5:2 diet

I know a few people who have tried it and lost a few pounds, you have to be really strict though, and all the people who i know who tried it just gained the weight back once they stopped doing it. How about getting an app like myfitnesspal and doing a calorie controlled diet and getting in some regular exericse, it's more likely to stay off you than the 5:2 diet?

There are a few ladies at work who have tried it and (Im being mean) they are way bigger now theyve stopped than before they started it. Plus, they really did my head in on fast days.

I used my fitness pal last year in the run up to my holiday. I limited my calorie intake to 1200 per day and made sure I included everything i ate on the app. I was still able to eat pizza at the weekend, and drink a small glass of wine during the week, but i made sure i ate healthy foods during the week. I did for a 8 weeks and i lost 10lbs!

I tried it, and although I liked it, I just can't make it fit my lifestyle, not to mention the results weren't that great for me.

I do!!!!

I've been doing it for months now. Not as a way of losing weight, but more of a way to manage my general lifestyle. It has made a huge difference. The benefits are endless. I can recommend the e-book 5:2 fast diet. There are also groups on Facebook that are brilliant to join and there's some really inspirational posts on there.

I wouldn't necessarily view it as a diet, it's more of a lifestyle change. I don't have scales, but I would say that I'm a lot less bloated and have gone down at least a dress size from doing it. I wasn't big to start with (size 12, around 10stone). Now I comfortably fit into size 10 jeans, sometimes size 8.

I fast two days in the week, then it leaves me to eat normally at weekends. I found it easy to start and easy to plan around if you're eating out or have things going on during the week. There's also the 16:8 way of eating too. Maybe look into that too.

if you look in the book, it describes the benefits for heart disease, cancer and general health. It's amazing to see how this can change your health. It will give you more energy and you'll feel less sluggish (well, I did anyway).

Put this with moving about a bit more and you will notice a huge difference.

During fast days I drink a lot of green tea. Usually fruit for lunch. Then a small meal for tea. I don't find myself hungry in the mornings, and I'm busy at work so fruit for lunch is fine. Coming home for dinner, I'll have fish with veggies. Egg on toast. Pasta with home made veg sauce. Smoked salmon. There's lot of different things you can try. Google it and you'll find recipes which you'll be able to tailor to your taste.

Good luck!

I did 5:2 and it was hideous. Really awful. On the 2 days we ended up going to bed at 8 because we were so hungry we couldn't stand being awake any more.

I don't normally diet but I now my manager has had loads of success with herbalife. It's £100 a month but if you think of the food you are not eating i suppose it's not too bad.

I do it! I've done it for about two months and lost 9lbs although it's more a lifestyle change than a diet- you ll find that on normal days you don't want to eat as much as you think

Unfortunately there are no quick and easy fixes for weight loss. It's about balance - healthy eating and exercise (in any form - gym, walking, gardening, hobbies)

i believe there are no such thing as diets - it's a lifestyle change that's required. When you make any changes to your diet, ask yourself - can I maintain this for the rest of my life? If the answer is no then don't even start it. You could end up in a worse position in the long run.

obviously just my opinion

I agree Gillsy.

I have a love hate relationship with food. I love it, all of it, and it does not love my waistline. The only way to deal with this was to incorporate more exercise into my daily life which has now become habit.

I personally think the 5:2 is faddy nonsense.

I follow Slimming Worlds plan and agree with Gillsy & Pompey. There is no quick easy fix if you want a long term/permanent loss. I've lost it gradually, 1-3lb a week and so far, I've kept it all off for almost a year. I am not as strict with the plan now I am at target and feel like I have found a balance perfect for me. I've done faddy, crappy diets my whole life or gone to slimming clubs expecting massive losses in quick succession which doesn't happen and then lost motivation. I feel like i've now made the necessary changes in my lifestyle to maintain a slimmer, healthier body and I am a huge advocate for Slimming World.

Panjita you look amazing!! Well done!

Thanks for all your input. I'll have a look at some of your recommendations. Well done to those of you who have changed your eating habits - thanks for the inspiration.