5:2 diet

pink_petal

Ruby, do you mean not eating at all? Not even the 500 cals in the evening? I don't think I've read anything about it in any of the books. I sometimes think it would be easier as I always feel more hungry after I've eaten but it's a long time to go without eating...I'm not sure I'd cope!

I'm fasting today too. Very hungry and having a bad day at work so I'd love to have some food to distract me!

Ordered the second Hairy Dieters book and it's waiting at the post office depot for me so I'm going to pick that up this evening and hopefully get some fresh fast day inspiration!

Arrietty

Hello,

hope everyone is doing ok today ?

pink-petal - I was wondering about the Hairy Dieters cookbook, I watched some of the tv series, but I'm not the most enthusiastic cook so I'd love to know if the meals are fairly simple to prepare ?

Ruby_Ruby - I'm not sure about not eating at all, could you perhaps just have some soup ?

My appetite has mostly returned, although I still can't bear the thought of coffee, so I'm feasting today and will fast tomorrow.

Shower-of-roses

Isn't there a hormone or something that once you eat a little it makes you hungry??? Didn't the book say something about he picked 500 cals as fasting fully was too difficult but that was optimum? I think it's the long breaks between food that give all the health benefits. Mind don't ask me I've not read book for a while. Homework!

Eat day.
Massive ham sandwich with salad and vinegar
Salmon fillet with mozzarella and tomatoes.
40 mins gym, 1.5 hr walk.

Chickvic

I was fasting today and have just had chorizo crusted haddock from the Hairy Dieters new book - yum!

http://www.52fastdiet.co.uk/ - have a look here about not eating all day, called liquid fasting and I do it once a week.

Arrietty

Hi Chickvic - do you do the liquid fast instead of a normal 500 cal day fast, or as well as two of those per week ?

I've done a 7 day detox in the past, only drinking water or fruit / herb teas etc, but only when I know I don't need to be doing much other than lounging around as I found my energy levels were so low.


If I eat breakfast before I leave for work at 7.30, I'm hungry again by 9 so whatever that hormone is, I've got plenty of it !

Chickvic

Hi Arrietty, I fast on Mon/Wed/Fri. I do two 500 cal on Wed and Fri but just a liquid fast on Monday. I eat Sunday about 6 pm and don't eat til Tuesday. I drink tea (with milk), water and occasionally diet drinks.

I have never had a loss of energy, I do my Couch to 5 K jogging on fast days. I didn't do liquid fasting for a couple of months though, started off with 5:2 then went to 4:3 as I have a lot to lose! I like the routine of 4:3.

Then a couple of months ago I wasn't particularly hungry on the evening so didn't bother. I usually get a few pangs about 9 pm but have a cup of tea and they go. I don't have any problems sleeping either

lizalexander

Chickvic wrote: »

Hi Arrietty, I fast on Mon/Wed/Fri. I do two 500 cal on Wed and Fri but just a liquid fast on Monday. I eat Sunday about 6 pm and don't eat til Tuesday. I drink tea (with milk), water and occasionally diet drinks.

I have never had a loss of energy, I do my Couch to 5 K jogging on fast days. I didn't do liquid fasting for a couple of months though, started off with 5:2 then went to 4:3 as I have a lot to lose! I like the routine of 4:3.

Then a couple of months ago I wasn't particularly hungry on the evening so didn't bother. I usually get a few pangs about 9 pm but have a cup of tea and they go. I don't have any problems sleeping either

Hi Chickvic
You sound like that plan is really suiting you
How have you found your losses doing 4:3 with one liquid day ?
And do you stick to a calorie limit on the other 4 days ?
thanks
x

Chickvic

I usually lose around 2 lb a week - but I started at morbidly obese I'm not exact with calorie counting but do keep an eye on what I eat but I still have chocolate etc. I find I'm more mindful of how I eat as well and my appetite has reduced. I was an extremely lazy over eater now I don't overeat and exercise as well. I've tried lots of diets but this is the one that works for me, I find it easy to do and, best of all, not deprived!

Ruby_Ruby

Thanks guys, I suppose I was wondering if the health benefits were greater if you had zero calories on fast days, if there were any issues to be wary of, and whether it wasn't recommended because of the difficulty.

I did a little bit of reading last night and although there isn't an issue for weight loss, but if you're interesting in the health benefits then it might be better to have zero calories, or to eat all your fast day calories in one meal.

darrensurrey

I dabbled with IF for a few months last year. If you get hungry during a fast period, remember to drink lots (preferably water, green tea or other very low calorie drinks).

Also keep yourself busy as that helps to distract you and pass the time.

What I like about IF/ADF is that you can eat normally during non-fast periods. That and the associated health benefits.