Hello everyone,
I reached the six month point a couple of weeks ago, and thought I'd sit down and put a few thoughts together; I know when I started out I was keen to see how people fared a little way down the line. I'm not a regular poster (especially since the site changed, I don't find it runs well on my phone, so rules out a quick post here and there) but lurk everyday!
I was 9st 10lbs when I started, 5'5", bmi 23 something I think, size 14, so not massive but was looking and feeling a bit chunky. I am now 8st 2 lbs, bmi 19, size 10 to 8 which is slimmer than I have ever been as an adult. Weight loss was steady, averaged out at 1 lb a week, 22lbs in total. My goal has dropped as I have gone along, first it was 9st, then 8 st 7, then 8st 3.5. I've been sort of maintaining at 8st 2lbs to 8st 4 lbs, but if I'm honest (and I'm trying to be here!) I would like to hit the round 8 stone!
I've done basic 5:2, fasting mondays and wednesdays, and have skipped two fasts since starting when I was on holiday. Yes, I put on three pounds, but I had a cracking holiday and LOTS of treats and lost it again in one and half weeks. If I'm honest (as I said, I'm trying to be) I'm maintaining on two fasts a week as I tend to over eat at the weekend, too much wine and chocolate!
I try and be careful in the week food days (although I don't count calories; for me that would make it too much like hard work) however, mostly successfully but not always. I would like to drop to 6:1 (or maybe 6:1 one week, then 5:2 the next) but like the freedom to eat what I like at the weekend, and at the moment accept that the 'penalty' for this is to fast twice a week. This may change, I have a hazy concept of trying to be 'better' at the weekend, but then do think life is for living and enjoying and if I want a bit of cake I'm going to have it! On fast days I have got into a real routine, and I think this has helped me as I don't really have to think about food much. I have some carrots and hummus at lunch with the kids, and a chicken salad for dinner, and save myself a banana for about 8pm if I need it, but more often these days I don't bother with that.
I've also got into exercising, not really a me thing at all!! I'm limited for time as I work and have kids and no one to watch them for me, so I've been doing free videos on you tube. I've got into a routine of doing kettlebell workouts, followed by pilates three times a week, and I can really see the difference after about five months I suppose. Not radical but I can definitely see my arms are toned and my abs on the way! Oh, and I always try to exercise on a fast day before I eat.
I won't lie, it's amazing to be a size 8 to 10! BUT (speaking as someone in the past who would periodically try a new diet, lose a bit then put it all back on again) it's not quite the life changing event I thought it would be! Stick with me if that sounds weird, but I suppose I thought life would be radically different and wonderful if I was slimmer, and yes, it's nice to fit into nice jeans, but I am still the same old me, with the same old hang ups and problems. In my head I don't FEEL slimmer, even though I understand that I MUST be as my old clothes are too big. Of course, this is not 5:2s fault, it is a psychological quirk within me. I also have to resist the temptation to lose more weight, as I have said I would like to be 8 stone, but do worry that once there (if I do get there, I'm not really pushing for it) 7st 12lbs might look rather tempting! Although my husband and family say I look good, I've had some negative comments at work,worth noting however that these are from people who are significantly overweight themselves, so sour grapes maybe...?!
Sorry long post, but I hope it helps someone. To sum up, IT WORKS. Fasting DOES get easier (although some will always be easier than others). You CAN do it! It will make you fitter and healthier, but it's not a magic wand, you do need to work at it, and I'll let you know how the next six months go!
Best Wishes to you all,
Charlie Cook
I reached the six month point a couple of weeks ago, and thought I'd sit down and put a few thoughts together; I know when I started out I was keen to see how people fared a little way down the line. I'm not a regular poster (especially since the site changed, I don't find it runs well on my phone, so rules out a quick post here and there) but lurk everyday!
I was 9st 10lbs when I started, 5'5", bmi 23 something I think, size 14, so not massive but was looking and feeling a bit chunky. I am now 8st 2 lbs, bmi 19, size 10 to 8 which is slimmer than I have ever been as an adult. Weight loss was steady, averaged out at 1 lb a week, 22lbs in total. My goal has dropped as I have gone along, first it was 9st, then 8 st 7, then 8st 3.5. I've been sort of maintaining at 8st 2lbs to 8st 4 lbs, but if I'm honest (and I'm trying to be here!) I would like to hit the round 8 stone!
I've done basic 5:2, fasting mondays and wednesdays, and have skipped two fasts since starting when I was on holiday. Yes, I put on three pounds, but I had a cracking holiday and LOTS of treats and lost it again in one and half weeks. If I'm honest (as I said, I'm trying to be) I'm maintaining on two fasts a week as I tend to over eat at the weekend, too much wine and chocolate!
I try and be careful in the week food days (although I don't count calories; for me that would make it too much like hard work) however, mostly successfully but not always. I would like to drop to 6:1 (or maybe 6:1 one week, then 5:2 the next) but like the freedom to eat what I like at the weekend, and at the moment accept that the 'penalty' for this is to fast twice a week. This may change, I have a hazy concept of trying to be 'better' at the weekend, but then do think life is for living and enjoying and if I want a bit of cake I'm going to have it! On fast days I have got into a real routine, and I think this has helped me as I don't really have to think about food much. I have some carrots and hummus at lunch with the kids, and a chicken salad for dinner, and save myself a banana for about 8pm if I need it, but more often these days I don't bother with that.I've also got into exercising, not really a me thing at all!! I'm limited for time as I work and have kids and no one to watch them for me, so I've been doing free videos on you tube. I've got into a routine of doing kettlebell workouts, followed by pilates three times a week, and I can really see the difference after about five months I suppose. Not radical but I can definitely see my arms are toned and my abs on the way! Oh, and I always try to exercise on a fast day before I eat.
I won't lie, it's amazing to be a size 8 to 10! BUT (speaking as someone in the past who would periodically try a new diet, lose a bit then put it all back on again) it's not quite the life changing event I thought it would be! Stick with me if that sounds weird, but I suppose I thought life would be radically different and wonderful if I was slimmer, and yes, it's nice to fit into nice jeans, but I am still the same old me, with the same old hang ups and problems. In my head I don't FEEL slimmer, even though I understand that I MUST be as my old clothes are too big. Of course, this is not 5:2s fault, it is a psychological quirk within me. I also have to resist the temptation to lose more weight, as I have said I would like to be 8 stone, but do worry that once there (if I do get there, I'm not really pushing for it) 7st 12lbs might look rather tempting! Although my husband and family say I look good, I've had some negative comments at work,worth noting however that these are from people who are significantly overweight themselves, so sour grapes maybe...?!
Sorry long post, but I hope it helps someone. To sum up, IT WORKS. Fasting DOES get easier (although some will always be easier than others). You CAN do it! It will make you fitter and healthier, but it's not a magic wand, you do need to work at it, and I'll let you know how the next six months go!
Best Wishes to you all,
Charlie Cook
