The FastDay Forum

Since 5:2, I've found that in becoming comfortable with hunger--that is, not panicking at the first sign of a tummy rumble--I have also become more selective in what I eat.

I've been working from home, so other than phone meetings, my lunch time is very flexible. In the past, if I had a meeting at a time I'd usually eat lunch, I'd make sure to eat BEFORE the meeting--I might get too hungry! Pass out! Swoon!

Today (a normal day), I had a meeting from 1-3pm...it's now 3:30 and I haven't eaten yet, feeling hungry but not desperate (just some peaches and granola 10ish). Now I'm musing about what I should eat...

Also, in the past if I thought I "might" get hungry (when it wouldn't be feasible to eat), I'd eat "preventively"; that is, anticipating hunger rather than experiencing it. I seldom do that now... And if I know I'm going to have something really great later, I'll "save" my appetite for that...maybe a nibble, but will eschew a meal earlier; why stuff myself beforehand?

Yes, I think it is easier to go without food now after following IF so long (2+ years). Yesterday I had my annual doctor visit and, rather foolishly, made the appt. for 2 pm. When the doc said he'd set me up for the blood work another day and I said, "Can't I have it now?", he was amazed that I was fasting all that day--so was the phlebotomist in the lab! The only thing bothering me was that I was caffeine deprived and hadn't slept well the night before.

By 3 pm I wasn't even hungry any more, although I did eat some grapes and chocolate in the car for a little energy boost before driving home. And in the evening I enjoyed a lovely dinner and dessert out with OH and DD

It's slightly different, but I do think the best non-fast days are the ones where I apply fast day principles: eat nourishing and filling foods, let hunger between meals pass instead of snacking, etc.

I always eat lunch at noon on non-fast days even when I'm not hungry because our cafeteria tends to sell out of the best, healthiest things by 1230. Because I have a very small breakfast, I'm usually hungry by noon. I should just buy my lunch and eat when I'm hungry, but I'm holed up in an office most of the time, so I enjoy eating with people...

@MaryBeth, they are probably used to hearing people bitch and moan about how HUNGRY they are (at 10am) and how MEAN the doc is to make them go without breakfast...oh my!

Hm, this is really interesting, as (I guess like with most things) there are really big differences in how people percieve 'hunger' and deal with it....
I don't think I've ever had the being really hungry and HAVING to eat thing... WANTING to eat (and lots) - oh yes ....
When I'm fasting, being hungry is not a problem (and my body is happy to work quite hard for a day without being fed - yesterday I was out wakeboarding and on a water assault course for work followed by a kettle bell class - I didn't eat, and I wasn't hungry..) - wanting food because I'm bored or because it would be enjoyable - yes absolutely difficult...
Oh, and yea, I get rumbling stomach feelings, but that doesn't mean I HAVE to have something to eat...