I hit goal back in Feb, keeping my weight under 158 (fluctated mostly 156-158 range). At some point after too many fun summer activities i realized the scale was consistently hanging out in the 160-163 range and I said - this needs to stop!

I went on the 5:2 and quite quickly dropped back down under 158 - that 5 pound regain disappeared fast and stayed off. Then I had a vacation and a few other things that sort of took me off course, but I maintained in the 156-158 range for several weeks just doing my normal thing (well honestly, eating to a little excess on vacation but no gain so it wasn't too bad).

Now that I am back, i went back on it and I can't believe how well it seems to be working. This morning I hit 153. It is my dream to be at 150 by my plastics on 10/14 and I think with 5:2 that is a real possibility!

For those of you reading in the losing phase, this may not seem like much, but once you are in maintenance, and your body has sort of settled on a happy weight...hehe really the lowest it wants to go...it seems easy to go UP on the scale but really really hard to go down any further.

There is something about the "fasting" that is different - again, it isn't just the calorie math - there is something else going on here. I took recommendation I read somewhere and try to go 18 hours without any food. for example, my fast days are Tues/Thur, so if I eat last on Monday at 7pm, I try to wait until 1pm on Tuesday to eat my first meal of the fast day.

I don't know if I could have done this preop... I have a whole different mindset about food then I used to. I don't get that weak, I am gonna die low blood sugar feeling anymore. I "believe" that I can be well nourished and still eat alot less so I can do this pretty easily actually - preop, it would have probably been something i could hardly fathom sustaining for any length of time.

Cowgirl,

I can't remember... Are you in our 5:2 group?

Your doing awesome by the way

I loved reading this!! I just am now trying the 5.2 diet and did well the first week and not so well the second because of my birthday. I'm back on it now and fasting today, then next week will go back to Monday's and Thrusdays. This is so encouraging to me!! I have been trying to get to my goal of 150- 154 seems like forever. I'm 16 months out as of tomorrow. I'm hoping to join the 5.2 group after this week of fasting. I need the encouragment. Congratulations, and you give me hope of losing this last bit of weight!

When you say you fasted from 7 at night till one the next day; did you drink coffee or anything in the mornings before besides Water?

I hit goal back in Feb' date=' keeping my weight under 158 (fluctated mostly 156-158 range). At some point after too many fun summer activities i realized the scale was consistently hanging out in the 160-163 range and I said - this needs to stop! I went on the 5:2 and quite quickly dropped back down under 158 - that 5 pound regain disappeared fast and stayed off. Then I had a vacation and a few other things that sort of took me off course, but I maintained in the 156-158 range for several weeks just doing my normal thing (well honestly, eating to a little excess on vacation but no gain so it wasn't too bad). Now that I am back, i went back on it and I can't believe how well it seems to be working. This morning I hit 153. It is my dream to be at 150 by my plastics on 10/14 and I think with 5:2 that is a real possibility! For those of you reading in the losing phase, this may not seem like much, but once you are in maintenance, and your body has sort of settled on a happy weight...hehe really the lowest it wants to go...it seems easy to go UP on the scale but really really hard to go down any further. There is something about the "fasting" that is different - again, it isn't just the calorie math - there is something else going on here. I took recommendation I read somewhere and try to go 18 hours without any food. for example, my fast days are Tues/Thur, so if I eat last on Monday at 7pm, I try to wait until 1pm on Tuesday to eat my first meal of the fast day. I don't know if I could have done this preop... I have a whole different mindset about food then I used to. I don't get that weak, I am gonna die low blood sugar feeling anymore. I "believe" that I can be well nourished and still eat alot less so I can do this pretty easily actually - preop, it would have probably been something i could hardly fathom sustaining for any length of time.[/quote']

^^^^^ 100% agree! It works. It's real. And it's not a DIET.

I do have coffee... although I am weaning off it due to my upcoming surgery.

BTW,I am not a model 5:2 citizen - I don't track food or calories. I know that isn't exactly following the plan, but I have my own personal reasons that i needed to move away from obsessive tracking. I worked with a NUT on this and I know it isn't the right way for everyone, but it is what works for me and keeps me from becoming crazy. What I do is mentally count Protein and roughly estimate carbs on normal days. I don't call them feast days because that isn't a healthy word for me to use... i call them normal days. On so called "fast" days I do keep track of calories in my head and estimate carbs, and don't worry as much about getting the protein in. I am still eating protein first, so I think I am hitting 60g on those days, but maybe not always. I make up for it on normal days when I am closer to 80g or more.

I have to agree with Georgia, this isn't a diet, it is a way of eating that seems to reduce my hunger, helps me stay restricted feeling even on normal days.

I am a member of 5:2 but I seldom remember to go to that forum because I have to dig around to find it....

I loved reading this!! I just am now trying the 5.2 diet and did well the first week and not so well the second because of my birthday. I'm back on it now and fasting today, then next week will go back to Monday's and Thrusdays. This is so encouraging to me!! I have been trying to get to my goal of 150- 154 seems like forever. I'm 16 months out as of tomorrow. I'm hoping to join the 5.2 group after this week of fasting. I need the encouragment. Congratulations, and you give me hope of losing this last bit of weight!

When you say you fasted from 7 at night till one the next day; did you drink coffee or anything in the mornings before besides Water?

16 months out tomorrow for me too - Lisa and I have the same re-birthday It is so encouraging to hear about the great success you have had with 5:2 Cowgirl Jane. Also on my second week and so far so good. We live in the same neck of the woods - I should pm you and ask about plastics - I need them but I want to be firmly at or under goal for that - plus there is the issues of paying for it - where was that durned money tree again?! So that will be a while for me.

This is such a wonderful journey and you have done terrific....Can't wait to hear about how the plastics go and about how much weight will be gone......

LV you look so tiny in your pic! Keep it up girl!

16 months out tomorrow for me too - Lisa and I have the same re-birthday It is so encouraging to hear about the great success you have had with 5:2 Cowgirl Jane. Also on my second week and so far so good. We live in the same neck of the woods - I should pm you and ask about plastics - I need them but I want to be firmly at or under goal for that - plus there is the issues of paying for it - where was that durned money tree again?! So that will be a while for me.

Yes we do have the same re birthday.

I need plastics as well and am in the same boat. Money issues because insurance didn't pay for my surgery. Still paying on it. Hopefully, when I have the surgery paid off I will be able to get plastics and will have been at goal awhile by then.

Cowgirljane, looking forward to seeing before and afters of your plastics. Hope you will share!

Nice one Cowgirljane.... I agree that the 5:2 isn't a diet - I hate the words diet!

As you know, I was stuck in the same bounce range for over 20mths, and by following the 5:2 I have dropped past my old set point and I am currently in a new one. Like you said, to newbies reading this a few pounds seems ridiculous, but for us vets it is a big deal.

I to am hoping that, with time, I will get to at least my surgeon's goal and hopefully beyond following this way of life. I am in for the long haul!

Come and find the 5:2 thread, it really is a great place for support and encouragement!

Thank you for posting!! I think I have been inspired to give this a try!! I have weighed 169-171 for 18 months now. (170 was my goal...) Haven't been trying to lose. Maintaining with ease! But, I have been thinking about shooting for a new goal weight of 155 ! I'm starting tomorrow with my first fasting day! Very excited.

I am glad you posted Jane. I've been wondering how the 5:2 was going for you.

I agree that eating this way seems to be a great way for us. I tried for over a year to lose my regain but this is what did the trick. I love this way of eating.

I am so glad you checked in.

I think it's time for me to do 5:2, I did 16:8 fast for a few weeks then stopped. I think 5:2 may work better with my schedule. I've googled and read threads about 5:2 and hopefully it will get me to 145-150. I've been at 158-162 forever! I'm 18 months out.

Scroll down a little in the vets forum and you will find a new 5:2 topic, there are some people on there who have started recently. Feel free to ask any questions and we'll try to answer any that we can.

I'll bump it up for you.

Well since you bumped this old post I think it would be fun to give an update. I DID get to 150 by my plastics surgery in October. Now, in the heat of the eating season, I weigh 147 and remain a 5:2 evangelist. I am at my revised goal of 148.

Oh, yes, CGJ! Hit new low today of 140! Lost all my regain plus additional ten pounds since June! I highly recommend!!!!!