Lotus – I completely agree re the cheese platters. I couldn’t be bothered cooking when I finally got home last night so sat down to 60g of brie, 60g of apricot and almond cream cheese and some vitawheat multigrain crackers, and a few olives and sundried tomatoes and 500 cals later!!!! oops oh well I ate well the rest of the day anyway so it wasn’t too bad. but its amazingly easy to go over when you don’t think about it before hand.

CG forgot to say that you are right…the article I posted does sound exactly like you! Tis why we all find this such a great place. suejen

Evening to all… WELCOME TO ALL NEW MEMBERS…Hope you enjoying being part of this wonderful thread and enjoy the amazing benefits of the 5:2 WOL… It’s one great journey to be part of.
MY OH is not at all well… He is in bed with “Man Flu” thank the stars he can work from home and be warm instead of being on one of several cold ,wet building sites he has in progress… I think he has used my 4P’s!
I am doing my famous B2B just in case any of the Melbourne indulgences sneak up on me. Just putting my AUSSIE DETERMINATION TO THE FOR.
SJ-are you sure your post/link is not CG sounds just like her. I know only too well how you are feeling about your conflict with your daughter, several weeks ago I went through similar stress with my Mum ….remember where it put me. Mums n daughters have this love /hate time ..we mean no harm always BUT things we say when heated do not come out how we mean… give her time… Your love for each other will always win through.HUGS TO YOU xxx
FB- I miss you so . Pls take care and have me time. Thank the stars for your parents being there at this busy time. and Congrats on your your new project at work.
BALI- as CG said we are here -take care ..hope you are ok xxxx
I am off tomorrow. I have a full day of house work …I still have not entirely unpacked from Melbourne. This time last Wednesday FB and I were celebrating my birthday at CROWN… what a wonderful night that was.The week has gone so quick , the memories will last forever.
Hope you have planned for your FAST DAY tomorrow. Enjoy your evening……GO GAL

Hi all, I have to share, the weight if dropping off. I hope to be at my goal weight very soon. .8 to go.

I decided to up the ante while still doing 5/2 by eating less on NF days but I couldn’t possibly have done this if it were not for 5/2 in the first place.

I need less food, I am not nearly as hungry and I am not denying myself anything. And I have learned how to eat better and make my calories count.

So yesterday, a NF day, I had maybe half a cup of cottage cheese, full fat when I got hungry and during late afternoon I had a boiled egg. My husband had come home a bit hungry but I suggested that he grab an egg himself rather than something carb loaded which would lead him to overeat so close to dinner. That was what made me suddenly think that I wanted one.

I seriously was not hungry throughout the day. I drank coffee, tea and water throughout the day and dinner was chicken curry, Rogan Josh. I had cucumber and full fat yoghurt with it as well as mango chutney. I had mine on mashed cauliflower and gave my husband rice. I ate, like I always do, as much as him!

I didn’t calorie count, I just ate what I wanted. I don’t keep carbs or bad food in the house. I no longer want rice. I never had a sweet tooth anyway.
I previously mentioned that cutting out the wine or 2 that I had while cooking dinner was making a differnce. I think my TDEE used to come from there!
I also do not keep my real weakness, yummy cheeses, in the house although often lunch, my first meal of the day is thinly sliced tasty cheese on corn thins.

I am not suggesting others should do what I am doing, just that for the moment I am happy with my spin on it. I could not have begun to do this before 5/2.

Tonight I will be having atlantic salmon and salad but the salad will have avocado and some cheese. I have some berries and ice cream for dessert. Berries are so much cheaper here in the U.S that I am taking advantage and the icecream is locally made at the university. I probably won’t eat a huge amount before this, probably corn thins.

I hope you don’t mind me posting all this, I certainly am not trying to talk anybody else into skipping meals or starving themselves if that is what it seems I may be doing. And I know everybody has their own food prefernces. What I quite enjoy probably sound ghastly to others.

I think I am like a horse sensing it is nearly home, I can’t help racing a bit!

I will fast tomorrow, boiled egg, cherry tomatoes for lunch and dinner steak and a non fat salad.

Still cold here but yesterday was 16 and today will be warmer. I only walked 5,000 steps yesterday as I don’t want to go out in the cold unless I have to.
I much prefer to be on the computer , reading or painting. Today I will try and get out there.

My husband is happy, he is losing well too with 5/2.
Have a good day.

I still eat carbs though 🙂 I like them 🙂

Ha, Lotus! I still like carbs too!But I do feel better if I have them less often.
Thanks, CG,I wasted a lot of time with low fat stuff that is actually full of added chemicals etc so was pleased to find out that it is now OK.

Good morning fellow Determined Aussies-
I’ve been living the 5:2 for 8 weeks now and the weight hasn’t been moving as fast as I’d hoped. So, I thought it might be time to find some support (and don’t worry, I can offer some too!). So I just say that I hope there’s room here for one more.
I’ve read the most recent posts and it seems I have a lot in common. Things like wine and creamy cheese most notably.
I’m fasting today. Drinking chamomile tea and lots of water. I wait til dinner to eat. Otherwise, I trigger my hunger response and feel miserable all day.
Thanks for listening.
If you’re fasting-hang in. If your eating-enjoy but not too much. 😉

Hi to all. Am on a FD and just did the gentler exercises (ab crunchies, 2k wt sets and treadmill- hour and a half total) just can’t make the exercise bike ATM. though I know a concentrated effort to exercise on the 2nd FD each week, Thurs, gets me the results a few days later and helps to minimise the effects of week end blow outs. Thinking I’m on a bit of a yoyo and need to steady up on patting my own back with treats every time I see progress! Bah! I was so delighted with my flashing 82’s and my medical checkup I had a MacDonald’s big mac! and several bourbons, with real coke (did taste yum!).

Not so cocky today, had a bit of a reaction to the flue shot as well, sore arm and foul headache, probably means it’s stirring up the immunity, so all good. Did get to read some of yesterday’s posts (and the article , agree it could be CG!) but gave up in favour of just saying hello. and welcome to newbys, always room for one more! AT least I can report all my blood results so far have put me in better than average condition for age and the weight loss was duly praised (cholesterol down to 4 as apposed to previously 8+ and sugar is a perfect 6 average!). So 5:2 be praised! and you, too, UP! well done on adjusting to new territory and staying on track! Hope Fit is enjoying her family holiday. Here’s to blasting plateaus! At least I can sit here and work on my double chins! Hope some of you looked up the ‘neck perfect’ gadget, I believe it’s working! haveagoodday! gyps

Hello everyone. Welcome Lacie.
Once again many interesting posts and dramas that go on in our lives. It’s just good they to be able to share even if our team cannot always find the solution for you. Family upsets can be very difficult. Many year ago now I had some words to say to my sister in law who had been rude to some overseas guests at a Xmas barbie at our place. She NEVER forgave me and remains bitter to this day. The result being that her, now adult children have their only other relies in Australia that they’ve become estranged from. It really is sad and quite ridiculous.
FD here and it’s going well. I’m having the Red Lentil Dahl for supper that’s on our recipe thread.
Pepper the pooch had an interesting morning. We had a one on one obedience lesson in puppy training. She is very experienced and oh so good. She had him walking perfectly on the leash and has lots of exercises for me to do with him over the next week.
Take care team and happy 5:2 ing.
XX Doggy

Hello All!
Fasters- the day is almost over… hang in there, you can do it!!!
Melbgirl – As CG said, no need to starve, as that is not a sustainable way for this WOL (it IS a marathon not a sprint). I usually have 4-5 celery / carrot sticks with a teaspoon of hummus spread on them or a small mandarin at about 4 pm. Not very calorific, both are about 45 calories each, with an added fibre boost (these things make a difference the next day lol!).
FB – hope your flu gets better soon.

So I am trying a hack this fortnight you guys. A Lite n Easy 1800cal 7 day week split over 2 weeks, with a few snacks and wines added in. Av 1100cal food NDF and 400cal on FD. What a task splitting into 2 weeks food, but boy it looks like a lot.

Thanks CG. I know it’s not a typical approach, just having a try of something that will keep me in line. Different strokes for different folks right? I love cooking and real food. Just a short term hack. 🙂

I know CG. It is fine. Haven’t read the book, but made a long studied journey to fasting for health. I have calculated my TDEE, and have used that as a base for my decision process. As a peace offering in light of my heathen experiment, please check out the 5:2 recipes at the paddingtonfoodie.com a driven aussie if I ever saw one. Fair warning, there are some pretty decadent recipes along for the ride too. http://thepaddingtonfoodie.com/2015/04/08/eat-fast-and-live-longer-a-5-2-fast-diet-recipe-idea-under-300-calories-pumpkin-and-spinach-dahl/

Hi team, tough day. Finally home from MelbVegas. some evenings you just need stuff like this…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo6aKnRnBxM

Hello all,
Greetings from the Pacific Northwest. Lovely morning here. MELBGIRL, congratulations on starting what we all believe will be a new way of life, a new relationship with food and a feeling so freedom of you continue with this WOE/WOL.

My first week was definitely the most difficult and the first FD, I do not want to experience again. I felt unwell, shaky and when I finally sat down to eat my dinner, had a burst of anxiety that was unpleasant. It could have been due to a variety of things. The important thing is that I did not let it deter me for the second FD, which went better. I am now in my fourth week and it really has been a transformation regarding how I relate to hunger, when I eat, etc. Many of my fears about food took a back seat. Someone of these fears I didn’t even know I had until I started this WOL. For instance, thinking that I had to eat every three hours to lose weight, that I woudl get headaches, fall apart… Not true, in fact I felt better in so many ways. I do believe it will get easier, but power changes are going on inside of you and it is understandable that you will feel a bit shaky to start. No fears. I think I can say with confident e and many would back me up here that this will pass and become so much easier with some FD’s that go by without a hitch. I have had FD happen all on their own, and have accepted that a day picked for a FD was not right for me and scrapped it for another day. Monday and Thursday’s are adopted by many, but it is not a hard and fast rule.
Off to another long day. I am doing the 16:8 this week and so far so good.
A question for anyone out there who has done the 16:8. I have noticed that some folks say that if you keep your caloric intake under 50 calories that your body will remain in a fasted state. Any thoughts? I have had a couple of mornings on the 16:8 where I ate 4-5 almonds in the morning and then waited another 3-4 hours before ingesting food.
I was eating some of the other posts last night, and while they are all grat they are just not the same as this group. I keep wanting to find a group in my area but so far, I have not been able to find anything. You are such a great support. Glad to be a part of it.

Yes, I agree. I keep it to lean protein and veggies on a fast day with an egg thrown in. Also a few almonds. I find that almonds, 4-5 can help get me through the hump. I do better the longer I put off eating. If I start too early it seems to kick on hunger pangs more, where if I start later, have my larger meal in the evening the I am fine. I also have used the kelp and zero noodles. I use cilantro, garlic, cocunut aminos (for those of you who can do soy, soy sauce works great) book chat or shitake mushrooms, then maybe a little hot sauce for warmth. This adds to about maybe 30-40 calories and really helps mid day with a sense of being filled up. You could also add chicken for mid day protein and cut back on dinner cals a bit.

Uptight what region in the US are you in? And don’t feel you have to answer if that makes you uncomfortable, soome people want to maintain their privacy and I respect that. I have no problem divulging I am in Poertland Oregon with a lot of ties to San franciscso where I lived for twenty years and where all my family are now.
I am really looking forward to July when I will I go to Sonoma and San Fran. I will be wine tasting and fine dining but still plan to use the 16:8 there for most of the time to mitigate the damage. Most of you have finished your FD and are tucked away in your beds. Hope it was a good one and happy Friday to you when you wake.

Hi all, Thanks you for the wise words and support. I am dead set on making this work and was feeling very frustrated to not be able to last past mid-afternoon.
Welcome to winter 🙂

Morning everyone,
I’ve read the posts and WOW, thanks for all of the warm words of welcome. I’d try to address each of you individually, but don’t want to miss anyone. I better take a day or two to acclimate. One thing I did notice was “we like details” LOL
I’ve doing 5:2 for eight weeks and lost only 5 kg. My FDs I’m really good, waiting til evening for my food so as not to trigger my hunger response. Then I stay under my 500. Other days, I’m mostly good. Wine. Wine is my downfall. *sigh* If I could enjoy only one. I am better off with NONE. So, this week I shall try to go alcohol free on non-fast days, save for tonight (Friday) and I’ll try only one glass-no top ups.
Most annoying is that I’m flogging my guts out in the gym-every damn day-and it just doesn’t seem to make a difference. I mean, I want to lose another 10 kg but need to lose 15 more to be at an optimal weight for health. So, as you can see, I’m truly overweight. Why, oh why, isn’t the weight falling off? grrrr I’d planned a nice long walk doing errands for today. Alas, it’s raining. Again.
Sorry to be such a sad sack. I will therefore finish with a bit more detail-the tape measure was kinder today than the scale-down 3 centimeters all up. I do like that 🙂
Thanks again for having me!

Hi team!

Apologies for the ultra-long post in advance

So many lovely, thoughtful and open posts. Not sure if I can ever do justice by acknowledging the knowledge pool you all are creating, and I forget who says what and the page doesn’t scroll up!!

Lacie – Congrats on the weight and centimeter loss – actually you have lost more than average weight – the average is supposed to be 1/2 pound weight loss a week for a woman, and you have lost more, as 5 kilos in 8 weeks = 10 pounds 🙂 And centimeter loss – 3 centimeters is a big deal!! But yes, as our muscles get a workout, they apparently collect water to repair themselves This repair is what builds more of happy, calorie burning muscles, so temporary weight gain is not anything to be worried about. In fact, its amazing 🙂
As Raven pointed out- we are all taught by doctors and nutritionists to eat every few hours, especially eat breakfast, so in the beginning, I could not fast past 9:00 am – had to have a coffee and boiled egg to start :). After three months, I have pushed my first meal (just coffee with milk) to 11:00 am.
One thing I have noticed about the weight loss, and everyone else says the same thing here, is that weight loss zig-zags at each point, each week or two weeks down the track being lower than the last weight point. For example, when I started, 78-77 kilos was a painful zig-zag for about 3 weeks, this week is 73-74, but the graph definitely points downwards 🙂

Moongal, CG, GG, Uptight et all. really interesting discussion on ready meals – I think, this WOL is flexible enough to tweak for our own needs, including ready-meals, just salad, no carbs or raw foods, or Mediterranean or Paleo – whatever works for you 🙂 I have had fun changing my meal plan every few weeks till found a combination that works (for now), it helps beat the diet fatigue that is possible if you have to eat same/similar things every week 🙂 Having said that, anecdotal from millions of examples – the lower-carb, higher veggie and some protein and some good fats diets work well. On fast days, we have less of the same thing and on non fast day more of the same things but maybe a glass/ bite of our favorite foods so we don’t feel deprived. Watching calorie / consumption on both times so we don’t fully go off the rails, and often (happily for me 🙂 ) I find that the food i logged-in was not that calorific or “evil” – so no guilt!

Andrew – hope your day is better today 🙂

Raven – From 16:8 followers / experts on the Net, they have suggested breaking fast 6 hours from rising and eating within the 8 hour window from there. My endocrinologist suggested ( when he prescribed 5:2 for me) to do this back-to-back (this is another study called the two-day diet, also a very written book) as better for insulin levelling. But, I found I was eating junk / above my TDEE on other 5 days, so decided on a pattern of 4:3 for fasting and 16:8 on non-fast days. I kept it for about 2 months and have since relaxed the 16:8 rule (don’t do it everyday) as family started protesting at how “unsociable” i had got 🙂

My own stats – keep me honest 🙂
Start weight in Jan 2015 – 82.5 kg
Current weight as of 29 April 2015 – 73.8 kg
Goal weight – 65 kg, hopefully by August -September this year, but happy if it takes longer.
Will do a DXA Scan to check fat levels and ideal body weight after that point.

Happy Friday, team!, and for those on the storm path, stay safe and possibly indoors.

DSTSS (Don’t Sweat The Small stuff)

Hi all, great posts everybody, Lacey and Moongirl, welcome to the club, some sound advice from members. This thread is just one great collective goal. Even when you’re down you’ll feel the vibes lift you up.!

Andrew, great music link! Thanks. A blues rocker, huh? sounds a bit like a signature track for you, first up, it’s been a long year for you, all right, but what results! You’ll rock to ‘Take it to the limit’ this time next year, just keep the faith!

Weigh in day for me and I am finally seeing visible results of my plateau moving. 83.9 kgs this am, (but have seen flashes of the 82’s) I wasn’t very strict about measurements in the beginning, but since Jan I do know I have lost inches all round, at least 3.5 ins from hips. So very happy with that. I may be off line again soon. The weather is too nice to stay indoors on a computer. Gypsy belle and me are going on a bush ramble! Heh, heh, will take a photo when I find mecca! (that’ll be a tree, with crows, beside a river somewhere)best thing about a ramble is no fixed destination and no phones. Stay focused folks, cheers! Gyps xxx

Dear Gypsy on your Gypsybelle – May you always be young in body and spirit