The FastDay Forum

Skeptical is the wrong word.
Pragmatic? Realistic? Apprehensive? Dubious?

I'm not sure exactly which words to use to describe my feelings upon starting this 5:2 journey but it's a mixture of those mentioned. I believe the research. I believe the evidence. But I found it hard to ignore a lifetime of being told that you must never, ever allow yourself to go hungry. It's the one diet rule all serial dieters take as gospel. If you allow yourself to go hungry the world will end. Or the fridge will be raided. Both are equally bad.

So I took a leap of faith and gave it a try.

Fast 1- not too bad, hungry but busy, managed ok.
Fast 2- a bit more difficult but kept busy again and the day soon ended.
Fast 3- this ended up being a day early, so was actually my 3rd fast in 7 days instead of the first one of the second week. Being flexible is part of the appeal of 5:2 and I was going out for dinner the next day. Anyway, it wasn't too bad. I went for a 3k run and coped quite well (ankle injury means I'm having to build up my training again)

I weighed myself at the end of Fast 3.
I had been away for the weekend between Fasts 1 and 2 and had fallen in love with Rikorderlig Strawberry and Lime Cider, which I daren't look up, but I imagine holds many delicious calories, so I wasn't holding out much hope.

I lost 7lbs.
Half a stone! In one week! I am not entirely convinced my method of weighing myself (wii fit) isn't broken or flawed, but for now, I'll take 7lbs! (No change in waist measurement).

Fast 4 was a tough one. My husband was shouted at a lot during Fast 4.

Fast 5 is going to be tomorrow. I'm considering doing two in a row as I have eaten a lot of homemade cookies and had fish and chips last night. I've also eaten a lot of bread today. I don't seem to have grasped the concept of staying within your normal calorie limit on non fast days.
Reading on here, people seem to say that 2 in a row is acceptable, so I'll give it a whirl as we have a busy weekend of socialising coming up!

So, I'm still feeling a little apprehensive. I think the 7lbs lost may have just been water retention which has then been regained along with some other unwanted pounds.

I suppose only time will tell.


7lbs down. 72lbs to go.

Great start! I had a similar quick drop which for the most part stayed off. The rate of loss slowed considerably, but it is still coming off slowly but surely. Hang in there! It gets easier as you go.

Hi fifipye Wow that's fantastic well done don't worry about the tape measure it will catch up soon then you'll be glad you actually used it (unlike me only 2 done) some of your lost weight will be water but not all. Like you some slimming club or other told me to eat breakfast when I never used to have it, now I only have breakfast couple of times per week like many other members on here I've thrown out all the junk from every club. Only keeping fast diet book and so glad I bought that, more importantly I'm so glad I actually started this WOL because I couldn't have felt + become any lower than I was at that point.
Good Luck and stick with + believe Sue

Edid:-) Meant to say I've done lots of 2 day back to back fasts with no trouble at all but its not for everyone, but until you try you'll never know
however if you don't fancy it, maybe its best to listen to your body.

So........
Weighed myself at the end of Fast 5 yesterday and I had lost another 2lbs!
I'm really pleased with this- who wouldn't be with 9lbs in a fortnight?
I have also lost 2 inches from my waist, which is pretty awesome.

I then decided to go all in, and do Fast 6 today. Also decided to try not have breakfast so I could have a larger meal as my brother and his girlfriend were coming for dinner- which is a bit awkward when fasting!

Felt a bit headachey, and had low blood pressure when at the docs (forgot I was getting that done when I was there!), but otherwise it was ok. Think I prefer non consecutive fasts, but I'm pleased the option is there if I have a busy week coming up.

My brother brought round the largest courgette I have ever seen, grown in his garden, so I fried it up with garlic, lemon and onions, melted goats cheese into it, and served it with linguine and salad. I was rather impressed! I added chorizo to his, but I abstained. Also had a few berries and a spoonful of low fat Greek yoghurt for 'dessert'. Looking into courgette cake recipes for the rest of it!

It's back to school for me on Monday, so I'm not yet sure if I will fast on Monday. It's a training day, but there are usually lots of biscuits around and lunch is provided.

I'll have a think whilst I am in the jacuzzi tomorrow (a rare night away- what a treat!)

9lbs down, 70lbs to go.

Went away for the weekend and drank copious amounts of Pinot Grigio (yum) and indulged in delicious creamy risotto and in huge chocolate desserts. I didn't allow myself to feel guilty, and made sure I ran 5k in the gym before swimming loads in the pool.
This is a new thing- never in my life would I have opted to go to a hotel gym. I always wondered why people bothered- hotels are there to be enjoyed and relaxed in! Funny how perceptions change.

First week back at school and my aim this year is to not get as stressed as I usually do. That lasted all of about an hour of being back! However, I decided to have a Fast Day on Monday so stayed away from the free lunch and biscuits provided by the Head. Felt rather virtuous.
I did really well- opening up a tin of salmon for dinner that had been in the cupboard for ages and serving it up with a huge salad. Turns out I'm not that keen on tinned salmon, but at least I'm making space. Another benefit of 5:2.

Have been working late into the evening trying to sort stuff out for work, so I'm quite pleased I did another Fast Day today- I was meant to be starting a dance choreography class tonight but turned up a week early! However, instead of wasting the fact that I was in fitness gear, I went for a 3.5k run.

Weighed myself before tucking into beans and cheese on toast, and I've lost another 3lbs. I'm a bit flabbergasted to be honest. 12lbs in 3 weeks. Awesome.

However, one thing that I have noticed is that I am not eating anywhere near as much fruit as I used to. For example, normally for breakfast I would have bran flakes with blueberries and strawberries, or something similar. But now, when not on a Fast Day, I tend to opt for toast with jam on!
I have been snacking on a handful of almonds instead of cereal bars, bananas, apples etc- I read in a magazine that they are brilliant at keeping hunger at bay. Maybe I'm eating less fruit because I'm just not as hungry? I used to get through a small fruit bowl at work most days.

Anyway, concerted effort to be made.

Onwards and upwards!

12lbs down. 67lbs to go.

Had an unexpected gain this week but have discussed it elsewhere on the forum and feel positive (well, actually I'm in denial and am blaming my wii fit for not being accurate!)
So as far as I'm concerned I have still lost 12lbs. If the gain is still there next week I'll have to accept it.
Have been for a couple of runs this week (3k and 5k). Need to start upping the distance if I'm going to manage this 10k in November!

Hi fifipye as you said a loss is a loss so don't worry to much especially if you know your fasting day calories are ok that's where I came unstuck a month back a few ''treats'' had crept back into to many days so did the next weeks 3 fasts as if they were my very first
Needless to say that worked. Good Luck Sue.

So, the wii fit continued to register slight gains, so I ignored them as people were commenting on how much healthier I looked and I can definitely tell I have lost weight from my collarbone area and hips.
I decided to invest in some proper scales, which are registering I am now 15st 7lbs, which would mean exactly where the wii fit placed me before the gains.
Either way, I don't mind. I have lost another inch from my waist, and I feel better, so I'll just take it from here.

12lbs down. 3 inches lost from the waist. All in 6 weeks.

Well Done fifipye
Don't dwell on the scales they're only numbers your clothes are the real indication of what's going on, and it sounds as if the results are looking back at you through the mirror, so trust what you see Sue

I have stuck with it and I'm glad to report that after a rocky few weeks when I couldn't be sure about accurate measurements I have lost another 3 lbs.
I have bought some scales now and am just using them.

15lbs down. 64lbs to go