The FastDay Forum

I have been on this plan for 5 weeks. I lost 5 lbs the first week and since then, nothing. I log all my food and ate close to maintenance and week after week either gained or maintained. This last week I cut my cals on feasts days by about 2-300 and I only lost .2 lbs. So I've lost a total of 3.8 lbs and NO inches. I don't know what to do at this point. About to give up.

I am feeling a bit the same but I have never had the success I had in the first month. Took me a year to lose 4 kg on Mfp and 6 weeks to lose 2 kg on 5:2. So I think we need to stick at it!! I will if you will!!!!

[carorees]

Smartin, the average weekly weight loss on 5:2 is 1lb a week. Unfortunately you lost all the 5lb in the first week. That is because most of the loss was water, since then you will have been gaining water but losing fat so the scales don't move. Keep at it and soon the scales will start to go down again! Also make sure you are not undereating on feast days. I have noticed I lose more weight if I eat well than if I restrict calories on feast days. Adding exercise helps but again as you add exercise you will get an increase in muscle and water which will make the scales go up despite the fact that you will have lost fat. This is not a quick weight loss solution but hopefully it is a permanent solution as long as you keep on with the programme. I would give it another month before deciding whether or not to continue.

Smartin you say this week you cut cals on feast days and lost 2 lbs
Seems to me that is your answer. Looking on the other site Dr Ms
someone said that Dr Krista has said on feast days you should eat what you want - and that doesn't mean eat what you can. If cutting out 200 cals given your own body and metabolic rate is working - I'd keep at it.

Sorry just noticed you said 0.2lbs. Even so its a loss. Have you tried looking up your recommended intake - you may find it recommends less than the 'normal' 2000 cals often quoted. Mine for instance is 1700 - given that I do little excercise and my own personal stats.

"Mondays and Thursdays"

If you feel progress is slow, then try a 4:3 and do Saturday as well for two weeks then see how it goes again on 5:2

Big big hug Smartin08 xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sooo many times on other diets I have become disheartened and given up and in my misery turned to food and gained even more weight!
Please dont give up ....
I so understand your pain and all of us are here to give whatever support you need...Im not good on the nerdy stuff but Im here for hugs!!!
ok...nearly 4 lbs lost in 5 weeks? thats good !!!!
I know we all want big numbers and quick fixes but we are in this as a way of life!! SLOWLY SLOWLY CATCHY MONKEY!!
Just think how quickly time passes and before we know it..another year has gone...if we could average 1 lb per week for the next year then we would be 52 lbs lighter OMG now wouldnt that be something!!!!!
Stay strong girl...it will happen!!

Try not to be discouraged. Though I know that's easier said than done! Five pounds is great. I suggest you go into the kitchen and get 2 bags of sugar, and a pound of butter. Carry them around in a bag for a bit - that's how much weight you're NO LONGER carrying around with you...& if it hasn't come off in inches, well, maybe it's come off from around your internal organs, where you can't see it, but where it's doing lots of damage.

It is hard, I know - I've lost less than you in three weeks (2.2 lb) but I'm keeping on plugging away, because - even though weight loss is important - it's the other long term benefits to health that are also important.

Come on! We can do it!!

[wildmissus]

Don't give up. You can do this but your not on a diet like many of us have been before. This is different, it's long term, it gets easier, it makes you feel better, the weight will come off eventually. Given time I have become much more relaxed about 5:2ing, I don't count calories at all, I guestimate (even on fast days). The more relaxed I've become about this way of eating the more weight I lose. In the beginning I lost, put on, lost, put on, now I'm steadily losing. Ok, this may not keep happening but I can make adjustments. Don't be so hard on yourself and accept that there are no quick fixes. Good luck

Are you taking more exercise? You may be building muscle.

Thank you all so much. I know that 5 lbs is a good loss, but it's so discouraging when week after week there is either a gain or no loss. I have lost a total of 3.8 in the past 5 weeks. The only significant loss being the first week. I am so afraid to eat too much or too little on feast days. I have to find my sweet spot. I'm going to try and eat a bit more this week. I was eating 1700-1800 cals on feast days, but this past week I switched it up to 1400. So maybe 1500-1600 will work. Ugh. Why does it have to be so hard! I've hardly done any exercise so it's certainly not muscle gain. Plus for women it takes months to gain just 1 lb of muscle. Well, I'm going to keep going. I can't imagine doing anything else actually. Thanks again Ladies xx

I'd like to know how long it takes to build muscle, slightly OT as I'm now going to be doing weights.

Keep at it, really, is there any alternative?

I wonder if weighing monthly rather than weekly might be better?
I was becoming obsessed by the scales and am now not going to weigh again until the next forum weigh in which will be at the beginning of April.
Like you I was panicking about eating too much, eating too little, and becoming really stressed.
Since I've hidden the scales I'm a lot more relaxed, but am still a bit stressed about the non fast days...nosing how much to eat for weight loss
Like someone said this is a long term plan for good health.
I'm as impatient as the next person and have to keep reminding myself of the health benefits, and to look on the weight loss as a bonus.
Good luck. We are all here for you and each other. X please don't give up.

Smartin - is there any way you can incorporate some form of exercise into your day? even a 15 minute walk around the block might help. I seem to notice a larger difference when I have been active (cycling on my commute) on my fast days.

I'd like to know how long it takes to build muscle, slightly OT as I'm now going to be doing weights.

Keep at it, really, is there any alternative?

Thank you.

And you may find this interesting:

http://www.aworkoutroutine.com/how-much ... -you-gain/

However there's so much more information on the internet, just Google it. xx