The FastDay Forum

Hi, Just signed up tonight, I am really looking forward to starting this healthy way of losing weight and having more energy, I have been quite good in the past of controlling my weight, but the last two years the menopause has struck and now have stubborn extra body fat round my middle, | think this is the answer for me, has anyone, Ive decided I will use 2 working days for my fast days, I think it would be easier, has anyone else used this diet for menopausal problem weight?

[carorees]

I'm post menopausal but have not only that weight but several years worth of weight from before to lose! It is coming off though and my muffin top tummy has definitely shrunk!

Hi Sazza, I'm two years into the menopause same as you, and started the 5:2 diet on the 14th jan, I've had 4 fast days so far ... I'm doing Monday and Thursday,
I didn't weigh myself at the start (no scales, I hate them!) I normally just go by how my clothes feel but out of curiosity I bought new scales and weighed myself this last Tuesday (22nd) and am taking that as my start weight ....weighed myself first thing this morning and I've lost 2lb
I'm well chuffed, and I'm feeling slimmer around that meno belly!

It is horrible the way the menopause adds weight. I was starting to have to buy size 20/XL clothes which is crazy. So far from 4th Jan and first fast I have dropped 6lbs, though the scales vary from day to day. I'll be so pleased to see this old-lady-waist melt away!

Hi Sazza, I'm two years into the menopause same as you, and started the 5:2 diet on the 14th jan, I've had 4 fast days so far ... I'm doing Monday and Thursday,
I didn't weigh myself at the start (no scales, I hate them!) I normally just go by how my clothes feel but out of curiosity I bought new scales and weighed myself this last Tuesday (22nd) and am taking that as my start weight ....weighed myself first thing this morning and I've lost
I'm well chuffed, and I'm feeling slimmer around that meno belly!

Hi LynnO, Well done,it must make the fasting worthwhile when you see the results so quickly, like you I have never had scales in the house due to having two teenagers long ago, just judge my weight increase by tightness of clothes, i am now going to buy scales, hoping to start tomorrow with the diet if not one day this week, I'm still trying to work out the calories and which foods to use on a fast day, especially working full time, any ideas, I would love to hear how you worked out your fast day eating plan .sazza

Hi Sazza, I just make soup/stews and freeze them, counting calories like a mad woman having 2 meals on a fast day, one around noon and dinner 6.30 ish.... I might give the one meal a day ago next fast day (Thursday) ...I never count cals on feed days, and I do like a couple of spritzers at cocktail hour , I just hope it keeps working.

HI SAZZA - No one ever tells you about the Menopause - it seems to happen overnight and takes you by surprise - all this excess weight round your middle which is so hard to shift!! I find cutting down on the carbs is the only thing that works for me - no white stuff! I fill up on lots of veggies and occasionally sweet potatoes or brown rice. Keep active if you can - I walk the dog for about 90 mins every day when I can! Been doing the fasting this week and lost just 1.5lbs but also .5% body fat which for me is the most important thing. I think patience and perseverance are the key factors and don't expect too much too soon!! Have a good weekend! Debbie

I'm also having a prob with menopausal weight, started 5:2 diet on 14th Jan and have lost 5lbs but waist measurement has decreased by 2.5 inches and defiantly feel the difference round my middle, just hope it continues!

That is amazing in such a short time on the 5:2 smac,Two fast days behind me and I can honestly say the second one was not a hardship at all,I have lost 2lbs but forgot to measure myself at the beginning of the week, I definately did feel a difference from not feeling bloated this week at all, but headachy, i have breakfast and drink herbal tea all day, save up my calories for the evening meal, when i get in from work I make everyone else's dinner then make my own. i did a shop today and bought two fuller longer meals from M&S and marked them 'Do Not Touch', I am more organised for my next two fast days which are Monday and Thursday, really enjoying the challenge of 5:2 and finding it really suits me.

ladies- as our waistlines are decreasing it feels really good- but it feels even better with a figure shaper- never thought I would say that let alone wear one but I AM!!! And I love it- to me it is a sign of things to come and makes me feel even better about all this!!! So let me know if you are in gareement or not!! long live all the menopausal and post menopausal women!!! ursula

RE the M & S ready meals, I am confused as I thought we were supposed to eat "clean" food or have I got it wrong?? Haven't even started yet, only bought the book yesterday.......and I am post menopausal......

I've been using the M & S count on us ready meals on some of my fast days, assume that as they are low calorie that they are ok.For me I find all the calorie counting, weighing of food a bit of a chore at times.

The M&S healthy options are balanced meals, i have made myself poached egg with a small slice of smoked salmon as one of my evening meals, as long as you keep within 500 calories on the two fast days and try and keep it healthy ypu should be fine Nivea, I never had to diet before the menopause, so the calorie counting baffled me at first, I was surprised at some of the calorie content in some foods,especially fruit,

Hi Ladies
I am looking for support.
I have been on the diet for about 6 weeks now with practically no results of weight loss and have been reading your comments about Menopausal weight. I am 50 and my weight has definitely increased around my middle.
I have just ordered some scales that measure body fat so I can see if this goes down as opposed to my weight.
I exercise 3 times a week at a gym (spinning, aqua and gym) but weight is just not moving.
I have just registered on the forum and am looking forward to tracking my weight loss once I get my new scales.
I am finding the fasting days fine (I eat 200 calories at lunchtime and 300 for dinner). I just wondered if i might be eating too many calories on my feast days though?
I really thought I would have lost some weight by now though but I intend to continue. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know.
thanks.

[carorees]

Hi Jan and welcome to the forum!

I'm surprised you haven't lost any weight at all. Would you mind giving us a bit more information so we can have a think about why it's not working for you?

If it's ok, we need to know your current weight, height, waist, whether you have been dieting much before starting 5:2, whether you have been diagnosed with anything that might make weight loss difficult or are on medications that could affect this, and what you are eating/drinking on fast days and feed days.

I know that's a lot of personal info so I understand if you don't want to (you can pm me if you prefer).

Unfortunately, as you know, there is not a huge amount of experience with this but we'll try to come up with some ideas.

You could also look at Brad Pilon's blog "eat, blog, eat" where you might find some ideas. His blog is not primarily aimed at weight loss, but he and his followers have been doing intermittent fasting for a long time.

My immediate thought is to check your cals on feast days for a while if you haven't been tracking your cals. Don't cut the calories on feed days just yet. Let's see what your average intake over a week looks like.

Also to try to keep to low GI foods, thus will help with fat burning.

All the best