The Inspirational 5:2 Thread

[eatriskier]

ROLL UP ROLL UP… OVER HERE FOR YOUR INSPIRATIONAL WEIGHT LOSS AND HEALTH BENEFIT STORIES

It has been suggested by the wonderful betsybell that a thread be started with some inspiring stories for us all.

I feel that there should be some disclaimers - we are all different, we gain weight in different ways and will lose differently. Similarly with health issues. Some stories here mine to start with may be extreme.

Umm, that's about it I think...

[strangerInStrangeLand]

@OohMrDarcy Found you on here ! :-) I hope to be in this thread too, in one year with a new inspirational story in a long time!

[BigChocFrenzy]

Hi sequins You did really well before
but as you've found, with any WOL, you need to stay on a maintenance plan, because your old WOE is what put on the weight the first time round

As you say, you're at a much better starting point this time.
If you need motivation / support to climb back on the fasting track, everyone welcome also on the Main Thread # 73

[SequinsOfEvents]

Hi all

I was on here about a year ago giving my life story (just read it back - I was a bit OTT on the detail groan) Anyway, I DID stick with 5:2 and it really worked! I went from about 11stone down to nicely under 10 stone and, in fact, I almost got to 9 and a half stone. It took until About late July I'd say but I managed it - even with a kitchen/house being renovated i.e. no proper kitchen facilities and lots of eating out! But it happened and I did it!!

That was the good news, this is the bad...........I lost it a bit after the summer and haven't been able to get back into the swing of 5:2 again since - I do realise this is now 6 months off the wagon as it were!

Plus side is that I'm only a few lbs over 10 stone so it's a much lower starting point and I want to have another go! It really did work and I am sure I can do it again so, stayed tuned I might start reading on the boards again and get some motivation and support there.

Back again in another year? Perhaps I will be somewhere between 9 and 9 and a half stone then?! Hahahahahah - we shall see..........

To those starting out - stay motivated! It does work and it is do-able! Long term for some too - my error was dropping it altogether when I should have kept one FD a week going and then I could take it up to 2 if I needed to. I am feeling the motivation now though - back to it!

Good luck everyone!

[BigChocFrenzy]

Any more maintainers e.g. with anniversaries: do post and help inspire those just starting

[Catsrus]

If you’d told me 5yrs ago that I would never need to diet ever again I’m not sure I would have believed you. Fasting sounded “faddy” and totally counter to everything I thought I knew about diet and health. I’d been sold the myth of “little and often”, not skipping meals “healthy snacks” .... now I simply don’t eat until I’m hungry and then I eat what I want. What I want to eat has changed though. I have no problems with special occasions and nothing is forbidden. I think I’ve just learned to eat like a thin person, adjusting what I eat in a sensible way. A birthday celebration might be followed by a 16:8 “fast” day, but I never count calories.

[BigChocFrenzy]

Congratulations on your 5-year anniversary, talkinpeace, catrus
Great to hear from longterm maintainers

[Catsrus]

5yr update from me too - ditto :-) weight loss very easily maintained by throwing in fast days as needed. Special occasions easily dealt with, nothing forbidden but my whole attitude to eating shifted. Brilliant

[Ta1kinPeece]

5 year update .....

I started 5:2 after watching the documentary
it has allowed me to manage my weight easily ever since.
And I'll keep doing it for the rest of my life.
What's not to love

[BigChocFrenzy]

Hi, day I'd suggest the normal 5:2 for weight loss
6:1 is more for maintenance after a big loss, or easing into maintenance
You are welcome to come over to the current main 5:2 Thread # 69 - lots of friendly support and advice there

[daydreamnation]

Hello, I'm new to this! I'm perimenopausal, currently in the midst of hideous moods, bloating, sore boobs etc I'm starting to put on weight, only a few pounds but I'm tiny so it really makes a difference to how my clothes look (and fit!)
I've been looking at all the threads on here about 5:2 and was wondering if 6:1 would be more appropriate for someone in my shoes? (or am I totally missing the point!)

[BigChocFrenzy]

Roll up, roll up, tell us your inspiring stories about your weight loss !

This is where you can strut your stuff, tell us how well you've done and be proud

5:2 / 16:8 / .... whatever fasting system you used

[BigChocFrenzy]

@Bigmomma28 Many women 5:2 while BFing.
There are NO Toxins from fasting - not sure where you heard that

So long as you give yourself at least 3 -4 months to recover after birth and you feel OK, most women are fine.

In your case, you could start right away.

For those EBFing, we recommend starting at 1000 cals on FDs, instead of 500, then if you wish, gradually coming down to about 700.

With an older Baby like yours, I'd suggest starting at 700 cals and going down to 500 when you feel ready.

[BigChocFrenzy]

Well done on maintaining so well, chocteabag
and you too @talkinpeace - drop in and say hallo, both of you

[Chocolateteabag]

Just coming back to post an update - I'm still stable at 66-68kgs
I do 16:8 mon to Fri with one of those days a fast day.
I still lurk on Big Choc's amazing main threads
Considering doing a more concerted effort to get down to 64-65 and see if I can maintain that weight but happy at my WOL overall

[Bigmomma28]

Anyone doing the 5.2 diet while bf 15 month old baby?
Also do toxins really get into the milk when I fast to harm baby?
I know it is advised not to do this while bf but I have really piled on the pounds and it's beginning to upset me

[Ta1kinPeace]

Well, this spring has been an utter fail and my weight has crept up to around 9st 9
BUT
My BMI is still under 22.5 and by the summer I'll be back under 9st
and still really enjoying 5:2
which is the real long term goal

[SequinsOfEvents]

Eurgh! Pressed too quickly and accidentally posted!

Basically, I have lost weight before (using MFP) and sort of kept it off for a couple of years on and off. Then used 5:2 for a couple of months and lost maybe half a stone but that was probably the last time I lost any weight.

For the last 3 years (!!) it's been creeping up and not really ever going down enough. A few lbs here and there but always back on again quite quickly and no real traction or motivation to really do it.

Anyway, I have motivation now.....I'm too heavy, I have no winter clothes and I don't want to buy any larger ones! I've got a holiday booked for the summer and I am 40 (eek!) at the end of the year. I WILL NOT BE QUITE SO CHUBBY WHEN I TURN 40!!!!

Am moving over to the main thread but wanted to say thanks to all the before and after peeps on here - your stories have got me all fired up!

I'll be back here in a few months / 6 months / a year with something inspiring for others I hope.....

mwah

[SequinsOfEvents]

You guys! This is incredibly inspiring.....I have started!

I've tried 5:2 before but it was a couple of years ago - maybe as many as 3 years ago!! I did it to drop a few lbs - perhaps half a stone and it worked.

I have to say that, since then, I've let it all get out of control.......I have recently returned to the UK after almost a decade abroad and I'm feeling dreadful!

Five years ago, when my second child was just 1, I had a real wake-up call as I'd hit 10 and a half stone and I wanted to get back down a bit. I used MFP and was fairly strict for once and within about 6 months I was down to just over 9 stone. I maintained around 9 and a half for a couple of years but the last 3 years have had me creep up slowly, slowly.....

CURRENT STATS
I am 5'5"
I weigh about 10 s 10/11lbs - I have topped out at 10s13lbs in the recent past (fortnight ago?!) and it's just all too much

I started 5:2 again this week and so I am x2 fasts in......I will move to the main thread but hope to come back and post on here with my own success story by the summertime!

[TalkinPeace]

Well done eatriskier
good to know that it still helps you stay healthy while enjoying meals

[eatriskier]

I've been a terrible mother to this thread.

If anyone still cares - I'm still going at this. I don't really fast anymore but I have two lower calorie no processed stuff occassionally veggie days a week where I also do my main bouts of exercise.

In the intermediary years I've hit some rough health. I've hit periods where I've gone up a bit but normally I'm about 2lb to 3lb heavier than I was when I started this thread. I do not see that as a bad thing.

DH is still in there. He still fasts 2 days a week but doesn't really give a crap otherwise. He judges himself solely by his belt now. He's also at 3 years of maintaining without really trying as for him its normal.

[BigChocFrenzy]

Bump
If you want to lose weight, come join us on the Main 5:2 / IF Thread # 66

[Sleepymumma13]

Hi ladies
Wow, just read this whole thread, well done to you all - these results are seriously amazing. I did the 5:2 for a week (yes just one week!!!) Back in 2013 before I got married and dropped 5lbs. I've always been a size 14, but luckily am quite tall so don't look as chunky as I should do. Over the past year my weight has crept up and up and I'm now the biggest I've ever been not pregnant. I really want to get healthier but just find most diets hard to stick to. Am a bit of a chocolate and biscuit addict. Anyway, I'm sorting out the fact that I emotionally eat, but I think I'm a bit all or nothing. So going to start the 5:2 tomorrow, my first fast day.

Thanks for the inspiration and I hope to be able to add to this thread in a few months!!!!!!!!!
xxx

[OohMrDarcy]

Eeek - Can't believe I've been doing 5:2 exactly one year today!!!

If I look at myself this time last year, and again today I'm like two different people. I have lost around 4 stone (currently a little under after holiday blips), and am well on the way to a healthier weight. This time next year I hope to be maintaining!
So what has changed?!
-My asthma has improved
-My running pace has increased very quickly (with almost no training and after a year off)
-My skin is clearer
-No joint pain (4 stone less to carry helps that one)
-Diet is generally much healthier
-I'm eating new things - including eggs, mushrooms, crab, samphire - I'm trying new things regularly and enjoying lots of them
-I'm eating more veg
-Eating less carbs
-Clothes size has gone from 20 top / 22 bottom to 14 top / 16 bottom

To anyone considering this WOE I strongly urge you to give it a go! I have more energy, I feel more positive and healthier than I can remember being. I've found ME again