Hey everyone!
I’m 23 and I’ve decided to start 5:2 tomorrow. My goal is to lose 28lbs/ 2 stone which I’ve put on in the last year.

I currently weigh 11st 12lbs but for years I hovered around the 10st mark which felt like a healthy weight for me.

Strangely, I am exercising more that I ever have at the moment as I’m training for the Edinburgh half marathon in May, do Pilates once a week and have recently started some light weight training with dumbbells in the house.

At first I thought maybe I had just put on a lot of muscle as my legs feel really strong but 2 stone seems a lot and I still have that annoying belly bulge that just will not budge.

So, having never dieted, I thought I’d give 5:2 a go. Reading all the success stories on this site is really motivating me to try it – I can’t believe some people’s results!

Nice to meet you ladies! 🙂

@treat89 Wow! Congratulations!! You’re halfway there already, that’s brilliant! 😀

And wow, so quickly too! How did you do it – are you still doing 4:3 and loads of exercise or…? Nice to hear I’m not the only one to go nuts with the fridge from time to time…

I feel like my progress has slowed down incredibly after an Easter week at my Aunt’s – today I’m doing my second fast this week so hopefully I can kickstart my loss… 23 lbs in 5 weeks would be lovely for me (I’ve got about 50 pounds to lose) but I don’t think it’s possible as I’m halfway into week 4! 😛
Again – congratulations on 40 pounds!!! Amazing. (Any tips are more than welcome!)

@lj12 Wow, half a stone down!! Congrats 😀 How much do you want to lose in total? Nice to hear that you’re also feeling the benefits beside weight-loss.
Gosh, I hope you can pull through the placement with ease! Maybe you could just do 6:1 if it gets too tough to do 5:2? How long is the placement?

Weigh-in this morning (I don’t know why; maybe I just enjoy torturing myself?) and I seem to be up almost half a stone since my last weigh-in last week when I was at my lowest. Demotivating. Big time. Gosh. Down in inches – or, well I’ve maintained my loss of inches during a week of temptations and indulgence… so that’s good. Feel like it’s getting harder and harder to lose weight. Have to keep my spirits up!

All the best to everyone! Would be lovely to hear how you’re getting on…
Alex x

Hey Tracey,
Thank you! I’m in a slight state of awe as well… especially because I really didn’t resist ANY temptations. And there were many. So, so many. Haha! 12 creme eggs? Wow! I think that’s up there with my daily intake last week… I know how you feel with regards to not being busy! I’m currently between jobs so I’m basically constantly “lounging about the house” (as people I know kindly put it) with no real work to do beside whatever I can muster up the will-power to do. It’s painfully difficult not to snack ALL THE TIME. Haha.
You’ll start losing again now you’re back at work! I’m sure of it. As will I. (For some magical reason.)

Oh, bless your heart. Yes – I know, it must be water retention or something. It has to be! It can’t be the fact that I hoovered up one – no, two bars of chocolate. And a take-out chicken tortilla wrap. Ahem…
So I’m aaaall for starting afresh now. Oh, you’re terribly kind. You will win too! Everyone will win! 🙂 And you’re halfways… it’s still amazing, don’t worry that you haven’t lost anything since the last post with that amount of progress 😉 you’re doing fabulously and the tide will turn…

I actually just measured my upper arms and one is down (almost) 1″ while the other is down 1″ almost 1.5″. Nice!

Hope to hear from you soon! 🙂

Alex xx

hi guys!
I’m 24 and from California. I’ve been doing 5:2 for about 3 weeks now! It’s much easier and more manageable than I thought! I love it. Only thing is… on some of my non-fast days I just EAT SO MUCH. I’m definitely a binger, it’s always been a problem for me. Still trying to figure out if 5:2 is making it worse or better? I haven’t lost much weight, about a pound, I’m ok with that. I’m not super overweight just want to lose about 10 pounds and conquer my massive issues with food. I’m SO SICK of obsessing about weight and dieting. I hope I get some recovery one day.
All you ladies are awesome, keep it up!

XO,
Lacey

Hi Lacey,
Thanks for posting, I’m fairly new and struggle with over eating non-fast days too and thinking it’s just a mind thing I’ll get over soon (have a few other things going on at the moment so a bit of comfort eating happening and stopped with slimming world). Keep it going and think of the health benefits too!
Manda x

Glad some other people are relating here. Also SO happy to hear the bingeing goes away (or gets better) after some time, I believe it. I think it’s definitely (partially) psychological. Like, OH, I’ve been so good and technically I can eat whatever today so CHIPS AND SALSA forever. Haha. I don’t eat sugar because I’m a sugar addict (It’s bad!) so now I binge on chips and nuts 🙁
Especially if I’m tired or stressed. And night time is the most dangerous! If I’m on the couch, I want snacks! Thinking about taking up knitting to keep my hands/mind busy while I relax.

I just have to keep the faith and I know i’ll heal if I keep at it. Thanks for the support.

So nice to hear that other people are experiencing the same issues of me. Had great results initially, and then completely went off track with some serious comfort eating! It’s def become a bit more like fast one day, binge another as against to fast one day, eat normally the next! Don’t think I can remember how to actually eat normally anymore, as bizarre as that sounds! Been on so many diets, hard to get my mind to just eat normally and healthily on the non fast days.

Anyhow, hearing from all of you has really spurred me on to stay focused and on track, gotta be on a beach with my skinny mini sister in a month so gotta get back on track! Not expecting miracles but would be nice to shift at least 7 pounds before I go, which I feel positive that I can actually achieve!

Well done so far ladies, great hearing about all your success and nice to know I’m not alone!

Hopefully Il have some encouraging results on my next post!

Good luck xx

Hey girls! I’m 21 and just started today with my first fast!

Everyone seems to be losing a lot which is very encouraging!

I want to loose 5kg by my next weigh In (4weeks)

But I was wondering if we are supposed to eat on fast days or not?

Hi! I am 26 and have 120lbs to lose. I am a week and a half in and have lost 5lbs. I am also doing a 80% clean eating diet on nonfasting days.

I am very excited to be doing this. I know someone that lost 115lbs in a year doing this diet. I believe in it

Hi Everyone,
I’m 26 and in Aus… in kg I have 28kg to loose (61.6 pounds). Can i just say that reading through this has been so encouraging.

I’m getting married in January, and while my wonderful fiance keeps telling me I have no reason to weigh less I would still like to get rid of a number of kilos to be able to feel much more confident.

These stories have been so encouraging!

Hi esingocerze & welcome!

I am 27-almost-28 for reference sake.

I agree on the avoidance of scales front, or taking the numbers with a pinch of salt, especially if it is promoting emotional eating! What I would recommend however is measuring. The number on the scales for me initially decreased very rapidly by a few kg but has remained static now for 2 weeks I think? Yet my measurements are still decreasing (overall from various parts 5 inches). From reading the forum, you are right, progress can be steady but slow, but then I would expect the effects to be more of a long term solution as opposed to a ‘quick fix’.

Also, how would you say your eating is on non-fast days? My eating started off pretty badly during non-fast days (i.e. lots of junk) which was most likely offsetting the progress from the fasting days. I am slowly but surely changing this to overall have a better diet filled with less unprocessed foods (at least for my main meals), though I’m still having at least one ‘processed’ treat per non-fasting day 🙂

Good luck with your journey! Keep us updated!

Oh to be 19 again.

Argh so I started this diet awhile ago but only lasted two weeks but am ready to give it a proper go this time around. My new job is in an office and has me sitting all day which I’m not used to.. That combined with moving in with my boyfriend who despite being slim is averse to vegetables and healthy eating means I have gained I would say 10kg and I was already unhappy with my weight to begin with!

I am hoping to lose around 20kg, but I don’t own scales as they depress me haha so I suppose around size 10 is where I’m aimed at – I’m a 12-14 now.. Any my clothes are getting a little snug 😐

Do you think it’s possible to lose around 15kg by end of December? I don’t want to lose it too quickly but in saying that summer is right around the corner here in NZ!

Thank you,

Maddy xx

Hi everyone!
It’s been a while! Hope everyone is okay?
I fell/crashed off the wagon and put on roughly a stone! Ahhh! But I’m back at it, and 2 weeks in I’ve lost 9lbs. I’m determined to keep at it. I was shocked how quickly I fell into a downward spiral of eating rubbish all the time! So I definitely need to practise some self control.
Last week I was on holiday. I had my birthday (25!), a graduation celebration for my sister, and was constantly around people eating fish&chips and ice creams and … Fudge (mouth waters).
I’m proud to say I resisted everything bar one ice cream at the end, and a gammon and chips on my birthday! I fasted 4:3 and managed to lose 4lbs! So all that misery was worth it. Although watching my sister eat ice cream after ice cream left me feeling a bit sorry for myself!!
She bought me a swimming MP3 player to motivate me to keep at it – looking forward to using it tomorrow!
Feeling very positive, and LOVE reading about all you others and how you’re getting on, so please keep posting with updates!
Onwards and downwards!
Tracey x

Luckylucy, lovely to hear from you 🙂
I love swimming. I don’t really like being left with my own thoughts, I’m too much of a worrier! So the MP3 player will hopefully solve that.
I know what you mean about 4:3 being tricky. I might chop and change with 5:2 some weeks. Too many weeks of 4:3 might have partly caused my crash off the wagon last time. Mmmm.
Your pics are fab. You must be very pleased with your progress, well done!

The_motivated_me, I’ve just started using MFP. I had it before and really didn’t get into it. But this time around I think it’s my new best friend!! I’ve just started exploring their website too.

It’ll be a non-fast day soon! Hurray for breakfast.

Tracey

Luckylucy, I had my 2nd fast today too. How did you get on? I’ve been so hungry all day! Frustrating.
I find on 4:3 I’m terrified of “ruining” any weightloss I might have managed on fasting days, and frequently under eat on normal days! This must slow down my metabolism, so I guess I just need to be “brave” and trust in the fasting process. Easier said than done.

Hi all, sorry, I’ve been a bit awol! How is everyone getting along?

Good point FlemishCurves – this is something I hope to work on for the next month that I am on the diet – not eating to excess on my feed days (I personally think I don’t struggle with the under eating part!) as it affects my fast days & general well being.

Anyway, I am past one month on the diet! I have updated my thoughts about the lifestyle so far on the blog but essentially there are pros (removing guilt from treats, fast days aren’t *too* difficult) & cons (the cold! & tiredness).

We’ll see where the next month takes me 🙂

I do 4:3 every week, and combine with swimming x2 and “running” (it’s more half run/half walk at the moment!)
I love it. It can be difficult, but getting into a routine makes it much easier. I fast mon/wed/fri, and my job means I can’t eat from 8-12/1-3.30 due to school hours, and I can find work to do to distract during the lunch hour.
I started in January and had lost 3 stone by April, so for me, I know 4:3 works. But I have a lot to lose, so that will have contributed to the initial fast weight loss.
I’ve heard its best to change it up with 5:2 to keep up the weight loss, so will be trying that!
Happy fasting 🙂

Hey everyone,
I’m 20 and it is so good to see so many of you around the same age, I’m in Australia and didn’t realise how popular this diet was! Over the past 3 years I’ve gained 30kg, so around 65lbs, and want to get rid of it. I’ve been looking today at what to expect as I plan to fast tomorrow for the first time. It’s wonderful to see so many of you have had positive results, can’t wait to start! Also just curious if anyone has the exercise app and if so, do you find it very helpful?
Thanks!

Hi there,

Today is my official first fast day and proud to say that it has gone well! I felt really hungry but had a salad for lunchtime and that has tidied me up well.

I am 26 yrs old and wanting to lose 8 kilos….current BMI is 25 so borderline to being overweight so I want to get myself into a healthy weight and also slim down for my upcoming wedding.

Would love to know success stories to people really changing their shape of their body.

I am a ‘hippy’ girl with a booty and really want to slim down and get those sexy legs back that I used to have 🙂

Hello, I’ve been doing this for a week, lost 2.5 lbs which I’m pleased with. I had been on a calorie restricted diet of 1400kcal a day, and I don’t feel any hungrier on a fast day than I did on 1400 cal! It must be all in the mind. Before the 5.2, I’d been losing a lb every other week. I love this diet, especially how good I feel the morning after a fast day! I’m struggling to eat the 1900 cal I’m supposed to on the feast days though, I think I’m scared after calorie restriction for so long! I try and eat normally and then I feel really guilty!

Hey ladies! Anyone still around? So it didn’t really work for me last time around, as I was trying to keep it a secret from everyone (to avoid disapproval). It got me down, and I quit…

However, I have restarted, and so far lost 7lbs in a month! Still have at least a stone to lose, but my clothes are fitting much better. The big difference is that my family are doing it with me this time, so we are all supporting each other.

Hoping to carry on for another 2-3 months.

Best diet I’ve ever done!

Hi ladies,

I have just started the 5:2 diet and after reading all of your success stories it’s definitely pointing me in the right direction. i have struggled to find people on 5:2 that are in their 20’s with the same about to lose as myself. I currently sit around 64Kg but would ideally like to get to 60kg before i fly to Florida in August! Whether this is dooable or not i’m unsure but i will definitely be open to tips and your success stories!

today is my first fasting day and so far have a protein shake with a handful of raspberries and weirdly i’m not feeling hungry yet!

Hi All
It’s good to come across this thread. I’ve posted on a few other threads on the forum and do agree there is not many folk in their 20s, so I thought I would join this thread.

I’m 29, live in Scotland and this is week 10 on 5:2 for me. I have around 70 pounds (5 stone) to lose after around 3 years of serious over indulgence and minimal exercise. When I started 5:2 my exercise was still at a minimum and I only included things like increased walking and for the past 3 weeks have attended a cardio tennis class. I’ve since ramped this up this week to 4 times this week before my weekly weigh in. I weigh on a friday after my second fast day (Thursdays) so I’m excited to see the results of a substantial increase in exercise.

My progress has been slower than I hoped, and I put this down to the lack of exercise. My starting weight was 17 stone 2- around 240 pounds and now 9 weeks later and is now 227 pounds (16 stone 3). So 1 pound off my first stone that I hope to get this week! I plateued from weeks 4 to 7 which was also disappointing. I think clothes feel looser but I do also measure and think I’ve lost an inch round my stomach area but I definitely feel a difference!

On non fast days – I eat a max of 1500 calories (My TDEE is high around 2300 and BMR around 1700) I also have nights out around 2 to 3 times per month where I drink A LOT, have fun and don’t think about it. I don’t track calories on these days and don’t really restrict myself of anything. I feel I do enough the rest of the month and need a night off here and there!

I don’t want to turn this post into a novel!- but interested to hear other peoples stories and thoughts 😀

I am 28, trying to lose about 50lbs before my wedding in December.

I have been eating like crap (ate 8 slices of homemade pizza last night all by myself!), so even though the scale said 206lbs this morning, I think that may be salt and water-retention; I’m probably closer to 200lbs.

Regardless, at 5′ 7″ I would like to get down to 135lbs. Obviously that probably won’t happen by my wedding date this year, but if I could get down to 150lbs by my wedding I would be happy. This summer I am doing the 5:2 (today is my first day), and working out three days a week – I do a 30 minute run/walk with my dog, get home and do a Kayla Itsines circuit workout (approx. 30 minutes), and then a good deep stretch for 15 minutes. I also do a super long walk with my dog once a week (5 miles) and am trying to get back into going to yoga at least once a week.