I lost nearly 3 stone at WeightWatchers about 10 years ago. The weight was beginning to creep back after I retired. I started the 5:2 diet at the end of last January. Initially I felt very well, and although the weight loss was slow it did continue. By Christmas I had lost 10 lbs (having had a 10 day break on holiday in the USA, where I put 1lb back on). I had a break over Christmas and put on 3lbs. The week after Christmas I lost 1lb, then I put on 2lb, so I was even heavier. I then changed to fasting 3 days per week. In the first week I lost 2.5lbs and though I mostly fast 3 days per week, sometimes it is only twice since then, I am now heavier than I was after Christmas.
I do not eat or drink excessively on the non-fasting days, although I do have 1/2 bottle of wine per week and 1 sherry or g & t and 1 small glass of port per week. I do also have about 2 squares of dark chocolate on the non fasting days. I do not eat much fat, no butter or marg to speak of and only skimmed milk on non fasting days. It is so depressing. I wonder whether Michael Mosley has any long term research which suggests that the body adjusts to the reduction in calories and prevents further weight loss? Or whether, other than dieting on the non fasting days there is any way to shift the last couple of lbs. I am about 5’3″, weighed 8st 10 before Christmas and 9 st now.

Hi Lindy

Many thanks for your reply with suggestions for calculating calories required. I haven’t every properly calculated calories required, as I had just assumed that consuming less than 500 on a fast day would be OK. I will try the calculations if the weight continues to increase.

In the meantime I have started to exercise with a brisk walk every day and combined with the extra fasting day this may help.

As far as the ‘granny’ bit is concerned, indeed I could be your granny as my eldest grandson is almost 18!! and I’m 65!!! but 20 at heart, I think.

Best wishes,
Kate