homemade spinach soup (100 calories) for lunch and steamed salmon and a broccoli for dinner (300 calories).
Can anyone give any suggestions?
I am not giving up but thought I would have seen an improvement by now.
12:09 am
27 Jan 13
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Hi Jallen – do you have a lot of weight to lose or just a little? While many lose a relatively large amount of weight in the first 4-6 weeks, as with most diets a loss of around 1lb a week is seen as healthy and sustainable in the long term. If the weight is coming off, even slowly, surely this is something to be pleased about – afterall, what other diet lets you eat normally most of the time, but still lose weight?
As for suggestions, you may find it helps to increase the amount of time between feeds. For example, skip breakfast and save those cals for lunch, thereby giving you around 16 hours of fasting from dinner the previous night until your fasting lunch. Or possibly better yet, save all your cals for a dinner on your fast day (it’s not as hard as it sounds
).
Also bear in mind that ‘fat free’ foods are a con and actually contribute a great deal to making us fatter. Check out ‘the men who made us fat’ documentaries, real eye openers!
One last point to consider is how many cals are you eating on your feed days? If you’re counting cals or restricting then you may need to increase your intake those days, as your body may be in starvation mode. Let us all know a bit more about your situation and perhaps we can help with more tips
1:04 am
27 Jan 13
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can u really eat what u want on non fasting days? I have 4 inches I would like to lose off my waist.
2:41 am
27 Jan 13
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Hi, I being doing the 2 day fasting since August after the program on BBC & I lost 1.1/2 stone but I prefer not to eat at all, because if I eat, I want to continuo eating & if I don’t eat & don’t feel hunger, but I drink a lots of water trough the day to keep my tommy thinking that is having something & to avoid head aches. The idea that I can eat normal the next day, take the stress of a diet away & I enjoy even more my food on the eating days. It is so easy for me no to eat that day, and that never happen before with any other diet. My bigger motivation is the health part & if I loose weight it is a bonus.
2:51 am
27 Jan 13
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Hi Sammie, the idea is that you can it what you want but not as much as you want, you still need to try not to exceed the calories that a women should have a day.
10:00 am
27 Jan 13
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Hi, thank you for your comments.
I have about 1.5 stone to lose.
I will certainly try skipping the breakfast and just try lunch and dinner and see if that give me a boost.
10:40 am
27 Jan 13
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I have never really wanted anything at breakfast time and spent 60+ years forcing something down as per the current wisdom. I know it doesn’t work for everyone but for me it feels so much better missing out breakfast altogether that I am missing it on non-fasting days too.
1:28 pm
30 Jan 13
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Hi
This really interests me. I’m waiting for the book and I just have one question that I can’t find the answer to. Do I have to fast on the same two days every week or can I move them around as long as they are both in the same 7-day period.
1:31 pm
30 Jan 13
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You can move your days around Alan. 5:2 is really flexible like that so as long as you do 2 days a week, it doesn’t matter which days they are (though ideally not consecutive). A lot of us try to stick to the same days each week because a routine helps us, but others find it better to pick and choose days around social commitments, work & home life etc.
1:21 pm
3 Feb 13
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Saw the program, bought the book starting tomorrow going to do Mondays and Thursdays. Don’t really need to loose much weight half a stone would be nice, I am 55 and have noticed it creeping on around my tummy. It is the other benefits i am after, the increased energy and clarity of mind especially. I will start with two days see how it goes. I want to get my husband to do it too, but he’s not too keen at the moment, so I will have to lead by example. Excited to see what happens
9:01 pm
4 Feb 13
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Hi Michael and Mimi. I have been reading up on the subject of intermittent fasting and the many different ways of doing it. I want to embark on this for all of the reasons other than weight loss, and was hoping to combine parts of the Warrior Diet approach with your approach. It seems that you get the true benefits of fasting if you actually fast for 14-16 hours AFTER you have digested your last meal. Warrior dieters do this every day and just eat an evening meal. That’s too extreme for me so i hope to follow that principle twice a week (eat my evening meal at about 7pm and not eat again until about 4 or 5pm the next day to get the best length fast). So, do you think that will be effective? If I don’t want to lose weight, I suppose I don’t have to limit the calories for the rest of that day to 500 and can just eat normally (or does the limit of 500 calories you suggest on a fast day give additional benefit other than weight loss?)
Thanks
Deborah
12:55 pm
7 Feb 13
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Hello, I have read the book from cover to cover and am on my first week of the Fast Diet. tuesday I stuck to the 500 calories but I became very shaky and felt quite sick….1) is this normal?
2) I would prefer to do the plan where you stop at 2pm and start eating again at 2pm the following day, which is mentioned in the book. However do I still consume 500 in calories between that time frame or nothing at all because its a shorter time period? I am usually a high protein diet person but have gone a bit crazy on the carbs on my non-fast days as a result of being able to eat what i like…i am concerned this may no lead too much weightloss!! All help and advice much appreciated!
Thanks,
Kat
2:59 pm
7 Feb 13
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My self and my wife started this about 4 weeks ago and decided to fast on Mondays and Thursdays. Now, I do not need to lose any weight as I am just over 6ft tall and weigh 10.5 stone – yes I am a beanpole! My wife wants to lose a little – she started out at 5ft 9 inches and weighing 11 stone 8. Neither of us as far as we know have any major health issues, although I have always had asthma (weel controlled) and my wife developed Trigeminal Neuralgia a few years ago. We are not expecting any noticeable change in any of our symptoms but it will be interesting to see if a general improvement in well being, has a knock on effect. So firstly I have to say, it feels great just to have that break from 3 square meals a day. The regime is easy. If you have a semi decent set of kitchen scales and can look up calories in the book or on the web, you can just eat the same as everyone else but in smaller quantities. This way you don’t get bored or stressed having to cook separate meals or keep making the same “low calorie” option on fast day. With 4 growing children, that makes it easy. Anyway, just wanted to say thanks for the great program, the book and all the good comments and encouragement on here. It feels like a great thing to do and my wife and I feel (at the moment anyway) that this is the sort of thing we will just carry on doing, simply because it feels good….. if that makes sense. Meant to add that 4 weeks in I am pretty much the same weight but have lowered my fat % and my wife has lost about 7 pounds. Nice steady sustainable weight loss for her and that’s with lovely food and drink at the weekends, no worrying about cakes puddings, treats etc. Cool eh?
Anyway on my fast day today, so had small bowl of porridge this morning with skimmed milk and will wait until this evening to sit down to a small meal with my wife and a 40cal hot chocolate before bed. happy days! keep it up everyone!
3:31 pm
7 Feb 13
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Hi, I’m on week 3, day 5, and the scales haven’t moved?! My only weakness is cups of tea/ coffee with milk and one sugar – but I am counting these in my allowance and leaving as long as possible between meals/ drinks as recommended. Could these be responsible for my lack of weight loss? I’m managing to stick to my 500 cals and fasting from teatime to teatime, e.g. if we finish evening meal at six I count 500 cals from then to next eve at 6pm. Always manage first 12-14 hours without anything. Please help I’m on the verge of giving up!!
4:22 pm
7 Feb 13
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Hi, I’ve just started this after reading the article in the Radio Times and I’m on my second fast of week 1.
I only want to lose a few pounds predominantly around my waistline and thought that this would be a lot easier than counting calories etc. I’ve decided to approach it by waiting until around midday to have a meal of 300 calories and then have the remaining 300 in the evening around 7:00.
My main area of concern is around exercise – I usually do a five mile run 3 or 4 times a week – I didn’t run on Monday which was my first fasting day but I have today which is my second fast day. So at the moment I’ve probably burned up far more calories than I’ve consumed today and will probably only just break even after my second 300 calories tonight. I found the first day very easy and then ran 5 miles on Tuesday but I have had no ill effects so far and feel fine – am I ok continuing like this?
9:59 pm
10 Feb 13
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Hello ! I have just begun the fsat diet….can anyone answer my question? Must I consume the whole 500 calories or is this the uppermost limit?
I have found I can totally fast until dinner time, and then only have about 200 or 300 hundred calories.
Is it less beneficial to have less calories, or more so?
thanks in advance.
7:52 am
11 Feb 13
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I fast on Mondays and Thursdays, I find weekends my problem! I can loose 2lbs each fast day, which is great, only to put them back on at the weekend!
8:33 am
11 Feb 13
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I usually eat late on normal days or have a snack before I sleep. This is normally as late as 10pm. Is it still okay to do this the night before fast days?
10:51 am
11 Feb 13
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Any comments please on doing this Diet whilst unwell. I have flu – into second week and friends have said dont fast. Well, postponed my fast days slightly so now need to do 2 back to back. Just wondered whether any guidelines on doing this. The old saying ‘feed a cold’ etc? INcidentally loss has been up and down whilst having flue – presume par of the course?
11:27 am
11 Feb 13
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@liz – I was wondering the same thing. I can lose 1kg and then by Monday I have made up most of the amount. I assume I am just eating too much on the weekend. I fast monday and wednesday – I am trying to incorporate Friday but seem to fail.
Anyone else have this problem and/or solution?
11:57 am
11 Feb 13
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Hi Mr Rat – I wouldn’t fast when you have flu. As I say in the book, you need to feel well and strong to face a fast day. Get well, and then try. I had flu for a fortnight after Christmas and fasting went out of the window (simply sitting up was tricky enough!). I soon got back on track though. Good luck and best wishes
12:06 pm
11 Feb 13
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Wish I had an answer for why some people lose weight swiftly and some at a more measured pace, while some (a minority) may not lose – at least in the short term. MM suggests checking what you are drinking on a fast day (keep it no calorie). Everyone’s metabolism is different, and while there is strong clinical evidence (and overwhelming anecdotal evidence) that the IF is a brilliant weight loss tool, it may be that one individual achieves very different results from the next.
I would say keep going, remembering the many health benefits of Intermittent Fasting rather than concentrating solely on weight loss. The science is still young, and human trials on all these unknowns should hopefully give us more evidence-based answers soon.
12:38 pm
11 Feb 13
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Hi – I started last week and so far think its great. What are your thoughts on foods such as Count on Us range that show a calorie content.
2:07 pm
11 Feb 13
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After trying many many diets over the years I came across your book a few weeks ago and decided to give IF a go. I hadn’t weighed myself for a few months (as I’ve not been ‘good’) and was pleasantly surprised when I weighed myself just before embarking on IF – I weighed half a stone lighter than was expecting which was a good kick start. This is now week 2 for me (I fast Mondays and Thursdays) and last week I had lost a lb.
The odd thing is I haven’t changed my eating habits on my non-fast days and although I’m only a lb lighter my tummy feels a lot flatter and not so bloated.
Although I cannot pretend that I love the fasting days I definitely do feel so much better by the following day – much more energetic. It’s a massive bonus that it fits around my family too.
Overall I have two and a half stones to lose. I hope to reach that by the end of the year.
I want IF to be a way of life for me now and hope that the years of trying to find the right diet for me have finally come to an end! Thank you!!
2:51 pm
11 Feb 13
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Saw the programme. Bought the book. I was really excited because the research made sense. Not just a gimmick.
Fantastic to wake up after a fast day.
Ooh what goodies will I eat? But then I don’t.
Always sleep really well on a fast day as well.
Have lost the weight I needed, but unfortunately I still cannot control my Sunday binge. Never mind. Fast day Monday
Micheal Mos is king of the Fast Diet and my hero.
5:28 pm
11 Feb 13
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Hi All I have read the book and the science behind it all had me gripped. I have started it today but i have 2 questions
1. Been on a very tight budget for food anyway im i ok fasting for 2 consecutive days having only drinks?
2. I was always told that if you dont eat often or fast when you do eat your body stores it all as fat is this true? i know the book says different but cant get it out of my mind.
having read the book i question if my years of eating very irregularly and going good lengths of time without food have actually helped me maintain a good weight having stayed the same weight for 18 years.
its only now through age and lack of work and exercise i am noticing an increase in weight. I look forward to seeing if it works.
5:40 pm
11 Feb 13
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Thanks for your comments Ayshe and KirstRVN. Loving all the positivity!
Tori – some trials have been consecutive, and plenty of people fast completely (ie only drinks). The reason we don’t advise it is that it’s very hard to do! MM devised the 5:2 plan to achieve compliance – the calories are there to make a ‘fast day’ easier, doable and sustainable. But, as we always say, you need to find a patterns that suits you. Have a look at our friend Brad Pilon’s website for more on full fasting. He speaks a lot of sense.
http://bradpilon.com/
He also has a good take on your second question, and there’s plenty on that subject in the Fast Diet book too.
1:56 pm
12 Feb 13
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Hi, I also want to share a counter-view to those who are losing weight. I’ve been on 5:2 Fast (starting at 9pm night and first meal is a late lunch at 2pm the next day) for a month. I initially lost 2lbs but have since put it back on again so I’m back at my start weight. V demoralising:( However I have lost about an inch from my bust and half an inch from my waist so my other half says this counts more than weight loss. I’ve also at the same time started a new commute to work, biking 30 mins there and 30 mins back, so I’m hoping the lack of weight loss is muscle gain!! Definitely not drinking calories (having been a pass WeightWatcher, I know what it’s like be obsessive on calories). I’m hoping that the next month will see some weight loss though! I don’t overeat on Feast days but I don’t watch what I eat and the thought of going back to have to calorie count is what got me on this diet in the first place… Any advice?
3:30 pm
12 Feb 13
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I’m wondering about the 500 cals for women and 600 for men. Both my friend and I are starting this today but she is 5ft 8 with 10 lbs to lose. I am 5 foot with the same weight to lose. If I were to eat 1800 calories 5 days a week I would definitely put up weight- so how do you balance it for the different heights as I often find it hard to get info for those us small people with not too much to lose
4:43 pm
12 Feb 13
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I’m confused. On the front of the book it says “eat what you want most of the time”. Been reading the comments here and most people are “dieting”, sticking to low carbs and keeping their calories down on “feast” days.The last thing i want to do is another diet!!
5:15 pm
12 Feb 13
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Is the 5:2 diet OK for osteoporosis sufferers?
2:08 pm
13 Feb 13
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Hi
I’ve just finished my first week having lost 6 lbs. I’ve tried the 2pm: 2pm fast which was hard but I stuck to it and then went to 12 hrs fast, having breakfast and lunch. Found that I had to drink lots and lots as I’m prone to constipation but otherwise feel fantastic. I am not overindulging on my non fast days but eating normally what I fancy, even a bit of chocolate and cake, stopping when I’m full. I totally love this diet as fit the first time in my life I feel that I can stick to something. I got 45 lbs to loose altogether and feel very positive. Thanks for the discovery !!
4:06 pm
13 Feb 13
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Hi – On the 5:2 for the 2nd week, but today had a blip and broke the fast. Had Black coffee this morning and planned to have last meal at around 6.30 this evening, but was tempted by a bowl of home made lentil soup at 3pm. Should I have another day as a fast day? – And last meal was at 20:00 last night.
5:47 pm
13 Feb 13
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It’s entirely up to you whether you write this off as a fast day or not. If you can estimate how many cals was in your unplanned lunch you can probably still stay under your 500 cals with a small dinner. Seems a shame to write it off if you don’t have to, when you went so long without food!
The great thing with 5:2 is the flexibility though, so you have to do what feels right for you
7:06 pm
13 Feb 13
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Hi shiningmoogie – thanks for that. Kinda figured it out after I sent the post. On the safe side – I am going to count the soup as 250k/cal & have steamed veg with small piece of protein to stay < 500. Will defo plan better for my next fast day.
8:32 pm
13 Feb 13
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Been on the diet for about 8 weeks, and lost about 8pounds, slow but sure. Going away for 8 weeks on Friday to visit family in Australia. Not sure it will be possible to keep the diet going, will I put the lost weight back on??
11:21 am
14 Feb 13
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err, yes!
12:43 pm
14 Feb 13
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Hi, I’ve been following the 5:2 plan for just a few days (started on Monday) and have done 2 fast days. A sneaky peek at the scales this morning showed a loss of 2.6kgs! As this was following a fast day, I am not expecting it to be quite as much on Saturday when I usually weigh, but even so… I’m not finding it hard, and am feeling fantastic. This seems to be the way to go!
1:54 pm
14 Feb 13
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@Minerva – I think it depends on how you eat when you’re over there. On 5:2 you have been losing weight because of the calorie deficit. While away if you overeat you are likely to regain some weight, but it’s possible that with care you can maintain the weight at least rather than gain. You may find it beneficial on some occasions to skip a meal or even two, for example if you know you’re going to have a busy day followed by dinner out, why fill up in the day when you can save yourself for a lovely dinner?
This way you can get in a few 0 cal shorter fasts (ideally 16 hours or more, eg from dinner the night before until lunchtime or beyond). This may help in maintaining.
1:59 pm
14 Feb 13
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just to say give this a go for 30 days now, over 2 years ago lost over 75lbs and changed my life totally but over 2012 stated to creep on the weight again.
saw the article and thought this is worth a try.
the main reason my farther has dementia and diabetes and has been over weight for many years and i need not follow the same path.
in just over 5 weeks i have gone from 218lbs to 201lbs i do exercise frequently and whilst fasting and weight loss may be the easiest way to measure what affect this is having, but inside and in my head I feel great, training is good and sleep is good, you start to realise what you put in your mouth has such a big effect on your wellbeing.
I can’t say I have been good on non-diet days as I have wanted to see what I can eat and still loose or maintain the current weight loss (not saying I wish to keep it up) but after a weekend over indulgency fish and chips full Sunday roast puddings and a special fried rice and crispy beef I lost 3lbs
I did train hard and burnt over 900-1500 cals per session has anyone else seen the limits I mainly did this to see if holyday’s and family functions would have a dramatic effect on the eating plan or on me and my weight
ian
2:23 pm
14 Feb 13
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I can’t see anything anywhere that tells whether, on a fast day, there is any benefit (or detriment) to sticking to, say, 300 calories on a fast day rather than 600. Anybody any ideas?
2:58 pm
14 Feb 13
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Hi youngmumford – the point of the Fast Diet is flexibility and finding a pattern that sits within the basic tenets of intermittent fasting, but really works for you. Some studies have been done with total fasting, and Brad Pilon fasts completely for 24 hours. The reason we suggest quartering your calories is to make this feel possible and (relatively) pleasant. As MM showed in his Horizon programme, a drastic suspension of all calories is very hard to do! 500 seems to work well – but you may find 300 works better. Keep your nutrient intake up though (that’s why we recommend lots of plants and protein), and stay hydrated.
3:59 pm
14 Feb 13
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Thanks for that Mimi. One other question that I’ve heard asked but not really answered is about ‘diet’ drinks (Diet Pepsi, Coke Zero etc). Whilst these are, by definition, low or zero calories, they do have a reputation for having all sorts of ‘unnatural’ additives in them. Any experience/opinion on whether its OK to have one or 2 of these on a fast day should you get a fizzy drink craving? thanks
4:27 pm
14 Feb 13
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I wondered about ‘diet’ fizzy drinks too… though I have to say that so far (on a sample of just 2 fast days) I’ve not had a craving for them, and sem not to really be interested in them on feed days either. Perhaps my body is telling me not to bother?
5:55 pm
14 Feb 13
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im sadly one of the minority who hasn’t lost any weight at all despite sticking religiously to the 5:2 plan for almost 2 months. am i doing something wrong?
6:30 pm
14 Feb 13
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My own feeling about fizzy drinks generally is that we should probably avoid them. I don’t drink diet fizz which (like processed diet foods) has replaced sugars with synthetic alternatives designed in a lab. There are plenty of other good things to drink. That said, if Diet Coke is your fall-back on a Fast Day, and if it helps get you through, then so be it. Compliance is, as ever, key.
9:57 am
15 Feb 13
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@lil – if you provide a little more detail I’m sure some of us can try to help.
It would be useful to know roughly how much weight you need/want to lose as it seems the less you have to lose, the slower it comes off. It’s also useful to know how you split your calories, at what times you eat & what sorts of things as well as whether you’re very active and how you eat ‘normally’ (on your feed days). With a bit more info some ‘troubleshooting’ is possible.
Are you perchance doing the 24 hour version as described by Mimi in the book, eg from 2pm-2pm, as it seems the weight loss on this method (if eating normally before and after those times, and consuming 500 cals within) is greatly reduced as often the calorie deficit is not that high at all. If you’re doing this cut down form of 5:2 you may benefit from doing it as a 0 cal fast between those times to facilitate the weight loss.
7:53 pm
15 Feb 13
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Thanks shiningmoogie for taking time to reply. I weigh 11st 9lbs and I’m 5″ 4″ so I’d like to lose a couple of stone. I train 4 times a week in the gym and my job is very physical. I fast on Mondays and Thursdays and I really enjoy it. I drink plenty of water on those days, I’m a water drinker anyway! I usually eat on my fasting days a soup made of green veg and a protein bar. Lately I have found I can refrain from food completely on those days quite comfortably. On my feed days I do eat whatever I want and whenever I want. The only thing I can think of is that I may be eating too much on my feed days. My skin has broken out in spots which I can only assume is part of the detox going on. Apart from that I feel a million dollars! I have such a clear mind and my focus is great. I can feel internal changes but I’d love to see external results!
1:20 pm
16 Feb 13
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I am into my third week and doing very well and feeling more energetic. Interesting is that I have had swollen ankles for the last few years but I am seeing significant improvement with less swelling and I have had to move to a tighter belt but strangely have only lost a couple of pounds.
8:17 am
17 Feb 13
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Have just started , had my fast days as Tuesday and sat, fasting from 6pm to 6pm . Im consuming the 600 calories at 6pm having a 24 hour gap. Have lost a pound as of today , am I ok with a full 24hours, I seem to manage ok.
9:16 am
17 Feb 13
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Exasperated on Friday as my scales said I had PUT ON 2.4 lbs in a week. It’s my 3rd week on 5:2 and over the previous weeks had lost 5lbs. But I have used my bodyfat scales today and have better news. After 3 weeks on the eating plan I have lost 4.2lbs in total, muscle mass is up 1.7% to 33.77% and BMI down 0.23 to 23.9. The really impressive stat for me is, although my waist, according to my measure, has not decreased, my bodyfat has gone from 33.83% to 30.7% in 3 weeks.
I am noticing, in genera,l my energy levels are higher – I feel less tired than usual. I do 2-3 sessions of exercise dvds a week and up until Wednesday this week I was eating biscutis and chocolate on feast days. I am minimising my sugar intake for Lent (to start with. I will probably carry on) by excluding chocolate, biscuits and sweets from my diet. I will still have my chip shop chips once a week though – my treat meal.
I fast on Monday & Wednesday and eat breakfast and lunch. I drink lots of herbal teas in the afternoon. Favourites are green tea, white tea and fennel tea which is supposed to suppress appetite as well as boost metabolism.
I’m looking forward to seeing what happens in the next few months on this eating plan.
8:56 pm
18 Feb 13
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I have just started the diet , the 2pm to 2pm appealed to me most , I had a normal lunch at 12 noon , at 7pm my even meal was 2 boiled eggs , when does the 24 hour period end technically and when can I have a normal meal again, in the morning I am planning on skipping breakfast as I find it easier , then lunch I will have wheetabix amounting to 205 Kcal , is this right ?? or can i just have what ever at lunch time
please advise
9:58 pm
18 Feb 13
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I have started the IF process today. Have chosen Monday and Thursday as my fasting days and am following the breakfast and dinner meal times. Really useful comments above.
10:33 am
19 Feb 13
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Thanks for the positivity – this has encouraged me to carry on, I do somehow feel better even though the scales haven’t moved, so am going to carry on – after all if I don’t do it at all I definitely won’t lose weight!
Good luck all! x
10:52 am
19 Feb 13
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Started IF at the beginning of February, Mondays & Thursdays, weighing myself the following morning. My results are strange: (on Salter scales) Tues 5 86.4kg,
Fri 8 82.4kg (bought new Omron scales to celebrate – & confirm weightloss!) Tues 12 85.7, Fri 15 84.7, Tues 85.4. I’m a little confused and disheartened. I’m hardly exercising (walking) due to weather, and have not sorted a pilates area yet at home, after recent move. I am over sixty, 168cms, and aim to reach 65-70kg mainly for
health reasons
12:03 pm
19 Feb 13
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Hi, both me and my husband started the 5:2 programme two weeks ago, for the first week fasted on Tuesday and Thursday. Lost 2lbs each. Put the two pounds back on again then lost 1.5lbs, (although my husband is back where he started). Have now swapped to Mondays and Wednesdays as it suits our lifestyle better. Haven’t weighed yet this week as am trying only to do it the morning after the second fast day of the week. We are sticking religiously to the 500/600 limit on fast days eating breakfast (boiled eggs) at about 8am and then dinner of 300/400 calories about 8pm. As this doesn’t seem to be working we are now trying to fast until midday the day following a fast day too. Hoping this will help as we are both very disappointed. I have about 1 stone to lose and husband has about 2 stone ideally. I take regular exercise 2-3 times a week. I suspect that, having worried about what I’ve been eating for years, I may be overdoing it on non-fast days so am going to return to being a bit more self controlled – although this too is a bit disappointing because I saw this aspect as being the most attractive of the plan. Does anyone have similar experiences or advice please?
4:56 pm
20 Feb 13
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After reading the above comments I decided to give my body a kick up the backside and go for a three day intermittent fast. It’s worked a treat and at last I’m seeing loss on the scales. I think everybody has to adapt the diet to suit themselves in terms of their own body needs and their lifestyle. These posts really help..thanks guys!
5:04 pm
20 Feb 13
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Hi there, have posted on another forum but got no response. Any chance MIMI or MICHAEL could help???
Am now on week 7, second fast of the week. Fasting is going ok – I’ve dropped from 500cal to 400call to (in desperation) under 100cal on fast days and STILL NOT LOST ANY WEIGHT OVERALL!!! It’s driving me insane. I have 12-14lbs to lose. I’m beginning to wonder – can I really eat what I want on the other 5 days? Really though? I’m so hungry on those days that I just know I overeat, despite trying really hard to control it. I eat a fairly low carb diet anyway so no point suggesting I cut out carbs. I get particularly hungry in the evening. I’m so desperate for this to work which is why I’m sticking at it but the way I see it, if I have to control cals on non-fast days I might as well go to weight watchers. Which I do not want to do as eating a calorie controlled diet does my head in and only works short term. Please can someone help me.
9:52 pm
20 Feb 13
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Hello
I really hope somebody can give me some advice. I am about to embark on my 5;2 diet journey and feeling a little confused. On the fast days do you have to eat 500 cals? its not an issue if you dont manage them, and also do you split up into a breakfast dinner and tea or fast until tea time? Thank you in advance for any helpful tips 
xxx
10:14 pm
20 Feb 13
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From what I have read, it is OK if you can’t manage 500 in a fast day unless there are medical reasons against it, and you can have your calories at any time split throughout the day but I think there is supposed to be extra heath benefit in fasting for as long a period as you can manage within that day. Because I never feel very hungry first thing, I find it suits me to go from dinner around 6pm the day before a fast day, and not eat until lunch time on the fast day, giving approx 18hours continuous fast. I split my calories between lunch and dinner but some people need breakfast and others need to have small calorie snacks throughout the day. What suits you best seems to be the answer.
11:36 am
21 Feb 13
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@thefasterpt I don’t think you can overeat on your non-fasting days and still expect to lose weight. I’m new here, but I’ve been following 5:2 and IF forums on another website, and I’m planning to do my first fasting day next week (Monday). They advocate sticking to their TDEE (total daily energy expenditure) on non-fast days. For example, my TDEE is 2500 cals a day (based on my weight, height, activity levels) so on non-fasting days I will be sticking to that as a maximum. I’ve been reading people having great results from tracking their non-fasting days on apps like my fitness pal, and many of them are saying they often exceed this amount on some days, but are way under on others, and still lose weight.
12:18 pm
21 Feb 13
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Hi, Today is the first day for me, I have had my porridge and done an hour of pilates.
really hoping to lose the 2 stone that have crept up on me as a result of medication for Fibromyalgia…happy to try !
1:33 pm
21 Feb 13
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@Sar Thanks Sar, you’ve acutally really helped me. I think I got a little bit giddy about the idea of eating whatever I wanted on feast days to the point where it was unrealistic to think I would lose weight just because I had a deficit on 2 days of every week. I haven’t been losing weight really, only 1 lb after 2 weeks of fasting! And I know I have been doing the fast days correctly eating 2×250 meals a day. Lunch 12pm and Dinner 6.45pm. So from now on, on my feast days I will eat without over indulging and try to stick to a recommended women’s daily allowance of about 1940 calories or less. Wish me luck – I really want to feel trimmer this summer!
3:53 pm
21 Feb 13
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Hi guys!So its been about 5/6 weeks since i started, and i think i do look slimmer. However, the scales are only coming up with a weight-loss of about 2lbs. At the same time of starting the 5:2, I began going to the gym 3/4 times a week, following the Couch to 5k NHS running plan (which is excellent btw!) and doing weights. Do you think this could be the reason for the lack of difference on the scales? I dont look like ive gained any muscle!
ps i know at long as i look better the weight shouldnt matter but it would be nice to see the numbers going down
5:01 pm
21 Feb 13
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I am on my first week – weigh in tomorrow – hope I lose some weight. Shall feel a bit disheartened if no joy. Can anyone explain why in the recipes for breakfast of porridge + blueberries – 145g of berries = 37 cals, but if you look it up in the calorie counter at the back 100g of berries + 60 cals. If that is the case then I am way over my 500 cals.
6:02 pm
21 Feb 13
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bex93, I would think that your fat has decreased and muscle has increased. I have scale which do fat and muscle percentage. I have 3 kids so don’t need to go to the gym! in 3 weeks my fat decreased from 31.9 to 28.3. My muscle increased by a similar percentage.
I suspect that weight and BMI will not be very helpful to you as the gym will be screwing with the results. My suggestion would be to measure yourself.
6:05 pm
21 Feb 13
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Pat. I should imagine it is a typo and should read 45g! I am also over my calories now lol.
6:14 pm
21 Feb 13
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Thanks Minket – should have thought of that myself!
8:53 am
22 Feb 13
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Hi everyone
Firstly, I am not going to stop doing this! I love it, and have more energy. But, it’s three weeks now, I have a LOT OF WEIGHT TO LOSE and i’ve only lost 3 pounds.
However, my clothes seem bigger. How does that work?
And any suggestions for making the weight come of quicker? I know it should be slowly done, but this does not seem fair!
12:37 pm
4 Mar 13
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I have been doing IF at the same time as a friend. She dropped a STONE without even trying, I have managed to shift 11lbs but not a gramme since. I have no trouble on fasting days so have dropped my intake to protein and nibbly salad bits. I have tried to avoid tea as I can’t drink it without sugar and sweeteners are horrible. Yes my belt is tighter, my bra less strangling BUT I am a bit disappointed as this is what always happens to me whatever eating/exercise regime I try. I will continue with it though as it is v. easy and I am depending on the health benefits rather than the weight loss.
1:13 pm
4 Mar 13
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Anyone know if chicory drink needs to be counted towards calories for the fast day? Just started today and not hungry yet!
1:16 pm
4 Mar 13
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I started on 28 Jan, weighed on 28 Feb and lost 5lbs, not sure I feel I look as though I have but maybe in time results will show. Its true that its both easy and hard at the same time. You’re not depressed by feeling tied to a diet with minimal treats and can be flexible about fasting days. But those days are quite hard. I do Monday and Thursday. I have 100 cals for breakfast (usually tinned tomatoes), then soup, toast or fruit and yoghurt for tea. (I’m afraid the recipies arn’t for me as I prefer not to have to prepare anything from scratch on fasting days). Drink low cal all day but the hunger never really goes away and two Nytol at bedtime are brillient at getting me off to sleep superquick. That said, some days are better than others, one day I can feel headachy or lightheaded all the time but then the next one is more get throughable!!! Most bizarre fact is that we do our shopping on a Monday afternoon and I have no problem with walking round the supermarket on a fasting day! So on balance, its good, a new way of dieting and, if it works, a revalation. I’m sticking with it!!!
8:07 pm
5 Mar 13
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I too am struggling to lose weight on this diet, or rather, I should say, new pattern of eating. Everyone around me is sceptical about it and it can somewhat undermine one’s confidence. I think that my main problem is having to unlearn previously learned attitudes towards food. I, and I suspect many others, can’t get the ‘forbidden foods’ concept out of my mind; but then on non-fast days there are times when I take the plunge and eat the foods I’ve longed to eat over the years and then wish that I hadn’t; not that I overeat – most of the time! I suspect that this will settle down and that I will find my level as it were. I don’t understand why it says in the book that you can eat anything on non-fast days but on this forum there seems to be contradictory advice saying watch what you eat on these days. Am I missing the point here?
8:59 pm
6 Mar 13
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I am just starting the program this week. I have been on Weight Watchers for the best part of the past 2 years. I did lose 30 pounds on it first year, but have gained about 5 back and haven’t lost it or any more weight over the past 6 months or so. I think my body has just adjusted to this level of eating. For exercise, I power-walk about 5 miles most days. The idea of IF seems like it could be a solution for me and help break the boredom of WW. I just hope I won’t eat too much on the off days. Would it be okay to have no calories on the fast days? I have done some fasting in the past and just drank herbal tea and water all day. This seems like much more of a real fast to me and would tend to give the body more of a break from food. And would also serve to keep from whetting the appetite. Would love to hear a response to this question – thanks!
1:00 pm
7 Mar 13
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I have been folllwing the diet for three weeks – fasting every MOnday and Thursday, and on fasting days have eaten NOTHING. I drink water (perhaps not enough) and have green tea and lemongrass/ginger tea. On non-fasting I days have been watching my diet, never eat junk, have cut out bread and all other wheat products since January and havevut out cheese and obviously fat foods. I am also getting a reaonable amount of exercise. (Approx 1 hr fast walking 5 days a week). I have not lost ANY WEIGHT whatsoever. I have at least 2 stone to lose. I am a 45 year old female. Any tips?
7:58 am
20 Mar 13
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Been on the fast diet for two weeks fasting on Tuesdays and Fridays. I walk a friends Husky every day for at least 30 mins (brisk walk) and do an hour circuit type training once a week (which I’m hoping to increase). I weighed myself today following a fast day and have gained weight! I hadn’t lost any weight since starting either. I only have around 10 – 12lbs to lose. I’m 5ft 1 and on a non fasting day usually only have between 1200 – 1400 calories! I usually have a more protein rich diet most days and have cut back on wheat. I don’t really like cheese so very rarely have that. I have also cut back on regular tea and coffee and drink green/herbal teas. What am I doing wrong? I am a 40 year old female. Incidentally, my friend who recommended this diet to me lost 16lbs in the first 4 weeks. She did have more weight to lose than me and is a lot bigger than I am generally but she is still losing weight steadily. She exercises less than I do at present. So I know this diet can work. Is it just the wrong diet for me?
6:04 pm
29 Mar 13
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Started the fast diet last week and sadly I have not lost an ounce. I am a vegan and I am wondering if that has anything to do with it? I have been very good on the fast days, but I do wonder if I have been eating a bit more than usual on the non fast days. I have to confess that the day after a fast day I have been STARVING. I am having breakfast and then an evening meal, leaving as long a gap I between as I can 7.30am – 7.30pm as I believe that is the best way?
11:25 am
4 Apr 13
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Week two of the fast diet and just weighed myself. I have put ON 2lbs, so really not doing very well at all. Ever so disappointed, as so many people seem to be getting good results. Don’t think that I will continue which is a shame.
11:32 am
4 Apr 13
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I’ve been doing the fast diet now for about a month, had a week off for a holiday but other than that am managing it well. One question I have and am wondering if other people are having the same thing is that I manage fasting days well, but on feed days I am always really hungry. I find myself wanting to eat all the time! I haven’t lost any weight now for a number of weeks, because I eat so much when I’m not fasting. I’m not getting the appetite control I thought I would. Is this just a novelty that will wear off? After years of feeling guilty over a piece of cake or a glass of wine? I don’t have much to lose but would like about half a stone… Any ideas?
12:21 pm
4 Apr 13
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I have been doing the diet for four weeks every Tuesday and Thursday. I have not lost any weight at all and I feel really tired on the days I do it. I am not going over my 500 calories, I have porridge in the morning and normally salmon with stir fry veg about 7pm. I have green tea during the day or water. I want to lose about 8lbs in all so what am I doing wrong? Also would it be ok to drink an actimel yogurt drink on the fasting days about midday?
1:21 pm
4 Apr 13
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Caroline huish, sounds like we are very similar!!
2:34 pm
4 Apr 13
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Have been doing the 5:2 diet religiously for 11 weeks now & not cheated once. On restricted days I meticulously weigh/measure everything to ensure I keep within 500 cals. On the other days I mainly eat v healthily (& have really cut down on carbs!) but admitedly have had some splurges (crisps, choc, alcohol,take-away)but no more than once a week. My weight has fluctuated over this period BUT net weight- loss to date is NIL. In fact, I’m feeling very bloated/uncomfortable. How can this be possible?
4:33 pm
7 Apr 13
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I’ve been on diet since August and lost 28lb up until Christmas holiday. I continue to fast 2 days and have maintained my current weight and now feel that I can’t revert to a normal life as feel that it’s because of the fasting that Im not gaining weight again… But am rather confused now! If Im not losing weight and fasting…what’s happened to my metabolism… I’m 60, female and I walk my dog regularly… I’m a vegetarian and eat a good diet… Is 5/2 necessary for the rest of my life?
9:48 am
8 Apr 13
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I have been fasting Monday and Thursday for four weeks. I have a 200 cal breakfast at around 11 am and a 300 cal supper around 7. It’s made me eat less (or so I thought) on the other days of the week. I am not as hungry, so use smaller portion sizes and am less likely to snack. BUT I have only lost a 1.5 lbs in total… It’s very demoralising. Especially as friends are losing weight at a steady rate. Any advice?
1:51 pm
11 Apr 13
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What I have been doing is focusing more on the loos of inches rather than the weight loss, although the weight is coming off slowly. I am into my sixth week of fasting Mondays and Thursdays. It took many months/years to put on the extra weight so I expect it will take time to get it back off as well. Do not be discouraged, pay more attention to living your life than to what, when and how you eat. At least, that is what I have been trying to do. After all, when I was a child I was not overweight and did not think about food at all, it actually was a nuisance to have to stop playing to eat. May we all get back to the child in us!
3:20 pm
17 Apr 13
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Have just started this diet and so far, after two fasting days, feel very good! Have read about people not losing weight and can only assume that they must be over eating the calories – until I started checking some calories myself and have been shocked to find that 100g of banana ranges from 95 – 136 calories on different calorie checker sites!!!!! So maybe this is the reason people are over eating their calories!!! Can anyone suggest a believable calorie checker?
4:59 pm
18 Apr 13
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hi cynister-I agree-think the right approach is to measure yourself rather than weigh. Although I’ve lost 8kgs in 12 weeks the main and obvious improvement is inches around the waist-approx 3.5 loss. I did bloods before and after and notable cholesterol drop also. The main loss appears to be fat-mainly around the waist and posterior. I reckon I still have about 10kgs to go but will spread this over the year.
10:20 am
29 Apr 13
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have been doing the diet for 6 weeks now and only lost 2 pounds in the first week – and now getting a bit frustrated. The belt is now on a tighter fitting and I do feel slimmer but was hoping to see some figures change! I started last week reducing my calories between my fast days so they were less than 2000 (for a woman) but haven’t counted calories on the remaining 3 days – I pretty certain i’m not way over though the recommended allowance! No change again in weight! I do a lot of exercise and am wondering if its all being turned to muscle – or am I just kidding myself!? I do think though I have more pounds too lose! any comments / assistance appreciated!
11:03 am
2 May 13
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I’ve been on this diet for 4 weeks now and haven’t lost anything :~( I was wondering if having an under active thyroid might have anything to do with it, i’m currently on Thyroxine medication.
9:24 pm
2 May 13
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@cynister, thank you for your lovely quote ‘ Do not be discouraged, pay more attention to living your life than to what, when and how you eat’.
@denise35, having an underactive thyroid can result in weight gain and it may be worth getting your blood levels rechecked.
9:24 pm
2 May 13
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Hi there, some people do find it harder to lose weight than others, though i do think the important thing is inches round the stomach, not weight per se. If you get stuck then i recommend keeping a food and drink diary for a week. Lots of things (muffins, lattes) have surprising amounts of calories. If you don’t fancy that then you could try going to 3 days of reduced calories or Alternate Day Fasting for a while to kick start your system
8:43 am
6 May 13
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I have just weighed in on my first week and only lost one pound, I feel really disappointed as I stuck to my 500 cal on my fast days and did not eat until about 4pm on both fast days. I drank black coffee and water all day. I have about 4 stone to lose so I was very surprised not to have lost more. It is supposed to be my fast day today, but as I am feeling despondent I will postpone it until tomorrow.
7:19 pm
6 May 13
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Hello, Trish T – I feel for you, especially as many people so enthusiastically post about their wonderful early results. I would suggest that you read around the site and look at the various comments about how to deal with lack of weight-loss – there are so many individual factors that effect one’s results. Really, the 5:2 system is best seen as a long-term approach to better health (including reaching/maintaining a healthy body weight) rather than a quick-fix. Give yourself time to settle into the way of 5:2 and look for its benefits over several weeks rather than just one. I wish you good heart and positive results ahead.
5:38 am
8 May 13
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Hi trish.t – don’t give up! Your body does need to adapt and it’s a good idea to measure weekly as well (waist & hips) Sometimes you lose centimetres and no weight. Remember if you are doing some exercise that the fat will convert to muscle and muscle weighs more.It will work, but don’t give up after 1 week. I have also kept a daily diary for the 15 weeks I have been doing it and it does clarify exactly how much you eat. Keep at it!
8:01 am
8 May 13
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Hi Everyone, this is my first comment. Living in Hong Kong, I am a bit isolated and behind the times regarding diet issues and only came across The Fast Diet a few days ago after seeing an article about 5:2 recipes on The Guardian website. That led me to the documentary (downloaded from a pirate site on the internet, sorry) then the book. I also spent several hours reading posts on this page and other forum. This was enlightening but also frustrating. I noticed there are so many questions, and repeated questions, about information that is covered well both in the film and the book and I would appeal to people really to take the time to look at both. I think there must be a number of people who come to the diet and these web pages having just read a newspaper article about the plan, which do not give a complete, or correct, picture of the science and the diet itself. For example, there are many posts along the lines of “I haven’t lost weight, I thought I could eat anything I wanted on non-fast days”. These views are propagated by articles such as the one I read on The Sun, which said “gorge yourself” for 5 days on pizza, chocolate and chips then have scrambled eggs and chicken for 2 days.
Nowhere in the book or film does Michael say you can gorge yourself, and when he does say you can eat whatever you like, he means eat what you normally eat to be the weight you are, without giving up the slice of cake, burger or having to count calories, then have the 2 fast days, and you will reduce your overall calorie intake to lead to weight loss. It doesn’t mean you can gorge on high calorie food — ie eat more burgers and cake than normal; weight loss still is based on the physiological equation of calories taken in vs energy expended. Michael also clearly states that this diet seems to work and seems to give wider health benefits and is based on mainly animal and a few human studies although there is a lot more science that has to be done, yet people are still asking questions about a lot of stuff there is no science on yet. This would be clear if you read the book and updates Michael posts on the website. I don’t want to join this community and start off with a complaint (and I hadn’t intended to write at all until I had something to report) but I think the forums are such a valuable opportunity for all of us to become part of the science. Instead of all the questions, many repeats about “should I eat my 500 calories at one meal or three, should I have split fast days etc”, I would appeal to people to read the book first then just to try different things, what appeals or seems do-able to you, record what happens and use these forums to report back on what happens and exchange ideas on what works and doesn’t (and put in your statistics to the 5:2 fast diet forum). Hopefully we can add to the science so it becomes clear what is really going on with this exciting concept — and help Michael and Mimi with their follow up book! (BTW, sorry for the long post)
9:14 pm
8 May 13
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Thanks Jeanius and Vicki for the moral support. I have not given up, I had a great fast day yesterday and will do my second one tomorrow. I wrote all my food down today and consumed 1979 kcals of food! Most of that is in the form of bread, cereal, olives and houmous, all my favourite foods! I didn’t think I ate that much in between fast days but am surprised how the calories have added up with not much food!
10:47 pm
8 May 13
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Hi, trish.t – I’m really glad your fast day went well yesterday. It looks like you’re finding your way OK, getting a better idea of the calorific values of different foods, etc. Your list of favourites probably do pack quite a punch when all added together: as you say, relatively small portions of each soon add-up to big numbers. Good information to know, though. All best wishes for many more good days ahead.
4:40 pm
11 May 13
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After a lovely but indulgent holiday in Italy I purchased this book at the airport.
I have read it and plan to do my first fast day tomo.
On a previous diet I learned that based on my age and height i need 1400 cals a day.
SO should I eat 1400:350 or 2000:500 like the average lady?
12:30 pm
18 May 13
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I’m another one of those who is not loosing weight. After 4 weeks of 5:2 I have lost absolutely nothing.
What’s the problem? I’m sticking to the 500 kalories and find it actually quite easy. If I’m busy I can go all day without food. So I only have a coffee (with a little milk) in the morning and then nothing till an approx 450 kalorie dinner. Initially I felt sometimes a little dizzy but that has passed and now the fasting days are no trouble anymore. I was thinking of introducing a third one but can’t help wondering what the hell the problem is – everyone else seems to lose weight
9:04 am
19 May 13
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Hi, momo – Quite a number of people find they do experience health benefits or feelings of wellness but also either lose no weight or hit a plateau and get stuck for a few weeks. Perhaps read my comments today in the ‘More on what to do if you’re not losing weight – five things to consider’ section and also read around the site for other contributors’ comments/advice. Hopefully, you will achieve your goals.