The FastDay Forum

This is my third week on the 5:2 diet and so far my weight has barely changed. Monday was my fast day and on Tuesday and Wednesday I had lost 1.5lbs. However, today I am back to square one again. I dont think I am eating too much on eating days as I am not a big eater anyway. I am unable to do much exercise as am recovering from a knee op which hasnt helped. Must lose weight before the summer!
My husband started the die ton Monday and has lost 3.5lbs. I really need some guidance here.
Thanks

[Moogie]

Hi Loobylou & welcome

Sounds to me like you're weighing in a bit too often - our weights fluctuate each day based on all sorts of things like water retention, time of the month, time of day you weighed yourself etc. It's really best to pick a weigh day and stick to it, same time each week - or if you can wait longer, do it fortnightly or monthly.

Do you have much weight to lose? I only ask because those of us who have more to shift seem to lose a bit more on average than those who only have a little to go. Have you lost weight overall since starting? It can also be helpful to measure yourself as some people find they lose inches moreso than weight.

If you're not losing anything at all it may be worth keeping a record of the calories you have on your feed days, just for a week or so, to get an idea if you might actually be seriously under or overeating on your feed days - causing starvation mode (and therefore storing more fat) or simply balancing out the calories you lack on fast days.

Also, how do you go about your fasts? Are you doing the original version or the 24hour (Eg 2pm - 2pm) version? How do you split your calories up and what sort of things are you eating?

Hopefully we can help you get to the bottom of this if you give us a bit more information

Hi Moogie,
Thanks for the advice. I want to lose about 20lbs. I think you're right about weighing myself too much. Also, I am now watching the calories on feed days. I eat porrige and fruit at 8.30am and then a few strawberries midday. I then eat the rest of my calorie allowance at 5.30pm, followed by a 40 cal chocolate drink about 8pm. I drink water, coffee and herbal tea during the day. I think I have lost about 4lbs in 3 weeks which is a bit disappointing. I did start off eating my first meal at 12 noon but found I was feeling dizzy and had a headache so eating earlier suits me better.
Hopefully, by controlling my calorie intake on feed days, I will start to lose a bit more!
Fingers crossed and thanks again.

Hi Looby, I thik 4lbs in 3 weeks is pretty good. You've not got a lot to lose (like myself - I want a stone to a stone & half off), so I think it's natural to come off more slowly.

I lost 2-3 lbs the first week (probably water!) and have only been losing 1lb a week since. However, I don't find the fast days that hard, so I figure if this is going to be a new lifestyle for me, then waiting a couple of extra months to lose the weight is ok.

I'm hoping by summer I'll be there - which is perfect time to unveil the new me in a strappy sundress!!!

P.S - don't go too low on calories on your feast days as people are reporting that can actually be counterproductive to losing weight as your body goes into starvation mode.

Hi Alli,
Thanks for your encouraging words! I am trying so hard but feel like I'm going nowhere. This is week 4 so fingers crossed for a little weight loss. I will keep at it and maybe by the summer, I can join you and wear a strappy sundress. I think one of my problems is that I dont exercise. I am going to try to do something about that too.
Thanks again.

[carorees]

Hi loobylou

My theory about feeling dizzy is that it occurs when your body should be switching to fat burning to provide energy but it is reluctant to do so. If forced, it will switch and each time gets easier.

I wonder whether eating breakfast and lunch is slowing down your weight loss? It's just a theory though...

Hi Looby - no I don't exercise either, although I've noticed going up the stairs at work has got easier (when I can be bothered!). My weight stuck this week which was a bit disheartening but then my trousers were really loose on my today, so I felt better after that!

I've felt dizzy a few times but not at all this week, so that was good.

Keep at it - envision your end goal. Winter is the time for covering up anyway, so you'll surprise everyone in summer when you peel off those layers!

Hi Alli,
Joined a Go30 gym today. Women only. Its based on doing half hour circuits at gentle pace. Need to go 2/3 times a week but I think half an hour a time is not too much to ask. There are no lycra-clad fitness fanatics there so I will hopefully fit in nicely!
I feel better today having fasted yesterday. The dizzy feeling you experiencecd is not good. I had it last week and changed from eating my first meal at noon to eating at around 8.30am. I felt much better and didnt have a headache either. Good luck for this week.