NoahMan, I hear what you’re saying. I think that what happens is that a lot of us have lost touch, over time, with what “eating reasonably” is, and we find out that we have to re-educate ourselves. The best thing to do is start with the fast days and eating reasonably on the other days, and, if you lose weight, great!

It’s only if you’re not losing weight that you have to start looking at what you’re doing on the other days that’s counteracting the calorie restriction on the fast days. My own problem seems to be that I serve myself too large portions if I just eyeball them. I find that I have to weigh or measure things from time to time or I experience “portion creep”. But I don’t count calories on non-fasting days. Not even on all fasting days, if I’m eating according to what I’ve already worked out comes out to 500/600 calories. Other people may find that they need more or less structure on non-fasting days.

I’m guilty of over obsessing. I’ve already lost 34 lbs. I was sedentary for the first year. All I can say is start with the two semi fasting days. Then after a few months of successful fasting. You may start to look at making healthy choices on feed days as well. To apply TDEE to non fasting days so that many of us that lost the first 20lbs can continue to lose more. My goal is to lose 100lbs over ver long period. I do obsess over the details, but that’s my personality trait or flaw. I was very happy doing 5:2 , and later starting in with 4:3. It seemed I was eating junk on my non fast days so as time went I started giving attention to eating healthy all the time, but with foods I now love to eat even more than the junk food.

I only lost two 2lbs this month, so along with the 5:2 IF I’ve learned over a years time to share and learn with others on how to make the most of my dieting efforts. What I mean to say I love meal planning and dietic information as much as child likes candy, because at this stage in my life I ready to commit to a level effort I’ve not made since I left home at 18.

As far as 5:2 I would say after trying many different weight loss plans. Once anyone learns how to get in their 2fasting days. They are enabled!

So. Before go on and on. I’m saying could never have gotten this far without first being successful on 5:2. And some of us are trying a fast track to 2lbs a week instead of one. However there’s more to losing weight than diet alone , I can’t speak for others , but I believe those of us on fast track are using diet in combination with exercise to attempt 2lbs a week. This is a struggle for me hence my obsessing.

Bottom line after I reach my 100lb goal I will still fast for the longevity benefits. I’ll use the 4:3 that I have learned over the last year to do that. As I don’t have to give up lasagna, meatloaf, chicken dumplings , or bacon for that matter. I just eat those socially, Just not so often that I remain obese. However I’m able to plan those meals into my week. Not because I have to , but because I like being that way.

Hi

I think the people who find 5:2 easy are those who don’t feel very hungry on the day after their fast. It is very tough on those who want to eat everything in the house.

I wonder what causes the difference, and whether it is possible to move groups. Is it related to how you do the Fast day (what you eat and how you spread this out)? Or have you done the same thing but found that your after fast day has got easier over time?

I cant gi did

ecall ever disagreeing with simicoeluv b.but had put me in my place as needed . And im thankful.

I strongly believe it is a poor probiotic balance that has many fasters craving carbs on fast days even when theve just eaten. In particular the diet soda drinkers. The good news is some foods that gave good probiotics in them fit well with fasting. its what I do.

But yes any beginner should become successful with the 2 days first. Some people stuggle other enjoy it. Theres alot freedom and very little guilt. I build fail days in by. Starting on monday. If it doesnt work I try again till I do. As long as get my first fast day by wednesday then I can skip thurs fast friday and still gave the wedkend free. I live with othets so weekend became too hard.

About m loss

barbarita, I don’t think there’s any research yet addressing this issue (of whether you feel less or more hungry than usual after a fasting day), but I think it might have to do with differences in insulin levels. This is not completely under our control, but is something we can influence. Insulin goes up when we eat sugars or starches so that the glucose can get into the cells to be used. But it also can provoke or prolong hunger and make the fat stay in the fat cells. I personally find that, if I eat a breakfast based on whole-grain cereal, I’ll be hungry in two hours. If it’s based on eggs or low-fat yogurt or low-fat cheese, I’m good until sometime in the afternoon. On fast days I’m very careful about carb intake. The lean protein and vegetable route with maybe a small piece of fruit works great for me. If I save all my calories for dinner I can have a good vegetarian pile of beans and greens on a bit of a whole grain with a sprinkling of parmesan cheese and do OK (note the absence of easily-digested refined starches and sugars). But when I read about people eating cereal for breakfast and spaghetti on toast for tea on a fast day I wonder how they can not be hungry. Of course, if it works for them, great! For me it would not be enough protein and I would probably feel horrible.

Yes Franfit your explanation does make sense to me. Not only should low carb on Fast day make fast day easier, it should make the following day easier too.