Hi Layla

It sounds as if 5:2 might be just what you’re looking for. It’s a way of life rather than a ‘diet’. How old are your children? If they are all at school you’ll find fasting a lot easier but if not, you can still achieve it. What you have to do is really believe that you can limit your calories to 500 on two days a week. If you convince yourself of that, you are on your way to achieving weight loss. First thing to do is to cut down or cut out the bread, butter and chocolate and replace it perhaps with fresh raw vegetables and fruit! It doesn’t sound very inspiring but it really makes you feel good.

On my fasting days I wait as long as I can before I eat anything. I have hot drinks with a small amount of milk and I distract myself by walking the dog, reading, meeting friends etc. If you go to work it’s even easier to distract yourself from thinking about food. I’ve found the suggestions in the Fast Diet book and the Fast Beach Diet book really helpful and there’s information on how to get started right here on this website. One recipe I modify for a late lunch is to make a coleslaw with white cabbage, grated carrot and sliced red onion. I mix in a teaspoonful of mayonnaise (no more than that) and add a chopped boiled egg. That’s about 150 cals and is very filling and sustaining. Don’t make the mistake of using bought coleslaw. It’s far too high in calories.

Some people find it easier on fasting days to eat a sustaining breakfast e.g. porridge oats and an evening meal perhaps from one of the recipes in the books. There are loads of recipes on these forums and many people who’ve had success with this way of eating. Why not explore the forum threads to get the tips you need?

On your non-fasting days be mindful of what you eat. Cut out that bread and butter!

Good luck! lpb