I didn't see the Horizon programme and, like a fool, I've never opened this thread before tonight.
Since hitting 60 last year I've been trying to get fitter, going to the gym, cycling and walking more but haven't lost weight.
A woman at work gave me a photocopy of an article, which I now know is what you lot have been doing for months.

Anyhow, three weeks ago I started the 5:2 thing. I eat 600 calories only on Mondays and Thursdays after at least a 12 hour fast.
I've found it relatively easy so far and have eaten normally on the non fasting days.I rarely drink alcohol
At the start I weighed 15 stones, which is the heaviest I've ever been. Weighed missen today at 14st 7lb.
I'll keep going, my target is to get below 13 stones.

I've read a lot of this thread over the last hour, so very well done to those who have stuck at it and got results.

The tv show is worth watching.
http://five-two-diet.com/eat-fast-and-live-longer-bbc-horizon-2012/
scroll down the page a bit.

hello all.
well done on all the progress :)
its great to read , havent been on here in a couple of months but everyone is still going in the right direction.
in my case i have altered the diet to try and basically eat better everyday.
i find that myfitnesspal so helpful , i started to notice what i ate that was high in calories and sat fats and try not to eat them as much , a fry up a couple of times a month as opposed to a couple of times a week.
my partner had a high cholesterol test and we decided to change our diets , shes doing great and i enjoy the fresher food.
had a weeks holiday in feb that put me out of my habits and im finding it hard to get back to the healthy eating.

another app i think is invaluable is "libra" its a simple thing that records your weight each day , i have a years worth of records and its funny to see the spikes on the graph because of holidays etc.
anyways ive a loss of 12.5lbs in a year and im really happy about that.
for me this is about a small loss over a long time that is sustainable.
at the minute im 195lbs and happy with it even if its a bit stagnant ,i put a few pounds on over the holiday.

one thing ive noticed is how fitter i am , can walk so much further and cycle up hills i couldnt before!
that is amazing that eating better can make me fitter.
biggest killer for me is the pints , i enjoy 6 or 7 in a sitting and thats a shocking 1400 calories :(
i also like to drink 2/3 times a week so that makes weight loss harder.

anyways , really enjoyed reading the past few pages.
well done everyone and ill check in again soon

well done steviep

bad week for me 5 Pub Visits! at c 7/8 per sitting

put on 1&3/4 lb

13  7 1/2

another bad week
13 7 & 3/4

put on 1/2 lb

4 pub visits two total fasts

2 runs 7 walks

may have to cut drink back 32 pints last week

doing my bit dontw

tore hamstring again

so exercise limited

Starting weight 15st 9lbs
Week 1 14st 12lbs
Week 2 14st 11 lbs
Week 5 14st 9lbs
Week 6 14st 5lbs
Week 7 14st 3lbs
Week 8 14st 2lbs
Week 9 14st 2lbs
Week 10 14st 5lbs
Week 11 14st 2lbs
Week 12 13st 12lbs
Week 13 13st 13lbs
Week 14 13st 13lbs
Week 15 13st 10lbs
Week 16 13st 11lbs
Week 17 13st 12lbs
Week 18 13st 12lbs
Week 19 13st 10lbs
Week 21 13st 11lbs 1lb gain

Considering last week I missed a fast day, had two 11am to 11pm alcohol sessions at Cheltenham, another big Saturday night out and little exercise I'm more than happy at only the small rise. Back in training this week but I'm happy enough around the current weight.

13 5 & 1/4


2.25 loss well pleased as zero exercise

drank a lot less-that my main vice

target 12 7

http://www.johnsonupdaydowndaydiet.com/html/how-to-do-the-diet.html

some interesting reading

Good man bigmo...no point in counting the cals on holiday.  Its pleasing to  hear of such a tremendous weight loss in such a short space of time...just goes to show what a bit of abstinence can achieve.

sounds like my kind of holiday bigmo

13 stone 5 and 1/4

no change

not bad as zero activity

d13phe,

When I started in January I started initially juicing - but gave it up, just too much hassle cleaning the juicer.

Fast days generally (begins the night before 12am - eat and deliberately snack up until then)
- Nothing (only water) until noon
- 2.5 cups of tea (with milk) and a clementine or pear at around 12 - 12.30
- Bowl of soup next time I feel peckish (usually between 2-3pm)  Cully and Sully range
- 2.5 cups of tea plus 1 slice of toast around 5 pm
- Go for a walk sometime between 6-8.30pm
- 2.5 cups of tea, 1 slice of toast, 1 clementine or pear, at around 9pm
- Don't eat until I get up next morning
- Varies between 570-620 calories (I don't get hung-up in my 20 calories excess some days!)

Not very inventive - haven't had the time to experiment and come up some nice dishes. I just keep hunger at bay tbh

Normal days - pretty varied, but if there was a "routine"

- 2 poached eggs, 2 slices bacon, tomato, yoghurt, toast, grape juice 3-4 mornings a week )or porridge and toast
- Generally Chicken or Fish or Liver with potatoes or salad Tuesday and Wednesday. Might have pub carvery and everything going, if busy or out and about
- Cheese, Banana, Bacon sandwiches or whatever, whenever I feel like it - soft spot for biscuits and/or savouries with tea 2-3 times a day
- Often dine out Friday night in local restaurant, if not we cook our own steaks, trimmings - lots of wine
- Lamb / Salmon / Boiled Ham often on Saturday / Sunday
- Drink more water than I used to
- Pub 1-2 nights a week on the average ( would be 6-7 pints man )

In fact, I just don't really think about it too much. Eat pretty "normal" foods and I don't eat too much "processed/packaged" types foods, never did really - but more conscious of cutting down. Probably drinking (ie. pub visits) below my annual average at the moment....but that will pick-up a bit over the next few months.

Walking 5 miles a day 3-4 times a week.........work from home (in the main) so quite an advantage I believe.

When I "stall" over a period, I took you advice, and cut back on bread a bit.....just seems to give a little extra impetus when needed

As I've mentioned before - my weight loss is not very dramatic but very steady and quite relentless in its own way. Most pleasing of all, is that I feel a need to fast, and don't mind it all, feel hungry from time to time naturally enough - but just ignore it now!

d13phe...Regarding gluten could i share my daughters blog with you. Shes a great advocate of a gluten free diet and as you can see from her pictures the subsequent weight loss and her general health have improved immeasurably.
http://vanillarevolution.com/about/

bump

well done wallf

steady loss

Well done wallflower.Didn't check in this week as I had no weight loss but still very much doing it but feel it's going to be a slow process with the invites I keep getting which end up slowing the weight loss.

Still proving to be a long haul with just a 1 lb loss this week owing to an increased social life. Hitting the scales at 14 stone 5 lbs. Good luck everyone.

Weekly Update

Starting weight  - January 7th – 14st 12lb
Initial (6 days) - January 12th - 14st 6lb
Week 1 (On the day) January 16th – 14st 6lb
Week 2 (Average for preceding 7 days, 17th-23rd) January 23rd – 14st 6.0lb (Max: 14st 7lb - Min: 14st 4lb)
Week 3 (Average for preceding 7 days, 24th-30th) January 30th - 14st 4.5lb (Max: 14st 6lb - Min: 14st 2lb)
Week 4 (Average for preceding 7 days, 31st-6th)  February 6th - 13st 13.4lb Max: 14st 2lb - Min 13st 12lb)
Week 5 (Average for preceding 7 days, 7th-13th) February 13th - 13st 12.8lb (Max: 14st 0lb - Min 13st 12lb)
Week 6 (Average for preceding 7 days, 14th-20th)February 20th - 13st  9.9lb (Max: 13st 12lb - Min 13st 8lb)
Week 7 (Average for preceding 7 days, 21st-27th)February 27th - 13st  8.4lb (Max: 13st 9lb  - Min 13st 7lb)
Week 8 (Average for preceding 7 days,  28th-6th)    March 6th - 13st  7.9lb (Max: 13st 9lb  - Min 13st 6lb)
Week 9 (Average for preceding 7 days,  7th-13th)   March 13th - 13st  6.0lb (Max: 13st 7lb  - Min 13st 5lb)
Week 10(Average for preceding 7 days,  14th-20th)  March 20th - 13st  5.9lb (Max: 13st 7lb  - Min 13st 5lb)
Week 11(Average for preceding 7 days,  21st-27th)  March 27th - 13st  4.7lb (Max: 13st 6lb  - Min 13st 4lb)
Weekly Update

Starting weight  - January 7th – 14st 12lb
Initial (6 days) - January 12th - 14st 6lb
Week 1 (On the day) January 16th – 14st 6lb
Week 2 (Average for preceding 7 days, 17th-23rd) January 23rd – 14st 6.0lb (Max: 14st 7lb - Min: 14st 4lb)
Week 3 (Average for preceding 7 days, 24th-30th) January 30th - 14st 4.5lb (Max: 14st 6lb - Min: 14st 2lb)
Week 4 (Average for preceding 7 days, 31st-6th)  February 6th - 13st 13.4lb Max: 14st 2lb - Min 13st 12lb)
Week 5 (Average for preceding 7 days, 7th-13th) February 13th - 13st 12.8lb (Max: 14st 0lb - Min 13st 12lb)
Week 6 (Average for preceding 7 days, 14th-20th)February 20th - 13st  9.9lb (Max: 13st 12lb - Min 13st 8lb)
Week 7 (Average for preceding 7 days, 21st-27th)February 27th - 13st  8.4lb (Max: 13st 9lb  - Min 13st 7lb)
Week 8 (Average for preceding 7 days,  28th-6th)    March 6th - 13st  7.9lb (Max: 13st 9lb  - Min 13st 6lb)
Week 9 (Average for preceding 7 days,  7th-13th)   March 13th - 13st  6.0lb (Max: 13st 7lb  - Min 13st 5lb)
Week 10(Average for preceding 7 days,  14th-20th)  March 20th - 13st  5.9lb (Max: 13st 7lb  - Min 13st 5lb)
Week 11(Average for preceding 7 days,  21st-27th)  March 27th - 13st  4.7lb (Max: 13st 6lb  - Min 13st 4lb)
Week 12(Average for preceding 7 days,  28th-3rd)   April 3rd  - 13st  3.7lb (Max: 13st 5lb  - Min 13st 2lb)
Weekly Update

Starting weight  - January 7th – 14st 12lb
Initial (6 days) - January 12th - 14st 6lb
Week 1 (On the day) January 16th – 14st 6lb
Week 2 (Average for preceding 7 days, 17th-23rd) January 23rd – 14st 6.0lb (Max: 14st 7lb - Min: 14st 4lb)
Week 3 (Average for preceding 7 days, 24th-30th) January 30th - 14st 4.5lb (Max: 14st 6lb - Min: 14st 2lb)
Week 4 (Average for preceding 7 days, 31st-6th)  February 6th - 13st 13.4lb Max: 14st 2lb - Min 13st 12lb)
Week 5 (Average for preceding 7 days, 7th-13th) February 13th - 13st 12.8lb (Max: 14st 0lb - Min 13st 12lb)
Week 6 (Average for preceding 7 days, 14th-20th)February 20th - 13st  9.9lb (Max: 13st 12lb - Min 13st 8lb)
Week 7 (Average for preceding 7 days, 21st-27th)February 27th - 13st  8.4lb (Max: 13st 9lb  - Min 13st 7lb)
Week 8 (Average for preceding 7 days,  28th-6th)    March 6th - 13st  7.9lb (Max: 13st 9lb  - Min 13st 6lb)
Week 9 (Average for preceding 7 days,  7th-13th)   March 13th - 13st  6.0lb (Max: 13st 7lb  - Min 13st 5lb)
Week 10(Average for preceding 7 days,  14th-20th)  March 20th - 13st  5.9lb (Max: 13st 7lb  - Min 13st 5lb)
Week 11(Average for preceding 7 days,  21st-27th)  March 27th - 13st  4.7lb (Max: 13st 6lb  - Min 13st 4lb)
Week 12(Average for preceding 7 days,  28th-3rd)   April 3rd  - 13st  3.7lb (Max: 13st 5lb  - Min 13st 2lb)
Week 13(Average for preceding 7 days,   4th-10th)  April 10th - 13st  4.3lb (Max: 13st 5lb  - Min 13st 4lb)

So the consecutive week run of weight loss (or no gain) came to end at unlucky 13!! 0.6lb increase. Ties in with a heavy duty weekend of boozing and eating and my first time to miss a "fast day" (last Monday). Ah well, not to worry (actually these are last Wednesday's figures, and I'm back in track at 13st 2lb this morning, so should be reflected next week).

Thanks for the pics bigmo - that's good progress. Its all about the long game anyway - just keep battling away. Once you get to the stage where you don't mind a fast day then I think its a winner (plus a bit of walking). Fasted yesterday, needed to/wanted to

If truth be known, I'm kind of relieved - like being on  along unbeaten run, it created its own pressure!

I won't post my own pics - I never give away any information about identity; just prefer it that way.

Keep going, bigmo; as I repeatedly say "dripping tap fills the bucket" --- on a great run trading here as well - reduced maximum stakes (exposure) to 5% of bank after squandering a huge January profit in just a week in mid-February. These smaller but more consistent wins, corresponding with just tiny losses has increased profit levels significantly for an average 10-week period. Same applying for 5:2 - relentless small gains, but any setbacks are small.

As usual, good luck all.

Capt_F - if you get a chance what was your starting weight and when and then overall progress (too hard to go through the whole thread), just to compare  (I found the man's progress interesting to compare).

Starting weight  - January 7th – 14st 12lb
Initial (6 days) - January 12th - 14st 6lb
Week 1 (On the day) January 16th – 14st 6lb
Week 2 (Average for preceding 7 days, 17th-23rd) January 23rd – 14st 6.0lb (Max: 14st 7lb - Min: 14st 4lb)
Week 3 (Average for preceding 7 days, 24th-30th) January 30th - 14st 4.5lb (Max: 14st 6lb - Min: 14st 2lb)
Week 4 (Average for preceding 7 days, 31st-6th)  February 6th - 13st 13.4lb Max: 14st 2lb - Min 13st 12lb)
Week 5 (Average for preceding 7 days, 7th-13th) February 13th - 13st 12.8lb (Max: 14st 0lb - Min 13st 12lb)
Week 6 (Average for preceding 7 days, 14th-20th)February 20th - 13st  9.9lb (Max: 13st 12lb - Min 13st 8lb)
Week 7 (Average for preceding 7 days, 21st-27th)February 27th - 13st  8.4lb (Max: 13st 9lb  - Min 13st 7lb)
Week 8 (Average for preceding 7 days,  28th-6th)    March 6th - 13st  7.9lb (Max: 13st 9lb  - Min 13st 6lb)
Week 9 (Average for preceding 7 days,  7th-13th)   March 13th - 13st  6.0lb (Max: 13st 7lb  - Min 13st 5lb)
Week 10(Average for preceding 7 days,  14th-20th)  March 20th - 13st  5.9lb (Max: 13st 7lb  - Min 13st 5lb)
Week 11(Average for preceding 7 days,  21st-27th)  March 27th - 13st  4.7lb (Max: 13st 6lb  - Min 13st 4lb)
Week 12(Average for preceding 7 days,  28th-3rd)   April 3rd  - 13st  3.7lb (Max: 13st 5lb  - Min 13st 2lb)
Week 13(Average for preceding 7 days,   4th-10th)  April 10th - 13st  4.3lb (Max: 13st 5lb  - Min 13st 4lb)

So the consecutive week run of weight loss (or no gain) came to end at unlucky 13!! 0.6lb increase. Ties in with a heavy duty weekend of boozing and eating and my first time to miss a "fast day" (last Monday). Ah well, not to worry (actually these are last Wednesday's figures, and I'm back in track at 13st 2lb this morning, so should be reflected next week).

Thanks for the pics bigmo - that's good progress. Its all about the long game anyway - just keep battling away. Once you get to the stage where you don't mind a fast day then I think its a winner (plus a bit of walking). Fasted yesterday, needed to/wanted to

If truth be known, I'm kind of relieved - like being on  along unbeaten run, it created its own pressure!

I won't post my own pics - I never give away any information about identity; just prefer it that way.

Keep going, bigmo; as I repeatedly say "dripping tap fills the bucket" --- on a great run trading here as well - reduced maximum stakes (exposure) to 5% of bank after squandering a huge January profit in just a week in mid-February. These smaller but more consistent wins, corresponding with just tiny losses has increased profit levels significantly for an average 10-week period. Same applying for 5:2 - relentless small gains, but any setbacks are small.

As usual, good luck all.

Capt_F - if you get a chance what was your starting weight and when and then overall progress (too hard to go through the whole thread), just to compare  (I found the man's progress interesting to compare).