The FastDay Forum

Hi - I have been avoiding calorie counting on non-fast days and yet my weight hasn't moved in the past 2 weeks (although my waist measurement has shrunk slightly!!) - anyway just wanted to get some views/ideas i.e. I am considering calorie counting to my TDEE for 3 days per week (non-fast days) - I don't count on my Fast Days as I am pretty well versed in what my 600 Cals looks like and have been sticking to that since starting 3 weeks ago…………….early days still I know

I calorie count for periods of time because keeps me focused. If I don't do it I tend to lose my way so I always come back to it. At the moment I am calorie counting every day with my fitness pal. It makes it so easy and it is definitely helping me. I input everything in advance so that I don't inadvertently exceed my allowance.

If you've only been stuck 2 weeks, and your waist size has gone down in that time, my first instinct is to say just keep doing what you're doing. But if you want to keep a closer eye on non-fast days, there are several things you can do besides calorie counting, particularly if you hate calorie counting (a lot of people here seem to). You can try 16:8 on non-fast days. This did a lot for me because I was often having unnecessary carbs/sweets at breakfast. Skipping it cut out a lot quite easily. Or you can keep a food diary rather than counting calories. It still keeps you honest.

Good luck and congrats on your waist loss.

Hello Newbie here

My plan is to use My Fitness Pal on non-fast days in order to help me track my calories - maybe you could try that?

Also can someone be so kind as to explain what the 16:8 means? Ta very much!!!

16:8 is a form of fasting where you fast 16 hours and have an 8 hour eating window.

I calorie count using My Fitness Pal on Fasting and non Fasting days at the moment, I find it helpful as part of a mindful approach to eating, otherwise it is easy to forget those little snacks and drinks. Also it syncs nicely with my Fitbit dashboard, showing me how many calories I have eaten vs how many I have used each day, and how much weight I still have to lose to get to my goal.

I rarely count calories, and then, only on a fast day. On other days, I usually just rely on years and years of calorie-counting knowledge together with routine. I generally limit carbs as a rule--unless it's something I reeeeaaaly want. Then, I enjoy the heck out of it. I pay attention to how I feel as I eat. I don't like the feeling of over-fulness and usually stop well before I get there. I think it is the Okinawans that practice "hara hachi bu", stopping eating when 80% full. I think that is close to what I do. For me, carbs can be a slippery slope to more carbs. My body doesn't feel well when I eat too many of them. "Hara hachi bu" for me!

Thanks to you all for the advice - much appreciated!!!!

Another idea for a 'lighter touch' approach if you don't fancy full-blown calorie counting on non fast days would be just to keep a food diary of what you eat/drink and when. It is very quick, and if it doesn't flag up anything obvious on its own, you can always go back and count up the calories later.