The FastDay Forum

Tomorrow should be my 6th fast day but following my weigh in on saturday morning I'm wondering whether to bother! Since I started 5:2 I have gained 5 lbs!! Granted my body has been through the mill in recent months so am wondering could this be the problem?

In november I had a total abdominal hysterectomy following acute endometriosis. The endometriosis was so bad when they opened me up I had to have further surgery to free my bowel. Following the op I lost 1.5 stone through ill health, sickness and complete lack of appetite.

I started trying to eat properly in january as I became very conscious of my future health, although my daily calories never seem to exceed 1400. I then came across MM & MS Fast Diet book and thought I would give it a go. To say I am disappointed with the weight gain is an understatement.

Has anyone experienced anything similar? I really don't know if I should continue tomorrow. VERY DEFLATED

[carorees]

What is your height and current weight may I ask? Also what was your weight before all the problems? I am wondering if your body is trying to get back to its former weight? Also do you still have problems resulting from the surgery? You may still be healing and building muscle etc.

Hi Caroline
My weight is now 10st 10lbs and height is 5'2". Pre op I was 12st 5lbs. I am still having problems with my bowel and have not returned to work. I have just been referred to a bowel specialist. I have no energy and am tired all the time. I was anaemic but I think thats ok now. I have also tried to exercise a little, I think the thought of menopausal weight gain is praying heavily on my mind!!!!

What do you think? Am I bit of a lost cause at the moment?

[carorees]

Not a lost cause! But I do think you should not be worrying about weight loss, you should be concentrating on getting your strength back. Don't try to cut calories on feed days rather eat whatever you want. I should see how you feel on fast days...if you feel energised, great, if they leave you feeling more tired, up your calories slightly. You can add a third fast day but on more cals if having more calories on fast days suits you better. I am suggesting this because I think this regime may be better when your metabolism has slowed.

But really it depends on how you feel. See what the doc says about whether you should be trying to lose weight too.

Thank you for the advice Caroline. I decided to fast today but increased my calories to 600 and will do an extra day too as I really want to do this from a health point of view. I feel ok today but you are correct, I do need to listen to my body while I am still obviously recuperating. Thank you again for the valued advice.

[carorees]

How did the fast go? Does it leave you feeling more/less tired?

The fast went well with the extra calories. I had the majority of my calories at lunch time rather than evening time and drank my usual 2 litres of water throughout the day, I didnt feel tired at all. I'll do another two fasts this week at 600 calories and see how it goes. Thank you.

[carorees]

That's great! Don't look at the scales! During the healing process you retain water so the scales won't tell you much about fat loss. Also, since you have had abdominal surgery, measuring your waist might also not really reflect fat loss. Just go by how you feel. Good luck.

ladylaois - Sorry to hear your bothers - I can't offer any advice half as good as carorees - but I would say - never a lost cause, please don't give up. Certainly agree with carorees that you just need to concentrate on getting your strength back and feeling better - then you can think about weight loss. Wishing you well on your road to recovery

[Tracieknits]

Same here - you've gotten loads of great advice. Be gentle with yourself and I hope you're better soon!

Thank you for the support ladies xxx

Hi Ladylaois, I can't add anything except a *hug* x