"I lost 22kg on the 5:2 Diet"

After trying all different diets, the Atkins Diet, the Dukan Diet, I was at wits end! My sister-in-law showed me an article on Dr Michael Mosely and his 5:2 diet and I thought I would download the Fast Diet Sample pages on my iPad.

What appealed to me was the simplicity of the diet. The way I could eat what I liked on five days and fast for two.

But not fast totally – just cut my calories down. I was so interested in Michael’s findings that I downloaded the whole book. I read the book in one evening!

I had just come home from an 8-week trip to Europe. I was overweight and I felt it. I was puffed out while doing simple activities, like walking. I was always hot!

I remember the overwhelming sense of fatigue and sweat while overseas and I wondered what was happening to me. When I returned, I downloaded all of my photos and I did not like what I saw! I saw an inflamed, overweight mother who was trying to choose the right foods for her family but was obviously doing something wrong for herself.

After reading the Fast Diet, I knew exactly what I was doing wrong. Simply eating way too many calories.

I also had what I called “jelly brain”. I was losing my memory, found it hard to recall simple things and after my blood results, found that my cholesterol levels were a little too high and my sugars also. My blood pressure was high and I had some iron deficiencies.

I thought that I would give this a go. I could limit my calorie intake to 500 cals on Mondays and Thursdays. It was as simple as that!

Monday came and I drank a few cups of tea and coffee and lots of water. I researched different foods and the calories they contained. I learnt a lot in that first week about how many calories I was consuming and where I was going wrong.

After a week (only a Monday and a Thursday of fasting) I had lost 2kg.

I did the same the week after and I had lost 4kg in two weeks. After 4 weeks, I lost 7kg! I couldn’t believe it! This gave me so much determination to keep going, I knew I was heading in the right direction.

I decided that after four weeks, I would try to eat as healthy as I could for the other five days and limit my alcohol intake to once a week. In the space of five months, I had lost 10 kg. I wanted more! I read more about fasting, more about the benefits and more about eating clean. I incorporated the Fast Exercise every day and after 12 months, I have lost 22kg.

I have never been fitter, stronger, leaner, smarter, and healthier. I even sleep better! I can work longer hours without feeling tired.

I went for a check up and my doctor couldn’t believe the blood results. All of my ‘high’ results were now not only great, but also better than any results she’s ever seen on me!

Michael’s own research on himself has changed the way I look at food. It’s changed the way my family eats and it’s changed my life forever.

Food is not something I ‘crave’ now – it’s fuel for my body. Fuel for my brain. To give it what it needs to be strong and healthy and for me to live a long and happy life where I can teach my own children to think of food in the same way.

Michael, two words – Thank you!