5:2 succes stories

Kidostud

This sounds very interesting and I would really like to give it a try. I'm just wondering if you exercise on the days that you fast? And if you do, how hard do you exercise?

melaniecheeks

I've been doing it since January, so that's 10 months now. And it's a real way of life, I can see me doing this for ever - I really like how it makes my body feel, some people describe it as pressing the "reset" button.

I've still got 2-3 pounds to go to get to my desired 130 pounds, but my bmi has been under 25 since about February, and my weight hasnt piled back on, even with the weeks Ive been on holidays.

There's 2 very good and supportive 5:2 groups on here - if you're interested in trying it then I strongly recommend you join them.

For those wanting more details - it's 2 days a week at 500 calories (or less) (600 for men). Best plan is to space the 2 days out, but they can be consecutive if that suits you. The other days eat at maintenance, or thereabouts.

Yes you can exercise on fast days - last week I did a running training session for an hour, and went straight to a Scottish dancing class for 2 hours, after a full day of meetings at work. But it can take a while for your body to be so used to fasting, for the first few weeks I'd take it easy.

It's not a quick fix - average losses are about a pound a week. And if you're near a healthy weight then the losses are even slower. But there are other health benefits, though these are harder to measure.

Crinksy

I started around the end of January and since then I've lost nearly 20kg.

I have been wanting to lose weight since I started, and so have been aware of what I eat every day (not just 'fasting' days), and I am positive that the fasting experience has made me gain a feel for my own appetite and what I need to satiate my hunger, without just eating to feel full.

I'm a couple of kg away from my target weight, and when I reach it I think I'll continue because of the other health benefits. I'll probably loosen up my calorie goals on the non-fasting days to ensure I don't lose more weight than I want.

Overall I would definitely recommend it! I now feel much better and have started to enjoy trying to get fitter - something that always seemed a chore before.

judilockwood

Did 5:2 for 6 weeks after I heard of it to finish my diet to target weight - lost 14 lbs quickly and easily, never felt hungry. 500 calories takes a bit of pre-prep but found I can eat adequately on it and 'hey' its only 2 days a week. I did 2 non-consecutive days so I didn't feel I was missing out on the foods I really like. I now maintain on 6:1 and have been stable for another 6 weeks - I guess I'll do this most of the time now. If I find my weight creeping up at Christmas or on holiday I'll 5:2 again.

Texasparis

Very helpful posts! Thanks! I do have the book and I did watch the documentary...... Certainly going to give it a go but only once I've managed to lose another 6-7 lbs with a strict regime over next few weeks. I admit I didn't really give it long enough only 3 weeks (6 fasts) though I did maintain during time around 120lbs (I'm a shortie so need to be around 106-110lbs mark).

glitterstreet

I have tried this and found it reasonably successful. I would be following it at the moment if I didn't have so many exams and stuff on. The only thing is, personally, I would not recommend doing two consecutive days of fasting. It has the potential to make you feel quite faint.

coffee4me57

to read later, thanks

Athena53

Have been doing it for about 14 months both when losing weight and at maintenance. I intend continuing with this way of eating indefinitely. It fits into my lifestyle and training regime very well and I have found a huge difference in my relationship to food and recognising hunger signals as opposed to eating out of greed or habit.

This has been my experience. I started about 3 years ago at 147 lbs. I'm 5'7". Now I'm around 129. I have a lot of expensive business clothes and the bottoms (pants and skirts) have been hanging on me. The tailor was a little skeptical at first; he's got clients who yo-yo and he didn't want to take things in, then have me gain the weight back and strain the seams, then let them out again. I've gotten 2 pairs of pants taken in and next week I'm bringing my skirt in. Too bad I lost the weight AFTER I had everything made! I intend to keep this up for life. It works with my lifestyle and still keeps me fed well enough for a pretty demanding (for age 60) exercise routine.

hankela

tag to read later

snailrunner

I started 5:2 in Feb at 10st 1 (63.8kg) and met my initial target of 19lbs within 12 weeks. I cut down to 1 fast day a week, occasionally 2 if it seemed justified, and then to 1 day a fortnight. Since meeting my original goal five months ago, I have lost a further 10lbs and am very stable at between 8st - 8st 2lbs. It's been an expensive time! I frequently exercise on fast days, but if you are exercising in the morning this is no big deal - I wouldn't normally eat before a run anyway. I have run 10k on an empty stomach plenty of times, and often do an hour's cardio on a fast day.

On work days, I split my 500 cals into lunch and dinner, if at home I usually keep busy and wait til dinnertime before I eat. Hunger is not the enemy and I have learned to ignore it, it soon goes away! Peppermint tea keeps me hydrated and comfortable. At first I had some digestive upsets from fasting and some disturbed nights, but don't have any issues now, or for many months.

It is not a diet, it's a way of life which is sustainable and enjoyable.

Texasparis

That's impressive Snailrunner! Well done! I'm definitely going to give it another go! I don't think it tried for long enough last time!

Yanicka1

On week 6 and it really fit with my lifestyle. I intend to try it for a full 8 weeks then reasses.

Athena53

I'm just wondering if you exercise on the days that you fast? And if you do, how hard do you exercise?

I do about an hour of cardio every day, fasting or not. I've taken up sprint triathlons and 35-mile charity bike rides (done with both for the season now) and would not fast on those days. Since I usually fast Tuesdays/Thursdays and these rides/competitions are on the weekends, I get enough nutrition to keep me going for the endurance events.

Lillyloooo

Looking for 5:2 friends

angie007az

I started using 5:2 in the last week of Sept, 2013. About a month ago, I hit a plateau so I switched to a 4:3 plan. I fast on Monday, Thursday and Saturday. For me, that seemed to help. I exercise daily using a treadmill on an incline, I now an starting to use the kettle bells and various free weights. Considering the Bowflex PR3000 as I have a friend who uses it and is in excellent shape.

Would appreciate hearing from you on Bowflex if you use it.

In addition, I accept all friend requests. I do not care if your diary is closed or not. Be advised that mine is closed as I did have it open and I was getting negative feedback that I really didn't need to hear.

Have a great Super Bowl Day!!

JaniePapageorgio

I've been doing 5:2 (with an occasional 4:3) for over 7 months. I've lost 50lbs and feel great! My doctor said my blood work is excellent. I'm 5 lbs away from my goal and may go another 10 or 15 lbs for some wiggle room. I plan to do 6:1 once I get to me ideal weight.

You are such a success and I love seeing you post on the boards!

I've lost a little over 10lbs this month on 3:4; here is an article that shows a scientific basis for the diet. It's incredibly simple on non-jargon-y. Also it's good science, and not just theoretical. I'm a numbers person and I don't go with anything on faith alone. The studies and my own success/LOVE of this lifestyle are enough for me.

*edit: one of the studies show that 80-90% of the study participants were able to stick to the every-other-day fasting plan.

http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/01/the-new-way-to-love-food/283276/

gigiloves

im so excited to start this!! i have been doing my own little weight loss thing with working out every day and sticking to 1570 calories or 5 days then binge saturdays and special kay sundays and ive lost about 10lbs in about 5 weeks which i love. i dont wanna rush my body to lose weight bc i dont want loose skin i wanna be tight and tone when i hit my goal weight and not need surgery lol. but im gonna start this 5:2 diet as soon as i figure out what 2 days i want my 500 calories to be. im super stoked to start and i cant wait to share my story with you guys at the end of this year!!! good luck every one and i hope you have a healthy rest of the year!!

#bikinisummer

Winterbaby2014

I only started the 5:2 just over 3 weeks ago. I have lost 6lbs. I have altered it slightly to fit me however!.. ive been told that the fast days are days were you fast for 12 hours in the day (so ie not eating between 7 and 7). but I cant do that! Im a student nurse, so like to eat!! (lol!). so I have 3 little meals, for example, 1 Weetabix, beans on toast, then half a can of soup. I work it out so itll be as close to 500 as possible. this means I still have the energy to do things (essentially!) but I still have the calorie deficit!

on non-fast days I don't binge. Still have 3 meals a day (bigger and more nutritious meals!), but still stick to a calorie deficit of 500 (which for me, means I can eat 1246 calories a day). This works for me, as it doesn't mean that I feel I eat too much, and I lose more weight, because I have a deficit on non-fast days.
going to start going to the gym tomorrow (Monday) to make myself look better, as its just flabby! Only have a little bit to lose!

malpeli

I didn't have a lot to lose, only 6kg to achieve my ideal weight of 65kg. I'd watched the Horizon documentary on alternate day fasting and thought it looked the ticket. I'd used it to shed a couple of kilos a while back but then put the weight on when I returned to old habits. Around the same time a friend of mine turned me on to the seven minute scientific workout. I decided to combine the two and document my progress in a blog. The blog has really helped me keep focus and not lose sight of my goals. I'm five weeks into the program and have shed 2.8kgs and should reach my ideal weight and shape in a few short weeks.

My blog is at http://www.faddietfadworkout.wordpress.com Check me out!

snailrunner

I started 5:2 in February 2013. I lost 8lbs in the first three weeks and met my goal in early May, then carried on losing to settle at my current weight in the summer of 2013. I've maintained easily since then, stepping up the fasting when needed (i.e. after a vacation) and often going 3-4 weeks without fasting at all. I love 5:2, 6:1, or whatever version suits me at the time! I'm now on average 26lbs lighter than I was when I started it and have gone down two dress sizes (now UK 8/US 4). I'd definitely recommend it.

shanighias

I have lost 11 Kg in 2 months with 4:3 fasting,Running and Lifting!