I have a minor procedure this afternoon that requires me to have liquids only today so am taking the opportunity to start 5:2 which has interested me for a while.

While technically “overweight” (who isn’t?) I excercise regularly (running & gym), eat healthy most of the time but do drink way too much, eat out too often and seek solace (from what I’ve no idea!) in large bags of crisps on many evenings.

I’ve been 13 to 13 and a half stone for years (I’m 5″10), dropped down to 12 and a half for a few months about 2 years ago when I was running a lot (10k races) but have been stuck above 13 & a half for the last year or so despite moving up to a half marathon in October.

Recently I topped 14st for the 1st time in nearly 20 years!

This morning I was 13st 11, I last ate at about 8pm last night and had no booze yesterday.

A few questions….

What’s the reason for 600 cals as opposed to zero?
Is it a case of “you can have 600 cals if you need to to keep yourself sane” but nothing would be even better?
Or does the small amount of food on fast days offer some additional health and weight loss benefits over and above what zero would? Eg, the protein preserving muscle?
I.e. is it important to have the 600 cals and not so good not to?

I think I can go without breakfast after last eating at 7pm the night before and eat two 300 cal meals at maybe 3pm and 7pm.
Would I be right in thinking that this longer first 18 hours without eating (7pm until 3pm the following day) followed by 12 (mainly asleep) might be more beneficial than 12 hours (7pm til 7am) then another 12 (7am to 7pm) followed by another 12 (7pm to 7am) mainly asleep?
Or is it the opposite!?

I read “whatever works best for you” a lot – which is one of the great things about IF – but what is the absolute OPTIMUM way of doing this? (and don’t say “whatever works best for you! ;))

So, first day went ok.
I didn’t sleep too well but that was probably more down to my op.
I’d lost 2lbs the following morning.

Day 2 was yesterday (Monday).
I last ate around 9pm Sunday and I stuck to water with lemon, green tea and black coffee through the day until about 3.30pm at which point I ate some Mexican seasoned turkey breast stir fry with peppers and red onions fried in a little coconut oil. Weighed out at 300cal.

I felt OK while not eating with just the odd difficult/uncomfortable 15 minutes here and there which a coffee or water seemed to rectify.
I felt worst for the hour or so after I first ate!
I was intending eating again at 7.30 but decided to go again about 6pm. Smaller amount of turkey and veg, tiny bit of guacamole.
I felt much better after this, had more water and another green tea then went to bed early about 8pm and stuck a film on.
I felt quite hungry in bed but fell asleep during the film which was quite a deep sleep until one of the kids woke me up about 10!

I had a reasonable nights on/off sleep the rest of the night (normal for me) and feel good this morning.

Now, while I could – I don’t currently feel a great need to eat breakfast so haven’t. Just black coffee and water with lemon again so far.

I’m thinking I might do day two (for this week) now rather than tomorrow as planned but am relaxed about it and might eat normally later and have a beer or two tonight.

Am I right in thinking I’m extending my fast from last eating at 6pm last night until I eventually eat today and that that should be additionally beneficial or am I missing something with the book suggesting I would usually have been back on normal eating with breakfast this morning?

Dee – granted I’m as new as you but I was surprised that I could go without breakfast and have done so two days running now (only intended to do so yesterday, not today).

Got to 12.30 today before eating. Felt OK (albeit hungry) yesterday with no breakfast but lousy once I first ate…

Maybe worth a try…?

Dee – I don’t know about a specific 5:2 app but MyFitnessPal is a good app for calorie counting