Newbie squeezing onto the 5:2 bus!

[VanGogh]

Ok. I need to do something controlled, sensible and to address my attitude to and my poor relationship with food (and alcohol cal.) from reading A LOT on here, I have decided that 5:2 is probably the way forward for me.

I am overweight, unfit, poor skin, poor body image and lacking self esteem. This is the right thing to do.

What do I need to know? I start my first fasting day tomorrow.

welcome, VanGogh
. Plan and calorie count your food and drink for the entire day in advance.
. Don't forget to count sugar and milk if you take them
. Concentrate on lean protein and veg, e.g. salad, soup, stew, stir fry.
. It helps to skip breakfast - have a big coffee or tea instead
. Most of us avoid starches on FDs.
. Some (like me) also need to avoid fruit, juice or yoghurt on FDs
. Drink LOTS of water

Best to read the OP on the MainThread44 and introduce yourself there, lots of support and advice.

oh and ready meals are ok, also simplifies calorie counting

Thank you. I really appreciate it.

Today is my first fast day. I'm gunning for water and black coffee with artificial sweetener. If I don't eat breakfast I can typically not eat for a long time.

Today is my first day as my shape starts to resemble a jacket potato.
Good luck to you, OP.

I started last week and have lost 6lbs already. Although, I've also started gungho with exercise so I'll probably be bored of it all in a couple of weeks!

OP how was your first fast day? Mine wasn't too bad - I had 590kcal - I thought I will never last for the whole day so this is a good start! I am not actually even that hungry now that I am already in bed. The hardest time I found was between 2pm and 3:30pm but then I managed with a cup of tea. I am so proud of myself. I am looking forward to the next fast day on Monday. And in the meantime I am looking forward to all those leftovers in the fridge that I could not eat today.

This is not only a one good day of diet; this is the whole achievement of be able to manage my body. Yey!

OP how was your first fast day? Mine wasn't too bad - I had 590kcal - I thought I will never last for the whole day so this is a good start! I am not actually even that hungry now that I am already in bed. The hardest time I found was between 2pm and 3:30pm but then I managed with a cup of tea. I am so proud of myself. I am looking forward to the next fast day on Monday. And in the meantime I am looking forward to all those leftovers in the fridge that I could not eat today.

This is not only a one good day of diet; this is the whole achievement of be able to manage my body. Yey!

Weighed myself this morning and found that I am +0.5kg heavier :(

Sorry. I'm here!

I didn't weigh myself for 2 weeks (since I started) I've just done so and have lost 6lbs in 2 weeks of 5:2 and excercise. Is this "normal" it feels kinda slow to me

I tried it yesterday for first time. Fine till late afternoon but then felt rather weak and lightheaded just as driving the 40mins home from work. Any tips? There doesn't seem to be much room for snacks in the calorie count!

Wow van 6lbs is fantastic, that's almost half a stone! Well done!
morning what are you having for your meals? I have fish and veg which comes to about 250cals so I have some left for a late afternoon snack, maybe some carrot sticks with small amount of hummus or similar?

Thanks sunshine. I'd had a handful of branflakes for breakfast then salad with slice of ham for lunch. Was saving rest of cals for dinner time. So split dinner cals into two to allow for a snack maybe?

Hi all, I too am a newbie to 5:2 diet. I lost 6lb in the first week but managed to put 1lb back on the week afterwards. I could only fast 1 day the week after hence the extra lb. I need to be more strict with myself.

Do you ladies still drink alcohol on this diet?

Welcome, Mumsr

Yes, you can drink alcohol on NFDs. Just mfp and fit it into your TDEE, because it can be a calorie bomb.
Same with any other food "treat". Nothing is banned as such.

Most folk lose quickly initially, then slow down to 1lb per week. Even with 2 FDs, weight fluctuates though. We advise looking at monthly trends.

If you can only fast 1 day per week, your loss is likely to be slower than the 1lb oer week average.
You need to be extra careful not to exceed TDEE on NFDs
To speed up weight loss, you could calculate the TDEE for your goal weight and sedentary. Or just chill and accept a slower loss

Join us on the main Thread46
Lots of friendly support there.

Yep and 6lb in 2 weeks is a great loss, I averaged about 2lb a week when I first started and was being strict, now I'm closer to goal and being less strict on NFDs it's mire like 2lbs a month!

Little "update"

I cannot believe how far this eating has got me. From when I "squeezed onto the bus" until now... I can see a massive difference. I feel healthier. I don't miss carbs so much. And....

I bought a size 12 for a wedding I was going to on sat.

IT FIT PERFECTLY!!!

I also received compliments from friends and family on how I looked all day! I think my confidence shone!

This is by far the best "diet" I have ever done. I actually enjoy it!

I've also started at the gym too as it continues my healthy buzz!

I AM SO SO HAPPY!!!

Anyone who's thinking of giving the 5:2 a crack- don't delay, it's AMAZING!!!!!

Hi, I'm feed up with being a fatty. I've got a plan. My husband and I are going to do 4_3 diet, it will be hard but I need to shed! Anyone else doing this?

Hi Helen there are lots of us doing this! Come and join the main thread, it's pretty active and full of support.

Vangogh - you're inspirational! I'm on first day of 5:2 and loving reading all the great posts with amazing results - I WILL get back into pre-preg clothes! No more scoffing whole packs of biscuits for me! ;-)
Going to tootle on over to the main thread and jump on the newbie bus.
Hope it's all going really well for you!

Brilliant, VanGogh
You've lost weight & inches, received lots of compliments and taken up exercise.
The main thing is you FEEL GREAT !