5:2 Fasting Diet

This is my first week on the 5:2 diet. I thought it might help to hear others experiences and keep me going! 3 years ago I lost over 5st - half of it has taken up residence once again and it is not welcome! Let's see how it goes .....

I hope it goes well for you, Forzanonna. I feel like a bit of a 5:2 zealot right now, so I want everyone to like it!

That's really positive Maggiemaybe. I'm on my second fast day tomorrow and reading your post confirms my intentions!

I've been doing the 5:2 now for 4 months, and it suits me. I don't find the fast days difficult at all, in fact I always feel quite virtuous at the end of the day (must be the Puritan in me!). And of course I always know that the next day I can have whatever I want. Such a treat after any other diet I've tried, as they've all spoilt my fun at some time - having a meal out with family or friends and silently calorie counting your way through it, and making dismal choices (second glass of wine or pudding?) isn't much fun.

The 5:2 has made me appreciate my food much more too, and though it sounds really pompous, it has also made me thankful for the fact that I can eat more or less what I want when I want, not a luxury afforded to most people in this world.

I'm not doing this one primarily to lose weight - though I have lost over half a stone while eating more than usual for 5 days each week. I was convinced by the health argument, and wanted to try something natural that promised to reduce my cholesterol levels, blood pressure and risk of developing Alzheimer's.

And I honestly think it is good for you. The last three times I've had my BP measured over the past 3 years, it's been a constant at around 134/85, which I haven't been happy with. I had my second Biobank check up at the weekend and it was measured at 118/74. For reasons I won't bore you with, I'm doing much less exercise now than I was at the time of the earlier checks, and I've now allowed more treats like cakes/chocolate into 5 days of my week. My job is particularly stressful at the moment too. I feel my BP should be higher now, and can't think of anything but the 5:2 that could have prompted the dramatic drop (apart from a bungling health professional doing the check, but I've discounted that - my man looked very competent!).

I found The 5:2 Diet Book: Feast for 5 Days a Week and Fast for 2 to Lose Weight, Boost Your Brain and Transform Your Health by Kate Harrison helpful - another Kindle download that's as cheap as the chips I now dare eat.

susie well that's different, agreed

Hi Jane -true, I should have said cutting down on fat ! ( mind you I did have to cut it completely until I had my gall bladder removed ! )

It covers vegetarianism in the book Nellie. As long as you stick to the 500 cals on fast days you can eat what you like; so no excuse eh?! I like having soup on fast days as it is comforting. You could have 500 cals worth of chocolate if you wanted (not that any one would ;)).

How does one get motivated to start a diet this weather? I need comfort food when its cold.

Is there a vegetarian version of that book?

However I am never going to be motivated to diet if I can't get off my backside to even Google the right book.

Oh! Heck!

Right! Need to get cauliflower and mushrooms tomorrows,

Thanks Marymore for that recipe, it sounds yummy and I will try it x

susie
'Cutting out fat' is dangerous advice.
Fats form part of a balanced diet and provide the body with essential vitamibns, as well as making food palatable.

Here is my Mushroom and cauli soup recipe for anyone who wants it.

Mushroom & Cauliflower soup

Serves 2 - 155 cals per portion

270g Cauliflower
400g Mushrooms
1 stock cube (I used Knorr chicken)
About 1 pint boiling water
2 tsps olive oil
Thyme
Seasoning

Break mushrooms up and put in a bowl with thyme leaves, olive oil and seasoning and toss to coat. Put them into a large tin so that they are in a single layer and bake in a fairly hot oven for around 20 mins until they are cooked but not dried out. Put stock cube into a jug and make up with hot water. cut up cauliflower into florets and steam until soft.

When cauli is cooked let it cool and put into food processor with a bit of the stock and whizz adding more stock until you get a puree. . Add most of cooked mushrooms leaving a few for garnish and whizz again adding stock until you get the consistency you like. Add more water if necessary. Reheat and pour into bowls, scatter chopped up saved mushrooms on the top.

I am sorry SuzieB but you say "you can loose 5lb in a week by...." You personally may be able to, but some of us struggle. As I said to my GP the other day "Don't you think at my age if I could loose weight I would. I would give any thing to be slimmer, and have been trying all my adult life" IMHO, if this way of life suits people, which it seems to, we must support each other to achieve it.
I too actually look forward to the fast days and feel absolutely fine and enjoy it.

I am on my 2nd week now & to be honest I haven't really noticed it being a problem. I have lost 4lbs but I don't feel I am on a 'diet' as such. I don't understand why I don't feel hungry.In fact I was quite looking forward to fasting again this week. The only thing I miss is a cup of tea- it is not the same without milk but it's only for a day. I can drink my coffe black & herbal teas & I always drink a lot of water anyway.
I bought the book on Amazon for £3.99 free postage & so far have stuck to the meal plans. The tortilla with mushrooms, peppers & mozzarella last night was lovely & I am amazed that one egg & a slice of ham kept me from thinking about food all day.
I am doing Tuesdays & Thursdays to keep weekend free & I do a dance class on Mondays &Wednesdays evenings & I'm not sure if it would make a difference to energy levels.
I'll make & freeze some batches of soup at the weekend ready for next week.
So far I am very impressed.

I've been doing this diet now for several weeks, OH and I started it after the original programme on tv back in the autumn. He had a lot of weight to loose and I wanted to drop by about a stone. We've both done well, in fact I've managed to get under my original target weight and feel much, much better for it.

To answer susieb's earlier post - I don't agree that it's a silly idea. To me, the main attraction is that it's not a totally "all bad foods banned" diet. What you can't eat today - you can eat in moderation tomorrow. That's what's kept us going. Plus the fasting day seems to suit me and I often feel more energised that day than some of the in between days.

I can see that it will be a "way of life" change for me as I'm very happy with it.

Good luck to those who are giving it a try and to those who are still wondering - go on - do it and let us know how you get on

I have been to a lovely spa hotel for 2 days. I did quite well because I didn't seem to want to finish a meal even though the food was lovely. I felt almost above it all, quite weird. Any way thought tomorrow would do the fast to clear my system. I have also started to meditate with Deepach Chopra's self healing tape.

I have been to a lovely spa hotel for 2 days. I did quite well because I didn't seem to want to finish a meal even though the food was lovely. I felt almost above it all, quite weird. Any way thought tomorrow would do the fast to clear my system. I have also started to meditate with Deepach Chopra's self healing tape.

No, its a silly idea,as are all faddy diets, and you can lose weight easily ( 5lbs in one week ) by following a healthy balanced diet, and cutting out fat.

Can we have the recipe for the soup? Sounds nice!

Me and Mr Marymore have been doing this diet for the last 4 weeks and we love it! I have lost a few pounds but quite honestly haven't been weighing myself because I feel so thin!!! I must say I only want to lose about 10lbs although I probably should lose more than that I'll be happy with 10lbs.

We have settled on doing the fast days on Monday & Thursday, we did do Tuesday & Thursday but found only having one day between fasts was a bit hard going. I love cooking and devising low calorie recipes and use My Fitness Pal for a calorie counter, you can also put recipes on there. My favourite things on fast days are Mushroom & Cauliflower soup (better than it sounds and really fills you up), Spinach Omelette with parmesan and a green salad, Ratatouille with fish and Bean & veg soup. They are all under 200 cals a portion. For breakfast I have half a tub of 0% Total greek yogurt and 75 grams of apple puree made with Bramley apples (no sugar), cinnamon and a few raisins. I leave my breakfast as long as I can. If I have some calories left at the end of the day I make a small cup of cocoa with skimmed milk, cocoa powder and a little tiny bit of sugar.

You have to keep busy on fast days and it's lovely when you wake up the next day and can eat what you like. I find I don't want to eat too much anyway. Good luck to all on the fasting diet, I think it's a winner

Hi I'm new here - just finding my feet! Started the 5:2 diet today so I'm soaking up all the info I can - anything rather than eating!! don't feel just as hungry as I thought I would, but it's early days yet! Thanks for all the tips.

Wow, that gives me hope too, thanks shysal.
Yes, perhaps you are right Tegan, I do rather push myself too much. I crippled myself using the Wii a few years ago!! Two days it is. Just wish my old legs would let me exercise too x

nanaplug, I too have rice cakes, usually Snack a Jack cheese ones at 38 cals, a bit tastier than plain, with cottage cheese and slice of beefsteak tomato. Glad you are persevering, I look forward to hearing how you and others get on. As you can probably tell, I am hugely enthusiastic about intermittent fasting, it is the best thing that has happened to me and gives me hope for a healthy old age!

Think you should stick to the two days, nanpug. I find that, with dieting and/or exercise it's when you push yourself too much you have problems. Put the weekend behind you and just start again .