I am new to the Forums and thought I would start this new topic and share with you all my journey over the past 6 months doing 5:2. Starting weight 70.5kg (165cm height), smoker, depressed, unmotivated, fatigue, facial acne, and excessive sweating.
Being a clinically trained pharmacist myself, I was intrigued by all the science behind fasting – the evidence was fascinating! So I gave it go…..without cigarettes.
6 months in…weighing in at 59kg, and fitter and leaner than ever before, I feel like I have found a new me! Weight loss aside, I am astonished by the improvements in my mood, energy, memory, skin appearance, and overall health and well-being. I don’t like to refer to the 5:2 as just “another diet” but rather, a lifestyle change. It helped me regain my energy, my health, and my life…and most importantly, the willpower to remain a non-smoker!

Hi desperate but driven,

Hope you’re well 🙂 Re:your question about how I consume my 500 cals on fast days, I split it into 2 X 250cal meals in the morning and in the evening 12 hours apart. The beauty of intermittent fasting is that it is very flexible and you may wish to consume all of your 500 calories in one meal, or split it into 2 meals depending on your lifestyle and what suits you! Try both ways and see what works for you.
I personally find splitting the 500cals into 2 meals keeps me going alot longer…I always need a little sustenance in the morning and a light meal in the evening as I am training in the gym (mix of heavy weights and cardio). Its great that you ran 4 miles on your fast day!! In fact, the Dr.Michael Mosley states in the book that exercise in a fasted state is more efficient and will burn more fat and cals than when in a “fed” state.
So to answer your questions, a typical 250 cals breakfast for me is:
-1 slice of low carb wholegrain toast (98 cals)
-1 hard boiled egg (78 cals)
-1/2 of a red apple (36 cals)
-1/2 cup of almond milk to add to my strong coffee (39 cals)

a typical 250 cal dinner is:
-1 can of (95grams) of tuna in springwater (71cals)
-a pile of salad with cucumber, spinach leaves, tomatoes, red cabbage to make up the remaining 180 cals

I also consume a fair bit of sparkling mineral water throughout the day which is really refreshing (like a fizzy drink) but with no calories! And have it with a piece of sugarfree flavoured chewing gum and it will make the 12 hrs of fasting in between meals a whole lot easier!

As Tiamarie mentioned, I usually stick to the same meals on my fast days as it is quick, and easy to remember. However I have recently purchases Mimi Spencer’s “The Fast Diet Recipe Book” which has lots of great ideas to mix it up!
Like Tiamarie mentioned, I usually stick to the same meals on my fast days as it is quick and easy to remember what you can eat.

Also, fasting during the weekdays is much much easier. Mondays and Thursdays usually worked best for me but if I knew I had a dinner function on on one of my fast days then I would change my fast days for that week and work around any social functions to ensure I didnt miss out on all the deliciousness! So enjoy the pizza place desperate but driven!!! and Happy fasting on another day 🙂
Cheers,
Diana