When I started on the journey to become fitter and healthier, it was interesting how the Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon and synchronicity started to creep in. As soon as I started to think more deeply about the path I was going to take and the different strategies I was going to try, it was crazy how many "opportunities" and information started to just appear in front of my face. This got me thinking more about manifestation but that's a whole other story.
For example, I was driving and I would see a small car with a weight loss bumper sticker, ot a billboard about a weight loss program. I would be watching TV and of course ads for fitness, or weight loss or healthy eating would come on.
Obviously these were always happening independent of my thoughts, but now they were starting to be absorbed into my thoughts. One evening there was a promo for a documentary on the ABC about fasting by Michael Moseley My partner and I sat down and watched it and were fascinated with the concept.
So the next morning I decided to start fasting. I'm kind of a "cold turkey" person. Firstly if I decide to do something I do it, and secondly I go all in. I don't see the point in mucking around with things. So I started the next day and decided to do a two day fast.
5:2 Fasting - Day 1
The idea is to fast for two days and then eat normally for 5. I decided to not eat at all during those days and just drink water. I could've consumed some calories according to Moseley's concept, but he also suggests that not eating at all and just drinking water will have better results. So that's what I did.
I was prepared for it to be hard, and generally I have a good relationship with pain struggle and discomfort, but in hindsight I wasn't prepared for how hard it really was, and it kind of shocked me. It emphasised to me how powerful the hunger
urges are and that they can completely override any sense of rationality. It also gave me pause for thought that people who have an eating disorder or obesity issue are fighting a mighty beast.
By about 10 am on the first morning, so only 2 or 3 hours in (after not eating since the evening meal the night before), I was really struggling and wanted to eat something. That past and by about midday it was ok, and I actually was working in the office, then stood up and went down stairs to the kitchen and opened the fridge to grab something to eat.
I had to stop myself as I'd forgotten what I was doing and went back into auto mode. That kind of depressed me a little. I had a glass of water and went back to work. The rest of the day was discomfort, and I was seriously wondering if I could make two days.
That evening was not too bad, but I did have a headache, and I made sure I drank a few glasses of water before I went to bed.
Day 2
I seemed to sleep fine and woke up feeling pretty good. I wasn't really hungry at all, but had a weird hollow feeling, almost like there was a vacuum inside all of me. In reality I'm pretty sure it was just my literal empty stomach. I did have a coffee, and snuck a couple of nuts (almonds I think) down my throat but that was all.
I prepared myself for a really tough day. Again at about 10 am I felt really bad. The headache cam back and I was struggling to concentrate with work. But again, but about midday I felt good again. The rest of the day went without any issues, and actually I started to feel really, really good. I got quite hungry at about 7pm, but I think it was when the rest of the family were eating and I was thinking about breakfast the next day.
I woke up the next morning feeling really good. I made bacon and eggs and had a couple of coffees, and away I went back into my normal routine.
I did feel really good the rest of that week. The best I had felt in a while.
Consistency In the Fasting Process
My plan was to continue this for 4 to 6 weeks. I just has to decide which days worked better. There were a few time where I had important meetings and I was anxious that I wouldn't be at my best. On weekends I had sporting commitments and again I wanted to make sure I was at my best. In the end I settle don Tuesday and Wednesday. If I had meetings that popped up so be it.
I don't really care how much I weigh. I didn't weigh my self and didn't want to make that a measure of the outcome. I know my body well, and I knew I would know if it was working for me. I know when I feel like I'm at my optimum weight and health. By about week 3 I knew it was working. I wasn't getting any easier but the results and how I felt was a good incentive.
I ended up doing 6 weeks on that first cycle. By the end I felt the best I had in a long time. I has definitely lost weight. I suspect around 3 kg. I had people commenting on how good I looked and how much weight I'd lost. That was all the evidence I needed to know I was on to a good thing.
I went back to normal life for probably about 2 or 3 months. I did find I didn't eat anywhere near as much, and certainly has much less hunger cravings. However this only lasted about 4 weeks, and slowly I started to eat more, and consequently not feel as good as I had, and put on some weight.
Intermittent Fasting Strategy 2 - Juice And Minimising Calories
The second strategy I used about 6 months later, was to intermittently fast alternate days, but consumed some calories. ie a juice and small salad, or a bowel of porridge in the morning only. Then the alternate day I could eat whatever I like. On off, on off, for 7 days a week.
I didn't find this as difficult, maybe as I had an idea of what was coming. But also I don't think I was as committed. Not that I cheated, or ate what I wasn't supposed to, but it certainly didn't seem as extreme, and it felt like I wasn't really challenging myself or my body. Interestingly this was also true with the results.
I used this strategy for 4 weeks, and at the end I knew it hadn't worked as well as the 5:2. I didn't feel like I had lost the same amount of weight, and certainly I didn't feel as good.
Next Fasting Steps
Right now I'm on the 5:2 fasting diet, drinking water and also of course Curavita Green Boost Super Greens.
It's what works for me, and I know if I consistently use this strategy, I'll be the healthiest I can be. It's not easy, but it's simply better. My plan is to continue indefinitely.
Michael Moseley On The 5:2 Diet
What Twitter Says
No age is a barrier when it comes to diet, weightloss and imporved health and wellbeing! So there are no excuses! Why not download our free 5:2 Fasting Guide now!
— The 5:2 Fasting Diet (@52diet) June 18, 2019
https://t.co/yCppES3qPO #52diet #fastingdietplan #dietguide pic.twitter.com/QGW8Qo1Vy2