Excellent tips for the 5:2 Diet today

[gingernut49]

Dr Michael Mosley answers questions on the diet

dailymail.co.uk/health/arti...

I'm living proof that it works really well - my success story should be in the Daily Mail on Thursday.

[Willgetslim]

Looking forward to reading your story! I'm about to give the 5:2 a go. I hope I can do it.

[gingernut49 in reply to Willgetslim]

It's the only one that's ever worked for me - 3 stone/42 pounds/20 kilos off in six months and it's stayed off since April 2013. Use the free app MyFitnessPal. Have you seen the original documentary? It's on iPlayer tinyurl.com/qzgo7tq or I can give you another link if you're not in the UK.

Michael's tips in today's paper are very good, but I don't bother with complicated recipes only cooking for one.

I found Kate Harrison's book 'The 5:2 Diet' to be the most helpful.

If you have any questions at all please send me a message and I'll be delighted to answer any you have.

[Willgetslim in reply to gingernut49]

Wow that's impressive! Well done on your success.

I have watched the documentary and done a lot of reading up on it. I am planning my first fast day on Thursday as I'm away for a couple of days as a birthday treat (just what I need after Christmas & New Year

[Hidden in reply to gingernut49]

Looking forward to seeing the article! X

[Willgetslim in reply to gingernut49]

Hi Gingernut

After my first week on 5:2 I lost 5lbs! Thanks for your advice/support x

[gingernut49 in reply to Willgetslim]

FAB-U-LOUS! Fantastic, isn't it!

[Willgetslim in reply to gingernut49]

Yes it is fab! At last I've found a way of living that is not just about weight but getting healthier! I will keep you updated!

[SurreyMan]

I have also been following this 5:2 diet over last year and had generally kept to my target weight. Over the Christmas break I did lapse and put on several pounds, so I bought the Daily Mail last Saturday to refresh my 5:2 diet over January.

Yesterday we had parsnip soup based on the recipe below – It was quick recipe that was tasty and filling. I would recommend it, if you are looking for inspiration to recover from excesses over Christmas….

itv.com/thismorning/food/fe...

We also made the Apple flapjack and that was very tasty (had to resist having more than one square!) – It needed a lot less sugar than other flapjack recipes we’ve used in the past.

I find soups to be the most filling low calorie meals on fast days and fairly quick to make freshly.

If you haven't seen it, this week's Food Unwrapped Diet Special had a good explanation on why soups keep you full longer.

channel4.com/programmes/foo...

[gingernut49 in reply to SurreyMan]

Thank you for that. I've recorded the Food Unwrapped special and will watch it later. I live on homemade soup - add vegetables in the evening to make it more of a meal.

[Zest Healthy BMI]

Hi Gingernut49,

I'm looking forward to reading your success story on Thursday.

Happy New Year!

Lowcal

[runnerjan]

Hi gingernut - I have recently read your posts on this site regarding the 5:2 diet as have just started it myself. You've obviously done really well and have been successful which is great motivation and inspiration for someone like myself just starting it. I had my first fast day yesterday which was surprisingly ok and even managed an hour at the gym without feeling weak or too tired. Can I just ask - on non-fast days can you really eat 'normally'? Obviously stuffing yourself silly would be counter-productive but if I want a couple of biscuits with a cup of tea or a small chocolate bar would that be fine? It seems like I'm cheating already!! I've researched the diet on-line and have read the Kate Harrison books (fab) but would just like a straight answer from someone who has 'been there, done that'. I hope you don't mind.

Congrats on being in the Daily Mail - will make sure I pick up a copy.

Best wishes

Jan

[gingernut49 in reply to runnerjan]

I still tended to count calories on my non-fasting days when I was trying to lose weight. And, yes, I had biscuits and chocolates though mostly I left treats to Sundays when I didn't count calories and enjoyed a roast dinner etc.

The general rule is up to 2,000 calories on non-fasting days, but it's best to work out your TDEE (total daily energy expenditure) thefastdiet.co.uk/how-many-... and try to stay under that.

I used the free MyFitnessPal app to keep track - but I never ate back any exercise calories burned - Dr Mosley says they're a bonus.

[sally86]

Yeah great tips and information, just read it.

[gingernut49]

It was the Wednesday instead dailymail.co.uk/femail/arti...