The FastDay Forum

So I have this problem with my back, the disc in the lower part of my back are bulging from the spine. I've had physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, Pilates, MRI, been to the musculaskeletal clinic and basically been told there's nothing they can do for my now. If it gets too bad they may consider operating. On Friday I was in work (I teach young children) and I lifted a few buckets of water to fill the water tray (using the lifting techniques given to me by my physio) and I pulled my back really badly. I've been laid up in bed since Friday night. I'm really fed up with it at the moment, I'm going a little stir crazy just being at home. I'm also worried my boss is going to get fed up with me being absent for such a long period of time. I've been taking all my prescribed medication and nothing is even touching it!

On top of that, this is my second week on 5:2 and I'm see no change at all. I have only managed one fast this week (due to all my medication) and I'm hoping to fit another one in tomorrow. But so far I haven't lost a single pound of weight and no inches either. I'm not over eating on feed days and I know it's still early days but everyone seem to have a good start and then plateaus, I seem to have plateaued right off the bat. Feeling rather grumpy with my body right now, doesn't ever do anything I want it to!! Okay, moaning over with lol

[Debs]

You are allowed to be grumpy sometimes, we all have those days of being completely ratty.
Your back sounds a real bugger although I am sure your boss can't complain if you are off for what sounds like a completely valid reason with the appropriate sick note of whatever you have these days.
Be patient with the 5:2, it will happen eventually, don't get despondent. Hang in there!!

[Moogie]

Sorry to hear you're feeling like that You don't look like you have much to lose my dear so that may be why you're having a slow start. It's also not uncommon for folks not to lose in the first few weeks and then for it to start coming off, probably down to already having a normal level of water in the body rather than losing a load of water weight at first.

Feel free to vent here anytime, we'll try to cheer you up & support you!

Sorry to hear you're feeling like that You don't look like you have much to lose my dear so that may be why you're having a slow start. It's also not uncommon for folks not to lose in the first few weeks and then for it to start coming off, probably down to already having a normal level of water in the body rather than losing a load of water weight at first.

Feel free to vent here anytime, we'll try to cheer you up & support you!

Lol I really do have a lot to lose (you just can't see it from that picture) I think I've decided to not weigh myself on a weekly basis and just do it monthly, give my body a few weeks worth of fasts to see if it makes any impact. Not being able to move with my back is probably not helping (not that I can normally do much anyway) but running around in work is moving at least. Thank you for allowing me to vent here hun, this feels like a very safe and supportive place. I've always wanted to be part of a community like this

Big hug from me daydreamer
Your health has to come first so worry not about the fasts
Even if you manage to skip breakfast its still a fast and you will eventually feel the health benefits this WOL brings with it, also loads of members start with little to no loss, wait and carry on fitting a fast I now + then whenever you are able to, you will rewarded eventually.
Be Patient and yes weigh-in weekly Good. Luck Sue

had to do quick edit as I thought you hadn't much to lose Lol

Being stressed and having to work around meds might be contributing.

You are very young to have back issues so you have my empathy re that . It is bad enough being older and having issues. Hope you have good practitioners who can support and encourage you to strengthen and keep fit. There are also good ways to deal with pain as well via pain clinics, try your local health centre re same.

Like Sue said you can still give it your best shot when you can re 5:2 as it is good to not have weight issues as well as your poor back. The more you get your head around the 5:2 process your TDEE fasting and when feeding I am sure you will find your way which fits in for your

Best of luck

It is understandable to be fed up. I found out the more chill I am about it all the faster it all drops. I have stopped walking or do any form of exercise and been eating chocolate and chips and what not (all in moderation) and taking medications that would make my weight not budge. I too have a whacky hips that makes me go out of commision if I am not carefull and depression that if I am not carefull may make me go on a full year sick leave again. Its all about breathing in and take one day at a time with baby steps........

In the meantime, a hug from me and a shoulder to complain on. We all need to let out steam once a while.

hug . So you are holed up at home with more time on your hands than expected, in pain and thinking about losing weight. Yes I get it totally, having been laid up for 3 months earlier this year. First thing to say is to focus on healing the back first, and worry about losing weight later as the brain can't cope with too many personal improvement 'must do's. Maybe that is not what you want to hear but you might find the weight comes off more easily if you are not obsessing over it. I think weighing every two weeks is a good idea. Weekly is too frequent in my book and it just makes you miserable as this is a WOE where loss is not linear and I could not bear the utter disappointment that would bring (and when I read it on other people's posts). I had not been on the scales for years (denial), and can just bear to do monthly but I'm trying my best to do at least every two weeks. This is a slow regime and my start was excruciatingly slow, but stick with it and stay close to your forum buddies.

huge hugs all around
Thank you all so, so much for your kind words and unfailing support. You really have no idea how much it means to have people completely get where you are coming from. I do need to sort my back out firstly. I'm hoping the pain will dull enough again by next week that I can try doing a few minutes of Pilates every day, just something to strengthen the muscles in my back. I think I am obsessing about weight loss too much, so maybe just measuring/weigh-ins once a fortnight or once a month will be better for me. I need to get to a happy place again!! I'm just super impatient with myself lol.
But yes, thank you all soooo much my dear friends, you are all amazing people xxx

Hang in there daydreamer! I had a very very slow start, then loss and it seems I've stalled again, but it's still working. I could feel it working from the very start. It can be very slow for some of us! So hang in there, hope you feel better soon on the back. If you have access to acupuncture, it can do wonders in places that Western Medicine doesn't touch. If not, keep soaking in Epsom Salt baths.

Do you have anything to keep your mind occupied while your back heals? The boredom of just doing nothing drives me nuts, I know. A really good book or movie: maybe someone could pick something you've been wanting to read/see up for you at the library? Last time I put my back out and couldn't do much for several weeks, I re-read the whole Harry Potter series!--so soothing, somehow.

Here's hoping you start feeling better soon.

Marybeth

I'm in the same boat, but my disk is much further up in my neck and the disk is bulging inward crushing the spine. I have had to lose weight for the surgery, which is now dragging its feet as my surgeon is leaving and deciding to take all her years leave at once, rather than clearing her lists. (sorry little rant there).

5:2 does work, even when you can't exercise, it can be slower than if you could exercise, the tablets you are on can sabotage your weight loss (two of mine cause weight increase) but its still doable, but slower.

I did ask my doctor how I was supposed to fast and take my tablets, he said that the amount of food needed is rather tiny, just the equivalent of a couple of crackers (graham cracker) or a biscuit. So you can have a tiny amount in the mornings to wash down the painkillers or anti-inflammatory tabs. Maybe a half an apple or a small yogurt would suit you?

I find re-reading all of Terry Pratchett books lightens my life immensely. That and losing weight by fasting and low carbing!
Chin up, honey, perhaps your back needs an MRI and referring on to a specialist?
We're here for you :0)

I find re-reading all of Terry Pratchett books lightens my life immensely. That and losing weight by fasting and low carbing!
Chin up, honey, perhaps your back needs an MRI and referring on to a specialist?
We're here for you :0)

I had an MRI already and found out the six disc in the lower part of my spine are all bulging, I've seen a specialist at the muscularskeletal clinic and she said there's nothing more they can do now, I just have to maintain it so it doesn't get worse... In the meantime I just have to suffer

Crikey, SIX!! That is really bad. You have my utmost sympathy. Are any of them pressing inward, or all bulging outward?