The new 5:2 diet thread

[GreenEggsAndNichts]

The continuing thread for those of us following either the 5:2 diet or the alternate-day fasting diet. Both are two versions of Intermittent Fasting, which you can read more about here.

The 5:2 diet was featured on Horizon recently, and essentially requires you to fast for 2 non-consecutive days per week. The other 5 days, you can eat what you like. Alternate-day fasting is just how it sounds; you fast every other day. By "fasting", we mean that we keep our calorie consumption very low, around 500 calories on average, on those days.

Come join us, and tell us about your experiences with this diet! :)

This was my fourth, but I've been lowish carbing for a while before and I really think that helped adjust, as even the first day wasn't that hard, but I did feel hungrier the next day.
Maybe you are feeling hungry because your meal was too Carb heavy? My fast day meals include a lot of veg and a medium serving of protein (couple of eggs or about 100g of fish).
I also have 10kgs to lose for a healthy bmr, would love to manage that before Xmas.

Yes, it wasn't ideal but I don't want to eat something different to the DCs at lunchtime and that was the easiest meal for me to adjust and eat the same as them based of hat we had in the house. I think I'll try to have something fish based ith veggies for the next fast days and see if that helps.

sigh. Oh well, today is an eating day but i.just.can't.stop. I'm hoping this is an hormonal thing, I've been nibbling on any/everything alllllll day

This is my 3rd week of fast days, lost 4lb first week, 1lb last week. Not measured myself but boobs seem smaller as does waist (might be wishful thinking). Had lunch, 100g lettuce, 50g cucumber, 2 cherry Tom, 5 sliced grapes and 1 boiled egg.

Bunt, I don't want to lose my boobs!!

God DAMN, I'm hungry.

suja mine are 34/36 J I'd like to get down to DD.(they'll be all floppy tho )

Lag: have a herbal tea. I'm having a black currant one as we speak!

Bunt: 2bh I could probably do with mine going down too. They're 34e but just worried about what they'd look like after the breast feeding I've done too!!

Lagarti I'll second the low-carb suggestion. I am unable to low-carb for an extended period, but for my fast days I've found that I last much better if I avoid bread/ pasta etc, as they often leave me wanting more. I tend to just have veg, with a protein thrown in if I need it.

And lots of tea and coffee.

Was going to fast today - scond consecutive day, but felt a bit wobbly when DD woke me up in the night, so thought would have a feed day.

Currently had 530 calories and now thinking maybe a fast day and proper eat tomorrow. Bah I'm so bluddy indecisive.

Eating day today, eggs n toast for breakfast, seeds for snack, mini homemade chicken pie for lunch, babybel, for tea chicken and veg.

As others have noted I think being on low carb eating plan helps generally. I haven't had any massive cravings or big hunger pangs on fast days.

Overall I feel lighter too which is great!

Eating day for me, too - for breakfast (but closer to midday) a 3 egg omelet with ham, tomato and cheese. Baked beans on the side.

Mid afternoon slice of choc/caramel shortcake bake (packet says 250 cals) and coffee made with all semi skimmed milk (homemade latte :) )

Going out for dinner - will prob have my 'usual' that I have at this tapas restaurant: prawn pil pil to start and lamb chops with veg and a whole bowl bit of patatas bravas

fast day for me - 2x miso soup, 1 coffee, egg salad & some pretzels.

Jeans are in danger of falling down - had a fairly grim weekend so motivation is good!

Well apparently I can eat 2200 calories and maintain my weight, which is good. Today is a fast day. I have eaten slightly more than i usually do on fast days, but I am hoping it still comes under 400 cals. I have eaten 2 satsumas, a scoop of yesterday's chilli without the rice and an 80 calorie cuppa soup. Plus about 3 cups of tea with milk.

Poo! MFB tells me im up to 650 - which is a bit annoying, but then its also saying that 130 of those calories where down to broccoli and carrots! ..

Hmm.... I didnt have that much .. a couple of small carrots and half a small head of broc just steamed .. Oh well , its good vitamins antioxidants and roughage , not like having a biccie so cant see it will make too much difference ,so no point worrying about it..
onwards and upward!

Always good to hear people's good results on here.

I'm with Lag, staaaaarving! Not genuinely I don't think, just feeling a little bit weak/wiped out and really snacky. It's taking aaaaall of my willpower to keep me away from the chocolate in the fridge and the cake aisle in tesco. It's only the thought that i can have it tomorrow that's keeping me from stuffing my fat face right now!

fantasising about feed day tomorrow, although funnily enough really craving quite healthy things, like egg on toast.

I've had the most horrible headaches all morning today. Not a migraine but headache, have been drinking herbal tea and water like it's going out of fashion :) A coffee this aft helped and am just about to have the most humungous tuna salad I've ever made.
The ridiculous soft play place today wouldn't make me a salad as "they were too busy", and everything else on the menu wasn't suitable so I just had a protein shake, apple and herbal tea while I was there. So glad it's dinner time!

Fasting... Is anyone else freezing on fast days? I was hoping to save some money not eating but at this rate am gonna have to have the heating on even more than normal. Or break out the hot water bottle.

Anyhow, just wolfed an enormous bowl of emergency pea & ham soup, which I calculate must have been about 200 calories:

200g frozen peas
small sprinkle of frozen onions
water just to cover
splash of lime
salt and pepper
teaspoon of mint sauce stirred in after blending
cook, blend, chuck in 1 slice of shredded wiltshire ham.

Takes 5 mins and is lovely, slightly ripped off from Nigella's pea and pesto soup but without the pesto.

Thanks for that recipe Wilf- sounds lovely

First eating day today and really haven't been that hungry - treating myself to a nice glass of wine!

Yes i've been freezing today (which is why I had the broccoli and carrots and chilli which took me over my 500 .. cups of tea just weren't doing it .. I needed some hot food) .. I just did 20 mins running and jumping on the rebounder to warm me up ..but I'm shivery again now so may just go to bed with a pot of mint tea .. Fasting has been a lot harder today ..

Just wanted to say that it's actually best not to have both your fast days right in a row. You should have an eating day between the fast days for best results, according to the links previously posted in the thread.

Well done everyone who has almost made it through their fast day. :)

Had some porridge and still feel hungry! Looking forward to going to bed so I can wake up and eat!
Went out with DC and DH, he ordered a coffee and I ordered a fruit juice and was horrified to discover it had 100 cals!!!!
Reckon I've stuck to 500-600 cals today. Going to fast again on friday as have a kids bday party on sat and won't be able to resist picking at stuff and host will no doubt be offended if I refuse all offers, then in laws on Sunday...no way I'll get away without eating there!

I'm cold, am in bed with thick socks, ds2 & a hot water bottle.