Lany36 you don’t have to change an eating style that was working for you with 5:2. I had already figured out a diet before I started the 5:2 approach. I just added the two days of fasting a week to what I already was doing. However it sounds like you gained the weight you are tying to loss before starting 5:2. (I’m assuming you’ll been on 5:2 for six months.)

Finally no one loses 2kg/week on real fat unless they have an extreme amount to loose in the first place. (Weigh over 200kg or something like that.) I do have days where my weight changes as much as 2kg but it isn’t due to changes in my body fat! Since Sept. 2016 until now I’m down about 7kg but that varies from day to day. That is only about 250g/week. (A bit short of 2kg/week.) Some people have a lot more some a lot less. It depends on a lot of factors. There are other things to measure:

* How do you feel?
* How are is your waistline doing?
* How easy is the diet for you?

If 5:2 doesn’t work for you, you shouldn’t feel bad. Just move on to something that does work. For example I often see people talking about a 4:3 pattern or even not fasting.

I sincerely hope things get better for you!

@sirisan – many of us have said how cold we are on FD’s. It must just go with the body not having ready fuel is all I can figure. I wear extra layers and have a cloth bag filled with 2 pounds of rice I heat up in the microwave for my hands, feet, or whatever needs it. I also am sure to drink plenty of warm or hot fluids.

Day 4 – Switzerland – NFD

Happy to report that yesterday’s FD went swimmingly, although I did join the kids’ teatime at 5.30pm to eat my bowl of lentil dhal.

I haven’t managed to extend my fast to a 16:8 on NFD yet, although that is my aim. Main reason is that I wake up so desperate for breakfast after a fast. I’ll see how it goes and work towards pushing that breakfast closer to mid-day…

@lany36 – don’t despair! I’ve found that there’s something about fasting that helps me strip back the inessential and focus on the important things in life, so perhaps you’ll find some enlightenment there. I also found that talking to a counsellor really helped me sort my head out, as most of my food decisions were wrapped up with how I felt about myself and how life in general is going. Just stick with it and good luck!

@lany36 don’t beat yourself up for not losing as much as others here! Some of us just have more to lose and are going from eating Maccas three (or more) times A DAY (along with no exercise) to eating these things called “vegetables” and moving more 🙂 So long as you’re making progress toward your goal – no matter how incremental – I reckon you should take that as a win 😀

Consider if it would actually be healthy for you if you lost as much as some here – or as rapidly as they have. If you’re already on the slim side… 🙂

Day 4 – Linards, France

Missed yesterday due to slight memory loss, in other words I thought about it when I got up, then completely forgot! Bad day yesterday. A night at the bar, lots of ‘nibbles’. Couldn’t help myself, kept dipping in. Although on the drinking front I had one small glass of red, an orangina and a hot chocolate (cup not mug). Came home and ate 1/4tube pringles 😫. Will I ever learn?

Ah well today is another day. Onwards and upwards as the saying goes.

Second posting I forgot to mention in on a NFD today

Day 4 Glasgow NFD

Day 4 Portugal NFD
I think I may have missed checking in days 2 and 3 also NFDs
Kids are off for half term so I’m out of normal routine and haven’t had time to check in, and sadly it has been more difficult to do FDs. Looking forward to Monday when I can really get my eye back on the ball. Will be mindful of what I eat over the weekend.

Day 4 / UK / NFD

FDs are great! I had put off 5:2 for so long because I was worried I would be consumed by hunger, headaches, fainting and just wouldn’t have all my wits about me to get through work. But they turn out to be the easy bit for me. I have been getting pangs of hunger around 10/11am, (a drastically increased amount of) tea alleviates this and then it’s all good. Instead of a second soup before Zumba I had a generous salad afterwards. I felt and still feel so full that I can’t see myself having lost much, but so be it then.

I’m moving house this weekend so won’t push myself to fast or to go out of my way for extra exercise. Might take the chance and change FDs to Mon, Wed, Fri from next week.

Day 4 Belfast NFD
Official weigh in day: 157.25.
Just a very small loss, despite successful fasts and controlled NFDs. During February I cut right backsugar and carbs and my goal for March is to be sugar free, which so far is going well. Alcohol consumption is very low – haven’t drunk anything for 2 weeks and don’t intend to until the 23rd March when I have a trip to NY with my girlfriends, and my exercise levels are the same. So I shall pick myself up and try to jump off this plateau. At least the scales were down a little. My goal is to get to 10 stone anything…. which means I need to lost 4lbs this month.
Am still stuck at five rotations with this pesky hoop…. onwards and downwards, and round and round and round….!

@jojo58 – I’ve actually done some research into eating fruit. There is a lot of speculation around the sugar in fruit but there is also evidence that supports that the sugar in fruit isn’t a major contributor to insulin resistance. For example: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00874341

There are other factors to consider to and that is the health of gut bacteria. In “Good Belly Bad Belly” Brad Pilon goes over much of the research and whole fruit and even real fruit juice reduce endotoxins that cause problems with gut health. Basically he has ended up revising his view on fruit juice and now thinks the health effects are worth the sugar. This position only applies to pure fruit juice and whole fruit. It appears that fruit actually encourages a rich diversity of gut bacteria. This is another area that is more on the cutting edge. There is also some evidence that having a healthy gut bacteria may be more important than avoiding fructose on overall health. The problem with refined sugar is it is generally in the foods that have negative impacts on gut health.

Finally it is only partly true that the sugar in fruit is the same as refined sugars. In general the ratios of monosaccharides sugars is generally very different than close to 50/50 mix we generally have in refined sugars. The actual ratios vary by fruit, but in general fruits are very high in fructose (the generally toxic sugar) compared to refined sugars. That sounds really bad, but there is evidence that the fructose from fruit isn’t so perfectly absorbed. On the other hand, in processed foods the large amounts of glucose without other inhibiting factors like fiber seem to enhance the absorption of fructose. Again this is an area that there probably hasn’t been enough research, but in the case of fruit it appears the unbalanced ratios may actually reduce the amount fructose that is actually absorbed. Fructose Malabsorption is actually a medical condition that can be a problem in some people.

In the end there is a lot of conflicting information around fruit and much of it isn’t based on sound research. It is an issue that it is possible to make a case on either side and even the experts often have a difficult time taking a position. https://intensivedietarymanagement.com/sugar-obesity-fructose-3/ (Mid way he waffles on his position on fruit)

Now this is antidotal, but I’ve experimented on myself. I’ve found if I eat ice cream two days in a row now after avoiding refined sugar, many of the hunger problems I used to fight return. I cut the ice cream and the hunger fads out. However replacing ice cream with even more fruit (calorie-wise) doesn’t have the same impacts on me. Further more when I cut refined sugars I started to lose my belly fat but the amount of fruit I eat didn’t seem to have any impact on that. Now that I’m down to less than two handfuls of fat on my gut and maybe it is time to cut the fruit. I’m still experimenting.

Finally, while this has nothing to do with fructose, my fruit heavy breakfast is the meal that has the least impact on my blood glucose. I don’t know if that would be generally true for everyone or it is just how I function. There is a lot of fiber in my breakfast, probably more than most eat in a day. Anyway blood glucose is easy enough if sometimes slightly painful to measure. However the necessary supplies aren’t cheap if you make frequent measurements. I have bruises on some of fingers now for measuring blood glucose.

Day 4, Germany, NFD

DAY 3 – UK – NFD
DAY 4 – UK – FD (I hope)

Busy day NFD yesterday – so forgot to post. Out with friends for delicious lunch,
this morning had only put on 6 oz.! So delighted with that.

Out tonight – host making a Chilli – I hope to have only a small portion (I!) – I am just about to go for a short run (can only do v. short runs) but it may help me keep within my fast day 390 cals. I know this is cheating, but am off away for a few days, and fasting will be difficult. Best laid plans and all that – I am supposed to be doing 4-3 or AD as suits me, but life is getting in the way!!! Ho hum – will still do my best, and hope that in quiet periods I can adapt and get back on track. Before this WOl I would have “given up” now I can accept that there will be awkward times, where I have to step off the bus, but now I know I can climb back on and keep moving again – I am still in control and it feels great. I was below 10 stone on Day 2 – first time for 2 years, now a few ounces over, which I know I will get off before the end of the month!
(Another good night’s sleep so am feeling VERY positive) Excuse the ramble – I need to get this down, so I can re-read it when a black cloud comes along!!! xx

DAY 3 – UK – NFD
DAY 4 – UK – FD

Day 4 Chester UK NFD

I’ve hit the big challenge for me – the weekend. Tonight we’re having friends round which means wine and more wine! Last week I did two fast days and kept well within TEE in anticipation of today. My plan is to do tapas so I can have a large salad, avoid carbs (no patatas bravas😩)and pick on the proteins. Hopefully no one will notice I’m not eating as much as them.

My OH has just asked if I want to go to my favourite vegetarian restaurant for lunch. I’m now obsessing on the plum and almond cake they serve. Temptation get behind me!

Day 4 – Munic, Germany – NFD
🙋

Day 4-Bamberg, Germany – NFD

Day 4 USA (Illinois) – NFD

Yesterday I ended up eating over TDEE for the firs time in ages, but know it was that 2nd glass of wonderful “19 Crimes” Aussie shiraz that did it. I had to finish the bottle!

Off to judge music contest – singers, soloists and small groups. I’ve done this for years, and I love being a supportive music teacher again for high school students.

I’ll be sitting all day, so will try not to over eat with the snacks and treats they bring around for us judges!

Onward and downward!

Day 3: yesterday NFD, Az, USA
Day 4: today FD, Az, USA

Day 4: Glasgow, NFD.

OK, so I did two fast days in a row (Thursday and Friday), I’m not fasting today, and I intend to move on to alternate fast days, starting from tomorrow. The two fast days seem to have nudged the scales down a little (I’m now 10st 2lbs), and I’ve got four weeks left before I go on holiday. I don’t find the fast days difficult at all (which is a huge surprise!), but near the end of the 2nd fast day, I felt cold, lacking in energy and hungry – and a bit sorry for myself. Hopefully, the alternate day pattern will be more comfortable. I feel very positive, and determined to continue for the whole of the March challenge – I hope all of you out there are doing well, and are experiencing nothing but good news from your scales readings!

Day 4, Cumbria, FD
I’m attempting a Saturday fast!!! We’ll see how it goes 😊 good luck fellow fasters x
At- I’m in Carlisle xx

Second post today

@dykask- I am following your progress with great interest. How do measure your glucose levels and how often do you check? I think I must be having wild swings in glucose levels as i will sometimes fall asleep 20 minutes after eating a piece of bread- just can’t keep my eyes open. I think I need to start monitoring these events and avoiding.

@skinnylove good luck with the move thus weekend!

Day 4, Dunsborough West Aust , NFD
Nothing of note to report.

Day 4 — Colorado USA– NFD

Thank you, Fellow Challengers, this morning I’m a sweaty mess!
Had so many posts to catch up on, decided instead of reading while reclined on the couch I’d put on my trainers & hit the treadmill. Cranked it up to a steep incline & brisk pace… 🏃🏽‍♀️45 minutes later, I am panting, sweating & thoroughly motivated!! 😃

SCS– I’ll take a cue from you & have a frank sit-down discussion with my pouty toddler, I mean, OH & work out a plan that 5:2 will work for us both. You guys here are all great, but a little extra support on the home front would be nice too. (Thanks, FlourBaby for that LOL).

—-
I am striving for “PROGRESS, NOT PERFECTION.”
And before eating, I ask myself, “WILL THIS GET ME CLOSER TO MY GOALS?”