5:2

[Angelina45]

So after watching the Horizon special and taking their test it seems I'm a constant craver. I don't really know much about fasting.... how do others find it?

[SurreyMan]

I also did the test on the Horizin Special and came up a 70% Constant Craver.

When I started my 5:2 diet, I struggled with feeling hungry on fast days in the first few weeks. I have since learnt the foods that keep me feeling full and have discovered that soups are really good on fast days. I also found that boiled eggs are filling and reasonably low in calories.

Luckily you can motivate yourself by remembering that you can eat properly the next day....

Another thing that motivated me was that I could see results and really feel that fat was coming off, especially around my belly.....

The Horizon program suggests an intermittent diet where you fast two days in a row consecutively. I don't think I could cope with that! I prefer the flexibility in the 5:2 diet where I can choose the days I fast (Mondays and Thursdays in my case), so that it fits in with my lifestyle.

Good luck with your diet - Whichever type you choose.

[Hidden]

I would echo absolutely everything Surreyman has to say. It really works for me. Also read Gingernut's posts. She is an authority on 5:2! It worked for her and she is very generous with help and advice. Good luck. X

[bellahidalgo]

Hey I started the 5:2 diet myself this week after finding out i was a constant craver. I decided 2 fast Monday and Tuesday as consecutive days are better. Monday wasn't too bad but Tuesday took its toll and I did feel slightly weaker than normal. When I got to Wednesday I decided to eat my normal sushi lunch and was so stuffed that I barely ate anything on Wednesday...I am hoping I may loose some weight/inches of my waist and can't wait to weigh myself on Monday morning. Its definitely been an eyeopener keeping to such a low level of calories...once you start finding ou how many calories are in things it makes you realise how eay it is to overeat! Good luck!

[gingernut49 in reply to bellahidalgo]

You might get on better if you just do one day at a time. Maybe try Monday and Thursday next week?

[jillh1974]

I lost 5 pounds last week when I tried it for the first time. Now on my second day this week and really struggling with the hunger. Determined to keep going though!!

[Gillian2]

Bonsoir. I am doing the two days together and I have to make sure I have interesting breakfasts as I like toast (I live in France and have had to say goodbye to croissants for now) for breakfast normally. I had boiled egg with asparagus from a recipe I saw. I felt very posh!!!

I have to make sure I plan my first 'normal' day or I can be tempted to have treats all day.

Best of luck with it.

[Les123]

How does this 5:2 diet work? I have a major op in Feb and was told last Nov that I must lose at least 2 stone by then and a further 3 in order that my 'new' ankle can cope. So what have I done........got all stressed and eaten for England!! Help!!

[gingernut49 in reply to Les123]

I've left a reply on the page healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

[gingernut49]

Hi all - here you are, all the info, but do ask me any questions you like after reading this lot!

I lost the three stone I needed to on the 5:2 Diet after watching Michael Mosley's excellent Horizon programme in 2012, "Eat, Fast and Live Longer" tinyurl.com/qzgo7tq or tinyurl.com/a8ppjl7 and went from a size 16 to a size 10 by eating 500 calories two non-consecutive days a week. I've been maintaining my weight loss since April 2013 by just fasting one day a week - in the past I piled the weight back on as soon as I finished 'dieting'. I'd very much recommend you read Kate Harrison's book, "The 5:2 Diet" (tinyurl.com/qe6mz4u) - it really does work and it will save you a fortune (towards your smaller clothes!).

I'd also very much recommend a free app for your phone called MyFitnessPal. Counting calories is very important so you can see how much you're eating and therefore eat mindfully rather than mindlessly. There are excellent videos in the Help section on the app that show you how it works - there's even a barcode reader to scan in branded foods.

It's important you don't eat more than your TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure) on non-fasting days. You can work that out here thefastdiet.co.uk/how-many-.... If yours works out at more than 2000 then aim at 2000 on non-fasting days.

This little video explains more youtu.be/W9Aj6hRYg4A(Not working as expected?) It really does work!

[gingernut49]

The Horizon programme advocated a different type of diet from 5:2 in that they said two consecutive days of 800 calories and the rest of the week you follow a Mediterranean diet. Please read my post below for the original form of the diet - which works brilliantly!

[binksk]

Hi gingernut49, the TDEE says I should be eating 1880 on none fast days! I don't eat anywhere near that as I still eat healthy on none fast days! Should I be eating more or stick to the 1200 I eat now?? Would it help with weightloss??