I do think when you have diabetes around the corner, you really come to the conclusion that this is not an issue of vanity
but rather health. I am trying to gather as much info as I can. I plan to watch the Dr.Fung videos- thanks Nuttin.

hi I’ve just joined the site, and am in my 3rd week of this. I was able to come back to work after the 2 week xmas break weighing less than before – which isn’t common!

I’m almost 51, not yet peri-menopausal according to a blood test at the end of November. I’ve had PCOS and androgenisation since my teens but thankfully not type2 diabetic which often follows on after 30 odd years of it undiagnosed. I’m happy for a slow weightloss if the other things are good (it improves insulin resistance, and my cholesterols stay great).

Hi loacas, we seem to be doing well post holiday. After 2 fasts I’m back to my pre Christmas weight YAY! Even better I bought a size 10 straight skirt yesterday. Still 10 pounds off my goal. Any hints on how to shift the last pounds. The only thing I really don’t want to do is add another fast day. What exercise works well? I am a post menopausal 53 year old. I went through surgical menopause at age 48. I don’t have many symptoms but I do wonder if lack of hormones makes shifting the last bit of weight harder. I’ve been messing with this last 10 pounds for about 3 months :(.

Hello lovely ladies! (I like the extra L too) 🙂

I have been back from my travels for almost a week, but it has taken me this long to find time to read all the posts that have happened in my absence. It is great to see such an active topic, and especially so many new starters, who seem to be doing very well. (Also good to see everyone else back too, and back on the wagon!!) Keep up the great work and here’s wishing us all a great year for this WOL (and everything else). 😀

I think I am one of the lloacas who has been following this WOE for a while (9 months), and 5:2 has certainly worked for me. As some of you know, I am 55yo, went thru menopause in my late 40’s. I lost 18kg (40lbs, almost 3 stone) by Christmas (after 36 weeks) and am now at the “ideal weight” (as defined by the web link that was provided in an earlier post). I now have BMI of 21, and 23% body fat.

On my journey, I had lots of little plateaus – ie for 2-3 weeks there would be little change in the measurements, then the next week 1-2kgs will have gone. I weigh weekly, as I am not a good judge of whether I have put on or lost small amounts of weight without the assistance of the scales – for me, clothes are not a sensitive enough measure.

Compared to many, I do seem to have had a dream run with this WOE with regard to weight loss (I don’t know about other bio markers, cos I have not had any measured, and don’t intend to unless I have a health concern), and have been thinking if I can add any advice to all the wonderful info and tips given by others in this topic.

I am struggling to think of anything new!

Keeping under 500cal on the fast days did seem to be important and, like many others, I find it easiest to not eat until the evening meal, which I usually have as 2 courses – fish or chicken and lots of veg, followed by good quality no fat (no added sugar either) yoghurt and berries. I drink lots of black tea, fruit tea, and a cup or two of black coffee – I am fortunate that I always had tea and coffee black no sugar.

I don’t do exact calorie counting on non-fast days, but I have a broad awareness of the calorific value of most foods so generally keep a rough count of what I am consuming, but not always… Certainly not over the festive season…!!! Tho I have managed to maintain my weight pretty well over that period, despite a lot of indulgence – but I was also more active than usual.

I have stuck with 5:2 most of the time, with the occasional 4:3, tho I am not sure the 4:3 worked for me – it does make me feel deprived and I tend to overeat on the non-fast days. But I know many do this, or ADF, very successfully. I have also tried 16:8, which was ok for a while, but I have decided that I missed cereal and milk in the morning, and have reincorporated that on non-fast days without any problems.

We eat very plainly, and I rarely bake, so not a lot of nice foods around to tempt – chocolate is my weakness, and I am having less of it, but still manage to eat a reasonable amount…

I have reduced the amount of white carbs I eat, tho still love bread and cakes and do have these from time to time. I rarely eat rice (stir fries and curries are fine without) and have replaced pasta with thinly cut and lightly steamed cabbage, as suggested elsewhere – in fact, instead of pasta, I just have lots of steamed veggies and a small amount of the sauce. Tastes better and more filling!

I am not overly active – walk the dogs for 45mins down and up hills every day, but that’s about it. I do a few exercises for my knee, which had ACL reconstruction 3 months ago (so there were 2 months when I did very little exercise, while recuperating).

I think my personal circumstances have helped a lot – ie I have always had good health and, since giving up paid work just over a year ago, have had a lot less stress in my life… I barely noticed menopause. I do have a comfortable life…

Hmm, not sure if any of that will be of help… As I said, I do seem to have had it very easy. I did have clear goals as I approached my ideal weight – eg to fit into “that” dress for my son’s high school graduation, which really made me focus. Others have suggested that lots of mini-goals on the way are useful.

And of course I had this forum! I only found the forums once I had been following 5:2 for about 6 months, and reading about everyone else’s experiences, plus all the tips, really helped me keep on track.

So I guess my advice is – work out what works for you, be flexible when needed, don’t get obsessive (!), stick with it, and continue to use the forum for seeking and providing help and support.

Very best wishes to all lloacas, and all who are following this WOL.
Sassy 🙂 🙂

PS Hi PreciousBooBoo – how’s the year starting for you in your new home? How’s the sleeping…?

Sassy, lots of good tips and info. I fasted yesterday and it does get a little easier each time. My 4th day of the fast, last april I fasted awhile but in a different manner and gave up.

I am telling myself I will get better at fasting and find what works for me. Also I am counting on eating less on non-fast days. Already I feel my appetite has decreased on those days. So it is a progression, a marathon rather than a sprint
and there is a sense of accomplishment with each fasting day.

Dr. Mosely saw this as an experiment on his docs and I am trying to do the same. Hunger isn’t a pleasant feeling but I
heve rarely dealt with it. I am now trying to embrace it. After all many around the world face it every day.

Hey, I am going to “embrace my hunger too”!!! I have noticed that the hunger pangs go away after a while and a glass of water often helps. I had a fast day yesterday which went quite well, I think I overdid my measly 333 calorie limit with our evening meal but not by too much. I find fasting from after dinner on 2 non consec nights to breakfast 36 hours later works best for me, if I eat during the day, I want to continue to eat.

ronna, was the very low carb diet hard at first, I really love carbs. Just keep us posted. My bedtime snack is almond milk(original) with cocoa powder 1 heaping teaspoon with stevia. It’s really good esp. this time of year.

@ Applecrisp:
Yes, going low-carb was different, that’s for sure. I started that – gosh – 5 years ago, when I was encouraged to try a “Paleo” diet by my personal trainer. then I stumbled on a HighFat LowCarb group on yahoo and I lost 20 pounds in about 5 months when I switched to that WOE. But then I stopped “counting” and ate more carbs than I knew I should, too. So since January 2 I’ve been carefully counting everything and since stumbling on this 5:2 WOE concept, am anxious to see what happens by the end of the month, incorporating it with my HFLC WOE.

I don’t know that I really suffered too many side effects from going low carb, however. I know that for 18 months I worked in a high-stress office and I regularly drank 3 raw egg yolks and 1 big spoonful of coconut oil with cocoa powder sweetened with Splenda. That’s virtually a carb-less lunch, quick and inexpensive to boot. I know now that when I consume too many carbs at once (sandwich, cake, etc) I get a horrible case of the drowsies!

I know there are a lot of cat-lovers out there. Someone just drew my attention to this, and it made me laugh out loud. I also think this particular moggy would do well to consider joining the 5:2 brigade.

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/cat_vs_internet

Hi loacas, congrats to all on a good week, especially Linda with that 6 lb. Loss. I can only say that I stuck to the plan, added a curves workout and lost a measly 1 oz. I know I shouldn’t get discouraged as this is a long term thing but I do admit to being a tad disappointed.

G’day Lloacas. I know that disappointment of zero loss after being a very good girl for a whole week. It sucks. But you know, I’m in it for the long haul. The plan is to fast regularly for the rest of my life even when I don’t need to lose weight anymore. It helps me to think like that.

I saw the physio yesterday and got a gold star and a koala stamp for my 10kg weight loss. I got some help with exercise and posture and a new mind-set. The physio said his job is to push the hip replacement way out into the future. He wants to help me improve strenght and muscle tone so that I can keep my natural joints working as long as possible.

So today I really get serious about shifting the last 10kg of excess me, and that means getting back in the pool, and spending some money on a new pair of walking shoes and a pedometer. 10,000 steps every day from now on …

I can sympathise, Markie99. The pattern of my weight-loss journey on the 5:2 plan, to paraphrase the late Neil Armstrong, is “one giant leap (forwards) for (Wo)Man, one small step (backwards) for a (wo)man.” Last week I lost 1.4 kg (3.1 lbs) and this week I gained 0.3 kg (10.6 ounces or 5/8 of a pound). I always feel more motivated when the scales go down, of course, but I’m committed to this eating plan and have already experienced some of the predicted health benefits.

Hang in there, Markie99 & Gomarg! I, too, have had a couple of weeks of no reduction on the scale and, I will admit, an inconsistent schedule which makes adhering to the 5:2 a challenge. It feels like now that I’ve hit my new low (140.2 lbs), my body needed to take a little while to adjust to it before moving on, and I’ve been hovering in the 140 point something to 141 range. I’ve increased my exercise quite a bit, but even that didn’t result in my normal pound or so a week loss these past couple of weeks. I am trying to be content and patient, knowing that things will kick in again soon. This particular weight has been, for the last 8 years, the one I have not been able to get below, so I am particularly motivated to see it through and stay loyal to this WOE. My Tuesday weigh in should be interesting; I’ve spent the weekend with my best friend back in snowy, cold MN and although I’ve eaten mindfully, I certainly have not done any fasting. This is one of the things I love about the 5:2; it’s just a constant flow of eating in a particular way, and you can monitor and adjust as your life requires. Hanging out with someone “on a diet” is really tiresome, but this is so flexible that no one even has to know that I am on a weight loss plan. (Although my dear friend does, and she has been very complimentary about my 16 lb. weight loss!) I look forward to a good fast tomorrow when I’m back on home territory, and I’ll check in on the scale the following day. Hopefully, in the next week or two, I’ll be able to crack that number and finally go BELOW my newest low. Reading everyone’s comments about their journeys keeps me committed and encouraged!

@markie99 …if I had £1 for every one of the number of people I have heard saying ‘oh I couldn’t just eat 500 calories a day, I’d starve!!’ as an argument against 5:2!! usually followed with ‘that can’t possibly be good for you’.
But all credit to your friend for not dissing it out of hand and actually listening to you.

Good luck to all Monday fasters ….fast and lose!!! x

I’ve done 3 weeks and am still at the starting point, but I’m continuing until I get some blood test results in March. I figure it can’t harm me, and after the first couple of weeks the fast days aren’t a hassle.

I’ve lost 0kg after 3 weeks, as has happened to others who went on to lose weight. So I’m not discouraged at this point.

Don’t be discouraged, @arla. Perhaps you may need to be more calorie-conscious on your non-fast days. Maybe it would help to calculate your TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure). Here’s a link to the information: http://thefastdiet.co.uk/how-many-calories-on-a-non-fast-day/
@bronwyn, I know what you mean about the weight fluctuations. That’s why I shifted my weigh-in day from Tuesday to Saturday. I found that after two fast days and one “normal” day, I get a better representation of the week’s progress (either forwards or backwards or stuck). After losing 7 kg (from 93 kg to 86), I have also gone down a bra-size (from 20C to 18C – still not a B-cup – must be a loss of back fat!). My weight loss started at my face and worked its way down. When I took my second lot of measurements after 6 weeks, the only place where I hadn’t lost any centimetres was on my calves. I just did a quick
measure of them and they have gone down by 2.5 cm (about an inch).
@maybellew, you must be very strong-minded and patient to resist weighing
yourself for so long – only twice in 5 months. I have such a long way to go
before I reach my goal weight (another 26 kg or 57 pounds at least), I feel the need to see results on the scales every week to keep me motivated. I am determined to stay on the 5:2 plan indefinitely, for the weight-loss prediction at the moment and for the health benefits and optimum weight-maintenance long-term.

Sorry if I was at all terse Gomarg, but you really pushed my buttons of being judged unfairly for the past 30 years.

My specialist was the first person who didn’t assume I overate to get this way. PCOS and a genetic androgen disorder make it very difficult to lose weight. I spent 7 years walking 30miles/5km a week and eating the right low GI diet and lost nothing. However I have always had great blood test results for things like sugars and cholesterol.

I entered the City to Surf one year (14km race) and didn’t train as I already walked 7km a day. I easily beat the 10 year younger, size 8 & 10 gym junkies from work despite being 93kg and they never ever once again suggested that I go to the gym at lunchtime. Fat doesn’t always equal unfit or overeater.

Hello, All–

I have so enjoyed catching up with everyone’s comments. Markie99, I had a similar experience with friends and family while visiting in Minnesota this weekend; the same ones who seemed alarmed at the idea of my ‘starving’ myself and swore they could never do it are now thinking twice about the 5:2 when they hadn’t seem me for a bit and noticed my slow, steady weight loss, and how ‘normal’ my approach to eating is. It was fun to talk about it with them, and underscore the point that this is NOT a diet, and that it is a long-term (and for me, I’m expecting it to be a permanent) approach to achieving and managing an optimum weight as I head into middle age. (Okay, I’ve been ‘middle aged’ for a while now, unless I expect to live to be 110 or so; I guess I mean into ‘later middle age’.) And, one exciting thing happened that I have to share with my LOACAs. I make regular trips back to Minnesota every 6-8 weeks to spend time with family and friends there. Inevitably, it is a very social 3 or 4 days, involving meeting up with friends for lunch or drinks at my favorite Minneapolis restaurants, gathering for a big family dinner, and staying up late with my best friend (with whom I stay) for one last glass of wine and a good chat before turning in. It’s always a wonderful, fun time there, but inevitably I come home up at least a pound or two, (or three!) which I have to work to peel off again once I’m back in my usual routine. BUT–for the first time ever, I came back weighing LESS than when I left! I flew out on Thursday and returned last night, and when I did a little ‘check-in’ weigh-in first thing this morning to assess the situation and set some goals for myself this week, I was down to 139.8!! (I had been at 141 when I left on Thursday.) Not only had I not put on weight–even temporary weight–while doing all the things I love to do, I managed to eke out my first ‘under 140’ weight! (Yes, I think by just 2/10ths of a pound counts, don’t you?) It has been ages since I’ve seen a ‘3’ in that spot on the scale–what a welcome–and motivating sight! The best thing is that I didn’t feel at all deprived during my visit; I just incorporated my new habits into my weekend. Yes, I drank a little less wine, and ordered the fish for lunch and snacked on a few nuts when I felt some hunger pangs, but it all felt very satisfying and NORMAL. So, today I’m back to my regular life with a fast day ahead of me and my ‘official’ weekly weigh-in tomorrow, and I could not feel better about it. My new goal is to hang on to some version of that ‘3’ I saw on the scale this morning, as my body settles into a slightly smaller version of itself. Good luck to every one who is doing this wonderful thing for themselves; each one of us is worth these efforts, and I so commend those of you who are undiscouraged event though the results have not yet appeared on the scale. Your patience and commitment, often in the face of serious health challenges that make weight loss a real struggle, inspire me. Some of us have a stone to lose, and some of us have a good bit more, but we are all in this together, with similar goals–health, and a feeling of happy well-being as we move through the world in these marvelous bodies of ours. Cheers to us, Ladies! Have a great Monday.

What a great and motivating story @sharatl! Loved reading it, and so happy for you. Good luck to all those fasting today and to those on a NFD as well.

Thank you, JoolsB55 & Markie99, for your encouraging comments. And at my weekly Tuesday weigh-in this morning, I was happy to see that the ‘3’ in my new weight was not a fluke; it showed up again! (As in ‘139.4’). Having said that, yesterday’s fast was a MAJOR challenge after 7 pm…followed by a restless night of interrupted sleep, which didn’t help. At 2 a.m., I was SO close to getting up, marching down to the kitchen and seeing if my husband had polished off the bag of nacho chips that evening, but I managed to resist. (Okay, I took half of a sleeping pill, hoping to avoid the temptation and my growling stomach.) It worked, but not easily; that ‘3’ was hard-earned! Better luck tonight I guess. Looking forward to a big, hot bowl of chicken soup for dinner; even Atlanta is going through a nasty cold snap today! Stay warm up there in the Heartland, Markie99! Looks like I left MN just in time. 🙂

Hi everyone, and esp good to see PreciousBooBoo on line again. 🙂 (Thought you’d be busy with the new house!)

I also contribute to the Southern Hemispherites, with the similar “problem” that there are just so many posts it is impossible to keep up. I also like to try to respond to new topics if I feel I have something to offer – and sometimes that means that I end up not reading these popular strands for a while, and so get behind yet again…

I certainly take PBB’s point about acknowledging those who respond to a post, so my apologies to Markie99, Applecrisp and Gomarg for not doing so sooner. Hope I didn’t miss anyone…

So much I could comment on; but will add my two cents worth to the boob size issue! It seems, based on people’s reports, that when we lose weight we seem to fall into one of two categories – either no weight loss from boobs, or all weight loss from boobs – no happy medium!! I have lost more weight from my boobs than anywhere else – almost 10″, compared to 6″ from waist, and 8″ from hips… It’s ironic really, because when I was younger I had a breast reduction… I really don’t want to lose any more from up top, but tummy and thighs could certainly do with more trimming… Tho it seems like most of us are never totally happy with our shape…

Anyhow, keep up the great work everyone!
Cheers
Sassy 😀

Hey Sylvestra 🙂

How demeaning for you to not be listened to for all those years! Things sound a lot more promising now tho – if you are in good health, I would hope there is no reason why you shouldn’t have the breast reduction. Be prepared for some lovely bruising initially, and there may be scarring that doesn’t disappear, but once the initial healing has happened, the comfort and the look when dressed will be fantastic and well worth it.

I certainly understand how you feel about your breast size. Even GG didn’t fit me properly, but I should have been told to lose weight first to see if I really did need the operation. Although I was very happy to not have the humongous boobs, the operation did mean that I could not fully breastfeed (I was not informed of this consequence) and that was a big disappointment to me. Not a concern at 67!!!

I certainly wish you luck; and with those last few lbs too.
All the best
Sassy 🙂

Thanks Sassy – at 67 a few scars are not going to worry me. They’ll just add to the ones I already have 😀 I don’t plan on doing any nude bathing!!! And breastfeeding is definitely not on my ‘to do’ list 😀 Doc does not see any problems healthwise regarding an op.

@iwant2bincontrol you are right about bras. 40 years ago the ‘nicest’ bra available in my size was a Playtex ‘cross your heart’ which was more of a piece of engineering than a garment. It came in black or white!! Now I can buy pretty bras in just about every colour …I’d just like to buy them in a smaller size 😀

xx

Dear Sylvestra & All Other Boob-Related Contributors 🙂

My sympathy to all of you! Sylvestra, I can hardly believe what you’ve had to put up with over the years. I admire you for pursuing what you feel would be the best option for you, no matter how long it has taken to happen upon a medical professional who will listen. Thanks to all of you for weighing in about this struggle; I have also dealt with it most of my life and it gets very frustrating, especially when the weight loss that I’m accomplishing isn’t reflected in my bust! I’ve lost a couple of inches up top, but nowhere near, proportionately, to what I’ve lost in my waist and hips so ironically, as I am within about 10 lbs of my goal, I am looking particularly–and disturbingly–va va va voomish! Not the look I was going for, needless to say. My DD cup is still an issue, and I have seriously considered surgery if, once I’ve achieved and maintained my optimum weight for some time, it really still bothers me. I cringe at the idea of going through an elective surgery and all the expense & recovery involved, and am really hoping that these last 10 lbs. make enough of a difference. I did laugh when you described all that extra about our busts–including back fat–kind of ‘propping things up,’–so true! There was one time in my adult life when I had a teeny tiny chest. Going through my divorce 15 years ago, I dropped to a very unhealthy, scrawny weight, just from the stress of it all. At 5’6, I was about 115 lbs at my lowest–really skinny, and not in a good way. Fortunately, when life leveled out again, I regained about 10 or 12 lbs. and maintained that slim, healthy weight until I had my son 8 years ago. (And of course, where did I put the weight on again first? My bust, of course.) I certainly wouldn’t want to return to 115 lbs., but the ONE silver lining to that time was how beautifully flat-chested I was, briefly! I could wear anything, (including lovely little bras, instead of the industrial strength ones I was used to) and my chest was a total non-issue. Of course, I looked a lot better with clothes on than in my birthday suit…talk about gravity taking its toll once all the ‘stuffing’ holding things up evaporated! Well, maybe there’s a happy medium I can hit this time. Thanks for sharing, ladies–it’s a comfort knowing others share my frustration.