The FastDay Forum

Hi, I started this diet 12 weeks ago. I thought I was doing really well, lost 6lbs and 4" off my waist BUT nothing has happened for the past 3 weeks, in fact I seemed to have gained 1lb and 1/2". I've read some of the FAQs but just wondered if anyone else hit a wall so early on? I do two days a week, not consecutive, and eat ok on fast days though I do watch the carbs. I would like to lose at another 7 lbs and 4" off my waist by 12 weeks time - is this an unreasonable ask? BTW I do modern line dancing once a week with a BF who has just started the 5:2 diet.

[Tracieknits]

Welcome to the forums!

It seems a lot of people experience this plateau for a little while. The common advice is to just keep at it, and it will start working again. My husband had a short hiccup and then promptly started losing. I had a five week hiccup myself, but that was accompanied by a low thyroid issue.

I would stick with it - perhaps keep a half of an eye on what you're eating on feed days. Try to get a bit closer to your TDEE or don't have dessert quite as often as you'd like.

Thanks Tracieknits, not sure what TDEE means but I do keep half an eye on cal intake on feed days when I try to keep at around 1200. I stopped getting the cream cakes in at the weekend cos I thought that might be doing it and we rarely eat dessert in the week. Thanks though, its nice to know what's happening is normal and that it will all start shifting again!! The support is great.

[carorees]

1200 cals sounds to low to me! Unless you're very small, very sedentary or have thyroid or similar problems, 1200 is likely to cause your metabolism to slow down resulting in a plateau. You should check your TDEE (total daily energy requirement) to see what your body should need on a feed day. Try this calculator: http://www.exrx.net/Calculators/CalRequire.html

You should be aiming to average your TDEE over your 5 feed days so it doesn't matter if you go over on a couple of days if you go under on others and it seems to help, in fact, if you have some high calorie days (weekends are good...you know, wine, desserts, treats ) and other more restrained days. The high calorie days seen to help keep your metabolism working well.

I know it seems odd but many people have found that having some high calorie days has kick started the weight loss again.

Good luck!

had a similar experience but then someone told me I should be fasting for 16 hours rather than eating three small meals. I now break my fast with 150 calories at lunch. I am losing weight again despite thyroid problems and sedentary job. I try to have a healthy diet on my feed days but am only human. Freedom from guilt if I eat some cheese and biscuits or a pud is wonderful.

had a similar experience but then someone told me I should be fasting for 16 hours rather than eating three small meals. I now break my fast with 150 calories at lunch. I am losing weight again despite thyroid problems and sedentary job. I try to have a healthy diet on my feed days but am only human. Freedom from guilt if I eat some cheese and biscuits or a pud is wonderful.

I have thyroid problems too and am wondering if it is better fasting 16 hours than the 24 hours I am doing at the moment? I am still struggling with loosing weight so I am very interested in all information I can get to make this work and make me loose weight