Am looking into doing the 5 – 2 diet or the alternate day diet. I have been quite a bit overweight for a while but managed to lose two stone in two years by cutting out snacks and having smaller portions. Now I want to start losing weight again and going down to less than my thirteen stone – I am 5 foot 9 -also being healthier, hence seriously considering the 5 – 2 diet, also the alternate day fastings. The one thing I am unsure about is whether it really is necessary to do several days of fasting first, why not just do a day of eating and a day of fasting or whatever and continue with it?

Thank you. The idea of doing a few days of fasting first put me off, I doubt I have the discipline to stick with it. I am more drawn to the idea of just starting the diet and doing approximately 1900 calories every other day and 600 calories every other day,
cutting down on carbs, processed, refined etc and mixing with the mediterranean diet and a generally healthier diet. I know if I set myself a high and difficult target it all fizzles into nothing. How are you getting on and how long have you been doing it?