5:2 Diet: My forst fast day tomorrow! Could anyone already doing it please come and answer a couple of my questions please?

[MarmaladeTwatkins]

I have read Michael Moseley's book and I think I have got a grip on things but I am a bit confused about the times I should be eating.

I realise it's up to me whether I want to eat my 500 cals in one meal or split it. I am going to split as I will definitely need to eat something in the morning and something later. I am going to have 150 cals in the morning (about 8am) and the rest about 5pm.

If I then don't eat until 8am the following morning, I will have done a 15 hour fast. However, in the book, M.M says something about 24 hour fasting.How would I do this if I was "bookending" my calories? I am so confused!

I am going to read the threads properly tomorrow but just needed a quick answer for tomorrow morning!

TIA :)

[Furball]

Ask them on this thread

They won't mind you joining in - they are on thread 12, so will know all about it

[chartreuse]

I have done one day a week since early Jan, my mum has been doing 2 days. I found the first few days tricky until I got the hang of it. Don't worry too much about the timings of eating in the beginning, it really doesn't make much difference.

I'm not really a morning eater so I have a soy latte at 11.30/12. I buy a packet of prawns and a carton of raspberries which I snack on and have a bowl of veggie soup if I'm hungry in the evening ( often I'm not)

I don't weigh myself, but my mum has lost 10 lbs and an inch and a half from her waist.

It's by far the easiest 'diet' I've ever done, very sustainable in the long term. I don't really need to loose weight but am doing it for the health benefits.

Good luck. Go easy on yourself, if 500 cals seems too low, try 600 in the beginning. You adjust very quickly and after a few fast days it becomes managable.

[frenchfancy]

Don't confuse matters with the 24 hour thing. Just think of it as a calendar day it is much easier that way. And really don't assume you will need something in the morning. Have something ready, some people swear by a boiled egg, I used to have a banana, but don't eat it. Get on with your morning, and when you think you need to eat wait 30 minutes before doing so. you may find your pangs will have gone and you can go longer. The longer you wait before eating the easier it will be, trust me.

[MarmaladeTwatkins]

Ok brilliant, thanks for the answers!

I've actually woken up feeling not that hungry so have just had a slice of lemon and hot water. I'm just going to eat when I feel hungry, as it is this trap that's got me chunky in the first place (eating because the clock says I should/when I don't need to)

I was going to have a boiled egg and strawberries funnily enough and miso soup with noodles for tea.

Right, let's see what I am made of

[staceyl900]

I've just got the 2-Day Diet - it looks basically the same as the Fast Diet, but it's been scientifically researched and apparently it reduces the risk of breast cancer. Has anyone tried this one?

[chartreuse]

I've read about the breast cancer one, it's very similar but your calorie resricted days focus on milk and dairy as most women don't consume enough dairy to protect them from osteoporosis. Same principle though. Btw, the Michael Mosely one is based on a lot of research too.

Good luck OP, it really is easier than people think to overhaul your eating habits, and I say this as a former sugar addict who can stand sweet things now.

[helen17]

Am thinking of doing fast day diet but am worried about not having lunch when at work - I'm usually very grumpy without food. Is it ok to have v small breakfast and lunch & small eve meal (all under 500 cals). Everything I've read suggests you need long break between meals for diet to work.