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Over a year, but only 5lbs lost?

PostPosted: 01 Sep 2014, 08:32
by dancinhamster
Hello all!

Well, I'm pretty fed up. :cry:

After 54 weeks on the 5:2 diet, I've lost 5lbs (well, I've yo-yo'd). I hit a 3 month plateau, then started to gain :confused:

I'm still running 3 times a week, plus using an elliptical trainer twice a week. I'm sticking to 500-650 on fast days, and 1700-1900 on the other five. I've tried the 3:4, or eating within an 8 hour window, but here I am.

My goal was to lose a stone, so I'm really extremely disappointed. I'm a veggie/vegan so the Dukan 'attack' suggestion is very hard to do on two additional days.
Am I really the only person who's not succeeded? :frown:

Re: Over a year, but only 5lbs lost?

PostPosted: 01 Sep 2014, 09:17
by carieoates
Hello there.
I feel for you I really do. Have you measured yourself ? Because this is essential. Exercise will indeed slow up your weight loss, I'm an avid exerciser too. Being toned is my goal alongside losing weight. I cannot see your stats, BMI progress tracker so it's difficult to offer much advice I'm afraid.
I have to be very disciplined to shift weight. Using a cal counter to help track those pesky extras, is very helpful and logging them on eg My Fitness Pal also helps me loads.
Your age, exercise, hormones, all need to be considered I'm afraid.
Other than that without more info I'm afraid I cannot offer any more.


https://www.fastday.com/fasting/why-am- ... t-fasting/

Take a look at the FAQs something there might help you.

Good luck.

Re: Over a year, but only 5lbs lost?

PostPosted: 01 Sep 2014, 10:04
by Debs
Hi Hammy,
You are certainly not alone! Often when people don't do as well as they would like they just slip quietly away never to be heard of again; there aren't many of us who stick it out regardless.
Look at it from another direction, if you had kept going as you were, what do you think you would weigh? Another few kilos that just slid on while you were living life as usual? I haven't lost much and have yo-yo'd over the last year or so and there are many reason why that may be the case, age, stress, past dieting history etc.
As carieoates said there may be many reasons why you haven't done as well. I am not sure what to suggest really, the link above may help, but you are most certainly not alone.
Deb

Re: Over a year, but only 5lbs lost?

PostPosted: 01 Sep 2014, 10:16
by Azureblue
Not alone, it happens, keep doing your fasts and measure your waist for change. Metabolisms do vary as well as age and gender, not to mention environment, seasons and social life.
Have you tried a small change of say daily 16:8 instead of 5:2 for a few weeks, may help you out of a rut :0)

Re: Over a year, but only 5lbs lost?

PostPosted: 01 Sep 2014, 11:13
by Sue.Q
@dancinhamster Hello stranger :like:
dancinhamster wrote: Hello all!

Well, I'm pretty fed up. :cry:

After 54 weeks on the 5:2 diet, I've lost 5lbs (well, I've yo-yo'd). I hit a 3 month plateau, then started to gain :confused:


My goal was to lose a stone, so I'm really extremely disappointed.
Am I really the only person who's not succeeded? :frown:


"Are you alone"----------------------NO!!!!
BUT well done because you are still here with us unlike many who disappear when the going gets tough. Congratulations :heart:
I can't offer much help though, as you know exercise inhabits weightloss and obviously the higher protein is off the menu, so maybe lowering your TDEE for one month just to see if that works. :clover: :clover:

Re: Over a year, but only 5lbs lost?

PostPosted: 01 Sep 2014, 12:10
by rawkaren
No not alone. Read my last blog post. I'd say you have done well.

Re: Over a year, but only 5lbs lost?

PostPosted: 01 Sep 2014, 16:40
by dancinhamster
Thank you all, so much!!!

Wow! I thought I was being a complete failure...I'm really appreciate all your comments and thoughts!
Yes, I would possibly have been the same weight, but just dull old dieting alone. At least this way I've had some great food. :oops:
And yes again - I suppose I shouldn't be such a grump - after all, at least I haven't gained 5lbs on top of my starting weight!
I'm 44, and just come off the pill. I've measured, and I seem to have gained around the middle. I only really need to shift 7lbs, and I got there last year, so I stayed doing 5:2 as maintenance. Tried 6:18 & 3:4.

You've all inspired me to shut up, and re-think. I think I'll drop my TDEE to 1700 (not 1900), and do a fortnight of 3:4.....give myself a kick in the pants.

Once again, a big "thank you" :like: :heart: :oops:

Re: Over a year, but only 5lbs lost?

PostPosted: 01 Sep 2014, 17:20
by carieoates
Consider your pants kicked gal.
Threats what we are here for, to listen, give advice and often get some back in return when we are flailing.
Glad you've got your mojo back or as @CandiceMarie says you've "got back on your horse and clip clopping back down that road"

Re: Over a year, but only 5lbs lost?

PostPosted: 01 Sep 2014, 20:15
by peebles
Perhaps the very high carb food needed to eat a vegan diet is pushing your insulin resistance up to where it defeats weight loss?

Around menopause IR goes up, sometimes dramatically.

Re: Over a year, but only 5lbs lost?

PostPosted: 01 Sep 2014, 23:42
by Lizbean
@dancinhamster - go you - great advice from the best of many on our forum. The best advice I can give you is for you to visit us daily to keep on track :clover: :like: :heart:

Re: Over a year, but only 5lbs lost?

PostPosted: 02 Sep 2014, 00:25
by Juliana.Rivers
What is your current BMI and target BMI?

Make sure you are here October 1 as we start the Christmas challenge then. 8 weeks of goal setting, group support and hugs, advice, determination, hard word and fun!

Re: Over a year, but only 5lbs lost?

PostPosted: 02 Sep 2014, 03:56
by MaryAnn
No one here ever wants to say it. If I tried something for a year - honestly tried it, no cheating - and it didn't work, I'd give up. No matter what anyone else said. There are other approaches out there. Try one of them. But still stay here and chat with us because everyone is nice and lovely and we'd miss you if you didn't stay around.

p.s. I'm guessing your TDEE is lower than 1700-1900, otherwise you would be losing weight. Have you had your thyroid checked? That would be one explanation for your TDEE being lower than predicted...

Re: Over a year, but only 5lbs lost?

PostPosted: 02 Sep 2014, 04:15
by GMH
Hi Hamster good on you for sticking with it, I would definitely be getting thyroid...and other hormones checked. I'm vegetarian not vegan but it's only once in a blue moon do I eat rice, pasta, spuds but I do eat a bit of wheat, however if u eat lots of low cal veg u should lose weight. Since I have adjusted my thyroid meds and got back into 4:3 with no care or counting on feed days the weight is now falling off, even tho I only had 6kg to lose. Get checked and good luck.

Re: Over a year, but only 5lbs lost?

PostPosted: 02 Sep 2014, 07:04
by rawkaren
peebles wrote: Perhaps the very high carb food needed to eat a vegan diet is pushing your insulin resistance up to where it defeats weight loss?

Around menopause IR goes up, sometimes dramatically.


You don't have to be very high carb as a vegan. Drop the grains for a couple of weeks and see what happens. Eat more veggies than fruit, good fats and a vegan protein shake or two if you are working out.

Re: Over a year, but only 5lbs lost?

PostPosted: 02 Sep 2014, 07:31
by Egduf
[quote="rawkaren"

You don't have to be very high carb as a vegan. Drop the grains for a couple of weeks and see what happens. Eat more veggies than fruit, good fats and a vegan protein shake or two if you are working out.[/quote]

Yes, I'm amazed at how few calories are in my veggies when I measure them out on fasting days. You can do it :like: