Well consummed my fast day calories now just need to keep buzy til bed time.
Find I am eating fish on fast days because lower calories. Had flounder, artisan lettuce tomato and onion salad with balsamic vinegar, quinoa and cantalope.

Also, crowmama, FYI: When you go to the Fast Diet Tracker, scroll down below the chart, there is a toggle button there to switch from metric.

Oh, thanks so much for all the posts!! I’ve kind of hit the wall. I haven’t bonked yet and given up but mainly b/c the camaraderie from you guys is keeping me encouraged. I have about 360 cals. left (I hope that isn’t delusional :-+) and am truly hoping to try not to consume all of them. Having another coffee seems to be helping me. Was going to go for another walk but think it’s in my best interest to keep knitting.

Thanks notfastenough for the info on how to switch out metric. Now I’ll have to get my head out of the sand and go measure because I want to see some progress with inches!
c

Thinking about adding a third fast day per week. Fasting seems easier than keeping the reigns in check on feed days Any thoughts?

Hello across the pond from North East England. I am just browsing before I retire to bed, it is 11.50pm over here. I saw some posts that both interested and amused me so I hope you “Yanks” do not mind a couple of comments.
Crowmama, I take a daily dose of cinnamon usually with porridge but I have just read some comments about it in a recently published book by an American, Dr Michael Greger, MD called “How Not To Die” (Flatiron books). I have no idea as to his medical or research standing but he comments on cinnamon, both the cheaper cassia and the Ceylon variety. He mentions both the benefits and the toxicity of both types. Can I suggest you have a look at his book re this. I am not a medical man and this is for info only. I also laughed loudly at your post. (No offence intended). Your comment that “you haven’t bonked yet” was very funny to me (and possibly all British posters). I don’t know what it means to you Americans but over here it means….well… having sex. Sorry to be blunt, I do not mean any offence but it was funny.
Simcoeluv, Hi. I respect you and your constructive comments on this forum and I congratulate you on your efforts and input. Can I mention a small article in our “The Times”, Thurs. 14th inst. It refers to a Danish study that basically says that 20 obese people took part in an exacting diet of powdered shakes and soups for 8 weeks losing on average 12.5 kg (aprox28 lb). For a further 12 months they followed a diet that maintained their weight loss suggesting that after a year it is easier to maintain that loss. There are cautionary comments by other researchers that state that an obese person who is no longer obese will always be an obese person on the inside. A bit like an alcoholic. The research is published this week in “The European Journal of Endocrinology”. I hope you can find it and that it increases your knowledge base.
I am going to bed and am looking forward to my first glass of wine of the week tomorrow.
Good luck to you all out there.

Princess, I think that is a good idea. From my reading of Michael Moseley’s book, there are not hard and fast rules about 2 vs 3 days, but they do say that the more difficult we make this on ourselves, the more likely we won’t stick with it. I certainly think that is true for me. They say they also came up with the two days in order to fit into a typical social/family life. So we can work around dinners out, etc. For me, I am trying to take the long view, and try one way for a while before I switch anything up.
Just had a bit of chicken on veggies. I made a small salad, but not sure I can eat it! Not missing my wine too much either- though I was earlier…settled for sparkling water. Second FD almost done!
Couscous, that is hilarious- bonking here means “hitting a wall” like when you are running a race. I like your definition better;)

Hi everyone, I’m back. I just finished the last of my medication that I had to eat with food. I had a hard time fasting while doing this because once I taste food I want more. For me it is easier to just have the one meal in the evening on fast days. However I was able to fast on Monday and Wednesday with 700 calories. So not to bad.

I’ve been wanting to try this and have been mentally preparing myself for it. So I’m going to try a 48 hour water fast starting tomorrow. I’m really looking forward to it which sounds really weird. Then I will go back to the 5:2 weekly.

Made it through my second fast day. My H returned home and of course out to dinner. Mexican food. It was difficult. I had to keep my hands clasped together so they wouldn’t find their way to the chip bowl. I just had a plain salad with grilled chicken, but only half portion. Brought the rest home. I convinced my H to get the fajitas. He never finishes it and I was looking forward to the leftovers for tomorrow. All I could do is just stare at his dish and think about a nice omelet with the leftovers in the morning. Well he hadn’t eaten much today and managed to eat the entire meal. At least I still have my salad and stayed within the 500 calorie ct.

Good night everyone.

Somebody brought breakfast tacos today at my work. I am fasting and hearing “taco-taco-taco” in my head. Trying hard to override the words with GETTING THINNER-GETTING THINNER-GETTING THINNER. I hope my co-workers finish then soon, because I am not so sure of my will power. :-/

Congrats on making it through your second fast day. I made it too consuming a total of 277 cals. It wasn’t easy but expecting next week to be a little more doable….I try to eat fajitas when I’m dieting and craving Mexican food, passing on the tortillas and margaritas. Way to go Cizzy2!

Coldpizza, I don’t think I could pull off 3 water fast days in one week! I can maybe lead up to that, but couldn’t do it now. I was pretty shaky when I got up this a.m. after a fast day yesterday. Am trying to monitor what I eat on TDEE days and stay w/in calorie allotments. Easier said than done, but it’s helping me a lot to journal and keep track. Wishing you gobs of luck today! I’ll be thinking about you.

We’re in for a big snow. Bummer, b/c all the trees are budding, spring flowers in full bloom and it’s beautiful here! Kind of planning on snugging in all wkend. A friend is driving in from Oregon and she’s just barely ahead of all this, arriving tonight.

Have a good wkend everyone and stay the course.

Hi Melinda,

So happy that somebody is keeping me fasting company!

I have such determination during fast days (most of the time), but I am completely losing it during non-fast days.
I also noticed that when my thin husband around me during non-fast days, I am not overeating, but when I am alone at home, my craving demons get hold of my will.
I will ask husband to watch me during Saturday-Sunday.

On the positive side, you are right, it is better fast and binge sometimes, than not fast and binge all the time. So we are doing something good to our bodies with those fasts. Those binges slow down our slimming process, but do not stop it. I hope we figure out soon, how to eat moderate during non-fasting days.

Crowmama,
Great start!
I was fasting twice per week for more than 3 months before attempting 3 fasts per week.
This is actually my first 3-fasts-week. You are just starting and doing great – no need for you to change anything. Hope to fast with you on Monday. 🙂

K-Lo,
Are you still here? I thought that you are busy packing your suitcases with bikinis.. 😀

I am wearing jeans today (new policy – jeans allowed of Friday!). I did not wear them for long time, tried them in morning and noticed that I don’t have “muffin-top”. Extra motivation to stay away from those tacos!

Coldpizza, we leave Tuesday morning. No bikinis for me. Still a DD, but the muffin top is GONE. (Oh, do you know the Muffin Top, the Muffin Top, the Muffin Top…. no, thank you, senor.)

Good for you for resisting those tacos!!! My colleague who started on Monday is now talking about adding a 3rd day. I advised her to slow down, get at least a month under her belt (no pun intended) first.

I am on my second week of the life plan 😉 can’t call it a diet Bc I’d never stick to it if I did…I am fasting water and coffee only on fast days and trying not to eat after 4:00 pm on non fast days – it has sped up my weight loss so I am thankful. I was always a night water so the first 4 weeks of not eating after 4:00 almost killed me but after starting the 5:2 two weeks ago it has become super easy! I’m down 13.8 in six weeks so I’m thrilled, I have a long way to go – need to
Lose another 50. However, at 52 years old, I’m finally feeling hopeful!

Hi alex and welcome:

Here are some tips: https://thefastdiet.co.uk/forums/topic/the-basics-for-newbies-your-questions-answered/

Good Luck!

OOPS, I meant “It does NOT need to be a harsh…”
Sorry..

Hi Cali:

You are still new to this way of eating. In a few months you will not think twice about not eating for a day. It will simply be a matter of whether you want to or not. If you decide you want to, it will be easy.

Remember, high fat, moderate protein on diet days.

Good Luck!

Thanks for the link.

Good food for thought– trying to put it to work to make the day go smoother. Some days are just easier than others– maybe a FD coinciding with (almost) tax day is just a recipe for a rough ride!! I’m hanging in there- trying to focus on the positive and picturing a flat belly tomorrow morning!! Thanks for the advice!😀

K-Lo,

I’ve heard that about fat cells. When we lose weight the cells don’t go away, they just shrink in size. I read years ago that many fat cells are created in infants who were born under weight and over fed to be brought up to normal weight. This is the case with me; I was a bit over 5 pounds at birth and stuffed to get me to normal. That has been my excuse for being fat, anyway!

Coldpizza,

Thanks for the kind words. I’ve tried doing crunches and planking to get my stomach size down but it didn’t help. After about 6 months of seeing no results I gave up. I really hated doing them so it wasn’t sustainable long term for me. I just had a checkup and the doctor said my gut is mostly loose skin and the only way to get rid of it is with surgery. I’d rather live with it than go under the knife for vanity’s sake. I think it’s considered cosmetic surgery so it wouldn’t be covered by my insurance. The doctor also said I should consider doing toning exercises to keep from losing muscle. Ugh, I’ve always hated exercising. I’m a natural born couch potato.

I just completed a 5 1/2 day (133 hour) fast and celebrated with an egg and tomato on pumpernickel sandwich. The last day was difficult and I didn’t have a restful sleep last night at all, but I made it! This is my second 5 day fast this year. Don’t know how ofen I’ll do them; maybe once every 2 or 3 months.

I weighed myself this morning before eating and was 145 pounds. Yay!

Bronx

Hi K-Lo:

Yup. 5:2 done correctly causes many changes in addition to weight and inches lost. You really can’t understand until you do it and get the experience. If you can do it correctly through the first month or two, you will have probably changed your life from a relationship to food point of view.

Bronx – way to go! I bow down to you. 5 days wow.

I couldn’t make 48 hours. Got to 45 so I got close. I just started feeling so weak and groggy. Didn’t help with having a sick dog last night. So now it is back to 5:2 for me. Maybe I will try it again in the future or even a 5day. Definitely a good learning experience.

Hi:

Most people do not realize how long they can go without eating (and without dying). A six foot 150 pound male carries enough fat to go over two months without eating. The longest documented medically supervised water fast lasted for over 54 weeks, and the guy ended the fast much more healthy than when he started – and 276 pounds lighter!

So whatever your current beliefs about the necessity of eating or how often you must eat to remain healthy, 5:2 over time will probably teach you your beliefs were incorrect.

Good Luck!

Simcoeluv. Thanks for the input about the person who went 54 weeks on supervised water fast. That helps put things into perspective. I know that the more I am on this the more it is obvious it is that the need for food is not really that great. I wish I could shout it from the housetops, but I am satisfied that I am maintaining and that some friends may choose to join me in this. A few have. This is my fast day, which is not often on Sat. but it was how the social life worked this week. I admire you who fix chicken or salad for fast day.

I do have problems eating moderately on feed days. I am going to look up how to figure calories I need to maintain my Weight. Cannot find my 5:2 book.

Best to all of you as you wind down fast day like me or a feed day.