Can I do 16:8 5 days and lose weight/reap benefits

[Madnson]

Really interested in the 5:2 diet. I had a go a few years ago and loved the freedom it gave me.

Tried again a month ago and done nothing but failed I can easily go from 10pm to 7pm next day without eating, I'm busy and can easily distract myself from hunger. But once 7pm comes and I settle the kids I need a glass of wine. We don't eat then till about 9pm and it's generally a healthy meal.

I've got some right old shit going on at the moment, recently been put on AD and been sent for conselling but I do think my weight is a big factor in me feeling crap.

Do you think if I did this 5 days of the week then kept my weekends "free" I would reap some benefits from fasting / calorie deficit?

[HeyMacWey]

I reckon once you've done five 16:8 days your body will get into the routine of it and you won't want to eat outside those hours at the weekend.
That's my experience anyway. I've been doing 16:8 for about the last two or three years and is definitely helped curb my appetite.

[Madnson]

Really you just do it permanently? I could easily do that, was just thinking of not doing to give my body a rest. Have you lost weight? X

[HeyMacWey]

Yes, but I've never been one for eating first thing in the morning anyway so it's no bother. I generally have breakfast at about 1-2pm but sometimes not til 3pm - this is either berries and Greek yoghurt or poached egg and tomato on toast, then maybe a snack about 5 ish, then regular dinner (healthy homemade at 6.30-7ish).
I'm the lightest I've ever been - I've probably lost about 1 1/2 stone, however I have cfs/me so use it mainly to stop me putting weight on as I can't do much activity.

[BigChocFrenzy]

Madnson Can you look on the 2 FDs as giving your liver the healthy rest it needs ? Just 2 days per week, relax with fancied up fizzy water with ice, slice & straw in a pretty glass

If you want to lose weight, it goes much better if your liver is in good nick.
Also, whenever you drink alcohol, fat-burning stops for hours, until your liver has processed the toxic byproducts.

Daily 16:8 should lose weight if you genuinely drop a daily meal, i.e. you don't pack the same amount of food into the 8 hours.
With your plan, you would also need to be careful you don't eat back a 5-day calorie deficit over the weekend.

Many people combine 5:2 with daily 16:8, to help keep NFDs sensible and lose weight well.

[Madnson]

Thanks been doing this this week and feeling good, I'm not overeating T night either.

Do you think I'll still be getting the biological benefits?

[BigChocFrenzy]

Assuming the other 2 days are vaguely sensible eating & drinking:
5 days on 16:8 should help insulin metabolism, which is important for health.
Start each day of the week with a glass of water and aim for at least 2l water & hot drinks daily