5:2 succes stories

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Looking for 5:2 friends

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/

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!

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.