Hi, just started my 5:2 today. Need some help.

This topic contains 37 replies, has 5 voices, and was last updated by Cakey42 9 years, 4 months ago.

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Paddywhack333

9:37 pm
16 Mar 15
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Hi Everyone, I am looking for support, advice, information. I am finding it difficult to find out the calorific value of a simple baked potato. I am at present on steroids 15mg down from 20mg and some of the side effects is increased appetite (which I am not experiencing) fluid retention which I don’t think I am experiencing. I like plain food, am not into fancy recipes. Also am getting teeth implants so it’s not everything I can eat. I am optimistic but just need a wee bit of help starting out. Thanks in advance for any comments. Oh and I am trying to find my way round the website.

FatGraham

10:10 pm
16 Mar 15
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Hi paddy,according to ‘The Calorie, Carb and Fat Bible 2015’, a baked potatoe is 109 kcals per 100g.

Paddywhack333

10:45 pm
16 Mar 15
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Thank you so much. I am going to have to get that book “The Calorie, Carb and Fat Bible 2015” I have purchased about 3 books on 5:2 diet but have yet to read them. I do eat healthy but I just want a wee book that I can open and look up cals. Thanks again really appreciate it.

Cakey42

7:54 am
17 Mar 15
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Hi paddy, happy st.patricks day. My calorie app tells me that a 180g potato is 151g so basically it depends on the size of potato. If you count each g as 1 cal you should be about right.
I use tescohealthandwellbeing app. It’s free to download and not difficult to use. I input daily and it gives me totals eaten for breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus snacks.
Other people here use my fitness pal.
My app is useful for guidance and you can add in the exercise you do, but last week it pointed out I had gone over! Cheek, I was on a normal day.
Hope you find something that works for you.
Don’t forget to add butter and filling.

Cakey42

7:59 am
17 Mar 15
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P.s. Paddy, open the book, there,s a small calorie guide in the back .
Also if you go right to the top of this page there is a ,how it works, section. Also the faqs are very helpful.
Good luck.

Paddywhack333

9:19 am
17 Mar 15
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Thank you very much Cakey for getting back to me, much appreciated. Yes I downloaded 3 books on 5:2 diet on to my ipad and have yet to look at them. I sent away for “The calorie, carb and fat bible. I am looking for a quick and efficient wee book to check calories. I counted up that I did 522 cals yesterday and it wasn’t too bad.

Oh and thanks for St. Patricks day. I live in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Every tip is gratefully accepted, how it works section and faqs. Am off to the Dentist now. Have a good day. Regards Pat

Amazon

10:21 am
17 Mar 15
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The Calorie, Carb and Fat Bible is a big book that contains everything you’ll need to know.
When I cook, I tend to weigh the raw ingredients, but if you are cooking for more than one, knowing the calorie count for cooked food is essential. The book gives all the options, plus fat, carb content etc. I use it all the time.

Paddywhack333

2:55 pm
17 Mar 15
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Thanks Amazon, for the most part I do cook for more than one, but thanks for the tip. Every bit of information is so much appreciated by myself.

Cakey42

8:23 am
24 Mar 15
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Morning Paddy, how did you get on last week? Time for a weigh in, we need to know how you are getting on. Lots of help and advice on here if you need it.
Onwards and downwards, yes.

Paddywhack333

9:06 am
24 Mar 15
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Hi Cakey, I lost 2lb and am very happy with that. I am still trying to get within 500 cals on my fasting days, but it will come with time and experience I think. Onwards and downwards, definitely downwards. Pat

Paddywhack333

2:12 pm
30 Mar 15
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According to my scales I have lost 4lb. I am over the moon. So in total that is 6lb. Having said that I have a query. My starting weight on 16th March was 191lbs so divide by 14 to get stones and pounds it works out at 13.6lb. Then last week I got weighed, same scales (it weighs in lbs only) was 189lbs which is -2lbs which should be 13.4lb but when you divide 189 by 14 you get 13st. 5lb. Today I got weighed and I am 185lbs which means I have lost 4lbs but when you divide it by 14 it gives 13.2lbs. So 13st. 6lb minus 13st. 2lb is only a 4lb loss. I cannot get my head round this.

So what I am trying to find out is this 191lbs minus 185 = 6lb. But when you divide the lbs into stones it does not compute the same way.

This is driving me nuts. Thank you in advance for any comments.

Cakey42

2:52 pm
30 Mar 15
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Hi Paddy, well done!
You have lost 6lbs. Great result. Keep going.
You sum problem came in your first calculation. 191lb is 13:9lbs.
You are now 13:3 st. Won’t be long before you see a new number 181 will give you 12:13 st. You are nearly there.
How are you finding things, any headaches? If so add a small amount of salt to your next meal.
Onwards and downwards.

Mixed

3:33 pm
30 Mar 15
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Yes Cakey has cracked it. The problem with your sum Paddy is that you have confused a decimal point with lbs. 191 pounds is 13st plus point 6 of a stone – and point 6 of a stone is equal to almost 9 pounds, therefore 13:9lbs. Your latest reading is 13.2 stones and point 2 of a stone equals just over 3 pounds, therefore you weigh 13:3lbs. In total you have lost 6lbs. Well done. Its easy to confuse ourselves when just doing a sum on a calculator which just gives decimal points. Hope that is a help.

Paddywhack333

4:02 pm
30 Mar 15
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Thank you so much. I really appreciate all the help I can get. I was so surprised as I had eaten things on my non fasting days that I don’t normally eat ie. Lasagne (homemade) garlic bread. I had 3 large bars of chocolate on Friday night and a bag of crisps. Went to lunch with my son Friday and had dessert. I used to attend a slimming club where most foods are free and I lost 21lb in 2 and a half years. It was soul destroying and I record everything I eat, I don’t cheat. I keep a food diary and I record everything I eat and drink. Even the naughty things.

I need to check in more often to the website and gather information so as I can pick up a few tips along the way.

Paddywhack333

4:03 pm
30 Mar 15
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Thank you so much. I could not get my head round it and kept using my calculator but I understand it now. Thanks again.

Paddywhack333

6:04 pm
30 Mar 15
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Thank you. I don’t know what I have done but my replies keep going to myself. Yes I understand now about the decimal point. It was so confusing but thankfully got it sorted. You are all a brilliant bunch on her. Pat

Paddywhack333

6:08 pm
30 Mar 15
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I keep posting and the replies are coming to me. Anyway. No headaches, no side effects, but I am tending to make up the following day after a fast. I will be curbing that after Easter. Thanks Cakey and Mixed. Hope this message goes to the right person lol

Paddywhack333

7:18 pm
30 Mar 15
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Oh I must have brain freeze or something. I cannot get a thing right today. Cannot string a proper sentence together. Nothing to do with fast diet. I gather it’s the steroids I am on. Anyway I hate asking questions about calories of certain foods. I have used a search engine but cannot get the calorific value of homemade vegatable broth. My soup is made with dried soup mix ie., lentils, split peas, barley, parsley, leek, carrot and 2 vegtable stock cubes. Thanks in advance for any answers.

Paddywhack333

3:29 pm
6 Apr 15
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Well I am surprised that I didn’t put more weight on because of the amount of chocolate I ate. So 1lb I can handle. But head down and focus, Easter is over so no more chocolate.

Also I find myself feasting on my normal days. My brain has been so programmed by S.World about free food etc. Also did anyone see the programme “The truth about fat” it was very good and gave good insight.

Paddywhack333

5:37 pm
6 Apr 15
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Just got weighed again and I have actually lost 1lb. So have lost a half stone since starting 16th March I am delighted. This is my fast day so I haven’t eaten since this morning.

I have to have something to eat every morning because of medication. Does anyone else have to deal with this. What I have been doing is just sticking to 500 approx. on my fasting days which are Monday and Thursday.

Paddywhack333

9:35 am
14 Apr 15
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Just checking in with my weight loss so far. I lost another 1lb, this brings in total 8lbs, I still have my hampster cheeks due to steroids. Hopefully this will dissipate the more I lost.

I am finding it difficult to get the fasting days to 500 cals, I am always a bit over. Any tips or comments are mot welcome and thanks in advance. Pat

Cakey42

10:07 am
14 Apr 15
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Great result again Pat. You are nearly at a new stone marker.
Don’t worry about being a tad over calories on fast days, the main point is that you are achieving your fast days.
Two things I have managed since starting this wol are: 1, I can now drink decaf coffee without milk, and 2, I bought some chia seeds from an organic health food shop and put a teaspoon in water on a fast day and sip that after dinner. They have stopped all thoughts of nibbling and they have some omega goodness.
I have not yet done a water only fast or even a liquid day.

Paddywhack333

11:43 am
14 Apr 15
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Cakey, it’s so good to hear from you and thanks for your message. It is working well for me but I need to not feast on the 5 days. I don’t take milk, I may use soya milk with 2 Wheatabix but not every day. I am going to look up chia seeds to see if I can get some. Thanks again, I really appreciate any comments because it can be kinna lonely on the site. You take care now and I hope you are doing well. Good luck on your 5:2 journey. Pat

Cakey42

10:24 am
17 May 15
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Hi Paddy, thought I would check in with you to see if you are still going strong. I have been on holiday and am already back to my pre holiday weight, so alls well. Now trying again for another half stone off, for ever. I am no longer logging everything I eat as I think I’ve got a good handle on the system. I’ve also found I’m taking longer walks. Eating less, living longer.

Paddywhack333

11:18 am
17 May 15
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Hi Cakey, thanks for your message. Hope you had a good holiday and enjoyed yourself. Good that you got your weight down pre holiday. I kinna went off the rails a bit. I was feasting on the 5 days so I crept back up again. The good news is I am back on track, well from last Monday, so I am being sensible.

I write down everything I eat and calorific value if I can get it. Also am doing the 2 days fasting. I don’t see the 2 days as fasting just restricted food intake (500 cals approx). I have to take medication in the morning with food. I am more determined now.

You messaging me means a lot. So thanks again. Pat

Cakey42

9:37 am
7 Jun 15
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Hi Pat , any news on your fast journey. You seemed to be back on track last time we talked.
I got a bit stuck for a week so this week I did 19:5 on two days and it seems to have done the trick. i am down 2lbs again. 19:5 is 19 hour gap from evening meal then eat meals within the 5 hour window. Luckily I was busy 2 mornings so could go out without breakie.
Hope you are well.

Paddywhack333

12:37 pm
7 Jun 15
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Hi Cakey, thanks for messaging me. I don’t know where I am really. I am not losing weight but losing heart. My fasting days are Monday and Thursday and I have stuck to approx 500 cals. I have to eat something in the morning (usually a dry cream cracker) to take my medication.

I am not sure what you meant by 19.5 Fast for 19 hours, I get but eating within the 5 hour window I don’t get. If you could give me the times then I might be able to see it in black and white which helps me understand more. Thanks again Cakey. I won’t give up giving up this fast diet lol.

Cakey42

5:50 pm
7 Jun 15
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Hi Pat, the numbers I said add up to 24. So you could do 16:8, that’s 16 hours fast and 8 hours eating wondow. So if you could push your first bite to 10am, then eat your daily food between then and 6pm you then stop and nothing is eaten again until 10am the next day. Or, you might like to try 4:3 instead of 5:2. That’s 4 days normal and 3 days fasting. I started doing this diet with 4:3 and kept on that way until my holiday. Now I’m supposedly doing 5:2 but did 4:3 last week again.
The benefits of the longer fasting window is meant to increase fat burning. Changing your routine may help kick start you again.
Let me know what you do.
Onwards and downwards.

Paddywhack333

1:40 pm
8 Jun 15
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Hi Cakey and thanks for keeping in touch. I value your comments/suggestions. Here we go again lol another start today, Monday. It was only afterwards that I realised that 19.5 was a 24hr period. I am going to do 5:3 three days this week, as a kick start and then see how I get on. So onwards and downwards dear girl lol and many many thanks. Pat

Paddywhack333

1:41 pm
8 Jun 15
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4:3 I meant to say, oh I have brain fog today lol

Paddywhack333

1:17 pm
15 Jun 15
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Hi Cakey, just checking in with you. I hope your weight loss was better than mine. I have put on 4lb and I only got to do the 5:2 last week. I am at present on steroids and going to be on them for a long time. For most people they increase your appetite leading to weight gain but in my case they haven’t increased my appetite. I will keep on trying to lose weight. I am very sedentary due to this Polymyalgia Rheumatica. (PMR) for short. The past 2 weeks I have been very inactive and been in bed quite a lot. That may have something to do with the gain. But am still not giving up. Anyway good luck on your journey. Pat

Cakey42

6:01 pm
15 Jun 15
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Hi Pat, pleased to see you still here. Reading your post I understand why you have had a slow ride. One of the benefits of this way of life WOL, is the invisible repair work it does on the inside of the body. So if you can stick with it and think positive it may help you beat some of the negatives of steroid treatment.
I was thinking of doing some exercises today but managed to successfully forget. I will be fasting tomorrow and then Thursday and possibly add in Saturday again. One of the meals I do at the end of my week is to have fresh fish with fresh vegetables. It fills me up at a low calorie count and helps Sundays weigh in.
I’m close to my target now and hope that i stay the course for another few weeks to achieve something that I haven’t managed for well over 10 years.
Stay safe and don’t push yourself..

Paddywhack333

11:22 am
16 Jun 15
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Hi Cakey, glad to hear from you. I got weighed this morning and I have lost 2lb and not 4lb. So I am going to weigh in on a Tuesday from now on. On other days I do eat healthy and have been doing for a number of years.
I am delighted for you that you are on your way to your ideal weight. You are very determined and single minded which is good. I will take motivation and inspiration from you. I am going to do tomorrow as a 5:2 and Friday as a 5:2. So good luck and it really won’t be long until you get to your goal weight. Good luck. Pat

Paddywhack333

2:56 pm
23 Jun 15
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Hi Cakey, hope your weight loss journey is good. I did a 4:3 last week and I haven’t lost an ounce. I am drinking 2 or more litres of water every day, I have always drank that amount of water. I am thinking that it must be fluid retention due to the steroids. I kept the 3 days just over 500cals and not over 600cals. Not to worry I am not letting it throw me. Onwards and downwards lol Pat

Cakey42

3:53 pm
23 Jun 15
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Hi Pat, thanks for checking in. Sorry you didnt lose this week but you haven’t gained either, that’s a plus for you. Gold star. Hopefully you’ve told those steriods whose boss.
I’ve just managed half a lb this week, but it’s gone so I’m alright with that. I was on course for a good day today when I got stuck in a car park for 35 minutes due to a low loader transporter breaking down on a roundabout right outside. Chaos and mayhem together. Was 7 mins late for an appointment but I’m lucky I didn’t get a speeding ticket on route. I’ve now eaten a chocolate mouse… Damage limitation taken place now. Pass the water.
I will lose these last 3lbs before I rest.

Paddywhack333

12:16 pm
25 Jun 15
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Hi Cakey, don’t be too hard on yourself, you ate a chocolate mouse, so what, it;s over, done and dusted so move on, which I am sure you are doing anyway. You will lose the 3lbs, have no fear, with your attitude and determination it will get short shrift lol.

I am going to read the book on my ipad because if anything I am getting heavier but like you I am not giving up. Maybe fluid retention, sedentary lifestyle due to steroids but will not give up. All the best. Pat

Paddywhack333

12:10 pm
2 Jul 15
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Hi Cakey, hope you got the last 3lbs off and if you haven’t you will. I am not doing the 5:2 until I get my health sorted out. I will still be eating healthy though. So good luck and onwards and downwards as you say. Thanks for being there for me. Pat

Cakey42

11:48 am
5 Jul 15
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Hi Pat, thanks for keeping in touch. I hope you get your health problem sorted. Have you tried searching on the site to see if anyone else has the same issues? Right at the very top of the website page is a search box.
Well, I have reached my target! Oh yes, had to do a water only day yesterday to ensure the right result but managed to keep the faith. It was a long day but I managed 38 hours, breakfast was great.
It feels really good now. I can have what I want, within reason of course.
Who said that? A little voice in my head. I hope after six months I have learnt some new control habits. They say it takes 21 days to change habits so if you make that 21 fast days that’s over ten weeks.
Keep safe Pat and let me know how you go, I’ll probably be reading the forum for a while.
Cakey.