Since starting the 5:2 diet on January 31, I have lost 21.6 lbs! Today, I am the lowest I have been since my 20s and I am now 53.

Following this food plan wasn’t the only strategy I employ in this weight battle. I try to do the following and am successful for the most part. I don’t mean to boast, but wanted to offer what is working for me in the hope that it will help someone else.

1. Drink 6-8 liters of water a day.
2. Stand at my computer at work. Sit for meetings
3. Had my levothyroxin dose adjusted a tad and take the pill in the middle of the night. The lab shows my TSH levels are more on the low end of the lab’s normal range.
4. Have a 30 minute high intensity exercise class 5 times a week, alternating strength and cardio. (Free to me!)
5. Ride my bike to and from work 4-5 times a week (9 mile round trip)
6. Investigated Overeaters Anonymous to try and curb my compulsive eating tendencies. Some of what they offer is working.
7. I fast on Tuesdays and Fridays (usually at 500 calories) and try to keep the other days caloric intake at 500 under my TDEE and 400 over my BMR. I am willing to try anything else if I plateau.

My weight loss was not linear. I typically lose one week and gain a bit the next.