The FastDay Forum

Hi,
I'm fairly new to the 5:2 way of eating. It's my third week - 5th fast day.
I'm quite excited about it and my husband who has never dieted in his entire life is now doing it with me - the benefits in cholesterol and BP were the attractive factors in his decision.
Read something somewhere about fasting for half the day or eating more than the 500 cals on fast day. Wondering if this still has some benefit?
I am not looking to lose weight as my BMI is 22. It's more about fat percentage loss and the other health benefits that go along with this WOE.
Please enlighten me!

[Tracieknits]

It's doubtful. There's absolutely no research or anything on this.

Hubby and I can't really do a proper 5:2 this week, because we have too many things going on, so I'm sorry if you read his post and got confused.

I am not looking to lose weight as my BMI is 22. It's more about fat percentage loss and the other health benefits that go along with this WOE.
Please enlighten me!

You can't reduce your fat percentage by dieting other than by losing weight.

Perhaps you need a bodybuilding protocol bulk / cut cycling.

I can't remember where I read this, so please don't quote me, but as I understood things the main benefits come from a long period of zero calorie intake so I aim for at least 12-18 hours before I eat. And once I hit my target, I'll most likely join my husband for a 600 calorie dinner before another 12-18 hour fast on the other side.

[carorees]

If you can go for around 18-20 hours with no or nearly no cals on a fast day, I believe it is likely you will gain benefits from fasting even if you then eat a normal/large meal. OH,who does not need to lose weight does this. He does get quite hungry on feed days though. He doesn't think he has lost any weight.

Thanks, all. I will try the 18-20 hr for my second fast and see how that goes.

If you can go for around 18-20 hours with no or nearly no cals on a fast day, I believe it is likely you will gain benefits from fasting even if you then eat a normal/large meal. OH,who does not need to lose weight does this. He does get quite hungry on feed days though. He doesn't think he has lost any weight.

Thanks Caroline, it's good to hear someone else is following this regime. Keep us posted on OH progress please?

[carorees]

Sure, he's been doing this since early November. He started on twice a week and then went through a period of great hunger so went down to once a week and now varies it between once or twice a week depending how he feels. He has always been on the thin side of normal and he says he hasn't had to tighten his belt so thinks he hasn't lost any weight. As he didn't weigh back when he started we don't actually know!