The FastDay Forum

Hi! I'm MaryAnn. I'm an overweight, but otherwise healthy 48 year old American living in Japan. I've tried many diets through the years, and until the last few years was really good at taking off weight. Unfortunately, I was even better at putting it back on. And lately taking it off isn't as easy as it used to be.

So I decided to give IF a try - I've been on a 4:3 diet for about two weeks now. I've been able to stick with it, but I haven't experienced (yet) what many report--that fasting gets easier. Does it take longer than 2 weeks? For some, does it just never happen? Yesterday, I nearly went out of my mind until dinner time (when I was rescued by a totally yummy 300 calorie Mexican pizza (recipe from The Book)). I have a very demanding, but not always very distracting job. I can't continue to have days that are unproductive due to hunger. I needed to sit still to read and write yesterday, and I just couldn't concentrate.

Otherwise, it's been going very well. I wavered about whether I should weigh myself (I tend to get too obsessive about things like this); in the end I decided I would go once a week to the health clinic at work for a weigh in (only one so far). I've been doing waist measurements, and have already seen a reduction, which is encouraging.

Sorry for the long post.

As they say in Japan, gambatte!

Welcome - I find fasting a bit of a chore, I'm looking for something at "lunchtime" sometimes I'll have a Miso soup (you would know all about them living In Japan)
I've did alternate day fasting for a week to give my weight loss a big push. It was ok but I'm not looking to repeat the experience.
Some people on the forum say the loss between 5:2 and 4:3 is so minor that its hardly worth the hardship - so maybe think about that for the future.
I'm one of those that can't weight to jump on the scales every day and sometimes more than once in the day.
Good on you for resisting.
Good luck - hope to hear your results soon

[janeg]

Helo MaryAnn - it does get easier, it depends on the individual how long that takes- sorry! As Marie says, miso soup, bouillon and a variety of drinks really help to fill you up. How do you split your calories? A light protein breakfast and light dinner may be easier than keeping everything until dinner time. It is worth while experimenting until you find a routine that works for you. Good will power on not weighing yet and it is encouraging to see the tapemeasure shrinking. Perhaps give it a month and see how you feel and think about going to 5:2. Keep us posted as to how you're getting on and do put your statistics into the progress tracker!

Hi Marie and JaneG,

Thanks for the responses. I split the meal on fast day. I have breakfast as early as possible (usually between 8-9) and dinner as late as I can stand it (usually ~8pm). I was trying very hard not to take any calories between the two meals, but I guess it's not worth it if it affects my work. Indeed, Japan is the land of miso, and there are these perfectly nice instant miso packets that are only 30 cals. Alternatively, I might give the 2pm to 2pm a try. I've gotten in the habit of my big meal being at lunch time (we have a superb cafeteria, with alot of fresh, healthy selections). Perhaps my body is in a bit of shock from missing that particular meal.

Thanks again!

Yes, it does get easier. I prefer not to snack during the day. I find it just makes me hungrier. Today I only had two hard boiled eggs all day. I could have a snack before dinner, but why? It won't make me feel any better, so I'm at the point now where I just skip it. Some of the more experienced fasters go all day and just have a dinner; others go all day and have nothing. Once you get into that fasting "zone," it is easier to eat fewer and fewer meals. Stick with it!

One week on and I think I've figured it out. Since I fast Sat, Mon, and Wed, the Wed. fast is the second in a row after only a single feast day. It was bad again this week, but hit me a bit later. I had miso soup, but to be honest, it was only satisfying for about half an hour then I was suffering again. I had dinner a little earlier than usual, and went back to work afterward to make up for lost concentration time!

Now, my plan from the beginning was to do 4:3 for about a month until race season is over, then switch to 5:2. My last race is a week from Saturday. Because I am stubborn, I will stick to this madness for another week, but I think it will be much easier for me to do 5:2 (given that my first two fasts usually go fine, and now there will be a bigger gap between them).

It's really great to have so much support here!