Hi Lauraloo,

Your goal should be manageable. I started on Jan 6th and by 12th Feb had lost 5kg of the 10kg I want to – from 75 to 70. The most came off in first couple of weeks then it slowed but still steady. I do my fast days with just one normal day in between, and after those three is when the scales drop!
The effect of the fast days is to make me careful on the others, altho not exactly calorie counting I end up eating much less than I have for the past year! Stomach doesn’t need it any more, and I can’t bear the thought of wasting the hard work.
You must be quite tall to be in a size 12 at 11st 8? I’m 5’8″ but in size 16s when I started at around 12 st I think – always do metric now. Do you want to be a 10 for your wedding? How exciting – have you got the dress?
All the best with those beastly fast days – drink lots and lots of water, and I have miso soup middle of the day – only 20cals a portion from Sains in a pack of 8, generally an egg and an apple to kick start the day and then a modest slice of salmon and veg for supper. Can’t be doing anything too complicated when I’m trying to avoid food!!
Let us know how you’re getting on, Sally

Hi Lauraloo and others

I’m also trying to lose a stone and go from a size 12 to 10 or 8. I’ve been following the diet for 4 weeks but this is my first forum post. I’m losing 1lb a week so far and hoping to lose the whole stone by May. Other benefits I’ve noticed: my skin is clearer, I have lots more energy, and on non-fast days I sometimes forget to eat which never used to happen.

The first few fast days are tough but it does get better. On my last fast day I wasn’t hungry until about 6pm. I think my body is getting used to the pattern of fasting and feasting so it doesn’t bother sending hunger pangs – it knows food is coming eventually.

Good luck! x

Hi Laura

Did it! Tummy only started making noises when I sat down to eat, but I saved all my calories till dinner to see how I felt. Pretty pleased really.

Hope your day has gone well and you are keeping the children up late 🙂

Del x

Sounds like a good problem to me! I’m looking forward to that loose trousers moment 🙂 I’ve been trying to lose my stone – or even just half a stone – for about 15 years (ever since I gave up smoking basically) and I think it will be possible on this diet. As for exercise, I try to do 30 mins every day, usually walking but sometimes swimming or running.

Hi pianist52

Went well last week. Weighed in on Friday and had dropped 5lbs in my first week. Unfortunately the weekend involved too much wine and the snacks that go with it. Fast day today (#3) and I’m a bit scared that my motivation is waning again 🙁
Congratulations on your result – and fasting over the weekend.
I hope everyone is doing OK.

Yes, I second that – well done Dell! You won’t wane, because the benefits are SOoooo worth having – look at Lana’s loose trousers Haha!! And if we get a bit off course we can just jump right back on course. I really feel I have been given a tool and a strategy which doesn’t involve total denial, but steadily steadily the weight comes off, and really the fasting gets easier. I only NEED fruit in the day now – I can of course eat much more, but when required……. I’ve just eaten gorgeous three course meal at this hotel – I did choose carefully but I know it’s a lot more than I’ve been having – but a couple of proper fast days later this week and it will all be sorted!!
xx

Hello everyone – hope you don’t mind me joining this thread – this is my first post ! I started with my first fast day yesterday. Went much better than expected – had v small ‘lunch’ at about 2pm & then rest of my calories on a fairly straightforward chicken & veg dinner. Lots & lots of water & some ginger tea & black coffee also. Woke a bit headachy this morning but this passed & im feeling positive ! I wasn’t working yesterday as I thought I’d better test fasting at home before I attempt in my busy workplace. My fasting days will likely be Thursday & Sunday but we’ll see how it goes .. I’m 13 stone 7 and five foot 7 so really want to lose some weight & improve my health & how I feel day to day.. Any tips would be appreciated 😀

Thanks dell – hope everyone uk based had a lovely mummy’s day ? I was working unfort but completed my 2nd fast yesterday.. Was a bit hungrier than the first one but managed – drank a lot of water & was constantly running to the loo as a result. Had a pretty bad headache again today though – anyone any tips on the headaches – are they likely to settle down ? I feel like I’m drinking a lot so don’t imagine I’m dehydrated?

Hello! I just joined up here as I will be starting the fast diet. I have a lot to lose! Like 5-6 stone! But I will get there eventually.

Tomorrow will be my first fast day. I’m going to put some beef in the slow cooker in the morning and try and hold out all day and save my calories for the evening. I’m just going to have beef with lots of veggies and a touch of gravy so will come in under 500 calories.

Good luck to everyone else starting out and well done to those doing well! 🙂

Hi Lana:

The answer is not more exercise – it does not help weight loss.

If you have been eating 500 or less on your diet days and your TDEE or less on your non diet days, then you will lose weight so just keep doing what you are doing.

If you have not been ‘counting calories’, then you probably are eating too much on your non diet days and cutting the amount you are eating should take care of it. You can check the ‘Really’ and ‘On Plateaus’ links on this thread for more information: https://thefastdiet.co.uk/forums/topic/the-basics-for-newbies-your-questions-answered/

The less you eat, the more you lose.

Good Luck!

HI all, Welcome to newbies! I’ve been away three weeks and found I coudn’t organise myself to have even ONE fast day in that time! At a conference for a week and then working next two, but also getting a lot more walking in than at home. It’s something to do with head space, with all sorts of new things to be thinking about the fasts just seemed insurmountable. So got home last week 1kg up – which I was actually pretty pleased about – could have been much worse – I was eating chips, carbs with every evening meal etc. Just to encourage you all having got back into it and two fast days at home (not consecutive) I’m 1.3kg down again and feeling the commitment once more. So if you do fall off the wagon – it’ll wait for you!
Lana I’ve not had your problem so I’m not sure, but hope by now you’ve found it shifting again? Hi Vegetoni, I do the same with lemon and water – maybe a sprig of mint in it for interest too if I have some. Emmababy I hope your headache may be due to the change of regime and your body is missing something it was used to? It should cave in as you detox!
Hope you’re all still progressing, xxx

Hi All,

I’m a newbie i started my first fast day on Monday and another today. don’t feel to bad to be honest i thought i was going to feel much worse but its ok.

i’m not feeling that hungry which i find puzzling but hey not a bad thing.
I have done weight watchers in the past but this time i just couldn’t get into it. i only want to lose about a stone & a half i’m 5 ft 2 and 11st’6 a size 12. people say i don’t look it small but i feel it!! my clothes are far too snug for my liking.

I have always gone to the gym, i do spin classes twice a week and lots of other stuff inbetween but get frustrated when the weight is not shifting.

So we will see what happens when i weigh myself on Monday :0)
I must say though i do feel better already around my tummy.

Hi I started on the fast diet 5 weeks ago and have lost 4kg and feel great with lots of energy. I started at 72kg and am now 68kg. I am 64 years old and dance salsa for a few hours every week as well as walk up a big hill every day but have not been able to get below 72kg for many years. Lost a kg each week to begin which has made me a bit of a crusader at work and quite a few of my colleagues are joining in. I’ve been eating a light breakfast then only water during the day and eitber tofu and miso soup with vegies at night or eggs and vegies. Knowing that I can eat normally tbe next day helps a lot. Like others I’ve found that I’m having a much better diet on the non-fast days and not snacking on cheese and biscuits as much as I did. I’m sure all those snacks were getting stored around my middle in case of future food shortages 🙂 My waist is re-appearing and my stomach slowly diasappearing – yay!

The rest of my life starts tomorrow. Gym Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, so need to prepare for 1st fast-day on Tuesday. Any hints and tips for a 50 year-old embarking on this very welcome (encouragement also welcomed) 😊

Good luck Cassielady! My first fast is Tuesday also…. We can do it!! Good luck and let me know how it goes!

Thanks AQ & Sim (it’s late so I hope you don’t mind me abbreviating – although explaining my abbreviating has taken longer to type than your full ‘handles’!). I know I can do it, I know through the books and forums here how to do it… It’s all on me now to make it happen! Excited and a little scared… Night all x

Hey Lauraloo – that’s fantastic! So glad you’re in the ball park (!) and you can start to enjoy the count down – so exciting. Pity we can’t have pics up on here!! You found what you needed to shift it fast, but as you say as long as we do the 5:2 properly – ie not too many cream buns on non fast days, it does work and we’re all living proof of it. Hi to the new ones – yes the first fast days are a bit scary, but in some ways they are the simple ones – you just set your face like flint and do it! The leeway on non-fast days takes a bit more thought. We’re all rooting for you and look forward to hearing how that first day goes.

Hi Hathor and welcome:

On non diet days you shoot for TDEE or less. There is no requirement to eat your complete TDEE.

The less you eat, the more you lose.

Good Luck!

First day for me too today.
Wanting to lose just over 2 stone (might be nearer 3 – need to buy scales today!) for an event next March (2017).
Combining the 5:2 with the C25K (couch to 5k)programme to build up fitness as well as lose weight. Planning to fast Monday and Wednesday so fasting today.
Am on my third cup of tea so far today (no milk) and feeling OK – despite the cakes, chocolates and biscuits in the ‘treat cupboard’ in work!
Also did day 1 of the C25K – so off to a good start I hope.

Hi 🙂

First day today, going well so far…

Stats: 84.8kg, 5ft 5in and 22y/o…
Very open to whatever I lose just going to go until I feel happy 🙂

Have followed this before but a few years ago so hoping for the same success!!

All the best everyone, will keep you posted!

Anthea x