Hi rlw:
The ‘book’ is Dr. M’s ‘Fast Diet’ book.
I have never read it, but many swear by it.
This topic contains 1,453 replies, has 174 voices, and was last updated by dykask 4 years, 9 months ago.
Donuts, bagels, and scones, oh my!!
That has been work for the past couple days. I am changing my fast day to today and it’s my first attempt to do this at work. I am scheduled for 12 hours tomorrow and I know I will fail if I try to fast then. I have to go to bed a couple hours early tonight so my awake and wanting to eat hours will be shorter today.
I am skipping breakfast today, having only tea and water. This is a first!! For some reason I have this fear of hunger while at work. I always eat a big breakfast. Some days especially in the past, you may not get a break for lunch, you never know what is going to happen. It’s different now, but I still hang on to the old mindset. After getting through two days of fasting, I know how I am going to feel and I know I can power through the hunger feelings and be ok. Wish me luck!!
Everyone have a glorious Sunday! To those fasting today–we can do this, to those fasting tomorrow–start preparing today.
Thank you simecoluv!
Princess C – that is AWESOME!!! Good for you 🙂 !!!!!!
Cizzy2 – positive thoughts are coming your way all day as you power through your day — push those hungers thoughts aside and know that when you go to bed tonight you will feel SO GOOD!
I fast tomorrow so I’m being extremely mindful today (overdid it a little yesterday with a family celebration dinner and dessert!!!!) but overall I’ve done MUCH MUCH better this past week on my feed days then I would normally — I too have that old mindset that I NEED to eat — what happens if I get hungry? Oh no! Hahah ..it’s hard, very hard, to change that way of thinking after so many years of it! I’m going to prepare today for what my 500 or less day will look like tomorrow. One of the hardest parts for me is that Monday is also my grocery shopping day 🙁 🙁 !!!
Well, I survived the Festa Italiana. I kept to my plan of eating VERY light until I to there. A small antipasto plate (a lot of champagne and wine). When I saw what my friend was putting on plates in the kitchen, I asked if I could have just two ravioli instead of 6! I had a small piece of cake…and the scale was quite kind this morning.
I discovered the body fat setting on my scale! I wish I had turned it on when I started 5:2. I don’t expect it to be very accurate, so I will just monitor the trend rather than the actual number.
Off to walk Jones Beach! Then out to dinner with my sister and BIL. And tomorrow is a FD.
K-Lo,
I live in California. My username was the name of a dog I once had. Bronx was a good boy; an Australian Shepherd mix. Had to put him down about a year ago at almost 15 years old, actually it will be one year April 20.
I only check these forums once a day so your question to me is on the previous page. I’m glad this thread is so active. I wonder if it will get to “I’m a binge eater” or “Aussie Determination” lengths!
I enjoy reading all of your posts and am glad so many of you are having success with 5:2. Tomorrow’s a fast day for me so today I’m indulging in grilled chicken and home grown steamed sweet potatoes.
Bronx
Hi rlw66 …I think the book you refer to is “5:2 the fast diet” by Michael Mosley. He also did a documentary for tv. PBS carried it and also it came up on Net Flix in 2013. He is a Dr in the UK and he coauthored this book with Mimi ? This book was published in 2012 and it was the highest # of books sold on Amazon.com by the end of 2012. He did an update to that book a bit later and now I see there are several other books he has published of which I have not seen.
Cizzy2- good luck with your fasting at work. It is sometimes a little scary to think of running out of energy or being starving at work – what I do is drink a lot of hot herbal tea when the hunger hits and chew sugar-free gum. The gum can help if the hunger is really playing with your mind. The good thing is it goes away after a while and eventually it stays away.
Sending you happy strong thoughts today!!
Bronx- I’m also in CA – hence my name- nice to have people in my time zone!!
Good luck to everyone today!! I pigged out at a party yesterday and had 2 cocktails so today is a fast day. I have a bday party to go to but hoping to say I already ate and leave it at that!
I am going to just jump in and then try and catch up on the posts this evening. I am 61 and a retired NICU nurse living in Illinois(NO NOT CHICAGO). I started the 5:2 diet last Tuesday after watching a couple on the news who were having a good deal of success with the program. I downloaded the book on my Kindle.I am approximately 75 pounds overweight and my knees and ankles are now hurting by the end of the day. I have a taxidermy business I started 7 years ago; after carrying in 6 50lbs bags of salt I realized that I carry a little more than one of those 50 lb bags around everyday. I have tried about every diet you can think of but never able to stick to one. I lost 28 pounds a year ago on WW but counting point every single day is just to much plus after not being able to walk every day outside during the winter I soon gain all the weight back. I have some vanilla protein powder that I have left over from a failed diet that I mixed with my coffee in the morning for 90 cals then had some meso soup for dinner my first fast day. On the second I fast day Thrus I had a scrambled egg with spinach/kale, meso soup and a protein/coffee shake for dinner. I decided to do an extra fast day on Saturday and repeated the previous fast day. Today is an eating day and I had a few hashbrowns and 2 eggs with my husband for brunch. I have been drinking about 8 to 10 glasses of water with lemon during the day. Not sure what I am having for dinner (hoping for fresh mushrooms if we find any today) but am not hungry. I am hoping that with staying with others on a forum this will not be another fail.
Hi Kathy and welcome:
Here are some tips: https://thefastdiet.co.uk/forums/topic/the-basics-for-newbies-your-questions-answered/
Good Luck!
Hi everyone. My fast day is tomorrow too. I look forward to them. This starts wk 4. The fast day mentality of not getting over concerned about feeling hungry is carrying over to feed days. I like all the changes this plan brings, physical and mental. There is real freedom with this plan. Good luck everyone. Perseverence will take us further than perfection.
Welcome Kathy,
I used to live in IL and I know how hard it is to stay active in the wintertime- I often would join gyms to try to stay fit as I cannot workout on my own- I have to have outside structure.
I have hit the 1 month mark and I have lost 7 lbs and fast days are way easier now. I have about 15 lbs to go but already my knees are not hurting much at all and generally I feel so much better.
Best of luck! This is a great website for support. Happy fasting!
Hi Kathy —
I live in MN so I know what you mean — I joined the YMCA two years ago and I go take a workout class everyday of the week (otherwise I wouldn’t exercise at ALL!) I too have about 50-60 pounds to lose — I’m sick of my body hurting all the time and I’m quickly approaching 50 (in June!) ……I too watched the news story and that was what peaked my interest in this way of life/way of eating. I started just last week and have completed 2 500 calorie (slightly over) fast days. I’m doing Monday/Thursday and I weigh myself every Friday (which I’ve been doing for 2 years). About a year and half ago I lost 50 pounds by doing an extreme eating change (due to being diagnosed as pre-diabetic 🙁 ) and started working out ….but for the last 8-9 months my weight has been “stuck” so I’m extremely frustrated! I’m hoping this program will kick-start things again. I do have to say that I was extremely happy when I got on the scale Friday — down 4.5 pounds!!!! I know it probably won’t keep up at this rate — but at this point ANY MOVEMENT DOWN IS POSITIVE FOR ME!! 🙂 I read these posts daily and find lots of good information and support!
We are all in this together 🙂 and it’s nice to read about others struggles and successes! My biggest problem is a darn sweet tooth!! Grrrrrrrrr …………
Welcome Kathy,
I am an ER nurse hoping to retire in 8 or less years. I live in California. I, too, am hoping this forum will help me to stick with the program.
I made it through my first day fast at work. I skipped breakfast and fortunately I was assigned first lunch at 10 am. I has some soup and salad that I ate very slowly. I made it through the rest of my shift without any problems. Then I get home. I am tired and hungry and my H wants to go out and get something to eat, my choice. Oh great!! I have only 250 or less calories to eat. I was not feeling patientl enough to study nutrition menus of restaurants in my area so I went with Wendy’s. Their chili is 170 cal and a garden salad with no dressing approx 25 calories. Again I ate very slow, just dipping my spoon in the chili. It worked. Very satisfied and my meal lasted longer than my H’s and he had 2 garden side salads with a ckn sandwich.
So I survived another fast day. Thanks for all the positive thoughts sent my way.
Thank you all so much for the warm welcome. simcoeluv I read the site you sent me, I will use it for my questions. cizzy2 I admire you, I remember how those 12 hr shifts can be so stressful. I have been thinking of going back to nursing but not sure if I can do those 12 hr night shifts again. I retired early to take care of my father who passed away last year. It is hard for me to get to a gym, I live 20 miles out in the country (in the middle of nowhere). I look forward to seeing how everyone does on our journey.
Decided to do an egg for breakfast with some mushrooms and green peppers and a cup of coffee. Was very happy with the scales this morning it showed 3.2 lb loss. The best change I noticed this morning was having to make myself eat on the non-fast days. Going to try and drink just water with a little lemon the rest of the day and have something this evening after 12 hours. It is a beautiful sunny day here and I hope everyone is having as good a morning as I am.
Good Morning! (here anyway)
I am fasting today but still enjoying the memory of my blueberry scones from yesterday. (Not wanting to eat them today, just remembering how much I enjoyed them and may have some again tomorrow). This is new for me – a change in thinking. Perhaps I am making progress.
Congratulations Bronx on your 5 plus day fast. Amazing. Perhaps at some point I will give a longer fast a shot. Amazing numbers on the scale for you as well. Way to go.
Crowmama and Cilantro – congrats to you both as well – what great results you are all getting. Thanks for sharing and inspiring us all!
Happy to see all the new posters and excited to hear how your weeks are going.
Cheers!
Hi everybody, you guys are so busy during weekend, so many new posts. 🙂
Bronx,
Congratulations on your 133 hours fast! How you do that? Water only or some calories allowed? Please share more of that experience.
It is so sweet that you using your dog’s name. My German Sheppard is getting old now (11) with “wise” grey muzzle and brows. I know that even with the best hope, we are having only 2-3 more years together, and it is already breaking my heart. My husband joking that I love my dog more because I always prepare home -made soup (chicken breast, sweet potato, millet, zucchini, beets) for my dog but sometimes use frozen meals for him. 😀
Results of the first week with new 4:3 routine (weight from Monday morning to Monday morning) – 3 lb! I will continue this week the same routine. Happy fasting today. 🙂
Hi, Along with kaywesterman, cizzy2, rlw66 and more I am fasting today. Last week was my first week, didn’t lose anything but I am not discouraged ! I know this will take time. Read “The Obesity Code” over the weekend, highly recommend it. In it, research shows that calories in calories out may not be the answer – controlling insulin spikes and cortisol output more important. ( Cortisol is the stress/ sleep deprivation hormone). He calls obesity a hormone dysregulation problem, (caused by faulty eating, too much sugar, etc) with a lot of science to back it up. Fasting fits right in with these theories- no food for periods of time, no insulin spikes. So my understanding is going beyond just the FD’s: better sleep, no snacking on non fast days, no sugar, no white flour products, TDEE calories on those days, but with stretches of no eating between meals. I am still in a “healthy” weight zone, but heavier than I have ever been- after putting on a few pounds a year for a while now. want to drop 15-20 lbs. I refuse to buy clothes the next size up!!
Good luck today!
One more thing,
Thank you and cheer up to all nurses! Good for you, that you are taking care of yourselves for a change! My daughter is a nurse (first nurse in our family) and I learning a lot about that profession. It is incredible how much courage, strength, patience and care you show every day. Please stay strong! Wishing you the best on your weight loss journey!
Thank you Melinda!
Congrats with new way of thinking! That is probably hardest to do.
I beat some of my cravings, I really don’t miss pizza any more, and ice cream could stay forever in my freezer. I still greedy eater, with passion for french fries, donuts and chocolate waffles on my eating days.
Only fasts keep me from those.
We can do it today. Happy fasting. 😀
Notfastenough,
Good for you! You realize that you need to lose weight while you are still under healthy category. It is such smart decision Not buying clothe of bigger size.
I am so much dumber than you, it took me 10 (!!!) years to realize that I am not that thin woman anymore. Now I am overweight, and struggling to go back to my “high normal” weight. Thankfully this diet works. I am finally very hopeful that I could get rid of my 12 and 10 size clothes, and maybe eventually will fit to my 4 and 6 size clothes (that I still keep).
You have a great plan, it will definitely work! 😀
Hello Notfastenough, I agree with you about not buying the next clothes size up. 🙂 Although, I had to with one short. My old ones are mainly for working around the house and I needed one outfit to wear outside.
I’m keeping busy today but still fill that hunger buzz. Trying to drink the water. I tried to space my 500 calories out so I can have a few more for dinner. Sugar and white flour are my downfalls. Coldpizza mention keeping ice cream in the freezer, me too!! Especially now that my fav is back on the shelf. 🙂
Coldpizza, Thanks, but I think I have equally been living with my head under a rock…this weight came on slowly and I didn’t act fast enough…ha! another meaning to my name:) Have continued reading some of Dr Fung’s blogs- really interesting. He uses a good analogy: the food we eat becomes glucose for energy, stored in the fridge(liver)- but if we overeat, storage goes to the freezer-long term storage, fat cells. So stopping eating for a while is necessary to empty the fridge – the liver – of glucose, in order to start digging into the freezer- the fat. The more I read the more I want to say let’s all be kind to ourselves. This losing weight stuff ain’t easy, but we can do it, with the right knowledge and commitment.
kaywesterman, I am keeping busy to – just transferred cookies, ice cream, chocolate to to the fridge in the garage – I don’t have a sweet tooth but my husband does. He will just have to walk a few steps to indulge! Outta sight outta mind:)
Love these posts!! Coldpizza- I too am a size 10 dreaming about being a 6 again… Wondering if the fat dimples will ever truly be gone. I love all the changes I am noticing– of course the weight loss but also the energy and the mood. What an added bonus! I have never enjoyed a weight-loss program this much- glad to have some cyber buddies to share it with!!
I have successfully completed my 3rd fast day !! YAY! Made an awesome dinner of grilled/roasted asparagus and red peppers with grilled lemon herb chicken tenderloin. Congratulations to all on the successes. Love all the information shared here. Am extremely interested in reading the obesity code!! Have a great night/day all!
Congratulations, rlw66! Me too:) 3rd day, ate 526 calories according to My Net Diary, had my favorite grilled chicken with stir fry vegetables for dinner. Stayed really busy again today, putting 10,000 steps a day on my Fitbit most days now- lots of lemon water and tea. Feeling good about embracing a healthier lifestyle- didn’t even miss my wine tonight…well, not too much anyway;)
Thanks cold pizza 🙂
YAY notfastenough!!!! Isn’t it great? I feel good too! I too keep very busy on those days (most days) but more often I find myself going from one thing to the next on “fast days” and before I know it most of the day has gone by 🙂
This site is like “gold” to me ….I would have never even given fasting a thought before seeing the news story recently and then doing some “googling, etc” and came across this site. And I completely agree, we all need to be a lot nicer to ourselves — truly reflecting one day at a time. All in the name of progress!
Hope everyone has a great day, whether it be a fast or reasonable feed day 🙂
Good job to everyone, doesn’t it feel good to actually see progress and feeling better about ourselves.
I love the freedom of no guilt and not being locked into a daily or weekly grind. Yesterday started out being a FD but then my husband had to run down a part and asked me to go, we ended up at a sushi buffet. I’m not about to pass on good sushi. Today is now my FD and you know for the first time I really don’t feel guilty about yesterday. started out making a protein and coffee shake and plan to have lemon water until 7pm tonight. Have so much to do in the shop that I am hoping to stay so busy that eating won’t be a problem.
It has been so nice to read and share with all of you here. You all give me encouragement by your examples.
MelindaShay and Coldpizza,
Sounds like you are both doing great with 5:2. Keep it up!
My 5 day fast was 0 calories; only had black coffee, green tea and some 0 calorie water enhancers. Unfortunately I don’t have any magic tips for getting through it, just decided that I wasn’t going to eat until Saturday and was able to stay strong.
I know how you feel about your German shepherd; I hope he lives a nice long life. I tend to spoil my dogs with human food too. My current dog (Bronx’s younger step brother, a black lab mix) gets more human food than he probably should. I will even buy special cuts of meat for him that I wouldn’t buy for myself because I thing they’re too expensive! Give your shepherd a hug and a kiss for me.
Bronx
Good morning to all! I am enjoying reading about everyone’s successes. It keeps me encouraged. Sunday was my fast day and did well, but when I got up at 2am to start Monday’s shift I didn’t realize I was still in the 36 hour fast zone until I was about to take a bite of oatmeal. Then it hit me, so I just licked the spoon and packed the oatmeal for work. I ate it on my first break past the 36 hour mark. It was a very busy day for me, and when I got home I went into the “snack attack mode because I deserve it”. This kind of thinking has caused many pounds to be gained. However I did manage to weigh a portion of chips instead of eating the whole bag. I have never done this before, so my mindset is slowly changing. I ended up going to bed very early due to fatigue from work which probably saved myself from many mindless calories.
Wishing everyone a great day.
Hi Bronx,
Hug and a kiss are given, my dog said it was so sweet. 🙂
Cizzy2,
You are done for well for non-fast day, congrats! For me it is so harder to keep myself from overeating than actually fasting. It is so encouraging to know that you make a progress in that perspective. I will try to avoid all sugars today and see what else could trigger my overeating.
Good luck everybody. It is true blessing to find such support here. Your stories really make a difference and make this diet a success. 🙂
Hi everyone. Went over on my fast by 100 calories but I will make up for it today. I know there is a lot to learn including growing in patience. Funny if I was inhaling potato chips 100 calories wouldn’t even register on my radar. But on my fast day it did. Hope all have a great day fasting and feeding.
Fasting today and already hungry! Trying to not focus on that. Yesterday I ate too many sweets (again!) luckily today is a new day and with it being a fasting day I know sugar will not even be on the radar!! My kids have noticed when they hug me around the middle that the middle is shrinking and far less jiggly!! Love handles are disappearing- feels magical to have the fat slowly melting away. I tend to want faster results so today’s mantra for myself — slow and steady wins the race!!
Happy fasting and feeding to everyone!
Good morning from Wisconsin! I have caught up on all the posts and decided I was ready to jump in, you all seem like such a friendly, encouraging bunch! I also saw the story on the news last week and that is what landed me here. I completed my first real fast day yesterday, it went very well. I just bought the new Hungry Girl cookbook, it is a great resource for the types of meals that are perfect for fast days. Last night for supper I made a cheesy broccoli cauliflower chicken dish-237 calories for a large serving. Loaded with broccoli, cauliflower, onions, celery, some chicken and just enough of a cheese sauce to taste awesome! I look forward to getting to know you all better. Have a good food day!
Yesterday’s fast day went well. I love busy days that fly by and there is little time for even contemplating whether I should break my fast or not.
Today it is 11am and I have already devoured my TDEE. I won’t bore you with the delicious details – just that it was fabulous and I don’t regret a single bite. Laughing my head off….as I am once again looking at black coffee for the rest of the day – because – yes, dag nabbit – I do want to lose weight this week. I am very pleased simply because I know how to fast already, and fasting half a day even though it is an eating day is no problem. (Yes, I will report back when/if I follow through).
Cheers and have a great day everyone!
Welcome BaiEll- glad you found your way to this website! It has been really inspiring in my weight loss journey to hear from other fasters. Love the recipe you talked about- I will definitely check out that cookbook. I have a soft spot for Wisconsin as I went to college there. Beautiful state!
MelindaShay– love your attitude!! Always great to hear such positive and humerus thoughts about our eating habits– the good, the bad and the ugly!!
Yeah!! My first 32 hour fast- you more experienced fasters were right- it definitely gets easier with time. My hunger pains were fierce the first 3 1/2 weeks and now they seem to be more of a dull roar. I seem to enjoy my fast days more than my feed days as the worry about over-eating is removed and I feel better with less food in my body. Hope everyone has a great night!
CaliBikini – YAY!!! Question: when you say 32 hour fast is this from say 9pm Sunday night until 9pm Tuesday? (I know that is 36 hours) I’m trying to get a better handle on when I’m truly “fasting”. Does your fast include 500 calories? I agree, I seem to be enjoying my fast days much better than my eating days! Funny thought!! My fast starts again tonight after dinner through the day tomorrow 🙂 so I’ll be planning tomorrow later today. I’m hoping to attempt to make my own miso soup tomorrow 🙂 I did a lot of reading and looking into (K-Lo had recommended a brand on Amazon) but it seems lots of people prefer the taste of making their own!
Hi Rlw66- I fasted from 9 pm Sunday night until 5 pm Monday – water and tea only and then I had a 400 calorie meal. I don’t lose weight with 500 calories- I had to figure out my TDEE – which I did on this website- and then I realized that 25% of that was 425 so I rounded down and now the weight loss is steady. I also do the alternate day fast- Krista Varaday’s book was where I started with my knowledge of fasting- great book if you are looking for the researcher that has studied fasting and health the most. I had 20 lbs to lose and I am 5’2″ and started at 146. Hope that helps! Miso soup sounds delicious- I have to remember that! Best of luck!!
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