First fast day today... any tips?

[shitebag]

Have decided after a fair bit of reading to try out this 5:2 thing, I have 2.5st to lose so I'm hoping this works for me!

Does anyone have any tips for keeping motivated during a fast day? I'm stuck in the house with a potty training 2 year old so not much to distract me.

Also, do people find it easier to spread their 500 calories or to save them for the evening? I'm make lentil and chickpea Dahl with cauliflower rice for dinner which I haven't actually counted yet.

[BigChocFrenzy]

Some folk have a veg soup for lunch, then dinner. Others save it all for dinner. Whatever you prefer.
Avoid snacking or grazing though, as that usually just makes you hungrier.
I suggest you weight & mfp your dinner, so you know how many cals you have to play with.

Don't worry if your first FD is quite a bit over- you can ease your way down to 500 if you prefer.
If you normally have black coffee, diet coke etc, carry on - no need to give up anything zero cal, but remember to count any milk & sugar cals. Do drink lots of water too.

Plenty of friendly support on the main 52 thread 52Thread52 to keep you on track.
Do post if it gets tough, or just to let us know how you are doing.

Good luck

[shitebag]

I've MFP'd my day and its worked out at 492 calories for dinner, a frozen yogurt ice lolly and 2 cups of tea with milk.

Quite surprised how far it goes actually :o

Will have a look at the 5:2 thread, Im always worried about posting on huge threads in case I miss something! Thanks

[BigChocFrenzy]

no worries about the big thread - it's really friendly and noone is the least bit sensitive about missing stuff

[IvanOsokin]

Good luck for today.

I'm fairly new to this (just a few weeks in) and also new to this board so I'll check out the big thread too.

Personally, I find it easier to save all my calories for dinner, apart from some set aside for milk in tea and coffee (I have loads of tea and coffee but barely any milk in them so it works out). That's because once I eat, I start feeling hungry again after a while. See what works for you, though, as everyone's different.

Once or twice when I've felt a bit weak and wobbly (unusual for me) I've had a teaspoon of Marmite, either dissolved in a mug of hot water or straight off the spoon.

Apart from that, loads and loads of water - keep sipping all day.

[MABS]

my first FD today! doing ok so far and went to gym for half hour, will see how I am later on tho.... :)

[MABS]

my first FD today! doing ok so far and went to gym for half hour, will see how I am later on tho.... :)

[prettygirlincrimsonrose]

Also on my first FD today, haven't eaten anything yet but planning to have a tuna salad and an orange for a lateish lunch.

[MABS]

had two poached eggs and granary toast so far, no butter. don't plan to have much more til late afternoon.

[BibbidiBobbidiLou]

Am also a couple of weeks in. The first FD was ok, I found it a bit of a novelty and quite enjoyed it! The second and third were the toughest for me, but then got a lot easier.

I find I get more hungry if I eat breakfast, so tend to have a boiled egg and smoked salmon around 11 and then substantial soup/stew mid afternoon. Reckon you'll need to play around to see what works best for you.
Good luck!

[shitebag]

I'm bloody awful at this!

Have decided to try the 700 days first as I'm really struggling around 1.30 so have had a slice of toast and cottage cheese to keep me going.

[MABS]

think it be 700 for me today too :(

[BigChocFrenzy]

Don't worry if you need to ease your way into fasting. You'll still lose - but more slowly - if you keep your FDs under 1000 AND keep your NFDs within TDEE. Just regard it as your learning period.

[MABS]

not great but better than nothing! MFP says 760 calories total so I am vaguely ok with that, did 30 minutes in gym too. Bed now before I start snacking :(

[shitebag]

I came in at 651 cals which I can live with, have stuck to 700 cals for the past 2 days and having a normal day tomorrow then 500 on Thursday.

MABS 760 calories is nothing compared to a normal days eating so whilst it may not be the 500 target its still a pretty big deficit and every little helps:)

[BigChocFrenzy]

Well done, both of you. You both achieved good calorie deficits and you will gradually get ised to fasting.

[MABS]

thanks Bigchoc and well done shitebag! am doing it today also, tomorrow and Friday not possible this week.

[mrsmugoo]

I'm doing my first fast day tomorrow. I've lost 10lb since jan and am a religious MFP user so I'm comfortable with logging and know my TDEE etc...

I was going to have something like
Porridge with water for late breakfast
Gazpacho
Sweet potato, 0% Greek yoghurt and roasted pepper as my 3 meals. I haven't logged them yet but I got those ideas from a 5:2 recipe app.

[shitebag]

Thanks Choc :)

Good Luck for today MABS!

[BigChocFrenzy]

MrsMagoo See how you get on. If you find you are very hungry, then next time concentrate on protein & veg. Many folk do better on FDs without starches or fruit, to keep the GI low

[mrsmugoo]

Oh ok that seems like sensible advice. Thank you.

[shitebag]

How are you doing today MABS?

MrsMugoo I'll be fasting tomorrow too but think I'll save my calories for dinner, thinking of a cheese omelette and a big salad.

I'm sticking to 16:8 on NFD as evening snacking is an issue away.

[LemonYellowSun]

I'm fasting tomorrow. I usually have a salad or soup for late lunch and then cook something or cheat and have a ready meal in the evening. I eat late then too so I just go to bed if still hungry

[MABS]

not great, went to gym, but ate about 750 cals today :( thanks for asking

[Moggy72]

First fast day today. Anyone got tips on what to eat from the high street ? Don't think I'll be cooking much ... So lowesr calorie recommendations needed. Thx

[stripytees]

Moggy I usually have some natural yoghurt with blueberries (approx 160 kcal worth in total) for a late breakfast and then some shop bought veg soup (Covent Garden or Waitrose) for dinner with a salad of cottage cheese or boiled egg, babyleaf lettuce, and whatever veg I have around.

I'm vegetarian.