Happy dreams of pink and purple tulle fluttering by with some muscley calves held aloft by cute pale pink point shoes……gotta smile Tim!

Hi there! I’m a freshie, also in Canberra. Today was day one of fasting for me (I’m doing Tuesdays and Fridays) and so far I actually haven’t found it that difficult.
There was perhaps 3 times where I was hungry enough to be consciously aware of it and that gnawing hunger dissipated pretty quickly.
I think it has something to do with the fact that I’m a bit sick, having picked up a lurgy over the weekend. But if it’s going to make the first day easier I’m all over that haha.

I’m a pretty active person really, I run anywhere between 12 and 20km a week (not all at once, do me a favor haha) and otherwise run around after two young brats and one older one. Hubby counts as a brat, right?
I’ve had great success with dieting in the past using different methods. Shake diets worked well for me when my determination would fail, because I didn’t have to think about what I was going to eat or when. I had no choice in the matter.
I then went to calorie counting which has kept me where I am for the last few years but unfortunately it seems that no matter what I do I can’t drop those last 5kg.
So that’s pretty much me, trying the next new thing. 5:2 seems logical to me, especially as I eat fairly health conscious meals most of the time anyway. I want to lose those last 5kg… Which is actually currently 6-7kg as I gained a lot after eating silly things over the weekend. But I think with summer coming up, this is the perfect time for me to get my mojo back and hopefully feel good about myself by the time the warm weather rocks around.

Hi IHAW

I have a relative with IBS and was wondering if there was any other aspect (other than the actual fasting ) to how you approached 5:2 that may have had an impact on your IBS.

For instance, did you change the type of food you ate? Did you change the time of day you ate? From your success, I have to assume you changed portion size and total amount eaten. Any help you can give would be much appreciated.

Any other hints before I approach my relative to see if they want to try the 5:2. Thanks in advance.

Cheers, Bay 🙂

Hi Bay,
I think the only obvious thing I changed , apart from taking up 5:2 was to chew on the odd raw carrot when I got the mid afternoon cravings. The sudden cessation of my IBS was an unexpected but very pleasant side-effect of this way of life, (as well as not snoring anymore, after I’d lost about10 kilos)

I looked at some of the other forums and found that IBS was often mentioned as reducing or stopping, maybe it’s something to do with the rest the g.i.tract gets when fasting, and it’s positive effect on reducing inflammation and repairing the cells that aren’t behaving normally? Maybe there’s more mentioned on other sites, I haven’t looked in a while.

Whatever the reason, I’m so happy it stopped. 25 years of IBS without effective treatment, was too long and arduous. It may help your relative, and unless he or she is underage, pregnant or has an eating disorder, I’d definitely say give it a go….what is there to lose? And it just might help!

Morning all, morning IHAW,

just had to pop in with a little quote I found on a Dutch woman’s blog that I follow. It reminded me of you immediately.

While I dance I cannot judge,
I cannot hate, I cannot separate myself from life.
I can only be joyful and whole.
That is why I dance.
Hans Bos.

Joy to you as much as you give to us 🙂
Ros.

PS I’m so impressed with your relief from IBS. How fantastic!

Good morning all SH fast(ing) friends!

Such good news IHAW about your IBS. I developed Crohn’s Disease in my late 20s but undiagnosed for nearly a year, after which I was down to <40kg and was shot into hospital for total colectomy. Wish IF had been around then.

After my 2 fast days, this morning’s weigh-in showed 0.8kg lower than previous best (BMI=30.3) so closing in on my first target of being ‘merely’ overweight 🙂

Life be in it Corporate Cup currently running in Adelaide and I joined our team. Only doing the ‘mini’ of 2.2km because it’s almost that much again to walk to and from the start from my office. Anyway, lovely chilly morning for a walk along what we SA’s laughingly call a river and my Fitbit buzzed my daily target on my wrist on the way back.

Welcome to all new starters. This WOL is worth it’s weight in box tops.

Happy day all, Nicky.

HI Jaksee, There’s no need to go hungry. Just choose foods that are slow digesting and slow releasing energy.

Hi Aitchbee, I’m just doing this to lose weight, if I get other benefits, that’s a bonus. I am sure there are health benefits but i am not sure they are going to be significantly greater than what you gain from just losing weight and eating better food.

Hi Henny, many scientists now believe low fat diets are a cause of high cholesterol. I recommend some reading on low carb diets. Beans and lentils are said to suck cholesterol up out of the blood as well. The Art and Science of Low carb (by some scientists of course) which is a rather technical book targeted primarily to gps and their diabetic patients, should cure anyone’s fear of fat. Good Calorie Bad Calorie is another big slog by Gary Taubes a prize winning journalist, that goes over the tragic farce of low fat history, and worthwhile i’d say if you can get through it all. I’m not trying to persuade anyone to go low carb but i found it a worthwhile experiment for a couple of months and more importantly, i think its people should know how it works and the research and arguments for it and against low fat. And its all really very interesting.

Hi mum of four, put some olive oil in with your vegies. Its much yummier and much more healthy. Honestly. I steam and then sauté mine in 3 tsp of olive oil and my lunch is only 300 calories. Honestly fat is not bad for you and it helps with satiety. There are lots of good fats to choose from. I’ve lost so much weight by eating more fat and i’ve found a way of eating that is much more satisfying than low fat. I now eat more along the lines of french people.

Hi kerpid. see above. Gosh there’s so many new people since i last posted. Hi Kits. Hi Many. Hi awesome.

Just started this week. Day 3 , going well so far. I need to lose 10 kgs and am wondering about how much calorific damage is done by eating hot chickens from Coles or Woolies. Skin free. of course.

Hi thinatlast

The original 5:2 plan did not ban any food type so long as total calories for fast days was not >500C for females.

Others who are much more disciplined than I am restrict themselves to fewer calories and also eliminate starches and the like for various health reasons.

If you are only going to eat at night, then why not have your frothy coffee in the morning? 150ml of full-cream milk is 90C so still plenty of wriggle room for dinner, especially if it makes this WOL more sustainable.

Many 5:2ers also don’t eat breakfast, with a fasting window of abt 16hrs. I emulate Dr M with breakfast and dinner and he found the same health benefits accrued.

Cheers, n.

Hi All – I am on my fifth fasting day …. but who’s counting! I have lost 2 kg already so am very impressed. Today is hard though as i have a headache and lots to do 🙁

I have eating an egg and some salad at lunch and drinking lots of herbal tea.

I dont really understand how the forums work? When I go in they go back to October 2013 – its all a mystery and then I get every email? I notice below it says unsubscribe from emails … anyhow I enjoy everyone posts and it’s nice and helpful to know others are on a similar eating journey!

cheers

Alison in Brisbane

Hi again thinatlast

Please don’t think I was implying criticism of your comment on Coles chooks – all perfectly valid. I was referring to your comment on early coffee and entirely overlooked the context wrt shop-cooked chooks.

I only eat chook I’ve cooked myself bought from my butcher who stocks free-range. I’m a chook keeper from way back and don’t like to support the misery of factory farmed animals.

Hope your fast is going well.

Hi ihaveawaist and thinatlast! Phew!

Thanks for the support 🙂 I just had a wee nap so feel a little better. I had a fast day on Monday and have chosen today because tomorrow I need to cook a chocolate cake for my son as it’s his birthday on friday and I didn’t think I would be able to not lick the bowl! Also having a little family feast tomorrow night. So having just the one day in between is a bit harder. Normally I think I will fast on Monday’s and Thursdays.

I get migraines around “that” time of the month so I fear mine wont go away however who knows! I am sure you will start seeing results. I heard about this diet about a year ago but seeing Michael Mosley on SBS the other night just confirmed that I needed to do it.

I must say writing this response to you is making me feel better. I must use the forum more often.

Thanks all!

Good luck with your fasting too 🙂

Oh well done to you both then. I am a single mum so only have you guys out there to share my fasting – well I have friends too that are interested in my progress and support me 🙂 I cant tell my mum though because she will think I will fall over if I told her I was fasting hee hee. She is in her 80’s and gets very worried.

I guess it’s okay to change days. I want to make it as easy as possible for myself, especially at the start. I have been wanting to lose this weight for about 3 years now and now is the time!!

It’s great that you have your husband doing it too, I have two young kids so still need to feed them of course! They are very supportive too 🙂

“I shouldn’t have maligned the Coles cooked chicken.”

I think they deserve maligning. I had one – maybe the only i’ve had in the last 10 years and it bought it rather horrid. And yes tons of salt.

Yesterday i made a wonderful spanish fish stew, more interestingly called Zarzuela. Its for tomorrow’s fast day. Not so many. 331 calories. For that you get fish, 2 scallops, some mussels, 2 prawns, lots of tomato, onion and various other little bits of things that make the recipe delicious. I would probably feel satisfied with that for lunch and have some vegetable soup or vegies at night.

I only cooked ahead because i only cook for myself and so every time i cook i’ve got several serves there. And i have been eager to cook that dish for a while. I was going to fast today but realised that tomorrow would be better. As it is i’ve reduced this recipe by half and it will make me three meals but why would i complain its delicious seafood.

Oh yes the fish is barramundi which i buy from woolworths. Ocean Chef is the brand. Its great. There’s nothing like it in the coles supermarket here. Its wild caught so not imported from a fish farm in vietnam. It’s good fish. Almost as good as fresh. It might even be too good for a fish stew but really in Australian supermarkets, most of what’s on offer is horrible or too expensive.

If you know any good regular fish you can get in a supermarket please let me know. I find snapper ok but hoki,i poki and perch are revolting.

Most of my time is my own so its not hard for me to cook right before my meal.

Tonight i’ve got lentils and chickpeas soaking. I like to eat these often. I am not sure what dish i will cook with them this time. I’ve discovered some wonderful chickpea soups lately.

Onto my second fast day! I’ve got a lovely pot of soup cooking on the stove at the moment, exactly the same as I had on Monday. It was so delicious I’ve added it to my recipe book. Today I actually have a meal plan beyond soup and I know today is going to be harder than Monday because I am going to stick to lunch and dinner and nothing in between except water. Blurgh I hate water. Making myself drink it really is going to be hard! I never eat breakfast as soon as I get up, it’s usually 2-3 hours later so I am making lunch and dinner my meal times for the fast.

Good luck with your second fast day aitchbee and Many101. You can do it!

Like you HB, I did lunch and dinner yesterday and found it OK; I saved my hard boiled egg from our planned breakfast until about an hour before bed time and I didn’t feel hungry at all when I went to bed.

Many101, we also overdid our eating the day after our first fast but I’ve learned from that. Right now I’m savouring my cappuccino and then I’m going to walk the dog before eating anything. I do feel hungry but I’m so encouraged by what I see on the scales after just two fasting days, it makes it all worthwhile. How about treating yourself to a variety of quality Twinings teas that you haven’t tried before to keep you going through the day? About 5 cals if you make the teabag last for 2 cups.

Pattience, thanks for the reply. The price of fish and all food really in Perth has gone nuts. Yesterday our tiger prawns were over $1 each. We regularly eat salmon (who knows where it comes from?) at $32.99/kg. What do you pay for these items in the east?

Have a great day, you’ll have loads of support from all the Thursday fasters!

Selador, I am also struggling today. I’m blaming the weather! I’ve gone for a “lightly sparking water with a hint of lime” to get me through this hunger pang, then I’m going to do some exercise in my lunch break. Are you a fan of peppermint tea? That could help.

Hi Selador and other fasters who were struggling a bit today, (glad yours went well Pattience),

I’ve been reading ‘Fast Diets for Dummies’ from my library and I thought I’d share their on-line references:

‘Tips and Tricks to Boost Energy While Fasting’
http://au.dummies.com/how-to/content/10-sneaky-ways-to-enhance-your-fast.html

and

’10 Sneaky Ways to Enhance Your Fast’
http://au.dummies.com/how-to/content/10-sneaky-ways-to-enhance-your-fast.html

Besides the tea, we need to have sex, meditate and play. Ah, now I have your attention!

Hi All,
I have just started this week and am on my second day of fasting for the week. My first day I had a terrible headache and wasn’t sure if I was tired or by brain telling me it needed sugar.
I live on the south coast in NSW.
I am hoping to loose 5 to 8 kg. I am 55 next month and try to stay kind of fit by going to the gym three days a week and walking or a slow jog once or twice a week.
The program was on sbs last Monday. A workmate told me about it.
will se how it all goes.
Bye.

Thank you Nicky f, Melbourne Mum and Pattience for your replies and hellos. This is such a wonderful forum and I’m very happy to have found it.
Day 2 of fast today and gotta say not as easy as the first but that yes the hunger does come and go.
Re the calorie counting thing again I ended up only eating around 1200 on each of my 2 eat days which I know is way too low so I really have felt quite hungry all the time. Got to remember that this isn’t a diet.
Feel like I have a hangover constantly but each day I’m learning a bit more through this group.
Can’t wait for Friday night fish and chips and a wine though not my usual large portions.
Thanks everyone and enjoy your eat days this weekend

Hi newbies

It’s been said before that the headaches are often from two causes. One is lack of water. The other is sugar withdrawal. If you are used to sugar every day, then each fast day the body goes through sugar withdrawal.

Well done for trying 5:2 as a healthy way of life. Bay 🙂

IHAW – that was indeed an inspiring episode. Inflammation in the gut seems central to so many of our ailments and even diseases like MS. Fibre, and apparently vinegar, are vital to good health.

I’m a bit deflated this morning having gained 600gms since yesterday. I’d hoped for no change after the non-fast days. Serves me right for weighing daily as I suppose fluctuations are inevitable on the fastdiet. I’m sure all will be well at the end of the week.

Great to see so many newbies starting at the same time as us. Welcome all, especially suetee, a Sunday faster. Yeah!

Up to week 2, day 3 fast. I am fasting on Fridays and Sundays at this stage. Last week went well. Today I’m not so sure. I normally work Monday to Thursday but just got a call to go in and do a night shift tonight. Hmmmmm.

Anyway, it’s great to read that so many people have the same feelings and questions about this process that I have.

I have found it difficult to cut loose on the feast days. I feel I really need to keep it in check. Over all I am eating less across all the days not just fast days. However, normally I would sit around denying myself a treat and fixating on it. Now I have a small amount and move right on.

I am resisting the urge jump on the scales more than once a week. At work we have scales that do a little body analysis print out. I did that on Monday and think I will stick to that. I accept daily fluctuations in weight occur due to hormone changes. Last week I saw a 600g drop but also this week my clothes are more comfortable.

Anyway, off to get some shut eye and see if I can cope with fasting and working.

Thanks for the reassurance IHAW, I know you’re right. I have to adjust my interpretation of ‘eating normally’ on the feast days, ha ha. It’s interesting how I have always been able to intellectualise the reasons for my over-eating with such clarity, yet still do so little about it. That’s all about to change.

Congratulations HB, if I may call you that, now that we’re getting to know each other better. Encouraging results. I found a boiled egg kept the evening desire to snack at bay and prevented going to bed hungry.

And another Sunday faster, hello kerpid. That will be tricky working after fasting all day, hopefully you’ll be busy. Good luck, let us know how it goes. I suppose you could change the fast day if it happens again.