Ideas for fasting days on 5:2 diet

johnybean

--Kaiser-- wrote: »

I had a skim through but eating little does not equal fasting

This thread is dedicated to Intermittent fasting. The 5:2 diet is one version of it where the user limits their calorie intake on "fast" days to 500/600 calories and can eat what they want on the other 5 days. So in this instance and considering this thread is dedicated to the 5:2 intermittent fasting protocol, eating little does equal fasting

--Kaiser--

johnybean wrote: »

This thread is dedicated to Intermittent fasting. The 5:2 diet is one version of it where the user limits their calorie intake on "fast" days to 500/600 calories and can eat what they want on the other 5 days. So in this instance and considering this thread is dedicated to the 5:2 intermittent fasting protocol, eating little does equal fasting

No it doesn't, that's caloric restriction, or maybe intermittent caloric restriction. Fasting means not eating. Intermittent fasting means fasting for some periods then eating as normal for others

monkey brain

I had my first fast day yesterday. I think i came in around 600 cals but will have to measure better on Thursday which will be my next fast day.

Was off so didn't eat until 12pm-
had coffee, 1 ryvitta, (35 cals)
2 scrambled eggs. (85cals *2)
100mls slimline milk (40cals)
Lunch and teas/coffee (245 cals)
Dinner (292 cals )
Cooked this http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/7712/superhealthy-salmon-burgers
It was very tasty and would definatley cook again. I added a tomato to my plate.

My next fast day will be Thursday.
Lunch: omelete 2 eggs, mushroom and onion (250cals?)

Dinner:prawns (150cal)
mash direct carrot and parsnip 200g (58cal)
side salad of lettuce and tomato

100mls slimline milk for tea throughout the day.
I found it ok but felt great after getting through it, giving up the cigarettes also, so fighting 2 battles but i think if get into a routine with it, it could get alot easier and very beneficial.

johnybean

I think we both know that there are many different forms of Intermittent fasting doing the rounds at the moment such as leangains (18:6), 5:2, straightforward daily caloric restriction etc etc. This thread was started by people who are following the Michael Mosley 5:2 "fast diet" protocol. I myself am using the leangains 18:6 protocol while also doing 1 or 2 24 hr fasts per week. I know that fasting means not eating but lets not argue about semantics.

cosbawn

I had been toying around with doing the 5:2 diet for a while. Two people at work are doing it with great success. One guy has lost over a stone the other girl did it for a few weeks and lost the half stone she wanted and has kept it off.

So I started it Mon and Tues by accident really - no food in the house!! Had to go shopping so bought suitable things.

Was very hungry last night before I had my dinner of courgette, onion half tin tomates, one red chilli and chicken fillet baked in the oven. I didn't weigh anything but the chicken fillett was small . I had two cups of bovril during the day and two hard boiled medium eggs for breakfeast. So hopefully that is ok calorie wise. (500 - female)

I will be more organised next week and do better. But even if I went over the 500 its still a hell of a lot better than I normally do :rolleyes: Got a few recipes on line and will have them ready to go.

One thing this diet highlights is just how many calories are in food stuffs which is good. And I plan to watch what I eat until the next "fast" days.

Great forum everyone, thanks

madma

cosbawn wrote: »

I had been toying around with doing the 5:2 diet for a while. Two people at work are doing it with great success. One guy has lost over a stone the other girl did it for a few weeks and lost the half stone she wanted and has kept it off.

So I started it Mon and Tues by accident really - no food in the house!! Had to go shopping so bought suitable things.

Was very hungry last night before I had my dinner of courgette, onion half tin tomates, one red chilli and chicken fillet baked in the oven. I didn't weigh anything but the chicken fillett was small . I had two cups of bovril during the day and two hard boiled medium eggs for breakfeast. So hopefully that is ok calorie wise. (500 - female)

I will be more organised next week and do better. But even if I went over the 500 its still a hell of a lot better than I normally do :rolleyes: Got a few recipes on line and will have them ready to go.

One thing this diet highlights is just how many calories are in food stuffs which is good. And I plan to watch what I eat until the next "fast" days.

Great forum everyone, thanks

keep it up and you will defo see a difference! you could even have nothing like ya dont need the 500 cals but if that works for you stick with.

at the moment im doing a weekly intermittant of 44hrs (the big one) and then a 24hr one so its like a 2 and a half day one and its working for me. i wont be keeping it up as im already getting in good shape so ill be reducing it to a just a weekly 24hr fast i reckon. also im on a high protein low carb food intake and cut out alot of crap so thats where the real benefit is coming combined with the gym

Bestr of luck!

cosbawn

I did a fast day yesterday and had intended to do another today but woke up STARVING so will do it tomorrow when I am at work. I didn't find it that hard to stick to the 500 kal, its very managable.

I also logged onto Myfitnesspal last week put in my details and they recommended 1200 kals per day for a 2lb weekly weight loss. So on the non fast days I stick to that.

I know 1200 kals a day sounds loads but when you have to count every single thing that you eat it gets used up fairly quickly. And I also find that I am a little on the hungry side at about 9pm. But have held hard!!

Anyhow between the two diets ( 500 x 2 days & 1200 x 5 days) I have lost 6 lbs in one week. I know that a lot of that is probably fluid. Of course I am delighted but I have reservations too . If next weeks weigh in reflects a similar weight loss then I do not feel that this combination diet is sustainable. I would like to loose 10 to 14 lbs. I have clothes that are too tight and just want them to be comfortable again.

Do ye think I should increase my 1200 kals ? I want a weight loss that is sustainable and long term, not some crash diet that will leave me heavier in 6 months time ??? :eek: Over the years I have done nearly every diet known to man, Atkins, Weight Watchers, South Beach, Beetroot Diet, Dukan, Cabbage Soup..............:P

Do ye think I should try it for one more week and see what next Monday's weigh-in is like and decide then or increase my 1200 kals to 1500 now?

Any advice much appreciated, Thanks

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

im pretty sure when you're doing 5:2 it's not really advised to eat at a large deficit the other 5 days, certainly not enough that you'd be losing 2lb a week without fasting anyway

cosbawn

Thanks for reply Sir Digby.

I think I will up the kals on non fast days. Its unsustainable in the long run. I will post next week and let ye know how I get on.

dudara

I've been following the 5:2 method since January. To date I am 6.5kg (~14lbs) down. I hit a plateau for a while, but it's starting to move again. I don't calorie count on the non-fast days, I just eat regularly, with sensible portions and not too much indulgence.

cosbawn

Well I weighted myself again on Monday and I have lost another pound. Very happy with this as its more sustainable. Eating more healthy on non fast days. Even had a little splurge!! Life is good

cosbawn

Well folks, working away at the 5:2 now for a few weeks and have lost about 10 pounds alltogether. Am delighted and don't find the "fast" days too hard. I am eating much better though, more veg and salad and have cut down on carbs especially bread and portion size.

Well done dudara, 14 lbs is fantasitc !

cosbawn

Hi all. Don't know if anyone still reads this thread but for what its worth i'm still on the 5:2. Doing really well. Got to my goal weight and a little below it actually. Its one of the easiests "diets" I've ever done. Holidays are on the way and ALL my clothes fit. Woohoo !!!

molly09

Well done all, that is brillent, what little tricks or advice would you recommend

cosbawn

Hi Molly09,

I really stick to the 500 kal or below on fast days. I use Myfitnesspal which is very handy. Get organised for the fast days and have your food in. Not too much over indulgence on non fast days. I have really cut down on the rubbish - crisps, wine, cheese. I know cheese isn't bad per say but its full of calories. Nothing I liked better than a cheese and wine night with a big bag of crisps on the side !! ( and def one bottle of wine . ) Now its one or two bottles of light beer and a bag of popcorn. I eat a lot more veg, especially stir fry, very handy and fast and watch the portion sizes with meat. Lots of salad. I still eat well and enjoy my food, but if i'm honest I just eat less of it.

The 5:2 make you very aware of the calorie content of food in general. You thinking of doing it Molly?
Best of luck, Irene

molly09

Hi Irene, definitely thinking of starting it in few weeks when a stressful period at work is over, what calorie intake did u have on normal day
Thanks

molly09

Also Can you have diet coke on fast days? all info greatly appreciated: -)

madma

molly09 wrote: »

Also Can you have diet coke on fast days? all info greatly appreciated: -)

not sure but id highly recommend that you don't..water with lemon or a black coffee, mybe the odd time have a drop of milk..

gave the stuff up since new years.. its not proven but it did lead to me making unhealthy choices when drinking it..crisps etc..

foodaholic

cosbawn wrote: »

Hi all. Don't know if anyone still reads this thread but for what its worth i'm still on the 5:2. Doing really well. Got to my goal weight and a little below it actually. Its one of the easiests "diets" I've ever done. Holidays are on the way and ALL my clothes fit. Woohoo !!!

Well done - you'll be sorted for your Hols :cool:

blatantrereg

Fasting is a bad idea. It results in cannibalism of muscle and organs, including your brain. I don't think anyone should even countenance a diet that involves regular fasting.

edit: Ok I see that "fasting" is a dramatic term for eating a limit of 500-600 kcal on a day in this diet. That's not so blatantly stupid as actual fasting.

cosbawn

Hi Molly,

Not actually sure of calorie intake on none fast days. Just three meals a day really, but more healthy options. And yes if I was thirsty enough I had a can of diet 7-up. Just count the calories. Its up to you how you use them. But obviously healthier options are better for you. If you do a google search of 5:2 you will find loads of web sites with quick easy and tasty recipes. I make a point of drinking a lot of water on a fast day,

Best of luck with it !

colossus-x

hairyprincess wrote: »

I thought we could have a thread where we could share recipes on our fasting days. I've only started this today so I'm trying to find my feet!

I had no breakfast this morning, except two glasses of water. For lunch I had two poached eggs and two buttered slices of brown bread (340 cals).

Dinner will be stir fried cabbage, onion, garlic and mushrooms, using olive oil and a splash of soy sauce (80 cals).

And a plum for dessert! (36 cals)

Please share and help us all

Is this some kind a joke ? A fasting day is eating nothing at all. Period.

If your idea of fasting is eating buttered toast ( high fat, carbs) and eggs ( high fat ) then I'd hate to see what you eat on a non-fasting day.

dubsgirl

Hi All - first fast day tomorrow

Looking forward to it but nervous! I don't think I have felt properly hungry in years...
Anyway plan for tomorrow is
Boiled Egg 70
Tesco honey roast ham X 4 slices @ 8cals each - 32

Lunch
2 light crackers 70
4 ham 30
1 laughing cow light 25

Dinner
100 grams chicken breast 135
1/2 pot baked beans 80

2 Tesco easy peeler satsumas 65

I know not very adventurous but I figure I am going to be hungry whatever I do so I'm not going to spend hours slaving in the kitchen...

cosbawn

Hi dubgirl,

You'll be fine. Its not that bad/hard. As i said in a previous post - stir fry is great and so is spincah. Very low cal and easy.
I sometimes have a cup of bovril - about 20 kals if I'm really hungry. Drink loads of water. Turkey rashers are good too. I use the smoked ones, fairly tasty and 53 kals for two. I'm on a "fast" day tomorrow too, so will feel your pain lol...

Best of luck !

dubsgirl

Thanks for the tips Cosbawn! Turkey rashers brilliant hadn't thought of them! Good luck today...

siobhanoh

Hi all,

I started Thursday 9th after coming back from Portugal and feeling very heavy. I had 500 cals on the friday and was very tired. I ate everything I wanted all weekend and then fasted Monday and Wednesday. I added in a third fast day as I was going to Portugal again on Friday. The only exercise I did was a 10km walk Mon-Thurs. I weighed in on Thurs and I was down 7lbs. I was delighted with that and ate whatever I wanted until today. I have decided to "start again" yesterday so I can fast today and Thurs this week.

By the way, "whatever I wanted" is usually about 2000 cals if not more. Especially while I was in Portugal at the weekend.

If I keep losing weight on this diet I will keep it up forever! I am sick of constantly counting calories and then blowing it at the weekend. It feels like I can do what I want, guilt-free, and only diet two days a week!

dubsgirl

Wow thats a fantastic result Siobhano! Certainly gives me thinspiration to get me through

1st fast day nearly complete - not too bad but looking forward to a slice of toast in the morning!

cosbawn

Me too

FTroydon

I just finished watching the Horizon show on this and I am going to do my first fast day tomorrow. Wish me luck! :-)

siobhanoh

FTroydon wrote: »

I just finished watching the Horizon show on this and I am going to do my first fast day tomorrow. Wish me luck! :-)

Good luck with it! The fast days definitely get easier! The first two I was in bed at about 7 o'clock (quicker you go to sleep, quicker you can get up and eat what you want!)

I really thought this week I would only be trying to get back to where I was last thursday, before I went away, but after my fast day yesterday I am down another pound over all. So that is 8 pounds in 12 days. And I mean I have eaten a lot on non-fast days. Treated myself to a breakfast roll and a vanilla latte this morning after the gym and I was still soooo full at lunch time. I think my appetite/stomach has shrunk!