I'm starting the 5:2 diet today. Anyone else doing it?

[Fraz73 Graduate]

I did it last week and found the first fast day really hard going. Felt very under the weather by the end of it and had a banging headache. Apparently this is 'carb flu'! Ate the next day then tried another fast day and that was much easier. Although wierdly I feel much better on the morning after the fast days. Next fast day tomorrow so we'll see how it goes.

[SKessex78]

I tried it and just couldnt! felt shaky on the 'fast' days.......I hope you have lots of success and let us know how you get on x

[oona Graduate]

Hi there, tried Tues and Thurs last week and found it okay although I did not go right down to 500 calories. I used 'myfitnesspal' to count my intake and ended up having 650 calories both days. I think I'll stick to that if I can and try to make sure I'm not doing it on a run day as I think that would be a bit much! Good luck trying it.

[trooperlooper]

When I was single, I pretty much used to do this diet naturally, or something similar.

I'd eat when I was hungry and some days I wouldn't bother to eat if I didn't feel particularly hungry, or I just couldn't be bothered to cook. I used to weigh around 11st and could eat what I liked without putting weight on.

A few years later and i'm now engaged and living with my other half (who happens to be a degree qualified nutritionist, so we know quite a bit about the "right" foods etc...). At the start of the C25k plan I weighed 13st 6. I didn't change what I ate between those two weights, the only change was that I always had a dinner every night without fail now there were two of us.

Now my other half has started as cabin crew (2 months ago) and is away a lot more, when she is away I've fallen back into my old habits of only eating dinner if i'm hungry, and eating completely randomly at the weekend if she is away all weekend.

I've lost 9lbs in the past 2 months.

[Legion Graduate in reply to trooperlooper]

I used to be exactly the same. I'm hoping I'll manage to get back into 'old habits' when I get my weight back to where it should be.

[Hidden]

Thankyou for all your comments. I'm inspired by those of you losing weight. My very first fasting day starts tomorrow. Please would you give me ideas on wh at you have on your fasting days.

[Deryn61 Graduate]

Ooh good luck, I saw the programme the other day and can see the sense but I am a tinker, as soon as you tell me not to eat something or to cut down on something, I perversely obsess about it and blow it!

I did lose 4 stone 10 lb with Weightwatchers in just under a year (didnt buy their brand foods just followed the healthy eating common sense guidelines basically, but knowing I had to go somewhere once a week and be weighed, kept me focussed and worked for me). The difference is that now I am running I KNOW I will keep it off.

Keep us posted on how you do.

[Fraz73 Graduate]

I actually didn't eat anything on my fast days. I was at work and busy so didn't really have time anyway. I did indulge in one of my fave things - beef tea or bovril tea. Some pound shops sell it in plastic cups. You just add water and it's about 10 calories per serving. As it's beef it seems to satiate my appetite and is an ideal tea replacement. I luurve my tea and there's just no way I'm going to drink it without milk!!

I'm on a fast day today and am trying to eat while sticking to the 600 calorie limit and so far have had one tea with milk, 2 beef teas and some ham with a boiled egg. Small portion of salmon fillet in the fridge for tea and that will be my eating day. :/

I think trooperlooper has it right though. I was very much like this throughout my 20's and while I was weight obsessed, I did maintain a similar weight nearly all the time and would only eat when I was hungry. It's my 30's where I did most of the damage and my partner - who is a great cook and is very generous with the portions - hasn't helped. I'm a chronic overeater and just need to eat smaller portions to sort myself out. The fasting days help with that as I already have noticed I'm fuller on much less than I would normally eat.

I'm doing the 5:2 for the health benefits more than for the weight loss although that will be very welcome. I'm also trying to stay off bread on my eat days which helps lose weight and if I have to have it, I'll only eat it at lunch to give my body a fighting chance at actually digesting it!!

[Oldgirl Graduate]

Its taken me just about 14 months to lose nearly 3 stone on Bootsdiets.com, smashing site with loads of like minded people. The diary calculates your calories/fat also calories burned by exercise which is strongly encouraged for those that are able. Costs about £6 per month so won't break the bank and nothing is banned you can even have your chocolate/wine/chips etc.

I reached my target weight 3 weeks ago now the hard part is to maintain it!

[Hidden]

Well done Deryn61 & Oldgirl on your amazing weight losses.

A great tip Fraz73 on the bovril drink. Will try that. Will keep you all posted as to how I get on.

[oona Graduate]

Interesting hearing everyone's different ways of thinking about the food thing! On my two fast days so far, I started with Total yoghurt and strawberries. Total is great because it's low in calories but high in protein which keeps me feeling full for longer. Then I had some carrot sticks, red pepper and mangetoute with tzatziki (low fat). Veg soup is good as is something like ratatouille and for desperate measures, an oatcake or apple. Along with lots of tea and water and the odd coffee I found this worked for me. It is early days though! My main aim is not to lose weight (although I wouldn't mind losing a few pounds) but is for overall health and fitness. Best of luck to everyone out there.

[Hidden]

Sounds good oona. You've certainly given me some food ideas. Good luck to you.

[Babybayliss]

Hi. I am trying to do this, but haven't really found any good guidlines. Is there a book or download anyone can recommend. I am kind of making it up myself at the moment. I am having 2 fast days a week which I sometimes change depending on the social calendar. I am having less that 500 calories on these days, but there seems to be confusion as to when is best to eat. At first I tried to space things out so 200 breaky, 100 lunch, 200 snack (I always train in an evening so really need to have something), but I read a blog that suggested the importance was about the number of hours between meals (which really is what I would understand a 'fast' to be. I am on about my second week and have not seen any change on the scale.

[Hidden]

I have ordered a book from amazon called " Alternate day diet" it hasn't come yet but the reviews on it are impressive. I 'fast' tues & thurs & a typical menu is: melon & natural yog @ 6.30am, banana @ 10am. Heinz 'big soup' @ 1pm, cup bovril about 4pm, apple @ 6pm & finally a chocolate brownie option drink before bed. I sound like an anorak but it works for me. Looking forward to receiving the book. I find it easy & look forward to eating the rest of the days. I never run on my fasting days. "my fitness.pal" app plays a big part on my 2 days

[Babybayliss]

I bought "The Complete Fasting Guide" I was disappointed with it. It spent a lot of time talking about fasting for 3, 7, and 10+ days. I am finding my fast days are getting easier now and I am going longer without eating. I did 36 hours last time.