Fasting during the week, anything goes at the weekend!

[Landoni112]

Am I nuts to do this? I have about 4 stone to lose and am rubbish at conventional dieting.

I find I can fast easily during the week as long as I can enjoy eating, (especially the social aspect of eating out and entertaining people) at the weekend. I am not really a drinker, so its not booze that's a problem.

Is there any health reason for not fasting in this way? I would like to lose weight as quickly as possible, I don't feel too rotten fasting for 5 days in a row, (just more tired, I go to bed a lot early!) but I do probably eat over TDEE at the weekends.

TIA

[MazzleDazzle]

Just to clarify, do you mean you fast all week, then binge at the weekends?

What do you eat on your FD? What do you eat at the weekend?

You say you just want to lose weight as quickly as possible - why? What's the rush? How long did it take you to gain 4 stone? If you did lose the weight really quick, how would you keep it off?

Fasting is not a diet, it's a way of life that is sustainable.

Everyone here is striving for healthy, nutritious eating habits the majority of the time, with a couple of fast days and some treats at the weekend.

Why can't you have 2 fast days, 3 fairly low cal days, then a couple of days where you can enjoy some treats? That's what most successful fasters, including me, do and I've lost 2 stone in 5 months.

Pop over to the main thread for lots of advice and support. Everyone is very welcoming and we love to see newbies! I'm sure some of the others will know the health implications of fasting all week.

[CiderwithBuda]

What mazzle said!

You won't be able to sustain the fasting all week for long. It's not good health wise and you are very likely to trigger cravings and binges. I thought I was doing ok and tried three fasts one week and found I binged the following week.

Come and join us on the main thread. There is lots of help and advice and they are a great supportive bunch.

[Landoni112]

Thanks mazzle and cider. I don't plan to binge at the weekend, Just not calorie count and not worry if I eat out.
I am sure I won't be able to stick 100% to 500cals five days a week, just aiming to be as close as possible.
I have few really important events at work coming up in a few months time and am fed up of being the fat frump in the photos!
I didn't think what I was proposing seemed that extreme, I have done the Cambridge diet in the past (years ago) and that is based on 500 cals a day. I found it too restrictive socially, and I missed eating so was hoping that 2:5 might work as a good compromise.

[Redcoats]

I fast 2 days a week, eat my daily calorie limit for the rest of the week. Saturdays I eat whatever and don't count anything.

Fasting every day would make me really really miserable because I'd be hungry all the time.

Have you tried my fitnesspal app to count calories?

[TalkinPeace]

500 calories 5 days a week will do your bones, liver, kidneys, colon and heart no good at all

your best bet is the old weekly plan ....

Monday = 500 calories
Tuesday = TDEE less 10% (or TDEE for perfect weight, resting)
Wednesday = same as Tuesday
Thursday = 500 calories
Friday = TDEE
Saturday = ask no questions
Sunday = same as Tuesday

that is a routine you'll be able to keep to for 30 years
without nadgering your internal organs

[Landoni112]

talking thanks for the plan...do people lose weight on that plan, or is it just for maintenance?

[TalkinPeace]

Oh, no, that is weight loss plan .....
I did it, Eatriskier did it, Bssh did it, Southeast did it

maintenance is much more relaxed

if you can keep to that system, and have four stone to lose, you should be able to do it in a couple of months
and then stay lean and mean for ever

[Darkhorsefor1]

Hi landoni, good question, I'm sure many have wondered the same. There are many alternatives to 5:2, which is the simplest, gentlest version of IF.

Maybe, instead of 2:5, you could try 4:3? That should give you a roaringly good headstart on the weekend. You could do 16:8 too. (please ask if not sure about abreviations, but the op on the main thread does a good job of explanations) ADF is another possibilty.


Also, I had 4 stone to lose initially, lost the first stone very easily just fasting twice a week, ate and drank WHATEVER I wanted the other days. Sadly, those glory days ended about week 8. Since then I have had to reign it in a bit, but not too much. However, this relaxed attitude has resulted in a much slower weightloss than more focused types.

I do though, enjoy a great social life! This is so important, one reason being a really good friend of mine died last year, suddenly in a tragic accident. I'm not telling you this to be maudlin, but the day before he died we all met up and had a lovely evening. I'm so glad we did! ( I'd fasted all day to give myself calories to enjoy the evening, another strategy). You need a way of life, WOL, that doesn't get in the way of life.

Please, join us on the main thread for your 4 stone loss, would love to know how you get on.

[Darkhorsefor1]

Btw, the other posters have all done v v well, their opinions count.

[plecofjustice]

Hi Landoni

I set MyFitnessPal for a weightloss of 1lb p/w, (which is about 3/4 of TDEE for me) then I do the following
Monday - eat to MFP goal
Tuesday - Fast (5-600 calories)
Wednesday - eat to MFP
Thursday - Fast (5-600 calories)
Friday - count brekkie and lunch, relax a bit for dinner
Sat/Sun - no counting

That works for me

[Landoni112]

thanks justice can I be nosey and ask what your av weekly weightloss is?