What's easier? Consecutive fast days or spread them out?

This topic contains 13 replies, has 13 voices, and was last updated by zen123 8 years, 12 months ago.

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Julien Vincent

8:22 am
10 Feb 15
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I’m curious to know whether people feel it is easier to make your two fasting days consecutive or not.

I’ve been making Monday and Wednesday my fast days but today (a Tuesday) I didn’t feel particularly hungry so turned today into what was by far the easiest fast day to get through. I’m amazed that after having a quarter of my recommended calorie intake yesterday I barely felt hungry and had a meal this evening more for the sake of it. I have generally been getting along with the regime but am interested to mix up the fast/eat periods.

This is just one data point so hardly statistically significant. So I’m curious about you – have you found it easier to do consecutive days or split them up? More importantly, are you feeling like you’re getting the same results if you’re fasting on consecutive days (given that two days in a row is technically a 60-hour fast period, as opposed to 1 x 36 hour fast periods).

Clickbeetle85

11:09 am
10 Feb 15
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Hi Julien.

I tend to fast on non-consecutive days (Monday and Thursday), although I will mix it up occasionally by doing Monday, Wednesday, Friday.

I find that doing non-consecutive days works well for me at the moment, as I look forward to eating after a fast day, and fasting after an eating day! (I hope that makes sense…)

Personally, I feel that I might struggle (at the moment) to get through two fast days in one go.
I find that after 3 days of normal (not excessive) eating over Friday, Saturday and Sunday, I am actually craving a fasting day! That sounds strange, but I really do look forward to not having to think about food.
So I think 5 days straight of normal eating might make me feel uncomfortable.

I also work in a ridiculously cold office, and I feel the cold even more so on my fasting days. So it is nice to break it down into segments, knowing that I can enjoy a nice hot breakfast and lunch at work the day after a fast.
Perhaps when it gets a little warmer I might feel more inclined to extend my fasting some what.

This is just my opinion though! There are people on the forum who prefer to do 2 consecutive days to either get them out of the way, or extend the benefits of fasting. I’m sure they’ll weigh in (no pun intended) with their thoughts.

twigglet

12:24 pm
10 Feb 15
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Hi , I fast Monday and Tuesday as I dont feel much like eating after a fast day so I find it easier , I have lost 8lb in 4 weeks really pleased with that, another 10lb to go or thereabouts not getting to hung up about the numbers and only weigh myself every couple of weeks . Look forward to somebody far more knowledgable than me answering your question as would also like to know.

Amazon

12:31 pm
10 Feb 15
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I alternate between separate and consecutive days depending on my plans for the week. One of the joys of this WOE is that we can change it to suit how we feel and what we cope with best.

B2B fasting doesn’t make a difference to the amount of weight lost, but the fasting period is shorter overall, so perceived health benefits may be diminished. As I’ll be doing this forever, I’m not worrying about that as I’ll be doing separate days once I reach my goal and go to maintenance.

Julien Vincent

10:06 am
11 Feb 15
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Thanks for your replies, really interesting to see the differences in what people find easiest or most suitable.

I again got up today (this time after two consecutive days) not feeling all that hungry, so manage to stretch the fast out to three consecutive days. I’m not planning to do three fasting days per week regularly but it was good to know how my body dealt with it, as it was relatively easy.

I figured that my body had just become a bit better conditioned to not easting as much and was settled when I did the consecutive day.

Probably when this “experiment” is up (I said I’d do 10 weeks and have done 5), I’ll continue with, which will give me more consecutive hours of fasting but the option to cut it short if I need. And will get the fasting out of the way early in the week which is a huge incentive!

irisblue

2:43 am
20 Mar 15
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I really prefer back-to-back fasting. I did well on 5:2 about 2 years ago, but as time went on, I got lazy…and never got around to my second fasting day!

This time around, I’m doing two consecutive days, low cal/low carb. It’s a pleasure to get them over with for the week!

EZ.Rider

5:52 pm
29 Jun 15
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I’ve been doing Mondays and Tuesdays, for two years now, with no ill effects. The second day is easier to handle. The only problem, is the constipation!

EddyR

6:28 am
22 Oct 15
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So am I correct in assuming that you can fast any days as long as you fast for 2 days every 7 ??

jml60

7:47 am
22 Oct 15
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Yes Eddy. I go with how I feel and sometimes I do back to back or switch it up by doing alternate day fasting for a week. I’ve been doing this for about 4 months and lost 2 stone. The last few pounds have been stubborn to shift but since I plan to keep up this lifestyle I imagine they will eventually drop off. I’m quite relaxed about the routine now although I still have to watch I don’t eat a lot of rubbish on non fast days. That’s something I’m constantly working on. My husband has only been doing this for 3 months and he’s went from 15 stone to 12 and a half. It’s like having a whole new man! He’s like a lean mean machine lol!

Bronx

5:30 pm
22 Oct 15
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I fast on Mondays and Tuesdays just to get it out of the way for the week.

Bronx

WagnerIsFastingFast

9:02 pm
27 Oct 15
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I fast two days in the week, often Fridays and Mondays. You have to remember it’s a plan for life, not a diet as such, and once you reach your target weight, you still need to fast one day a week, holidays or not!!! Men seem to do very well on it – look at our Chancellor, George Osborne. He’s done remarkably well on it and very high profile with a very demanding job and having to socialise as well in all situations. Whatever about his policies, he’s certainly an example of this diet.

Purple Vegie Eater

10:02 pm
27 Oct 15
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After over 2 1/2 years of intermittent fasting, over 18 months of these at goal weight, I still fast Monday and Thursday. I find the habit is nicely fixed now and the spin off of separate days is mutliple:
I don’t feel hungry the next day, so end up with 2 more days of lower eating.
I can cook something on Tuesday, and finish it on Wednesday. I hated a single day between when we first started.
I embrace fasting, mostly 🙂 , if I have eaten well on the day before a fast. Guilt drives me to fast properly.

Many long term fasters find their body responds well to the ups and downs of two separate fast days.

Remember, this is not just a weightloss program, it is a healthy way of eating for life. It must be doable and sustainable for you! Good luck. PVE

amala

4:05 am
28 Oct 15
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Your post is quickly becoming exactly how I feel about 5/2.

Fast day is easy (Monday).

Day after (Tuesday), I’m not hungry.

Next day (Wednesday), still not too hungry but eating more.

Then second fast day (Thursday), and I’m ready for one.

Day after (Friday) I’m not hungry.

Day after that (Saturday),I have some treats, but not until evening, and still under my TDEE, and oddly enough I want healthy food more than anything.

Last day (Sunday), I want to reset, especially after any treats from the day before and don’t feel like eating too much.

Repeat.

zen123

7:10 pm
20 Dec 15
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I’ve just done my first two day consecutive fast and found it pretty easy, I could actually have continued today as I wasn’t particularly hungry, have eaten way under my tdee today. I did it to get myself back on track after not fasting for a couple of weeks and found I’ve lost the extra weight in just those two fast days so back where I was with the weight loss, I’m delighted! I reckon I will fast again tomorrow in preparation for Christmas, who knows maybe it will turn into a b2b again!