This topic contains 51 replies, has 12 voices, and was last updated by LuvThis 9 years, 9 months ago.
Hi Rosh1967!
I hear exactly what you are saying! I started FD on Jan 2 so I’m currently in my 5th week! early on I was showing a drop of 4 to 5 lbs (depending on the day) and was very excited. Then I ate a lot this past Sunday, (Superbowl in the US) and was 4 lbs up! you can imagine how discouraged I was! I fasted Monday and Wednesday and watched what I ate on Tuesday staying below my TDE and this morning I was back down to 136.6 pounds which is about 5 pounds less than when I started 5 weeks ago. I know I just gave you lots of info, but the truth is that my goal weight is only to get to 124 pounds…12 more pounds. While that seems like a lot to me–I’m only 5 foot 4 inches, I think it may be slower when you don’t have tonse of weight to lose. I have been reading tons on this forum and think about a pound of week is very normal. You can’t get discouraged–eventhough I know 2 weeks seems like a long time–so does 5! it really isn’t that long. Just stick with it! PS I exercise a lot like you. I don’t have any forum buddies but would love to have one if you’re interested:) does the 1967 happen to mean age? I’m 1968 so we may have that in common too:) Let me know if you want to team up! anyone else invited as well! Thx all for the encouragement. These posts work so well. Think this is genius! Everytime I feel weak I start reading…
Hi there!
Glad to have you! I’m not going to say fast days are a breeze because I don’t think they are. However, I do think it gets easier but truly think buddy thing may help! Today I am not a fast day. I had pret oatmeal for breakfast. Sautéed chicken and veggies for lunch. Also had skinny pop popcorn and a diet 25 calorie hot chocolate. My appetite seems to have gone way down from how I used to be. I Really want to take off the 10 pounds as quickly as possible but know it takes time. I think this week j may try and fast tomorrow too just to get in that one extra day. I’m trying hard to stick to the 500 and use myfitnesspal and on off days I rey and keep calories to the 1500 to 1700 range.
I usually try and skip breakfast on fast days and eat bigger late lunch with little low cal dinner. Tomorrow I have a work breakfast so just gonna eat egg whites and veggies and then liquids until dinner. 😉 I have a meeting end of Feb. 3 weeks! Goal is to take off another 4 pounds! 🙂
Thank you for the warm welcome …glad to buddy up 🙂
It was only my second fast day Wednesday. I seem to find mornings the most difficult as I have a v light breakfast. After having my lunch, I feel much better again.
Found that the day after, Thursday, I was so hungry!! I snacked quite a bit but made sure that it was fruit and rice cakes.
To be honest, it sounds like you are a pretty healthy weight already. You are around my height ….but weight what I would like to weigh 🙂
I don’t even consider myself to be hugely overweight. Before starting on this, I would consider my diet to be fairly healthy (I prob ate too much, rather than ate fattening/ unhealthy food).
So far, I’m not planning on tracking non fast days too closely, other than trying to be mindful of what I am eating….but will see if it becomes necessary for me.
Good luck with your target. I’d like to be less than 140lb by end of Feb.
Hi There!
so today has been a bit tough. I had a work breakfast this morning with an editor (I live in NY and work in fashion) and I HAD to eat! I was really careful and just had eggwhites with vegetables and some coffee. This afternoon I only had liquids. I am sort of past the point of hunger (it’s 4pm now) but I’m looking forward to having dinner! I have been doing this for 5 weeks and still experimenting! but I do better when I don’t have breakfast. I try to drink coffee black but end up doing splash of cream…I figure it’s not SO BAD. When I first started I used to break up my meals, but 250 calories is not a meal for me! so I would rather put most of it towards one meal, either late lunch or dinner. usually late lunch and then apple and liquids rest of day/evening seems best. By the way, I think I read in the book not to have rice cakes. They have a high GI (glycemic index) and make you hungry! you don’t need that on a Fast Day! 🙂
Well done for yesterday. …were you saying that it was an extra fast day, too? It looks like you managed your breakfast meeting well.
I really struggle without breakfast. Tbh, I struggle on just the light breakfast that I have on fast days and really only feel better after lunch. Interestingly, I think thst i prefer to eat more meals, albeit at reduced calories. That said, I’m only in my first week. Both my fast days had breakfast, lunch and a light dinner (soup)
Thank you for the info on rice cakes. …might have a rethink
Hope your weekend goes well 🙂
Hi Pamac!
Ok so I actually went over yesterday finishing the day at 558 and yes, I did do a 3rd day, because this big meeting in Dallas with 60 people is end of Feb and would love to drop 3 or 4 more pounds so I’m thinking of doing 3 days a week for next 3 weeks. This morning I did just under 4 miles on the treadmill where I did intervals. 1 or 2 mins at 5.6 mph and then a minute or two at 4.3 mph. I really try and do this 3 days per week. Always on weekends and one day during the week but hard because of work.
I weighed myself today and happy to say I weighed 135.0 lbs! I was 141.3 on Jan 2nd and seriously taking off 10 pounds has been impossible but this seems to be working
Hi desperate
Well, I got weighed this morning. …and I’ve gained! As you can imagine, feeling disappointed.
Anyway, will try again with fast days Monday and Wednesday, as last week. I suspect that my non fast days have been my downfall. That said, I felt that I was being careful. I will monitor more closely!
Well done on the running too. That’s excellent! I can only manage about four km, not four miles! Though it’s some time since I did a run. I do martial arts, however. Did two sessions last week and plan on doing the same next week.
Hi Pamac!
I want to tell you that part of my email to you was lost last time. Not sure why. Anyway, I live in NY and about a week ago I had weighed myself one morning after a party where I had been eating and drinking a lot and I had gained 4 pounds on the scale! I was so upset! Made me question whole 5-2! I stuck with it however and did 3 days the following week where I was very careful and logged everything! Do you have the app my fitness pal? You must get it! You can easily log your foods and exercise. It has a bar code so you can even scan packaged foods! My TDEE is like 1600 calories so I try to stay at 1500 on non fast days. I will tell you that I’m not as hungry anymore. I now rarely eat breakfast on any day because rather use the calories later! Where are you located? Would give you my personal email but it has my name and I want to remain anonymous on this forum:) by the way done get discouraged. Weight fluctuates a lot early on and when you don’t have 30 plus lbs to lose it seems more difficult and results don’t seem to come as quickly. 🙂
Hi again! Thank you so much for your encouragement. It is much appreciated.
I live in the UK. I was similarly thinking about emails ….but mindful of putting email address on a forum that anyone can see! Maybe we’ll figure a way around it.
Actually I have just installed the app and have logged my calories today . Hopefully it will help me keep track.
Hope that next week goes better
I’m planning on fasting Mon and Weds again (think I mentioned that) so we’ll see what happens 🙂
I don’t seem able to completely skip breakfast but will try to keep below 100 cals
Thanks again for your support
Hi there,
I think I will do Monday and Wednesday too! Maybe even Friday. So today it’s really cold. I haven’t worked out yet because I’ve been doing tons of driving for my kids and I already ate a ton! I skipped breakfast but then had mini bagel with fruit jam, a black bean veggie burger, and a bowl of all bran cereal with a few strawberries and 1 percent milk. Everything was healthy, but still lot of food. I’m addicted to these chia bagels that are only 80 calories and 11 grams protein. I’m about to enter it all in on my fitness pal and see where I am. Hopefully can stay light rest Of day! 🙂
So I am at work and armed with instant miso soup. I also brought a 200 calorie chicken wild rice soup for lunch. I am in continueous meetings from noon on and hoping I don’t cave if they bring in food! I just hopped on to this forum to give me a bit of motivation and energy! I feel like I ate a lot yesterday on my non fast day but according to myfitnesspal I was under the 1500 calories which is where I want to be. I made a stirfry with shrimp and veggies last night. Must remember to get beansprouts! I read online this is great to have on fast days! good luck eveyone for today! I know this forum helps so much! makes you feel motivated and that you are not fasting alone! 🙂
Anybody besides me notice a definite THEME on these forums, people trying 5:2 and NOT losing weight with it? I’ve noticed that responses are some version of “you can’t cut calories to 500/600 2-3 days a week and NOT lose weight” and yet there are all kinds of folks on here stating that is exactly what is happening. There’s got to be something else going on, and I don’t buy that ALL of the people posting about this are simply making up the calorie deficit on non-fasting days. In fact if I recall the studies on intermittent fasting was quite clear that people DON’T do that.
So I’m seriously starting to doubt this IS indeed a weight loss tool as much as it is simply a better-health tool. The studies were quite clear about the health benefits of fasting, and with strong enough benefits to make that the goal. But there seem to be more posts here from people NOT successfully losing weight than losing it.
Smith,
I don’t know how many people are actually posting on the forum, and I don’t know how many people are struggling to lose weight, but they are a tiny proportion of the total number of people fasting and of the number of people losing weight.
It is true that fasting doesn’t suit everyone. It is also true that some people who fail do so because they self sabotage. It is definitely NOT true to say that 5:2 is not a weight loss tool.
You appear to be looking for a reason to fail.
Or perhaps you are only reading one thread where like minded people (those who are having limited success for whatever reason). I suggest you read a few other threads. Try jojo’s, Aussie determination, Southern Hemispherites, Maintenance Chatbox got starters.
Hi All,
I just wanted to point out that while I have at times been skeptic, I swear that since I started doing 5-2 on January 2nd I had dropped 6 pounds. Now that may not sound like a ton to some people, but since my ideal weight is only to lose 10 more pounds I think that is pretty major. I also would like to softly point out that the majority of posts on this forum show people losing tons of weight and inches. Infact, this is why I was at times a bit disappointed in my progress because it felt a bit minor and slow. However, all said my weight loss in not consistant. Sometimes I am a couple pounds heavier even when I have been very strict. one time after a party and tons of eating I was 4 pounds heavier the next morning, I swear! I was ready to quit 5-2! then I “fasted” 3 days that week just eating the 500 calories and I dropped down the 5 pounds:) I feel very driven at the moment. I am sticking with at least the 2 days a week, and attempting to do the 3 days per week until the end of month. I will keep posting if anyone wants to see my progress:)
Well I’m trying 5:2 and it seems to be working as I’ve lost 56lbs.
My observation of this forum is that there are a a good few people trying 5:2 who know very little about it and haven’t read the book or done much research into how it works. If they had there wouldn’t be posts daily stating that they’ve only lost 1lb or they weighed themselves after the weekend and their weight had increased.
It is no different to any other way of losing weight, eat less calories than the body requires and weight will be lost.
If anyone is doing 5:2 and is not losing weight then as with all other diets that fail, it is because they are eating too much.
Simples.
hi 1LALA,
There is a big difference between Atkins and 5-2! Atkins you eat no carbs with no limits in terms of quantities. In 5-2 you are restricted with calories but not on type of calories…they are completely different. You do not fast or reduce calories on Atkins. Atkins is about elimination of carbs…
Hi desperate,
Thanks, but I’m only a little loser compared to some. Jojo’s thread is full of people who have lost a serious amount of weight, and kept it off using 5:2.
I have now maintained my new weight (under 60kg, UK size 8 🙂 ) since last June by intermittent fasting. So it works for weight loss AND maintenance. Win win as far as I’m concerned!
HappyNow sounds pretty fabulous to me! and these forums are a HUGE value! I think it’s almost as brilliant as the diet itself. I have only been doing this for about 5 weeks but I learned some critical things. First of all, hunger passes. Secondly, you don’t HAVE to eat breakfast! Thirdly, you don’t HAVE to eliminate carbs! (I have been eating these 80 calorie mini-chia bagels on my fast days) it’s really about total caloric consumption. Everyone is different, but in my book if you can be thin, eat normal stuff in decent amounts 5 days a week, I’ll take it! Lastly, as an added bonus I cut down naturally on my wine because I didn’t want to give up the calories! another bonus to this plan! 🙂 truth be told I’m not sure how many inches I lost. I was 31 I think when I started and seem to be the same now but not really sure if I’m measuring correctly but just happy with what it says on the scale. One concern, I was always told that if you are not eating enough your metabolism goes down. Any comments on this topic?
Hi desperate:
‘One concern, I was always told that if you are not eating enough your metabolism goes down. Any comments on this topic?’
There is no such thing as ‘starvation mode’ – see FAQ at the top of this page.
When you lose weight, your TDEE goes down. Most people think this is a good thing!
Good Luck!
Simco is right, Desperate.
The point is, you are replicating what we evolved to be able to cope with…feast and famine. By reducing your intake twice a week you both allow your cells to heal and reduce your total weekly calorie intake. By eating normally on 5 days(that doesn’t mean bingeing), your body is being exposed to the natural cycles it was built for.
Only modern ‘man’ has had easy access to food all the time. Evolution takes much longer than the effects of industrialisation. 🙂
All the best for your continued success. PVE
PS I lost 29kg (64lbs) in the first year and have maintained now for 10 more months. Life changing. As Amazon and HappyNow said, “It seems to work”!!! 🙂
Thanks so much for the info! and for writing back. Love this forum! PVE that is so amazing! You are really inspiring! You are right in what you are saying but it’s a bit crazy when you consider all the BS information overlaoad that we hear with all the different diets! even nutritionists talk about the importance in eating every few hours so this WOL really takes some getting used to! I have a question for PVE, Simco, and HappyNow. I’m actully doing 3 days a week fasting until Feb 27th. This is because I’m going somewhere and want to feel great! I’m nervous that when I go down to 2 days or even 1 day, do you end up gaining weight back? do you guys still fast 2 days a week to maintain? Thanks for your answers!
Good question Desperate,
The answer is…we are all individuals. It really is a case of experimenting. I fast properly once a week now, but have other days when I have extended fasts by skipping breakfast. My husband reversed his insulin dependant diabetes with 5:2. He lost 75lbs over 12 months and has maintained it. He finds he HAS to fast twice a week, and spread out, not back to back, to maintain his drug free life.
Many others manage on skipping breakfast every day and eating lunch and dinner. When you reach your healthy goal weight you get to play around. In the mean time, stick to what you are doing if it is working. Do “5:2 101” first. 🙂
Cheers PVE
Congrats on all the progress!!
I am 5’2″ (on a tall day) and trying to lose a few also. Technically I started over a year ago and lost about 10 lbs (my goal) 130 to 120lbs. We moved, I got lazy and quit fasting and gained back about 5-6 lbs. Have been back at it for 4 weeks and now lost about 2lb. I think its slower going when there is less to lose.
Soup is the way to go IMO. Have been making a homemade egg-drop (chicken broth, one egg and a handful of spinach) for my first meal (around 2 pm) and then something light for dinner. I find if I eat breakfast I am hungry the rest of the day.
P.S. My boss, who is from England, told me about it! He lost about 30 lbs and has kept it off just fasting one day/week.
Hi Luv!
Can you expand on this chicken broth egg recipe? Do you just srop the egg in there? Or cook it first? Really liking this thread so hoping people continue. I agree with what you said that weight might go slower when you have less to lose but frustrating just the same. Luv, why did you quit the last time? Hoping I can sustain this. Also for purple veggie and the other experienced members does anyone have any good tips on how to deal with this when you travel? I travel for work in groups and with press often. How am I going to handle this or fast in Paris? I don’t want to gain back when I’m there. Any tips helpful. Thx all!
Hi desperate:
I travel extensively and do not try to do 5:2 when on the road.
What I do is skip all meals possible. 5:2 teaches you that you can go without eating and survive. So I skip any meal when I have no business meeting. That usually means skipping breakfast, and sometimes lunch.
The net result is I do not gain weight, and I go back to 5:2 when I have returned.
If you have to eat three times a day, well, eat light!
Good Luck!
Hi Driven –
Its my version of egg drop soup: 2 cups chicken broth(60kcal) – heat to under boiling – add in one beaten egg (90kcal) while stirring with a fork (to ribbon the egg). I usually throw in spinach (20kcal). Google egg drop soup and you will see many variations. I bought some at a Chinese restaurant and it was all oil – so gross.
I stopped fasting last summer for a few reasons. We moved 5 states and it really consumed my brain! To be totally honest, I got lazy!! I did the occasional fast – nothing consistent though. Overall, my appetite has changed. Not nearly as hungry as I used to be and my blood sugar swings are not nearly as strong.
Thanks so much for the egg drop soup recipe! Totally going to try it! I only asked why you went off 5-2 because I am wondering if staying in for life is realistic. I’m going to really hope and try I can. I work in fashion and on TV so there is a lot of pressure. That’s why 10 pounds means a lot in my industry. I never really had an issue but having kids and working full time made things more difficult. I want somthibg that has an easy way of life without feeling bad about yourself or needing to explain yourself. When you want to lose 10 pounds you don’t join a support group. However, this forum and support group is amazing! We are all going through same issues of trying to maintain or lose weight. No matter what our differences or where we live. We come together. Not to sound totally cheesy! 🙂
I think its totally doable – especially in the maintenance stage. I said I quit – but actually did fast occasionally and only put 5-6 lbs back on. Like I said in a previous post – I don’t have nearly the appetite as before. Breakfast is rarity now.
This diet is really the only one that has worked for me. I am the type that does not want to worry about what I eat everyday. Two days of really watching it and eating normally the rest of the time I can do. Although for the most part I have healthy eating habits and exercise regularly. I have hit my 40’s and its not as easy to maintain!! Also I don’t want to beat myself up for enjoying weekend beers or dessert!! Life is too short 🙂
I can see how 10 lbs in the fashion industry is significant (especially with us shorties). Please note – don’t put so much pressure on the numbers – some weeks you will lose nothing – even gain some.
Thx Luv! Yes I wcpwrienced the gains one day and was so upset! That’s when I sevised to stop weighing myself too much. Think it throws you off. I also am in my 40’s by the way and live in te states. My metabolism definately changes and I can’t eat as much if u want to maintain. I agree that I’m less hungry since doing this. I too pass in breakfast most days. Even if not fast day, is rather save the calories for later. It’s easy in the weekend because I drink coffee and workout anyway. During the work week is tougher. Especially when I have breakfasts with editors but I’ve learned to just order egg whites and veggies. They don’t eat anyway so no one judges! Lol. 🙂
Good morning Pamac,
How did you make out? How long have you been doing FD? I wouldn’t wver say this is easy but would say easier over time. By the way so something that makes it easier for me is to play with it a bit. For example, I find it easier to wake on fast day and just have coffee and water. Even if I need to add a bit of cream. Think it’s ok. Then u hold our until 130 or 2. U have a great salad with chicken so I’m really satisfied and full. Basically using almost whole day worth. Later I will drink bouillon, diet hot chocolate, water, etc. If I’m starved at night I will allow myself to have one Apple or maybe some raw veggies. I probably end up at 560 or so but seems to be fine. Yesterday I ate only soup at lunch then egg whites and veggies with mini bagel for dinner. While felt good at night u was pretty hungry and almost caved during day! However when I started feeling week u went to this forum. Please all and anyone doing this continue to post. The info given is great and the support, inspiration, and interest keeps me going!!!!
Hi “desperate”, Thank you very much for your words on encouragement. However, I was soooooooooo hungry that I was just thinking about food constantly. The next day, I find that I am really hungry, though, and, consequently, end up eating more! Then it’s a struggle to stick to low cal stuff.
On reflection, I’ve given it a go – but I don’t really think it’s for me.
Thank you for your support, though. It certainly helped me through Wednesday 🙂
Hi Pamac,
On Wednesday was my fast day. Started off fine but then was craving yougurt with muesli parfait so badly that I caved! 300 calories in one go! Made a decision to switch to Thursday at that moment. Yesterday u got back on track and ended day about 530 calories. Also, did I mention that I had tried this for a couple weeks I. October and didn’t work. Felt just like you,this isn’t for me. Also I felt like it was taking forever for me! But I really just wanted to lose 10 pounds so things were slow. Listen, I tried his again beginning January. I’m down 5 and half to 6 pounds. It’s not consistent. Meaning I flucuate a bit. Today I was .8 higher than week ago but but still over 5 pounds lighter! I want to lose another 5. I think you need to keep trying and change it up. Maybe don’t eat breakfast at all? Eat apple and liquids day and bigger dinner in evening? Diet hot chocolate and bouillon are my saviors! 🙂
Hi
Just read all the post on this thread, so interesting to hear that everyone is different.
But just wanted to correct a comment from desperate but driven on 9th Feb – you say that on Atkins there are no carbs, that Atkins is about elimination of carbs.
Actually, this is incorrect – on Atkins you have no carbs for the first 2 weeks only (induction phase). I read a post, possibly on this site, that said the induction phase of Atkins isn’t actually the diet – it’s just a preparation, their way of stopping carb cravings when you go on to add vegetables after the first 2 weeks. The Atkins diet has 4 phases.
I’m not on Atkins, by the way, but I have been in the past. Now I’m on 5:2.
Love all your posts on here – really inspirational when the going gets tough.
Helen
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