I have nothing to hide, quite the opposite! And I don't have to "defend" myself. Results trumps ignorance! If anyone has objections:

a) it's none of their business.
b) fat melting away, inflammation down, knees better, IBS better, insulin resistance better. Better control of hunger and overeating. Regular CICO deficit did NOT help me on these issues.
What's NOT to like ?
c) they don't carry your weight or health problems. So it's none of their business.

If you get tired of people having opinions, don't talk about it...or bomb them with info that support your arguments: Krista Varady is a good source for medical studies, since she's studied IF protocols for more than 10 years.

Or you can just ignore the criticism. It really doesn't matter what other people think or say as long as it works for you. Stay true to yourself

Edit: Like you, 5:2 was my last resort. And it worked for weight loss. I think probably a lot of people in our situation, and they should know about this technique. But if you don't wanna fight those battles, that's ok. Cost benefit. Do what works for you.

The quite irrational fear of temporary hunger from so many people is really quite revealing - no wonder there is such an explosion of obesity. I don't have any problem with people taking opposite or differing views but it's he almost instinctive "I couldn't do that therefore it can't be good for you" reactions that surprise me.
Even when I say it's just skipping breakfast and having two small meals some people are just horrified at the thought of it.

I'm happy to tell anyone that wants to know about 5:2 as it's been such a life changer for me. If that involves challenging a few misconceptions and entrenched attitudes then so be it.

I did have a colleague mocking me for refusing his offer of sweets (candy) on a fast day but when I pointed out he is younger than me, has had a triple heart bypass, is diabetic, has a big beer belly and is totally sedentary he decided to refrain from giving out any more diet advice.

OMG the world out there are just the bunch of food and weight loss experts aren't they? Not!!!

1st of all my doctor recommended 5:2 for me so as far as I am concerned, the qualified medical professional IS the expert, nobody else.

Secondly, I think fasting is GOOD FOR US both mentally and physically unless we have a certain medical condition (eg diabetes). Others should understand that we are not going to drop dead from one day of no food! If we see results in weight loss, that means it works. Simple. All this starvation crap others talk about saying we should eat 6 meals a day has never agreed with me and I think is a bit ridiculous. I always end up more hungry, overeat, overweight, same problem doing the same thing. It is not until we do something different where we will see a different result.

Thirdly, both religious and non-religious groups have been doing this for centuries and the fact that our ancestors, cavemen and the like survived on either feast or famine, it was natural for them to eat this way.

This is not anorexia starving yourself and that is what people dont understand. Up to you if you tell them or not but if you do tell them, prepare an answer ready for them or just say nothing and think "I dont have to justify what I am doing to them!"

You know what I think? I think they are probably secretly jealous because the thought of having no food for 24 hours scares them and if they cannot achieve what you have achieved on their "normal" 6 meals a day or whatever it is they think of as being the standard diet and exercise program.

go karen_fitzgibbon yeah you tell em! lol

I think, you've got something there, jknight. While I was writing my comment, I reflected on just that. I was so convinced from the beginning, that I had found the key to my weight problems (inside and out), that people, who knew me, did not question my decision. They watched, were amazed and quite a few started asking me questions on the hows and whys and picked up 5:2 themselves.

The most important part of it all, imo, is I am convinced 5:2 is right for me and can articulate this, but I allow room for people, that say, no not for me, or not right now, or I prefer daily restriction, low carb, etc. If it works for them, fine with me. That's just not for me, but I have 5:2

Because I don't argue with the sceptics, I just state my own opinion and my own experience, they probably don't feel 'attacked' and the discussions are either interesting or end there.

snaps27 wrote: »

For me doing 5:2 got me to a good place mentally and physically. But I do have to say I find it much easier to do when my hubby's at work

A big high 5 for you!

I know, it's easier for me to do, because I only need to cook for myself. Thus any temptations in the house, were put there by ME!! I have a high amount of respect for everyone cooking for loved ones and still sticking to each fast.

I defy anyone who watched Dr Mosley's Horizon documentary to not stop and think...as the wonderful 'sadly missed' Spock (Respect Mr Nimoy RIP) would say "This is Logical Captain"
Making toast for my Son's breakfast on a fast day is indeed a challenge

I've kind of been anticipating this question from more casual friends/acquaintances or co-workers. Obviously, if it's someone close, they already know what you're doing because they see you doing it everyday haha. So far, 49 pounds on a big body doesn't look like much if you don't see me everyday, so I haven't gotten too many questions, but when I do I tell the truth- I'm calorie cycling. It's a bit more acceptable way of saying I'm fasting/varying my calories everyday. "Fasting" sounds extreme and might come with preconceptions, so if it's not someone I'm close with and would actually want to share and talk more in-depth, calorie cycling is an easier answer. I just say I aim for a calorie deficit per week and then varying my calories so I can eat more some days than others. I have never been a strict 5:2-er...I more try to keep with the heart of it, so this is the casual response without having to pull out scientific studies and charts haha.

@Carbi. Calorie cycling is a very elegant answer! Ty, I'm gonna nick that one

I agree with all of you that pushing a diet on someone else is not good. Re-reading my response on top, I can see it may have come off as preaching. I still think that I've got nothing to hide, though

Calorie cycling is an excellent term. I use it too. Or I say I do partial fasts, because if you say you are fasting, people tend to think, you eat nothing.

Go for it @jknight001! And enjoy that moment

I've stopped talking to people about it. I went back to work yesterday and I work with quite a few people that are a lot bigger than me. They noticed my weight loss straight away and were like "omg what's your secret? I want to try it!"
I started to explain that I'm fasting two days a week and omfg the diet nazis all jumped down my throat about how that's the wrong way to go and I should be doing it this way or that way...

Um i kinda wanted to be mean and say that my way is working for me and obviously their way isn't working for them seems as they asked me about MY weight loss.

I bit my tongue

@karen. Yup, some battles are not worth it. Cost benefit. Good job

Ugh, I mentioned 5:2 to my good friend's mom, as I see her a lot and she commented on my looking slim. I started off by mentioning that I decided to try this after researching it very well, recognizing my own weakness with straight up restrictive eating, etc.

She protested immediately, how it's not good for me, how I'm going to wreck my body/system, etc.

Then she went on to tell me about what she saw on tv about some other such way and that I should try that.

I just smiled and nodded and decided I wouldn't bring it up again. Now the only person I talk to about it is my very logic minded boyfriend. Bless him... he helps me stay sane.

I never push it. If the question comes up, as it inevitably does nowadays, I tend to brush it off the first time. Only if someone brings it up a second time, and seems truly interested, do I give them any real info. If they're really receptive and curious, I will tell them as much as they want to hear, but never push it as a cure-all for everybody. No one who knows me can deny that it's worked wonders for me, so if there are any who disagree with the idea they tend to keep that to themselves. Then again, it seems to be much more prevalent here in Europe than back in the States, so maybe that will flip a bit when I go home to visit in July...

feisty_bucket wrote: »

bburg86 wrote: »

When people notice that you've lost weight, or you mention that you've lost weight and people ask "how did you do it?" do you tell them what you are doing?

No way - I talk about food/nutrition/exercise as little as possible, IRL. Nothing good can come of it.

If forced, I say something vague or make a dumb joke and leave it at that. "Eh, I got deloused."

OMG-you crack me up! It's right up there with politics and religion-two other things I never discuss.