I’m just 70 yrs old. My husband and I embarked on Fasting almost 6 yrs ago [April] and have kept it up ever since. Good job on your 9 lbs in the past month!! Well done. My husband lost 45 pounds [I had less to lose but I lost it]. We are strong advocates of this Lifestyle. We Fast Mondays and Thursdays, aiming for 600 calories. [More likely we do 700 on Fast Days, since I must have my milk for the Calcium.]

I have done a lot of walking and my husband is getting back into it. We go to the gym up to 2 days/ week, often on Fast Days, to do an hour of weights. I don’t see why any concessions must be made for your age. It is a myth that older people need to carry extra fat/weight [so says my MD]. Exercise builds muscle and that is good at our age, too — for getting up from chairs or off the floor.

Good luck, Slimbo! Stick with it until you get to the weight that feels just right. Keep posting your progress.

I’m 70 and have been a Lifetime Gold Member of Weightwatchers since 1977 and didnt think their ‘always evolving to latest research’ plan could be bettered. I didn’t manage the 5:2 500cals as I felt deprived. BUT this past week I launched into the Fast800 and had shifted 4lbs of some of the weight that has been hanging around since last year. I run two or three times a week, walk daily and do resistance at the gym and yoga. I am so encouraged by this new version. I was tired on my run this morning, I ran a painting workshop yesterday all day and was knackered, so I just walked a bit when I felt fatigued. I find the TRE has stopped my ‘grazing’ on fruit habit and the rather large gins when I’m stressed. The book has helped me so much, the foods are great.

Hi again, I reached my target weight today 15 days of Fast800. So that’s six pounds off. (I’m 5′ 2″and extra weight shows on my belly and thighs and upper arms and it’s shifting, I am amazed). I’ll continue with 5:2 and eat the same foods but more of them on non-fast days. I really like the TRE approach it has stopped the evening carb-binge.
I feel a lot more positive. My sleeping isn’t great but has been worse with over-eating in the past.

TRE is Time Restricted Eating as described in the Fast800 book, a shortened ‘eating time’ so one might stop eating at 6:00pm and delay breakfast until mid morning or even midday.

Hi, we went to the Orchard Theatre, Dartford last night and heard Michael Moseley talk. Of course very entertaining but most of all really underlining the good points in the book.i weighed myself this morning and I’m a pound heavier but rather slow in my,digestion so maybe need to drink more fluid as I tend to be constipated when I eat less. I was planning on fasting today as well as yesterday as it may suit my schedule but then there’s a long gap until my next fast day if I do that.

MM wasn’t keen on the Fitbit, the book explains his reasoning. He suggests ten minute brisk walking at some stage three times every day and a bit of resistance at home (no gym involved) and a bit of two minute HIIT (ghastly for me but ok for others). Cycling is wonderful but I agree you take your life in your hands on our roads, even the ‘pretty’ routes are terrifying with several tons of car and lorry hurtling past you at very close quarters.

Hi Slimbo, yes 15 days of 80, I think 14 is minimum. Now trying 5:2, on ‘normal days’ eating same foods but more of them avoiding starchy carbs and eating ‘Mediterranean diet’…. We’ll see. I only had about half a stone to lose but it really wouldn’t budge. I 5’2″ so it shows as there’s nowhere for it to go 😄

In fact, it could be that by sticking to a good dietary plan, they may even increase their life expectancy. If the elderly have no illnesses, then fasting could be considered to be relatively safe. … Older people who are sick are not advised to fast at all

Slimbo, I found the 800 ok to do, some days I went over by a tiny amount other days below. The stopping eating after about 7:00pm, only having decaff tea infusions (no milk) and then not eating until later morning the next day helped my motivation, stopped the evening binge of crispbreads and peanut butter. I don’t drink now as a rule either. I switched to buying Brewdog Nanny State Alcohol Free Ale 26 calories and Seedlip, very expensive botanical , like a spirit, distilled and ZERO calories ( many low and no alcohol products say 0.5% alcohol, there’s more alcohol in a banana, there’s a re-classification debate going on at the moment) However I’ve not had any of those drinks during this past couple of weeks.
I feel hungry at times but it passes. I’m not sleeping very well but never have. I do quite a lot of exercise.

Good job, Slimbo. Fasting really does work, doesn’t it?
Hope you are all fit and healthy and getting fitter by the week.

I’m drinking very diluted green tea without milk on fast days and the hot drink really helps not to have hunger pangs.
I’m trying to maintain but finding equilibrium difficult but sticking to Mediterranean style and very few carbs and TRE. Lightest weight I’ve been for years after four weeks so I’m very pleased.

capheny: what results do you want and how are you working to achieve them? I’ll assume you are Fasting. Water-fasting or 600-cal/day Fasting? When you say ‘still not successful’, do you mean you are not losing weight or that you still feel hungry? What you eat matters, on both Fast and Slow days. Protein keeps you feeling fuller. Eggs are a fine food for Fasters. What about carbs? Simple carbs [white flour, white rice, potatoes] can prevent weight loss. We are here to help you.

Howard B, welcome. Glad you have had happy results with Fasting. Well done.

Fitsnthick, get off the red tea bandwagon — it is a hoax.

Well done Frogzy. I’m wavering a bit these past two days still under my daily requirement for my age/weight but having a few ‘matador’ days(for those who have read the book). I’m exhibiting my artwork in Whitstable , Kent at the Horsebridge and finding having to ‘curate’ my own exhibition stressful and exhausting and it’s very cold. I have mostly been ok with fasting but we’re sleeping (until tonight) in our mobile home on the coast in nearby Seasalter and it’s as cold as the fridge. So as I haven’t slept well I’m having some days of eating ‘Mediterranean’ and not fasting. I think I’ll be ok. I love being this weight, lightest I’ve been for years so vanity will win.
Come and see me if you’re fancying a very windy day at the very pretty Whitstable. I’m there until 22nd…..
and again Great going Frogzy.

Hello everyone,

First time writing on a forum and first time trying 5:2 fast diet.

I’m planning on starting tomorrow and agin on Thursday.

I’ve always tried to watch my weight with the usual weekly slimming clubs, but it’s much more difficult now I’m a bit older,,, very recently turned 62, and last year became unemployed, so I’ve been comfort eating non stop !

Happy I’ve found you all, and hopefully will be able to report a weight loss next week. Meanwhile I hope you all have a good week yourselves.

Hello MissMoo,
Good luck on your big day tomorrow, the first of many.
I shall be thinking of you.

I am 71 and have lost six pounds since starting five weeks ago. Already do 45 minute aqua sessions twice a week.
I have felt more active doing both gardening and a bit or redecorating.

On the IF days I have found BareNaked Noodles a great source of fibre and filling but only 30 calories for the whole bag! I make a prawn and vegetable sauce which adds the taste – the noodles are essentially bland.

I suspect there might be a slight struggle when on holiday. My brain is pretty happy with this regime and I can see it as a way of life.

This is such a helpful thread. Thank you everyone!

I am 64 and returning to 5:2 on Monday, once I get this hectic week out of the way. I read The Fast 800, and like someone else mentioned, I feel this will be way more sustainable than the 500 calorie days were. I plan on keeping my eating low carb, fast days or not, because of blood sugar issues.

Such great tips on this thread. I hope we can keep it going.