Staring the 5:2 diet tomorrow

[KylieKoKo]

I've put on almost a stone since lockdown!

I want to lose it as I've been significantly overweight before and don't want to go back.

I have tried calorie counting every day but life keeps getting in the way so I figure it might be easier to be super strict on two days than be vigilant every day.

It would be good to hear some success or otherwise stories.

I have planned out my meagre 500 calories for tomorrow. I'm planning to leave eating as late as possible, focus on protein and veggies and I'm hoping miso soup will save me! Does anyone have any tips?

I can't help but I am doing the diet of eating once a day ( midday) so do not eat for the other 23 hours. I don't have to calorie count and eat a large meal. It's working for me and I am getting used to it now. Been doing it for a week.

Thanks @nicky7654 - I have looked into OMAD but I don't think I am disciplined enough to do it every day.

Good luck! I am happy to offer support even if we are doing different diets.

Thank you. I find tuna versatile and filling. Aldi do a wonderful chunky veg soup which is better than heinz and only 180 calories a can. Side of toast and butter plus fruit will make it up to 500 calories. Smoked haddock with poached eggs on spinach is delicious and also low in calories. This is making me hungry lol

Wraps also good with smoked salmon, light spread of cream cheese and chopped salad.

I did 5:2 successfully several times (always a point where you think you're "done" and then the weight creeps back when you stop!)

What I used to eat was:
Breakfast: black coffee (0 cal)
Throughout the day: Sparkling water (bubbles fill you up!) and herbal teas (0 cal)
Lunch: salad leaves, cucumber and celery with prawns and cucumber - most supermarkets do really nice prepared prawns e.g. chilli/coriander or lemon/parsley and they are so low calorie - around 80-100 cals for the prawns plus minimal for the other stuff, so about 120-150 cals total
Snack: salt & vinegar rice cake (47 cal) or small apple (around 70 cal)
Dinner: Ellie Pear's baked egg (from Fast Days and Feast Days) or homemade veggie soup, or homemade vegetable tagine (all under 250 cals)

If you make things yourself, you can control how much oil and sugar go in (spoiler - none!) and eat more fresh veg, so in my opinion you can be fuller and more satisfied by having at least 2 meals in the day.

I'm doing 5:2 but on 800 calories a day, which feels relatively easy. I'm using the recipes from the fast 800 book, which focus on protein, so haven't suffered too much from hunger. Did the 2-week fast to start with, which was really helpful in reducing cravings - I no longer feel desperate for something sweet at the end of a meal. Early days, but weight very slowly coming off. I have around 2 stones to lose.

Thanks @poppy10121 I'm having prawns later

@snowynight do you mean 2 whole weeks of only 800 cals a day?

Do you mind me asking what you lost on the 2 week 800 cals a day fast and what you are losing per week now snowynight? I have the Fast 800 book but haven’t been organized enough yet to start it. I have about 15lb to lose.

I find the 16/8 method so much easier than 5/2, worth looking into if this method ends up not suiting you, good luck!

I would use the 500 cal in one meal. Lots of fat and protein. Veg for carbs. Other days, cut back on carbs, particularly alcohol and sugar, to help reduce cravings on your fast day.

Hi there, I lost half a stone during the 2weeks at 800 calories a day. Since then I've had two weeks doing the 5:2 and don't seem to've lost any more, although haven't put any on either despite a weekend away with lots of chips and beers!

I've just finished first fasting day and have learned that three tiny meals just make me hangry and unapproachable!

Tomorrow is my second fast day so am going to try having two 250 calorie meals instead and see if that works better.

Thanks for getting back snowynight. Half a stone is a great loss. I just need to muster up enough willpower now to give it a go.

I have just started my second day.

My tip would be to have miso soup just before bed (the paste I use is 17 calories) so you aren't too hungry to sleep.

Go for it Iamyourequal! I bought the book when it first came out, so it took me over a year to start. In the end it was so much easier than I'd feared. Keep in touch!

I find 0%fat greek yoghurt to be a godsend (add strawberries & blueberries) Also use the yoghurt and frozen fruit along with coconut or almond milk to make smoothies.

This diet has worked wonders for me. Gone from a 14 to a 10 since May.

I do intermittent fasting quite a bit. I do most days a 17-18 hour fast so basically eat around 5 pm and the eat the next day around 11 am (basically skip breakfast) and once a week a 24 hour fast so only eat at tea time around 5pm then 5pm the next day. I try to eat like a normal meal with veg fats protein and but less carbs most of the time (I find carbs make be more hungry but I love them and will eat them like a pizza or whatever as a treat maybe once or twice a month) I hate to calorie count but just try to be sensible. I find keeping busy and sleeping for a good chunk of my fasting works best for me and drinking plenty. I'm trying to build up to two 24 Hr fasts a week. Has anyone heard of MCT oil fast?

@W989 that's an amazing achievement in a short time. Well done!

@KylieKoKo thanks. If you need any help just ask.