Im having trouble losing this last 25 lbs and have been thinking of trying the 5:2 diet.

I know many of you have been using this diet as a tool. ive searched the forum and didnt get any hits. isnt there a support group for this topic? I cant find it anymore.

Questions:

Are you currently on this diet? (or have you been?)

What has your experience with it been like?

Any links you can recommend?

What do i need to know?

.

Anyhow, thank you guys. All very helpful posts! Now I need to figure out my own strategy since I have never looked at calories since surgery .......

Perhaps start by logging what you eat now? Then you will have an idea how many calories your at.... Then that might be your feast day calorie goal. (I would not make it under 1200... but thats just me) Then go for 500 on fast days.

Good idea. I just looked at the package of pepperoni slices I finished eating and it said 140 calories for 14 pieces (7 servings per bag). I started on that bag last evening for my "snack" and finished it this morning. LOL I am a lot like a guy in my eating patterns in that I can eat the same thing over and over and over again and not care as long as I like it to begin with. It doesn't matter whether I eat the food for breakfast, lunch or dinner. hehehe... So, in some regards once I figure out what I am going to eat, then, it shouldn't be too hard to stick to it.

Perhaps start by logging what you eat now? Then you will have an idea how many calories your at.... Then that might be your feast day calorie goal. (I would not make it under 1200... but thats just me) Then go for 500 on fast days.

^^^^^agreed

So, another question. I have what some might consider an unusual liking for dill pickles (always have liked them). I just looked at the jar and it said Calories: 1. Now, I realize there is lots of sodium in these which can cause water retention, but just using this as an example wondering if anyone has used anything like this on their "fast days" as somewhat "freebies". There is another food I can't think of the name but I think they have next to zero calories but most taste like cardboard, but is very crunchy. Something "cakes"

Good idea. I just looked at the package of pepperoni slices I finished eating and it said 140 calories for 14 pieces (7 servings per bag). I started on that bag last evening for my "snack" and finished it this morning. LOL I am a lot like a guy in my eating patterns in that I can eat the same thing over and over and over again and not care as long as I like it to begin with. It doesn't matter whether I eat the food for breakfast, lunch or dinner. hehehe... So, in some regards once I figure out what I am going to eat, then, it shouldn't be too hard to stick to it.

I am the same way! My "go to" meal for months on 5:2 was 2extra lean turkey franks with a 100 calorie pack of guacamole (good fat) and cut up veggies to eat with such as red and green pepper and cucumbers. lol That was approximately 210 calories! Babybel light cheeses (50 cal ea). No sugar added Popsicle brand fudge bars 40 cals each. 90 cal fiber one bar. Boiled egg. 50 cal

Chicken stirfry. About 150 cals. Homemade veggie soup. About 100-150 cals a serving.

So, another question. I have what some might consider an unusual liking for dill pickles (always have liked them). I just looked at the jar and it said Calories: 1. Now, I realize there is lots of sodium in these which can cause water retention, but just using this as an example wondering if anyone has used anything like this on their "fast days" as somewhat "freebies". There is another food I can't think of the name but I think they have next to zero calories but most taste like cardboard, but is very crunchy. Something "cakes"

Yep. Just know to watch total sodium intake.

I eat these with humus and such...http://www.amazon.com/Suzies-Quinoa-Sesame-Cakes-4-6-Ounce/dp/B004DT44HO

35 cals for three. almost the size of a piece of bread....

I like pickles too, if you post them in MFP it will count the sodium if you want it too, might be an interesting count! I count saturated fat and cholesterol because I am a little high.... I also count cals, protein, carbs. Just to see what I do, and adjust a little if needed.

I eat these with humus and such...http://www.amazon.com/Suzies-Quinoa-Sesame-Cakes-4-6-Ounce/dp/B004DT44HO 35 cals for three. almost the size of a piece of bread....

Yum!!

I eat pickles on my fast days!

Thank you for sharing your stats, thank you. That's also quite impressive. I don't have a smart phone, so won't be able to use that app but I have always known that one must be diligent about being aware of what is being consumed. Sigh....

You can log just using the computer too. It is a website.

I do the Insanity workout 5x a week and eat about 1200 cals on those days. On my weekend I fast, two days in a row, and I eat about 600 or less.

So, I've been looking up various foods I typically eat to get the caloric / health label information because I tend to remove as much excess packaging on things after I come home from the store to conserve on space in the fridge so looking up is my only option right now until I can make it back to the store to look at these items myself.

I'm guessing I'm going to have to change my choice of butter, or at least make sure its the lowest I can buy. I'm not sure I can handle that butter spray even though its zero calories. Then, I got to thinking about what I drink everyday which is diet pepsi cherry flavor. I drink that like many drink coffee. Yes, I know there is lots of debate about whether we (those who have had WLS) should be drinking that- not going there, I don't believe it triggers anything for me. My issues are stress and properly managing it w/out using food aka carbs/ comfort foods.

I would like to hear from anyone who does drink diet sodas and is on this plan and what their experiences have been. I am going to TRY to drink more water, but that will just have to be a work in progress thing.

That is a serious work out routine! I tried that work out routine once with a friend who had the whole CD series and I didn't even finish the first session. Good for you though!

I do the Insanity workout 5x a week and eat about 1200 cals on those days. On my weekend I fast, two days in a row, and I eat about 600 or less.

So, I've been looking up various foods I typically eat to get the caloric / health label information because I tend to remove as much excess packaging on things after I come home from the store to conserve on space in the fridge so looking up is my only option right now until I can make it back to the store to look at these items myself.

I'm guessing I'm going to have to change my choice of butter, or at least make sure its the lowest I can buy. I'm not sure I can handle that butter spray even though its zero calories. Then, I got to thinking about what I drink everyday which is diet pepsi cherry flavor. I drink that like many drink coffee. Yes, I know there is lots of debate about whether we (those who have had WLS) should be drinking that- not going there, I don't believe it triggers anything for me. My issues are stress and properly managing it w/out using food aka carbs/ comfort foods.

I would like to hear from anyone who does drink diet sodas and is on this plan and what their experiences have been. I am going to TRY to drink more water, but that will just have to be a work in progress thing. --------------

I drink a Hansons diet ginger ale maybe once a month. I never have been a great soda lover... lucky for me! Anyway, I support you in taking a look at your diet! If you use MFP you can look up the things you eat and find matches with all the details that add up your day. Its pretty fast. You can go generic If you don't remember the brand for an idea of what your consuming. There is a phone app as well, and once you eat something, its most likely on your regular list for that time of day and you can re-choose it.

Edited December 29, 201312 yr by feedyoureye

So, I've been looking up various foods I typically eat to get the caloric / health label information because I tend to remove as much excess packaging on things after I come home from the store to conserve on space in the fridge so looking up is my only option right now until I can make it back to the store to look at these items myself.

I'm guessing I'm going to have to change my choice of butter, or at least make sure its the lowest I can buy. I'm not sure I can handle that butter spray even though its zero calories. Then, I got to thinking about what I drink everyday which is diet pepsi cherry flavor. I drink that like many drink coffee. Yes, I know there is lots of debate about whether we (those who have had WLS) should be drinking that- not going there, I don't believe it triggers anything for me. My issues are stress and properly managing it w/out using food aka carbs/ comfort foods.

I would like to hear from anyone who does drink diet sodas and is on this plan and what their experiences have been. I am going to TRY to drink more water, but that will just have to be a work in progress thing. --------------

I drink a Hansons diet ginger ale maybe once a month. I never have been a great soda lover... lucky for me! Anyway, I support you in taking a look at your diet! If you use MFP you can look up the things you eat and find matches with all the details that add up your day. Its pretty fast. You can go generic If you don't remember the brand for an idea of what your consuming. There is a phone app as well, and once you eat something, its most likely on your regular list for that time of day and you can re-choose it.

Yep, I looked up a bunch of things yesterday on MFP. Fortunately many things I am eating should be ok but with some tweaking. Like you and several others have suggested, I need to really pay attention to the calories aspect of the foods I eat. Take for example salad dressing. I have always gone for the full fat Caesar or Ranch dressing because it is much less carbs. If you compare the lite versions, those are always higher in carbs. It will be a little uncomfortable for me to choose the lite in that kind of situation but its become obvious that focusing on low carbing is not helping w/getting off the regain.