Hi all, I started the fast diet 4 weeks ago for health reasons and losing weight is secondary (although I usually find it hard to loose that last half stone). i would say I am about 7-10lbs off my target weight. I have suffered from IBS and CFS since my teens and symptoms include musculoskeletal-skeletal issues and all the usual gastro-intestinal stuff. Prior to starting I was almost symptom free but still had the odd tired days which prevent exercise and enjoying my horses. I consider myself quite we’ll educated regarding health and dietary matters and in the last few years I have been off meds and able to work in a physically demanding environment due to taking control of my own health and choices. I have explored and researched various eating and lifestyle regimes and in the last, employing the blood type diet has helped my overall health enormously.

I started the regime after watching the documentary and was impressed by the evidence. I went from 9 st 7lb to a fraction under 9 in 10 days and felt amazing. I will not lie, I find it difficult generally on fast days but my husband joined me straight away and my mum too is now doing 5:2 also so it’s good to share experiences and provide each other support. On day 10 (a fast day), I literally had an amazing fast day where I felt euphorically happy and my mind was crystal clear. Since then I have been introducing veg, fruit and spices that I haven’t cooked with for a few years and looking back, Around then, I started with my CFS symptoms and stopped losing weight. I found I was bloated and more tired than when I started this regime despite eating an organic diet bursting with nutrients.

So, I have learned that a cure doesn’t happen overnight and not to forget what I already ‘know’. On Sunday I crashed with CFS and I could hardly get out of bed (unless to go to the loo with painful cramps). On Monday morning I found this forum and read an interesting post about IBS and the writer there recommended looking up the FODMAP diet for gastro-intestinal issues. So since then I have practiced the theory behind the FODMAP diet and also crossed referenced this with food appropriate with my blood group and I am already feeling much better. I have made a list of foods appropriate for me and they are pinned up in the kitchen and a copy is in my purse so I cannot make a mistake. I will continue with this regime and will let you all know what happens…. I predict that as my health improves I can introduce more foods but until my gut is healed and my overall health is on track, I will be strict.

I think metabolic health issues can be complex and a holistic viewpoint can help. I have read a lot of posts here about amazing success stories and also some not so good and chose to share my experience in case it strikes a chord with anyone who may be struggling with the 5:2. Food diaries are useful not only to record calories (if you are so inclined) but also to find out if certain foods make you feel especially good or otherwise.

My heart tells me this is a healthy and natural way of eating and can be adapted to work for any individual when applying the science and theory of the diet.

Thank you Michael for your excellent reporting!

thanks, already understand how the gut works, but not always how MY gut works LOL!