The FastDay Forum

Hi,
I'm a new starter to the 5:2 diet plan and so far I'm finding it a struggle. I have just got to the end of my 3rd fast day and it isn't getting any easier.
The not eating part isn't the problem and I'm finding battling the cravings to eat relatively easy to deal with. The problem I'm having is the physical effects. I'm getting headaches especially towards the end of the fast day. My energy levels are so low that by the time I get home from work I have to lie down on the sofa for most of the evening! I'm finding my concentration levels are reduced and I'm less able to cope when work is busy and stressful, I feel irritable and moody and finally I usually feel so weak by the next morning that I have to eat the moment I wake up to avoid passing out (which happened on the morning after my first ever fast day!) are all these symptoms normal for a new starter? Any advice would be greatly received
Annie

[carorees]

Hi Annie

Yes and no really. It should be getting better by now. What and when are you eating on fast days and what are you drinking? Also are you eating normally on feed days? Do you have any medical issues such as thyroid problems?

Hi Annie,
Sorry to hear you're having a rough time of it.
Are you doing the same thing every fast day, i.e., eating your 500 cals at the same times of day etc? Maybe you could try a different approach? For the first time yesterday, I filled up on fluids until 2.20pm, when I had my first meal of 200 cals then I had my 300 cal meal with my family at 5.30pm, it worked a lot better for me than my previous method of having breakfast around 10.30am then tea at 5.30pm. I felt like I had more energy and the tea kept away any hunger pangs.
Are you drinking enough fluids? This could be the cause of your headaches, or did you drink a lot of caffeine previously - could it be withdrawal of some kind? I drink literally about large 10 mugs of herbal tea on fast days, plus water.
Sometimes it can take a few fast days for your body to get used to the changes, from what I've read.
Could you be coming down with something? I had a virus the week before last and I blamed fasting for feeling so low on energy and for having migraines and spots, but it turns out I was actually quite under the weather.
Hope some of this might help, stick with it, I'm sure you will find the right approach for you.
Sophie x

My wife had headaches for the first 2 weeks, I think. Now she doesn't. I never had them. It does take a bit of getting used to and as has been said, drink plenty of water.