Week 3 Results

I'm really pleased with this week's results. We've had several meals out this week, and I've had at least 2 evenings where I went crazy and ate like a starving man! And yet, I'm still pretty much on target!

I'm definitely much more aware of what I'm eating these days. I've started trying to cut out snacks between meals. Some days I succeed, some days I just think, "Sod it!"

I do find that on the morning after a fasting day, my head feels clearer and calmer.

After reading this week's New Scientist story about the damage that high fat, high sugar diets can have on our brains, I'm very glad I'm doing something to get my health back on track.

Time for this week's video...

And here's this week's weight chart. OK, I cheated a little bit because I've used today's weight (Wednesday) instead of Monday's weight... but it'll be pretty close I'm sure. What's 2 days between friends?!

Last week someone asked me how I came up with the "predicted" weight loss line on the chart. Well, I just picked a target of losing 2lbs per week* because that seemed achievable from what I'd read. 

* Note for the pedantic: the chart is in kgs, not lbs!

Week 2 Results

Here are my results after 2 weeks on the 5/2 fasting diet.

Sorry ladies - there will be no more topless photos of me until the end of the 12 weeks ;)

Here is a graph of my progress so far (weight in kg).

This week there will be less late night snacking and I'll be doing more exercise too!

"Before" Photo

OK, I'm feeling quite self-conscious about doing this, but I want to publicly post my "before" picture, taken this morning.

I'm clearly no Adonis, but not massively obese either. I'd quite like to lose the man boobs and the excess tummy fat.

I'll take another picture at the end of the 12 weeks and we'll see if there's been any noticeable difference!

If any attractive females feel the urge to reciprocate and send me topless photos of themselves, I'm sure I can find time in my busy schedule to look at them ;)

Day 3 - First Normal Eating Day

I've recorded a video!

What to eat

So, what can you eat on your fasting days? Well, as far as I can tell, it's entirely up to you.

I'd recommend using a website like My Fitness Pal to work out how many calories you're consuming.

As long as you consume fewer than 600 calories per day (or 500 for women), the choice is yours.

Here's a great recipe for home made veggie soup.

It's probably sensible to stick to low calorie foods, and avoid processed foods, or those high in sugar and fat.

Here's what I've had today:

• A few strawberries
• An apple
• A banana
• A couple of medium carrots
• Some cherry tomatoes (grown from our own garden!)
• A delicious bowl of home-made veggie soup for lunch. (Dead easy to make, see earlier recipe).
• A small glass of diluted fruit juice
• A leafy salad for dinner, with peppers, cherry tomatoes and a smidge of salad dressing and chilli sauce.

Doesn't sound like much (and it isn't!), but I haven't felt *THAT* hungry. I have felt a bit tired at times, but nothing major.

I've found that it helps to space out my food throughout the day. And lots of peppermint tea or black coffee helps.

I've noticed how amazingly good food tastes when I'm a bit hungry!

Two thoughts have really kept me going today:

1. I've made a public commitment now and so it's much harder to back out!
2. Tomorrow I can have a "normal" day and eat whatever I like. This will be my reward for being good for 2 days! 

In fact I can eat what I like again now until my next fasting day (planned for next Monday).

I know it's only Day 2, but I really do think this is going to be sustainable for me in the long term. In fact I'm quite enjoying it!

Will I totally pig out tomorrow? Or will I remain relatively health conscious and cut out most of the junk? We'll see!

And they're off!

I've just been on a debauched lad's holiday, featuring lots of alcohol, kebabs and not much sleep. Now seems like the perfect time to go on a health drive.

I am currently:

• 34 years old
• 5 ft 11 
• 87.5kg / 13st 10lbs / 193lbs
• BMI 26.9 (18.5 - 24.9 is considered normal. 25+ is overweight)

This is the heaviest I've ever been! I really am a bit too flabby for my liking. This needs to change.

The BBC Horizon show first got me interested in fasting. Emerging research shows it has a multitude of health benefits, both physically and mentally.

The particular diet I'm doing is called, "5 2 fasting" because you have 5 days of normal eating and 2 days of fasting. 

One of this diet's most appealing aspects is that I only have to be "good" for 2 days per week. I can eat whatever I like on the other 5 days. Awesome!

On the fasting days, I'm still allowed up to 600 calories, which can be consumed at any time. This is enough to stop the hunger pangs from driving me crazy!

Goals

The presenter of the Horizon episode, Dr Michael Mosley, lost over 1 stone (14lbs) in 5 weeks. I'm hoping for similar results myself.

I want to lose my man boobs and have a flatter tummy. I'm being realistic though. I don't expect to have rock hard abs like Team GB's Tom Daly! 

I will exercise every day, though nothing too strenuous. I'll be doing a short exercise DVD most days, plus some yoga and dog walking. Simples!

I would be delighted if I can achieve the following:

• No man boobs
• Flat tummy
• 76kg / 12st / 168lbs
• BMI 23.4 (Nicely in the 'normal' range again)

Total to lose: 11.5kg / 1st 10lb / 24lbs

BONUS EFFECT: A saved marriage (my wife has often joked about divorcing me if I get fat. At least I think she was joking...)

I don't mind how long this weight loss takes, but 2lbs per week seems achievable. That means I should be able to hit my target in just 12 weeks (Monday 5 November 2012).

Progress So Far

Yesterday was Day 1. It really wasn't too difficult, thanks to my wife's lovely home made vegetable soup in the evening.

I've got some more of that soup for lunch today. And I'm very much looking forward to it already! I feel a bit hungry, but it's nothing major.

I'm feeling excited! I've wanted to lose some weight for probably 10 years. Finally it I've found a diet that seems achievable. 

The thought that I might hit my goal in just 12 weeks is very inspiring!

Fingers crossed!