I’m reading a book about the 5:2 Diet and I am going to write about my journey. Follow along with me!
What is the 5:2 Diet?
Basically, the 5:2 diet is a method of intermittent fasting in which you have two non-consecutive fasting days where you eat 500-600 calories. The other non-fasting days, you eat normally and it isn’t necessary to count calories. Here’s a good article all about it, along with the book I’m reading.
Please note: On non-fasting days, you will see I indulged with some sweets – that’s the beauty of this diet. You don’t have to deprive yourself for long periods of time.
Why I Am Doing Intermittent Fasting
I am trying out this way of fasting because I of course would like to lose a few pounds, but it is also for the health benefits all around. I want to be around for a long time and serve my loved ones at optimum capacity, and to do that I need to have a healthy weight and healthy body that has periods of rest where it can repair itself. That is exactly what happens during a fast. My purpose of fasting this time around is unrelated to Lent, but I am however grateful for the spiritual benefits and I do incorporate prayer and I offer up my feelings of hunger for specific prayer intentions.
Day 1:
My first fast day. I spread out my meals into 5 meals, so I could trick myself into thinking I had more food than I did. I also ate slowly and tried to remember to chew each bite 30 times, to get the aroma of my food, and to take small bites. Since I was eating so much less, I notice my other senses seemed more keen. When I took a shower, it was more invigorating. The scent of flowers more stimulating. When I did eat, the food tasted so much more wonderful and I appreciated it so much more. It was hard to feel the pang of hunger, but not as hard as I thought. I thought I’d feel very run down and cranky. But honestly, I felt okay and I was as productive as any other day just hungrier. I’m hoping that I will sleep well tonight, and not wake up because I’m too hungry. Here’s some pictures of what I ate:
Day 2:
I had a rough night of sleep. The dog woke me up and needed water, and I think the caffeine I had later in the day also affected my sleep, nonetheless, hunger. Today I ate normally, and I indulged a little. I had a cinnamon roll and a piece of apple pie after dinner. I felt really hungry in the morning, but I felt much better after I ate breakfast and snacked a little. I didn’t even want lunch, and we had a roast and some broccoli salad for dinner.
Day 3:
I slept better but I felt hungrier today, but I also felt like I knew when to stop eating and not overdo it. I had a cinnamon roll for breakfast with some strawberries, a California club wrap for lunch, and ginger broccoli beef and rice for dinner. I enjoyed a chai latte in the afternoon without thinking about how many calories was in it. I get tired of tracking all of my food.
I knew when to stop eating and not overdo it.
Day 4:
Today was another fasting day. I took the kids to a local farm to see baby animals, I did more normal duties around the house, and I felt pretty good. I had the occasional pang of hunger but honestly since I spread my meals out it’s not too bad. I stayed under 600 calories today.
Some photos of my meals today:
Day 5
I slept well, even though yesterday was a fasting day! I ate a small piece of apple pie and some leftover pasta for breakfast, had some nuts and zucchini parmesan for lunch, an apple for a snack, and a salmon berry quinoa and kale bowl for dinner.
Day 6
I went to a baby shower and I enjoyed party food but I shared everything with my daughter and therefore didn’t overindulge, I didn’t feel the need, miraculously. I had various salads from Safeway for dinner and tried a bite of samosa and bite of pork bun. Variety is the spice of life, amiright?
Day 7
I ate some leftover salad for breakfast and had a bite of a cookie. For lunch I just snacked on chips and guacamole. I had steak, a potato and some asparagus for dinner. I had a small brownie and chocolate ice cream for dessert.
Results
Starting weight: 158
Ending weight: 156.2
Total loss: I lost 1.8 lbs!
This may not sound like much, but look at all the little indulgences I had! And I only counted calories during my 2 fasting days! And trust me, I have a very difficult time once I get closer to my goal weight dropping half a pound nonetheless nearly 2 pounds so I am very pleased. (Also, FYI, I did exercise this week but mainly just brisk walking, and not everyday.)
Additional Benefits
In addition to losing weight, I have found:
- Spiritual benefits – I am not victim to all the desires of my flesh.
- Productivity – Since I am exercising my will power it is transferring to other areas of my life which has resulted in less procrastinating and more action.
- Energy levels – My metabolism feels like it has been kicked up a notch so I have a solid amount of energy.
- Feel lighter – It just feels easier to move around.
- Other senses heightened – I have noticed beauty in nature more, food tastes better, and my sense of smell has improved.