Hi there kates, Good for you for sticking with the fasting day and passing on the bacon roll for time being! I’ve been practicing 5:2 now for 16 months and have been in maintenance for 11 of those. I found the first 2 months of 5:2 somewhat more challenging because my body was adapting to the program. After 2 months of practicing eating only the 500 calories per fast day, my body fell into a rhythm and if I didn’t fast, I missed doing so! I’m cheering you on to continue doing what you are doing and to know that your post was read and appreciated. I too have felt hunger as you’ve described and I too can obsess about food. With hunger on fasting days, I find that it comes and goes in waves and if I wait long enough, it usually passes, unless I haven’t slept well the night before and then it is more challenging! Best of luck and keep us posted!

This is my first fast day so obviously I’m trying to take on board all the information I can get. I feel a bit hungry at the moment but I’ve got soup to look forward to later.
I would like to loose a stone I’m 11st1lb.My main problem with loosing weight is I am a Marie Curie nurse and working nights with no set pattern. Hopefully this eating plan will be easier to do

Thanks I feel more determined with this diet. I haven’t told anybody that I’m doing it I think that might work well for me. I have rheumatoid arthritis which is controlled well with medication, but it means exercise isn’t that easy for me. I have a dog which I walk most days when I haven’t worked the night before usually about 2 miles + a day. I am now going to start doing my pilates dvd again.

hooray for you, Fosters girl: you have made a good start and the results are encouraging. For the hunger on Fast days: do you stay well hydrated? That makes a difference. Also the type of food you eat can matter: eggs and other high protein foods are good for keeping you full longer than other foods.

Marion: walking 2 miles/day is good! It might get easier as you continue Fasting, since you will weigh less. Good luck.

Today is my 3rd fast day and I have managed very well. I always make sure I have 40 cals left for the evening and have an options drinking choc drink which sees me through to bedtime. Really pleased with myself today as I’ve waked 4.5 miles and have lost 2lb

I get quite frustrated before I became ill I use to play squash, do 2 step aerobic classes 1 after the other, circuit training and tennis, kick boxing among other sports. So you can see just walking the dog doesn’t seem like much exercise to me. I use to go to pilates classes but because of working nights on no particular pattern I was having to pay up front for classes and then not able to attend which became expensive. I must make the effort and get my Wii fit out and start doing some of the exercises on there

Today is a non fast day but feel very angry with myself as I went out to lunch and over ate. I know I can eat what I want to but now worry that the weight I’ve lost will go straight back on again. Tomorrow is a fast day so will see what happens. I have a fitbit and have done over 10,000 steps today so hoping I will not have done too much damage.
Thanks for the tip of 7- minute workout I will look at it tomorrow

Had my Son come and stay for the weekend, always lots of food around when my sons visit. I have eaten quite sensibly and today is a fast day. Feeling I can manage fast days well now I’ve got into a routine. With several Christmas meals in the next few weeks I need to keep going. Just walked 3 miles, a lovely sunny day doesn’t seem like exercise. Hope you’re all doing well with the fast days

Hi fasting-me sorry I haven’t got back to you, had a bit of a rough week,
I live in the UK in Cumbria, near the Lake District and the weather as been
shocking lots of floods, power lines down,no WiFi, I’ve been lucky no damage to my home, all getting back to normal now, although not all family’s have been as fortunate,
I’ve managed to keep on track,( fast day today) so feeling
quite pleased with myself, still not jumped on the scales, I keep putting it off in case it disappoints me,friends are asking if I’ve lost weight, I just change the subject, I have noticed my boobs have definitely gone down (thank goodness ) I can get back into coats and jackets that were far to tight, so summit must be working, I went back to the gym this morning did another spin class which I’m now starting to enjoy, just need the courage to get on the scales,
You have done great sticking with this plan for 4 years well done on your achievement
Hope I can be as dedicated as you,

Well done Marion P on keeping your walking exercise going, I can understand how frustrating it must be for you, after doing all that exercise, it must be very difficult, at least your not just giving up, keep it going,
Great chatting on here, nice to hear how your both doing,

Fasting-me, yes I did measure and weigh myself the morning I started on this program,I’m going to weigh and measure myself In the morning (fingers crossed)
as I have a doctors appointment to start on medication for a under active thyroid so will have to keep an eye on that, will let you know how I get on 🙁

When your on your fasting day do you have breakfast or like me put it off till lunch time I tend to have a homemade bowl of soup then my dinner at teatime, not sure if I should have a small breakfast first then skip lunch, as I’ve read it’s best to leave a gap eating for 18 hrs, what do you think 🤔

Hi Ladies,
I hope you don’t mind but I have just read your thread from the begining and it is interesting and heart warming to hear your progress and your support for each other. I am on my 3rd fast day today I started the 5:2 last week and did really well losing 4lb however my fast day should have been yesterday I did really well in the day and then caved in last night and ate crisps!!! So doing my fast day today. I thought reading through some posts may give me some resolve and it has helped so heres to a great day!

Hi 👋 all, Hope your all doing well, hope the temptations in the supermarkets
haven’t been to bad, it’s really difficult this time of the year not to be tempted.
Just a quick update, I’m over the moon with my weight loss

10 1/2 pound loss
2 inch off boobs
1 1/2 inch from waist
2 1/2 from hips
Not bad for 11 weeks,

The more I’m on this fasting I’m finding my taste is changing and also my eating habits, on non fasting days I tend to go for a healthy meal now, I’m no longer craving fatty and sugary meals, although I still go out for drinks at the weekends and a meal,

Thanks for your input fasting me, you’ve certainly got this off to a tee,

Welcome Jay, well done on your weight loss

How are you doing Marion P still walking, doesn’t help with the weather,

Merry Christmas to all have a great time, catch up in the New Year hopefully with not to many pounds on 🎄🎄🎄🎁🎁🎁🎉🎉💕

That last Fast Day was a real winner – dropped almost 2 pounds to a good low weight before the Feasting begins. Tuesday will be the next Fast and it will probably be much needed! Since I already know what to serve that day, it should be easy. Both our sons will be home and I will serve them the same as what my ODH and I will eat. What the Sons eat the rest of the day is up to them…..

Happy Christmas to all. See you in the healthy New Year.

Good to hear from you Marion, it must be very difficult at times for you, with the work you do, as you said very rewarding but it’s not the kind of work you can leave behind at the end of your shift I’m sure.
It’s hard over the Christmas period to stay focused lots of days/nights out, lovely buffets and quite a lot of booze 🍷 ( in my case) thank goodness it’s only once a year,
I’ve managed 1 fast day this week and 1day with only 950 calories which I know won’t make up for the calories I will of consumed but it might of helped 😂😂😂
One more night out tomorrow, then back on track, plan to weigh myself Tuesday morning, to see the damage I’ve done,
Back to fasting Tuesday and Thursday,
Stick with the walking Marion, and take one day at a time don’t put to much pressure on yourself and I’m sure you will get back on track,
Happy slim New year to you all,

Thanks Marion, I know it sounds awful, but husband couldn’t of timed it better 🤒😂
Good luck on your fast day, your sounding very positive, I’m sure you will get into the routine ok,I know how you feel about feeling better when fasting it does give a buzz, (when it’s over for the day) my husband who never ever stops eating,and never puts a lb on, just doesn’t know how we do it, but he has seen how better I feel at the end of the week when I’ve succeeded,
Going to go to the gym in the morning to burn a few calories before going out, 🥂🥂it will help a little bit I’m sure, looking forward to getting back into my routine,
Hope your husband gets well soon, Keep positive,
Fasting me, Jay, hope you’ve both done ok, look forward to hearing how both of you managed over Christmas

Had to abandon the fast day today I’ve felt unwell with a bad headache and pains in my neck so may be coming down with an infection. Early night for me hope all who are celebrating enjoy themselves tonight. I will go back to fasting another day when I feel better, that’s the good thing about this diet one bad day doesn’t mean you’ve failed.
Happy New Year to you all

Hi,

Hope you are all well, if not well hopefully better Marion P.
Back to it this week fast day Tuesday and today, today was certainly easier than Tuesday! I will weigh myself at the weekend to get fully back on track I didn’t go mad over the festive period but I certainly enjoyed plenty of cheese and wine!! Wishing you all a happy and healthy new year! X

Hi,

Can I just say your post Fosters girl was perfectly timed.

Watched/read a couple of ‘which diet is best’ type programmes/articles this week and must admit I was wondering if this 5:2 was my best option but after re-reading the back and your testimonial (and excellent results) I’m all fired up again!!

Hi All
I’ve attempted 2 fast days but gave up in the evenings. I am having a fast day today so hopefully will be able to stick to it.
I like reading how you’ve all been doing it gives us new fasters encouragement. I will be sticking with it as I know it will work, just got to get my head in the right place.
My birthday is the 27th of Jan I’ve decided not to weigh myself until the day before, hopefully my weight will be a nice birthday present

Hi all,
Hope your all doing well and getting back into fasting, I definitely agree with you fasting-me it’s so adaptable that it doesn’t interfere with life that much as we can swap it about,

Marion hopefully youve been able to get in a fast day, hope your birthday gives you the push you need,

Jay how you doing? did you get back onto your fast day ok,

No need to ask Fasting-me, you’ve got it sorted, well done,
I’m doing ok, fast day today then on Thursday,

Have a good week all 👍🏻👍🏻

Marion, to help you with Fast Days, it would be good to know what and when you eat. In truth, I never did a 500 calorie Fast — I did 600 calories, eating exactly what my husband ate. Now that we are Maintaining, I do more like 700-800 calories on Fast Days.

Here are some recipes we like for breakfast:
LAUGHING HERB OMELETTE: 290 calories 8.9 g fat 3 g fiber 15.3 g protein 27.5 g carbs 219 mg Calcium PB GF if using GF bread [or omit]
1 ½ eggs HINT: If you are serving one person, crack three 2-oz eggs into a small bowl or glass measuring cup. Whip up those eggs and pour half of their volume, into a jar with a lid and put it in the ‘fridge for next week 1/2 section Vache Qui Rit [Laughing Cow] cheese 1.5 Tbsp fresh herbs 2 oz apple 1/4 slice bread, 70-calorie/slice, whole grain 5-6 oz green smoothie or fruit smoothie or natural apple cider blackish tea or blackish coffee or hot water with lemon
Whisk the eggs and herbs together. Take the cheese from the ‘fridge [HINT: keep it cold so that it will slice better] and slice it into as many thin slices as you can. Spritz a hot non-stick or cast iron pan with cooking oil and pour in the eggs/herbs. When the bottom begins to set, lay the cheese slices over half the surface of the eggs. Cook to your degree of doneness, fold and plate. Slice apple, toast bread, shake up the smoothie, pour your hot beverage and laugh along with the cow.

LEEK & SMOKED SALMON SCROMELETTE: 290 calories 9 g fat 1.7 g fiber 15.6 g protein 34 g carbs 226.4 mg Calcium PB GF This classic flavor combination makes for a superb breakfast.
1 ½ eggs HINT: If you are serving one person, crack three 2-oz eggs into a small bowl or glass measuring cup. Whip up those eggs and pour half of their volume, into a jar with a lid and put it in the ‘fridge for next week. ½ oz smoked salmon ½ oz leeks, sliced thinly dill + salt + pepper 1 tsp light sour cream [optional] 1 oz applesauce blackish coffee or blackish tea or lemon in hot water 5-6 oz green or fruit smoothie or unpasteurized apple cider
Spritz a hot saute pan with non-stick spray and stir in the leeks, salmon, and dill to soften the leeks and warm the salmon. Whisk the eggs with the seasonings and sour cream. Pour into the pan and scramble to your taste or prepare as an omelette. Pour the beverages and dish the applesauce. Meals like this make Fasting easy.

And for dinner:
CHILI NON CARNE: PB GF The recipe is my mother’s, except that she used beef. And she served it on a heap of mashed potatoes, but we won’t do that on a Fast Day.
1 cup =133 calories 0.7 g fat 6.3 g fiber 7.1 g protein 9.8 g carbs 70 mg Ca
1.5 c. =199 calories 1.1 g fat 9.1 g fiber 9.4 g protein 14.2 g carb 120 mg Ca
HINT: This is enough for 4 one-cup servings OR two 1.5 cup servings with 1 cup left over. Save the remaining chili for a lunch or check other postings to see how we use it for breakfast.
For 1.5 cups chili served with cheese garnish and melon, as in photo: 276 calories 9.7 g fat 6.1 g fiber 13.3 g protein 19.4 g carbs 227 mg Calcium
15 oz canned red beans, drained and rinsed 16 oz canned tomatoes – in chunks or diced, not drained 1 cup chopped onion 1 green pepper, chopped 2-3 tsp chili pepper, or more if you like it hotter ½ – 1 tsp ground cumin per serving: 1 Tbsp cheddar cheese, grated, as a garnish 2 oz melon
Saute the onion and green pepper in some of the tomato juices until tender. Add remaining ingredients and cook gently until the stew is thickened. Taste to see if it needs more seasoning. Serve one or one and a half cups for dinner tonight with the grated cheese on top.

FETA NICOISE SALAD: 263 calories 2o g fat 3.2 g fiber 15.3 g protein 28 g carbs 243 mg Calcium PB GF There is a lot of food on this plate – bring your appetite.
1.5 [1 cup]romaine leaves ¼ cup green beans 1 scant cup cucumber, diced 1/2 c feta cheese, crumbled or diced 1.5 black olives, quartered 1 tsp olive oil 1 tsp white wine vinegar
Steam the green beans, cool and set aside. Slice the romaine crosswise into 1” strips. Prepare the other ingredients as described. Pour the oil and vinegar into a wide, shallow bowl and whisk briskly. Put all the other ingredients in the bowl and toss gently to coat with dressing. Welcome to southern France for fine dining.

Hi Fasting me

Thanks for the recipes.
I have the same breakfast that I normally would have
quinoa, almond milk, blueberries, pecan nuts and a little Greek yoghurt that equates to just over 200 calories
lunch is a cup of soup or open salad sandwich which is 200 calories
evening meal soup or a salad.

I just want to eat during the evening.

I don’t want to make excuses but I’ve got a lot of pain in my hip and left hand due to a slight flare up of my rheumatoid arthritis. But I know I have to get weight down which will help with the arthritis.
MY weight at the moment is about 154lb. I would like to get down to at least 140lb. But I seem stuck at this weight.

I just need to get my head in the right place, but at the moment I’m finding it very difficult