I saw MM on TV in January and started 5:2 soon after. I haven’t dieted for years because I’d read a book which helped me understand the issues about food that go on in our heads and it seemed to me that actual weight-loss dieting was wrong. The change your lifestyle for ever; eat more healthily wasn’t for me either. I like white bread, cheese, curry. . .

So armed with the thought that a little hunger might be good for me, and knowing I was 2 1/2 stone overweight with high BP, I started my first fast. I wasn’t hungry when I woke on the day so I drank tea (with milk) and lots of water. When I became hungry I ate a peeled carrot and a couple of tomatoes and drank lots more water. I admit to being a bit head-achy by 9 pm so I watched something good on TV and then bed. I didn’t sleep especially well. The strangest thing was that I wasn’t hungry the next morning so I put off eating till 10 am. I don’t know how many calories 6 cups of tea with milk in, one carrot and 2 tomatoes have, but it can’t be 500)
(I’ve recently retired so I can please myself about the time I roll out of bed)

I kept my 2 fast days a week going through February and March before I noticed my legs were thinner, I could do my bra up tighter and then people started making comments about how well I looked. That was nice.

I wasn’t worried about slow start to the weight loss so much as the other health benefits. So now, in June, I’ve dropped a dress size, stopped snoring (according to OH) and feel well and fit. I don’t know what I weigh but I’m going to see if the doctor is happy with my blood pressure fairly soon.

I imagine that the fasting would be impossible if I had a family to feed each day. As it is, my OH and adult son fend for themselves and I stay out of the kitchen and away from them when they eat.

My fasting days now continue with tea and water but finish at 9 pm with a low cal hot chocolate drink as a pat on the back for myself. I’ve only missed 2 fasts in 4 months.