The FastDay Forum

I am very interested in the improvement in blood profiles, as I am type II diabetic, + high B/P and high cholesterol.
I started 5:2 yesterday, but do not intend to discuss with my GP, as I think the idea will be poo-pood. I do, however, wonder when I should reduce my medications, as that is my main goal.
Regards, 150lbs.

hi 150lbs- and welcome here!!! we are all in the same boat- some have more to loose, others less and the health benefits are undoubtedly great! I ahve decided to make an appointment with my GP and have blood tests now- just started last week- and then in a few months as my weight goes down. I am hoping to loose 2 stone and so far really enjoying this journey! Whether your doc believes in this 5:2 or not- it is your body and your choice and you never know- you might widen your doc's horizon which can only be good!!!And you would be reducing your meds with your doc's supervision- ursula

I am very interested in the improvement in blood profiles, as I am type II diabetic, + high B/P and high cholesterol.
I started 5:2 yesterday, but do not intend to discuss with my GP, as I think the idea will be poo-pood. I do, however, wonder when I should reduce my medications, as that is my main goal.
Regards, 150lbs.

If you're using insulin for the diabetes that may need to be reduced on fasting days in line with carbohydrate intake.

Thanks for these comments. I am on 2g Metformin, 30mg pioglitazone and 100mg januvia each day, and have been told I am borderline insulin dependent. I disagree, and in fact honestly believe this 5:2 diet will prove highly beneficial, along with my gym and aquafit visits.

[carorees]

Dr Mosley who had high fasting blood glucose, so a degree of glucose intolerance got good decreases in blood glucose after 6 weeks. Maybe schedule an appt with your doc for 6 weeks? Do you monitor your own blood glucose? That will help you to know how it's going.

I don't know about adjusting your meds. If you are already self-managing then fine, if not you should consult your doc.

Hi 150lb I do hope the 5:2 works for you. I'm a doctor and would hope that my colleagues would not poo-poo your efforts. I'm all for people trying to help themselves, and when it comes down to it this diet has a lot more science behind it than most.
I've been on 5:2 now for about 3 weeks and doing ok, I find the fast days quite manageable now and do a full intense day at work without any problems. Some of my colleagues think its a bit odd but then they are the ones who have never had a weight issue, but once I've explained some of the benefits outside of weight loss they are less dismissive. In the end the NHS has been promoting the reduced calorie more exercise message for 30+ years and the population is getting fatter so the standard advice is failing for many.

Thanks Nikipins.
I have followed conventional advice for years, and made no inroads into my deteriorating management of type II diabetes, high cholesterol and high B/P. I am offered more and more medication, as though there is just no other solution. I think this concept seems logical, straightforward and very manageable. It takes a strong willed patient to put across something that 'they saw on the telly', and say they want to follow that advice. I feel that the NHS Direct response to The Fast Diet sums up the response that the majority of medical professionals would feel bound to express. I need to loose 10kg, and have all faith in doing so, despite my GP saying I am fine as I am, as I believe the science behind this, but there again I believed in Atkins. ( still do, actually), but he got such a bad press, based on unfair criticism, that I felt compelled to abandon it. This time round, I am keeping it to myself, and will just put any improvement down to my visits to the gym, even though exercising regularly since September has made no difference to the status quo.
Good luck in your endeavours, and when you succeed, please inform as many of your colleagues as will lend you an ear.
Jennifer.

So here I am 3 weeks on from starting 5:2. I have spent much time looking at methods of weight loss, and 5:2 keeps coming up tops! I did visit my GP and was given a very negative response, being told I must follow current NHS guidelines, and not waver onto any other way. Well....I can say that loosing about 2lbs a week, and 2% off my body fat seems a better way for me, so I will keep it to myself how I am achieving such great results. My B/P has not been as good and stable as this for 15 years, and I have never experienced any hunger for 3 weeks, so I believe my glucose and insulin levels must be well controlled. I have taken on board the concept of the Glycaemic Load, and have just found out how to use myfitnesspal. So, with such encouraging results as this, and a quick and user-friendly app for monitoring my intake, I think I can honestly say this is an amazing revelation for myself as to how to achieve optimum health benefits. I feel so much better in my approach food, and to this sensible way of eating, as it is inevitable that I no longer even fancy rubbish sold in the name of 'food', as sugar cravings no longer exist. BRILLIANT!!

Congratulations Jennifer.
The positive results are there for all to see.
I am doing this for the health benefits although I am happy to lose weight along the way, as it means I'm hopefully reducing body fat.
Keep up the good work girl!

[carorees]

Moved some posts from nerdy stuff to here as they were straying off topic and were becoming more of a progress report. Hope that's ok with everyone.

Thankyou Bellalou, your encouragement is much appreciated. My husband is doing this with me as he has more weight to loose than me, but fortunately he has normal cholesterol, blood glucose levels and healthy B /P. So, we are good tests for the 5:2. Diet --- seeing how my health status changes over time, which is what you are aiming for too, ( with the added bonus of weight reduction), and how much weight my husband looses. We are both feeling much more settled in mood, with a calmer outlook, and our clothes feel more comfortable already. I am confident you will loose the body fat like I am doing, which delights me. Being rather tall at 5'8", and having a good stature, people, including my GP, have always said " oh, you are fine", but how can I be? I know my unseen inner fat levels are dangerous, and this seems the way to reduce them. I am so confident for myself and others like yourself. Like you say, we must keep at it.

Caroline, thanks for moving me across to this site. I am such an amateur at this forum stuff! Well done with your weight loss.

My weight is slowly coming off, ( 6lbs in 3 weeks),which pleases me, and my waist measurement is much improved, ( down a couple of inches), but for some reason my fat % has risen, any ideas for that please? As my main reason for doing 5:2 is to improve my blood profile, and rid my body of hidden, inner fat, this puzzles me!

[carorees]

Body fat% scales are influenced by how hydrated you are, so that might have caused an apparent increase.

Thanks, Caroline. Maybe the home scales are not too accurate either. There is one thing for sure though, the tape measure round my waist was a pleasant sight this morning! By the way, I had a piece of chocy tonight to take a cup of tea down, the first for 3 weeks, and I can still take it or leave it, and would now rather leave it. I think this is one of the best changes I have noticed over the time on 5:2, and long may it continue. Everyone who knows me would say I must be a reformed chocaholic because I just could never say no previously.