This topic contains 143 replies, has 14 voices, and was last updated by Deerhunter 10 years, 4 months ago.
Hi and welcome Bandit:
The way you do 5:2 is go to bed, get up, eat 500 calories or less while awake, go to bed, get up and eat ‘normally’. You do this twice a week.
‘Normally’ means eating to your TDEE or below.
As 5:2 works on calories, not types of food, you can eat any food you want on both diet and non diet days. Many people learn that on diet days they are less hungry if they eat only one evening meal high in fat and protein.
Here are some general tips for those just starting: http://thefastdiet.co.uk/forums/topic/warnings-to-newbies/
This explains TDEE and when you need to worry about it (many don’t): http://thefastdiet.co.uk/forums/topic/tdee-for-the-curious-or-why-dont-i-lose-weight-faster/
Good Luck!
Hiya Filly Girl,
Thanks for your words of encouragement and yes I’ve eaten but still hungry ha ha but as they say tomorrow’s another day.
I can still see you’ve still got the same problem with the txt bring round your ipad whenever it suits you
and Paul will have a look for you!!!
See you tomorrow for our daily walk with the dogs.
Bandit girl x
Hi All
Welcome Bandit girl to the 5.2 WOE. I’m sure you will get plenty of encouragement form Filly girl. It’s good you can both go on your walks together. Good luck in your venture.
Hi Simcoeluv
Very sound advice on how to attack a fast day. That’s just how we do it. Of course some days are better than others but, they are getting easier the longer we do it.
Peter
That Eve’s pudding sounds very,very tasty. You’ll have to share the recipe with us although something to avoid on fast days. My husband has the same reaction when I put a small piece of steak on his plate. Although we’ve been eating off smaller plates for over 2 years now and our stomachs seem to have shrunk and the 5.2 is helping.
Glad the ‘peanut’ war had a peaceful outcome.
He you all have a good week.
Cheers from ‘Downunder’
Hi All, just to say I can’t keep up with all your entries – but I read them and they definitely keep me on the straight and narrow. Fasting today – had a rather “naughty” weekend (in the food sense) so need to get my act together on my non-fast days. Haven’t lost anything for an age! Just back from the gym – feeling rather virtuous!
Am off to Germany next week to see my grandchildren, so no fasting then! Only for a week.
Welcome to all you new people (although you are not so new now). Keep up the good work, it does become easier – in fact, it becomes a normal WOE. I almost don’t think about now. Round comes Tuesday/Friday and I just don’t eat until the evening. Lovely position to be in. But I do relish the entries here.
Stef
Deerhunter,
I didn’t realise you were ‘down under.’ I visited my brother and (Aussie) Sister-In-Law at the back end of last year. They live on the Sunshine Coast in a place called Pacific Paradise (honest). The Aussies have some great names for their towns don’t they. Of course with my Sister-In-Law being an Aussie, we had to go walkabout for three weeks and visited some great places including Sydney and Melbourne. The ironic thing is that as a result of my brother being British, their children, although born in Australia, have duel citizenship and therefore can travel freely through the UK and Europe. My Aussie Sister-in-law is the only member of the family who cannot do this and always has to go into the ‘aliens’ queue at airports. They don’t let her forget it.
I hope I don’t get bashed up for this but the link for the Eve’s pudding recipe is here. http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/252606/eves-pudding
Have a good one.
Peter
Hi All
Hope you are all ok Peter have downloaded Eve’s pudding recipe thank you.Fast day today
has gone very well but I am feeling under the weather caught a cold from my grandson Oliver
poor me! As my immune system is not very good due to my illness colds are much worse
than usual but I am sure in a couple of days I will feel better.
Have a great time fastingbelle in Germany with your grandchildren.
Have a good week all
Fillygirl x
Hi Fill girl
Sorry you’re feeling under the weather. I had a dose of cold about 3 or 4 weeks ago. Felt really out of it for at least 2 weeks. Looked like Rudolf the reindeer with the red nose. Ir seems the older you get the longer it takes to recover. So my sympathies are with you. It made fast days a bit of a drag but as I said before thank god for OXOs. My life saviour.!!! hope you get well soon.
Hi Peter
Yes. I live on the ‘bottom of the world’. Been here since 1973, originally from London and Derbyshire.
Only planned to stay for the ‘obligatory’ 2 years and then return home but, I’m still here!!. The Sunshine Coast that you mention is a nice part of Queensland. Do you think you’d ever like to come here permanently? I last went to see family and friends in 2008 and I’m hoping to make another visit in a few years. And it would be great if could get the weight down before then!!
Otherwise I can only imagine the ribbing I’ll get from my family if I’m a bit ‘chubby’
So I’ve got a bit of work to do before then and hopefully I’ll at least get to the weight I was when I was last there.
Thanks for the recipe link. A nice little treat for non fast days!!
Have a good week.
Cheerio
Hi All from a newbie Otago-ite,saw the stay healthy programme in mid Feb.and decided to give it a go,I am quite strong willed so thought that all March and April I would go 4×3 fasting Monday,Wednesday and Friday every week and I made it no bother.I had my IGF1 blood taken 3rd March and 1st May.While waiting on the result I dropped to 5×2 in May.Now for the interesting bit,I was 76kg on 3rd March and 69.5 on 1st May which I like as my wee spare tyre has gone but the IGF1 has gone from 94 to 97!!!,can anyone out there figure out what is going on?,I never wavered at all on fast days,600 cal breakfast then zip for 24 hours,from memory Mr Mosley managed to half his IGF1 in 5 weeks doing 5×2?.If the stay healthy bit is not working then I may as well just cut my food intake and not bother with the fasting bit.I am 70.
Hi Gilgil
Nice to hear from you again you seem to have a lot to contend with at the moment and it
Is always difficult to concentrate on other things but I am sure you will so
good luck.
I am off to see the consultant this morning wish me luck I lost 4lbs the first two weeks but
nothing since what’s going on am sticking to 5.2 to the letter ?
Hiram welcome to the group keep going we are all here to support you.
Deerhunter this will be your week I am sure to hit that target!
Just a rushed post as I am off to the hospital now
Filly girl x
Morning, All. Another fast day for me – the sun is shining, so intend to spend the best part of the day outside!
Good to hear that you are feeling somewhat better, Gilgil. Over the past 10 months of 5:2, I have had periods where I just didn’t fast properly because of circumstances and it did me no harm.
Filly girl, I have had periods of time when I haven’t lost a thing but my body still felt good. In fact, I don’t think I have lost anything for the past month, despite doing 5:2 weekly, but my clothes fit me better. Don’t forget the more you lose, the slower it comes off. Fingers crossed for your appointment at the consultant.
Welcome to Hiram – isn’t it amazing to get rid of the spare tyre? I have had moments of doubt, but have not had my bloods done – what I don’t know, I guess I don’t care about (very unhelpful!). I am just happy that I am my thinnest for 27 years! (not my lightest, but my thinnest – if that makes sense!).
Have a good day, y’all. Your posts are great, so keep them coming.
Stef x
Hi everybody
Welcome to Hiram. I’m sure after a while on 5.2 your bloods will settle down. Maybe you could ask your own doctor why the slight increase in the IGF factor. What I do know is that it takes a while for your body to adjust but I do like the fact that I now have a waist after a long absence and that’s a great feeling after so many years. Good luck and keep the faith!!
Gilgil
Glad you’re back on deck and sorry to hear that things aren’t so good for David. I’m sure you will good for him and a big help. Just keep your chin up.
Well I got on the scales this morning in almost nothing ( not a pretty sight I must say) and after a fast yesterday I actually slipped under the 80 kg mark and came in at 79.8. Probably won’t last but, I’ll savour
the moment anyway..
Fiily Girl
Hope your visit to the consultant went Ok and congrats on the weight loss. Any loss is better than none. It can be a bit disheartening when the scales just sit on the same figures but don’t despair you’ll get there.
Fastingbelle
Hope you have a great week in Germany and don’t worry too much about food. You can make up for it when you get home. Enjoy!!!!
Well I’ll sign off now. It’s pouring down at present ( reminds me of dear old England). It’s nice to be tucked up indoors on nights like this, so long as we don’t go looking for comfort food!!!!. We’re supposed to be getting a week of this so ‘Wellington boots ‘at the ready.
Have a good weekend everyone.
Hello to Gilgil-Filly girl-Fasting belle and Deerhunter,my GP and his nurse had never heard of IGF1 when I first asked for the test so asking them what a normal reading is would be no use,I did notice after a month of 4×3 that I got quite dizzy if I rose up quickly and when the nurse did a BP it was 100/70 and is usually 120/80.Mention was made of the cost of the IGF1 test and being a wrinkly from the South Island of New Zealand all the blood tests are free.I have decided to carry on with 5×2 until the end of July but the body sure gets cold on fast days when the temperature is only nine degrees.
Thanks for the encouragement.
Hi Hiram and everyone,
Filly girl and myself Bandit Girl are wondering how you managed to do 4:3. We are both on 5:2 and feeling really hungry and dizzy on our fast days even though we are both drinking a lot. On your fasting day when did you eat your 500 calories and how many calories do you have on the non fasting days? As time has gone by we have felt worse and not better what are we doing wrong. We both exercise every day so would appreciate any advice.
Cheers
Filly Girl and Bandit Girl.
Hi Deerhunter
Hope you are well. Consultant visit was fine she wants me to take Azathioprine but not
until I have completely got over this virus that I have had as the Azathioprine suppress
The immune system even more. I decided not to start until after I go away which is
In July. The tablets take up to 3 months to start working and I have to have blood tests
Every week for six weeks and then monthly.
Still have not lost anymore weight but clothes are feeling big! My fasting days are not
getting any easier I thought they would as my body got use to 5.2 but there you go!
Well done with your weight lose
Filly girl x
Filly and Bandit:
It is hard to give a pinpoint answer to your question, but I can give some general information and maybe something will work for you.
If you are exercising every day (sweating) you may need to add some salt to your water. Many people find instant broth, which is largely salt, helpful.
Your type of exercise may also impact how you feel. Because fasting reduces blood sugars, you may have less ‘immediate’ energy to feed your exercise. While most can walk without problem, if you try to run/do aerobics or other exercises that require immediate energy to accomplish, you may have some difficulty. This is not true for everyone because both bodies and levels of blood sugar available are different.
Many people find eating one meal in the evening consisting of high fat and protein is helpful. The high fat/protein accomplishes two things. First, you get less hungry. Second they help the body in get into ‘fat burning’ mode. Many people find they aren’t even hungry when they get up after a diet day. This is because their bodies have started to get energy from their own fat and are not in need of food to keep going. Some people’s bodies can switch from sugar to fat burning quite easily, some take more time to ‘learn’.
Finally, if you started to exercise more at the same time you started your diets, the exercise may be masking your fat weight loss: http://thefastdiet.co.uk/forums/topic/exercise-is-dangerous-for-your-diet/.
Good luck!
Hi Gilgil:
“So, our bodies eat ourselves, as we convert fat to muscle.”
Or convert fat to a lower weight!
Historically, our bodies are designed to store food (fat) so we can survive when food gets scarce, either because of unsuccessful hunting trips or other reductions in food supply. A species that required a constant (daily) supply of food to survive would not last too long. So people that say short term fasting is dangerous are simply wrong – we are designed to ‘fast’ as part of our ability to survive.
So we are designed to be able to gorge when food is abundant (and get fat), and live off our fat when it is not. Unfortunately, today, when food is always abundant, the design feature that allows us to gorge isn’t all that helpful.
Hi Bandit girl
Thirty years ago I used to smoke,two packs per day so I decided to quit cold turkey and went through all manor of side effects but I did it and ever since I have used that memory as a positive influence in whatever came up that was tough.The first three weeks of 4×3 I too got a bit dizzy and hungry late afternoons so used a bit of kidology and recounted some great hunting and fly fishing trips I had been on and read for a while and watched a football game that I had taped and suddenly it was time for bed and dream of porridge!.
Fast day breakfast is two weetbix with some bran and a sliced up banana,two slices of grain toast with marg. and marmalade and two cups of coffee,no food until breakfast next day and as much weak black earl grey tea as I want.
Non fast days I have Porridge then my toast,lunch is a muesli bar and a banana,dinner is chicken and pasta or meat and veg not big helpings,coffee and two gingernuts.I found that as my spare tyre was going so was the size of my stomach and had to cut down the portions.
I too excercise most days but only do an hour on fast days.
When the hunger starts you must distract yourself and think of anything but food,tell yourself you CAN do this,do one week at a time and then roll them over,when you make give yourself a wee treat then start again.
Hi Gilgil,Will take your advice,thanks
Cheers.
Hello all
Well the topic of fat versis muscle is certainly a hot one!!!
All I know is that my shape is changing and I feel good. Sorry to say my breaking the 80 kg barrier didn’t last ( Gilgil. I know you had great expectations of me!!) . Not to worry I won’t let it get me down. My hubby’s weight has also gone up a little but, he’s looking good and it’s great to see him doing a bit of exercise. Compared to some we are only beginners but, we are forever hopeful.
Gilgil.
Sorry to hear your hubby is going through a rough patch but with you at his side hopefully things will improve. It’s rather disconcerting when our partners get sick. Last year Mike accidentally took too many anti-inflammatory tablets and ended up bleeding internally . He had dizzy spells, very low blood pressure and generally not well but he came good after a few visits to the doctors and lots of iron in his diet for a while. Glad to say he is all OK now .
Fily girl and Bandit girl.
Maybe you might have to change your eating routine on 5.2 days, just for a while . Perhaps eat a few smaller meals often whilst still keeping to 500 cals for the day. I know the thing is to try and give it as long as possible between meals but if that’s not working try a variation.on a theme..
I have a breakfast around 9.0am, a coffee for lunch and then our evening meal about 6.30 – 7.0 pm. A few tummy rumbles late afternoon but try and drink plenty of water.
Not an easy road to travel but, the destination I think is worth it . So I hope you stick with it . We’ll all be here for you.so Good luck and keep positive.
Goodnight from the other side of the world. Take care all of you.
Hi Hiram and Deerhunter,
Thank you so much Hiram for answering my questions it has been really useful to see how you do it and what works for you. I shall definitely continue and hopefully will be able to get rid of the hunger pains etc by trying your tricks of mine over matter. Well done on giving up smoking as that is so hard to do!!
Also thank you to Deerhunter again any advice is well received.
I shall keep you informed of my progress fingers crossed I will start to see all the benefits soon.
Enjoy the rest of your day.
Kind regards
Bandit girl
Hello Gilgil
I am afraid I am with you had a really nasty virus for the last week and a half, but feeling much
better this morning so fasting was the last thing on my mind so will start again today.
We can do it Gilgil I also find that talking about FF in such great depth really Puts me off I have
read the book from cover to cover so understand what I am doing and the benefits. I love
reading the posts and how everyone is doing but prefer to keep it lighthearted because
If we get to serious you can wind yourself up and that makes it worse and that can be quite
negative. Does that make sense?
Like yourself it’s a new day so onwards we will do it Gilgil
Good luck keep smiling
Filly girl( Pat xx)
Hi Gilgil and Filly girl
You beat.me to it. I just came onto the forum to send a post as I hadn’t seen anything for a awhile.
Well the weekend came and went and my first fast day of the week has been ok although it’s been a real winters day here today and I’ve felt quite cold. We’ve been busy doing jobs around the house but it’s hard to get motivated when you’re cold. Never the less I’m feeling better after our evening meal. Mike has struggled today. You’ve heard kids say ‘are we there yet’ when on a trip. Well Mike says ‘is it dinner time yet’ but, at 11.00 am this morning!!!! He does love his food.
My weight has been up and down. One day last week I was 79.7 but today I’m back up to 80.6. Still I’m not giving up and will keep a positive attitude.
Gilgil
Glad you have done a bit of work with your tready. I did some this morning but it was hard to get going as it was so cold.
Fill girl
Hope you are feeling better. I know how you feel as I was like that a few months ago.
So my fellow fasters keep on keeping on. I’m off to have a a hot drink ( lo cal). To help keep me warm.
Cheerio
Hi Gilgil Dearhunter and everyone
Just had a look in the book for you Gilgil here goes check your TDEE start a food diary for a few weeks
To see whether you are staying in allowance do 4.3 for a few days and up the dreaded exercise
But it does say only do FBD for six weeks or so and then back to 5.2 hope this helps a little whatever
diet you do eventually you plateau but your body can still change. Do not give up we are in it to win
It!! I am sure we will all get there in the end. It sucks that men lose weight quicker than women what’s
That all about?
I did quite well yesterday I am now doing 5.2 now and keeping a food diary which I must say helps
Keep the good work up girls Pat xxxx
Hi Filly girl/ Gilgil
Thanks for the info.
I have kept a diary on some days and found that I’m below my TDEE. I don’t know if I’m quite ready to do 4.3 yet but I’ll see how the next few months go. I’m dong the old treadmill routine and try to do it at least 5 days a week. I usually do about 25 steps first then a short sprint on a machine ( I don’t know what you’d call it)which is like a mini bike and it helps with your upper arm strength and legs. After that I do about 35-45 mins on the tready ( about 3.5 – 4 ks ) . Then I do another sprint on the ‘thing’ followed by another 40 steps.After that I do some balance stuff which takes me upto about an hour.. I’d like to go longer but with a few back issues and bursitis in both hips, I’ve generally had enough after all that. I certainly feel good after the exercise. Just this time of year( winter) it’s hard to get going.
As for men losing weight easier.Its not fair is it?
So I’ll keep on going and see what happens.
I’m going to avoid that ‘P ‘word and just call it a ‘little hiccup’ . Talking of hiccups does anyone else get them on fast days? I’ve notice on a few days of fasting that I get the hiccups. Don’t know why when I’ve not eaten anything and only been drinking water!!!!
Perhaps It’s a little side affect of 5.2. Who knows???
Take care and keep smiling as it’s great exercise for the face….
Hi everybody
It’s very quiet on this group at the moment. Hope you are all well.
Gilgil
Are you OK? You’ve been very quiet of late.
Well I broke the 80 kg barrier again this week after missing my fast day on Mon but, I’ll be back on deck tomorrow. Still been doing the treadmill most days even though it’s been quite cold in the mornings but it dosen’t take long to get warmed up.
Anyway hope you all have a good week
Happy fasting.
Hello All, apologies for long gap in writing but have been steadfastly reading the few posts which have appeared. I had a great time in Germany although food is always an issue when I visit – Germans don’t seem to understand us veggies! At a barbeque I was offered turkey as the veggie alternative and that just about sums it up.
Have dabbled in 5:2 over the last couple of weeks, but have wrecked my chances of losing by acting like a greedy child the rest of the time. Back to normal now – have given up alcohol for July to act as a spur and am on my second fast of the week today. I am also trying not to buy bread.
Great that I have a mountain of work this month, so time will fly. My motivation is my daughter’s wedding in September, so let’s hope I can keep my mojo going. I am still weighing myself every week and don’t seem to have done tooooo much damage, so far! But sometimes treats have a way of catching on on me a couple of weeks after the event.
Hope all is well with all of you – keep up the good work. Love reading your posts, this is the only forum that I feel really connected to, so please come back all you gorgeous people! x
Hi Gilgil
Glad you are back with us. I was getting worried you might have had health probs. How is your hubby?
I wonder why you haven’t been able to get into the forum???? Anyway your are amongst us once again.
This week is #26 and pleased to say I’m down to 78.5. Mind you it has gone up and down a bit here and there. Yesterday was day 2 of our week. Went OK, although finding it a bit hard with the cold weather. Most mornings this week it’s got down to about 6 or 7c which is cold for where we are. Mike has really felt it as he has had a load of work to do on the computer from home. Not wanting to put heaters on etc ( watching the pennies) till a bit later in the day. Unfortunately our house dosen’t get much winter sun so is quite cold but summer time is great as the trees in the reserve behind us give us shade.Mikes had layers of clothing on from head to toe,looks like he’s ready for an Artic expedition. Poor thing hasn’t been able to come for a walk with in the sun but, hopefully next week.
Glad you’re going to ‘hop’ on the tready. Now. Don’t be tempted to use it as a clothes hoist like a lot of us do!!!! At least after 30 mins on ours I’ve warmed up a bit ready to face the world !!!!
Anyway I’m off to do some D & B shopping ( dull and boring ) mainly groceries. At least I can get some sun!!
Take care and have a good weekend.
Hi ella:
The tracker was just introduced a couple of days ago. Not many have started using it yet.
I also recommend that you check ‘Recent Posts’ in addition you whatever thread you identify with. Quite a bit of information shows up there that may never reach any given thread.
The way 5:2 works is you go to bed, get up, eat 500 or fewer calories during your waking hours, go to bed, get up and eat to your TDEE or less – twice a week. On all 7 days of the week you can eat foods you want to eat – there are no forbidden foods, or foods you have to eat. For the first month or so focus on doing your diet days correctly (500 calories or less) and most everything else will fall into place.
Here is what TDEE means: http://thefastdiet.co.uk/forums/topic/tdee-for-the-curious-or-why-dont-i-lose-weight-faster/
And here are some tips for beginners: http://thefastdiet.co.uk/forums/topic/warnings-to-newbies/
Good Luck!
Hi Ella
Welcome to our little ‘family’ .
Hope your next few weeks go well. It’s sometimes a bit hard in the first few weeks but, don’t get disheartened as things will get better the longer you do 5.2. There are plenty of recipes around if you want something different. I’m on day 1 for the week. Being a Sunday is a bit more difficult but, as we’re out for the day tomorrow ( which would be our normal day 1) we decided to fast today.
My weight loss has been gradual, 8kgs since Jan this year. So not as big a loss as some but, it’s better to lose weight slowly. Besides any weight loss you will feel the other health benefits. I always feel good the next day , a bit lighter and more energy.
So good luck with your new venture. You’ll get plenty of info on the forum from all the groups.
Happy fasting!!!!
Dear Gilgil
I can’t tell you how sorry I am to hear your news. I thought there might have been problems in your camp and you are quite right to concentrate on your husband as I would do the same if it were Mike in the same boat.
Some times life throws us real curve balls which we have to juggle as best we can. I would like to still keep in contact with you off forum via email but I don’t know how I can do that without advertising my email openly. Assuming of course that you would like to do the same……. Let me know what you think, maybe I can go via the forum head office and ask them to forward my email to you. I personally would like to keep in touch with you. Anyway we’ll see what happens….
Maybe at some point in the future you’ll get back on the 5.2 horse. I know if things aren’t well in the health dept it’s very easy to get disheartened. Mike says it’s only my encouragement that’s keeping him ‘on the wagon’.
Weight wise both of us fluctuate . I’m now down to 78.8 and there was one day last week I actually got down to 77.9. Don’t know what happened to get to that figure but, it hasn’t happened since !!!!!!!. Good news is that I tried a pair of shorts on that were reasonably comfy this time last year ( size 20 ) and to my surprise they hung on me!!!!! Looks like I might have dropped at least on dress size. Can’t tell you how good that made me feel. I went running down the stairs to show Mike who said ‘See, I told you you were losing weight’. Of course I didn’t quite believe him did I?
So I now have to try and keep focused on the months ahead and hope that I can lose a bit more. It’s not easy on these cold days but, we know that spring isn’t that far off and things will become easier. The hardest part will be when we go and visit the kids next month. Both the girls love to feed us up but we’re going to have to say ‘No’ to big plates of food…. I can’t look a big plate of food in the face at all now. Good isn’t it?
Well Gilgil my friend I wish you and David all the best and hope that we can keep in touch somehow.. Thank you for all the encouraging posts that you have given us over the past few months.
Good luck with the health issues that are giving you cause for concern and hope that things improve somehow.
All the very best to you and just know that you will be in my thoughts .
Bye for now until we ‘talk again’
Deerhunter
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