Kudos, Lindanaf, for finding what works for you. That’s the way to do it. No wonder you are bouncing off the walls with glee.
Stock cubes do have a lot of salt, although if you are water fasting, I guess some electrolytes are a good idea.

Vin, after the 2-week ‘detox’ and eating to the plan, then what? Does one then know what a healthy diet is so that the weight will stay off? So eager to hear about the progression.

Anna, how are you doing?
FormerlyFatTeacher, are you with us?

I find that eating a raw apple cures the problem within a hour or so! Good luck!

Hello Ladies
Well I’m back on 5.2 giving it another go. I started again about 3 weeks ago and straight away lost 3kgs- down from 86kgs to 83. Then another 2kgs the following week. But now at 81kgs I just can”t get the scales to budge. I keep hopping on them hoping to get below that elusive 80kgs, but it evades me. I’m now on a 3rd anti-cancer hormone tablet, Tamoxifen, so I don’t know if that has any effect on weight gain, but it probably does. However, at 5kgs lighter, I can already get into some clothes that I just can’t wear when I’m at 86kgs.
What can I do to get under that magic 80kgs – I’m sure it would give me such a boost to get there…………..

Hi Fastingme
I must confess that I NEVER count calories. I’m just too lazy and it would seem too much like a “diet” if I did. However, I’m doing well this time – down to 80kgs. I’m on a FD today and I’ll fast on Thursday so I hope to get the scales under 80. I tried on an old dress this morning that used to be my favourite, and to my delight, I thought “I could actually go out in this now and not feel too shabby”. It’s given me a real boost. So on my FD’s I usually make myself a kind of chinese soup with chicken or turkey, some fresh veggies and a few noodles just to let the stomach know that it’s actually got some solids in it. I really don’t mind eating this every FD. I live alone so I don’t have to worry about another person needing variety and it means that I’m not thinking about food during the day. If I start thinking about what I can cook tonight to make things a bit more interesting, I start to feel hungry, so chinese soup is fine. So now – watch this space and see if I get to that magic 79kgs this week!!!!!!

Hi,
I’m new to the forum and just getting used to navigating my way round it. A bit of a technophob! I used to do really well on the 5:2 before I became perimenopausal. I entered perimenopause at Christmas (bad time anyway!) and have gained over a stone since then. Now I find I sadly no longer have the mental capacity to follow the 5:2 regime in order to lose weight. I fall off the wagon all to easily.

Hi ladies ,

I haven’t posted since April 17th(?) but I have lost 60 of the 120. Pounds I needed to lose using vegetarian low carb low cal AND fasting 16:8 and occasional 5:2

How you all going ?

My bmi has dropped from 42 to 32!

Hi ladies. I’m not a lady but please read this Hi my names mark I’m a 37 year old chef and I’m struggling with losing weight and have been for a number of years and iv been hearing about various diets that promise the world. My diet is very irratic due to long hours not seeing food until 12 am. Iv seen diets like atkins weight watchers and obviously being a chef have encountered these in the past. Iv also been hearing that heavy cardio exercise is bad for you and that you can lose weight by eating cake. But iv heard a lot more about this fat decimator system it recons you can lose 1lb in 24 hours visit http://www.weightandfitnessclub.wordpress.com for more information. It gives you all the science behind it but I’m still left not knowing if it’s any good. Can you guys help me decide if this is a good way forward!?? Please.

Hello ladies of a certain age… I’ve just joined the forums after months of lurking and my first fast day is tomorrow. I guess I’m in the perimenopausal category: 46, no hot flushes yet, but my belly is spreading with alarming speed.

IF appeals as a lifestyle change. I hate diets. Perhaps 5:2 could work for me? It’s worth a go. Denying myself the food that I love will never work for me, but perhaps two days’ restraint a week will help build a more mindful attitude towards everything on my plate.

Hi everyone. I’m working the 5:2, and slowly, very slowly, the weight is coming off. I’m still above 25 BMI and want to get it below that and into the healthy range. I think it was 25.4. So I’m getting close. I’m trying to add now some flab reducing exercises for my flabby thighs and arms, well, to be truthful, by belly also, I should strengthen my core muscles too. Any suggestions for where to look for exercises that will help tone up loose muscles and slowly reduce the flabbiness?

I’ve been doing 5:2 since January. I took the summer off. I’m back on, but here’s my struggle: If I fast 12 hours (wake up at 6:00am and do not eat until 6:30pm) why is restricting my meal to 500 calories important? Isn’t the 12 hours the key to gaining the benefits of fasting? Clearly, I’m having a time trying to stick to 500 calories, because I think I’ve already done my part by fasting 12 hours. What do you all think?

@cslb. I think youre trying to convince yourself that you can take short cuts and still get the same results. Fasting for 12 hours will not flip you into ketosis unless you are eating a very ketotic diet in the first place. If you have been doing water fasting you may get into ketosis after 24-36 hours. So the 12 hours will just burn up some calories which you then want to top up by eating more than 500 calories. Seems like a lot of effort to go to and not achieve anything. Give it a try if you must and see how it works. If it works keep doing it. If you don’t see results the answer will be pretty clear.

Thank you fasting_me and bigbooty. I know you’re both right. I’m looking for the easy way out. For twelve weeks I ate no calories on fast days and now I’m really struggling. Thinking about food way too much lately. And I guess I really shouldn’t try to blame everything on menopause.:(

Thanks, fasting_me! I’m trying something new for me today (inspired by you!). I’m splitting my calories between breakfast and dinner. I ate 225 cal this morning (yogurt, fruit, oats). Then I’ll fast 12 hours and eat dinner (is that what you do?) Not sure what I’ll eat yet. I’m feeling optimistic!

@elmashtree, I really like the 7 minute work out too. There is even an app called workout for women (pink background with a white “w”) that offerts à 20 minutes version that I think is terrific for hitting all those areas. Hope that helps.

Binkie, you are doing all the right things and the weight is coming off. Well done.

CSLB, how is the new eating plan working?

Emma, glad to see you are also a 7-minute fan.

crumpet, did you decide to try 5:2? or did you try something else? If you are still on this thread, let us know.

Happy weekend, everyone.

CSLB, I’ve found that the plain old 5:2 works the best for me. I’ve been trying the 16/8 on NFDs to try to keep my eating more mindful, but it feels cumbersome, like a diet. I think the 5:2 works because of its simplicity. It may not be super fast, but it’s flexible enough to fit into my lifestyle and accommodate holidays or traveling. It’s easy and it works.

Hi, I’ve just joined 5:2 and found this forum. Your ‘LOACA’ forum was mentioned on the Michael Mosley page from his Horizon programme:)
I’ve been eating poorly really since I found myself in an ’empty nest’. Probably too much wine too. I walk some of the way to and from work a few days a week, but have a desk job.
I ate very little yesterday and limiting my calories today – As someone else said I can’t be bothered to count them but know low fat foods.
I’m about 30 lbs overweight.
I hope to keep in touch with the forum for encouragement and inspiration.
Best wishes all.
F x

Lurk, Lurk, always read so I will try to join in, started this WOL in May and am definitely a tortoise.
Hashimoto and just stopping HRT after 13 years……..scared, flashing, and sure weight loss will slow even further YIKES. FD today and totally up for it! Thanks for all the support you lend to those of us trying, who knows, maybe I will support someone else.

Hello Dear LOACA, looks as if longlife1 and myself are the newest of members. Yesterday was a great FD , too busy to think about food! Bone density test and freezing cold, rainy soccer game took up the afternoon. Good results all around. Kept calories just under 500 and feel great today.
My weight when I started in May was 148 and is now 140, this is the most success I have enjoyed in quite a while. There is not a diet that I haven’t tried before LOL
Good for you longlife1, I am also a healthy eater and find myself much more energetic than my LOACA friends and better able to enjoy a wide variety of activities as a result of good (usually) clean eating.

Hello everyone …another newbie here learning to navigate around this site. I’m 65, still working full-time, well past the menopause and I had decided to give up trying to lose weight hoping I’d be loved by friends and family being my fat cuddly self but I didn’t love me. I started to run out of clothes that fitted comfortably, avoided mirrors and made excuses not to go out as I felt so self conscious. I began to fear Type 2 and heart disease. So here I am really determined to ‘get a grip’ and my first FD is tomorrow.
Although from posts I have read this is not going to be a walk in the park because of my age. My weight loss will probably be slow but here goes …..
Gillx

Glylb

Troy cutting your carbs on the other days to 50g or less, you’ll find you can fast for longer and you will be far less hungry.
I switched from 5:2 to 16:8, 7 day’s a week, and cut calories to 13/1400 and carbs to 50. Combined with 30 min hiit daily and weights three times a week I’ve lost nearly 6 stone in nearly 7 minths – I’m 51 and working full time x just another 2 1/2 left to lose by next April ! Trying to lose 8 stone in a year

Two weeks back on 5:2 and I’m feeling good! So happy to have found my sweet spot. Feeling motivated, though no weight lost. That’s okay, I know it will come eventually. Fasting_me-Any ideas for a good 500 calorie vegetarian evening meal? I’m trying to change it up a bit.

How are you doing now, soccergrandma ? Nice you felt so well on your FD yesterday ! I have Hashimoto too, among others. Are you planning to do another FD this week, don’t mean you have to, just a question. Think you are really doing well, a lady in her seventy’s ! Today is my second FD this week, had the flue, but feel pretty good today, so it’s ok. Feel quite hungry, haha. Think I am going to make a veggie juice without much sweet fruit. Yeah. Lost around 6 ounces last FD on monday, jumped around 3 back, see what this brings. Succes everybody, have a good day !

Hello, again, to everyone here. It’s been a while since I posted any comments but I have read with interest how folk are managing. I hope this post encourages all those ladies (of a certain) age who have just started the Intermittent Fasting diet. It’s taken me two years (that’s with a long interruption due to surgery and radiotherapy) but I have finally reached my target weight. The NHS BMI scale shows I am now in the healthy range – woohoo! I am thankful to my hubby who helped me get to this point and will support me in maintaining a healthy diet and exercise regime. Certainly the increased exercise helped. I also have to watch how much alcohol I have pereweek so it’s down to a strict 2 glasses of wine or a pint of beer or a gladd of G&T. I can relax that a bit on holidays and festivities but I know that I will need to use the IF regime to help keep the wieght from building up again. Feeling a lot fitter and I’m three sizes smaller for clothes. Thank you for all the support here and lots of good advice. So onward and ‘downward’, ladies, you can do it!

CSLB, you had asked for vegetarian dinners, so I am sending some:

Zucchini Fritatta: 280 cal 12.8 g fat 3.5 g fiber 20.3 g protein 14.6 g carb 296 mg Calcium GF PB HINT: serves two, so save half for lunches or dine with a friend. Inspired by a recipe in Fresh Ways with Vegetables, https://www.amazon.com/Fresh-Ways-Vegetables-Healthy-Cooking/dp/080945808X part of a Time-Life series. This is really delicious and can be prepared any time of year.
2 two-oz eggs + 2 egg whites ¼ cup low-fat ricotta chesse thyme, salt, pepper to taste 3 oz mushrooms, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed ¼ c. onion, chopped ½ pound zucchini, grated 1 tsp lemon juice 2 Tbsp Parmesan cheese, grated 1 – ½ oz mozzerella cheese, grated
Whisk the eggs, ricotta, salt, pepper, and thyme together. Heat the broiler. Cook the mushrooms, garlic, and onion in an oven-safe pan for 2-3 minutes. Add zucchini and lemon juice and cook about 5 minutes, until vegetables are soft and all the liquid has evaporated. Turn the heat down to medium and stir in the Parmesan. Smooth the surface of the vegetables in the pan and pour in the egg/ricotta mixture. [OR: spritz two 8” cast iron pans with non-stick spray. Divide the zucchini mixture between the 2 pans, spreading it out and smoothing it down. Pour 100 ml of the egg mixture into each pan, tilting it to distribute the egg evenly.] Cook on the stove-top for 1 minute. Sprinkle with mozzerella and put under the broiler for 2-3 minutes. Cut in half, if cooking in one pan. Save that half for tomorrow or serve proudly to your dinner companion.

Vegetable Quiche: 268 calories 14 g fat 2.9 g fiber 24 g protein 12.5 g carbs [8.5 g Complex] 293 mg Calcium PB GF I made this recipe with the idea of a crustless quiche [some might call it a fritatta or a tortilla] that didn’t break the bank on calories. Designed to serve two, I was unable to finish my portion because it was so large.
4 two-oz eggs 2/3 cup zucchini, grated [2 oz] ¼ cup red onion, chopped 1 cup broccoli, diced 1/3 cup diced red bell pepper [1.75 oz] 4 Tbsp cottage cheese, lower fat 2 Tbsp plain yogurt 2 Tbsp Parmesan cheese lots of chopped fresh herbs 3 oz tomato, diced [½ cup] 1 oz mozzerella cheese, grated salt + pepper
Prepare the vegetables [except the tomatoes] and steam them over simmering water for 3-4 minutes. Drain over an empty bowl to capture any remaining liquid. Put the vegetables into an oven-proof dish [I used a 9×7” oval] which has been spritzed with non-stick spray, and spread around evenly. Salt and pepper at will. Stir the cottage cheese, yogurt, Parmesan, and herbs until well-combined. Whisk the eggs well, then whisk in the cheese mixture. Pour over the vegetables. Chop the tomatoes and distribute them on top, then sprinkle with the grated mozzerella. Bake at 400 F. for 30 minutes – should be puffed and a little golden on top and set in the middle. Let the quiche sit while you shred the lettuce and toss it with the vinegar.

Rumbledethumps: 243 calories 10 g fat 4 g fiber 12.6 g protein 19.5 g carbs 171.4 mg Calcium PB GF Where do you get a recipe with a name like that? Sundays At Moosewood, [https://moosewoodcooks.com/products-page/cookbooks/sundays-at-moosewood-restaurant/] of course. Hearty meals like this, made with winter vegetables are common in Scotland and Ireland. HINT: The recipe makes enough for 2 servings. Wrap half in cling-wrap and foil and freeze for another dinner.
¼ pound potato 3 Tbsp skimmed milk 1.5 tsp butter ¼ tsp ground mace 2 egg whites ¼ pound cauliflower ¾ cup cabbage, chopped ½ cup leek, sliced ¼ cup broccoli, chopped 1/3 cup cheddar, grated per person: ¾ cup salad greens 1 oz tomato ½ tsp olive oil + ½ tsp cider vinegar
Cut potato into chunks. Boil and mash with the cauliflower, milk, butter, and mace. Let cool. Steam the cabbage, leek, and broccoli until cooked. Take off the heat. Whip the eggwhites until stiff and fold into the potato/cauliflower mash. Taste for salt and pepper. Gently stir in the remaining steamed vegetables. Smooth into a lightly-spritzed baking dish. [choose the dish with the idea that you will be dividing this into 2 equal portions] Sprinkle with the grated cheese and bake at 350 degrees F. until the cheese is bubbly and just starting to brown. Whisk the oil and vinegar together and toss in the greens. Serve the cool, crispy salad with the hot, creamy rumbledethumps. Good food.

Soccergran, glad you are eating cheese. My MD recommended Calcium shots of the sort on sees advertised on TV to help my porous bones. I countered with the idea of eating more Calcium [1100 mg/day] and exercising. She was good with that. Eating your calcium is much better than taking supplements. At our age, we really need to mind our bones.

Heather, well done!

longlife, you are doing well.

Gylyb, you are on the right path. Keep up the effort and you’ll see results.