The FastDay Forum

Hello, been on this diet for 5 weeks. First week I lost 4lbs, since then nothing!! My waist has decreased an inch but other than that I don't know what I'm doing wrong!! Other than today, (when I have cheated for the first time because I'm so fed up), I have stuck to it religiously!! Any ideas?!

I would have thought an inch off the waist was a huge amount - just picture that evenly spread over your body! Are you exercising a lot and putting on muscle?
People more experienced than me will be on soon - sure they will have the answer.

Hi Sharong, you have lost 4lbs in 5 weeks , they say that average loss is 1lb per week, so you are not far off. Read a few times on this forum that the first week weight loss is mostly water that you will gain again but start to lose fat, hope it makes sense.

Don't give up. Several other people have posted in various places saying they lost lots the first week like you, then halted for a few weeks, but they persisted and starting losing again. And you are obviously improving your figure if you have lost an inch. Perhaps you have gained some muscle which is meaning your weight loss isn't showing up on the scales. I'm sure some more experienced people will be online later to help you out. Hope the weight starts to go down soon

Losing an inch is definitely something to be happy about!

Don't pay too much attention to the scales, your body may have simply been storing more water on the weigh in day hence no change in weight. How do your clothes feel?

Hey Sharong, You lost those pounds and you haven't regained them! Think about how many times you've dropped pounds only to regain them immediately. After 5 weeks, you know that those pounds you've lost are real pounds, not water weight. Hang in there!

Look at the Nerdy forum where some of this stuff is discussed. Look at the Progress forum--it hasn't been smooth sailing for most people. There are ups and downs, but there is a strong downward trend. Celebrate it!

You may need to tweak things a bit: when, what and how much you eat and/or what you do. Think trending progress and longterm benefits. Can you live the rest of your life like this? I think I can.

Good luck!

Do you want to be slimmer, or do you just want to lose weight (even if you look exactly the same when you've lost it)?

If you want to be slimmer, then the 5:2 system is working perfectly for you - a whole inch of fat off your waist! Brilliant!

A lot of people on this website seem to have experienced the occasional plateau when their weight stays the same (or even increases a bit) for a time, and quite a few of these have reported inch loss during the plateau. I suggest you stay on the 5:2 system for another four weeks, and see what happens in that time.

Good luck!

[carorees]

Please read this (very important): viewtopic.php?f=7&t=1006
It is likely you are losing fat but because water is so much heavier than water, any water retention will hide the fat loss.

If the diet is not working for you, it means you are not working for the diet. Weight loss in the first week is mainly water loss, rather than real weight loss. If you have kept the five pounds off for several week, then you have lost real weight.

Contrary to what a lot of people think, you cannot eat whatever you want on the diet If you eat too much on your feed days, you will not lose weight.

My guess is you are taking in too many calories somewhere along the line and you need to take a closer look at what you are eating.

It takes a long time to turn the elephant around. It has taken me months to learn what I have to eat to maintain or lose weight. I have found success in eating a LOT of vegetables and green salads. I also eat smaller portions. I went to brunch the other day and ordered an omlette, which came with hash browns and a bagel. I ate the eggs, but only half the bread and a few bites of potatoes. In other words, I left food on my plate.

If you are serious about sticking to any diet, you have to give yourself time to adapt, by that I mean you need to weigh every day and continual make adjustments in how you eat to get the best results.

It's my 5th week too and I've only lost 1lb - but my clothes seem to be looser and my muffin top has gone?! It's weird! Maybe I should invest in some decent scales. Whatever - I'm feeling really good and I'm in for the long haul. Don't give up Sharong - there are sooo many benefits with this WOE. X

Hi Sharong
You'll know if you have had a look round the forum that this isn't uncommon - impressive loss at first and then re-adjustment. I had to cut down on one other normal day (not a fast though) to make sure there was 3000 calorie deficit over the week. If you look at my chart you can see that all the time my waist kept going down, indicating something was happening! and low and behold having kept at it, a few pounds came off at once. Keep plugging away but also think about any adjustments that might be needed and hopefully it will come right. Don't expect a steady loss though because it doesn't happen like that for everyone.

Oh please don't give up yet. I won't repeat what so many have already posted on here - but there's so much genuine support and good information - do read through it and then look again at what you're actually eating, TDEE etc. An inch off your waist and maintaining 4lb off is good - don't give up yet - give it at least another month or so - you can do this and it will work It's not a quick fix but a long term commitment - let us all know how you get on

It's my 5th week too and I've only lost 1lb - but my clothes seem to be looser and my muffin top has gone?! It's weird! Maybe I should invest in some decent scales. Whatever - I'm feeling really good and I'm in for the long haul. Don't give up Sharong - there are sooo many benefits with this WOE. X

It's true, lots of factors can mask what is happening but the clothes don't lie!!

First question: if you quit, what will you do? Go on another diet? Will it be as successful as this one?
I know that you probably think that you could have lost more but 4 pounds and an inch is not bad and don't forget that fat is not heavy.
So, unless you have a better idea involving not feeling hungry, losing weight and maintaining, please don't give up!

Well done for voicing your concerns on the forum - already you are getting many messages of support and congratulating you for losing 4 pounds and an inch and keeping it off. It's only natural to feel disappointed, particularly when you keep reading about people losing weight and/or inches at a steady rate. Remember, it took a long time to put that weight on, so the fact that it is going slowly isn't necessarily a bad thing. Good luck and let us know how you are getting on after you have done another fast day.