I’ve been on 5:2 for 3 weeks – lost 5.5.lbs and 3rd weigh in (slighly overdue) is tomorrow. I have mentioned it to several people but always seem to get the same eye-rolling response that you describe aniann. They always think there’s a catch, that it is some kind of crash diet or start bleating on about low blood sugar and light-headedness.

I also aim to prove them VERY wrong!!

My work colleagues all started it after i came back after summer a few pounds lighter but some are dropping by the wayside now because they cant do without potatoes on the fast days or they got a headache. IM afraid i think ‘did you want to lose weight because you have given up very quickly’ but i wouldn’t say that of course.

I’m a big believer in doing what is right and will work for you as an individual. Some people CAN lose buckets of weight just with exercise or have little trouble with strict diets. For me none of that ever really worked, so 5:2 was an unexpected little miracle when it came to the weight loss (was expecting the health benefits – wasn’t expecting the dramatic shedding of weight).

Of course people at work have noticed and I don’t think they are particularly ‘anti’ due to health concerns. Most of them are already on some faddy diet anyway (I never bothered with those ‘beach’ diets but they do). However they all seem to object to it for themselves because they can’t get their heads round the idea of just not eating for a bit. One girl tried & was apparently like a bear with a sore head all day (although I think that was mostly her perception, as I saw no real evidence that she was in a mood that day). I do find it weird that the people who can exhibit enough will power to be on some freaky diet for 2 months when they’re desperate to get into a dress or a bikini, can’t last for 1 day on 500 calories. Weird! I guess it just isn’t right for them.

Anyway, I have successfully indoctrinated my boss, who has taken to it really easily and I can see her shape changing already, after only being on it for a month. My mum & step dad have also been doing 5:2 for a few months now and have both had really good results with very little effort.

I also bumped into a lady at the pool the other day, who came over and complimented me on my loss. She asked me how I’d done it and I told her (hesitently, as I expected ‘the look’ and didn’t really want to waste swimming time trying to explain it) but she had actually just started it herself, so she was then really encouraged by my results. I gave her a few quick pointers & off we swam. That was a nice feeling.

Bless her, I could see she was over the moon when I said I was on the lifestlye that she’d literally just started. I’ve never been so openly oggled by a woman before – I had to suggest we get in the pool, it must’ve looked a bit weird to anyone watching us.

Not that I’m anywhere near my goal weight or anything yet but it IS a pretty noticable amount of weight for someone who sees you in your swimming cozzy, she obviously remembered me from last year and had probably wanted to ask for a while.

TidyChick i feel the same about this plan being a blessing, it truely has been life changing, finally to see success where so many other diets have failed xx

@ fast for life
“i know just what you mean about people looking you up and down”

This is true more for women then men. It’s more subtle for men, the clothes hide a lot. It also seems more acceptable for men to be overweight by 20 to 30 lb.

I will be going on a retreat with over 200 men again this year. Food becomes important and I’ve never heard of anyone consistently fasting, even for religious reasons. Most are meat eaters and drink alcohol. Those that keep an active lifestyle, which are the younger groups mostly, look more fit. Health is only occasionally discussed, looks more seldom.

In contrast, my wife had brunch with her friend yesterday. From what she told me, the subject of 5:2 fasting came up, and my wife’s friend immediately accepted this for herself & intended on getting the book immediately. I told my wife that she did well to encourage her friend on the path of fasting. I don’t think that would happen for me & I would not bring up the subject of fasting unless asked about it specifically.

There is a difference in perspectives.

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