Hi @Baileysmom

There are a few of us who gain small amounts after having following a healthy eating pattern/5-2 etc.

I’d track everything on MyFitPal every day. I also use Fitbit and Weight Diary (for the graphs). Concentrate on the downward trend rather than the micro variations day-2-day. Frustrating I know, not getting ‘rewarded’ by a good result on the scales. I’m sure you’ve heard it before that weight loss isn’t linear but if your graphs trend is downward overall you’re winning 🙂

Hi Starbuck
Welcome! 😀 And a Happy New Year to Everyone.
I haven’t been on for ages – just too busy! And then too tired in the evenings! And then perhaps just forgot! 😀
Don’t be disheartened. I was my heaviest at 56 just 2.5yrs ago and I can say this diet works.
I’ve been on it ever since. I reckoned I had to become diabetic if I carried on the way I was with my love of sugar/sugar addiction!
But once I emptied the cupboards as I felt I could waste that much food and I gave away things of less value, then I could really get on and learn.
I lost 2stone over the next year (many lose a stone a month) but I just seem unable to have such marvels!
But I’ve had maintenance ever since and although I’ve treated myself the last month I know I can lose the few pounds that i have put on. (It is a bit demoralising to have put any weight back on but I ate too much dark choc and had some cream at xmas.)
But most importanly I eat healthy and I my food. I eat more simply than the books suggest as I have limited budgets.
eg meat/fish/cheese and whole variety of good proper low carb veg, and eggs at lunch in these freezing cold winter months, but salad in warmer months, and the yog and thaw frozen fruit etc etc.
I not crave sugar which I never ever thought would or could happen! I still feel that way. I can look at cakes and KNOW I do not need mor want them! Stunned!
It takes time though. And every person here will tell you that you will plateau but keep going. Hold faith because it works! 😀
I now don’t ‘think’ too much abotu what I eat because I buy the right foods (big trick) and know roughly the right amounts.
I take photos of all I eat as I found it easier long term but initially and for about 18mths I kept a food diary. It helped me stay on track.
I refuse to use most apps as they monitor far far too much of your privacy like ‘fitbit’!
See this as a ‘Way Of Eating’ WOE, than any diet. Totally agree with youta about diets. I’ve only ever done a few in my whole life.
I’ve learned more about the right foods and be patient and kind to yourself, it takes time to learn these things. 😀
Well done for starting before xmas!
There’s more research now on DNA doen at Kinds College by Sarah Berry with her research on The Predict Study (DNA etc to help show what we individually need to KNOW how we can feed our bodies properly and lose weight)! 😀
https://sigmanutrition.com/episode361/

So stick with this it does work. There are variours meal options if you can’t afford or fancy their precise list but it has been carefully balanced. So bare that in mind.
Also that as you exercise muscle weighs more than fat so do allow for that. Don’t beat yourself up when you are winning but can’t yet see it. I concentrated on my shape and only weight myself every week or 2wks. 😀 Our bodies naturally gain and lose weight on a daily basis so you’re looking for the average which is really hard! 😀 And especially if you look all the time, but that can give you an indication of how it varies! 😀
There are some great friendly people around here too. 😀

Hi HAY34 I’m so so sorry to hear of your cancer that’s so sad and must have been an awful experience for you.
I’ve no expereince with any drugs nor of the Tamoxifen drug so I hope others can help. What has your Dr said about it?
I do know losing weight is tough and I found that I seem to have to be religious at not eating any more than they suggest. And I’ve had to slightly substitute due to tight budgets but sticking with it as a change to our ‘way of eating’ I know, that works long term, and so a great place to start. 😀 It’s how I got started on this life long venture.
I no longer miss sugary things or rice (which I’ve loved), pasta or bread (although sourdough is ‘allowed’ and I did induge in a tiny loaf over xmas, but it was ‘nice’ but could have left it! 🙂
I’m amazed how it’s changed long term how I now think and look upon food. 😀
I hope that helps a little and I hope others here can help you. 😀 Stick with it though! 😀

Hello All – I signed up today for the 5:2, I’ve found that retirement and lockdown equals expanding waistline…..today that changes! Walking later with a friend with coffee but making today my first fasting day; have dabbled with this before so I don’t think this will be a problem but I have always done this alone which makes it more difficult. This is the first forum of any kind I have commented on, I suppose it’s my way of taking responsibility and sharing this experience…..do bear with me, my humour will emerge in time.

Hi Northrancher and ‘everyone’!

I started my M Mosley Low blood sugar diet about 2yrs ago – some here have been on it or a worked out ‘the best food program for their needs’ for many many years.
I did it to get off sugar and lose 2 stone.
I managed to get 2 stone off but struggle with the last half stone but managed to put back on hald a stone so now losing a stone – again! 😀 But it’s fine.
Because I know what and how much determination and sheer stubborn-ness it takes it’ll be fine.
I use not apps or anything than photo my food as a ref to remind me if I’ve been indulgent. But for me my activity varies from DIY to sitting on my laptop. That’s life. I know (as I broke my ankle and it was 18mths before I was truly ‘walking’ with crutched again.) I can lose weight without doing any exercise but obviously it helps in many ways.
This ‘way if eating’ is totally about finding the proper wayto eat. A proper balance varied diet. Something I thought (haha) that I was on before but only when I got into this did I realise how very far off I was!
I keep it simple because my budgets are so tight. But it works for the most part. I did know I was beginning to gain as my size was changing and face was ‘fatter’ (my v early indicator) … so I’ve cut right back and I don’t count calories or anything now. I know how much a matchbox size of cheese is. I know I have to cut back to lose the weight. 😀
I have too sometimes wondered if we ‘weighed our food’ prior to eating would help us appreciate the varied scale ups and downs far better?
Anyone done that?
I’m still learning – I definitely do not know it all – or I’d have been better behaved and not gained anything.
I used to be *the* biggest comfort eater known to man but am no longer… as I didn’t ‘think my body deserved to be punished’ after all it hadn’t done anything wrong and it certainly didn’t make me any happier!
However these things are based in psychology as is dieting! 😀
Oh an a recent study shoes the fat in nuts isn’t the ‘same’ fat as was previously thought ! So do not worry about eating nuts (well a handful at most!) so much! 😀

OH. MY. GOODNESS! I am NOT alone!! I am 51 and I lost a few inches and a pound or two the first week, then nothing. Have stayed with it for two months straight at least! I must admit though, on the days I could have what I wanted, I. ate. what. I. wanted! I mean, you read you don’t have to count calories then in this forum you do to a degree. I mean, which is it! Eating what I wanted on non-fasting days is one of the main reasons I wanted to do IF you know? Anyone else agree?!
Besides, a friend said to me recently and it’s in the other book I read about IF. It’s a life style. So therefore a life style has to be doable for LIFE! If it’s not, you’re not gonna keep it up and the fat will return. I don’t want to do ANYTHING anymore that I can’t do for a life time. Does that make sense?

Anyway, I thought I was helping because sometimes I didn’t eat my entire window and I would fast even longer the next day. Exercise about 3 times a week for 30 minutes (consistent light to moderate intensity). Use to do a vigorous workout for 30 minutes about 5 times a week. All workouts I included strength training. I saw where one lady mentioned about losing a love one. I have had moments of depression too but that’s got to be the worse! My heart goes out to her. I totally understood what she meant by not wanting to fast when she’s depressed. I’ve had moments of sadness for other reasons and even though it’s nothing like what she’s going through, it’s hard to stick to anything! You just don’t care or at least I don’t!

Anyway, the book I read about IF was from an author who’s female and the same age I am! So I thought, if she can lose weight on this with little to no physical afford and eating bread everyday, I can do it too. Well, before I started IF, I was doing WW and pretty much cut out bread altogether. I eat carbs but most of the time not. But I would still had dessert nightly.
The author mentioned that in order to reach her weight
loss goal, she had to give up sugar until she did. Then, once she reached it, she
added it back in and has maintained her weight for years and EVEN lost a little more!
I just figured my fat most be extremely stubborn. I figured since I didn’t have
problems with vestral fat. You know the hard fat some people have in their gut that
suppose to be the most dangerous? However, about the most I’ve done is gain 7lbs and
my clothes fit the same, at least. So, not sure what to say but if someone hear
finds the answer, please let me know as well.

Hi, I am tracking on normal days until I get into the swing of what I can eat without blowing it. I use my fitness pal and while it’s tedious at first I’m hoping that after a month of so doing it I’ll be able to trust the process.

I debating adding some HIIT exercise along with my usual ones to try and get things moving. I’ve also stalled after a great first two weeks.

Maybe you ate something salty and it’s lead to water retention? I know how you feel. It’s so frustrating to do fast days and still gain a pound of 2!

Hi all,
I’m also starting the 5:2 again and am 52 in the throws of the menopause, so appreciate all the comments above.
HIT is great at burning fat, especially visceral fat but we women of a certain age need to do at least 2 sessions of whole body weight training each week as well as cardio. This can be body weight, weights, kettlebells, machines etc.
Strength training may even be preferable to HIT training which can increase cortisol, the stress hormone, that tends to increase the laying down of visceral fat. It also plays havoc with my hot flushes!
We also need to include lots of relaxation/meditation to reduce the stress hormones that seem to run amok during the menopause.
I’m a personal trainer not a doctor and often perplexed at the lack of info for menopausal women.
Good luck everyone !!

Hi Dramaqueen6

I’d say 30 minutes 3/4 times a week would be sufficient if you are
a. Lifting moderate weight for approx 12/15 reps or
b. Lifting heavy weights for approx 8/10 reps

Remember
1. after 4/6 weeks you need to change your programme because you will plateau
2. Your last 2 reps should be difficult, if not increase the weight or reps
3. Ensure you are training the whole body each week. Eg you might do upper body twice a week and lower twice a week. Or full body each session

Check you are not exceeding your total daily energy expenditure on your non fasting days. If you exceed on one day, cut down on the next day. It’s all about calories in and expended.

Actually I just read your previous post and I wonder if your calories (300 fasting, 1300 non fasting) are too low putting your body into the starvation mode. It will slow your metabolism and hold onto fat.

Use their online calculator to find out what you should be eating. Otherwise your body will breakdown your muscles (lean muscle) to use as energy. So your weight training will be futile. We actually need food but in the right proportions and quantity.

I hope this helps!

Good luck with it all but definitely fit in lots of mindfulness and relaxation to reduce stress. 🙂

I am 47. I did the 5:2 when I was 39 for about 8 months and lost about 6 kg (from 70 down to 63kg – I am 174cm in height) to the point where I found I was verging on too skinny. I found it really easy after the first few weeks. For some reason, I found it harder to stick to the 6:1 maintenance and gave up and over the last 7 years the weight has crept back on. Covid lockdown did not help! This time around, the weight seems to not want to shift. For the first 4 weeks – no results, or any results disappeared on non-fast days. However, the weight is starting to shift now. I’m noticing my jeans are more comfortable and the scales reflect that I have possibly lost about 1kg in the past week. It remains to be seen if this stays off or not. However, each week I’m finding it easier and easier to fast and I’m getting back in the swing of it. I think it will work, but probably slower now due to my age maybe.