Does this diet really work?

This topic contains 10 replies, has 7 voices, and was last updated by MrsH 9 years, 7 months ago.

Viewing 11 posts - 1 through 11 (of 11 total)

kiwidieter

6:39 am
27 Apr 15
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Hi! I’m from Wellington, New Zealand and have just finished my first week on the 5:2 diet.

I am a regular exerciser and I go to the gym and work out for 30 mins to 1 hour usually 3-4 times a week. Although, for the past month prior to going on this diet I had become super unmotivated went weeks without going to the gym. I was becoming depressed, didn’t want to go out with friends like I usually did and avoided any photos or seeing people I used to be friends with. I am ashamed of my weight gain and consider myself quite overweight. I am a size 14 and I used to be a size 12. Before all of this weight gain I was a super confident person who would happily talk to anyone and not be embarrassed (I was myself). Now, I go red when talking to certain people and am much more quiet than I used to be.

So anyway, I have decided to try and make some changes in my life by starting this diet. I made the mistake of not weighing myself before I started because I was scared of how much weight I had gained recently. Today I weighed myself and had to come to terms with the weight gain so I am not sure if I did lose any weight o the first week of this diet.

On my regular days I eat normally and don’t watch my portion sizes or what I eat but try to use My Fitness Pal to track calories and try not to go over, and on my fast days I have a cup of tea for breakfast, a protein shake for lunch and Weight Watchers jelly for snacks and an omelette for dinner all coming to 500 calories ish.

I NEED SOME TIPS ON HOW THIS DIET WORKS SO I CAN BE SUCCESSFUL.

I am just super depressed and don’t want to yet again start a diet and not finish.

If anyone can help in any way PLEASE COMMENT or answer any of the following questions:

Do I need to watch the foods I eat on my normal days? (Is pie ok for dinner or naught things like that etc.)
Will I gain the weight back if I stop this diet?
Tips on motivation?
Tips on things to eat for dinner?

Thanks lots in advance!
A lost, depressed Kiwi.

Maark

7:10 am
27 Apr 15
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Hi kiwidieter, these are the diets that many people are attracted to because they claim and sometimes actually do result in quick weight loss, but only in the short term and more then often the loss of muscle, not fat.

Diets that are more likely to work in the long term generally have no quick fixes or cheats, the healthy diets<. The weight loss is slower and the foods to be eaten are usually indicative of a diverse and balanced diet.

Whatever diet you choose – remember it’s not just to look good it’s to feel better, be healthier and to live longer.

loulou32

7:20 am
27 Apr 15
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Hi Kiwidieter,
Thought i’d pop in and say hello, when I read your post I felt as if I could have wriiten it myself, and I am also new to this.
In answer to your questions, I have limited experience, but I have just eaten normally on non fast days (but not going over board) and for food ideas have downloaded the recipe books which have some good ideas in them. That aside, plain white fish and steamed veggies is becoming a favourite for me!
Motivation – that this has worked for so many people – read threads on here! And I don’t have the option on faling (again) this time!
Good luck, and keep posting as we are all in this together,

Lou x

kiwidieter

7:30 am
27 Apr 15
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Thank you to both of you for your comments! Lou – I have bought the book and am waiting for it to arrive so I hope that helps me. What kind of things do you eat for dinner and lunch and breakfast on the non fast days?

loulou32

7:43 am
27 Apr 15
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On non fast days breakfast usually porridge, lunch home made soup and bread or a sandwich, dinner curry, chilli, roast dinner, chips, you name it but mostly made from scratch. I must admit to this week wine and chocolate, and going out for dinner, but less of a loss than last week.
So I guess what I’m going to do is be more mindful of what I am eating on non fast days, so I don’t completely waste the effort I have put into fasting!

Hilary4

10:02 am
27 Apr 15
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Hi kiwidieter
I’m from Dunedin and found this diet when I was scuffling around the internet looking for a way to support my daughter, who was desperate to lose weight that she had put on while on anti-depressants. She had come off the medication nearly a year before, but the weight hadn’t shifted.
I happened on this site and had a good read, then sent her the link asking her if she thought this would work for her if I supported her.
I now have 24 fast days under my belt and have lost just over 9kgs (she has lost nearly as much) and I have been delighted with how easy the weight-loss has been. The first couple of fast days were a bit of a challenge, but I haven’t given up my two daily coffees and multiple teas, all with a dash of milk and they certainly help me through. The winter will be a little more challenging.
One of the things we both noticed really quickly was that the fast days resulted in smaller appetites which we both paid attention to. I bought smaller dinner plates (about 22cm) for the two of us (Briscoes), the boys still use the larger ones.
I keep a track of my calories and don’t exceed my TDEE, but I really appreciate the fact that no food is off the menu. If I find myself fantasising about something in particular on a fast day, I know that I can have it the next day and it doesn’t become the fixation and hankering that there is with low-carb type diets.
We relaxed a bit over the Easter break (wedding anniversary as well) and, yes, some of the weight crept back on but only about five hundred grams, and a couple of fasts later and we are back on track. I view this as a lifestyle now and can see that there is likely to be at least one fast day a week for maintenance once I reach my goal.
The flexibility is great – if a social event crops up, we just change fast days. Some weeks one of us will opt for a different day and that works too. It is nice to have someone on the same regime, but I have to say my husband has been most supportive of our efforts.
I am at a point where my fast day calories are around 450 (quarter of my regular TDEE). Just going into my 13th week and still not feeling any sense of deprivation – and a whole lot lighter! There are now 3 of my work colleagues joining me, having seen my success.

kiwidieter

10:08 am
27 Apr 15
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Great to hear from another kiwi Hilary! That sounds awesome! I hope this week I lose a little more weight and I think after a few weeks into it I will definitely become more concise of what I eat on the regular days (as I’ve read on here) it’s just the depression that is really getting to me lately about my weight and how
I feel about myself. I really hope this is the answer to my
Prayers!

simcoeluv

3:22 pm
27 Apr 15
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Hi kiwidieter:

Here is information that may help as you go forward with 5:2: https://thefastdiet.co.uk/forums/topic/the-basics-for-newbies-your-questions-answered/. It will answer most of your questions.

Good Luck!

MrsH

3:51 pm
3 May 15
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Hi Kiwidieter, just wanted to say give it a try, you have nothing to lose but the pounds.

I’ve lost 35lbs in the last 18 months and am nearly at my goal. It’s not always been easy and there have been times when I have put weight back on due to holidays and Christmas etc. but I’ve kept at it and can see the results.

If you can manage the two fast days for a start without bothering too much about non fast days that will be an achievement. As for non fast days, if you fancy a pie just have it but be careful about what else you eat that day. Although you can eat what you want you can’t eat as much a you want as you need to stick to your TDEE.

The answer to your question about putting weight back on if you stop is yes as my holidays etc. prove. The thing is I am finding that I don’t want to eat like I did before and, hopefully, this will be the same for you. I also try to keep my fast days simple – thing like chicken and salad, beans or eggs on toast but always something that I like to eat. If it doesn’t taste good and you have only 500 calories for the day it’s not worth eating!

Hope some of this help! Linda

MaryWWriter

10:37 pm
6 May 15
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This was very inspiring and helpful, Linda aka MrsH. Thank you. (And others as well, but especially this last post!)

MrsH

8:31 pm
7 May 15
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Thanks MaryWWriter, I’ve read your profile and can relate to what you say.

Apart from wanting to lose weight I started this when I had a health check and was told I was pre-diabetic – the kick start I needed – and have never looked back. Just lately I have also started to look at sugar, in particular the hidden sugar, in food.

I would just like to say, don’t give up if you find it hard going. There are times when I don’t manage to stick to 500 calories but, as long as I don’t cave in completely, I just put it down to “one of those days” and get on with it the next day.

There will also be times when you don’t lose weight and feel demotivated and want to give up but, trust me, there are changes going on. Just think of the other health benefits too.

Linda