Has anyone here followed a 5:2 plan? My weight battle is perpetual. I am currently on a statin, family history of diabetes and a rising a1c which my doctor thinks is due to the statin but isn’t sure… I would like to drop some weight but think the 5:2 option would work better for me. Anyone?
@sabaray I did 5:2 for three months. After the first week or two I found it easy to do (my tips: keep busy, and repeat the mantra “I can have that tomorrow”). At the three month mark my husband and I were going on vacation and I didn’t want to have to fast while we were away, so I shifted over to 16:8.
I lost weight slowly on both plans (averaging 1-2 pounds/week), but considering I wasn’t counting calories or otherwise restricting myself, I’m thrilled with my results. I’m down 32 pounds and three pant sizes. I would like to lose 3 more pounds but am okay with staying at this weight. I’m actually thinking about switching back to 5:2 for a couple of weeks to see if that will shake those last few pounds.
tldr: Both plans worked for me - do whichever one works best with your schedule.
@jym626 You need a special pot called ibrik, or cezve (cheap and easy to get online). I put a heaping teaspon of finely ground coffee plus one coffee cup of water and put on a stovetop, lowish heat. In a couple of minutes it starts to boil and rise, take it off the heat just before it boils over. I repeat this a couple more times, putting it back for just a few seconds, but it takes some experience to avoid creating a mess. Then wait a minute before pouring to give the coffee grounds time to settle, or pour it using a small strainer.
@MaryBarbara58 - 1-2 lbs/week weight loss sounds fast to me!
@yucca10 That sounds complex! Wonder if there is a restaurant where I can try it ?
I would try a local Middle Eastern restaurant for Turkish coffee
I’ve switched to tea in the owning for now. Might try coffee with Truvia (doesn’t list having any dextrose in it). This is an easier lifestyle eating pattern for me.
@jym626 Stop by if you’re ever in Colorado! But tea is even better.
@yucca10 - I’ll be in Colorado in a few weeks!! Sign me up!!
And ack on the autocorrect… again (above) . Tea in the MORNING, not owning.
Try yelping or searching online for Turkish coffee in your area.
@jym626 Where in Colorado? PM me if you’d like to get together!
Will do!
To my surprise several places in a Honolulu have Turkish coffee—I never knew.
Turns out the friends we are dining with Saturday made reservations at a Turkish restaurant!
Had turkish coffee with dinner last weekend. It was strong , with the grounds at the bottom of the little ( espresso sized) cup. Is that what you are referring to? I confess I did need to sweeten it.
How is everyone doing with IF (time restricted eating)? There are some every active and supportive facebook groups (some people are willing to share their progress photos—that is brave of them. Not me! ) I was at a plateau for a while but finally broke through. Am getting there. How is everyone doing?
@jym626 , after being less than fully observant over the holidays, I’m back in the saddle. My numbers didn’t go off the rails, but I should bring them back in line.
Somehow, contrary to expectations, my kidney function continues to improve. Sugars are higher but within range. Cholesterol is a bit low, so maybe I should begin to eat bacon with my eggs ?
Good job, @IxnayBob . Its hard to limit times when people are having brunches and parties and you might be having company that eat 3 meals/day. We had people over to watch the super bowl and the food was out til past 8, IIRC, but just adjusted the next day.
I thought about doing the 5:2 plan I asked about earlier, but ultimately decided to go with an alternate day 4:3 plan. I want to knock off some weight before I start training for a race later in the year, reduce my a1c and hopefully get off a statin. Pretty ambitious goals.
I used MFP to calculate the amount of calories I should consume to just maintain my weight (without factoring in any exercise, so around 1600 calories) and set that as my target for four days, which are typically heavier run or aerobic days. On the other three days I am eating a lunch and dinner that is restricted to 500 calories total for the day. Those three days I am doing Pilates or taking a rest day.
I plan to try this for twelve weeks and reassess. I am almost two weeks in now. There have been times I have dieted by restricting calories to 800 a day and that wasn’t sustainable or healthy. This is far more manageable.
How do you know if it is improving? Is there a symptom for malfunctioning kidney?
There are symptoms, but (thankfully) I’m not at that stage.
There are blood/urine test markers that my doctor keeps being happy with since they show improvement. I was out that day at med school ?
I had a piece of a birthday cake yesterday against my better judgement. Would it help if I fast all day?