I have just completed my first 4 weeks on 5:2 and thought I'd write a bit about my journey.
Four years ago I lost a stone and a half at Weightwatchers but the weight started to creep back on even though I still had another half a stone to go. I put a stone back on! Before I started WW I was heavier than I'd ever been in my life and hated myself for it. I was determined not to get back to my pre-WW weight and I've managed to hold steady but have found it impossible to lose weight.
I didn't see the Horizon programme last year and hadn't even heard of 5:2 until January when a neighbour told me about it. He'd lost a stone since October and was looking great! I was very sceptical of what he told me but, also, quite intrigued. I started reading up on it and bought the book.
After much deliberation I decided to give it a go and my first fast day was 28th January. Well, my first week was not a success as I gained a pound! This was a disastrous start for me as having little or no willpower makes it so easy to give up. However, I decided to try another week as I was interested in the health benefits as much as the losing weight.
The second week I lost 2lbs. Yeh
. The third week I lost another 2lbs. Had my fourth weigh-in this morning and I've lost another pound. So my net weight loss over the 4 weeks is 4lbs and amazingly my waist has reduced by 2.5 inches. I think when I started I was expecting the pounds to fall off a bit quicker but, realistically, I'm happy if I can continue losing a pound a week.
So, how do I feel about this new (to me) WOL?
POSITIVES:
- weight loss!
- can fasten my belt 2 notches further up
- it's easier than I thought it would be (which means I should be able to keep to it)
- although I've not had any blood or other tests, I'm hoping the health benefits mentioned in various articles are actually happening
NEGATIVES:
- I can only really think of one (which might not be a negative for others) and that is having to plan my menus properly on my fast days. I'm somewhat disorganised in the kitchen so this is a bit of a challenge for me but, so far, so good.
My fast days are usually Mondays and Wednesdays because I work from home on those days so it's easier. I also like getting the two days over early in the week. Would I lose more weight if I spaced the days out a bit further? I don't know without trying but, for now, I'll stick to what I'm doing.
What do I eat on fast days? I start the day with 2 cups of coffee with 100ml s/s milk between them. I'd be unbearable to live with if I had to give these up!
I drink water and herbal tea the rest of the day. I have a light lunch somewhere between 1 and 2 as I can't go straight through to dinner without eating something. I read somewhere that protein is good for making you feel fuller for longer so I'll have something like a boiled egg with salad leaves and tomatoes. For dinner I have a vegetable stew type dish and add rice or pasta or meat, depending on what I feel like. The good thing with this is I can make a large batch of the stew and freeze it in portions for use on my fast days.
I don't count calories on my non-fast days as I no longer want to be constantly counting calories, points or whatever on a daily basis. That's the beauty of 5:2 - it's only 2 days out of 7. Even I can manage that!
So, that's my first month and I feel really positive. On to the next!
I've found such support and encouragement on this forum so I hope my ramblings will also be of help.
P.S. I think I may have to find a new username.....
Four years ago I lost a stone and a half at Weightwatchers but the weight started to creep back on even though I still had another half a stone to go. I put a stone back on! Before I started WW I was heavier than I'd ever been in my life and hated myself for it. I was determined not to get back to my pre-WW weight and I've managed to hold steady but have found it impossible to lose weight.
I didn't see the Horizon programme last year and hadn't even heard of 5:2 until January when a neighbour told me about it. He'd lost a stone since October and was looking great! I was very sceptical of what he told me but, also, quite intrigued. I started reading up on it and bought the book.
After much deliberation I decided to give it a go and my first fast day was 28th January. Well, my first week was not a success as I gained a pound! This was a disastrous start for me as having little or no willpower makes it so easy to give up. However, I decided to try another week as I was interested in the health benefits as much as the losing weight.
The second week I lost 2lbs. Yeh
. The third week I lost another 2lbs. Had my fourth weigh-in this morning and I've lost another pound. So my net weight loss over the 4 weeks is 4lbs and amazingly my waist has reduced by 2.5 inches. I think when I started I was expecting the pounds to fall off a bit quicker but, realistically, I'm happy if I can continue losing a pound a week.So, how do I feel about this new (to me) WOL?
POSITIVES:
- weight loss!
- can fasten my belt 2 notches further up
- it's easier than I thought it would be (which means I should be able to keep to it)
- although I've not had any blood or other tests, I'm hoping the health benefits mentioned in various articles are actually happening
NEGATIVES:
- I can only really think of one (which might not be a negative for others) and that is having to plan my menus properly on my fast days. I'm somewhat disorganised in the kitchen so this is a bit of a challenge for me but, so far, so good.
My fast days are usually Mondays and Wednesdays because I work from home on those days so it's easier. I also like getting the two days over early in the week. Would I lose more weight if I spaced the days out a bit further? I don't know without trying but, for now, I'll stick to what I'm doing.
What do I eat on fast days? I start the day with 2 cups of coffee with 100ml s/s milk between them. I'd be unbearable to live with if I had to give these up!
I drink water and herbal tea the rest of the day. I have a light lunch somewhere between 1 and 2 as I can't go straight through to dinner without eating something. I read somewhere that protein is good for making you feel fuller for longer so I'll have something like a boiled egg with salad leaves and tomatoes. For dinner I have a vegetable stew type dish and add rice or pasta or meat, depending on what I feel like. The good thing with this is I can make a large batch of the stew and freeze it in portions for use on my fast days. I don't count calories on my non-fast days as I no longer want to be constantly counting calories, points or whatever on a daily basis. That's the beauty of 5:2 - it's only 2 days out of 7. Even I can manage that!
So, that's my first month and I feel really positive. On to the next!
I've found such support and encouragement on this forum so I hope my ramblings will also be of help.
P.S. I think I may have to find a new username.....
I'm getting on the scales on Friday which will be about a month. I'm just so happy that I can honestly say that I think this really is the one for me.
I don't think I'll be able to look at balloons the same way ever again! I'm going to a party tonight and there's bound to be balloons - might put me off the party food so no bad thing 
Well done with your weight loss so far. Brilliant results. 
What a great post
