I thought I might try to move the hot topic of the new 5:2 diet a few of us long timers are trying here, rather than in the "Gonna Get to Goal, Wanna Join Me?" Thread, so that that thread could go back to its original topic.

I do not have access to the book or video or anything that some of the other 5:2ers have, but I've been to the website and read up and today is my fourth day; so far I've done Fast Normal Fast and now today is a Normal. I aim for 500 on the fasting days but don't seem to make it under 600, and I aim for 1600 on Normals, but don't seem to make it past 1200, so I guess I'm not the poster child for this. Also, the morning after my first fast day, I was down 4 lbs, but the morning after my first Normal day I was up 3 lbs and this morning I was down 3 lbs so - no progress.

Since today is a Normal day I will do my cardio. I will report back what the scale says tomorrow morning!

I have a question for this though..how much Protein do you average on the days you fast? On my normal days I am getting in around 1100 calories and over 100grams of protein..but I do have to do it with at least one shake on those days.

On the days you fast with only 500 calories..what is your average protein intake? over 60? over 70?

Never mind.....

What are thread issues? I too am finding myself thinking about food all the time..... I find myself eating protein bars a lot now. I reflect back to when I was a child and I really never thought about food, i was busy doing other things, when I got bored, I started eating while watching TV because I was bored.

Now days. All I do is think about food......This is a struggle and it's not easy. The first 6 months being sleeved was easy, now it's hard..........Time to focus on getting busy and not having time to think about food.......Can that be done? Wow, this is one of the hardest things we will do..............

On previous posting of mine, Laura your posting changed, it didn't put your quote in so I'm wondering what happened? All I got was a "Never mind." I really need to stop thinking about food. From the time I get up in the morning till I go to bed. I work on not going into the kitchen after 6:30pm so I don't eat, but I often get home from my office after 8:00 and then I raid the refrigerator.

What are thread issues? I too am finding myself thinking about food all the time..... I find myself eating Protein bars a lot now. I reflect back to when I was a child and I really never thought about food' date=' i was busy doing other things, when I got bored, I started eating while watching TV because I was bored.

Now days. All I do is think about food......This is a struggle and it's not easy. The first 6 months being sleeved was easy, now it's hard..........Time to focus on getting busy and not having time to think about food.......Can that be done? Wow, this is one of the hardest things we will do.............. [/quote']

so true as always

Protein bars I can't even buy them anymore they are like a drug to me!

I'm having a day...

I want to be anonymous

I have a question for this though..how much Protein do you average on the days you fast? On my normal days I am getting in around 1100 calories and over 100grams of protein..but I do have to do it with at least one shake on those days.

On the days you fast with only 500 calories..what is your average protein intake? over 60? over 70?

I am trying to get into a regular routine with exercising. You burn so many calories this way that you really don't have to be concerned about caloric intake (given that we are eating so few to begin with). If I were to focus on "restriction" or fasting as it's called here' date=' I would just rebel and overeat. That mentality is toxic to me and part of what got me to my highest weight, so I'm done with. Probably the number one thing I'm focusing on is my thoughts/attitude/mood because that is how my poor eating habits will start.[/quote']

You have a great outlook, unfortunately things change for many of us down the line. Your assertion that you don't have to be concerned with caloric intake just isn't true for some of us. I can easily eat 2500 calories a day if I make even slightly bad choices in food. When I was 2 months out of surgery like you, I couldn't imagine eating that much. After a year things change for many sleevers. Intermittent fasting is not like your typical diet, mainly because it sidesteps the issues you mentioned. You don't have to follow it all the time. You have your fasting windows and you have your regular eating windows. You only have to think about it on your fasting windows. With a regular diet, it's always on your mind and that is why they eventually wear us down and we quit diets.

Like you, I am a firm believer in exercise but it's been proven over and over again in scientific studies that exercise doesn't affect weight loss near as much as caloric restriction (it still has many other benefits). And that's all IF is, a method for caloric restriction for those of us who can eat more than we'd like too. Not to mention IF has many other health benefits as well including decreased blood glucose and insulin levels, decreased chronic inflammation, increased lypolysis and fat oxidation, increased cellular cleansing and growth hormone levels.

And lastly, IF will not negatively affect metabolism because metabolism is a result of lean body mass....which does not decrease during short term fasting.

Butter thank you for saying it much better than I could this morning

I don't post often but when I do I like to make it count.

How has everyone done today? Im thinking of doing the 4:3 fast and see how it goes. I wish everyone luck.

I don't post often but when I do I like to make it count.

Butter I should take a page from your book! : p

How has everyone done today? Im thinking of doing the 4:3 fast and see how it goes. I wish everyone luck.

Well... I'm eating a piece of the most lovely homemade gourmet apple pie not sweet, tart and yummy! So how do you think I'm doing!

Oh and I've had a nice glass of wine and a few bites of fresh artichoke garlic bread!!

Oh boy I'm in trouble

Newat- very inspiring words, thanks for haring your motivation to success!

I suggested exercise *gasp* and not restricting, sounds pretty sane to me even though I'm only 2 months out. Good luck with your approach and be sure to post the results. By the looks of it on this thread, people are doing exactly what I would do if I tried your method, eating sausages and drinking wine. Good luck!

Butter I should take a page from your book! : p

Well... I'm eating a piece of the most lovely homemade gourmet apple pie not sweet' date=' tart and yummy! So how do you think I'm doing!

Oh and I've had a nice glass of wine and a few bites of fresh artichoke garlic bread!!

Oh boy I'm in trouble [/quote']

That pie sounds wonderful! Its your Birthday girlfriend enjoy it. You will burn it back off come monday. Who knows it might even help with your weightloss. :-D

That pie sounds wonderful! Its your Birthday girlfriend enjoy it. You will burn it back off come monday. Who knows it might even help with your weightloss. :-D

Thank you And for the record I'm enjoying my wine!!!

Leeann do you remember when we were young and had all the answers??

Yes I do! I miss those days. I think as we get older instead of getting wiser I got a little bit dumber lol.