First day complete!

This topic contains 2 replies, has 3 voices, and was last updated by Pattience 10 years, 3 months ago.

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pammy28

9:19 pm
21 Aug 14
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Started today, was rather nervous but have actually really enjoyed it. Been trying a slimming class on line which has worked well in the past but seem to have plateaued recently. Hoping this will kick start my weight loss and encourage me to look at my food intake in a healthier way. Was wondering if anyone could give me tips on low/zero calorie snacks to eat on the fast days? Today I relied heavily on black coffee! Maybe need to prepare better before Monday. Also which recipe books do you all find best as thinking of purchasing a couple to give me some variety! All in all feeling very positive and excited to be starting, here’s to good results!! 🙂

knittinghippiemom

12:35 am
22 Aug 14
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Congratulations on Day 1!
Most people here say it takes some trial and error to figure out what works for you on fast days. Some eat all 500 cals in one meal, others in little meals throughout the day. Today was my second 5:2 fast day but I was doing the Every other Day Diet (alternate day fasting) earlier this summer, which dictates eating ONE 500 calorie meal on fast days with no other snacking. That did not work well for me at all so I have been trying small meals on 5:2 fast days. For day one and for today, I broke my 500 calories up into a “breakfast” of coffee + 1 tbsp heavy cream (the fat keeps me feeling satiated for a long time), plus a small lunch and a salad for dinner. Today lunch was creamy tomato soup and 1/2 oz cheddar melted into crackly little discs (yum!) and for dinner I’m having a big plate of lettuce with other fresh veggies and a few bits of roasted chicken. I cannot drink coffee throughout the day when I’m fasting because it leaves me flying high and hyper and totally unable to sleep. I do like Tulsi (holy basil) tea which is decaf and very calming. So far, breaking the meals up is working so I don’t feel starving or hangry (hungry + angry).

I think in general avoiding habitual snacking on fast days might make it easier to stick with – you steel your mind that today is a day of eating less, and make sure when you do eat it’s on a plate, at the table and you savor each bite. But if you do, veggies are always a good option, especially high water, low carb ones like cucumber slices sprinkled with salt and lemon or celery sticks.

I don’t know your situation, but I can tell you for me, half the battle with weight gain and loss is the emotional/stress/boredom eating that compels me to reach for snacks throughout the day – when I am not actually hungry at all. So these fast days are a good opportunity to have more thoughtful conversations with myself (I’m not crazy, I swear ;-)) about why I feel the urge to eat at any given moment.

Pattience

11:15 am
22 Aug 14
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Eat wisely and you won’t need all those snacks. I might have coffee with milk for breakfast. Then when i get hungry i have a decent lunch. yesterday’s fast day lunch was salad followed by seafood stew.

After that i had a coffee mid afternoon and i had filled my calories so nothing after that. I was fine.

Going to bed earlier helps (even if with a book) if you are hungry.

But drink plenty of water and if you get a headache, drink a salt broth.

Take it easy.

Personally i like doing my fast days together because the second day is quite easy. I almost feel i could do a third day come breakfast.

My current favourite recipe book is the Meditterranean cookbook but frankly the world is full of wonderful cookbooks. Take your pick. Just so long as its not a dessert cookbook. That’s a recipe for disaster.

Maximise fibre in your diet for excellent health. That is the latest health advice i’ve come across that i really like. Go for 50grams a day. It creates good gut bacteria which is turned into acetate which fights inflammation.