New to the 5:2 diet

[InTheNorth123]

Hi. I've not posted here before.

I want to lose between 7-14lbs before Christmas, and I hope to keep it off!

I am 5ft7" and weigh 10st8lbs at the moment. I'm a size 12 and would ideally like to be a 10.

I have a very peculiar body shape and desperately need to tone up. I've joined the gym and hope to go 2-3 times a week, but I'd also like to exercise at home in in the evenings on the days I don't go. My main problem areas are my hips. They are really out of proportion to the rest of me. I'd like to tone my bum bed tummy as well.

I am totally new to the 5:2 diet and exercise (suffered bad health since young, was unable to exercise for years) so any advice would be appreciated.

Are there any foods I should avoid altogether? Can anyone send me in the right direction to some sample menus etc.?

Thank you

hi Inthenorth.. are you me!?

I'm very similar, (also in the north!) I'm 5"7, weigh approx 11.5, wear a size 12, have 'childbearing' hips and am carrying 1- 1 & 1/2 stone too much. have piled it all on since DD was born over a yr ago.
I've come on here looking for advice too really, I have a gym membership and have started trying to go 2/3x a week. I'm also trying to eat better. I do eat pretty good food, make alot of my own meals etc but I snack, and I love cakes!

I've set myself a target, that if I can loose 1stone before Xmas....... I get a new car!

Hi, just finished the first week. I'm 5'4", weighed 13.8 when I started last week. Seemed to have survived, fingers crossed for weigh in in the morning. Have lost 2/2.5 stones doing sw and ww but both times have put the weight back on and some more. Am hoping to lose 3 stones this time and hopefully keep it off.

Ooo a new car sounds like a good incentive! I've told myself that I'll buy several pairs of new jeans and dresses in the January sales if I get down to a size 10 . I'm in Cheshire.

Are there any foods which are forbidden? I'm planning on eating 1600 cals on non-fasting days. I'm going to fast tmw and Saturday.

Does anybody know what the restrictions are with alcohol? I'm meant to be going out on Friday but I'm not sure if I am allowed one or two drinks?

Good luck for your weigh in, let us know how you get on!

3 lbs! Also survived work this morning on just a cup of tea.

I think the restrictions on alcohol are you just have to include them in your calorie allowance. Hopefully that's correct.

On NFDs, nothing is banned, just include it in your calories. We STRONGLY recommend no booze or junk on FDs though.

Most people who are overweight got that way by eating over TDEE, so I advise newbies to mfp for the first week or so, just to check how well they judge portion size on NFDs.
Some folk don't need to mfp any longer; others do.

We encourage healthy eating, but too many changes to your lifestyle can be stressful. In practice, many of us gradually adopt healthier habits.
Reducing calorie intake is dominant in any weight loss program, including 5:2/IF, regardless of what quality those calories are.

However, studies have shown that people who booze and eat a lot of sweet junk (choc, baked goods) may need to reduce cals by around 10% more than someone who eats very little junk and is a light drinker.

Thanks BigChoc. I definitely wouldn't drink on a FD; I'd be on the floor! I will download mfp this evening and input what I've eaten today.

Booked my gym induction for 8pm tmw.

Well done on the 3lbs muffin! Is that about average for loss on the 5:2? X

Average for you personally, I mean x

Don't know it was my first week so I presume this week will be less. But I was very happy with it.

Oh sorry, I didn't read your first post properly! I hope I'm 3lbs down next week.

I've ended up fasting today instead. I had 2 ryvitas, topped with low fat red pepper humous and salad for lunch. For tea I've had an omelette with asparagus, onions and salad again. (I picked the mushrooms out! I can't stand them. I also had some fruit juice and a bag of those low cal crisps. Don't think I did too badly. I'll try to stick to water and fruit for snacks and drinks in future.

What have you been eating on FDs? I think I might make some soups next week.

I tend to have melon and strawberries for lunch and chicken salad for tea. My calories probably aren't exact but in the general area.

Hi I would like to join. Am 5 7 as well. Weigh 12 st. Tmrw will be my first fast day.

I dnt eat any junk food or drink alcohol. My problem is portion control. I eat eat eat mom stop. Am hoping fasting is the way to go. Good ideas about the incentives :) I will have a think about what to treat myself with.

Anyone having problems with portion control on NFDs:

mfp to train yourself to eat to TDEE.
It can be motivating to realise the extra-large portions bring you several hundred calories above what your body needs to maintain.

Hi ladies what is the 5:2 diet ?

Heleng 5:2 is 2 days each week on 500 cals per day and the other 5 days eat normally - approximately your Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE)
This produces a weekly calorie deficit of around 3,000 cals, fo an average weekly loss of 1lb.

Full detail in the OP in the MainThread47