The FastDay Forum

Hi
I'm retired and a granny. Since giving up work 2 years ago I have gradually piled the weight on, in spite of running around after my young grandsons! This 5:2 diet seems brilliant, I'm quite enjoying myself, I actually enjoy playing around with foods/cals to see just how much I can eat for 500cals.

This is my 3rd week on the diet and I've lost 5lbs to date, desperate to lose as much as poss before going on holiday to California beginning of May. Don't know what will happen whilst away....has anyone any tips please! I'm really worried I will lose momentum and then not have the willpower to resume the diet when home.

I must say how impressed I have been with these forums, everyone seems so friendly, supportive and informative so I decided to join. I encountered a few problems registering at first, mainly as I'm new to forums and I'm trying to master my new toy, an iPad. However, the support and patience shown by Moogie encouraged me to persevere.

I was interested to see some people cope with the fast days by having just one meal, don't think I could cope with that. I usually have porridge with skimmed milk for breakfast, cottage cheese and salad for lunch then a small portion of meat with lots of veg for dinner, if I'm lucky I can manage some fresh fruit too. I like green tea with ginger and lemon so I drink loads of that during the day.

I agree with the people who say to calorie count on feast days too, I found my portions were way too large.....trying to keep up with hubby! Now I'm getting more of an idea of portion sizes for me and I'm finding as time goes on, I'm not wanting to eat so much on the feast days and not so inclined to 'cheat' either, as I don't want to undo all the good!!

Hi there, I've just been on a week's all inclusive holiday and only put on one pound. I did my fast day on my travel day over (but it was only a 4 hour flight), then instead of doing fast days on holiday I just had a light breakfast (boiled egg + toast or fruit and yogurt), salad for lunch and then 'normal' dinner (well quite big actually with wine!). But I did make sure I swam every day and was more active than a usual week at work. My first day back in the UK was then a fast day again... Enjoy your holiday - wanting to look better in my holiday photos was one of the reasons for doing 5:2 so don't put yourself under too much pressure!

I've just had 2 weeks holiday. Yes I've put on 3lbs- but I have found it relatively easy to start again today and I am hoping some of it is fluid retention[though I doubt it].
My advice for what it is worth is enjoy your holiday and start again when you get home, maybe setting yourself a date for your 1st post holiday fast day before you go.

Hello, Granny1, and well done Madgeless, for only gaining a pound on an all inclusive holiday! Merlin, only three pounds in a fortnight - brilliant! Last time I went on a cruise, I was gone for eight days and gained eight pounds! I am off on a fortnight's cruise on Queen Elizabeth on the 1st May and I have been thinking about this question, of how to deal with my food intake whilst away, quite a lot! I suppose that the short answer is that I don't know. There are several alternatives and probably more that I haven't even thought of!

My two main options currently are - 1: to throw all caution to the wind and eat everything in sight - my usual way of eating when away! - and then get back to 5:2 immediately on my return, or 2: I could decide to be very sensible, most unlike me, and make healthy choices at all times - don't think that's going to happen past the first day or two! Madgeless, your way seems to be a good middle ground with sensible options during the day but being more generous in the evenings.

I don't really know what I will do, until I'm there. Sorry, Granny1, I haven't helped you at all, but I have given myself even more to think about! I'll post on my return and let you know how I got on!

Hi, Welcome to the 5.2. My eldest daughter lived in California, in a beautiful place Cardiff by the sea, Encinitas to be exact. The food was to die for, lots of delicious seafood and organic veggie drinks, smoothies etc. I really don't think I would worry about dieting whilst there - the food in the main is so healthy that you'll be spoiled for choice. If you like seafood, things like crab and Japanese you will be in heaven. Lots of salads too and delicious fruits like blueberries etc. She now lives in Texas and the food there tends to be lots of meat and Tex-Mex, also tasty but pretty calorific. The beauty of 5.2 is if you relax on holiday you can just jump in again when you come back.

To me the beauty of this WOL is that we can go away, eat and drink whatever we like and know we can loose the weight again when we come home. It is interesting though that since we started 5:2 last August we tend to eat better when we are away and also quite look forward to having "rest" days when we get home.

Sometimes a break from dieting, then a return (yes! you MUST return to it) can actually trigger a bit of weight loss as your system gets a jolt from it's usual routine. I agree with Merlin that setting yourself a start date, in your diary, is a good way of motivating yourself.

Have a great holiday and let us know how it went,

Ballerina x

I just wouldn't do the fast on holiday. That's the beauty of this diet as has been said elsewhere. Just make three wise choices every day - e.g. tea instead of milky coffee; skip the bread basket; choose wisely from the menu. Then you give yourself a pat on the back every night when you go to bed. Enjoy your holiday!

Thanks so much for all the advice, I will definitely set a date for my first fast on return. Also planning fast days when travelling makes sense. The food sounds promising in California, thanks for that Dhana.

Actually feeling more confident now, just hope the old willpower hold out.

Just had last meal of fast day, dead chuffed as 21 cals left....is that 2 nuts when I come back from line dancing ?!!!!!

Very interested to read these replies as I'm going on holiday for a week on May 4th

I'm going to try just be sensible as I know realistically I cant fast whilst there! We usually do quite a lot of walking so I'm hoping that might help with the damage limitation. On the plus side its Portugal so lots of fresh fish which I love on the minus side I like glasses of cider to go with it
Have a fab holiday Grannyl

Have a great holiday everyone, I look forward to hearing how we all fared on return!
I must say I find all the encouragement and support experienced in these forums so heartening, thank you one and all.

I'm worried about my holiday too. Just spoke to hubby this morning about my concerns.
We are off to Barcelona May 10th to board a cruise ship around the Mediterranean - disembark Venice after 24 days then 2 weeks in Croatia.
We've been on cruises before and they are wonderful BUT all the food

Don't want to lose all my good work (lost 15.5 kgs from Jan 13 til now)
Thinking ill miss breakfast and go to the restaurant for lunch & dinner as the seves are portion controlled - give the buffets a wide berth.

And use the stairs not the lifts.
And go for long morning walks along the decks.
Fingers and toes crossed.