The FastDay Forum

Hi everyone,

I've heard so much positive stuff about this diet it had to be worth a go!!
I don't have a massive amount too lose but enough at 1 stone (minimum) but my ultimate goal is to drop a dress size and have a healthy life style.

I started last Monday and for my first week trying 4:3 and although I'm actually enjoying it, I'm very dubious that I will see any results (not yet weighed....hopefully this weekend)
I have stayed at 500 on my fast days and between 1200-1400 on my feast days but I think because I don't 'feel' different that it won't be when I get on the scales.

I really hope when I do get round to it (I have no scales at home) that I'm pleasantly surprised as I an motivated by results.

Anyone else thought the same?

[Tracieknits]

Why are you eating so little on your feast days? I have to say, that just makes what you're doing another very low calorie diet plan like any other (or perhaps worse!)

I know I could never stick with what you are proposing for more than a week or two and I really don't want you to think that what you are doing is 5:2 or 4:3 - mostly because I don't want you to go telling people how miserable it is when you do go off your plan!

For me, the beauty of 5:2 is that I only have to diet "today" but tomorrow, I can have whatever I want. This is why I think I can sustain this way of eating for the rest of my life.

Scientifically, I believe you are risking putting your body into "starvation mode" where it simply won't let go of your fat reserves and slows down your metabolism tremendously because it thinks there's no food available. The 5:2 diet as it's mean to be done does not flip your body into starvation mode, because you are alternating feasts and famines.

I would urge you that if you're going to try the diet, try it properly! If you absolutely have to count calories every day, figure out what your Today Daily Energy Expenditure is (google for a calculator). Your feast days should be 100% to 110% of your TDEE and your fast days should be 25% of your TDEE.

Good luck!

Hi,

Thank you for responding, the reason I calorie count is habit really plus your not supposed to go mad, I'm only petite so 1400 is a full day of eating for me so never feel its a hardship.
Maybe I'm wrong so may try eating more next week but either way hopefully ill see some results.
If a diet works or not I never bad mouth it as what works for one doesn't always work for another do panic not

Hi Anastasia

I am with Traci on this - I love 5:2 as for 5 days of the week I eat want I want and don't worry about calories at all. For the last 3 or 4 weeks I have had two fast days a week and eaten normally the rest of the time (including a fair amount of chocolate and wine!) and I have lost between 1 and 2 pounds each week!

I think as long as you stick to the 500 calories for the two days and don't worry about counting on the other five you will be pleasantly surprised when you get on the scales!

Good luck!

From my experience, the fasting days reset all your normal cravings & you end up eating much more sensibly on the supposed "feast" days, even when not counting calories. I really do not fancy a bowl of oats & soya milk for breakfast any more, and I was looking forward to my lunchtime monster salad today (with fish & chips tonight, of course). I have all-but quit snacking/nibbling ouside meal times, and have not needed a pudding after my main meal - all because the fasting process has sorted out my appetite. I have started to allow more calories in my fasting meal because I want to continue the process but have little weight left to lose! I think Anastasia is on the right lines...

[Tracieknits]

I think CreakyPete hit the nail on the head. I'm finding I really don't go mad. I may have a croissant and cafe au lait for breakfast, but then I'm satisfied - quite happy actually - and sustained until lunch. I'm choosing to incorporate a lot more veggie in my diet and even though I'm eating whatever I want, I'm also wanting less

Well I'm glad to hear you're petite and not trying to feed a 5'10" person on 1400 calories!