Hi annie:

I like the battery theory. I’d try it if my scale had a battery.

The largest loss I’ve seen reported so far is over 100 pounds. Many, many have lost in the 30 to 50 pound range.

One reason for the numbers (because they can seem modest) is that 5:2 is a slow weight loss diet, and it has only been around for less than two years. At a pound a week, 100 pounds takes two years to lose.

Here are some tips that might help: http://thefastdiet.co.uk/forums/topic/warnings-to-newbies/.

Good Luck!

Hi Annie and Ann

Annie I’m actually doing 4/3 at the moment because last week I did Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I did it because I went to St Ives for the weekend and knew I’d be feasting a little. Well though I ate and drank what I wanted to it was no where near what I would have done a couple of weeks back and I lost about 5 lbs still, so I was really pleased. I’ve carried on this week with Monday and Wednesday and think I’ll do the third day tomorrow too as I feel quite positive at the moment. I am aware however that I’ll have bad days and fall off the wagon and that’s me unfortunately – I’ve decided though that the 5 2 is very doable for one really big reason . . . . I can always eat normally tomorrow! That for me is different to a diet, when I’m on a diet it’s day after day after day after day of very dull restrictive foods. With this it’s a bit of discipline today and tomorrow whatever I want within reason.

Ann I have a cruise in August and a stag do in Vegas in September so I have my treats only 11 weeks away and they are big ones at that. So whilst I’ll have the odd night out with a nice meal and a few drinks I’m really going to ‘try’ and stay disciplined.

Only slight issue I have at the moment is making the best use of my 600 calories, but that’s another story.

I’m very hopeful this will be a success for all of us 🙂

Hi Annie

So far so good on the 4/3 for me. Not found it as difficult as I thought I would as I think generally my appetite has reduced quite a bit. Still I’m sure there’s a struggle ahead for me and I’ll hit a brick wall sometime. That’s when I’ll need to think positive 🙂

Hope everyone is enjoying today.

LilaSophia, congratulations on your decision to begin 5:2 🙂

If you’re someone who usually eats breakfast, then I would advise sticking with it. Something high in protein like eggs or Greek yogurt with a little real fruit in it (not the commercially sweetened stuff) is a good idea, it keeps you full longer. Some people do OK with porridge, but it’s too carb-based for me, I’d be hungry in two hours.

If you don’t usually eat breakfast, or don’t particularly need it, saving your calories for later would probably work better. A lot of people save all their calories for dinner, but in the beginning you might want to plan a 150- or 200-calorie lunch and a 350- or 300-calorie dinner; some people eat less during the day to save 50 calories for a bedtime snack. Some people need a small snack mid-afternoon. Once again, protein foods and leafy veg are especially good food choices for most people. It’s really a matter of what works for you, but sometimes it takes a bit of planning and experimentation to figure that out. Remember to drink lots of water and no-calorie beverages like black coffee or herbal tea throughout the day. When hunger strikes, remember that it will usually pass in time, deploy distractions. If you go over by 10 or 15 calories, don’t panic. If you go over by more, don’t despair, figure out what you learned from the day and begin again, armed with more information about what does and doesn’t work for you.

Happy fasting! I’ve lost 40 pounds in 40 weeks with 5:2 and increasing my walking to 10,000 steps/day 🙂

I too have a lot to lose and started well but lost my way a bit last week, but am back on it now with a fast day today.

Good luck to everyone 🙂

You’re welcome, LilaSophia 🙂

I did start losing some weight right away, but it hasn’t been an even pound a week; some weeks I lost more, some less, some weeks I even seemed to gain a bit back; about every 10 pounds or so my weight loss would stall for two or three weeks, then start back up again if I just carried on. As I get close to goal it seems to be slowing a bit more. But it has been 40 pounds in 40 weeks so far. I think most women who are on the smaller side actually lose a bit more slowly, I think I have been lucky.

One more tip I have is to calculate your TDEE (under the ‘how’ tab above) for your goal weight instead of for your current weight and use the non-fasting days as time to figure out how to eat in a way that’s satisfying for you at that many calories. At my goal weight I only get 1450 calories a day, which is not a whole lot of food, so I think that working on finding ways to be happy with that has helped me to keep losing.

Walking or other exercise can also be a bit helpful, as well as beneficial for overall health, as long as it doesn’t increase your appetite and make you eat more.

and to you as well Lillythepink!

Hi Franfit,

It’s a good thing to know the BMR/TDEE. I had the chance to get an exact measurement of my BMR (the calculator doesn’t work for real obese people like me) and I try to stay at about the 1800 calories of my BMR on the non-fasting days. My nutritionist is quite happy with that approach.

All the best
Debby

Hope it’s still going well for you. I’ve registered on this site now and will fast when two suitable days come up. I’m 54 and going through menopause. Weight piling on!

annie68 that’s awesome news! I’ve lost 2lbs in 2 weeks and fast on Mondays and Wednesdays. It’s hard but rewarding work! I think I must go over the 500 cals though but still seem to be losing which is excellent!

Here’s to a great summer wardrobe!

LS x