The FastDay Forum

My BMI is 23.5, which is at the slightly higher end of normal. I am on the fast diet as I was interested in the health benefits, and also wouldn't mind losing about a stone (but still remaining in the healthy BMI range of course). Is this diet suitable for me? Is there anyone else who is not looking to lose a great deal of weight on this diet?

[Moogie]

I can't see why it wouldn't be suitable for you. I know at least a few people here are in the healthy BMI range and just want to lose a little & gain the health benefits!

I'm almost down to the healthy range again but intend to keep going in order to bring my weight and BMI down to the lower end of healthy.

I would mention that starting in the healthy range and with not much weight to lose, it may not come off as quickly as for those of us who were carrying more fat around to begin with

Thanks Moogie, I am going to give it go and see how I get on! Finding the first day really hard but have read that the first 4 fasts are the hardest, then your body starts to get used to it.

I did my first fast last Thursday and again yesterday and I'm near the lower end end of the BMI scale (but I'm small boned, so a few lb off will be a good thing!) So far I seem to have lost 4lb so I shall probably only go a bit lower and then up my food on feeding days to maintain and hopefully reap the health benefits

SarahJane, I think 5:2 is absolutely right for getting the health benefits and losing a little weight along the way.

Many people are attracted primarily by the weight loss, but I prefer to think of the weight loss as a bonus, and the big benefit is the improved health that comes from the IF (intermittent fasting) lifestyle. (I should say hopefully the big benefit, since it is unproven and there are quite reasonably many sceptics, including some here.)

It does raise the question of what to do when one has lost enough weight. Michael Mosley has tweeted that he has moved onto 6:1. An alternative would be to eat more than normal on the 5 days and still fast on 2, but unless I hear some good evidence in its favour I don't like the idea of deliberately over-eating! Way too tempting...

Dominic

I have gone from a BMI of over 26.8 to 22.5 which is as near as damn it, right where I should be. I am now in the process of trying to dial in how much I need to eat on feed days to maintain this BMI/weight and still be able to do 2 fast days a week.

I forget the exact figures now but I looked at a website that lets you work out your basal metabolic rate, you can then factor in a multiplier for how active you are (or not in my case) It gave me a figure of about 1800-1900 calories a day to maintain my current weight. I think it actually about right for me. I try to aim for about 2200 on the remaining 5 days. The reality of this for me is more like 2100-2200 (still less that I used to eat most days before starting this diet) Friday-Sunday and 1900-2000 Tuesday and Wednesday, I do sometimes find it hard to get the full 2200 on weekdays. I just don’t have the appetite and if I’m honest the weekends are easier due to a couple of glasses of wine here and there.

Although my weight does fluctuate over the week by as much as 4-5lbs, it seems to be working with my weight at or very near 10st 6lbs Friday morning every week. I have done 6:1 (over xmas) but I am really only doing this diet for the health benefits so I would prefer to fast 2 days a week. I think with a little effort and thought you can follow this diet and stay right on your ideal BMI/weight.