Annabelle

I’m not sure of the science behind this diet myself, but it suits me down to the ground. I need a diet that does not deny me anything otherwise it’s not going to work long term. And with this if I can carry on my lifestyle for most of the week and have 2 days hardship and lose weight then its for me.

I too was dreading the scales (well done for not putting on by the way) I have not eaten particularly well on NFD and then there was my fast day fail on Thursday of 635 calories, which I was really disappointed with … but this morning found I had lost 2lb this week … yay another 2lb. That’s 9lb in total, the Fast Diet is certainly not a fast way to lose weight but Oh so pleased so far.

My aim is to move out of the obese category by the end of the year, then I can start 2016 being just overweight.

Happy weekend to you all
NEmum

Hi ladies,

I am having a strange time lately, haven’t managed a “proper” fast since I came home, but have been counting calories weighed in yesterday to find I have just maintained this week.

Went to mums yesterday ate fish n chips, profiteroles and half a pie and have lost 1 lb, shared the fish n chips with mum but even so…..

Not quite sure what’s happening with my weight….

Am going to fast tomorrow I AM DETERMINED. …

Would like to say though I have still lost over 20 0 lb since I began in January, yes it could be better and/or faster but if you stick with it it does work.

Good luck to all

Audrey

Hi ginette, I would like to get to 135 lb which would give me a healthy bmi for 1st time in decades. I am currently hovering at 153 so 18lbs to go I am over half way now just need to get back into my stride!

I have another holiday at caravan next month but will need to behave myself more than last time.

Good luck for this next week, I am hoping for a good weigh in next week although I am away from Thurs till Monday so will be late in weighing in, I may have a sneaky peek at scales on Thursday just to see how I am doing, will let you know.

Audrey

Ginette,

You have done fantastically well you are one of the most committed people I know.

You must be feeling wonderful now with so much weight loss and I am sure you will get to your target in the end.

Audrey

Ginette

I want to get to my healthy bmi by xmas, it would be wonderful to see in the new year as healthy instead of obese like this year, hope I make it and hope you do too!

Hi ginette

My next target is 147 which is 10.5 stone this would be the lowest I have been for over 10 years I got to 149 with slimming world 3 years ago!

I too have little targets to keep me going, me and you both started about the same time I think Jan this year? Do you think the lack of motivation is like the 7 year itch in marriage but the 7 month itch with 5 2 ? As long as it doesn’t end in divorce hehe. Just a thought

Audrey

Hi guys,
well done on all the weight loss everyone, talking about targets, I weigh in Kg, which I like because every Kg drop is a small target. When I’m tempted to binge I mutter the next target number to myself, like: “72,72,72,72…” To keep me motivated, must sound like a mad woman!

And today I broke through two big targets! I weighed in at 69.7, so first time under 70kg, but even better means I am finally UNDER 11 stone! So pleased with this, 10 stone 13 :-). My BMI is now 28.3, down from 33.7 in January, so I want to keep going till I’m comfortably in the healthy bmi zone, maybe another stone and a half hopefully by the end of they year.
Keep it up chaps,
Love from CC

Hi ladies,

Well I have survived my 1st ever liquid only day. i have had 2 glasses of cordial, I beef oxo cube, 1 cup of 50/50 coffee and lots of water. I have had just over 100 kcal, I did a good workout so still have more calories left than I started off with.

I have found it easier to do than a 500 kcal day, hope you are all ok.

Keep in touch

Audrey

Thanks ginette

I survived my liquid only day and feel so good today I am considering doing a fast day today too.

I have lost 3lb according to the scales, so I am on track for a good loss this week.

Would be nice to get to 149 again instead of being in the 150s.

Good luck to all of you who are fasting today

Audrey

Unathecat

Good to hear from you again and sorry to hear about your hubby, there are times when sorting life stuff out is more important than worrying about food but well done for coming back to 5:2. I think it’s a great diet for that, I know so many people who have tried different diets but when they stop, for whatever reason, they don’t go back to it, but 5:2 is something that people seem to want to come back to. And a forum like this always helps.

How did your fast go today? I too am fasting today, it started out well and at 6pm I think I am again at around 650 calories, but I’m not beating myself up about it, if that’s all I can manage today then its still better that I did on any of the Tuesdays before I started 5:2 in April.

Hope your hubby is on the mend.
Strength to you all
NEMum

Hi topsy,

Well done for getting straight back to diet hope you had a good holiday.

I too struggle with constipation I am eating loads of cherries at the moment they seem to be working I know they are full of sugar but hey they work ….there is nothing worse than food in transit problems hehe

Audrey

Hi Topsy,

Thanks for bringing it up, but I usually suffer with constipation after fast day. And being a fast day yesterday (albeit a 650 calorie one) I am suffering today. I think the problem may be lack of water because I’ve woken up thirsty this morning. So maybe we should all just drink more water.

Chubby chops – I didn’t say before – well done on the drop into the 20s in BMI. That is my long term aim too, but I’m looking at a years time for that. I was at the high, very high end of the 30s for BMI. I now have a BMI of 38, which although really high I’m so happy it’s come down a little from a 39.3 start.

I’m away to have a glass of water!
strength to you all
NEMum

Hi NEMum,

Yes, I agree that the 5:2 works great for me too. I come back to it after I have been off tract for a couple weeks… it gives me hope. Going over by 150 is no big deal. It is so many less calories than a normal day and it is good that you did it at all! One day at a time.

My fast day went well on Monday. Going again on Thursday. Managed 21 minutes of eliptical mixed with high intensity bursts of 4 for 30 seconds. I like that Michael thinks outside the box re:diet and exercise. So grateful for his books.

Keep on truckin’ along.

Good luck to all on fast days this week.

Unathecat

Thanks for all your advice. I have been trying to drink lots of water. Sure that helps. A neighbour said she has been on the fast diet for two weeks and has put on weight. I didn’t comment. It’s strange how every one has an opinion on my weight. I have had people ask whether I am ill, saying I have done enough. Asking me how much I weigh, how much I have lost, what did I weigh etc, etc. I have still got at least two stones to lose. Very few people say good on you. You look much better. I know my sugar level is right down and I no longer need my asthma inhaler. That’s what keeps me going.
What is Good about this forum is you have all been there. I wish I could have done this 30 years ago. Lol
TopsyT

Thanks Audrey, I think we know ourselves when we are happy with our weight. It is disheartening to get comments all the time that are not positive. True friends want what’s best for you. It’s the ones who are jealous that are the problem. I shall keep going until I feel happy and I hope you will too. TopsyT

Hi All

I thought this thread had been quiet but all emails were going straight into junk mail. I had read the thread a few days ago and so deleted emails as I had already read them on the thread. I went into junk mail and sent one back into the inbox and now they are coming through again. I tell you this in case anyone else has problems.

Hi Una

I hope your hubby’s recovery is progressing.

Well I am on fourth fast day this week. I have been doing three but had a meal out so I always do an extra one. At least I haven’t put on weight but I haven’t lost for a couple of weeks either. I have been doing this for 6 months so maybe I have reached plateau and hopefully this will start to change. 4:3 I find easy enough to do. Still so much to to so I hope I lose this weeks.

I hope you lose your 6lbs.

Hi Nemum

Yes as you say what you are achieving now is big improvement on when you started, you are far more disciplined now. I find that summer is one of my most difficult times, I know people think it will be easier because of salads but it has always been my slowest weight loss time.

Hi Topsy

I hope the weather was good on your holiday and any weight gained will soon be lost.

Now constipation……well that is something I have been concerned about as well. It has happened for the past 4/5 weeks. I have tried upping fruit and vegetables and but with no luck. I saw my Heath trainer today. I am just coming to the end of my visits with him. I told him about it, he said I MUST during more water, I said that normally I drank 1-3 pints a day depending on how hot it is and about 6 very large cups of tea. He said that I must during more. He said when we are eating more fibre we need to drink more water as he is a nutritionist he must know.

I have upped to about 3/5 pints a day. I also had a look at laxatives and Senna doesn’t work for me. They are also 7.95 at a local chemist!! I went to another chemist and got Newmark which are a chemists own brand 14 tablets for 1.50, a much better price. It said to take one to two tablets, I took one and this worked. I have also taken one today. They only took about 4/5 hours to start working, they don’t contain any Senna I am hoping that with the water I am drinking this will help long term and I will only need these once in a while.

So Nemum, carry on with the water……

Una I think Michael is certainly right about the exercise……and obviously he was about 5:2.

Hi Janet

Years ago I went to the doctor and she found that I was run down and gave me vitamin pills with iron. I was not trying to lose weight at this time. I had to go back two weeks later as a follow up. I was very concerned as I had lost 10lbs in this time without even trying!!

When I spoke to the doctor she explained that this happened to a lot of people as they have an effect on the metabolism and if it is sluggish it will kick start it!! I spoke to my pharmacist about it and she mentioned that she had joined a private weight loss club. They didn’t know who she was and the people there were told that they needed to take some tablets 1 a day to help speed up loss. 7 tablets cost her £7. She was obviously not going to take them when she didn’t know what they were. She had them checked and they were the same vitamin pills!!

I can now buy them from my pharmacist about 100 tablets for about £2. I have not had them for some time and have some in my cupboard. I am not sure if they will be effective but I will go and try them out!! If not I will go and get some new ones.

They were black and a tiny capsule.

Hi Topsy

You need to do what you feel is right for you and being in a healthy weight range is what people aim for. Does she know how much you have lost or is this just a random comment.

Is she overweight as it may be jealousy. Personally if she is overweight herself I would tell her about 5:2 and the health benefits that come with it. You shouldn’t need to explain yourself to your neighbour at all, but sometimes to tell someone about the health benefits will encourage them to understand and maybe even try it.

It is brilliant that you no longer need your inhaler a really good result.

Michael M was showing that people can be fat on the inside and this is really dangerous.

……sadly no one would tell me that I didn’t need to lose weights I am far to overweight for that!! 🙂

Don’t be disheartened by the negative comments. In all of the papers there are the stories of how people should be a healthy weight and the implications if they don’t.

Hi Kitty

Well done on your loss, I was thinking I ought to go to the gym as I need to tone up. I did know that about muscle as well. I find it a fascinating fact. Also that people lose more weight when exercising before eating, an ideal time to make the time go by on a fast day. So exercise before breakfast or maybe exercise and then have lunch. I never eat until lunch times now and it is normally a very late lunch.

Interestingly yesterday I heard about someone who had gastric surgery. She earths many small meals a day in fact so many that this hasn’t led to weight loss. What a waste of the surgeons and nurses time and NHS money if they paid for it.

Here is an article from the Mail, they obviously haven’t been on this forum! So far I have gone from morbidly obese to severely obese and will be in the obese range by the end of the year. Well that is what I am aiming for. This will mean that I have lost just over 5 stone. I could never have envisaged this at the start of this journey.

Losing weight really IS impossible: The vast majority of people who pile on the pounds never lose them in the long run
http://dailym.ai/1V86CsP

Ginette

Hi PreciousBooboo,
I am 54 and peri menopausal and have now been doing the 5:2 for 6 months and have lost a total of one and a half stones. There have been periods, where like you, it was only a few ounces registering on the scales which was very disheartening and I was tempted to give up – but I decided to stick with it and I am glad I did. The things that help me are: 1) I use an App called Fitness Pal to log my food intake even on non fast days (it really helps keep me on track), 2) In the early days I armed myself with a load of recipe books – lots on line for 5:2 diet and planned my weeks meals like a military manoeuvre. 3) more than anything I have had to play around with how I eat my meals on my fast day. I always choose days when I know I am going to be busy and have tried every variation of how to eat on fast days (e.g. Lots of small meals throughout the day, not having breakfast and three small meals, having breakfast and missing lunch etc.etc. etc.) until I found what works for me best (which is skinny latte at breakfast, piece if fruit and tea and lunch and then a dinner of veg or salad with some protein, usually egg, chicken or Quorn sausage, sparkling water helps me feel full too! ). I find I plateau for about 3 weeks then weight moves for another 2-3 weeks then plateaus again. Hope this helps and good luck.

Hi Ginette

I read your link to the Mail article that says yo yo dieters never really keep their weight off. I think this is true as I have lost stones of weight many times in my life and have always put it back on. However I don’t think we should stop trying. Even though the odds aren’t great especially for very obese women of which I am one something might just click and work for us. It’s disheartening but the health benefits are so great it has to be worth giving it a go. I am 59 and
reckon I have probably lost four stone this time and have two to go. I say probably because this time I have not weighed at any point since January 06 when I started. I find the scales mess with my head.
I have just eaten a large bar of dark chocolate (it was good quality and thin) lol but I think the trick is not to let it sabotage all your efforts. I am going out for a meal tonight and my family will be expecting a cooked breakfast tomorrow which I will also eat. However come Monday I will fast and keep trying. At the end of the day food is an enjoyment especially when it’s shared with friends and family so what the heck we only live once.
I have thought about, discussed, eaten food excessively for the last 45 years. I admit it is an obsession. Until the so called experts find a “cure” for this addiction we can only do our best.
Keep on doing your best Ginette as I will and know that we are improving our health and our future and that can’t be a bad thing.
TopsyT

Congratulations on your 2lb weight loss Ginette. 4 fast days in a week is impressive and glad your body rewarded you with a loss of weight.

Hello dear ladies,
It is realy nice to read all the comments! Having started this morning with the first fast I am planning to stick to the program and weigh and measure myself in 3 months time from now. This as not to get disencouraged and not to get fixated with my weight, but instead be able to focus on what I want to eat and how I feel in general.
Though overweight I am at peace with my weight and that is because I know that after menopause oestrogen is stored in the fat-cells. This hormone is not produced anymore by the ovaries yet is the hormone that is important for women to be “ourselves”, so to speak. Perhaps this is a comforting thought for you as well. Too skinny is NOT good for us ladies of a certain age 🙂
Furthermore, for excellent health I can highly recommend to add the Buteyko-breathing program. Googling on the name gives a lot of info on the internet. Its easy to do and lets us hold on to so much more of our energy, that it may even be more important then waht we eat. Excercising with the Frolov breathing device also works very well to help to breath in a way that speeds up metabolism and improving the immune system, causing weight loss as well.
I’ll write again in 3 months time. Keep up the good work and don’t forget to be happy with yourself for being who you are.
With love from the Netherlands

Hi ladies,

Back from weekend away, been on scale and I have lost 2lb. Not bad as I ended up eating KFC over the weekend!

1 stone to go now and I have reached my target from obese to healthy bmi.

Milena I have found that not everyone comments on my weight loss either sometimes I think it’s just sour grapes perhaps they are jealous? Your last month sounds like mine I have lost 2lb but gained 4! Ah well let’s hope it’s a good weigh in this week again for us both.

Good luck to all of you ladies this week and keep in touch.

Audrey

result Ginette!!! Finally!

I had one too today, my bro in law asked if I had lost a bit.

A bit? Damned with faint praise!!!!!

Do you think we are getting used to less food? Within 500 today and planning 3 day liquid fast, just to see what happens. Buddying domeone on another thread who is attempting a long one. Should be interesting.

Hi Audrey! If this was a diet a Kfc would be a failure, on 5:2 just a wee diversion on the road to maintenance. Hope you REALLY enjoyed it and savoured every mouthful! I had roast lamb out at a pub last night, but no starter and no pud. Delicious!

Hi! I am kind of new here. Last April (2014), I did not see eye to eye with someone so I stopped posting. I am giving this diet another whirl and am testing the waters. I have been fasting for about six weeks and have not really lost any weight.

Last year, I did better. I was having some emotional issues and stopped the diet and all dieting. Just need some moral support. I am from the US and am 52 years old. I am walking and doing exercises so I am really committed but it is not happening for me. Just need some support if you will have me. thanks.

Applecrisp

Milena

I answered your post earlier but just noticed it’s disappeared!

Glad you have lost some weight and are doing well. KFC was lovely thanks, I had 2 pieces ian had 4. Previously it would have been 50/50. I couldn’t manage all the fries either my way of eating is finally changing.

Let us know how your mentoring is going.

Audrey

Hi Ladies, Once again I’m back after a lot of “stuff” going on in my life. I’ve been told my vascular surgery is too risky to be done before I lose a significant amount of weight. Hence, I’ve been referred to a bariatric assessment team in order to determine if I’m a good candidate for government funded bariatric ( weight loss) surgery. So, first I need an operation before I can have another type of operation. A bit confusing but what it boils down to is , that losing weight has now become a vital necessity instead of just a regular necessity. Needless to say, I was freaked out a bit by this. The problem being that in Canada, specifically Ontario, the waiting list for bariatric surgery is about 1-2 years. This I was sure would be a real problem, due to my vascular problems,
but due to an aggressive response by my wonderful family physician I’ve been assured that the wait time will be much less for me due to my medical condition. Meanwhile, I’ll continue my efforts to get my weight down and try as much as possible to up my exercise. Not too difficult, considering that my exercising right now is pretty much nil.
I haven’t caught up yet on all your posts but I sure will. Meantime best of everything to all of you and all “fasters”, may you breeze through your day.
Fran xx