Hi Wendiwoo,

I do 8:16 along with 5:2, wherein in my non-fast days I eat all my calories in the windows of 8 hours. You can take black coffee/tea (but not stuffed with much calories that come from cream, but with a little milk, if you need). The main concept their being that we restrict all the cal intake to that 8 hour windows and fast the rest of the 16 hours.

I did the 16:8 a while back and it worked BUT, unlike the 5:2 diet, only worked for a short period of time. The reason for this is that to do 16:8 (which is done each day every day)… otherwise known as the 8 hour diet, you have to stick to a number of other rules – yes you only eat during the 8 hour period, but to ensure you get all the required vitamins and minerals in your diet you are required to eat 8 superfoods each and every day… including greens, legumes, nuts, protein etc. You should also ensure that you do 8 minutes of exercise each day before you start eating. ALL THINGS WHICH BECOME DIFFICULT TO STICK TO AS A WAY OF LIFE

If you are combining the 16:8 with the 5:2 then please make sure you are eating enough to get all the nutrients your body needs. On 5:2 you gain all you need on your non-fast days.

Personally I would do one or the other – I don’t think combining is the way forward – by the sounds of your post though it doesn’t sound as though combining is your plan – maybe when off work stick to the 8 hour diet and when you feel able stick to 5:2.
As a side note I work shifts and am therefore home quite a lot on my own during the week – I actually find these days a lot easier to fast – I only have to keep away from the fridge whereas at work there is vending machines, the restaurant, cakes and chocolates people bring in…. meal times where people head off together as well as the drive to and from work… much much easier to fast at home!!!

Below are some links to the 8 hour diet to help you out…. good luck.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Hour-Diet-David-Zinczenko/dp/1609615905
http://www.menshealth.com/weight-loss/8-hour-diet