Hi, I’m a newbie (50yrs old), along with my sister (49) and mum (72) and we’re into week two, having made a new start on Sept 1st.

I’d seen the original documentary and was interested but was (i) too lazy (ii) too busy (iii) too stressed with changes in my work-life and home-life, to get going. But I read an article on 5:2 success recently, and knew that my head was in the right place to start.

My sis had been looking at a complex juice plus diet and liked the detox element but not the complete cutting out of so many things, but she also liked the ‘you can so easily incorporate 5:2 into your life’ argument, so decided to join. Mum had several medical conditions and I was worried she’d jump on the juice bandwagon and be unwell, so encouraged her to join us for the mutual support. We have different body shapes, type and eating patterns which have contributed to our weight issues, but we all want to be healthier, lighter and happier.

So we agreed on support, not competition; a once a week weigh in and a once a month re-measure (having done the initial measurements etc all together on my sister’s scales… so all would be consistent); a no shoes weigh in and wearing similar clothes and that we’d adopt a positive attitude to the health gains and the loss of fat/internal fat over the longer term… so that if the scales didn’t shift quick then we wouldn’t feel like failures. We’re going to go to Xmas and see how we go – to see if it could be a complete lifestyle change.

Personally, I did really well with WWs in 2000 went from 15s 9lb to 11st 2lbs (I was very into exercise too and broke my pattern of turning to food for what ever reason – for solace and support, to celebrate/reward, for any excuse possible – grazing++ after alcohol) and kept it all under control till 2006, when due to various factors (I moved back to the UK from Australia, had a job change – more stress and responsibility, and then there was a significant family tragedy) the weight gain started to slowly creep back on… and I went back to food for any reason. It has been steadily increasing and I’m now stopping it – now weighing in at 14st8lbs.

Week 1 was 1lb loss, but my face looks and feels thinner and two skirts or more comfy… so I’m sure it’s happening. My mum lost 1lb and my Sis lost 3lbs. So we are very chuffed.

Wanted to join with everyone else here. Wish you all the best too! I’m convinced that I’ll do well on it.

Shezzieh

PreciousBooBoo – just read your message and laughed out loud… yeh we are like The Golden Girls – ironic too as it’s been one of my mum’s fav shows -bought her the DVD too! ha.