Thanks!! And WELL DONE to you too!!!

The reason I have not yet updated my weight or measurements is in the past I have done a diet really well for an entire…. three days or so. I would weigh everyday, feel really good and then reward myself with food. Which if course started a chain reaction in the wrong direction. This time I wanted to give the WOL time to work, so it was a long term change rather than ‘ooooo, what will I weigh tomorrow!!’ So, I am weighing next Monday I think, which will be four weeks into the diet. I know I’m getting smaller but by allowing four weeks I am hoping I will have taken a good step closer to my goal, and won’t feel the desire to sabotage, whatever the result 🙂 🙂

Well done Annette! It can be really tricksy trying to balance time with loved ones and the treats that entails. We don’t want to be saying No to everything (angelic abstinence) but using what we’ve learned to make good choices.That is more realistic for me – I have given my halo away. I don’t want to be constantly talking about “the diet” and what I can/can’t have to others. (I can be a tad obsessive when it’s working)Would rather just get on with it and enjoy time spent with people, have an overview in my head of what I’m consuming. I’ve often read on this forum that some people are just letting the results speak for themselves and choosing who they share more with. It’s great you had a good time with your sister and still lost 1lb. Win Win!
I’m happy to lose 6lbs from now until Christmas. Might do 4:3 again this week but not sure. Well done all 🙂

I am exactly the same Annette. I have rediscovered my love of cooking too. Think I’d got into the habit of making something quickly, ready meals etc although I always cooked for my sons. One of my unintended consequences started by Roba is having more energy/mojo back. Saw a lovely smoked haddock dish on Saturday Morning kitchen this morning. Well I’ve been having fish about once a week and thought the dish looked good. It was a bit rainy but I checked the ingredients online and set off for a brisk walk to my local Morrisons. Am going to cook it for dinner tomorrow. I haven’t given myself that care for some time and it feels good 🙂
Happy weekend everyone.

That’ great sonunda. Seeing clothes become baggy is real confirmation that there’s less of you and you wonder – “Where did that go?” Mine are going in dribs and drabs to the charity shop (to be replaced by a smaller size hopefully)My friend asked why I didn’t keep them in case I put the weight back on but I’ve every intention of keeping the weight off as I’m not giving all these benefits up lightly (fingers crossed behind my back :))

This can work. x

Aw Roba that sounds terrible. Can identify.Sounds like you could use some care and nurturing. One positive small change might just be enough to start things improving. Maybe focus on doing nice things just for you? Hope you feel more like your usual good self soon. Take care x

@roba
“Did you miss me? I haven’t been here for a while. …Yah boo sucks.”

What’s the 3 things that you could ask yourself that would immediately have you strongly in the direction that is best for you?

➰

At some point in the not too distant past, I realized I was already wearing pants that I couldn’t fit into 3 weeks before. And I wouldn’t have noticed without this thread–I know I wouldn’t have because it was such an aha! when the idea dawned! Thanks, Annette. Your idea helped a lot.

Hi everyone

So far I seem to be losing weight steadily but havent noticed so much change in the fit of my clothes. I tend to carry weight around my middle and that is the most unhealthy shape to be! But I’m optimisitic that that my measurements will improve over time.

I’m sure Annette and others are right – the waist measurement is far more significant than what the scales say. I’ve just been looking at a couple of medical websites which say that a woman’s waist should be less than 31.5 – and that if it is over 34.5 that is a serious health issue. Well unfortunately, despite shrinking a bit over the last five weeks, Im still in that category – so that is a good incentive to keep going with the 5:2 lifestyle!

Despite my obstinate waistline, I’ve been impressed by the results so far. You lose weight, for sure, but I think the 5:2 helps to ‘reboot’ your approach to food generally. I dont feel tempted to over-indulge on ‘free days’ and I am more appreciative of what I eat. I’m encouraged by this and by reading so many posts on the forum with positive stories to tell! Thanks to Annette and others!

Hello annette52, rocky et al. Sorry for my little outburst the other day. I’m back on track and feeling much happier. You know, with me a lot of my mood boils down to getting a good night’s sleep. I’m still not under 70kg, and I’m still not wearing that red dress, but I did get a good eight hours last night, and I’m looking forward to fasting tomorrow.

Hey – I’ve got a definite sure fire thing to lose a few pounds tomorrow! I’m going to shave my legs. It is the beginning of the summer here and time to get my pins out of hibernation.

Wow, 8 days in Dubai! An experience worth any hiccups on the scales in my opinion! Congratulations on skipping the odd meal, and fitting in some exercise – sounds like you reached an excellent balance for a holiday!

I would leave weighing for a week if you might feel glum if you have gained. Use it as motivation to have a really successful week in order to get the numbers moving in the right direction. Also though you might feel proud if you haven’t gained like you suspect you have?

I’m losing my willpower today…. Today is a fast day for me. I’ve been down in my back since Monday (this has never happened before!!!). Today I went to the doctor & after multiple vials of blood & X-rays (where they had to place me on the exam table because I can’t move!) I’m home & starving. I’m guessing losing all that blood has me famished!! I just want a tall glass of Coke. And one of my muscle relaxers. {ha}

And someone please tell me why we can’t weigh naked at the doctor’s office?!?! I had on 4 pounds of clothes today. Blast all these warm layers!!

But before all the back issues started, I had trouble keeping up my yoga pants at the gym Monday morning. My husband has requested I just wear those at home now. Bwahaha!!!!

Hello, this is my first post, although I’ve been using the forum since I started 5.2 10 weeks ago. I have found all your comments incredibly informative and supportive . They have helped me to lose 22.5lbs in that time so I think I owe you all a very big thank you. I have been very moved by the way you show such care and support to each other. I still have a very long way to go, but after giving up on trying to lose weight after many years of fighting a losing battle, I am now thrilled at my progress and really think I can keep going for the long haul, with the support of this forum. Annette , I found your post about BIG body changes on 1lb per week or less, to be one of the most encouraging posts I have read. thank you.

Thank you Mommabear. It does seem to be slowing down now, as to be expected. I can’t help being a little impatient but I know the message is ‘slow and steady wins the race’. It’s just gonna have to be a marathon for me…

Hi Everyone,

Seems like most of us are making progress toward our goals. Even those in plateau mode right now. Your body has to have some time to adjust.

Snedger: I am surprised that there haven’t been any comments about electronic scales before now. Sometimes I can weigh myself on my ES and get off and step right back on and I will be up or down by as much as a pound.

Same goes for the tape measure: You can suck your gut in or not. The tape may not be in the exact same place as last time. It can be easily fudged.

I feel that the only true measurement are our clothes. And of course an average drop in weight and measurements over time.

I can’t decide if I over ate yesterday or not. But not to worry, Fast day for me today. I’ll do weigh and measure tomorrow morning.

Annette52: how is everyone doing on their goals?

Hope we all keep being losers.

Quick

Hello everyone. thanks so much for all your great comments.
Just wondering, has anyone returned to 5.2 after doing 4.3? Do you still lose weight ? I was wondering whether a short stint on 4.3 to help toward short term goals would be a good idea, but don’t want my body to ‘get used’ to fewer calories.

Just wanted to ask is it a usual 5:2 experience when you get a bit of a plateau on the weight and measurements front? I’ve been on a healthy eating drive since the start of September and started the 5:2 about 6 weeks ago.

Up until this week, Ive been losing weight very steadily and the measurements have been going down as well, although progress hasnt been so marked. My clothes are now comfortable rather than tight. So my next aim is to find my trousers are too loose!

However, this week I havent seen any progress on weight or measurements, even though Ive done two fasts and upped my exercise programme to do more running. I dont go overboard on ‘free’ (non-fast) days as Im using MyFitnessPal to track my calorie intake. I’m eating well on those days and enjoying my food but I’m making careful choices so that I keep under my 1800 calorie limit (I used the calculator on this website to work out that I shouldnt be eating 2000 calories a day as my standard intake).

I’m probably being too impatient and unrealistic. But its so much easier to feel good about fast days if you see an improvement each week! Any advice? – apart from keep going of course!!!

Aphrodite, I’ve never done the 4:3 but I’ve considered it a few times. It just never has fit into my schedule very well. But I’ve read on the boards where others do it, then switch back to 5:2. Do you ever just fast a meal on your regular days? I skip dinner almost every night, eating my calories during the day but skipping an evening meal. It works for me & I just feel better the next day.

Reluctant multi-tasker, I think plateaus are very normal. If you go back & read some of the previous comments on this thread you’ll feel better about it!! Keep plugging along because those trousers will be loose soon!

Annette et al, I only lost 0.2 pounds this week. But a loss is a loss!!!! And I’m excited because it put me down into the next tens, which is where my goal weight lies! So now I’m 9.8 pounds to goal. Woohoo!! Under 10 to go. And considering I still have an injured back & haven’t gotten to work out or even move very much, I’m excited about that loss.

Hello everyone, i hope your all well this week. i just wanted to respond to Aphrodite’s question.

“Just wondering, has anyone returned to 5.2 after doing 4.3? Do you still lose weight ?”
ive done 4 3 for about four months and just switched back to 5 2, the first week i gained 1 lb, this week i lost .75lb i did expect to stay the same or even gain again, so it was lovely to lose a bit, i do belive i will keep losing but it will be at a slower rate than 4 3, its not the first time ive up’ed to 4 3 to get over a plataue, and last time i did continue to still lose weight and inches, best of luck whatever you decide to try x

Hello
I started on 4:3 and tried 5:2 for a month and a bit, no gain and no change to my plateau since January.
I’ve switched back to 4:3 to allow for pragmatic flexibility e.g. this week I’ve managed one fast day, if I was on 5:2 then it would have been a total holiday.
I’ve found out that total stress plus fasting is not a good idea – just sensible eating has got me through my house move, my anxiety level dropped so quickly when I chose to eat half way through a fast day.
A good food experience, rather than bad fast day fuss up.
Happily enjoying a pint post successful house sale, culmination of divorce, so much relief.
Maybe I should take a trip to Vegas and put it all on red, or maybe black?
Have a good weekend, for me, business shall be resumed as usual on Monday.
Cheers

Hi Everybody,

What a suprise, back off holiday flew in Wednesday weigh in Friday, didn’t know whether to leave it a week but I had to get on the scales!
I have got 1 lb off …4 lb to go.
Hubby stayed the same but he’s OK with that…..4 lb to go.

A very steady week ahead for us, getting back on track and no alcohol . Plenty of homemade soup in the pot. Really must move this 4 lbs for Xmas, nice to be level pegging with husband again.

Congratulations to Annette on your 1 lb. Good luck to others who have a few personel problems, it can only get better.

Well done time4change, 4 lbs is great, I wish once in a while I could do that! But never do.

I think this time of year and possibly to the end of February, dark and wet must get to everybody. I think the two Fast Days, I now need to think of something away from salads, not sure what yet. Our two morning swims sessions getting up at 7am in the dark is taking a lot of doing, but nice when it’s done. It seems other people are struggling in winter as the pool is lovely and empty.

Hi Time4change,

You have done very well from July about the same as us. Its a slow progress but comes off and hopefully stays off. I agree with Annette look at smaller goals maybe breaking it down to 10 lb at a time. Think what you will be at this time next year. Maybe another 3 stone off! Good Luck.

I agree Christmas is coming, I was discussing it with my hubby we have decided we will have 14 days of Christmas off the plan, starting Monday 23rd December as we are going away for 5 days, until Sunday 5th January. Back on track Monday 6th January. We have told everybody no sweets or chocolates as presents. We are going to choose three of our favourite chocolates/sweets, small size and totally enjoy. Wine is non negotiable!

Good luck everybody to the next few weeks.